Doing Marsh things…
Marsh Benham. Hilarious horse. Plenty of ability – but very often, nil inclination…
This year, encouragement in his seasonal debut when 2nd in a small field handicap. Second despite wandering through the final furlong with his head in the air and, according to Jack Callan on board, “not trying a yard….”
Marsh doing Marsh things. And giving no hint that his next run at Sandown under Benoit would see him sweep wide and fast and past the entire field to win “cosily” at 25/1…
Ahead of his next outing, an Amateur riders race at Salisbury, Marsh worked the house down. Better than he has ever gone at home. Simon Walker, with whom we have a potent association, on board. A hellish journey through Wiltshire lanes. Just in time to saddle. And then Marsh goes and runs an absolute stinker. Hellish journey home. Marsh…?!
Back out a couple of days later at Brighton. Going through the motions. 4th of 5…
I could not be at Epsom yesterday, but apparently the old goon was a nightmare to saddle and behaved like an “old goon”. Marsh, it must have been the 500 yard journey from stable to track…?!
Watching from afar on a flickering screen that cut in and out, it suddenly became apparent halfway up the home straight that Marsh was bolting up beside the stands rail. Five long looking lengths clear at the line. Marsh paying back Jack Callan. Marsh just doing Marsh things. A moment when I wondered whether I was watching the right horse, but all was well….
Marsh..??!!
Bless him. Mercurial. A little bonkers. But who cares ?? Racehorses, as some imagine, are not push button machines who win to order. They don’t race in athletic track tramlines, and there are so many variables. Variables that are understood by the vast majority of owners as being part and parcel – “variables” that a few just don’t get. Those that “just don’t get” tend to be fleeting participants in our great sport. Which is a relief…
FIZZY BEAR (3rd) and GORDON GREY (4th) running with great credit to give the team a decent day on the Downs…
Fizzy (Jack Dace) looked to have nicked his race a couple of furlongs down. It was not to be – but beaten less than 3 lengths in decent company was a big step forward. Likeable, still learning his trade, a little raw still – but good days ahead for sure…
As there are with our gorgeous grey. Captain Hindsight won several battles – and Jack C telling us post race that he thought he would have won if he had made the race more of a stamina test. An uncontested lead swinging into Tattenham Corner – and if we had kicked clear off a slow pace, who knows….??
The variables. Once headed, GG stuck on resolutely to be beaten just over 3 lengths. On another day, we would have had a different result. That, my friends, is racing…
A good day on those Epsom Downs. Horses home in their stables within minutes of running. I guess this is what it would be like if we had a barn at one of those US tracks. Hellish journeys not part of the equation…
No runners today…
Pakistan being battered at Edgbaston. Not good for the bigger picture that is Test Cricket…
MARSH…??!!
https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/the-racing/race-replays/2026/09/10/epsom%20downs/#feeling_flush_with_emplas_handicap
