World Hurdle Report: Johnny Murtagh's attempt to master the Cheltenham festival as he has most of the top international racecourses of the world agonisingly failed yesterday as Golden Cross came up a head short of beating My Way de Solzen in a thrilling finish to the third day festival feature.
For a man whose flat racing CV includes big money victories of the highest class from Epsom to Kentucky, the Ladbrokes World Hurdle looked an appropriate opportunity for a unique addition to an already bulging portfolio.
Sure enough Murtagh guided Golden Cross through the 20 strong field with the sort of sure touch that has steered Sinndar, High Chaparral and Motivator to Epsom Derby glory in the past. Even the 12 obstacles along the way proved no more than a minor irritant. But ironically the fairytale story was spoiled on the flat.
Robert Thornton's career has taken him to rather tweedier venues and his nickname of "Chocolate" must sound like a bad joke to Murtagh whose weight problems in the sleeker summer game are famously constant. But although Thornton's style might have been agricultural in comparison, it certainly worked for My Way de Solzen.
With the veteran former champion Baracouda struggling in fifth, and the favourite Mighty Man staying on at one pace, Golden Cross looked poised to use his flat speed and sweep past after the last. Except My Way de Solzen and Thornton didn't read the script.
Half way up the run in they rambunctiously veered right towards Golden Cross and the move appeared to give My Way de Solzen a vital edge. It only took Murtagh a couple of strides to galvanise Golden Cross once more but the line came just too soon and the English runner held on by a head.
"I'm sick. I haven't felt as sick in a long time. I thought I had it," reported a stony-faced Murtagh whose winter plan to keep in control of his weight so nearly yielded a famous triumph. "In another stride he would have won - it's heartbreaking. When we jumped the last I thought we would win and I haven't been as disappointed in a long time."
Murtagh then headed for the airport where he was scheduled to fly out to the rather warmer air of Dubai where he will ride at Nad Al Sheba today. He left behind an exultant Alan King and My Way de Solzen's trainer didn't waste any time rubbing some salt into the wound. "It was nice to see Chocolate out-riding the flat jockey!" he grinned before revealing that My Way de Solzen could run next at Punchestown if the ground is suitable.
That festival is also an option for Golden Cross provided a cut to a front leg is not serious. His trainer Michael Halford also said the Aintree Hurdle was also a possibility but whether Murtagh will be on board again this season is unclear.
"Johnny puts his heart and soul into everything and he doesn't like being second," Halford said. "He said at Christmas he didn't want to ride over hurdles again but we had a chat and a few days later he changed his mind. It was a great effort on both their parts. One horse had to lose and it's a pity it was us."
Even more of a pity was the fractured leg that meant Holy Orders had to be put down and there was also speculation that Baracouda, like Moscow Flyer, may have run his last race at Cheltenham.
"We will have to see about the future. If it has to be soft for him to win perhaps he is not the horse he was a few years ago," reasoned Francois Doumen.
