Alan King will have to wait another year to add to his impressive tally of 33 Festival winners after Edwardstone was inexplicably disappointing behind Energumene in last week's Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Edwardstone was never really travelling, and Alan was quoted in the weekend's Racing Post as looking for a full MOT on the horse this week before reassessing whether another run is appropriate this season. There are still smart races to be had at Aintree, Sandown or Punchestown before the season is out.
Either way, it was left to Messrs Nicholls and Skelton to fly the flag for home-based talent at the Festival, each of which scored twice.
Despite this, the Barbury team scored well over the weekend when Rex Dingle booted home the low-weighted Major Dundee in the Boulton Group Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter to land the £84k first prize. This was a first ride for King from Dingle, and the partnership may well be used again for horses at the bottom end of the handicap. Dingle is establishing himself as a leading lightweight rider.
In what might appear on the face of it a bare season in terms of big race winners except Edwardstone's Tingle Creek victory in December, the King stable has still amassed over £825,000 in winnings, an average of over £17,500 for each of 45 winners. With Aintree and Sandown to come, there is still every possibility of breaking the £1m barrier again.
Alan King will have to wait another year to add to his impressive tally of 33 Festival winners after Edwardstone was inexplicably disappointing behind Energumene in last week's Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Edwardstone was never really travelling, and Alan was quoted in the weekend's Racing Post as looking for a full MOT on the horse this week before reassessing whether another run is appropriate this season. There are still smart races to be had at Aintree, Sandown or Punchestown before the season is out.
Either way, it was left to Messrs Nicholls and Skelton to fly the flag for home-based talent at the Festival, each of which scored twice.
Despite this, the Barbury team scored well over the weekend when Rex Dingle booted home the low-weighted Major Dundee in the Boulton Group Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter to land the £84k first prize. This was a first ride for King from Dingle, and the partnership may well be used again for horses at the bottom end of the handicap. Dingle is establishing himself as a leading lightweight rider.
In what might appear on the face of it a bare season in terms of big race winners except Edwardstone's Tingle Creek victory in December, the King stable has still amassed over £825,000 in winnings, an average of over £17,500 for each of 45 winners. With Aintree and Sandown to come, there is still every possibility of breaking the £1m barrier again.
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