Paul Mulrennan column: remembering David Brown

I was saddened to learn that former trainer David Brown had passed away at the age of 79. David was a nice, kind man to deal with and a particularly good trainer. I rode him his first winner on a horse called Mangham at Ripon in 2008, as well as a good few more later that same year.

David came into the business of training racehorses later in life but enjoyed plenty of success during a 15-year training career. For someone who didn’t have a strong racing background, he had an excellent eye for a horse. He was a great feeder of a horse, his runners were always big and strong, arriving at the racecourse in peak physical condition. I’d like to take this opportunity to offer my sincerest condolences to David’s friends and family.

The nominations for the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association (HWPA) Broadcaster of the Year were announced on Wednesday, and Adele (Mulrennan) was thrilled to make the final five. She’s in great company alongside the best of the best – Kevin Blake, Ed Chamberlin, Lydia Hislop, and Nick Luck – so fair play to her.

Adele has done her own thing on television, creating a niche role from a paddock perspective. She has sought to provide a greater understanding of the conditioning of racehorses, also striving to explain key aspects of racing-related terminology to a wider audience. She can justifiably be proud of her achievements.

Plaudits should go to Arena Racing Company for making the early call to switch Doncaster’s November Handicap to the All-Weather at Newcastle. The track was so badly worn after the Futurity, it was always going to be a major challenge to get the surface back into a raceable condition.

Naturally, there will be some disappointment that the Flat turf season has ended a week earlier than was scheduled, but most won’t fully appreciate the size, strength, and power of a racehorse. Turf tracks everywhere have taken an absolute battering over the last few weeks, so adopting a proactive approach to the scheduling of fixtures is the way forward.

I have three rides at Newcastle on Saturday, starting with the newcomer Walter Mitty (12.15pm) in the first division of the six-furlong maiden. The Michael Dods-trained juvenile is a Soldier’s Call colt, and the second foal from a seven-furlong juvenile winner for the Hannon’s. This race offers a suitable starting point for his career.

Good Point (12.50pm) has been placed in four of his six starts, so deserves to get his head in front. He has doing nothing wrong so far, and I think that the galloping track – first run on the AW – will really suit. He shows a lot of speed, but at the same time he’s always kept grinding away. He galloped right through the line (fourth) under Graham Lee at Nottingham last time, leaving the impression that he wants this extra furlong.

I simply must give a mention to Sir Chauvelin, who was successful at Kempton earlier this week. His equally admirable year-younger sibling Euchen Glen (3.45pm) contests the feature Virgin Bet November Handicap.

Euchen Glen last competed on the AW back in June 2018, when just failing to reel-in Cosmelli in the Northumberland Vase. I was stopped at a crucial stage there, so that was a prize which evaded us. The ground was horrible at Doncaster last time and this is more of a level playing field for everyone. He’s a star, so hopefully, he’ll give a good account of himself.

It’s full throttle on the AW over the next couple of weeks before the Flat jockeys winter break at the end of the month. I’m booked to ride at Wolverhampton on Monday before heading back to Newcastle on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I trust that you have enjoyed reading this weekly column throughout the Flat turf season. I will sign off for the year next week with a handful of horses to keep an eye on during the core winter AW season.