As Stage Star found himself in the spotlight once again and Australia battled to an improbable World Cup success, I reflect on the weekend’s biggest talking points.
1. Centre stage
When Stage Star stumbled at the last there was a collective sharp intake of breath around Prestbury Park and another as Harry Cobden somehow managed to stay in the saddle. But that was quickly replaced by cheers when the 4/1 favourite battled on to see off any challengers up the hill.
He racked up the wins last season culminating in that stunning Turner’s success for which he went off at 15/2. After that there was perhaps the feeling that might be the pinnacle – a run of a lifetime for a plucky overachiever.
The flat performance at Aintree did little to dispel that notion. However, matters on Sunday added to an overwhelming body of evidence of a horse who win by win is underlining his credentials as a contender for the biggest prizes around.
Whether we will see him again before the festival remains to be seen as Paul Nicholls has been quick to emphasise that keeping him fresh is key. Others will enter the picture and perhaps Stage Star will find himself edged into the wings. But this performance from a horse who clearly relishes the conditions at Cheltenham is not one to forget about.
Stage Star to win the Ryanair @ 4/1
2. The duel is on
Such has been the hype about Jonbon going all the way back to that first stylish Bumper win in 2021, that the two second-placed finishes next to his name have left it feeling like he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.
But those two individuals he has finished behind are — Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme by 22 lengths and El Fabiolo by 5 and a half lengths in this year’s Arkle. Both are very special horse – and in the case of Constitution Hill he might not even be a horse!
The fact is, Jonbon is good enough — more than good enough to warrant being in the conversation alongside El Fabiolo. Last year’s Arkle defeat felt comprehensive at the time, but the manner in which the seven-year-old attacked the fences on Sunday with such hunger and enthusiasm offers evidence of a maturing horse that is kicking things up a notch.
Ears pricked in front he idled a little on the run in, but De Boinville kept him up to his work and there was clearly plenty left under the bonnet. A greater challenge awaits, but it is one we should all anticipate with relish.
3. Trent in the middle
Gareth Southgate heads into Euro 2024 with a quite incredible array of talent at his disposal. Perhaps the biggest criticism of Southgate, aside from his bloody-minded loyalty to certain individuals, is his lack of ability to get the best out of some of England’s most talented players.
It doesn’t feel as though Phil Foden has the manager’s trust, Jack Grealish has made a far greater impression off the bench and Marcus Rashford has failed to truly kick on in an England shirt. But the real polemic figure in the great Southgate debate is Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Blessed with a deep pool of talent on the right side of defence, Alexander-Arnold was always facing a battle to break into the team. However, his transition into an inverted role allowing him to pick up more central positions has offered him an opening in this England team.
Jordan Henderson surely will not start Euro 2024 alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, while Kalvin Phillips’ lack of minutes have shown in his recent performances.
The prospect of Bellingham, Rice and Alexander-Arnold in the England engine room is an enticing one. Opportunity beckons for the man from West Derby who was man of the match against Malta on Friday night. A muted showing followed in a double pivot with Rice in Macedonia. Alexander-Arnold must adapt quickly to show there is more to this potential combination than logic alone.
4. Been there done that
It started off with everything going according to the script. The crowd were up and India were off to a flyer, but somehow momentum was stolen from the host’s sails and they managed just four boundaries from overs 11 to 50. Up stepped Virat Kohli with the plot seemingly already written.
54 runs duly followed and Australia were on the ropes again. Then there was silence. An inside edge into the stumps and Kohli was gone. 90,000 home supporters stunned. The most impressive thing about Pat Cummins and this Australia side is their ability to eke out results and find a way to win.
As hysteria grew about England’s dire World Cup campaign plenty of fingers were pointed at an ageing squad and perceived staleness in the ranks. But Australia have demonstrated that knowhow is priceless.
Experience and some fielding heroics got Australia over the line here and England would do well to consider that before writing off the ODI squad’s elder statesmen.
Lola Katz Roberts is a Content Executive at Fitzdares.
