Fehilly unquestionably does nothing to improve the horses position for some time though. Then starts to ride more vigorously, uses the whip etc so the horses finishes. Maybe he’d given up then decided he could still get a place…
We often see trainers or jockeys comments when a horse shows improved form, with the reasons given that it was the tactics / different distance / different ground. I very, very rarely see connections have to give reasons why completely opposite tactics were used the next time the horse runs.
Because it is obvious why a change of tactics happened Mark.
Western King got a soft lead when winning, no other horse took him on.
If he’d been the only obvious front/prominent runner in yesterday’s race and did not front run – THEN you could be angry/ask questions Mark…
But yesterday connections knew there were 5 horses in the race who liked to race prominently. 3 of those produce their best when IN FRONT (need to lead). Only one horse can ever lead a race. Western King’s connections knew they were not going to get a lead or (if making sure of leading) knew they’d have to go at too fast a pace. Therefore, connections made the decision to hold the horse up and race wide, with as clear a view as possible of each fence. Hoping he’d be ok.
Another in the race who runs his best races from the front was Strumbles Head. His rider could not lead either and dropped back on the inner, half way back. Surrounded by runners, he ran abysmally.