Kieran Shoemark pays the last word worth for 2000 Guineas failure however how did Mikael Barzalona escape the highlight? And which Liverpool legend has dipped into the world of possession as soon as once more? RACING CONFIDENTIAL

The irony is that it wasn’t even the biggest mistake in the race. Kieran Shoemark has paid the ultimate price for his ride in the Betfred 2000 Guineas but how did Mikael Barzalona escape the spotlight?

Shoemark had endured a torrid time since taking a front-rank role for John and Thady Gosden following Frankie Dettori‘s departure to the United States in late 2023; many compared his task to the one David Moyes faced when he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013.

Moyes’ tipping point came when Everton beat United 2-0 in April 2014 and, for Shoemark, it was Field Of Gold’s failure by half a length to peg back Ruling Court at Newmarket last Saturday. The jockey gave an eloquent account of what he had done in the race but the damage was done.

Juddmonte, the leading bloodstock organisation, were furious Field Of Gold, who they own, had lost. A 2000 Guineas win enhances a potential stallion’s CV considerably and the economic benefits are huge; it was no surprise, then, that leading figures within the organisation left Newmarket enraged.

So the Gosdens released a bulletin stating their policy would be to use the best rider available from now. As much as they try to dress it up, Shoemark has been axed and the fact he didn’t want to talk at Chester, when approached by Racing Confidential, confirmed the situation is delicate.

Something about it all doesn’t sit right. Shoemark has been castigated for the fact Field Of Gold didn’t pick up instantly when there were 500 yards of the one-mile contest left to run – the horse’s momentary pause was the difference between victory and defeat.

Kieran Shoemark (pictured) has lost his job as the top jockey for John and Thady Gosden

Shoemark finished second in last week’s 2000 Guineas aboard the well-fancied Field Of Gold

When he replaced Frankie Dettori as the Gosden’s No 1 jockey, Shoemark was compared to David Moyes – pictured in 2013 shortly after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson as Man United boss

But what about Barzalona, who made his run on Shadow Of Light – a colt whose stamina for the mile trip was not guaranteed – a fraction before Shoemark and swept to the front, went clear but was reeled in by the two pursuers?

There are grounds for saying Barzalona would – and maybe should – have won the 2000 Guineas had bided his time a little longer. He made himself a target and Ruling Court had the class and tenacity to overhaul him. Watching the race back again, the initial view that the Frenchman erred is confirmed.

Barzalona is richly-talented, there is no doubt, but he has flaws. That won’t stop him getting rides in big races going forward. You wonder what will happen this summer for Shoemark, who has seen his opportunities of success dramatically diluted.

A week since Constitution Hill was beaten in Ireland and he has started a well-earned summer of rest. To stand next to the most talked about horse in training as he was given a reviving glug of water in the unsaddling area at Punchestown, you wondered if his spirit had been broken.

Nicky Henderson, his trainer, rubbed the horse’s ears affectionately and nobody will have been more disappointed that Constitution Hill was beaten so emphatically but nobody is more adept at getting a superstar back to their top form than the Seven Barrows maestro.

It is also worth remembering that in 2011, Kauto Star went to Punchestown and was pulled up in the Gold Cup, leaving many people questioning whether he should retire. By the end of that year, Paul Nicholls had coaxed him back to win Haydock’s Betfair Chase and a fifth King George at Kempton.

Nobody should be in a hurry to write off Constitution Hill. Provided he gets the time and patience he requires – which he will – there can be more great days ahead. It is not time to abandon all hope at this moment – not when Henderson has something to do with it.

Trainer Nicky Henderson pictured with the legendary Constitution Hill earlier this year, before the horse’s recent defeat by State Man in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown

What a fabulous week at Chester, a meeting that kick starts the trials for Epsom. Aidan O’Brien won the Cheshire Oaks, Chester Vase and Dee Stakes and there is every chance he will win the Oaks and Derby trial at Lingfield on Saturday. Giselle, who runs in the Oaks, is highly-regarded.

O’Brien will send Delacroix to Leopardstown on Sunday but all eyes are on The Lion In Winter, who is primed for the Dante Stakes at York next Thursday. He hasn’t been seen since last August but his reputation is huge and the vibes are increasingly positive.

He’s currently 7/2 joint-favourite with Ruling Court, who he beat in the Acomb Stakes at York last summer, for Epsom but that price might have collapsed by this time next week. This is the time of year when you are invited to get excited about rich potential.

Plenty of famous faces around the course at Chester and none more so than Ian Rush, the greatest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.

He was invited to present the trophy after one race on Wednesday and his passion for racing is huge.

Rush told Racing Confidential he has just dipped into the world of ownership once again and he has a three-year-old filly in training with Paddy Twomey, who is one of Ireland’s most astute trainers.

Ian Rush, pictured at Chester Racecourse this week, recently bought a three-year-old filly

She has run once at Cork, finishing third, and has a target at The Curragh in a couple of weeks.

There is no disguising Rush’s enthusiasm for the sport and the twinkle in his eye was evident as he revealed what she is called – Naoi.

That is Gaelic for ‘nine’… if she is proficient as the man who made that number famous, Naoi will be scoring plenty this summer.

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND

Seven cards on a Saturday is a sure sign that summer is here.

There are big races from North to South and the best bet for the weekend looks to be GOBLET OF FIRE in the historic Swinton handicap hurdle at Haydock.

He’s a nice each-way price for Nicky Henderson.