RACING CONFIDENTIAL: BHA in disbelief over massively controversial whip ruling, but extra excellent news for Sir Alex Ferguson and the reality about Constitution Hill’s struggles

There is incredulity in the British Horseracing Authority offices following the most controversial decision of the flat season.

Alphonse Le Grande was a shock 33-1 winner of the Cesarewitch on October 12 at Newmarket but, three days later, he was disqualified after a Whip Review Committee deemed his amateur jockey Jamie Powell had struck the horse 10 times. A rider is allowed to use his ‘stick’ six times in a flat contest.

However, connections of Alphonse Le Grande appealed and they argued that Powell’s 10th ‘strike’ had not made true contact with the gelding, who was being trained in Ireland by Cathy O’Leary at the time while usual trainer Tony Martin served a ban for breaching anti-doping regulations.

The case was heard last Thursday by an independent three-person panel in London and there was huge shock when the chair Sara Crowther came back with the decision that Alphonse Le Grande should be reinstated, leaving connections of runner-up Manxman furious and BHA officials startled.

Manxman, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford in Newmarket, had been beaten by a nose and the outcome was the difference in prize money to them was more than £57,000 – the winner pocketed £90,195, the runner-up received £42,297.50.

‘We think the BHA has not satisfied us that there was contact as Mr Powell’s arm came back and the whip went across the back of the horse,’ said Crowther. ‘We find that his body position (when attempting the 10th use) was different to the first nine strikes.

‘It seems to us that he was somewhat crouched and off-balance to his left and very low in the saddle… adopting a pragmatic interpretation of the word “use” we find it is not every single contact between a whip and a horse that will amount to use.’

Yet Powell still received a 20-day suspension (down from the initial 28) and rewatching the video it is clear to see he attempted to strike Alphonse Le Grande a 10th time. Just because he didn’t connect doesn’t mean the intention wasn’t there, and it seemed an obvious case.

Ruby Walsh used an analogy on ITV Racing that it was like playing golf – if a golfer takes an air shot, it still constitutes a stroke, so what is the difference here? It is an unprecedented set of circumstances and when Crowther gave her decision after a three-hour hearing, there was widespread disbelief.

This is unlikely to be the end of the matter. When approached for a comment by Racing Confidential, a BHA Spokesperson said: ‘We are disappointed with the outcome of the appeal hearing and will carefully consider the panel’s written reasons when we receive them.’

National Hunt talents join forces 

Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm have one of the most progressive National Hunt stables in Europe and they have struck up an agreement with one of most promising riders around.

Michael O’Sullivan is based in Ireland but he made a trip to across the water last week at the request of George and Zetterholm, who are based in Chantilly.

It was hugely successful, too, as his two rides were winners: Midnight Exit obliging at Hereford then Do It Again followed up at Bangor-on-Dee.

Do It Again was particularly eye-catching, a big strapping three-year-old with a powerful engine and he will have learned a huge amount from his first spin over hurdles. What will have helped, too, was the considerate and educational ride he received from O’Sullivan.

The 24-year-old is best known for his association with Marine Nationale, winner of the Supreme Novices Hurdle in 2023, but the best judges within the sport rave about him and it is fascinating that he will come over to England whenever commitments allow to ride for George and Zetterholm.

‘Do It Again won with loads in hand,’ O’Sullivan told Racing Confidential. ‘He is a nice horse to look forward to. I spent the summer with Noel and Amanda in Chantilly and they are great people. I will go anywhere to ride a winner for them. I’ve got a good strike rate with them.’

Zut alors, Il Est Francais 

Sticking with George and Zetterholm, it is impossible not to reflect on the crashing disappointment of Il Est Francais’s run at Auteuil on Sunday. He was sent off favourite for Prix La Haye Jousselin but was pulled up midway through the Grade One event.

Il Est Francais has been in everyone’s thoughts since his display at Kempton on Boxing Day last year when he drew gasps with the way he jumped in the Kauto Star Novices Chase. Such was his majesty, it prompted some observers that day to compare him to the sport’s greatest chaser.

Things have not gone to plan, though, since then. Il Est Francais finished last of five at Auteuil in April before returning to action in September with a pleasing victory at the same course. The lamentable nature of last weekend’s outing, though, suggests there is an internal ailment.

‘He is completely sound now and physically he seems fine,’ says George, who had wanted to take Il Est Francais back to Kempton on Boxing Day for the King George. ‘There is no point making any decisions now until we get test results back.’

Double joy for Sir Alex 

What a weekend for Sir Alex Ferguson and his pals, the kind of weekend that was as spectacular as a lottery win. Some owners have been in racing all their lives and never got close to experiencing the buzz of four huge winners that Manchester United’s old boss had in the space of 24 hours.

Spirit Dancer landed the biggest prize in Bahrain and there is every chance this globetrotting superstar will be on his travels again. He has been entered for the Hong Kong Vase in Sha Tin on December 8 and it would be no surprise to see him run well.

The best news of the last week for Ferguson, however, was the fact Kalif Du Berlais – a novice chaser of huge potential – has been checked out and is fully sound following an awful fall at Carlisle last Monday that had a packed crowd worried.

Kalif Du Berlais was examined at great length on the course before being brought back to the stables in a horse ambulance. He then returned to Paul Nicholls’ yard in Ditcheat and was assessed again. Such is the way he has recovered, the former Champion Trainer is already eyeing a race for him.

Provided he continues to please Nicholls, Kalif Du Berlais may run in a two-mile, two-furlong novice chase at Newbury next Friday – the same day Ferguson’s expensive recruit Caldwell Potter (who he owns with Ged Mason, John Hales and Peter Done) is likely to be unleashed at the same track.

Is Sir Gino the key to Constitution Hill’s struggles?  

Much debate has followed the gallop of Constitution Hill at Newbury on Tuesday, with many in a rush to declare that the former Champion Hurdler is a pale shadow of what he once was and that retirement beckons.

It was a remarkable take about a horse that has never set the world alight with what he does at home – Henderson thought Constitution Hill was no good at all after seeing him gallop for the first time – but it adds intrigue ahead of his reappearance at Newcastle on Saturday week.

Another way of looking at what we saw at Newbury is this: perhaps his galloping companion Sir Gino has made stratospheric improvement. He was brilliant last season and the horse he beat legless at Cheltenham on Trials Day in January, Burdett Road, has just runaway with the Greatwood Hurdle.

Sir Gino is currently 6-1 for the Arkle Chase at the Festival next March and Henderson told Racing Confidential that his schooling – first time over five fences, the second time over 10 fences – has been electrifying.

If he does what they think he will do at Kempton next Monday, he won’t be 6-1 very longer.