Forgotten Rules remains unbeaten in four races after landing the Vintage Crop Stakes, a Group Three, at Navan on his seasonal reappearance on Sunday. Dermot Weld’s gelding, sent off at odds of 8-11, was made to work for it but was going away from his challenger Answered at the line and is now no bigger than 5-2 favourite for next month’s Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
“I was very pleased with the performance and thought it was an excellent renewal of the race,” Weld said. “Two very brave and high-class stayers fought it out.”
The trainer pointed out that the runner-up had the benefit of a recent run and was carrying 5lb less. “So I thought it was an excellent performance by Forgotten Rules on his first run back. I’m pleased with the way he handled the drying ground and it augurs well for his future.
“The obvious logical next step is the Ascot Gold Cup and the only caveat I would have is that he would never want the ground too firm.”
Forgotten Rules was ridden on his racecourse debut last year by Robbie McNamara, now trying to recover from spinal injuries sustained in a shocking fall last month. McNamara was a welcome visitor to Navan and told At The Races: “I was in hospital this morning and getting a little bit bored. I thought it would be nice to get a few hours away.”
There was no joy for the raiders in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil as On His Own and Sire Collonges finished tailed off after racing prominently in the early stages.
The pair represented the Irish and British champion trainers, Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls.
Victory went to the improving six-year-old Milord Thomas, also a winner of the Prix La Haye Jousselin in November, while Shannon Rock was runner-up for the fourth consecutive year.
Milord Thomas survived a hesitant early leap at the water that cost him a good position. The winning jockey was Jacques Ricou, remembered in Britain for his successes here aboard Jair Du Cochet more than a decade ago, when the pair once beat Best Mate by eight lengths.
