Matt Chapman's Good, Bad and Ugly from this week's world of horse racing

It's been a busy old week in racing and Chappers addresses some of the key talking points in his exclusive column.

GOOD

FOR the second weekend in a row Sam Twiston-Davies bagged the big betting event on ITV4 but wow in such different circumstances.

A week last Saturday it was hotpot Al Dancer who Twisty steered to victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Ascot, landing the odds as the 5-2 favourite.

This weekend, though, Twiston-Davies was on the paper 25-1 outsider of the whole field in the 888Sport Handicap Chase at Kempton.

That didn't stop Sam being the only jockey in the parade with a smile on his face, and didn't prevent him scoring a big win, eventually at 14-1.


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It could have been a tough season for Twiston-Davies, who went freelance this term having been attached to the powerful Paul Nicholls yard.

With Cyrname and Clan Des Obeaux doing great things for Ditcheat, Sam could be forgiven for kicking the door down from time to time.

However, publicly at least he's kept positive and continues to come across as a thoroughly decent lad.

I still believe Twiston-Davies will be champion jockey one day. He certainly has the talent.

BAD

Flu vaccinations are depressing one or two trainers, none more so than Harry Fry, whose If the Cap Fits was very lethargic in the National Spirit at Fontwell on Sunday.

Fry blamed a late BHA-forced vaccination for the display, something that not every punter would have known about.

Just an idea, but considering punters are told about wind operations and headgear, would it not be sensible to have a FV (flu vaccination) in the trade newspaper if a horse has been vaccinated with a week or two of running?

If the vaccination stopped If the Cap Fits, it's the biggest pointer any punter could get.

UGLY

IT sounded to me on Sunday like Paul Nicholls is running scared of sending Frodon to the Gold Cup. Is he that concerned that he'll lose our personal bet?

For those that don't know, if Frodon is in the first four in the Gold Cup I have to muck out for a morning at the yard, but if he's out the first four I get a champagne breakfast and stable tour.

Ten-times champion Nicholls hinted strongly on Sunday that Frodon may now head to the Ryanair.

The Ditcheat maestro also has Clan Des Obeaux in the big one, and I think he wants to keep his two stars apart. That could also be important for the trainers' championship.

You going to chicken out of it Paul?

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