Why Doesn't Jefferson Get The Credit He Deserves?

There have been many feats that have been achieved within the horse racing world that beggar belief.

Michael Dickinson's first 5 home in the 1983 Gold Cup. 

Frankie Dettori's through the card 7 wins on Champions Day at Ascot in 1996.

Aldaniti and Bob Champion's tear-jerking victory in the 1981 Grand National after over-coming an injury and cancer respectively.

Aldaniti and Bob Champion take Beechers on their way to victory in the 1981 Grand National

At the 2012 Cheltenham Festival and then at the Aintree Festival the following month, an accomplishment occurred which I think hasn't received the merit it deserves. 

On the Thursday of Festival week, the 3 mile Pertempts Handicap Hurdle was won by Cape Tribulation beating home Catch Me by 3/4 of a length, with the Paul Webber trained Cantlow a further length back in 3rd. The mount of Denis O'Regan out-stayed his rivals up the famous hill to provide his trainer Malcolm Jefferson with a first Festival win in 17 years after Dato Stars victory in 1985. The victory brought his trainer to tears.

Cape Tribulation winning at the Festival in 
2012

http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=699907#topHorseTabs=horse_race_record&bottomHorseTabs=horse_form

The famous saying 'one brings two' was ever present the following day. On Gold Cup day Jefferson found himself in the famous winners closure once again after Attaglance's win the 2m 4f Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys handicap hurdle. Ridden by the under-rated Harry Haynes claiming 3 pounds off the geldings back, Attaglance powered gamely up the Prestbury Park finishing hill to get the better of Toner D'Oudairies by a neck with Oscar Nominee a further neck behind in a blanket finish to record a 20-1 victory.

Attaglance

http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=745522#topHorseTabs=horse_race_record&bottomHorseTabs=horse_form

As is common at the Cheltenham Festival, a big handicap win on the biggest stage of them all comes at a sacrifice. The sacrifice is a hike in the weights as the horses rating shoots skywards. Cape Tribulation's victory raised him 8 pounds finding himself a rating of 150 from 142. Attaglance's rating rose 5 pounds from 139 to 144. Such a hike in the weights, when the valuable handicaps are so competitive with all the horses rated so closely together, the next few outings for Cape Tribulation and Attaglance were supposed to be much more difficult. Now "in the hands of the handicapper".



How wrong the handicapper, I and many others were! The following month at Aintree, both horses were turned out by Jefferson. Cape Tribulation heading for the 3 mile handicap hurdle and Attaglance for the 2 mile 4f handicap hurdle. After their rise in the weights both horses carried top weight of 11 stone 12 pounds - Harry Haynes was not able to claim his 3 pound allowance. As we know the results show that both horses recorded amazing follow up victories after their Cheltenham Festival success'.

Both horses were again outsiders. Cape Tribulation was again 14-1 starting price whilst Attaglance was shorter than his Cheltenham excursions at 14-1 also. The fact both were relatively unfancied told you the publics perception of their chances. Although once again, They both pulled the rabbit out of the hat.  

We have seen horses record follow up victories at Aintree after their Cheltenham Festival success before, but these are normally in the championship races. Horses such a Peddlers Cross and more recently Sprinter Sacre are examples. It is extremely rare for a horse to do so in handicap company due to their rise in the weights. However Malcolm Jefferson masterminded not one, but two of these rare feats last spring. A truly astonishing accomplishment!! 

I would imagine Malcolm Jefferrson made a few quid as a result of their victories. I hope he did because I certainly didn't! To be honest Attaglance's Aintree win cost me quite a lot considering the horse finishing second, Tour D'Argent, was the final leg of my patent. Which already contained two winners!!

Tour D'Argent - you owe me some money this season mate!

In my opinion this accomplishment will almost certainly never be repeated and deserves more exposure than it has received. 

Well done Malcolm Jefferson you sly old dog!