Royal Mail’s notable win
NZPA London The New Zealand-bred steeplechaser Royal Mail rose to a strong challenge for a welcome victory’ in the $70,000 Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown, Surrey, on Saturday. The 10-year-old gained rich compensation for his fall, five out when in front, in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 13. On Saturday jockey Phil Blacker took Royal Mail to the front entering the stright when at least six of the field looked to have a chance.
After jumping the second last fence. Royal Mail appeared to be set for a comfortable victory’. Then the topweight Father Delaney’ and an American horse J er each began powerful runs to the line. Royal Mail proved the stronger and won by a length from Father Delany, with Jer a close third. Afterwards trainer Stan Mellor revealed that Royal Mail was wearing a special bit after his Cheltenham fall which fractured the horse’s jaw, but he could still eat and after a
week could be ridden with a head collar. “Then we designed a bit so that he could be controlled from his nose, leaving the injured jaw free to heal,” Mellor said. “He was wearing the bit in the race.” Mellor paid tribute to Royal Mail's “grand disposition” and said three engagements had been arranged for him in France. He maay well run in the most important of the trio, the French Grand National.
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Press, 28 April 1980, Page 25
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234Royal Mail’s notable win Press, 28 April 1980, Page 25
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