Frankie Figg

Frankie Figg was desperately unlucky to come down in the second last in this year’s Topham at Aintree. Wilson Renwick set out on Frankie Figg to make all from the start and the Howard Johnson-trained gelding jumped boldly from the front and travelled really well. He was joined by Always Waining going over the Melling Road and the two pushed on from the front, with the rest of the field 12 lengths back and struggling to land any sort of blow. The two came to the second last together, but Frankie Figg hit the top of the fence and gave Wilson Renwick no chance. It was unjust on his jumping performance, because he was so good at all his fences up to that point.

This is the third time Frankie Figg has failed to get round over these fences, but it can not be said that he does not like them because he jumps them so well, he put in some spectacular leaps here, but he just seems to lose concentration at the odd one. He was the clear front-runner here and he set a decent pace that resulted in a very good time. Only Always Waining could go with him as they turned for home and although he was headed going to the second last, Wilson Renwick said afterwards that he thought he had plenty left in the tank.

Howard Johnson’s gelding was well supported for the Grand Sefton earlier on the year, after winning over the Mildmay course before that. He came down at the fifth last there when still in front, and also came down at Becher’s when in front in last year’s Topham. He surely has the ability to win one of these races if getting his jumping right and he deserves another chance. He will come back next year for another crack and with more experience under his belt he may well be able get round and if he does he should go very close to winning off his new mark of 132, just 2lb higher than the mark off which he raced here. He is only eight, he has run just 12 times over fences, and he still has plenty of time on his side.

9th April 2010

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