Daryl Jacob Column: L'Ami Serge will be missed after sad end to fine career

L’Ami Serge tribute

L’AMI SERGE being fatally injured at Ascot last Saturday was a huge blow to everyone involved with the horse.

He was a big friend of all of ours and he’s been around for a long time, it was obviously very sad for the owners, for Sarah, who looks after him, it was a tough pill to swallow for everyone really.

I loved riding him. When we got it altogether he was very good. Winning the French Champion Hurdle was one of the most memorable moments of my racing career and also the Aintree Hurdle, it was massive, so I won a few prestigious races on him.

To lose any horse is upsetting, a lot of time, care and effort goes into these horses, so whether they are average or a Grade One winner like him it’s not very nice.

But he did mean a lot to a lot of people and he took me to England, Ireland and France for six or seven years. I’ll miss him.

Sceau good - and leaning towards Champion

It was just great to get another win over fences into SCEAU ROYAL in the Betfair Game Spirit Chase.

He was very good, I was very impressed with him. The race was run nicely for him, he didn’t have penalties to carry and that helped him. He travelled well and after a mishap at Kempton it was nice to get him jumping well.

Alan King’s done a fantastic job with him. I was always felt comfortable that I had enough in the tank to beat Champ, but he ran a good race in second for a potential Gold Cup horse as my horse is a smart two-miler.

He loved the better ground and conditions will determine his next target, although we are leaning towards the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Master bumped into a deadly horse in Dashel

I was really happy with MASTER TOMMYTUCKER in the Betfair Ascot Chase, he ran a good race and was very brave against an improving winner.

He tried his hardest and I do think in Dashel Drasher we bumped into a classy stayer at the trip who is on the up. I thought going down to the last I thought I’d beat him, but to be fair to the winner he was probably just idling in front, as he picked up again as soon as I got to him.

He beat us three lengths comfortably in the end.

Terrefort fine after reappearance

TERREFORT’s fine after he was pulled up on his comeback run in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury last Sunday.

It was nice to see him back on the track. He came out of the race slightly lame behind an hour after the race, but he’s back in his box and I saw him on Thursday and he seems bright and well in himself.

He was entitled to need the run after so long off, so hopefully he comes on for it.

Delire D’estruval – 3.35 Kempton, Saturday

DELIRE D’ESTRUVAL runs in the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton on Saturday and he’s obviously had his issues as well.

He returns from nearly a year off the track and he always needs his first run of the season, so in a competitive race I’d say he’ll definitely come on for it.

It’s nice to get him out again, though, so fingers crossed he runs a nice race.

Raffles Gitane – 2.50 Hereford, Sunday

I’m looking forward to riding RAFFLES GITANE for Harry Whittington on her British debut at Hereford on Sunday.

She’s out of Gitane Du Berlais who I won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase on, so she’s a nice prospect and she’s going well at home.

I schooled her on Wednesday and she seems in really good form. This race looks the ideal starting point.

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