Mum’s the word as Pickard plots downfall of Ellison’s favourite

THERE will be no room for sentiment when Paul Pickard, an emerging Yorkshire jockey, enters the starting stalls ahead of the Betfred Ebor – the signature race that underpins four days of unrivalled horse racing at York.

As an apprentice jockey attached to Brian Ellison’s Malton stable, Pickard’s loyalties should lie with the in-form trainer whose burgeoning dual-purpose yard is responsible for the ante-post Ebor favourite Saptapadi.

Yet, while Kieren Fallon, the six-times champion jockey, has been entrusted with riding the Koo’s Racing Club-owned Saptapadi, 24-year-old Pickard will be plotting the favourite’s downfall on the eye-catching grey Tominator.

Pickard and Tominator already have winning form. They landed a 50-1 nationwide gamble in June when landing the Northumberland Plate – a race that Ellison, a proud Geordie born on the day of the Pitmen’s Derby in 1952, has always sought to win.

This was no beginner’s luck story – the slenderly -built Pickard’s career has been gradually gaining momentum and his prowess in the saddle was sufficient to catch the eye of veteran trainer Reg Hollinshead prior to the prestigious Newcastle handicap.

“It was brilliant – you don’t get too many chances in a career to win a race like that. I’m just glad my agent phoned Mr Hollinshead to see if the ride was available,” Pickard told the Yorkshire Post.

“You dream of days like that and it would be incredible if we could land the Ebor – it would be some double, but I’m not sure if Brian would be too happy with me. We need to get in a winning position first.”

As Pickard looks to emulate Gary Carroll, the last apprentice to land the Ebor when Sesanta prevailed two years ago for Ireland’s champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins, it is worth recalling the diminutive jockey’s unlikely journey into racing.

He went to school in Norton. He had no idea what the future entailed – other than he did some odd Saturday jobs at the stables of Malcolm Jefferson, like sweeping the yard.

That was until his mother Margaret drove to the Jefferson yard and asked if there were any vacancies for her son – even though he had never ridden a horse.

“I’m glad she did. The first I knew was when she told me that she’d got me a job – there was no way she was letting me leave school without anything to go to,” explained Pickard.

“I was mucking out, sweeping the yard, but Malcolm sent me to the racing school at Newmarket and then got me a licence.

“The funny thing is that I didn’t even like horses. I was scared of them. They’re such big animals.

“When I sat on my first horse, I loved it – Malcolm put me on a nice quiet one. Once I felt the speed, I knew that was it. I couldn’t get enough of riding.

“Malcolm is a jump yard, but he got Paul Hanagan going before he went to Richard Fahey’s. I know Paul really respects Malcolm and it is the same with me.”

From there, Pickard had a stint with Sledmere trainer Declan Carroll before teaming up effectively with York-based Paul Midgley until he decided to further his horizons at Ellison’s stable this year.

Like many apprentices, Pickard would like more rides to add to his 70 career winners to date – though a lack of opportunities is the reason that he still has a three-pound claim which lessens the weight that Tominator will have to carry this Saturday. It is also hard work, his father Dave drives him to and from the races when there are long distances involved or two meetings a day. “When I ride a winner, he gets more excited than me.”

He is also indebted to Beverley Racecourse for the sponsorship that he received last year as the first beneficiary of a scholarship that was set up by the East Yorkshire track to honour the memories of jockeys Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson who were killed in an arson attack nearly two years ago.

“Jamie was a great friend, and I rode against Jan several times, and both are sadly missed in the weighing room. If things go wrong, you think of them and realise you are the lucky one,” adds Pickard.

Yet, while Pickard is still crafting out his career, he believes he is fortunate to be able to learn from the likes of Hanagan and Silvestre de Sousa, two riders at the head of affairs in this year’s title race.

“I think some of the Northern lads could ride the southern boys to sleep – the best jockeys are up here and they show you, day in and day out, the value of hard work.”

As such, he is not daunted by Ellison booking Fallon to ride Saptapadis, with the six-times champion jockey saying: “He ran a stormer behind Twice Over at York’s last meeting. I went over to Brian Ellison in the paddock and said ‘If Paul can’t ride him in the Ebor, I would like to’. He has the ideal profile for the race.”

Added Pickard: “At least Kieren knows that I ride for Brian. Seriously, I think it takes the pressure off me and it would be very difficult to give up Tominator. People say he was disappointing in the John Smith’s Silver Cup when he was eighth to the Queen’s horse Tactician who also lines up in the Ebor, but it was a funny race.

“If he gets a good gallop, that’s all he needs. He had that in the Northumberland Plate and I can’t believe that we’ll be hanging around in the Ebor.

“It will be great if Tominator and Saptapadi fight out the finish – but as long as I win. Just don’t tell Brian or I’ll be out of a job!”

Tactical switch may just pay for Bell

SHE may have been denied the Derby triumph that she desires, but the Queen will be compensated if Tactician wins the Betfred Ebor Handicap.

Trainer Michael Bell is confident. He has booked top Irish apprentice Joseph O’Brien, whose father Aidan heads the world-famous Ballydoyle Stables, to ride Tactician.

He will take a crucial 3lb off the horse’s back which could be crucial in a stamina-stapping race that will be run at a furious pace.

Tactician, the son of former Derby winner Motivator, has been a leading contender for Europe’s richest Flat handicap race since winning the John Smith’s Silver Cup over course and distance (one mile and six furlongs) last month.

Bell said: “Tactician is very much on target for the Ebor. He went up 6lb for his last win, so we have booked Joseph to take a bit off.

“He is an extremely talented young jockey who has lots of big race experience. The horse seems in great form and has run two of his best races at York.”

Another big runner for Bell is Margot Did who will line up in the Nunthorpe Stakes. A dual Listed winner already this season, the daughter of Exceed And Excel is one of the fastest three-year-old fillies around.