Racing review: Hotpots and howlers from the last seven days in the world of horse racing
Who flopped and who made the headlines for the right reasons across the likes of Cheltenham and Doncaster?
THERE were some memorable performances and some moments to forget in the world of racing this week.
Take a look at our latest instalment of Hotpots and Howlers, where we pick out the good, the bad and the downright ugly from the past seven days.
Hotpots
There is only way place to start this week, following the news that grand old hurdler The New One had been retired.
He was a brilliant horse, winning 20 of his 40 starts under Rules, amassing over £1 million in prize money during that time.
He won twice at Grade 1 level and sparked plenty of debate over the years - was he unlucky not to win a Champion Hurdle?
Nevertheless, he's been a warrior for the Twiston-Davies family and turned up to all the big gigs. It's great to see him retire happy and sound and his career should be celebrated.
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Earlier in the week, we received a positive update regarding the legendary jockey Lester Piggott.
The 83-year-old has suffered from heart trouble in recent years and was rushed into hospital earlier this month.
But his daughter Maureen Haggas, wife of top trainer William, revealed the all-time-great was doing well after the fitting of a pacemaker.
He was expected to return home this weekend - let's hope he continues on his road to recovery!
LATEST IN HORSE RACING
Who said racing in the north was dead? Trainer Nicky Richards has been having a rare old time of it.
The Cumbria-based handler has saddled six winners from his last eight runners, while his only representative on Saturday was Guitar Pete who ran a cracker for third at Cheltenham.
One horse in particular who looks to have a very exciting future is Blakerigg, who made it back-to-back wins when scoring in a canter at Doncaster.
Richards will also have tough campaigner Simply Ned chasing Grade 1 honours over Christmas - maybe it ain't so grim t'up north.
Howlers
I've had a difficult job whittling this list down - there have been some right shockers over the past week.
The BHA are definitely in the cross-hairs after an embarrassing few days regarding their position on the whip.
On Friday night, chief exec Nick Rust said that “a new structure for penalties and deterrents for overuse of the whip” would be announced in January.
The following day, the BHA press office released statement saying a review wouldn't even begin until the New Year - they couldn't organise a p*** up in a brewery.
Trainer Jamie Osborne was irate on Twitter on Saturday afternoon after racing at Deauville was abandoned - after jockeys complained of being too cold.
The riders at the French track complained to stewards after the second race that the cold wind and rain was making life difficult for them, and the officials agreed.
Former jump jockey Osborne, who was due to have runners later on the card, told the Racing Post: "It's a complete and utter overreaction. They are on a good surface, they've got goggles.
"I don't want to sound like an old fart, but when you go out in a novice chase in mud and freezing cold, you take five pairs of goggles and you're jumping fences with partial vision. You get used to it."
It's also been a rough few days for in-running punters, with a number of horses gubbed at short odds.
First off on Thursday, Choochoobugaloo (our Templegate's NAP), cruised clear after the final hurdle but slammed on the breaks with the winning post in sight.
She was eventually run down and caught close home having traded at 1.01 - or 1-100 in running, with punters losing thousands of pounds in the process.
On Saturday, Bun Doran threw away a race at Cheltenham having been as short as 1.09, while Go Conquer (1.05) looked home and hosed at Donny before O O Seven nabbed him on the line. I smell burnt fingers...