WATCH: 'This is a farce of a start' - Galway Hurdle-winning jockey Paddy Flood

Lead analyst for irishracing.com, Paddy Flood, is a Galway Hurdle-winning jockey, having made all aboard Paul Nolan’s Cuan Na Grai in 2006.

On this week’s Jockey Angle he analyses how best to ride the track in the Galway Hurdle and focuses on the controversial start of the race where the race can be lost or won.

For the full Galway Hurdle analysis watch the video below.

Paddy Flood’s Galway Hurdle Analysis

I’m going to look at the Galway Hurdle start from last year. This one really rots me. I don't know who designed that if the tape was broken and it was a false start, horses had to stand.

When I was a young man, if you stood still on a thoroughbred, you'd kick in the arse off Desi Hughes because he always said, "Don't ever keep a thoroughbred standing." You’re running the risk of them flipping over, and you’re running the risk of kicking another horse. So we were always told to move.

This horse on the outside here, JJ Slevin, a well-fancied horse - everyone’s standing. So the tape will shoot across, but if I play this, the horses on the very outside have a disadvantage because this tape actually flashes in front of their face. Basically, I’m not sure if it hits them or not, but it’s very, very close to hitting them.

You can imagine yourself with an elastic band. Once you let it go, the far end of it is going to make a noise and you’re going to get a slap at the far end of it. For me, this is a farce of a start.

We’re talking about Benvenuto Cellini being pulled out of a Derby because of an unfair advantage. What sort of unfair advantage have these horses got back here? They are completely out of the race from the minute the gate drops.

Watch the full analysis of how to ride the Galway Hurdle

I think two or three years ago, Paul Townend was the same.

I actually won the Galway Hurdle one year. I was very lucky - I actually got a spare ride on Paul Nolan’s Cuan Na Grai, who won it, and I led from start to finish.

I got a flyer out of the gate and no one came after me. But as I said, you can’t win it at the start, but you can definitely lose it. Those horses there, I mean, that’s farcical.

What happens then is these guys have been left so far behind in Galway. It’s not like Leopardstown or Punchestown; you’re turning right all the time, and basically, they just can’t win.

About Paddy Flood

Life as a jockey

Which trainers did you ride for when you were a jockey?

Dessie Hughes, Edward O'Grady, Mouse Morris, Mick Halford and Martin Brasil.

In Australia - Leon and Troy Corstons who trained Starspangledbanner, Gai Waterhouse, and Ciaron Maher.

Your three most memorable wins as a jockey?

Cheltenham Coral Cup on Ninetieth Minute, Irish Grand National on Hear The Echo and the Morgiana Hurdle on Hardy Eustace.

Most underrated skill of a jockey?

Brains and balls! One is no good without the other and strength, I'm not sure people know how physically strong jockeys are for their weight.

One thing fans don't realise about race riding?

In some jumps races you might only see 3 out of the 10 jumps, usually in big handicaps you hear the hurdles but don’t see much of them.

Favourite racehorse of all time (one you rode)?

Ponmeoath who won 2 Kerry Nationals back-to-back, he was tiny but the best jumper of a fence I ever sat on.

Jockey coaching

What's the first thing you look for in a young jockey?

Attitude, if they can listen to instruction/advice that's the perfect start, you can teach all the other steps.

Biggest mistake young riders make?

Young riders can reach for the whip when they come under pressure,they tend to go from 1st gear to 5th, by that I mean they expect horses to go from hard on the bridle to flat out in a matter of a few strides, this usually unbalances horses and they don't enjoy it.

One piece of advice for anyone dreaming of becoming a jockey?

Keep your eyes and ears open, watch and learn from the better people. If you're going to be a jockey you have to be committed to the hard work that goes with it.

Best advice you've ever been given?

Don't spend time worrying about what people think of you, you're not that important!

Race analysis

Favourite race to analyse?

A race with a bit of drama! Good or bad.

What's the one thing you notice that most viewers miss?

I tend to watch the jockey's body language from early in the race and I can tell if they are happy or not.

Which current jockey do you most enjoy watching and why?

Darragh O’Keeffe. He has such good balance over a jump and is strong as an ox in a finish, he will give a horse in a 3yo hurdle the same ride as a horse in a Grade 1.

Favourite racehorse of all time (not one you rode)?

Kauto Star, he dined at the top table for so long and the fact he could throw in a sketchy jump and always had you on the edge of your seat. Him and Ruby were a match made in heaven!