Prendergast critical of Asmussen ride

KEVIN PRENDERGAST yesterday hit out at Cash Asmussen for a very misjudged ride on Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe third Oscar Schindler. The Curragh trainer believes that the American jockey gave his horse too much ground to make up on unchallenged five length winner Helissio in the Longchamp showpiece, contrary to his riding instructions.

"I feel he rode a very misjudged race," the Irish St Leger winner's trainer said. "The winner has had a solo in front, meeting no trouble at all. But we were trying to give a Group One horse 100 yards start which is an impossibility.

"Oscar Schindler met all sorts of trouble and was still last with two furlongs to go so he did really well to be beaten just five lengths. I would blame the jockey because we told him to ride in fourth or filth place, not to go round in last.

"But I am not singling him out - they all do it. I just happened on the wrong day."

Asmussen claimed that he was forced to come from well behind in order to avoid having to forfeit ground on the bends. "I would be the first to admit that I was too far out of my ground," said the jockey, who has enjoyed enormous success since moving to France and won the Arc on Suave Dancer in 1991.

"But I was just dragged hack by being behind two horse I didn't want to be behind and I had to sit and suffer. I didn't want to go on the outside because you don't win at Longchamp by going five wide round the bends like some had to.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't get second but I'd have needed wings to heat the winner that was a spectacular performance".

Oscar Schindler, who failed by only a short neck to catch Pilsudski for second in Sunday's mile and a half contest, could step up to two miles for the Foster's Melbourne Cup next month.

"The Melbourne Cup is still on the cards," Prendergast said. "I am meeting the owner and will have to see what he says. We should have a decision tomorrow morning.

"The horse pulled up good after the race and he seemed all right yesterday evening."

Oscar Schindler, has just 8st 13lb in Australia's biggest race and Ladbrokes revealed yesterday that they would make him 4 to 1 favourite for the contest were he a definite runner.

. Jiyush, whose trainer Tom Jones will retire at the end of the 1996 Flat season, has been the object of further strong support for the Tote Cesarewitch at Newmarket in 12 days' time. The three year old, successful at York and Yarmouth on his last two outings, has been shortened by Coral, William Hill and Ladbrokes.