British Debutant Fukuto A Commentator's Nightmare

British Debutant Fukuto A Commentator's Nightmare

Two In The Pink, Mary Hinge, and erm. Big Tits, are just some of the names that have somehow passed inspection when owners name their horses.

Now Simon Holt is a man of much experience, particularly with his many years serving with Channel Four Racing.

He has called home some of the greatest races, featuring the likes of Black Caviar and Frankel winning at Royal Ascot, along with Best Mate and Denman's almighty successes at the Cheltenham Festival.

This Saturday though will present a whole new challenge for the legendary commentator, as David Bridgwater's 'Fukuto' could make his British debut in the Unibet Juvenile Hurdle at Sandown Park.

On paper, it looks the sort of name that can give any racegoer a bit of a dilemma, especially for those tackling the pronunciation on live television air.

I'm sure he will not mind this writer saying, that a few years ago at Royal Ascot, Holt was guilty of a slightly different unfortunate slip on the tongue when trying to pronounce the 'Royal Hunt Cup'.

It's just what happens, and is never intended.

We should add of course that Fukuto ran twice in France, winning at Argentan back in October and is reported to have a great deal of raw talent with a bright future ahead.

However, that is not why Bridgwater signed him for £52,000.

(Credit: Racing Post) He said: "I bought him only because of his name!

"I couldn’t believe it when I saw what he was called – I had to have him."

"He can gallop as well. I'm hoping he'll be okay and that we can have a few nice days out with him.

"Whether he's up to winning at Sandown on Saturday I’m not sure. The Nigel Twiston-Davies horse [Torpillo] looks to set a good standard.

"But he'll definitely be winning at some stage in the near future."

Fukuto is also entered in the two-mile novice hurdle at Plumpton on Sunday afternoon, should he bypass the race the day before.