It has been marvellous weekend’s jump racing with plenty of pointers to the big events to come.
The highlight from Saturday was the performance of Kauto Star, described by his trainer as “awesome” who put some useful rivals to the sword in effortless fashion at Haydock. He will certainly take some stopping at Kempton in the second leg of the million pound treble. An extra two furlongs at Cheltenham come March might just be a different matter though.
Paul Nicholls had another profitable weekend and I was particularly pleased to see his chaser Cerium collect at odds of 12/1. This one has had a breathing operation and that seems to have done the trick with him. Kicks For Free is another Nicholls inmate with a tall reputation and he won nicely for Ruby Walsh beating a couple of decent rivals in Self Respect and Bleak House in the novice hurdle.
The Nicholls runner in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon had to settle for second place, although Thisthatandtother ran a big race under Wayne Hutchinson. He tried to make all and jumped well but could not match Racing Demon who has a serious engine and skipped away after the last. The winner tends to jump to his right but was well ridden by Graham Lee who kept him close to the rail throughout. It was good to see Graham Lee in the winner’s enclosure as he has fallen from the spotlight somewhat since being replaced by Paddy Brennan as stable jockey to Howard Johnson. Racing Demon was notching a 7th win in this Huntingdon showpiece for his trainer Henrietta Knight, following in the hoofprints of Best Mate, Edredon Bleu and Impek.
We had 7 winners from our list to follow on Saturday. Apart from those already mentioned Ungaru made it two out of two over fences while Halcon Generlardais captured the valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock at 5/1 and will now be heading for the Welsh National. This one looked an unlikely winner as they took the last but Choc Thornton got a real surge from him close home. Our 7th winner came at Punchestown where Ross River took me by surprise, winning the 2 mile 2 handicap chase at 6/1. He is certainly versatile, he wins over hurdles or fences and at any trip or any ground.
Today’s meeting at Aintree is always an exciting spectacle with two races over the Grand National fences. I thought Hakim might be the one to be on in the Grand Sefton but having flown the first few knuckled on landing and that was that. During the race I was hoping the grey Shannon’s Pride might land the prize as he is something of an old friend, but having jumped well he was outpaced in the closing stages by the winner. Shannon’s Pride is a half brother to Direct Access for those who take an interest in such trivia.
Our list horse Bewley’s Berry ran a cracker in the Becher Chase and was a very creditable 2nd. One for the Grand National eventually maybe. The winner Eurotrek is a very talented individual but has been hard to keep sound. I remember when he first came to the UK as a former Irish points winner. He was trained by Jonjo O’Neill in those days I think.
We had 3 winners from the list to follow today. Iktitaf took the Morgiana Hurdle under a typically calm Paul Carberry ride. Once he hit the front he didn’t find a lot but that may have been down to the testing conditions. Asian Maze ran an excellent race close up in second. She will win races this season. Inca Trail was off the bridle way out but then he often is. He will be a different proposition at Cheltenham I imagine.
Our other winners were O’Muircheartaigh at Punchestown and New Little Bric at Plumpton, another promising Paul Nicholls French import.
I see that two from last season’s list to follow were winners today. Accordello has always looked to have ability and off a featherweight she won the handicap hurdle at Aintree quite cosily. Another mare, Rosita Bay a dual bumper winner won the “national hunt” novice hurdle at Plumpton.
We only have one runner from the list to follow tomorrow. Fourty Acers goes in the 2.20 at Ludlow which is a beginner’s chase. He is a former Irish points winner who was an easy winner of a Stratford bumper. He has shown some form over hurdles and should go well on his chase bow. Over hurdles he was campaigned over shorter trips but this 20 furlongs should suit him if his pedigree is anything to go by.
Be lucky
ahorse 