On what was a pretty desperate day for some of the horses on my list at least The Listener and Beef or Salmon were first two home in the big race in Ireland.
Not many British trained horses make the crossing to Ireland for the Lexus Chase and even fewer win when they get there. Best Mate being the only previous British trained winner I can recall off the top of my head. All the more merit therefore when The Listener pulled off a notable success in the Lexus Chase today, accounting for Irish stars Beef or Salmon and War of Attrition in the process.
The Gold Cup remains a bit of a puzzle but if the ground rides soft then The Listener would have to come into the reckoning.
Newbury stage a good card tomorrow that starts with a novice chase that has been won by Paul Nicholls in 3 of the last 4 runnings, with Kauto Star taking the honours in 2005. Nicholls is not represented this time around in what looks like a two horse race between Killaghey Castle and Fair Along. Fair Along has won his last two races at the expense of highly rated rivals in Natal and My Way de Solzen. His front running style will be suited to Newbury and he will take all the berating. Killaghey Castle beat Briareus on his chase debut and that horse has won since. Killaghey Castle looks to have a future over fences but he is giving 7 pounds to Fair Along and will not find it easy to peg back that rival.
The novice hurdle at 2.40 looks fiercely competitive. Irish raider Kanpai has won his last 6 and is the form pick. Massini’s Maguire beat Wichita Lineman by half a length at Cheltenham last month and there will probably not be much between the pair again.
The two runners from our list to follow are progressive types. Sir Jimmy Shand has won 4 of his 5 career starts is has won both over hurdles. This represents a big step up in class though. Roll Along has a similar profile having won all 5 starts. Like Sir Jimmy Shand he has far more on his plate here.
Nicky Henderson trains Sir Jimmy Shand and he saddles Schiehallion in the bumper that closes proceedings at 3.40. He looked a decent prospect when winning a bumper here on heavy ground las t month. I have added him to my list to follow on the strength of that performance which will probably be the kiss of death.
Our only list runner in action at Taunton is Pepperoni Pete who was a beaten favourite when disappointing last time out at Ascot. The 2.20 is a much weaker race and he should win.
In Ireland Brave Inca and Iktitaf clash at Leopardstown in the 14.55. Ruby Walsh rides Brace Inca for the first time with Tony McCoy committed at Newbury. This could turn into a tactical affair and I fancy Iktitaf to just shade it.
My other main hope at Leopardstown is Arrive Sir Clive in the 2.55.
The Elite Racing Club – Part 3
During the 2006 flat season the club were only able to run one juvenile, and that was Tredegar who comes from a winning family and is a half brother to Eisteddfod. He did well for us last season winning at Newmarket and Wolverhampton and he should be able to go on from there. One that didn’t make it to the race course was Sister Act who is a full sister to Soviet Song. Obviously hopes will be high for her when she makes her debut as a 3 year old.
The club have a few 2 year olds that should be making their racecourse debuts in 2007. I will point out 3 for you to keep an eye out for. Harlech Castle is out of the mare Ffestiniog, that has produced 4 winners so far. His sire was Royal Applause a champion Sprinter so Harlech Castle should be a speedy type.
Marbles is by Marju, Soviet Song’s sire, out of Baralinka, a half sister to Soviet Song. Marju has quite a good record with his 2 year olds so this is another worth watching.
Lastly there is Warsaw Waltz who is by the same sire as Court Masterpiece and Rakti. The bad news for Warsaw Waltz is that she is a half sister to Travolta who was not exactly grease lightning and ended up in selling hurdles.
That ends my whistle stop tour of the Elite runners. I will keep you posted on their progress.
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