I hope there are some readers out there and you are not all out celebrating! If you are thinking of making merry tonight you are likely to get wet on the outside as well as the inside.
With all the rain we’ve had heavy ground was very much the order of the day at Haydock on Saturday with the most taking performance coming from Skippers Brigg in the concluding novice hurdle over the brush hurdles. Len Lungo's gelding had recorded a bloodless win at Ayr last time but was forced to dig deep to fend off the Kate Walton trained Nevertika (picture below).
He showed a willing attitude throughout and produced a particularly fluent jump at the second last. He stayed on strongly after the final obstacle and looks the sort to make a smashing chaser next season.
Kate Walton incidentally is one of my links so you can read all about her horses on her website.
The 5 runner chase earlier on the card went to the ex German Limerick Boy who is trained by Venetia Williams for the Favourites Racing Syndicate. Both Crozan and Royal Rosa were disappointing and it was left to the grey Royal Emperor to chase the winner home. Limerick Boy has always had ability but has often spoiled his chanced with fencing errors. I thought he jumped well yesterday and he certainly travelled better than anything else despite the bottomless ground. When he was trained in Germany he won a Group 3 on the flat and he is one of that quite select band to have won decent races in all 3 codes.
The horses on my list to follow have had a bit of a lean time of late but at least Wyldello ran well on her hurdles debut today and should be a winner before long.
I enjoyed watching Florida Dream win the handicap chase at Warwick this afternoon. He was a lucky horse for me last season and is one I always keep an eye out for. He jumped well today but lost a bit of ground by jumping to his right much of the time. He will probably be kept to right handed tracks in future. I was interested to see All Sonsilver run such a good race in second. He hasn’t won since Pontious was a pilot but used to be quite decent, being rated at 112 at one stage when trained by Martin Todhunter. He is now owned and trained by Peter Kelsall and was running off a mark of 88 and was 7 lbs out of the handicap. He went off at a huge price – 50/1 – and I just wonder if perhaps I should have given him a write up last night! His brother All Silver won 7 times over fences in France.
The main racing on New Year’s Day is at Cheltenham. Paul Nicholls has a good record in the opener at 12.30 and is looking to win it for the third year in a row – he saddles Beau Michel this time. This one is a full brother to a horse that was placed in two Irish Nationals so it came as a bit of a surprise when he seemed to tire when stepped up to 2.5 miles last time. He is back in trip tomorrow but carries a big weight. He will be ridden by 10 lbs claimer Harry Skelton whose father is a top show jumper and his brother is assistant trainer to Nicholls. Beau Michel is reportedly held in high regard but has something to prove after his defeat last time.
With only 4 runners it should be possible to solve the 1.05. Cornish Rebel, Best Mate’s brother, has top weight and rightly so on the best of his form. He was only beaten a short head in a Scottish National and has been 3rd in both the Hennessey and the Welsh National in his time. He has never won on anything wetter than good to soft though and being by Un Desperado that is what you would expect. He has a huge weight and has been known to be a bit faint hearted. I am going to pass him by.
Fork Lightning has never won on anything softer than good to soft but as a full brother to The Listener there is a better chance that he might handle it. He hasn’t won since taking the National Hunt Handicap at the 2004 Festival at this track. His record at Cheltenham is quite good, having only been out of the first 3 once in 6 goes. He was third there in April ’06 when Parson’s Legacy was 2nd. Fork Lightning is 8 lbs better off with that rival for a 6 length deficit. In 8 runs in soft or heavy ground Parson’s Legacy has not won once and he may not like it. The Bajan Bandit on the other hand has won on soft or heavy 9 times. His record at Cheltenham does not read well and he is 5 lbs higher than his last win over fences which came nearly a year ago when beating Royal Emperor. He acts on the ground though and was staying on behind United over hurdles at Haydock last time. He gets the vote.
My Way de Solzen was beaten by Fair Along last time at Sandown but can get back to winning ways over this longer trip in the 1.40.
The 2.15 looks tricky. Lacdoudal won the Whitbraed, or whatever it is called now, at Sandown last season. His best performances have been in decent ground and I would be inclined to take him on for that reason. Le Volfoni acts on the ground and although not that well handicapped he gets a tentative vote.
Paul Nicholls sends Ladalko over hurdles in the 2.50 after the horse has had a couple of falls over fences. He has plenty of ability, acts on the ground and should be on the premises.
I am going to take a chance with a bit of an outsider in the 2.00 at Catterick. Himalayan Trail makes his chase bow after only 2 runs which shows that the stable really think he will make a chaser. He has form on heavy ground and reportedly jumps well.
Kilmackilloge was an impressive winner on his chase debut at Kelso and I will take him to follow up in the 3.10. Dominic Elsworth rides.
Blue Splash makes his chase debut in the 2.25 at Exeter. His full brother Ungaro has already won 3 times over fences this season.
Mister Quasimodo should be up to winning the 3.35 and get off the mark over fences.
The only runner from our list to follow in Ireland tomorrow is Rhacophorus in the 12.45 at Fairyhouse.
May I wish everyone a prosperous 2007.
ahorse 