The only runner from our list to follow today was Dig Deep who ran out a comfortable winner at Wolverhampton.
We have one runner tomorrow. Vanquisher runs in the 3.00 at Southwell. He was runner up to a Michael Stoute runner at Wolverhampton on his last run and should be up to winning a race like this.
Strugnell’s haiku
(i)
The cherry blossom
In my neighbour's garden – Oh!
It looks really nice.
(ii)
The leaves have fallen
And the snow has fallen and
Soon my hair also…
(iii)
November evening:
The moon is up, rooks settle,
The pubs are open.
— Wendy Cope
The jumps season ended with 2 excellent performances from horses on our list to follow. Dempsey made all in the Celebration Chase and outclassed his rivals while Reveillez lost nothing in defeat when filling the runner up spot behind the remarkable Hot Weld in the “Whitbread.”
There were also a few winners from the list on the flat. For the record they were Forroger, Regime, Tetouan and Dylan Thomas.
I was pleased to see old New Seeker win at Leicester after I had given him a positive write up and two other horses that were featured in my preview, Raucous and Halla San were the first two home in the stayers handicap at Ripon.
Peppertree Lane recorded his 6th career win in the last race on the card at Ripon. This was his first win on fast ground but I would be wary of supporting him on that sort of surface in a stronger race in the future.
There are plenty of meetings tomorrow but not a lot of quality.
In the 7.10 at Windsor Linda Green is worth a close look. She likes Windsor but her wide draw would be a bit of a negative.
The only runner from our list to follow is Dig Deep in the 3.30 at Wolverhampton. His form figures at the track read 112 so he has to have a chance. One of his rivals will be Desert Opal. I was annoyed at missing this one’s last run when he won at 18/1. He had conditions bang in his favour that day so that certainly represents a missed opportunity. That win came at Nottingham in a fast time from an unfavourable draw. He has gone up 9 lbs for that success but is another with a good record at Wolverhampton having won there 6 times.
Bye for now.
Race of the day today was definitely the valuable hurdle race that opened the card at Sandown. Neither Penzance nor Arcalis came to the race in much form but they were involved in a thrilling finish. The camera couldn’t separate them and the result was a dead heat. They were both winners at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival with Penzance taking the Triumph Hurdle and Arcalis the Supreme Novices.
Tomorrow is the final day of the 2006/7 jumps season and Sandown stages a top class mixed meeting.
The first runner from our list to follow is Midas Way in the 2.10. I thought he would win over hurdles this season based on his old flat form but after a couple of promising placed efforts his form has rather tailed off.
The two races that follow are both top class steeplechases.
In the Celebration Chase at 2.40 Dempsey is the obvious form pick. His 2nd to Voy Por Ustedes in the Champion Chase was an excellent run and added to that Dempsey has an excellent record at Sandown where his form figures read 112U1. The other one that I would consider is Yes Sir who came back to form at Ayr last week making all and running his rivals ragged. He will certainly love the ground and won over hurdles on his only previous visit to Sandown.
The Betfred Gold Cup at 3.20 is one of the most famous steeolechases on the calendar. Reveillez and Alderburn are my fancies here. Both are progressive, well handicapped and act on the ground.
The action switches to the flat for the Classic Trial at 4.25. Al Tharib showed promise as a 2 year old finishing 3rd in both his runs. His sire was 3rd in the Derby and Al Tharib should be suited to the 10 furlong trip. Petara Bay is already a winner this season scoring a battling win at Newmarket earlier this month. Asperity comes from an in form stable and did little wrong last season. After being narrowly beaten by the experienced Duke of Tuscany on his debut he then ran out an easy winner at Newmarket. Regime ran 4 times last season with his best run coming when runner up at The Curragh from a bad draw. Tough one to call but I will make Asperity my selection.
The 4.55 looks a tricky handicap. Bailieborough would be my cautious each way selection.
At Haydock tomorrow evening I am interested in a couple of runners in the 7.15. Forroger was a winner at Newmarket last season and look to be on a winnable mark. I am not sure that the ground will be right for him though as he likes it soft. Manipulate is my selection. He had 3 runs last season and can be expected to improve considerably on his efforts so far. His trainer does well with this type of horse.
Rhaam was 6th of 13 in a decent Newmarket maiden 10 days ago and will strip fitter for that run. He runs in the 8.15.
Michael Bell saddles Gull Wing in the 3.30 at Leicester. Gull Wing won the last of her 3 runs last season at Wolverhampton. She looks the type to improve at 3. Hayley Turner rides.
In the 4.05 New Seeker will have the fast ground he loves. He goes well fresh and as he stays 8 furlongs hopefully the stiff finish at Leicester over 4 furlongs will not inconvenience him.
I am interested in Wing Express in the 5.05. He is a half brother to 6 winners and the same trainer jockey combination won this race 2 years ago with Futun.
Tetouan went on my list to follow for two reasons. His promising 2nd at Lingfield in March and his pedigree. He is a half brother to Pongee and is also related to Alexandrova. He was a disappointing beaten favourite on his last run but I am not giving up on his just yet. He runs in the 5.35 where the step up to a mile may help. The other runner from our list to follow in this race is Feeling Wonderful. She won her only start last season in the mud at Catterick and, as the saying goes, could be anything.
The oddly named Osteopathic Remedy represents our list to follow in the Ripon 2.30. He won first time out last season at Ayr and was not disgraced when 4th at York next time when he was noted doing his best work at the finish.
There are some old friends in the 3.40. Dr Sharp would need rain but in form Halla San must be respected but his stamina might be suspect. Raucous is a very lightly raced type who won a maiden here over 12 furlongs last season. He may well stay this sort of trip judged on his pedigree. The horses from our current list to follow in this race are Bollin Derek and Macorville. The trip will not be a problem for Bollin Derek but he would probably appreciate some rain. The dour stayer Macorville is another that would be more at home in soft ground.
That is all for tonight. I will be back on Sunday evening.
Race of the day today was definitely the valuable hurdle race that opened the card at Sandown. Neither Penzance nor Arcalis came to the race in much form but they were involved in a thrilling finish. The camera couldn’t separate them and the result was a dead heat. They were both winners at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival with Penzance taking the Triumph Hurdle and Arcalis the Supreme Novices.
Tomorrow is the final day of the 2006/7 jumps season and Sandown stages a top class mixed meeting.
The first runner from our list to follow is Midas Way in the 2.10. I thought he would win over hurdles this season based on his old flat form but after a couple of promising placed efforts his form has rather tailed off.
The two races that follow are both top class steeplechases.
In the Celebration Chase at 2.40 Dempsey is the obvious form pick. His 2nd to Voy Por Ustedes in the Champion Chase was an excellent run and added to that Dempsey has an fine record at Sandown where his form figures read 112U1. The other one that I would consider is Yes Sir who came back to form at Ayr last week making all and running his rivals ragged. He will certainly love the ground and won over hurdles on his only previous visit to Sandown.
The Betfred Gold Cup at 3.20 is one of the most famous steeplechases on the calendar. Reveillez and Alderburn are my fancies here. Both are progressive, well handicapped and act on the ground.
The action switches to the flat for the Classic Trial at 4.25. Al Tharib showed promise as a 2 year old finishing 3rd in both his runs. His sire was 3rd in the Derby and Al Tharib should be suited to the 10 furlong trip. Petara Bay is already a winner this season scoring a battling win at Newmarket earlier this month. Asperity comes from an in form stable and did little wrong last season. After being narrowly beaten by the experienced Duke of Tuscany on his debut he then ran out an easy winner at Newmarket. Regime ran 4 times last season with his best effort coming when runner up at The Curragh from a bad draw. Tough one to call but I will make Asperity my selection.
The 4.55 looks a tricky handicap. Bailieborough would be my cautious each way selection.
At Haydock tomorrow evening I am interested in a couple of runners in the 7.15. Forroger was a winner at Newmarket last season and look to be on a winnable mark. I am not sure that the ground will be right for him though as he likes it soft. Manipulate is my selection. He had 3 runs last season and can be expected to improve considerably on his efforts so far. His trainer does well with this type of horse.
Rhaam was 6th of 13 in a decent Newmarket maiden 10 days ago and will strip fitter for that run. He runs in the 8.15.
Michael Bell saddles Gull Wing in the 3.30 at Leicester. Gull Wing won the last of her 3 runs last season at Wolverhampton. She looks the type to improve at 3. Hayley Turner rides.
In the 4.05 New Seeker will have the fast ground he loves. He goes well fresh and as he stays 8 furlongs hopefully the stiff finish at Leicester over 4 furlongs will not inconvenience him.
I am interested in Wing Express in the 5.05. He is a half brother to 6 winners and the same trainer jockey combination won this race 2 years ago with Futun.
Tetouan went on my list to follow for two reasons. His promising 2nd at Lingfield in March and his pedigree. He is a half brother to Pongee and is also related to Alexandrova. He was a disappointing beaten favourite on his last run but I am not giving up on his just yet. He runs in the 5.35 where the step up to a mile may help.
The oddly named Osteopathic Remedy represents our list to follow in the Ripon 2.30. He won first time out last season at Ayr and was not disgraced when 4th at York next time when he was noted doing his best work at the finish.
There are some old friends in the 3.40. Dr Sharp would need rain but in form Halla San must be respected although his stamina might be suspect. Raucous is a very lightly raced type who won a maiden here over 12 furlongs last season. He may well stay this sort of trip judged on his pedigree. The horses from our current list to follow in this race are Bollin Derek and Macorville. The trip will not be a problem for Bollin Derek but he would probably appreciate some rain. The dour stayer Macorville is another that would be more at home in soft ground.
That is all for tonight. I will be back on Sunday evening.
I will go through Friday’s racing in alphabetical order of course so we will start with the evening meeting at Chepstow.
It has been an in and out jumps season for my list to follow but one that has definitely paid his way is Grecian Groom. Although he has only won twice one of those wins came at 33/1. He has done very little of note apart from that win however. He runs in the novice hurdle at 6.00. He is related to smart flat performer Gamut.
Urban Tiger looked a good bet to succeed over hurdles this season based on his flat form for Alan King. He has proved a bit of a flop though and moved to Carl Llewellyn mid season. He has put in a few placed efforts and may be able to get his head in front in the 5.45 at Newton Abbot where the better ground may help. Mick Fitzgerald rides.
Fourty Acers won a 3 horse race last time out but the runner up has since been beaten and the form doesn’t amount to much. He will at least appreciate the ground in the 6.45 and should go close.
We had a winner from John Gosden’s yard yesterday and I fancy another Gosden runner in the Sandown 4.00. Sunshine Kid showed promise in 3 runs last season and should appreciate the ground.
The two I like in the 4.35 are Salaasa and Spume. Salaasa has already won this season at Pontefract. He looks interesting but for my selection I am going for Spume. He was a winner at Salisbury last season and does not look harshly treated.
There is a top class card at Punchestown where some of the top Irish hurdlers will be battling it out in the 4.05. Iktitaf was running well when falling at Cheltenham and could go well. Mac’s Joy looks the danger.
The other Grade 1 on the programme is the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle. This will see eleven face the starter for a very competitive heat, perhaps Catch Me and Glencove Marina being the top ones of note.
A Group race campaigner on the flat in his native Germany, Catch Me is a classy novice, and he could even better his third-placing in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle now.
Catch Me would be my selection with Cuan Na Grai ridden by AP McCoy another for the short list.
Bye for now.
Caribou is one of the lesser lights on my jumps list to follow but he has more than paid his way this season and he recorded his 2nd win of the campaign today at 11/1 in the novice chase at Perth. The underrated Dominic Elsworth was in the saddle.
Another to have earned his place on the list is Paul Nicholls’ grey Neptune Collonges who won the Gold Cup at Punchestown today to add to his earlier success in the Rehearsal Chase.
We also had a winner on the flat where Raincoat made it two wins from 2 starts at Epsom under Richard Hughes. He will now probably be stepped up in class, possibly at York.
Elsewhere Cape Royal won the sprint at Epsom. He had won at the track before but had also finished runner up there 4 times and seems to like the course.
There are two runners from our list to follow in the 3.25 at Beverley in the intriguingly named Sue has got her bus pass stakes! The giant Handsome Falcon won on his only start last season at this track and looks a likely improver. Artimino is likely to start favourite. He is trained by James Fanshaw and runs in the red and white colours of the Cheveley Park Stud. He made a very favourable impression when winning on his second start last season and then was narrowly beaten by the tough multiple winner Just Dust in handicap company.
Sir Jimmy Shand was a disappointment at Cheltenhan last time but there was not much wrong with his form before that. I will burden him with my selection in the 3.40 at Perth.
King Barry is a course and distance winner and the booking of Timmy Murphy looks interesting. He runs in the 4.15. Our old friend The Bajan Bandit has top weight in this race. He is 12 now and has been a grand servant for connections winning 13 times. Interestingly although trained in Scotland this is the first time he has ever run at Perth (well I thought it was interesting).
Schindlers Hunt represents our list to follow in the 4.05 at Punchestown. He ran well last time to finish 2nd in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse.
Mighty Man has only been out of the first 2 twice in a career spanning 14 races. He looks the one to be on in the 4.40.
Bothar Na represents our list to follow in the 5.15. He has failed to complete on his last 3 starts.
At Yarmouth He’s My Best is related to several winners and will be expected to go close in the 5.25.
See you tomorrow
It was not a good day for our horses to follow today. Captain Jacksparra coming closest, beaten half a length at Wolverhampton.
We have a runner in the 2.20 at Epsom with the once raced Raincoat. He won a fairly ordinary maiden as Sandown but should have scope for improvement. He does have a fair bit to find strictly on the book.
We also have one runner in the 4.00. John Dunlop’s Rock Anthem showed enough promise last season to come into the reckoning. Not surprisingly given his name he is a son of Rock of Gibraltar.
Our list to follow is well represented in the 4.05 at Punchestown. Beef or Salmon, Kingscliffe, Hi Cloy, Neptune Collonges and Racing Demon. Beef or Salmon gets my selection to notch his 11th Grade 1 victory.
Other runners from our list to follow are as follows.
Perth 3.40 Caribou
Perth 5.55 Closed Shop
Punchestown 3.30 Top of the Charts
Punchestown 4.40 Roman Ark
I am pushed for time tonight so this will be a short update.
The main action tomorrow is at Punchestown. The qualifiers from our list to follow are as follows.
2.50 De Valira
3.30 Ross River, Top of the Charts
4.05 Justified, Newmill & Nickname
4.40 Aces Four, Merdeka & Vic Venturi
Newmill should prefer the ground rather than Nickname in the 4.05. I feel that Justified might represent value in this race though. Aces Four cames to this meeting in fine form and will be hard to beat.
There are a few runners from our list in action on the flat. Bo McGinty is not the most reliable of characters but he is the sort of sprinter that you could make a level stakes profit over a season. He looks on a decent mark and has a capable apprentice on board taking more weight off.
At Wolverhampton Tomorrow’s Dancer looks to have a fair chance in the 5.40. He is on a fair mark and should be suited by the step up in trip.
Captain Jacksparra and Mount Hermon featured several times on this site last season. They look leading contenders in the Wolverhampton 3.25. They have both won recently and there is very little to choose between them. I would give Captain Jacksparra the narrow vote.
There are a couple of runners from our list to follow in the Pontefract 3.10. Geojimali won at Musselburgh a couple of weeks back and is again ridden by 7 lbs claimer Gary Bartley. He is clearly in good form and seems to be quite versatile when it comes to underfoot conditions. Fantasy Explorer was an improver last year winning 4 times. His best form has been over the minimum trip though so I am not sure about the 6 furlongs here. There are a couple of other horses that have done well for me in the past. Zomerlust likes a bit of cut in the ground so if we do get enough rain to change the going he will be worth a second look. He won this race last season but is now 5 lbs higher in the handicap. Machinist, like Geojimali, is a former winner of the Ayr Silver Cup. He likes fast ground but is currently off a mark 4 lbs higher than his highest winning rating.
Liberman runs in the 3.40. He is a former Cheltenham Festival winner having won the Champion Bumper back in 2003 when trained by Martin Pipe. He had some decent national hunt horses behind him that day including Trabolgan, Cornish Rebel, Dempsey and Patriarch Express.
Walter Swinburne won the Newbury Spring Cup with his stable star Pinpoint on Saturday. Count Ceprano looks capable of giving the stable further success this season judging on 3 runs at Lingfield. He runs in the 6.25 at Windsor where I expect him to go well. Adam Kirby has the ride.
Northern Jem represents our list to follow in the 7.25 at Windsor. He was 3rd to a decent sort of Mark Johnston’s earlier this month at Yarmouth and was 14 lengths clear of the 4th horse. This looks quiet a hot race with some of the big stables with runners but Northern Jem should acquit himself well.
There was a winner from the list to follow this afternoon when Keenan’s Future won the beginner’s chase at Stratford at 11/4. I wasn’t able to preview Saturday’s Irish racing but I note that another from our list, Dandy Man, won at Naas. He is now trained by Tracey Collins who has taken over the stable after the death of her father.
ahorse 