There is much to write about from the last few days now that I have my PC working again!
I will start with last Saturday where the highlight in Ireland was the James Nicholson Chase at Down Royal. There was a strong British challenge from Taranis and The Listener, while the home team was represented by Justified and the former Hennessey winner Strong Flow.
In the event The Listener was an early faller and Ruby Walsh decided to try and make all on Taranis, a tactic he would not have employed by choice. Paul Nicholls runner got the job done however beating Justified in workmanlike fashion.
Apart from Taranis, Knockavilla provided a second winner for our list to follow. Trained by Howard Johnson he followed up wins in a point to point and a bumper with a successful debut over hurdles at Wetherby. It was not all plain sailing for our list horses though. The last race on the card looked a penalty kick for David Pipe’s mare Gaspara but although she started at 1/2 she was turned over by Annie’s Answer, who did well for this column last season.
I tipped Aces Four for the Charlie Hall Chase but with the benefit of hindsight he was always likely to need the run. He travelled and jumped well but went out like a light when things got serious. He should be seen to better effect next time.
There were a couple of winners from our list on Sunday. First Marleybow, a bumper winner, won on his hurdles debut for Howard Johnson, in similar fashion to Knockavilla the day before. Berwick Law made headway from the back to finish 4th and looks one to take out of the race for the future. Only 3 lined up for the intermediate chase that followed but the winner was hard to pick for much of the race until eventually L’Antartique imposed his authority on proceedings.
Former jockey Brendan Powell trains at Lambourn these days and he sent out Shoreacres to win the bumper at Plumpton under Mick Fitzgerald. It was a weak race but the winner clearly has some ability and I will monitor his progress with interest.
The big race on Tuesday was the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, a race best remembered in recent years for the day Best Mate sadly died during the race. The dry weather probably led to a below par field for this year’s renewal but despite that the winner looks one to follow. Pablo De Charmil has notched up a hat trick for David Pipe last season and won this quite impressively. He looks as though he may have stamina limitation but you would not bet against David Pipe finding further winning opportunities for him.
On Wednesday Breedsbreeze, owned by “Lucky” Jim Lewis kept things ticking over for our list to follow in the first at Chepstow but another lister The Package was beaten into 2nd after racing too freely. On the flat at Nottingham Medicine Path got off the mark for the season. He had been a smart juvenile having finished 3rd to Authorized with Eagle Mountain 4th but had disappointed in 3 runs this season. Although he race freely at Notting Neil Callan managed to keep him covered up at the back and when he produced him out wide he eventually quickened to win going away. Not classic form exactly but a big improvement on his efforts earlier in the season. We also had a winner from the flat list today with John Quinn’s Monashee Brave in the seller at Musselburgh.
One horse that went into my notebook from the last few days was Amour Multiple who returned from a long absence and ran well for a long way in the valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. The ground would not have been ideal for him either and he looks one to keep on the right side.
Tomorrow at Hexham recent course and distance winner Tot O’ Whiskey looks the one to be on in the 1.50.
We have had a couple of late winners from our flat list to follow as the season draws to a close. Blazing Heights might just add to the tally in the 2.30 at Musselburgh, a race he won last season.
See you tomorrow for a preview of the weekend’s racing.
ahorse 