Horses running from our main list to follow
Ludlow 1.20 – Commander Vic
Horses running from our “dark horses” list
Ayr 1.40 – Ballyvoge
Russellform Ramblings
It was a weekend that promised much with top class racing at a number of tracks. In the event rarely have the highs and lows of jumps racing been brought into such stark contrast.
After his defeat at the hands of Monet’s Garden the experts were divided on Kauto Star – was he just a shooting star, a one season wonder, or did getting that close to the Nicky Richard’s grey constitute a fantastic result? There was no doubting his performance at Haydock where he once again got the better of his arch rival Exotic Dancer. Greatness beckons perhaps for the Nicholls chaser.
Sadly for the second consecutive week the racing was marred by a fatality with the high class grey Detroit City the latest casualty. Worse was to follow when Noel Meade’s Mac Three was killed at Navan this afternoon.
It was an up and down weekend for jockeys and punters as well. Sam Thomas certainly experienced the highs. Not only did he partner Kauto Star but he then made it a big race double on board Mr Pointment in the Becher Chase. You had to feel for Bewley’s Berry who finished second in the Becher Chase for the second year and once again beaten by a Paul Nicholls runner; last season it was Eurotrek.
It wasn’t an easy weekend for some punters. Special Envoy, one of our horses to follow was absolutely cruising when tipping up at the final obstacle in the valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock. Had jockey Paddy Merrigan been on the tennis court he would have been censured for “crash hat” abuse when he showed his frustration at missing out on the biggest win of his career. It’s also as well that the running rail has plenty of give in it or he would have broken his foot!
I didn’t back the horse myself but I know a man who did at 20/1 and 25/1. Merrigan was quick to come back though as he rode a double today, one of them coming in at 66/1. Getting back to Special Envoy his last hurdle fall must have been especially galling as the same thing happened to him last season at Aintree.
Staying withj the disappointments it was a shame to see just 2 runners in the Peterborough Chase. Surely a prize like that should have attracted a bigger field?
Anyway, onward and upwards. I am making Commander Vic my nap today with slight reservations as the Pipe yard have not been in the best of form lately. Only 2 wins from the last 38 runners is certainly not typical of that stable. However they have had 2 winners from the last 8 so maybe the poor run is coming to an end.
Nap of the day
Commander Vic – Ludlow 1.20
Today’s trivia
In 1957 the Whitbread Gold Cup became the first commercially sponsored race.
What’s in a name?
Sonny Liston runs in the 1.40 at Ayr. The original Sonny Liston won the World Heavyweight title in 1962 knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round. He lost the title to Cassius Clay, alter to become Mohammed Ali. The horse is cleverly named as he is by Supreme Leader out of Going Down (get it?)
ahorse 