After a week’s delay we are back in business. I was tipping so many winners in my daily racing diary that my PC blew a gasket. If you believe that ….
I will start today with a quick look back at the racing since I “went off air.”
November 26
I was quite keen on the chances of Kilmackillage at Wetherby, mainly as he had won first time out in the previous two seasons. He duly obliged despite making a rare old mess of the second last. At Kempton Somersby was a winner for trainer Henrietta Knight whose horses may be emerging from a rather lean spell, while at Chepstow Bensalem and Alfie Sherrin were further winners from my list to follow.
November 27
The grey Pasco may not be one of Paul Nicholls’ leading lights but he managed a win at a time when some of his more illustrious stable mates were hitting the deck. Pasco got into a nice rhythm at Newbury and apart from one notable blunder his jumping was very sound. Once again Straw Bear was a disappointment and he does not seem keen on chasing. Earlier on the card Carole’s Legacy got the better of Over Sixty in the mare’s novice hurdle, with the pair of them well clear of the remainder. Other winners from my list to follow were Gypsy George at Uttoxeter and The Nightingale at Taunton.
November 28
Buck the Legend only got off the mark at the 13th time of asking when winning at Exeter on November 21 but he followed up in good style under a penalty at Newbury in the novice handicap chase.
Ballydub took advantage of his favourable handicap mark when galloping his rivals into submission in the extended 3mile Pertemps Handicap qualifier, paying a considerable compliment to Punchestowns, who successfully gave him 15lb when beating him at Cheltenham last time out. Copper Bleu gave Richard Johnson and Philip Hobbs a double when beating Riverside Theatre.
Glencree cost £230,000 at the April Cheltenham sales and started to repay that fee when winning at Musselburgh. This success was part of a four timer for trainer Howard Johnson. Ferdy Murphy is starting to find some form after what has been largely a slow start for many of his horses and Beggar’s Cap, despite being a market drifter won at Musselburgh under a well judged Graham Lee ride.
November 29
The early results from Towcester included a double for David Pipe. It did make me wonder if a small wager on the stable’s runner in the Hennessey might be worth the risk but sadly I didn’t have the courage of my convictions. In the event Madision Du Berlais was a worthy winner, perhaps signalling a change of fortunes for the Pond House team. Air Force One, in second place, lost nothing in defeat in ground that would not have been ideal. Great Endeavour was one of those Towcester winners thereby completing a hat trick.
Cockney Trucker gave Philip Hobbs another success at Newbury in a strong looking novice hurdle, while another trainer in form, Nicky Henbderson provided the winner of the Grade 2 Long distance hurdle with Duc de Regniere. In a bit of a muddling race Duc de Regniere showed an impressive turn of foot under AP McCoy and plans top send him novice chasing will presumably now be put on hold. Perhaps the one to take out of the race may be Pettifour who will be better suited by a stronger gallop. Sadly Inglis Drever (pictured below) was pulled up after sustaining an injury. You have to wonder if we will see him on a racecourse again. If he has run his last race his retirement home is assured anyway.
Other winners that impressed me on Saturday were Nicky Henderson’s chaser Classic Fiddle and the tenacious mare Helen’s Vision.
Solwhit, trained by Charles Byrnes is a horse I have been keeping an eye on and I was pleased to see him win the handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse. I would have given him a nice positive write up – had my PC been working!
November 30
The best action on Sunday came from Ireland with Trafford Lad completing a hat-trick when staying on determinedly to land the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase. Earlier Hurricane Fly showed a nice turn of foot to beat Donnas Palm and stable-mate Cousin Vinny in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.
If tomorrow’s meetings go ahead there are just 3 runners entered from my list to follow.
I quite like the chances of Circus of Dreams in the 1.00. He is probably best suited by genuine good ground so watch the weather! He has run poorly in testing conditions before.
Later on the Market Rasen card Sue Smith runs Daldini in the 2.30. He is yet to find his form this season but has come down a bit in the weights.
At Leicester High Jack is going for a four timer in the 2.10. He is 7 lbs higher than when winning at Towcester by half a length last month so life will obviously be more difficult for him. He is a half brother to Bible Lord.
The picture of Inglis Drever is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller. The photograph is by kind permission of Ann Duffield Racing.
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