Month: December 2008

 

Temple Place runs for the 38^th time in his career at Hereford tomorrow. Although he has only won 5 races if you had backed him blindly throughout his career you would be well in profit. His wins have come at 20/, 12/1, 8/1, 50/1 and 7/1. Once a promising 2 year old with Michael Bell he went on to jump hurdles with Donald McCain and has now changed stables once again. He runs in the 1.40 tomorrow and while he is not on a bad mark at present he really needs a sound surface.

Black Jacari was looked upon as a Triumph Hurdle possible at the start of the season but has finished 2^nd on all his 3 hurdles starts, a beaten favourite each time. He seeks to get off the mark tomorrow in the 3.40. Venetia Williams runs Stow who is making his hurdles debut. He won a handicap on the flat at Bath over 10 furlongs and was also placed a few times on the level.

My thanks to Ruth S Harris for use of her photo of Hereford Racecourse.

 

 

There are three runners from my list to follow in the 12.50 at Carlisle, the Sue Smith pair of Coe and Auroras Encore and Netherley trained by Donald McCain. Netherley is a big horse and has been off the track for a while but if race fit he would be in with a good chance. Of the rest Skippers Brig looks the logical choice as he thrives on heavy going and has won at Carlisle twice before.

The other runner from my list to follow at Carlisle is Super Road Train, another from Sue Smith’s yard. This one may need to come down a little in the weights.

 

It was a bleak mid winter day for my horses to follow list today with only Master Medic, (pictured below)  not for the first time, coming to the rescue.

In the hope that things can only get better let’s have a look at the racing on offer tomorrow, starting at Ascot.

Gwanako and Miss Mitch are the two from my list in the 12.30. Although he had won the Topham over the National fences last season Gwanako was an early casualty in the Becher Chase on his last outing and I am always a bit loathe to tip a faller last time out. I also note that Paul Nicholls has not been very bullish about the horse’s prospects today. If he puts in a clear round he would be in with a chance but the 11/8 on offer does not look value. Miss Mitch returns to fences having not really taken to them last season. She was a good mare over hurdles but I think you would have to take a watching brief tomorrow to see if her jumping stands up. Of the rest My Petra has an obvious chance although the soft ground would be a concern while Penzance is a bit hard to win with and seems to have something to find with some of his rivals at the weights.

The 1.05 sees the return of Trabolgan, th winner of the Royal and Sun Alliance and the Hennessey in 2005 and now back after a long spell on the sidelines with an injury. It is not a race I would bet on as Trabolgan will have to prove that he is back to his best and there is clearly no way of knowing that. A number of his rivals are capable enough of winning this sort of race on a good day with Faasel, Alderburn, Monkerhostin and Oedipe springing to mind. A race to watch but if you have to have a bet Alderburn would be my choice if the ground is not too soft.

The 1.40 is the Boylesports International rerouted from the Cheltenham meeting last week that was abandoned. Although there are only 5 runners it is a real quality line up with each of the quintet having a chance. Last week, when the race was due to be run at Cheltenham on very testing ground I was less inclined to favour speed horse Binocular (pictured below) and more keen on the chances of Cheltenham specialist Katchit. In some ways my feelings about the chances of those two horses has now swung the other way. Binocular has to be my selection but the price of around 11/10 is clearly short enough.

The Long Walk hurdle at 2.10 is a mouth watering prospect and will take some winning. I have a short list of 4 for this. Serabad is a very consistent sort and showed his well being when winning at Aintree last month. He has plenty to finmd with some of these but could just run well at a really big price. Pettifour was 3^rd behind Duc de Regniere at the end of November at Newbury in a race that was not run to suit him. Given a stronger gallop tomorrow he could get a lot closer to his Newbury conqueror and at 7/1 he looks over priced. The Nicky Henderson pair of Duc de Regniere (pictured below) and Punchestowns have outstanding claims. Duc de Regniere surprised a few people, possibly even his trainer when winning at Newbury. He has plenty of pace and if in contention coming to the last would take all the beating. Punchestowns put up a most impressive display when accounting for subsequent winner Ballydub last time out and looks a very exciting prospect. For my selection I will go for Punchestowns with an each way saver on Pettifour.

David Pipe has had 2 winners from his last 30 runners which puts me off selecting top weight Ashkazar(pictured below)  in the 2.45 and the same goes for the other Pond House runner Mamlook. I think that the Paul Nicholls runner Five Dream may be too high in the weights while the same can perhaps be said of Alan King’s consistent Squadron. Aigle D’or did little wrong when just touches off by Numide at Cheltenham last time out and he looks to be the one they all have to beat. Noble Alan, Sky Hall and Prince Taime make some appeal on an each way basis.

The Paul Nicholls trained Red Harbour is my selection in the closing bumper at 3.45.

Sue Smith’s Cloudy Times has useful bumper form and is one to watch on his hurdling debut in the Haydock 12.50. Solid Silver could run well at a big price in this race especially if the ground is riding on the testing side.

Arkle prospect Kalahari King looks set to extend his unbeaten record over fences in the 2.00.

The 2.35 looks very competitive. Middleton Dene was 4th to Duc de Regniere at Kempton in mid November and that form has certainly been given a boost since. Helen’s Vision was a brave winner at Newbury while a case could be made for both Theatre Girl and United. For my selection I am going for Tazbar on the basis of his form over hurdles last season although a couple of very ordinary runs on the flat recently have dented my confidence a little.

Beggar’s Cap gave my list to follow a 10/1 winner at Musselburgh and such was the manner of his victory that I am inclined to stick with him in the 3.40. He has won on soft ground but 3 of his 4 career wins have been on good to firm so very soft ground might be a concern.

According to Pete has made an excellent start to his chasing career for trainer Malcolm Jefferson and he should win again in the Newcastle 2.20.

Later on the Newcastle card Nirvana Swing and Open se L’Isle represent my list to follow in the 3.25. Open de L’Isle should strip fitter for a recent run over hurdles. He is a tough genuine sort and is not without an each way chance. Nirvana Swing has yet to find his form his season but he is a good jumper and does not look unfairly treated off a mark of 125.

Today’s photos are by courtesy of Tracy Roberts (Turfpix).  See my link to the Turfpix site.

I am short of time tonight so I will just have a quick spin through the Ascot card.

12.45 – I have fallen foul of a few Paul Nicholls trained beaten favourites just lately but I will try one more here in Fistral Beach. He probably bumped into a decent type when beaten at Exeter last month and is worth another chance. The other one I like is Presenting Forever, and expensive Howard Johnson “signing” from the Irish points field who is related to any number of successful jumpers. He made a promising hurdles debut when 3^rd at Huntingdon.

1.20 – High Jack has done well for me already this season with two wins and a second. He is down in trip tomorrow which should help him after he was beaten over further last time. AP MCCoy in the saddle is another plus.

1.55 – Door Boy ran into a smart adversary when runner up to Diamond Harry at Cheltenham. He can make amends here although Alfie Flits is an obvious danger.

2.30 – Buck the Legend is looking for his hat trick after wins at Exeter and Newbury. He has taken well to fences and will be hard to beat. There may well be more to come from Naiad Du Misselot who has been runner up on both his starts over fences. The Coral Cup winner is getting 4 lbs from Buck the Legend and the pair look closely matched.

3.05 – Master Medic comes here in fine form and is looking for a hat trick of wins. He has more on his plate this time but should still give a good account.

3.40 – Sarde ran an absolute stormer behind Ballydub at Newbury and a repeat of that sort of form will see him go well here.

Today’ picture is by courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.

 

Silverburn was well fancied for the Boylesports Gold Cup that was washed out on Saturday and he takes his place in the Graduation Chase which is the Exeter 1.50. He shouldn’t be inconvenienced by this shorter trip and is preferred to another rerouted from the Boylesports, Private Be.

Sprosser represents my list to follow in the 2.20. He is yet to finds his form this season but should appreciate the small field and the assistance of jockey Dominic Elsworth. He has not won on soft ground though.

There are two runners from my list in the 2.50. I can’t support Quickbeam as he has fallen in his last two races. Russian Trigger was staying on at the death when 7^th at Haydock on his seasonal reappearance and he is my selection. In the 3.50 I would suggest a small each way interest in Carrickmines, who looks quite well handicapped.

In the Ludlow 1.10 my selection is Alan King’s Paquet Cadeau who won at Uttoxeter on his UK debut. Emma Lavelle has her string in good form and Regal Quote, owned by the trainer’s father, looks the main danger to the Alan King runner.

Carole’s Legacy overturned a useful favourite at Newbury last time out with the remainder of the field in another parish. The form looks strong and she will take all the beating in the 3.10. Dual bumper winner Dancingwithbubbles was 4^th on her hurdles debut and looks the one for the forecast.

 

Another couple of winners from last night’s preview so we are on something not too far removed from a winning run!

Tomorrow’s meetings are at Newbury and Bangor and I will start in Berkshire and work my way north. There is a big field for the handicap hurdle at 1.25 and it may pay to side with the Paul Nicholls runner Qozak who is in the same ownership as Denman. He won 4 times in bumpers when trained in France and is rated an exciting prospect.

Bakbenscher, Lindeman Picture this and Jokers Legacy represent my list to follow in the 3.05. They are all in with a shout but I have narrowed it down to a “two against the field” with Picture This and Lindeman.

At Bangor in the 1.45 Son of Flicka and My Moment look the two to concentrate on.

That is about it for tonight.

Today’s picture is by the artist Lisa Miller. See links for more examples of Lisa’s work.

Two selections and two winners today so a much needed good day after a bit of a lean spell.

There are 4 runners from my list to follow in action tomorrow as well as a couple of others that interest me.

In the Catterick 12.30 General Potter is the list horse. He has not really justified his inclusion thus far and his odds of around 20/1 reflect his chance.

Vivona Hill won a bumper at Wetherby last season and probably would have followed up at Sedgefield had it not been for some interference and the fact that the winner had a good 7 lbs claimer on board. I think Vivona Hill looks my best chance of a winner. He runs in the bumper at 3.30.

Circus of Dreams showed sufficient promise when 3^rd on his hurdles bow at Leicester to put him in with a shout in the 12.20 at Folkestone. He should be in the shake up.

The booking of AP McCoy on Hello Moscow in the 3.20 at Folkestone caught my eye. This former points winner was runner up in a bumper at Kilbeggan and is well regarded by his trainer.

Of the rest Yossi is a noteworthy debutant in the Circus of Dreams race. He was a bit of a monkey on the flat but sometimes a few flights of hurdles can bring out the best in a quirky horse and he does not lack ability.

Finally I like Peppertree Lane in the Catterick 1.30. This 5 year old won 9 times on the flat including a couple of heritage handicaps and a Group 3 at The Curragh. He was 5^th in a competitive race at Newbury on his hurdles debut and should benefit from the experience.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Jane Dunn.  See links for further examples of this artists work.

Bye for now.

The jumps racing tomorrow comes from Ayr and Plumpton. It is fairly low key stuff but I have picked out a couple of races to look at, one from each meeting.

Three of the 8 runners in the 1.55 at Ayr carry penalties after winning their last race. Grand Theatre won on his hurdles debut at Kelso after a couple of runs in bumpers. Calin Royal was an expensive purchase a few years ago but has had injury problems. His win came at Hexham and the runner up there has won since. Signalman won at Kelso and is by far the most battle hardened of the trio as he has had 23 races in all, many of them on the flat in Italy. Of the others The Hollinwell, quite well regarded at home has been rather disappointing and I prefer Moscow Catch who was runner up in a bumper at Sandown and the winner has since won over hurdles.

Calin Royal, Moscow Catch and Signalman all have claims. I would be inclined to take a chance with Moscow Catch.

Aux Le Bahnn is a horse I have always rated. A former bumper winner he won a conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at Sandown last month. He stays well and will act on the ground and he is clearly the one they all have to beat in the Plumpton 2005. Best of the rest could be Hello Moscow, a former points winner who was 2^nd in a bumper at Kilbeggan in May.

Today’s picture is of Paris Pike by the artist Jenny Lupton. Paris Pike won the Scottish Grand National in 2000.

Today’s racing lost much of its interest with the abandonment of Cheltenham and Lingfield. There was one winner from my list to follow though thanks to Merigo at Doncaster. Clearly suited by conditions he jumped and stayed well and there should be more to come from him over fences.

Looking at tomorrow’s racing Dooney’s Gate looks a fair each way prospect in the 2.30 at Cork. Ruby Walsh rides this half brother to The Listener and with the stable in good form I am optimistic of a big run.

After showing good form in bumpers I thought Romance Dance was a bit disappointing on her hurdles debut at Exeter. She travels a long way tomorrow to contest the Musselburgh 12.55 and I am hoping for a better run.

Dolessthanme was beaten at Haydock last time out be a couple of ex flat horses. The opposition in the 2.25 tomorrow does not look as strong and he can get back to winning ways.

The meeting at Navan is subject to an inspection but if it goes ahead the potentially high class Pandorama should be able to extend his winning sequence to 6 in the 12.50.

Today’s picture is courtesy of Julie Whitwham.

 

In the opener at Cheltenham tomorrow (12.15) Balzaccio looks the value each way bet. He probably didn’t beat a lot when winning at Haydock last time but he looks the sort to improve with experience.

Punchestowns was very impressive when beating subsequent winner Ballydub and preferred to Serabad and Junior in the 1.20.

In the 1.55 Buck the Legend is one I like especially if the ground is testing. My other fancy is the Coral Cup winner Naiad de Misselot who has been runner up on both his chase starts so far.

Imperial Commander sets the standard in the 2.30 on the strength of his Paddy Power triumph. Form that has been franked by runner up Barber Shop who has won well since. Three Mirrors seems unlikely to get his ground with the forecasted rain. Silverburn is potentially a well handicapped horse and can give Imperial Commander most to worry about.

The 3.05 is a fascinating contest that should tell us plenty about these Champion Hurdle contenders. Binocular looks too short a price at around 7/4 and the other Henderson runner Chomba Womba makes more appeal at the odds. Crack Away Jack will be a serious threat if his hurdling stands up to the test while Katchit will be hard to keep out of the frame given his excellent record at Cheltenham.

I fancy Diamond Harry to extend his unbeaten record in the 3.35 although the Paul Nicholls runner Massasoit is no mug either.

Moving on to Doncaster and the 12.30 I am hoping that Greenbridge can get his head in front after a couple of slightly disappointing efforts. Otage de Brion and lease Lend are the other runners from my list to follow in this race.

I thought about Uffa Fox as a bit of an outsider in the 1.05 but he probably needs decent ground and that could be a problem.

Daldini is slipping down the weights and has an each way chance in the 1.40.

In the 2.45 Leading Attraction, Noir et Vert and Merigo are the 3 that interest me. Leading Attraction ran well last time out at Wincanton where he jumped much better and he gets the selection.

My best bet at Lingfield is Lodge Lane in the 2.40, while in the 12.55 Picture this looks interesting. At Fairyhouse I fancy Taravada to get the better of Robin du Bois.