It is difficult to know what to make of Denman’s performance yesterday. While there are some excuses that could be put forward he was beaten an awful long way and his jockey Ruby Walsh was clearly very disappointed with the run.
It does leave the Gold Cup picture somewhat unclear. Both Kauto Star and Denman have been shown to be fallible but if either were to turn up on the day at their best they would take some beating. How seriously do we take the challenge of Madison de Berlais? There will certainly be plenty of head scratching between now and Gold Cup day.
Elsewhere yesterday Grizebeck was given a positive ride to win at Ayr while Pancake (pictured below) and Tartak were other winners from my list to follow.
I see that Silver Birch (pictured below) who has been out of action since his Grand National success in 2007 made a winning return yesterday in a point to point at North Tipperary. His next stop may be the cross country race at Cheltenham. On the subject of the Grand National I was sorry to hear that Slim Pickings, twice 4th in the Aintree race, had to be put to sleep recently after sustaining a serious injury in training.
Formation was a frustrating horse to follow on the flat last turf season. He clearly had plenty of ability but seemed a rather quirky individual. His new trainer has certainly found the key to him though as the horse has won his last two starts on the all weather. He won with something in hand at Lingfield yesterday and looks one to keep on the right side.
The cold snap continues to restrict the jumps racing in the UK and over in Ireland. Hopefully Plumpton will go ahead tomorrow. In the opener there at 1.30 First Avenue looks an interesting newcomer to hurdling. Rated 95 on the flat he looks the sort that could do well at the winter game.
I will continue to support Carrickmines as I feel he has a race in him at a nice price if we are patient. He runs in the 2.00.
Wind Instrument was found to have lost both hind shoes when beaten at Haydock last time out over a trip that was probably too short anyway. He may do better in the 2.35 but the French challenger Millenium Royal will be a danger.
Tony McCoy is still chasing the elusive couple of winners to reach his 3,000. He rides a nice horse Hello Moscow trained by Jim Best in the 3.10 and this one should go well.
At Kempton this afternoon I fancy Chris Wall’s course and distance winner Premio Loco in the 3.40 while Callisto Moon could run well at a fair price in the 4.10.
My thanks to Tracy Roberts (Turfpix) for the photo of Pancake and the artist Sarah Aspinall for allowing me to use her painting of Silver Birch.
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