Month: March 2010

The big race tomorrow is the 24 runner Imperial Cup at Sandown where the winner can earn a nice bonus if following up in any race at the Cheltenham Festival. Normally the Pipe stable target this event, winning 5 of the last 8 renewals but they are not represented this time.

As you would expect this is a fiercely competitive handicap and there are plenty in with chances. One that catches my eye is Numide, trained by Gary Moore whose runners are always worth considering in these big handicaps. Numide has not had the best of season, partly due to his unsuccessful efforts over fences but he has dropped to a reasonable handicap mark. He now runs off a rating just 1 lb higher than his win in the Greatwood Hurdle last season. He is 25/1 in the RP. Another I like is the lightly raced Tocca Ferro. With only 3 runs over hurdles it may be that the handicapper has underestimated his ability. With the possibility of more improvement he could be a bit of a dark horse here. Messrs Walsh and McCoy will be doing battle in the Gold Cup next week and both have fancied rides in the Imperial Cup with Pepe Simo and Qaspal respectively. Both have engagements at Cheltenham so could be in line for that lucrative bonus. Favourites have won 5 of the last 8 runnings and I am going to select Qaspal who In think will start favourite. I will also throw in Numide each way at a big price.

The novice handicap hurdle at 2.00 is nearly as tricky to solve. I have narrowed it down to a short list of 4, My Shamwari, Red Harbour, Diamond Brook and Alderley Rover. My Shamwari and Alderley Rover were 2^nd and 3^rd at Bangor last month and the 4^th horse has since won. Alderley Rover is now 6 lbs better off for being beaten a neck and the longer trip should also suit him. Red Harbour was runner up at Ascot last time out and the 3^rd horse has won since. Ruby Walsh has ridden him twice with form figures that read 12. Diamond Brook was a fortunate winner at Exeter last time on soft ground. He should appreciate the better surface tomorrow. Red Harbour will like the ground and should go close while Alderley Rover looks value at 33/1.

Cockney Trucker unseated on his chase debut but fared better next time finishing 2^nd at Doncaster. With that experience behind him he could go one better in the 4.15. Nikos Extra is my selection in the 4.50.

Bumper winner Qroktu has been disappointing so far this season but is worth another chance in the 2.20 at Chepstow. His bumper form was pretty good and the step up to 3 miles here might suit him. My other fancy at Chepstow is Sir Winston in the 5.15.

At Limerick Liss Na Tintri looks the form pick in the 2.05

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.

The racing at this time of year is never of the highest quality with Cheltenham looming next week but there were a couple of taking performances at Carlisle this afternoon. The novice hurdle looked likely to involve Tara Royal and McMurragh but the latter unseated at the second and in the end Tara Royal ran out a comfortable winner. A former winning pointer in Ireland he should make a chaser next season.

The beginners chase was named after Jools Holland and Alison Moyet and Graham Lee certainly got a tune out of the winner Middleton Dene. Lee was hard at work a long way out and should be in the frame for the Channel 4 ride of the month. Middleton Dene was winning for the first time over fences at the third attempt. He is apparently rather a fragile sort and needs a gap between his races.

The Grand Military Gold Cup is run at Sandown tomorrow. Sue Smith sends Garleton down for this. He will be ridden by Erica Bridge who was the first female commanding officer of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery. She also holds honours degrees in both French and Spanish. Garleton is around 14/1 at the moment and has an each way chance.

Tara Taylor won at Ffos Las last month and the second that day has won since. She should go well in the 4.05 despite having gone up nearly a stone in the weights.

At Wincanton the race commentator could be in for a hard time should Keckerrockernixes and Tenitemsplustoast fight out the finish in the 5.30!

Today’s picture, of former Cheltenham hero Kicking King, is courtesy of the artist Sarah Aspinall.

The 3.45 at Naas looks to be between Taking Stock and Gagewell Flyer.  The latter had some fair form in bumpers and could well make a winning debut over hurdles here.

Selections for Tuesday;

Exeter 4.30 – Moorlands Teri

Newcastle 2.20 – Mac Aeda; 4.20 – Glenwood Knight

Monday selection – Rate of Knots in the 3.05 at Stratford.

Just the one selection for Sunday.  Rare Bob in the 4.00 at Naas.

Although there are 4 jumps meetings tomorrow the cards have something of a pre Cheltenham look about them.

At Doncaster the recent Towcester winner Pearlysteps should run well in the 2.55. Sadly with only 7 runners the each way option is unattractive. Ballybriggan is the other one I would consider in this although the form of the stable would be a slight concern. Coe and Cloudy Lane are old friends in the 3.25. Coe looks a fair each way bet at 14/1. The trip should suit him. Old Mister McGoldrick should put up a bold show in the 5.10.

Up at Kelso I am quite keen on the chances of Turbo Island in the 2.30 and SA Suffit in the 3.35.

At Newbury Henry King comes from a stable in quite good form and if he runs to his best should go close in the 2.05. In the 2.35 Gone to Lunch has come down the weights a bit but recent form has not been encouraging, while in the 4.20 it will be interesting to see how Aiteen thirtythree performs. Highly regarded at the Paul Nicholls yard he is yet to live up to his reputation. Could come good tomorrow though.

Picture courtesy of Sarah Clegg.

After a bit of a barren spell I was glad to get back to winning ways at Taunton today with 2 winners from 2 selections.  Vodka Brook is not over big for jumping fences but he has a fair level of ability and I feel he would still have won today even if his main rival in the race had not crashed out at the last.

King’s Legacy was having his first run since winning a bumper at Kempton over a year ago and is going the right way.  He collared the long time leader Sir Kezbaah on the run in.  The runner up was given a good ride by Edward Glassonbury. It was a good day for the Glassonbury family as Edward’s older brother Andrew won on Carrickmines at Ludlow.

Hopefully we can keep the winners flowing.  At Doncaster tomorrow I fancy Alelgralil in the 3.10 and Alan Swinbank’s runner Royal Swain in the bumper at 5.25.

Miss Sarenne has disappointed over fences but should appreciate a return to the smaller obstacles in the Newbury 4.30.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sarah Clegg.

Selections for Thursday, both at Taunton.

2.20 Vodka Brook; 4.50 King’s Legacy