Month: November 2011

 

My selections are highlighted in bold. Other horses mentioned should be considered as the main dangers.

Ffos Las

12.50 Rebecca Curtis has 3 runners in this. Salomo had some good form in France and was 3^rd on his latest start over hurdles. He was 3^rd behind stable companion Peckhamecho here last time. He runs over a longer trip tomorrow. Top of the Range won a bumper here in April and the runner up that day has won twice since.

1.20 Winning point to pointer Rev it Up showed a taking attitude to beat a Paul Nicholls runner at Chepstow on his hurdles debut with the 3^rd well beaten off. Maiden point to pointer Romeo Desbois was runner up here in a bumper last season.

1.55 Fishoutofwater won twice over hurdles in May but was very disappointing in two subsequent efforts over fences.

3.00 Palace Jester reverts to hurdles after disappointing over fences.

Kempton

12.30 Darlan won a Haydock bumper without coming off the bridle and looks a nice prospect for hurdles. Sleeping City has been a beaten favourite on both his starts in bumpers. He is almost certainly better than he has shown so far.

1.00

Nicky Henderson takes on Paul Nicholls here with Chablais v Escort’men. The former was a beaten favourite on his chase debut at Fontwell and Chablais, a winning pointer who was very impressive when winning over hurdles at Kempton in January is preferred.

1.30 Whoops a Daisy a winner 3 times last season made an encouraging return when 2mnd over an inadequate trip at Wetherby last month.

2.05 This should be a penalty kick for Mossley. He just needs a clear round.

2.35 Fontano comes from an in from stable and may be suited by this trip.

Ludlow

1.10 Muldoon’s Picnic was 5^th in a Grade 1 hurdle at Aintree at the end of last season but fell early on his chase debut at Huntingdon.

Nap of the day

Darlan

Dark Horse

Whoops a Daisy

From the archives

The big race this Saturday is the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. It was first run in 1957, but at Cheltenham rather than Newbury. 19 runners went to post with the top weight the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Linwell ridden by Peter Scudamore. The favourite was The Callant twice a winner over 4 miles at Cheltenham and who had recently beaten the Gold Cup runner up Kerstin over 3 miles at Ayr.

The youngest horse in the race was the 6 year old Mandarin who had only been beaten a neck in the Whitbread the season before. Other fancied runners were Whitbread Gold Cup winner Much Obliged trained by Neville Crump and Bremontier the Scottish National winner.

In the race Mandarin was always handy and led approaching the last fence where he was challenged by Linwell. In a rousing finishing Mandarin prevailed by 3 lengths with Linwell 2^nd. Bremontier edged out The Callant for 3rd.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Sue Malkin.

My main fancies are highlighted in bold – other horses mentioned are well worth considering and should be treated as dangers to the main selection.

Punchestown

1.40 Last Instalment comes here on the back of a win at Galway. He could well emerge as a top class novice chaser this season.

2.10 Only 4 runners but 3 are in with a chance. Thousand Stars failed to win last season but ran with plenty of credit. He was 4^th in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and runner up to Oscar Whisky at Aintree. In June he won the French Champion Hurdle. Oscars Well won a couple of Grade 1 hurdles last season and was 4^th to First Lieutenant at Cheltenham. He finished 3^rd at Down Royal on his reappearance over an inadequate trip. Pittoni is a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and has won twice on the flat in recent months. This is a close call but I would just give Thousand Stars the edge.

2.40 Dedigout has been second in a couple of bumpers and looks a horse to follow.

3.10 Lucky Spring did us a favour last time at a decent price. He is a tough consistent sort that is suited by some ease in the ground.

3.40 Clear Hills won a point to point at Rathcannon and is well thought of by connections.

Cork

1.55 Pineau de Re and Memories of Milan make most appeal.

Exeter 1.00

Flying Award improved rapidly last season and may still be on a winnable mark.

1.30 Minella Stars looks an exciting recruit to chasing. This point to point winner is an out and out stayer.

2.00 Molly Round ran up a hat trick of wins over hurdles last season but unseated on her chase debut. Back over fences here she should pay to follow this season.

2.30 Baseball Ted won 3 out of 5 last season and is a course and distance winner.

3.00 Knight Pass won twice in bumpers last season before disappointing at Cheltenham. He is very highly thought of by his trainer.

3.30 Water Garden is running in a handicap for the first time and is the sort of horse his trainer does well with.

Towcester

1.15 Jolibob showed signs of form on his nost recent run when 2^nd at Southwell.

Nap of the day

Last Instalment

Dark Horse

Water Garden

 

I will stick with my selections from last night’s preview.  I see that Pricewise agrees with me with Medermit and also with Dynaste in the fixed brush hurdle at Haydock.  The latter is a really wide open race and a case could be made for any number of runners.  Highland Valley, Global Power and Sa Suffitt in particular would be dangers to my selections but I will stay with Dynaste and Rival D’Estruval. 

I will add an additional selection, Neptune Equester in the 1.55 at Haydock. He stays well and should give us a run fro our money as long as the ground isn’t too quick for him.

I am off to watch the mighty Macclesfield Town take on Accrington Stanley – hopefully the Silkmen will get the 3 points and some of my horses will come in as well!

 

My main fancies are highlighted in bold – other horses mentioned are well worth considering and should be treated as dangers to the main selection.

Ascot

2.10 Master Minded is 3 from 3 at Ascot and is obviously the one they all have to beat here. He does have the odd off day though and with Alan King’s horses beginning to find their form I am going to put up Medermit as the selection. Medermit will like the ground, comes here on the back of a win at Exeter (albeit perhaps a little fortunate) and has a 50% strike rate over fences.

2.45 I think this could be between Oscar Whisky and Overturn with For Non Stop the most likely outsider. Oscar Whisky is giving Overturn 8 lbs which could be a difficult task against a rival that was good enough to win a Chester Cup on the flat. I am just going to favour the Henderson runner though as he is lightly raced over hurdles, handles the ground and the stable are going well. Oscar Whisky is the selection, Overturn the next best and For Non Stop the best outsider.

3.20 Gilbarry looked a potential star when winning at Ayr in April but his jumping has let him down badly in his two runs this term. He likes good ground though and it is too early to write him off just yet. Ferdy Murphy does well with his handicap chasers and he runs De Boitron who will relish the conditions and should be fitter for his recent run at Kelso. He put up some decent efforts last season notably when 4^th in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March.

Kauto Star, 3 times winner of the Betfair Chase – picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

Haydock

12.15 Grandouet was going well when a faller at Wincanton earlier in the month. First Fandango was a winning selection for us at Leicester recently but has a bit to find with Grandouet. Rigidity was a winner on the flat for Henry Cecil and ran over hurdles in Ireland when trained by Edward O’Grady. He bolted up at Gowran Park in February but disappointed in subsequent runs and has had problems with ulcers.

12.50 Wyse Hill Teabags an Ayr bumper winner was most progressive over hurdles last season winning twice and going close in a listed race at Aintree. The ground will suit him. Arthurian Legend is up 9 lbs for an impressive win in a decent race at Chepstow last month. He is a nervy sort that doesn’t always settle but he certainly looks on an upward curve.

1.20 Diocles was an impressive winner at Southwell in a race that has worked out well. Granville Island won at Bangor lasts season and is held in high regard by his trainer. Regardless of the outcome of this race this pair should pay to follow over the coming months.

1.55 Gurtacrue is a former Irish point to point winner that had some decent efforts over hurdles last season culminating in a win at Fontwell. He was 5^th on his chase debut at Chepstow and should come on for that run.

2.30 This race will take some unravelling. Benny be Good is an admirable type that switches between hurdles and fences. A tidy jumper with a change of gears he will handle the ground and will be suited by the trip. It is possible that the handicapper has got hold of him but over these obstacles his jumping should stand him in good stead. Dynaste was a winner at Taunton last season and put up an excellent effort when 2^nd to a handicap good thing at Cheltenham. He is another that could be high enough in the weights and he may be better with some give in the ground but the Pipe team are in great form. Robinson Collonges lost his way over fences last season but came back with a bang when 3^rd to Arthurian Legend in a hot handicap hurdle at Chepstow. SA Suffitt has been a consistent sort but has had injury problems. Runner up over fences at Kelso on his return this season he is probably best suited by testing ground. Global Power, a Plumpton bumper winner showed progressive form over hurdles last season and ran 2^nd to Arthurian Legend at Chepstow last month. He may be better on soft ground and has not always been fluent over his hurdles. Reindeer Dippin is homebred and has won 5 times for his connections. He ran well at Aintree in a listed race when runner up to Russian War, a race that has produced several winners since. That was on good ground but all his winning form is on soft or heavy. Highland Valley has some excellent form over hurdles and his atriner is in red hot form but is another that would ideally want some cut in the ground, while Rival D’Estruval has won his last two starts over hurdles, both on good ground.

3.05 This is a tricky race to weigh up as it is full of ifs and buts and maybes. Long Run is my selection. For all that Long Run might not be fully wound up at this stage of the season I can’t really see why Kauto Star, at the age of 11, should overturn the form of their last two meetings. Diamond Harry has two big plus points. He has won first time out every season so far and he is 2 from 2 at Haydock. The ground may not be ideal for him though. Weird Al and Time for Rupert fought out the finish of the Charlie Hall with the former coming out on top. This trio are young enough to improve and no doubt they will win races this season but they have plenty of ground to make up on Long Run on any sort of form ratings. Long Run at anything like his best should win here and even money would look a fair bet.

Huntingdon

1.10 Dancing Emily won a Taunton bumper in stylish fashion last season and is rated highly by her trainer.

3.30 Iris’s Flyer has some very solid course form.

Punchestown

1.05 Raptor a winner here over hurdles in January was beaten quite a long way on his chase debut at Wexford. Medical Card ran a cracker on his chase debut at Down Royal and can only improve for that run.

2.35 Midnight Game a runner up twice at listed level at Toulouse he is by the same sire as Hurricane Fly and is horse with considerable potential.

From the archives

On this day in 1995 Young Hustler won the Becher Chase at Aintree for trainer Nigen Twiston-Davies.

Turf trivia

Russian Hero won the 1949 Grand National at odds of 66/1. He ran 27 times after that but never won again. He ran three more times in the Grand Nation falling at the first fence twice.

Nap of the day

Midnight Game

Dark Horse

De Boitron

 

Ascot

1.00

Dual point to point winner Simonsig went on to win the Champion point to point bumper at Fairyhouse in April and is regarded as a very bright prospect. He seems to be at home on any ground.

1.35 No Secrets won on heavy ground at Folkestone last season and was second under a penalty to a useful horse trained by Paul Nicholls. Although last of the finishers in the Albert Bartlett he didn’t run that badly and he is the type to make a chaser. A relentless galloper he appreciates some cut in the ground so may not have his ideal conditions. A winning hurdler in France Solix was 5^th in the Coral Cup he should be a useful recruit to the novice chasing ranks.

2.10 Cinders and Ashes has some very useful bumper form. He won twice from 5 starts and finished 5^th in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Tindaro, a dual winner on the flat in France shaped with promise when 3^rd over hurdles at Wetherby last month.

3.20 Cois Farraig won a Grade 2 novice chase at Newbury last season. On his return this term he unseated at the first fence at Carlisle. He doesn’t look harshly treated off a mark of 128. Ballycarney was a progressive chaser last season winning 3 times. He should be all the better for a recent run at Wincanton and will go on ground.

3.55 Featherbed Lane is probably not one of the starts of his stable but he did win over hurdles last season at Leicester and should be up to winning over fences in due course. His win at Leicester came on heavy ground. Pantxoa finished strongly in second at Sandown earlier in the month and a repeat of that performance would put him in with a good chance in this.

Haydock

12.50 Desert Cry has fair form on the flat in France he won at Sedgefield over hurdles last season. He tends to be keen and doesn’t always get home in his races.

1.55 Ackertac won twice over hurdles last season but was pulled up on his chase debut when the saddle slipped. Ran well enough last time when 2^nd of 3 at Ascot. Tornado Bob won a Cork bumper and went on to score twice over hurdles before being narrowly beaten at Ascot. He has always been regarded as a chaser in the making.

2.30 There are only 5 runners in this but none can be safely ruled out. We have 3 runners from the flat making their hurdles debut, a recent winner form the all conquering Paul Nicholls yard and one from the Henderson stable with a win under his belt already this month. Our Joe Mac rated 101 on the flat won a competitive York handicap and if he stays and jumps could go well over timber. On the flat he was at his bet with cut in the ground. War Poet won twice over 12 furlongs at Thirsk while Butler was a winner at Ripon over 10 furlongs. Plenty Pocket won at Kempton last month but I prefer Molotof who was a very impressive winner at Wincanton last time.

3.05 Super Duty won well, at Carlisle on his hurdles debut after taking a bumper at Bangor last season.

3.40 Runner up at Fontwell last month Eligible can go one better here.

Nap of the day

Molotof

Dark horse

Cois Farraig

From the archives

There are a couple of important hurdle races over the weekend. The Ascot Hurdle and the Morgiana at Punchestown. Hardy Eustace (Pictured below) won both these events during his career.

Picture courtesy of the artist Sarah Aspinall

He was a surprise winner at Punchestown in 2008 coming in at 14/1 in a 4 runner race with Sizing Europe 2^nd. This was actually the last win of his career. He won the Ascot race in 2007 and 2008. He won 14 times in all in an illustrious career taking the Champion Hurdle twice.

Turf trivia

Wyndburgh holds a unique record. He is the only horse to have finished 2^nd in the Grand National 3 times without also winning the race. He ran in the National 6 times in all and was runner up in 1957, 1958 and 1962.

 

I am going to change my selection for one of the races this afternoon. Moonlight Drive seems to carry some confidence in the 1.50 at Market Rasen.

 

My main fancies are highlighted in bold – other horses mentioned are well worth considering and should be treated as dangers to the main selection.

Hereford

2.30 Get it On has had 3 runs over fences with form figures that read 212. He was a consistent hurdler and seems to act on any ground. Invictus, a former point to point winner, won over hurdles at Ascot at the end of last season. I think he could go well over fences this season.

4.00 After a promising run when 2^nd at Market Rasen Awesome Bella rather disappointed when only 5^th at Aintree. On the form shown on her first run she would have a good chance in this.

Market Rasen

12.45 Sertao ran twice in bumpers at Market Rasen finishing 2^nd in February and winning the following month. By the same sire as Grand National winner Mon Mome he is well regarded by his trainer and looks a nice prospect.

1.50 Storming Gale won on his hurdles bow at Ffos Las beating a horse that promptly ran up a hat trick. Despite failing to build on that success Storming Gale, a former winning pointer, can pick up the winning thread now that he tackles fences.

Wincanton

2.10 There are some interesting types in this novice hurdle. Kumasi Clan put in a very promising effort when third on his hurdles debut at Kempton last month. He should come on a bundle for that run. Rolling Aces is well regarded by Paul Nicholls. He has good form in point to points having won at Lismore. Nicholls won the race with Denman a few years back.

Thurles

1.45 King Vuvuzela was an impressive bumper winner at Punchestown at the festival last season. He pulled too hard when 5^th on his hurdles debut at Cork but looks a decent prospect.

Nap of the day

Invictus

 

My main fancies are highlighted in bold – other horses mentioned are well worth considering and should be treated as dangers to the main selection.

Fairyhouse

12.55 Trainer Gordon Elliott nominated His Excellency as his horse to follow this season in an interview. He didn’t find much when push came to shove at Down Royal and has something to prove now. A winner on the flat over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown he is a half brother to Leg Spinner.

1.25 A winner of a bumper and a maiden hurdle Staying Article then sustained an injury. He will go over fences in due course.

2.55 Limerick bumper winner Rourke’s Cross was only beaten a neck on his hurdles bow at Wexford.

Hexham

1.40 King’s Grace was an impressive winner of a national hunt flat race at Bangor last season before suffering from a tumour on his foot. He is well thought of by his trainer and could well make a winning debut over hurdles here.

Warwick

1.30 Loch Ba was a slightly fortunate winner at Kempton. His trainer thinks he will need 3 miles and will be better on soft ground.

2.00 Gospel Preacher ran 3 times in bumpers finishing runner up twice. Hunter’s Lodge has been the subject of some good reports.

2.30 Only 3 runners but a tricky puzzle nonetheless. Tonic Mellysse was a winner of a bumper and over hurdles in France and won at the Scottish National meeting at Ayr for Paul Nicholls. Beaten into second when returning over hurdles giving weight away the 3^rd in that race has won since. Goes over fences for the first time here. Tatispout won at Ludlow when most of her rivals failed to complete but was a beaten odds on favourite here last time. She tends to be too keen and may find it hard to settle in this small field. Tornado D’Estruval is by the same sire as Sprinter Sacre and won over hurdles at Vichy before joining Nicky Henderson.

3.00 Basil Fawlty showed some promise on his bumper debut at Kempton but made no show on his seasonal reappearance in a bumper at Wincanton earlier this month. The Pretender has form in bumpers in France.

From the archives

During the First World War the Grand National was not run at Aintree. A “substitute” National was run at Gatwick racecourse for the 3 years 1916, 1917 and 1918. In 1916 it was called The Racecourse Association Steeplechase and next two renewals were called The War National Steeplechase. Although modelled on the Aintree fences there were less fallers which seems to indicate that the obstacles were a bit easier.

The 1918 race was won by Poethlyn, ridden by Ernie Piggott, grandfather of Lester. The same horse and jockey combination won in 1919 when the race was restored to its traditional home at Aintree.

Turf trivia

On 22/12/1940 Manchester racecourse suffered a direct hit from German bombers.

 

Not much of interest in tomorrow’s racing. At Folkestone in the 1.30 Ballyclough is my selection. He won a bumper at Haydock on good ground last season.

In the 2.00 Bear’s Affair continues his education over fences. Barring accidents he should account for his two rivals.

From the archives

The big race on Saturday is up at Haydock where they stage the Betfair Chase which is registered as the Lancashire Chase. It is a comparatively new event first run in 2005.

A race called the Lancashire Chase has a long history however. It was run over distances between 3 miles-2 furlongs to 3 miles-6 furlongs at New Barns, Manchester to 1901 and at Castle Irwell, Manchester between 1902 and 1963.

The first post war winner was Fortina following up his win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Fred Rimell’s Coloured School Boy won in 1949 and 1950.

Tudor Line was runner up in Grand Nationals either side of his success in the Lancashire Chase in 1955.

ESB, famous for winning the “Devon Loch Grand National” won the Lancashire Chase in 1959 while the last winner of the race prior to the closure of Manchester racecourse was Rough Tweed trained by Neville Crump and ridden by Gerry Scott.

 

My main fancies are highlighted in bold – other horses mentioned are well worth considering and should be treated as dangers to the main selection.

Leicester

1.20 Dancing Emily made a good impression when winning a bumper at Taunton in March and was not disgraced when 4^th under a penalty at Ffos Las the month after. Trip the Light could be interesting if taking to hurdles. He was a great servant to Richard Fahey on the flat winning 12 times

2.50 First Fandango was second in a good handicap at Kempton last month and AP McCoy rides him for the first time here.

Limerick

3.15 The Engineer showed decent form in bumpers last season but was a beaten favourite when 2^nd at Galway last month. He is well thought of by connections.

Plumpton

1.00 Turbo du Ranch won a Newbury bumper last season but was unable to follow up at Huntingdon in October when he failed to defy a penalty. He should be up to winning over hurdles.

1.30 Notus de la Tour won on his chase debut for the in form David Pipe and looks a good prospect. Megastar, a smart hurdler, was last of 3 on his chase bow at Ascot last month. He will have learned from that but would not want the ground too soft. The other two are no mugs. Kind of Easy, described by his trainer as a bit of a playboy, has form in bumpers and over hurdles but may want a bit further than this while Dona, a dual point to point winner won twice over hurdles last season. I would be inclined to take on Notus de la Tour if only because I don’t like odds on favourite in novice chases.

2.00 Bathwick Brave was placed a couple of times over 2 miles and his pedigree suggests this longer trip will suit him.

2.30 Penny Max has point to point experience and won a bumper at Folkestone. He also ran well over hurdles at Newbury last season. He is likely to be suited by soft ground.

 

4.00 Point to point winner Minella for Party was 3^rd at Ffos Las when a beaten favourite. He is likely to go close here. There is also a good word for Itchen Legend.

Nap of the day

First Fandango

Dark horse

The Engineer

Todays pictures are courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.