Month: December 2011

 

Taunton

12.30 Dual bumper winner Swincombe Flame shoulders a penalty for a win over hurdles at Exeter earlier this month . There is room for improvement in her jumping but she does look the most likely winner.

Musselburgh

12.50 Merchant of Dubai won here twice on the flat and made an encouraging hurdles bow when runner up at Kelso.

1.20 Vosges has form figures of 112 at the track and comes here on the back of a decent run.

Christmas turf trivia

Edredon Bleu won the 2003 renewal of the King George. The name means blue eiderdown in French.

From the Christmas archives

Bonanza Boy won back Welsh Grand Nationals in 1988 and 1989 ridden by Peter Scudamore on both occasions. He was pulled up the following year and came 4^th in 1991.

 

Bangor

1.10 King’s Grace won a bumper at this track last season but then suffered a tumour under his foot. Made an odds on favourite for his hurdles bow at Hexham he was last of the 3 finishers. He is very well regarded by his trainer and worth another chance here particularly as the longer trip should suit him.

2.10 Mirific had some decent flat form in France but has not made an impact in two runs over hurdles and perhaps needs handicaps. Bathwick Brave seems to be gradually getting the hang of things and judged on his third at Ffos Las last time should go close here.

3.10 Gottany O’s won times on the flat for Mick Channon and is fancied to make a winning start to his hurdles career for Donald McCain.

3.40 The one I like here is Off the Wall who was third in a bumper at Ascot.

Navan

12.20 Jenari should be good enough here.

1.20 Askmeroe should win this if he can reproduce his chase form over hurdles.

Plumpton

1.0 Cucumber Run should be able to defy a penalty here.

1.30 Captain Moonman has some impressive form in Irish point to points on his CV.

Christmas turf trivia

The site of Leopardstown racecourse was once a leper colony, hence the name.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

On the all weather at Lingfield today Colourful Notion should benefit from the extra furlong in the 12.50.  He had a solid level of form.

 

Big race form guide

Ladbroke Hurdle – Ascot 3.35

Only one favourite has won the race in the last 8 renewals and the Henderson and Pipe stables have each saddled 3 winners.

Brampour is the top weight. Winner of the Greatwood he then returned to Cheltenham where he finished a very creditable 3^rd to Grandouet in the International. He is a course and distance winner best suited by good or good to soft ground. He has been allotted plenty of weight but young Harry Dereham is able to claim his 7 lbs allowance.

Via Gallilei is ultra consistent in these handicaps and is sure to go well but he is running off a mark of 145 whereas his highest winning rating is 121. He faces a stiff task. Gibb River is one I am quite keen on. He won 3 times last season all on good to soft and ran well enough on his reappearance when 3^rd at Sandown. Desert Cry comes here on the back of a win at Sandown on his handicap debut. He has been raised 7 lbs for that win but he is a talented horse and may still be competitive off his new mark.

Prospect Wells could be a blot on the handicap. He was a Group 2 winner on the flat so has plenty of class. He was only beaten a neck in a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham behind Steps to Freedom. Viva Colonia has won 4 times over hurdles including a listed race at Market Rasen in the summer. He finished strongly in the Greatwood to take 5^th place after getting well behind. He has gone up 2 lbs for that but remains an interesting contender.

Tonic Mellysse, a French import won at the Scottish Grand National meeting. He was runner up in a conditions hurdle on his seasonal reappearance before falling on his chase debut. He was considered by his trainer to be on a good mark (134) pre season so it is odd that his trainer didn’t try to exploit that earlier. Not that I am trying to tell Paul Nicholls how to do his job! This horse’s chance is difficult to evaluate.

Abergavenny ran a cracker to finish 3^rd in the Greatwood. His wins have come on a sound surface while his stable companion Marsh Warbler needs soft ground, the softer the better. Raya Star won at Wetherby in October and then finished 3^rd to Rock on Ruby at Newbury. He has gone up an awful lot in the weights though. The consistent Sailors Warn will handle the ground and comes here on the back of a couple of good second place efforts at Punchestown and Naas.

My final short list consists of Brampour, Gibb River, Viva Colonia and Desert Cry. If pushed for a single selection it would have to be Gibb River.

Ascot

12.55 Water Garden, a winner at Wincanton should give us a run for our money.

1.55 Aerial finished 4^th in the Paddy Power despite being 4 lbs “wrong” at the weights. The runner up has since won a big handicap franking the form. Gilbarry would be my main danger.

2.30 It is impossible to oppose Big Bucks. Cross Kennon and Restless Harry revert to hurdles and are good horses in their own right but have what looks an impossible task. New comer Dynaste is the only threat.

3.05 With Neptune Collonges keeping the weights down The Minack is hard to oppose. He has an impressive record on soft and heavy ground. He has to be the selection but I will put a coup[le up at bigger prices that are worth considering. Requin is unexposed while Reve de Sivola just needs to improve his jumping to land a decent prize.

3.35 See big race form guide.

Haydock

12.40 Tenor Nivernais is on my list of horses to follow this season but has run poorly so far and the stable are out of form. He is best watched for the time being.

Haydock

12.40 Tenor Nivernais is on my list of horses to follow this season but has run poorly so far and the stable are out of form. He is best watched for the time being.

1.10 Bunclody will handle the ground and comes from a stable in form.

2.10 Moonlight Drive and Reindeer Dippin are the two I like here. The latter is a real mud lover and is slightly preferred.

2.45 Wymott has his favoured ground and showed his well being with a decent run in the Hennessy last month.

3.20 This is a really interesting contest which sees the former Grand National winner Mon Mome. My short list for this is rather a lengthy one. Diocles, Dreamer of Dreams, Highland Lodge and Grove Pride. The ground could paly a aprt here as thios will be a test of stamina. Highland Lodge is the obvious choice. He is a former winning pointer and won on his hurdles bow at Exeter.

Newcastle

12.35 Blenheim Brook should win this with a clear round. Mac Aeda is next best.

2.05 Rival D’Estruval and Dark Glacier are my two against the field.

Fairyhouse

12.15 Rourke’s Cross

Christmas turf trivia

In 1982 the first 3 home in the Welsh Grand National were trained by women.

From the Christmas archives

Burrough Hill Lad, winner of the 1983 Welsh Natioanl also won a Cheltenham Gold Cup, a Hennessy and a King George.

1.10 Bunclody will handle the ground and comes from a stable in form.

2.10 Moonlight Drive and Reindeer Dippin are the two I like here. The latter is a real mud lover and is slightly preferred.

2.45 Wymott has his favoured ground and showed his well being with a decent run in the Hennessy last month.

3.20 This is a really interesting contest which sees the reappearance of the former Grand National winner Mon Mome. My short list for this is rather a lengthy one. Diocles, Dreamer of Dreams, Highland Lodge and Grove Pride. The ground could play a part here as this will be a test of stamina. Highland Lodge is the obvious choice. He is a former winning pointer and won on his hurdles bow at Exeter.

Newcastle

12.35 Blenheim Brook should win this with a clear round. Mac Aeda is next best.

2.05 Rival D’Estruval and Dark Glacier are my two against the field.

Fairyhouse

12.15 Rourke’s Cross

Christmas turf trivia

In 1982 the first 3 home in the Welsh Grand National were trained by women. Corbiere (Jenny Pitman), Pilot Officer (Mercy Rimell) and Peaty Sandy, the previous years winner, (Helen Hamilton)

From the Christmas archives

Burrough Hill Lad, winner of the 1983 Welsh National also won a Cheltenham Gold Cup, a Hennessy and a King George.

Today’s picture is courtesy of Sarah Clegg.

 

Ascot

12.45 Rocky Creek showed plenty of promise on his hurdles debut at Exeter and can go one better here.

1.55 Hazy Tom is unbeaten and clearly has an outstanding chance here. On the debit side his jumping hasn’t always been fluent. Peckhamecho has won his last two races but has a tendency to be a bit keen. Molotof was an impressive winner at Wincanton and followed up at Haydock beating a useful recruit from the flat. The mares Heather Royale and Thestrawberryone are outsiders to consider. I fancy Molotof to get the better of Hazy Tom and Peckhamecho.

2.30. Frascati Park has won twice over fences, both at Carlisle and is a course winner at Ascot. Chablais jumped markedly tom his left at Kempton and will need to eliminate the problem if he is to score here. Kumbeshwar made a winning start to his career over fences at Hereford. It was not a strong race but he did it nicely. A winner over hurdles in France Pacha du Poldar won on his UK debut over fences at Sandown. I fancy Kumbeshwar and Pacha du Poldar to male their 4 year old allowance count. Slight preference is for the former.

3.05 The lightly raced Our Father looks the one to beat.

3.40 There are plenty of interesting prospects on show here. Josh’s Dreamway and Scholastica are a couple from smaller stables that should run well.

Uttoxeter

12.05 Hereford bumper winner Real Milan is likely to be a threat but Tarn Hows looks the one to be on. Runner up twice at this track over 2 miles he should be better still now he tackles a longer trip.

12.35 Point to point winner Dannancey’s Hill was 2^nd here in a bumper and is preferred to the main danger Triptico who was 4^th in a fair race at Exeter.

1.10 Basford Bob has been let down by his jumping and I will pass him by. My short list comprises Kauto Relko, Tornado Bob and Master Hyde. Tornado Bob was perhaps a little unlucky when falling on his chase debut and is worth another chance.

2.20 Saint Like and Flying Award are both on my pre season list of horses to follow. Saint Luke is yet to find his form this term and I will side with Flying Award who should be all the better for his run at Exeter when 4^th last month.

Christmas turf trivia

The Welsh Grand National used to be run in February but after several races lost to the weather the date was switched to December in 1979 when the race was won by Peter Scot.

 

Only a short bulletin tonight as I am off to watch the mighty Macclesfield Town!

Exeter

1.20 Volcon Surprise first time in a handicap has possibilities.

1.50 Royal Charm should win this but will be a short price.

2.20 Molly Round could be one to benefit should the favourite falter.

Towcester

1.10 Close House

1.40 Lucky Landing

Gowran Park

12.35 Darroun looks the one to be on with Bat Masterton next best.

1.35 Make a Track

Bangor

1.45 Ballyclough has won a bumper and a maiden hurdle on good ground but his brother Crocodiles Rock handled plenty of give in the ground so conditions shouldn’t be a problem. Magnifique Etoile has also won a bumper and a maiden hurdle. Both horses have to shoulder penalties and there may be something lurking among the horses yet to win a race. The two winners set the standard though. If pushed to choose I would select Ballyclough as perhaps more likely to handle the ground.

2.20 The Paul Nicholls runner may well be too good for them but he will be a very short price. Devotion to Duty has an each way chance. He has won on soft ground and ran well when 6^th over hurdles at Cheltenham last time.

Newbury

12.50 Minella Stars and Penny Max look the two to concentrate on. Both have had a run over fences and both finished 3^rd. Minella Stars jumped the better of the pair and so gets the nod.

1.25 Ericht won two bumpers last season and finished 6^th in the Champion race at Cheltenham. He was a decent 3^rd in a Grade 2 novice hurdle back at Cheltenham last month. Montbazon has a similar profile. He is a bumper winner and was runner up in the Aintree Champion race. He was also 3^rd on his hurdles bow at Cheltenham. I was quite impressed with Ericht on his hurdles bow and I would just favour him over Montbazon.

2.00 Dancing Emily and Gospel Preacher have each way chances at biggish odds.

2.35 Time for Rupert probably needs a confidence booster and this could well be it. He jumps well and should have too much class for his rivals.

Picture is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

 

Catterick

1.20 There are a few decent prospects in this novice hurdle. Crackentorp has already got off the mark over timber beating Hawk Mountain at Market Rasen. Bourne is the other one I like. He was second in the Old Newton Cup on the flat.

2.50 Freddie Brown probably didn’t like the soft ground at Kelso last time and is worth another chance. Ibn Hiyyan showed improved form when 3^rd at Uttoxeter and should be suited by this drop back to 2 miles.

Folkestone

1.10 A hurdles winner in France, Soir D’Estruval is well thought of by connections and could well make a winning chase debut here.

Turf trivia

Sawago, a runner in the 2.10 at Folkestone has been 7^th 7 times in his 10 race career

 

There is racing over the jumps at Fakenham tomorrow and on the all weather at Wolverhampton.

At Fakenham Jimbill should be good enough in the opener while at Wolverhampton The Tatling is set to run for the last time. This will be the 176^th race of the 14 year olds career.

The picture of The Tatling is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

 

From the archives

The two big races tomorrow are the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown and the Hilly Way Chase at Cork. Beef or Salmon (pictured below) is on the roll of honour for both races having won at Punchestown in 2003 and at Cork in 2002 and 2003.

Punchestown

12.35 Wandering Aengus

1.05 Dylan Ross

2.05 Rubi Light ran a cracker when 3^rd in the Ryanair and was unlucky at Gowran Park when falling at the last with the race in his pocket. He acts on any ground and the trip is ideal. Joncol jumped well on his seasonal reappearance when winning at Thurles. Roi de Mee is consistent and loves soft ground. He was a good second behind Kauto Stone at Down Royal over this trip which is probably his minimum. Tranquil Sea won this race last season and looked in good nick when winning at Clonmel on his last start. Rubi Light looks an improving sort and may land the prize at the expense of Tranquil Sea and Joncol.

Hereford

12.45 Prince Roque

1.15 Off the Ground

2.15 Strongbow’s Legend

Turf trivia

The Hilly Way Chase run at Cork tomorrow is named after the horse that won the 2 mile Champion Chase in 1978 and 1979. The following year it was renamed the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The picture of Beef or Salmon is courtesy of the artist Jenny Lupton.