Month: December 2011

 

Cheltenham

Big race form guide – Cheltenham 2.30

I will refer to this race as the December Gold Cup as the sponsors keep changing and I can’t keep up with the various sponsor’s names!

Medermit won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and ran 3^rd to Master Minded at Ascot. He is yet to win in 6 visits to Cheltenham. Ghizao looked high class at times last season but could only finish 4^th to Medermit at Exeter. Divers is interesting. A winner of a novice handicap at the Cheltenham Festival he was 3^rd in the Paddy Power over course and distance. Salut Flo is lightly raced and could be ahead of the handicapper.

Great Endeavour won the Paddy Power and went on to finish 3^rd in the Hennessy. It would be a big ask to win here after two such hard races. Woolcombe Folly has winning course form and represents Paul Nicholls in a race where those higher in the weights have a good record.

Divers will do for me with Salut Flo an interesting dark horse.

12.10 Hinterland won well at Cheltenham on his last start and the second and third in the race have both won since. He should be too good for his rivals here with Irish raider Canna the one most likely to chase him home.

12.45 Join Together, Mossley and Champion Court all have claims. Join Together beat a subsequent winner over a furlong less at this track last time out. Mossley had some very smart hurdles form finishing runner up in the Albert Bartlett and has already got off the mark over fences winning at Kempton last month. Champion Court was 4^th in the Albert Bartlett and has got his chase career off to a promising start. A win at Aintree was followed by a very creditable 2^nd to Grand Crus at Cheltenham. This trio all have excellent course form and are hard to split but my idea of the 1-2-3 is Mossley, Join Together and Champion Court.

1.20 Havinggotascoobydo is preferred to Robinson Collonges.

1.55 Rev It Up goes for the hat trick after wins at Chepstow and Ffos Las. The trip should suit.

2.30 See big race form guide.

3.05 Menorah, Overturn, Brampour, Pittoni and Grandouet are all worth considering. Greatwood winner Brampour deserves respect as does Irish runner Pittoni who is getting weight from his rivals. Philip Hobbs has a great record in the race and saddles Menorah while Overturn is looking for a four timer. Grandouet is the one for me despite slight reservations about him handling the track. He has impressed me with the way he has travelled in his races and he looks to be improving.

3.35 Oscar Whisky should win with the main danger coming from The Knoxs.

Doncaster

12.30 Rose of the Moon (danger Ballycarney)

1.05 Saint Are (danger Lively Baron)

3.20 Benny be Good

Lingfield

12.55 Castlerock

2.05 Golden Chieftain (danger Alfie Spinner)

Navan

12.15 Mystic Desir

12.45 Rourkes Cross

1.15 Reizovic (danger Dedigout)

1.45 Pineau de Re

3.25 Bishops Walk

From the archives

The Paddy Power Chase and the December Gold Cup are run at Cheltenham over the same distance 4 weeks apart. Great Endeavour is looking to land the double this season. Pegwell Bay became the first horse to win both races in the same season in 1988. The dashing grey Senor El Betrutti did the double in 1997 while Fondmort won both races but in different seasons.

Today’s picture, of the recently retired Denman, is by the artist Lisa Miller.

 

Cheltenham

12.00 A 4 horse race where 3 have solid claims. Solix, a Grade 3 hurdles winner in France and 5^th in the Coral Cup won a 4 horse novice chase at Ascot beating a subsequent winner. He was not foot perfect but should improve for the run. Sam Winner was 5^th in the Triumph Hurdle but fell on his chase debut at Exeter. Sybarite has perhaps been a little disappointing in his 2 runs over fences but he is well thought of by his trainer and should be winning races before long.

12.35 Ultravox, Bally Legend and Paintball are worth considering at decent odds.

1.45 Mon Parrain was all the rage for the Paddy Power but never got into the race. He may well be better suited by this longer trip. Fair Along ran a cracker when 3^rd in the Hennessy.

2.55 Oscargo is a lightly raced horse with bags of potential and is the choice of jockey Ruby Walsh.

3.30 This looks to be between Darlan and Balding Banker with preference for the former.

Doncaster

12.25 Sprinter Sacre should make a winning chase debut although backing odds on in a novice chase is almost certainly the road to penury.

2.10 Fairwiew Sue represents decent value and runs for a stable in quite good from.

Turf trivia

John Foster rode in 3 Grand Nationals as did his son Martin. In 1952 John was the youngest jockey in the field at the age of 17 but his mount Hal’s Venture fell at the first fence.

Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

 

Huntingdon

Big race form guide – 2.00 Peterborough Chase

Tartak won the race last season when it was run at Newbury. He was probably fortunate as the likely winner fell at the last. Wears first time blinkers.

Hidden Keel and Tchico Polos have a fair amount to find on ratings but are not forlorn hopes. Both are difficult to place as they fall between handicaps and graded races. Hidden Keel is a progressive sort, probably best at this trip and is suited by a right handed track. Tchico Polos would not want the ground too soft. He has a fair level of form in graded races but like Hidden Keel would need to step up on previous form to win. Surfing is a listed winner over hurdles in France and is well regarded by his trainer. The trip should be right for him and he is unexposed.

The two main protagonists are The Nightingale and Somersby. The Nightingale failed to stay over 3 miles at Down Royal last time and this drop back in trip looks just right for him. Best going right handed he likes some give in the ground. Given the trainer’s marvellous record in the race Somersby must be respected. He has a very consistent career record and come here in form, having finished second to Master Minded at Ascot last time.

I would be inclined to side with Somersby as he has the form in the book. Surfing and Tchico Polos make most appeal as outsiders.

3.00 There are plenty with chances. Tuscan Gold, a winner on the flat for Sir Mark Prescott has joined Alan King and makes his hurdles bow. Runner up 3 bumpers Florafern was well fancied when falling on his hurdles debut. Italian Master won a point to point at Dromahane on good ground and is held in high regard by connections.

Ludlow

1.10 Darna and Get it on are my fancies here. Darna was a lucky winner at Lingfield but jumped safely and will be better for the run. Get it on won at Sedgefield in September but fell on his last start.

Taunton

12.50 Wincanton winner Rolling Aces can follow up in this.

1.20 Having failed to complete in two efforts over fences Molly Round reverts to hurdles. Three times a winner over the smaller obstacles last season she looks over priced.

1.50 He’s Our Lad has been runner up on 4 of his last 5 starts will and likes a tight tarck like Taunton.

Clonmel

12.35 A winner on the flat Bat Masterton was 3^rd on his debut over hurdles at Navan.Bat Masterton

1.05 Chasing Shadows and Taraval are my two against the field.

3.35 Crocus Bay has done enough on two of his 3 starts to suggest he can go close here.

From the archives

Trainer Henrietta Knight has a remarkable record in Huntingdon’s Peterborough Chase having trained the winner of the race 8 times in the last 13 years. Her winners were Edredon Bleu (4), Racing Demon (2), Impek and Best Mate (pictured below).

Turf Trivia

Champion jockey Paul Hannigan has only ridden one horse for the Elite Racing Club and that was Monolith trained by Len Lungo who won the Pontefract Cup in June 2006.

Picture by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.

 

Hexham

12.20 Last season Bold Sir Brian won a bumper at Ayr and a Grade 2 hurdle at Kelso. He has finished second on both his starts over fences at Carlisle when his jumping has not been altogether fluent. The track may suit him better at Hexham though. Bishop’s Heir could be a big danger. He is suited by very testing conditions.

12.50 Triptico was awarded a bumper last season on the disqualification of Dark Glacier, a subsequent hurdles winner. He was then 4^th on his hurdles bow at Exeter when Ruben Cotter, since a good second at Cheltenham, was back in 5^th.

1.50 Rollwiththepunches could be a bit of a handicap dark horse.

Leicester

I don’t have a strong view on any of the races at Leicester but Salomo (1.00) and Dhaafer (3.00) might be worth considering.

 

Fontwell

1.40 Bumper winners Let’s Get Serious and Medinas look the pick in this race. With both making their hurdles debuts it is hard to choose between them but Let’s Get Serious has marginally the better bumper form and seems to have the size and scope for the jumping game.

2.10 Judging from the betting there seemed some confidence behind Jolibob when he ran disappointingly at Towcester last time. He is worth another chance.

2.40 Gary Moore does well with his handicappers and Amaury de Lusignan could be on a winnable mark.

Sedgefield

1.20 Alexander Road won 3 times over hurdles last season and looks the type to do well in mares only chases.

From the archives

Two of the main races last weekend were named after famous horses from years gone by.

On Saturday Sizing Europe was a decisive winner of the Tingle Creek Chase named after the swashbuckling front runner who was especially at home at Sandown. Unsuited by the Cheltenham undulations he never won the Champion Chase although he was second in 1974. He reserved his best form for the Esher track.

On Sunday Fairyhouse staged the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle named after the first horse to win the Champion Hurdle three times, in 1949, 1950 and 1951. Hatton’s Grace was also the first 11 year old to win the race. A dual purpose performer he also won the Irish equivalents of the Lincoln and Cesarewitch.

Turf trivia

The film version of the Dick Francis novel Dead Cert was shot on location at Fontwell Park in the summer of 1973.

Picture courtesy of the artist Julie Whitwham.

 

Selections for Monday

Musselburgh

2.20 Bogside

Plumpton

12.40 Turbo du Ranch

1.10 Invictus

1.40 Cinderella Rose

 

Aintree

Big race form guide

Becher Chase 2.10

West End Rocker ran in the Grand National last season and was going well enough when brought down at Bechers on the first circuit. He won at Newbury and Warwick last season but was pulled up on his reappearance at Cheltenham.

Hello Bud and Always Waining both have winning form over these fences while Niche Market was 5^th in the Grand National. The Irish have a good record in the race and are represented by Another Palm who jumps and stays well. His recent second in the Cork National shows he is in good heart and he only has a light weight to carry.

12.00 Keys is a very interesting recruit to hurdling. After winning 3 bumpers he went on to run well on the flat winning twice. He can make a winning start over hurdles here with the main danger coming from Cinders and Ashes who he beat a short head in one of the bumper

12.35 Wyse Hill Teabags is a consistent hurdler and was a close second at Haydock on his last start. Palace Jester was an easy winner at Ffos as on soft ground. , Featherbed Lane made a winning handicap debut at Ascot in pleasing style. He handles any ground and the extra half mile tomorrow won’t be a problem. He is a full brother to Master of the Hall. He has gone up 9 lbs for his win.

1.05 Irish import Walden Prince ran well for a long way at Cheltenham last month and is one of a pair of outsiders to consider. Saint Luke won 3 times in bumpers but has yet to find his form. Soft ground could be the key to him but he could be well handicapped.

2.10 See big race form guide.

2.45 It might be worth taking on the favourite here with Master of the Hall who has a good record in small field races.

3.20 Buffalo Bob is on quite an attractive mark. He fell in the Topham last season over these fences which tempers my enthusiasm slightly.

Chepstow

12.25 Ruben Cotter is respected despite his disappointing hurdles debut but Big Occasion, a useful performer on the flat for Aidan O’Brien is preferred.

1.00 Kind of Easy, Teaforthree and Restless Harry are my suggested short list. Restless Harry beat Fair Along, subsequently third in the Hennessy, at Wetherby and that looks the best form on show. Teaforthree is the danger.

1.30 Curtain Razer was second on his hurdles bow at Exeter and can go one better.

2.05 Sona Sasta looks on a fair mark and likes the mud.

2.40 Cresswell Crusader’s two wins have both come on heavy ground.

3.15 I will put forward a couple of outsiders here, According to Lawrence and Fishoutofwater. Slight preference is for the former.

Sandown

12.55 Knight Pass won twice in bumpers last season, once at Sandown. He made a pleasing start over hurdles when winning at Exeter and sets the standard.

1.25 Hildisvini, Global Power and Poungach make up my short list. Poungach was a runaway winner at Ascot in January and could be a blot on the handicap. Global Power looks the danger.

1.55 It is hard to get away from Al Ferof after his smooth Cheltenham success last month. Megastar has been disappointing and the main threat looks likely to come from For Non Stop. Al Ferof has to be the selection but is hardly an attractive price so I will put up For Non Stop as well for those who prefer something a little spicier!

2.30 Via Galilei is very consistent and his 6^th in the Greatwood is decent form. Nicky Henderson’s Gibb River won 3 times over hurdles last season, all on good to soft and there could be more to come.. Tenor Nivernais ran a disappointing race at Cheltenham last time but his stable, in the doldrums at the time, are in much better form now.

3.05 This is a really tricky one. It may well be that Wishfull Thinking faced a near impossible task in the Hennessy and dropping back to 2 miles here could see him in a very different light. Kauto Stone is a half brother to Kauto Star, a past winner of this race and won well at Gowran Park on his first outing of the season.Sizing Europe is the form pick on his Cheltenham efforts but runs at Sandown for the first time. I will put up Sizing Europe as my selection but his price is short enough.

Wetherby

12.10 Dark Glacier ran no sort of race on his hurdles debut and is better than that. Quel Elite was second to Wyse Hill Teabags at Kelso last season and looks an improving type.

12.45 Bear’s Affair, Railway Dillon, Mac Aeda and Realt Mor are all in with a chance in an open race. At the prices Realt Mor is just preferred to Bear’s Affair.

Fairyhouse selections

12.50 Mikael D’Haguenet

1.20 Staying Article

1.50 Lochan Lacha

2.25 Saludos

3.00 Sir Des Champs

Sunday

Kelso

12.30 Merchant of Dubai and fellow recruit from the flat Our Joe Mac look the two to concentrate on.

1.00 This race is named after Paris Pike (pictured below) , former Scottish National winner. Lie Forrit and Blenheim Brook are the pair I like.

1.30 Freddie Brown needs to settle better in his races but if he does then he can be competitive in this.

2.00 Sa Suffit ran well in 6^th in the fixed brush hurdle at Haydock and should go well. A gallant 3^rd in the Scottish National last season Always Right is a course and distance winner.

2.30 Captain Americo is a course winner and has plenty of stamina. He has a good chance if his jumping holds together.

Warwick

2.10 Rich Buddy and Black Noddy are my two against the field.

3.40 Barney Cool was a beaten favourite t Chepstow on soft ground but may do better here on a sound surface.

Fairyhouse

12.50 Midnight Game was second at Punchestown with the rest well beaten. The danger could come from Galileo’s Choice, a Group 3 winner on the flat.

1.20 Alpha Ridge jumped well when second to Last Instalment at Galway last time. He wants bottomless ground. Bog Warrior beat subsequent winner Flemenstar at Navan with an impressive round of jumping. He is best on soft ground. Rated 150 over hurdles Shinrock Paddy was second at Navan on his second start over fences. Cheltenham festival winner First Lieutenant has done little wrong over fences so far and has been talked of as a Gold Cup contender. This race is a tough call but I have been following First Lieutenant this season and I will stick with him.

Picture courtesy of the artist Jenny Lupton.

 

Exeter

1.00 This novice chase features the first and second from the 2009 Triumph Hurdle. Zaynar has already had a couple of satisfactory runs over fences but I slightly prefer Alan King’s Walkon who should be suited by the trip.

2.05 I was a bit disappointed with Ambion Wood when he was only third at Fontwell recently. It is too early to give up on his and I am sure he will win races over hurdles but he may have to give best to Close House here. Close House was second in what was probably a decent bumper at Doncaster in March and looks a nice prospect for hurdles.

2.40 Dual bumper winner Swincombe Flame was runner up on his hurdles debut and the third horse in that race has won since. She is worth another chance to go one better here.

Sandown

1.20 This race has only gone the way of the market leader twice in the last 9 years and it may pay to look beyond the favourite. Loch Ba and Trafalgar Road are both worth considering. Trafalgar Road ran better than his finishing position suggests on his last start and looks value at around 6/1.

1.55 A case could be made for 6 of the 7 in this race. In particular Fingal Bay and Somonsig look highly promising. On what they have achieved so far Fingal Bay holds the edge. The Strawberry One is an admirable sort but may just find this a little too tough. She is certainly one to note in mares only events though.

2.30 Big race winners from last season Quinz (Racing Post Chase) and Boston’s Angel (RSA Chase) both failed to get round on their seasonal reappearances. Royal Charm has always been well regarded at home and has a touch of class. He has not quiet lived up to the hype as yet but clearly has ability. Quinz has to come back from a poor run; Royal Charm is not guaranteed to stay so Boston’s Angel is the percentage call.

From the archives

Broomfield was 4^th in a maiden hurdle at Newbury last week. A horse of the same name ran in one of the most remarkable Grand Nationals, the 1951 renewal. For a start there were 11 fallers at the first fence! Broomfield fell at Bechers on the second circuit leaving only two runners standing, Nickel Coin and Royal Tan who had been runner up in the Irish National 12 days earlier. Nickel Coin sprinted clear after the last leaving Royal Tan to finish second again. Two earlier fallers Derrinstown and Gay Heather were remounted but Gay Heather refused at the last fence leaving Derrinstown to finish a remote 3^rd.

Today’s picture is courtesy of Sarah Clegg.