Oaks 3rd Izzi Top runs at Saint Cloud today in the Prix de Flore. The form of the Epsom race has worked out well and John Gosden’s filly has been given a break since the race.
Author: Martin
Diary: October 25 2011
There is both flat and jumps racing tomorrow. There are a couple of interesting 2 year olds in action at Yarmouth while it is something of a ladies day at Chepstow where both Emma Lavelle and Rebecca Curtis have fancied runners.
Yarmouth
Races considered
2.30 Frankel’s brother Noble Mission will probably be all the rage but it might be worth looking at Commitment who showed promise on his debut on the first of the month when 4th at Newmarket over a mile. He is a half brother to 6 winners and holds an entry in next year’s Derby.
3.00 Mossbrae is by the successful sire Selkirk and has plenty of stamina in the pedigree. He looks an interesting long term prospect.
No selections
Chepstow
Races considered
2.10 Daymar Bay won an all weather bumper at Lingfield and then finished 2nd in a Wincanton bumper. Has tended to be a bit keen but looks a hurdles prospect for trainer Emma Lavelle.
2.40 Salomo trained by Rebecca Curtis has form on the flat in France including a win on the all weather at Deauville over 12 furlongs.
3.40 Alfie Spinner has some good form over hurdles last season including a second in a competitive handicap at Sandown. He stays well and makes his chase debut here over 3 miles. His wins to date have come on testing ground although whether he actually needs plenty of give is hard to say.
5.10 Rebecca Curtis saddles Fishoutofwater in this. A smart bumper performer it took a while for him to get the hand of things over hurdles but he won at the sixth time of asking at Worcester and then followed up at Bangor. Connections have chosen to send him chasing rather than exploit what may be a reasonable hurdles mark which could eb a pointer in itself. AP McCoy is 3 from 5 when riding this horse.
5.40 Barney Cool looks to defy a penalty here for his win in a Fontwell bumper in May. He is well bred being by St Leger winner Bollin Eric and is related to a number of prolific winners including Mr Cool, a winner of 4 bumpers.
Selections – Salomo, Fishoutofwater and Barney Cool.
Nap of the day
Barney Cool
Dark horse
Salomo
Turf trivia
Diana Henderson (formerly married to trainer Nicky Henderson) finished runner-up at Badminton on The Kingmaker in1977 and was the first lady to win under National Hunt rules.
Diary: October 24 2011
Not much to go at today. At Leicester the John Gosden pair of Colombian (3.00) and Fanoos (4.30) are worth considering.
Diary: October 23 2011
Not too bad a start for the new look web site although I did manage to tip a 2/5 loser in my big race form guide. At the least the nap of the day, Fingal Bay gave that feature a winning start at 9/4.
Aintree
Races considered
2.35 Champion Court, Saint Are and Bear’s Affair all look promising novice chasers. Irish bumper winner Champion Court won a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham last season and returned for the festival where he was 4th in the Albert Bartlett. Saint Are was a surprise 33/1 winner of the Grade 1 Sefton novices hurdle at Aintree last April and is aid to have schooled well over fences. Bear’s Affair, a good looking son of presenting is unbeaten in 3 starts, one in a bumper where he beat Champion Court and twice over hurdles. He is a brother to multiple chase winner Free Gift.
3.10 Benny Be Good is a sound jumper who won 3 times at his owner’s local tarck at Sedgefield last season and returned to win at Market Rasen in a televised race last month. Rival D’Estruvalis a good looking type that was runner up at Ayr and Perth before winning the Sticky Toffee Pudding novices hurdle at Cartmel. Storm Brig is a dual Kelso bumper winner that went on to score twice over hurdles at Newcastle. He rounded off his campaign with a 5th behind Spirit Son at Aintree.
4.20 Theatre Guide won a bumper at Chepstow last season beating today’s winner Magnifique Etolie and went on to finish runner up in a bumper at Fairyhouse. The stable won this race last season with Cue Card. Barbatos ran 4 times over hurdles finishing 5th on 3 occasions before being beaten a short head at Ascot by Invictus.
4.55 Royal Guardsman was very impressive when winning a bumper in April at Fontwell. Swinging Sultan also caught the eye when runner up in a bumper at Market Rasen in February. Victor Lynch was 3rd in a bumper fopr trainer Kate Walton. This one is very much a long term prospect for hurdles and especially fences.
Selections Bear’s Affair, Benny be Good, Theatre Guide and Royal Guardsman.
Wincanton
Race considered
2.15 Rock of Deauville was a bit disappointing when only beating one home at Cheltenham last wekk but will be fitter for that run. Fontano suffered from a kidney infection last season but still managed to run quite consistently.
No selections
Galway
Races considered
2.40 Leave him alone a former points winner impressed when winning a bumper at Cork.
4.50 Last Instalment is a dual bumper winner that also won twice over hurdles last season at Navan and Limerick
Selection
Last Instalment
Nap of the day
Royal Guardsman
Diary: October 22 2011
I am trying out a new weekend format for the web site today. Hope you like it.
Big race form guide
The Old Roan Chase Aintree 3.30
A disappointing start to what I hope will be a regular feature previewing the big race of the day. Only 3 line up and it looks to be a match between Master Minded and Alberta’s Run.
Since coming to Britain Master Minded has won 2 of his 4 seasonal reappearances. Alberta’s Run has won 3 times out of 5 first time out. Master Minded has run at Aintree twice with form figures of 21. Alberta’s Run has track form figures of 1233142. Master Minded has won 15 times with all bar one achieved with some give in the ground. Alberta’s Run has won 14 times with 8 of the wins coming on ground described as good.
It is quite a difficult one to call but I would give Master Minded the edge. When the pair met at Aintree in April Master Minded came out on top and I can see him confirming that superiority tomorrow.
Best of the rest
Doncaster
Races considered
1.30 Hot Spice has won twice this season, at Haydock and Leicester, on fast ground on both occasions. A beaten favourite back at Leicester last time he is now 13 lbs higher than his last winning rating but he may have more to offer.
2.00 Secret Witness is a course and distance winner and has been running quite well of late. Not out of it at a big price.
5.20 Yorkshire Osteopath Kevin Kirkup only owns a few horses but he has been amazingly successful with them, notably The Osteopath and Osteopathic Remedy. Another in his ownership, Fieldgunner Kirkup began the season brightly when 2nd beaten a head at Thirsk in May. He has been very disappointing ever since but he has slipped down the handicap as a result. He was tried in blinkers on his most recent start but finished last of 10 at Musselburgh.
Selection Hot Spice
Newbury
Races considered
2.15 Mehdi has proved a real money spinner for his connections and has already won nearly 3 times his purchase price in prize money.
2.45 Since winning a Chester maiden Colombian has run well in France 4 times in Group 1 and 2 contests. He drops down to Group 3 level here.
3.45 Oceanway and Kirthill are the pair I considered for this. The former has been a profitable horse to follow winning 3 times. Kirthill was a winner at Newmarket earlier in the season. His latest start at Newbury can be ignored as he got no luck in running and was badly drawn.
Selection Kirthill
Aintree
Races considered
2.25 Paintball represents the in from stable of Charlie Longsden A decent handicapper on the flat Paintball has already won 2 of his 5 starts over timber and looks a progressive sort. He does not look on a bad mark either.
3.30 This race has been discussed elsewhere,
4.40 Havinggotascoobydo won on his chase bow at Ffos Las earlier this month. He can make that experience tell here despite giving weight away to all his rivals. He will want further than this in time.
5.45 Cinders and Ashes was a good bumper horse last season winning twice and finishing 5th in the Cheltenham Champion bumper. Hazy Tom is a former English point to point winner and won both his starts in bumpers last season showing a good turn of foot in the process.
Selections Paintball, Master Minded Pictured below) , Havinggotascoobydo and Hazy Tom
Stratford
Races considered
1.50 Charlie Longsden has a strong team at Stratford and starts off here with Accordingtolawrence. Twice a winner over hurdles he looks the type to be even better now he tackles fences.
2.50 Longsden saddles Grandad’s Horse in this. He has won 3 times over hurdles this year and will handle the ground. He will probably be going chasing before long. The main danger could come from Chain of Command. He won twice at Kempton last season, once over fences and then in one of those all weather flat races hastily arranged when the cold snap hit the jumps racing.
3.50 Magnifique Etoile, another from the Longsden stable, ran well in 3 bumpers last season before getting off the mark at Market Rasen last month. He makes his hurdles debut here where the quick ground might be a slight concern.
4.25 Marleno only won once from 8 starts last season with the solitary success coming at Taunton but he did run well on other occasions, notably when runner up at Uttoxeter. He tackles fences for the first time here and has reportedly schooled well.
Selections Accordingtolawrence, Grandad’s Horse, Magnifique Etoile
Chepstow
Races considered
1.35 Saint Luke won 3 national hunt flat races before running well in the championship bumpers at both Cheltenham and Aintree. Although a bit disappointing when 5th at Chepstow on his hurdles debut he should strip fitter for that run.
2.05 Rev It Up ran 4 times between the flags last season running creditably in all four and winning the last one in testing ground. He faces another points winner here in the shape of Dualla Lord trained by Paul Nicholls. A point to point winner in Ireland he then went on to score 4 from 4 between the flags in England.
2.35 This is an interesting novice chase. Gurtacrue won over hurdles at Fontwell last season and is a former Irish points and bumper winner. Our Island is another former Irish point to point winner and also won twice over hurdles last season before running well in 7th in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. Join Together was pulled up in the Albert Bartell but that run can probably be ignored as before that he had won at Exeter and finished 2nd in a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham. He looks a thorough staying type.
3.05 Although yet to win a race Moscow Chancer has shown signs of ability and is the sort that might just have slipped under the radar from a betting point of view.
3. 40 Fingal Bay was a very impressive winner of an Exeter bumper in February and looks an exciting prospect. Hard to Swallow won an Irish point to point and a Ffos Las bumper last season. He was an odds on favourite when beaten into second at Perth over hurdles last month but he was not disgraced and should come on for the run.
4.15 This is a competitive handicap hurdle. Paul Nicholls is double handed with Robinson Collonges and Rebel Rebellion. Robinson Collonges started well last season winning twice over fences but his form tailed off dramatically and he was pulled up on his last two starts. He reverts to hurdles here with the probably aim to rebuild his confidence. Rebel Rebellion won over hurdles last season at Kempton and Sandown and is regarded as a top prospect by his trainer. Another horse well thought of by connections is Darna who won twice over hurdles at Ayr when trained by Willie Amos. Now with Kim Bailey he looks the type to win races over fences. Global Power won a Plumpton bumper and a hurdle at Folkestone but his best run was when staying on well to finish 4th in a decent handicap at Sandown. He is a chaser in the making but he can be competitive over hurdles in the meantime. Philip Hobbs has three entered in this with the best of the bunch probably Arthurian Legend. Arthurian Legend won twice at Chepstow last season so clearly likes the place. He is said to be a highly strung individual though.
4.50 Phidippedes is a promising young chaser and is off a low eight here although he is 3 lbs out of the handicap.
Selections Dualla Lord, Join Together, Fingal Bay, Arthurian Legend, Phidippedes
Wolverhampton
Race considered
6.20 Formerly trained by John Gosden Twisted is now with Mick Easterby. Although he wins rarely he likes Wolverhampton and won in October last season.
No selection
Galway
Races considered
2.25 Jenari had some smart bumper form last season winning at Gowran Park and finishing 3rd in the Punchestown Champion Bumper. He looks a smart prospect.
2.55 Mount Benbulben is a point to point and dual bumper winner for Gillian Callaghan last season and now trained by Gordon Elliott. Looks set for a successful season over hurdles.
Selections Jenari and Mount Benbulben
Nap of the day
Fingal Bay (Chepstow 3.40)
Dark horse
Marleno (Stratford 4.25)
From the archives
It is a long while since they raced at Alexandra Park, or “Ally Pally” as it was affectionately called. It was more popular with punters than with jockeys as the tight bends and uncertain surface made for frequent falls. It was sometimes called “The frying pan” because of its configuration.
The last race to be run at the London venue was won by Acrostle on September 8 1970. The winning jockey was George Duffield who is now assistant trainer to his wife Ann. More on Alexandra Park next week.
Turf trivia
Pope John Paul II visited Galway racecourse in September 1979. Not on a race day though!
The picture of Master Minded is courtey of the artist Lisa Miller
Update
Additional selection today; Tawaasul in the 1.20 at Newbury.
Diary: October 21 2011
We did quite well today with 3 winners, Horsham Lad 11/2, Tatispout 13/8 and Pineau de Re at 6/1.
Looking forward to the racing on Friday the sprint handicap at Doncaster (3.45) is the sort of race I like. Mac’s Power and Seal Rock are the pair I like best. If pushed to narrow it down my marginal preference would be for Mac’s Power. Of the outsiders Secret Witness has an each way chance.
Not much else makes any appeal on a difficult looking Doncaster card. Menelik was well thought of by his trainer at the start of the season and has shown some signs of ability in two races so far. He is a big price in the 1.30.
Staying with the outsiders Gordonsville represents a trainer who does well with his older handicappers. He runs in the 4.20 where Mungo Park is another to consider.
In the 4.55 Vodoo Prince, the mount of title chasing Kieren Fallon should give us a run for our money.
Diary: October 20 2011
Taking tomorrow’s meetings in alphabetical order the first race I looked at was the Brighton 3.05. Sholaan has the ability to win a race like this but his ru last time cast doubts about his determination and on pedigree there is sufficient doubt about him staying a mile to make the 2/1 on offer a bit too skinny.
Sluggsy Morant has won a couple of races already this season and at around 8/1 would have an each way chance in the 5.10. Once again the 6/1 currently quoted doesn’t look value.
At Carlisle Horsham Lad is of interest in the 3.55. He is a point to point winner.
The best race at Carlisle though is the 5.00 where 3 horses with decent hurdles form all make their chase debuts. Aikman has won 3 times over hurdles and looks an outstanding prospect for novice chases. He comes here in good form having won over hurdles at Kelso last month. There is perhaps a slight doubt about his jumping and the trip here is almost certainly sharper than ideal. Bold Sir Brian is an outstanding looking animal and won a Grade 2 hurdle at Kelso last season while Frascati Park won over hurdles twice including a race at Ascot where he beat the highly rated Sprinter Sacre.
They seem likely to go a decent clip, in this which could put pressure on Aikman’s jumping so at the prices I have a slight preference for Bold Sir Brian. They should all pay to follow over the course of the season though.
Charlie Longsden is a trainer in form at the moment and his Tatispout is one to watch in the 2.40.
Lastly I am hoping for a good run from Pineau de Re at Thurles in the 4.25.
Thanks to Emily Russell for today’s photo.
Diary: October 19 2011
Our only selection today was a winner with Aljamaheer making an impressive debut at Yarmouth.
Looking ahead to tomorrow at Fontwell Escort’men has the scope to do well over fences and is the one to beat in the 2.50.
At Worcester in the 2.10 Kentford Grey Lady, a bumper winner at Taunton last season is the selection.
At Newmarket I considered Fury and Inler in the 4.10 while at Kempton Rigoletto could run well at a big price for Mick Channon in the 8.50. Staying with Kempton it could pay to go with Byrony who has won 3 from for starts at the track.
Today’s picture of Champion Hurdler Hurricane Fly is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller (see links)
Diary: October 18 2011
With the flat season drawing to a close and the firm ground not ideal for the national hunt horses there is not much to comment on tomorrow.
Aljamaaheer was touted as one of Roger Varian’s better juveniles at the start of the season. He makes a rather belated debut in the Yarmouth 2.50 and his absence from the track may indicate he has had some sort of problem. He remains an interesting runner though.
ahorse 