Author: Martin

There were a couple of Plinys – the Elder and his nephew the Younger. They were awfully clever chappies in Ancient Rome. I don’t know how Pliny the horse trained by Venetia Williams got his name as he is by Accordion out of American Chic. There seems little evidence that either Pliny played the Accordion or associated with American ladies. Judging from his efforts on the racecourse thus far, including a win in a bumper at Towcester on Boxing Day, our Pliny looks likely to prove a stayer. Whether 2.5 miles around Fontwell in the 1.10 tomorrow is a sufficient stamina test for him remains to be seen. He should win races though.

Up at Hexham Etoile D’Or could be a bit of a dark horse in the 1.50. Her only success to date came on the flat in a seller at Yarmouth but it is just possible that she is a bit better than her form figures indicate. Now with trainer Tim Vaughan and ridden tomorrow by Richard Johnson we might just see a different animal!

At Wolverhampton Marco Botti introduces an interesting newcomer in Rainbow Six in the 7.50. Potentially the best horse on show at Wolverhampton however is La De Two who runs in the 8.20. He ran just once last season finishing 2^nd to Kite Wood with Monitor Closely in third. As those two horses have gone on to finish 2^nd and 3^rd in the St Leger La De Two should be up to winning a race at a venue like Wolverhampton. He hasn’t run for 420 days but he has moved to Godolphin who are more than capable of getting a horse fit after a long absence.

Tomorrow night sees the first day of the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita. Now I am not familiar with the form of the American horses so I can’t really offer any tips (a blessing in disguise I suppose!) I will be rooting for the British and Irish contingent however and in particular Father Time, Midday and Rainbow View.

Lastly, Luska Lad is my only selection in Ireland. He runs in the 2.05 at Down Royal where Ruby Walsh has the ride.

Good luck.

 

A few quick thoughts on tomorrow’s racing before the footy comes on.

The Sue Smith trained Coe seems to run well at Haydock having won there over hurdle and fences. He returns to the Lancashire track tomorrow for the 1.55. I am hopeful that he will win a couple of decent prizes this season and Haydock does seem to be his favourite course.

Ferdy Murphy saddles Big Burrows in the 2.30. A winner over hurdle at Kelso last season he is a big chasing sort and is with a trainer who does well with his runners over fences.

Towcester next where Miss Overdrive and Alegralil look the two to concentrate on in the 1.00. This pair are both very well thought of by their respective handlers and it should be an interesting contest. My slight preference would be for Alegralil.

Qualypso D’Allier was largely disappointing last season but there is reason to hope that this former points winner is capable of better. With his stable in good form I will take a chance with him in the 1.30.

My only selection in Ireland is Venalmar in the 3.00 at Thurles.

Today’s picture is of Snoopy Loopy who was retired this week.  He won 10 races during his career including the Betfair Chase at Haydock last season. My thanks to Sarah Clegg for use of the photo.

A few winners and a few disappointments from last night’s preview.

Starting at Chepstow tomorrow Pearlysteps is one to look out for in the 1.00. He ran twice in bumpers finishing second to a Paul Nicholls runner on the first occasion. On his hurdles debut in March he was 4^th but had Ravello Bay behind in 5^th and showed some promise. He should be winning races this season.

Alan King’s Manyriverstocross was rated 97 on the flat and on his latest start was second to Nanton in a Doncaster handicap. He has reportedly schooled well over hurdles and can make a winning start to his career over timber in the Chepstow 2.05.

Tara Royal was an impressive points winner in Ireland. Now with Donald McCain he should handle the soft ground and is my selection for the bumper at 4.20.

My suggestion at Kempton is the lightly raced Ordoney in the 5.50. Moon Lightning handles soft ground well and has always been well regarded by connections. At around 8/1 he is a sporting each way selection at Nottingham in the 2.50.

There is a jumps card at Warwick where the most interesting race is the novice chase at 2.30. Straw Bear and Summersby look the main contenders. Straw bear has the experience but has not looked a natural over fences and I will take a chance with Somersby who comes from a yard specialising in chasers.

My only selection at Fairyhouse is Taking Stock in the 12.55.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

The big race of the day tomorrow is at Exeter where nine runners line up for the Haldon Gold Cup at 3.00. Paul Nicholls is double handed with Twist Magic and I’msingingtheblues. In the last 10 years 4 horses have carried 11 stone 10 to victory but I am not convinced that Twist Magic is quite in the same class as those previous winners. He is also less reliable and has fallen twice in his last 4 starts. I’singingtheblues won three times last season but may be better on a flat track and would not want the ground to turn too soft.

Ashley Brook won the race last year beating Mahogany Blaze. There does not seem to be any particular reason why the runner up should reverse the form. Ashley Brook hasn’t done much to recommend him since his won last season and at the age of 11 is not going to be getting any better. Cornas fell on his last outing and may be best watched. My two against the field would be Planet of Sound and Oh Crick. The former has never been out of the first 4 in 14 starts. When 3^rd at Cheltenham in March he had Cornus and I’singingtheblues behind him. Oh Crick won at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last season and displays a good attitude in his races. There may be a little improvement in him and he is marginally preferred to the Hobbs runner.

In the 2.00 Red Harbour and Qroktou seem to be the ones to concentrate. Qroktou ran well in bumpers last season and in the absence of Ruby Walsh on the Nicholls runner I will burden him with my selection.

Paul Nicholls should have a winner in the 2.30 courtesy of Royal Charm. Runner up in a listed hurdle in France he was also second in his only start in the UK at Sandown. Highly rated by connections he will be expected to oblige.

Jonjo O’Neill runs Forty Five in the 3.30. The 7 year old is making his chase debut which is interesting as, despite a rise in the weights following 3 wins over hurdles last season he still looked quite well handicapped over the smaller obstacles. In the 4.00 I am hoping that Borero will give us a run for our money.

On the flat at Catterick Dandy Nicholls saddles Northern Bolt in the 2.40. Although the horse is on a 16 run losing sequence the stable have won the race twice in the last 5 years and you have to respect the Nicholls team in this sort of race. With Godolphin in such a rich vein of form Bab Al Salam might be able to regain winning thread in the 3.50.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Margaret Barrett.

The feature handicap chase at Carlisle this afternoon turned into a stamina test and Silver By Nature, relishing the conditions was a comfortable winner. It will be interesting to follow his progress although no doubt the handicapper will have his say after such an emphatic win. Some of the horses behind should benefit from the run and the likes of Mr Strachan, Merigo, Rate of Knots and Jass should figure prominently around the northern circuit as the season unfolds. Tot ‘o Whisky continues to look out of sorts however. Over in France Border Patrol ran a sound race to finish runner up in the Group 3 Prix Perth at Saint-cloud.

There are 3 meetings tomorrow and I will try to find a winner at each. Bouggler is potentially a pattern class hurdler and put in an excellent performance at the end of last season to beat Copper Bleu at Aintree. He looks the one to beat in the 2.30 at Kempton.

Gary Moore does well with his dual purpose horses. He runs Coin of the Realm, a winner at Epsom on the flat, in the Plumpton 1.10. He should be up to winning this before moving on to handicap company.

My selection at Wolverhampton is the lightly raced Kazbow in the 3.50 with William Buick riding for Luca Cumani. In only his second run in handicap company he has scope for improvement and can go one better than his effort when runner up over course and distance last month.

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

Last night’s preview yielded a few winners with Master Medic, Secrecy, Revered, You’re the Top and Laaheb all obliging.

There are 4 horses that interest me in the Carlisle 1.00. Turbo Island, Jurisdiction, Kellystown Lad and Wymott all look interesting. Turbo Island won both his bumpers last season and he should have a good season while Wymott representing the McCain stable is another to consider carefully.

Chief Dan George was a decent hurdler and won twice over fences last season. He comes into the reckoning in the 2.05 where the main danger could come from Knockara Beau who won on his chase debut at Cartmel in May.

There is a competitive handicap chase at 3.15. The top weight Jass is a thorough stayer who won twice in January at Ayr and Doncaster. The lightly raced That’s Rhythm was a winner at Bangor last season. He would be in with a chance as long as the ground rides on the firmer side. Tot O’Whiskey is yet to find his form this season is perhaps best watched but Silver By Nature is one for the short list. He has the benefit of a recent run where the ground at Bangor was too quick for him. Rain is forecast and if we get enough of it he would come into the picture. Another wanting some give in the ground is the consistent Rate of Knots who will appreciate this stiff track. This is a tough one to call but Rate of Knots looks the one they all have to beat.

Over in France Border Patrol should appreciate the ground in the Prix Perth at Saint- cloud.

At Cork Catch Me should be too good for his rivals in the 3.25.  Askthemaster might be the one to give him most to think about.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Alison Wilson.

I have just returned from a few days in the sun and I have only had time to give tomorrow’s cards a cursory glance.

The Ascot jumps card looks the pick of the day’s action. Cockney Trucker was 3^rd in the County Hurdle last season and looks the type to make a decent novice chaser. He makes his debut over the larger obstacles in the 1.20 tomorrow. The going should be about right for him as he wouldn’t want it too soft.

It is always good to see the small stables mixing it with the major players like Nicholls and Pipe. Gone to Lunch certainly represents one of the smaller outfits. He rarely runs a bad race and won 3 times last season as well as finishing runner up in the Scottish National. He has an each way chance in the 1.50.

The ground should suit dual hurdles winner You’re the Top in the 2.25 and he is just preferred to Pterodactyl who should be fitter for his outing last weekend.

I imagine that Micheal Flips will go novice chasing at some stage this season. He is being kept to hurdles tomorrow though and looks to have a fair chance in the 3.00.

Master Medic is not a certain starter in the 3.25 as he needs rain or the ground won’t be suitable for him. If he does turn out he could well have a bit in hand of the assessor.

At Newmarket the Sir Michael Stoute trained Revered looks the likely winner of the 12.25 A well bred individual she made an encouraging start to her career when 3^rd at Salisbury.

In the 2.05 Swop, Secrecy and Lucky Dance are all worth considering. I would just about give Secrecy the edge over Swop. Plum Pudding likes it at Newmarket – he has won their 7 times. Devotees of the horses for courses theory won’t want to miss him in the 2.35.

Godolphin are in good form and their once raced juvenile Bint Almatar runs in the 3.10. A winner at Nottingham this one comes into the “could be anything” category. Michael Jarvis has a chance in the 3.45 with his 3 year old Laaheb.

At Wetherby Pettifour represents an in form stable and is a tentative selection in the 3.25. Lastly, at Wolverhampton there is one runner from my list to follow. Dig Deep has already given us a nice winner this season and to follow him further would probably be pushing our luck so I will not recommend a wager in the 7.20.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Julie Whitwham.

I will be away for a few days and the next update will be Friday 30 October.  In the meantime here are a few horses to look out for that are entered in Ireland over the next few days.

Good Fella (IRE)

entered at Clonmel on Thursday 29th Oct

Venalmar (GB)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

Pandorama (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

Clan Tara (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

Lenabane (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

China Rock (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

Shinrock Paddy (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

Dunguib (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

Some Present (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

Hugo De Vindecy (FR)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

Sweeps Hill (NZ)

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

 

Selections for Monday:

Kempton 2.10 – Burma Rock

Leicester 3.30 – Sovereign Remedy

Lingfield 1.50 – Life and Soul

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Ruth Buchanan.

I am short of time tonight so here are just a few brief thoughts on Sunday’s racing..

Stormy Weather was listed class on the flat and provided he jumps OK he should be up to making a winning debut over hurdles in the Aintree 1.35.

Cappa Bleu won the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in March and looks set for a successful season. He sets the standard in the 2.10. Little Josh could be the one for the forecast.

Lie Forrit was a progressive hurdler last season and displayed a very determined attitude in his races. He stays well and should be in the shake up tomorrow in the 2.45 where any further rain would help his cause.

Palomar won chases at Kelso and Catterick last season before falling on his last start. He looks a good prospect and is the selection in the 3.20.

Paul Nicholls had a few disappointments today but has a chance to get back to winning ways with bumper winner Bold Addition in the 3.55. Court Red Handed and Tara Royal are tentative suggestions for the bumper at 4.30.

The Ditcheat trainer will be keen to win the 4.10 at Wincanton as the race is named after him. He saddles Pepe Simo who was 9^th in the Cheltenham Festival bumper last season. Henry King, Fidelis and Aconitum are others with a chance.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Sarah Clegg.