Category: Horse racing

 

Knockara Beau has made a promising start to his career over fences and should be suited by the trip, track and underfoot conditions in the Kelso 12.50 tomorrow. The race is named after former Scottish National winner Paris Pike (pictured below).

Although he is a 9 year old Money Trix has very few miles on the clock. He is 3 from 3 at Kelso, will like the ground and can land the 1.20.

The Borders National over 4 miles at 2.20 could turn into a bit of a slog and I have to admit that my selection, Garleton, is trying the trip for the first time. However he is in form having won his last two starts and has been finishing his races strongly. His stable had a winner today which is encouraging.

Hollins made a promising hurdles debut when 3^rd at Hexham where he faded in the closing stages. Over a shorter trip tomorrow in the 2.50 he should go well.

The two to concentrate on in the Warwick 12.40 look to be Copper Bleu and Aigle D’Or. Copper Bleu shape as though he would come on for the run when 3^rd at Exeter and the winner of the race has since won again. Aigle D’Or represents a stable bang in form and with AP McCoy in the saddle has to command respect but my preference is for Copper Bleu.

Former winning Irish pointer Sandynow was 4^th at Ludlow over 4 miles on his hurdles debut on good ground. He won his point to point on heavy ground so hopefully will put up a bold show over 2 miles 5 in the 2.40.

At Punchestown Hugo De Vindecy has been knocking on the door and should gain a deserved win in the 12.35.

The Grade 1 Chase at 2.05 features the first and second from last season’s Power’s Gold Cup, Aran Concerto and Barker as well as Joncol who was second to Tranquil Sea giving that horse 9 lbs back in October. They will all handle the ground and I expect Aran Concerto and Joncol to contest the finish.

Lenabane, a half brother to Moscow Flyer, has been placed on both his starts over fences and with the benefit of that experience can hopefully get off the mark in the 2.35.

The picture of Paris Pike is by kind permission of the artist Jenny Lupton.

On the face of it Silverburn has little to recommend him other than the fact that he is Denman’s brother. He was pulled up on his last two starts and hasn’t won for getting on for two years. He has moved from Paul Nicholls’ stable and is now with Evan Williams and it may be that a change of scenery will do him good. He runs in the Sandown 12.55 tomorrow where he will at least have the going to suit him. He seems to like Sandown as his last two wins were both at the Esher track.

There is a field of only 4 runners for the Grade 2 chase at 1.55 where I fancy Crack Away Jack and Somersby to be the main contenders. The former was 4^th in the Champion Hurdle and, like Somersby has already won over fences. Somersby has the size and scope to make a decent chaser and at the current odds he looks to be the value.

The Tingle Creek does not make much appeal from a betting point of view. A good case could be made for 4 of the runners. I see that the newspaper tipsters overwhelmingly favour Twist Magic, presumably on the basis of his course form. Well Chief seems largely ignored despite beating Master Minded last time. Well Chief himself has an excellent record at Sandown and I am inclined to stick with him here. Forpadytheplasterer looks a big price as well but it’s Well Chief for me.

Tasheba is a horse I had high hopes for this season but he was disappointing on his seasonal reappearance when last in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. He carries top weight in the 3.00 at Sandown tomorrow but I am not convinced that he will be suited by the ground so I will keep a watching brief on this one.

One horse that will like the ground is the dour stayer Russian Trigger and he is my selection for the London National at 3.30.

A winner on the flat in Germany Sullumo was also a decent hurdler and did nothing wrong on his debut over fences at Uttoxeter last month. He has to give weight to most of his rivals in the Chepstow 1.05 but he can jump and he handles the ground.  In the same race Giles Cross looks a big price for a horse that looks sure to handle the conditions. 

The Begrudger represents Paul Nicholls in the 1.35. He is an Irish points winner and is related to Denman all of which indicates that chasing will be his game in the long term. He makes his hurdles debut for Paul Nicholls in the 1.35.

I thought that Lodge Lane ran well behind Money Trix on his last start. He handles give in the ground and has a very capable amateur jockey on board tomorrow in the 2.35.

I thought long and hard about Cashel Blue in the 3.05. He looks well handicapped and he is a course and distance winner. There is a doubt about his ability to handle really testing ground though which tempers my enthusiasm a little,

Trainer Alan Swinbank has an excellent record in bumpers and his Royal Riviera looks interesting in the Wetherby 2.10.

Former Champion Hurdle runner up Osana won on his chase debut and is fancied to follow that up with another win at Navan in the 1.00.

Today’s photograph is of Twist Magic and is included by kind permission of Kate Tann.

Just the one winner today, Bakbenscher at 5/2 although we also had a couple of seconds, at 5s and 3s.

Tomorrow sees the start of the Tingle Creek meeting at Sandown. The 2.00 looks a tricky puzzle to solve despite there being only 5 runners. Like Minded has the form and is trained by Paul Nicholls. A points winner on fast ground he then won an all weather bumper before finishing 4^th in the Aintree festival bumper, He got off the mark over hurdles last month on good ground. Now all of this hints at the possibility that he may not appreciate testing ground so he has a question mark against him. Manyriverstocross, rated 97 on the flat made a winning start to his hurdles career at Chepstow in good style but was then a beaten favourite at Ascot – more question marks! Vino Griego was even more disappointing in that Ascot race having previously shown decent form in bumpers. Frascati Park was runner up in the Persian War Novices Hurdle at Chepstow which looked a good effort at the time although the winner has since been beaten. A fascinating contest this and I am going to try Vino Griego at a big price. His bumper from was on soft and heavy ground and there are doubts about whether some of the others will handle the conditions.

Exeter selections; 12.30 Sona Sasta: 1.00 James De Vassy (danger Royal Charm): 1.35 Bensalem: 2.45 Time to Think: 3.20 Qualypso D’Allier.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.

Last night’s preview was again reasonably successful as the steady trickle of winners continues.

At Leicester tomorrow I will put up Pearlysteps each way as my first selection. This one has always looked the type to improve with experience and looks to be worth a small each way interest at around 7/1.

Donald McCain has his horses in good from and his newcomer from the flat Al Qeddaaf looks worth considering in the Market Rasen 12.55. A winner on the soft at Yarmouth over a mile he was also placed on the flat over 10 furlongs.

My selections at the other meetings are Right Suff (2.15) and Bakbenscher (2.45) at Wincanton and Sorceror (12.50) and Askthemaster (1.50) at Naas.

We seem to be on quite a respectable run at present with Shamwari Lodge the latest winner coming in at 2/1 having opened at 100/30. Call Me Mulligan ran a promising race in 4^th while I am afraid Hurlingham performed rather less well.

By far the best quality racing tomorrow is set to come from Fairyhouse so I am hoping that the weather will not intervene. One of the stars on show is Dunguib who runs in the 12.45. The Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner has actually finished first in all his races to date but does not have an unblemished record as he was disqualified after winning the Punchestown Champion bumper after failing a drugs test. He has already won twice over hurdles and looks the real deal. He is impossible to oppose although there are other decent horses in the race, notably Sweeps Hill and Some Present. The former “won” the race at Punchestown after the disqualification of Dunguib. He had earlier won a Leopardstown bumper and has already won a couple of times over hurdles. On his latest start he beat Some Present at Punchestown but that was a falsely run race and not a particularly reliable looking form guide. Some Present was impressive on his latest start when just unable to peg back Loosen My Load in a quality Grade 2 race at Cheltenham. A hot contest this but Dunguib will be expected to win.

There are some very nice prospects in the 1.20. Roberto Goldback is one for the short list. On his last start he was only beaten three parts of a length by the useful Osana at Navan. Pesoto comes into the race on the back of a win at Limerick on heavy ground and is another to consider. Pandorama will relish the testing ground. He is a grade 1 winner over hurdles and got his chasing career off to a winning start beating Clan Tara by a head at Punchestown despite not seeming to enjoy the configuration of the track. My narrow preference is for Pesoto.

In the 1.50 Shakersilz will enjoy the conditions and could go well at a price but Catch Me looks the most likely winner. A winner on his chase debut at Cork he then fell at the last when leading at Navan. A clear round should see him gain compensation here.

The two I like in the 3.25 are Prince of Milan and Arvika Ligeonniere. At the odds I will go for Prince of Milan each way.

We go from Ireland to Scotland now for a look at the card up at Ayr. The 12.20 features 3 promising types who all have something to prove after being beaten on their latest starts. Premier Sagas showed plenty of promise in bumpers but could only finish 5^th on his hurdles debut at Newcastle. Irish points winner Tara Royal was sent off 3/1 favourite on his hurdles debut at Chepstow but could only finish 9^th. Turbo Island on both his bumpers but was then 8^th on his hurdles debut, another beaten favourite. Turbo Island won both his bumpers at Ayr and that course form just sways me into tipping him ahead of Premier Sagas.

Skipper’s Brig has won 6 times in his career. Those wins were all in heavy ground. In fact he has never lost in heavy ground and has never won in anything else. Useful stat? Possibly – he runs in the 1.25.

The 1.55 does not look the strongest of races. Mister Marker who is related to Grand National winner Silver Birch could be the answer. Delightfully should appreciate the trip and could be worth an each way interest.

The unbeaten Alegralil has looked impressive when winning 2 bumpers and a novice hurdles and can maintain that unbeaten record in the 2.15 at Catterick. My other selection at the Yorkshire track is Mirage Dore in the 2.45 for new trainer Rose Dobbin.

They are also racing at Plumpton where the 1.00 looks quite a tricky little race. Aux Le Bahnn is a horse I have always liked. He won 3 times over hurdles last season but fences were always going to be his thing. The Sliotar was 4^th in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival last season. He looks an out and out stayer and this trip could just be on the short side for him. Chariot Charger was a pleasing 2^nd over course and distance a couple of weeks ago and I will burden him with my selection.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Margaret Barrett.

Good luck!

There are meetings at Hereford, where there is a morning inspection and Southwell tomorrow.

In the 1.40 at Hereford Call Me Mulligan runs form trainer Rebecca Curtis in the 1.40. He has run well in a couple of bumpers and looks an interesting prospect. He may not want really testing ground however.

At Southwell a couple of runners in the 1.50 caught my eye. My Shamwari, trained by former jockey Ben De Haan was runner up in a bumper on his only start so far. He is a chasing type really but should be competitive over hurdles. Mick Easterby gives a hurdles debut to the 5 year old gelding Hurlingham, 4 times a winner on the flat twice on the all weather and twice on turf. He appeals as the type that could win a race or two over timber.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.

There is not a lot to comment on looking at tomorrow’s meetings at Fakenham and Folkestone.

Peace Corps who runs in the Fakenham 12.50 has form on the flat. He ran 5 times and although he didn’t win a race he did finish 2^nd at Sandown on his last start in a handicap at Sandown.

The Polomoche has always looked a chasing type and makes his debut over fences in the 2.50 for in form trainer Nicky Henderson. This horse goes well fresh and will be expected to win.

At Folkestone the most interesting race is the 1.00. Den of Iniquity, The Jazz Musician and Numide are all worth considering. The Jazz Musician has been well regarded by connections and had good form over hurdles in the 2007/8 season. He fell on his chase debut at Kempton however and has not shown his best from for a while. Numide won the Greatwood Hurdle last season but didn’t jump too fluently when a disappointing 4^th at Huntingdon on his chase bow. He does have Tony McCoy in the saddle this time though and is respected. Den of Iniquity is a lightly raced type and showed some promising signs on his chasing debut at Plumpton recently. Any one of these 3 could come good here but I will go for Den of Iniquity who will at least handle the ground.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Susan Shaw.

 

The main interest at Carlisle tomorrow will be the hurdles debut of Washington Irvine who was 5^th in the Epsom Derby last year. He runs in the 12.55.

The better racing is over in Ireland however at Fairyhouse where the highly rated Dunguib will be odds on to land the 1.00. Some Present and Sweeps Hill are the main opposition but the favourite should prevail.

In the 1.30 my short list consists of Pandorama, Pesoto, Roberto Goldback and China Rock. This looks a very competitive affair but if pushed for a selection I would go for Pesoto who was an easy winner at Limerick on his last start. In the Hattan Grace Hurdle at 2.05 I fancy Catch Me to land the prize for the second year running.

Arvika Ligeonniare is preferred to Prince of Milan in the 3.40.

There is plenty of racing on tomorrow as long as the weather doesn’t intervene. Now that I am on the crematorium side of 60 perhaps my tipping skills will improve!

Starting with Newbury the card gets under way with the “Greyhounds make great pets novices’ hurdle” at 12.25. Sereth is one to look out for in this. He was a decent horse on the flat in Germany where he won at listed level and he was more recently 3^rd to Darley Sun in the Cesarewitch. He made a pleasing start to his hurdles career when winning at Huntingdon and looks an interesting prospect. The other one I will put forward is Finian’s Rainbow. He was unlucky tot to win a point to point at Inch when falling at the last with the race at his mercy and he started his career under rules by winning a bumper at Kempton. In the long term he should make a chaser but it would be no surprise to see him make his mark over hurdles this season.

World Hurdle winner Big Bucks (pictured below) makes his seasonal debut in the 1.35. His ultimate target will be to defend his crown at Cheltenham come March but he should still prove too good for the opposition tomorrow even though he is unlikely to be 100% fit at this early stage of the season.

The 2.05 is an open race. Isn’t That Lucky has done all his winning in the spring months which might be a bit of a negative. He was pulled up on his last start which was at Aintree which I suppose has to be another negative. Still, he is quite well treated on his best form and I will take a chance with him here.

In the Hennessy Gold Cup at 2.40 Denman is giving plenty of weight away to all his rivals. He won the race 2 years ago off a rating of 161 and needs to defy a mark of 174 if he is to repeat that success. If we could be sure that he is the Denman of 2 years ago I would fancy him but he has had his problems since then and I just think that 7/2 is a bit on the short side for him. There are plenty of interesting runners such as Grand National winners “Mon Mome (English) and Niche Market (Irish) as well as Cappa Bleu who won the Foxhunters at Cheltenham last season. The latter looked to have a big future ahead of his but was a big disappointment at Aintree last month and will need to do much better than that if he is to figure tomorrow. The Aintree race was over an inadequate trip though and upped in distance tomorrow we should see a very different animal. The other runner trained by Evan Williams, State of Play is worth considering. He won the race in 2006 and has performed with credit since in various big races although only actually winning once. He stays and he jumps and he is in with a chance.  Mon Mome (pictured below) won the Grand National at 100/1 but will find a few too good for him in this field I would think.

Gone to Lunch was 2^nd in the Scottish National last season and should strip fitter for his recent run at Ascot . He may not want really testing conditions. Barber’s Shop will have his supporters, he was 7^th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, as will Ballyfitz from the Twiston-Davies yard. My Will could go well at a big price. His career record is a model of consistency and he has performed with great credit in big races. He was 5^th in this race last season and occupied the same finishing position in the Gold Cup before coming 3^rd in the Grand National.

All but one of the last 10 renewals have been won by 6 or 7 year olds (the other winner was 8). There are only 5 runners aged 6 or 7 and they would represent my short list. Barber’s Shop, Kornati Kid, Killyglen, Cappa Bleu and What a Friend. It is worth noting that Killyglen and Kornati Kid act well on soft ground while What a Friend is probably best on good ground. For my selection I will go for Barber’s Shop who has a touch of class. I fear Cappa Bleu who could be anything and would not want to deter you from risking a few shillings on the other 3 on my short list (but don’t forget to consider the ground).

My two against the field in the 3.15 are recent Aintree winner Nampour and Micheal Flips who was 3^rd at Ascot on his last start.

The feature race at Newcastle if the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at 1.50 where Binocular and Solwhit clash. With only 7 runners this could turn into a tactical cat and mouse affair and is a race I will watch rather than bet on.

Run to Space is no world beater but he is quite consistent and I am hopeful that he will run well in the Newcastle 12.10 while Irish raider Weapon’s Amnesty is my selection in the 1.15.

Nicky Henderson runs a promising newcomer in the 2.25. Quantatitiveasing is a full brother to Grade 1 winner Asian Maze and won a bumper at Punchestown in good style last season. AP McCoy has the ride.

In the 3.25 Coe, Jass and Chief Dan George are all worth considering.

Great Endeavour won over hurdles last season and makes his chase bow at the same track tomorrow in the 2.00 He has had a recent good run over hurdles when 3^rd to Lie Forrit and trainer David Pipe will have him well schooled over fences. He should win.

Jungleand is a horse to look out for this season. He runs tomorrow in the Towcester 2.35 but he has been off the track for a long time so I will keep a watching brief for the moment.

At Fairyhouse I would suggest a small interest in The Midnight Club and Jessie’s Dream in the 3.00.

My thanks to Kate Tann for use of her excellent photos.

Good luck.