Category: Horse racing

With 3 runners from our list to follow involved the novice chase at Wincanton was always going to be an interesting one for me.

  

Aztec Warrior and Miaster Quasimodo matched strides all the way  until Mister Quasimodo got in close 3 from home and down he went, leaving Azetc Warrior to come home easily.  It was possibly hard luck on Mister Quasimodo, who until his error had been jumping well and was possibly going slightly the better of the front two.  Take nothing away from Aztec Warrior though who travelled well and jumped economically. Opera de Coeur made mistakes and does not look a natural over fences.

  

In the last race on the Wincanton card Closed Shop was a hot favourite but could only finish 5^th.

  

Leslingtaylor, trained by John Quinn goes for a hat trick over hurdles in the 12.50 at Catterick tomorrow.  He won at Market Rasen last time beating some decent types in the process.  He has won on heavy ground on the flat and although he is giving weight all round he has a useful claimer taking 7 lbs off.

  

Troll was a winner for our list to follow at Sedgefield on Boxing Day.  He has gone up 5 lbs for that success but with Catterick being quite a similar tarck and suiting front runners he could well follow up in the 2.50.

  

Classic Fiddle comes from a good national hunt family and won both her bumper races.  She makes her hurdles debut tomorrow in the 1.00 at Hereford for in form trainer Nicky Henderson.  Should go well.

  

Ring Back represents our list to follow in the 2.30.  She won a bumper at Warwick last March in heavy ground.  This is her 3^rd run over hurdles and she has shown enough to be given an each way chance.

  

Be lucky

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 11 2007” →

There are a couple of races involving horses from our list to follow at Wincanton tomorrow so I will concentrate on them.

  

We have 3 runners in the 2.40.  Aztec Warrior didn’t jump well but still came 4^th in a hot race at Cheltenham lst time.  He has claims here but lack of stable form just puts me off a bit.  Mister Quasimodo got off the mark over fences at Exeter last time out and I fancy him to run well.  Opera de Coeur stepped up on previous efforts when 2^nd to Trouble at Bay at Hereford.  The one they probably all have to beat is Raffaello from Paul Nicholl’s yard who was the subject of good reports prior to his last run when he was a faller.  This is a tricky one but I will give very slight preference to Opera de Coeur.

  

Former Irish points winner Closed Shop is my selection in the 4.10.  He was 2^nd at Wincanton in October and that was an encouraging hurdles debut.  He has won a bumper before that.

  

That will do for this evening.  See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 10 2007” →

I couldn’t have been more pleased with Trompette today; she could not have won more easily in the handicap hurdle at Ludlow.  This was her 3^rd win since arriving in the UK from France.

 

 

There is only one jumps meeting tomorrow and no runners from our list to follow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 9 2007” →

Not a bad day on the tipping front on Saturday with Silverburn taking the Tolworth at 5/1.  Horses from our list to follow occupied the front 3 places. Roman Ark is a real mud lover and he won his 2^nd chase of the season at Haydock under a big weight.  Scarvagh Diamond was our 3^rd list winner of the day racing well clear of her opponents in the novice hurdle at Haydock.

  

Huka Lodge gave me a winning tip in the handicap hurdle at Haydock.  You wouldn’t have fancied this one with 3 to jump, or even after the last really but he came flying home in the finish.  He clearly stays longer than the mother-in-law and likes the mud.  He is trained by Kate Walton, and another lady trainer had a hurdles winner on Saturday.  We were on United last time at 7/1 but I didn’t tip her this time as I felt the price might by a bit short.  She duly won in gutsy style at Sandown ridden by the underrated Leighton Aspell.

  

Needless to say there is a racing calendar on the wall of the Russellform office. January has a picture of Nicky Henderson’s mare Trompette winning at Plumpton.  Trompette runs tomorrow at Ludlow in the handicap hurdle at 2.00.  With all the rain we have had I have had Trompette in mind as a likely winner as she seems to revel in soft ground. Ludlow normally drains quickly though and rarely rides really soft so we will have to see.  Oumeyade represents our list to follow in this race.  Four times a winner in France and a half brother to the useful hurdler/chaser Ladalko, Oumeyade went on a few lists to follow I expect.  His form this season has been absolutely woeful however and I couldn’t tip him.  He may of course suddenly pop up at a big price as Grecian Groom did last week!  Trompette gets the each way selection, particularly as N Henderson has a good record at this track.

  

Like Oumeyade, Harringay, who runs in the 2.30, is trained by Henrietta Knight.  He won over hurdles at Ludlow last season and has done enough in his 2 runs over fences to give him a sound chance.  He was a faller last time in ground that was probably softer than ideal for him.

  

That’s all for tonight.  See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 8 2007” →

The horses from our list to follow acquitted themselves quite well this afternoon.  Sir Boreus Hawk, who is a really imposing individual, did very well to win the bumper under a penalty.  He looks a horse to follow in the longer term and it would be no surprise to see him running on the flat at some stage.  The runner up, Gun ‘n Butter showed promise too I thought.  Annie’s Choice was 4^th at Newcastle and will be interesting in mares only company while Cloudy Lane would probably have won had it not been for a bad blunder at the last.

  

I said last night that the massive Corrib Lad wouldn’t like the Musselburgh track.  He probably didn’t, as his trainer said after the race, but he was still too resolute for his 4 rivals in the Kilmany Cup.  He can win again on a galloping track.  Credit must go top Keith Mercer who gave the horse a positive ride that played to his strengths of jumping and galloping.

  

I will look at the weekend meeting in alphabetical order starting with Chepstow.

  Dom D’orgeval makes his chase debut in the 1.20 and also has his first run for David Pipe. He had some good form in handicap hurdles lasts season and looks the sort to make a chaser. You could argue that the trip might be on the short side but the very testing conditions are likely bring stamina into play.  

In the 1.55 Tom George’s Turtle Soup is of interest as he likes very soft ground.

  

I am quite keen on the chances of former Irish points winner Closed Shop in the 3.00.  He is also a bumper winner and made a sound hurdles debut when 2^nd at Wincanton.

  

Scarvagh Diamond, a former bumper winner, was 2^nd on her hurdles debut at Kelso and is entitled to go close in the 1.10 at Haydock.

  

From the same stable as Scarvagh Diamond, Harmony Brig won well on his chase debut at Ayr, but then was disappointing at Ascot. He is worth another chance in the 1.45.

  

Grey gelding Huka Lodge (picture below), trained by Kate Walton, is my each way tip in the 2.20.  He goes in the soft and is a course and distance winner.

 

 

  

Roman Ark likes soft ground and carried 11 stone 12 to victory last time out at Market Rasen.  He has gone up 7 lbs for that but he should still go well in the 3.25.  Main danger looks to be another Kate Walton runner, Jimmy Bond (pictured below) a lightly raced type who loves the mud and won last time out at Wetherby.   

 

 

 

 

 

  

The Tolworth Hurdle, a Grade 1, is the big race at Sandown at 2.40.  There are 3 horses from our list to follow.  Astarador has won his two starts over hurdles by wide margins but obviously steps up in class today.  He has done nothing wrong so far and he has very strong bumper form to his credit.  He was 7^th in the Aintree Championship bumper with Wichita Lineman 8^th and Alfie Flits, who has since won a listed race on the flat, in 4^th.  You can’t rule Astarador out.  Perce Rock is an unexposed type.  He handles heavy ground, was 4^th in the Cheltenham Festival bumper and has AP McCoy in the plate.

  

Silverburn represents Paul Nicholls who has won this race twice in the last 4 seasons with Noland and Thisthatandtother.  Silverburn is a full brother to Denman and won last time out at Newbury in soft ground.  De Soto was runner up to Missed That in the 2005 Cheltenham bumper and after a long lay off has come back to win twice over hurdles, most impressively last time at Kempton when he had Blythe Knight, the Lincoln winner in second.  I think De Soto is the big threat to our 3 list horses.  This is a competitive heat but I am going to give Silverburn my selection.

  

The 3.45 looks a handicap chase worth watching.  Mort de Rire represents our list to follow.  He is a good jumper and should be fit after an outing over an inadequate trip last month.  He has an each way chance.  Dangers abound.  Preacher Boy was 3^rd in the Hennessey and runs off the same mark, Nadover won well in the soft at Chepstow over Christmas, Harris Bay has already won twice this season for Henrietta Knight while Latimer Place is a winner of 2 of his last 3 starts.  If you are looking for a real outsider you could always try the grey Grattan Lodge.  He usually does his winning at Carlisle – not that he has done any winning anywhere for some while!  I thought he ran quite well for a long way behind Silver Knight at Wetherby last month though and he could have an each way squeak.

  

The big race at Plumpton on Sunday is the Sussex National at 3.25.  The very lightly raced Geveem has won on heavy, is a course winner and stays well.  He is my sporting suggestion.

  

I have not had time to preview the Irish meetings at Cork and Naas over the weekend.  Sorry about that.

  

Have a good weekend and see you Sunday.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 6 & 7 2007” →

A day of mixed fortunes for Russellform with Grecian Groom coming in at 33/1 for our list to follow although he was just about untipable on recent form.

  Two other listers, Karello Bay and Urban Tiger were 3^rd in their respective events.  When I penned last night’s column I hadn’t noticed that Urban Tiger had changed stables.  Karello Bay was beaten by Benetwood who I had talked about in my preview.  The form of that race might be worth following as the 2^nd horse, Psychomodo, is well regarded by his trainer Brendan Powell.

 

 

I was pleased to see Sha Bihan win for the Elite Club, of which I am a member, at Fontwell.  Wayne Hutchinson was the rider.

  

St Pirran was a decent type in his younger days when with Paul Nicholls but hasn’t won since taking the Grand Annual at Cheltenham nearly 3 years ago.  He is 12 now and runs in a selling hurdle tomorrow, the 2.10 at Musselburgh.  A bit sad really as he was a very good chaser when at his best.

  

Len Lungo runs the giant Corrib Lad in the 3.10 at the Scottish track. You wouldn’t think that this sharp course would play to his strengths.

  

Our list horse in the bumper at 3.40 is Sir Boreus Hawk.  Alan Swinbank’s geldng is having his 4^th run in bumpers and is getting a solid grounding before going over hurdles.  He carries a penalty for an earlier win at Hexham and that might just make him vulnerable to something with a lighter weight.  The flat bred Gun’s‘n Butter is one danger.  He was second in his only start in a point to point in Northern Ireland.  Mr Guppy, named after a character in Bleak House is another one for the short list.

  

We have a list runner in the 1.00 at Newcastle.  Annie’s Answer is trained by permit holder Jane Makin.  Twice a winner in bumpers at Uttoxeter she is also a point to point winner.  She could go well here.

  

Course and Distance winner Cloudy Lane is our list horse in the 1.30 and I would expect a big run from him.

  

The 2.00 looks to be between Regal Heights and King Revo.  The market might be the best indicator. 

  

Have a good day

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 5 2005” →

One selection for today and one winner thanks to the veteran Kerry Lads. Lucinda Russell’s 12 year old pulled clear along with Sharp Jack and had a fair lead over the last but he was running on empty up the run in when the other 3 finishers almost caught him.  Another great old timer, Jungle Jinks had looked beaten 2 out but stayed on again when many would have thrown in the towel to get within a length of the exhausted winner.  Gutsy stuff from the two old timers who are proper racehorses.

  

Nicky Henderson’s mare Karello Bay had some nice bumper form last season culminating with a neck win over Wyldello at Sandown.  She must have a good chance of making a winning start to her hurdles career in the 12.40 at Fontwell.  The other one I like in this race is Benetwood , a bumper winner at this track who made a promising hurdles bow when 2^nd at Sandown.  Benetwood is related to the high class chaser Monsieur Le Cure who fell fatally in the 1996 Gold Cup.

  

I have an Elite Racing Club runner in the 1.40.  Sha Bihan is a bit of an unknown quantity really as he has been difficult to get fit but he was a winner over hurdles at Angers in France.  Fingers crossed for this one but at least trainer Alan King is in sparkling form.

  

The booking of Tony McCoy for Swift Sailor in the 3.10 caught my eye. He is a course winner which I always think counts for something around here.  Swift Sailor showed a liking for this type of tight track on the flat as he was 2^nd in the Chester Cup.

  

Urban Tiger represents our list to follow in the 1.00 at Lingfield but he has been disappointing so far this season and he looks the stable second string.

  

Another really disappointing “lister” is Grecian Groom who runs in the 1.30.  He seems unlikely to be suited by the prevailing ground conditions.

  

Bye for now

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 4 2007” →

The heavy ground is leading to horses being withdrawn at the moment and 2 of the 3 horses mentioned last night were no runners at Ayr.  The 3rd, Supreme Copper ran quite well at Folkestone and hopefully will be up to winning before the end of the season, most probably in a handicap.

  

Should racing get the go ahead at Wetherby tomorrow the going is unlikely to be bottomless and the handicap chase at 3.05 will be far from “pheasant.”

  

The 3 elder statesmen in the race, 12 year olds Kerry Lads and Jungle Jinks and Devil’s Run one year their junior are used to slogs in the mud around here.  Kerry Lad’s and Devil’s Run have won the last two runnings of this race while Jungle Jinks is a 5 time winner around here.  Kerry Lad’s and Jungle Jinks were 2^nd and 3^rd behind Tim Easterby’s giant grey Silver Knight here last time they met and they are quite closely handicapped. Lucinda Russell’s horses seem to be running OK at present and I will give Kerry Lads my selection.

  

Were you on Tioga Gold, the 125/1 winner at Southwell today?  His only previous win was in a seller at Southwell in December 2001 so he was hardly the form pick!

  

Keep smiling

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 3 2007” →

An enjoyable days racing to start the New Year I thought.  There were wins for 3 of our list horses, My Way de Solzen, Blue Splash and Mister Quasimodo.  I was also pleased to see Himalayan Trail give me a winning “outside” tip at 11/2.

  

The 4 runner handicap chase at Cheltenham was a thoroughly enjoyable contest with all of them in with a shout at the second last.  Cornish Rebel won in the end despite wandering all over the place after the last. The Bajan Bandit has been a super horse for Lenny Lungo and ran gamely in second while Fork Lightning was close up in 3^rd despite jumping violently left at most of the fences.

  

There are two jumps meetings on Tuesday.

  

Ayr 1.40 The Whisperer was upped in class last time out but is back in the sort of sphere where he can gain his second success of the season.  Rose Davidson has the ride.

  

Len Lungo’s horses are running well at present so I am hoping that his Monolith, one of my Elite Racing Club horses, can give a good account in the 3.15.  He has been raised 5 lbs for his win at Cheltenham and has top weight.  He is rather a small horse so top weight is not ideal and he may have ground that is a bit softer than ideal. He will give of his best though – he always does.

  

Supreme Copper represents our list to follow in the 1.30 at Folkestone.  He looks the sort that might need handicaps in order to get his head in front.

  

Bye for now.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 2 2007” →

I hope there are some readers out there and you are not all out celebrating!  If you are thinking of making merry tonight you are likely to get wet on the outside as well as the inside.

 

With all the rain we’ve had heavy ground was very much the order of the day at Haydock on Saturday with the most taking performance coming from Skippers Brigg in the concluding novice hurdle over the brush hurdles. Len Lungo's gelding had recorded a bloodless win at Ayr last time but was forced to dig deep to fend off the Kate Walton trained Nevertika (picture below).

  

He showed a willing attitude throughout and produced a particularly fluent jump at the second last. He stayed on strongly after the final obstacle and looks the sort to make a smashing chaser next season.

 

Kate Walton incidentally is one of my links so you can read all about her horses on her website.

 

The 5 runner chase earlier on the card went to the ex German Limerick Boy who is trained by Venetia Williams for the Favourites Racing Syndicate.  Both Crozan and Royal Rosa were disappointing and it was left to the grey Royal Emperor to chase the winner home.  Limerick Boy has always had ability but has often spoiled his chanced with fencing errors.  I thought he jumped well yesterday and he certainly travelled better than anything else despite the bottomless ground.  When he was trained in Germany he won a Group 3 on the flat and he is one of that quite select band to have won decent races in all 3 codes.

 

The horses on my list to follow have had a bit of a lean time of late but at least Wyldello ran well on her hurdles debut today and should be a winner before long.

 

I enjoyed watching Florida Dream win the handicap chase at Warwick this afternoon.  He was a lucky horse for me last season and is one I always keep an eye out for.  He jumped well today but lost a bit of ground by jumping to his right much of the time.  He will probably be kept to right handed tracks in future.  I was interested to see All Sonsilver run such a good race in second.  He hasn’t won since Pontious was a pilot but used to be quite decent, being rated at 112 at one stage when trained by Martin Todhunter.  He is now owned and trained by Peter Kelsall and was running off a mark of 88 and was 7 lbs out of the handicap.  He went off at a huge price – 50/1 – and I just wonder if perhaps I should have given him a write up last night!  His brother All Silver won 7 times over fences in France.

 

The main racing on New Year’s Day is at Cheltenham.  Paul Nicholls has a good record in the opener at 12.30 and is looking to win it for the third year in a row – he saddles Beau Michel this time.  This one is a full brother to a horse that was placed in two Irish Nationals so it came as a bit of a surprise when he seemed to tire when stepped up to 2.5 miles last time.  He is back in trip tomorrow but carries a big weight.  He will be ridden by 10 lbs claimer Harry Skelton whose father is a top show jumper and his brother is assistant trainer to Nicholls.  Beau Michel is reportedly held in high regard but has something to prove after his defeat last time.

 

With only 4 runners it should be possible to solve the 1.05.  Cornish Rebel, Best Mate’s brother, has top weight and rightly so on the best of his form. He was only beaten a short head in a Scottish National and has been 3rd in both the Hennessey and the Welsh National in his time.  He has never won on anything wetter than good to soft though and being by Un Desperado that is what you would expect.  He has a huge weight and has been known to be a bit faint hearted.  I am going to pass him by.

 

Fork Lightning has never won on anything softer than good to soft but as a full brother to The Listener there is a better chance that he might handle it.  He hasn’t won since taking the National Hunt Handicap at the 2004 Festival at this track. His record at Cheltenham is quite good, having only been out of the first 3 once in 6 goes.  He was third there in April ’06 when Parson’s Legacy was 2^nd. Fork Lightning is 8 lbs better off with that rival for a 6 length deficit.  In 8 runs in soft or heavy ground Parson’s Legacy has not won once and he may not like it. The Bajan Bandit on the other hand has won on soft or heavy 9 times. His record at Cheltenham does not read well and he is 5 lbs higher than his last win over fences which came nearly a year ago when beating Royal Emperor.  He acts on the ground though and was staying on behind United over hurdles at Haydock last time.  He gets the vote.

 

My Way de Solzen was beaten by Fair Along last time at Sandown but can get back to winning ways over this longer trip in the 1.40.

 

The 2.15 looks tricky.  Lacdoudal won the Whitbraed, or whatever it is called now, at Sandown last season.  His best performances have been in decent ground and I would be inclined to take him on for that reason. Le Volfoni acts on the ground and although not that well handicapped he gets a tentative vote.

 

 

Paul Nicholls sends Ladalko over hurdles in the 2.50 after the horse has had a couple of falls over fences.  He has plenty of ability, acts on the ground and should be on the premises.

 

I am going to take a chance with a bit of an outsider in the 2.00 at Catterick. Himalayan Trail makes his chase bow after only 2 runs which shows that the stable really think he will make a chaser.  He has form on heavy ground and reportedly jumps well.

  

Kilmackilloge was an impressive winner on his chase debut at Kelso and I will take him to follow up in the 3.10.  Dominic Elsworth rides.

 

Blue Splash makes his chase debut in the 2.25 at Exeter.  His full brother Ungaro has already won 3 times over fences this season.

 

Mister Quasimodo should be up to winning the 3.35 and get off the mark over fences.

 

The only runner from our list to follow in Ireland tomorrow is Rhacophorus in the 12.45 at Fairyhouse.

 

May I wish everyone a prosperous 2007.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 1 2007” →