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In this section I will be featuring some of my favourite horses of the last few years. It is very much a personal selction so you will see classic winners alongside selling platers and all grades in between. They have one thing in common – they have all figured prominently in my ramblings on these pages.
Welcome to the new look web site – hope you like the format. It is early days and there may be a few teething problems so I will apologise in advance.
The horses from our list to follow did pretty well in the main on Friday. Star de Mohaison and Straw Bear could scarcely have been more impressive in winning their respective races. Conna Castle, Turpin Green and Fota Island all ran with credit to finish 2nd in their races.
Turning to Saturday’s card we have 3 list runners in the tricky looking handicap hurdle at 1.45. Dusky Warbler was a close 2nd in the Imperial Cup and his subsequent failure at Cheltenham might have just come too soon. He is in with a shout but preference is for the Paul Nicholls trained Monte Cinto who seems to be gradually coming to hand. Our other runner in this is Lord Henry who was an encouraging 7th in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and goes well on good ground.
Accordion Etoile fell at Cheltenham. He is not short of class if he can get his jumping right and he likes decent ground. The Alan King horse will be a hot favourite though and sets the standard. Our other runner is Cerium is a course and distance winner but looks to have something to find with the main contenders.
We have 3 runners in the 2.50. Royal Shakespeare is not up to this class but his connections are going for the BHB Order of Merit title so will be happy with some points for a place finish. Good ground suits him. Patriarch Express probably represents the best of the home challenge in a race likely to go the way of the Irish. Asian Maze is likely to prove the best of our trio. I was surprised that connections ran her in the Champion Hurdle. This longer trip should suit her better.
We have Valley Ride and the grey Rimski in the 3.25. I would give Rimski a bit of an each way chance. To be honest though he has not lived up to the promise of his early season wins.
The Grand National is covered in a separate article. For the record the following runners are from our list to follow, Clan Royal, Juveigneur, Nil Desperandum, Sir OJ and Lord of Illusion.
In the bumper at 5.30 Round the Horn runs for the list to follow and Alfie Flits also runs from the flat list to follow. Alfie Flits gets an allowance for a 4 year old and gets my vote.
Continue reading “Diary: April 8 2006”
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The Winning Post feature is a core list of horses to watch out for during the 2006 flat season. I find it is easier and more interesting to follow a list of horses rather than analyse each race and remember how a horse has performed. The horses that have won during the season are shaded.
The Irish and French List
Alexanda Alliance (3)
Alexandrova (3) 9/4, 8/15, 4/9
Art Museum (3)
Aussie Rules (3) 4/1, 49/10
Carlotamix (3)
Chenchikove (3)
El Fuego (3)
Fire and Rain (3)
Galileo Galilei (3) 9/4
George Washington (3) 6/4, 13/8
Hurricane Run (4) 1/4, 5/6
James Joyce (3)
Pescatorio (3)
Play Misty For Me (3)
Puerto Rico (3)9/4
Quiet Royal (3)
Race for the Stars (3)
Rumplestiltskin (3)
Saddleeruppat (5)
Shirocco (5) 10/11, 8/11
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THE WINNING POST
Review of the jumps season 2006/07
Well it’s that time of year again when I look back as the successes (mainly) and failures (let’s not dwell on them) of the jumpers featured on this site over the season.
Picking out the star of the show is not difficult – there can be only one, Kauto Star. Paul Nicholls’ French bred gelding won all 6 of his starts, 4 Grade 1s and a couple of Grade 2s, culminating in success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. His 6 wins came at 6 different tracks and over distances from 2 miles to 3 and a quarter. You would think it would be hard to knock his form but he still had his detractors. There were those who doubted his jumping ability after final fence blunders in both the King George and the AON Chase. Neither error stopped him winning though, and although he gave his backers a scare when hitting the last at Cheltenham he still won the Gold Cup in style.
The magnificent 7
My list to follow supplied 7 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including Kauto Star.
The first of the seven was My Way de Solzen in the Arkle. Like Kauto Star, My Way de Solzen showed great versatility to win this over 2 miles having won the Stayers Hurdle the year before at the Festival. He obviously likes Cheltenham, having won the Dipper Novices at the track over 2 miles 5 on New Years Day. In all he won 4 times and jumped particularly well in all his races.
Kauto Star was fittingly the most prolific winner on my list with 6, but only one behind was his stable companion Denman. Denman came to the Festival with 4 wins from 4 and Ruby Walsh made this horse his banker of the meeting. He improved with every run and clearly has a massive engine. Favourites have a poor record in the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase but Denman belied the stats to win by 10 lengths.
Winner number 3 came via Voy Por Ustedes who had been a bit of a forgotten horse in the lead up to the Champion Chase. A lot of the tipsters went for the “title holder” New Mill or the rejuvenated Well Chief, but with the former not firing and the latter a faller Alan King’s horse came home a worthy winner. Voy Por Ustedes had a light campaign only running 4 times. He was runner up to Kauto Star in the Tingle Creek before posting a good time when justifying favouritism in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton. He looked badly off at the weights on his next run when giving 10 lbs to Well Chief at Newbury and in any event got no further that the 5th where he unseated Choc Thornton. Maybe that was a blessing in disguise as he came to the Festival fresh and duly prevailed at 5/1.
The Ryanair Chase attracted a smallish but quite select field with Monet’s Garden sent off a 7/4 favourite. This was yet another triumph for Paul Nicholls though as his Taranis jumped the last well and held on up the run in from the strong finishing Our Vic and Billyvoddan. Taranis has a good wins to runs record and last season was successful in 3 of his 6 outings. As well as the Ryanair he also won twice over hurdles including the big Totesport handicap at Sandown where he justified favouritism.
Paul Nicholls sprung a minor surprise in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase with Andreas who won at 12/1. Andreas had been starting to look a weak finisher and had come 3rd on each of his 4 previous starts. He had been a faller in the race in 2006 but he made amends here relishing the good to firm surface.
The last of my “magnificent 7” was Cloudy Lane, trained by Donald McCain the son of the legendary Ginger. A winner at Newcastle earlier in the season he had disappointed at Haydock in February which his trainer put down to the heavy ground. Ridden by the accomplished Richard Burton, Cloudy Lane was a worthy winner of the Kim Muir at 15/2.
The fab five at Liverpool
The first of the 5 winners from our list at Aintree was Mighty Man in the John Smith’s Long Distance Hurdle. He had won the race the previous season reversing the form with the Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle winner, on that occasion My Way de Solzen and he repeated the dose here putting Inglis Drever in his place. Clearly Mighty Man loves Aintree and has a 3 out of 3 record at the track whereas Inglis Drever is a Cheltenham specialist. Mighty Man only went down by three parts of a length in the World Hurdle and had earlier won the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. Sadly he suffered a serious injury at Punchestown that looks to have ended his career.
A feature of the Aintree Festival was the number of horses that bounced back from a defeat at Cheltenham. Tidal Bay only just failed to catch Massini’s Maguire in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle, going down by a neck, but he gained deserved compensation in the Mersey Novices Hurdle winning at 9/4. An expensive purchase for Graham and Andrea Wylie Tidal Bay won 4 of his 6 starts over the season and showed himself to be an admirably tough and genuine hurdler.
Aces Four had been the only one to give Denman a race at Cheltenham and was unlucky to only finish 4th in the end. He was another to gain compensation at Aintree and was a comfortable winner of the Grade 2 Mildmay Novice Chase. He was in front and heading for victory in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival when falling heavily at the last. There were fears for his safety initially but thankfully he lives to fight another day. He won 3 altogether with the other two wins coming at Newcastle.
Monet’s Garden came to Aintree with something to prove. After landing the odds in an intermediate chase he faded tamely in the King George on Boxing Day. Connections reckoned that the horse was not suited by the overnight stay and the routine was changed for his next run, a Grade 1 at Ascot over 2 miles 3 which he won well. The doubts returned after he could only finish 4th in the Ryanair behind Taranis. Monet’s Garden banished his disappointing efforts with a commanding performance in the Melling Chase comfortably reversing the form with Taranis.
I have followed the grey Reveillez since his days on the flat. He figured in last season’s review of the jumps after landing a gamble at the Cheltenham festival and he has earned his place in this season’s story with a win at Aintree. He came to Liverpool without a win in his last 3 runs but his most recent effort, 6th in the Racing Post Plate, gave followers some cause for optimism. He lined up in the valuable Betfair handicap chase over 3 miles and a furlong and ran out a 7 lengths winner under Tony McCoy. Connections then sent him to Sandown 2 weeks later for the Betfred Gold Cup where he got in without a penalty for his Aintree success. There were some doubts about his stamina for the Sandown race and he was given a patient ride by McCoy. He finished 2nd to Hot Weld despite losing a shoe on the way round.
Four big race winners
I put State of Play on my list to follow after he had impressed me winning at Aintree the previous season. State of Play is trained by Evan Williams who trains near Cardiff and is very much on an upward curve. State of Play won the 50th running of the prestigious Hennessey Gold Cup at Newbury in a race run in testing conditions. Only half the field of 16 actually completed in the testing conditions and those that did get home were well strung out. After Newbury, where he won at 10/1 State of Play was saved for the Cheltenham Gold Cup were he ran with credit in 6th place, he then went on to run at Aintree where he was not at his best. In fairness though, in the latter part of the season the stable were not enjoying the best of runs.
Halcon Generlardais had shown enough to suggest he could be a useful staying chaser in soft ground with 3 wins in 2005/6. He started the new season by winning a handicap hurdle at Haydock finding extra close home for Choc Thornton when he had looked beaten by Irish Wolf. He was entitled to win this as he was running off a favourable mark compared to his chase rating but it was a good performance nonetheless, with the likes of Korelo, Royal Emperor, Tees Components and United back in the field.
The main target was the Welsh National at Chepstow in December. The testing conditionings were to his advantage and he put in a high class performance jumping to the front at the third last where he quickly skipped a couple of lengths clear and it was then a case of would his jumping see him home, and a fantastic leap at the final fence saw that he wasn't for catching.
His next engagement was the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham. Although this was run in heavy ground Alan King’s gelding seemed to find things happening a bit too quick for him and could only finish 3rd of 9. He returned to Prestbury Park for the Gold Cup wearing first time blinkers but was pulled up. The drying ground would not have been ideal for him.
Neptune Collonges started his campaign at Wetherby where he was made 2/1 favourite for the Charlie Hall Chase. As a 5 year old having his first run over fences in the UK that price looked a bit skinny and on the day he was no match for the enigmatic Our Vic who had one of his going days. Nonetheless Neptune Collonges was not disgraced in 2nd spot and he was soon to gain compensation. He stays well and acts with give in the ground and the 3 miles in good to soft at Newcastle for the listed Rehearsal Chase suited him well. Ridden by the useful 3 lbs claimer Liam Heard he was a winner at 100/30.
Back over the smaller obstacles he was down the field in the Long Walk Hurdle behind Mighty Man and fell at the second last in the Cotswold Chase in January. This was probably a career best run as he was alongside the front two at the time and although he probably wouldn’t have beaten the winner Exotic Dancer he may well have finished 2nd. Back at Cheltenham for the Gold Cup in March he ran a satisfactory race in 8th.
He was to end the season with a flourish though when sent to Punchestown for the Guiness Gold Cup over 3 miles and a furlong. There were doubts about his ability to act on the ground as his earlier form, including wins in France before he came to Paul Nicholls yard had been on soft ground. Given a positive ride by Ruby Walsh, he stalked the leader before taking the initiative after five out. Walsh was clearly intent on drawing the sting from his pursuers, and he lasted home in determined fashion under a strong drive. Kingscliffe ran one of his best races for sometime with a gutsy effort in second place.
Another chaser whose best form was reserves for races across the Irish Sea was The Listener, a stable companion of Kingscliffe. He began his season in the Future Stars Chase at Sandown on December 1st where he gave Star de Mohaison a fright before going down by a length and three quarters. In fact some thought that he would have been even closer had Andrew Thornton not accepted defeat a little too easily on him.
His next race was the valuable Lexus Chase run just after Christmas at Leopardstown. In heavy ground he made all and galloped his rivals into the ground beating Beef or Salmon by 8 lengths.
The first and second lined up against each other again back at Leopardstown for the Irish Hennessey, which turned out to be one of the most remarkable races run all season. For most the race it could have been the Lexux all over again. The Listener, again jumping superbly, opened up what looked an unassailable lead and we seemed to be in for the same outcome. Darryl Jacob was cruising on the leader while Beef or Salmon was struggling in the distance, a remote second. Although Beef or Salmon made up a little ground it wasn’t until after the last the The Listener began to run out of petrol and Andrew Macnamara found new reserves of strength ftom the gallant Beef or Salmon who managed a real turn of foot to grab the spoils close home for a famous and hugely popular success. This was Beef or Salmon’s third win of the season, having beaten War of Attrition in a thrilling finish at Down Royal and he also won over hurdles at Fairyhouse. The Listener and Beef or Salmon both ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but could only finish 11th and 13th respectively.
On the dark side
Blue Splash was one of the “darker” horses on my list to follow so I was particularly pleased that he paid his way, winning 3 of his 6 starts and finishing runner up twice. He began his campaign with an easy pillar to post win in a handicap hurdle at Aintree and went on to win novice chases at Exeter and Newcastle, making all on the second occasion. His wins came at 5/2, 4/1, 10/11.
I mentioned Blue Splash as being one of the dark horses on the list. Another very much on the dark side who paid his way was Caribou. Oliver Sherwood’s novice chaser was admirably consistent ending the season with form figures of 322411. His wins came at odds of 5/2 and 11/1, the latter coming at Perth over 3 miles.
The Pipe trained Madison Du Berlais proved a successful horse to follow with wins at 11/10, 11/4, 12/1. I was pleased to have included him as he did not appear on any of the lists compiled by the “real experts.” He failed to win from his first 3 starts and had begun to look in the grip of the handicapper. He had slipped 7 lbs in the ratings when landing his first win of the season in a handicap chase at Warwick in heavy ground and although raised 9 lbs for that success managed to follow up at Southwell.
He was not disgraced in his next 2 starts and he then landed a valuable handicap at Cheltenham when stepped up to 2.5 miles. Despite being 2nd top weight off 11 stone 5 Tom Scudamore got a great run out of him to score by a neck at 12/1. He put up creditable efforts in graded handicaps at Cheltenham on his 2 starts since.
Other multiple winners
The emphasis is heavily on chasers at Henrietta Knight’s yard and Aztec Warrior was expected to make an impact over fences after having won over hurdles at Sandown the previous season. In the event he won 3 novice chases, at Folkestone, Wincanton and Fontwell. A big strapping individual he should make up into a decent staying chaser next season.
Blue Splash’s full brother Ungaro was another to win 3 and make a profit for the season, his wins coming at odds of 11/8, 15/8, 14/1. Ungaro, trained by Keith Reveley ran up a hat trick of wins in his first 3 outings of the season, including the Grade 1 Feltham Novices Chase at Kempton. He was beaten in top company on his last 2 starts but ran creditably in 6th behind Denman at the Cheltenham Festival.
Not surprisingly Paul Nicholls horses feature regularly in this review and 3 qualify for this section as they won 3 races each.
Natal’s best performance was when winning the Pendil Novices Chase at Kempton in February when getting the better of stable companion, and another of our “listers” Good Spirit, by 3 lengths. He was supplemented for the World Hurdle but never got in a blow.
New Little Bric’s biggest win was in the Scilly Isles novice chase at Sandown where he beat Aztec Warrior by 8 lengths. His full brother Little Brick trained by David Pipe, had also looked an exciting chasing prospect but sadly had to be put down after breaking a shoulder in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham.
Another Paul Nicholls runner, Gungadu more than earned his place on my list with 3 wins from 5 starts, albeit at very cramped odds. His best performance was when winning the Reynoldstown Novices Chase at Ascot in February. He then headed for Cheltenham and was made favourite for the National Hunt Chase but found the 4 miles 1 furlong too much of a stamina test and suffered a tired fall 2 out.
Jonjo O’Neill’s Don’t Push It won 3 novice chases, the best being the middle win when accounting for another from our list, Mr Pointment, in a thrilling finish. He probably ran his best race in defeat when giving Denman a real battle at Cheltenham in December. Back at Presbury Park for the Arkle he went off at 4/1. Many thought that the usual hold, up tactics that Tony McCoy employs with him would be suited in a race with a number of front runners. The theory may have paid off but unfortunately Don’t Push was a faller 2 out when travelling strongly.
Detroit City qualifies for a mention here with 3 wins that came at 6/5, 4/6, 1/3. He certainly came into the jumps season on a high having landed the Cesarawitch on the flat under Jamie Spencer. He then bolted up under a big weight in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham before beating Hardy Eustace back at Cheltenham in December. This latter race was run at a dawdle until they turned for home and was perhaps not a reliable trial for the Champion Hurdle. In his final prep race for the big one at Cheltenham he held off the challenge of Straw Bear to win the Agfa Hurdle in workmanlike style despite ploughing through the last.
Detroit City was many people’s fancy for the Champion Hurdle despite the damning statistic that the last 71 5 year olds to had tried and had all failed. He was sent off 6/4 favourite but never went a yard and was a desperately disappointing 6th. He then went to Aintree for the 2.5 mile Grade 1 Hurdle there but was last of the 10 finishers. These last 2 runs have left the big grey under something of a cloud and we will have to wait and see what next season brings for him.
Detroit City had of course won the 2006 Triumph Hurdle. In the 2005 running of that race Cerium had finished 4th to Penzance. He has always looked like being better still over fences and he gave my list to follow an early success when winning a limited handicap on soft ground at Ascot in mid November at 12/1. Although he couldn’t reproduce that form in two subsequent runs he made a nice profit to level stakes over the season.
The long and the short of it
The biggest priced winner from our list to follow was also the shortest. Jonjo O’Neill’s Grecian Groom went off an 8/1 on favourite in a 5 runner bumper at Huntingdon in early October and struggled to land the odds under Tony McCoy. He showed little in his next 3 runs and was unfancied in a novice hurdle at Lingfield in December but won nicely with Noel Fehily on board at 33/1. These proved to be his only wins from 8 starts during the season but that success at Lingfield made him one of the most profitable horses to follow from my list. Incidentally Grecian Groom is flat bred and his dam is a half sister to high class flat performer Gamut.
6 of the best
Briareus, Star de Mohaison, Rubberdubber, Hard Act to Follow, Ringaroses and Roman Ark where 6 horses that helped to get my season off to a good start.
In the 05/06 season Andrew Balding’s Briareus had landed the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton and gone on to run 6th in the Champion Hurdle behind Brave Inca. There was plenty of cause for optimism when he embarked on his chasing career at Newbury and he was sent off an odds on favourite. On the day he had to give best to another horse from our list, Killaghey Castle but he jumped soundly and looked likely to come on for the race. Surely enough this strapping individual got off the mark over fences at the second attempt landing a Grade 2 event at Ascot in mid December at odds of 7/2. Unfortunately injury prevented him from running again but he remains an interesting prospect for next term. The same could be said of Star de Mohaison. After a novice chase campaign when he won at both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals he was expected to figure prominently again but his season was also cut short by injury. He did win both his starts though; a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham was followed by a success in the Future Stars Chase at Sandown.
Rubberdubber, trained by Charlie Egerton had won 2 of his 3 completed starts over fences going into the new season and ran out a 5/2 winner on his only start in 2006/7. Ridden by Tony McCoy he ran on well up the Cheltenham hill to account for the evergreen Armaturk. Rubberdubber did not reappear after that so presumably had injury problems.
Another that only ran once was Howard Johnson’s Hard Act to Follow who strolled home in impressive fashion in a beginners chase at Wetherby, beating King of Confusion.
Roman Ark is a horse whose career I have tracked for a while. He had finished 4th in the 2006 Racing Post Plate won by Non So but is best when the mud is flying. He won twice from 7 starts in 06/07, in handicap chases at Market Rasen and Haydock at 4/1 and 7/4. A hike in the weights meant he was unable to win again but he did still put up a respectable display when 4th of 10 in a fiercely competitive handicap at Cheltenham. Of his 7 career wins 5 have come in heavy going and the other 2 on soft. He also has a very good record at Haydock. His form figures there, if we exclude one run when he was brought down, read 21131.
As is often the case with Henrietta Knight’s horses, Ringaroses was not over raced. He won 2 bumpers and was 6th in the Aintree championship bumper in 05/06 and made a promising start to jumping career winning both his starts in novice hurdles last season. On the second of these he came from first to last in a fair race at Ascot in mid December. Described as a “quirky customer” by his trainer he did not race in the second half of the season.
Racing Demon promised to be Henrietta Knight’s stable star but things didn’t always go according to plan. He fell at the first ditch on his reappearance in the Haldon Chase at Exeter, won by his stable companion Impek. He did bounce back to win the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon from Thisthatandtother, a race that Knight has milked over the years. He failed to win again but ran well on occasions, notably when 3rd to Kauto Star in the King George at Christmas.
Henry Daly does well with his chasers and Alderburn enjoyed a light but successful campaign. After being pulled up early on his seasonal reappearance he stayed on well to win a handicap at Kempton in late December He followed up in March with a decisive win at Newbury ridden by AP McCoy.
Two trainers
Nicky Henderson’s Afsoun was expected to go novice chasing but his career over the larger obstacles was put on hold when he put up a smart effort in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle under top weight at Newbury. He then fell when going OK in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle before returning to winning ways in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock in heavy ground in January. Afsoun’s Champion Hurdle credentials were severely dented in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton when Straw Bear beat him easily. He did take his place in the field for the big race at Cheltenham and acquitted himself really well finishing 3rd ahead of some of the major contenders. The fast gallop and stiff uphill finish clearly suited him. His final run was in the 2.5 mile Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle when he finished 3rd.
The same trainer had some interesting novice hurdlers. Classic Fiddle, Karello Bay and Sir Jimmy Shand all registered a couple of wins.
Karello Bay’s wins included the EBF mare’s only novice hurdle final at Haydock at 6/1 where she beat Robert Alner’s Miss Mitch. She clearly likes good ground and looks the type to jump a fence.
Another mare to enjoy a profitable campaign was Annie’s Answer. Trained by permit holder Jane Makin and a former bumper and points winner, Annie’s Answer started the season with a 4th at Newcastle on her hurdles debut. Wins at Huntingdon and Bangor followed but she then faded after making much of the running in a listed mare’s handicap at Cheltenham in April. With her two wins from 4 starts coming at odds of 11/4 and 7/1 she was a profitable member of my list to follow.
Nicky Richard’s string seems to increase in strength each year and he looked to have a strong hand again. Stable Star Monet’s Garden has already been mentioned but there were others that contributed as well.
Double Default was an expensive purchase after winning a point to point at Tallow where the form worked out well. Considered a long term chasing prospect, Double Default ended the season with form figures over hurdles of 2211. He only won small races at Ayr and Hexham but remains an interesting recruit for Richards and a campaign in novice chases beckons.
According to John had won all 4 of his races over hurdles the previous season he began his campaign over fences with wins at Carlisle and Kelso but found things a bit too hot went sent south and finished 4th in good company at Kempton and Ascot behind Ungaro and Gungadu. He returned to form on his last run when finishing 3rd to Denman in the Royal and SunAlliance at the Festival at 66/1.
Like Double Default and According to John, Great Approach is owned by Sir Robert Ogden. Great Approach is a half brother to Harwell Lad, a winner of the Whitbread. After being pulled up on his first run he landed a handicap hurdle at Catterick over an extended 25 furlongs at 8/1. He went up in the weights after that which was bound to make life difficult for him but he still managed to finish runner up in his remaining two races.
Like Great Approach, One Sniff also showed a profit for the season. He justified inclusion in the list by battling on to beat subsequent winner The Reverend at Hexham but injury prevented him from running again.
Ever Present won two of his 3 starts at odds of 3/1 and 15/8. On the second occasion he made all gamely in very testing conditions and just lasted out to beat Rambling Minster by a length.
Much was expected of another of Nicky Richard’s stable stars, Turpin Green. He had shown signs of temperament the previous season when all but refusing at the last with the race in the bag at Sandown. After winning at Carlisle at the start of the season he again showed his darker side when running a sulky race and being pulled up in the Hennessey. He ran much better on his next start when 2nd in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in very testing ground.
Blinkered first time for the Cheltenham Gold Cup he was largely unfancied at 40/1 but showed what a talented individual he is when in the right frame of mind with an excellent effort in 3rd.
Surprise packages
I have grouped together 4 horses that all surprised me slightly when they won. Ashley Brook has figured in these reviews before and I retained him on my list to follow for another season. He made a belated reappearance after being sidelined through injury in a handicap hurdle at the end of January. Adopting his usual front running style he went clear and the rest of the field really never saw which way he went. Another runner from my list to follow, French Saulaie finished 2nd but a full 20 lengths adrift. Ashley Brook was running off a mark of 39 lbs lower than his chase rating but nonetheless this was an impressive display after a 420 day lay off. He was returned at 15/2. A fortnight later he was made favourite for the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury but couldn’t cope with another horse returning from an enforced absence, Well Chief. Ashley Brook may have “bounced” or perhaps the race came too soon after his hurdles win. On his best form of course Well Chief was quite entitled to win a race like this anyway. Supporters of both Well Chief and Ashley Brook must have gone into the Queen Mother Champion Chase with some optimism but it just wasn’t to be for either of them. Well Chief crashed out early while Ashley Brook fell at the last while in contention.
Runner up in the Champion Chase was Dempsey who is a useful chaser when his jumping holds up and he enjoyed an excellent season winning a handicap at Sandown off top weight at 8/1 and rounding off his season by outclassing his rivals in the Celebration Chase back at the Esher course on the last day of the season.
Yes Sir was well down the field that day but had already proved himself quite a remarkable horse winning the Channel 4 prize for the most wins in the season. He notched up 7 wins on the bounce during the summer months but summer form does not always translate itself into success in the better races during the winter. It looked like being the case with Yes Sir as he ran reasonably well on his first 4 starts but never finished higher than 4th. Towards the end of April at Ayr he ran on his favoured fast ground for the first time and made every yard to score at 5/1 in a decent Grade 2 novices chase beating Natal.
Beau Michel is not one of the leading lights in the Paul Nicholls yard but he paid his way for me, albeit in a slightly fortuitous manner. He won twice from 5 starts. The first of these was a novice hurdle at Exeter at the end of October and the second a Wincanton handicap hurdle in mid February at the rewarding odds of 8/1. You could say he was fortunate here because he looked destined for second when Golden Bay fell at the penultimate flight. The race still needed winning though and Beau Michel stayed on stoutly to land the spoils. He ran around a bit up the run in and wore first time blinkers on his next and final start where he was a creditable 2nd in a handicap at Cheltenham.
Bumper winners
A few of the horses on my list to follow contested bumpers. Sir Boreus Hawk, trained by Alan Swinbank won a Musselburgh bumper before winning easily at Catterick on his hurdles debut. He looks a nice prospect, as does Aux le Bahnn who won a bumper on the all weather at Lingfield on his only start. Ferdy Murphy’s Supreme Builder got stuck in the mud at Newcastle but went on to land a bumper at Hexham and looks a chasing sort. Sound Accord is a half brother to Wild Cane Ridge. He won a Huntingdon bumper and was not disgraced on his hurdles bow when 2nd at Ascot.
Granit Jack came to the UK with a bit of a reputation to live up to as he had won 4 times in his native France. He took a while to acclimatise and his only win came at 1/5 in a little race at Taunton. There may well be more to come next season however based on his 2nd in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He had suffered from stomach ulcers earlier in the season and now he is back to full health should be one to watch out for in 2007/08.
The Irish angle
I did not have too much luck with the Irish contingent on my list to follow. There were a few successes though.
Iktitaf rattled off 3 wins in the first half of the season culminating in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November but then went off the boil. He was though in the process of running a big race when falling in the Champion Hurdle.
Amstecos is trained in Northern Ireland and justified his inclusion in my list by winning both his races. He won a maiden at Fairyhouse before just getting the better of another of my “listers” Ossmoses, by a neck in a driving finish at Ayr.
Nickname won a remarkable 6 out of his 7 starts, all in his native Ireland, all in graded races and all in soft or heavy ground. The biggest win was the Paddy Power Chase at Punchestown at Christmas. Connections decided against running him in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham as the drying ground would have been against him. He had a brilliant campaign in his Ireland though, carrying all before him.
De Valira, a half brother to the high class but ill fated Valiramix won 3 times at odds of 5/1, 3/1, 3/1. He didn’t quite live up top expectations but still managed to win a couple of Grade 2 races. He was 10th in the Supreme Novices at the Cheltenham Festival.
The one that got away!
I had had Exotic Dancer on my list to follow for the past 2 years but decided to leave him off this time round, for reasons that I can’t remember but must have seemed sensible at the time. In his first race of the season he was beaten 28 lengths by Turpin Green at Carlisle but he was never out of the first two for the rest of the season and proved himself to be the second best chaser in the country.
His only 2 defeats came at the hands of Kauto Star in the King George and the Gold Cup but there was clearly no disgrace in that. He won the two big 20 furlong handicaps at Cheltenham either side of Christmas and went on to prove both his stamina and his liking for Cheltenham by winning the Cotswold Chase. He finished his season by winning the Betfair Bowl at Aintree.
Champion tipster?
I make no claims to be much of a tipster – just a racing enthusiast that tries to pick the odd winner. Still, it is nice to get in right sometimes and on the 10th of February my pin struck the right horse in the list of runners. Gary Moore has developed a reputation as a trainer to follow in the big handicap hurdles. His stables are opposite the 6 furlong pole at Brighton racecourse. His 5 year old gelding Heathcote caught my eye at the end of January when running a decent second at Sandown when ridden by a 5 lbs conditional rider. He made no show on his next outing at Cheltenham but that was the race where Ashley Brook, returning from injury, just ran away from the rest of the field.
And so to the Totesport Trophy at Newbury, when my preview the night before included the following.
“If you want a big outsider you could try Heathcote. He is trained by Gary Moore who is a bit of a specialist in handicap hurdles. He won on the 13 February last season if you subscribe to that sort of theory.”
He won at 50/1.
Staying with the Elite
Membership of the Elite Racing Club continued to give me plenty of fun as their national hunt string performed consistently throughout the winter.
Monolith got things off to a good start by winning a valuable handicap hur5d;le at Cheltenham in October at 20/1. AS usual he was waited with and produced late by Jockey Keith Mercer. Monty as he is nicknamed is an ideal club horse as he alternates between jumps and flat and has actually won on the flat since his success at Cheltenham.
Rehearsal is another tough, consistent and versatile horse with Lenny Lungo. Already a winner on the flat and over hurdles he completed the full set when winning a novice chase at Ludlow at the end of January.
One of the easiest club winners of the season was the ex French mare Trompette, trained by Nicky Henderson. She won a handicap hurdle at Ludlow with any amount in ahnd in January and was then aimed at a valuable mares only race at Southwell. Unfortunately she fell two out when travelling strongly.
Inherent was a bumper winner when trained by Clive Cox. She moved to Henry Daly’s yard last season and ran consistently well over hurdles ending with form figures of 2112.
Penzance had been difficult to win with since taking the 2005 Triumph Hurdle. Not quite able to match the very best over hurdles he didn’t look exactly a natural over fences, his only success in that sphere having come in a little race at Hereford. Back over hurdles at the end of the season at Sandown though, he was involved in one of the most exciting finishes of the season. Blinkered first time and enterprisingly ridden by Robert Thornton established a clear lead. Only Arcalis looked capable of getting to Penzance turning in but when he drew alongsides Penzance fought back and the pair flashed past the post together and could not be separated by the photo.
So there we are – another season goes by. There is much to look forward to next term with the likes of Kauto Star, War of Attrition, Star de Mohaison, Denman and My Way de Solzen competing for the big prizes.
Grand National 2006 Aintree 4.15
4 miles 4 furlongs
Amberleigh House won two years ago but is 14 now and past his best.
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Ballycassidy is not badly handicapped jumps well and is not a forlorn hope. His chance would be greatly increased if the ground really dries out. Needs a fast surface.
Baron Windrush best career win was last January when he won the Warwick Classic over 3 miles 5 f on soft ground.
Clan Royal – This horse has a massive chance. 2nd two years ago to Amberleigh House and unluckily carried out by a loose horse last season when bombing along in front. He has a great record over these fences and warmed up for the race with a nice win over hurdles at Market Rasen.
Colnel Rayburn – Was travelling well enough last year when hampered. Not one I really fancy. Best in testing conditions.
Cornish Rebel – He was my fancy for this race at the start of the season. He has never fallen and has only been out of the first 3 on 3 occasions. He has good form in the top staying chases. 2nd narrowly beaten in the Scottish National (4 miles 1 furlong) last season and 3rd in both the Hennessey and the Welsh National this season. He is a slightly quirky type that might take to these fences but has 11 stone 9 to carry and that is going to make life difficult for him.
Direct Access big old fashioned chasing type. My concern would be that he fell at the first fence here in the Bechers. Has since won at Newcastle and is one for the short list. His jockey has more wins over the national fences than any other rider in the race.
Ebony Light – Has won 3 times this season but has gone up considerably in the weights as a result. Lacks the class for this and strikes me as being a bit of a moody type.
First Gold – Top class in his day but 13 now and has not completed in his last 3 starts.
Garvivonnian won th Becher Chase here in November. He looks to have the stamina as he won the Cork National over 3.5 miles in 2004. Runner up to Forget the Past who was 3rd in the Godl Cup on his last run at Fairyhouse.
Hedgehunter – Last year’s winner and a superb 2nd in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Jumps as well as anything in the field and has only fallen once in his career and that was when tiring at the last fenced in the 2004 National. Carries top weight and needs to defy the stats if he is going to win as horses just don’t win the National off this sort of weight. I think he has a pretty good chance of bucking the trend as he is the best horse in the race and at the top of his game.
Forest Gunner was a big fancy last year but appeared to run out of steam in the closing stages and ended up in 5th. Ridden by the excellent Nina Carberry and there are certainly worse outsiders. Poor form this season though.
Haut de Gamme has twice run well over these fences including 2nd in the Topham last year. There are stamina doubts but he jumps fluently and his recent hurdles form is encouraging.
Heros Collonges had the world at his hooves at one time but serious injury problems have blighted his career. 8th last season he jumps well and was 2nd in the Welsh National. Could go well at a huge price.
Inca Trail – Is a full bhrgother to Cornish Rebel and of course the late great Best Mate. The family all jump well and Inca Trail comes here on the back of two wins at Sandown. He might go OK. He has a fair weight. He is a bit of a tricky ride as he needs to be held up until very late. Good ground will help his cause.
Innox – 7th last season when fading near the end. Has gone up 8 lbs in the handicap since but has won his last 2 races in class handicaps. Ridden by Choc Thornton who has won on him before. Should act on the ground and has a big chance.
Iris Royal – Not always the best of jumpers and stamina doubts at this trip.
Joes Edge has ticks in many of the right boxes. Game winner of the Scottish National last season and is in the right sort of age group.
Juveigneur was 2nd to Jack High in the Whitbraed last season and also 2nd on his last run at the Cheltenham festival. He has run indifferently over these fences twice in the past however which is a concern.
It Takes Time was 4th last season. He has gone up in the weights since and with 11.8 to carry at the age of 12 has plenty going against him. I still feel that he could get round in the first 8 or so but he wont win.
Iznogoud – 12th last year and no reason why he should do any better this time.
Jack High – His form reads pretty well as he was 2nd in last years Irish National and won the Whitbread at Sandown. His usual jockey has chosen to ride Garvivinnian instead which might be significant.
Just in Debt was 9th last year. He has gone well over these fences a number of times and is a likely finisher. Probably not good enough to get in the frame though.
Knife Edge – Best in the mud and at shorter distances.
Le Duc has twice been placed over these fences over shorter distances. He is only 7 and 7 year olds have a poor record in the race. Has a touch of class though.
Le Roi Miguel – Has 11.7 to carry and has never won beyond 2.5 miles.
Lord Atterbury – 3rd in 2004 but fell at the first last year. He is actually quite a chancy jumper. Could go well at a very big price if he gets round.
Lord of Illusion – One of my long term fancies. He is a sound jumper and does not look badly handicapped. He put in his best performance this season when 2nd at Cheltenham on New Years Day over an extended 3m 2f. Main worry would be the form of the stable, or rather lack of form.
Montayral – His last win came in 2003 in the Cork National over 3.5 miles. Probably not good enough.
Native Upmanship – Knocking on a bit at age 13 and his form is all over shorter distances. Not keen on him really.
Nil Desperandum – Has always had ability but has not always shown it. 6th last year and has been brought along quietly for another tilt. Chances.
Numbersixvalverde – won last year Irish Grand National. He has clearly been laid out for an assault on the English version. Significantly supported in the past month, it should be noted winners of the Irish National, Bobbyjo apart, have a poor record in this race. Not sure he jumps well enough and his price looks too short.
Philson Run – Dour stayer who has won the Eider Chase and the Midlands National both over 4 miles plus. Will not lack for stamina.
Puntal – Has not run since December ’04. You could fancy him on his very best form. His biggest career win was when beating Royal Auclair in the 2004 Whitbread. He is 17 lbs better off with the Nicholls horse now but is an unreliable customer.
Rince Re – aged 13 now and has not won for over 3 years. Best on soft ground. Classy when at his best.
Risk Accessor has come to grief on both his last 2 runs in this race. Has been in good form this season and could go well at a price if getting round.
Ross Comm – has won 5 times this season including over 3 miles 2 furlongs in heavy ground at Carlisle. Live outsider he will be easy to spot as he is almost white.
Royal Auclair – A very consistent chaser who finished 2nd last season under a big weight. He was 4th in the 2005 Gold Cup and only beaten a short head in the 2004 Whitbread (3 miles 5.5). He is generally an accurate jumper and is best on good ground. Has to carry top weight with Hedgehunter even though he finished well behind the Irish horse at Cheltenham last month. He is a horse I have always liked but I fear the big weight will stop him from winning. Possible he could creep into a place.
Shotgun Willie is 12 now and probably past his best. Last big win was in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock over 3 years ago. Good on his day but asking a lot now.
Silver Birch won both the Welsh National and the Becher Chase last season, showing that he both stays and handles the National fences. His form has really dipped this term though and there must be a doubt about his well being. If he is still going well at half way he could be one to back in running.
Sir OJ fell last time out but generally jumps pretty well. He finished like a rocket to win a big handicap at Cheltenham earlier in the season but that was over 2 miles 5 furlongs.
Spot the Difference – Cross country race specialist. Jumps well and stays longer than the mother in law but getting a bit long in the tooth. 19th last year and something similar on the cards this time.
Therealbandit – comes into the race on the back of a winning return to form. He has 11-9 on his back and is now rated on 149. He has however won off 150 but I think there are more obvious contenders.
Tyneandthyneagain won the Eider Chase at Newcaastle last season over 4 miles 1 furlong. Best suited by very soft ground and would need the heavens to open.
Whispered Secret – A 7 year old and no horse of that age has won since 1940. This horse also has stamina doubts.
The short list (14)
Clan Royal, Hedgehunter, Nil Desperandum, Ross Comm, Haut de Gamme, Garvivonnian, Lord of Illusion, Direct Access, Sir OJ, Le Duc, Forest Gunner, Joes Edge, Lord Atterbury and Innox.
Well we can’t back 14 so something has got to go!
Lord Atterbury is a dodgy jumper and may not make the cut anyway so is the first to go. The stamina doubt over Haut de Gamme is enough to discard him, while I have a slight doubt over Ross Comm’s stamina and his lack of big race experience. Nil Desperandum is one of the horses on my list to follow and I am reluctant to chop him but he is inconsistent and you can’t back everything. 10 left.
Garvivonnian is perhaps just not quite good enough, lacks the class to win. Now it gets really difficult. Le Duc goes because of the poor record of 7 year olds, Forest Gunner in view of his lack of recent form and Sir OJ on stamina doubts and the fact that he fell in his last race.
Now we have 6 left and I am going to give you two approaches to the race.
Hedgehunter and Clan Royal are by far the most likely winners. Hedgehunter is actually well handicapped. For example he is on the same weight as Royal Auclaur who he beat out of site at Cheltenham last month. He is only giving 4 lbs to the likes of It Takes Time. It’s a joke! As long as the ground rides good he has a great chance. The softer the ground the more the big weight might stop him. Clan Royal is also potentially very well handicapped. His connections have been running him over hurdles so that he does not win chases and go up in the weight. He loves it round Aintree and must go well. You could back those two.
The top two are quite short prices. If that bothers you then the other 4 will have to come into the equation. Innox is probably the best of them as he comes here in great form on the back of two wins. Some experts think he doesn’t stay the trip. Perhaps he won’t but he still looks the next best to the top two.
Joes Edge has not been running particularly well this season. On the basis of his gallant win the Scottish National and the fact that he has won 3 times in April I like his chance. Would not want the ground too soft.
Direct Access comes here having won last time, is quite lightly raced and might be better than the bare form. The downside – the only time he has tackled the National fences he fell at the first. Lord of Illusion is a bold jumper and has an each way squeak. If he gets into a rhythm he might well enjoy the fences but he is just the type that might go charging up to the first fence too quick and come a cropper. Would not want soft ground. Good luck
It is nice to gets things right sometimes and I reserve the right to go on about it when I do! I was hopeful that Mighty Man would turn the tables on My Way de Solzen and he did so in style. Watching the two horses running side by side demonstrated that Mighty Man is actually on the small side. It is understandable that his trainer is talking about keeping him to hurdles. It is noticeable how quickly Mighty Man gets from one side of his hurdles to the other. My Way de Solzen jumps his hurdles much more like a potential chaser. No Refuge ran on well enough in 4th while Classified came back from a very lengthy absence with a good deal of promise only fading late on.
In the Betfair Bowl Chase Take the Stand blundered his chance away at the last fence.
Moving on to Friday’s action we have 20+ runners from the jumps list to follow. We are 6 handed in the 2.00. I was a bit disappointed with Bewley’s Berry at Cheltenham. His below par effort might have just been due to the overall form of Howard Johnson’s yard but it puts me off giving him a strong tip here. Commercial Flyer, so impressive on his chase debut was even more of a disappointment at Cheltenham. Celestial Gold’s win on Thursday might herald a return to form for the Pipe team though. Turpin Green was 5th in the Jewson’s handicap at Cheltenham and would need to step up on that form to win this. Star de Mohaison was a Cheltenham winner and looks likely to start favourite while Copsale Lad ran very well when runner up to Reveillez at Cheltenham and is likely to appreciate this step up in trip. Roman Ark may well be suited by this trip but would probably need some more rain to get into the argument. This looks a very open and competitive heat with Star de Mohaison the percentage call. Copsale Lad is next best while a return to form by either Turpin Green or Bewley’s Berry would give them each way claims. We have 4 runners in the 2.35, Gungadu, Neptune Collonges, Travino and Glasker Mill. Black Jack Ketchum is the obvious winner in this race and it is very difficult to oppose him. I see that Ruby Walsh has deserted Neptune Collonges in favour of Gungadu. Travino is a chaser in the making and would need soft ground to figure. 3.10 Fota Island and Don’t Be Shy represent the Winning Post list. Fota Island won at this meeting last season and looks sure to go well. Martin Pipe’s horses seem to be running a bit better recently and I wonder if Don’t Be Shy can improve on his Cheltenham run here. If the ground rides on the soft side of good I would be tempted to take a chance with Don’t Be Shy. 4.20 Conna Castle, Straw Bear and Senorita Rumbalita are our runners in this one. Straw Bear was narrowly beaten at Cheltenham and this track should suit him better. He is another that will be suited by the rain and I see that Tony McCoy continues the partnership. Senorita Rumbalita has done well for us this season and is a course winner having won the mare’s bumper last season. Conna Castle is a very interesting runner. He comes from Ireland with a big reputation. Straw Bear will be hard to beat but both Conna Castle and Senorita Rumbalita have decent each way claims. I am hoping that by now we will have had a winner or two from the list to follow. Although we have 6 runners in the 4.55 I will be pleasantly surprised in one of them wins. Chauvinist, Billyvoddan, Limerick Boy, Ardaghey, McKelvey and Mount Clerigo. Looking for each way value I would suggest Argahey. Billyvoddan and Chauvinist would be my next best, with the latter needing rain. That will do for this evening. Don’t forget to join me tomorrow for an in depth look at the Grand National.
Continue reading “Diary: 7 April 2006”
Chilling Place was a welcome winner for our jumps list to follow on Wednesday. Thursday sees the start of the Grand National meeting at Aintree. I will concentrate on the chances of the runners from the list to follow. 2.00 We have 5 runners in this. I am going to discount Fundamentalist (lack of form) and Classified (returning after a long lay off). The other 3 ran in the World Hurdle. My Way de Solzen won of course, Mighty Man was 3rd while No Refuge ran something of a stinker. I expect No Refuge to run a lot better but I still prefer the other two. Mighty Man may be the better value. 2.35 I fancy L’Ami for this. He has really not run a bad race this season. Take the Stand was a very creditable 5th in the Gold Cup and will appreciate the drying ground. 3.10 Afsoun had an interrupted preparation for Cheltenham and was well beaten by Detroit City. He should get closer this time. 4.20 Bambi de L’Orme waas 3rd in this race last year but is 5 lbs higher. I slightly prefer Irish raider Mansony who is on a hat trick. 4.55 Our pair, Some Touch and Buena Vista are both front runners and may well be disputing the lead. Buena Vista was 3rd at Cheltenham and has been running consistently well. Good ground will suit him and he should at least make the frame. Our only runner at Taunton is Young Collier in the 4.05, while I have a personal interest in the 4.40 as Alan King saddles Sha Bihan for the Elite Racing Club in the 4.40. I don’t have time to review the flat properly. There is only one runner from the flat list. 3.20 Leicester Cool Customer Other runners that interest me are Twill (Leicester 3.55) and Fool Me (2.10) Hopefully normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
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Review of the flat 2005
Welcome to the 4th flat review since I started writing these literary gems. They are mainly intended to feature the exploits of the horses that appeared on my list to follow with a few thrown in from previous years lists that have become “old favourites.” As I joined the Elite Racing Club during the season I have also included a small selection of club horses.
In some ways it was an unsatisfactory season with so many of the classic generation having their careers cut short by injury. In addition our list to follow was seriously becalmed mid season before coming with something of a late flourish in the last few weeks.
A golden start
The season got off to the to best possible start when the list supplied the Lincoln winner with Streams of Gold at 5/1. He looked a group horse in the making when running away from a decent looking field but he didn’t really live up to that promise in 3 subsequent starts at the higher level, rather as Pablo had done a few years back In fairness though, on his last start he was 4th to David Junior, giving half a stone to a horse that went on to win the Champion Stakes.
Classic success and retirements
The list supplied many of the big 3 year old winners through Footstepsinthesand, Shamardal, Motivator, Dubawi and Oratorio. By the end of the season though all bar Oratorio had been retired. Footstepsinthesand came to Newmarket for the 2,000 Guineas on the back of 2 wins from 2 as a juvenile and with the benefit of K Fallon aboard. He started at 13/2, partly because of the presence in the field of a hot favourite in the shape of the Godolphin colt Dubawi (pictured below).
Dubawi appeared not to relish the unusually fast ground at Newmarket and failed to steer a straight course. Footstepsinthesand stayed on strongly up the hill and was clearly the best horse on the day. Sadly injury finished his short career and this was his only race of the season.
At the Curragh the Newmarket 4th and 5th, Oratorio and Dubawi started joint favourites and fought out the finish. Dubawi travelled well throughout to win by 2 lengths. And so to Epsom where the might of Godolphin and Ballydoyle lined up their big guns. Dubawi and Oratorio were in the line up as was an Aiden O’Brien dark horse, Gypsy King.
Gypsy King (above) had scored a remarkable win in the Dee Stakes at Chester where he ran green and even jumped a path at one stage. Somehow Kieren Fallon got him from last to first in the short straight to get up on the line. Many people’s idea of the Derby winner though was Motivator, who had maintained his 100% record when landing the Dante at York, usually an informative trial.
On the day Motivator (above) could be called the Derby winner a long way from home as Dubawi failed to stay and Oratorio was disappointing. The winning margin of 5 lengths was the widest since 1991 and there was talk of Motivator being the new superstar.
Oratorio
Godolphin held high hopes for the Giant’s Causeway colt Shamardal (pictured below) who started the season unbeaten. Plenty of doubts were expressed when he was beaten out of site on dirt at Nad Al Sheba in the UAE Derby but there was much better to come.
First he made all under Frankie Dettori to land the Gainsborough Poule d'Essai de Poulains (French 2000 Guineas). Given an almost identical ride by Dettori, Shamardal followed up in the French Derby, which was reduced in distance to 10 and a half furlongs. The general consensus of opinion though was that this form was still well below that of Motivator. He caste doubt on that theory though when winning the St James Palace Stakes in good style with Oratorio 3rd and there was talk of taking on Motivator in the Eclipse. Once again though injury intervened and Shamardal had run his last race.
And so to the Eclipse, the first clash between the 3 year olds and the older generation. It is a measure of the impression that Motivator created at Epson that he started as a 2/5 favourite at Sandown, with Oratorio a fairly unconsidered 12/1. The late defection of the injured Shamardal had seemed to set this up for the Derby winner but Oratorio proved too good on the day justifying Keieren Fallon’s confidence in the horse. Oratorio was able to confirm the Eclipse form in the Irish Champion Stakes when he again got the better of Motivator. The big disappointment on the day was Azamour who could only finish 5th.
The John Oxx trained 4 year old (pictured above) had earlier recorded back to back Group 1 wins in the Prince of Wales Stakes at York and the King George at Newbury. The latter of these was particularly impressive, as held up by Mick Kinane he came from last to first, treating his rivals with some disdain.
Dubawi was another who was retired through injury before the end of the season. His final run was something of a controversial one. In the Queen Elizabeth ll Stakes at Newmarket in September Dubawi was beaten 3 parts of a length by Starcraft after Frankie Dettori had ignored the trainers riding instructions. Whether or not this cost the Godolphin colt the race became the subject of much heated debate.
Two star fillies
Two of the leading fillies of 2004 had been Ouija Board and Attraction. But at one stage of the season it seemed as though neither would be able to recapture their best form. Attraction suffered an unhappy experience in Hong Kong in May, while Ouija Board was behind Azamour at York where she lost a shoe and then had some niggling problems. In both cases there was a happy ending though. In mid September Attraction (pictured below) achieved her fifth Group 1 victory at Leopardstown with a reproduction of the front-running tactics that were a hallmark of her brilliant three-year-old career. This was to be her last race as she later sustained an injury and Mark Johnston decided to retire her.
A couple of weeks after Attraction's win in Ireland Ouija Board won a Group 3 at headquarters in September and then made a brave effort to retain her Breeders Cup title when 2nd at Belmont Park. The fact that the race was shortened this year to 10 furlongs would not have helped her cause. She continued her globe trotting with a fifth place in the Japan Cup followed by a scintillating victory at Sha Tin in the Hong Kong Vase. Held up in the pack by Kieren Fallon she finally saw daylight and found a devastating turn of foot to win going away.
Ouninpohja's 5 timer
Leaving the classic contenders and Group race winners aside for the moment, if there was an award for the “Russellform Horse of the Year” it would most certainly go to Ouninpohja, who won 5 times in succession. After an early sighter at Doncaster Alan Swinbank's gelding was an unlucky loser in both his next two runs, failing to get any daylight until it was too late on both occasions.
Ouninpohja
He landed handicaps at Doncaster, Pontefract, Newcastle and Newmarket (twice) going up 19 lbs in the process. Connections have shelved plans to send him hurdling and he will now winter in Dubai. He was one of the most progressive middle distance handicappers in Britain. Good horse.
Stoute successes
Sticking with the multiple winners, Notable Guest (below), Linngari and Peeress, all trained by Sir Michael Stoute, did a good job for the list to follow.
Notable Guest was raised 11 lbs for an easy win in a Newmarket handicap but that didn’t stop him from following up in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at York where he got the better of Crow Wood by half a length. He was down the field in the John Smith’s Cup before landing the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Group 3 level from subsequent Champion Stakes winner David Junior. He was then a tad disappointing when 3rd at Newbury in the “Arc Trial".
Linngari didn’t show much on his first two starts but a win in a 4 runner field at Hamilton seemed to restore his confidence. He appeared to have matured both mentally and physically when winning the William Hill Superior Mile at Haydock, a listed race, at 12/1 ridden by Ryan Moore.
The filly Peeress was consistent throughout the season winning 3 from 6 and running creditably in the others.
Peeress
After winning a listed race at York she returned to the same track to take the Group 2 Windsor Forest Stakes where Soviet Song, admittedly making her seasonal debut, was back in 3rd. Her biggest success was in the Group 1 Sun Chariot at HQ where she had her favoured soft ground and was intelligently ridden by Kevin Darley. Rather like Linngari, Peeress proved a profitable selection for the list as her last two wins came at 14/1 and 7/1.
Multiple winners
Musicanna was 3rd to Peeress in the Sun Chariot and had earlier run up a winning sequence of 3. After winning handicaps at Newmarket and Newbury she won a listed race at Sandown on soft going which certainly seems her favoured ground conditions.
Another to run up a hat trick was James Fanshawe’s Cesare. He won at Leicester, Ripon and Lingfield and was also a fair 3rd on his final outing only beaten a neck and the same by Unshakable and Crosspeace.
Stronghold, trained by John Gosden also won 3 times as did Mick Channon’s Dream Tonic. The latter won fast ground handicaps at Salisbury, Thirsk and Ayr in the space of 4 weeks in mid summer. He was made favourite for all 3 wins. From a horse to follow point of view it was rather a shame that he didn’t win earlier in the season when he was beaten a short head at Leicester when 20/1!
Sprinters
Iffraaj was one of the more progressive horses of 2005. After an early success at Kempton, Iffraaj was well supported for the Victoria Cup, switched to Lingfield this year and he duly prevailed at 11/4 favourite. The draw no doubt played a part with the first four coming from stalls 5. 1. 2 and 4 respectively. Next stop was another of the season’s big handicaps, the Wokingham at York and he was always going well and won by 2 lengths. Upped to Group 1 company he could only finish 14 in the July Cup where to be fair the softish ground was against him. Back on a firm surface he won at Group 2 level at Doncaster in September, just getting the better of Sleeping Indian by a short head. The going preference was confirmed on his last run when 7th of 8 in the soft at Longchamps. As a horse to follow Iffraaj did us proud winning at 11/4, 9/4 and 7/1.
Iffraaj
As a horse to follow Fonthill Road only broke even winning once from 8 starts at 7/1, the single success coming at Beverley. He deserved better though as he was 2nd on 4 occasions, twice beaten by a short head. One of those short head defeats was in the Ayr Gold Cup, while he was only beaten into second in the Stewards Cup by a quarter of a length. His conqueror at Goodwood was Gift Horse, trained by sprint king Dandy Nicholls.
Gift horse gets the better of Fonthill Road (far side)
I decided to keep Gift Horse on my list to follow even though he had failed to win during 2004. He had been 2nd at 20/1 that season and I hoped that the move to the Nicholls stable might see a change in his fortunes. He proved an excellent choice, winning 3 of his 5 outings, the Stewards Cup success following wins at Doncaster (18/1) and Epsom on Derby day. Kieren Fallon rode him on the latter 2 wins. The other Dandy Nicholls sprinter from my list to follow worth a mention was Machinist (seen below).
He won a small race at Donny in May but topped this with a 12/1 success in the Ayr Silver Cup.
Another horse that seemed to benefit from a change of scenery was Mutamared. Previously with Marcus Tregoning, he was gelded and switched to 6 furlongs by Kevin Ryan and it certainly paid off with a win on his first start for his new connections. This came in a Newmarket handicap where he moved smoothly into the lead a furlong out and held off the challenges to win in a blanket finish where only about 3 parts of a length separated the first 5 home. Border Music was 3rd and Machinist 5th and snatched up close home by Adrian Nicholls. Mutamared disappointed in the Ayr Silver Cup but returned to form on his next outing to win a handicap at Salisbury.
Hughie Morrison got the list to follow going in the early part of the season with the progressive sprinter Intrepid Jack. He won his first 2 starts but arguably his best run came when 2nd in the valuable William Hill Trophy at York. Intrepid Jack ran a blinder from his low draw, which prevented him getting any real cover. He appeared to take a slight advantage entering the last, but then the whip fell from Steve Drowne's hand and he was worried out of it late on.
With some of these handicap sprinters the only way to get a profit is to back ‘em blind in the expectation of a big win along the way somewhere. Three that came into this category were Seafield Towers, Wyatt Earp and Cape Royal. Seafield Towers had only entered the winner’s enclosure once during 2004 and that was at 33/1. 2005 followed a similar pattern with one win from his 5 starts but that coming at 20/1 at Ayr. Wyatt Earp was kept on the go by trainer Richard Fahey, running 11 times. After a couple of placed efforts he deserved his win at Redcar on his 4th start at 13/2. That win came off a rating of 77 and after 6 runs out of the first 3 I was not over hopeful come his final run of the season at Catterick where he raced off a mark of 80. Shows how much I know as he won at 20/1.
Cape Royal had already won once before I latched on to him. After 10 duck eggs to his name following that success he started to look an expensive choice when popping up at 14/1 in a Sandown handicap in August. He may have been a little lucky to keep the race after a stewards enquiry that must have been a close call after the 2nd appeared to be hampered. In fairness though, Cape Royal retained his form really well subsequently and came 2nd 4 times in the remainder of the season. They were all good efforts, in particular when filling the runners up berth behind Green Manalishi ay Haydock when racing in isolation up the stands rail.
Firenze is a sister to useful sprinter of recent seasons Frizzante. She won a couple of handicaps, at Leicester in June and at Newmarket in July. On her penultimate start she finished well in third in a handicap at Newmarket. She remains lightly raced and there may be more to come.
Handicappers
Horses from the list to follow enjoyed reasonable success in some of the better handicaps. I was particularly pleased with Another Bottle from Tom Tate’s yard as he was something of a fringe choice that paid off. He won twice from his 7 starts and would have paid to follow. His first win came in a Ripon handicap at 16/1, but his best effort was when landing a decent handicap at Newbury in mid July when lengthening well to win a competitive affair by a length and a quarter.
Another very profitable handicapper to follow was Hartshead. He won the Carlisle Bell handicap coming from last to first up the inside rail under Fergal Lynch. He looked all over the winner in his next race at Newcastle only to be mugged on the line by the fast finishing Uhoomagoo. Five runs later Hartshead looked to be in the Handicapper’s grip but defied a career high mark to round off his season with a win at York at the juicy price of 20/1.
Two greys landed handicaps at 9/1. Fine Silver’s effort came early season when he took the Newbury Spring Cup on his seasonal reappearance under Frankie Dettori, clearly enjoying the ease in the ground. He was below form subsequently. Zeitgeist quickened well after tracking the leaders to win the Old Newton Cup at Haydock in July. He also put in a creditable effort when 5th of 20 to Sergeant Cecil in the Ebor.
Tawqeet was a profitable horse to follow winning twice in handicaps at 3/1 and 11/2. Stepped up in class he ran 3rd behind Scorpion in the St Leger briefly threatening the winner 2 furlongs out. He was possibly not over that effort when a below par third behind Art Eyes in a listed event at Newmarket.
Let’s Roll (pictured below) from the northern stable of Chris Thornton ran consistently throughout the year.
He won twice from 10 starts but put in some fair efforts in defeat. His first win came in a 4 runner handicap at Ayr where he was allowed a soft lead and quickened under apprentice Danny Tudhope from 2 out and his rivals never looked like pegging him back. His other win also came at Ayr and he was again apprentice ridden. This time by Salem Golem who was to go on to share the apprentice’s title with Hayley Turner. Let’s Roll again turned this one into something of a procession winning by 10 lengths. Crow Wood and Polar Magic were a couple more handicappers that ran consistently.
Crow Wood's only win came on the 4th June in a handicap at Epsom. This was his first win for 2 years and although he has run big races in top 10f handicaps, this step up to a mile and a half looked to make the difference as he saw it out well and the further he went the better he got. Prior to his win at Epsom Crow Wood had run a fine race to finish 3rd in the Zetland Gold cup. He had been third in this race for the previous two seasons. He was 2nd to Notable Guest in the Duke of Edinburgh stakes and also 2nd in the John Smoth's Cup where he ran another rock-solid race.
Polar Magic was another that ran consistently in handicaps. He was only out of the first three twice in his seven runs but only had a narrow win at Southwell to show for his efforts. His best run was when 2nd in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket beaten a short head by Mine.
Polar Magic is trained by James Fanshawe. Another handicapper from the same stable that did manage to pay his way was Unscrupulous. Although a 6 year old he has only run 9 times in his career and this term he was restricted to just one run, winning a 10 runner handicap at Newmarket at 9/4.
On the sand
All weather racing has gained in popularity and in quality over the last few years. Over the course of the season we had a few notable successes on the sand. Geoff Wragg’s Autumn Glory has helped to get our season off to a good start by winning the Doncaster mile, a listed event, on the last day of March.
He went on to make history by winning the Group 3 Ladbrokes Silver Trophy in July (picture above), the first Group race run on the all weather in Britain. At the nice price of 9/1 as well.
It seemed as though I had followed Border Music for ever with little or no reward. I was always afraid to desert him on the basis that he was sure to win as soon as I stopped backing him. It seemed to be business as usual as he failed to win any of his first 7 starts. Then his trainer found the key to unlock his potential. Switched to the all Weather at Wolverhampton he turned a reasonable handicap there into a procession, winning as he pleased by 9 lengths at 7/2. He ran three more times on the turf without winning , although he was a close up third behind Mutamared at Newmarket. For his final 2 starts he went back to the all weather winning both times at Lingfield, the first at 9/1. Jamie Spencer rode him each time he won and has a 3 out of 4 record on the horse.
Our third all weather star was Rampage. He had won a maiden at Newcastle on his only start as a juvenile and we had to wait until October 10 for him to reappear. He finished 2nd at Windsor but went on to score twice in 11 days at Southwell and Wolverhampton. Neither win was by much – a head and a neck, but they all count.
Group and listed class
We had a fair degree of success in Group and pattern races. In a number of cases horses won when I had just about abandoned hope of them ever getting their heads in front. Before coming to England Le Vie Dei Colori had notched up 15 wins. Most of these had come at Capannelle (Rome to you), with a few at San Siro (you must know where that is!). His only win outside of Italy had come in a Group 3 at Longchamp. After winning a listed race at Leicester in April he was most disappointing on his next 4 runs. Galvanised by a first time visor for his last start in Group 2 in mid October he rediscovered his best form wining well at 20/1. He has some other horses that figure in this review behind him. Notably Sleeping Indian (2nd), Peeress (4th) and New Seeker (9th).
The oldest horse on my list to follow was Millenary (shown below), at the age of 8, who has won the St Leger as far back as September 2000.
He looked a spent force in some of his early races last season but revived memories of the glory days with a couple of memorable back to back victories in August and September. For me Richard Quinn produced the ride of the season on Millenary in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York. He dropped Millenary out the back and kept him covered up until the very last moment, not moving a muscle. Produced well inside the final furlong the old campaigner found a real turn of foot to sweep into the lead.
The second win, in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup, was similar. Quinn again employed exaggerated waiting tactics as Millenary stalked the leaders like some sort of hooded assassin and won with another late, late burst. As his wins came at 12/1 and 11/4 he proved a profitable horse to follow.
One of the first names in my notebook for the 2005 flat season was Sir Michael Stoute’s Rob Roy on the back of his win in an autumn maiden at HQ. Things didn’t go according to plan for the big son of Lear Fan. He was short of room when failing to get up on his seasonal reappearance and failed by a head to peg back Democratic Deficit. He was 6/1 for the 2,000 gns but finished last, totally unsuited by the very firm going. He returned in the autumn and won the middle of three runs. He put up a good performance to win the Group 3 Joel Stakes at Newmarket at 17/2. It will be interesting to see if he stays in training.
Sleeping Indian ran some good races just below top class. He won the John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock and deserved his Group 3 win in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. His close seconds to Iffraaj and Le Vie dei Colori have already been mentioned.
Trainers to follow
Although I tend to follow horses these days rather than trainers I usually have a few on my list to follow from the yards of Sir Mark Prescott and Mark Johnston.
The theory of backing Prescott 3 year olds in handicaps didn’t really pay off for me this time as well as in previous years. Tangible won at 6/1 first time out but that was her only win from 4 starts. The most successful of the Prescott 3 year olds on the list was Oblique who ran up a four race winning sequence culminating in a win in the Musselburgh Gold Cup over 12 furlongs at the Scottish track. Although she lacks size and scope, she clearly has a good engine, and her win here was gained off a mark 21lb higher than when she started the season. She couldn’t make it 5 from 5 when coming 3rd on her next run but her astute trainer found a listed race opportunity for her in Sweden in mid November for her fifth win.
I don’t usually have Prescott 2 year olds on my list to follow but an exception in 2005 was Violette who proved very consistent and ended with form figures 1202111223. Her wins included a 17 runner nursery at Doncaster where although not well drawn she was given an excellent ride by Seb Sanders and eventually won going away. She followed this up with a win in quite a strong listed race at Ayr. She also came 2nd in a 24 runner listed race at Redcar and a neck 2nd in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at HQ. She made great strides during the season but may be hard to place next year.
At one stage I thought my pick of the Mark Johnston stable was not going to work out but some late winners at nice prices turned things round.
Quizzene and I’m So Lucky got the season off to a good start, both winning twice, Quizzene (picture below) at 11/4 and 13/8 and I’m So Lucky at 4/1 and 9/2.
The first race meeting I ever went to was at Chester to watch the Chester Cup and I have always retained a soft spot for that course and in particularly that race. Swift Sailor was a game winner of the Phil Bull Trophy at Pontefract, one of the two races he won, but his career best came when he was 2nd in the big race at Chester. He has since been sold to go hurdling.
The two Johnston runners that came good at the back end of the season were Crosspeace and Kindling. Crosspeace was placed in all but 2 of his 10 starts and deserved his win in listed company at Doncaster in November which he won by 14 lengths in heavy ground having been stepped up to 12 furlongs. His other win came in a Newmarket handicap over 7 furlongs. Crosspeace nearly became only the third three-year-old winner of the Totesport Mile at Goodwood in 15 runnings when only beaten a neck by Unshakable in a blanket finish. In fact before that win at Donny Crosspeace put is a whole string of placed efforts. These included a third in a Group 3 in Norway, a runners up spot in another Group 3 at Baden-Baden. After being placed in these two continental Group 3 races, he ran 3rd in the John Smith's Stakes (Heritage Handicap) at Newbury. He emerged the best horse in the race, as he was only three and was giving weight away all round taking into account weight-for-age. He was then 4th in the Cambridgeshire off 9 stone 4, one of only a couple of three year olds in the race.
Crossspeace (pictured above) won at 9/2 and 5/1, but little filly Kindling did even better as a horse to follow. She didn’t register a win in her first 7 starts although she was only beaten a short head at Ripon. She showed her liking for easy ground when taking a handicap at Haydock and followed up the week after at Epsom when she scooted clear in great style approaching the furlong marker under Greg Fairlie. Kindling is nothing if not game and after a third in a listed race at Deauville she rounded off her season in style winning a listed race at Musselburgh, again in soft ground at 10/1. This will have greatly enhanced her paddocks value.
The two year olds
I have already mentioned Violette who was one of the more successful 2 year olds I followed. Perhaps the highest profile juvenile was Flashy Wings of Mick Channon’s. I put her on my list to follow after she had won on her debut and she went on to win her next three. Two wins at York stamped her as a top class filly. She won the Queen Mary Stakes in impressive fashion and extended her unbeaten record to four with a workmanlike display in this Group 2 Lowther Stakes.
Flashy Wings
After that things went slightly awry. Rather surprisingly she next ran in the Watership Down Stud Sales Race at Newbury. Made favourite, she hit the front 2 furlongs out but hung left in the centre of the track and was collared close home by Expensive who had the benefit of the rail. She was 3rd in the Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket next but may have been a bit unlucky as she found herself short of room when starting to mount her challenge and although she powered up the hill the winning post came too soon and she was beaten by two necks.
Another Mick Channon juvenile served me well. Ajigolo won three times including a Group 2 at Baden-Baden, This was probably a poor race and he ran better in defeat next time out when second to Hunter Street in a bobbing finish despite carrying a 7 lbs penalty in the Cornwallis Stakes at Salisbury, generally accepted as a fairly ordinary Group 3 contest. Hunter Street was 4/1 and Ajigolo 25/1 so I was rather hoping they would finish in the reverse order.
Hunter Street was winning for the second time and had also run 2nd in the Flying Childers at Doncaster. According to his trainer he has “the heart of a lion.” Reportedly he has been sold to race in the US.
River Thames, under the same ownership as Hunter Street, was 3rd in the Flying Childers, just behind his stable companion. He had earlier won a maiden at Yarmouth from Expensive, later conqueror of Flashy Wings and he also won a nursery at Newmarket.
Other notable 2 year old winners were Championship Point, another with Mick Channon, and Signor Peltro. Championship Point only ran three times winning the first two, a maiden at Newbury and a 12 runner listed race at Royal Ascot at York. He also ran well when a head second in a valuable listed race at Deauville giving weight to the winner. His wins came at 15/2 and 4/1, but Signor Peltro was an even more profitable selection as his only win came at 22/1 first time out. This win came in a 16 runner maiden at Haydock but he showed little in two subsequent starts.
Some big priced winners
Needless to say the big priced winners always linger longest in the memory. I was particularly pleased with Kenmore’s 20/1 win late on in the season as it came after poor run of results for me. I had high hopes for Barry Hill’s colt, especially after he started the season with a win in a Nottingham Maiden in April. He didn’t get the run of the race when 4th at Goodwood after that but a couple of disappointing efforts followed. Then came that win in a 23 runner 7 furlong handicap at Newmarket towards the end of the season.
I will mention a handful of other big priced winners that I had during the course of the campaign. Penny Wedding won at 20/1 in a maiden but failed to make much impression in handicaps in a couple of starts after that while Cornus, a promising juvenile in 2004 seemed to have lost his way when failing to get his head in front on his first 10 starts only to win at 12/1 on his last outing.
The well bred Gifted Musician contributed to my profitable end of season run when capturing an ordinary maiden at Catterick at 13/2 after 3 losing efforts. Another to make a profit from just one win was Mineko. He has been second on 3 occasions before coming in at 7/1 in a late season maiden at Nottingham.
River Royale trained by Peter Chapple Hyam won both his starts, a maiden when odds on followed by a Newmarket handicap where he quickened well to lead close home at 11/2. Wild Savannah was another that would have shown a profit if backed blindly as he won 2 of his 7 starts at odds of 7/2 and 13/2.
Wild Savannah didn’t run as a 2 year old. Alfred the Great only had one run at 2 and went on my list to follow as the sort of 3 year old that Mark Johnston excels with. Come his first run though he had changed stables and was with Pat Haslam so I was rather less optimistic, but he came good for me. After a couple of fair placed efforts he won a Newcastle handicap in November at 5/1 and has since won over hurdles.
Flat horses have short enough careers when compared to their national hunt counterparts. I am always pleased to be able to follow a horse over more than just one season and I decided to keep Vaughan on my list to follow even though he didn’t win during 2004. This big gelding proved a useful and consistent performer in 2005, winning 2 of his 8 starts. He also ran well behind a couple of other horses on our list, He kept on well behind Notable Guest and Crow Wood at York for 5th place and then finished 3rd to the prolific Ouninpohja at Newmarket. A long striding galloping type with a liking for a sound surface Vaughan seems at home at Newmarket and his first win came in a 12 handicap there, although he needed every yard of the trip. His second win came in his last race of the season, over the same trip and at Newmarket where he sported first time blinkers. His wins came at 13/2 and 3/1. This was one of the new premier claiming races and Vaughan was claimed for £50,000.
I don’t always seem to have much luck following Sir Michael Stoute’s horses but 2005 bucked this trend. I have already mentioned the likes of Linngari, Rob Roy, Notable Guest and Peeress. Hard Top (pictured below) looked one to follow when winning a maiden at Lingfield and he confirmed that promise when taking the Great Voltigeur at York staying on strongly to lead close home in a 6 runner race at 6/1.
He may have been unsuited by the soft ground when beaten in the St Leger.
There were fears that Echelon had not trained on having been a leading fancy for the 1,000 guineas she could only finish 9th in the classic. She faired much better in the 2nd half of the season though. After a slightly unlucky 2nd in a listed race at Sandown where she didn’t get a clear run she picked up well to score decisively in a similar event at Newbury. She evidently needs fast ground as she floundered in the soft going next time out at Sandown behind the mud loving Musicanna before rounding off her season and advertising her potential as a valuable broodmare with another listed race win, this time at Newmarket.
Of the other Stoute runners King’s Majesty was certainly profitable. He only ran twice winning a Newmarket handicap at 6/1 and was only beaten a head on the same track in September. He is lightly raced and may do better yet.
Art Eyes was an interesting and progressive hoes to follow. She was kept on the go by trainer David Elsworth running 12 times in all. For much of the season it looked as though connections had got the tactics wrong as despite putting in some creditable displays she only had one win to show for her first 10 runs, a 12 furlong handicap at Leicester. From then on she competed in a much higher grade, an excellent 2nd at Goodwood and a very creditable 4th to Mubtaker in the Match Stakes at the same track and a career best 4th behind Ouija Board in a Group 3 at Newmarket. These runs in better class events did not bring a win though and wrecked her handicap rating. The question could be posed that perhaps her lower rating could have been exploited in handicap company. The trainer's approach was vindicated though when she won a listed race at Newmarket at the end of September at 8/1.
Trainer Lynda Ramsden announced that she would be retiring at the end of the 2005 season. She has trained the likes of Arcalis and Trojan Flight in recent seasons. I had Halla San from her stable on my list in 2005 and having been pretty expensive to follow he finally came good with two victories. A winner off only 59 at Gosforth Park he made light work of a 4 lbs rise at Haydcok next time under a fine ride from Alan Munro. These wins came on the back of 7 defeats so at winning odds of 11/4 and 3/1 it was not enough to make a profit on the season.
Last gasp winners
With racing patience is most certainly a virtue. If we had to wait a long time for the likes of Halla San to visit the winner’s enclosure, Don't call me Derek kept us waiting until the very last day of the season. He had been successful over hurdles twice in the winter and didn’t reappear on the flat until the 22nd October. He was well down the field that day but came back with a bang on November 5th in testing conditions in a 6 runner Doncaster handicap, when he was allowed a soft lead and nothing could get in a blow as he galloped resolutely to the line. Don’t Call me Derek was returned at 11/1 and with Crosspeace a 5/1 winner on the same card and Kindling winning at 10/1 only 2 days before the season could hardly have had a more upbeat finale.
The French connection
I included a small selection of French horses on my list to follow and two of them are well worth a mention here. Valixir mixed it with the best and won three times, twice in Group ones. He won with tons on hand at Longchamp on the first of these and then plundered the Queen Anne Stakes at York. While Rakti would not be the best of yardsticks here, having misbehaved in the preliminaries, Valixir impressed with the ease with which he took his measure inside the last two furlongs – sooner than had been planned – and he was always in command afterwards. The Gallic star of the season though was the brilliant filly Divine Proportions (picture below). Unbeaten as a 2 year old she continued to sweep all before her at 3 in sensational style including victory in the French Oaks.
Her only career defeat came on her last run when beaten by Dubawi in a Group 1 at Deauville where Valixir was 3rd. She was subsequently found to have an injury and was retired.
Old favourites
I always keep an eye on horses that I have had on my list to follow in previous seasons. In particular I have a soft spot for sprinters. In 2004 Sierra Vista obliged for me at 33/1.
Sierra Vista
That was her only win of the season and came in the Totesport Northern Sprint handicap at Newcastle at the end of June beating Ellen’s Academy by a neck. Remarkably, her first win in 2005 came in the same race with Ellen’s Academy once again beaten a neck in second. One of the more bizarre coincidences of the racing season. Sierra Vista was returned at 16/1 this time. She went on to land 4 more sprint handicaps at 11/2, 11/1, 25/1 and 8/1. Not half bad for a horse that only cost 500 gns as a yearling.
Sierra Vista's stable companion, Celtic Mill is another that has found his way onto my list to follow from time to time. David Barker enjoyed a terrific campaign with his sprinters and his stable star was Celtic Mill. He scored a career best when taking the valuable Group 2 Temple Stakes at Sandown in May. He was lucky to survive a very nasty fall later in the season at the same track but has come back to win on the all weather since.
Another sprinter from former lists to follow to excel during 2005 was Fire Up the Band who won three times, including the Vodaphone Dash at Epsom, and a Group 3 at Goodwood. He also won at Chester beating Fonthill Road by half a length. His wins came at 14/1 twice and 10/1. Striking Ambition had a successful European Tour winning in Ireland, France and Germany, the latter two in Group 3 class, while at a humbler level Harrison's Flyer picked up 3 small races at 25/1, 3/1 and 13/2.
Bandari has been knocking around in the higher echelons of flat racing for a few years and he again tasted success in 2005. He only won once in 2005, at 10/1 in the Hardwicke Stakes at York, beating Maraahel and Gamut. Bandari has now won 3 times at both Group 3 and Group 2 levels, but that Group 1 success has continued to elude him. Gamut also won once, and that was also at Group 2 level under an intelligent front running ride from Kieren Fallon at Newmarket. Gamut has won at least once in each of the 4 years he has been in training.
Zero Tolerance was a successful horse on my 2004 list to follow with his best win coming with a pillar to post victory in a mile handicap at Newmarket in October. He did well to win the same race in 2005 off a 6 lbs higher mark. The horse clearly likes soft ground and he also won in May when he had conditions to suit, under a canny front running ride from Jamie Spencer.
Uhoomagoo has had plenty of mentions on my web site down the years and proved as good as ever in 2005. As well as mowing down my selection practically on the line in a Newcastle handicap he also won a valuable handicap at Galway coming with his usual terrific late run.
I put Blue Monday, a relative of the top class performer Warrsan, on my list to follow in 2004 but he didn't run through injury. Trainer Roger Charlton got him back to his best to win a couple of prestigious handicaps in 2005 though. Blue Monday was in the front rank throughout in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar and scored in game style in a thrilling finish with Crow Wood third and Another Bottle in mid division. He then went on to win the ultra competitive Cambridgeshire. A lightly raced individual he may well go on to even better things next season.
Ouninpohja was one of the season's prolific winners and was compared to another star from the same stable Collier Hill. Collier Hill has had a wonderful career. He has won Group races in Stockholm and Cologne, a handicap in Dubai, a bumper at Catterick and over hurdles at Kelso. Now that is a versatile horse! He surpassed himself this season by winning the Irish St Leger at The Curragh, beating the local favourite and 4 time winner of the race, Vinnie Roe into 3rd. How many Group 1 winners boast a success at Kelso on their CV I wonder?
One of the Elite
I have been thinking about joining some sort of a ownership syndicate for a few years and finally took the plunge in the summer, choosing the Elite Racing Club from the half dozen or so that I had looked at. I have really enjoyed the feeling of involvement and the club is run on both professional and friendly lines.
The club had two winners the day after I joined through Eisteddfod and Ionian Spring so I had something of a dream start. Eisteddfod won a total of 3 races including valuable and highly competitive handicaps at Goodwood and Windsor. The highlight of his season though was a superb Group 3 triumph at Deauville. He was also a trifle unlucky in listed and Group 1 races at Chester and Longchamps. Ionian Spring only won the once, and that was a fairly modest premier claimer at Chester but he was kept busy all season and retains ability despite being a 10 year old.
Soviet Song (pictured below) is the pride and joy of the Elite Racing Club and once again she didn’t disappoint her followers.
She only ran 3 times but again won the Falmouth Stakes, a Group 1, and only failed by the narrowest of margins to peg back Proclamation in the Sussex Stakes after being stuck in a “pocket” which allowed her rival to get first run.
Two year old Oceans Apart was only beaten a neck by Flashy Wings on her racecourse debut and went on to win twice. She is a half sister to Eisteddfod so not surprisingly had the speed to win a maiden at Windsor at the minimum trip. Her other win was a pillar to post success from the number 1 stall at Chester where she handled the track well for a big filly.
Finally, one of the star handicappers of the season was Clive Cox’s New Seeker, pictured below.
He started the season by running second to Streams of Gold in the Lincoln and went on to enjoy a highly lucrative 2005. He won the Royal Hunt Cup, run at York rather than Ascot of course as well as the valuable Totesport International Stakes. He also made the successful transition from handicap to pattern class with an impressive victory in a listed race at Newbury.
ahorse 