Category: Racing diary

 

Cork

1.10 Gordon Elliott saddles two runners both making their debuts over hurdles. Canna was runner up in maidens at Doncaster and Warwick while Musawama won a couple of times on the all weather over 10 furlongs. The Quiet Hawk won a maiden hurdle at Killarney in August but may be better on decent ground.

1.40 Taraval was 4^th in a novice hurdle at the Listowel festival.

2.15 Cork Grand National. Another Palm is a thorough stayer that jumps well. Somatic is versatile when it comes to ground conditions. He won a point to point on heavy ground. Smoking Aces had a poor season last term but his latest start was more encouraging last month when flashing home on third at Punchestown.

2.45 Jetson won a bumper at Navan last season and was placed 3 times in novice hurdles.

3.20 First Lieutenant was beaten a nose by De Valera here last month but has scope for improvement and I feel he can turn the tables on his rival this time. Stephanie Kate was running well until falling and remains a nice prospect.

3.50 Great Work was 7^th of 20 here lasat month. He goes best on good ground. Irish Poli made an encouraging return from injury when 3^rd at Tramore last month but was then pulled up at Clonmel.

Market Rasen

2.50 Mister Hyde won at Towcester and Plumpton last season. He is potentially quite well handicapped and has the benefit of a recent run.

Ffos Las

1.00 Rebecca Curtis saddles two here, Peckhamecho and Salomo. The former has always been well regarded by the trainer. He won at Wincanton last season and ran well enough on his return at Cheltenham last month. Salomo was a winner on the flat at Deauville but was well down the field on his hurdles bow at Chepstow last month. Bygones in Brid won a bumper at Musselburgh before joining Alan King. Of the two trainers King’s horses seem in better from at the moment and that tilts the balance for me in favour of Bygones of Brid.

1.30 Kings Sunset won an Irish point to point the form of which has since worked out well. Saint Luke won 3 bumpers including one here but as yet has not made the expected transition to hurdling.

2.05 Habbie Simpson represents Alan King. He ran well in decent co0mpany over hurdles and looks the type to do well over frences. Marleno was a well backed favourite at Startford when falling 6^th out. He was going well at the time and if putting in a clear round could be a threat.

2.35 Fishoutofwater won handicap hurdles at Worcester and Bangor in May. He was pulled up on his chase debut at Chepstow but was pulled up.

Nap of the day – First Lieutenant

Picture courtesy of the artist Sarah Clegg

 

Big race form guide

JNWine Champion Chase – Down Royal (2.20)

This is a particularly competitive renewal of this race. Paul Nicholls has won the race 3 times in the last 4 years, with Taranis and twice with Kauto Star (pictured below).

This year he relies on The Nightingale who was a winner at this meeting last season and goes well fresh and is suited by soft ground. Boston’s Angel is a real tough sort and has won 4 of his last 5 starts. After winning 2 Grade 1s at Leopardstown last season he landed the RSA Chase. He seems to act on any ground. He is a course winner. Quito de la Roque has won his last 4 including wins at both the Aintree and Punchestown festivals.

Sizing Europe has won the Arkle and the Queen Mother Champion Chase in the last two years. He is yet to win over 3 miles although he was runner up to Kauto Star in this race last season and he comes here on the back of a fortunate win at Gowran Park. Midnight Chase won 3 times at Cheltenham last season and finished 5^th behind Long Run in the Gold Cup.

This is a tough one to call. I fancy the Irish trio and with slight doubts over Sizing Europe’s stamina it may pay to side with Boston’s Angel or Quito de la Roque. If pushed for a selection the latter would get my narrow vote.

Doncaster

1.45 Jellicle does not seem entirely straightforward and has already had 3 chances but he does have ability and sets the form standard here.

2.00 Axiom is worth considering here. He is a course winner, well suited by the trip and handles cut in the ground. He is 1 lb higher that his highest winning rating but is ridden by a 7 lbs claimer. He was 4^th in the Lincoln at the start of the season and has put in some decent runs since. Prime Exhibit hasn’t won on turf for over 3 years but he has won on the all weather over this trip this season. He was 4^th at York in August with Axiom back in 10^th and he was a good second at Haydock at the start of September. These would be my 2 against the field.

3.10 Pekan Star looked a horse to follow after winning a Nottingham maiden last October and duly won on his seasonal reappearance in a York handicap off a rating of 85. He then disappointed when a gambled on favourite in the Magnet Cup at York and was again a beaten favourite when 6^th of 10 at Newmarket but that race has since thrown up a number of winners. Harlestone Times finished runner up in the Graet Metropolitan at Epsom but was disqualified. He then won next time out at Goodwood but has failed to win since off a higher mark. He gets this trip well and has won on both soft and fast ground. Oceanway has won 3 times this season and is a typically tough sort from this stable. She is upped in trip here and could go well. The Betchworth Kid has finished 2^nd in this race twice and will benefit from Lucy Barry’s 5lb claim. He likes a bit of cut in the ground and is another to consider.

This quartet would be my short list with Pekan Star just getting the edge over the others.

3.40 Secret Witness is having his 17^th outing of the season and has won just the once, at Doncaster over 5 furlongs. He was only beaten a neck here last month and you always a get the impression that he will win one of these again. His strike rate is not the best though in truth. Ayr Gold Cup winner Our Jonathon might be a safer bet especially with Pat Smullen booked to ride.

4.10 Junket is slightly raced, goes well for an apprentice and acts with some give in the ground.

From the archives

For many it’s still the ‘Manchester’ November Handicap as the race used to be run there until the demise of the North West venue back in 1963.

Many famous jockeys have won the race. Steve Donoghue rode back to back winners in 1927/28 thanks to Old Orkney (8/1) and Saracen (6/1).

The 1930 season saw a nail biting finish to the jockey’s championship with Richard Fox just edging past Donoghue by 129 to 128 despite the fact that his rival won the November Handicap on the last day of the season on the 25/1 outsider Glorious Devon.

Harry Wragg celebrated his last day as a jockey by being first past the post in the November Handicap on 20/1 shot Las Vegas.

In 1951 the November handicap was the first outside broadcast from the BBC television station at Holm Moss. The 1957 renewal was the richest ever run at that time, sponsored by William Hill it was worth £6,352. The winner was Chief Barker trained by Ryan Price and ridden by 18 year old apprentice Dennis Walker who weighed 4 stone 9.

Operatic Society dropped Ken Gethin on the way to post and galloped a full circuit before beating 48 rivals in the fog in 1959. The winner was returned at 18/1 and napped by Peter O’Sullevan in the Daily Express.

The last ever November handicap to be run at Manchester was in 1963 when Best Song ridden by Jimmy Lindley beat the previous season’s winner Damredub by a neck.

Turf Trivia

In 1962 Creggmore Boy (aged 22) became the oldest racehorse to compete in a race. It was in a seller at Cartmel.

Kelso

12.25 Dark Glacier had good form in bumpers last winning 3 times (although losing one of these on a disqualification).

2.40 Tchico Polos won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last season when trained by Paul Nicholls and is now with Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell. The ground should suit him on his first run for his new trainer and he is not without a chance. SA Suffit is a consistent sort but has had a number of injury problems. He is a course winner but might want more give in the ground.

3.15 Bishop’s Heir is another that has had injury problems. He may need testing conditions to be seen in his best light.

Sandown

12.45 Trafalgar Road’s last win came 2 years to the day when winning at Haydock off a mark 1 lb higher. His future probably lies over fences but he could be competitive here if fit first time out. The promised rain would help his cause.

1.20 Pacha du Polda is a new recruit to the Paul Nicholls yard and has winning form over hurdles in France.

3.00 Paintball ended last season with a win at Cheltenham but could only finish 5^th on his reappearance at Aintree last month. He may well come on for the run. Panxtoa was a winner at Warwick last season and was runner up on a couple of occasions. He will probably jump a fence before long.

3.30 Hold on Julio has some smart form in point to points and won a hunter chase at Kelso in April. He is another that would not mind some rain.

Wincanton

12.35 Balding Banker and Molotof make most appeal. The former was a Newbury bumper winner last term and looks a nice prospect for novice hurdles. Molotof was 2^nd to Zarkandar at Kempton and looks a winner waiting to happen.

1.45 Veiled was a winner over hurdles at Cheltenham in April and has since won twice on the flat at Newmarket and at Ascot where he won the Ascot Stakes at the Royal Meeting. Cinderella Rose won two of her 3 starts last season, at Towcester and Ascot. She likes genuine good ground and may still be on a fair mark.

2.15 Silviniaco Conti was the pick of these on hurdles form. He was 3^rd to Cue Card at Chepstow on his chase debut and the runner up has won again since. The stable have a good record in the race. Jetnova won twice at Plumpton and once at Wincanton over hurdles last season but has always looked an embryo chaser. He will stay this trip or further. Kilcrea Kim is a 4 times winner over hurdles who also ran well at the Cheltenham Festival. As a former point to point winner he should take well to fences. Handy Andy is another former points winner. Well thought of by Colin Tizzzard he won a competitive race over hurdles at Newbury.

2.45 This looks a two horse race with the younger Grandouet perhaps having the edge over Celestial Hero.

3.20 Hello Bud has been round the block a time or two and is 13 now but he doesn’t have a bad CV. A former winner of the Scottish Nation, the Becher Chase and Fontwell’s Southern National he is a bold jumper and goes well fresh. He may hold something of a record as he once won a hat trick of races at 3 different tracks all beginning with the letter “H.” (I know, I should get out more!) Hello Bud is also a course winner having won the Somerset National at Wincanton and at a working man’s price has an each way chance.

3.55 Basil Fawlty is the subject of good reports as is Sleeping City and it would be no surprise if one of this pair were to win.

Churchill Downs

Selections; 8.45 Sarafina; 10.07 Goldikova: 11.00 So You Think.

Down Royal

1.50 Montan won this last year and is a big threat again. At a bigger price the dual purpose horse Lucky Spring could, give us a run for our money. He generally prefers some give in the ground but did win at Sligo on good to firm in May.

2.20 See Big race form guide

2.50 Only a small field but not easy to find a winner. Blazing Tempo is the likely favourite but with the stable not in form it could pay to look elsewhere. Gordon Elliott saddles Roi du Mee who won a Grade 2 at Naas last season. He comes here on the back of a win at Punchestown last month. Likes soft ground and has very chance. Saludos is a good looking son of Bob Back. He won a Grade 2 at Navan last season before finishing 3^rd to Captain Chris at the Punchestown festival. Kauto Stone is a half brother to Kauto Star and is a Grade 1 winner in France. Acts with plenty of give in the ground.

Nap of the day

Dark Glacier

Dark horse

Hold on Julio

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

 

After the excitement of the Melbourne Cup the attention of the racing world turns to Churchill Downs in this week and the Breeder’s Cup. There is also quality racing in England with the November Handicap at Doncaster and the Down Royal festival in Northern Ireland.

Turf trivia

There is a link between the Melbourne Cup and Down Royal racecourse. In 2000 Media Puzzle won the Ulster Derby at the Northern Ireland track and 2 years later landed the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

I’ve had another miserable day on the tipping front and I am working on the basis that things can only improve!

Fontwell

2.20 Cresswell Crusader is a consistent sort that goes particularly well on testing ground. His rider, Rachel Green is good value for her 5 lbs allowance.

Hexham

2.40 Lively Baron was a disappointment at Kelso last month. The longer trip here should suit him better though and he is worth another chance.

3.10 Aland Islands makes his hurdles debut here. He won an Exeter bumper last season and looks an interesting prospect.

Down Royal

1.05 His Excellency, a winner on the flat at Leopardstown in June put up a disappointing effort over hurdles at Punchestown last month. Well regarded by his trainer he can do better and is another that is worth another try.

2.05 This should be between Oscar’s Well and The Real Article. I really like Oscar’s Well and just give him the edge. He is bred to stay but has plenty of pace. He won a couple of Grade 1 races over hurdles last season and was perhaps a bit unlucky when 4^th in the Neptune at Cheltenham.

Nap of the day

Oscar’s Well

Dark Horse

Cresswell Crusader

 

I am delighted to add another artist to my links today. Lyn Beaumont is an Australian equine artist based in Victoria. Her work hangs in galleries and private collections in both Australia and overseas. Take a look at the link on the right of the page for more details and examples of Lyn’s work.

From the archives

I featured Beef or Salmon yesterday, a dual winner of the JNwine chase. In 2004 he got the better of another leading Irish chaser, Kicking King (pictured below).

The two horses had fortunes when they visits to England. Despite his all conquering form in Ireland “Beefy” was never quite the same horse on the other side of the Irish Sea. His 4 attempts at the Cheltenham Gold Cup produced form figures of F4P0 while he unseated on his only trip to Aintree in the Betfair Bowl. He fared best at Haydock where he was twice runner up in the Lancashire Chase, first to the massive Kingscliffe and then behind Kauto Star.

Kicking King on the other hand seemed to enjoy his trips to England winning both the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the 2004/5 season.

The racing tomorrow is less bread and butter, more bread and thinly spread margarine!  My best efforts at tips are as follow;

Nap of the day

Rising Time 1.25 Thurles

Dark horse

Devotion to Duty 2.00 Musselburgh

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sarah Aspinall.

 

I pleased with my Melbourne Cup preview as the 4 horses shortlisted came 1^st, 3^rd, 4^th and 10^th. Things went rather less well in the Haldon Cup where Captain Chris unseated his rider. In fact the pitfalls of betting in novice chases were also highlighted in the Exeter 3.20 where the two fancied horses Menorah (8/13) and Sam Winner (6/4) leaving the only other runner to come in alone at 16/1.

From the archives.

The big race in Ireland on Saturday is the JNwine Champion Chase at Down Royal. This race has been won by some stars in the past. Beef or Salmon (pictured below) won both the 2004 and 2006 renewals.

“Beefy” had a wonderful career in Ireland winning 10 Grade 1 races. Perhaps his finest win was his last in the Irish Hennessy in 2007 when he looked well beaten behind The Listener as they entered the straight only to pick up again and come with a determined late run to catch his rival close home.

Turf Trivia

George Orwell in “The lion and the unicorn” refers to people in left wing circles feeling it “a duty to snigger at every English institution, from horse racing to suet puddings.” I can’t think why anyone would snigger at horse racing, and suet puddings are certainly no laughing matter!

Picture of Beef or Salmon by kind permission of the artist Jenny Lupton.

 

The Melbourne Cup (Flemington)

The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861. Perhaps the most famous winner was Phar Lap, (pictured below) a horse that became a national hero during the Depression years in Australia.

Lyn Beaumont – Australian Equine Artist

Bought for £168 pounds in New Zealand he won his first major race, the AJC Derby in 1929. His Melbourne Cup victory came in 1930 winning in a canter off top weight of 9 stone 12 lbs. He enjoyed a hugely successful career and his bronze statue stands outside the entrance to the Members’ Enclosure at Flemington. His last race was in what was at the time the richest ever race, the Agua Calienti in Mexico in March 1932. Despite having to adjust to alien conditions and contend with a split hoof Phar Lap won in imperious fashion. Tragedy struck though when he died just 17 days later in mysterious circumstances, possibly as a result of poisoning.

Makybe Diva (pictured below) made history in more recent times by winning the race 3 times, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The horses was cleverly named after 5 of the owners employees – Maureen, Kylie, Belinda, Diane, and Vanessa – by taking the first two letters from each of their names.

Lyn Beaumont – Australian Equine Artist

Big race form guide

There is a strong British challenge this year with a number of trainers double handed. Mark Johnston saddles Jukebox Jury and Fox Hunt. The former comes into the race in top form having won 3 of his last 4 starts. He beat Kasbah Bliss in a Group 2 at Deauville in August and dead heated with Duncan in the Irish St Leger. He’s tough, stays and will handle the ground but he does seem to have plenty of weight. Fox Hunt is another St Leger winner, having won the German version at Dortmund last month. He has won 4 times this year, seems to handle any ground and goes well for Silvestre De Souza.

Luca Cumani’s bet chance could be Drunken Sailor who won a Group 3 at Goodwood earlier in the season and warmed up for this when 7^th in the Caulfield Cup a couple of weeks ago. Manighar was 7^th in the Melbourne Cup last year and has some good form this season. He certainly stays as evidenced by his 4^th in the Ascot Gold Cup. His recent form is good. He was 4^th to Jukebox Jury at Deauville and is now 7 lbs better off and his final prep race was a decent 4^th in the Caulfield Cup.

Godolphin had their first runners in Australia in 1998 and since then their biggest victory came with All The Good in the 2008 Caulfield Cup. They will be represented by Modun and Lost in the Moment. The latter does not have particularly strong form this year not having won since January but has a turn of foot and Australian conditions may suit. Modun is unexposed with only 7 career starts but when 4^th in the Ebor he appeared not to stay. He has since won over a shorter trip on the all weather at Kempton. He is drawn well in five and has the 2000 Melbourne Cup winning jockey, well known to English fans, Kerrin McEvoy aboard.

Moyenne Corniche looks the better of Brian Ellison’s two contenders. Named after a road in the South of France he was a surprise winner of the Ebor this season and ran well recently when 3^rd in a Group 2 at Caulfield but he does not win very often. Saptadi’s only career win came in a Doncaster maiden and he is priced at 66/1.

Another English challenger is Red Cadeaux winner of the Curragh Cup over 14 furlongs in June having earlier won a listed race at Hamilton.

The French challenge looks really strong. Last year’s winner Americain has a big weight but is a strong type and is in top form having won the Drake International at Moonee Valley in October. The other French horse with a big chance is Dunaden who won the Geelong Cup at the Victoria track recently, a race which in the past has proved a reliable trial for the big race at Flemington.

Tullamore is consistent and has an each way chance. He was 3^rd in the Caulfield Cup and runner up to Americain at Moonee valley.

Despite the marathon trip a turn of foot is a handy asset and this brings in a couple of comparative outsiders in Unusual Suspect and At First Sight. The latter has had a virus but has shown encouraging form when 2^nd over 10 furlongs at Caulfield and more recently when occupying the same finishing position over 12 furlongs in the Bendigo Cup. Jockey Steven King has won the race before. Unusual Suspect is an 8 year old formerly trained in the USA. He won a Grade 1 at Hollywood Park on firm ground in November and on his most recent start was 6^th in the Caulfield Cup.

One runner that will be familiar to British racing fans is Glass Harmonium who used to be trained by Sir Michael Stoute. His best win in the UK was in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown last April where he bet Redwood by a head. He is a course winner having landed the 10 furlongs Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington in October. His form looks good but doubts about his stamina are a slight concern.

German import Lucas Cranach won a Group 2 at Hamburg in June and put himself in the Melbourne Cup picture when 5^th in the Caulfield Cup. Connections have a good record in the race and this one is not out of it.

My short list for this would be At First Sight, Americain, Lucas Cranach and Dunaden. Best of the Brits? Fox Hunt is a possible but his lack of an Aussie prep run could count against him. The Luca Cumani pair look to have ideal preparation.

The Haldon Gold Cup (Exeter 2.50)

The most successful trainer in this race in recent years has been Henrietta Knight with 4 wins in the last 10 years, thanks to Best Mate, (pictured below) Impek and Edredon Bleu (twice). Best Mate’s win came in 2001 but in the 2005 renewal tragedy struck when Best Mate collapsed and died during the race. He won 3 Cheltenham Gold Cups, eleven of his 16 chases and never once looked like falling. He truly lit up the jumping world.

It was good to see Henrietta Knight back amongst the winners today with Loch Ba and Somersby although she has no runner in the Haldon.

Big race form guide

Captain Chris is yet to finish out of the first 2 in 10 starts over hurdles and fences. He finished last season in tremendous form winning the Pendil Novices Chase at Sandown, the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Ryanair at Punchestown, all Grade 1 races. The ground should be perfect for him. His main challengers could be Medermit and Ghizao. They finished 4^th and 5^th in the Arkle behind Captain Chris. Medermit has earlier beaten Captain Chris half a length in the Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown. The form lines are further confused by the fact that Ghizao beat Captain Chris twice in the early part of last season at Cheltenham and Newbury.

Turf trivia

The prize for the first ever Melbourne Cup was 220 sovereigns and a gold watch.

The best of the rest at Exeter

1.50 Rocky Creek was an impressive winner of an Irish point to point and is expected to make up into a decent staying chaser in time. Starts off over hurdles here and could be one to follow.

2.20 Jump City was a winner on the flat in France. Injury problems restricted him to just one run last season over hurdles. He finished 2^nd in a race at Wincanton the form of which has worked out well. Another that has suffered all sorts of niggling injury problems is Mirific. He last ran at Maisons-lafitte in July 2009. He has ability if he can be kept fit and well. His trainer Tony Symonds used to be assistant to Nicky Henderson.

3.20 Only 3 runners contest this novice chase but certainly two of them could well be among the leading novices come the end of the season. Menorah was the Supreme Novices winner in 2010, and returned to Prestbury Park last season to land both the Greatwood and the International Hurdles. Sam Winner was a leading novice hurdler last season and should do well over the larger obstacles although he may need further in time.

3.50 There are 3 in this that are worth considering. Victor’s Serenade was consistent over hurdles last season and should do better still over fences but may need softer ground. Meet the Critics is a very good jumper who won over fences at Newbury in March. Only 5^th on his return at Wetherby he should be better for that run. Strongbows Legend was runner up at Carlisle on his last start. His jumping seems to be improving and his stable could not be in better form.

Redcar

2.40 Fieldgunner Kirkup has disappointed since finishing 2^nd on his seasonal debut but could repay losses here.

Nap of the day

Captain Chris

Dark horse

Strongbows Legend

My thanks to Lyn Beaumont for her pictures in the Melbourne Cup section and the artist Lisa Miller for permission to use the picture of Best Mate.

 

November calendar

There is a wide variety of racing during the month of November. The flat season in the UK is entering its final week with the last big handicap of the year, the November Handicap at Doncaster. The flat action elsewhere has an international flavour with the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday and the Breeder’s Cup at the end of the week in America.

The jumps season gets under way with the main races during the month the Paddy Power Chase, The Hennessy Gold Cup and the Greatwood Hurdle. Other big races to look forward to over the jumps this month are the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle up at Newcastle.

The jumping action in November kicks off on the 1^st with the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter while another big race in the West Country takes place next Saturday with the Badger Ales Handicap at Wincanton. The channel 4 cameras will pay their annual visit to Fontwell Park to cover the Southern Nation in a couple of weeks. In Ireland Down Royal in the North stage the JN Wines Chase that was won by Kauto Star last year while there is also quality action in the South at Navan.

Tomorrow’s racing

The racing tomorrow is fairly low key. At Kempton it may be worth taking on the hot favourite Somersby with the Paul Nicholls trained Aiteen Thirtythree. The latter could be open to significant improvement.

At Plumpton it is worth keeping an eye on Water Garden. He is probably better than his bare form figures suggest and he can win races although he may need further and handicaps to be shown in his best light.

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

Carlisle

1.40 Notus de la Tour was nominated as a horse to follow by David Pipe during a recent TV interview. This useful hurdler makes his chase debut here.

3.15 Divers was a progressive chaser last season finishing his season with a win at the Cheltenham Festival. I fancy him to do well again this year but he might just need this race. His trainer Ferdy Murphy tends to adopt a patient approach with his horses and I feel that Divers main targets will be a little later in the season. With that in mind Hidden Keel from the in form stable of Charlie Longsden could be the one to be on here.

Huntingdon

1.25 Muldoon’s Picnic is a course winner and is well suited by good ground.

4.05 Turbo du Ranch won a Newbury bumper in March and can defy a penalty here.

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

 

 

Big race form guide

This is the first weekend of the autumn when the jumpers take centre stage and the highlight is tomorrow’s bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (3.20pm) at Wetherby.

This prestigious race, first run in 1969 as the Wetherby Pattern Chase, has been won by a host of elite stars down the years among them, Wayward Lad (1983 and 1985), Burrough Hill Lad (1984), Forgive n Forget (1986), Celtic Shot (1990 and 1991), Barton Bank (1993 and 1995), One Man (1996 and 1997), See More Business (1999 and 2000) and Grey Abbey (2004).

Last year’s winner Nacarat lines up again. He is only 4 lbs higher in the handicap despite having won since in the Totebowl Chase at Aintree and finished 3^rd in the Racing Post Chase. This season’s race looks a strong one. Neptune Collonge is a former winner of the Irish Hennessy and the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup, he has been placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and last season won the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham. Poquelin’s last 5 wins have all come at Cheltenham including back to back Boylesport Gold Cups. Others in with a shout are course and distance winner Weird Al who has recently joined Donald McCain’s stable and Chicago Grey who was travelling like the winner when tipping up 2 out on his latest start at Cheltenham.

The pair that most interest me though are Time for Rupert and Diamond Harry. The former was runner up to Big Bucks in the World Hurdle. When moving on to fences he looked good when winning his first two starts. Made favourite for the RSA Chase he could only finish 5^th but there were excuses that day and he remains an exciting prospect. Diamond Harry has won first time out on each of the last 4 seasons so clearly goes well fresh. He has an outstanding strike rate and was an imperious winner of the Hennessy last season showing a marked improvement in the jumping department before injury curtailed his campaign.

Given his record first time out Diamond Harry is hardly an original choice but I was just going to favour him over Time for Rupert and burden him with my selection. However fast ground is definitely a concern for Diamond Harry so I am going to switch my allegiance to Time for Rupert.  They do say “Never change your mind!”  Incidentally, the ground will also suit Nacarat and Poquelin if you fancy either of them.

Wetherby

2.15 Whoops a Daisy won 3 times over hurdles last season and looks one to follow in these mare’s races.

2.45 Although Restless Harry hasn’t won for 18 months he is a very consistent hurdler and has an each way shout here.

3.20 Dealt with elsewhere

4.00 Lucky Landing is one for the notebook. A winner of a bumper at Uttoxeter he then went off the boil last season but I expect him to go novice chasing soon when he will be likely to `do better.

4.30 Havingotascoobydo was a faller at Aintree last week but should make amends here.

Selections – Whoops a Daisy, Restless Harry, Time for Rupert.

Ascot

1.55 Fontano should be all the better for his run at Wincanton last week and is one for the short list. Merehead had rather a disappointing season last time but is the sort to improve with time as he strengthens up.

2.30 Baseball Ted won 3 times last season and has quite a lot going for him here. He has already had a run this season finishing 2^nd at Carlisle. That was without his favourite cheek pieces which will be back on tomorrow. The stable are going great guns and the track should suit.

3.00 Third Intention won twice last season and was 7^th in the Triumph Hurdle. He has plenty of speed and is a slick jumper of hurdles. My only slight worry would be that a couple of other fancied runners from this stable were beaten last week.

3.40 The Philip Hobbs duo of Quinz and Balthazar King are my pick here. Balthazar King won well a fortnight ago at Cheltenham. He is a fluent jumper that appreciated good ground. Quinz was most progressive last season and won the highly competitive Racing Post Chase. He was then pulled up in the Grand National when he burst a blood vessel. It looks as though Richard Johnson has chosen to ride Quinz here so I will take that as a tip in itself as he rode Balthazar King to victory at Cheltenham and presumably had the choice of rides.

4.15 Tornado D’Estruval makes his UK debut. A winner at Vichy he is by the same sire at Sprinter Sacre.

4.50 Ackertac was pulled up at Aintree recently after making a bad mistake. Megastar is a course winner and will appreciate the ground as he needs a sound surface.

Selections – Merehead, Baseball Ted, Third Intention, Quinz, Megastar

Newmarket

2.40 Repeater may be able to turn the tables on Rougemont who beat him at Leicester earlier in the month.

3.15 Farhh looked a smart prospect when winning at Newmarket last July. He has not been seen since but horses from this stable often win after lengthy layoffs. Mull of Killough was 3^rd in the 2.10 Lincoln Handicap. He was returning from a 15 month absence when 8^th of 11 at Haydock last month.

5.00 Eric Alston sends King of Eden down from his Preston base. King Of Eden was staying on well over six furlongs last time and looks as if he’ll stay seven.

Selections – Repeater and King of Eden

Naas

2.20 Noble Prince should be too good for his rivals here as long as he puts in a clear round.

Nap of the day

Time for Rupert

Dark horse

King of Eden

From the archives

Well it’s part 2 of our brief look back at Alexandra Park. Brian Rouse rode his first winner there on a horse called Gay Bird in 1957 but soon after left the sport and only rode his second winner 15 years later. Rouse was later to win the 1,000 Guineas in 1980 on Quick as Lightning. Pat Eddery, then an apprentice won the last ever London Gold Cup run at the track on Peter Robinson’s Angarrick in 1970.

Turf trivia

The first American bred horse to win the Derby was Iroquois in 1981, ridden by the great Fred Archer.

Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau

 

Newmarket

2.25 Harlestone Wood is an interesting newcomer. He is related to Harlestone Times and Hot Spice and while this trip will probably be on the short side he is one to look out for over further, probably next season.

5.20 I had Defence of Duress on my list to follow this season but he has been rather a disappointment. He held an Irish Derby entry at one stage so must have been showing some from at home. Despite not winning he hasn’t come down the weights very much.

Wolverhampton

5.40 Purple ‘n Gold won at the track over 6 furlongs and this extra distance should suit him even better.

6.40 Watch your bets in this race as End of Dreams and Hill of Dreams both line up.

Selection Purple n’ Gold

Wetherby

3.20 Phidippides won well at Ludlow last season but went off the boil a bit after that. Well thought of by his trainer he could be open to further improvement?

5.05 Mudita Moment is an interesting runner. If you look back through his form he ran 3^rd in a very hot bumper . The 2^nd and 4^th that day both won at the Cheltenham Festival. He runs here off a lenient looking mark of 98.

Selection – Phidippides

Nap of the day

Purple n’ Gold.

Dark horse

Mudita Moment

My thanks to the artist Julie Whitwham for today’s picture.