Category: Racing diary

 

Selections for Tuesday

Thumbs Up Leicester 3.10

Tiptoeaway Sedgefield 1.00

Border Flora Sedgefield 3.00

 

Wetherby is subject to a morning inspection so I won’t spend too much time on tonight’s preview.

The 2.35 looks the most interesting race despite the fact that there are only 3 runners. Glenwood Knight got off the mark over fences at the second attempt when winning at Uttoxeter on the final day of 2010. He made a couple of mistakes on that occasion but is bred for the job as he is out of a half sister to Grand National winner Papillon.

Alfie Sherrin was rated higher over hurdles. He has had one run over fences when he was 4^th of 7 behind Glenwood Knight’s stable companion Wymott. The form of that race has worked out very well as the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 5^th have all won since. Alfie Sherrin has not run since 10^th November but that is a positive point as he seems to perform better after a break. Over this trip I would just about favour Alfie Sherrin as Glenwood Knight may be better over a bit further.

Thanks to Mike Smith for the photo.

 

Fleur de Vassy is a lightly raced type and seems to be improving over fences. She needs to settle in the Towcester 2.30 as conditions are likely to be testing but she is my best shot at a winner tomorrow.

In the Irish Champion Hurdle Hurricane Fly should again get the better of Solwhit.

I will start tonight’s preview with a look back at the racing over the last 3 weeks while I have been taking a little break.

31 December

Glenwood Knight opened his account over fences at Uttoxeter while another horse that we have been following, Alverstone, gave emerging trainer Lawney Hill a winner at Warwick ridden by Tony McCoy. “AP” had a double on the day as he was also on board Rock Noir who won the novice chase in a small but quite select field of 3.

January 1

Nicky Henderson had the first two winners on the Cheltenham card in Bob’s Worth and Oscar Whisky. The latter horse put up a sparkling display and may be aimed at the Champion Hurdle although his next race is likely to be the Welsh equivalent.

January 2

The Charlie Longsden trained Minella Boys took the Sussex National at Plumpton where he enjoyed the testing conditions.

January 3

In form trainer Jim Goldie supplied the winner of the staying handicap hurdle at Ayr with Arctic Court at 8/1. Richie McGrath rode a well judged race creeping stealthily into the race and finding a potent finishing kick.

Spanish Treasure, a winner at the 2010 Punchestown Festival made a winning debut over hurdles at Hereford. He is well regarded by connections and there should be more to come from him.

January 4

Charlie Longsden thinks a lot of his exciting young prospect Hidden Keel who got off the mark over fences at Leicester while Frascati Park followed up his success at Ascot with a win on the same card.

January 8

I put forward 2 horses for the Welsh National at Chepstow and one of them, Synchronised came in at 5/1. At his best when the mud is flying Synchronised gave Tony McCoy his first success in the race.

Mille Chief revealed something of the ability he shows at home in the last at Sandown, doing well to carry top weight of 11st 12lb in such gruelling conditions. He is no forlorn hope for the Champion Hurdle, while at Wincanton Ballabriggs began his Grand National preparation with a comfortable success over hurdles. The versatile Buck Mulligan won the opener at Wincanton with something to spare and is one to look out for over hurdles or fences.

January 10

Sono Sasta, a horse we followed with some success last season won over fences at Taunton where he was probably something of a good thing.

January 12

Adams Island put in an efficient round of jumping to land the novice chase at Doncaster. He seems to handle any ground and is one for the notebook.

January 15

The big race of the day was of course the King George at Kempton where Kauto Star went for a 5^th consecutive win in the race. On the day he ran bravely but was beaten by the new kid on the block Long Run. We may have seen the best of Kauto but that best was quite something. Binocular showed he is on track to defend his Champion Hurdle crown with a fluent success in the Christmas Hurdle. The Lanzerote Hurdle went to James de Vassy who had been 3^rd in the Coral Cup last season.

At Warwick Court in Motion won the Grade 2 novice hurdle without being asked a serious question.

January 17

Evella had looked a horse to follow at the start of the season but had been pulled up on her first 3 starts until putting in a foot perfect round of jumping to win at 14/1 in the beginner’s chase at Fakenham. Chester Cup winner Mamlook also jumped well to beat his 2 rivals in the novice chase. The ground at Fakenham was very much on the testing side.

January 19

Handicap good thing Sono Sasta landed the odds at Newbury under a penalty.

January 20

Ciceron has a sprinting pedigree and stamina can sometimes be an issue for him over hurdles. The slow pace probably played to his strengths at Taunton where he won at 8/1 for trainer Venetia Williams who is enjoying a good run.

OK, turning to tomorrow’s racing Ascot looks likely to go ahead so I will start there. Nicky Henderson has his team in sparkling form and his Osric may well win the opener at 12.40. He will be short enough though and Mister Stickler may provide some value. A winner at Plumpton he then disappointed at Bangor where he had a breathing problem. Over a slightly longer trip here that should suit he may give a better account of himself.

Grandouet should give Nicky Henderson a winner in the 1.15. At a much bigger price Alverstone has an each way chance in the 1.50.

Master Minded is hard to oppose in the b2.25. He has had his off days in the past however and he is odds on so Somersby could be worth a small each way interest.

The 2.55 looks tricky. My two against the field would be Notus de la Tour and Frascati Park.

Poungach was 3^rd behind Frascati Park at Ascot at Ascot so the earlier race may give a pointer to the chances of Poungach in the 4.05. Carrib’s Leap is another to consider.

In the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock (3.15) Frankie Figg, Maktu and Sa Suffitt all make some appeal. Other races at Haydock; 1.30 Glenwood Knight; 2.05 Peddler’s Cross; 2.40 Wymott; 3.50 Tiptoeaway.

Requin in the 2.50 is my only selection at Wincanton.

 

 

I will be taking a break for a couple of weeks so the site will not be updated for a little while. It was nice to go out on a decent winner though with First Lieutenant coming in at 16/1 at Leopardstown. The racing at Newbury was not much of a spectacle either for race goers or armchair critics such as myself as thick fog replaced the ice and snow. We did have a winner in Pride of Dulcote though at 7/2 beating an odds on favourite.

Mizzurka, 3 times a winner in bumpers is a horse from my list to follow who runs at Taunton tomorrow in the 2.25. Tony McCoy has the ride which is a plus although the form, or lack of it, of the stable is a concern.

In the 3.00 George Nympton and Superius are outsiders worth a second look but for my selection I am going for Super Kenny. Decent on the flat in France he was 3^rd to Via Galilei at Newbury when he clattered the final fence rather spoiling his chance. He looks on a reasonable mark and once again McCoy is in the saddle.

Olafi and Monetary Fund are consistent types that should go well in the 3.30 where Westlin’ Winds is an outsider to consider. His trainer has been in the doldrums for a while but has had a couple of winners recently and the yard may be about to strike form.

I may not be back in time to preview some of the big races coming up in the next couple of weeks so I will have a quick look at those now.

Kauto Star aims to make history with a 5^th King George victory. If Kauto Star turns up in the same form as previous years then he will win. Planet of Sound is a Grade 1 winner over 3 miles. Sizing Europe was well beaten by Kauto Star at Down Royal where he didn’t appreciate the soft ground. Giving better going he could be interesting. Another particularly suited by good ground is Alberta’s Run and he could at least run into a place given his favoured conditions. Lastly Nacarat would come into the equation on good ground. The track suits him too.

Kyber Kim is my idea of the winner in the rescheduled Christmas Hurdle.

The Coral Welsh National was another victim of the freeze and will now be run on January 8. My short list for this consists of Ballyfitz, Synchronised, Giles Cross, Maktu and Bluesea Cracker. If pushed to narrow it down my two against the field would be Maktu and Synchronised although both will need soft or heavy ground.

I hope you find some winners in the coming week or two and I will all being well be back before the end of the month.

Bye for now and a happy and prosperous new year to all my readers.

Picture of Kauto Star courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

Captain Chris is a horse with plenty of ability but he has not quite fulfilled his potential so far this season. He has recently had a breathing operation though and I think he is one to look out for at Newbury tomorrow in the 12.00.

Grandouet was runner up at Cheltenham last month to a horse that has won again since and looks a worthy favourite for the 12.30. A Media Luz, 6^th in the French Oaks, failed to settle when disappointing on her hurdles debut. She has something to prove now but it is too early to write her off and she looks the main danger to the favourite.

Punchestowns will be an odds on favourite in the 1.00. He may well win but at the odds it may be worth taking a chance with Pride of Dulcote. A smart staying hurdler he won on his chase bow at Worcester over a year ago but came back lame and has been off the track since.

Kid Cassidy and Megastar look the pair to concentrate on in the 1.35 while Al Ferof, a faller when going well at Cheltenham is my selection in the 2.10. In the latter race a small saver on Court in Motion may not go amiss.

Big Bucks looks unbeatable in the staying hurdle division and looks to have the 3.20 at his mercy. The previous winners Accordingtojodie and Battonier look set to dominate in the bumper at 3.50.

At Leopardstown my selections are First Lieutenant (12.50), Golden Silver (1.20), Hurricane Fly (1.55) and Becauseicouldntsee (2.30).

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Nick Fegan

 

We do have some racing today after all the abandonments. The main attraction is at Leopardstown where the feature is the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at 2.35. Money Trix travels over from Nicky Richards stable and has strong claims. He was runner up in the race last season, goes particularly well fresh and is suited by plenty of give in the ground. Joncol is another that will relish the conditions. He was 3^rd last season and is a course and distance winner. Pandorama has 9 wins from 12 starts and can probably be forgiven his run at Newbury last time when he was pulled up as he was badly hampered. The Listener has been off the track since November 2009 but won this back in 2006 when defeating Beef or Salmon (pictured below).

Cooldine won the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in 2009/10 and although a little disappointing last season but was 3^rd to Planet of Sound in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown in April. He should strip fitter for his outing at Fairyhouse earlier this month over an inadequate trip. Cooldine would be my selection with Joncol and Money Trix to fill the minor placings.

Picture courtesy of the artist Jenny Lupton

Tomorrow both Ascot and Uttoxeter are subject to morning inspections so we are very much at the mercy of the weather.

In the Ascot 11.55 Poungach, Fiddlededee, Easter Meteor and Gorgehous Lliege look the quartet to concentrate on. Poungach could well be the pick although his price will reflect the “Nicholls factor.” Fiddlededee looks over priced.

Paul Nicholls holds a strong hand in the 1.35 but I am inclined to take him on with Frascati Park and Kid Cassidy. When Frascati Park won at Ascot last month he has Poungach and Easter Meteor in 3^rd and 4^th respectively so the result of the 1.55 could be a good pointer to the outcome of this race. Kid Cassidy has won 2 of his 3 starts and is respected.

Paul Nicholls could be on the mark in the 2.45 with Rivaliste.

At Uttoxeter Predictive looks worth an interest in the 1.20. He has run 11 times at Uttoxeter winning 3 and finishing runner up on 4 occasions. All his wins have come on soft or heavy ground.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sue Malkin.

 

Today’s racing was marred by the fatal injury to Twist Magic when holding a winning chance in the Peterborough Chase. Twist Magic, unpredictable but certainly talented won 10 of his 29 starts including 23 Tingle Creeks.  He is pictured below with Ruby Walsh in the saddle. Photo courtesy of Kate Tann.

Selections for Thursday;

Bangor

12.50 Mizzurka; 1.50 Royal Charm: 3.20 Wymott; 3.50 Spot the Ball and Royal Chatelier

Towcester

1.40 Mac Aeda and Requin

 

The main meeting tomorrow is at Fairyhouse where Solwhit and Hurricane Fly clash in the 12.50. When the pair met at Punchestown in April Hurricane Fly prevailed by a neck. The soft ground and extra half mile tomorrow may just enable Solwhit to reverse the placings.

Former start novice hurdler Mikael D’Haguenet can make a winning debut over fences in the 2.30. Golden Silver made an encouraging return when runner up to Big Zeb at Navan and he looks the one to beat in the 3.00.

Bangor stage a good card where there is plenty of interest in the opening race at 12.15. Mister Stickler is a big, strapping individual who has always looked at embryo chaser and he got his career over fences off to a winning start at Plumpton last month. He is my selection although I also like the look of Gus Macrae who is another with the right credentials to make a chaser. I think that Lord Villez has a race in him this season but may need a bit further.

I am going to try an outsider in the 1.50. Takamaru should be better for his run at Wincanton last month and has an each way chance.

At Newbury Mostly Bob is an interesting runner in the 12.25. He looks well handicapped over hurdles but his canny trainer runs him here over fences. Ohio Gold sets a reasonable standard in the 3.20.

Master Medic is an improving sort and will handle the ground in the 3.10. He could pull off a surprise at big odds.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Nick Fegan