Category: Racing diary

 

There is an inspection at Catterick tomorrow. If it goes ahead look out for Moon Indigo and Rival D’Estruval in the 1.15.

With the meeting at Ayr the latest victim of the cold spell Plumpton is left to fly the flag for turf racing tomorrow.

The likely winner of the first race is Comedy Act, a winner 3 times on the flat last season when trained by Sir Mark Prescott. He makes his hurdles bow for Philip Hobbs tomorrow. In the past horses trained on the flat by Sir Mark Prescott have done pretty well over hurdles with the prime example being Inglis Drever.

The 1.35 is an interesting race. Medermit is the clear pick on hurdles form but he refused at Huntingdon on his last outing over fences so has something to prove here. The Nicky Henderson runner Rackham Lerouge could be a danger. He is a half brother to Punchestowns and won over hurdles at Bangor last season having also won 3 flat races in France.

In the 2.35 I quite like the chances of Rebel Melody from the in form stable of Charlie Mann. Another to consider is Arnold Layne who is named after a Pink Floyd song that was something of a rebel melody itself in the 60s as the Beeb thought the lyrics were not quite the thing and banned the song!

My selection in the 3.40 is Fleur de Vassy who should improve for her run at Hereford.

Today’s picture is by the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

The big race tomorrow is the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. Master Medic is something of a favourite of mine. He has changed stables having previously been with the Alners and this is his first run for his new yard. He has been off the course for a year but goes well fresh, is a course and distance winner and will handle the ground. He looks over priced at 16/1. The other one I like is the progressive and talented Riverside Theatre. A fast finishing 5^th in the Arkle he was an easy winner at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance last month.

Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau

Lush Life gave us a winner at 8/1 (12s were on offer earlier) and of course for his trainer Nicky Henderson who is 60 today. In the opener though, another Henderson trained horse Spirit River was a major disappointment. The race was won by the determined Reve de Sivola from Wishfull Thinking. The latter did particularly well having been badly hampered by a faller at one stage.

Prince of Pirates took the last despite running green. His main market rival crashed out at the second last when leading. Both look decent prospects and Al Ferof should soon make amends as long as the fall has not shaken his confidence.

The interesting horse in the 12.10 is A Media Luz who was good enough to contest Group races on the flat in France. She makes her hurdles debut here. If she jumps OK she has to be in with a real chance.

Time for Rupert will take some beating in the 12.45. Runner up in the World Hurdle last season he won on his chase debut in a race where today’s winner Reve de Sivola was 4^th. His form figures at Cheltenham read 1221, he will handle the ground and the trip looks ideal. His main dangers look to be Quinz and Cannington Brook. The former has already won twice over fences this season, as Exeter and Ascot while Cannington Brook ran with promise on his chase bow over course and distance last month.

Banjaxed Girl and Restless Harry may run well at decent prices in the 1.20 but I just prefer the strong travelling Sentry Duty for this.

Master Minded is a very short price in the 1.55 and given that he has been beaten on his last 2 visits to Cheltenham it might be worth a small each way interest in Somersby.

The 2.30 looks pretty competitive. The form of Robinson Collonges was given a boost today by the performance of Wishfull Thinking. Mad Max could run well. He should be all the better for his run in the Paddy Power. Noble Alan and Sunnyhillboy will both appreciate the ground.

The 3.05 looks to be between the Supreme Novices winner Menorah and the exciting newcomer Cue Card. Both horses are unbeaten at Cheltenham and this should be an informative race. I am not sure this is a race to bet on but if pushed for a selection I would go with Menorah who has the form in the book.

Galant Nuit is an interesting runner in the 3.40. I see he is entered in the Welsh National at Chepstow over Christmas and this looks like a prep for that race.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn

 

It does seem that we are about to get some more turf racing after a couple of weeks of the all weather stuff.

The cross country race tomorrow is in doubt but the remainder of the card should be OK according to the clerk of the course.

The first race is a novice chase at 12.10. Although only 6 line up none can be safely ruled out. Reve de Sivola is something of a favourite of mine. He has plenty of class and has shown a very willing attitude in his races. He has run 6 times at Cheltenham without recording a win there which is a worrying statistic. He was runner up to the high class Peddler’s Cross at the track last season though, beating the other 15 runners. He has had some problems with his jumping but if those have been ironed out he would have a strong chance here. He seems to act on any ground.

Wishfull Thinking fell at the first fence on his chase debut but has since won at Wincanton. A winner 3 times over hurdles he should be well suited by both the going and the left handed track at Cheltenham. Rebel du Maquis has won his first 2 starts over fences for Paul Nicholls having previously been placed in France. He hasn’t been seriously tested yet and it is difficult to gauge just how good he is. He is clearly best suited by good ground though.

The other one that I would want to consider is Spirit River. Winner of the Coral Cup over hurdles last season he had been jumping well until falling at the 11^th fences on his chase bow at Newbury. He has bundles of class and is a leading contender here. There are some really nice prospects in this and the result will come down to which of them jumps the best. Spirit River would be my choice.

The 12.40 is an open looking big field handicap hurdle. Higgy’s Boy won 3 times last season, handles good ground and was an encouraging 3^rd at Sandown on his seasonal appearance. He looks a sporting each way bet.

The Grand National winner Don’t Push It reappears in the 1.50 but his main target for the season is likely to be Aintree in April. His stable companion Synchronised is another National winner; he took the Midlands equivalent last season. The ride of Tony McCoy he would ideally want plenty of cut in the ground. Lush Life won at Ascot and Sandown last season. He will handle the ground and comes from a stable adept and placing horses in this type of race. Solway Sam has won 5 of his 10 starts with all those wins coming on good or good to soft. He has an each way chance but Lush Life is the selection.

In the 2.25 my 2 against the field are Palypso de Creek and Forest Pennant. The 3.35 will probably centre around Prince of Pirates and Al Ferof. They both look horses to follow this season but on this occasion I would slightly favour Al Ferof. Drumlang, named after a salmon pool on the Isle of Mull is well regarded by his canny trainer and is one to look out for as the season progresses.

My thanks to Emily Russell for today’s picture.

Bye for now

There does seem to be the prospect of some turf racing tomorrow with both Exeter and Warwick staging morning inspections.

A couple stand out for me in the opener at 12.20. Fontano impressed when winning a Kempton bumper while Mizzurka won 3 of his 6 starts in bumpers.

Although there are only 4 runners in the 12.50 it is still quite a tricky puzzle. Sanctuaire won the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last March but was a faller in the Greatwood hurdle. He has tended tp pull hard in his races and may find it difficult to get cover in such a small field. He should go well if he settles. The main danger could come from Ciceron who ran quite well behind Tocca Ferro at Newbury recently. He does not have a stamina laden pedigree and would probably not want testing ground.

There are only 3 runners in the 1.20 but it is an interesting race nonetheless. Royal Charm is well thought of by the Paul Nicholl yard and may well be a star in the making. He is opposed by Tarablaze who put in an encouraging run when 3^rd to Wymott at Bangor coming back after a long lay off. Hidden Keel makes his chase bow. A winner over hurdles he is expected to be even better over fences and is not just there to make up the numbers. Royal Charm looks the most likely winner but this does not appeal as a betting heat.

My 2 against the field in the 1.50 are Minella Boys and Ayemdee while at Warwick it would be no surprise if Comedy Act had the last laugh in the 12.40.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Alison Wilson

The Hennessy Gold Cup tomorrow at Newbury looks an outstanding race with the added interest of the ever popular Denman going for his third win in the race.

Denman does have points in his favour. He has won first time out in each of the last 5 seasons and he has won 5 of his 6 races at Newbury. He won his first Hennessy off a rating of 161 and his second off mark of 174. He is a further 8 lbs higher this time and to win again at the age of 10 is indeed a big ask. While I would not write him off this does look a particularly strong renewal and I would be looking to oppose him at the current odds .

It is quite an all star cast this year. As well as Denman we have another former winner of the race in Madison Dui Berlais. There are former winners of the Irish National, Niche Market, and the Welsh National, Dream Alliance. Big Fella Thanks has finished 6^th and 4^th in the last two Aintree Nationals and in Neptune Collonges we have a former winner of the Irish Hennessy and a horse placed 3^rd and 4^th in Gold Cups. Add to that Razor Royale, winner of the Racing Post chase, Silver by Nature, runner up in the Welsh National and winner of the Blue Square Gold Cup plus Ryanair Chase winner Taranis and King George 3^rd Barber’s Shop and you have a race that should take some winning.

Neptune Collonge returns after a long absence but off a mark of 164 has been given a chance by the handicapper. He could need the run though . Silver by Nature was one of my early fancies for this but he really needs testing ground and he seems unlikely to get it. Despite the claims of the older horses it might pay to side with the younger brigade and 8 of the last 10 renewals have been won by 6 and 7 year olds. If we adopt this approach we can narrow the field down to just 6 and of those I am going to pick out 4 that appeal to me.

The imposing Pandorama comes over from Ireland and boasts an impressive strike rate. His best run last season was when beating subsequent RSA Chase winner Weapons Amnesty at Leopardstown. Most of his wins have come on soft or heavy ground though. The progressive Weird Al is unbeaten over fences and on his last outing dead heated with Little Josh at Carlisle and that horse went on to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup. On the debit side his chase wins have all come in fields of 6 or less. The enigmatic Diamond Harry likes Newbury; his form figures at the Berkshire track read 11131. While his jumping is not always perfect he has stacks of ability. 6 of his 9 career wins have come in soft or heavy ground. Burton Point has won 5 of his 6 races over fences with his only defeat coming at Cheltenham when second to Weapons Amnesty. I think that the winner is likely to come from these 4 and if pushed to narrow it down I would go with Burton Port and Diamond Harry.

Apart from the Hennessy there is plenty more top class action at Newbury. With Newcastle abandoned the Fighting Fifth Hurdle has been moved the Newbury (12.25). Here the current Champion Hurdler Binocular takes on the rising star Peddler’s Cross. The trip could be too short for Peddler’s Cross and he could just present a target to the finished kick of Binocular but given a strong pace his greater stamina could run the sting out of Binocular. A fascinating race but probably not one to bet on!

My selection in the 1.30 is Stoney’s Treasure from the in form Alan King stable. A dual winner over hurdles he has always looked the type to be even better over fences and he made a promising debut in that sphere when 3^rd at Fontwell. Vino Griego has the ability if he can polish up his jumping which has let him down so far this season. He could be worth a small each way interest.

The grey Tocca Ferro won a listed hurdle at Ascot last month and looks the one to beat in the 2.00 where Olofi could be the main danger. In the 2.30 it is impossible to oppose Big Bucks. Prince de Beauchene and The Hollinwell are my 2 against the field in the 3.40.

Today’s picture, of Denman, is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

Bye for now

We had a few winners today, mainly at short odds but I did miss a nice priced winner. Gary Moore does so well in handicap hurdles and his Via Galilei won the first race at the Newbury Hennessy festival at 16/1. In a pre season interview the trainer comments that the horse “could be fairly well treated.” Rated over 100 on the flat Via Galilei is a classy individual and he did this well.

Turning our attention to tomorrow’s Newbury card Coup Royale is my selection in the 1.00. He shaped with plenty of promise when runner up at Kempton on the first of the month and can go one better here.

Mostly Bob looks well handicapped in the 1.35. Although not bred to stay, he is by Indian Ridge, he certainly shapes as though he will get 3 miles and he could be a bit better than his rating of 125.

Spirit River, the 2.10 Coral Cup winner makes his chase bow in the 2.10 in a race where his trainer has a particularly good record. Always viewed as a chaser in the making he can make a winning start to his career over the larger obstacles here.

In the 2.45 Rivaliste may well improve on his 3^rd at Cheltenham but I slightly prefer Suntini who is having his first run of the season and goes well fresh.

There are lots of interesting runners in the 3.15. Kid Cassisy and Merehead were first and second in a Newbury bumper in March and look decent prospects over hurdles. Ohio Gold is another with bumper form and has already had a run over hurdles this season finishing a promising 3^rd at Chepstow. Somewhatinevitable was second in a bumper at Kempton last season and is another that looks up to winning races over hurdles.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Ruth S Harris.

 

Sure Josie Sure was fancied for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and ran well there for a long way. That should bring her on for her run at Newbury tomorrow in the 12.30 where the track should also suit her.

I tipped Alverstone when she won at Cheltenham last month and I am going to stick with her to follow up in the 1.00. Tony McCoy has the ride which is an obvious plus.

The 1.35 brings together a couple of useful types in Finian’s Rainbow and Sang Bleu. Both were smart hurdlers and look the types to do well over fences. With only 3 runners the race could develop into a tactical affair and there is not much point in coming up with a selection. They do look a couple of exciting prospects for fences though and this should be a race worth watching.

Vagrant Emperor has been off the course for a long while but has some useful form including a 2^nd to Bensalem at Leicester. He looks on a handy mark if he is fit after his lay off.

In the 3.15 Aiteen Thirtythree and Swincombe Rock could fight out the finish.

My only selection at Uttoxeter is Predictive in the 12.50.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Julie Whitwham.

After a disappointing campaign last season Alan King’s horses are enjoying a better time this term. King sends Sweet Irony up to Wetherby tomorrow for the novice hurdle at 1.20. The 4 year old looks a decent prospect on the basis of his bumper from and his hurdles debut at Wincanton recently where he finished 3^rd. He is my only selection for tomorrow.