Category: Racing diary

Another good day for the web site with 5 winners from yesterday’s selections. Riverside Theatre (4/5), Michel Le Bon (6/4), Exmoor Ranger (4/1), Oscar Whisky (8/15) and Sir Winston (7/2).

Newbury is again the main meeting tomorrow and gets under way with a novice hurdle at 1.00. Mille Chief and Royal Mix look the pair to concentrate on in this race. Royal Mix is trained by Paul Nicholls and has winning form in France where he was rated 90 on the flat. He won over 1 mile 7 furlongs at Deauville on good ground so stamina should not be a problem over hurdles. Mille Chief is another with winning form in France. He was unlucky on his UK debut for Alan King when brought down at Market Rasen. As long as that mishap has not damaged him mentally or physically I would expect him to run well and narrowly prefer him to the Nicholls runner.

Channel 4 presenter Alistair Down nominated Lie Forrit as his horse to follow this season. He does have his quirks (the horses that is, not Mr Down) and unseated his rider when in with a winning chance at Aintree but has since shown plenty of resolution when winning at Cheltenham. He has gone up another 6 lbs for his Cheltenham success but looks a progressive sort and there may well be more to come. This is a very competitive handicap with all sorts of dangers (Halla San and Ainama spring to mind). Lie Forrit has shown his best form on soft going and if underfoot conditions are to his liking he should run well. He is the selection.

In the 2.40 it will be a big surprise if Punchestowns fails to oblige on his chase debut. Should the hot favourite fail then Red Admiral would be the one most likely to benefit.

There are some promising types in the line up for the 3.45. The quartet that appeal most are Bellvano, Black Jack Blues, Tocca Ferro and Henry King. All come into the race with solid bumper form and represent in form yards. If I had to select just one I suppose it would have to be Bellvano although I would suggest a saver of Tocca Ferro..

At Musselburgh I am hopeful of a big run from Meath All Star in the 1.45 while Luska Lad looks the one to be on in the 1.35 at Thurles.

My thanks to Kate Tann for the photo of Newbury racecourse.

The first horse that I considered on tomorrow’s Newbury card was Miss Overdrive in the in the 12.25. She was a shade disappointing on her hurdling debit at Towcester and didn’t jump fluently. It may well be that stamina is her forte and she steps in trip tomorrow which may also help her jumping. The negative could be the going however as she won her bumper on good ground and her full sister Over Sixty is best suited by a sound surface. With the going likely to be soft I will reluctantly pass over Miss Overdrive in favour of Queen Poline whose bumper wins came with plenty of give in the ground.

The 12.55 is quite a difficult race to weight up with 4 horses that have claims. The Paul Nicholls runner Lady An Co is particularly tricky to assess. She has winning form over hurdles in France where she has also been placed in good races over fences. She has her first race for her new yard tomorrow. Captain Americo looks the sort to be progressive over fences and was runner up at Exeter on his second run over the larger obstacles. Tomorrow’s trip should be well within his compass. Calusa Crystal won 4 times over hurdle last season and had little chance when beaten by Crack Away Jack on her chasing debut. She has a tenacious attitude and should win races over fences as the season progresses. She appears to be best on good ground however and may not have conditions to suit her at Newbury. Riverside Theatre won 3 times last season and also performed well in top company at Aintree and Punchestown. She is the pick of these on hurdles form and as long as the ground is not too testing she may just shade it.

The 2.05 features two recent winners in Bench Warrant and Pettifour as well as a highly rated Paul Nicholls runner in Michel Le Bon. The latter won twice over hurdles last season and is expected to be one of his stables better novice chases. Despite the absence of a recent run, Michel Le Bon, who is getting weight from his two main rivals, can make his chase debut a winning one.

I give Exmoor Ranger an each way chance in the 3.40.

Spirit River won over hurdles at Auteuil in March and the horse he beat went on to be placed in listed races. He looks an interesting runner in the 3.15. In the bumper at 3.45 my selection is Oscar Whisky who was an impressive winner at Newbury in March.

Sir Winston was expected to do well last season by many shrewd judges but was pretty disappointing. As a result he runs off a mark of 84 tomorrow in the Taunton 3.25 which may underrate his level of ability.

Northern Gem had some decent form on the flat and can make a winning debut over hurdles for David Pipe in the 12.15 at Uttoxeter. Ernst Blofeld should relish the testing conditions at Uttoxeter and is my suggestion in the 1.55.

Today’s picture is of Denman and is included by kind permission of the artist Sarah Clegg.  Denman is set to carry top weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

There is nothing that really catches my eye at the UK meetings tomorrow. There are a few of interest at Naas but I won’t spend too much time on them as there is an inspection tomorrow morning and will all the rain about the meeting must be in some doubt.

Luska Lad is the obvious choice in the opener at 12.25. Four wins in bumpers, two of these on heavy ground plus a winning start to his hurdling career in the soft at Galway put him in with a favourite’s chance here. Although only third on his last start this race looks a lot easier.

The 12.55 is quite a hot race and there are several with chances. Looking for value I have gone for Sorceror who is 8/1 in the RP. He won his point to point at Ballydurn and is also a winner over hurdles on soft ground. He was third on his chase debut behind River Liane at Naas in testing conditions which was a promising effort.

In the 1.55 my tentative selection is Askthemaster. A lightly raced type he jumped well when winning at Limerick in May. He unseated on his latest outing but on the best of his form has an each way chance here.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of Sally Martin.

 

I was rather pleased with last night’s preview which pointed the way to several winners.

I can’t get over enthusiastic about tomorrow’s racing although I will give Taking Stock one more chance in the 2.05 at Gowran Park.

The best meeting tomorrow is at Kempton with supporting cards at Ffos Las and Ludlow.

Nicky Henderson introduces an interesting “new signing” in the novice hurdle at Kempton at 12.20 in the shape of the five year old Candy Creek. This mare won twice in 3 starts in bumpers last season with the latest success coming at Aintree in a very competitive contest. The only defeat was when 4^th to the Cheltenham festival winner Dunguib at Navan. Tony McCoy rides Candy Creek and the same trainer/jockey combination has a good chance in the 12.50 with the recent Ascot winner You’re the Top who is on a 4 timer.

McCoy and Henderson team up again in the 1.25 where they have another live chance with My Petra although here they face stiff opposition from the Donald McCain runner Whiteoak. Another that could run well in this is Dansimar. Whiteoak would be my selection.

Charlie Mann saddles Cast Cada in the 2.00 which is a beginner’s Chase. A former point to point winner Cast Cada won twice over hurdles last season and made a pleasing start to his career over fences when 2^nd at Uttoxeter recently.

At Ludlow the 12.30 features some promising horses. Abbevilian had some decent bumper form before finishing 4^th to Dave’s Dream on his hurdles debut last Christmas. He should be capable of winning races on that evidence. Royal Collonges is another to look out for. He is a half brother to the high class chaser Neptune Collonges.

Today’s picture, of Kauto Star and Imperial Commander, is by courtesy of Kate Tann.

 

I am a bit short of time tonight so I have tried to pick out a few runner of interest from each of the  meetings tomorrow.

At Aintree the consistent Wendel likes plenty of give in the ground and should have conditions to suit him in the 1.10. 

Border Tale is on a mark he should be competitive from.  He runs in the handicap hurdle at 12.50 up at Musselburgh but in his case the rain needs to stay away.  Classy hurdler Tazbar makes his chase debut in the 1.25.  He should win this on his way to bigger and better things over fences.

At Towcester my best bet is Lady Carolina a winning pointer who showed promise over hurdles when second at Southwell in February.

At Navan Good Fella could run well at a big price in the 2.35 while my two against the field in the 3.05 are Sports Line and Solstice Knight.

My thanks to Sarah Clegg for the photo of horses jumping the Canal Turn at Aintree.

There is top class racing tomorrow at both Ascot and Haydock. Starting at Ascot the mare’s handicap hurdle at 1.30 is being run for the first time so we have no stats to guide us from past seasons. The two that head the weights, Easter Legend and Ravello Bay, are my fancies. The latter had a consistent campaign last season with form figures that read 2132. Only beaten a short head by Argento Luna at Newbury on his last start he could still be well treated. Easter Legend has shown a tenacious attitude in her races and finished last season with a battling second to a Paul Nicholls runner in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham in April. Ravello Bay looks the most likely winner with Easter Legend in with an each way shout.

In the 2.05 I think the winner will come from either Cornas or Master Medic.

The Ascot Hurdle at 2.35 is a particularly intriguing contest and a case could be made for all 8 runners. The presence of front runner Lough Derg should make it a true test so the winner will need to get the trip. Straw Bear has not enjoyed himself over fences and reverts to the smaller obstacles here. He does of course have top class from over timber having won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton back in 2007. Red Moloney was a smart horse on the flat and won 3 times over hurdles last season. He likes a flat track but his recent defeat at the hands of Katies Tutor leads me to think that there are others in the field tomorrow with a better chance. The admirable Katchit (pictued below) has a Champion Hurdle on his CV but failed to win a race last season and although he might make the frame I can’t see him winning somehow.

Elusive Dream injured himself at Ascot last Christmas and didn’t make much impression on his recent comeback run. He is a horse that likes decent ground. Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar gives the impression that he will stay this longer trip. Time For Rupert is a likable sort who ended last season by winning a valuable handicap hurdle at Aintree over an extended 3 miles. Finally, Karabak who was runner up in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle and is a course and distance winner is another to consider seriously. Time For Rupert could go well at a decent price but Zaynar and Karabak may well fight out the finish.

The Grade 2 chase at 3.10 features a couple of real old favourites in Monet’s Garden and Voy Por Ustedes as well as promising newcomer Planet of Sound. Monet’s Garden has only run at Ascot twice, winning one and finishing runner up to Kauto Star. He also has the benefit of a recent run, and that a winning one. Voy Por has not won first time out in any of the last 3 seasons but there may have been excuses each time. I will give Alan King’s horse my selection.

At Haydock the consistent SA Suffitt carries top weight in the 12.45 although talented conditional Harry Haynes is excellent value for his 5 lbs claim. Two miles might be a bit short for SA Suffitt but in testing conditions that might not matter so much. He is consistent and should go well having won on soft ground before.

I liked the way that Mr Thriller won at Chepstow last month and I will take him to follow up in the 1.15. Peddler’s Cross won his only Irish point to point and is well regarded by connections. He should go well in the 1.45.

The 2.20 over the fixed brush hurdles at Haydock is a competitive looking affair. Diamond Harry may well start favourite on the back of a successful hurdles campaign last season where his only defeat came when far from disgraced in the Ballymore Hurdle. He gets on well with jockey Timmy Murphy and the stable are in good form. Pause and Clause was 3^rd in the Coral Cup last season and should be suited by these obstacles as he has already been schooled over fences. The soft ground may be against him tomorrow however. Wendel will not mind the ground as he won on heavy at Ascot last season. He jumps well and travels in his races and at around 14/1 there are worse outsiders. Recent Kelso winner McMurrough is another to consider although soft ground would probably not be in his favour. The consistent Pennek stays well and like most of these will be going novice chasing in due course. He won on the soft in France so the ground should be OK. Ring the Boss is another for the short list although the stable form could give cause for concern. I have followed Diamond Harry from the start of his career and I would like to see him win here – he may well do so but he does have his quirks. Wendel the mudlark has each way claims as does the honest Pennek.

In the Betfair Chase it would seem to be between the first 5 in the betting. The testing ground will suit Halcon Generlardais but he has always looked just short of the very top class and unless this turned into a real mudbath I don’t think he will have the necessary gears. Imperial Commander seems to struggle over this trip and is passed over for that reason. Madison Du Berlais is useful on his day and as long as all 8 runners stand their ground he looks the each way bet in the race. Notre Pere will love the ground but comes into the race after a fall at Down Royal. He has a stone to find with Kauto Star but he stays well and is likely to try and run the finish out of his distinguished rival. Kauto Star (pictured below) has an impressive strike rate and has won this twice in the past. He can put in the odd substandard run but he is entitled to be ranked with the all time greats and should prevail.

In the 3.25 The Vicar can give Henrietta Knight a win. A course winner on heavy ground when accounting for subsequent winner SA Suffit last season he ticks the right boxes.

At Huntingdon I like High Jack and War Footing in the 1.35. On the basis that the rgound may not be soft enough for War Footing I will narrowly prefer High Jack. In the 2.45 Borora may find the trip on the sharp side and the two I prefer are Bob Bob Bobbin, a very good second at Aintree recently and the evergreen Mister McGoldrick from the in form stable of Sue Smith. The latter has a very capable conditional jockey reducing his weight and gets the nod.

There is an inspection planned at Gowran Park in the morning. If racing goes ahead my selection is Taking Stock in the 1.40.

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

There is a lot of satisfaction to be derived from tipping a horse that actually wins, so imagine my jubilation when 3 of the blighters that I tipped last night managed to get their heads in front. Fair enough the odds were skinny (and in one case positively suffering from malnutrition!). Still a winner is a winner and if you got on early you could have had 6/4 about Sereth.

The well fancied Paul Nicholls runner Vico was beaten today (although I wouldn’t write him off just yet) and Nicholls has another likely favourite in the Ascot 12.55 tomorrow in Red Harbour. He has the course form having won twice in bumpers at the Berkshire track last season but he was a little disappointing on his hurdles debut at Exeter where he could only finish 3^rd. It is possible that the heavy ground that day counted against him and although rain is forecast for Ascot tomorrow that track rarely gets too soft these days. Emma Lavelle saddles another fancied runner in this with Prior’s Glen who ran well in a couple of decent bumpers last season. The winners of both those races have since been beaten when reappearing over obstacles which perhaps tempers the enthusiasm a tad. Red Harbour may well win but his price will be short, artificially so perhaps and I will take a chance on Prior’s Glen as the value.

Nicky Henderson saw a couple of his novice chasers win today and saddles another promising recruit tomorrow in Zemsky who runs in the 1.30. A winner over hurdles at Plumpton and Perth last season he also has a couple of Irish point to point successes on his CV which is encouraging for a would be steeplechaser.

Alan King’s horses have tended to need their initial run of the season but one that managed to win impressively first time out was Manyriverstocross at Chepstow. He looks to follow up in the Ascot 2.05. Chepstow form does not always translate to other tracks but this horse was useful on the flat and has strong claims. The highly rated bumper winner Vino Griego is likely to be his main danger but Manyriverstocross is the selection.

Aconitum and Tara Taylor I the two I like in the 3.35 at Exeter. The latter has the assistance of AP McCoy which is no bad thing and both ground and trip should suit. Tara Taylor is the selection.

Bumper winner Wymott was second on his hurdles debut and should go well in the 12.15 at Kelso. The extra distance shouldn’t trouble him and he is my idea of the winner.

Little Josh fell on his last outing but based on previous hurdles and chase form he looks the one to be on in the 1.50.

Finally, Garleton was entered in the Northumberland National the other day when the Hexham meeting was washed out.  He runs in the Kelso 3.00 tomorrow and the stable clearly have confidence in his stamina.  He comes into the race in good form and Sue Smith had a winner this week with Nirvana Swing.  Garleton looks the one they have to beat in this.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of Emily Russell.

 

Nirvana Swing gained a well deserved win at Market Rasen this afternoon. He is a typical big staying chaser from Sue Smith’s yard and was well ridden by his conditional jockey. Ballybriggan was second in his race and should be up to winning a race or two and with the only Irish selection coming in, albeit at cramped odds it wasn’t such a bad day.

Starting with the meeting at Hereford tomorrow Ballingaddy looks an interesting runner in the 3.20. He won a point to point at Athenry in April 2008 before joining Alan King. His best effort under rules was a 4^th at Doncaster in January. Off a mark of 95 and with Charlie Huxley taking 3 lbs off he looks value at around 10/1.

Sereth won 5 times on the flat in Germany including couple of listed races. His best effort in the UK was when 3^rd behind Darley Sun in the Cesarewich. If he takes to hurdling then his class on the flat will make him difficult to beat in the 12.40 at Huntingdon tomorrow.

There is a very hot novice chase at 2.10. Micheal Flips, Dave’s Dream and Numide are all exciting prospects having shown a decent level of form over hurdles. Dave’s Dream has always looked a chaser in the making and with AP McCoy in the saddle I will burden him with my selection.

Vico won both his point to points in the west country and is rated a top prospect at the Paul Nicholls stable. He makes his hurdling debut in the 1.00 at Wincanton tomorrow.

Carole’s Legacy has decent form both in bumpers and over hurdles and should make a winning debut over fences in the 2.00.

My thanks to Ruth S Harris for her photo of Hereford racecourse.

Garleton won at Hexham on his seasonal reappearance and returns to that track tomorrow for the Northumberland National over 4 miles at 2.20. He won twice over fences last season and has had a wind operation since. He jumps well in the main but his better form has been on good ground and there may be a question mark over his ability to handle testing conditions over such a marathon trip. I will stick with him although the ground is a concern.

Bakkybriggan won a bumper last season at Wetherby when he was trained by Victor Dartnall. He has changed stables since and John Quinn runs him at Market Rasen in the novice hurdle at 12.40. He looked to have plenty of potential when winning his bumper.

Nirvana Swing has finished runner up on his last two starts and deserves to get his head in front. He runs in the 2.10.

Picaroon won at Market Rasen last Boxing Day but disappointed when he next visited the Lincolnshire track in the summer. His last run when 5^th to Harry Tricker at Sandown was not a bad effort and he is worth considering in the 2.40. In the same race Friendly King, a winner at Fakenham last season, does not look on a bad mark. This is a tricky race with the likely favourite River Logic from a stable bang in form. I am going to take a chance with the outsider Friendly King.

At Clonmel Fionnegas comes into the 12.35 with a 100% record. He looks a progressive sort and is difficult to oppose.

My thanks to David Hebb for use of his photo of “the betting jungle” at Market Rasen.