Category: Racing diary

It’s an early start at Doncaster tomorrow with the first race at 11.55 where most of the races on the last day of the flat season look difficult puzzles to solve. The nursery at 1.35 has gone to the favourite on 4 of the last 7 runnings which is something to keep in mind. In an open race I have selected one runner at either end of the handicap. Walvis Bay comes into the race in form having won a maiden at York last month. Felsham is my second selection. He is a half brother to the stable’s sprinter Oldjoesaid who after winning at Kempton on his second start ran creditably when runner up at Windsor in a nursery. Both trip and ground will probably suit him.

In the 2.05 Hidden Brief won her last race, is well drawn and comes from a stable in form. Mooakada is the other runner from my list to follow in this race. A case can be made for Prescription in the 2.40 where, at a bigger price Lovely Thought will at least handle the conditions.

The last big race of the season is the 23 runner November Handicap at 3.15. The consistent King’s Destiny seems to handle any ground and represents an age group that have done well in the race in recent times. The enigmatic Charm School has the ability if things drop right for him. He has winning form on soft ground and is unexposed at the trip. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out. Magicalmysterytour is a course and distance winner and will handle the ground. He tends to pull hard in his races but should be able to get cover in this big field. At 25/1 he looks over priced. Hevelius is lightly raced and should be suited by the likely strong pace. Finally, the fragile Broomielaw is a big threat to them all and is another that looks generously priced on his best form. The 5 horses mentioned would represent my short list. I like King’s Destiny but there is a danger that he will go off at a short price while Charm School has a poor strike rate for a horse in single figure odds. I will take a chance with Broomielaw and Magicalmystreytour each way, although stakes should be kept to a minimum.

McMurrough has finished 2^nd on both his starts this season but there are grounds for hoping that he can go one better in the Kelso 12.15. His hurdling has let him down but now he is upped in trip he may have more time to organize his jumping.

Sue Smith had a winner today and that bodes well for the chances of her runner Nirvana Swing in the Kelso 1.25. He is not on a bad mark at the moment and at around 9/1 does not look bad value.

It would be great to see the veteran Mister McGoldrick give Sue Smith another winner in the 2.25. He has been a fantastic servant for the stable and comes here with a favourite’s chance. Palomar could offer the biggest danger to the old timer.

In the 1.05 at Sandown Crack Away Jack, 4^th in the Champion Hurdle will be expected to make a winning start to his career over fences. Calusa Crystal was a decent enough hurdler and is built to jump a fence. He shouldn’t be good enough to beat the favourite on their respective hurdles ratings but this is hardly a race to bet on.

Rebel Rebellion impressed some good judges when winning his point to point in Ireland. He could be of interest in the bumper at 3.50.

At Wincanton recent winner Pepe Simo sets the standard and is the likely winner. Diamond Brook was very disappointing at Bangor on his reappearance but had show promise when 2^nd at Ludlow last season and if judged on that run would be the danger to the favourite.

Pepite de Soleil and Argento Luna (representing the sun and the moon) make most appeal in the 1.45 along with Dansimar. If pushed for a single selection it would have to be Argento Luna.

I am going for a couple of outsiders in the 2.15. I quite fancy Tasheba and Katies Tutor to run much better than their odds suggest.

Although there are only 4 runners in the 2.50 they all have a live chance. Kangaroo Court has taken well to fences and is the selection but I would not be surprised to see Bakbenscher run well.

In the Badger Ales Chase at 3.25 Exmoor Ranger looks on a fair mark if his jumping holds together. It might pay to side with the Paul Nicholls runner Valentine Vic in the bumper at 4.00.

Notre Pere should appreciate the soft ground in the 2.30 at Down Royal while Paul Nicholls can land the 3.00 with the quirky Herecomesthetruth.

At Santa Anita I will be hoping for good performances from the European challengers and in particular Delegator, Zacinto, Conduit, Twice Over and Rip Van Winkle.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Jo Stockdale.

 

Sue Smith’s Garleton won a couple of rimes last season.  He has had a wind operation in the summer and there may be more to come from him over fences off his current mark.  He runs in the 1.20 at Hexham.

There were a couple of Plinys – the Elder and his nephew the Younger. They were awfully clever chappies in Ancient Rome. I don’t know how Pliny the horse trained by Venetia Williams got his name as he is by Accordion out of American Chic. There seems little evidence that either Pliny played the Accordion or associated with American ladies. Judging from his efforts on the racecourse thus far, including a win in a bumper at Towcester on Boxing Day, our Pliny looks likely to prove a stayer. Whether 2.5 miles around Fontwell in the 1.10 tomorrow is a sufficient stamina test for him remains to be seen. He should win races though.

Up at Hexham Etoile D’Or could be a bit of a dark horse in the 1.50. Her only success to date came on the flat in a seller at Yarmouth but it is just possible that she is a bit better than her form figures indicate. Now with trainer Tim Vaughan and ridden tomorrow by Richard Johnson we might just see a different animal!

At Wolverhampton Marco Botti introduces an interesting newcomer in Rainbow Six in the 7.50. Potentially the best horse on show at Wolverhampton however is La De Two who runs in the 8.20. He ran just once last season finishing 2^nd to Kite Wood with Monitor Closely in third. As those two horses have gone on to finish 2^nd and 3^rd in the St Leger La De Two should be up to winning a race at a venue like Wolverhampton. He hasn’t run for 420 days but he has moved to Godolphin who are more than capable of getting a horse fit after a long absence.

Tomorrow night sees the first day of the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita. Now I am not familiar with the form of the American horses so I can’t really offer any tips (a blessing in disguise I suppose!) I will be rooting for the British and Irish contingent however and in particular Father Time, Midday and Rainbow View.

Lastly, Luska Lad is my only selection in Ireland. He runs in the 2.05 at Down Royal where Ruby Walsh has the ride.

Good luck.

 

A few quick thoughts on tomorrow’s racing before the footy comes on.

The Sue Smith trained Coe seems to run well at Haydock having won there over hurdle and fences. He returns to the Lancashire track tomorrow for the 1.55. I am hopeful that he will win a couple of decent prizes this season and Haydock does seem to be his favourite course.

Ferdy Murphy saddles Big Burrows in the 2.30. A winner over hurdle at Kelso last season he is a big chasing sort and is with a trainer who does well with his runners over fences.

Towcester next where Miss Overdrive and Alegralil look the two to concentrate on in the 1.00. This pair are both very well thought of by their respective handlers and it should be an interesting contest. My slight preference would be for Alegralil.

Qualypso D’Allier was largely disappointing last season but there is reason to hope that this former points winner is capable of better. With his stable in good form I will take a chance with him in the 1.30.

My only selection in Ireland is Venalmar in the 3.00 at Thurles.

Today’s picture is of Snoopy Loopy who was retired this week.  He won 10 races during his career including the Betfair Chase at Haydock last season. My thanks to Sarah Clegg for use of the photo.

A few winners and a few disappointments from last night’s preview.

Starting at Chepstow tomorrow Pearlysteps is one to look out for in the 1.00. He ran twice in bumpers finishing second to a Paul Nicholls runner on the first occasion. On his hurdles debut in March he was 4^th but had Ravello Bay behind in 5^th and showed some promise. He should be winning races this season.

Alan King’s Manyriverstocross was rated 97 on the flat and on his latest start was second to Nanton in a Doncaster handicap. He has reportedly schooled well over hurdles and can make a winning start to his career over timber in the Chepstow 2.05.

Tara Royal was an impressive points winner in Ireland. Now with Donald McCain he should handle the soft ground and is my selection for the bumper at 4.20.

My suggestion at Kempton is the lightly raced Ordoney in the 5.50. Moon Lightning handles soft ground well and has always been well regarded by connections. At around 8/1 he is a sporting each way selection at Nottingham in the 2.50.

There is a jumps card at Warwick where the most interesting race is the novice chase at 2.30. Straw Bear and Summersby look the main contenders. Straw bear has the experience but has not looked a natural over fences and I will take a chance with Somersby who comes from a yard specialising in chasers.

My only selection at Fairyhouse is Taking Stock in the 12.55.

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

The big race of the day tomorrow is at Exeter where nine runners line up for the Haldon Gold Cup at 3.00. Paul Nicholls is double handed with Twist Magic and I’msingingtheblues. In the last 10 years 4 horses have carried 11 stone 10 to victory but I am not convinced that Twist Magic is quite in the same class as those previous winners. He is also less reliable and has fallen twice in his last 4 starts. I’singingtheblues won three times last season but may be better on a flat track and would not want the ground to turn too soft.

Ashley Brook won the race last year beating Mahogany Blaze. There does not seem to be any particular reason why the runner up should reverse the form. Ashley Brook hasn’t done much to recommend him since his won last season and at the age of 11 is not going to be getting any better. Cornas fell on his last outing and may be best watched. My two against the field would be Planet of Sound and Oh Crick. The former has never been out of the first 4 in 14 starts. When 3^rd at Cheltenham in March he had Cornus and I’singingtheblues behind him. Oh Crick won at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last season and displays a good attitude in his races. There may be a little improvement in him and he is marginally preferred to the Hobbs runner.

In the 2.00 Red Harbour and Qroktou seem to be the ones to concentrate. Qroktou ran well in bumpers last season and in the absence of Ruby Walsh on the Nicholls runner I will burden him with my selection.

Paul Nicholls should have a winner in the 2.30 courtesy of Royal Charm. Runner up in a listed hurdle in France he was also second in his only start in the UK at Sandown. Highly rated by connections he will be expected to oblige.

Jonjo O’Neill runs Forty Five in the 3.30. The 7 year old is making his chase debut which is interesting as, despite a rise in the weights following 3 wins over hurdles last season he still looked quite well handicapped over the smaller obstacles. In the 4.00 I am hoping that Borero will give us a run for our money.

On the flat at Catterick Dandy Nicholls saddles Northern Bolt in the 2.40. Although the horse is on a 16 run losing sequence the stable have won the race twice in the last 5 years and you have to respect the Nicholls team in this sort of race. With Godolphin in such a rich vein of form Bab Al Salam might be able to regain winning thread in the 3.50.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Margaret Barrett.

The feature handicap chase at Carlisle this afternoon turned into a stamina test and Silver By Nature, relishing the conditions was a comfortable winner. It will be interesting to follow his progress although no doubt the handicapper will have his say after such an emphatic win. Some of the horses behind should benefit from the run and the likes of Mr Strachan, Merigo, Rate of Knots and Jass should figure prominently around the northern circuit as the season unfolds. Tot ‘o Whisky continues to look out of sorts however. Over in France Border Patrol ran a sound race to finish runner up in the Group 3 Prix Perth at Saint-cloud.

There are 3 meetings tomorrow and I will try to find a winner at each. Bouggler is potentially a pattern class hurdler and put in an excellent performance at the end of last season to beat Copper Bleu at Aintree. He looks the one to beat in the 2.30 at Kempton.

Gary Moore does well with his dual purpose horses. He runs Coin of the Realm, a winner at Epsom on the flat, in the Plumpton 1.10. He should be up to winning this before moving on to handicap company.

My selection at Wolverhampton is the lightly raced Kazbow in the 3.50 with William Buick riding for Luca Cumani. In only his second run in handicap company he has scope for improvement and can go one better than his effort when runner up over course and distance last month.

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

Last night’s preview yielded a few winners with Master Medic, Secrecy, Revered, You’re the Top and Laaheb all obliging.

There are 4 horses that interest me in the Carlisle 1.00. Turbo Island, Jurisdiction, Kellystown Lad and Wymott all look interesting. Turbo Island won both his bumpers last season and he should have a good season while Wymott representing the McCain stable is another to consider carefully.

Chief Dan George was a decent hurdler and won twice over fences last season. He comes into the reckoning in the 2.05 where the main danger could come from Knockara Beau who won on his chase debut at Cartmel in May.

There is a competitive handicap chase at 3.15. The top weight Jass is a thorough stayer who won twice in January at Ayr and Doncaster. The lightly raced That’s Rhythm was a winner at Bangor last season. He would be in with a chance as long as the ground rides on the firmer side. Tot O’Whiskey is yet to find his form this season is perhaps best watched but Silver By Nature is one for the short list. He has the benefit of a recent run where the ground at Bangor was too quick for him. Rain is forecast and if we get enough of it he would come into the picture. Another wanting some give in the ground is the consistent Rate of Knots who will appreciate this stiff track. This is a tough one to call but Rate of Knots looks the one they all have to beat.

Over in France Border Patrol should appreciate the ground in the Prix Perth at Saint- cloud.

At Cork Catch Me should be too good for his rivals in the 3.25.  Askthemaster might be the one to give him most to think about.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Alison Wilson.

I have just returned from a few days in the sun and I have only had time to give tomorrow’s cards a cursory glance.

The Ascot jumps card looks the pick of the day’s action. Cockney Trucker was 3^rd in the County Hurdle last season and looks the type to make a decent novice chaser. He makes his debut over the larger obstacles in the 1.20 tomorrow. The going should be about right for him as he wouldn’t want it too soft.

It is always good to see the small stables mixing it with the major players like Nicholls and Pipe. Gone to Lunch certainly represents one of the smaller outfits. He rarely runs a bad race and won 3 times last season as well as finishing runner up in the Scottish National. He has an each way chance in the 1.50.

The ground should suit dual hurdles winner You’re the Top in the 2.25 and he is just preferred to Pterodactyl who should be fitter for his outing last weekend.

I imagine that Micheal Flips will go novice chasing at some stage this season. He is being kept to hurdles tomorrow though and looks to have a fair chance in the 3.00.

Master Medic is not a certain starter in the 3.25 as he needs rain or the ground won’t be suitable for him. If he does turn out he could well have a bit in hand of the assessor.

At Newmarket the Sir Michael Stoute trained Revered looks the likely winner of the 12.25 A well bred individual she made an encouraging start to her career when 3^rd at Salisbury.

In the 2.05 Swop, Secrecy and Lucky Dance are all worth considering. I would just about give Secrecy the edge over Swop. Plum Pudding likes it at Newmarket – he has won their 7 times. Devotees of the horses for courses theory won’t want to miss him in the 2.35.

Godolphin are in good form and their once raced juvenile Bint Almatar runs in the 3.10. A winner at Nottingham this one comes into the “could be anything” category. Michael Jarvis has a chance in the 3.45 with his 3 year old Laaheb.

At Wetherby Pettifour represents an in form stable and is a tentative selection in the 3.25. Lastly, at Wolverhampton there is one runner from my list to follow. Dig Deep has already given us a nice winner this season and to follow him further would probably be pushing our luck so I will not recommend a wager in the 7.20.

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

I will be away for a few days and the next update will be Friday 30 October.  In the meantime here are a few horses to look out for that are entered in Ireland over the next few days.

Good Fella (IRE)

entered at Clonmel on Thursday 29th Oct

Venalmar (GB)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

Pandorama (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

Clan Tara (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

Lenabane (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

China Rock (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

Shinrock Paddy (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

Dunguib (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

Some Present (IRE)

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct

Hugo De Vindecy (FR)

entered at Punchestown on Tuesday 27th Oct

Sweeps Hill (NZ)

entered at Punchestown on Wednesday 28th Oct