Category: Racing diary

 

Selections for Monday:

Kempton 2.10 – Burma Rock

Leicester 3.30 – Sovereign Remedy

Lingfield 1.50 – Life and Soul

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Ruth Buchanan.

I am short of time tonight so here are just a few brief thoughts on Sunday’s racing..

Stormy Weather was listed class on the flat and provided he jumps OK he should be up to making a winning debut over hurdles in the Aintree 1.35.

Cappa Bleu won the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in March and looks set for a successful season. He sets the standard in the 2.10. Little Josh could be the one for the forecast.

Lie Forrit was a progressive hurdler last season and displayed a very determined attitude in his races. He stays well and should be in the shake up tomorrow in the 2.45 where any further rain would help his cause.

Palomar won chases at Kelso and Catterick last season before falling on his last start. He looks a good prospect and is the selection in the 3.20.

Paul Nicholls had a few disappointments today but has a chance to get back to winning ways with bumper winner Bold Addition in the 3.55. Court Red Handed and Tara Royal are tentative suggestions for the bumper at 4.30.

The Ditcheat trainer will be keen to win the 4.10 at Wincanton as the race is named after him. He saddles Pepe Simo who was 9^th in the Cheltenham Festival bumper last season. Henry King, Fidelis and Aconitum are others with a chance.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Sarah Clegg.

Emirates Champion was an easy winner for my list to follow this afternoon but otherwise it was a frustrating day with Mubrook (13/2) amd Alrasm (18/1) both finishing 2^nd from last night’s selections.

There is plenty of racing to go at tomorrow under both codes.

On the flat the main meeting is at Doncaster where the group 1 Racing Post Trophy tops the bill. The race has in the past thrown up some high quality winners, notably High Chaparral, Motivator and Authorized. Coordinated Cut has been something of a “talking horse” since he won his maiden and he is clearly well thought of by his trainer. He would be my tentative selection here although I note that the last 10 winners of the race have had a Racing Post rating of at least 114 and my selection falls well short on 99.

Judge ‘n Jury won the 2.20 last season and is now on a mark 5 lbs lower so has to be worth considering. The ground should suit him well enough. Captain Gerrard is on a 15 race losing sequence but is very well handicapped on his best form. Cape Vale is holding his form well and has only been out of the first two once in his last 6 starts, while Invincible Lad is another for the short list after some taking displays on the all weather. There is no doubt that Judge ‘n Jury is on an attractive mark and he gets the selection.

I know he is thoroughly exposed after a remarkable 15 starts this season but I quite fancy Archers Road to make the frame under Kieren Fallon in the listed race at 2.55.

Looking for some value in the 4.05 I have drawn up a short list of 3, Magicalmysterytour, Howdigo and Alcalde. Alcalde was a winner at Warwick a couple of runs ago and was not disgraced when 6^th at Nottingham on his last start. He handles some give in the ground and tomorrow’s trip should suit him. Magicalmysterytour is a genuine sort that seems to act of any ground and is a course and distance winner. These two are respected but my selection is Howdigo who ran well enough in the Cambridgeshire and will appreciate this longer trip.

Beau Fighter won over 10 furlongs at Newbury back in May and can win again at that distance in the Doncaster 5.15, K Fallon has the ride which is a bonus.

At Aintree course and distance winner Nampour looks to have a solid chance in the 1.05 with a conditional rider taking off a chunk of weight. You could make a case for all 8 runners in the 2.15 but my fancy is for Tartak who has more scope for improvement that the others.

Noble Alan sets the standard in the 3.25 and appears to tick all the right boxes. Isn’t That Lucky rarely runs a bad race and he can land the 4.00 for Jonjo O’Neill.

In the 1.20 at Chepstow I would give 4 of the 6 runners a chance. Pterodactyl won 2 novice hurdles at the end of last season. He is worth a try in this but probably has a bit too much to find with some of his rivals. He will probably go novice chasing sooner rather than later. Aiteen Thirtythree comes here with a tall reputation from his wins in a pointy to point and a Newbury bumper. Reve De Sivola is still a maiden but ran some excellent races in defeat, notably when 6^th in the Triumph Hurdle. Finally Frascati Park is well worth a mention. He won 3 of his 4 races in bumpers with the only defeat coming when runner up at the Galway Festival. He may well be better racing right handed however. There are some nice prospects in this but my idea of the value is Reve de Sivola.

I also have a short list of 4 in the 1.55. Mr Thriller, Alfie Sherrin, Bakbenscher and Argento Luna. Bakbenscher won twice from 4 starts last season and is very highly regarded by Alan King. His future will be over fences but he is a very useful hurdler and is capable of further improvement in that sphere. He also goes well fresh. Another exciting prospect for fences is Alfie Sherrin who won a bumper at Chepstow and a novice hurdle at Fontwell last season. He is also likely to be sent chasing soon. Mr Thriller is a half brother to Gaspara won at Bangor and Fontwell last season before finishing 4^th in the Imperial Cup. Once again fences are the long term plan. Argento Luna was ultra consistent last season and could well be a danger to some of the more fancied runners as she has a good turn of foot. She would not want the ground too soft. Alfie Sherrin and Bakbenscher look the most likely winner and it is hard to choose between the pair. You can never ignore Paul Nicholls and I will just give the nod to the champion trainer’s runner.

In the 2.25 Brenin Cwmtudu was a course winner over hurdles last season and should go well.

At Kempton my only selection is the course specialist Dvinski each way in the 8.10.

Newbury next where the well bred Latansaa looks the best of the newcomers in the 1.30.

Pastoral Player made an impressive winning debut at Newbury but then refused to enter the stalls next time. If he behaves himself tomorrow who looks to have a good chance in the 2.05.

Harbinger had done nothing wrong prior to his flop at York and maybe there was just something amiss that day. If back to his best he would take all the beating in the 2.35. Chock a Block, another lightly raced sort who won a listed race at Newmarket on his last start could well be the danger.

Newcomer High Ransom is my tentative suggestion in the 4.20. Bab Al Salam represents my list to follow in the 4.55. After a hat trick of wins he was last of 3 at Newmarket. He is perhaps best watched after that run as maybe the handicapper has caught up with him.

I thought about C’Monthehammers in the Stratford 2.10 but the tight track may be against him. He also needs strong handling and I would rather see him ridden by a more experienced jockey.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Karen Davies.

The emphasis is o0n the flat tomorrow with meetings at Ayr and Doncaster.

Emirates Champion made a winning debut at Great Leighs beatings the highly rated Invisible Man of John Gosdens. That horse ended up with a rating in the 90s so Emirates Champion could be very well treated off 85 in the Ayr 3.55. He disappointed on his only other run back in May but if we forgive him that he has a good tomorrow. Another horse that I have been following, Bagber also runs in this race. He has been consistent all season and has won his last two starts. His most recent success came in a claimer and he was purchased for £30,000 by Peter Monteith.

Woodsley House who runs in thye Ayr 2.45 deserves a mention. He won at 20/1 at Musselburgh back in May off a mark of 68 and although he has failed to win in 9 subsequent efforts he has dropped back to a rating of 63 in the 2.45. Talented apprentice F Tylicki takes off a further 3 lbs and the horse acts on any ground. On the debit side the stable could be in better form.

 

At Doncaster the well bred Giant’s Play is likely to start favourite in the 2.25. He finished 2^nd in a race at Kempton that in truth has not worked out well but he is well regarded as looks the one to beat. At much bigger odds Babycakes and Song to the Moon could run well.

My other selections are;

Doncaster 2.55 Alrasm; 3.30 Hitchens: 4.05 Mubrook: 4.40 Call It On.

Fakenham 3.45 Midnight Chase.

The Michael Bell trained Piquante has failed to live up to expectations and despite travelling well in her races has often found little when push comes to shove. She drops back in distance tomorrow in the 4.40 at Brighton and may be worth a small each way interest.

Over the jumps at Carlisle new trainer Rose Dobbin saddles last season’s Coral Cup second Mirage Dore in the Novice Chase at 2.40. Rose rode the horse last season when he was trained by Lucinda Russell but Wilson Renwick is on board tomorrow. The horse goes well fresh and seems to act on any ground.

In the 3.45 I fancy The Whisperer. His trainer has a good strike rate at the track, the horse has run well at Carlisle before and goes well fresh and Tony McCoy rides the horse for the first time.

Lochstar looked in for a successful campaign when winning at Lingfield back in May but has done little since. He represents my list to follow but it is difficult to make a case for in the 6.50 at Kempton.

Al Qeddaaf won well at Yarmouth back in June and the form of that race has worked out well. He has run twice since, on the last occasion running on well after getting trapped behind a wall of horses. I think he is worth another chance in the 7.20 at Kempton. The Roger Charlton pair Zero Money (8.50) and Classically (9.20) are worth considering later on the card at Kempton.

At Ludlow William’s Wishes should go close in the 5.30 for Evan Williams.

Just two suggestions for tomorrow;

Kempton 8.20 – Tartan Trip

Southwell 3.40 – Invincible Lad

 

With less than 3 weeks left of the flat season the quality of the jumps meetings is gradually improving and Exeter stage an interesting card tomorrow.

Emma Lavelle runs Superius in the 2.40. Formerly rated 98 on the flat in Ireland when trained by Tommy Stack he looks a promising type for hurdles. He may need some cut in the ground to be seen at his best.

The 3.10 is a beginner’s chase named after the great Best Mate. Paul Nicholls may well take this prize with Tataniano who won 3 times over hurdles last season including a most impressive effort at Cheltenham in April.

Ballydub was another to enjoy a successful hurdles campaign last season although had he jumped with more fluency it would have been even better. It often happens that a horse will concentrate more over fences and hopefully this will be the case with Ballydub who makes his chase bow in the 4.40.

There is flat racing at Yarmouth where I am hoping that Dherghaam can land the 3.20. He may have been a little unlucky when a beaten favourite at Newmarket.

Today’s picture, of Best Mate, is included by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.

The weekend went quite well for us with the 1^st and 4^th in the Ces as well as several winners from my list to follow.

There is flat action at Pontefract and Windsor tomorrow and we may be able to dig out a few winners.

Starting up in Yorkshire the 10 furling handicap at 4.40 has a runner from my list to follow in Classically. Roger Charlton’s 3 year old broke his duck at the 7^th attempt when staying on strongly to land a mile maiden at Kempton earlier this month. That should have boosted his confidence and this half brother to Speciosa comes into the race with a decent chance. I am going to oppose him this time however with African Cheetah – not quite the speedster that his name would suggest, more a galloping sort, but he drops back in trip here after fading towards the end of his races and off a reasonable mark looks the one to be on.

In the 5.10 I will take a chance that the first time visor will galvanize Attaash for Mick Channon and Chris Cattlin.

William Buick has had a tremendous season in the saddle and tomorrow he is at Windsor where he rides Ordoney for Luca Cumani in the 4.00. This 4 year old only made his racecourse debut this summer but is yet to be out of the first 3 and is making up for lost time. He has been in good form and should run a big race tomorrow.

Lastly, in the 5.30 Aestival looks a typical Sir Mark Prescott “improver” having had 3 runs at inadequate trips as a juvenile he tackles 10 furlongs tomorrow off a mark of only 53.

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

Australia Day was quite smart on the flat winning a Sandown handicap off a mark of 90 and he has already won over hurdles, at Worcester last month. He jumps well and should be suited by the track in the Kempton 3.25.

In the Kempton 4.35 I thought about Red Moloney and Katies Tutor although I don’t have a particularly strong view on the race. Red Moloney would be my preference of the pair.

On the all weather at Southwell in the 2.40 Mubrook and Blue Nymph represent my list to follow and there are also two in the 3.15, Sovereign Remedy and Lucky Dance. Of the quartet Sovereign Remedy looks to have the best chance.

I successfully tipped Dig Deep to win at big odds earlier in the season. He is a difficult horse to predict however and probably comes into the “stop at a winner” category. He runs in the 5.00 at Southwell.

My selections at Cork tomorrow are 2.45 Imperial Cascade and 5.25 Catch Me.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Nick Fegan.

Tomorrow features racing from the headquarters of both codes as well as a number of supporting meetings around the country.

The big handicap of the day is of course the Cesarewitch, the Newmarket 3.40. Darley Sun may well go off favourite. David Simcock’s progressive three-year-old is 12lbs well-in after his recent second in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup. He has only been out of the first two once in 6 starts this season and will handle the ground.

Nanton has had a tremendous run in big handicaps and is really versatile with regards to trip but this just might be a bit too far for him. He also has an unfavourable low draw. Electrolyser has a 4 lbs penalty for a win in listed company at Ascot over 2 miles. He also ran well in the Northumberland Plate where he finished 5^th. Wells Lyrical was runner up in that race and is one for the short list with the benefit of a good draw. He may be better with some cut in the ground however. Alanbrooke has been running consistently all season and is a typically resilient type from the stable of Mark Johnston. He finished runner up over course and distance off the same mark recently.

Dirar won 3 times over hurdles during July and is an interesting dark horse. Times Vital last appeared in the UK when winning a 12 furlong handicap at Doncaster just over a year ago. He has since had a couple of runs at Deauville which should sharpen him up for this and if he stays (he has not attempted this sort of trip before) he could be an interesting contender. Dayia is a lightly raced mare with some good form in bumpers at the start of her career. She was a winner last time out at Wolverhampton. The booking of J Murtagh for Sereth looks potentially significant. A winner 5 times in Germany his current handicap mark could well be lenient. Fast ground could be a problem however. David Pipe’s Mamlook has finished third in the race before, had a good season over hurdles last term and clearly has a chance, while Gordonsville, well handicapped on some parts of his form has an each way chance. Based on his win at York in August I think that Swingkeel looks a likely type for this race. He handles fast ground well. Lastly Judgethemoment was completing a hat trick when winning the Ascot Stakes in June and is now only 2 lbs higher.

I know that is rather a long short list but let’s see how they are drawn.

Firstly, Nanton, Dirar and Sereth are all drawn in single figures and I am going to put a line through them. Let’s have a look at those drawn 18 or higher. Judgethemoment (18) Wells Lyrical (26), Times Vital (34), Darley Sun (25), Gordonsville (33) and Dayia (35). With the trainer of Gordonsville out of form we are left with a list of 5. Darley Dun and Dayia would be my 2 against the field.

The form of Main Aim has been very disappointing on both of his last two starts but if he could bounce back to the sort of form showed earlier in the season he would have a good chance in the 1.50. I have a feeling that the Irish may hold the key in the Dewhurst at 2.25 with Steinbeck and Chabal looking big threats to the home team.

Fame and Glory is the form pick in the Champion Stakes at 3.00 but his price looks short enough for a horse that ran in the Arc 13 days ago. Sariska, Pipedreamer and Twice Over are both more than capable of being in the shake up but at the odds the value looks to be between Never on Sunday and Mawatheeq. Never on a Sunday has had a light campaign and is already a Group 1 winner this season. Mawatheeq is an improving sort and is well suited by fast ground.

The lightly raced Nehaam, who beat Monitor Closely at level weights earlier in the season is my selection for a trappy looking Jockey Club Cup at 5.25.

Over the jumps at Cheltenham War of the World is fit, in form and has the benefit of Richard Johnson in the saddle in the 3.15. The 5.00 is probably between Red Admiral and Kangaroo Court with my preference for the latter who made a good start to his chasing career at Uttoxeter last month.

In the 5.35 Alan King runs a full sister to Over Sixty in Miss Overdrive. A winner at Southwell she then ran well in a mare’s bumper at Aintree and looks the one to beat here.

At Catterick the big race is the sprint handicap at 3.25 where my tentative suggestions are Fathom Five and Cape Vale.

In Canada there is a strong challenge from the UK for the two big races there. Rainbow View has not turned out to be quite the star that we hoped she would be but she has still shown a fair level of form all season. She can go well in the EP Taylor Stakes while Mark Johnston’s Jukebox Jury can be a hit in the Pattison Canadian International and add another Group 1 win to his recent success in Germany.

Good luck.

All pictures today are courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.  The picture at the top of the page is of the great Inglis Drever who sadly had to be put down today after a serious attack of colic.  It is a great shame that he was not able to enjoy what would have been a well earned retirement.