Category: Racing diary

 

There isn’t a lot to say about tomorrow’s racing.

There are a trio of under achievers in the 4.10 at Catterick. Chief Dan George was a useful hurdler but is yet to get off the mark over fences in 3 attempts. In fact he hasn’t won anything since getting the better of Wichita Lineman and Imperial Commander over hurdles at Aintree. That was on good ground so maybe the improving conditions will help him. Great Approach has disappointed over fences in his 2 starts but did win over hurdles at Catterick. Master Builder was a distant 3^rd at Ayr last time out but has run well on sharp tracks before.

Chief Dan George looks sure to go off favourite but I am going to take a chance that Great Approach will have learned from his first couple of runs over fences and that we will see some improvement from him.

At Leicester in the 2.20 Song of Songs looks the answer. I was impressed with his 3^rd at Newbury behind Planet of Sound where he travelled and jumped well.

Rightway Star, Jaunty Flight and Backbord represent my list to follow in the Leicester 3.50. Backbord isn’t the most consistent but when things drop right for him he is capable enough as he showed when winning at Fakenham in November. He was pulled up on his last start over hurdles at Southwell but is out again quickly and the stable are in good form. Jaunty Flight disappointed over a shorter trip last week but she looked good when winning at Newbury before that. Rightway Star was a winner at Haydock on good ground in November and there may have been excuses for his subsequent defeat as he was reported to have bled.

Lightning Strike is the obvious danger but he didn’t jump too fluently on his latest start and I will go with Jaunty Flight to regain winning ways.

Continuing the Cheltenham theme with my illustrations today’s picture, courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn, is of Kauto Star.

 

Not at all a bad haul from last night’s preview with winners aplenty at both Naas and Fontwell. Kicks for Free though proved that there is no such thing as a certainty!

Tomorrow we have meetings at Hereford and Plumpton.

In the first race at Hereford, the 2.30, Alan King gives a hurdles debut to the dual bumper winner Calafacial. Those bumper wins both came on the all weather surface at Lingfield so the drying ground should be a point in his favour.

I have a feeling that Carrickmines may be quite well handicapped in the 3.00. He has form on good ground as well so could be interesting.

Rippling Ring, a winner on the flat in South Africa looked a decent hurdles prospect when 5^th in the Supreme Novices at the Festival last year but has been a big disappointment on his two starts this season. He remains on the same handicap mark in the 4.00 tomorrow so will have to improve on his earlier efforts this season. He clearly has ability and may well come good but will have to overcome Carrickboy who was a most impressive winner at Market Rasen last week.

Aureate is a recent winner on the flat on the all weather at Southwell. I see that Tony McCoy has been booked to ride him in the 3.50 at Plumpton which looks significant. At least we know the horse is fit and well and will get every assistance from the saddle. Also in thus race is Temple Place who deserves a mention. Although he has a fairly ordinary wins to runs ration backing him blindly throughout his career would have reaped dividends as his wins have come at odds of 20/1, 12/1, 8/1, 50/1 and 7/1.

A word of warning about the 4.20. Chopneyev is an admirable animal and has been one of my favourites over the years. He does relish the mud however so beware of supporting him in the 4.20 if the ground dries out. Teamgeist is an interesting runner in this. He has always looked a potential chaser on appearance and should have benefitted from his chase debut at Folkestone last month.

The photograph of Hereford racecourse is courtesy of Ruth S Harris while the painting, based on a scene at Plumpton is by kind permission of the artist Katy Sodeau.

That is about it for tonight.

Well we had a smattering of winners and placed horses from those mentioned in last night’s write up. Hopefully we can add to that tally at Fontwell and Naas tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Countryside race day at Fontwell Park with the main event being the National Spirit Hurdle at 3.45. Lough Derg is a worthy favourite after some heroic exploits this season and there is every chance that he will once again be very difficult to peg back. Afsoun is the obvious danger but he does seem to find one too good for him a lot of the time and Lough Derg looks a better bet. Paul Nicholls has Pierrot Lunaire who was a very smart juvenile last season but has fallen on both his starts this term. He was only beaten a length and a quarter by Binocular last season at Kempton and then went on to beat Blue Bajan at Aintree. He may well be a spring horse and could be the danger to David Pipe’s runner. Pouvoir is an interesting runner. He has had injury problems and may well need this outing. If he comes out of this race OK he may be aimed at one of the handicaps at Cheltenham in a couple of weeks.

Paul Nicholls sends a strong team to Fontwell and his Alfie Sherrin, a Chepstow bumper winner will be fancied to win on his hurdles bow in the 2.10. His main rivals look to be Ballycarney and Richard’s Sundance.

Other likely Nicholls winners are Kicks for Free (2.40), Royal Auclair (4.15) and Oamaru Stone (5.15).

There is also a good card over in Ireland at Naas.

In the 2.15 Jaffonnien and Smoking Aces would be my each way fancies. The former was below par at Punchestown but has been given a break and is better than he showed on that occasion. Smoking Aces was runner up at Leopardstown on Boxing Day and the form of that race has worked out well.

Zaarito was 3rd in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last season behind Cousin Vinny and got off the mark over hurdles last time out at Punchestown. He looks an exciting prospect and is the one they all have to beat on the 2.45. The strong travelling Go Native is the main danger. He has been first or second on his last 6 starts but does not always find much off the bridle. In Paul Carberry though he has the ideal pilot.

I am going to go for a couple of outsiders in the 3.15. Joncol is a big strong sort and has won 3 of his 5 career starts all on heavy ground. Given the right underfoot conditions he should go well. Good Fella was an easy winner at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day and has been second a couple of times since then. He has taken well to fences and shown a taking attitude.

In the 4.50 Limestone Cowboy is my each way selection. He was 3rd in a handicap at Fairyhouse last week.

Points winner Early Doors is an interesting runner in the bumper at 5.20. He won his point to point in good style and I will be following his career under rules with interest.

That is about it for tonight. After searching for a suitable illustration I decided on a painting of Moorcroft Boy by the artist Trudy Redfern. The Fontwell 4.50 is names after Moorcroft Boy, a former winner of the Scottish National at Ayr who is now one of the horses cared for by The Racehorse Sanctuary.

Trudy Redfern has connections with Fontwell Park. You can see more examples of her work by following the link below.

Trudy Redfern

The best race this afternoon was the KIlbrittain Castle Novices Chase at Sandown which provided an exciting 3 way finish. I fancied Cornas and Gauvain for this but didn’t give them a strong enough write up last night, mainly because none of the experts went for them. There is a lesson to be learned there that you should always back your own judgement perhaps!

Anyway, turning to tomorrow’s racing there are a couple of big handicap chases to try and unravel.

Kempton stages the Racing Post Chase at 3.10. Paul Nicholls won the race last season and has 4 runners this time round. Silverburn, a full brother to Denman has rather flattered to deceive in his career so far. Both his runs this season have been disappointing despite him having a breathing operation in the summer. He has yet to win over 3 miles so he does have his stamina to prove although Kempton is an easy track. I am still convinced that he is better than he has looked in his races this season and he could be a good each way bet. Ruby Walsh has elected to ride the in form Big Fella Thanks who comes here on the back of an impressive win at Doncaster last month. He stays and jumps well and with the ground in his favour he looks the percentage call. The other one I quite like is Hold Em who was 3^rd behind Stan at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. He does not look badly handicapped and is another that will be suited by the ground. A small each way saver of Nacarat might be worth considering.

Honest John got off the mark over hurdles last month at the expense of subsequent winner Gee Dee Nen at Catterick. He handles good ground as he showed when winning the Aintree bumper last season and looks the one to beat in the Kempton 1.30. King Jack unseated when in contention last time and with his trainer in good form looks the threat. Tony McCoy has been booked to ride Lady Pilot which could be significant and any market support for this one would be worth noting.

It will be interesting to see how Conflictofinterest gets on in the 2.05. He started the season as one of the most exciting prospects in the powerful Paul Nicholls team but could only finish 4^th on his seasonal reappearance at Wincanton and has undergone surgery for his breathing since. He clearly has ability and should be suited by the flat track. The ground was pretty tacky when Dee Ee Williams was beaten by Alfie Flits at Haydock and Nick Giffords runner may well improve on that performance tomorrow.

Herecomesthetruth comes into the 2.35 looking for a 4^th successive win and will probably be all the rage. He has obvious claims but I am going to oppose him with Alan King’s Ouzbeck who will appreciate the ground and has won 5 of his last 7 races. In fact all his career wins have come on good or good to firm.

At Newcastle the big event is the long distance Eider Chase at 3.30. My 2 against the field are Merigo amd Iwillrememberyou. Merigo looked a thorough stayer when winning over 3 miles at Doncaster in December, he acts on the ground and warmed up for this race with a second over hurdles. Timmy Murphy should be the ideal jockey for him and of course he rode the winner of the race last season. Iwillrememberyou is described by his trainer as a plodder but that is what may be required over 4 miles in testing ground. He finished runner up to the progressive Coe on his last start and that form looks solid.

The Newcastle card gets under way with a handicap chase at 1.50. Daldini and Silver by Nature both come here on the back of a win, have shown thst they are in good form and look worth considering.

Ernst Blofeld looks the likely winner of the 2.55 while in the 4.00 I am torn between Best Lover and Catch Bob. Best Lover was runner up to the well regarded Steady Tiger last month and can be expected to have learned a lot from that. He is related to a number of winners and has to be one for the short list. Catch Bob is another that seems to be going the right way. Some sloppy jumping let him down when eh was 2^nd at Sedgefield on his last start and if he can improve in that department, he fell the time before, he would be a serious contender.

Skippers Brig has a very good record in heavy ground and looks the one to be on in the 4.35.

There are a couple of runners in the Chepstow 1.40 that I like. Joker’s Legacy, a dual bumper winner stepped up on previous efforts over hurdles when 2^nd at Taunton at the end of January. This was his first run for trainer Tim Vaughan and any further improvement would put him in with a good chance tomorrow.

Cypress Grove had Joker’s Legacy behind him when the pair were 3^rd and 5^th at Newbury in December and the runner up has since won.

Scrum V who is related to Mysylv is my selection in the bumper at 5.00.

Carrying on the Cheltenham theme with my illustrations today’s picture is of Katchit last years’ Champion Hurdle winner. This is by the artist Lisa Miller.

 

I have highlighted quite a few winners in these pages this week, albeit at skinny prices in the main.  One that I missed was Kitski who is on my list to follow and won at 11/1 but I didn’t give him a mention last night.  He was given a super ride by Graham Lee.  With that win in the bag it might be worth taking special note of Ferdy Murphy’s runners now as the trainer often hits a good run of form in the spring.

Elsewhere today the grey Pasco, bred in Switzerland, and there can’t be many Swiss bred steeplechasers about, put in an enthusiastic round of jumping to justify favouritism.  A flat track seems to suit him.

Talking of Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee they have an interesting runner up at Musselburgh tomorrow in Noir et Vert.  The key to this horse is the ground as all his career wins have come on good or good to firm.  He looks to be in with a live chance in the 3.45.  Another that will probably appreciate the ground is Striking Article in the 2.35.  His jumping has been a bit patchy this season but he runs here in preference to an engagement in Graded company on Saturday and that is perhaps a hint in itself.

The other runner from my list to follow in action at the Scottish track is Pakineo Des Pictons in the 2.00, another Ferdy Murphy runner again partnered by Graham Lee.  A winner of a Hexham bumper last season this 6 year old has had a disappointing campaign and is probably best watched for the time being.

There is an interesting novice chase at Sandown (3.20).  Doctor David has some very solid form.  He was a decent hurdler last season beating Planet of Sound in a handicap at Haydock.  His chase form stands up to scrutiny as well as he beat subsequent winner Kalahari King at Haydock and then finished a creditable second to I’msingingtheblues on his last start.  I prefer him to Free World who disappointed at Ascot recently. The two outsiders Cornas and Gauvain could well run better than their odds suggest.

Nicto de Beauchene has already done his job for my list to follow with a win at 14/1.  He runs in the 4.30 He is not without a chance but I am reluctant to advise him each way in a field of 7 runners.

In the bumper at 5.05 Prior’s Glen could well be the answer.  Trained by Emma Lavelle he was only beaten a head at Newbury at the end of December and should have learned a lot from that run.

Emma Lavelle also has a fancied runner in the 1.50 at Warwick with Vagrant Emperor who was second to the highly rated Bensalem at Leicester on his hurdles debut.

With the Cheltenham Festival just around the corner I intend to feature some past festival heroes over the next couple of weeks. Pictured below, courtesy of Kate Tann, is the former Triumph Hurdle winner Penzance, who was recently retired.

If you are looking for some Cheltenham pointers you could do a lot worse than invest in an excellent little book by one of my favourite racing pundits, John Morris.  Follow the link below for details.

John Morris book

The two paintings featured today are by kind permission of the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

Gee Dee Nen gave me a winner at Ludlow today . Tony McCoy always looked confident on this former flat stayer and drew away to win easily. He looks a horse to keep on the right side as does the horse that finished 3rd Putney Bridge who was not give a hard race once his chance of winning had gone.

Despite the recent improvement in the weather the ground at Ayr is likely to be on the testing side tomorrow. The ground should not inconvenience the imposing Quwetwo, an impressive winner on his hurdles debut at Doncaster last time. Formerly with Sue Smith for whom he won a bumper Quwetwo has to give weight away all round in the 3.45 but will take all the beating.

Back in November 2004 Tynedale gave me a nice win at 20/1. I remember things like that! Now a 10 year old he runs in the hunter chase at 5.20 along with another old friend Brooklyn Breeze who is still trained by Len Lungo. It is worth noting that the latter prefers genuine good ground.

Nicky Henderson’s mare Ravello Bay had a bit of a problem after finishing 2nd on her hurdles debut at Wincanton in November. She reappears tomorrow at Huntingdon in the 1.50. A decent bumper horse she is well thought of at home.

Pasco isn’t in the front rank of Paul Nicholls’ novice chasers but he is no mean performer nonetheless as he showed when winning at Newbury at the end of November. He should be able to win again in the 2.50 where Sam Thomas takes the ride.

Thomas is on board another likely Paul Nicholls winner in Mahonia in the 3.25. This one has been a bit disappointing in his last two starts though and is no nailed on certainty. The ultra consistent Son of Flicka could give him something to think about while another I like in this race is Martys Mission who has been quite highly tried but did win well at Folkestone a couple of runs ago.

At Clonmel Dooneys Gate could be interesting in the 3.45. I am a bit surprised to see him running over 2 miles 1 furlong as he has shaped as though he would be suited by further. He is a lightly raced individual though with scope for improvement and he is the selection. Another that would surely want more of a test of stamina is Drumconvis who won at Down Royal over 20 furlongs in October.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau (see links)

That is all for tonight.

 

I only have time for a quick update this evening.

I see that Quickbeam runs in the Doncaster 2.10 tomorrow. He has had problems with his jumping but at least put in a clear round on his last start.  With the stable of Venetia Williams in such good from I am hoping for a decent run from him.

Gee Dee Nen was a promising 2nd to Honest John at Catterick last month and gets the selection in the 3.00 at Ludlow.  Next best is Putney Bridge a dual bumper winner trained by Peter Bowen.

In the 3.35 I fancy the two top weights Working Title and King’s Revenge.  Working Title’s last run was when he finished 3rd behind Lough Derg at Ascot with subsequent winner Serabad back in 65th.  That form looks strong and he is the selection.

I have a couple of selections at Punchestown.  Quevega hasn’t run since June when 3rd in a Grade 1 hurdle at Auteil. Hurricane Fly was 2nd in that race and the form looks solid.  Quevega goes in the 2.55 tomorrow.

My other fancy is Sports line in the 3.30. He may have been an unlucky loser at Cork last month.

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

 

The horse that caught my eye this afternoon was Carrickboy at Market Rasen. A fine big chasing type he was given a confident ride by Sam Thomas and looks one to follow.

The racing tomorrow is pretty low key stuff. In the 3.00 at Southwell I am torn between Shining Gale and West End Rocker. There is not much between them on their form thus far but with the stable in good from I am going to favour Shining Gale.

The 4.00 is an open race and a case could be made for most of the runners. Old Mister McGoldrick looks well handicapped and even at the age of 12 I wouldn’t rule him out. Middleton Dene will appreciate the drying ground while Backbord is another for the shortlist.

The Hollinwell is well regarded by his trainer and showed some promise when 2^nd at Doncaster last month. He is one of my fancies for the 4.00 along with Traffic Control a very lightly raced former point to point winner.

In the 5.00 the well bred Flora’s Pride could be interesting.

At Taunton Limerick Boy will be hard to beat in the hunter chase at 4.20. At a bigger price Lord of Illusion makes some appeal.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Trudy Redfern.  Follow the link below for full details of this artist’s work.

Trudy Redfern

 

 

There were a few Cheltenham Festival pointers at Leopardstown this afternoon. Neptune Collonges won the Irish Hennessy beating the Welsh National winner Notre Pere to enhance his Gold Cup claims.

Cooldine outstayed Forpadytheplasterer in the PJ Moriaty Chase. Both have festival aspirations, although probably in different races. Cousin Vinny was probably an unlucky loser in the Deloitte Hurdle, but the winner Pandorama is a horse with immense potential in his own right.

There is racing at Carlisle and Market Rasen tomorrow.

Auroras Encore fell at Doncaster last time but had jumped well before that at Sedgefield and is worth another chance in the Carlisle 4.00. Huka Lodge was 3^rd behind Coe at Haydock on his last start which was a fair effort. He has gone up a couple of pounds for that but the 4.30 at Carlisle tomorrow is a much weaker race, he handles the ground and looks a fair bet. Super Road Train has been dropped in the weights but probably needs better ground.

Charingworth didn’t shape too badly when 3^rd at Towcester last month. That was over 2 miles and the extra distance of the 2.35 at Market Rasen tomorrow should be in his favour. If he handles the testing conditions he could go well.

Squadron was in good form at the start of the season but then went off the boil. He has been given a nice break and has a good chance in the 4.20. The other one I like in this race is Carrickboy, a comfortable winner at Taunton recently.

Catch Me will be hard to beat in the 2.45 at Navan tomorrow.  Oscar Rebel is a horse I like but he has a fair bit to do in this company.

My thanks to Jane Ince for the picture of Carlisle racecourse (top) and to David Hebb for his photo of Market Rasen.

 

There is some interesting racing on tomorrow although we have lost Sedgefield to the weather.

At Hereford Thumb’s Up could be worth noting in the 2.10.  He won a couple of times on the flat where he was rated in the low 80s and is now with a jumps stable that is in fine form.

Raysrock has had a number of engagement lately but connections have elected to take up the Hereford 2.40.  He could go well at a nice price.

I quite fancied Pterodactyl a couple of weeks ago at Fontwell but he fell early on.  He could make amends in the 3.10 where another that I like the look of is the Emma Lavelle trained Vagrant Emperor that was 2nd to a decent horse of Alan Kings at Leicester over Christmas.

Mewstone represents my list to follow in the 3.40.  She has been disappointing on her last two starts but will at least handle the heavy ground.

Oh Crick is my selection in the 4.10.

My selections at Leopardstown are as follow;

1.40 Shirley Casper; 2.15 Hurricane Fly: 2.45 Cooldine (danger Trafford Lad); 3.15 Splurge:

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Maura Clarke