Category: Racing diary

 

Planet of Sound is the first runner from my list to follow in action tomorrow. He runs in the Newbury 12.30. He has had a slight back problem since running at Sandown where he was 4^th. This looks a tough little race where any one of the 5 runners could win. I am hopeful that Planet of Sound will win his share of races over fences. He should be suited by the track at Newbury.

Money Trix has always been held in high regard by trainer Nicky Richards but has been plagued by injuries. He makes a belated first appearance of the season in the 1.35 at Newbury tomorrow. He has gone well fresh before and is my selection. Trigger the Light has been let down by jumping errors in his two races this season but if he can improve in that department he could run well at a decent price.

The 2.10 could go to the unbeaten Dave’s Dream from the in form Nicky Henderson stable, with China Gold the one to chase him home.

Nick Williams has brought the exciting prospect Diamond Harry along carefully and he is still unbeaten after 2 starts in bumpers and two runs over hurdles. He faces some stiff opposition tomorrow in the Paul Nicholls runner Massasoit but I fancy him to maintain that unbeaten record. Junior took a while to break his duck over hurdles but that win may have given him confidence and he could surprise a few in this race.

Nom de Guerre and Caldusa Caldera represent my list to follow in the 3.15 and both go into the race with each way chances.

Today’s picture of the parade ring at Newbury is by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.

Good luck

My list to follow is going through a lean time at the moment although Wind Instrument was a winner this afternoon.

There are 5 runners from the list out tomorrow where my main hope is Neptune Collonges in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown (2.35). Although he makes the odd mistake his jumping is generally sound and he handles soft ground well.

At Leicester the unbeaten Bensalem looks to have a good chance in the 1.05. Twice a winner in bumpers he maintained his 100% record when winning on his hurdles bow at Chepstow and looks on the upgrade.

Course and distance winner Mokum has a good each way chance in the 2.35 particularly if the ground dries out a bit as he won’t want it too soft. Non de Guerre has always looked the type to do well over fences. He has put in a couple of placed efforts and must have a chance of getting his head in front in the 3.05.

My only list runner at Catterick is Orang Outan in the 1.25.

Elsewhere I fancy Trafford Lad in the Leopardstown 1.30 where Drumconvis, ridden by Ruby Walsh could be a lively outsider.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katie Scorgie.  See links for further examples of this artist’s work.

Despite 3 winners from my list to follow it was not much of a Boxing Day for my tips.

Over the years I have managed to find the winner of the Welsh National on a few occasions so here’s hoping. Halcon Generlardais is a big favourite of mine and has a very consistent record in staying chases, particularly at Chepstow. It is not difficult to see him running another big race and he should finish in the money. Miko de Beauchene won the race last season beating Halcon Generlardais by a head. Although he is set to carry more weight this time around he remains one for the shortlist. King’s Euro has been aimed at this race specifically. He has won 2 of his 4 races over fences and although he is out of the handicap he could be open to further improvement. He handles soft ground and is fit from an outing over hurdles. Nenuphar Collonges is suited to a test of stamina and comes into the race on the back of a win last time out at Bangor. I was most impressed with Beat the Boys when he ran at Cheltenham behind Joe Lively last month. He ran well for a long way on that occasion and looks the right type for this race. Gypsy George won 3 times over fences last season and warmed up for this race with a win over hurdles.

The horses mentioned above form my short list. Over the last 10 years only one horse has carried more than 10 stone 9 to victory and I will therefore concentrate on the lower weighted horses. I have concerns over the form of the Twiston-Davies runners and will pass on Beat the Boys. Of the remaining runners I just prefer Gypsy George to Nunuphar Collonges and King’s Euro.

There are two I like the look of in the Chepstow 2.40. Pepite de Soileil won a listed hurdle in France before moving to Paul Nicholl’s yard. She then won a small race at Wincanton by 51 lengths and she looks potentially smart. At a bigger price Giorgio Quercus might be worth considering. A winner at Hereford in November she was maybe brought out again a bit too soon when failing to follow up at Cheltenham 6 days later.

King Fontaine represents my list to follow in the 3.20. He was 3^rd to a useful type in Bensalem over course and distance a month ago and should be in the frame again. Peppertree Lane and Michel Le Bon look big dangers. There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in the 12.20, Wind Instrument and Pancake. Both may find Nakai a tough nut to crack.

At Kempton Starluck sets the standard in the 1.05. The Alan King runner Balzaccio could run well at a bigger price.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 2.15, Bible Lord, Seymar Lad and Big Fella Thanks. Bible Lord has been disappointing this season with his jumping letting him down. He tackles 3 miles for the first time and that may help his jumping. Seymar Lad won well at Chepstow earlier in the season. He has gone up a fair bit in the weights but has an each way chance. Big Fella Thanks has not lived up to expectations but with the Nicholls horses going so well just now I will give him a rather tentative selection.

Hora won at Aintree in the autumn but has been a shade disappointing on her subsequent starts. I wouldn’t rule her out of the 2.45 though where Theatre Diva looks the danger.

There is a small but select field for the 3.15 where I quite fancy Takeroc who has run well enough in top company on his last two runs.

The following runners from my list to follow are in action at Wetherby where Tot O’Whiskey looks my best chance.

1.20 – Lease Lend; 2.30 – Striking Article and Tot O’Whiskey; 3.00 – Daldini

At Leopardstown Hurricane Fly will take some stopping in the 1.55 with Go Native a possible threat at a bigger price. The lightly raced Dooney’s Gate has an each way shout in the 2.25.

Today’s photo is of Halcon Generlardais.  My thanks to Kate Tann for permission to use it.

With no weather threat this year we should get racing at all the various meeting throughout the UK and Ireland on Boxing Day, with the main attraction being Kempton Park.

In the King George at 2.40 Kauto Star (pictured below) goes for a hat trick of wins in the race.

To some he is the best bet of the season while to others he is a horse on a downward spiral. So which is the correct view? There is no doubting his class but he has only won one of his last 4 starts and a year ago that statistic would have been unthinkable. I am inclined to take him on. Voy Por Ustedes is the obvious one I suppose as he is a proven Grade 1 performer. The question is will he stay? He is into unknown territory here and 7/2 looks a short price about a horse that has stamina questions to answer, especially as there is likely to be plenty of pace on.

Imperial Commander won the Paddy Power and that form has since been franked by the runner up. However, Imperial Commander has done most of his winning at Cheltenham and I am not sure about his effectiveness around Kempton. I would also be a little worried about the form of the stable. Our Vic beat Kauto Star at Aintree at the end of last season but David Pipe’s horses have not been firing recently. Air Force One ticks most of the right boxes. He will like the ground and the track and his stable are going well. He is quite closely matched with Snoopy Loopy on their Hennessey form but the latter is a much bigger price. At Haydock when Kauto Star fell there have been debates as to whether he would have beaten Snoopy Loopy had he stood up. In any event there would not have been much in it. Kauto Star is 5/4 and Snoopy Loopy is priced at around 20/1. At those odds the consistent Snoopy Loopy looks a fair each way proposition. Air Force One at the age of 6 could be improving, while Voy Por would be a serious contender if he stays but I will stick with Snoopy Loopy as the best value.

Nicky Henderson can do no wrong at present and he saddles the favourite Punjabi in the Christmas Hurdle at 2.05. Third to Katchit in the Champion Hurdle Punjabi showed his well being when accounting for Sublimity at Wetherby last time out. He should be fitter for this race and he looks the likely winner. Harchibald (pictured below) will have his supporters as the going and track will suit him but at the age of 9, coming on 10 am inclined to go with the younger generation.

Paul Nicholls has not been capturing as many of the big prizes as looked likely at the start of the season. He saddles Pierrot Lunaire in this. A faller when beaten at Aintree in a race won by Squadron he has something to prove now. If you take one strand of his form though he is in with a cracking chance. He was only beaten 1.25 lengths over course and distance by Binocular in February and if we take that form at face value then the horse is right in there with a chance. Snap Tie beat Katchit over course and distance last time out and although Katchit has perhaps devalued that form since I still give Snap Tie a chance. He has always been held in high regard by his trainer and I would expect him to run well, especially if he gets a sound surface. Punjabi is the selection, Pierrot Lunaire and Snap Tie are respected..

The Kempton card gets under way with the 12.55; a novice hurdle with 3 runners from our list to follow. Dalmation makes his hurdles debut after three runs in bumpers where he was far from disgraced. His trainer does not run many jumpers and this horse looks over priced at 40/1. Simply Blue was a good second when well backed at Wincanton but was then a little disappointing at Newbury. The track might suit him at Kempton and he is no forlorn hope. Micheal Flips, a former winning pointer was 2^nd over course and distance 44 days ago having earlier won at Stratford. He is bred to stay further than this 2 miles although he is not devoid of speed. He has the best chance of the 3.

In the 1.20 The Market Man is a likely favourite. Nicky Henderson has a good record in the race and The Market Man should go well. My selection though is Breedsbreeze who can improve for this longer trip.

Hivikos makes his chase bow in the 3.15 after a couple of runs over hurdles. Paul Nicholls clearly thinks a lot of this horse from his comments in the press and it would come as no surprise to see the 5 year old make a winning start over fences.

There are 4 runners from my list to follow in the 3.45 so I will concentrate on their chances. There can be little doubt that Butler’s Cabin will have the Grand National as his main objective and that he is running over hurdles to protect his handicap mark. He is quite well treated in this race though and with AP McCoy in the saddle is not without a chance. Lordsbridge is a frustrating horse as he needs to come from off the pace but has a habit of arriving on the scene too late. He has been expensive to follow and after tipping him a number of times I am going to leave him alone here. Dangerous I know! There were excuses for Albinus after he was pulled up on his latest start in a novice chase. This likable grey returns to hurdles tomorrow. He is 6 lbs higher than when finishing 3^rd in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last season and certainly has each way claims here. Working Title fell at Ascot last time but before that had shown progressive form. With the Henderson yard in such sparkling form Working Title is my selection.

I will go through the other UK meeting in alphabetical order starting with Huntingdon. Hello Moscow has form in point to points and also ran a close second in a bumper in Ireland. He made his debut for trainer Jim Best when an encouraging 3^rd at Folkestone and will be hard to keep out of the frame when lining up in the Huntingdon 12.20.

Valda’s Queen was down the field in a bumper at Cheltenham last time out but runs in a weaker mare’s only race in the Huntingdon 3.05 where she can at least run into a place.

Market Rasen stage the Lincolnshire National at 2.25. Kitski is not badly handicapped, stays well, is a course winner and has had a few runs this season to get his eye in. He will do for me.

Or D’Oudairies represents my list to follow in the 3.30. He is upped in trip which is interesting as I have always seen him as a speed horse. He needs good ground to produce his best form.

At Sedgefield River Shanakill will take some beating in the 12.15. There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in the beginner’s chase at 1.15, Auroras Encore and Master Builder. Both have potential but have not done enough to warrant a bet this time.

Moving on to Wetherby the Nicky Richards trained Jorveybrook lines up in the 12.35. He has a race in him somewhere this season but may need further and better ground.

The big race at the Yorkshire track is the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at 1.45 where Tidal Bay will be tackling 3 miles plus for the first time in his career. He is the class act in the race but is unproven at the distance and I am a bit reluctant to take a really short price about him, particularly as he did not seem right when beaten at Sandown. State of Play and Ollie Magern are both course and distance winners and they are sure to have their supporters. State of Play certainly makes plenty of appeal and should go well. I am a big fan of Mister McGoldrick and he ran a blinder at Huntingdon behind Monet’s Garden. This trip would seem to be too far for him though and I will pass him by this time. Cloudy Lane represents the in form trainer Donald McCain. He should be about right for this and I would expect him to run a big race. If Tidal Bay gets the trip he will be hard to beat even off this big weight but at the odds I just prefer Cloudy Lane.

Later on the Wetherby card the Nicky Richards pair of Echo Point and Native Coral should give you a run for your money in the 2.15 and 2.50 respectively.

Wincanton next where Worbarrow Boy represents my list to follow in the opener at 12.40. This mare has had injury problems which have restricted her to just a couple of runs. She was 2^nd in a Cheltenham bumper back in April ’07. On her comeback last month she finished 5^th over hurdles at Lingfield which should go some way to putting her straight. At around 12/1 she has an each way chance.

Like Worbarrow Boy Nicto de Beauchene is trained by the Alners. He runs in the 2.55 which is a staying handicap chase. Jumping has proved a problem for this French import but he did at least get round in one piece on his latest start. He is yet to win over fences and 16/1 here probably equates to his chance.

The lightly raced Paquet Cadeau has each way claims in the 3.25 for the Elite Racing Club.

At Leopardstown Cousin Vinny will be a warm order in the 12.20. A champion bumper horse on both sides of the Irish Sea he jumped well on his first run over hurdles last month and should win this. Total Excitement is a half brother to a former champion bumper horse comes here fit from a run on the flat but he really needs a sound surface.

Former bumper winner Smoking Aces was 3^rd at Naas on his hurdles debut in a race that has worked out well. He is my selection in the 12.50.

Tatenen has been impressive over fences so far and I can see the Paul Nicholls raider being hard to beat in the 2.25. Cooldine and Forpadytheplasterer look the pick of the home challenge.

That is about it for this whistle stop tour of the Boxing Day racing.

The pictures of Kauto Star and Harchibald are by Lisa Miller.  The other pictures used today are by Katy Sodeau.

 

Of the horses features last night Stow was a 4/1 winner this afternoon.

There is only one runner from my list to follow in action tomorrow. No Panic who goes in the 2.15 at Fontwell may be able to improve on his other efforts this season. It looks to me that he needs a sound surface as he has never won with an “s” in the going description so may be worth supporting if he gets good ground.

The next update will be on Christmas Day when I will preview the Boxing Day meetings.

A white Christmas seems unlikely but I will leave you with a racing snow scene courtesy of Mark Hackett.  Have a good Christmas.

 

Temple Place runs for the 38^th time in his career at Hereford tomorrow. Although he has only won 5 races if you had backed him blindly throughout his career you would be well in profit. His wins have come at 20/, 12/1, 8/1, 50/1 and 7/1. Once a promising 2 year old with Michael Bell he went on to jump hurdles with Donald McCain and has now changed stables once again. He runs in the 1.40 tomorrow and while he is not on a bad mark at present he really needs a sound surface.

Black Jacari was looked upon as a Triumph Hurdle possible at the start of the season but has finished 2^nd on all his 3 hurdles starts, a beaten favourite each time. He seeks to get off the mark tomorrow in the 3.40. Venetia Williams runs Stow who is making his hurdles debut. He won a handicap on the flat at Bath over 10 furlongs and was also placed a few times on the level.

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

 

 

There are three runners from my list to follow in the 12.50 at Carlisle, the Sue Smith pair of Coe and Auroras Encore and Netherley trained by Donald McCain. Netherley is a big horse and has been off the track for a while but if race fit he would be in with a good chance. Of the rest Skippers Brig looks the logical choice as he thrives on heavy going and has won at Carlisle twice before.

The other runner from my list to follow at Carlisle is Super Road Train, another from Sue Smith’s yard. This one may need to come down a little in the weights.

 

It was a bleak mid winter day for my horses to follow list today with only Master Medic, (pictured below)  not for the first time, coming to the rescue.

In the hope that things can only get better let’s have a look at the racing on offer tomorrow, starting at Ascot.

Gwanako and Miss Mitch are the two from my list in the 12.30. Although he had won the Topham over the National fences last season Gwanako was an early casualty in the Becher Chase on his last outing and I am always a bit loathe to tip a faller last time out. I also note that Paul Nicholls has not been very bullish about the horse’s prospects today. If he puts in a clear round he would be in with a chance but the 11/8 on offer does not look value. Miss Mitch returns to fences having not really taken to them last season. She was a good mare over hurdles but I think you would have to take a watching brief tomorrow to see if her jumping stands up. Of the rest My Petra has an obvious chance although the soft ground would be a concern while Penzance is a bit hard to win with and seems to have something to find with some of his rivals at the weights.

The 1.05 sees the return of Trabolgan, th winner of the Royal and Sun Alliance and the Hennessey in 2005 and now back after a long spell on the sidelines with an injury. It is not a race I would bet on as Trabolgan will have to prove that he is back to his best and there is clearly no way of knowing that. A number of his rivals are capable enough of winning this sort of race on a good day with Faasel, Alderburn, Monkerhostin and Oedipe springing to mind. A race to watch but if you have to have a bet Alderburn would be my choice if the ground is not too soft.

The 1.40 is the Boylesports International rerouted from the Cheltenham meeting last week that was abandoned. Although there are only 5 runners it is a real quality line up with each of the quintet having a chance. Last week, when the race was due to be run at Cheltenham on very testing ground I was less inclined to favour speed horse Binocular (pictured below) and more keen on the chances of Cheltenham specialist Katchit. In some ways my feelings about the chances of those two horses has now swung the other way. Binocular has to be my selection but the price of around 11/10 is clearly short enough.

The Long Walk hurdle at 2.10 is a mouth watering prospect and will take some winning. I have a short list of 4 for this. Serabad is a very consistent sort and showed his well being when winning at Aintree last month. He has plenty to finmd with some of these but could just run well at a really big price. Pettifour was 3^rd behind Duc de Regniere at the end of November at Newbury in a race that was not run to suit him. Given a stronger gallop tomorrow he could get a lot closer to his Newbury conqueror and at 7/1 he looks over priced. The Nicky Henderson pair of Duc de Regniere (pictured below) and Punchestowns have outstanding claims. Duc de Regniere surprised a few people, possibly even his trainer when winning at Newbury. He has plenty of pace and if in contention coming to the last would take all the beating. Punchestowns put up a most impressive display when accounting for subsequent winner Ballydub last time out and looks a very exciting prospect. For my selection I will go for Punchestowns with an each way saver on Pettifour.

David Pipe has had 2 winners from his last 30 runners which puts me off selecting top weight Ashkazar(pictured below)  in the 2.45 and the same goes for the other Pond House runner Mamlook. I think that the Paul Nicholls runner Five Dream may be too high in the weights while the same can perhaps be said of Alan King’s consistent Squadron. Aigle D’or did little wrong when just touches off by Numide at Cheltenham last time out and he looks to be the one they all have to beat. Noble Alan, Sky Hall and Prince Taime make some appeal on an each way basis.

The Paul Nicholls trained Red Harbour is my selection in the closing bumper at 3.45.

Sue Smith’s Cloudy Times has useful bumper form and is one to watch on his hurdling debut in the Haydock 12.50. Solid Silver could run well at a big price in this race especially if the ground is riding on the testing side.

Arkle prospect Kalahari King looks set to extend his unbeaten record over fences in the 2.00.

The 2.35 looks very competitive. Middleton Dene was 4th to Duc de Regniere at Kempton in mid November and that form has certainly been given a boost since. Helen’s Vision was a brave winner at Newbury while a case could be made for both Theatre Girl and United. For my selection I am going for Tazbar on the basis of his form over hurdles last season although a couple of very ordinary runs on the flat recently have dented my confidence a little.

Beggar’s Cap gave my list to follow a 10/1 winner at Musselburgh and such was the manner of his victory that I am inclined to stick with him in the 3.40. He has won on soft ground but 3 of his 4 career wins have been on good to firm so very soft ground might be a concern.

According to Pete has made an excellent start to his chasing career for trainer Malcolm Jefferson and he should win again in the Newcastle 2.20.

Later on the Newcastle card Nirvana Swing and Open se L’Isle represent my list to follow in the 3.25. Open de L’Isle should strip fitter for a recent run over hurdles. He is a tough genuine sort and is not without an each way chance. Nirvana Swing has yet to find his form his season but he is a good jumper and does not look unfairly treated off a mark of 125.

Today’s photos are by courtesy of Tracy Roberts (Turfpix).  See my link to the Turfpix site.

I am short of time tonight so I will just have a quick spin through the Ascot card.

12.45 – I have fallen foul of a few Paul Nicholls trained beaten favourites just lately but I will try one more here in Fistral Beach. He probably bumped into a decent type when beaten at Exeter last month and is worth another chance. The other one I like is Presenting Forever, and expensive Howard Johnson “signing” from the Irish points field who is related to any number of successful jumpers. He made a promising hurdles debut when 3^rd at Huntingdon.

1.20 – High Jack has done well for me already this season with two wins and a second. He is down in trip tomorrow which should help him after he was beaten over further last time. AP MCCoy in the saddle is another plus.

1.55 – Door Boy ran into a smart adversary when runner up to Diamond Harry at Cheltenham. He can make amends here although Alfie Flits is an obvious danger.

2.30 – Buck the Legend is looking for his hat trick after wins at Exeter and Newbury. He has taken well to fences and will be hard to beat. There may well be more to come from Naiad Du Misselot who has been runner up on both his starts over fences. The Coral Cup winner is getting 4 lbs from Buck the Legend and the pair look closely matched.

3.05 – Master Medic comes here in fine form and is looking for a hat trick of wins. He has more on his plate this time but should still give a good account.

3.40 – Sarde ran an absolute stormer behind Ballydub at Newbury and a repeat of that sort of form will see him go well here.

Today’ picture is by courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.

 

Silverburn was well fancied for the Boylesports Gold Cup that was washed out on Saturday and he takes his place in the Graduation Chase which is the Exeter 1.50. He shouldn’t be inconvenienced by this shorter trip and is preferred to another rerouted from the Boylesports, Private Be.

Sprosser represents my list to follow in the 2.20. He is yet to finds his form this season but should appreciate the small field and the assistance of jockey Dominic Elsworth. He has not won on soft ground though.

There are two runners from my list in the 2.50. I can’t support Quickbeam as he has fallen in his last two races. Russian Trigger was staying on at the death when 7^th at Haydock on his seasonal reappearance and he is my selection. In the 3.50 I would suggest a small each way interest in Carrickmines, who looks quite well handicapped.

In the Ludlow 1.10 my selection is Alan King’s Paquet Cadeau who won at Uttoxeter on his UK debut. Emma Lavelle has her string in good form and Regal Quote, owned by the trainer’s father, looks the main danger to the Alan King runner.

Carole’s Legacy overturned a useful favourite at Newbury last time out with the remainder of the field in another parish. The form looks strong and she will take all the beating in the 3.10. Dual bumper winner Dancingwithbubbles was 4^th on her hurdles debut and looks the one for the forecast.