Category: Racing diary

 

It was another strikingly successful weekend for Paul Nicholls, something we have become accustomed to this season. Of his winners on Saturday for me one of the best performances came from Kicks for Free who dotted up in the handicap hurdle.  I quite fancied him and gave a positive write up in my preview on Friday night.  He was given a wonderful ride by Ruby Walsh who has him switched off at the back of the field and produced him at just the right moment;  it was a real masterclass from one of the best jockeys around.

There is only one runner from our list to follow in action tomorrow and that is the Limerick bumper winner I Hear a Symphony at Hereford in the 2.30.  He was a faller when going well at Chepstow last time and may well be better suited by the track at Hereford.

Bye for now

Isn’t That Lucky was a winning tip from last night’s preview and at 10/1 as well.  There were a few losers too but let’s not dwell on those.  Isn’t That Lucky looks one to follow in the long term as he should make a chaser next season.

I thought about putting Quartano up as an each way selection in the 2.05 tomorrow at Kempton.  He won a couple of bumpers last season and his most recent run over hurdles when 2nd at Chepstow was quite a promising one.  Incidentally, Isn’t That Lucky was 4thy in that race.  There is a suspicion that Quartano is best with some cut in the ground so maybe the going might be on the quick side for him.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run well at a fair price though.

Hobbs Hill is the obvious choice in the 2.40 but I just wonder if either Lead On or Oslot could pull off a surprise. Oslot is a former winner on the flat in France and a half brother to useful hurdler and chaser Kadount.  He seems to act on any ground and of course comes from the all conquering Paul Nicholls yard.  Lead On was beaten by Hobbs Hill earlier in the season but his jumping has improved since then and at 5/1 looks a value bet to turn the tables.

Simon represents our list to follow in the Racing Post Chase at 3.15.  However he is 8 lbs higher than when he won this race last season and the going this year is likely to be faster than it was then. I was quite impressed with Ungaru when he was 2nd at Doncaster on his last run and he would be my selection in an open contest.  Wee Robbie is not without a chance at a bigger price and for those who like that sort of trivia he is a half brother to Isn’t That Lucky.

Binocular looks the likely winner of the 3.50 with the former flat stayer Furmigadelagiusta worth a small each way investment.

Kicks for Free is an interesting runner in the 4.50.  This is his first appearance of the season so he has presumably had some sort on injury problem.  He does have a good record when fresh though.

Up at Newcastle Shrewd Investor represents our list to follow in the 1.50.  He is a course and distance winner but was disappointing on his last run when pulled up at Kelso.  He is perhaps best watched for now.  The Whisperer has always been highly thought of by his connections and he makes a belated reappearance in this race.   Rose Davidson rides.  She had a winner in the week on board Modicum.

Border Tale is trained by James Moffatt up at Cartmel where the local shop sells a very decent sticky toffee pudding. Border Tale is not the biggest but he doesn’t lack ability and he was a winner earlier in the season at Kelso.  He is now on a career high mark though which I am afraid will make life difficult for him in the 2.25 at Newcastle.

The last 5 winners of the Eider Chase have all carried more than 11 stone.  My two against the field would be Negus de Beaumont and Comply or Die, the latter particularly if the ground rides good.

The Sawyer was beaten by a bit of a good thing last time out in Bible Lord and may find a winning opportunity in the Chepstow 2.50.

Earth Planet started his career by winning a bumper at Chepstow and I fancy him to go well again at the track in the 3.25 where Sam Thomas has the leg up.

There is some interesting racing at Fontwell on Sunday.  In the 2.45 Oscar Park is looking for his 2nd success over fences, having got off the mark at Fakenham last week.  His main rival will be O’Maley who is twice a winner over course and distance.

The Grade 2 hurdle at 3.50 sees a return to the smaller obstacles for My Way de Solzen who is looking to get his career back on track after a couple of disappointing runs.  He is getting weight from his main rivals and only a win will do really if he is to have serious Cheltenham hopes.  This could well be run at a furious pace with confirmed front runners Lough Derg and Ashley Brook in the line up.  A very interesting and informative race in prospect.

That is all for now.  Good luck over the weekend.

 

I was pleased to see a few of the horses featured in last night’s ramblings produce the goods today.  Modicum deserved his win after some consistent displays while I am sure that no one would begrudge The Bajan Bandit his hunter chase success in the gloom and rain up at Ayr.  He looked destined for stardom early in his career but while he didn’t scale the heights quite as he had threatened to do he takes some beating at Ayr.  This was his 8 win in 9 starts at the Scottish track.

My main disappointment was in the novice hurdle won by Hold ’em where my fancy, Junior, was jusr beaten a short head.  That race also say a return to form by Lightning Strike who was giving weight away all round but still finished in 3rd.

The main meeting tomorrow is at Sandown where Hell’s Bay is likely to start favourite in the 2.55. There could be more to come from a couple of horses that finished 4th on their most recent starts, Isn’t That Lucky and Schiehallion. At around 8/1 Isn’t That Lucky looks an each way chance.

Ballyfoy has recorded the biggest odds win from our list to follow this season thus far, 25/1 when bouncing back to form at Newbury on his last start. He has gone up 5 lbs for that win but the extra distance tomorrow should be in his favour and he might just surprise the hot favourite Arnold Layne in the 4.20 at Warwick.

I will be back tomorrow evening for a look at the weekend’s cards.

With the weather warming up a bit we should hopefully get racing at both Ayr and Huntingdon tomorrow.

In the bumper at Ayr at 4.50 I quite like Katapult who won well at Catterick on his debut. The last race on the Ayr card is a hunter chase at 5.20 which could well be between a couple of old favourites, Lord of Illusion and The Bajan Bandit.  Lord of Illusion was a strong fancy for the Grand National not so long ago and has won 5 times over fences.  He is a bold jumper who likes to race well up with the pace.  The Bajan Bandit has 13 career wins to his credit and has been a grand servant to his connections.  If you subscribe to the horses for courses theory he’s your man as he has won 7 times at Ayr.

At Huntingdon Brook no Argument, who has been knocking at the door this season could get her head in front in the 2.20.  The stable are not going too well though so I would not get too carried away at a short price.

In the 2.50 Modicum has a similar profile to Brook no Argument in that he alos seems to find one to good.  He has been runner up to a couple of useful types in Cedrus Libani and Hobbs Hill however and this may well be his chance.  Good ground will suit him.

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 3.25.  Both Lightning Strike and Crocodiles Rock are seeking to put a recent disappointing run behind them.  In November Lightning Strike beat Tazbar and that horse has won 3 times since.  Crocodiles rock was mighty impressive when beating Laborec, a winner since, at Aintree and has good bumper form last season. Junior could pull a surprise here at a big price.  He was a progressive stayer on the flat, winning twice in 2007 and is now with Alan King.

Wild Ground looks the won to beat in the 3.55 despite a big rise in the weights.

Jump racing is suffering as a result of the frosty weather at the moment but it seems as though Taunton has a fair chance of getting the go ahead tomorrow.

I see that David Pipe’s course and distance winner Commander Vic goes in the 3.50, partnered by Timmy Murphy. Commander Vic stays well and should have a good chance of following up.

David Pipe also has a fancied runner in the 4.20 with the dual bumper winner Seven is my Number.  He was a bit disappointing on his last outing when he could only finish 6th here but it could be that the ground didn’t suit him that day.  He is opposed by the well regarded Paul Nicholls runner Woolcombe Folly.  He has shown good form in bumpers, including a 54th at Aintree last May when Tazbar, a 3 time winner over hurdles since was 4th.  This will be Woolcombe Folly’s first run over hurdles and he could well make it a winning debut.

 

It seems unlikely that Carlisle will beat the frost tomorrow.  If the meeting does go ahead I would expect Classic Fiddle to complete her hat trick over fences in the 2.05.

 

Kauto Star won at Ascot very much in the a,manner I would have expected.  His main challengers, Monet’s Garden and Racing Demon are good animals in heir own right, but not quite in the same class as the reigning champ.  Unfortunately the Paul Nicholls runner has apparently suffered some sort of injury so maybe we will not get the big Kauto Star versus Denman clash at Cheltenham after all.

Watching Kicking King at Gowran Park he did not look like the horse of two years ago and it would be a surprise now if he is able to take a hand in the Gold Cup.

On the Champion Hurdle front Katchit proved too strong for Blythe Knight in the Kingwell Hurdle and you can see him battling into a place come the Festival.

Ruby Walsh doesn’t often ride for Jonjo O’Neill but he picked up the ride on Albertas Run and a neat round of jumping saw him get the better of Charlie Mann’s Air Force One in the Reynoldstown.

The Real Deal landed a gamble at Haydock in the novice handicap chase.  He had not appeared to take to fences judged on his previous effort but he was fluent enough today and won nicely.  Mister Potter was a bit clumsy at some of the obstacles but he looks a horse with plenty of scope and I am sure his day will come.  Earlier on the Haydock card Serabad gained a deserved win in the opener having chased home the useful Franchoek on his two previous outings but Keith Reveley’s Tazbr won the Grade 2 novice hurdle very much as he pleased and is clearly a decent sort.

Nothing really catches my eye ar Towcester tomorrow so I will leave in there for tonight.

 

Top class racing abounds tomorrow with the best of the action coming from Ascot.

The first race at Ascot is the Reynoldstown Novices Chase which has attracted a quality field and looks difficult to solve.  If we concentrate on the trends no horse older than 7 has won the race in the last 10 years and this approach would knock out 3 of the 7 runners.  Charlie Mann’s Air Force One is on a 3 timer after wins and is likely to start favourite.  He looks the one to beat with possibly Alberta’s Run giving him most to do if his jumping stands up.

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 1.50.  Nakai found Harris Bay too strong for him at Wincanton last time out but has shaped as a promising type in his races this season.  He should again run well. Khasab is an improving sort.  He took a heavy fall when looking the likely winner at Chepstow before making amends at Leicester last time out.  If he handles the ground, his best runs have come with some cut, then he would be my each way selection.  Bedlam Boy recorded a career best when finishing 3rd to Tidal Bay at Aintree last April. He looks a chaser in the making and will probably need further than this in time.  Khasab is also entered in the 2.40 at Wincanton.

It would be a major surprise if Kauto Star was beaten in the 2.25, even though this trip may be short of ideal at this stage of his career. You would think they would be fighting for the minor honours with the grey Monet’s Garden and Racing Demon likely to figure in the first 3.

The 3.35 is an above average mare’s contest.  Helen’s Vision absolutely bolted up at Newbury in November but has failed to build on that in 2 subsequent runs.  If allowed a soft lead here though she could take some pegging back.  Whiteoak is another interesting runner.  She got to within a short head of Tazbar in a Grade 2 at Doncaster and her trainer is in excellent form at present.

In the bumper at 4.45 Uffa Fox should appreciate the ground and has an each way chance.

Haydock gets underway at 12.35 with a novice hurdle.  Serabad is certainly the form pick having twice chased home the useful Franchoek.  If those exertions have not taken their toll I would expect a big run from him in this.

The 1.05 looks to be between Chief Dan George, Wichita Lineman and Special Envoy.  Special Envoy has had little luck this season and deserves to land a big prize.  Wichita Lineman looks the most likely winner but at 7/4 I don’t think I would be playing.

Tazbar and Marleybow represent our list to follow in the 1.35.  Tazbar has done little wrong this season and has to be the selection.

In the 2.10 Nicky Richards runs both Gunner Jack and Great Approach.  Gunner Jack looks well treated off a mark of 122.  He is a lightly raced sort that is certainly bred to stay.  Great Approach is another with scope for improvement and he should handle the ground.  He gets in here off a light weight and could run well at a price.

Bewley’s Berry continues his Grand National preparations in the 2.45.  He has plenty of weight though and in recent years only Shotgun Willy has shouldered this sort of a burden to victory in the race.  He jumps and stays though and should be on the premises.  Blue Splash is a horse I have always liked and he ran a fair race last time out at Warwick.  He just may need a bit of relief from the handicapper before he gets his head in front again. At around 10/1 I would be inclined to go each way with the consistent proven stayer Philson Run.

Two of the less successful members of our list to follow contest the 3.25, Mister Potter and The Real Deal. Mister Potter is dropped down in trip and I am not really convinced that that is going to be his optimum trip.  He certainly looks the part and ran with a bit of encouragement last time out.  He has also shown a liking for Haydock in the past.  The Real Deal has looked a bit of a disaster over fences to be honest so it is interesting that connections are persevering. In his favour he is coming down the weights although his jumping will have to improve if he is to take a hand in this.

Down at Uttoxeter the 2.20 looks quite a competitive handicap hurdle.  Trompette has come down a few pounds since her last run and has an each way chance.

In the Uttoxeter 4.25 Top Cloud should be all the better for the additional quarter mile after finishing 3rd at Newcastle.  He would be my each way fancy here but sadly there are only 7 runners.

The 3.40 at Wincanton should be between Katchit and Blythe Knight. Katchit has an admirable attitude and is a very fluent hurdler but Blythe Knight has plenty of class and if at his best is just preferred at the current odds.

I will be updating the site tomorrow evening.

Runners from our main list to follow in action tomorrow

Fakenham 2.25 – Oscar Park

Sandown 3.45 – The Package

Sandown 4.20 – Trucker’s Delight

There is an interesting newcomer in the 1.50 at Chepstpw in the Philip Hobbs trained I Hear a Symphony.  This Limerick bumper winner cost a  lot of money at the Doncaster sales and I will be following his progress with interest.

Michael Much runs for Paul Nicholls in the 2.20.  He has won twice before at Chepstow which is a track that seems to generate course specialists.

In the 4.35 my each way selection is Wind Instrument who may be suited by a step up in trip.

In the 2.30 at Ayr Timmy Murphy is an eyecatching jockey booking for Len Lungo’s Berwick Law.