Category: Racing diary

The heavy ground is leading to horses being withdrawn at the moment and 2 of the 3 horses mentioned last night were no runners at Ayr.  The 3rd, Supreme Copper ran quite well at Folkestone and hopefully will be up to winning before the end of the season, most probably in a handicap.

  

Should racing get the go ahead at Wetherby tomorrow the going is unlikely to be bottomless and the handicap chase at 3.05 will be far from “pheasant.”

  

The 3 elder statesmen in the race, 12 year olds Kerry Lads and Jungle Jinks and Devil’s Run one year their junior are used to slogs in the mud around here.  Kerry Lad’s and Devil’s Run have won the last two runnings of this race while Jungle Jinks is a 5 time winner around here.  Kerry Lad’s and Jungle Jinks were 2^nd and 3^rd behind Tim Easterby’s giant grey Silver Knight here last time they met and they are quite closely handicapped. Lucinda Russell’s horses seem to be running OK at present and I will give Kerry Lads my selection.

  

Were you on Tioga Gold, the 125/1 winner at Southwell today?  His only previous win was in a seller at Southwell in December 2001 so he was hardly the form pick!

  

Keep smiling

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 3 2007” →

An enjoyable days racing to start the New Year I thought.  There were wins for 3 of our list horses, My Way de Solzen, Blue Splash and Mister Quasimodo.  I was also pleased to see Himalayan Trail give me a winning “outside” tip at 11/2.

  

The 4 runner handicap chase at Cheltenham was a thoroughly enjoyable contest with all of them in with a shout at the second last.  Cornish Rebel won in the end despite wandering all over the place after the last. The Bajan Bandit has been a super horse for Lenny Lungo and ran gamely in second while Fork Lightning was close up in 3^rd despite jumping violently left at most of the fences.

  

There are two jumps meetings on Tuesday.

  

Ayr 1.40 The Whisperer was upped in class last time out but is back in the sort of sphere where he can gain his second success of the season.  Rose Davidson has the ride.

  

Len Lungo’s horses are running well at present so I am hoping that his Monolith, one of my Elite Racing Club horses, can give a good account in the 3.15.  He has been raised 5 lbs for his win at Cheltenham and has top weight.  He is rather a small horse so top weight is not ideal and he may have ground that is a bit softer than ideal. He will give of his best though – he always does.

  

Supreme Copper represents our list to follow in the 1.30 at Folkestone.  He looks the sort that might need handicaps in order to get his head in front.

  

Bye for now.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 2 2007” →

I hope there are some readers out there and you are not all out celebrating!  If you are thinking of making merry tonight you are likely to get wet on the outside as well as the inside.

 

With all the rain we’ve had heavy ground was very much the order of the day at Haydock on Saturday with the most taking performance coming from Skippers Brigg in the concluding novice hurdle over the brush hurdles. Len Lungo's gelding had recorded a bloodless win at Ayr last time but was forced to dig deep to fend off the Kate Walton trained Nevertika (picture below).

  

He showed a willing attitude throughout and produced a particularly fluent jump at the second last. He stayed on strongly after the final obstacle and looks the sort to make a smashing chaser next season.

 

Kate Walton incidentally is one of my links so you can read all about her horses on her website.

 

The 5 runner chase earlier on the card went to the ex German Limerick Boy who is trained by Venetia Williams for the Favourites Racing Syndicate.  Both Crozan and Royal Rosa were disappointing and it was left to the grey Royal Emperor to chase the winner home.  Limerick Boy has always had ability but has often spoiled his chanced with fencing errors.  I thought he jumped well yesterday and he certainly travelled better than anything else despite the bottomless ground.  When he was trained in Germany he won a Group 3 on the flat and he is one of that quite select band to have won decent races in all 3 codes.

 

The horses on my list to follow have had a bit of a lean time of late but at least Wyldello ran well on her hurdles debut today and should be a winner before long.

 

I enjoyed watching Florida Dream win the handicap chase at Warwick this afternoon.  He was a lucky horse for me last season and is one I always keep an eye out for.  He jumped well today but lost a bit of ground by jumping to his right much of the time.  He will probably be kept to right handed tracks in future.  I was interested to see All Sonsilver run such a good race in second.  He hasn’t won since Pontious was a pilot but used to be quite decent, being rated at 112 at one stage when trained by Martin Todhunter.  He is now owned and trained by Peter Kelsall and was running off a mark of 88 and was 7 lbs out of the handicap.  He went off at a huge price – 50/1 – and I just wonder if perhaps I should have given him a write up last night!  His brother All Silver won 7 times over fences in France.

 

The main racing on New Year’s Day is at Cheltenham.  Paul Nicholls has a good record in the opener at 12.30 and is looking to win it for the third year in a row – he saddles Beau Michel this time.  This one is a full brother to a horse that was placed in two Irish Nationals so it came as a bit of a surprise when he seemed to tire when stepped up to 2.5 miles last time.  He is back in trip tomorrow but carries a big weight.  He will be ridden by 10 lbs claimer Harry Skelton whose father is a top show jumper and his brother is assistant trainer to Nicholls.  Beau Michel is reportedly held in high regard but has something to prove after his defeat last time.

 

With only 4 runners it should be possible to solve the 1.05.  Cornish Rebel, Best Mate’s brother, has top weight and rightly so on the best of his form. He was only beaten a short head in a Scottish National and has been 3rd in both the Hennessey and the Welsh National in his time.  He has never won on anything wetter than good to soft though and being by Un Desperado that is what you would expect.  He has a huge weight and has been known to be a bit faint hearted.  I am going to pass him by.

 

Fork Lightning has never won on anything softer than good to soft but as a full brother to The Listener there is a better chance that he might handle it.  He hasn’t won since taking the National Hunt Handicap at the 2004 Festival at this track. His record at Cheltenham is quite good, having only been out of the first 3 once in 6 goes.  He was third there in April ’06 when Parson’s Legacy was 2^nd. Fork Lightning is 8 lbs better off with that rival for a 6 length deficit.  In 8 runs in soft or heavy ground Parson’s Legacy has not won once and he may not like it. The Bajan Bandit on the other hand has won on soft or heavy 9 times. His record at Cheltenham does not read well and he is 5 lbs higher than his last win over fences which came nearly a year ago when beating Royal Emperor.  He acts on the ground though and was staying on behind United over hurdles at Haydock last time.  He gets the vote.

 

My Way de Solzen was beaten by Fair Along last time at Sandown but can get back to winning ways over this longer trip in the 1.40.

 

The 2.15 looks tricky.  Lacdoudal won the Whitbraed, or whatever it is called now, at Sandown last season.  His best performances have been in decent ground and I would be inclined to take him on for that reason. Le Volfoni acts on the ground and although not that well handicapped he gets a tentative vote.

 

 

Paul Nicholls sends Ladalko over hurdles in the 2.50 after the horse has had a couple of falls over fences.  He has plenty of ability, acts on the ground and should be on the premises.

 

I am going to take a chance with a bit of an outsider in the 2.00 at Catterick. Himalayan Trail makes his chase bow after only 2 runs which shows that the stable really think he will make a chaser.  He has form on heavy ground and reportedly jumps well.

  

Kilmackilloge was an impressive winner on his chase debut at Kelso and I will take him to follow up in the 3.10.  Dominic Elsworth rides.

 

Blue Splash makes his chase debut in the 2.25 at Exeter.  His full brother Ungaro has already won 3 times over fences this season.

 

Mister Quasimodo should be up to winning the 3.35 and get off the mark over fences.

 

The only runner from our list to follow in Ireland tomorrow is Rhacophorus in the 12.45 at Fairyhouse.

 

May I wish everyone a prosperous 2007.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 1 2007” →

It was a miserable afternoon for most of the runners from the list to follow one or two running real stinkers and only Arrive Sir Clive managing to get his head in front.

  

One race that I was looking forward to today was the handicap chase at Newbury named after the great Mandarin.  In the event it didn’t disappoint and we were treated to a close finish. The bold jumping ex Irish pointer Irish Raptor attempted to make just about all but was collared by Tango Royal after a blunder 2 out. The grey, who had been switched off at the back by the peerless Tony McCoy nearly ran out of gas up the run in as the brave Irish Raptor came back at him to get within half a length with the rest well in arrears.

  

This was Tango Royal’s first win since July 2005 when he landed one of the big summer handicaps at Market Rasen beating Impek.  You can’t miss Tango Royal during a race as he is almost white and sports red blinkers.

  

Mandarin incidentally was twice a winner of the King George and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1962.

  

Despite all the rain we have had recently the going at Ascot will probably not be too testing tomorrow and that should suit Henry Daly’s Nocivo.  This ex bumper winner was considered a promising type until injury put him out of action.  He returns after a 401 day absence in the 12.40.

  

Witness Run, who won an Irish point to point in 2005 is another that will like the ground.  He carries top weight in the 2.20.  He was second here earlier this month and the extra 2 furlongs he will need to travel tomorrow shouldn’t trouble him.

  

The handicap chase at 3.00 looks particularly trappy.  Character Building has been raised 9 lbs by the handicapper without even running! This is because a horse that he had run against previously has won since.  Anyway I think that Character Building is a nice horse and he can go well.  Jaunty Times just gets by tentative vote.  He was second at Ludlow last time out and will be suited by the ground.

  

French Saulaie represents our beleaguered list to follow (list to avoid?) in the Haydock 12.35.  Although only 5^th at Cheltenham last time this looks a weaker race and the soft ground should suit.

  

I see that Flintoff runs in the 1.05.  He has been second on his runs so far this season – now there must be a parallel somewhere!

  

The 1.35 at Haydock was won last season by Florida Dream carrying 11 stone 11.  I considered 3 at the top of the weights for this.  Chickapeakray is not over big and may not be suited to carrying big weights.  Both Clemax and Calvic handle heavy ground and they are my two against the field. The two met at Ayr in April when Calvic, giving away 16 lbs won by 10 lengths.  Given the huge pull in the weights today Calvic is the selection.

  

Good Citizen, like Calvic, is trained by Tom George.  A winner 18 days ago at Sedgefield in heavy ground, he seeks to follow up in the 2.05.  He has gone up 8 lbs for that win but clearly revels in the mud and is going the right way.

  

There is a small but quality field for the 3.10.  Crozan seemed to lose his way last season but came back to form when a short head second to Tamarinbleu at Ascot. If he can maintain that form he will be hard to beat.  Royal Rosa will appreciate the ground.  He has been hard to keep right but if he still retains all his ability despite injury problems he would be bang in there with a shout.  Royal Emperor has not shown much recently but can’t be written off.  He carries 6 lbs less than when 3^rd in last seasons Scottish National and he has won twice at Haydock and likes the ground.  Interesting 5 of his 7 career wins have come in fields of 8 or less. 

  

Limerick Boy does not lack for ability but his jumping has tended to let him down.  Tight one this but I will go with Royal Rosa.

  

Skipper’s Brig is well thought of by connections and is my selection for the 3.40.  He has already shown that he goes well on heavy ground and is my best bet of the day.

  

Up at Musselburgh I give Celtic Carisma an each way chance in the 12.25 as long as the ground rides good.

  

Formerly trained on the flat by Mick Channon Ahmedy did well on his hurdles debut finishing 2^nd at Catterick.  He jumped well that day, likes good ground and should run well in the 12.55.

  

Three ex flat horses look set to dominate the betting in the 2.25, Leslingtaylor, Let’s Roll and Crocodile Dundee.  This is a bit of a guessing game. Leslingtaylor has a penalty and I just wonder if Let’s Roll might want a stiffer track so I will take a chance that Crocodile Dundee is ready first time out.  Crocodile Dundee won a Group 3 in Copenhagen in 2004 so I hope he can bring home the bacon tomorrow!

  

Locksmith has been one of thje more disappointing horses on my list to follow.  He has left the Pipe stable and I see that his new trainer has him running over hurdles in the 3.25.  Spotlight in the Racing Post says that he is “best watched” at present and I would not disagree with that assessment.

  

My big hope on Sunday is Wyldello for the in form Alan King yard in the 2.35 at Warwick.   She is a half sister to the high class hurdler Morello who was trained by Mary Reveley.  Wydello has not been out of the first 2 in her 4 runs in bumpers and looks to have the scope to make a serious impact over hurdles.

  

In the 3.05 I fancy the two top weights, Florida Dream and Flash Cummins.  The former is a full brother to the great Florida Dream and did well for me last season when I had him on my list to follow.  Flash Cummins is unexposed over fences and this step up to an extended 3 miles could see him improve further.

  

Our only list horse at Punchestown is Ballytrim in the 12.40 but he is another best watched at present I feel.

  

Star of Wonder to Cold Turkey

  

How did your Christmas go?  Well, the cat had the last of the turkey this morning but there are still a few beers left so I can celebrate any winners I get tomorrow.

  

As we near the end of 2006 now seems a good time to look at the exploits of my jumps list to follow. At first glance things look OK, apart from Kauto Star with 3 Grade 3 wins of the bounce list horses have captured a number of the top prizes, the Hennessey, the Welsh National, The Fighting Fifth, the Greatwood Hurdle, The Rehearsal Chase etc. The winners of those races were some of the more obvious horses though that would be on most lists to follow and many of the darker choices on my list have either disappointed or not run at all.

  

We lost Missed That to a fatal injury and numerous others seem to be out of action with injury problems, Trabolgan, Star de Mohaison, Money Trix, The Market Man and One Sniff being just some I can mention.

  

I am hoping that some of those that have not appeared yet will make up for lost time in the New Year.  One such is Cold Turkey, who is trained by Gary Moore near Brighton.  Cold Turkey has been a splendid servant to connections with 15 wins to his credit.  14 of those were on the flat and I was rather hoping that his trainer would map out a campaign in handicap hurdles for him. 

  

Anyway back to the successes of the list.  Kauto Star has the most wins, with 4 while 3 horses have won at odds of 10/1 or bigger, Ungaro (14/1), Cerium (12/1) and State of Play (10/1).

  

Happy New Year!

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 30 & 31 2006” →

On what was a pretty desperate day for some of the horses on my list at least The Listener and Beef or Salmon were first two home in the big race in Ireland.

  

Not many British trained horses make the crossing to Ireland for the Lexus Chase and even fewer win when they get there. Best Mate being the only previous British trained winner I can recall off the top of my head.  All the more merit therefore when The Listener pulled off a notable success in the Lexus Chase today, accounting for Irish stars Beef or Salmon and War of Attrition in the process.

  

The Gold Cup remains a bit of a puzzle but if the ground rides soft then The Listener would have to come into the reckoning.

  

Newbury stage a good card tomorrow that starts with a novice chase that has been won by Paul Nicholls in 3 of the last 4 runnings, with Kauto Star taking the honours in 2005.  Nicholls is not represented this time around in what looks like a two horse race between Killaghey Castle and Fair Along.  Fair Along has won his last two races at the expense of highly rated rivals in Natal and My Way de Solzen.  His front running style will be suited to Newbury and he will take all the berating.  Killaghey Castle beat Briareus on his chase debut and that horse has won since.  Killaghey Castle looks to have a future over fences but he is giving 7 pounds to Fair Along and will not find it easy to peg back that rival.

  

The novice hurdle at 2.40 looks fiercely competitive.  Irish raider Kanpai has won his last 6 and is the form pick.  Massini’s Maguire beat Wichita Lineman by half a length at Cheltenham last month and there will probably not be much between the pair again.

  

The two runners from our list to follow are progressive types.  Sir Jimmy Shand has won 4 of his 5 career starts is has won both over hurdles.  This represents a big step up in class though.   Roll Along has a similar profile having won all 5 starts. Like Sir Jimmy Shand he has far more on his plate here.

  

Nicky Henderson trains Sir Jimmy Shand and he saddles Schiehallion in the bumper that closes proceedings at 3.40.  He looked a decent prospect when winning a bumper here on heavy ground las t month.  I have added him to my list to follow on the strength of that performance which will probably be the kiss of death.

  

Our only list runner in action at Taunton is Pepperoni Pete who was a beaten favourite when disappointing last time out at Ascot.  The 2.20 is a much weaker race and he should win.

  

In Ireland Brave Inca and Iktitaf clash at Leopardstown in the 14.55.  Ruby Walsh rides Brace Inca for the first time with Tony McCoy committed at Newbury.  This could turn into a tactical affair and I fancy Iktitaf to just shade it.

  

My other main hope at Leopardstown is Arrive Sir Clive in the 2.55.

  

The Elite Racing Club – Part 3

  

During the 2006 flat season the club were only able to run one juvenile, and that was Tredegar who comes from a winning family and is a half brother to Eisteddfod. He did well for us last season winning at Newmarket and Wolverhampton and he should be able to go on from there.  One that didn’t make it to the race course was Sister Act who is a full sister to Soviet Song.  Obviously hopes will be high for her when she makes her debut as a 3 year old.

  

The club have a few 2 year olds that should be making their racecourse debuts in 2007.  I will point out 3 for you to keep an eye out for.  Harlech Castle is out of the mare Ffestiniog, that has produced 4 winners so far.  His sire was Royal Applause a champion Sprinter so Harlech Castle should be a speedy type.

  

Marbles is by Marju, Soviet Song’s sire, out of Baralinka, a half sister to Soviet Song.  Marju has quite a good record with his 2 year olds so this is another worth watching.

  

Lastly there is Warsaw Waltz who is by the same sire as Court Masterpiece and Rakti.  The bad news for Warsaw Waltz is that she is a half sister to Travolta who was not exactly grease lightning and ended up in selling hurdles. 

  

That ends my whistle stop tour of the Elite runners.  I will keep you posted on their progress.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 29 2006” →

Well Kauto Star made it 4 out of 4 in the King George.  His critics are quick to point out that the challengers he will face at Cheltenham from across the Irish Sea were absent and that his jumping at 4 out and at the last was not very pretty.  He was too good for his rivals at Kempton though and he once again quickened away from his field in taking style.  Will he get away with similar jumping errors at Cheltenham?  Probably not, but against that going left handed should suit him and at Cheltenham he will be given a more patient ride. Just at the moment I would not take a very short price about him for the big one.

 

 

  

There were mixed fortunes for the horses on my list to follow. Both Monet’s Garden and Straw Bear were bitterly disappointing on Boxing Day, with no obvious excuse.  Looking at today’s racing Rasharrow jumped very sketchily and did well to grab 4^th in the end.  He will need to jump a good deal better than that if he is to compete at the top level.

  

I gave Lord Sam a write up in my Boxing Day preview and I was particularly pleased to see him show great resolution to land the handicap hurdle at Wincanton.  He has lost his way in the last couple of years but had been showing signs of a return to form.

  

The list to follow had its successes.  Kauto Star of course, Ungaro and Troll on Boxing Day and Nickname, You Sir, Halcon Generlardais, Voy Por Ustedes, Merdeka, Alderburn and De Valira today.

  

I probably overlooked the obvious when not tipping Halcon Generlardais as he had serious claims on stamina, jumping and liking for the ground. I allowed the trend factor to rule my choice as not many have carried more than 11 stone to victory in the Welsh National. In the event Alan King’s ex French gelding was always going well and his jumping was a key factor.  He was given a very nice ride by the underrated Wayne Hutchinson.

  

Voy Por Ustedes gave Alan King an across the card big race double with an impressive win in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.

  

The focus tomorrow is firmly on Leopardstown which stages the valuable Lexus Chase.  Before that though there are a couple of runners from our list in the Grade 1 novice chase at 1.30.  O'Muircheartaigh was pulled up at Fairyhouse 3 weeks ago but before that had beaten Knight Legend at Punchestown and that horse later ran a good race at Ascot.   Mossbank was 5^th in that Fairyhouse race.   The form of that race is working out well and I expect the winner, Cailin Alainn to follow up.

  

Strangely Brown represents the list in the 2.00.  Recent efforts have not been encouraging and he is one to watch at the moment.  Ruby Walsh has the ride.

  

The Lexus Chase at 2.35 has a small but very select field. The Listener and Beef or Salmon are the runners from our list to follow.  The Listener ran a cracker when giving Star de Mohaison plenty to do on the first day of the month. My preference though is for course specialist Beef or Salmon who showed his well being with a win over hurdles recently.

  

In the bumper at 3.40 I fancy Siegemaster who is a half brother to Our Vic.

  

There are 2 jumps meetings in the UK, at Catterick and Leicester.

  

The old Racing Channel used to do a video of horses to follow.  They did a tour of the country asking various trainers to name their horse to follow.  It used to yield quite a few winners.  I remember a horse called Hugo de Grez being featured on one of those videos some years ago now.  He is quite an interesting horse for a number of reasons.  Of his 9 career wins 6 have come at Carlisle.  Brian Storey rode him in 5 of those wins and having retired from the saddle now trains him.  Hugo de Grez runs in the 1.20 at Catterick tomorrow.  Do I think he will win?  He has some claims as he won recently and is not on a bad mark. Being a Carlisle specialist I am not sure that Catterick is necessarily going to suit him – he has never actually run there before.

  

The Dukes Speech (2.20) was 3^rd behind Straw Bear and Conna Castle at Aintree over hurdles last season and I had hopes he would do even better over fences this season.  He showed some promise wjen 3^rd at Kelso last time out and shouldn’t be far away.  Howard Johnson’s Lennon, unbeaten over fences is going to be hard to beat though, especially at a track that should suit his front running approach.

  

Elverys may have been unlucky at Musselburgh last month as he was a faller when going well 4 out.  He can gain compensation in the 2.50.

  

An unusually large number of my list to follow are yet to appear this season and I know that some have been injured. I will draft in a few reinforcements over the next week or so starting with Secured who runs in the 3.00 at Leicester.  He is a half brother to Mister Mustard and won over hurdles in January.  I am hoping he will pop up at a decent price at some stage to justify his inclusion in the list.

  

The Elite horses – part 2

  

I started looking at some of the horses belonging to the Elite Racing Club yesterday.  Tonight I want to consider the chances of some of the national Hunt horses that should be appearing in club colours during the second half of the season.

  

When the current campaign began my main hope was probably Kadount. If you go back a couple of years he had some very smart form in his novice chasing season.  He was mixing it with the likes of My Will, Ashley Brook and Fota Island.  He failed to win last season and seemed to have lost his sparkle.  A move from Alan King to Lenny Lungo followed and I could just picture Kadount returning to form in some northern handicap chases.  It hasn’t happened yet, in fact he has only has one run when he was pulled up over hurdles.  I remain hopeful though.

  

Penzance won the 2005 Triumph Hurdle but wasn’t able to add to his tally subsequently over hurdles. He has now been sent novice chasing and won a small race in May.  Since then he has been placed a few times and has taken on some of the better novices but he is looking a little hard to place.

  

Trompette was an import from France and is with Nicky Henderson.  This mare looks on a reasonable hurdles mark and she won in February and March last season, both at Plumpton.  She looks the sort that could land a handicap hurdle between now and the end of the season.  Henderson trains the veteran Dancing Bay who has done the club proud over the years.  He now also has Dancing Bay’s half sister Spanish Lace.  This daughter of Hernando won on the all weather at Wolverhampton and as the saying goes “could be anything!

  

Rehearsal is a nice dual purpose horse with Len Lungo who doesn’t want the ground soft so he could be one to look out for in the spring.

  

One I am particularly looking forward to is Roi de L’Odet who is with Nicky Henderson.  This one had plenty of flat form in France before coming to the UK but has been injured ever since I joined the club.

  

I will be back tomorrow night with the 3^rd and concluding part of this feature.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 28 2006” →

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will concentrate on a preview of Tomorrow’s racing here.  I will have a look back at today’s action tomorrow night.

  

Starting at Chepstow Sue Smith’s Bougoure represents the list to follow in the opener at 12.20.  Bougoure won at Catterick and Market Rasen over hurdles and has shown enough in a couple of runs over the larger obstacles to have a chance here.

  

Madison Du Berlais won 3 times earlier in the year but is yet to come to hand this season.  Both trip and ground should suit and he could be given an each way chance in the 12.55.

  

Another David Pipe runner, Doc Row has a squeak in the 1.30.  He looks on a fair mark over hurdles and stays this trip well.

  

There are 3 runners from the list to follow in the Welsh National at 2.05.  Halcon Generlardais jumps, stays and will like the ground.  On the negative side horses carrying more than 11 stone have a poor record in the race.  Kinburn has been second in both his starts this season.  His chances have not been helped by jumping errors but if he gets it right in that department he could run well.  All in the Stars has not shown his best form in his last few starts and may be a bit high in the weights.  He is a thorough stayer though and would have claims on his best form.  I will give him my tentative each way selection.  Others that could go well are Simon, L’Aventure and Preacher Boy.

  

Paul Nicholls trained the winner of the bumper at 3.45 last season and has a good prospect in the race this time with Mutual Respect.

  

The 1.10 at  Kempton features two from our list to follow, Killaghey Castle and Rasharrow.  Killaghey Castle looked impressive last time when beating Briareus, a good winner since.  The form looks solid and he gets the selection.

 

 

  Rachel Green takes on some of the big name jockeys in the 1.45 on Fountain Crumble.  She is a very capable rider though and the combination should go well. 

Voy Por Ustedes had to give best to Kauto Star in the Tingle Creek but there was no disgrace in that and he can get off the mark for the season in the 2.30.

  

Alderburn was disappointing on his reappearance this season but has had a good break since and has AP McCoy in the saddle in the 3.05.  Our other list runner is King Barry who was well beaten at Ascot last time out and may not find the going to his liking.  Alderburn has the better chance of the two I would say although he is probably better on a galloping track.

  

Midas Way was 4^th to Afsoun in a listed hurdle at Newbury last time.  He should come on for that and has an each way chance in the 3.40.

  

The following horses from our list to follow are running in Ireland.

  

Leopardstown 1.30 Nickname

 

2.00 Catch Me and De Valira

 

2.35 Oulart

 

3.10 Numbersixvalverde

 

Limerick 1.10 You Sir

 3.20 Merdeka Other selections; 

Limerick 12.40 Fred’s Benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Elite Racing Club

  

As some of my regulars will know I belong to the Elite Racing Club, which means that, along with 17,999 other people I am the proud owner of 20 or so racehorses.  I thought readers might be interested to read about the club horses and their prospects for 2007. The opinions expressed here are very much my own thoughts as I avoid expressing any official club views for obvious copyright reasons.

  

Now that the club’s star filly Soviet Song has been retired the two best known names on the flat are probably New Seeker and Eisteddfod (I always rely on my spell check for that one!)  Although New Seeker is rising 7 he showed he is no back number by winning for the second time in listed company this year in the Guisborough Stakes run at Redcar.  Although he has only won 7 races in his career he does seem to specialise in valuable races.  He has won the Totesport International Handicap twice and has also won 2 races at Royal Ascot, the most recent being the Royal Hunt Cup when it was run at York.  He was also 2^nd in the Lincoln a couple of seasons ago.

  

He is effective over 7 furlongs and a mile and likes to make the running. I am hoping that he can land another listed race in 2007 or just possibly find a Group 3, possibly abroad.

  

Eisteddfod is a product of the Elite’s own breeding programme as he is out of a former winning club horse, Ffestiniog.  Eisteddfod is a classy sprinter who won a Group 3 in 2005.  He didn’t manage to register a win last season as for one reason or another things just didn’t seem to drop right for him.  Given some cut in the ground I am confident that he will get back to winning ways in 2007.

  

There is a lot to like about the professional way in which the club is organised.  For example, the horses are spread amongst 7 or 8 trainers, partly to reduce the risk of them all being hit with sickness at the same time, but also to allow club members from different parts of the country to enjoy stable visits.  Elite also like to have a number of versatile dual purpose horses in their string to maximise opportunities.  The likes of Dancing Bay, Rehearsal and Monolith come into this category.  Monolith is a good example of the dual purpose horse.  He won the Pontefract Cup on the flat this year and followed that with a victory in a valuable handicap hurdle at Cheltenham.

  

I will be having a look at the prospects of some more Elite horses tomorrow.

  

Did you know?

  Lester Piggott rode the last ever winner at the old Manchester racecourse in November 1963.  It was not quite enough to catch Scobie Breesley for the jockey’s title though.  Breesley of course sadly died the other day. 

 

 

Funnies

  

An amusing comment heard on the Morning Line programme last week when Richard Hoiles pointed out that he could never marry a woman called Olive!

  

11 lords a leaping

  

Well, one Lord leaping 11 timers (I was using a bit of Yuletide poetic licence)  Lord Oaksey rode the Grand National 11 times, getting round on 4 occasion and once finishing a close up 2^nd.

  

I hope Christmas has gone well.  See you tomorrow.

 

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 27 2006” →

There is a real air of anticipation about the King George this season. Is Kauto Star really as good as some pundits are saying?  Timeform know a thing or two when it come to ratings and they have him down as the 6^th highest rated chaser of all time – or at least since they started rating horses.  The 5 above him include Arkle, Mill House and Desert Orchid – illustrious company indeed.

  

But will he win on Boxing Day?  The answer is of course he will!  If this were a handicap Timeform reckon Kauto Star would be giving 18 lbs to his nearest rival.

  

If only horse racing were that simple!  It seems to me that there are only 2 ways in which Kauto Star can lose.  Either he falls, and he has done before; or either Racing Demon or Monet’s Garden have improved beyond their known form.

  

Common sense tells me that Kauto Star will probably win – the track will suit him and Timeform know their business. His price is too short though and I think you have to look for value elsewhere. Exotic Dancer could hardly be in better form but just has too many possible negatives against his name.  He is coming from handicaps and that does not usually work in this race.  He does not have a good record going right handed and there is just a small question mark about his stamina.

  

Racing Demon is a possible. It is hard to say just how good he is.  He could be very good indeed and seems best going right handed.  Monet’s Garden is another that will be suited by the track.  If you are going to make all anywhere then Kempton is probably the place to do it.  Monet’s Garden is fresh and if he gets into a rhythm he just might get Kauto Star off the bridle and the straight at Kempton is short.

  

I will go for Monet’s Garden to bring back memories of the grey ghost of Christmas’ past – the late Desert Orchid.

 

  

By the way I liked the Racing Post “Pipe and Slippers” headline about Niall Madden riding Puntal.  Why didn’t I think of that?

  

The 12.35 at Kempton looks to be between the front 4 in the betting. We have 2 “national hunt” horses in De Soto and Kicks for Free up against 2 ex flat types in Lincoln winner Blythe Knight and Nicky Henderson’s debutante Khyber Kim.

  

I quite like supporting ex flat horses at Kempton. Khyber Kim was rated 106 on the flat and clearly commands respect.  McCoy rides Blythe Knight who has already won over hurdles.

   

De Soto has had injury problems.  He was second in the 2005 Cheltenham Festival bumper behind the ill fated Missed That.  His recent win at Taunton could signal a change of fortunes for something of a forgotten horse.  Kicks for Free lost his unbeaten record over hurdles when 2^nd to the useful Tribal Bay at Cheltenham.  He might have won had he not rattled the last though and his form looks solid.  He just gets the nod.

  

The 1.10 features 4 from our list to follow in a competitive event.  Yes Sir ran up 7 straight wins in the summer and his front running style could pay off.  According to John has the perfect record with 6 wins from 6 starts.  He impressed me when winning at Carlisle 2 starts ago and he has chances although this is his hardest task yet.  Most of his wins have been with plenty of cut in the ground and I just wonder if that is essential to him.

  

Ungaro has won both his starts over fences and is in fine form.  The extra distance today may suit but is not absolutely guaranteed to. Lastly we have Aztec Warrior who has plenty of ability but made a number of jumping errors on his last appearance when 4^th at Cheltenham. This is a tricky race and I am reluctantly going beyond my list horses for my tip.  I fancy the talented Bold Fire from the Paul Nicholls stable who gets all the sex and age allowances.  

 

 

The Stan James Christmas Hurdle normally goes to a well backed runner and this year looks likely to go the same way. Straw Bear will be all the rage and given enough ease in the ground he will certainly be hard to beat.  If the ground dries then Noble Request, Afsoun and Desert Quest would enter the equation.  Noble Request has a good record going right handed and on lively ground I would fancy him to reverse the form with Straw Bear.  I would be tempted to suggest Afsoun each way if there were 8 runners as I feel we haven’t seen the best of him yet. 

  

Yaboya is our representative in the 3.00.  I backed him last time he ran and just arrived in the bookies in time to see him fall.  He was in contention against more experienced rivals that day and would have been in the first 3 had he not crashed out.  He has top weight on Boxing Day but if he stands up he shouldn’t be far away.  He has been raised 4 lbs since falling which seems harsh but I still think he has an each way shout.

  

It was difficult to find a selection at Market Rasen but in the end I have plumped for Custom Design.  He has won twice over course and distance and his trainer has a good strike rate at this track.  Custom Design’s trainer Geoff Harker trains just outside Thirsk.

  

Nicky Richards has his stable star Monet’s Garden in the big race at Kempton but he also has one runner at Sedgefield.  Echo Point goes in the beginners Chase at 1.35.  He was 4^th last time at Carlisle after being off the track for a year and that run should have put him spot on for this.

  

I gave out Troll as a tip to a mate who was going to Haydock Park in early November but the horse could only finish 11^th of 13.  My reputation as a tipster was once again in tatters.  Lenny Lungo has his team in good form at present and I am prepared to give Troll another chance in the 2.10.

  

Grecian Groom runs in the Towcester 1.15.  He has been one of my more disappointing list horses and it is hard to fancy him.

  

In the 2.55 Chopneyev seeks to follow up his facile win the other day.  Formerly a decent hurdler he looks one to keep on the right side.

  

At Wetherby in form John Quinn saddles Day to Remember in the 12.50.  This one was previously trained by Ed Vaughan on the flat & won a 10f Newmarket handicap in May.  Looks a useful recruit from the flat, he won very easily on his hurdles debut at Market Rasen and is potentially very smart: one to follow.

   

The 1.25 at Wetherby is the Rowland Meyrick Chase that was won by Therealbandit last season who sadly suffered a fatal injury reecntly.  Ossmoses represents our list to follow. He was 4^th over hurdles recently but is better over fences.  He stays well and likes plenty of give in the ground. He is certainly one for the short list.  The grey Silver Knight is a course specialist having won 4 from 8 here.  He is a dour stayer that revels in testing conditions.  This race also features a couple of old favourites in Sir Rembrandt and Truckers Tavern.  Sir Rembrandt was 2^nd to Best Mate in the 2004 Gold Cup and 3^rd to Kicking King a year later.  Truckers Tavern was runner up to Best Mate in the 2003 Cheltenham showpiece.

  

I just feel that this might go to the progressive King Killone who won last time, jumps well and seems to be on an upward curve.

  

The Wincanton 2.40 sees the return to the racecourse of Lord Sam.  He won 9 of his first 10 races but has failed to win any of his subsequent 9 runs, failing to complete in 5 of them.  At his best he ran 3^rd to Hardy Eustace in one of the novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival and had Foreman in 4^th.  He did show glimpses of that old form last season and I certainly hope he can recapture his best form.

 

We have a horse from our list to follow in this race with Leading Contender.  He put a couple of disappointing efforts behind him when winning at Chepstow.  He has more to do here but the additional 2 furlongs will be in his afvour.  He holds an each way chance.

  

Bien Bronze is a former points winner who also scored in a bumper at Killarney.  He is my fancy for the 12.25 at Leopardstown.  He is by the same sire as the great Florida Pearl.

  

Top the Charts is due to make his seasonal reappearance in the 2.00.  He was 2^nd in the Ascot Stakes last flat season and looks well handicapped.  He is best on good ground.

  

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 2.35.  Glenfinn Captain has already won for us when making all to beat Khetaam in October and should be fully primed for this more demanding task.  Conna Castle has something to prove after falling when beaten last time out at Punchestown.  Last season’s Coral Cup winner Sky’s the Limit has not set the world alight over fences yet.  There could be more to come from this one and I wouldn’t rule him out.  Glenfinn Captain looked very good last time and is the selection.

  

Cuchulains Son, the ride of Katie Walsh, looks the right sort for the bumper  at 3.40.

  

Bye for now

 

Continue reading “Diary: Boxing Day” →

Saturday’s racing has an odd look about it with the 3 jumps meeting at the “gaffs.” 

  

Secret Ploy won 3 times in bumpers at top tracks and although he didn’t win over hurdles he was placed in top class company.  He will need to overcome an absence of 647 days in the 12.50 at Bangor.

  

Raslan was beaten into second place by Warne’s Way on his hurdles debut at Fomtwell.  He returns to the same track tomorrow in the 1.30.

  

Raslan is trained by David Pipe who saddles Classified in the 2.40. Classified was not far off the top as a hurdler and he won well over fences on his chase debut at Taunton recently.  Although he will be 11 in a few days he does not have many miles on the clock.  I would expect him to win this.

  

David Pipe also trains our only list horse running at Fontwell in the 3.40.  Nobody Tells Me was 6^th behind Star de Mohaison at Cheltenham on his seasonal return.  I wondered if connections would send him over fences next but he stays over hurdles for the time being.  His main rivals are all trained by ladies.  Amanda Perrett trains Big Moment whose last run was when 6^th in a big flat handicap at Windsor. Big Moment has plenty of weight but has a touch of class and the booking of Timmy Murphy is worth noting.  Big Moment is also a course and distance winner.

  

Fenix is trained by Lucy Wadham.  He only has 2 careers wins to his credit, one at this unusual track.  He has run well in decent handicaps many times though.  He won a couple of runs ago and as a result has gone up in the weights.  Border Castle was a winner on the flat for Sir Michael Stoute but is now with Venetia Williams.  He has done well over hurdles and won a Cheltenham handicap last time.  I will stick with Nobody Tells Me but this is a very competitive looking affair.

  

Opera De Coeur (Hereford 1.10) ran so badly when pulled up last time at Uttoxeter that I hope it was just too bad to be true and there was something amiss on the day. He was very ill last year and I just wonder if that may have had a lasting effect.  He likes soft and I am prepared to give him another chance. He is up against 3 decent ex hurdlers, Genghis, Trouble at Bay and Ursis.  Genghis was second on his chase debut and looks the big threat.

  

The card at Navan gets under way with the Santa Claus maiden hurdle at 12.15.  One horse to take away from this race may be Slash and Burn – Irish pundits reckon he is one for the future.

  

Have a great Christmas and I hope to see you again for my preview of the Boxing Day cards which will be online on Christmas Day.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 23 2006” →

My prowess as a tipster never ceases to astound me!  What about New Little Bric today at 1/7!  At least he won I suppose.

  

The only jumps’ meeting tomorrow is at Hereford.  There is an inspection but if racing does go ahead we have a couple of runners from our list to follow.

  

Blue Splash runs in the novice hurdle at 2.00.  He won for us first time out making all at Aintree.  As a result the handicapper raised him 12 lbs and that seemed to anchor him at Chepstow when he finished 2^nd.  He should run well tomorrow and I expect him to be in the first 3.  His brother, Ungaro is also on our list to follow for those who are interested in such trivia.  I don’t think that the extra 2 furlongs will be a problem as Hereford is an easy track.

  

Oumeyade has not completed in two starts this season and as a result is 25/1 for the 2.30.  He is a half brother to the chaser Ladalko and he won 4 times in France before coming to the UK so must be better than he has shown so far.  I can’t give him a big vote of confidence for obvious reasons but you could risk a small each way interest.

  

Of the rest I see that Chopneyev runs in the 1.30.  He was a decent hurdler a few seasons ago but has had injury problems. I remember him just losing out in a dual with Korelo from the Pipe team  in a good handicap at Ascot.  More recent form over fences is hardly encouraging but he sports first time blinkers which might revitalise him.

  

Plenty to look forward to over the Christmas period but that is all for tonight.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 22” →