Category: Racing diary

There were plenty of doubters about 4 year old Detroit City’s ability to beat his more experience rival Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham today but the big grey got the job done with the minimum of fuss.  The race was very slowly run for much of the way and it may be that the form is not totally reliable but Terry Warner may well have another grey Champion Hurdler on his hands.

  

Two horses from our list to follow fought out the finish in an above average novice chase at Cheltenham. Don’t Push It, tipped by Tony McCoy on the Morning Line looked in trouble after jumping the last but got back up to beat Mr Pointment who lost nothing in defeat. The 4^th Aztec Warrior overcame some sloppy jumping in the middle of the race to run on at the end.

  

Black Jack Ketchum made it 8 wins from 8 starts in the Relkeel Hurdle and Roman Ark was the 4^th winner on the day from the list to follow.  Roman Ark, a real mud lover, was always going well in the handicap chase at Market Rasen and made light of his 11 stone 12 burden.  Fergus King was in the saddle.

  

There was an outstanding performance from Exotic Dancer who completed the Paddy Power and Boylesports Gold Cup double, becoming only the 3^rd horse to do so.

  

There is racing at Musselburgh tomorrow where the advance going is good, good to soft in places on the chase course.

  

There are a few runners that catch my eye.  Firstly, Celtic Carisma runs in the maiden hurdle at 12.50.  This is the sort of dual purpose type that this stable excels with and she should go well.

  

Some Touch, who runs in the now familiar colours of Andrea and Graham Wylie has some decent form behind him.  He was 2^nd in the 2005 Aintree Festival bumper for example. The stable are in fine form and a bold showing is expected in the 1.20.

  

In the 1.50 Let’s Roll and Kamanda Laugh are both interesting recruits from the flat making their hurdles debut.  They were both rated at around the 90 mark on the level.

  Zeitgeist represents the Wylie/Howard Johnson team in the 2.20.  He is a former winner of the Old Newton Cup on the flat.  He has an each way chance here.  

The Pious Prince is one of my horses to follow.  The Pious Prince won an Ayr bumper before coming 5^th in a much better race at Cheltenham.  He should run well in the 3.20 but does carry a penalty for that win up at Ayr.

  

War Of Attrition's appearance in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase (2.05) is the the main attraction at Punchestown.

 

Although the trip (2m4f) and the heavy ground are not likely to suit War Of Attrition, the 7yo gelding has the class to win.

 

Last season's Gold Cup winner faces seven rivals including rising stars In Compliance, Nickname and Justified while Hi Cloy is another with solid form at the top level.

 

Leading Run, winner of the Champion Bumper at Punchestown last season, has failed to jump with great fluency and was well defeated by Le Toscan at Naas in October. I fancy him to get back to winning ways in the 1.05.

 

There was news this week that both Kicking King and Celestial Gold have been ruled out for the season and of course injury also put paid to Ouija Board’s farewell performance.

 

On a lighter note there were a couple of heart-warming stories this week.  The cross country races may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I find them very watchable and they often provide exciting finishes. It was great to se old Spot Thedifference win the Sporting Index Chase at Cheltenham in the week.  This was his 6^th win from 8 starts over the course just 3 weeks shy of his 14 birthday.

 

The 8 year old mare Material World won at Cheltenham in the week.  Her career form figures now read 111224332523121.  She is game and as tough as they come and her win at Cheltenham last week was a typically gutsy display.  So why does this come in the heart-warming story category – well Material World only has one eye.

 

Lastly on my look back to last week the novice hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday featured a clash between Tidal Bay and Kicks for Free, who were both unbeaten over timber.  They came to the final hurdle stride for stride but a mistake by the Paul Nicholls horse handed the initiative to Tidal Bay who went on to score by 6 lengths.  Both look worth following.

 See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: December 10 2006” →

The big race at Cheltenham is the Boylesports.com Gold Cup.  This race has a long history under various names and was won by the great Arkle in 1966 when called the Massey Ferguson Gold Cup. Last season it was called the Robin Cook Memorial Chase in recognition of that gentleman’s efforts on behalf of the sport. Pity that wasn’t a permanent honour but I suppose the needs of sponsorship in sport tend to prevail these days.

  

Saturday’s runners from the list to follow

  

Cheltenham 12.55 Locksmith

  

1.30 Black Jack Ketchum

  

2.05 Don’t Push It, Mr Pointment and Aztec Warrior

  

2.40 Cerium, Taranis, Ross River & Reveillez (Bannow Strand is an interesting runner in this)

  

3.15 Detroit City

  

3.45 The Whisperer

  

Market Rasen 1.50 Roman Ark

  2.25 Caribou

Continue reading “Diary; December 9 2006” →

We had a couple of winners from the list to follow today.  Natal enjoyed a facile win at long odds on and Sound Accord scored a second bumper win for trainer Colin Tinkler.  Sound Accord is a half brother to Lenny Lungo’s chaser Wild Cane Ridge and is a big strong type. He should have a future over hurdles initially, but more especially in the longer term over fences.

  

It was one of those days when, having seen the results, you start kicking yourself for not backing certain horses.  De Soto was in my notebook for a while after finishing 2^nd to the ill fated Missed That in the Cheltenham bumper of 2005.  He had injury/training problems subsequently and I decided to adopt a watching brief.  He came back to form today at Taunton at 11/1.  Incidentally, hot favourite Ouninpohja was a disappointing 3^rd in that race. 

  

Classified was on my list to follow last season but he is another that has suffered injuries and he only ran once in 05/06.  He has become something of a forgotten horse but his CV is not at all bad.  He won the Cleeve Hurdle in 2003 and in the same year was 4^th to Baracouda in the Stayers Hurdle.  He got off the mark over fences today and if he remains sound there should be more races to be won with him.

  

The mare Rosita Bay has been featured in these ramblings from time to time.  She won on her handicap hurdle debut today.  She is apparently a bit of a madam at home but she showed a good attitude today to get the better of a Paul Nicholls trained favourite.

  Cheltenham stages a quality card tomorrow. The first race is a novice chase at 12.10 and there are two runners from our list, Aces Four and Standin’ Obligation.  The latter has won his last 4 starts.  He has a good record here at Cheltenham and he jumped with some aplomb when winning here last month.  I would give him a slight edge over Aces Four who goes for a hat trick here having won twice at Newcastle.  He also jumps well.  Good race in prospect.  

Yaboya is a horse I have followed for some time.  His trainer Philip Hobbs has brought him along steadily.  He is lightly raced and has taken well to fences.  He has top weight in the 12.45 but he looked in good nick when winning at Market Rasen 50 days ago.  Should go well.

 

The 1.20 looks a tasty race.  Paul Nicholls saddles both Cornish Rebel and My Will.  Ruby Walsh has elected to ride My Will which is a bit of a tip in itself.  He won a good contest here last month getting the better of Idle Talk up the hill and I would expect a bold show from him in conditions that should suit.  He has been raised 6 lbs fro his win but remains reasonably treated.  Model Son and All in the Stars represent our list to follow. Model Son appeals as a possible future Grand National candidate.  He was 4^th in the race won by My Will last month, getting tired after racing a  bit too keenly.  He ran well for a long way though and should be spot on for that run.  More rain would help and he could go well at a price.  All in the Stars won twice last season and generally ran creditably apart from a miserable performance towards the end of the season when well fancied for the Scottish National.  He is a thorough stayer who can often get behind in his races.

  

The evergreen course specialist goes for yet another win in the cross country race at 1.55. Paul Nicholls saddles Le Duc, a slightly quirky type that might suit these obstacles.

  

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 3.40.  Kicks for Free made it two out of two in impressive style at Haydock and is favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He faces his toughest task to date against Tidal Bay, who finished in front of him in the Aintree bumper in April and likewise is unbeaten over hurdles, while there are also possibilities about French Saulaie, from the stable which has won this corresponding race three times in the last five years.

 

At Southwell Thunder Rock makes his hurdles debut for Jonjo O’Neill in the 3.30.  Hec was trained by Sir Michael Stoute on the level and is worth a second look.

  

A good days racing in prospect.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 8 2006” →

Harringay jumped well on her chase debut at Wincanton before getting outpaced by the useful Senorita Rumbalita.  She must stand a good chance of making amends in the 1.00 at Huntingdon.

  

Ring Back, winner of a Warwick bumper last season ran a promising 2^nd on her hurdles bow at Towcester.  She runs in the 2.30 at Huntingdon tomorrow and will hopefully go well.

  

Colin Tinkler gives Sound Accord another run in a bumper at 3.30.  He won a similar race last season but could only come 6^th under a penalty when reappearing 33 days ago. I suppose he is mainly gaining further experience here but he should run well.

  

Natal was beaten by the very useful Fair Along last time out but should find the 1.20 at Taunton a much easier task.  Natal was a winner on this card last season.

  

Natal won the 1.50 last year and Paul Nicholls holds a good chance of winning the race again with Ouninpohja who already looks an exciting recruit to the winter game. 

  

Rhacophorus has very solid bumper form and she is my pick in the mare’s maiden hurdle at Clonmel, 1.05.

 

  That is about it for tonight.  Take care.

Continue reading “Diary: December 7 2006” →

Hexham 12.50.  The Reverend has always been well thought of by his trainer.  He dead heated for first place in an Irish Point to Pint at Lismore, a race that Best Mate had contested in a previous season.  He continued that promise over hurdles when  accounting for a decent horse of Len Lungo’s called Wild Cane Ridge but then ran into injury problems.

 

 

He started his chase career last month with a second behind One Sniff at Hexham followed by a win at Wetherby.  He is a talented horse who seems to be going the right way.

 

 

1.20 Double Default is another Irish points winner.  He makes his debut here fro trainer Nicky Richards.

 

 

Leicester 1.00 Genghis is a former winner of the Scottish Champion Hurdle.  He makes his chase debut here and has apparently schooled well.  He3 will take some beating if taking to fences.  The obvious danger is Bob Hall who ran with plenty of promise when 3^rd to Mr Pointment at Bangor last month.

 

 

2.30 Berengario beat Into the Shadows last time out at Huntingdon and that horse has franked the form by winning since.

 

 

I don’t have time to preview the excellent card at Fairyhouse tomorrow. Sorry about that.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 6 2006” →

I have just got back from a few days in France and I have been catching up on the racing news.

  

I was particularly interested in the race won by Star de Mohaison and having watched the video there was much to like about the performance of both the winner, and the runner up, The Listener.  They had pulled a long way clear of the other 2 runners.  I would tend to agree with the various commentators who have pointed out that The Listener was not given an especially aggressive ride by Andrew Thornton and if theses two old rivals were to meet again you could not predict the outcome with any degree of certainty.

  

Into The Shadows earned reward for some consistent recent efforts when landing the extended 2m 4f handicap hurdle at Wetherby   This was her 8^th career success, split equally between flat and hurdles and she has been a typically versatile servant to her trainer.

  

Wetherby tends to favour course specialists and is certainly a venue for the “horses for courses” followers.  Silver Knight scored his 4^th win at the Yorkshire track on Saturday and they have all come over 25 furlongs.  Everyone likes a grey horse it seems, evidence Desert Orchid, Rooster Booster etc. and Silver Knight is something of a favourite of mine.  I first noticed him when  he won a bumper at Doncaster in 2002 and he went on to finish 6^th in the Aintree Festival bumper that season in a race where Iris’s Gift was runner up and Thisthatandtother 5th. 

  

Silver Knight won off a mark of 121 on Saturday.  He won the same race last season, off exactly the same mark.  Kerry Lads was second and Jungle Jinks 3^rd.  Kerry Lads is trained by my namesake Lucunda Russell, not that my name is Lucinda!  He is 11 now and has won 7 times over fences, the last twice at Wetherby.  He was running off a mark 2 lbs higher than his highest previous winning mark on Saturday so his turn may not be far away.  3 miles on soft or heavy ground is his game.

  

Jungle Jinks who is also 11 has won 5 times at Wetherby.  He has now run there 4 times this season with form figures of 0313.  These 3 will no doubt be in opposition at Wetherby again before the season is out.

  

Talking of favourite horses, Aldiniti will rank among many people’s top ten.. When he won the 1981 Grand National both horse, and jockey Bob Champion had recovered from life threatening illness and injury.  Interestingly Bob Champion should have known what it takes to win a National as he had sat on 4 previous winners during his career. He won an Eider Chase on Highland Wedding, won a novice chase on Rag Trade, “rode out” on Rubstic and also rode Corbiere although that horse unseated him in a  novice chase.

  

Bit I digress. Back to the present day Royal Shakespeare made his debut over fences this afternoon at Fakenham.  He was not far off the top over hurdles and won the BHB Order of Merit last season (or at least shared the prize with Monkerhostin).  He was beaten today though by Paul Nicholl’s Twist Magic.  When Twist Magic first came to the UK it was clear that he was only biding his time over hurdles and he was always the proverbial embryo chaser.  He has been likened to another inmate of the Nicholls yard, My Will and I will be watching his progress with interest.

  Racing tomorrow comes from Fontwell and Sedgefield.  Martin Pipe won the opener in both 2001 and 2002.  The aptly named Trainedbythebest and Old California, who was later to fall fatally in the Triumph Hurdle being the winners those years.  David Pipe must have a good chance of claiming the prize this year with Raslan, a well bred type frpom the flat who won a couple of times on the level at Warwick over 2 miles.  

The only runner from our list to follow is Great Approach in the 2.50. He showed modest form last season in 3 runs over hurdles but he is bred to be much better over fences and he has his first run in that sphere tomorrow.  He is bred for the job as he is a half-brother to smart but quirky staying chaser Harwell Lad (Whitbread winner) and two winning pointers. The dam was an unraced half-sister to Hennessy winner Approaching.  He is by Simply Great, the same sire as Silver Knight.

  If you want a “silly bet” you could always try a win double on Warne’s Way (Fontwell 12.40) and Flintoff (Fontwell 1.40).

 

 

That is about it for tonight.  See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 5 2006” →

My Way de Solzen could not have been more impressive on his chase debut at Lingfield and he will take some beating if lining up in the Grade 2 novice chase at Sandown (2.05) on Saturday.  If he is an absentee then Paul Nicholl’s ex French New Little Bric who is apparently well thought of at home and won easily on his UK debut would be my selection.

  

In the Tingle Creek at 2.35 it is impossible to oppose the in form Kauto Star.  He won this last season and is rated well in excess of his rivals.  The interesting one is Arkle winner Voy Por Ustedes who would have been my selection but for the presence of Kauto Star.  Alan King’s up and coming star handles soft ground and if anything is going to give Kauto Star a race he is likely to be the one. 

  In the 12.20 at Wetherby look out for Double Default and Ossmoses.  Double Default won between the flags at Tallow and was promptly snapped up by Sir Robert Ogden.  He is well thought of by connections.  Ossmoses will no doubt be contesting some of the better long distance staying chases but he should go well if taking his chance in this modest looking hurdle race, especially if the conditions are testing.  

Mr Pointment has already made an impressive winning debut over fences and looks very much a horse to follow.  He is entered in the 2.55.

  

Sunday

  

Kelso 1.00 According to John, Ungaru and Mr Pointment, from our list to follow are all entered in this.

  

3.00 Scarvagh Diamond has been running well in bumpers and has recently moved to Nicky Richard’s yard.

  

At Warwick on Sunday I see that Snakebite (2.10) and Sound Accord (3.40) are entered from our list to follow.

  

In the novice hurdle at 1.40 David Pipe’s Scotland Yard looks the type to do well over hurdles.  He won twice on the flat at Ripon.

  

In the Hattan Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse (2.05) I fancy Asian Maze who should find the trip ideal.  Incidentally the race is named after the horse that won the Champion Hurdle in 1949, 1950 and 1951 when trained by Vincent O’Brien.

  

There are a number of horses from our list to follow entered in the Drinmore Novice Chase but without knowing riding plans or ground conditions I do not have any strong views.

  

There is racing at Fakenham on Monday and I would fancy Alan King’s Kandjar D’Allier if he lines up in the 2.20.

  

A few more pointers

  

Carryon on the theme of some old favourites likely to be seen in point to points and hunter chases this season here are a few more names for the notebook.

  

Paul Hogarth, who trains at Lower Withington in Cheshire has acquired a couple of familiar names.  Cordilla looked a possible future star not so long ago when trained by Nicky Richards. He won over both hurdles and fences but tended to have problems with his jumping.  Europa, a winner of 10 races used to be with Ferdy Murphy.  He can boast some smart form on his CV.  For example he was 3^rd behind Monkerhostin and Thisthatandtother at Cheltenham a couple of years back, with Armaturk, Fondmort and Impek behind him.

   

Limerick Leader is now with Patrick Hutchinson, having been bought out of Phillip Hobbs yard and looks the type to do well between the flags, while King Eider is with David Kemp who trains in Norfolk.  King Eider is a member of a fairly exclusive club in that he has won on the flat, over hurdles and fences. He has had injury problems so it may be touch and go whether he makes it to the course.

  

Double Honour is another member of that exclusive club, in fact he has a listed contest to his credit on the flat and he has been placed in some of the top staying chases. Marie McGuiness trains Double Honour.  She and her husband run a satellite yard for Phillip Hobbs who trained Double Honour under rules.

  

Spring Grove and Telemoss have both appeared on my lists to follow down the years.  Both had there injury problems over the years. Andy Old, whose wife runs a satellite yard for Robert Alner will be training Spring Grove while Nicky Richards will be aiming Telemoss at the better hunter chases. Telemoss was a useful hurdler with his biggest win coming in the John Smith’s hurdle at Wetherby two years ago.  He won a few novice chases after going chasing quite late in his career but ran into injury problems. Another that will probably be seen in the top hunter chases is Drombeag who is trained by Jonjo O’Neill.

  

Gunther McBride won the Racing Post Chase in 2002.  He will be trained by Mike Tuckey and will be going hunter chasing.

  

Foly Pleasant is now with Karen Waldron.  He was 2^nd in the Foxhunters at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival.

   

Lord Atterbury used to be trained by Martin Pipe and was 3^rd in the Grand National in 2004 but fell at the first the following year.  He is now trained by Gina Weare and may end up in hunter chases.

  

Barryscourt Lad is another that used to be trained by Martin Pipe.  His biggest win came in the Great Yorkshire Chase in 2003.  Ben Woodhouse trains the 12 year old in Yorkshire.

  The UK point to point season gets under way earlier this season.  The first meeting is at the Black Forest Club in the west country on Sunday.  

I will be back on Monday evening – have a good weekend.

 

Continue reading “Diary; December 2, 3 & 4 2006” →

Of the horses mentioned in last night’s update Liberate and Flash Cummins were odds on winners while Conkering was 4^th having drifted markedly in the betting.  Reach for the Top was second to the horse pointed out as the main danger.

  

Down at Exeter tomorrow Richard Phillips gives a debut run to Lennie the Blade in the novice hurdle at 1.10.  He is by a Derby runner up out of Limelight, who was a winner over hurdles.  The stable are not in the best of form but I think this could be a horse worth keeping an eye on in the longer term.

  

David Pipe’s horses are in top form and I fancy his Doc Row in the Exeter 2.15. He should be fit after a run 3 weeks ago and will be well suited by the soft ground.

  

Just for Men refused last time at Chepstow and is probably not straightforward.  He has first time blinkers in the 3.20 and might be worth one more chance.

  

A multiple winner in France, Granit Jack was a bit disappointing when only 3^rd on his UK debut.  He is apparently held in high regard by connections and gets a chance to atone for his defeat in the 2.05 at Sandown. The 2 horses that finished in front of him on his last outing have both won since.  I see that Paul Nichools has won this race for the last 2 years with Ladalko and Neptune Collonges.

  

Star de Mohaison and The Listener represent our list to follow in the 2.35.  The Listener beat the Paul Nicholls trained chaser twice last season.  However, he has fallen on his last two starts and Star de Mohaison has the benefit of a winning run over hurdles already this season so he gets the selection.

 

On the all weather at Lingfield there is a very strongt whisper for the unraced Sweeney in the 1.55.

 

 

  Good luck  

Continue reading “Diary: December 1 2006” →

Our 3 list runners ran with credit this afternoon.  Paddy Brennan took no prisoners aboard longs odds on favourite Astarador making all and pulling well clear with the rest in a different parish.

  

Harmony Brig has always looked a chasing sort and apart from ballooning the first few he warmed to the task when tackled by Percussionist and looks a bright prospect.  There was an eyecatching run from King Revo in third.  He jumped bet of all and made late headway to suggest he will be spot on next time.

  

Finally, Sir Boreus Hawk put in a pleasing display when 2^nd to an impressive winner in the bumper at Catterick.

  

We have just one list runner tomorrow and that is Reach for the Top in the 3.00 at Leicester.  Reach for the Top, who is trained by Henrietta Knight and a half brother to Rosslea was 4^th on his chase debut behind Mr Pointment. That was an encouraging start and he should run well tomorrow.  The main threat is likely to come from David Pipe’s An Accordion who is a half brother to Horus, who has had some big wins over fences for the Pipe team.

  

James Fanshawe does well with a small team of jumpers.  His 3 year old Conkering has his first run over hurdles in the 1.00 at Leicester.  He won on soft ground over a mile on the flat at Ripon so hopefully will handle what are likely to be testing conditions.  Tony McCoy has the ride.

  

Flash Cummins came over from Ireland with a tall reputation but didn’t live up to expectations last season.  He has already registered a win this term and may be finding his feet.  He runs in the 2.00.

  

Liberate won 4 times on the flat for Sir Mark Prescott.  He made a winning debut for new trainer Phillip Hobbs a fortnight ago and seeks to follow up in the 3.40 at Wincanton.  Liberate was a facile winner at Hereford and should be able to defy a penalty. 

 

Continue reading “Diary: November 30 2006” →

The best jumps racing on Wednesday is at Ayr.

  

Astarador scored on his hurdles debut at Wetherby in the soft and stands a good chance of following up under a penalty in the 1.30.

  

The novice chase at 2.30 is a fascinating contest even though there are only 4 runners.  Harmony Brig is one of our list to follow.  He won three times over hurdles last term.  He may well be ridden from the front here.  Both Percussionist and King Revo were on last season’s list so I have a strong interest in them too. Percussionist was classy on the flat as evidenced by his 4^th in the 2004 Derby.  He didn’t seem to take to hurdling but won on his chase debut at Wetherby.  King Revo has recorded 8 wins on the flat and over hurdles.  He won at Cheltenham in December 2004 and that set a record for his trainer, as it meant he had trained a winner at each of the 59 British courses.  Tony McCoy has said he thinks King Revo will make a good chaser.  Needs to defy a long absence here. 

  

I am not totally convinced about Percussionist’s jumping while King Revo must have some fitness doubts so I will go with Harmony Brig.

  

At Catterick in the 3.25 Alan Swinbank runs the highly rated Sir Boreas Hawk.  I do not really like supporting horses running in bumpers with a penalty so I won’t say too much about him.  I feel he will make up into a useful hurdler though, regardless of the result tomorrow.

  

Orange Touch makes his hurdles debut in the 12.30 at Plumpton.  The trainer has a good strike rate at the track.

 

Continue reading “Diary: November 29 2006” →