The good recent run continued today when Sir Jimmy Shand struck just the right note at Folkestone winning by 16 lengths.
There are no runners from our list to follow entered at Hereford tomorrow.
Category: Racing diary
Diary: November 27 2006
Saturday had its successes on the tipping front.
v I fancy Silverburn to come on for his earlier run and win this. (WON)
v [Opera Mundi] and if he is good as people say he will be hard to beat. (WON)
v Keep an eye also on Saintsaire the change of scenery might just do the trick for him. (WON)
v Strictly speaking our old friend Inglis Drever should prevail here. (WON)
v If pushed for a selection I would go for State of Play and Idle Power. (State of Play WON)
v Our other runner is Afsoun. He gets the nod here. (WON)
v Aces Four won here last time out and the step up to 3 miles in the 1.25 should be in his favour. (WON)
v If the promised rain does materialise this will suit Neptune Collonges. He stays really well and should have come on for his second to Our Vic in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby. (WON)
v I am going with Straw Bear for my selection. (WON)
Sorry about the trumpet blowing – I don’t often get the opportunity!
I see that Denman won again this afternoon at Newbury. He looks a high class chaser and it will be interesting to see where he goes next. He is by the way a full brother to Silverburn.
There is only one runner from our list to follow running on Monday.
In 1955 Jimmy Shand recorded the hit single "Bluebell Polka" which reached number 20 in the charts and earned him an appearance on a BBC television "Pop Music" programme. You live and learn on this site!
Well the horse names after the popular accordionist, Sir Jimmy Shand, runs in the 1.30 at Folkestone. He won bumpers at Ludlow and Huntingdon before failing in the Aintree Festival bumper. He is well bred along strong jumping lines and I am hopeful that he will pay his way over hurdles this season.
A few pointers
I thought readers might be interested in hearing about some of the horses featured in these pages in recent years who are now point to pointing or will be hunter chasing.
Arnold Layne was the name of Pink Floyd’s first hit single. It was actually banned by the BBC because of the “offensive” lyrics. Pretty harmless stuff viewed from today’s perspective.
The horse of the same name, a gelding by Roselier, won a bumper for Richard Phillips in April 2005 and was placed in a couple of hurdles. He is now trained by Gerald Bailey in Northamptonshire and will be running in point to points.
Mouseski, Patches, Whitenzo, and Le Passing were all with Paul Nicholls and are being trained by Richard Barber who actually runs a satellite yard for the champion rules trainer. They are all likely to go hunter chasing.
I seem to remember that Ballylusky was owned by Channel 4 pundit Jim McGrath at one time. He once won a handicap chase at Aintree a few years back and a handicap hurdle at Haydock later in the same year. He is now trained by Sheila Crow, an experienced point to pointy trainer from Shropshire. Go For Bust is also with the same yard. He won a handicap hurdle at 18/1 when on my list to follow last season, when he was with Nicky Henderson.
David Easterby is the son of veteran trainer Mick. He has Kadarann under his charge. This horse was pretty decent under rules when he was trained by Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls. He won a couple of Grade 2 chases.
Ivanoph is a horse I had on my list to follow a few years back. He was a winner at Auteil before moving to Paul Nicholls and he went on to win 3 times in the UK. He is with Steve Flook now, a former trotting driving champion. Ivanoph has had a few problems but has always had ability.
The website Furlongtogo used to publish an excellent list of horses to follow. They seem to have stopped doing it now; I think the guy who did a lot of the research may have been ill. Anyway, I think I got the idea of following a horse called Stamparland Hill fom Furlongtogo. He won a couple of chases and was placed a fair few times. He probably didn’t live up to his early promise. He tended to race a bit keen I seem to remember. He is now trained by Gary Hanmer in Cheshire.
We might see a couple of classy types from Nicky Henderson’s yard in hunter chases this season.
There were really high hopes for First Love at one time. He was never out of the first 2 in his first 13 outings and although he has not scaled the heights once envisaged he has won 9 times for his owner who just happens to be The Queen! Amateur Jamie Snowden has partnered First Love for his last 3 wins and clearly gets on well with the horse. For obvious reasons he will probably be aimed at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorial Hunters' Chase in March, a race he won easily last season.
I best remember Scots Grey for a terrific finish he was involved in at Kempton at Christmas time in 2003 when he just pipped Hand Inn Hand by a short head. Scots Grey has been a decent chaser in his day and his mixed it with some of the best. He was 3rd in the Mildmay of Flete at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival. Is appears that he may go hunter chasing and should do well in that sphere.
I will return to this topic in a day or two.
Diary: November 26 2006
There were plenty of talking points after today’s big races at Newbury and Newcastle but I will come back to them tomorrow night.
The main action on Sunday again comes from Newbury where Denman is probably the main attraction. He runs in the 2.05 where Snakebite will be the main danger.
Those are the only two runners from our list to follow.
Diary: November 25 2006
This afternoon was largely disappointing from my point of view with most of the runners from our list to follow putting in below par displays. Killaghey Castle and Briareus are exempt from that criticism though as they fought out the finish of an excellent novice chase at Newbury. Briareus, 6th in the Champion Hurdle was much the better of the two over timber but given the larger obstacles Killaghey Castle, ridden by Leighton Aspell got the better of the argument. He looks a bright prospect. There was plenty to like about the runner up as well and hopefully there will be races to be won with both of them as the season unfolds.
Sadly Missed
There has been a spate of serious injuries to horses over the last week or so. The latest was a fatal accident to Missed That. The 7 year old had won the bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in 2005. He went straight over fences last season and while not always fluent he won 2 Grade 1s at Leopardstown and a Grade 2 at Punchestown. There was almost certainly more to come and he is a tragic loss.
Looking back to last weekend you had to be impressed with Kauto Star’s win at Haydock. The opposition in the King George will be stiffer and Racing Demon may prove to be his biggest threat but Kempton should suit the Nicholls runner. When it comes to the Gold Cup in March we will have to see if the extra 2 furlongs catch Kauto Star out as they have others before him.
The Betfair Chase is the first leg of a treble that would land Kauto Star’s connections a cool £million if he goes on to complete the hat trick. There is plenty of racing to come before we will know the answer to that one though. The Betfair Chase had its inaugural running last season but is registered as the Lancashire Chase which does have a history. A race of that name used to be run at the old Manchester track that ceased to exist in the mid sixties. In those days the race was run on Easter Monday and was one of the most important steeplechases on the calendar. In the 50s it was won by a couple of Grand National winners, ESB and Sundew.
Writing about defunct tracks got me onto another train of thought. I first began to take an interest in Racing in the late 50s and early 60s as I grew up in the Isle of Wight. On the Island “the Festival” came to mean the pop variety rather than the jumping one.
The Isle of Wight Festival?
At the height of the flower-power era, hundreds of thousands of music fans came from all over the world to chill out in the fields of the Isle of Wight.
They packed onto the Isle of Wight ferry from the mainland for up to five days (although some stayed considerably longer) of live rock, communal living, free love and mind-bending substances.
Besides all the peace, love and latrines, there was the music – non-stop performances from some of the greatest pop musicians of any era.
I was never really into the dodgy substances and much of the free love sadly seemed to pass me by. I remember the latrines though!
There used to be horse racing on the Island however. In the 19th century there was racing just over the downs from my hometown of Ventnor at the other end of Rew Lane, but more recently there was a course at Ashey near Ryde. The last meeting there was held in June 1930 (after that the grandstand burnt down!) There was a “Ventnor Handicap Hurdle” at that meeting with prize money of £63. The last race of the day was a hurdle race won by a horse called Copacabana (and that was before Barry Manilow had been invented!)
After that brief meander down memory lane let’s get bang up to date and have a look at what are some quality races tomorrow.
Newbury
The first race at Newbury is a novice hurdle at 12.30. We have a runner from our list to follow in Silverburn from Paul Nicholl’s yard. Silverburn won the 2nd of his 2 bumpers at Wincanton last season ansd was runner up to Wichita Lineman on his hurdling debut at Aintree. Silverburn is a full brother to stablemate Denman and generally has a very strong national hunt pedigree. The thing that would concern me in this race is that the trip might be a bit on the short side for him. He is up against some ex flat horses including the Andrew Balding trained Albinus who showed a bit of a wayward side at times on the level but had plenty of ability. I fancy Silverburn to come on for his earlier run and win this.
Paul Nicholls has something of a “talking horse” in the 1.05. There have been glowing reports of the ex French Opera Mundi and if he is good as people say he will be hard to beat. As a 4 year old he gets a handy weight allowance. The stable won this race last season with Taranis.
Our list representative in the 1.35 is the grey Locksmith. He has been looking a touch difficult to place but has been dropped 5 lbs in the handicap which should make him more competitive. Keep an eye also on Saintsaire who used to be trained by Nicky Henderson but is now with Paul Nicholls. Saintsaire has been something of an under achiever but has ability and the change of scenery might just do the trick for him.
Dom D’Orgeval is our list runner in the 2.05. He was most progressive last term winning 3 handicaps being placed in better company. He deserves to take his place in this field but would need to step up again to take a hand in the finish. Plenty of rain would help his cause. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him embark on a novice chasing career before the season is out. Strictly speaking our old friend Inglis Drever should prevail here.
The big race of the day is the Hennessy at 2.40, one of the most prestigious chases of the season it celebrates its 50th birthday tomorrow. My theory about this race is that you need a second season chaser, without too much weight who stays really well.
There are 4 runners from our list to follow but they all carry more than 11 stone. That is not ideal although Trabolgan humped 11 stone 10 to victory last season. Turpin Green carries 11 stone 10 but he did beat subsequent Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Exotic Dancer out of sight on his last outing. He is a horse with plenty of ability but has a lot of weight. Sate of Play is well fancied by many. He did well for Evan Williams last season winning 3 times over fences. He jumps and stays and should appreciate the track. He has a big chance.
There was a loud whisper for Idle Talk at Cheltenham on Paddy Power day and he finished an excellent second to My Will following a long drawn-out battle. I can see him running well again, but I just wonder if he might have done better if coming straight here. That race a fortnight ago may have left its mark.
The last of our quartet is Montgermont. He is owned by his former trainer Lavinia Taylor and is now trained by Charlie Egerton. His jumping has sometimes been a bit suspect but he is another with scope for improvement.
Cornish Rebel was 3rd in the race last year and runs well in these big staying handicaps. Ruby Walsh rides Cornish Rebel but I think the stable’s other runner Napolitain looks worthy of a second look at well. He is at the right end of the handicap, has a claimer reduces the weight further and had consistent form as a novice last season.
If pushed form a selection I would go for State of Play and Idle Power.
The Newbury card finishes with a 10 runner hurdle where we have a couple of runners from our list. Midas Way has had a recent run on the flat so should be fit. He won his only start over hurdles last season and based on his flat form does not look unreasonably treated here. Our other runner is Afsoun who changed hands for 270,000 gns in May. He had some fair form last season and goes well fresh. I expect him to go over fences eventually. He gets the nod here with Midas Way next best. If you want an each way outsider you could try Anemix.
Newcastle
I have scribbled the name of Trison’s Star in my trusty notebook. He runs in the Newcastle 12.20. The trip should suit but I would rather the mud was flying for this horse and I think I will keep a watching brief on this occasion.
Nicky Richards has a strong team this season and runs an interesting new signing in the 12.55 at Newcastle. Cheating Chance has a good pedigree and won an Irish point to point.
Aces Four won here last time out and the step up to 3 miles in the 1.25 should be in his favour. Heavy rain is forecast which could be a problem as good ground is important to him.
The Rehearsal Chase at 3.00 looks one to savour. The top two in the weights, Neptune Collonges and Fundamentalist represent our list to follow. If the promised rain does materialise this will suit Neptune Collonges. He stays really well and should have come on for his second to Our Vic in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby. Liam Heard takes 3 lbs off. Fundamentalist has lost his way somewhat for one reason or another but he looked a serious horse in the making when beating Inglis Drever at the 2004 Cheltenham Festival. There was a glimmer of a return to form when he was a close second to Cornish Sett at Cheltenham a couple of weeks ago. He would be very interesting if he can recapture his old form. Of the rest I would be very keen on the chances of a couple of list horses from last season, Bob Bob Bobbin and King Killone.
King Killone is a real old fashioned chasing type who has a good novice campaign last season. He has already won this term beating Silver Knight and subsequent winner Jungle Jinks at Wetherby a fortnight ago. Bob Bob Bobbin is another thorough stayer who got the better of Distant Thunder to score at Bangor on his reappearance. Seems to act on any ground. King Killone and Bob Bob Bobbin should go well.
The big hurdle race of the day is the Fighting Fifth at 3.30. Although Desert Quest will take all the beating, especially if the rain stays away I am hopeful for our two list runners, Noble Request and Straw Bear. Noble Request ran a bit flat last time so I am going with Straw Bear for my selection. His second to Iktitaf at Punchestown is starting to look very smart form indeed.
Towcester
At Towcester Good Citizen could be value in the 12.45. He is a big imposing sort who could leave his hurdles form behind now he is tried over fences. Blue Splash was second at Chepstow in the week and looks the one to beat in the 2.15. Finally I have received a tip for Mole’s Chamber in the bumper at 3.25.
I will be back tomorrow evening for a look at Sunday’s racing
Diary: November 24 2006
Ouninpohja was a comfortable winner today on his hurdles debut and I will be following his progress with interest.
There is some good quality racing at Newbury tomorrow. The beginners chase at 1.35 features 3 runners from our list to follow. Briareus won the Grade 2 Kingwell last season by 14 lengths after making all. He should be an exciting prospect over fences and will be expected to go very well here. Briareus is trained by Andrew Balding, son of Ian Balding who trained Mill Reef. Killaghey Castle is also trained by the son of a famous father, Nick Gifford, son of Josh. Killaghey Castle won twice over hurdles last season including the valuable EBF final at Sandown in March. Wogan is the third runner from our list. He was 5th to Killaghey Castle at Sandown last season over hurdles and was also 5th on his chase debut in a race won by Denman 13 days ago. The big danger to these three is the Paul Nicholls trained O’Maley who is owned by Sir Robert Ogden. He won over hurdles at Auteil (Paris) last season and is reportedly a big chasing type.
Over this trip I would fancy Briareus as long as the ground is not too testing. If we were to get a lot of rain then Killaghey Castle could be interesting. Any market move for the Nicholls runner should be noted.
The handicap hurdle at 2.10 looks a tricky one to solve. Mr Ed has been a great servant to connections. All his wins over hurdles or fences have come when ridden by Tony McCoy. He has a pretty good substitute tomorrow in rising star Tom O’Brien but there is only one AP McCoy. Mr Ed has to carry top weight and his most recent run was a bit disappointing. Karanja and Oscar Park both warrant respect and I would not deter you from backing either of these. I see also that One Knight makes his seasonal debut. He is very interesting as he is off a 21 lower mark than his chase rating. He goes well fresh as well. Apart from Mr Ed our other list runner is Zipalong Lad. He is a relentless galloper who will be well suited by this test of stamina. He has left Peter Bowen’s yard since I decided to put him on the list and that worries me slightly.
In the 2.40 Gungadu should continue Paul Nicholls excellent start to the season and maintain his 100% record over fences.
In the 3.45 Opus Cafe has his second run for Emma Lavelle. This gelding was quite an impressive winner of a point to point at Lismore in February and is one to keep tabs on.
At Musselburgh Elverys represents the list to follow in the 12.50. I had this one down as a good prospect for handicap hurdles having qualified by virtue of 3 runs in novice events. It is interesting that connections have elected to send him over fences.
Prince of Slane, trained by Alan Swinbank looked a progressive staying chaser last season winning twice at Catterick. He runs in a handicap hurdle tomorrow in the 1.20 where he goes off a 34 lbs lower mark than his chasing rating. Must have a good chance. Gets on well with pilot Dougie Costello. Main danger may be Noir et Vert. This ex French hurdler is a tough individual who has an abundance of stamina. He is a chaser in the making.
Of the rest King’s Quay can make it a hat trick of wins over hurdles in the 2.30.
See you tomorrow for a bumper edition of the racing diary – don’t miss it!
Diary: November 23 2006
Of the 4 horses featured in last night’s preview 3 won and the other was 2nd. Prices were very much on the short side though I am afraid.
The chase debut of World Hurdle winner My Way de Solzen was eagerly awaited and he didn’t let his supporters down, winning in style t Lingfield. A little less impressive was the other winner from our list to follow, Leading Contender. He managed to justify short odds favouritism at the third go, but only by a short head. I would think he will be upped in trip for his next outing.
I was kicking myself tonight about one winner that “got away.” Jungle Jinks had won 4 times at Wetherby where he is something of a standing dish and he was running off a lower mark than his last win their. Anyway, the 11 year old duly obliged at the Yorkshire track today outstaying Jimmy Bond who had quite a duel over the last half mile. Jimmy Bond is aptly named as his dam was Miss Moneypenny. He should win races, possibly over a slightly shorter trip as he appeared to not quite get home today. Jimmy Bond is trained by Kaye Walton whose web site is one of my links. Click on the link below for a photo of the horse.
http://www.katewaltonracing.co.uk/Horses%202.htm
Carlisle has been abandoned but arcing goes ahead at Taunton and also Uttoxeter.
I have a personal interest in the selling hurdle at Taunton 12.55. Travolta has not been a success for the Elite Racing Club and he is probably getting what amounts to a last chance in the 12.55. He has I am afraid looked a bit faint hearted in his efforts to date and although I hope he wins I wouldn’t (and won’t) bet on it!
There is a rather better animal, but another quirky one, running in the second race at 1.25. Ouninpohja won no less than 5 times on the flat in 2005. This year though he has been most frustrating finishing runner up in 6 of his 7 races. He has plenty of ability though and is a potentially useful recruit to the hurdling ranks for top trainer Paul Nicholls.
Another smart ex flat performer, Blythe Knight will be expected to notch his second win over hurdles in the 12.35 at Uttoxeter. Blythe Knight of course won the Lincoln Handicap, run at Redcar, earlier this year. Tony McCoy rides.
In the 2.35 Kayceecee represents our list to follow and has an each way chance. He is upped in trip here and that might just suit him.
Diary: November 22 2006
Our only runner today was Bougoure who was beaten into 2nd place by Turnstile at Sedgefield. Bougoure was well clear of the rest of the field and should find a race before to long.
I was pleased to see that Fondmort seems to be recovering slowly from his life threatening injury. He will never race again though. Less fortunate this week was David Pipe’s chaser Therealbandit, who suffered a similar injury and had to be put down.
Fondmort won a total of 8 races in the UK, the last 4 all coming at his favoured Cheltenham. His best win was probably his last when he took the Ryanair Chase at the Festival this year. He was as game as they come and a superb jumper.
Therealbandit won 9 times, and he also won 4 at Cheltenham. His best win though probably came in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby last Boxing Day.
There are 3 jumps meetings on tomorrow.
Leading Contender has not proved an inspired choice for the list to follow thus far as he has twice been beaten when odds on favourite. He was a decent bumper horse last season and once again strictly speaking he should win the Chepstow 1.05. But….
Blue Splash galloped his rivals into the ground when winning at Aintree last month. The handicapper has raised him 12 lbs for that effort so life will not be easy for him on the Chepstow in the 2.45. Peter Bowen’s horses are going well though and jockey Tom O’Brien will give every assistance from the saddle. By the way Blue Splash is a full brother to another on our list to follow, Ungaru, who is with Keith Reveley and has already won twice over fences this season.
The main interest at Lingfield will revolve around World Hurdle winner My Way de Solzen who makes his chase debut in the 12.45. He has always looked the type to jump a fence and has reportedly schooled well.
Best bet at Wetherby could be The Reverend who ran well behind One Sniff last time out and has plenty of ability.
See you tomorrow.
Diary: November 21 2006
We just had the one runner from our list to follow today and David Pipe’s Fourty Acers won on his chase debut at Ludlow. He came in at 5/4 joint favourite and made nearly all the running. He looked beaten at times during the race and touched 5/1 in running but McCoy was in determined mood and got plenty of response from the horse.
Bougoure, trained by Sue Smith is our only runner tomorrow. He was arguably unlucky on his chase debut at Market Rasen when he slipped on landing at the last when in a challenging position. He runs in the 12.40 at Sedgefield.
Continue reading “Diary: November 21 2006”
Diary: November 20 2006
It has been marvellous weekend’s jump racing with plenty of pointers to the big events to come.
The highlight from Saturday was the performance of Kauto Star, described by his trainer as “awesome” who put some useful rivals to the sword in effortless fashion at Haydock. He will certainly take some stopping at Kempton in the second leg of the million pound treble. An extra two furlongs at Cheltenham come March might just be a different matter though.
Paul Nicholls had another profitable weekend and I was particularly pleased to see his chaser Cerium collect at odds of 12/1. This one has had a breathing operation and that seems to have done the trick with him. Kicks For Free is another Nicholls inmate with a tall reputation and he won nicely for Ruby Walsh beating a couple of decent rivals in Self Respect and Bleak House in the novice hurdle.
The Nicholls runner in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon had to settle for second place, although Thisthatandtother ran a big race under Wayne Hutchinson. He tried to make all and jumped well but could not match Racing Demon who has a serious engine and skipped away after the last. The winner tends to jump to his right but was well ridden by Graham Lee who kept him close to the rail throughout. It was good to see Graham Lee in the winner’s enclosure as he has fallen from the spotlight somewhat since being replaced by Paddy Brennan as stable jockey to Howard Johnson. Racing Demon was notching a 7th win in this Huntingdon showpiece for his trainer Henrietta Knight, following in the hoofprints of Best Mate, Edredon Bleu and Impek.
We had 7 winners from our list to follow on Saturday. Apart from those already mentioned Ungaru made it two out of two over fences while Halcon Generlardais captured the valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock at 5/1 and will now be heading for the Welsh National. This one looked an unlikely winner as they took the last but Choc Thornton got a real surge from him close home. Our 7th winner came at Punchestown where Ross River took me by surprise, winning the 2 mile 2 handicap chase at 6/1. He is certainly versatile, he wins over hurdles or fences and at any trip or any ground.
Today’s meeting at Aintree is always an exciting spectacle with two races over the Grand National fences. I thought Hakim might be the one to be on in the Grand Sefton but having flown the first few knuckled on landing and that was that. During the race I was hoping the grey Shannon’s Pride might land the prize as he is something of an old friend, but having jumped well he was outpaced in the closing stages by the winner. Shannon’s Pride is a half brother to Direct Access for those who take an interest in such trivia.
Our list horse Bewley’s Berry ran a cracker in the Becher Chase and was a very creditable 2nd. One for the Grand National eventually maybe. The winner Eurotrek is a very talented individual but has been hard to keep sound. I remember when he first came to the UK as a former Irish points winner. He was trained by Jonjo O’Neill in those days I think.
We had 3 winners from the list to follow today. Iktitaf took the Morgiana Hurdle under a typically calm Paul Carberry ride. Once he hit the front he didn’t find a lot but that may have been down to the testing conditions. Asian Maze ran an excellent race close up in second. She will win races this season. Inca Trail was off the bridle way out but then he often is. He will be a different proposition at Cheltenham I imagine.
Our other winners were O’Muircheartaigh at Punchestown and New Little Bric at Plumpton, another promising Paul Nicholls French import.
I see that two from last season’s list to follow were winners today. Accordello has always looked to have ability and off a featherweight she won the handicap hurdle at Aintree quite cosily. Another mare, Rosita Bay a dual bumper winner won the “national hunt” novice hurdle at Plumpton.
We only have one runner from the list to follow tomorrow. Fourty Acers goes in the 2.20 at Ludlow which is a beginner’s chase. He is a former Irish points winner who was an easy winner of a Stratford bumper. He has shown some form over hurdles and should go well on his chase bow. Over hurdles he was campaigned over shorter trips but this 20 furlongs should suit him if his pedigree is anything to go by.
Be lucky
Diary: November 18 & 19
Friday supplied a couple of winners from the list to follow. Rasharrow shrugged off his recent saddle slipping mishap to win at Kelso while Tarlac revelled in the soft ground to win the last race at Ascot. Both look capable of adding further wins as the season progresses.
There is plenty of quality racing on offer up and down the country over the weekend and also across the Irish Sea. So without further ado….
I will start at Ascot where I will be watching Supreme Copper in the 12.30. This son of Supreme Leader went in to a few notebooks with an eyecatching 3rd at Wincanton last month. Emma Lavelle had a winner yesterday with Tana River so the stable seem to be going OK. I am hopeful that Supreme Copper will run well.
There are two horses from our list to follow in the 1.05. Reveillez has been consistent over fences with form figures of 2211. He landed a gamble at the Cheltenham Festival when ridden by Tony McCoy but has Conor O’Dwyer on board this time. He has actually finished in the first two in 14 of his 27 career starts. He is probably most effective on good ground so the going may be a concern. Cerium has had a breathing operation since he last ran and that may enable him to recover the winning form he showed early last season. He probably handles any going and may be quite well handicapped.
Mighty Man represents the list to follow in the 1.35. 3rd in the World Hurdle last season he then reversed the form with the winner My Way de Solzen when they clashed at Aintree in April. He is running over a trip short of his best here but I would not rule him out and he could pull a surprise if Hardy Eustace is below his best form.
Andreas and Madison Du Berlais run for our list to follow in the 2.05. Andreas was 3rd behind Crossbow Creek 3 weeks ago and I would not expect the placing to be reversed. Madison Du Berlais should handle the ground but I see that Timmy Murphy has elected to ride the stable’s other runner Contraband. I don’t have any strong views about this race.
In the bumper at 3.50 Willie Pep is our list representative. He won a bumper at Taunton on his only previous start and I would expect him to run well here.
The Haydock card starts with a competitive looking novice hurdle at 1.20. Bleak House and Kicks for Free are the runners from our list and both are highly regarded by their respective camps. Bleak House cost £200,000 gns when purchased from Tom Tate’s stable for the big spending Graham Wylie after winning a Haydock bumper. He has since made a winning start to his hurdles career. Similarly Kicks for Free came via the bumper route, winning twice in that sphere before finishing 3rd in both the Cheltenham and Aintree festival bumpers. He has since got off the mark at the first time of asking over hurdles. The big danger to these two is likely to be the ex flat horse Self Respect who beat subsequent winner Moon Over Miami in a listed hurdle at Kempton. Good race in prospect here. Kicks for Free would get my narrow vote but I would certainly not take a short price about him.
The big race of the day is the Lancashire Chase at 1.50 when Beef or Salmom Kingscliffe and Kauto Star are the 3 runners from our list. There is no doubt that Kauto Star has tons of ability but whether he will stay this 3 miles is really an unknown. As such I am not sure that he is really a betting proposition. Last season Kingscliffe won this with Beef or Salmon 2nd. At his best there is no doubt that Kingscliffe is capable of winning this again but it is really a case of which Kingscliffe is going to turn up. He has a squiggle by his name in the Timeform annual denoting an unreliable horse. While that may be a bit harsh as his problems are probably physical rather than mental he does not always show his best form. He runs best fresh and for that reason I am going to bypass him as his last run was only 3 weeks ago. Beef or Salmon has never won outside his native Ireland but he has conditions to suit him here, a small field and soft ground. He could hardly come here in better nick either having claimed the scalp of War of Attrition at Down Royal last time out. L’Ami will present a threat to our 3. The French raider had some solid form last season, will like the ground and has had a recent spin over hurdles. All things considered I am going to take a chance of Beef or Salmon to break his UK duck.
The staying handicap at 2.20 looks particularly competitive affair. Halcon Generlridais and Brankley Boy run from our list to follow. Halcon Generlardais won 3 out of 4 over fences last season and is running off a much lower mark here over hurdles than he would over fences. He stays and acts on soft ground. His long term target is likely to be the Welsh National at Christmas but he could well have place prospects tomorrow off his favourable mark. Brankley Boy has been consistent over hurdles despite not being the most fluent of jumpers at times. His half sister Lady Rebecca won 13 times over timber. He is 6lbs “wrong” at the weights though.
There are plenty of old friends from previous season’s lists to follow, notably, The Bajan Bandit, Korelo, Royal Emperor and United. The Bajan Bandit has been a great servant for Scottish trainer Len Lungo. He actually won 10 of his first 11 starts. These days he tends to pop up when you least expect him to with his last success coming in a handicap chase at Ayr in February when he beat Royal Emperor. He is 3 lbs higher than winning over course and distance in February 2005. Royal Emperor is a versatile performer and switches between fences and hurdles. He was 3rd in last season’s Scottish National. He loves it at Haydock and if he gets his favoured soft ground I can see him running really well. Korelo is usually ridden from the back and he has a devastating finishing kick. The mare United won a Grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown in April 2005 but has not won since and has had a few injury problems. She was 2nd at Wincanton earlier this month though and the stable are going well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the veteran Tees Components run into a place but if the ground is riding soft my each way selection would be Royal Emperor.
Sticking with the Romans, Roman Ark is our list runner in the 3.20. Roman Ark is not without a chance but this 2 mile trip may be on the short side for him. He will appreciate further rain.
Beau Michel looked a horse with a bright future when winning at Exeter on his first start of the season. He looks the type to improve again and the extra 3 furlongs he faces in the 3.55 should suit him. The obvious danger is the Irish horse Kanpai.
At Huntingdon there are two list runners in the 12.55. Ungaro was a decent hurdler and has already won over fences. He is strongly fancied here. Keenan’s Future didn’t get very far at Market Rasen in the week when he was brought down at the first fence. He should stay further than this in time and should be up to winning races over fences.
Henrietta Knight has a spectacular record in the Peterborough Chase (3.00) her runners having prevailed in 6 of the last 8 runnings. She has Racing Demon this time round. His chance cannot be ruled out despite unseating his rider at Exeter on his seasonal reappearance. Timmy Murphy is riding elsewhere tomorrow which is a pity as he has a 100% record on the horse. Our other list runner is Dempsey who I feel is better over a shorter trip.
There is a good card at Punchestown where the dual bumper winner, You Sir, a relative of the great Limestone Lad, is my fancy for the 1.15.
There are two runners from our list to follow in the 1.45. Vic Venturi made a good start to his fencing career when beating Conna Castle at Galway and is preferred to Oulart. He looks like developing into one of Ireland’s better staying novice chasers.
Although Ross River is 11 now he is no back number and I will be following his efforts closely this season when he is likely to mix hurdles and fences. The 2.25 mile trip tomorrow may just be on the short side for him though.
Turning to Sunday’s action Degas Art is likely to start favourite for the 1.00. This winner of a listed race on the flat was another expensive purchase by Howard Johnson for the Wylie’s. He has already won well over hurdles on his debut for the new yard. Pouvoir, a winner in France probably represents the danger. Alan King’s runner was a faller on his UK debut but is probably capable of better.
Hakim has been first and second on his previous efforts over the national fences. He goes in the Grand Sefton at 1.30 and although he is a 12 year old and has to shoulder top weight he is such a good jumper that he could well run into a place.
There are some interesting runners in the 2.00. Trouble at Bay was a useful juvenile and returns to the track after a lengthy absence while Chivalry, a past winner of the Cambridgeshire is another returning after a long lay off. He was trained by Howard Johnson but is now with Venetia Williams. Accordello finally got off the mark last week at Wetherby at the 13th attempt. She had run well in good company on a number of occasions and could be interesting off a low weight. Ursis won a couple of hurdle races last a season and is one to consider as he has had a recent run on the flat and should be fit. Dangerously Good could be worth an each way interest. He has been a bit injury prone but is useful at his best.
There are a fair few Aintree specialists in the Becher Chase at 2.35. Clan Royal (3rd), Nil Desperandum (4th) Joe’s Edge (7th) Inca Trail (8th) and Forest Gunner (9th) all completed in the Grand National last season. Il Desperandum has changed stables since his last visit to Aintree and he was staying on when 3rd at Wetherby recently and should go well. There is also confidence behind Inca Trail who is a full brother to Best Mate. He has also had the benefit of an encouraging recent run. There are two from our list to follow, Dun Doire and Bewleys Berry. Dun Doire was a prolific winner last season and his trainer seems bullish about his horse’s chances. Bewley’s Berry has always looked a horse with potential and this sort of race could just suit him. This is a real open contest with both the Nicholls runners worth a second look and McKelvey, a winner in the summer at Uttoxeter a thorough stayer on a good mark. Inca Trail has a good a chance as any.
Opera De Coeur (3.10) won his first 3 starts over hurdles in the UK and then finished 4th in a hot race behind Detroit City. Sine then he has suffered from a life threatening attack of colic. He makes his chase debut in the 3.10 where he will get a useful weight allowance. Best on soft ground he will face the promising Lennon who has already made am impressive start to his chasing career.
Best bet of the day at Plumpton could be Paul Nicholls New Little Bric in the 2.20. He won twice over hurdles at Pau and is well thought of by connections.
At Punchestown I just prefer Conna Castle to Skys the Limit in the 1.15.
In the 1.45 Firth of Forth and O’Muircheartaigh represent our list to follow.
The 2.15 sees the return to action of Brave Inca. New Mill and Iktitaf will provide stern opposition.
In the 3.45 De Valira is one to watch. A half brother to the ill fated Valiramix he was an impressive winner of a bumper here on his only previous start and looks to have a bright future.
That is all for now. See you on Sunday evening.
ahorse 