ahorse

 

Not much to add to the weekend preview.

Nicto de Beauchene could go well for the Alner stable if they get some rain at Towcester.  He runs in the 2.00.

There is more than enough racing to go at in the UK this weekend so I will not comment on the Breeder’s Cup over at Santa Anita – not that I know enough about the American form anyway!

Who needs Santa Anita when there is jumping action at Aintree. Rippling Ring (pictured below) brings an international flavour to the first race at the Merseyside track at 1.05. The Paul Nicholls trained 5 year old was a winner on the flat in South Africa and he made an instant impression when coming to the UK, winning at Doncaster. He then ran 5^th in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. He is open to plenty of improvement and should go well on a track that ought to play to his strengths, although a quoted price of 7/4, with 10/1 the field seems pretty skinny.

The champion trainer looks likely to have another short priced favourite in the novice chase at 1.35. Tatenen was a winner over hurdles in France before joining Nicholls and he ran 2^nd to Franchoek in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Chepstow at Christmas with some decent horses behind him. Reckoned as a likely Arkle horse Tatenen looks the one to beat here. He seems best suited by soft ground. His main rival is likely to be Howard Johnson’s recent Hexham winner Striking Article. The stable won this race with Lennon in 2006.

Graham Wylie has admitted that buying El Vaquero a couple of years ago may have been a mistake. A winner of the Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown when trained by Henrietta Knight El Vaquero has had injury problems since joining Howard Johnson and is yet to win for his new trainer. He runs in the veterans chase at 2.05 along with some other old favourites. Fundementalist is another trying to recapture former glories, although he did put up one excellent performance last season when 3^rd in the Racing Post Plate. Rambling Minster is a solid stayer who won the Border’s Nation at Kelso last December. Alan King’s grey D’Argent is a good jumper that stays really well. He is a bit of a Warwick specialist having won there 4 times but he ran well in the Grand National before unseating his rider 4 out. He could take some pegging back in this if he gets into a rhythm in front. Kitski, trained by Ferdy Murphy hasn’t run since April 2007 but does not look badly handicapped if he is fit enough to do himself justice. He is a thorough stayer.

Alan King also has a leading chance in the 2.40 where his Black Jacari looks likely to improve on his recent second at Market Rasen. The Barbury Castle trainer picked this one out as a horse to follow in a pre season interview.

I fancy the Paul Nicholls 4 year old American Trilogy in the 3.15. He was a smart performer on the flat in France where he won a listed race over 12 furlongs. He looks an exciting prospect and from his runs in France he clearly handles soft ground.

Buying horses that were trained on the flat by Sir Mark Prescott has paid dividends in recent seasons for the top national hunt trainers. One of the latest recruits is Hora who won a couple of times over 2 miles on the flat and has already made a promising start to his hurdle career fro Nicky Henderson. Stamina is her strength and the ext6ended 3 miles of the 4.25 tomorrow looks very much her bag of oats.

Moving on to Chepstow the opener at 1.20 looks very competitive. There are several recent winners including Diablo who won well at Cheltenham last week and looks open to plenty of improvement. Khachaturian put in a very professional display to beat Diablo’s stable companion Quail at Bangor earlier this month while Grey Mountain, Tarablaze and Winged D’Argent all come here on the back of recent successes. No Panic did some travelling last season, winning at venue’s as far apart as Newton Abbot and Cartmel while he also ran with credit at Galway and Kelso. Good ground seems to be the key to this horse so if the rain stays away he could well be interesting. Tony McCoy rides him for the first which will do his chances no harm. Junior remains a novice despite running some crackers, notably when 3^rd in the Coral Cup. He gets weight from the previous winners and if fully wound up on his debut he could be a big danger. Throw in A Paul Nicholls runner Hell’s Bay and it is clear that this race will take some winning. It is worth noting that Nigel Twiston-Davies, who trains Diablo, has an impressive record in this race.

There are plenty with chances but Junior could well be the pick at the weights.

The big stables are represented in the 1.50 and this time I am going to side with a Philip Hobbs runner, Lead On. He was 2^nd in this race last season but there is evidence to show that he has improved since then.

Wichita Lineman won the Brit Insurance Novice Hurdle in 2007 but rather lost his way lasts season. A campaign over fences has been mapped out for him this season and he has always looked a grand chasing type. With the stable among the winners recently he is an intriguing runner in the 2.20. He is up against the highly rated Big Fella Thanks, who is in the same ownership as Denman. A big galloping sort Big Fella Thanks clearly likes a trip and soft ground. The main danger to the big two will probably be Alan King’s West End Rocker. A former English point to point winner West End Rocker is a winner over hurdles at Chepstow and is another likely to be suited by soft ground. Big Fella Thanks looks the type to thrive over fences and he gets the selection.

Paul Nicholls saddles two in the 2.50 where I prefer Forest Pennant to Mr Pointment. He was impressive when winning a listed handicap hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting last season, he stays well and has apparently pleased connections with his preparation.

In the 3.25 there are a couple of runners looking to put disappointing recent efforts behind them. The Real Deal never looked like getting into the race on his reappearance at Chepstow a fortnight ago and finished last of 11 in the race won by Emma Lavelles’s Seymar Lad. After a stuttering start he looked progressive over fences last season when winning at Haydock and Uttoxeter. I also had high hopes for Sprosser but he put in a really lacklustre effort at Bangor despite having conditions in his favour. Buck the Legend is still a maiden after 14 starts in bumpers and over hurdles but he may well be a very different proposition over fences. He gives the impression that he is an out and out stayer and he comes here on the back of a couple of very respectable efforts over hurdles so he will be race fit. The other runner to mention in this race is The Apprentice. He is trained by Victor Dartnall who rarely wastes his ammunition and looks the sort to improve for jumping fences. This looks a very open race and both Buck the Legend and The Real Deal warrant plenty of respect. I would be inclined to take a chance with Sprosser and The Apprentice at around 10/1 each though.

Having gone for some favourites in the races discussed up to now I will chance a bit of an outsider in the 4.35. De Welsh Wizzard has had injury problems but showed some promise when 4th in a Newbury bumper last season. If his problems are behind him he could be in with an each way shout.

There is some top flat racing from Doncaster where the spotlight falls mainly on two year olds. I am hoping that Greensward can build on his win at Newmarket in August in the nursery at 1.55. This colt comes from a family I have followed over the years being out of Frizzante and related to both Firenze and Zidane.

The sprint handicap at 2.25 is wide open. I am going to take a chance with Fantasy Explorer who comes to the race in fair form and has an apprentice taking 7 lbs off his back. Aegean Dancer has slipped down the weights and could run well at a big price but Fantasy Explorer is the selection.

The big race on the flat is the Racing Post Trophy at 3.35. Over the last 7 years 3 winners of this race have gone on to win the Derby the following season. My two against the field are Crowded House and Jukebox Jury. Crowded House bolted up in a maiden at Kempton and followed up with an excellent 2^nd at Newmarket. Jukebox Jury won the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot. One that could go well at a bigger price is the unattractively named Skanky Biscuit who takes a step up in class after winning a Newbury maiden.

 

There are two runners from my list to follow in the 4.10. Birkside owes me nothing as he has won 3 times since I started following him. He has had a remarkably busy campaign but has kept his form pretty well and has actually been dropped 4 lbs by the assessor since his last run. Joe Fanning rides him for the first time and you couldn’t rule him out. Full Speed won a handicap at York in May but was disappointing in his next couple of runs and has been off the track since the end of July.

Kiwi Bay fairly romped home in a weak race back in June but struggled after that until a more encouraging 3^rd at Wolverhampton on his latest start. He has an each way chance in the 5.15.

Newbury next and John Gosden introduces a well regarded two year old, London Bridge, in the 1.10. He is a half brother to 5 winners.

Splendorinthegrass is a sister to Etlaala and Selective and should come on for her 7^th on her debut at Newbury last month. She runs in the 2.10 back at the Berkshire track tomorrow.

Ask put in a taking performance when 6^th in the Arc at Longchamp and is the class act in the 2.45.

Danae has already done her bit for my list to follow having won at 16/1 at Newmarket. She was then 2^nd at Leicester but has not run since the beginning of June. She has run well fresh and with underfoot conditions likely to suit she might be worth a small interest at around 8/1.

The classy hurdler Blazing Bailey is likely to start as favourite in the lady jockeys’ race at 4.30. In search of better value I am inclined to oppose the jolly with recent Newcastle runner up Harry the Hawk.

William Blake and Throne of Power represent my list to follow in the 5.05 but William Blake looks in the grip of the handicapper while Throne of Power has done nothing recently to suggest that he can win this.

Border Tale has done me a favour or two over the years, not least when winning at Huntingdon last time out. He is certainly in fine fettle at the moment but the handicapper may just have got his measure now and I prefer The Polomoche in the Stratford 3.05. I watched his racecourse debut when he just got the better of Calgary Bay in a Ludlow bumper and I have followed the progress of both animals since. In the 4.50 at Stratford Cheating Chance makes some appeal at around 10/1. He is yet to win over fences but was 2^nd at Kempton last March and went on to win over hurdles.

The only runner from my list to follow in action at Wolverhampton is Peruvian Prince in the 6.15.

At Naas I fancy Smoking Aces in the 2.10. He looked a fair prospect in bumpers last season winning at Thurles before finishing second, giving weight to all his rivals, at Limerick where his rider lost his whip in the finish.

Sunday

Day 2 of the Aintree meeting on Sunday opens with a novice hurdle at 1.0. What a Buzz won at Bangor two weeks ago over 2 miles 1 furlong and the additional 3 furlongs on Sunday will suit the horse. A more likely winner though is Howard Johnson’s On Raglan Road. He won his only Irish point tp point and a bumper at Punchestown and was purchased for serious money by Graham and Andrea Wylie. On his UK debut he won a little race at Hexham by 38 lengths and may well be a serious horse. Philip Hobbs saddles Copper Bleu, a half brother to presenting Copper who won a Cork bumper before finishing 5^th in the Aintree Champion Bumper. His sire is also the sire of Snap Tie. Another to consider is Knockara Beau another with very solid bumper form. He won at Kelso before finishing runner up in a strong race up at Ayr and then won at Aintree in May. Lastly, Paul Nicholls has Massasoit in this. He only had one run last season before suffering a setback and is expected to return to winning form this season.

How’s Business is yet to finish out of the first two over hurdles. She is one of only two 4 year olds in the race and no horse of that age has won the race in the last 7 years. I am sure that there are races to be won with her as the season progresses but I will keep a watching brief this time.

The 2.10 pitches two highly rated hurdlers Kicks for Free and Special Envoy against each other on their chase debuts. Kicks for Free was only beaten a short head in the Coral Cup and has always been considered a chaser. Special Envoy has been an unlucky horse, twice falling at the last with valuable handicap hurdle prizes in his grasp. This is a fascinating battle but my money would be on the Paul Nicholls horse given the form of the stable.

In the 2.40 Pierrot Lunaire is another probable winner for the Paul Nicholls team. A smart novice last season Pierrot Lunaire (pictured below)  is being talked about as a Champion Hurdle contender and will eb at short odds to win this. The one to give him most to think about should be Squadron who was runner up to Crack Away Jack a couple of weeks ago.

The Old Roan Chase at 3.15 is one to savour with Monet’s Garden trying to repeat last season’s win when he made the weights difference tell against Kauto Star. This time he si getting weight from the likes of Voy Por Ustedes and Exotic Dancer. Monet’s Garden usually runs well at Aintree where he has form figures of 21114. Voy Por Ustedes is himself a course and distance winner though and was most impressive when accounting for Master Minded at the track last April. The Donald McCain pair of Cloudy Lane and Regal Heights are probably taking this race in on the way to other more realistic targets while the valiant Mister McGoldrick is not quite up to the standard of the main contenders. I feel that Voy Por Ustedes (pictued below) might have the best of the argument here despite giving away weight all round.

The well related Beggar’s Cap won a couple of novice chases last season and may have further improvement in him. Graham Lee rides him for Ferdy Murphy in the 3.50.

I wouldn’t get too heavily involved in the bumper at 4.25 but I would recommend that you take a close look at China Gold, Cloudy Times and The Portonion.

The first race at Towcester is at 12.50 where I fancy the Alan King runner Nulato. He is already a bumper winner at Towcester and he has the look of a thorough stayer who should be suited by this 3 miles on his hurdles bow. Christian Williams has the ride.

In the 3.40 course winner High Jack looks potentially well handicapped as he is 11 lbs lower in the ratings over fences compared to his hurdles mark. He is a half brother to Bible Lord.

Quail should come on for his run when 2^nd to Khachaturian at Bangor and he is my selection in the Wincanton 1.15. In the 2.20 I am hoping for a big run from Cornas who is a course and distance winner.

Finally, in the 4.35 Conflictofinterest looks the one they all have to beat with Keki Buku, Quaddick Lane and Simply Blue the best of the rest.

Acknowledgements;  All paintings are by Lisa Miller (see links).  My thanks to Tracy Roberts for the pictures of the two Paul Nicholls horses (see Turfpix link) and to Kate Tann  for the photos of Voy Por Ustedes and Towcester racecourse.

Good luck! I may try and post any late thoughts during the weekend.

 

It wasn’t much of a day from my selections today but I was pleased to see Tot O’Whiskey get off the mark over fences. He jumped well and certainly proved his stamina in testing ground at Carlisle.

Roman Republic was a very well backed favourite when he made his debut at Newbury but it soon became apparent that he wasn’t going to be involved in the finish and he could only finish 7^th. You would have to imagine that he had shown something in his work at home to attract such strong support and he may be worth a second chance in the Doncaster 1.50.

There are a couple of runners from our list to follow in the 3.30. Dhaular Dhar has had an excellent season despite only winning once. He has also picked up some significant prize money by finishing runner up in a couple of big Ascot handicaps. Tomorrow he is 10 lbs higher in the weights than his previous highest winning mark so he needs a personal best. Celtic Sultan won his first start of the season in a handicap at Chester but has done very little in 5 subsequent runs. He has slipped down the weights and is also down in trip over 6 furlongs. The stable have run into a bit of form recently. Of the rest Skhilling Spirit has run some good races this season including a 5^th in the Ayr Gold Cup. Any rain would help his cause tomorrow although he may be better over 7 furlongs rather than 6. Artimino comes here in good form. He ran well in second behind Knot in Wood at Kempton 3 weeks ago.

In the 4.05 Cape Tribulation could be worth an interest. This dual bumper winner won a Nottingham maiden earlier this month and the stable are in decent form. West With the Wind, from the same stable as Celtic Sultan may benefit from the step up from 12 to 14 furlongs.

I tipped Majeen when he won at Windsor last month and I will stick with him in the 4.40 tomorrow.

At Wolverhampton I like the look of course and distance winner Recession Proof in the 7.50. Let’s hope he lives up to his name!

Over the sticks at Fakenham The Good Guy represents our list to follow in the 3.50. He has been quite consistent over hurdles winning twice but is built like a chaser and hopefully he will make a good start to his career over fences tomorrow.

I fancy Midsummer Magic in the bumper at 5.25 with Tony McCoy riding for Nicky Henderson.

Today’s picture is by the artist Lisa Miller and features The Tatling who won at Brighton this afternoon. This was the 11 year old’s 12^th career success – a grand old campaigner.

 

The 2.40 at Carlisle looks an interesting race tomorrow. Astarador won over course and distance a couple of weeks ago and he sets the standard. He came back from serious injury to win the Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh beating Border Tale who was getting more than a stone from the winner. Raysrock, a winner over hurdles at Kelso and Hexham last season, looks the main threat and I wouldn’t rule out Lease End either. He fell two out in the fixed brush hurdles final at Haydock last season and had earlier won over hurdles at Wetherby and Doncaster.

Super Road Train has a good record at Carlisle and should go well in the 3.45.

Tot O’Whiskey jumped well when second over two and a half miles at Carlisle recently. He finished strongly that day and the extra distance in the 4.15 should suit him. An intriguing runner in this race is Nine de Sivola who missed last season through injury. The season before though he had finished runner up in the Eider Chase, and the Irish and Scottish Nationals so he is some novice. He is coming back from a long absence from the track however.

I tipped Max Bygraves when he won at Kelso earlier in the month but he has not been done any favours by the handicapper and he looks to have a lot on his plate off top weight in the Ludlow 5.30. Earlier on the Ludlow card Bid Art could run well in the 2.20 at a big price.

Wing Play is the only runner from my flat list to follow. He goes in the 9.20 at Great Leighs.

Over at Thurles Let Yourself Go is my section in the 2.15. He is very highly rated by connections and is fit from a run of the flat. Carrigeen King should come on from his recent 4^th at Limerick and gets my vote in the 2.45.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.  See links.

Mykingdomforahorse (pictured below courtesy of British 2YO Racing) was a winning tip on the flat today while Shalone and The Tother One were winners for the jumps list to follow.

Celestial Dream makes his racecourse debut in the Bath 3.00 tomorrow. She is bred for the job as both sire and dam were winners of the Nunthorpe. The second dam won 5 times as a juvenile so this filly is well worth a second look on pedigree. Although well thought of by her trainer I understand that she has had one or two slight injuries however, which probably accounts for the tardy start to her career.

Fearless Warrior is one of the horses on my list to follow that is showing a profit to a level stake having won twice from 8 tries. He was last of 8 on his latest start at Beverley and may just be a little too high in the weights now. He has tended to race too keenly and I see that Richard Hughes has the ride tomorrow so the horse will not lack help from the saddle.  He runs in the 5.00 at Bath. Eddie Ahern had ridden Fearless Warrior previously. He rides Navajo Joe in the 2.10 at Great Leighs tomorrow, a 3 year old that won at Lingfield in June with Richard Hughes on board. Navajo Joe is another to have raced much too keenly for his own good and was tailed off last at Pontefract 16 days ago. He has something to prove now.

I had high hopes for Oldjoesaid this season in the sprint division. He won at Newbury first time out but since then things have just not gone his way. He has often been badly drawn (10 of 10 at Chester on one occasion). He was 4^th in the Portland under top weight despite being slowly away and was then beaten a nose and a short head at Beverley. He runs in the 3.40 at Great Leighs and is due a change of fortune.

The last runner on the flat list to follow is Barney McGrew in the 8.20 at Kempton. Named after a fireman in the children’s TV series Trumpton, he won a Newcastle handicap on good to firm in May and on his last start ran well in second at Haydock. He has an each way chance at around 10/1.

Backing horses at odds on when making their novice chase debuts is probably the rode to penury so I wouldn’t suggest that you pile on Wichita Lineman in the Southwell 2.20. The horse has rather lost his way since winning the Brit Insurance Novice’s Hurdle in 2007 but he has always looked a chasing type and it will be very interesting to see how he gets on.

Despite being troublesome at the start Argento Luna was an impressive winner at Huntingdon last week and looked one to follow. He runs under a penalty in the Southwell 4.20 where one of her main rivals could be the Alan King runner Over Sixty. Related to Dublin Flyer Over Sixty has solid bumper form. She is a half sister to Diamont Noir, a winner of 4 hurdles races in the 2003/4 season.

That is about it for tonight.

Mr Crystal gave my list to follow an 8/1 winner at Pontefract today, making light of my doubts about his ability to handle the ground. It was sad to see former Pontefract Cup winner Monolith tailed off at the back in this race and it would be no surprise to see him retired.

Exeter is the highest racecourse in the country and it certainly offers the top action tomorrow with the leading national hunt trainers again in opposition.

It was Nicholls versus King in the Kempton novice chase yesterday with the Ditcheat handler coming out on top thanks to I’msingingtheblues. Tomorrrow in the novice hurdle at 2.40 Alan King saddles Shalone and Paul Nicholls opposes with The Nightingale. The flat bred Shalone has had 3 runs in bumpers and his only defeat was a narrow one to the highly rated Diamond Harry who has himself already won over hurdles. The Nightingale won a Wincanton bumper before running second an another bumper at Newbury. There is little point in giving a tip in races like this but if pushed I would go for Shalone, although of course you oppose a Nicholls runner at your peril at present.

High Class hurdler Straw Bear makes his chase debut in the 3.10, a race named after the late great Best Mate (pictured below). He is likely to start at odds on and might be worth opposing with the Paul Nicholls grey, Pasco. On hurdles form he has plenty to find on Straw Bear but although he is flat bred he has the size and scope to make a chaser and the stable could hardly be in better nick.

The Tother One was a progressive hurdler for Paul Nicholls last season and as a half brother to Thisthatandtother he is very likely make his mark over fences. He runs in the 3.40 where Philip Hobbs might supply the main danger in the shape of Khasab.

Silver Inngot is a horse I have followed over the years. He makes his first appearance of the season in the 4.40 and could be interesting as he goes well fresh.

There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in the 4.30 at Lingfield. Hereford Boy won this race last season. He has not won for 8 starts now but wears first time blinkers here and if they do the trick he would have a chance as he is reasonably handicapped. Silvanus has started favourite on 4 of his career starts but has only won once. He probably shows more at home than he does on the racecourse and there is always the possibility that he may come good as he is lightly raced but he doesn’t look one to rely on.

Given the name of my web site perhaps I should adopt Mick Channon’s Mykingdomforahorse as the site’s mascot. He runs in the 3.20 at Yarmouth tomorrow and on the basis of a good second at Nottingham last time out is in with a sound chance.

The picture of Best Mate is by courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.  For more examples of this artists work see links.

 

It is always difficult to keep tabs on all the racing when the flat and jumps seasons overlap. Now that there is a lull in the proceedings I will take a brief look back at the results of the past week.

Starting with Tuesday Border Tale made the long journey to Huntingdon from his Cartmel stable pay winning the handicap hurdle at the generous price of 4/1. He is a tough sort and never looked like getting beaten. This was a good bit of placing by his trainer James Moffatt.

On Wednesday dual bumper winner Diamond Harry made a winning start over hurdles at Uttoxeter and looks a horse with a bright future.

Harlech Castle had slipped down the weights and it wasn’t a major surprise when he won the sprint handicap at Nottingham. He comes from a family that I have followed over the years being out of the mare Ffestiniog. Her first 6 offspring have all been winners and the seventh, Border Patrol, has already shown promise as a two year old. He is with Roger Charlton and is one to look forward to next season.

The first meeting of the jumps season opened at Cheltenham on Friday and there was an interesting novice chase featuring a couple of bright prospects in Razor Royale and Ring the Boss. Both were travelling well until the notorious second last claimed Razor Royale leaving Ring the Boss a relatively comfortable winner. On the flat at Newmarket Bankable finished 2^nd for the fifth time in succession, beaten by a 50/1 shot. Plum Pudding won for the 6^th time in his career at Newmarket, in fact he has never won anywhere else. Amazingly he has started at 7/1 or bigger on 4 of the 6^th races.

Saturday was quite a successful day on the tipping front with Stimulation, Dolessthanme, Kalahari King, New Approach, Door Boy and According to Dick all winning. Diablo was a 9/1 winner for my list to follow so not a bad day all round. The 2.5 mile chase at Cheltenham was dominated by a couple of good ground horses, Ouzbeck and Yes Sir but the horse to take out of the race might be Bible Lord who was third despite looking as though he would need the race.

Door Boy was an impressive winner on his UK debut at Kelso as he easily landed the two miles six maiden hurdle. He looks a very nice prospect especially when he goes over fences eventually.

Kalahari King made a pleasing start to his chasing career at the Borders track. Graham Lee always appeared to have matters under control as he took charge on the long run-in.

The main attraction at Kempton this afternoon was the reappearance of Champion Hurdler Katchit but although starting at odds on he was unable to repel Snap Tie in a battle after the last flight. Katchit will no doubt come on for the run and Kempton may not be his track but take nothing away from the winner who has always been very well regarded by his trainer. Earlier in the day I’msingingtheblues put is an impressive round of jumping to land the novice chase for Paul Nicholls beating Greenbridge. Meanwhile there were wins for my list to follow with Master Medic at Fontwell and Dan Chillingworth at Southwell.

There are a couple of runners from my list to follow in action at Pontefract tomorrow. Michael Dods has had a good season with the likes of Osteopathic Remedy who has won 4 times, but Charles Parnell has not added to his trainers win tally, despite being featured numerous times in these pages! He is now on a 14 race losing sequence and has finished 5^th on his last 4 starts. You get the impression that he needs some help from the handicapper as he is only a pound lower in the ratings than when he started his losing run. Anyway he runs in the Pontefract 3.10 tomorrow. Mr Crystal has been consistent but has done all his winning on fast ground and may not have conditions to suit in the 4.10.

Marvo ran his best race for some time when chasing home The Fifth Member at Goodwood last week. He is well handicapped these days and could be worth an interest in the Windsor 4.30.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Sally Martin (see links)

Bye for now.

Following hard on the heels of the 2 day Cheltenham meeting we have some quality national hunt racing at Kempton tomorrow.

Paul Nicholls and Alan King clash in the novice chase at 2.50, saddling Greenbridge and I’msingingtheblues respectively. Greenbridge won novice hurdles at Doncaster and Kempton last season and is thought to be high up the pecking order among the novice chasers in Alan King’s stable. I’msingingtheblues was a winner at Wincanton on his hurdling debut and he went on to win a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. He prefers good ground. Of the others Otage De Brion is another that likes good ground. Trained by the up and coming Charlie Longsden he had some solid form over hurdles last season. These would be the three that most interest me and if pushed for a selection I would just favour Greenbridge although it might come down to a case of fitness first time out.

The Paul Nicholls trained Woolcombe Folly is likely to be an odds on favourite in the 3.25. If he lacks for fitness at all on his first run of the season the race fit Huntingdon winner Oceana Gold could be the one to take advantage with track and ground both in his favour and the stable in top form.

All eyes will be on Champion Hurdle winner Katchit as he makes his seasonal reappearance in the 4.35. He should win if anything like at his best although the track might not exactly play to his strengths. Of the opposition Katies Tutor and Snap Tie arer worth a mention. Katies Tutor won decent handicap hurdles at Cheltenham and Market Rasen last season while Snap Tie has always been held in high regard by his trainer Philip Hobbs. Connections see Snap Tie as a possible Champion Hurdle horse but he will need to run Katchit close if he is to confirm that promise. This looks an intriguing contest. Katchit (pictured below) is the percentage call.

Brinkmanship has taken well to fences and with Tony McCoy booked to ride is an obvious fancy in the 5.35.

Shoreacres was 4^th in the Cheltenham Champion bumper in March and it would be disappointing if he couldn’t win over hurdles. He looks a promising recruit and makes his debut over timber in the 3.00 at Fontwell with the busy Mr McCoy in the saddle.

Master Medic should be all the better for his run at Huntingdon last week and is my selection in the Fontwell 3.35.

There are two runners from my list to follow in action on the flat at Southwell. Just Two Numbers (3.15) and Dan Chillingworth (4.25) with the latter looking to have the better chance.

Diminuto is something of a course specialist at Southwell with 3 wins over course and distance. She was a good second on turf at Leicester last time out and should go well in the 3.50.

My thanks to Kate Tann for the photo of Katchit.

Bye for now.

 

The Saturday morning update is something of an experiment.

I am still going with Stimulation in the Newmarket 2.05.  At a big price Balthazaar’s Gift could be each way value.

I will also stick with Soul City in the 2.35 as I am not convinced that Rip Van Winkle is value.

In the Cesarewitch Mamlook, Arc Bleu, Liberate and possibly Gee Dee Nen look the percentage calls based on recent form and the draw which has historically been important in this race.

Lordsbridge looks the most likely outsider in the Cheltenham 2.20 while Private B may have been laid out for the 3.25.  He is a quirky sort but might be best when caught fresh. I was tempted to go for Malcolm Jefferson’s Calatagan in this at a big price.  He might just want softer ground than he is likely to get at Cheltenham today though.  Patman Du Charmil has a good chance and I wouldn’t want to put you off if you fancy him.

I didn’t have time to look at the Catterick card last night.  The 3.35 is televised on Channel 4 and if you want an interest in the race Tim Easterby’s Captain Dunne is well drawn and looks the obvious choice. If returning to his form earlier in the season Total Impact would have a chance at a bigger price.

Good luck.

It’s Champions Day at Newmarket tomorrow with the highlights being the Champion Stakes, The Dewhurst and the big handicap, the Cesarewitch. With the first Cheltenham meeting of the new jumps season as well there is plenty to get stuck into in tonight’s preview.

Starting with the Champion Stakes at 3.10 New Approach will be seeking to add to his Group 1 successes this season in the Epsom Derby and Irish Champion Stakes. He is the class act in the race but don’t forget that favourites have a poor record in this. Traffic Guard put up a career best effort when second to New Approach in the Irish Champion Stakes and on the strength of that run he cannot be ignored. Russian Cross came good in the summer winning at Saint-Cloud in impressive style before defeating the useful River Proud in a Group 2 at Deauville. He may have been a little unlucky when second in a Group 2 at Longchamp most recently and he cannot be ignored in a race where 3 year olds have a good record. Pipedreamer won the Cambridgeshire last season and has made a successful transition into Group company this year. He has posted some extremely creditable efforts in Group ones and notched an overdue Group 2 win at York in July. Twice Over beat Raven’s Pass at Newmarket at the start of the season and after that ran well in good company until winning at Maisons-Lafitte in July. He disappointed on his most recent start at Deauville but is certainly one for the short list. My idea of the first three would be New Approach, Russian Cross and Pipedreamer.

The Cesarewitch (3.50) will take some sorting out given the field of 34. I quite like following national hunt trainers in this race and Mamlook, Liberate, Souffleur and Gee Dee Nen all make some appeal. Gee Dee Nen has handicap wins over 2 miles at Haydock and Ascot to his credit this season, getting up to beat Bogside Theatre, who he meets again tomorrow, at Ascot. Mamlook and Liberate were 2^nd and 3^rd in the Ascot Stakes over 2.5 miles in June and both are well drawn. Souffleur, a winner 4 times over hurdles last jumps season was second at Musselburgh in March over 1 mile 6 furlongs but subsequent efforts have been disappointing. A return to his best form would put him in with a chance tomorrow. Of the rest I need to mention the Irish challengers Arc Bleu trained by the very shrewd Tony Martin with Johnny Murtagh riding. Arc Bleu won the Northumberland Plate in June with a number of tomorrow’s rivals behind him. Bogside Theatre was 3^rd and Gee Dee Nen 5^th.

My top 4 would be Gee Dee Nen, Mamlook, Liberate and Arc Bleu.

Earlier on the Newmarket card Royal Confidence, Stimulation and Utmost Respect are the trio from our list to follow in the 2.05. The filly Royal Confidence scored a belated first win of the season at Doncaster in a listed race last month. She seems to act on any going and 7 furlongs looks her ideal trip. Stimulation won the Free Handicap over course and distance in April and has performed pretty consistently since. He went on his travels for his last start finishing 3^rd in a Group 2 in Turkey. Utmost Respect who is yet to win over 7 furlongs needs soft ground. Stimulation ran recent Longchamp winner Paco Boy close at Goodwood and 7 furlongs is ideal for him. He gets my selection.

The 2.35 has been won by some top Irish raiders in recent years including New Approach, Teofilo and Rock of Gibraltar. This time around Rip Van Winkle is the main Irish hope and probably sets the standard. Finjaan won the Molecomb stakes at Goodwood but drifted alarmingly before the Middle Park Stakes and finished last. Ouqba has been busy. He was 4^th in the Champagne Stakes when not quite seeing out the trip in soft ground and he has since won at Salisbury. Rip Van Winkle looks like starting at rather cramped odds so I think I will go with the Richard Hannon trained Soul City, winner of a valuable sales race over in Ireland on his last start..

Dar Re Me has been a model of consistency and is yet to finish out of the first 3 in her 9 race career. Provided she retains her form after some hard arces thsis eason she would be my idea of the winner of the 5.00.

Speed Gifted and Sagara represent my list to follow in the 5.35. Despite finishing 3^rd in the Arc last season Sagara still only has one win to her credit and I see that Frankie Dettori has opted to ride the other Godolphin runner. The trip should suit Speed Gifted and he would be my each way choice.

In Austarlia Mad Rush runs in the Caulfield Cup. A winner of the Old Newton Cup at Haydock Mad Rush is yet to finish out of the first 3 but faces a stiff task against both a strong local contingent and an unfavourable draw.

The jumps season really gets going at Cheltenham tomorrow with the big stables starting to run some of their better horses.

Donald McCain has started the jumps campaign well and he saddles It’s a Discovery in the 2.20. This tough, consistent mare won bumpers at Carlisle and Hexham last season and went on to score at Towcester in a novice hurdle. She chipped a bone after that but has apparently had a successful operation since. Lordsbridge won handicaps at Huntingdon and Exeter last season but has gone up a fair bit in the weights as a result. Pacha D’Oudairies represents champion trainer Paul Nicholls in this. This bay gelding was a winner at Taunton in February and subsequently ran well in better company at Aintree and Ayr. It’s a Discovery and Lordsbridge have each way chances.

The 2.50 could be between Tatenen and Oh Crick. Tatenen finished runner up in a Grade 1 hurdle at Chepstow last Christmas and went on to finish 4^th in a strong novice hurdle at Cheltenham. He is very highly rated at home and looks an exciting prospect over fences. Oh Crick was a progressive sort for Alan King last season winning 4 times over hurdles. He has experience of fences as he won a beginners chase in May at Hereford. With doubts over the participation of Tatenen Oh Crick gets my selection.

Alan King’s Ouzbeck had been progressing nicely over fences winning 3 times in the summer before unseating his rider on his last start. He has never won with an “s” in the going description. Private Be had a fairly torrid time of it last season but he had looked a decent chaser when accounting for Bob Hall at Aintree in April 2007. A return to that sort of form would put him in with a shout. Bible Lord is an interesting runner. I think he underachieved to some extent last season but he has ability and should land a decent prize or two before the season is out. He has trip and ground to his liking tomorrow but may just need the race. Whatever happens tomorrow though he is one to keep tabs on. Another to consider is Daldini who ran consistently last season and comes here with the benefit of a recent outing.

In the 4.00 Diablo represents my list to follow. He won at Perth recently and I was going to give him as my selection until I noticed that the stable jockey Paddy Brennan is on the other Twiston-Davies runner Strong Rebel so I will shift my allegiance to him.

In the conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle at 4.35 my two against the field would be King’s Revenge and Supreme Duke. King’s Revenge was unfortunate last season as he went up the weights without winning. He was placed a number of times in decent handicap hurdles though. One would imagine that he will go novice chasing sooner rather than later. The lightly raced Supreme Duke won a novice hurdle at Sandown in March beating a nice Paul Nicholls horse and looks to be on the upgrade.

Big Fella Thanks is in the same ownership as Denman and is very highly rated by his connections. He will be expected to make a winning start to the season in the 5.10.

I don’t have any strong views on the bumper at 5.45 but According to Dick won his only Irish point to point and could be OK. Valdas Queen, an impressive winner of a Newbury bumper last season and Romance Dance, the mount of Timmy Murphy are the other two I would suggest.

There is a good card up at Kelso tomorrow. The 2.40 features some promising types including Dolessthanme, Pakineo Des Pictons and Son of Flicka. Dolessthanme won both his bumpers last season and the form of his second win worked out well as the runner up went on to win at Aintree. Decent ground is likely to suit him best. Pakineo Des Pictons won a bumper at Hexham on his only start so far and his trainer reports that he has since done well physically. Son of Flicka is another with solid bumper form having won once and finished runner up on his other two starts. If pushed to choose one it would be Dolessthanme.

In the 3.15 I fancy Kalahari King. He was 4^th in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham and went on to win at Punchestown. He certainly appeals as the type to do well over fences and makes his chasing debut tomorrow.

Orang Outan, a course and distance winners goes in the 3.45. He runs well, fresh and has an each way chance although I wouldn’t put a monkey on him!

In the 4.15 Door Boy and Merrydown make most appeal. Door Boy is a winning Irish point-to-pointer who also finished 2^nd in a Punchestown bumper. Howard Johnson paid a lot of money to secure this one for Andrea and Graham Wylie and he looks an interesting prospect for novice hurdles this season. Merrydown ran twice in bumpers last season, winning at Musselburgh before finishing 3^rd at Market Rasen. He looks a stayer so this 22 furlong trip over hurdles should suit him.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller (see links)

I will try to update the site with some late thoughts on Saturday’s racing tomorrow morning at around 11.00.