Cheltenham – ahorse

Diary: November 10 2011

November 9, 2011 MartinLeave a comment

Clonmel stage their biggest race of the season, the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase (2.25). Past winners include Edredon Bleu, Beef or Salmon and Doran’s Pride who won the race 4 years in a row between 1997 and 2000.

My main fancies are highlighted in bold – other horses mentioned are well worth considering and should be treated as dangers to the main selection.

Clonmel

12.55 Make a Track won two bumpers in England before joining Charlie Swan’s stable. Made a winning debut over hurdlers at Punchestown over two miles in heavy ground last month and should be suited by the extra distance here.

1.55 Lonesome Dove is course winner that will appreciate this trip. She will probably go over fences later in the season.

2.25 Tranquil Sea is a former winner of the Cheltenham Paddy Power handicap chase. A quality horse and worth following.

2.55 For Bill is quite closely handicapped with Blazing Tempo but the latter was a bit below par on his last start so I will go with Michael Winters runner here. For Bill will be suited by further in due course.

Ludlow

2.30 The talented Cucumber Run is a half brother to Somersby and is well thought of by trainer Nicky Henderson. Basford Bob has only been out of the first three 3 times in 11 starts. He has not always looked an easy ride but connections are hopeful that chasing will be his game.

Taunton

2.10 He’s Our Lad has been running consistently over hurdles and will appreciate both the quick ground and the tight track on his chase debut.

2.40 Daymar Bay failed to settle when a beaten favourite at Chepstow last month. He is inclined to be keen but if he settles is in with a shout here.

Nap of the day

Cucumber Run

Dark horse

Lonesome Dove

From the archives

Continuing our look back at past runnings of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, in 2005 the prize went to Our Vic (pictured below) for Martin Pipe.

An earlier winner of the race Fondmort was back in 4^th. Our Vic was a wonderful servant to the Pipe team winning 13 times. He won the Ryanair at the 2008 Festival and the same season beat Kauto Star by a nose in the Totesport Bowl at Aintree. Other notable successes were in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and the Peter Marsh at Haydock.

Turf Trivia

Amrullah retired in 1992. He had the distinction of running 74 times and never winning.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller

Diary: January 27 2008

January 26, 2008 MartinLeave a comment

Cheltenham Trials day featured two admirable efforts over hurdles with both Franchoek and Inglis Drever winner their races with some aplomb. Both look worthy favourites come March, particularly Inglis Drever who is so well suited to that Cheltenham hill.

I will concentrate on the Kelso meeting tomorrow, a course described as the friendliest in Britain.

Nicky Richards normally does well with his runners at the Borders venue and his Double Default is my idea of the winner in the 2.05. Although he did well enough over hurdles last season it always looked as though chasing would be his game. Unfortunately he did not get beyond the first fence on his chase debut when the stirrup leather snapped but he can make amends here, mainly at the expense of Shrewd Investor.

Alan Swinbank’s Scale Bank should come on for his run at Musselburgh earlier this month and is likely to be on the premises in the bumper at 4.15 but I will stick with Double Default as my nap for Sunday.

Diary: January 26 2008

January 25, 2008 MartinLeave a comment

There are two excellent meetings over the jumps tomorrow and I will start at Cheltenham who stage their Festival Trials day.

In the 1.00 there will be plenty of support for Aigle D’Or who was an impressive winner at Lingfield on his UK debut. He has form on the flat on various types of going and he looks the one to beat here. There are viable alternatives though. Alan King’s Evelith Echo has been running well and his 4th behind the useful Song of Songs at Kempton was a decent effort. He tackles a longer trip here and that should be in his favour. The Howard Johnson trained Marleybow puts his 100% record on the line and is certainly another for the short list. Junior won twice on the flat last season over 2 miles and this trip over hurdles is likely to suit him. He looks sure to win races over hurdles. The front running mare Helen’s Vision was a beaten favourite last time but if you ignore that run her earlier form was very solid.

This is by no means a walk over for the likely favourite.

In the 1.35 I am hoping for an improved run from Mister Potter who drops back in trip.

Moving on to the 2.10 the two runners from our list to follow, New Little Bric and Private Be have chances. New Little Bric has been one of the few disappointments from the Paul Nicholls yard this term. I see that he is fitted with first time blinkers here which may have the desired effect. Private Be is returning to Cheltenham for the third time this season. On his first visit he was going well when he was brought down but he then ran disappointingly in the Paddy Power. He had had a break since then. The main danger may come from Maljimar who was 4th last time out over an inadequate trip. Preacher Boy could be worth a small each interest although he is probably better over further.

Simon ran a blinder here when runner up in December and he is my selection for the 2.40.

Franchoek, Tatenen and Serabad occupied the first three places at Chepstow last month finishing in that order. They meet again in the 3.15 and should again be involved in the finish. Franchoek looks a tough battler and may just prevail again.

The Cleeve Hurdle at 3.50 looks to be between Blazing Bailey and Inglis Drever. Blazing Bailey got the better of the argument in this race last season and may just have the edge again.

There is also a top class card at Doncaster. In the opener there at 12.20 Khyber Kim will take some beating. He impressed many good judges when beating some useful sorts on his hurdles debut at Newbury. He was a classy performer on the flat and could be something special. Keith Reveley’s Tazbar could give him most to do.

Theatre Girl didn’t go down without a fight against Khyber Kim at Newbury and before that she had some decent form in bumpers. She would be my each way selection in the 1.55 where both Nicky Henderson’s runners warrant respect.

All Star is my selection in the 2.30 with Echo Point an each way alternative. In the 3.00 I would be inclined to take a chance with a couple of outsiders, Dusky Warbler and Henry’s Pride.

One Gulp has done nothing wrong this season and should go close in the 3.30 while there is a good word for Ange ou Demon in the 4.05.