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non-stayer over further on bad ground?
That Imperial Bede was not too much of a surprise today. |
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Two winners and one horse lost.
In the opener at Doncaster Playtogetaway just confirmed he wanted a longer trip. New Beginnings is either currently useless or not over his problems. Prince Escalus was outclassed. He showed enough to suggest he might be up to winning something less competitive in the Spring. Rocked Up was fatally injured. I didn't see it, but today was the day for Half The Freedom (7/1-16/1-8/1). Perhaps the ground, perhaps the jock on for a second time. Although he ended up winning with a degree of comfort he didn't particularly travel like a good thing. I will reserve judgement until he does that again. At Huntingdon Trapista lacked a gear. Message to John Hunt: it's no good travelling like Nijinsky if there is nothing on the end of it. Another poor tactical ride. One day they might ride her forward. Imperial Bede (7/2-8/1) travelled well and won nicely. Was that just a load of bull about him hanging left last time to cover a poor ride? There didn't seem any problems today beyond a bit of early scrimmaging. Not the most inspired ride you will ever see on Lock's Corner. For some reason today wasn't the day, and only the first four qualified for the Final. I assume JP has got something else lined up for that. Today's result was a glorious one for the bookmakers with a totally exposed horse beating the unexposed improvers. Following on from Glimpse Of Gala another good, no nonsense ride, from Bradley Roberts on Parramount. A million miles better than the inept effort from Coleman on his previous start. Hopefully, the Stewards had a word with Kielan Woods about his use of the whip on Storminhome. It looked as if he deliberately used it in the wrong hand to intimidate his rival. Just noticed Blenkinsop has been pulled out. I hope Daly hasn't just taken him out on some sort of whim having stated this was his target all week. It was a bonkers enough decision not to enter at the Festival, but he had every chance of winning tomorrow, and had been backed accordingly. It was strange that he was never listed with a jockey. |
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Just the three runners tomorrow, rather like an episode of All Our Yesterdays. It's questionable how much ability any of them retain.
Easysland was bit better last time, but with a similar final result. Clearly a few people have had a dart at big prices, but they are guessing whether he will suddenly see a race out. Front View, a soft ground, hold up performer, for Joesph O'Brien, makes his stable debut in the last. He didn't fulfill his initial promise, and would likely need a personal best to be competitive in this race. Cloth Cap gets his preferred ground at Doncaster. That said he is going to find it very difficult to dominate this field. |
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I would have with Easysland you either retire him, or send him back to the trainer who got something out of him. That looks long overdue. O'Neill has masterminded one of the worst declines in racing. Today he made a bit of late progress, but effectively he was never at the races. Even on his favoured ground all too much for Cloth Cap. Once he got cut off at the pass it was white flag time. Little bit of promise from Front View, but he faces that dreaded bounce next time.
Plenty of big events today, but I thought it was a dreadful punting day. Blenkinsop (self certificate) was best of the day by miles, and he didn't show. Hard to believe he wouldn't have featured strongly in that race. That left two small bets, Dashel Drasher and Dino Bellagio. Dashel Drasher was a little bit unfortunate to have to cope with the attentions of Botox Has, and then the only French winner I can remember this season. Lovely bookmakers result. Dino Bellagio was very impressive in the closing bumper. He has plenty of pace, and the Aintree might suit. The Cotswold Chase just emphasised what an open division it is. He got away with it today, but I don't think you ever be confident in a horse who does as much wrong as Ahoy Senor. The kinks show no signs of being sorted. I doubt Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny are going be too worried about what happened in the Triumph Hurdle. O'Neill again with his whip in the wrong hand got away with it. Editeur Du Gite produced the kind of performance I hoped he could do last year, and the handicap chase looks strong form with the front two pulling clear. Tommy's Oscar was very impressive at Doncaster. I would have that Aintree might suit him better than Cheltenham. Found A Fifty was probably the horse to take from Fairyhouse, although this season is likely blocks ahead of a chasing career. Four runners tomorrow, three at Southwell and the other at Fontwell. Two in what looks quite a competitive Southwell bumper. Cawthorne Banker was disappointing last time, and as I suggested at the time you would be hoping that better ground might help his cause. Nitwit, a 105,000 3yo, is well bred being a half brother to Oscar Elite from the family of Lord Windermere and Sub Lieutenant. That would imply he will be better with time, but he is obviously worth watching tomorrow. Smiling Getaway (235,000) was an impressive Point winner, but the form has not worked out, and Norman Fletcher showed promise on debut. Mammies Boy ran well enough behind an easy winner last time, but will need to improve to place again. Spitalfield makes his stable debut in the closing bumper at Fontwell. Although he chased home a one time favourite for the Festival Bumper at Thurles, it is worth bearing in mind he only cost 65,000, and that was probably a very weak race. |
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differentdrum
The Duke would turn over in his grave (and have another brandy) if he knew the antics of Jackdaws Castle these days. |
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I remember going to the Duke's Open Days. Despite his reputation he was one of the first, if not the first, to embrace the idea of making a stable accessible to the general public. Of course that all that stopped when Jonjo took over. The public seemed to love him as a jockey, but as a trainer he continues to do little more than effectively stick two fingers up to them.
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Cawthorne Banker seemingly had every chance, but didn't produce the kind of gear that the jock expected. Sadly, something of a recurring theme. At least they know he wants a better surface. From a distance Nitwit looked the part, but he really had no place on a racecourse. Clueless. Mammies Boy picked up pieces, but was never seriously involved. Another you might be hoping would be better over further. Spitalfield was given a no nonsense ride, but despite keeping on well in the straight, he found one to good.
Not the best meeting in Ireland today, but Echoes In Rain emerged as the one most likely to chase Marie's Rock home in the Mare's Hurdle. On his belated Rules debut, although never put in the race, Present Soldier (300,000) showed enough to suggest he can win a three mile novice. It's not a good idea to give Mulins five lengths start in a bumper as confirmed in the final race. Built By Ballymore has gone backwards since last year, and his trainer has had a nothing season. Talking about going backwards, Blackmore appears to have slipped back into the pack. She is now miles behind Townend. There was a time when she took charge of races, but now she is forever waiting for something to happen. Over here, as expected Strong Leader dotted up at Southwell, and I suspect he will go to Aintree. His jumping is still not the best. O'Neill purchased one at the Cheltenham Sale yesterday. With 13 of the 43 lots not selling is the big money on the wane? Just two runners tomorrow. Orrisdale steps up in trip at Hereford. Although he has won on his last two visits to the track they were in three and four runner races on good ground. He comes here out of form, and this is a totally different test. Head Law runs at Huntingdon. He shaped up well on his reappearance, and off the same mark looks to hold every chance. |
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Two shocking performances, one expected, the other I am not too sure about.
I thought Head Law could easily have been a 3/1 shot today, but there was nothing for him. Everything looked in his favour, but scenic trip, and never looked likely at any stage. Seemingly, a large step backwards. Orrisdale was beaten after a couple of fences. Over at Punchestown Princess Zoe scrambled a dead heat. On that evidence it looks hugely optimistic to even cross the water. Sa Fureur displayed a nice attitude in looking to out stay La Malmason. Sir Argus threw away the novice hurdle with an horrific round of jumping. He wasn't great last time, but he was even worse sent forward. Rare that you see one from that stable so inept at the obstacles. |
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Three at Newcastle tomorrow, trying to repeat the December hat trick.
Although Morning Spirit is the biggest price, he is the one I like best of the three. The trip looked too far last time, and the drop in trip should help. Hopefully, he isn't pestered on the lead. Fame And Concrete was poor on hurdling debut, but given three months off, you have to assume there was some issue. The favourite will be hard to beat, but the Challow form has already taken a couple of knocks. Dollar Bae is up 4lbs for scrambling home, but the temptation to claim has been resisted. Softer ground a question mark as well. |
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That hat trick a distant memory.
I was lucky to land the each-way on Morning Spirit. He looked a different horse today, ballooning fence after fence. He must have lost 10-12 lengths at the obstacles. Fame And Concrete was better than on debut, but yet another ridden for a gear he hadn't got. Dollar Bae still wants further and much better ground. Noticeable how few times horses ridden by O'Neill actually make ground at an obstacle. Far more likely to lose it which is a major disadvantage when you are intent on holding nearly everything up. Hard work today, particularly at Ffos Las. More than one horse travelled best into the straight only to get turned over. Five runners tomorrow, three at Exeter, and two at Leicester. Destin D'ajonc has looked completely out of form, and drying ground unlikely to help his cause. Copper Cove hasn't run for nearly three months, and will need to improve if he is to place. Lorcan Murtagh retains the ride on Sacre Coeur. She bounced back last time, but this is an entirely different track, and quicker ground. On The Bandwagon returns to Leicester despite a note saying he jumped left. That was a better effort under Brogan, but it was a poor race, and likely he needs more to be competitive again. Uptown Lady makes her chasing debut after nearly two year's absence. Not so sure getting 4lbs from Moonlighter makes her well handicapped. You would think a clear round would be the first priority. |
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Stamina at a premium again today. Even more so at Leicester with the third last hurdle taken out.
The dismal run continues. Bar a couple of days in the sun that sums up the winter. Just waiting for some idiot pundit to suggest the stable is in form. Where's Harvey when you need him? On The Bandwagon made really bad mistakes on both circuits, and that put paid to any chance he might have had. Uptown Lady got rid of her jock well before the business end, but hadn't travelled with any great enthusiasm. The three at Exeter were about as good as listening to Lizzie Kelly's high pitched warble. Destin D'ajonc appears to be intent on being as disappointing as Easysland. Jumped slowly, and never at the races again. Copy and paste job. Copper Cove did travel strongly, but has weakened away tamely in the straight. Unfit or problem? Bookmakers would have loved him and Max's Champ (one to avoid) being kept out of the places. Weak in the market, and a woeful effort from Sacre Coeur. Four at Wincanton tomorrow, and it will be quite a surprise if the downward spiral is broken. Sermando stopped as if shot last time. He would have an each-way chance if you ignored that run, but no explanation was offered at the time. The two in the following novice hurdle look unlikely to be involved. Montmartin showed very little on hurdling debut, and although Rocco Royale showed a little promise in a bumper, that was more than three months ago. I will be keeping an eye on Shuil Ceoil who is again running over the wrong trip, but did show something despite essentially farting about at the back for most of his Rules debut. Dana's Gem took a big step backwards last time, and is another unlikely to figure. |
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Another predictable day. The percentage continues to fall, and that's now 21 losers in a row.
Sermando did finish his race off this time, but was fortunate to finish fourth. Montmartin and Rocco Royale raced together in the novice hurdle, but the latter soon left his stablemate behind. He was another who benefitted from a little bit of carnage. Not sure what is going on with Shuil Ceoil. That's twice they have effectively used the racecourse as a schooling ground. It worked so badly he has ended up falling. They have guaranteed that if he ever reproduces the promise of his Point run only the bookmakers will be celebrating. Dana's Gem was struggling with a circuit to run, and took another step backwards. Big day numerically with eight runners at Chepstow tomorrow. Crebilly returns after Wedge outrode O'Neill last time. Wedge again very much the one to beat with Doyen Star. O'Neill also runs Anytrixwilldo who was a relatively cheap purchase considering he is a full brother to the stable's Beg To Differ from the family of Atone and Music Be Magic. The mare just seems to revisit Flemensfirth. He will surely need a longer trip, and seems unlikely to figure on the front end. I suggested last time they should have claimed off Crebilly, and it looks a similar story tomorrow. He isn't a difficult ride. Limetree Boy is another who returns after a three month absence. If stripping fit his hurdles form suggests he should have a chance, and drying ground should help his cause. Inch House has looked one-paced, and needs to improve. Drying ground probably not a plus. Monbeg Genius is up 10lbs for three wins, but he was good over course and distance before so I don't see why he shouldn't make all. He looks easily the best chance of a stable winner. Arrivederci hasn't won for more than two years, and has cut little ice in three starts over fences. Hard to see it off this mark. Are U Wise To That is another who looks to have enough weight. Didn't get home last time, and needs to improve his jumping . Better ground might help. By Chepstow standards it looks a weak bumper, but Beachcomber needs to step up markedly to figure. He has already been pulled out once before on good to soft. |
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It seems the stable have got their piggy ban out - Crebilly, Inch House, and Monbeg Genius all shortening. I can see Monbeg Genius, but not the other two. Very strange drift on Doyen Star. He was entered in the Tolworth so they must think he is better than Liberty Hunter who beat Crebilly.
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Don't think Jonjo could've ran that horse into many more hurdles if he tried.
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tbf hurdled just as badly at Chepstow last time as well and off my list now. For some reason looked much better at Newcastle before that.
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Beware. Both of the horses that beat him were Rucker/Williams who have a very strong hand of novices this season. Libberty Hunter, Out of Office and 2 others that won at Ffos Las as well as Doyen Star.
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Another useless ride on Limetree
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And then they win one.
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Just the three winners today...
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Another day in the sun. I think that's three times this season.
A case of deja vu with Wedge getting the better of O'Neill in the opener. No nonsense ride on a horse who jumps and travels. Nice bit of promise from Anytrixwilldo who should onviously benefit from a step up in trip. When he gets it is another question. Limetree Boy made one terrible mistake, and got in deep a few times. He looks like he could benefit from a Richard Johnson style ride. Inch House benefitted from an end to end gallop, and a couple of rivals disappointing. He still looked a little awkward in closing stages, but this was a step forward. Long term you could envisage him as a National type. Monbeg Genius made all, and with one exception his jumping won him the race. Arrivederci was well positioned towards the front end, but couldn't sustain his effort in the straight. Bit of a strange effort from Are U Wise To That. He appeared to travel then got outpaced before staying on again. Probably worth a try over further. Beachcomber was very weak in market, but he appeared to travel nicely, again towards the front, and forged clear from two furlongs out. This was a huge step forward from his Carlisle debut. Almost a rest day tomorrow with just the two at Sandown. Dr Hegarty has no chance in opener, and Flight Deck probably needs a career best to take the staying handicap. Drying ground doesn't look a plus. I am surprised that they haven't found another Pertemps qualifier for him. Elsewhere it is a very weak looking Scilly Isles. I am surprised they are even running Gerri Colombe. He looks much the best, but he surely wants a stiffer test at this trip. At Leopardstown I would hope to see a better run from Absolute Notions on a quicker surface, and it will be interesting to see if Banbridge has the pace to put it up to the favourites in the novice chase. At the moment the Turners looks a better bet for him than the Arkle. Disappointing line up for the Irish Gold Cup. Couldn't we have found something to take the hotpot on? |
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Thanks for Doyen Star today differentdrum , they all help .
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Yes, I wish they all drifted like that and won.
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It seemed a pretty pointless entry, but Dr Hegarty did get £300 for finishing last. Even though the staying handicap was sponsored by Virgin it was a Pertemps Qualifier. It seems that Flight Deck has a problem with these races. He was immediately struggling, and if anything it was even worse than Aintree. This after a very impressive win. I wouldn't drop him for that.
Pleased with Gerri Colombe. He won despite trip, and ground. He is a very accurate jumper, and I have thought he should be favourite for the Brown Advisory ever since he made his chase debut. Fingers crossed the ground on the day isn't too quick. Elsewhere, Gemirande jumped nicely at Wetherby, and the form with Certainly Red looks strong for the grade. Pleased enough with the two Leopardstown seconds. Absolute Notions shaped as if the step up in the Albert Bartlett should suit. The winner always had a better track position. Banbridge couldn't go the pace, but finished so strongly, despite jumping the last worse than the three in front, to suggest that he will have a very good chance in the Turners. I would make him favourite. His course form is a big plus. Lossiemouth ended up having a pretty hard race in defeat. On reflection I do wonder if the idea was to set a slow pace because stamina might be a concern. Either way you wouldn't be disappointed if you were on Blood Destiny. The only impressive part of Galopin Des Champs win was the run in. Again he didn't seem to travel that well, and he again appeared lethargic at his fences. Is this the result of trying to get him switched off? Last season's exuberance seems long gone, but how much have they lost? This was a very ordinary field today, and it is going to be so much more difficult to ride that sort of race in March. I would be surprised if that was the Festival Bumper winner in the last, but to be fair he has achieved more than the current favourite. |
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No stable entries until Tuesday.
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They can do what they want with Honeysuckle, but I think they are heading for another disappointment if she goes for the Mare's Hurdle. The biggest worry for me today was her jumping. She was getting in too deep, and losing ground throughout. Even at her best her form at the longer trip isn't that great either, and she is now significantly on the downgrade.
Hard to know what to make of Facile Vega. He only got the job done last time, but at least he saw his race out. Yes, he has probably gone too quick, but that doesn't excuse him bunny hopping hurdle after hurdle, and ultimately folding completely. Perhaps he just hasn't transferred his bumper form, but today was too bad to be true. On that evidence it will take one of Willie's best ever training performances to get him back for Cheltenham. As a Banbridge supporter, I wasn't too worried by Mighty Potter's win. It was a poor Grade 1. At least a few of those Festival races now look a bit more open than they did a couple of weeks ago. |
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Three at Market Rasen, all part of the large batch that are returning having had three months off.
Cedar Row didn't show a lot on stable debut, and on much quicker ground this looks a tough ask. Presumably, Betty's Banjo had an issue last time. If you can ignore that run she would have a chance on ground that should suit. Mellicent landed the odds on stable debut, but her Irish run looks much better form. If she can reproduce that effort she has an each-way chance. Sherwood has really talked up the favourite, and she needs to win well to justify the comments. |
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After the hat trick, that's five duffers in a row. That's far more in keeping with the overall season.
Both Cedar Row, and Betty's Banjo were ridden out the back, and disappeared once the pace quickened. No positives whatsoever. Mellificent attracted a little support, but was disappointing, albeit from a poor track position. There was always a chance he was going to get into that mess. The Sherwood bubble burst. It is hard to put your trust in a trainer who looks distinctly like yesterday's man. I would have thought anyone with a Festival Bumper ticket can rip it up. Aintree Mare's would seem a more likely option. Just Piper Tom at Ludlow tomorrow. He attracted a little support on bumper debut, but needs to step up markedly on that disappointing effort to trouble the market leaders. Interesting to see if there is money for him again. |
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For those that might be interested:-
https://www.attheraces.com/stable-tours/jonjo-o'neill Sadly, for the most part it tells you less than I do on this thread. There's no commitment to anything running at the Festival. Anyone can look up the entries themselves. |
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Just Half The Freedom at Doncaster tomorrow. He bids to follow up his recent course and distance win under likely similar conditions. Up 5lbs, I haven't been too sure about him, but this race should answer a few reliability questions. Brace replaces Brogan.
Piper Tom was supported before Ludlow was abandoned, and he reappears in a much weaker race at Kempton on Friday. |
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Sadly, punters kept the faith in Half The Freedom, but he never looked likely to justify short priced favouritism. Not sure he needed a wide trip, but he was never travelling which seems to be a trait. Presumably, Brogan will now replace Brace.
Just one at each meeting tomorrow. Piper Tom goes in that weak Kempton novice, so weak he is second favourite. On different ground to his debut, the market is the only guide for punters. Gwennie May Boy has another run at Bangor. I can only imagine this has something to do with the owner because he looks as if he wants a more galloping track, and a step up in distance. Brogan doesn't appear to have done anything wrong on the horse so a bit surprised they are claiming off him. He needs to brush up his jumping, but he has an each-way chance. Just returning to the stable tour. They highlight an ex-pointer called Hey Day Baby. She took four goes to actually win a point, and would have been a relatively cheap purchase. Johnny Who probably cost ten times that amount yet there is hardly a dickie bird. Nothing as to what has gone wrong since he joined the stable. At least it now seems they have given up a hurdling campaign for this season. |
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Market seemingly not bothered about track, jumping, or change of jock for Gwennie May Boy. Nothing so far for Piper Tom which seems a little strange that he was backed for a much tougher race.
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All the concerns about Gwennie May Boy proved to be spot on. A terrible performance, and fingers burnt again. In the same race Twiston-Davies again showing why he has no equals as the king of the weighing room bunglers. Supposed top jock, but nobody ever calls him out. Noel Fehily has got hold of several good horses, but trust O'Neill to get one of the duffers. That's what it looks like with Piper Tom. Bar the winner that was likely an awful race today. Once they went a bit quicker his jumping fell apart.
Just the two runners again on Saturday. Coeur Serin goes in an interesting three runner novices handicap. At the weights he is the equal of McFabulous. They have all gone forward, and hopefully, O'Neill does just that. That's how the horse ran well for Brace at Chepstow. Chances are O'Neill will just ignore that as he did last time. Letmetellusomethin goes in the novice at Warwick. He shaped quite well on hurdling debut, and he wouldn't have to take a huge step forward to finish third or fourth, in fact it would be disappointing if he didn't. |
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Sadly, Letmetellusomethin out. Not what you want on an already ordinary punting day.
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I will give O'Neill the benefit of the doubt, and suggest he wanted to go forward, but couldn't muster the pace. In the end he has probably benefitted from the favourite blowing out, and the leader going a touch too quickly. He has an entry in the National Hunt Chase, and in a poor year, I don't see why he shouldn't take his chance. He was eighth in the Pertemps last year.
What to make of Jonbon? Watching the race with March in mind, I think I would be more worried about Coleman than the horse. It looked to me that Skelton caught him totally unawares, and in the end Jonbon has shown a good attitude to reel the leader in. Elsewhere on the card Hullnback was impressive in beating not very much, and Favour And Fortune took the bumper in the style of a horse worthy of a crack at the Festival Bumper. The same owner's Bowenspark ran an interesting race in the concluding Newbury bumper. Patrick got him into a poor position, and let's be generous and say he wasn't exactly busy up the straight. Earlier on the card Zanza confirmed how much he likes Newbury by running away with a poor Denman Chase. Why run him elsewhere? I am not keen on flat breds in bumpers but Samui was probably the one to take away from Naas. He picked up well to eventually run away from the strong travelling leader. Just checked and no Cheltenham quotes for either bumper winner. Wakey wakey. |
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After a short break, two runners at Wetherby tomorrow, both with what look each-way chances.
Front View ran pretty well on comeback, but there are three doubts: the potential bounce, the step up in trip, and the quicker ground. Given those potential issues I think Prince Escalus is the less risky of the two with at least ground and distance in his favour. He is 0/7 left handed under rules, but he did win his point left handed. Four less runners than last time is a definite plus, and it is interesting he has come in for some market support despite there being only 7 runners. He will surely try to make all. Rose Sea Has would be the one most likely to hassle him, but hard to see him winning if he doesn't lead. |
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All three negatives may have contributed to Front View's demise, but whatever the reasons he quickly folded once the pace picked up. On the other hand all went well for Prince Escalus. The fact that he outjumped Rose Sea was probably crucial to the win.
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Seven runners, and some of the better ones, spread across two meetings tomorrow.
Springwell Bay returns after a three month break, and as expected is upped in trip, but this looks more competitive than the Graded race. Attacca might well improve for the step up in trip, and looks the one to beat. You would love to know what is going on with Petit Tonnerre. Is tomorrow the target, or is he just warming up for Cheltenham? He is currently on a lovely mark for the Martin Pipe. Itso Fury seems to be improving, and although topweight, he doesn't have to concede too much weight to most of these. That said I would want a touch more than 11/4. Bethka has a nice pedigree, and ran a promising race on debut. She takes on the winner again, and must have at least an an each-way chance. Of course the Henderson horse could be anything, but she makes a belated reappearance, and is hooded for rules debut. Three interesting ones at Haydock. I thought Time To Get Up showed quite a bit more last time, but still managed to get dropped 5lbs. He is now below his Midlands National winning mark. Is that the target or tomorrow? Maypole Class has stopped to nothing twice, and if the wind surgery has worked then she is also worth a look at big odds. Collectors Dream is upped considerably in class, and although the trip now looks corrct, he may find Haydock a little sharp for his liking, particularly if his jumping is not up to scratch. Nice horse in the last race at Kelso today, in the shape of Balcomie Breeze. Out of a full sister to Brindisi Breeze the slow pace wouldn't have suited, and had he not hung left again, the favourite might well have found it a lot tougher to have got up. |
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A day that started well, but tailed off.
Springwell Bay won without being asked any sort of question. Difficult to know what he achieved as the second probably isn't anything special, and it looks as if the favourite didn't stay. One thing is for sure it looks a bit daft not having chanced an entry in the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett. Unfortunately, the trainer seems to believe everything is a handicap project. There probably isn't much worse in the game than a jock not trying, and the Stewards either not noticing, or deliberately turning a blind eye. That's what happened with Petit Tonnerre today who thanks to O'Neill stopping riding finished fifth instead of fourth. There should be a way of looking at these cases retrospectively. He deserved a ban. Irrespective of what happened at the finish, it was another really poor ride. He seemed to have learnt nothing from last time, dropping the horse out in a slowly run race, and then making a bungle he could have done without. He made progress, but couldn't sustain the run. Beginning to wonder whether the ineptness of the jock is making me think the horse is better than he actually is. Ipso Fury (form boosted in the earlier race) was another held up in a slowly run race, and although he made some progress he was another to produce a tame finish. No surprise if he is dropped back in trip. Bethka was a bit keen tracking the leader in the bumper, and was another to engage reverse in the straight. Weak in the market, and a very disappointing performance. At Haydock I don't think course or ground suited Time To Get Up. He never travelling with enough enthusiasm to take a hand. He cried enough from the turn for home. He jumps soundly even, but it's a style suited to much softer ground, and a galloping track. I wouldn't drop for this, and if he gets the right conditions a second Midlands National might be on the cards. Maypole Class, very much a gelding, jumped left throughout (not great at Haydock), and consequently never really travelled. No obvious signs that the wind operation has worked. Collectors Dream ran well enough, but couldn't confirm the Kempton form on 4lbs worse terms. I think he would have preferred an end to end gallop rather than Jones messing about on the front end. Just a word for one of the also rans in that race. The course, ground, and the way the race was run were all very much against De Legislator, and as a result he never looked as if he would figure. To his credit he kept plugging away. Testing conditions on a galloping track, and I don't think he would be beaten 25 lengths. Just Trapista tomorrow. Still waiting/hoping to see her being allowed to use her jumping on the front end. |
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Trapista non runner.
Big day for a Monday. Big Ambitions is arguably the best of the bunch in the Lingfield opener. He looks a galloper, and up in trip looks the right move. Just disappointed that McLernon hasn't retained the rice. Fame And Concrete is another upped in trip, this time on handicap debut. A run of seconds doesn't look great, and for a horse who has looked essentially slow the drying ground might not be a plus. Walk Of No Shame travelled like a winner last time, but stopped to nothing. Excuse of heat stress? She is dropped in trip. Playtogetaway makes his handicap debut off 102. The horse he might well have beaten in his point is now 132. Who knows? For me he has never looked a two miler. Walk In My Shoes won a very weak race, and then blew out in a more competitive race. She needs to improve significantly for first time blinkers. Merveillo looks to have very little chance in the Carlisle novice. Perhaps better ground might help. Morning Spirit needs to return to the form of his earlier course and distance win. He hasn't looked the same horse in two subsequent performances. Perhaps Brogan can bounce him out in front in first time blinkers. That should be the plan. Very impressed with Ballyburn for the reasons given in separate thread. He could be pretty good. |
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Dreadful ride on Big Ambitions. Very weak in the market, and never gave it a chance of winning. The last thing a galloper wants is a wall of horses in front of him. It doesn't help that he is ballooning his hurdles, and perhaps fences will eventually see him in a better light. Sadly, McLernon is currently on the sidelines. Fame And Concrete bungled his way round again, and never looked anything but very slow. Walk Of No Shame won very easily despite a horlicks of the second last. She probably had little to beat with the favourite hanging left in the straight. Another serious market drifter, Walk In My Shoes jumped very well, but doesn't seem to have the engine to match. Safe to say that the better ground didn't improve Merveillo, and a hurdling career looks pointless unless someone is trying to work a massive dodge. Morning Spirit continues to disappoint. After a sluggish start he got to the front, but was taken on, and he was already waving a white flag with a circuit to run.
Two at Market Rasen tomorrow. Valentine Getaway has a decent pedigree, but looks completely outclassed. Ilestdancingspirit plugged on late on his bumper debut without suggesting he was likely to win next time. Two irritations. Are Sky Sports Racing best mates with O'Neill? It is bad enough when Cattermole refers to him as Jonge, but Hammond was doing the same today. No real surprise, but Chapman could make anything unwatchable. Everything is about him. It seems he really believes he is the star of the show. The stupid singing, the oh so pally interviews, the constant references to the whip. The guy is a total dick. He doesn't need to go out every day to prove it. |