rebelfm

DONCASTER

January 12th 2011

Good to Soft

INTRODUCTION

Who would be in your top ten staying chasers that never won the Gold Cup?  Mine would be:
10.  Brown Chamberlain (electric in RSA, still cannot believe never made the step up)
  9.   Lanzarote (my first Gold Cup and gutted that the best horse around and only a novice at the time fatally fell)
  8.   Pendil (legendary and before my time)
  7.   Ten Plus(carried 11-10 to win The Manderin, fatal fall in Gold Cup when going strongly 3 out in Dessies GC I still think he would have been hard to haul in)
  6.   Florida Pearl (Irish high class perennial who always ran well but could not quite do it in the Cheltenham Gold Cup)
  5.   Tied Cottage (I backed her when she fell at the last when ahead of Alverton, then when she wins it she gets a substance abuse disqualification. Out and out frontrunner)
  4. Gloria Victus (‘he was one of the best novice chasers of the modern era’ Timeform)
  3.   Carvils Hill (Worried out of it in his Gold Cup when looking streets ahead on form)
  2.   Diamond Edge (Whitbread perennial)
  1.  Wayward Lad (How the feck didn’t this great horse win a Gold Cup?)

So what’s this got to do with Doncaster? Well I was here years ago in the spring of 1984. It was the Premier Chase, he won in an absolute canter and there were no odds offered at all that I saw probably because after tax you would have not been much left. Officially the SP returned as n/o or no offers,  a first for me. He was a great chaser and to my eye the best horse never to win the Gold Cup. He picked up a couple of King Georges along the way. He deserves to be in top spot here not just for his wins but for his part in the monumental races that are worth watching every month to remind yourself why jumping is such a beguiling sport. These were the Dawn Run Gold Cup and being a key member of the Famous Five. I have always had a soft spot for Donny as I did my college course in quarrying here at the Mining College which was initially instituted as a school for pit apprentices. In fact quarrymen are in truth pitmen with clostophobia. Through my time here I came to the conclusion that you cannot escape the fact that Doncaster racecourse principally exists as a flat venue with the St Leger as the pinnacle of the season’s calendar. So it is interesting to look at the most likely trials for the St Leger over the years. The historic markers have been at the summer festivals at York (The Great Voltiger Stakes) and Goodwood (The Richmond Stakes)

Year    Winner            Second             Third
2010    Gordon    3rd    Voltigeur  2nd    Gordon      5th
2009    Voltigeur 2nd    G Freer    1st    Voltigeur   1st
2008    Gordon    1st    G. Thanks  1st    Oaks        1st
2007    Voltigeur 1st    Voltigeur  5th     Ebor        2nd
2006    Gordon    1st    Voltigeur  4th    Voltigeur   2nd
2005    PrixParis 1st    Voltigeur  2nd    Melrose     1st
2004    Voltigeur 1st    Yorks Oaks 1st    Juddmonte   9th
2002    Voltigeur 2nd    Voltigeur  6th    Gordon      1st
2001    Voltigeur 3rd    Voltigeur  2nd    Voltigeur   1st
2000    Voltigeur 1st    Voltigeur  3rd    G Freer     1st
1999    Gordon    1st    Voltigeur  1st    Ballycullen 2nd
1998    Voltigeur 4th    Yorks Oaks 1st    Derby      13th
1997    Gordon    1st    Yorks Oaks 2nd    Royal Whip  2nd
1996    Voltigeur 2nd    P.Chaudray 1st    Irish Derby 9th
1995    Cond(Wind)1st    Voltigeur  1st    Cond(Salis) 1st


COURSE

First thing is that this is a grand course geared up to handle decent sized crowds. It has a large betting and beer drinking hall for the agoraphobics in the modern main stand having escalators to the thoughtfully segregated foodhall upstairs. Good choice of scran on offer but difficult to find a cup of tea of all things. From here a set of doors leads out to a very good viewing patio. There is a Victorian stand alongside with a decent view of the activities but crumbly slate and pitted mastic together with a fair depth per step for the young, stumpy legged or the infirmed to tackle. Perhaps whoever is in charge of welfare and safety can have a shufty when taking a break for a few minutes from Doncaster’s top priority (see later). The track is essentially a flat expansive galloping circuit which seems to suit frontrunners. Most of the back straight is obscured by trees (why can’t these be cut down? This act would hardly be on a par with Amazonian Rainforest clearances reference the effect on biodiversity I would say). Fences are moderate. Cost of entry was a very reasonable £12.50. You pop over to a kiosk to buy your ticket, you pop it into the automatic turnstile and hey presto you’re in. Good big paddock right next to pre parade ring and straight into the stands, couldn’t be easier.  The course amenities are named mainly after recent heroes and often linked to St Leger. But there is no Nyjinski Bar. Surely an omission based on the triple crown being a superior feat to popping over the Atlantic to win the breeders a la Conduit. I do not have too much of problem with Conduit to be honest,  but to celebrate Silver Partiarch for being grey, Halmahera for having a name like a pictish spell and Lucarno for being the kit that launched a hundred engineering careers I struggle with a bit. The course rules focus inevitably on safety and security. To the extent that parents with prolific procreational skills and achievement are actively discouraged. No more than three per adult of kids under eighteen, what are they expecting Fagin and the team? It is however good to see that standards in the Premier Enclosure are strictly applied requiring Jacket, collared shirt and tie, presumably permission to remove ones tie may only granted in a heatwave or if such removal has been fully risk assessed. You will of course be relieved that Doncaster’s top priority is the safety and welfare of the horse and rider, further that erction of the screens does not mean the worst. When we were training greyhounds in Sussex a few years ago the screens did not signify the worst at Fontwell, more the ignition of the starter motor and engine followed by the grinding of the winch gear in Hawkins’ truck not inconspicuously positioned near the figure of eight cross-over emblazoned with the clue ‘meat trader and glue specialist’ on the side (I did make up the second part but not the first of the activities). To be brutal in those days the loss of the favourite in the 2.15 was the gain for the favourite in the A7 at Portsmouth.

THE RACING

Not a bad card at all kicking off with a divided 2m4 novice hurdle. The warm favourite was Loose Performer last seen out in an Irish point nine months ago. Always prominent but could never quite reel in long term leader Jack The Gent. Probably needed the run and might be able to win now fitter. The winner was a big shock despite some promising form in hurdles last season and a good flat pipeopener. Made most battled on resolutely and benefited from being one of the more experienced. However he may find a penalty hard to shoulder. Third home was Muldoon’s Picnic who blew quite a bit after the race and seemed to not quite get home. Trainer thinks race might have come a bit too quick but I think the galloping track may have exposed stamina limitations and a move to a tighter circuit would pay. All in all a good effort with a penalty for Huntingdon win.

The second division was won in great style on his hurdling debut by Johnson trained Drive Time. Had some very impressive Irish flat 1m6 form (including beating Blackstairsmountain) and has a real motor quickening well. Clattered the second last and looked like he may have sustained an injured near fore shin. Didn’t look lame but might confine for a bit and that may dictate next mission. Would not be a shock to see him take high order in middle distance novices this year. Brunswick Gold ran another bold front-running show and will pick up a novice this year at the right track, 2m4 appears to suit. Bollin Felix was favourite but again lacked fluency and does not look a natural so best avoided.

Local Hero was a strong order at well odds on for the juvenile despite having to carry a penalty for a bloodless Wetherby win in similar event. He won cosily but did have to be shaken up in the straight and jumping wasn’t overly quick on occasions. However is clearly very useful and gossip suggests that he has a live Triumph chance. I am a bit in two minds as manner of win was impressive but is his hurdling really of the highest order? Having said all that, I was caught by Eltheeb’s effort for third place. Was the only serious challenger throughout and got Local Hero off the bridle from what I could see. The exertions took it out of the colt and was eased a bit close home where he was mugged for second. He has won on the flat at Goodwood and remains an entire. He was brought from Dunlop’s yard for 48,000 guineas. Must be able to pick up a juvenile I would have thought.  The second was Frankalino who is in the ante post lists for the Triumph (a forlorn hope as there are a few horses with more ability that I could name  and two of them ran today)

The 3m novice chase was won by Adams Island in a driving finish due to his almost faultless round of jumping. With the penalty for a Uttoxeter and a good third paying a large complement to the very promising Wymott this has to go down as a sound performance. The runner up Mostly Bob announced he should be winning soon. Mostly Bob was much cleaner over his fences today than when falling in a promising round at Newbury on his debut and finished a clear second best today. Of the others On Borrowed Wings clearly gave them back on the way to Donny as he was off the pace throughout and jumped slowly. This did not look like a horse who had finished second in a grade 2 last time out (something amiss?) Lake Legend cantered in for third place and did not jump great in the main.

A very competitive class 4 handicap hurdle over 2m4 went to the well backed Wild Desert (a very progressive novice now in handicap company) who showed a fine turn of foot when pressed at the second last to win well from stablemate China Gold (off for best part of two years and well handicapped)both confirmed the opinion that Alan King’s horses are now straight and are generally on a good mark first time out. Of the rest stable mates The Panama Kid and Mac Aeda had a head between them for fourth and had been running in midfield in the main staying on well to suggest a bit further may well suit.

The class 4 handicap chase over 3m was a very close run thing with most in with a shout close home. In the end La Pantera Rosa (who looked very well in himself beforehand glossy coat) held on from a host of challengers including Work Boy (big strong sort who may prove best at 2m6; showed more fluency today than of late) and Quel Bruere  (who was close up and every chance before fading run-in and would be much better suited by a frontrunning ride and 2m6). However the big talking point would have to be the hot favourite’s run. He looked well in at the weights but his running and jumping was inexplicably bad. It takes a bit of the gloss off the assessment of the race as difficult to rate.

The final event was a good competitive bumper. Because Nicky Henderson’s yard is flying the favourite was debutante Hilton Indiana. He ran ok if a little free so no real shock when folded a bit 2 out. You would expect a bit of improvement.  The winner was Knockalongi who quickened nicely and if can jump may wash his face novice hurdling when the time comes. Fourjacks had some encouraging form but again found one too good failing to show speed on run in. Ridden prominently as if stamina is his strong suit and he should stay 2m4 in time. Of the others Venitzia pedigree suggests that he will need 2m4 plus and he ran as if this is the case, Shan Blue looked a useful sort in the ring and had been sold for a fair amount of money in the sales but looked a bit paceless in this bumper and may be seen to better effect over obstacles and a longer distance.

Notebook


Jack The Gent (N)up £40
Not up to carrying that penalty. Leave alone now
3353

Muldoons Picnic down £10
0
To go novice chasing but no big signals of confidence to date time to back off

Drive Time up £20
P1(4/1)F
Hurdling let him down against the best but when racing at a reasonable pace won well. Closing off on him now but it is interesting to note that he is now with Willie Mullins and he may just be rekindled over in Ireland

Brunswick Gold down £2
51(7/4)
Did well behind the best novices at 50/1 and then won when making all in a modest event but then cloddered by the handicapper so I left him alone. Since switched to chases and may do OK off current mark.

Bollin Felix (N) up £25
31(8/15)2 0
Looks very moderate and will find winning again hard but i will close in profit.


Eltheeb up £73
F01 7/1 4 1 100/30
Fell in boggy ground but has plenty of pace so followed on the flat. Four good runs followed with two wins before up 7lbs and became unattractive. Would like to see him have another shot over hurdles as clearly in good heart. However I will close off now on following him.

Mostly Bob level
1(3/1)FP0
Looked a fair prospect and followed up well next run but two non completions and a modest effort followed and this has led to calling a halt on the growing pain whilst level


Wild Desert down £30
P0P
The form figures led to the conclusion that something had gone wrong and at £30 down I said no more.

China Gold down £20
22
If there was a chance of a win it would have been this spring. I doubt he will get too may more chances so I have turned it in on him

Work Boy up £315
1(3/1)1(11/2)P 0 0 1 25/1
I thought he looked a good 2m4 to 2m6 horse. Couple of quick wins followed and then upped in the weights to 115 and ran if something amiss. Given time off returned to long distances without a lot of success but still looked capable if dropped in weights which happened when down to 111 (last winning rating was 111 ) and in he came over 2m4. Would keep following but its nearly a year since spotted to follow so closing off now


Quel Beurre down £50
P2P23
Often runs well and that is why he has been stubbornly kept at his current mark. I can now sit back and refuse to back him any more


Hilton Indiana down £10
4
Got a good run for my 16/1 money on his reappearance but not seen since and now left alone

Venitzia down £20
45
Does not look any more than moderate I am afraid

Currently to a £10 stake we are up £20