View of the main stands taken from the paddock bend
Cheltenham week proved to be a good one for the blog. At Cheltenham Conor O’Farrell was tipped to win a handicap and Beuna Vista did so backed at 28/1. Conor also finished placed in another at 20/1. The assessment of the Triumph concluded that the Adonis at Kempton was the key trial and the winner of that race followed up at 8/1 in the big one. Rock On Ruby was second in the Barings at 7/1 whilst
Indian Daudai was placed at 25/1 in the Fred Winter as advised. Biggest loser for the blog at Cheltenham was Wishfull Thinking well fancied for the Golden Miller but finished second. Away from Cheltenham Samizdit won again at 4/1 and Red Ambion won a bumper at 3/1. Lays were advised for Bolin Felix (2nd at 13/8), Lake Legend (6th at 7/1), Easton Clump (PU at 4/1) and Orang Utang (2nd at 10/1). However some failures were recorded such as Cuteandyouknowit (unseated when hampered) and Naughty Naughty (9th at 10/1) and decent Lord who was second.
The opening race was a Handicap chase class 3 over 24f in the prevailing good to firm ground. It was won by Musisca who was not always fluent, led last, but was struggling to hold on and may not completely stay the trip. Significantly better over fences than hurdles and best suited by flat tracks. At 6 could still be on an improving curve and was due to go up to 118 from today’s 115 so reassessment will be interesting. It was a hard fought win and it might be hard difficult to see him shouldering more than a 7 lbs hike. Second home was Marleybow who was a bit unlucky and but for a blunder 2 out I think he could have won. He Jumped well in the main and was certainly well suited by 3 miles. He is on a good mark of 110 but he has continued to throw in the odd error throughout his chasing career and as such cannot be backed with great confidence Third was Daldini who chased after the leading pair without much impression and although making a mistake late on he was never anything other than a remote third. Is on a handy 103 mark at the moment and his previous form seems to suggest that he need soft ground and in fact has won in the mud so his display today may have been influenced more by the going. Therefore he is best left well alone until we have conditions to suit. Given that happens and over 3 miles Daldini looks a possible winner although not the more consistent of jumpers. Of the others Seize ran a strange race. Hopelessly out of touch throughout he made steady progress jumping well in the main to finish a staying on but well beaten fourth. Currently on 108 and likely to come down the weights again this run was a lot more promising than the bare figures suggest. He has won around Perth and it would be no shock to see him return there in the coming spring / summer. Youngstown was well supported in the market and went well till blundered at the 11th, then completely fell apart from the 14th being pulled up a couple of fences from home. He is probably unsuited by fast ground and will be back finishing closer to the front when encountering soft ground.
Fourth home . . . somehow
Next race up was a 2m Novice Handicap Chase rated as a class 3. The winner was Humbie who was not fluent and looked an awkward ride possibly not totally genuine. However was good enough for what was probably not too high a quality novice chase. Mistakes littered his effort and it must be doubtful if he can follow up on this win despite being suited by good ground which is likely to be the norm for the rest of the season. Glencrea was a strong favourite but was not jumping that well and finished an easily held runner up. Had won a moderate novice at Catterick and on the basis of this is on a 125 mark which is well out of his scope. Our Bob was supported in the market but was soon beaten despite making some of the early running. Not a natural jumper and worth avoiding. Gentleman Jeff was held up and once making a bit of a show he clobbered a fence and unseated his rider. Not the best debut and not a lot to underpin support in the future. The well fancied Thumbs Up looks a temperamental sort refusing to start, so keep that in mind n the future.
Third race was a 2 mile Selling Hurdle Class 3. This was a high quality seller with decent prize money and was won in good style by Mister Fong. This well backed second favourite landed a bit of a gamble held up and then produced from 2 out he eased through to win. There was no bid. Had previously won a maiden on fastish ground and is clearly better on top of the ground, is on a very handy 110 mark and if not excessively hit by the assessor can follow up this time in handicap company. Grand Diamond started favourite. Not a bad run as after being held up made an error when being produced for his run. The blunder knocked the stuffing out of him but he battled on well to be clear second best. Clearly suits top of the ground and must have a chance of winning as is better than his 115 rating. Miereveld jumped poorly and gave away any chance with this performance. Best on the soft and in headgear (not worn today) however current 103 mark is too high.
Kick on Jason, another gamble landed by someone else
The Class 3 20f handicap hurdle was won by Mad Moose who was mid div for most and when produced from halfway made smooth progress pulling clear to win very easily (well ridden by Sam T-Davies). However is sure to be penalised heavily for this win and that 120 mark is going to soon disappear. I think he is unlikely to follow up. Glingerbank ran ok today. However has performed much better on the tight tracks of Perth and Kelso. Is 11 years old now and I doubt he is going to win another race. Nicene Creed was second home. Bizarrely, had previously run in the International hurdle at Cheltenham. This has led to a very high mark of 125 from which I doubt very much that he can win from. Ran ok today coming from well behind to run through defeated horses to be a remote third. Thanks For Coming was a fancied runner based on the market but finished thrashed and last. Better off back in novices and over 2 miles, However this was a particularly bad run as he never settled .
Around the paddock bend
Easy for the Mad Moose as young Twiston Davies adds more to his growing reputation
The Handicap Chase run over 20f was a Class 3 event. Interestingly the first two home being well clear of the rest had both had the winter off which emphasises the benefit of coming fresh to fast ground. Nikos Extra was a very impressive winner cantering all over this lot and only had to be shaken up to win as he liked today in what looked a reasonable class 3 event. Had previously seemed to be suited best by a right handed course although in truth looks like he is best on flat tracks. Had some useful novice form. Currently on 125 mark and given his performance he must be able to pick up another handicap. Well regarded and best suited by 20f and good ground. Invisible Man was made favoutite; was a clear second best today akthough he did run really well but just was outclassed on the day. Tonguestrap definitiely helped. Failed to stay 24f last run and appears well suited by 20f on good ground (breathing difficulties would suggest that he will not be seen at best on soft ground). Has run well at Marken Rasen and with plenty of summer racing there worth keeping an eye out for as if not crippled due to the quality of the winner a mark below the current 132 will see him having a great chance.
Impressive Nikos Extra returns to the winners enclosure
He was followed at a respectful but encouraging distance by Invisible man
A Novice hurdle over the fixed brush was run over 20f. The race was destroyed as a contest when strong favourite Cantlow was withdrawn before they left the paddock on the advice of the vet. This left A Bridge Too Far (very well bred out of same family as The Dikler) as a 2/5 favourite and despite jumping right won easily jumping the fences cleanly and giving the impression over these ‘baby’ fences of having the ability next season to do better over fences than hurdles. I saw him win a minor novice at Wetherby in January and I expect good things next season in novice chases. Forget about the rest they were hammered.
The 2m Bumper closed off proceedings. Ballyclough was pretty well disregarded by the market in what looked a pretty hot bumper. Was held up and made his move coming into the straight running on strongly to win by an easy 4 lengths. Looks a very promising recruit, will be hard to beat in bumpers despite a penalty and cost a lot of money as is from a good NH family. Red Rocco ran well without threatening the winner. He is slowly improving and I saw one of his recent runs when he was fourth at Doncaster. He is finding the lack of pace in the bumpers a problem as clearly needs a decent test. I think we will only see him get his head in front when hurdling and as such remains an interesting recruit once switched to obstacles. Ebinour was a very hot favourite given the strength in depth of this bumper. Had won easily on his debut but could not shoulder a penalty and despite every chance 2 out appeared to have a bit of temperament when failing to act well to pressure. Hollow Blue Sky ran another solid race considering stamina is his likely forte. I saw his debut at Towcester when he ran green and today he tried to force the pace but was a sitting duck. He ended up a close up fourth, I think he has the ability to win a bumper but based on his pedigree I think he will do very well when hurdling and better still chasing over 2m4 next season. City Press was well supported second favourite on his debut maybe because of being trained by Nicky Henderson. Was easily handled today showing little potential.
Notebook
Seize up £40
2 4 0 1 7/1
Next run was a tidy 20/1 each way and soon he was picking up a race at 7/1. Went up half a stone and stuck there which was why I then binned backing him again
Master Fong down £40
0 4 2 2
Disappointed afterwards really despite a couple of seconds when he looked like he had a good chance on the book. Now racing in France with no interest from me whatsoever
Grand Diamond down £30
0 0 2
Not been all that apart from a fair second at Perth
Nikos Extra
Went up 10lbs for this win and as such has been left alone
Ballyclough up £10
1 evens
Won on hurdle debut and is an interestng recruit but may find a penalty a touch difficult so lect