rebelfm

STRATFORD
13TH APRIL 2013
GOOD GROUND
Weather OK in general but couple of brief showers

URCALIN (POS)

Won a couple of bumpers in France on good ground but was hammered in the mud so it is clear that his horse is unsuited by mud and goes well in good ground. Started hurdling in a fair event at Sandown where he was looked after in heavy ground. Ran well with considerable promise. Improved next run again at Sandown this time ridden closer to the pace and held every chance but just couldn’t quicken in the soft ground to finish fourth. His dam was very decent in France winning four times. She has produced good horses in the past winning good races at such as Auteuil.There are very good horses in the family including Haul Knight a group 2 winner and third in Champion Stakes. Also very high quality hurdler Flown (won Supreme novices’ and second in the Christmas hurdle). Followed up when running on much better ground, being held up and produced from 3 out to join issue on run to the last and quicken nicely to win well. Looks a decent one on good ground, will probably be best suited by the minimum trip and restraint but in the right conditions looks capable of shouldering a penalty successfully.

RED COURTIER (STRONG POS)

Saw him run very well at Warwick last time out and was a very strong positive to follow up. Is a useful flat horse and his hurdling is neat suggesting capable of much better even over a longer trip. Was very impressive today winning with plenty in hand and  suggesting that he will be winning again. His 9/2 was a great price.

SEEUBOB (WATCH)

Have been waiting for him to run over short of 3 miles for some time. He was a positive when I saw him run at Leicester finishing second off 123. He then ran with credit again over a slightly longer trip than ideal when I saw him run at Wetherby. Stepping up to 3m2 at the tough Carlisle course and despite looking the winner two out weaken to be fourth. He then  met better ground than the soft or heavy he had to endure to date, was put over a sharp track and over a furlong shy of three miles. The combination did the trick as expected and not a bad price being backed down from 7/2 to 11/4. He still looks like he has a bit in hand but I am not sure how much. A seven pound penalty and 130 might just be beyond him so after this win I will reluctantly but him as a watch now.

TUFFSTUFF (Hurdler to watch out for next season)

What looked a good bumper with previous winner at Bangor and good runner up under a penalty  to subsequent Aintree  champion bumper fifth, was a little disappointing as fancied Baltimore Rock fell away after leading for much. Irish Cavalier was a debutante who was fancied but didn’t really quicken up. It was another new boy  who caught the eye with a fast finishing third having been taken care of in the early stages of the race. Tuffstuff looks the typre to do well wen put over hurdles looking classic NH in conformation and I will be backing him when put over timber. However these bumpers are often falsely run and he looks like he will need a gallop so whilst he looks made to follow up from this encouraging first run I would not be backing him in bumpers.  Life Line did not make the track. Only Balludaily made the frame in points. However the third dam Deep Line is very well bred being sister to Granville Again and Morley Street. Close family includes Hand Inn