TimeformBlog

Timeform look ahead to a week that culminates in the first Grade 1 of the British National Hunt season...


Sunday November 14

It's an early start on Sunday for Flat enthusiasts as dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy runs in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup at Kyoto in Japan. If she wins, she stands to net her connections a prize in excess of a million pounds in bonuses.

There is more traditional autumn fare over jumps at Cheltenham where the highlight is the two-mile Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. This year's race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive renewals in recent memory, with the likes of Menorah, Get Me Out of Here, Sanctuaire and Manyriverstocross all looking to hold strong claims. There are also a pair of Grade 2 novices on the card - Arkle contenders Loosen My Load and Captain Chris go in the November Novices' Chase, while a field of nine go to post for the Hyde Novices Hurdle.

There is also top-quality action over jumps at Punchestown, the feature there being the Grade 1 Punchestown Hurdle over two miles in which the standard on form is set by Solwhit. There are also a pair of graded novice chases on the card there, which feature some of the best horses seen in the division in Ireland so far, including Noble Prince and Thegreatjohnbrowne.

Sunday's other cards in Britain and Ireland take place at Cork, Fontwell and Market Rasen.


Monday November 15

There are jumps card on Monday at Leicester and Plumpton, while the all-weather action continues apace at Wolverhampton.


Tuesday November 16

Three meetings to get stuck into on Tuesday, over jumps at Fakenham and Folkestone and on the fibresand at Southwell - expect to see plenty of the regulars at the last-named course.


Wednesday November 17

Wednesday's NH racing takes place at Hexham and Warwick in Britain and at Limerick in Ireland, in addition to all-weather action at Lingfield and Kempton. Warwick's card plays host to what could be an informative novice hurdle (14:00), with The Old Pretender, who is set to make his debut for Nigel Twiston-Davies, and recent Wetherby winner Habbie Simpson currently engaged.

Useful hurdler Barizan in entered in the novice chase that follows.


Thursday November 18

Hereford, Market Rasen, Wincanton and Thurles are the venues for jumps racing on Thursday, while they also go on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in the late afternoon.


Friday November 19

In the South, both Ascot and Exeter stage good six-race NH cards while there is also jumping north of the border at Musselburgh. Wolverhampton also plays host to a twilight all-weather card.


Saturday November 20

Lots of quality NH racing across the country on Saturday, with the highlight the Grade 1 Betfair Chase over three miles at Haydock. Reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander is set to make his reappearance in the race, seeking to go one better than when just shaded by Kauto Star in last year's renewal, and he is currently a 2.12 shot to do so, ahead of Paul Nicholls' What A Friend at 4.2.

There is also graded NH action at Ascot, with both the Ascot Hurdle and the Amlin 1965 Chase holding Grade 2 status. The former race was won by Zanyar in 2009/10 and he could be booked for a repeat effort, though Paul Nicholls is reportedly considering the race for his very exciting hurdler Silviniaco Conti.

(read more at betting.betfair.com)

Timeform look ahead to a weekend that features valuable handicaps over fences and hurdles at jumping's HQ...


The Paddy Power Gold Cup (14:35) at Cheltenham is one of the early NH season's top handicap prizes, and this year's renewal certainly has a typically competitive look to it. Long Run is currently the favourite at 4.2 as he seeks to add to the fine record of top second-season chasers in the race, though he'll face stiff competition from the likes of his stablemate Mad Max (10.0) and Timeform top-rated Great Endeavour (5.7). There is plenty of quality right through the card at Cheltenham, starting with the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial (12:50) and taking in the Grade 3 Morson Group Gold Cup Handicap Chase (13:55).

Saturday's other cards in Britain and Ireland take place over jumps at Punchestown, Uttoxeter and Wetherby and on the all-weather at Lingfield and Wolverhampton, while over in France there is British and Irish interest in the mile-and-a-quarter Criterium de Saint-Cloud (13:05) for two-year-olds, the final Group 1 of the Flat season in Europe.

Sunday is Greatwood Hurdle (14:20) day at Cheltenham and this year's renewal of the main event looks extremely competitive, the field of eighteen including the one-two from last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle in Menorah and Get Me Out of Here, Aintree winner General Miller, and the Fred Winter victor Sanctuaire. It is the last-named who is currently favourite for the race at 6.8, just ahead of the Alan King-trained Manyriverstocross. The card at Prestbury Park opens with the Grade 2 November Novices' Chase (13:10) which features a some leading Arkle contenders in Loosen My Load and Captain Chris, while there is also Grade 2 action for novice hurdles later on in the day in the shape of the Hyde Novices' Hurdle (15:30).

Elsewhere on Sunday, there is jumping at Cork, Fontwell, Market Rasen and Punchestown, the last-named track hosting the first Grade 1 two-mile hurdle of the year, the Morgiana (14:15), which has attracted a small but select field in which the standard is set by last year's winner Solwhit. There is also good novice chase action on the card, namely the Grade 2 Craddockstown over two miles and the Grade 3 Florida Pearl over two-and-three-quarter miles.

Dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy is also in action on Sunday in Japan, but it'll be an early morning for those who wish to see it as she runs in the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Cup at Kyoto (06:40).


(read more at betting.betfair.com)

Gregg Taylor evaluates the performance of Timeform's top-rated chaser, along with the other big races from the weekend.


Kauto Star (c191) made a pleasing return to action when taking the JNwine.com Champion Chase by four lengths from Sizing Europe (c162). The outstanding chaser of his generation needed only to run to a bare figure of 166 to notch a fourteenth success at Grade 1 level, showing no ill effects from his fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup as he jumped impeccably close to the steady pace. The performance should set up him nicely to run closer to his best in his next objective, whether that be running off a mark of 190 in the Hennessy later in the month or attempting to record an unprecedented fifth victory in the King George.

Both his nearest pursuers had a run under their belt and Sizing Europe improved on the form that saw him land last season's Arkle with his reappearance behind him, staying on at the one pace to secure second close home. China Rock (c162) came into the race seeking a hat-trick and ran to a similar level as when winning a Grade 3 at Punchestown last month. He falls just short of the very top level, but is fully effective around two and a half miles and will probably take plenty of beating in something like the John Durkan next month.

Nearby (h153) has proved a revelation this season and defied a 20 lb rise in the weights since the beginning of the term to land a hat-trick in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. Philip Hobbs's gelding improved another chunk in a race run ideally to suit him, typically travelling powerfully off the very strong pace and running on well despite a mistake at the last. Further progress is not necessarily out of the question, and he would look well treated if taking in the Greatwood at Cheltenham on Sunday under a penalty.

Tito Busillo (h135) put up a career-best performance in being beaten six lengths, whilst Dee Ee Williams (h148) ran just a few pounds shy of his best in finishing a further length and a quarter adrift.

As with the United House Gold Cup at Ascot the previous weekend, plenty weren't up to full speed for the season in the Badger Ales Trophy later on the card at Wincanton. However, that shouldn't detract from an improved performance from Meanus Dandy (c136). The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old justfied strong market support in first-time blinkers to see off Buena Vista (c139) by three and a half lengths. He's likely to be bumped up plenty for this success, but strikes as the type who could go well in something like the bet365 Gold Cup in the spring.

The runner-up was having his first run over fences for more than two years and got somewhere closer to his hurdles form in pulling nineteen lengths clear of Ellerslie George (123+). Last year's winner had forcing tactics readopted in first-time blinkers, but this more prominent display still falls some 20 lb below the form of his victory twelve months previously.


(read more at betting.betfair.com)

The Open Meeting at Cheltenham this weekend runs to three days, with the highlight on the Sunday being the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. Timeform look at the main protagonists...


Rewind a year and Khyber Kim was heading to Prestbury Park as a relatively unconsidered (not in Timeform Horses to Follow Extra, by the way) 20/1 shot for the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at the Open Meeting at Cheltenham.

Come the day, however, Nigel Twiston-Davies' Khyber Kim (9/1) wasn't for beating and ran out an impressive two-length winner. Khyber Kim returned to Cheltenham a month later to land the International (beat Celestial Halo), before going on to finish second in the Champion Hurdle in March, beaten 3½ lengths by Binocular.

The Greatwood has a mixed record as a Champion trial in recent years, however. In the last ten seasons, only Rooster Booster (2002/3) has won the Greatwood and gone on to complete double, but Accordion Etoile finished fourth at the Festival in 2005 and Sizing Europe was sent off a strong Champion favourite when flopping in 2008.

Looking through this year's Greatwood entries, there is only a select band which could be considered as likely to make up into genuine Champion Hurdle contenders, and they're probably the ones to concentrate on. Philip Hobbs, who has been responsible for recent Greatwood winners Rooster Booster and Detroit City, must be tempted to run his Elite Hurdle winner Nearby 17.0. It is admittedly a quick turnaround from Wincanton on Saturday, but he's been a revelation this season and left the impression he's got more in the locker, so for all Cheltenham hasn't been his track in the past, he's well worth a go, well treated under a penalty and seeing things out all the stronger these days. The tougher opposition and more testing conditions are potential negatives, though.

Philip Hobbs also has another interesting contender, however, in the shape of last year's top novice Menorah 9.0. The winner of the Supreme (beat Get Me Out of Here) at the Festival last season, connections obviously hold high hopes that Menorah, who also has the option of going chasing this campaign, can make the transition to Champion Hurdle contender, and Sunday will very much be testing the water in that regard, set to carry top-weight from a mark of 151. Get Me Out of Here 8.8 is himself towards the head of the market and rightly so, having caught the eye on his reappearance in a handicap at Ascot. Last season's totesport Trophy winner travelled smoothly for a long way but ultimately seemed to need the run. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding, whose only defeat last season was that aforementioned one against Menorah, should be spot on for Sunday, can race from the same mark as at Ascot and is very high on the shortlist.

Nicky Henderson's General Miller 9.6 beat Menorah when Philip Hobbs' Supreme winner ran at Aintree the following month, but the feeling is that he was at an advantage having arrived at Liverpool a fresh horse and Menorah should be able to turn the tables again on Sunday, for all he has to concede him 5 lb.

The current market leader Sanctuaire 6.6 is still unexposed, and there is reason to think he could make up into a top-class hurdler. Successful on his first two starts in Britain last season after brought over from France, including when bolting up in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, Paul Nicholls' Sanctuaire also shaped like much the best horse when only third at Aintree next time, pulling too hard for his own good and probably not over his Prestbury Park exertions. A mark of 146 is harsh on what he has actually achieved, but he looks one of the brightest hurdling prospects for this season and that mightn't be the case come Sunday.

The other interesting contender is Alan King's Manyriverstocross 8.2. A useful Flat horse, Manyriverstocross took to hurdling well last season, winning a maiden at Chepstow on his debut and a Grade 2 novice at Sandown before Christmas. In three subsequent starts, third (in the totesport Trophy) was the best he could manage, but at Cheltenham on his final start he shaped much better than the bare result when seventh in the Baring Bingham, badly hampered and doing well to get back into contention at all. Still unexposed over hurdles, the test provided by Cheltenham's two miles should be right up his street (suited by further) and he makes plenty of appeal.

To summarise, Sanctuaire has plenty of potential, as does fellow second-season hurdler Get Me Out of Here, who can reverse placings with Supreme winner Menorah, but the one who is most interesting from a form perspective is Manyriverstocross, who is well handicapped and should be suited by the test that the race/track provides.


(read more at betting.betfair.com)

Cyfor Malta, Fondmort, Celestial Gold, Our Vic, Exotic Dancer, L'Antartique, Imperial Commander, Tranquil Sea. Not just any list of leading chasers this century, but the roll of honour for this Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, and Dan Barber seeks to unearth the next potential star this time around.


The betting for this year's Paddy Power is very reminiscent of the ante-post market ahead of the 2005 renewal, with the prices suggesting it's little bigger than even money that either Long Run or Great Endeavour will leave Cheltenham with their name carved alongside some of the modern greats. Six years ago it was Our Vic and Monkerhostin vs the field, and the 'tricast' in that order duly followed, but there are clear reasons this time around to suggest it's not so clear-cut as the betting might suggest.

The first question to be asked is a simple one. All things being equal, would one of the duo win just about one in every two runnings?

On Timeform ratings, and in my own mind as a punter, the answer is more than a cautious 'no', given this year's renewal is packed with other unexposed rivals, which arguably wasn't the case the year Our Vic and Monkerhostin endured their pre- and in-race scrap.

Long Run's reputation preceded him on his arrival from France, and the aura of a potential superstar still very much remains. But do any of his performances on the track warrant such a billing? He was receiving 7 lb from Tazbar when scooting up in the Feltham as a novice, under conditions that surely favoured him more than the runner-up, and his subsequent Kingmaker success amounted to a mere 17 lb beating of Timeform's very own Joe Jo Star; 'Joe Jo' was as tough and genuine a horse as could be imagined, but would I take 4/1 about him to win a Paddy Power from a mark of 141?.

Call me negative, but the answer is again a resounding 'no'. And what's more, with fence-sitting diplomacy out of the window for a moment, the presence of his regular amateur rider clearly isn't a help to Long Run's chance, either.

There's less wrong with Great Endeavour. He's an upwardly-mobile chaser who still hasn't had many goes in handicaps, and he showed the track suits him well when winning the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival in March. Plus, anything with 'Pipe' alongside its name in the racecard for the Paddy Power tends to warrant the utmost respect. But there's no way he should be around 4/1 when Sunnyhillboy, relatively lightly raced also and weighted to beat Great Endeavour on their meeting at Cheltenham, is approaching double-figure odds.

Sunnyhillboy presumably had his whole 2009/10 campaign geared towards Cheltenham in hindsight, and but for the equally unexposed Pipe runner he'd have carried off the plan to perfection, so take anything bigger than 8.2 about him coming to the boil at this track again as he seeks to provide Jonjo O'Neill with a second winner in this race in the last five years after Exotic Dancer's 2006 success.

Big names like Poquelin and Mad Max are also prominent in the betting, but both would suddenly need to be top-class or thereabouts to defy respective marks of 164 and 157, the former fully a stone higher than when beaten into second last term and the latter handicapped on his misleading defeat of a below-par Somersby at Aintree in the spring.

A better (and final) play lies with Irish raider Catch Me, who's currently trading at a very generous 9.2 on Betfair. It wasn't too long ago that Catch Me racked up four wins at graded level over hurdles, which instantly makes him of interest from a lower chasing mark, and it's not as if he hasn't taken to chasing in only four starts.

Granted, Catch Me has a fall on his record, but he jumped soundly when third behind leading novices Pandorama and Weapons Amnesty in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in the spring and didn't make any errors when very much catching the eye in filling the same position in the Poplar Chase at Naas on his return, a race his stable won last year with Tranquil Sea en route to landing the Paddy Power.

In short, Sunnyhillboy should be more like a 7.0 chance and Catch Me about the same or shorter, and if a certain well-regarded ex-French chaser comes home in front then it may be time for this writer to take a long run, possibly down a short pier.


(read more at betting.betfair.com)

Doncaster brought the curtain down on the Flat season on Saturday, but here at Timeform we are already looking towards next year. In the first of a two-parter (older horses are to follow), Jamie Lynch brings you the top 10 British-trained classic prospects for 2011.


FRANKEL Timeform Rating 133p
Galileo (Ire) - Kind (Ire) (Danehill (USA))

Who can remember Arazi? Who could forget Arazi? He was the best European two-year-old ever in many people's opinion, rated 135 by Timeform following his mesmerising win in the 1991 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Three years later, though, Celtic Swing topped that (138) with his astounding twelve-length success in the Racing Post Trophy. No youngster has got near those ratings since; no youngster, that is, until Frankel. Named in honour of the late Bobby Frankel, the Hall of Fame trainer who handled most of Prince Khalid Abdulla's horses in America, Frankel is fast developing into a legend in his own right, sweeping everything aside through four unbeaten races, culminating in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. Head and shoulders above the rest of his generation, and with the size and scope to train on well, Frankel could well carry all before him again in 2011, starting with the Guineas. An exuberant sort, more speed than stamina, he may never set foot on the Derby path, but Epsom isn't the be all and end all, and Frankel looks set to be the next big thing; in fact, with a Timeform rating of 133p, he already is the next big thing. Henry Cecil


DREAM AHEAD Timeform Rating 128
Diktat - Land of Dreams (Cadeaux Genereux)

It was supposed to be the best two-year-old race in history, and Dream Ahead was supposed to be one of the main characters, but, as often happens in racing, the blockbuster script wasn't followed. While Frankel took centre stage in the Dewhurst, Dream Ahead fluffed his lines, something not right with him as he trailed in a well-beaten fifth, unrecognisable from the colt who ran away with the Middle Park (by nine lengths) just two weeks earlier. That stunning performance - his second Group 1 success after the Prix Morny - would have made him top dog in most years, and he'll start afresh next season with a big rating behind him and a big plan ahead of him, though avoiding Frankel will help. If Dream Ahead doesn't make a miler, he could still take the sprinting scene by storm. David Simcock


HOORAY Timeform Rating 121
Invincible Spirit (Ire) - Hypnotize (Machiavellian (USA))

In the height of the summer, it didn't look as though Hooray would be amongst the top twenty juvenile fillies, let alone number one, but that's where she proudly sits following her end-of-season transformation. The final leg of her hat-trick came in the Group 1 Cheveley Park, on the same day as Dream Ahead, and she won by a wide margin herself - four-and-a-half lengths - to cement her position at the top of the tree. Hooray has no classic pretensions, as she's a sprinter through and through, but she'll go down as not only the best two-year-old filly of 2010, but also one of the best for many years. Sir Mark Prescott


WOOTTON BASSETT Timeform Rating 119p
Iffraaj - Balladonia (Primo Dominie)

Never look a gift horse in the mouth, they say. When his gift horse arrived, Richard Fahey wasted no time looking at him, instead mapping out an ambitious campaign, and Wootton Bassett was up to the job, completing the perfect season. With five straight wins, Wootton Basset earned over £½m - twice as much as Frankel - as he took an unorthodox route to the top, by-passing the traditional graduation to chase the big pots from sales races, with great reward, but he shone as soon as he got the chance in a Group 1, making all at Longchamp on Arc day. Frankel may be in a league of his own, but there's no knowing how good Wootton Bassett could be, 100% so far, and besides Newmarket there is the Guineas in Ireland and France for him to target. Richard Fahey


SAAMIDD Timeform Rating 115p
Street Cry (Ire) - Aryaamm (Ire) (Galileo (Ire))

Some call it glossophobia, most know it as stage fright, and, whatever the phenomenon, Saamidd seemed to get it worse than Dream Ahead when it came to the big production in the Dewhurst, finishing a detached last. However, to concentrate on one run is to overlook the bigger picture, and Saamidd remains one of the best home-grown Godolphin talents for several years. Nicknamed 'Pegasus' by Dettori, Saamidd went a long way to justifying the hype on his first two starts, winning both easily, latterly the Group 2 Champagne Stakes. The stable's historical slow seasonal starts is off-putting regards the Guineas, but everything about Saamidd - in particular his unfurnished physique - suggests he'll make a much better three-year-old, sure to win top prizes. Saeed bin Suroor


WHITE MOONSTONE Timeform Rating 115p
Dynaformer (USA) - Desert Gold (USA) (Seeking The Gold (USA))

Different horse, same concerns. Kazzia in 2002 was the last time Godolphin won a Guineas, yet the 'winter sun' policy of shipment to Dubai continues, despite the string returning behind schedule year on year. Such a trend is ominous for Saamidd (as well as newer recruits Casamento and Dubai Prince) in the 2000, but it also means White Moonstone is available at 8/1 for the 1000, when on form she should be half those odds. As a two-year-old, she beat everything put in front of her through four races, including the Group 1 Fillies' Mile, which she won despite Dettori feeling she wasn't at her best on the day. Her sire Dynaformer is a strong influence for stamina, so, even if history repeats itself in the spring, there's always Epsom and the Oaks for White Moonstone to realise her classic potential. Saeed bin Suroor


HAVANT Timeform Rating 110p
Halling (USA) - Louella (USA) (El Gran Senor (USA))

Impeccably bred, undefeated in 2010 and recommendable for both the Guineas and Oaks, there are some similarities between White Moonstone and Havant. Admittedly, White Moonstone has the edge on ratings achieved so far, but that's down to opportunity, asked a lot in comparison, and Havant is the one with greater potential. To show as much speed as Havant did in winning twice at seven furlongs - notably the Group 3 Oh So Sharp - is especially encouraging given the stamina in her pedigree, related to Leadership who won at a mile and a half (Group 1) and up-and-coming stayer Tuscan Gold. It's twenty-three years since Sir Michael Stoute last won the Oaks; the wait may be over. Sir Michael Stoute


PETER MARTINS Timeform Rating 109p
Johannesburg (USA) - Pretty Meadow (USA) (Meadowlake (USA))

He may be a chestnut, but, metaphorically speaking, Peter Martins is the darkest of dark horses regards the classic picture. You'd be forgiven for not knowing the name, as, with the emergence of Frankel et al, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since Peter Martins made his one and only appearance in July, but that was arguably the most spectacular debut of the whole season. His reputation preceded him at Newmarket, sent off favourite against previous winners in a novice event, and he stormed away with it by five lengths, achieving an exceptionally high rating for a newcomer, backed up by the time. He was penciled in for various big autumn races, only to be ruled out by minor setbacks, kept under wraps with connections already having an eye on next year, starting with a Guineas trial. Peter Martins: remember the name. Jeremy Noseda


SEA MOON Timeform Rating 92P
Beat Hollow - Eva Luna (USA) (Alleged (USA))
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. If any, Sea Moon fits into the first category, as the classics are in his blood. By Derby third Beat Hollow, Sea Moon is closely related to St Leger winner Brian Boru and to Soviet Moon, the dam of Workforce. His credentials aren't only on paper, because Sea Moon has shaped up really well in maidens, green when short headed as favourite at Leicester before getting the job done at Yarmouth two weeks later. After that promising grounding, he's all set to climb the ladder quickly as a three-year-old, with Epsom in his sights. Sir Michael Stoute


MORNING CHARM Timeform Rating 87P
North Light (Ire) - Vignette (USA) (Diesis)

John Gosden knows classic material when he gets it, winning the St Leger twice in the last four years, with Lucarno and Arctic Cosmos. Not only is Morning Charm by the same sire as Arctic Cosmos, but she's also a half-sister to Lucarno, so the omens are immediately good, and on top of that she made a big impression when successful on her sole juvenile start, like Sea Moon earning the Timeform large P. She beat two next-time-out winners at Newmarket, and that merely scratched the surface of her ability, considering her inexperience, while even then seven furlongs would have been on the short side for her, bred to relish middle distances. White Moonstone and Havant had better look over their shoulder next spring. John Gosden


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Kieran Packman files his final update from the Breeder's Cup 2010 at Churchill Downs.


Everyone experiences that split second each morning when you first wake and you're not aware what day it is before your faculties click into gear. I suspect Mike Smith will have wished he could click pause during that briefest of moments as he wakes to a defining morning after the night before.

So fleeting are moments in sport which are then replayed, dissected and debated for years to come. How many times will Smith replay last night's Classic in his mind's eye?

For what it's worth, I'm not an attendee of the 'worst ride of all time' school of analysis. There were worse rides just in that race, particularly aboard the front runners who went off at quarter horse speed.

That said, I do concur with the general consensus that the most talented horse did not win. For me the discussion revolves around the opening three furlongs - was Zenyatta's sluggish first quarter due to Smith's influence or the mare's reluctance? Only the jockey can truly know that. As it was, she pottered painfully past the winning post first time round and I have to admit Istabraq's final bow at Cheltenham leapt into mind.

It was certainly a privilege to witness live a remarkable racing occasion, the intense focus on one horse eclipsing even that of Deep Impact's hold on Arc day a few years ago. Zenyatta certainly delivered as glorious failure as can ever be true of such a paradox.

For Goldikova, immortality in racing circles is assured, and on any other night she would of course have secured every headline. I thought she was as impressive yesterday as she's ever been and her connections thoroughly deserve every piece of glowing praise.

It feels like I lucked out on my first Breeders' Cup, though in the sense of being a grateful spectator rather than any reflection of my, frankly, rather boring punting. A supporting race winner and a few places is hardly the Pick 6 winning impact I'd have liked.

Still, there was one point on Wednesday when I was staring oncoming traffic in the face so the week could have gone a lot worse. Never did try burger soup though sadly.

(read more at betting.betfair.com)

Timeform look back on a weekend on which the Flat jockeys' title returned to the North, while there were top-class performers on show over jumps in Ireland, and on the Flat in America...


A new champion Flat jockey was crowned at Doncaster on Saturday, a total of 191 winners good enough to secure Paul Hanagan the title by two from Richard Hughes. Neither of the two title-chasers added to their win tally at Doncaster on Saturday, where Dane O'Neill partnered the John Dunlop-trained Times Up to land the last major prize of the Flat season, the November Handicap.

The star of the show over jumps on Saturday was Kauto Star, who made a successful reappearance in the JNWine.com Champion Chase over three miles at Down Royal. As when winning the race in 2008, Kauto Star didn't need to run to anywhere near his brilliant best to beat Sizing Europe and China Rock by four lengths and a neck respectively, but the run should put him spot on for his next target, be it a fifth King George, for which he is a 2.66 shot, or a fascinating potential crack at the Hennessy (available to back at 15.0).

Saturday's best NH racing in Britain took place at Wincanton where Philip Hobbs's hurdler Nearby made it three wins on the bounce this season, producing a performance bordering on very smart to take a very strongly run renewal of the Elite Hurdle by six lengths from Tito Bustillo. This was a performance that suggest Nearby may not have finished improving, and his connections must now be tempted to turn him out under a penalty in the Greatwood at Cheltenham on Sunday, where he'd look well treated. Nearby wasn't the only Grade 2 win at Wincanton for Philip Hobbs, as Wishfull Thinking justified favouritism in the Rising Stars Novices' Chase, albeit somewhat fortuitously given that Robinson Collonges was challenging going slightly better when departing three out. Paul Nicholls gained compensation for Robinson Collonges' fall in the next race as Meanus Dandy was a well-backed winner of the most valuable event on the card, the twenty-five furlong Badger Ales Trophy handicap chase.

Saturday was of course also the second day of the Breeders' Cup meeting at Churchill Downs, where it was a story of two mares. Goldikova once again rewrote the record books with a third consecutive win in the Breeders' Cup Mile, her twelfth Group or Grade 1 win overall, and she is now said to be 50-50 to return as a six-year-old in a bid to defend her crown. One who won't be back in 2011 is Zenyatta, who lost her unbeaten record in the Classic, going down by a head to the four-year-old colt Blame. Zenyatta looked something of an unfortunate loser in the end, coming with a strong run from even further back than usual, and just failing to get up under a very hard ride.

The sole win for a British-trained horse came courtesy of Dangerous Midge, who provided a second win in the Turf for Brian Meehan and a third for Frankie Dettori, the pair having previously teamed up with the 2006 winner Red Rocks. Dangerous Midge's task was made considerably easier by the withdrawal of the Workforce due to the firm ground, though he still produced a high-class performance to beat the American colt Champ Pegasus by a length and a quarter. Workforce reportedly won't run again this year, but he'll be back in 2011.

Champion Chaser Big Zeb was the star performer over jumps on Sunday, landing the odds in the Grade 2 Fortria Chase at Navan with the minimum of fuss, and cementing his status as the top two-mile chaser in Ireland. He's currently the 5.7 favourite to defend his Champion Chase crown at Cheltenham in March.

(read more at betting.betfair.com)

Timeform look ahead to the next week's racing, which features the biggest meeting yet of the National Hunt season...


Sunday November 7

There are five National Hunt meetings in Britain and Ireland on Sunday, the best of which takes place at Navan, where there are two Grade 2 events on the card, namely the two-and-a-half mile Lismullen Hurdle (13:25) and the two-mile Fortria Chase (15:00), won last year by Champion Chaser Big Zeb.


Monday November 8

Monday's jumping takes place at Carlisle, Limerick and Southwell, while they go on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.


Tuesday November 9

Three National Hunt cards to get stuck into on Tuesday, at Exeter, Lingfield and Sedgefield.


Wednesday November 10

Bangor looks the best of Wednesday's three jumps meetings, with the graduation chase at 13:40 having the potential to be a particularly informative affair. The other two jumps cards take place at Huntingdon and Naas, while there are all-weather meetings at Southwell in the afternoon and Kempton in the evening.


Thursday November 11

Clonmel hosts a seven-race jumps card on Thursday, the highlight of which is the Clonmel Oil Chase (14:25), which has gone the way of some high-class chasers down the years, including War of Attrition, Edredon Bleu and Beef or Salmon.
Racing in Britain takes place at Ludlow and Taunton over jumps and at Southwell and Wolverhampton on the all-weather.


Friday November 12

Cheltenham's Open Meeting kicks off on Friday with a seven-race card on which the sole Graded race is the Sharp Novices' Hurdle (13:50), though there is no shortage of competitive action on the rest of the card.

The day's other meetings take place over jumps at Newcastle, and on the all-weather at Lingfield and Wolverhampton.


Saturday November 13

The Paddy Power Gold Cup (14:35), a handicap chase run over Cheltenham's extended two and a half mile course, is the showpiece event on Saturday. One of the most competitive handicaps of the year, it often produces a horse that proves competitive at an even higher level, with recent winners including Exotic Dancer and Imperial Commander. This year's renewal looks no exception, with last year's highly promising novice Long Run the current favourite. The card opens with the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial (12:50) while there is also a Grade 3 staying handicap chase at 13:55.

The day's other two jumps meetings take place at Uttoxeter and Wetherby, and the all-weather action rolls on at Lingfield and Wolverhampton.

(read more at betting.betfair.com)

Timeform preview a weekend on which there is much to look forward to, including the return of the outstanding steeplechaser of our times, as well as the Breeders' Cup meeting in the USA...


The main attraction on Saturday in Europe is undoubtedly Kauto Star, who makes his reappearance in the JNWine.com Champion Chase over three miles at Down Royal. The likes of Sizing Europe and China Rock are certainly no slouches, but if Kauto Star is anything close to his best he'll be very difficult to beat. Paul Nicholls' views on Kauto, and all the rest of his weekend runners, can be found elsewhere on the site.

There is jumping in Britain at Kelso, Sandown and Wincanton, with the last-named track staging one of its better meetings of the year, which includes two Grade 2 events, namely the Elite Hurdle over and the Rising Stars Novices' Chase.

Saturday is also the final day of the turf Flat season at Doncaster, where Paul Hanagan now looks likely to be crowned the Champion Jockey for 2010, though his rival Richard Hughes has assembled a good book of rides. The highlight at Doncaster is the November Handicap, in which Godolphin's three-year-old colt Willing Foe looks to hold very strong claims. There is also racing on the Flat at Dundalk in the evening, the seven-race card there featuring a ten-furlong listed race.

Over the pond in Kentucky, Saturday is also the second day of the Breeders' Cup meeting at Churchill Downs, where there are six Grade 1 events scheduled to take place, with plenty of European interest, including Goldikova in the Mile and Workforce in the Turf. For full Timeform coverage of the Breeders' Cup click here.

There are five NH meetings set to take place in Britain and Ireland on Sunday, at Ffos Las, Hereford, Limerick, Market Rasen and Navan, with the last-named track hosting the day's best racing, with the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle over two and a half miles the highlight.

(read more at betting.betfair.com)