January 18th:

Haydock:

Benvolio continued his upward chasing curve and Taquin Du Seuil seemed more at home over the extended trip of 2m 5f (not totally convincing at his fences) when accounting for two pedestrian rivals and O’Faolains Boy (disappointing after Ascot promise), who was never travelling and pulled-up.

The £450,000 purchase from France, Un Temps Pour Tout ran okay in the Grade 2 novice hurdle without underlining his worth. Okay sums him up at present. He looked okay, jumped okay, ran okay, but as Clint Eastwood famously said in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: That’s a lot of money: we’re gonna’ have to earn it.

Un Temps Pour Tout has a way to go. Zandy Man kept on doggedly to score; the first two clear of Meadowcroft Boy and Newbury winner, Stand To Reason – who will better this in less testing conditions.

Ptit Zig never looked totally at home in the Grade 2 hurdle. After such a good effort last time in the Ladbroke, he was not slick enough over his hurdles to shake off Melodic Rendezvous, who is particularly effective in the soft.

Apparently the winner had pulled a muscle last time behind My Tent Or Yours (nice of them to reveal this two minutes before the off, wouldn’t you say?). Ptit Zig did have to concede 4lbs, which may have made the difference; although it would be surprising if either plays a part in the Champion Hurdle.

In the closing novice hurdle – over the fixed brush – Wuff and the strongly-fancied Straidnahanna came clear. In seizing victory, Wuff overcame intimidation by the runner-up and successfully conceded him 6lbs. He would be of interest in a handicap; whereas a novice hurdle is Straidnahanna’s for the taking.

Ascot Results

A good novice last season, after a couple of lack-lustre run this, Irish Saint returned to his best with an easy win in the Grade 2 handicap. Imperial Leader followed at a respectable distance in second, ahead of a somewhat mulish Bourne.

An unreasonable 17lbs hike in the ratings meant The Skyfarmer was soon in trouble once headed. He did plug on and will make a fine chaser when the time comes.

Sire De Grugy arguably gained his most impressive win when completing a famous Grade 1 treble on the year in the Clarence House Chase. Swinging on the bridle, he cut through the field to take it up two out, at which point it was all over. He jumped well and seems to be getting better all the time.

That said his best form is on right-handed tracks and his overall Cheltenham record is not encouraging for those that fancy his chances in the Champion Chase. However, there is no denying his ability.

Hidden Cyclone is a fair yardstick. He did not help his cause by failing to find a rhythm (pacesetting Kauto Stone took him on throughout) but, although entitled to be beaten by the winner, was comprehensively outpointed.

In the Class 3 novice hurdle, winner Champagne West (carrying a 10lbs penalty) and second Knock House (6lbs penalty) ran pretty much to their form when second and third to Beat That here in November. They came clear of Ceasar Milan, whose form with Deputy Dan helped solidify this event.

January 16th

Meydan Results

It is a little early to draw too many conclusions from events held on the different planet that is Dubai. With the culmination of the Carnival still two months away, so far the usual suspects were prominent. Godolphin had a good night, providing the first three winners. Cat O’Mountain and Haafaguinea provided a one-two for them in the opening handicap. Looking particularly well, the winner did scored with plenty in hand and could do better as this meeting progresses.

The consistent Wedding Ring cut down Magrooma in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial. To keep the ball rolling Emirates Flyer followed up in the colts’ equivalent, (run in a second faster time) with a slightly unlucky Safety Check in second, again providing Godolphin with a one-two. These two events were probably the equivalent of Listeds here.

Sheikhzayedroad got the breaks and the money in the handicap. Always a tricky character, he was able to make the best of an inside run to account for Aussie Reigns and Star Empire – who looks guaranteed to improve for this.

United Color and Russian Soul (goes well on this Tapeta) came out best in the Dubawi Stakes but it is a little early to start nominating them for anything else.

Zain Shamardal – a winner in Oman last time – got the best of a scramble in the concluding handicap. They did finish in a heap, but Lehaaf – a classy performer in the South Africa and representing Mike De Kock’s yet-to-hit-form stable – ran well enough in fourth to suggest he will come on for this, making him a serious player next time.
January 15th:

Newbury Results

Despite biblical proportions of rain over this current wet spell, amounting to ten inches – the equivalent of half a year’s rainfall – Newbury got away with this.

Dawalan won his second novice event at this course (so far all three runs have been here). Bred to be a force on the Flat, he jumped with ears pricked for much of the way, but appeared to finish very tired on the soft ground.

Once again this was a weak affair. Geraghty held him together, the partnership prevailing without ever looking likely to be overturned. In beating Carry On Sydney and hurdling debutant Prince Khurram, who shaped with promise and is a likely winner next time, this form needs improving upon before he can be considered a viable Cheltenham contender for the Fred Winter – apparently his intended target.

Festive Affair beat two better-touted rivals in Dark Lover and Brick Red in the Class 3 novice chase.

This was his first piece of form on these shores since finishing second in a hunter chase at Cork last April.

Jumping made the difference for him as his nearest pursuer Dark Lover compromised his chances with mistakes. He was closing at the line. Brick Red was only two-and-half lengths away in third so the form stacks up. It is possible Festive Affair was suited by this reduction in trip. A safe jumper, he may win a decent handicap.

It was hard labour for the mares in the novice chase won by Baby Shine. At least all three finished.
RACING NOTEBOOK 2014

January 11th:

Kempton Results

The Class 4 juvenile hurdle was probably not a strong contest but Goodwood Mirage did well to win. Novicey but capable at his hurdles, he moved stylishly into contention in the straight but collided with the runner-up in the air at the second-last (was going to make a mistake in all probability anyway) and then fluffed the last when staging a rally.

Under a vigorous McCoy drive, he got back up in the final strides. He has proved he stays and that he has the right attitude. The runner-up, The Green Ogre, was only moderate on the Flat and showed nothing on his only outing over hurdles. In third, Grey Blue looked short of pace.

The Class 3 novice hurdle looked ordinary enough. After a poor showing last time at Ffos Las, Closing Ceremony gave his opponents every chance here when wandering about and jinking throughout. However, main rival Minella On Line did not jump well enough to take advantage, and although he stayed this three mile trip well enough, that was all he did do. He looks woefully one-paced.

Nicky Henderson provided the first two in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle. Last year’s third, Royal Boy – lightly-raced since including over fences – got up in a tight scrap from the last to defy Josses Hill.

Upazo was ten lengths away in third ahead of some under-performers. Garde La Victoire hurdled scrappily and gave the impression this track was too tight. He still has to prove he is in this league.

The Liquidator, so impressive at Cheltenham, could never put his rivals to the sword here and was only leading under sufferance from some way out.

Captain Chris deserved his win in the Class 1 Listed chase, jumping well throughout. He finished tired with his big weight but was well clear of his rivals at the finish.

So impressive at Sandown last time, Saphir Du Rheu made a mockery of a handicap mark of 145 in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle.

Despite a mistake four out, when he dived through the hurdle, he is all class and cruised to the leaders at the turn before strolling clear. One would think handicaps are off the program in future; but only just turned five, the sky is the limit particularly over this sort of trip.

Recent winners, If In Doubt and Like Minded filled the minors, but essentially this was all about the winner.

In-form duo Lyvius (second to The Skyfarmer last time at Cheltenham) and Deep Trouble (a well documented winner at Sandown despite almost running out) battled out the finish of the Class 3 handicap hurdle, coming clear of Lexi’s Boy.

Warwick: Well beaten last time by More Of That and Salubrious in the Relkeel Hurdle, Glens Melody (30 lengths behind the winner at Cheltenham) paid them both a compliment with her success in the Listed hurdle for fillies and mares.

She got the better of a tight finish with Mischievous Molly (may have been a little unfortunate in running) and Hidden Identity (to whom both the front two were conceding 8lbs).

Corrin Wood kept an unbeaten record over fences intact with a professional and at times spectacular display of jumping in the Class 2 novice chase. This represented his stiffest task to date but he has obviously learned plenty from his earlier outings and is beginning to look a natural.

Black Thunder, also unbeaten over the larger obstacles, tried hard but failed to quite match the winner’s aplomb.

Recent impressive Chepstow scorer Deputy Dan continued his ascendancy with another smooth performance in the Grade 2 hurdle. Although this track was considered sharper than ideal, he galloped on strongly despite landing in a heap over the last.

Main rivals, Killala Quay (pulled up) and Rathvinden (fell three out) did make his task easier by failing to pose threats.

January 1st:

Cheltenham Racing

A wild, wet and windy start to the New Year with the novices in the two-and-a-half Class 3 hurdle returning mad-splattered. Five out of the six had chances at the last. They splashed up the hill and this is form that may not be upheld.

As it stands, Aubusson, who sprang a 33/1 shock at Chepstow, repeated the dose when beating much better fancied rivals. On soft ground with heavy patches, he kept on to hold the exposed Regal Diamond and proven stayer Racing Pulse.

The penalty in these conditions beat Ballyalton, who travelled well but failed to quicken in the conditions from the last.

It would be unreasonable not to mention the victory of Mendip Express in the Class 2 handicap chase run in appalling and barely raceable conditions. Carrying 11st 12lbs and defying a mark of 139 in his first handicap venture, he deserves plenty of credit. He is unbeaten over fences and jumps like an old hand.

With a weight turnaround in his favour, Taquin Du Seuil, who had already beaten Oscar Whisky round this track conceding 5lbs, had every chance of confirming that form in the Class 2 over 2m 5f.

The market got this right as, meeting on levels, Oscar Whisky was the more assured over his fences. Several fences were omitted but Taquin Du Seuil was clumsy on more than one occasion, whereas Oscar Whisky was straight and true throughout. A good jump at the last might have allowed Taquin Du Seuil a real shot, but, despite there being little between them at the finish, Oscar Whisky was always holding the whip hand.

Experience over fences has improved him and it is questionable whether the runner-up will ever beat him on terms similar to this again.

The three mile Class 2 handicap hurdle went to progressive Return Spring, who was second to Sunnyhill Boy here last time. This track suits him.

With an even spread here between chasers on the decline that looked well treated over timber and unexposed hurdlers, on this sort of ground it was always going to be tricky to call. Return Spring was obviously the safe option.

Whispering Gallery ran well for a long way before stamina gave out. He would be interesting off this mark returned to two-and-a-half. The Giant Bolster ran no better over hurdles than he has over fences of late. Burton Port ran a wretched race. Grand Vision faded quickly, as did Poungach.

In the Class 2 over 2m 4f, with a 4lbs advantage with Annie Power since Ascot, Zarkandar was unable to make any more impact on the mare whose winning run now stretches to nine.

Annie Power flicked over her hurdles with the minimum of effort and now presents her connections with a Cheltenham conundrum. The way she finished in these conditions suggests the trip in the World Hurdle would be no problem.

From the same stable as Hurricane Fly, the Champion Hurdle may not be the number one target, but she has the speed to mix it with the principals. The easiest route may be the mares’ hurdle; whichever is her target, she will be hard to ignore.

A crazy day ended with a second bumper win for Modus, who cleared away in the ground. This was a Listed flat race, so one assumes he was not matched against trees. By Motivator out of a Generous mare, he is laced with stamina but could not have been any more impressive.