Irish Saint Heads For Triumph Hurdle After Adonis Victory

February 25, 2013 Leave a comment

Trial races can often be overhyped but the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle has provided a fountain of clues in recent years for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Saturday’s renewal of the Kempton Park Grade Two may have helped paint a clearer picture of the four-year-old title, which takes place on the final day of this year’s meeting on Friday, March 15th.

Since the turn of the century, four winners have managed to use victory in the Adonis as a springboard to Triumph glory at Prestbury Park, with Snow Drop (2000), Penzance (2005), Soldatino (2010) and Zarkandar (2011) all etching their names in both crowns, but can Saturday’s winner Irish Saint emulate that quartet and progress to Cheltenham glory?

Sent off a 5/4 favourite for the Adonis, the Paul Nicholls trained Irish Saint appeared to have it all to do turning into the straight as Ruby Walsh became more and more active in the saddle, but the Ditcheat inmate gradually got rocking and rolling in the closing stages and eventually came upsides Vasco Du Ronceray.

Driven out after a good leap at the last flight, Walsh managed to cajole him past Nicky Henderson’s raider and he won by half-a-length which forced Bet365 to cut him to 12/1 for next month’s Triumph Hurdle, but with a strong bunch of four-year-olds set to line up at Cheltenham, he will need to produce a slicker effort than Saturday’s performance.

Outpaced in the middle of the race, Walsh had looked to be fighting a losing battle, but he showed he could well be a future stayer in the making as he was producing his finest work in the latter stages, as he reeled in Vasco Du Ronceray, who is 14/1 with Bet365 for the Triumph, and asserting late on.

A strong pace from the flag fall, the Triumph could well suit Irish Saint, but it’s debatable as to whether he possesses the required speed to be victorious in the race and there could well be a whole host of more attractive betting propositions in the current ante-post market for the 2m Grade One prize.

Irish Saint’s victory at the weekend saw Bet365 slightly trim Rolling Star’s price to 9/2 as he comfortably beat him in the Triumph Hurdle Trial on Cheltenham’s Festival Trials Day and Henderson’s premier challenger for the crown could well be one of the leading contenders for the race and along with Far West (4/1) and Our Conor (9/2) is one of a trio of horses who spearhead the market with just over two weeks to go.

Vasco Du Ronceray may have finished a close second, but Henderson may opt to send him down the Fred Winter route, whilst Alan King’s mare L’unique (33/1 for Triumph) lost her unbeaten tag and looks to face a difficult task in reversing the form.

A potential improver from the race is Courtesy Call, who was making her hurdling debut for Henderson after a decent career on the Flat for Mark Johnston and having travelled well until the second last flight was just outclassed by the front two, but he is sure to improve and at 25/1 in the latest betting with Bet365 could be scribed into a few notebooks.

Filed under Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Kempton, Latest Racing News, Opinion, Paul Nicholls, Ruby Walsh, Triumph Hurdle Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Grand National Contenders Emerge As Race Nears

February 20, 2013 Leave a comment

We have seen the build-up to the 2013 Grand National crank up a notch over the last week with the announcement of the weights coupled with one or two contenders staking their claims following trials. The handicapper has tried his best to level the field of entries for this year’s race and as usual, which has signalled the start of ‘National season’. Trainers and owners in Britain and Ireland are now finalising plans for their Aintree hopefuls with the race fast approaching.

One horse who has impressed recently is Cappa Bleu, who had his final run before Aintree at Ascot last weekend. The Evan Williams trained 11 year old ran a blinder to finish second in the Weatherbys Insurance Chase Limited Handicap over three miles and connections have now decided to send the horse straight to the National. Cappa Bleu seemed in great order as he jumped with style around Ascot before staying on well through the line to pick up a hard fought second place.

Last year, Cappa Bleu ran a great race in the Grand National to finish fourth and with that experience behind him and a fair weight to carry (10-7 – 3lbs less than 12 months ago), he has to be respected once again in 2013. The bookmakers were certainly impressed with his run at Ascot with the horse now fighting for second favouritism in some places at 12/1 behind the Willie Mullins trained Prince De Beauchene. That is high praise indeed for the horse but punters can be pretty sure he stays as he proved last year when he finished fourth and based on his current form, it would be no surprise to see him at least placed again.

Another horse who has long been touted as a potential National winner is Teaforthree but he looked well below his best recently when he faded out of contention in the Haydock National Trial. The Rebecca Curtis trained nine year old won the four mile handicap at the Cheltenham Festival last year to prove his stamina while he ran another good race at Chepstow when finishing second in the Welsh Grand National back in January. The manner in which he faded at Haydock on his last start however is a worry for punters but at the same time, he has been such a consistent horse recently that he can surely be forgiven for one bad run.

Teaforthree and Jockey AP McCoy, have built up a successful partnership over the past couple of years but the Champ is unlikely to be on board the Welsh trained horse at Aintree come April. McCoy is likely to get the leg up on Sunnyhillboy for his boss JP McManus this year instead, leaving Rebecca Curtis looking for a new partner for Teaforthree. It was Nick Scholfield who took the ride at Haydock and while he is clearly a very good jockey, he does lack the experience and class of McCoy who is of course the best in the business.

One other contender who is worthy of a mention at this stage is On His Own who made a fine return to the track at Navan to win the Boyne Hurdle ahead of his second tilt at the Grand National. The Willie Mullins trained horse fell at Bechers on the second circuit when travelling well last season and all the signs are that he is bang in form ahead of a return to Liverpool on 6th April. The horse showed plenty of class to win the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle on his first start for 10 months and as a result the bookmakers were impressed enough to cut the horse into as short as the 8/1 favourite for Aintree.

All of this comes in the wake of the news that Grand National top weight, Tidal Bay, will miss the race after picking up an injury. Even shoudler top weight, the Paul Nicholls trained runner looked well in after the handicapper had done his work but his withdrawal will now see the field shaken up ahead of the race. Plenty of horses will now be the subject of a hike in the handicap as a result of the withdrawal of Tidal Bay leaving plenty of punters left scratching their heads when trying to find the winner at this stage. There is no doubt however that the likes of Cappa Bleu and On His Own are credible contenders, they have both been treated fairly by the handicapper and both will be looking to win the race at the second attempt.

Filed under Aintree, Grand National, Tony McCoy Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Sprinter Sacre The Highlight of Trials Day As He Continues His March To the Queen Mother

January 28, 2013 Leave a comment

Seldom do superstars come along in horse racing, but in Sprinter Sacre the Sport of Kings appears to have another infallible talent that can take over Frankel’s mantle as the darling of the sport and his breathless performance in the Victor Chandler Chase was by far the highlight of a superb Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham.

For fans of the Nicky Henderson-trained hotpot there was only one anxious moment as he pecked on landing when jumping the second last, but Barry Geraghty merely pulled his head up and the 1/5 favourite propelled clear of his Grade One rivals to win by 14 lengths and cement his place as a short odds-on jolly for the 2013 Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Paddy Power have dangled a carrot for punters and are best-priced 2/5 for the seven-year-old to land the Queen Mother on the 13th March and it already appears a foregone conclusion provided Henderson can get him there on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival, with the appearance of Flemenstar the only potential fly in the ointment, but the Irish Hennessy will determine where he heads in March.

Bobs Worth’s withdrawal from the Argento Chase may have starved punters of a final chance to see the Hennessy Gold Cup winner in action before the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but there was an old stager that was shining bright, as Imperial Commander ran an absolute corker in defeat and could well now be a lively outsider for the Blue Riband event on the final day of the four-day extravaganza.

Off the racecourse for nearly two years, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ veteran showed he still oozes the class that saw him win the 2010 Gold Cup and he was slashed to a 16/1 shot for the Festival highlight and he is sure to improve for the outing.

Denis O’Regan may have nailed Imperial Commander in the shadow of the post on board the Malcolm Jefferson-trained Cape Tribulation to earn himself a 25/1 quote for the Gold Cup, but it was the runner-up on everyone’s lips following his scintillating performance and he could well be in the firing line to try and retain the coveted crown on March 15.

Nicky Henderson added to his Festival artillery as Rolling Star got the better of Irish Saint in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial and he is now a 6/1 market leader for the four-year-old crown, whilst the progressive Katenko eased to a 12-length success in the Murphy Group Chase and could be Grand National-bound in April.

On a card that could’ve graced the Festival itself, Henderson had to settle for the runner-up position in the Cleeve Hurdle as Oscar Whisky failed to reel in Reve De Sivola in a pulsating finish to the 3m event and that pair could well meet again in the World Hurdle.

Along with Imperial Commander, Twiston-Davies had another near-miss as his previously unbeaten novice hurdler The New One was just touched off by a battling At Fishers Cross and the latter could well be a major player in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, whilst Twiston-Davies will send The New One to the Neptune. You can watch all Saturday’s races again on Channel 4′s On Demand service, worth checking out for Sprinter Sacre alone!

Filed under Argento Chase, Barry Geraghty, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Trials, National Hunt Races, Nicky Henderson, Queen Mother Champion Chase Tagged with , , , , , ,

For Non Stop Emerges As The First Talking Horse of New National Hunt Season

October 31, 2012 Leave a comment

The Nick Williams trained For Non Stop was a hugely impressive winner of the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at Aintree last weekend. The seven year old appears to have improved out of all proportion from last season, during which he enjoyed victory in the Grade One Betfair Novices Chase in February, before finishing third, 13 ½ half lengths behind the highly rated Sir Des Champs, in the Grade Two Jewson Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The Old Roan Chase was the first top quality race of the new National Hunt season and was contested by a number of highly regarded chasers which included the Philip Hobbs trained Wishfull Thinking, who finished second but some 23 lengths adrift of For Non Stop and the 2011 Jewson Novice Chase winner, Noble Prince, who had made the trip from Ireland for the Paul Nolan stable. He too was left floundering finishing a distant seventh place, while Pacha Du Polder, the 4/1 joint favourite along with the For Non Stop, from the Paul Nicholls yard was pulled up before the last fence.

There was no hiding the pleasure the victory of For Non Stop gave Williams, who is likely to be seriously considering sending his runner to Cheltenham for the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November. Any longer term plans will be shelved until after his next run but it is clear that he is still progressing and has yet to finish outside of the top three in any of the five chases since falling on his Chase debut just over a year ago.

It was difficult to assess the performance of the rest other than they were well beaten by a very good chaser in the making on the day. Wishfull Thinking had attracted some support in the market but he is still far behind what was expected of him a couple of years ago leaving trainer, Philip Hobbs in a quandary as to where to run him next. There is no doubt that hopes had been high and the nine year old was expected to at least run up to the level achieved when second, seven lengths behind Champion Chaser, Finians Rainbow in the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree back in April. That clearly was not but there is no doubt that he and the winner have triggered early season speculation as to the potential of horses such as Finians Rainbow and Sir Des Champs both highly rated and who are both major candidates to win two of the big races at the Festival. Indeed , ‘Finians’ is 7/1 to successfully defend his Champion Chaser crown, while Sir Des Champs from the Willie Mullins yard in Ireland is 6/1 antepost favourite for the Gold Cup.

For Non Stop has been quoted as a 10/1 shot in the Champions Chase and is 25/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Filed under Aintree, Cheltenham Festival Trials, National Hunt Races, Nick Williams, Noel Fehily, Old Roan Chase Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Who’s Up For The National Hunt Season?

October 23, 2012 Leave a comment

With the opening meeting of the season at Cheltenham already been and gone, we can now firmly say that the new National Hunt season is well underway and we look forward to the feast of ‘jumps’ racing that is coming our way over the next few months.

Of course, Cheltenham use their first meeting of the season in October as a dress rehearsal for the bigger meetings that they will be hosting during the season, the major one being the Cheltenham Festival in March but the Open meeting in November and International meeting in December have both become increasingly popular in recent years.

However, Cheltenham is not the only course hosting big early season events and this weekend, Aintree opens its gates with the first important chase of the season, the Grade Two Old Roan Chase taking centre stage on Saturday. The two-day meeting hosts a total of 14 but the Old Roan, which was first run only in 2004. Since then, Kauto Star won in 2006 and Monet’s Garden made the race his own, winning three times between 2007 and 2010. Last year’s winner, Alberta’s Run, has won the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival twice and this year’s race will be sure to provide some early season pointers.

The following weekend will see the first Grade One Chase take place at Down Royal in Northern Ireland, the JN Wine Chase; won twice by Kauto Star in recent years whilst other well-known winners include, Beef Or Salmon (twice), The Listener and Florida Pearl. Whilst a quality field will be assembled for that race, another quality field will line up at Wetherby to contest the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase over 3m1f.

Like the JN Wine Chase, the Charlie Hall  is a genuine early season trial for the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup and has had a number of past winners who has won one or the other. Horses of the calibre of See More Business, won the Gold Cup, whilst One Man, Barton Bank, Wayward Lad, who all won the Charlie Hall twice also went on to win the King George at KemptonPark at Christmas.

The main supporting race on Saturday for the ‘Charlie Hall’ is the Grade Two John Smith Hurdle over 3m1f a race won in 2005 by the great Inglis Drever, three-time winner of the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

National Hunt meetings will also be held at Ascot the first weekend in November, with the Berkshire track hosting a Grade Three Chase and a Listed Hurdle event.

The following weekend on November 10th at Wincanton, the Grade Two Elite Hurdle over two miles shares top billing with the Rising Stars Novices Chase over 2m5f. The Elite Hurdle is a race that has yet to produce its first Champion Hurdler, but it has seen dual winner, Celestial Halo twice placed in the Champion Hurdle. It also saw Azertyuiop win in 2001 and who in 2004 went on to become the two-mile Champion Chaser at the Cheltenham Festival.

It is back to Cheltenham of course on 16th November for the hugely popular 3 day Paddy Power Open meeting, with the feature being the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup on the Saturday.

The first day feature is the Sharp Novices Hurdle over two miles which has seen the likes of Cue Card, Golan Way and Moon Over Miami in its winners enclosure in recent years. Top of the supporting cast on the opening day is the first Glenfarclas Cross Country Chases over 3m7f of the season.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup which is a Grade Three handicap over 2m4f, which carries a purse of £150,000. Although usually attracting the top handicappers, the race has been won by Imperial Commander who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was also won by Exotic Dancer, runner-up in both the Gold Cup and King George but a multiple Grade One winner in his own right. One of the early winners of the race was Gay Trip who won twice in 1969 and 1971, where in between those years he won the Grand National at Aintree. The first ever winner of the race in 1960 was Fortria, who won again in 1962. He also won the Queen Mother Two Mile Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in back to back years of 1960 and 1961 and became one of the most popular chasers in the country and as such, the form of the race will be one to keep an eye on as the 2012/2013 season unfolds.

The third day of the Open meeting at PrestburyPark opens with the Grade Two November Novices Chase and the card includes the season’s first Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle Trial over 2m5f. It also includes the Grade 3 Open Handicap Hurdle, making the meeting pretty much unmissable for NH fans.

As always at this time of year, I’m really excited by the return of Jumps Racing and I fully intend to keep the site bang up to date with just about anything there is to discuss in the world of National Hunt.

Filed under Ascot, Charlie Hall Chase, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Down Royal, JNWine Chase, Latest Racing News, National Hunt Races, Paddy Power Gold Cup, Wetherby Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Bob Lingo Wins Galway Plate for JP McManus

August 2, 2012 Leave a comment

 

JP McManus owned horses accounted for 25% of the 20 runners in the 2012 Galway Plate field but it was perhaps one of those least expected to win that came up trumps in the form of 16/1 shot, Bob Lingo, who has a reputation of being awkward and very difficult to train but there was little evidence of that at Ballybrit on Wednesday when he ran an absolute blinder to win the race by five lengths from Casey Top.

Bob Lingo had recovered from a wind problem early on in the year and by and large he has been in decent form. The 10 year old has not had a break as such, winning a decent handicap at Fairyhouse in April before running well at the Punchestown Festival. He then performed poorly in what turned out to be an unnecessary spin over hurdles at Killarney but improved upon that with a decent show in two mile hurdle at Gowran Park in June. He also ran well in his warm up run for this a 1m6f flat race where he was beaten into second place by no less than a Ballydoyle horse.

Trainer, Tom Mullins, had fancied his chances 12 months ago with his Dr Whizz and although he did not discount Bob Lingo, he perhaps thought a place might be the most achievable. However, ridden with great determination by Mark Walsh, the 10 year old was kept at it from the outset and by halfway was a major threat. Walsh kept him handy, switching him inside and out to make sure a clear run would always be available.

Moving into 4th place three fences from home, it was clear that he was moving the best and although Casey Top, who had attempted to make all with Paul Townend on board were still very much in it, Walsh and Bob Lingo appeared to have their measure. The two went clear but once over the last, Walsh pressed the final button and Bob Lingo responded moving readily into the lead and went away in great style winning like a true champion.

The favourite for the race, Blackstairmountain, ridden by Ruby Walsh had attempted to get involved late on but could not make any impression on the leaders and in the end had to hang on grimly to third place, finishing a neck in front of Cross Appeal with Nina Carberry on board.

Once again, JP McManus retained jockey, Tony McCoy, had the pick of his boss’s horses and got it wrong electing to ride Wise Old Owl, who was having his first run since finishing second in the Galway Plate 12 months ago. This year he could only manage 9th place with McCoy undoubtedly looking ahead and noticing the green and yellow hoops of Mark Walsh going across the line first with Bob Lingo; a horse of course that he could have ridden. Ironically, Wise Old Owl was ridden by Walsh last year.

Where Bob Lingo goes next remains to be seen but if he is to follow in the footsteps of the last two winners of the Galway plate, then there’s every chance he may be seen at Cheltenham’s November and December meetings and/or the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.

Blazing Tempo, winner 12 months ago headed across the Irish Sea in March for a tilt at the Ryanair Chase but could never an impression before being pulled up. The 2010 winner, Finger On The Pulse, has been over to Prestbury five times since his Galway success. He has run in both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup for the past two seasons, failing to make an impression on all four starts but he did finish a credible 7th of 22 runners in the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival this year and no doubt he’ll be back once again in the Autumn.

Filed under Galway, Latest Racing News, Opinion Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Don’t Forget About Galway Amidst The Olympics…

July 30, 2012 Leave a comment

 

The Olympic Games might well be underway but that will be nowhere near enough to stop the best part of 250,000 racing fans from both sides of the Irish Sea heading Galway Races this week for the annual seven day Summer Festival at the Ballybrit Racecourse.

The Streets of Galway after Racing…

Situated on the outskirts of GalwayCity, the Racecourse has been hosting the Summer Festival since it first began in 1869 and has seen it convert into a pilgrimage for many. They go each year to witness the best of both the Irish National Hunt and Irish Flat Racing and do so with the word “Party” very much in mind. They love the racing, of course they do, but the atmosphere engendered during the festival is every bit as important. I was lucky enough to go in 2010 and the scenes on Quay Street in the evenings after the racing was often more akin to Magaluf than those you’d expect from a crowd of racegoers!

Race after race ensues, from the first day, Monday 30th July (this year) until the final day on Sunday 5th August. Some days the racing takes place during the day while on others, evening meetings are the order. This allows for a little breathing space during the week.

Whilst the horses are doing their utmost on the course, the army of entertainers are doing the same off it. Horse racing to a backdrop of traditional music and dance is guaranteed to create the party atmosphere the festival is famed for. Laughter, cheer, song, and dance are common practices of all at the Festival, as is the optimism of punters who rarely show fear when backing their selections. Fashion these days also plays a very important role at the Festival and this year, Ladies Day is on Thursday 2nd August.

In all, there are 51 races spread over the seven days, with a feature race being held each day. However, the Festival of course first came into prominence with the emergence of the ‘Galway Plate’ one of the most famous handicap National Hunt races in Ireland. This is the feature race of the entire week and it takes place on Wednesday, August 1st (Day 3).

The ‘Plate’ was won in 2011 by Blazing Tempo, trained by Willie Mullins, and he could be in the field once again this time around. That said, Mullins has the more fancied Blackstairmountain as his main representative and could run Blazing Tempo in the Galway Hurdle the following day. There was only one entry from the UK, which is a pity as the race has been won by both Phillip Hobbs and Paul Nicholls in the recent past. This time, the UK National Hunt interest will be represented by Made In Time, trained in South Wales by Rebecca Curtis.

Top of the support bill on the racecards is the Galway Hurdle, which takes place on Ladies Day. This race is almost certain to be one of the most competitive of the week, with virtually the entire field in with chances of some description. Amongst the favourites will be the Donald McCain trained, Lexi’s Boy, who will be looking to emulate stablemate Overturn who won this great race in 2010.

It is impossible to close an article on the Galway Festival without mentioning the great Dermot Weld, his training success’s at the Summer Festival are beyond legendary they are beyond belief. Last year the County Kildare trainer his the target 17 times bettering his previous best of 11 by 6. 17 winners of course represents one third of all the entire racecard and whilst he might struggle to get too close to that this year, he is certain to finish top trainer and is the man as always, to follow.

Filed under Dermont Weld, Galway, Latest Racing News, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Hurricane Fly’s Return To Winning Ways At Punchestown Should Not Go Unnoticed

April 30, 2012 Leave a comment

Not since Comedy Of Errors in 1975 has a horse come back to regain the Champion Hurdle but Hurricane Fly is already the favourite to win the 2013 Champion Hurdle and claim the throne he won in 2011 and then lost to Rock On Ruby this year.

Hurricane Fly’s defeat was his first after notching up seven straight Grade 1 wins, although only one of those came this season after he had early season difficulties which delayed his re-appearance. It was potentially the lack of another run that stifled his effort this year, but that said he looked imperious when he did make his return to the track at Leopardstown at the end of January where he retained his Irish Champion Hurdler crown in great style.

It has to be said he looked unbeatable that day which is just one of the reasons why he went off in this year’s Champion Hurdle as the 4/6 odds on favourite. Trainer, Willie Mullins nor jockey Ruby Walsh offered any excuses, believing that he simply had a flat day.

Hurricane Fly bounced back from that Cheltenham disappointment at the Punchestown Festival last week where he landed the Rabobank Champion Hurdle for a third successive year by 2 1/2 lengths to Zaidpour.

Rock On Ruby of course gave trainer, Paul Nicholls a first ever Champion Hurdle win but he failed to build on that effort at the Grand National meeting where he could only manage third by tried over 2m 4f in the Aintree Hurdle and what his plans are for 2013 remain to be seen.

Simonsig, the stylish winner of the Grade 1 Neptune Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival has been given a quote of 10/1 to win the Champion Hurdle in 2013 following yet another exciting performance in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle but he looks destined to go chasing at some stage in the future and that could be as early as next season which means he may not be the number one challenger to Hurricane Fly.

The Donald McCain trained winner of the Supreme Novices, Cinders And Ashes is another to consider, he looked a hugely progressive sort when winning t the Festival and looks destined for a big future but the record of “Supreme” winners who have gone on to win the Champion Hurdle is atrocious and caution should be exercised as such.

The Nicky Henderson pair of Grandouet and Spirit Son, both of which missed the Festival this year through injury are also worthy of consideration but as it stands, Hurricane Fly looks the long term value in this race and providing he can defy the history books to become the first horse in over 36 years to regain a Champion Hurdle after losing it, the current quote of 6/1 after his Punchestown success looks like cracking value given his performance in Ireland last week would suggest his effort to win the race this year was nothing more than a blip.

Filed under Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Latest Racing News, Punchestown Tagged with , , , , , , ,

West End Rocker Can Land Bet365 Gold Cup

April 26, 2012 Leave a comment

It has been a case of “Cometh the rain, cometh the money” for the two proven mud lovers in this weekend’s Bet365 Gold Cup over an extended 3m5f atSandownPark. The first of those, Le Beau Bai, winner of the Welsh National earlier this season has been heavily supported in the market this week and has been cut from 12/1 into 6/1 across the board with bookmakers, whilst Becher Chase winner, West End Rocker, is reported to be unaffected by his Grand National fall and is next in the market at a best price 9/1 with Ladbrokes.

It is the Bet365 Gold Cup, known for years previously as the Whitbread Gold Cup, is the race that effectively draws the curtain on the National Hunt season. Over the years it has produced some fantastic winners, the great Arkle took the honours in 1965, his great rival, Mill House took the race in 1967 and the incredible Desert Orchid won a pulsating battle in 1988. All three carried top weight to victory.

Top weight this year is Tidal Bay, former winner of the Grade 1 Arkle Challenge Trophy over 2 miles at Cheltenham but who these days is campaigned over longer trips but he has found little success since moving to the stable of Paul Nicholls at the end of last season. He is quoted at 10/1 to win the race but would have to end a losing run over fences stretching back to November 2008 if he is to do so.

Nicholls also runs his consistent stayer, Aldertune, who has finished in second place in his last two runs, both at Sandown and has ran up a string of similar performances over the last couple of seasons but the 8 year old has only one chase win to his names and rates a 16/1 chance.

Galaxy Rock pulled up in the Scottish Grand National last week at Ayr but has been supported this week to bounce back to form for trainer, Jonjo O’Neill. He seemed to have a very hard race atAyrwhere he was pulled up before the final fence having raced prominently. Whether he has recovered sufficiently from that is a question that he alone can answer by performance but it raises questions and certainly gives reason for having plenty of doubt about backing him at 10/1.

Le Beau Bai will carry 10-12 and is one that can stay and jump forever and should be suited by the conditions and the course and looks nailed on to at least get into the frame for his trainer Richard Lee.

West End Rocker meanwhile, who looked so impressive when winning the Becher Chase at Aintree back in December, is a lightly raced horse who only got to the second fence in the Grand National. Provided that experience is behind him, he too should feature at the business end of this race and it would surprise to see him win.

Following his second place in the Midland Grand National over 4m2f at Uttoxeter last month, Major Malarkey from the stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies could easily go one better in this. He can handle any ground and if in the mood could make his presence felt off just 10-5, quite a lenient mark based on his last run.

This is a very tough race to call but preference is given to West End Rocker to return to winning ways for trainer Alan King and provide a fitting end to what has been an excellent season for the Wiltshire yard.

Filed under Alan King, Latest Racing News, Sandown, Sandown Gold Cup, Tips Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Neptune Collonges Grand National Success Marred By More Aintree Tragedy

April 17, 2012 Leave a comment

In the wake of a second successive Aintree Grand National in which two fatalities were suffered, it is quite understandable that the public outcry would be at its loudest. The tragic deaths of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Synchronised and According To Pete could now spark profound changes to the race that could even result in the removal of its most notorious fence, Bechers Brook ahead of the 2013 Grand National.

Aintree Racecourse spent £250,000 on safety improvements after receiving thousands of complaints following the deaths of Ornais and Dooney’s Gate last year. It is clear however, that the improvements have failed, particularly those made to “Bechers” as it was at this fence that Synchronised (on the first circuit) and According To Pete (on the second circuit), both fell as had Dooney’s Gate 12 months before them. In fairness to the fence, Synchronised actually got to his feet after depositing jockey, Tony McCoy and ran on until falling rider-less at the 11th where he then broke his leg.

The deaths sadly marred the outcome of the race, where grey, Neptune Collonges and jockey, Daryl Jacob, not only defied the 33/1 odds against him, he defied the trends and stats of the race proving in the process that there is no substitute for sheer class to get up by a nose to finish ahead of Sunnyhillboy. At his peak in 2009, the 11 year old was rated at 174, making him easily the best horse in the race. He had won two Grade One races inIrelandand would have won more in theUKhad it not been for the presence of his two superior stablemates, Kauto Star and Denman. In winning, he became the first grey horse since Nicholas Silver in 1961 to win the race and the first since Red Rum in 1977 to carry 11-06 or more to victory. Neptune Collonges win also meant a first ever “National” success for champion trainer, Paul Nicholls.

Whatever the outcome it was certainly not to be a day for the JP McManus the Jonjo O’Neill team, who not only lost their prized Gold Cup winner Synchronised but also had to suffer the agony of watching O’Neill’s second entry, Sunnyhillboy lose the race in the run-in. Ridden with great gusto by Richard McLernon, the nine year old was overhauled in a thrilling battle with Neptune Collonges before being beaten on the line by the shortest possible margin. It was the closest ever finish to a Grand National and one that will live very long in the memory.

As usual, thebookmakers had a superb day after sending off Seabass and Shakalakaboomboom as 8/1 joint favourites. Despite brother Ruby Walsh turning down the ride on him, a huge gamble on Katy Walsh and Seabass was witnessed beforehand with the general buzz indicating that she was about to become the first ever female to ride the winner of the race. In the event, having ridden the horse superbly throughout, where he remained prominent, he just did not have enough stamina to take on the first two on the run in. Nonetheless, his third place earned Katy the accolade of finishing the race in a higher position than any other female before her. Shakalakaboomboom, who also rode with great prominence faded at the last finishing in 9th place.

Fourth place went to the Evan Williams trained Cappa Bleu giving the trainer a fourth consecutive place finish in the race, while fifth home was 100/1 rank outsider In Compliance who was just over two lengths clear of last year’s winner, Ballabriggs. Only fifteen of the forty runners finished the race.

Filed under Aintree, Grand National, Jockey, Latest Racing News, Ruby Walsh, Tony McCoy Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

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