3 Mile Novice Hurdle:
This race was tricky, I backed the Phillip Hobbs trained Talkonthestreet in the morning because he brought the best form into the race having finished behind Ambion Wood and It's A Gimme. However, I thought I would head to the paddock prior to the race to have a look at the Irish contenders. The Charles Byrnes trained Our Vinnie looked very well, this obviously didn't go unnoticed on the track as he shortened in the betting to become 9/4 favourite, at the expense of Rendyl Beah who drifted like a barge. Talkonthestreet simply wasn't good enough and was already beat when he made a mistakes at 3 and 2 out. Our Vinnie travelled nicely into the race until he met the last a bit wrong, his mistake gave eventual winner According To Trev a 3 or 4 length advantage which he couldn't quite recover. If you followed the trainer in form I assume you would have backed the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained winner, he just held on from the fast finishing Our Vinnie who I can't help but feel would of beaten the winner if he hadn't made a mistake at the last. Or was According To Trev just idling in front? Of the others, Rendyl Beach made a mistake at the second last which all but scuppered his chances, I think he was just starting to struggle anyway. He's a good looking horse who should make a nice chaser in time, whatever he does over hurdles is a bonus.
 |
| Nadiya De La Vega - Blows Hot And Cold But Talented On Her Day |
I wouldn't have backed Nadiya De La Vega with anyone's money! She is a tricky mare to catch right as she's been inconsistent over the years, consequently I don't trust her. Nicky Henderson after her win said: 'She dumped AP McCoy on the deck on the way to the start and she can be a funny old thing, but she goes well fresh and has been sharp at home'. The mare was always prominent during the race, she came under pressure at the bottom of the hill and responded instantly to move upsides long time leader Easter Meteor at the 2nd last before pulling away to record a 2 length victory. Henderson stated her next engagement will be the Paddy Power in a months time. I would be staying clear of her again, I think this may have been her day and it wouldn't surprise me if her ever-present mood swings prevent her from recapturing this form. The race was slightly odd because the first 3 home: Nadiya De La Vega, Easter Meteor and Finger On The Pulse were always on the sharp end, the horses in behind came to challenge at the top of the hill but never got into the race. Easter Meteor ran a cracker for a horse having only his 4th start over fences, whilst course-specialist Finger On The Pulse ran another solid race. Of my bets, Havingotascoobydo is becoming an expensive horse to follow! He travelled nicely into the race at the bottom of the hill and was one of few who managed to get on terms with the leaders, but when they kicked again he was a spent force. By the time he blundered badly at the second last he was on the retreat and I'm starting to wonder if he's in the hands of the handicapper now. The horseracingblog`s other main ante-post selection ran a a shocker! The only form of running Mad Moose did was on the way down to the start! As the horses filtered out onto the course proper all things looked rosy until he decided to dig his heels in and refuse to race. Thanks a bunch. The Horse Racing Blog, is now known to tip quirky horses that can't be arsed to race, bollocks. I spat the dummy and decided to go and back odds-on favourite Dodging Bullets in the next race with my free on course £5 bet with Ladbrokes, purely out of frustration. It paid £4 as you don't get your stake back, but I was too annoyed to care! Kauto Relko ran another good race in 5th, he was beaten 12 lengths and that's about as good as he is unfortunately. Tartak has run some much better races recently but is still too highly handicapped to win one of these races, he was Ed Quigley's 'lonshot' selection and I was conversing with Mr Quigley on twitter in the morning saying I thought he was too highly rated, hate to say it but I think I may have been right...! Divers ran around the back and never got any closer like too of Ferdy Murphy's horses for my liking, the Paddy Power is obviously the aim next month and I would expect a much bolder show.
 |
| Dodging Bullets (Pictured Left) - He Could Be A Top 2 Mile Novice Hurdler This Year |
I thought Ranjaan would represent Nicholls here, but when the race cut up he decided to run Dodging Bullets, who although he isn't in any of my Ten To Follows this year, is a horse that I am definitely keeping an eye on. He recorded his first victory over hurdles in quite impressive style, he was very keen but jumped ok. He still looked a little fresh and was on his toes in the paddock before the race, obviously a bit hyped up. Although Ruby did have to nudge him along at various stages in the race, when he gave him some reign and urged him forward the response was immediate. I thought that showed real class and this horse obviously has a good turn of foot. The run will have undoubtedly done him the world of good and I would expect he will progress to be a leading protagonist in the 2 mile novice hurdle ranks this year. I thought Baby Mix would struggle to give Dodging Bullets 8 pounds and that was proven to be correct. I don't hold him in the same regard as Dodging Bullets and I think he may really struggle outside of novice company this year, he's been known to flash his tail and I'm not sure how genuine he is, or how much he finds off the bridle. I think Baby Mix may need a step up in trip.
 |
| Balthazar King (Near Side) - It's Simple. He Wins First Time Out |
Although Balthazar King won this race last year, it was a much weaker renewal than this year. The boost in prize money and softer ground meant that the race attracted more entries, consequently it made it bloody difficult! I had originally been interested in Qianshan Leader for the race, but felt on reflection he does not always run so well first time out and on release of the entries favoured both Galaxy Rock and Balthazar King which I had running in win doubles. On seeing both turning in together I became somewhat confused and initially started to cheer home Tony, only to realise just after the last that I stood to win more if Balthazar King won, switched allegiance and roared Dickie home up the run-in to get the better of Galaxy Rock to win the race for the second year running. He loves Cheltenham, jumps superbly and goes from the front. Get past me if you can. He also wins first time out, Cross Country will now be on the agenda and he should go well once again, before the long term target, the Grand National in the Spring. Although he will carry a lot of weight in Cross Country chases, they crawl in the those races and only start racing in the last mile, so weight shouldn't be too much of a problem. Spothedifference and Garde Champetre won regularly carrying big weights. When Galaxy Rock did move past him at the top of the hill he looked the likely winner, Galaxy Rock is a dour stayer and was obviously on his A game after a prep race round Fontwell had sharpened him up. To his credit Richard Johnson gave Balthazar King a fantastic ride, when Galaxy Rock strode on he gave his horse a bit of time to fill his lungs up before he could unleash his finishing burst to power past Galaxy Rock up the hill. Richard Johnson rode a brilliant race, it made the ride McCoy gave Galaxy Rock look a bit iffy. Having gone to the front, knowing how well his horse stays, he could have surely given him a kick in the belly to open up his lead as he turned for home, but he didn't. This gave Balthazar King the opportunity to get close up again, even worse McCoy committed the cardinal sin of letting Johnson back up his inside off the turn and in doing so surrendered the rail. Dad who really fancied Galaxy Rock, it is fair to say royally spat the dummy. He also fancies himself as a bit of a "Swinger King" (don`t tell Mum!) and usually has a swinger bet in the big handicaps, on realising he had tipped the one, two, three and hadn`t had the bet, became positively pre menstrual!! Hold On Julio ran well to finish third having done his usual, taking a few fences with him on the way round. He ran off 144 and I think he may be a few pounds to the good still, it wouldn't surprise me if he goes close in his next engagement in the Hennessy next month. Bradley and Fredo ran well without quite ever getting to the leaders, they both have a win in them at some point this year. Bradley looks like he may need further, I think the 3 mile 3 furlong handicap chase Galaxy Rock won last year at the Open Meeting would be ideal. Similar to the Betvictor.com handicap chase there were a lot of horses who never got into the race, the winner and 2nd were both at the sharp end of the race all the way. There are loads of horses who finished down the field who I wouldn't write off yet, Qianshan Leader always needs a run to sharpen him up so put a line through his run. Also Darna and Blues And Two's, who both fell early in the race, could still have improvement in them this year. Mattie Batchelor clearly wasn't ready when Carruthers got left at the start and only supported the argument that the 3 mile start needs amending The starter had a stinker.
2 Mile 5 Furlong Handicap Hurdle:
The day couldn't have started any better when Routs, a member of the Elite Racing Club syndicate, was lucky enough get an owners badge representing Mister Dillon. Dad, Chunky and I had a decision to make, do we watch Routs strut his stuff in the paddock, or do we watch Frankel? So we hurried off to the Tote inside the 'Hurdlers Hall' to watch one of the best racehorses that has ever been! Mister Dillon was first into the paddock and around 20 seconds later was the first out. He was walking with a limp, the vet had a look at him and found he had pulled a shoe off. We all backed the horse because we're a sentimental bunch, but though fancied, he was off the bridle a long way out and perhaps pulling off that shoe was an influence. To his credit AP McCoy made amends for any mistake on Galaxy Rock when he muscled eventual winner Bondage between Medinas and the rail on the home turn. Although he took the last hurdle with him, Bondage extended up the hill nicely and was driven right out to win by 3 lengths. I tipped Medinas in my pre Cheltenham blog and was pleased he ran well to finish 2nd. He was a decent horse last year without ever setting the world alight running below par at Cheltenham in April when beaten 46 lengths by Captain Sunshine. I felt he was better than that effort and put a line through the run, he obviously improved for his handicap debut. He is a diddly little thing, running off level weights in novice hurdles against physically more mature horses last year probably wasn't ideal. Alan King`s horses are red hot at the moment, he had two runners at Cheltenham over the two days, Hold On Julio was 3rd and Medinas 2nd. Quieros Bleu and favourite Rolling Aces travelled strongly into the race but couldn't quite go with the leaders once they kicked for home. Captain Sunshine was going as well as any coming down the hill, he was given every chance of winning the race, unfortunately, he wasn't quite good enough to go with the leaders, I think he ran creditably on his handicap debut and I wouldn't give up on him yet. Now This Is It made a bad mistake 2 out, he was on the leaders coat-tails when he pecked badly on landing which shuffled him back. He couldn't recover but ran ok. Big Easy from the Philip Hobbs stable stayed on past the horses mentioned above to run into 5th place. Awkward leaps at 3 and 2 out all but scuppered his chances as they occurred when the leaders kicked for home. The gelding was always playing catch-up after that, he looked to get done for toe as well so a step up in trip may be needed. He could be the one to take out of the race.
2 Mile Novice Chase:
This wasn't the best of races, Third Intention was the best horse in the race but I don't think there was much strength in depth. The winner, His Excellency trained by David Pipe, won going away from Third Intention having seen out the 2 mile trip better than his rival. I wouldn't say he is top class, he won't be beating the best 2 mile novice chasers around this year, but he isn't the worst and I would fancy him to have a handicap win in him this year as a novice. Third Intention jumped well, possibly a little too well, he didn't touch a twig and gave them plenty of air. He was also a bit keen, this probably cost him on the run-in as he emptied after the last. There are also doubts about how much this horse likes being in front. Routs was quick to point out that he did the same at Haydock as a juvenile when he was beaten by Houblon Des Obeaux. Whether he has a problem finishing his races, or he needs some company throughout his races, I think some blinkers or cheek pieces might assist. Jump City from the Paul Nicholls stable was out-paced all the way and jumped cautiously, he looks to need further than 2 miles. Peckhamecho simply wasn't good enough to give weight to his rivals, he made plenty of jumping errors and I thought he was out-classed.
Bumper:
Southfield Theatre was backed off the boards into 13/8 favourite from 3/1 in the morning. Someone knew something! Although I didn't actually see the race because we had to leave early to get back for a party for 9pm. I've seen the replays and I thought he was quite impressive, it wasn't the worst bumper in the world, there were plenty of previous winners in the race. He stayed on better than the second Monkey Kingdom, it took him a while to get going but when he did he surged clear up the run-in. It looks like he will need further in time. He is a very interesting recruit to the Ditcheat team, Caroline Keevil has obviously done a good job. I think his career will be over the larger obstacles so anything he does this year is bonus. He may go novice hurdling later this season, but I would stick to bumpers for the time being while he matures, he has decent form in the book having won this race and finishing 5th behind Neptune Hurdle ante-post favourite The New One. I wouldn't expect fireworks from him this year, but he's one for the notebook and he may come to prominence next season or even the one after that. Creepy from the Martin Keighley stable ran on well for 4th, it was relatively eye-catching as he was completely done for pace coming down the hill. He should make a nice staying novice hurdler in the future.
 |
| Southfield Theatre Gets The Thumbs Up From His Trainer! |
 |
| Frankel = Phelps |
- Get Me Out Of Here justified my faith in him when he won at Kempton on Sunday, I hope he goes novice chasing this year. For my thoughts why please refer to http://thehorseracingblog1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/a-novice-chase-insightcontinued.html
- Mr Mole was impressive on his debut in JP McManus colours at Exeter on Tuesday, he looks a chaser in the making.
- Waaheb made a nice return from his lay-off at Fairyhouse on Tuesday, although his jumping was a bit hit and miss, the run will have done him the world of good. When Mark Walsh asked him to extend the response was immediate, he drew clear to win by a very easy 7 lengths. He's always been held in high regard by Dermot Weld and he could enhance that reputation this year.
- Sizing Rio was seriously impressive at Fairyhouse too, the ground was soft but he quickened really nicely. He's a compact little horse who looks like a ball of muscle, I'm expecting big things from him. Although the times of Waaheb and this horse were relatively slow, that wouldn't worry too much considering how soft the ground was and their manner of victories.
 |
| Waaheb (Pictured Left) - Looks To Be Something Special |
