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He does look like the likeliest winner – not least because those with experience all have questions to answer… This weekend’s Juvenile at Chepstow is one to look forward to with Full Blast possibly making his debut with Russian Bolero in opposition.
This preview will be a little hurried I’m afraid.
Today’s race at Ludlow is a maiden which is a regular feature on this card particular card. Over the past ten years, the experienced horses lead the newcomers with eight wins to two.
Heading the experienced horses is
Aristocracy
who made his debut at Fontwell over a month ago. A dual winner on the flat, he jumped very slowly and novicey that day though he did pick up late after looking like being finishing tailed off. He finished twenty lengths behind decent sorts Gimme Five and Vosne Romanee that day and it’s not impossible that he can improve a good deal on that effort. Nevertheless, whilst the morning market support suggests his jumping may have improved, he isn’t one to have faith in until he’s proven he can jump in a race.
Guard Of Honour
competed in last week’s farcical contest at Bangor where all four runners demonstrated a negligible attitude towards jumping. Guard Of Honour was also guilty of jumping right handed on that occasion. There was a little potential shown on the flat but more will be known about his ability to be competitive in this sphere after today’s race.
Ravenous
brings with him probably the best flat form here but after travelling well enough for a while at Stratford, his effort amounted to an alarming zero. He was inconsistent on the flat though so it’s possible he might put in a rejuvenated effort in turn.
Nellie The Elegant
manage to win a poor Wolverhampton maiden on the flat and has made something of an effort on each hurdles start but ultimately looks too limited for a contest of this nature. With so many question marks hovering over the experienced horses, the newcomers will be entitled to respect.
Sternrubin
tended to race keenly on the flat for Peter Chapple-Hyam but his standard of form is good for this level. His most notable effort was finishing under ten lengths behind Group Two winner Eagle Top at Newbury where he had three subsequent winners behind him. He finished runner up on his next run at Thirsk in May, the form of which rather balances his standard and justifies his official rating of 77. Jockey Richard Johnson has already ridden two Juvenile winners this season and trainer Philip Hobbs has described him as a nice prospect. He may yet be better with some give in the ground.
Moving Waves
took a while to find her groove on the flat but but did enjoy being stepped up in trip with her form figures at one mile four furlongs and above reading 231. Her latest start saw her foil a gamble in a Class 6 Southwell handicap with the first two clear of the rest. The standard of that form is naturally poor but it shows there could be races for her. However, a sharp two miles around Ludlow seems highly unlikely to suit her. On his last starts on the flat for Richard Hannon,
Bishop Wulstan
has either won, finished within three lengths of the winner or been beaten by over nineteen lengths. Consequently, one wouldn’t really describe him as straightforward. He’s not much better than staying class on the flat but he does stay and the trainer’s first runner of the season, whilst being a bit of a headcase, did jump very nicely. One imagines he’d probably fare better without his testicles though. By a sire of precocious sprinters,
Monte Viso
‘s best efforts to date came over six furlongs as a two year old. He’s achieved very little in four starts this season and even his official rating of 51 looks a little stiff.
Premier Jack’s
shares his father with the decent stayer Bouggler – who is also his cousin. That is where the prospects of Premier Jack’s seemingly begin and end as his flat form is poor at best.
Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Sternrubin
2. Bishop Wulstan
3. RavenousAristocracy 4/3
Overturn
2nd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012
(3/1 Tyrone Bridge, 4/2 Fisher Bridge, 2/1 Hi Tech)
Monte Viso 3/1Glencove Marina
2nd Hennessy Gold Cup (G1), Leopardstown 2011
(5/4 Maid Equal 3/1 Bahi 5/3 Crowded House 5/4 Ballyagran 5/2 Perugino Diamond)
Moving Waves 3/3Intersky Falcon
1st Christmas Hurdle (G1), Kempton 2002 & 2003
Sternrubin 3/2Salden Licht
3rd Aintree Hurdle (G1), Aintree 2011
Bishop Wulstan .5Gibb River
1st Handicap Hurdle (144), Sandown 2012 (.5 Goblet Of Fire 3/2 Mon Michel 3/3 Sword Fish)
Premier Jack’s 2/1Bouggler
1st Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Aintree 2009* (4/3 Dancing Bay)
Ravenous .5Superciliary
1st Handicap Hurdle (108), Wincanton 2014
Guard Of Honour 4/3The Woodstock Lady
1st Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (98), Exeter 2001
Nellie The Elegant – No jumps relativesSires
Guard Of Honour – Galileo (10)
Premier Jack’s – Tobougg (6)
Sternrubin – Authorized (5)
Ravenous – Raven’s Pass (2)
Bishop Wulstan – Oratorio (1)
Aristocracy – Royal Applause
Monte Viso – Piccolo
Moving Waves – Intense Focus
Nellie The Elegant – Mount NelsonWell done BH- unfortunately only saw your post after the race but your second pick won at 25/1 and I backed the fav.
That’s life.
Looking forward to your preview for Chepstow saturday if you are able.Love this thread Bachelors; it really is the basement of NH racing, but fascinating in it’s own way
Best juvenile race of the season I would suggest tomorrow at Chepstow with Full Blast and Russian Bolero in opposition
Just be good to watch rather than punt although I was impressed by Russian Bolero at PlumptonKhalkevi (2) 4/5
The New One
3rd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014 (2/1 Easter Day)
In the season’s curtain raiser at Enghien Full Blast finished third on his only start to date. Whilst the winner of that race, Sir d’Alma, has not been out since, runner up, The Saint James won both of his subsequent starts at Enghien and Auteuil and would be one of the leading juveniles seen so far. Whilst there wasn’t much in behind Full Blast that day, the field did finish strung out. Full Blast has joined Paul Nicholls and will be carrying Martin Broughton’s colours.
(red, blue sleeves, yellow cap in video link)Today’s race at Chepstow would very much be the most intriguing of the season so far in terms of newcomers. Not least because of the Paul Nicholls’ charge
Full Blast
. Paul Nicholls is five from seven in the past ten renewals of this race and that record becomes four from four when one only takes into account his runners with French jumping form (2008 R de Rien Sivola, 2010 Domtaline, 2012 Far West and 2013 Keltus). Full Blast is also interesting as he’s the first Juvenile to have been placed at either Auteuil or Enghien to run in the UK this season. When elaborating on the aforementioned form, Sir d’Alma still hasn’t returned, The Saint James finished second on his chase debut fourth placed Grand Moss was beaten in a claiming chase and fifth placed Polo Rouge was last seen contesting in an amateur riders race. What’s more, although described in OJA as nice and athletic, it’s worth noting that he’s also described as a big chasing type as well as an earlier juvenile. But whilst the form decidedly isn’t phenomenal and the comments hardly scream Triumph horse, he is still entitled to the utmost respect as the form would still win the vast majority of juvenile races so far and his trainer has a fine record in this race.
Brook
is another French import albeit one in a very different mould. A veteran of two AQPS flat races, he finished second at Chateaubriant behind a future hurdle winner before taking his own race over a mile and a half at Cluny (Black and Yellow colours) where the runner up since won at Montlucon Neris. Brook won at Cluny nicely enough but the form doesn’t amount to a great deal. Furthermore, given that he’s closely related to the Grand National winner Pineau de Re, it’s most probable that he would like further to be seen to best effect.
Golden Doyen
had six runs on the flat as a two year old splitting his time between France and Germany. After being beaten in a Saint Cloud claimer, he won at Compiegne and was purchased by Philip Hobbs shortly afterwards. Philip Hobbs has already had two juvenile runners this season (Avel Vor and Sternrubin), both of whom were imported and both of whom were disappointing. It may not be significant that Philip Hobbs used "is a nice prospect" for Sternrubin and "I hope he is a nice prospect" for Golden Doyen but even if it isn’t, Golden Doyen has enough to prove on the face of it.
Karezak
is an Irish import who spend his time in Ireland running for the Aga Khan under the tutelage of John Oxx. The highlight of his Irish form was when conceding nine pounds to the winner when 1½ length runner up in the Apprentice Derby in June. The form of that race has been done no harm with the winner taking his next two races (including an eleven length win at Fairyhouse), the third being closely placed in a handicap off 83 and the fourth since taking two races. That particular form is comfortably the best piece of British or Irish flat form demonstrated by any juvenile hurdler this season. Furthermore, being by Azamour (Zarkandar, Third Intention, Dawalan) and coming from a family of hurdlers, he is bred for the job. His case is further bolstered by positive schooling reports from the stable that sent Katchit to win this race and the Triumph hurdle in the 06/07 season. However, a huge dent is put in his chances of winning this race by the fact that his five consecutive runner up spots aren’t necessarily down to bad luck. He has been beaten favourite on his two UK flat starts at Haydock (11/10) and at Kempton (4/9) and on several occasions, he has edged in the closing stages and demonstrated an unwillingness to put in a full effort. If sending him to a stiff South Wales track and putting hurdles in his way gets his mind on the game then he will have a huge chance. But as ever in these circumstances, this would be a big if. There are five more newcomers but all of these look out of their depth in this company.
Foot Soldier
makes his racecourse debut and will be Soldier Of Fortune’s first UK hurdler. The sire has made a reasonable start with his French jumpers but it would be a big ask for him to make much of an impact in this company.
Hopeigetlucky
has had four starts on the flat and after tailing off in a Lingfield maiden, put up a career best latest when sixth in a Goodwood maiden off 51. That form wouldn’t be good enough for any juvenile race so far and Hopeigetlucky would need luck of unfathomable proportions to feature here.
Maid Of Tuscany
was fair and consistent during the thirteen runs at her level on the flat for Mark Usher and in Neil Mulholland, joins a trainer who can get fillies to win juvenile hurdles. No chance here but perhaps one for the future in much lower company.
Sheer Poetry
has a similar profile to Maid Of Tuscany but with half the exposure. Again, no chance but not one to write off forever.
Symphony Of Pearls
finished a twenty-seven length last of eleven in a Kempton maiden last July. No earthly indication of a chance here.
Russian Bolero
heads the three runners with UK experience and does so by a considerable margin. Pattern class on the flat in Germany , he had tendencies to be a little green but nothing outrageous. He made a very taking jumps debut at Plumpton where he jumped fine, albeit a little big sometimes, and won as he liked in the end. The runner up that day, Witch From Rome seemed to have let the form down a little but his runner up at Huntingdon (a penalty behind Gimme Five and nineteen lengths clear of the rest) has given the form more credence. Taken laterally, Russian Bolero beat Witch From Rome by a penalty (seven lengths) and the nature of that win puts him easily ahead of Gimme Five who is around seven pounds from the best of the rest behind Unanimite. This ultimately means that Russian Bolero sets a solid standard and if he runs to his form and is beaten today, his conquerors will have to be considered for the bigger prizes.
Magic Magnolia
has proven herself to be much better over jumps than on the flat where she was atrocious. She could even have a very small race in her but she’s already exposed as limited on all evidence.
Lady Knight
‘s poor flat form has followed her over jumps and was beaten seventy-three lengths in a race much much poorer than this last time out.
Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Karezak
2. Full Blast
3. Russian BoleroFull Blast 4/5
The New One
3rd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014 (2/1 Easter Day)
Symphony Of Pearls 5/3Micko’s Dream
1st Dan Moore Handicap Chase (153), Fairyhouse 2001
Brook 2/1Pineau de Re
1st Grand National (G3,143), Aintree 2014
Foot Soldier 5/1Freetown
1st Pertemps Final (Listed,138), Cheltenham 2002 (5/1 Allegation)
Hopeigetlucky 4/1Mack The Knife
2nd Conditions Hurdle, Kempton 1996 (3/2 Edmo Yewkay)
Karezak 3/2Kalann
10th Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012
(3/1 Kasthari, 3/2 Karasenir, 4/1 Mohayer)
Maid Of Tuscany 3/1Classic Statement
3rd Reynoldstown Cup Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Wolverhampton 1990
Lady Knight 2/3Drumfire
2nd Novice Hurdle (Listed), Limerick 2010* (.5 Roja Dove)
Golden Doyen .5Goldhans
1st Premio Steeplechase d’Italia (Listed), Merano (2/2 Goldtaucher)
Russian Bolero 2/1Allow Dallow
2nd Maiden Hurdle, Uttoxeter 2013*
Sheer PoetryAllude
8th Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle (G2), Aintree 2003
Magic Magnolia No jumps relatives – American BredSires
Karezak – Azamour (4)
Magic Magnolia – Azamour (4)
Full Blast – Khalkevi (2)
Maid Of Tuscany – Manduro (2)
Golden Doyen – Doyen (2)
Hopeigetlucky – Lucky Story (1)
Symphony Of Pearls – Lucarno
Brook – Kandidate
Foot Soldier – Soldier Of Fortune
Lady Knight – Champs Elysees
Russian Bolero – Tertullian
Sheer Poetry – YeatsForgot to add that Karezak is the only runner quoted for the Triumph where he’s 33/1 across the boards (even though he’s only 3rd fav for today’s Chepstow race). I imagine that will change after the race whatever happens.
Correction
Full Blast’s debut was at Enghien – not Auteuil.
I have edited the preview accordingly.
It doesn’t really make much difference since Paul Nicholls’ Auteuil runners can be replaced by Paul Nicholls’ French hurdle runners and still stand up. Furthermore, the difference in class between Auteuil juvenile form and Enghien juvenile form at that time of year is negligible in any case.
Still, I like to be accurate and factual wherever I can so I apologise in any case.
Excellent and spot on BH.
Unfirtunately I fell for Rusiian Bolero, however the front two look very useful and Alan King stated he had won the race in the past with Franchoek and KatchitKarezak always looked like winning as he certainly has an engine. It was a very satisfactory race overall, especially given that the wheat was separated from the chaff very early on. Alan King also said that something like Newbury would be next up for him as sharp tracks wouldn’t suit him.
Sedgefield hosts a nice little contest today which contains a French hurdles winner for John Quinn, a Donald McCain ex-Aga Khan import as well as three horses rated in the seventies on the flat.
L’Aigle Royal
had four starts over hurdles in France for Guillaume Macaire. After no showing at Bordeaux on his debut, he was runner up at Nancy in May before collecting a race of his own atthe same track later that month. On his final French start, he finished a staying on fourth at Clairefontaine and was purchased by Anthony Bromley shortly afterwards. L’Aigle Royal runs with maroon silks with green sleeves and purple hat with noseband in these links. Also, here’s a full clip (lower quality video) of his Clairefontaine fourth. The form of his Nancy win is decent enough as the runner up, Le Costaud, annihilated his opposition in his next two starts and the third, Mercouer, finished second at Fontwell recently. L’Aigle Royal was giving the second and third 6 kilos (almost a stone) that day which atones well for his penalty obligation here. Furthermore, when taking the form at face value and considering Mercoeur’s official UK rating of 111 L’Aigle Royal’s mark would be in the region of 137. Obviously, these are very rudimentary calculations but even so, in defeat at Clairefontaine, he was giving three kilos to Achour who has since won at Auteuil and ran respectfully in a handicap off 63 (which is roughly in the high 130s) so even a conservative estimate would mark John Quinn’s newcomer as above average. James Reveley, who rode L’Aigle Royal on his last two starts, described him as a fantastic jumper and the evidence for same is substantiated in the clips.
Istimraar
had three runs over hurdles during the summer. On the first two occasions at Market Rasen, he shaped like a non stayer and on his third start at Cartmel, he stayed better but jumped poorly. A predictable return to the flat followed whereby he posted a career best at Catterick over a mile six when second off 73 although it’s worth bearing in mind that there was a very steady gallop early on in that race. He rather disappointed next time when fading in the latter stages and suspicions over his stamina remain for his reversion to obstacles.
Announcement
demonstrated decent enough form in three starts up to a mile on the flat but has not been seen since she jumped poorly and finished tailed off at Stratford in July. She makes her debut for Brian Ellison here and it is rather interesting that she has another crack over hurdles although it could well be that without her maiden tag, she’s difficult to place on the flat off 72. Teofilo has already sired a decent juvenile in Broughton from only two crops and
Sindarban
will be his first representative this term. Thrice runner up on the flat in Ireland for Michael Halford, Sindarban changed hands at the September DBS sale for £42,000. Making his racecourse debut in late July having left the John Oxx yard, he was slightly unlucky to finish second at Navan. At Wexford, starting at 2/5, he was a little keen early on before losing the lead close home but there was no disgrace in his latest run in a Curragh maiden where he split Adjusted (who won a handicap off 95 at the Champions meeting) and subsequent maiden winner No Wunder. That form alone demands full respect at this level plus his pedigree is as good as it gets for flat recruits to hurdling. Nevertheless, he will still need to translate all of that form to hurdles against the John Quinn servant and given his still green nature, there would be more confidence in him had he been gelded since joining his new yard.
Porthos Du Vallon
is a decent and consistent animal who has won two of his fifteen starts, twelve of which occurred in Scotland. Whilst it would be rather supercilious to point out that three of his worst runs occurred on English soil, it would only be fair to hold up his unproven stamina and his propensity to race keenly as reasons why he’s likely to struggle against the two leading contenders here.
Strategic Island
is a rare juvenile hurdler for James Walton and makes her racecourse bow in very tricky company.
Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. L’Aigle Royal
2. Sindarban
3. Porthos Du VallonSindarban 3/2
Mistinguett
2nd Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1996 (3/3 Mistanoora & Rimsky, 3/3 Simarian, 4/3 Financial Reward, 3/2 Sinndar)
Announcement 3/2Anusha
1st The Ladbroke (G1 Hcp, 10-2), Leopardstown 1995
Istimraar 4/1Wing And A Prayer
1st Tolworth Hurdle (Listed), Sandown 1985
Strategic Island 5/4Yankeedoodledandy
2nd Finesse Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2005
L’Aigle Royal 1/0Laren
1st Stall Jenny-Cup Finale Hurdle (Listed), München 2005
Porthos Du Vallon 2/1Don’t Sioux Me
1st Novices’ Hurdle, Market Rasen 2003
Sires
Porthos Du Vallon – Jeremy (8)
Sindarban – Teofilo (3)
Istimraar – Dansili (3)
Announcement – Proclamation (1)
Strategic Island – Strategic Prince
L’Aigle Royal – SholokhovSince I started compiling speed figures for the French national hunt scene, I would like to put forward a 3yo juvenile Hurdler who is achieving speed figures I didn’t believe was possible for a 3yo.
Bonito Du Berlais
3-y-o (07Mar11 b g)
Trempolino (USA) (11.8f) — Chica Du Berlais (FR) (Cadoudal (FR ) (18.0f))
Trainer A Chaille-Chaille
Owner James-Douglas Gordon
Breeder J-M Lucas12Oct14 Aut 18Hy 3yHG2 65K 1/7 (6L, Solonder10-3) 2/5F Mathieu Carroux
123
23Sep14 Aut 18VSft 3yHL 34K 1/6 (6L, Saint D’Arcole10-3) 4/5F Mathieu Carroux
122
To put the form into context, the best speed figure I had for
The New One
prior to his last two runs was a
114
03Apr14 Ain 20Gd C1HG1 112K 1/7 (hd, Rock On Ruby11-7) 4/9F
140
11Mar14 Chl 16.5GS C1HG1 238K 3/9 (2¾L, Jezki11-10) 100/30
156
26Dec13 Kem 16Sft C1HG1 56K 2/6 (½L, My Tent Or Yours11-7) 5/6F
114
14Dec13 Chl 17Gd C1HG2 74K 1/7 (6L, Zarkandar11-8) 2/5F
113
20Oct13 Kem 16GS C1HL 14K 1/4 (10L, Rock On Ruby11-8) 1/2F
104
04Apr13 Ain 20Gd C1HG1 112K 2/9 (½L, Zarkandar11-7) 11/4F
98
13Mar13 Chl 21GS C1NvHG1 68K 1/8 (4L, Rule The World11-7) 7/2
113
Mike.
Love this thread Bachelors; it really is the basement of NH racing, but fascinating in it’s own way
Thank you befair. The early season ones in particular are a very unique class since for so many of them, it will be the only time in their national hunt careers they can be competitive so it’s most endearing for that reason alone. I must say, I’m getting a pretty strong feeling about this season’s crop – more so than last season certainly – and I wouldn’t be surprised if a future champion emerges from this lot.
Since I started compiling speed figures for the French national hunt scene, I would like to put forward a 3yo juvenile Hurdler who is achieving speed figures I didn’t believe was possible for a 3yo.
Bonito Du Berlais
3-y-o (07Mar11 b g)
Trempolino (USA) (11.8f) — Chica Du Berlais (FR) (Cadoudal (FR ) (18.0f))
Trainer A Chaille-Chaille
Owner James-Douglas Gordon
Breeder J-M Lucas12Oct14 Aut 18Hy 3yHG2 65K 1/7 (6L, Solonder10-3) 2/5F Mathieu Carroux
123
23Sep14 Aut 18VSft 3yHL 34K 1/6 (6L, Saint D’Arcole10-3) 4/5F Mathieu Carroux
122
To put the form into context, the best speed figure I had for
The New One
prior to his last two runs was a
114
03Apr14 Ain 20Gd C1HG1 112K 1/7 (hd, Rock On Ruby11-7) 4/9F
140
11Mar14 Chl 16.5GS C1HG1 238K 3/9 (2¾L, Jezki11-10) 100/30
156
26Dec13 Kem 16Sft C1HG1 56K 2/6 (½L, My Tent Or Yours11-7) 5/6F
114
14Dec13 Chl 17Gd C1HG2 74K 1/7 (6L, Zarkandar11-8) 2/5F
113
20Oct13 Kem 16GS C1HL 14K 1/4 (10L, Rock On Ruby11-8) 1/2F
104
04Apr13 Ain 20Gd C1HG1 112K 2/9 (½L, Zarkandar11-7) 11/4F
98
13Mar13 Chl 21GS C1NvHG1 68K 1/8 (4L, Rule The World11-7) 7/2
113
Mike.
Fascinating stuff Mike. Thank you.
Bonito du Berlais has looked like an absolute monster from a form perspective so it’s exciting to see that he’s also impressing the watch-holders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGjVjA1UcXQ
Did you take into account the manner of his victory or could his figure have feasibly been more impressive? Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the UK juvenile hurdlers.
Well done BH spot on as usual.
Keep up the good workCheers no idea. Another day, another winner
Although there’s an Irish race on the horizon which is sure to kick another hole in my arbitrary win percentage (assuming I remember/find time to do a preview for that race).The opening handicap at Huntingdon tomorrow could prove to be quite informative when it comes to getting a better idea of the quality of this crop as well as L’Aigle Royal’s form. Mercouer (3rd to L’Aigle Royal at Nancy and second to The Wallace Line at Fontwell) is set to line up with a mark of 111 and he is due to have five last time winners in opposition. I wouldn’t really like to speculate on his performance potential since there’s been no crossover form between juveniles and older horses so far. He’s heading the market as I type which is understandable as he was the best horse in the race on his UK debut. But there’s plenty of room for improvement in his attitude and he did throw in some novicey jumps at Fontwell.
Did you take into account the manner of his victory or could his figure have feasibly been more impressive? Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the UK juvenile hurdlers.
The speed figures I compile are on the day, I do not add any extra points, if for example I believe a horse is worth another 10 lengths.
If I come across any others like this who impress on the clock, I will certainly put them up.
The top French 3yo’s:
(note that
Kada Rique
appears 3 times)
12-Oct-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Heavy
Bonito Du Berlai
s (FR) 2/5F
123
23-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Bonito Du Berlai
s (FR) 4/5F
122
17-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Kada Rique
(FR) 41/10
116
12-Oct-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Heavy
Solonder
(FR) 9/2
113
17-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Kotkikova
(FR) EvensF
113
29-Apr-14 Enghien (FR) (3yo) (2m110y) 2m½f Heavy
Kada Rique
(FR) 11/2
113
27-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Bristol De Ma
i (FR) 41/1
111
27-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Brin De Thaix
(FR) 25/1
111
23-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Saint D’Arcole
(FR) 8/1
110
23-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Champ De Bataille
(FR) 23/10
110
18-Apr-14 Enghien (FR) (3yo) (2m110y) 2m½f Very Soft
Top Notch
(FR) 6/5F
109
12-Oct-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Heavy
Ballotin
(FR) 13/2
108
23-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Parchimbault
(FR) 173/10
108
02-Jun-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) (2m1f110y) 2m1½f Very Soft
Kada Rique
(FR) 156/10
108
17-Sep-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) 2m2f Very Soft
Solonder
(FR) 7/2
107
02-Jun-14 Auteuil (FR) (3yo) (2m1f110y) 2m1½f Very Soft
Wiccalina
(FR) 22/5
106
Mike.
I’m on a new shift pattern which is killing me at the moment and I didn’t realise it was Wetherby tomorrow until I was half asleep so no preview I’m afraid. It looks between Dry Your Eyes and Final Countdown but I’ve not had a long enough look at it to warrant the race an arbitrary 1-2-3. Punchestown will be watched when it is watched.
It’s All A Game 4/3
Diakali
1st Prix Alain du Briel (G1), Auteuil 2013 (4/4 Divapour 5/3 Olney Lad)
Barbara Elizabeth 2/1Fair Along
2nd Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2006
Sirpertan 3/2Faasel
1st Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle (G1), Aintree 2005 (4/1 Shahrur 4/2 Hawadeth)
Relentless Pursuit 3/2Elusive Dream
1st Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Aintree 2008
Aramadyh 4/2General Pershing
1st Rowland Meyrick Chase (141), Wetherby 1993
Dry Your Eyes .5Bayan
3rd Coral Cup (G3,138), Cheltenham 2014
Worthy Spirit 4/1Wing And A Prayer
1st Tolworth Hurdle (Listed), Sandown 1985 (4/4 Istimraar)
Fillydelphia 3/2Mon Michel
1st Gerry Fielden (Listed, 116), Newbury 2007
Blue Talisman 1/1Duroob
4th Handicap Hurdle (112), Galway 2010
Aldreth 2/1Munif
1st Conditions Hurdle, Listowel 1997
Final Countdown 2/1Pearl’s A Singer
3rd Mares Novice Hurdle (G3), Down Royal 2006
Two B’s 1/1Bollin Judith
1st Handicap Hurdle (112), Kempton 2013
Tortoise 2/1Winged Lady
1st Selling Handicap Hurdle (75), Ludlow 2004
Sires
Blue Talisman – Alhaarth (6)
Aramadyh – Authorized (5)
Worthy Spirit – Shirocco (3)
Dry Your Eyes – Shamardal (2)
Tortoise – Multiplex (1)
It’s All A Game – Sleeping Indian
Barbara Elizabeth – Sir Percy
Sirpertan – Sir Percy
Relentless Pursuit – Kodiac
Fillydelphia – Strategic Prince
Aldreth – Champs Elysees
Final Countdown – Selkirk
Two B’s – Bollin EricExcellent race tomorrow at Kempton.
Nicholls and Pipe going head to head with horses rated on the flat in the high 90sThanks for keeping the thread alive No Idea.
I had a quieter evening so the reviews I’ve missed should be done by tomorrow… yay… That was a mind boggling performance from the Pipe horse at Kempton. Anyways, Ludlow
Today’s juvenile hurdle at Ludlow is the first claimer of the season and it is a poor one at that. It was taken last season by subsequent Grade Two winner Ballyglasheen but there doesn’t look like there’s another one lurking in the midst of this field. Nevertheless, it is still a Juvenile Hurdle and despite it being a clusterfunk of a contest what with the bevvy of unreliable animals and their besprinkled weights, it’s worth having a crack at all the same.
Two of these horses come with official ratings and the one most favoured at the weights is Tim Vaughan’s wonderfully named filly.
Nellie The Elegant
won a maiden at Wolverhampton before disappointing in two subsequent starts. The switch to hurdling has sparked something of a renaissance in that she hasn’t been disgraced in her three starts and has demonstrated that she is at least a proficient jumper. She needs a poor race in order to be competitive and and a poor race is what she has. Furthermore, the basement weight she’s set to carry and the services of Richard Johnson provide a handsome fillip to her chances of getting off the mark.
Love Tangle
is rated a pound higher at 95 despite finishing sixteen lengths behind Nellie The Elegant at Newton Abbot in August. Whilst Nellie The Elegant is honest and fairly straightforward, Love Tangle is anything but. He has been bitterly disappointing all season and the fact he carries nine pounds more than the filly compounds his severe lack of chance.
Earl’s Bridge
was another who took part in the aforementioned Newton Abbot but though he was even worse than the above on the flat, lacked fluency and finished a further eleven lengths behind Love Tangle, he still carries an extra pound here.
Appellez Baileys
was fairly atrocious on the flat and his jumping on his debut was on a par. His jumping next time at Huntingdon was better but still a mixed bag and despite finishing twenty lengths third, he had little to beat and shaped like further would suit in any case. The form of
Drifter
’s third at Yarmouth behind two subsequent winners reads well in the context of this race but it is difficult not to be perturbed by his rather hypermanic affection. It was this trait that cost him any real chance on his debut at Fontwell and if he’s similarly lit up, it’s going to be a rough shift for Michael Byrne. Having said that, he does have a certain amount of talent and was actually quite eyecatching with his swift style of jumping so if he turns up in a more deferential mood then he could very well be in the mix.
Symphony Of Pearls
was tailed off on her sole flat start last July and only made it to the second at Chepstow when unshipping Robert Dunne by jumping sharply right – an action she continued making whilst loose. The three newcomers are headed by
Mabdhool
whom was a fair and consistent sort for Marcus Tregoning. His two best runs came on the firmer side of good when finishing third in a Bath handicap of 66 and winning a four runner Chepstow maiden. After fetching 16,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July sale, he had one more run on the flat when finishing eighteen length last of five in a Kempton handicap. Despite this disappointment, his overall profile stands him in good stead here even with top weight and the lack of forecast rain helps his chances.
Taanif
showed some promise as a two year old for Kevin Prendergast but has been operating at a low level recently he will need to step up in order to be competitive here.
Craftybird
was beaten one hundred and eleven lengths in four starts as a two year old and was beaten sixty lengths on her return at Brighton earlier this month on her first start for Gary Moore.
Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Drifter
2. Nellie The Elegant
3. MabdhoolLove Tangle 2/3
My Tent Or Yours
2nd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014
Drifter 2/1Celestial Halo
1st Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2007
Symphony Of Pearls 5/3Micko’s Dream
1st Dan Moore Handicap Chase (153), Fairyhouse 2001
Appellez Baileys 5/4Midnight Legend
3rd Aintree Hurdle (G1), Aintree 1999
Craftybird 2/3Hisaabaat
2nd Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012
Taanif 2/2Emperors Guest
3rd Denny Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Leopardstown 2001
Earl’s Bridge 3/3Lazy Darren
3rd Top Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Aintree 2008
Mabdhool 4/2Tissifer
1st Novices’ Hurdle, Newton Abbot 2001
Nellie The Elegant no jumps relativesSires
Love Tangle – Azamour (4)
Drifter – Footstepsinthesand (3)
Appellez Baileys – Halling (2)
Earl’s Bridge – Avonbridge(1)
Symphony Of Pearls – Lucarno
Craftybird – Mastercraftsman
Taanif – Aqlaam
Mabdhool – Mount Nelson
Nellie The Elegant – Mount Nelson
Although there’s an Irish race on the horizon which is sure to kick another hole in my arbitrary win percentage (assuming I remember/find time to do a preview for that race).- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.