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Yep, fantastic record Willie Mullins – won the Triumph Hurdle with Scolardy in 2002, and again – oh wait, that’s his only winner of the Triumph. Still there’s always the Grade 1 at Aintree – nope, never won that one at all.
Yep, fantastic record Willie Mullins – won the Triumph Hurdle with Scolardy in 2002, and again – oh wait, that’s his only winner of the Triumph. Still there’s always the Grade 1 at Aintree – nope, never won that one at all.
To be fair, Willie Mullins is second only to Paul Nicholls when it comes to producing above average Juveniles season after season and whilst much of it is down to sheer numbers and the bulk of them are sweeping up normal events, some of them go onto being legitimate top class performers with Diakali, Djakadam and Gitane Du Berlais all graduating from the ranks in the past five seasons.
The Irish 3YO Hurdling season kicks off at Roscommon this evening and unlike the UK programme which has been largely undersubscribed so far, today’s race has something of a glut of runners. There is plenty of apparent deadwood in this sixteen runner field but there are a few interesting prospects towards the head of the market.
After sharing turf with Gleneagles on his racecourse debut and winning a Killarney maiden on his third attempt, King Christophe was tried at listed company where whilst not completely disgraced, he didn’t cut a great deal of ice either. His return from a winter break saw a return to the winners enclosure after he comfortably took a three runner soft ground Limerick handicap over almost a mile and a half in April. The runner up won his sole subsequent start in a handicap after being dropped two pounds but the third has regressed. He was comfortably outclassed next time in a rated stakes behind a Weld and O’Brien pair but returned to his best when fifth in the Ulster Derby surrounded by subsequent winners and placed sorts. Six days later though, he ran a little flat in a ten furlong Curragh handicap and whilst the distance between races doesn’t really explain the poor run (had won his maiden after a break of just nine days), the trip was probably too short on ground too fast. His form is the best in the race and whilst he’s not 100% convincing with his head carriage, the booking of Davy Russell is a huge plus. Lagostovegas showed promise on the second of her three maidens last season when nine lengths behind dual group one winner Found. Her reappearance came in June when contesting an apprentice handicap at Limerick off 55 where she stayed on well to finish a clear third. She improved again next time at Tipperary when second to an easy McManus winner before finally getting off the mark on soft ground in a Killarney handicap off 59. There was a taking, straightforward manner in which this big imposing filly ground out her win that day and both the runner up and third have been placed since off higher marks and the trainer has been looking forward to sending her over hurdles. Meadow Cross showed nothing on her sole start for Tim Easterby last season and it was the same story on her debut for this yard this season. There was promise in her thirteen length sixth behind Diamondsandrubies in a Tipperary maiden but whilst she didn’t immediately build on that promise in when well beaten in a Killarney handicap. However, she did produce a career best last week at Galway in first time blinkers when third of eighteen off 63. Cornelius had three starts at provincial tracks for Christophe Ferland, the best effort coming when runner up in a La Teste De Buch claimer, after which he was claimed for €18,000. The winner that day plies his trade in claimers and handicaps in a La Teste De Buch claimer after he was claimed for €18,000. The winner that day still plies his trade in claimers and handicaps at similar tracks off a mark of roughly 65 and the placed horses in behind do more or less the same thing. Since moving to Ireland, he’s done next to nothing in two handicaps for current connections, albeit connections who have to be respected in this sphere over distances that would be too short on paper. Chief Count only made his debut in June when he was a keeping on sixth in a ten furlong Down Royal maiden, finishing a length and a half behind subsequent claimer winner and hurdling prospect Tapering. He ran to a similar level on his latest start over a mile and six at Killarney when he finished two lengths behind subsequent wide-margin Ballinrobe maiden winner. He will be the first runner over hurdles in ten years for owner/trainer Reginald Roberts. Gordon Elliott has three declared and although he regularly enjoys substantial success in this realm, his record in this particular race with similar animals shows at best, a sixth from four attempts in the past five years. Lunar Logic is the mount of Paul Carberry and he had four runs for Andrew Balding, three in maidens and one in a handicap. He has finished no nearer than eleven lengths behind the winner although this was on his latest start which was off a mark of 55 in a Windsor handicap. He was sold for 2,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July sale and another who went the same Balding to Elliott route, albeit for half the price, was Nordic Beat who’s been beaten ninety-five lengths in just the two starts. Bootsandcats is an unraced animal and completes the Elliott trio. He’s the first runner for his sire, Approve, over hurdles but none of his progeny has yet to win beyond a mile on flat. There are traces of stamina in the pedigree as his third dam is a half sister to champion stayer Toulon. This influence is rather diluted by the appearance Cadeaux Genereux on the dam side although the dam herself is a half sister to Aqualung (Desert King) who won a fast ground two mile Fairyhouse novice. Bernhard, formerly with Sir Michael Stoute, was too green to do himself justice on his sole start last year and was no better on his reappearance at Nottingham. He hinted at promise when shaping like a stayer in a Chelmsford maiden although he finished seven lengths behind any subsequent winner and he was beaten a long way when last in a 0-70 classified stakes at Salisbury. He changed hands for 5,500 guineas at the Tattersalls July sale and has joined a yard that has gone nineteen months without a hurdles winner. Both of Methodology‘s starts occurred in claimers last month for Ger Lyons. The first over seven furlongs at Fairyhouse where he was a handful beforehand, and the second at Navan over ten where he was a well beaten last. His dam did win over hurdles though, the current yard won this race two years ago with Seeyouallincoppers and Ger Lyons himself won the race in 2005. Nialls Rory hinted at promise in four Dundalk maidens at around a mile but has since been beaten fifty-eight lengths in three handicap spins including one over just short of a mile four. Almost identical comments apply to Carvella although she did at least finish ahead of Nialls Rory at Limerick. Sunny Purchase Beat only three of forty-two rivals home in three maidens last season so his fourteen length fourth of fifteen in a lowly Bellewstown handicap from out of the handicap is a career best by default. Rashaan‘s sole start came when twelfth of fourteen in a seven furlong Dundalk maiden for Mick Halford back in January but he is bred to get a trip and there are good jumpers in his pedigree. He was sold to his current yard at the Goffs February sale for €8,500. Armistice Day was beaten forty-two lengths on his sole start for David Brown in a Doncaster maiden last season and after going for £1,500 at the January DBS sale, was a detached last of eight on his reappearance at the Curragh last month. Hulgary Baby‘s trainer won this race four years ago with Burrenbridge Lodge. However that horse showed ample talent beforehand whilst this one has started no shorter than 50/1 nor finished closer than twenty-two lengths behind the winner in two maidens each side of the winter.
Arbitrary 1-2-3*
1. Lagostovegas
2. King Christophe
3. CorneliusLagostovegas 4/1 Istabraq 1st Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1998,1999,2000 (.5 West Montan, 4/2 Lord Prevail)
Rashaan 3/2 Tiger Groom 2nd Grand Prix d’Automne (G1), Auteuil 2002 (3/2 Rifawan 3/4 Notus de La Tour 2/1 Rayshan)
Armistice Day 4/1 Decent Fellow 3rd Christmas Hurdle (G1), Kempton 1979 (3/2 Moorish, 2/2 Monte Solaro, 2/3 Princess Leya)
King Christophe 3/3 Organisateur 2nd Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (154), Kempton 2011 (3/3 Wanaba, 3/1 Poliglote)
Bernhard 4/3 Dusk Duel 3rd First National Gold Cup (G2, 149), Ascot 2001 (5/3 Tango de L’Orme, 3/1 Alam)
Sunny Purchase 2/2 Crow Wood 3rd International Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2006 (5/3 Camino Crystal 5/2 Sarejay Day 5/3 Tonights The Night)
Bootsandcats 5/3 Graphic Equaliser 8th Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1998 (5/3 Montana Slim, Back On Top, 3/1 Marine Life)
Carvella 3/2 Canada 1st Handicap Hurdle (125), Market Rasen 2003
Methodology 5/3 Siberian Tiger 2nd Listed Hurdle, Sandown 2010 (1/0 Desert Nights)
Cornelius 3/1 Diatara 1st Conditions Hurdle, Enghien 2000 (5/3 Dreux, 6/3 Overblest)
Lunar Logic 2/2 Sophies Trophy 1st Novices’ Hurdle, Fontwell 2010 (3/1 Mystery Guest, 4/3 Halla San)
Chief Count 2/1 Don’t Sioux Me 1st Novices’ Hurdle, Market Rasen 2003 (3/3 The Mick Weston)
Hulgary Baby 2/2 Dancing Lyra 3rd Handicap Hurdle (114, Listed), Aintree 2007
Nialls Rory .5 Todd’s Forge 2nd 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, Tramore 2010
Meadow Cross 1/0 Hovering 1st Novice Hurdle, Galway 2007
Nordic Beat .5 Florida Beat 7th Novices’ Hurdle, Stratford 2014Sires
Meadow Cross – Cape Cross (10) 37%
Armistice Day – Azamour (7) 46%
Lunar Logic – Motivator (4) 48%
Lagostovegas – Footstepsinthesand (3) 35%
Rashaan – Manduro (2) 36%
Bernhard – Bernardini (2) 33%
Nordic Beat – Norse Dancer (1) 36%
King Christophe – Duke Of Marmalade (1) 13%
Chief Count – Duke Of Marmalade (1) 13%
Cornelius – Country Reel 75%
Hulgary Baby – Haatef 20%
Carvella – Amadeus Wolf 15%
Sunny Purchase – Lord Shanakill 0% no jumps runners
Bootsandcats – Approve 0% no jumps runners
Methodology – Silver Frost 0% no jumps runners
Nialls Rory – Le Cadre Noir 0% no jumps runnersJuvenile Hurdling returns to the UK and makes its second appearance at Newton Abbot this season. Only one horse lining up has UK hurdles experience and it’s not exactly a bunch of Cheltenham prospects who will be testing him. Nevertheless, a few races have already been taken by these opponents so it provides a fair opportunity to see how the debut promise of the favourite stands up.
Leoncavallo was a winner on the flat in the Godolphin blue but his quirks saw a drop in his official flat rating prior to his switching codes. These elements of greenness weren’t completely ironed out on his debut at Stratford but there was plenty to like about the performance which given the market support before the off, wasn’t unexpected. Apart from a few very minor errors, his jumping was superb and the strength of his opposition along with the manner he dispatched of them was most encouraging. It can not be stressed that the level of opposition was only strong comparative to pretty much everything else seen so far and it would be a disappointing crop if this one is still in the mix come December. But all the same, Leoncavallo does set the current standard for this season. La Voix is a French import making her UK debut here and her racing career began at that most auspicious stable belonging to Guillaume Macaire. Having jumped twenty-six hurdles in public, she is the most experienced hurdler in the field and as is to be expected, she is a decent jumper overall. Starting favourite on her debut at Vichy (yellow, black star – noseband), she was ultimately disappointing after pulling too hard before being badly outpaced at the end and finishing tailed off. She was beaten by almost twenty lengths by the winner, Apple’s Jade who has since been sold to race in Ireland. However, the other horses from the top five to have raced since have established themselves as claiming class. In fairness, the horse who finished ten lengths ahead of La Voix in seventh has since won a maiden at Auteuil although it wasn’t the strongest for the venue. La Voix was then dropped to claiming company at Dax on her second start and on paper, it looks bad with her finishing a tailed off last of six finishers. The race itself made for more interesting viewing though as she did actually hold every chance at the penultimate flight where she was terribly hampered and gave the jockey no chance of navigating over the last where the race would have most comfortably been hers. The horse who did win that day was well beaten in a Castera Verduzan claimer although the runner up, who was conceding almost a stone, did run out an easy winner at Vittel. Perhaps the most solid way of evaluating that form would be to look at the horse who almost brought her down, Lagonda Red, and he had finished comfortably beaten by Rue Palatine on his only completed start who herself was beaten almost thirty-four lengths in a standard Auteuil event. So overall, the form, whilst having some substance behind it, is not massively strong and after the race, La Voix was claimed for €12,000.
Whistler Mountain is a former stablemate of Leoncavallo although whilst the latter is now perhaps the leading Juvenile of the season, the former was sold at Ascot’s July sale for £2,500. A rather speedier bred descendant of Miesque, Whistler Mountain made his debut in May when running green and finishing down the field at Lingfield over seven furlongs. He was a little closer but still nearer last than first at Nottingham before running his career best at Wolverhampton where he was beaten four lengths finishing between a 68 rated handicap winner and a Leicester seller victor. He ran no sort of race on his last start for Godolphin and although his price tag of £2,500 may be underestimating him slightly, he doesn’t have the profile of a serious Juvenile Hurdler. Idle Talker did not show much on five starts as a two year old but rather surprisingly for a Dandy Man, he has been suited by steps up in distance and has finished in the first four in his last six starts collecting two wins in the process. He had a couple of excuses relating to keenness when failing to win as favourite in poor handicaps at Brighton and Lingfield but with cheekpieces applied, he picked up a ten furlong Lingfield seller by wearing down the 46 rated leader (all to have come out of the race have since fared poorly in poor races). He then finished eight lengths second in a one mile six Wolverhampton handicap off 55 (between two subsequent winners) before being stepped down two furlongs and collecting off the same mark in a Chepstow apprentice handicap last week. He’s clearly in the best form of his career and is capable of winning but the standard of said form isn’t a high one and the cheekpieces are left off here. Secrets Safe is the lowest rated in the field and had shown next to nothing in his three starts as a two-year-old for David Brown last year. However, after a winter break, a gelding operation and a heavy plunge in the betting, he ran out a most facile winner in a mile handicap at Southwell in February. Unable to follow up when second at Lingfield a week later, he’s since put in three lacklustre starts including the last twice for his new trainer Shark Hanlon who paid £15,000 for the horse. Richard Johnson is an interesting booking for a yard that won a Ffos Las juvenile a few seasons ago with the formless Cool Newport.
Arbitrary 1-2-3*
1. Secrets Safe
2. Leoncavallo
3. La VoixSecrets Safe 4/3 Karly Flight 1st Prix Renaud du Vivier (G1), Auteuil 2002 (4/3 Sunday Flight, King Flight 4/3 Kharasar)
La Voix 4/3 Mr Thriller 1st Silver Trophy (Listed, 144), Chepstow 2009 (4/3 Gaspara, 3/1 Oh Calin)
Leoncavallo 6/5 Fait Le Jojo 1st Handicap Hurdle (132), Ascot 2002
Idle Talker 4/4 Charlies First 1st Handicap Hurdle (Grade C, 116), Punchestown 2007
Whistler Mountain 6/4 Telramund 1st Prix Wild Monarch Hurdle (Listed), Auteuil 2007Sires
Leoncavallo – Cape Cross (10) 37%
La Voix – Voix du Nord (2) 69%
Idle Talker – Dandy Man (1) 100% (one horse)
Whistler Mountain – Oasis Dream (1) 29%
Secrets Safe – Arcano 0% (no runners)This will be a brief preview as I’m absolutely shattered from work. I’m off tomorrow though so provided there’s enough time after the gym and tidying my pigsty, I’ll do a bit of housekeeping on this thread.
The presumably 120+ timeform rated leading Juvenile (and current favourite for the Triumph!) makes a swift return to action tomorrow where he takes on the likeable Egmont, the pretty Fortuna Glas and Nicky Henderson’s first juvenile of the season Champagne Ransom.
Leoncavallo made a strong impression when making a winning hurdles debut over this course and distance last month and followed up in impeccable style eight days ago at Newton Abbot. The form of neither race has been subsequently tested and to be honest, he beat very little of note last time. Nevertheless, his jumping was immaculate and he couldn’t have done it easier. Plus, the standard of opposition is no stronger here than it was on his jumps debut. There are ponderables relating to the ground, which likely will be faster than anything he’s previously encountered, his ability to shoulder a double penalty and the short space of time since his last run. Egmont won the opening Juvenile at Hexham back in early June by sheer virtue of his relative staying ability and the indolence of his rivals. Nevertheless, he confirmed that he possesses some ability when runner up to previous winner Doubly Clever last time at Uttoxeter. A decent jumper, George Moore’s colt has made a pleasing transition to hurdles and is entitled to run his race again although he most probably lacks the pace to put Leoncavallo in any real danger. Auld Fyffee ran no real race on her debut at Uttoxeter but as her jumping improved on her two subsequent starts, so too did her competitiveness running into third on both occasions. She’s not a fast horse and while she won on the flat, that was at the lowest level and she’s likely to want for class here. Fortuna Glass did not achieve a massive deal on his three starts as a two-year-old in Scottish maidens but there was still enough promise to make him second favourite in the morning before his debut at Hexham (in the race won by Egmont). However, he drifted alarmingly before the off and his run was utterly devoid of aptitude in the race itself finishing a tailed off last. It mustn’t go unsaid that he is a pretty looking horse but visitors to Stratford will be deprived of witnessing such beauty as connections will be putting a hood over his bonny face in the hope that it straightens him up. All the same, it would still take a career best effort for him to get off the mark here. Whistler Mountain also comes from Leoncavallo’s Newton Abbot race of last week. However, he was pulled up after jumping poorly which wasn’t surprising since he didn’t really carry an appropriate profile from the flat for the sphere.
Champagne Ransom is a ten race maiden on the flat for Mark Johnson after ten starts and although she’s finished in the first three on four occasions, the standard isn’t hot. She would have won a handicap at Chelmsford but for veering around and losing it in the last stride although even that was off a mark of 50. Furthermore, she was very soundly beaten by Leoncavallo at Wolverhampton back in April and ran absolutely no kind of race in first time blinkers last time in a twelve furlong handicap at Lingfield. Nevertheless, she is by Mastercraftsman who made a very nice start to his side-career as a hurdles sire last season with four individual Juvenile winners and he’s already added to that tally this season with Dominada. Furthermore, she is the first Juvenile of the season for Nicky Henderson and is entitled to respect on that basis alone although the yard is largely in hibernation mode at the moment. Layerthorpe is the other hurdling debutant and whilst he was largely consistent on the flat for David Brown, his handicap rating fell through the first third of the year winding up at a moderate 53. Sold for £8,500 in May, he joins a yard that hasn’t had a runner in the past fortnight although he by the same sire as this season’s dual winner Retro Valley.
Arbitrary 1-2-3*
1. Leoncavallo
2. Egmont
3. Champagne RansomLayerthorpe 2/1 I’m Supposin 4th Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1997
Leoncavallo 6/5 Fait Le Jojo 1st Handicap Hurdle (132), Ascot 2002
Champagne Ransom 4/3 Trouble At Bay 1st Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2004 (4/1 Roi de Saron)
Auld Fyffee 1/2 Aland Islands 1st Novices’ Hurdle, Doncaster 2012 (1/2 Champagne James, Rory O’Moore)
Egmont 2/1 Orzare 3rd Holloway’s Hurdle (G2, 130), Ascot 2012 (4/1 Feux d’Artifice)
Fortuna Glas 4/1 Fruit Defendu 1st 3YO Maiden Hurdle, Fairyhouse 2000
Whistler Mountain 6/4 Telramund 1st Prix Wild Monarch Hurdle (Listed), Auteuil 2007Sires
Leoncavallo – Cape Cross (10) 36%
Champagne Ransom – Mastercraftsman (5) 39%
Egmont – Notnowcato (4) 33%
Fortuna Glas – Verglas (2) 18%
Whistler Mountain – Oasis Dream (1) 28%
Layerthorpe – Vale Of York 100% (one horse)
Auld Fyffee – Haatef 17%
Once again spot on BH-sadly been busy myself so missed your post and the race.
Keep up the good workMany thanks droffats. I think a lot of us are busier in these times – Indeed, I missed the Irish race at the beginning of the week which is irksome but hopefully, I will catch up before it gets too far away.
With the clash of Gleneagles and Golden Horn falling through, the most eagerly anticipated race of the week opens the card at Newton Abbot. An absolute beauty of a race despite the small field, it features three of the four undefeated Juveniles this season. Whilst Leoncavallo has been impressive thus far, the winner of this contest would be the clear challenger for the mantle and it really could be any of the three.
Retro Valley already had seventeen starts on the flat before switching codes but was a tough and consistent sort. He found further improvement during May and June and put in the best flat performances of any in this field. Both of his wins came at Market Rasen, the first coming in another four runner affair where he was entitled to win and did so comfortably enough despite some iffy jumps. He returned to the same track a fortnight later and was much more fluent as well as being very pleasing in his resolve when fending off the runner up. He did jump to the left at most of the flights although the left handed Newton Abbot might theoretically negate that quirk and he was a clean jumper in any case. He isn’t proven on softer ground and he has been abandoned by Noel Fehily but he does get most of his penalties removed by the very capable Jamie Bargary. Interestingly, he is also entered in a Handicap Hurdle on Sunday at Worcester and has been allocated a mark of 122. Mountainside only raced as a two-year-old on the flat, finishing placed on two of his three starts in Yarmouth and Wolverhampton maidens. He won his sole hurdles race sixty-four days ago, also at Market Rasen and did so with a bit of authority despite looking rather spirited at times and leaving a fair amount of room for improvement in the jumping department. The form of this race does have some substance with the runner up winning and the fourth finishing runner up – albeit both on the flat. Mountainside was due to face Retro Valley on the latter’s hurdles debut but was withdrawn after doing himself a bit of a mischief in the paddock. There is also a question over whether he can battle as despite winning at Market Rasen, he did have a loose horse to chase. Still, John Ferguson’s horses have been flying and there may well be market clues as his rivals have each faced his stablemates. Doubly Clever achieved the least of these on the flat, the zenith of his career in that discipline coming when a six length second of four in a 0-65 classified stakes at Bath. He was schooled over hurdles for a while however and he did make a winning debut over today’s course and distance at the beginning of last month. It took him a while to settle on that occasion, his keenness did cost him style marks over the hurdles and he wandered a bit between the last two but he won the race so easily that it did not matter a jot. He followed this up with another success at Uttoxeter where although still green, he jumped better than on his debut and ultimately won with ease. That form probably holds the most substance in this field as the runner up and the third filled the places behind Leoncavallo at Stratford a couple of days ago. Whilst he wouldn’t want it too soft, he can go through the expected ground perfectly well and the retention of Noel Fehily is an obvious plus. La Voix ran twice over hurdles in France under the tutelage of the peerless Guilaume Macaire but she failed to justify favouritism on either start and did nothing to suggest she can compete with these on her debut over course and distance ten days ago.
Arbitrary 1-2-3*
1. Doubly Clever
2. Mountainside
3. Retro ValleyMountainside 3/1 Vaporetto 1st Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil Hurdle (G1), Auteuil 1999 (2/1 Corum, 4/1 Video Tape, 2/2 Llanes)
Doubly Clever 4/1 Copeland 2nd Kingwell Hurdle (G2), Wincanton 2002 (5/3 The French Furze)
La Voix 4/3 Mr Thriller 1st Silver Trophy (Listed, 144), Chepstow 2009 (4/3 Gaspara, 3/1 Oh Calin)
Retro Valley no jumps relativesSires
Mountainside – Dubawi (5) 53%
Doubly Clever – Iffraaj (3) 27%
La Voix – Voix du Nord (2) 67%
Retro Valley – Vale Of York 50%Unfortunately like you BH I am too busy at the minute but just read your post and as usual spot on. Keep up the good work
Cheers guys :) Always satisfying to solve a puzzle even if there’s no monetary reward. Let’s hope for more of the same tomorrow.
Cartmel’s sole three-year-old race of the season takes place at the Cumbrian delight tomorrow and it is a race with a warm history. The much missed Countrywide Flame is the most prominent of those on the race’s honour roll but there are other interesting winners. These including Slimi who went on to take a Prelude Chase and three winners of Wensleydale Hurdlers, Callisto Moon (2007), Aviation (2005) and Burnt Imp (1993) – the last named also finishing runner up in that year’s Finale Hurdle behind the brilliant Mysilv. Given the nature of the course, there have also been a few lesser lights including Maidstone Mixture (2008) who used the race as a prep for “hopefully staying out of the bloody way” in the St Leger and Triumph Hurdle, and the rather forgettable pair of Memorable (1994) and Prelude To Fame (1996). This year’s renewal is likely to go one way rather than the other, with two low grade flat winners who were runner up on debut taking on flat maidens.
Our Kylie won a ten furlong nursery off 63 last term but has been largely disappointing on the flat this year. However, she is a daughter of Jeremy and had been earmarked for a hurding career since last year so it wasn’t a huge surprise that she bounced back to form on her hurdling debut. At the beginning of the month, she went to Market Rasen and put in a very clean round of jumping whilst chasing home previous winner Retro Valley and in the process, becoming one of the few Juveniles to finish ahead of a Bloomfields horse. The form has been let down a bit by the winner disappointing at Newton Abbot but all the same, she jumped and raced in the manner of a horse capable of winning races and she sets a fair standard here. Secrets Safe was hopeless as a two-year-old but sprang to life in a maiden handicap at Southwell when landing a plunge in no uncertain terms. He then reverted to being a disappointment before changing hands for £15,000 and joining Shark Hanlon. He made his debut at Newton Abbot just under three weeks ago where he was no match whatsoever for Leoncavallo under Richard Johnson and the champion jockey elect rides again here. His jumping wasn’t particularly good but it wasn’t horrific either and the standard of this race wouldn’t be especially daunting. With respect to the trainer, there’s always the chance that Secrets Safe could find unexpected improvement although the yard did send out a beaten favourite here on Saturday and he could well just be a travelling companion for the yard’s fancied runner in the later Handicap Chase. Boldbob made his debut in the same race contested by Our Kylie after an uninspiring flat career. He made the running before finishing thirty lengths fifth but there was encouragement in his jumping and he’s possibly capable of better but there’s a lot of ground for him to make up on runner up that day.
Azyaan was rather late to the course only making her debut in May. That was in a mile and a half fillies’ maiden at Beverley where she finished three lengths third. The form is reasonable for the course with two 80 rated handicappers ahead of her and a handicap winner off 69 not far behind. She could have been flattered by that run however as she hasn’t been anywhere near that standard in three subsequent starts beating only a couple home in two similar maidens before being completely tailed off on her handicap bow at Pontefract. She is by Mastercraftsman though and Kevin Ryan did win with the only other animal he sent to Cartmel in the past five years. Seraffimo has not shown a great deal in ten starts on the flat although he was only beaten half a length in an Ayr handicap off 45 in May on good to firm ground. That was a clear peak in his career though and he’s twice been easily beaten off a similar mark on easier ground. Sarafina is even more experienced with twelve starts on the flat and has been placed twice in selling company – incidentally, both occasions were over ten furlongs at Lingfield behind horses who’ve gone on to show nothing in Juvenile Hurdles. Whilst she is rarely demolished in races, her mark of 44 reflects her ability and she makes her debut for her third yard here. Bond Starprincess has not achieved a great deal in five starts on the flat with her best effort coming last time out when beaten just over nine lengths in a two mile Beverley handicap off 45. That was an improvement on all her prior efforts so it can be assumed that the trip suited her. Furthermore, her trainer, George Moore, has won this race three times in the past with Aviation (2005), Turf Trivia (2010) and Ste-Jen (1992).
Arbitrary 1-2-3*
1. Our Kylie
2. Secrets Safe
3. Bond StarprincessSecrets Safe 4/3 Karly Flight 1st Prix Renaud du Vivier (G1), Auteuil 2002 (4/3 Sunday Flight, King Flight 4/3 Kharasar)
Azyaan 5/3 Grey Salute 1st Tote Gold Trophy (Listed, 63), Newbury 1989
Seraffimo 5/2 Novello Allegro 2nd Irish Champion Hurdle (Listed), Leopardstown 1993
Our Kylie 6/2 Jurado Express 5th Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase (G1), Punchestown 2003 139 (5/3 Premier Portrait, Shesaportrait)
Bond Starprincess – Monsieur Bond (1) 2/1 Pagan Starprincess 129 1st Mares’ Hurdle (G2), Doncaster 2009
Boldbob .5 Khelino PU 4YO Maiden Hurdle, Cork 2012
Sarafina no jumps relativesSires (Juveniles in 500 list) Overall % jumps winners – jumps runners
Our Kylie – Jeremy (10) 41%
Azyaan – Mastercraftsman (5) 33%
Boldbob – Verglas (2) 18%
Seraffimo – Monsieur Bond (1) 16%
Bond Starprincess – Monsieur Bond (1) 16%
Secrets Safe – Arcano 0% (only one jumps runner)
Sarafina – Mullionmileanhour 0% (no jumps runners)OK… I hope I’ll be up to date with all the UK reviews at some point tomorrow but in the meantime, there’s the small matter of a race at Worcester.
The first Juvenile of September is also the first Juvenile Maiden. It’s also a rare Juvenile Hurdle for Worcester and in keeping with the rare theme, the course normally associated with waterlogging and concrete hard ground will actually stage the season’s first serious looking Juvenile Hurdler. Taking on this serious looking animal will be a trio from a Stratford race from last month along with a couple for fair winners from the flat.
Nicky Henderson’s huge filly Champagne Ransom was the best finisher of the Stratford three finishing a twenty-one length fourth behind Leoncavallo. She wasn’t any great shakes on the flat for Mark Johnson and she appears to have ran to a similar level over hurdles but she knew enough about the game to suggest she’s capable of improvement and at least carries some hope for the future. Layerthorpe was a further twenty-two lengths behind in sixth which was probably fair as his form was steadily deteriorating on the flat. His jumping was big, slow and cautions and was badly outpaced before leaving the back straight. Whistler Mountain was yet further twenty-seven lengths behind after pulling hard and jumping all but one of the flights poorly. That he completed is the only way it can be said that he improved on his jumps debut at Newton Abbot. Chic Name hasn’t been seen since the middle of June at Market Rasen but had ran thrice over hurdles in France beforehand. The form of those French runs wasn’t really inspiring and his debut effort at the Lincolnshire track offered no encouragement. There wasn’t any confidence in the market beforehand and though his jumping style suggested he may be somewhat better over fences in the future, he didn’t do enough to hint at any immediate success.
Hadfield is another to have joined the formidable John Ferguson ranks and as impressive as many of his charges have been, this son of Sea The Stars is the most exciting recruit from the flat so far this season. He had two runs in the Godolphin blue in France for Andre Fabre, the first in a May Maiden for unraced colts and geldings at Chantilly. The ground was very soft that day and he was beaten by two and a quarter lengths but he should have finished a lot closer as he was stuck behind a wall of horses just as the race reached its climax. The form has stood up reasonably well as the runner up, Pretorio, was since second in a Le Lion D Angers listed race and fourth in a Group Two at Deauville earning an equivalent official rating of 91 (he was given an RPR of 102 for the latter performance). The sixth, Harlem has won a listed race at Vichy and indeed, all of those in the first six have either won or been placed at a large track. Later that month, he was runner up in a Saint Cloud Maiden over a mile and a half on good ground. Here, he finished three quarters of a length behind Fort Moville who’s got an equivalent rating of 93 after his sixth in a Chantilly Group Three and a couple of placings in Deauville conditions races. Four and a half lengths behind were a 76 and 77 rated pair and in all, these pieces of form are head and shoulders above anything seen from the flat this season. What’s more, he seems to carry the right build and attitude to make an impact over hurdles, especially at this level. Dylan’s Storm represents the same connections of dual Juvenile winner Retro Valley and like him, Dylan’s Storm has been busy having had nine races so far this year. He was able to win one of those, a handicap off 62 over seven furlongs at Brighton, and he’s also been within three lengths of the winner on another four occasions. There would be a concern over his stamina though as most runs were at a mile or under and ten furlongs at Brighton really seemed to stretch him. Furthermore, he was beaten miles last time at Bath over just under a mile and a half so unless they go a complete crawl here, it’s difficult to see him getting home although rather amusingly, he is distantly related to one of this season’s top Juveniles Leoncavallo. Big McIntosh has been even busier for John Ryan and this will be his fourteenth visit to a racecourse this year alone. He also has stamina concerns although they are not as pronounced as the previous horse and his win at Kempton over a mile off 58 demonstrated that he is capable of fighting when needed. He was last seen a week ago so this big horse won’t lack for fitness. Ourlittle Senorita is a rare runner for trainer Imogen Pickard (who in fairness, had a winner at Newton Abbot just over a week ago) and an even rarer representative for sire Fantastic Spain who apparently won a Grade Three on the turf in America. She made her sole start in a mile and a half Maiden at Ffos Las towards the end of June where she was sent off at 100/1 and finished a forty-eight length last of seven.
Arbitrary 1-2-3*
Hadfield
Champagne Ransom
Big McIntoshLayerthorpe 2/1 I’m Supposin 4th Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1997
Ourlittle Senorita 5/5 Bellator 3rd King George VI Chase (G1), Kempton 2000 (6/5 The Beruki)
Chic Name 3/1 Vie De Reine 3rd Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (G1), Auteuil 2002 (3/2 Vino Griego 4/1 Deep Care)
Dylan’s Storm 4/3 Fait Le Jojo 1st Handicap Hurdle (132), Ascot 2002 (5/6 Leoncavallo)
Champagne Ransom 4/3 Trouble At Bay 1st Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2004 (4/1 Roi de Saron)
Big McIntosh 4/3 Valain 3rd Guinness Handicap Hurdle (Grade C, 132), Listowel 2009 (2/1 Vivaldi, 3/1 Phone In)
Hadfield 4/3 Green Ideal 1st Juvenile Hurdle, Newbury 2001
Whistler Mountain 6/4 Telramund 1st Prix Wild Monarch Hurdle (Listed), Auteuil 2007Sires
Champagne Ransom – Mastercraftsman (5)
Hadfield – Sea The Stars (3)
Chic Name – Nickname (2)
Big McIntosh – Bushranger (1)
Whistler Mountain – Oasis Dream (1)
Layerthorpe – Vale Of York
Ourlittle Senorita – Fantastic Spain
Dylan’s Storm – ZebedeeExcellent post as usual BH
Cooper looks like could be a useful recruit tomorrow at SedgefieldThanks droffats
I thought so too and he’s certainly one of the stronger types to make the transition so far but I can’t get past his tendency to hang right until I’m satisfied it’s been rectified. This is just my opinion though and if we all fancied the same girl, the human race wouldn’t last very long or something…
Sedgefield’s card opens with a nice little Juvenile Hurdle which features two winners and an interesting newcomer from the flat. The ground looks like being on the firm side of good and a couple have been known to lead.
Retro Valley has already won twice this season, both wins coming at Market Rasen, but he tasted defeat last time at Newton Abbot. There, he made an uncharacteristic mistake three out and his race was over in a matter of strides but he had looked better beforehand and his latter Market Rasen win has since produced a winner in Boldbob. That was his sixteenth start of 2015 so he may well have been feeling the effects of a long season although it was also on ground he hadn’t shown appreciation for and he certainly didn’t seem suited to setting the pace. It will be firmer ground at Sedgefield and with him likely to be given a lead, he has a sound opportunity to atone under a talented seven pound claimer. Egmont is a likeable and consistent sort who’s already proven himself a much better hurdler than flat performer. He shown his toughness when winning at Hexham and he maintained his form behind leading Juveniles Doubly Clever at Uttoxeter and Leoncavallo at Stratford. Indeed, he has the beating of Retro Valley on a very strict line through Doubly Clever. Nevertheless, he does seem very one paced and one dimensional and whilst the contours of Sedgefield will suit, the going and distance might see him at a disadvantage against a couple here. Fortuna Glas was virtually pulled up on his debut behind Egmont at Hexham although he did close the gap to about twenty-five lengths next time in a first time hood. He hinted at promise on the flat but he’s yet to demonstrate that he can jump sufficiently.
Cooper has been another busy bee this year and will be lining up for the twelve time this year at Sedgefield. He has not had a bad 2015 picking up plenty of prize money and he posted a career best effort last time out, breaking his duck at Ripon off 74 in a mile handicap. What’s more interesting is that afterwards, the trainer said that he had been schooling very well and was being targeted at the decent Juvenile Hurdle at Market Rasen toward the end of the month. However, Cooper has a very prominent Achilles heels in that he hangs right and has done so every time he’s gone left handed. Cutting his balls off hadn’t worked and neither had applying cheekpieces and whilst this wouldn’t be an issue at Market Rasen, it’s clearly going to be an issue at Sedgefield if the problem manifests itself again. Well I Never is unraced and represents Ray Craggs’ local breeder-trainer-haulage operation. Whilst it’s a lot to ask for a newcomer to acquit himself well against winners, Mr Craggs did have a runner up at the course last week and the horse is related to fine ‘turn of the century’ chaser Robbo so he has a fair chance of beating the rank outsider. Hey Bob has had seven starts on the flat and has yet to finish within sixteen lengths of the winner despite competing at the lowest level. He is related to the horse who won the opening Juvenile Hurdle in Ireland though and Dr Cox did amuse me in Scrubs.
Arbitrary 1-2-3*
1. Retro Valley
2. Egmont
3. CooperHey Bob 4/2 Tiger Groom 180? 2nd Grand Prix d’Automne (G1), Auteuil 2002 (4/2 Rifawan, 4/4 Notus de La Tour, 4/3 Rashaan)
Well I Never 3/1 Robbo 2nd Tripleprint Gold Cup (G3, 139), Cheltenham 2000
Cooper 3/1 Tomahawk 1st Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (122), Kempton 1993 (3/1 Bandelero, 5/5 Lord Jim)
Egmont 2/1 Orzare 3rd Holloway’s Hurdle (G2, 130), Ascot 2012 (4/1 Feux d’Artifice)
Fortuna Glas 4/1 Fruit Defendu 1st 3YO Maiden Hurdle, Fairyhouse 2000
Retro Valley no jumps relativesSires
Egmont – Notnowcato (4) 33%
Fortuna Glas – Verglas (2) 20%
Retro Valley – Vale Of York 50% (him and one other horse)
Hey Bob – Big Bad Bob 33%
Cooper – Sir Percy 32%
Well I Never – Josr Algarhoud 21%Uttoxeter – 26th July – 1m7f168y – Soft
Another four runner affair although it did feature two winners – both of whom had beaten the dubious Mojawiz last time. The ground was out and out soft for the first time this season and the gallop was subdued.
Doubly Clever was only fair on the flat but he comfortably made it two from two over hurdles here. Racing somewhat keenly whilst tracking the runner up throughout most of the race, his jumping was also compromised occasionally but it was still an improvement on his debut effort. He was a bit fractious down at the start and just like at Newton Abbot, he wandered around quite a bit when asked to go clear so he has some growing up to do mentally. Nevertheless, he won nicely in the end and whilst a double penalty will obviously make things more difficult, he’s up to winning one of the Class 3 juveniles provided the opposition isn’t too strong. Egmont stepped up a fair amount on his flat form when winning at Hexham in remarkable conditions and he appears to have maintained that standard of form. He jumped better than the winner with his only real mistakes coming under pressure in the straight. He is a likeable sort but he isn’t especially talented and it’s easier to see him win a handicap or a seller than it is another one of these under a penalty. Auld Fyffee jumped a little to the right at the first and was a bit slow, albeit better, at the second before jumping perfectly fine for the rest of the race. After a poor first run over hurdles at Uttoxeter, she improved on her latest start and more or less matched that form at the weights with the winner which suggests she’s likely to be a consistent sort. She won a claimer as a two-year-old and a race at that kind of level may be within her reach. Naval Action was only fair at best on the flat for Mark Prescott and had disappointed on both subsequent starts. His hurdling debut didn’t offer much hope for the future as he was slow and deliberate in many of his jumps. After being outpaced, he fought his way back into contention leaving the back but was soon left behind again and ultimately finished well beaten.
Market Rasen – 2nd August – 2m148y – Good (8.4)
Market Rasen’s third Juvenile of the season was roughly a carbon copy of the one a fortnight earlier with a few newcomers thrown in for good measure. In the end, the finish was fought out by two game animals and the field crossed the line more or less as expected so the form should hold up. A decent enough gallop was set but the time was slower than the novice and the Class 5 handicap ran later in the card.
Retro Valley was improving on the flat and followed up his success from a fortnight ago under a penalty with a game performance making it five wins overall for 2015. He jumped marginally to the left at most of his jumps but he was still clean and tidy in doing so apart from at the fourth where he was a little wild and stumbled a bit on landing. Nevertheless, he found his feet swiftly and the overall standard of jumping was a step up from his debut effort. As with his flat wins, he demonstrated toughness here again as he pulled out a bit more when the runner up closed on him on the run in. He will probably have to go for a Class 3/2 contest now to lessen the burden of his double penalty and there will almost certainly be stronger types emerging before the graded contests start but he’ got a very likeable attitude and there’s further improvement to come. Our Kylie was the first Jeremy offspring to run this season and as befitting of her sire, the switch to hurdles turned around what was becoming a disappointing 2015. She left her back legs in at the penultimate flight and steadied a little into the last. However, neither of these errors were too detrimental and she put in a very safe round overall whilst demonstrating sufficient promise that she can be even more polished. She had to be switched after the last but this didn’t affect the result as she had a furlong to make up the ground and was close enough if good enough. Nevertheless, she did battle on all the way to the line and with hurdling looking like her métier, she looks sure to win races. Arabian Oasis demonstrated promise in the Godolphin blue but he also looked a bit iffy to put it nicely which is probably why this son of Love Divine is facing hurdles so early in his career. He jumped to the right a couple of times went through the fourth but like the other Bloomfields inmates, had clearly been well schooled. A little keen early, he was soon put back on the bridle and was travelling strongly along the back straight. However, as they turned in and he was asked a question, his concentration went to pieces and along with never looking like giving a substantial effort, he barely even noticed the last hurdle and was rather fortuitous to have remained upright afterwards. This cost him any chance he may have feasibly held and he finished third largely because he was there in the first place. Like a couple others of his stablemates, he clearly has the talent to win one of these but he would have to lose that squiggle first and foremost. Robben was six lengths behind the winner on their first encounter at the track but that margin doubled here despite him being better off at the weights. His jumping was roughly on a par with his debut display putting in a couple of nice leaps along the way along with a couple of awkward ones. It was probably the stronger pace what did for him as his leaps were tired in the straight and on the balance of his profile and his breeding, he probably doesn’t have the stamina to see out a truly run hurdles race. Boldbob had over thirty pounds to find with the protagonists on the best of his flat efforts this year and he set a decent gallop by himself so his thirty length defeat at the end was inevitable. Nevertheless, it wasn’t a run bereft of promise as he was still holding the lead until right before the home straight, his hurdling was nice and tidy even when beaten and he wasn’t given a hard time once headed. He’s not good enough to win anything remotely average but there was enough to suggest there might be a small race in him somewhere. Toboggan’s Gift was very keen early, got scrubbed along passing the stands first time and jumped right on occasion. She made headway along the back and was still just about in touch on the turn but she lost her place quickly and shown only a modicum of promise. Londonia had the most hurdling experience here but it didn’t translate to improvement as he was hesitant at the first, lost ground at halfway and tired in the straight where tailed off. It is difficult to envisage any success over hurdles for the Paco Boy gelding. Wagstaff was untidy at the first two flights but otherwise jumped well whilst chasing the leader. However, he was already losing ground before the fifth and ultimately finished tailed off. La Vien Zen clattered into the first, refused to settle, was getting detached with a circuit to go, was slow at the fourth, scrambled over the fifth and pulled up soon afterwards which was all in keeping of her perceived prospects beforehand.
Newton Abbot – 12th August – 2m167y – Good To Soft (Soft in places) (6.2)
Just the five lined up here and the favourite (the only one with UK hurdles experience) was miles ahead in the betting but there were a couple of winners from the flat to take him on. They were slow and bunched to begin with but they went a fair steady gallop once La Voix had been sent into the lead after the second.
Leoncavallo was most convincing on his Stratford debut and was a completely different class to these. He was still slightly green and had to be steadied in the early stages but he settled down once given a lead after the second. He wandered a little approaching the third, just brushed the top of the fourth and was untidy at the sixth but otherwise, it was a fine round of jumping – particularly at the final two obstacles. After travelling into the lead at the fifth, he effortlessly strode away on the turn from the back straight and won how he liked. Clearly he beat very little here but for now, it’s a case of not knowing how good he is until he’s beaten. Secrets Safe was the lowest rated on the flat but had landed a gamble in February and Richard Johnson was an interesting booking for this Irish Raider. Slightly untidy at the first, he jumped the second fine despite an impeded view. The third he jumped big, the fourth he stood off from a way out and at the fifth, he was big, slow and out to the left. His only really horrible jump was at the sixth where he landed on all fours but he was the last of the field to keep up with the winner before being swiftly outpaced and running down two out. Secrets Safe was very hit and miss on the flat at a very low level and that may well translate over hurdles but there remains a possibility of collecting a small prize. La Voix began her career with Guillaume Macaire and had every chance of winning a claimer in her native France but was blatantly one of the yard’s lesser lights. She was slightly big over the second and third and made a tired leap two out but unsurprisingly, she was probably the best jumper in the race overall. What she has in relative jumping prowess, she lacks in class and though she won the battle for tailed off third, she’d probably have to wait for handicaps and claimers before she can be competitive. Idle Talker was twice a winner on the flat at a low level and belying his sprinting sire, looked suited by a trip. However, his jumping was atrocious as he stumbled at the first, almost lost James Davies at the second, slowed into the fourth and fifth and made a mess at the sixth after which he completely lost touch. He had apparently schooled well but was returned to the flat afterwards where he won a mile four handicap at Brighton and will be staying in that discipline for the time being. Whistler Mountain, a former stablemate of the winner, did not have the obvious profile of a Juvenile hurdler and was not a natural over his hurdles as he was cautious over most jumps and was getting detached at an early stage before tailing off.
Stratford – 20th August – 2m70y – Good (Good to firm in places)(7.5)
It was a quick reappearance for Leoncavallo after his bloodless victory at Newton Abbot a week earlier. He went off long odds on favourite again although it was under a double penalty against much more experienced opposition and a Nicky Henderson newcomer. They went an even gallop throughout.
Leoncavallo taught us little about him at Newton Abbot other than the fact he is classy for the time of year and knows how to jump. It was much the same here although there was a bit more substance. Whereas at Newton Abbot, he was still a little green and made a slight error, he settled immediately here and didn’t put a single foot wrong – even when short of room at the sixth. The double penalty meant that he still had company turning for home but he needed only to be shaken up to put space between himself and the field and he finished back on the bit. It will be interesting to see if he can hold still his own when the really good juveniles come out. Auld Fyffee was already making her fourth start hurdles and after improving on every effort, put in her career best here. Putting her experience to use, she jumped very well here and was keeping hold of the winner turning in. She was swiftly dispatched though and the gulf in class told also in the twenty-one pounds between the two but she’s capable of picking up a small race. Egmont, also making his third start over hurdles, put in a professional round of jumping save for the last where he made a hash of it. He simply wasn’t good enough for the winner but it was another solid run on a par with his previous two excursions and he should continue to pay his way at this level over hurdles. Champagne Ransom was a maiden after ten starts on the flat for Mark Johnson though she probably would have won a small handicap but for swerving the finish. A big filly, she’s joined a monster stable with Nicky Henderson and though she made a few minor errors, she clearly knew her game. Unfortunately, she wasn’t making waves on the flat and her lack of talent seems to have transferred to the jumps. Nevertheless, there’s enough about her to suggest she can at least run into a place in a lesser mares’ race. Fortuna Glas was hopeless on his debut at Hexham and as well as being keen early, didn’t jump a single flight without error. Still, he managed to finish ahead of a couple and was within thirty-five lengths of the winner so by that metric, he stepped up. Layerthorpe hadn’t exactly been wiped out on the flat but his handicap mark was on a steady decline and the switch to hurdles didn’t arrest that deterioration. He jumped very big and cautiously over most of the hurdles and while he was still just about in touch with the leading pack, he was quickly outpaced and finished a long way behind. Whistler Mountain demonstrated no promise on his debut and after pulling hard and jumping all but one of his hurdles poorly, he finished tailed off.
Newton Abbot – 22nd August – 2m167y – Good to Soft (5.9)
This was a fascinating contest with three undefeated juveniles going head to head and a pecking order was firmly established in the process. The pace was very slow in the early stages and though the outsider was dropped with a circuit to go, the race didn’t begin to take shape until three out. Nevertheless, they still finished almost four seconds faster than the later Novices’ Handicap which is a rare occurrence for juveniles even accounting for the rain and the standard of the all age race.
Doubly Clever was carrying a double penalty without any allowance but he still finished ahead and joins Leoncavallo on the top perch. His head carriage wasn’t particularly orthodox but he was settled nicely all the same and jumped well throughout before stalking the runner up in the straight. He made his move between the final two despite still being a bit green, it was over in a matter of strides and he lost no momentum at the last despite more or less stepping over it. Trainer Michael Blake indicated afterwards that he would be put away until the spring and aimed at something like the Fred Winter. On the evidence seen so far, it wouldn’t be a wild reach for him to at least get into the race. Mountainside was the highest rated of the leading trio on the flat although his attitude wasn’t absolutely convincing on his winning debut at Market Rasen. Like the winner, he jumped and travelled perfectly well up to the straight but despite the cheekpieces and his making the better jump at the penultimate flight, his head did bob to the side and once headed, he never looked like putting up a fight. He was most probably second best on the day in any case and he’s clearly talented enough to make light work of a single penalty but there will be that niggling concern over his resolution until he dispels said uncertainty. In a contest of this nature, someone’s bubble was going to be burst but even so, Retro Valley was disappointing. Like the front two, his jumping and travelling was fine until he got to three out but there, he made an error, was headed and his race was over in a matter of strides. Whilst not a top notcher, he’s still a bit better than this and it’s plausible that neither the easier ground, nor having to set his own pace, would have suited him. La Voix jumped well as she had done on her debut but was getting outpaced with a circuit to go and had minimal involvement in the race. She was in contention for a poor claimer before being carried out so there’s still a grade for her but it would be a couple of levels below this one.
Stratford – 27th August – 2m2f148y – Good (Good to soft in places)(6.8)
Auld Fyffee was the sole juvenile representative in this mares’ handicap hurdle and indeed, the first Juvenile to run in a handicap this term. She carried ten stone off a mark of 94. Going off as 7/2 favourite. It took her a short while to get settled and she was clearly the smallest animal in the field by some way but to her credit she did jump well. In the end, it all happened too quickly for her and she finished a twenty-six length fifth. Her handicap mark has also been reassessed meaning she will carry an extra three pounds so she might find it a bit easier back among her age group.
Cartmel – 31st August – 2m1f46y – Good
Cartmel really is a law unto itself and as such, the form wouldn’t be guaranteed to transfer elsewhere. Not that the form is likely to be massively strong in any case. Nevertheless, they did go a decent gallop and there were no real hard luck stories.
Boldbob shown next to nothing on the flat and was beaten by thirty lengths on his debut at Market Rasen. However, he did jump well on his debut and remained in contention for long enough given he was making the running so there was a level of promise. That promise was fulfilled with a professional performance from the front. Boldbob is only a small animal but he isn’t short on courage and even though his jumping wasn’t as polished as it was on his debut, it was decent enough and the enterprising ride on the contours of this course were ideal for him. He’s no world beater and if this race was ran at a Chepstow then he would have been beaten by a good ten lengths. But he has his attributes and this probably won’t be his last success. Secrets Safe was inconsistent on the flat but is forging a solid profile for himself over hurdles, filling the runners up spot for the second time. As with his debut at Newton Abbot, his jumping wasn’t a polished exhibition although he was rather gangly and inelegant over a few of them which suggests he’d be much better suited by a galloping track. He is limited though and this wouldn’t be far behind what he’s capable of but it’s enough to be competitive at a low level. Our Kylie is the one who underperformed against her debut effort and is clearly capable of much better than this. That she was being stoked along after just three flights is indicative of her mood on the day. Whether it was down to her not liking the course (she does perform on less sharp tracks) or if she was just having an off day (she had several on the flat) remains to be seen but she can’t be readily discounted just yet. Sarafina didn’t bring strong form from the flat and was well beaten in the end but she at least jumped nicely and made some headway on the second lap. She’s unlikely to be competitive in open Juveniles but she might be capable in a low grade later on down the line. Azyaan had the highest flat rating on account of her debut effort at Beverley but she never confirmed that ability and it was a lacklustre effort here. She was clumsy at a couple and an error three out killed any enthusiasm for the gig. She’s the product of a speedy and precocious damline so she’d be better off at the paddocks on this evidence. Seraffimo was a runner up on the flat once in a Class 6 but even that level looks unattainable over hurdles as he didn’t jump with any efficiency and was being scrubbed along after the second.
Worcester – 2nd September – 2m – Good To Soft (Soft in places)
Worcester’s rare Juvenile Hurdle was a maiden which brought two winners from the flat and several who’d been well beaten already over hurdles. The form wouldn’t be overly strong but they finished in a feasible order and after going a fair gallop, they finished three seconds quicker than in the all age maiden and Class 4 handicap later on the card.
Hadfield was head and shoulders above the field and flat form but he didn’t win as comfortably as some had anticipated. Like most John Ferguson horses, his jumping was spot on but he was getting wake up calls from Aidan Coleman from as early as the third although he was never losing ground in the rear. This wasn’t brand new as he’d been rousted along in the early stages of his latest start at Saint Cloud. On the sweeping bend between the fourth and third last flights, he cruised from second last to second place with minimum fuss, covering a fair amount of gorund in the process. Once he was in a challenging position, it looked like a bit of a fight but in truth, he was never going to be beaten and when he got rid of his challenger, he looked as though he had plenty left in him at the end. So despite being niggled along, taking a while to lose his challenger and edging on the flat, this was a likeable performance. For much of the race, he wasn’t going forward as one would have expected but this was almost certainly down to greenness and laziness more than anything else and as he matures, he could end up being a useful tool. Chic Name had been very disappointing on his debut at Market Rasen but after a long break and perhaps being buoyed by the fixed brush hurdles, he made a much better impression here. With the cheekpieces back on, he jumped well in the main from the front and kept attacking his clearly superior foe before keeping on after the last. He was the clear second best on the day and the way the field was stung out behind suggests that a poor race should be within his compass. Particularly if he encounters this type of hurdle again. Champagne Ransom wasn’t much cop on the flat and only hinted at promise on her debut but that promise was fulfilled in a sense with a clean round of jumping, finishing a solid third. She’d not going to be a world beater and this would more or less be as good as she’s likely to be but she acquitted herself honourably here and a small race is attainable. Dylan’s Storm was a further ten lengths back in fourth and despite jumping well and bringing a respectable flat rating in the context of this race, he didn’t appear to see out the trip which was a suspicion beforehand. He’s got the class to figure at this level but this son of Zebedee yet to prove he has the stamina. Layerthorpe was, for all intents and purposes, anonymous throughout the race. Never really in contention, never really getting detached and never making any noticible errors. Insofar as jumping and finishing position were concerned, this was an improvement on his debut but little to suggest he’s be anything more than unremarkable on the racecourse. Big McIntosh had the capacity to play a minor role in this race but he pulled early and lacked fluency before emptying out turning for home. He’s now got a lot to prove if returning over hurdles. Whistler Mountain‘s first two runs over hurdles were devoid of encouragement and though he was still at the vanguard at the end of the back straight, he dropped out very tamely after paddling through four out and was tailed off in the end. Ourlittle Senorita was tailed off on her sole start on the flat and after pulling hard, making errors and getting tired, she was pulled up at the end of the back.
Great column BH, I have always enjoyed watching juvenile hurdles but think some of the in depth quality has diminished with the all weather taking over. You have probably done this before but if you get time can you explain the numbers and reference to other horses that you make in your previews? Keep up the good work.
Doubly Clever has been given a hurdle handicap mark of 135, so he’ll certainly get into the Fred Winter if that’s the route they take. But if he proves capable of winning that, or any other handicap hurdle this season, off that mark, I’ll promise here and now to contribute a thousand pounds to the IJF.
I reckon 135 is at least a stone more than is justified by his form, and probaby more like a stone and a half too high. Mountainside being rated 129 is just as stupid and suggests the handicapper responsible for the juvenile hurdle division has totally lost the plot.
I reckon 135 is at least a stone more than is justified by his form, and probaby more like a stone and a half too high. Mountainside being rated 129 is just as stupid and suggests the handicapper responsible for the juvenile hurdle division has totally lost the plot.
I couldn’t agree with you more, using my RPR to OR conversion table, Doubly Clever’s top RPR of 119 equates to an OR of 110.
RPR CONV:
https://web.cloud.virginmedia.com/?shareObject=0458bd3e-eec7-4945-ba4b-5cb52fa20ee3The above table was produced using SPSS from approx 33,600 races.
Mike.
Great column BH, I have always enjoyed watching juvenile hurdles but think some of the in depth quality has diminished with the all weather taking over. You have probably done this before but if you get time can you explain the numbers and reference to other horses that you make in your previews? Keep up the good work.
Thank you goodfellow.
Indeed, there was a thread a few months ago (started by AP if memory serves) about a pre AW card at Warwick where there was a Juvenile Hurdle with over twenty runners. Something unthinkable these days. Naturally, the depth won’t be there but I wonder if someone older than I could tell me if the overall quality has risen or fallen in the same time period.
The numbers and reference relates to notable national hunt relatives of the predominantly flat bred horses that run in these kinds of races. The nth dam of the previously named is the nth dam of the following. A couple of examples from the Fontwell race;-
Mountainside’s third dam (Maid’s Causeway > Vallee des Reves > Venise) is the dam of Vaporetto
Dylan’s Storm’s fourth dam (Storm Lady > Tree House > Grease > Greedy Of Gain) is the third dam of Fait le Jojo (Pretty Davis, Garconniere, Greedy Of Gain)
http://www.pedigreequery.com/dylans+storm
http://www.pedigreequery.com/fait+le+jojoThe figure in brackets after the sires is the number of their offspring which appears in the 500 horses (top 100 by RPR from the previous five seasons) in the list collated at the start of the season.
The notable relatives bit is probably more for amusement than a serious resource although in a sphere where there is such limited information, it can sometimes lean into the latter area.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>apracing wrote:</div>
I reckon 135 is at least a stone more than is justified by his form, and probaby more like a stone and a half too high. Mountainside being rated 129 is just as stupid and suggests the handicapper responsible for the juvenile hurdle division has totally lost the plot.I couldn’t agree with you more, using my RPR to OR conversion table, Doubly Clever’s top RPR of 119 equates to an OR of 110.
RPR CONV:
https://web.cloud.virginmedia.com/?shareObject=0458bd3e-eec7-4945-ba4b-5cb52fa20ee3
The above table was produced using SPSS from approx 33,600 races.
Mike.
Thanks for your thoughts. I agree for the most part and would say the ratings have been especially harsh this season. I suspect this may have something to do with the influx of Bloomfields horses as this is the first season where they’ve been so numerous so early. I think historically (though I would love to see this backed up by figures), the early three year olds have struggled in handicaps even approaching competitive and I wonder if this is down to handicappers overcompensating for the generous allowance juveniles get from their older rivals.
Apologies for no preview for the Fontwell race as I’m exhausted from work. It does seem like a very straightforward affair though even accounting for Mountainside’s yet to be verified stomach for a battle as he would need to redefine the term dodgepot if he were to fail against three iffy stayers.
Arbitrary 1-2-3*
1. Mountainside
2. Dylan’s Storm
3. Jersey BullMountainside 3/1 Vaporetto 1st Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil Hurdle (G1), Auteuil 1999 (4/1 Video Tape 4/1 Vaux Le Vicomte 2/2 Llanes)
Dylan’s Storm 4/3 Fait Le Jojo 1st Handicap Hurdle (132), Ascot 2002 (5/6 Leoncavallo)
Jersey Bull 3/2 Mistinguett 2nd Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1996 (3/3 Mistanoora, Rimsky, 4/3 Simarian, 3/3 Financial Reward)
Fazenda’s Girl 3/3 What’s Up Doc 2nd Novices’ Chase, Uttoxeter 2011Sires
Mountainside – Dubawi (5) 53%
Jersey Bull – Clodovil (2) 29%
Dylan’s Storm – Zebedee 0% (sole runner)
Fazenda’s Girl – Stimulation 0% (no runners)
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