Hi all,
This weekend the big jumps racing caravan rolls into Haydock & Ascot this Saturday. Both courses play host to seven race cards and they have the potential to produce some competitive racing.
The going is described as heavy at Haydock and with rain forecast this week it’s highly unlikely to change between now and Saturday. Indeed, too much of the wet stuff could see the meeting in jeopardy. If the fixture goes ahead, the highlight of the card is the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase.
The going at Ascot is being described as good to soft, soft in places. There is Grade 1 action at the Berkshire track on Saturday with the latest running of the Clarence House Chase. Altior wasn’t declared at the five-day stage but both Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux are among five intended runners[VV1] .
Last week was a quiet one on the eyecatchers front and most of it revolved around the Saturday.
Tuesday January 7th
Lingfield
Sam Brown – Anthony Honeyball
Returned from over two years of the track to register a comfortable win on his chase debut, in the Lingfield mud. The 8-year-old is now 4 wins from 5 runs with all four wins coming on soft or heavy ground.
Given this was his first start over the larger obstacles you couldn’t fail to be impressed with his jumping which was more like a seasoned handicapper than horse making his debut over fences.
He clearly hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound but he’s young enough to make up for lost time. It will be interesting to see what direction connections go with him, but we do know he jumps, gallops and will stay 3m 2f+.
For the eyecatchers, I normally try to avoid last time out winners but he’s one to keep onside.
Saturday January 11th
There were good runs from previous eyecatchers Hold The Note & Sire De Berlais at Warwick.
Hold The Note handled the step up to Grade 2 novice chase company and given this was just his second completed start over fences there was plenty of promise from the 6-year-old.
The handicapper has raised him 12lb for this improved effort which makes life tougher but at least he can get into some of the better handicaps should connections go down that route
Sire De Berlais gained qualification for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and will make a bold bid to win the race for the second year running in March.
Kempton
Looking at the times, the going was more, good than good to soft at Kempton on Saturday.
Sammy Bill two from two since going chasing was a warm order for the 2m 4 ½ f handicap chase but seemed to find the trip on the short on the drying ground and could only finish third.
He shapes like he will be worth a chance over 2m 6f or even 3m on the evidence of this run.
Now the 7-year-old could have reached his class ceiling but for me it’s too early to rule out further progress when he’s stepped up in distance.
Gowiththeflow – Ben Pauling
Put in a career best effort to finish runner-up to Erik Le Rouge in the Sammy Bill race. The drying ground suited the 7-year-old who had beat Paisley Park in a novice hurdle at Doncaster back in February 2018.
A winner over 2m 7f at Market Rasen over hurdles he should stay further and there are races to be won over fences with him off his present mark.
Notre Pari – Olli Murphy
The 6-year-old who broke his maiden tag over hurdles at the 5th attempt, when winning a Class 2 handicap hurdle at Aintree last month, was a strong favourite for the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle despite an 8lb rise in the ratings.
Not fluent at couple of hurdles in the early stages which meant jockey Barry Geraghty had to wake him up to keep him in contention. I’m not sure it worked as intended as the gelding raced too keenly after.
He looked set for the places when taking a heavy fall at the last. Now the drying ground may not have been in his favour but there’s no doubt he’s got a good engine and provided his confidence isn’t hit by this fall he’s worth another go.
King Of Realms – Ian Williams
Could have been expected to run better on his seasonal reappearance when only 11th of 13 at Ascot 50-days ago. This was a better effort from the 8-year-old who helped to set a good gallop and ran well for a long way, before fading into fourth.
A good jumper of a fence, last season, he should strip fitter for this run. There are races in the son of Kings Theatre, especially when his stable is in better from.
Sunday January 12th
Kelso
Ami Desbois – Graeme McPherson
Returning from a short break. The 10-year-old helped set a decent gallop on heavy ground. Headed by eventual winner Big River two out he could have been expected to fade out of contention, but he battled on all the away to the line to finish second.
This performance wasn’t far of his best over fences. At his best when able to dominate from the front he will have had a hard race in testing ground but there are races in him when his stable hits form.
It’s probably worth noting he’s 0 wins from 15 runs 5 placed in Class 3 (0>£10k) or higher races but 6 wins from 13 runs 46% 10 placed 77% +11.61 in Class 3 (0<£10k) or lesser races. Sunday’s race was his right level.
Cheers
John