Weekend round-up for 30 November to 2 December 2007

By Graham Richards

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Newbury 30th November

Chapoturgeon was as green as grass in the opener. A fine big horse, he is still on the leg and will not be rushed this season. Crack Away Jack showed a little and should be monitored.

Eden Linty continues on the upgrade; she will be dangerous in any mare’s only races if going down that route. Miko De Beauchene had a nice pipe opener; he looks sure to give a good account of himself in the Welsh Grand National. Both Cerium and Copsale Lad ran well, having been hampered by the fall of According To Pete. Jockster ran well and should be noted when he is dropped to a mark of 120 in Class Three grade.

Hobbs Hill jumped superbly to win the novice chase. Ridden with the utmost confidence by “AP”, he gradually wound the pace up in the last mile and a fine leap at the last settled matters. Where he goes now is up for debate. Ascot has been mentioned, which I feel would suit him. I do have concerns over his suitability to Cheltenham’s unique test.

Silverburn ran a blinder on his return and he should win soon. He is not thought likely to say three-miles, which rather limits his opportunities at Cheltenham. Lead On will develop into a decent horse if he can iron his jumping out. Air Force One looked in need of the run and made too many mistakes. The winner clocked a time 14.84 seconds faster than Kelrev the next day.

The Package made all the running in the last race; he did exceptionally well to hold on, having hit the last two hurdles. If he can learn to race in a more amenable way, he could turn out to be useful. Oberon Moon will win over two and a half miles. Theatrical Moment was disappointing again and it is hard to see where his future lies now.

Newbury 1st December

Helens Vision ran away with the opener. She stole a good few lengths at the start, and never looked like being passed from that moment on. She jumps well, clearly handles soft ground and will stay further. Pasco is a fine big horse whose future lies over fences. Pagano should do better in handicaps, as will Towerofcharlemagne, who once again was never put in the race.

Saintsaire was on a going day and duly demolished the opposition. He will go up for this; however, on soft ground round a flat track he has some class. The only other to offer encouragement from his current handicap mark, was Percussionist. He usually goes well fresh, here he ran like a horse in need of the run. He loves Wetherby and may go there next.

Inglis Drever confirmed himself the leading staying hurdler with an excellent return to the track. Only Special Envoy offered any opposition the final quarter of a mile, in the end, he was well held. Inglis Drever loves Cheltenham; at this stage, it is hard to put up an argument against him landing a three-timer. Perhaps Wichita Lineman will liven the scene up on his next run. Special Envoy was running on empty when he dived at the last once again. In receipt of 8lb here, he has an awful lot to find to reverse placings, with an eased down winner. Oscar Park was going well when he fell. He looks sure to do well this season if he gets over his spill, possibly over fences. Blazing Bailey showed more this time, while Kasbah Bliss does not see this trip out.

The Hennessey produced a visually stunning performance from Denman. Let us deal with the disappointments first. Snowy Morning crashed out early on, New Alco appeared to travel well, but eventually he was pulled up, (Graham Lee reported he hated the ground and he was saving him for another day), Abragante failed to stay, while Patsy Hall ran no race at all. Dom D’Orgeval jumped poorly, he too was eventually pulled up. From the unplaced horses, I nominate Bible Lord as one to follow. He did not jump fluently, though in fairness to him this was his first taste of a race such as this. He remained prominent until three out, and was not helped by his rider dropping his whip turning for home. Perhaps three-miles will suit him better and he looks one to keep a close eye on.

Both Juveigneur and Knowhere made mistakes down the back straight and did pretty well to finish where they did. D’Argent ran a little better and he will prefer a greater test of stamina. Madison Du Berlais ran another eye-catching race, as previously noted post-Christmas is his time. Character Building ran a blinder for a horse that will stay further. He has clearly come back as good as ever and has to be on anyone’s short list for the staying handicap races. History shows the Welsh National may be too close for horses that have run well here. Dream Alliance ran a blinder for one so inexperienced. A tired jump at the last removed any hopes of a late surge. He too has an entry in the Welsh National though in my opinion he had a much harder race than the third home.

Denman joined Sir Rembrandt at the head of affairs as they approached the water jump and jumped brilliantly from that point on. He never looked in any danger and came home for a comfortable success. I was disappointed with the time of the race. Denman clocked a time of 6:58:60. On soft ground in recent years, State Of Play and What’s Up Boys clocked 6:51:40 and 6:48:50 respectively, while on heavy ground King’s Road clocked 6:59:20. My speed ratings suggest he is not running any faster now than he was in January 2006. This usually indicates, that is as fast as a horse will go in his career. My provisional FSF ratings show Denman to be 8lb below Kauto Star, which tells its own tale. One thing may fall in his favour. Kauto Star and Exotic Dancer are both likely to have another hard race in the King George, while Denman should find his preparation slightly easier. Come the big day in March he may be the freshest horse, which could count for a lot. He is only 1lb below War of Attrition at his best on FSF ratings so is clearly capable of winning a Gold Cup. Pre-race comments suggested he was expected to come on for the race. If that is the case, his FSF rating should be improved. Whether he has the speed to burn his rivals off at level weights, is, I feel, open to discussion.

Much of the interest from the two and half mile handicap chase disappeared when Patricksnineteenth fell and brought down Maljimar. Nycetos then left the fun at the last down the back straight when still going well. The unpredictable Kelrev took the spoils from Chief Yeoman and Whispered Secret. The one to take out of the race is the third; he looked to blow up three out, before getting his second wind and running on strongly. He has a good record at Cheltenham and will not look out of place in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup.

Mon Michel ran out a game winner of the Gerry Fielden, from an equally game French Saulaie. Finishing well in third was European Dream. He did well to get as close as he did, following a stumble at the second last. The winner clearly acts on most ground conditions and is equally at home going left and right-handed. The runner-up will win a race soon; I understand he will go novice chasing in the near future. His stablechum Manhattan Boy looks to be finding his best form, he is another who may now go chasing. The winner clocked the fastest time for two-mile hurdles over the three days.

Newbury 3rd November

One Gulp was well ridden to take the opener from off the pace. Covered up against the wind for as long as possible, she ran on well as stamina came into play in the later stages. She looks sure to stay three-miles. Pure Genius showed ability and should win soon, while Senora Snoopy will do better over three-miles in handicaps.

Big Bucks and Barbers Shop fought out an exciting finish in the novice chase. Both had jumped well in the main. I thought Big Bucks was coolly ridden on the run in, being switched and quickening close home. We will learn more him next time; however, the runner-up is a decent horse and had been going very well at home. Big Bucks may return to Newbury for his next run, while I formed the opinion Barbers Shop will be even better going right-handed.

The Tother One was never really off the bridle to win the handicap hurdle. He looks a smart performer in the making. The runner-up was finishing second for the fourth time in a row. He was not disgraced and his performance suggests the form of the winner is decent.

All eyes were on Nevada Royale in the three-mile novice chase. Having jumped well in the early stages he left his legs in the water jump and lost many lengths. Remarkably, he was soon back in touch; jumping brilliantly down the back straight he once again took up the running. Turning for home, he looked to have things under control. However, following the fourth last he began to wander, due in no small part to the windy conditions and Here’s Johnny came back at him. Approaching the last it was head-to-head time; unfortunately, Nevada Royale pitched forward on landing taking a tired and heavy looking fall. In the process, he brought Here’s Johnny to a standstill, and the fortunate Joe Lively swept past the carnage to win. It should not go unmentioned that Joe Lively looked to be getting a second wind. I would not like to call the winner had the other two stood up. As for the future, much will depend on how Nevada Royal and Here’s Johnny recover from this but they both looked tired horses at the last fence; the latter looked shattered as he walked over the line.

Ring The Boss made a good start for Philip Hobbs, he will stay further and looks a horse to follow in the near future.

Woolcombe Folly could not muster enough to pass Midnight Sail, the 25/1 winner of the finale. The runner-up has to be considered somewhat disappointing, and looks one to watch on his next outing. Busker Royal ran out of gas in the closing stages and should come on for the run. Paradise Regained has showed enough on both runs to date to suggest he can go close next time.

Newcastle December 1st

The Rehearsal Chase looked to be run at a fast pace and turning into the back straight the field were strung out like washing. Harmony Brig battled on well on the run in to hold off the game Aleron and Royal Rosa, who made late headway having been held up. The winner clouted the second last and is value for a little further. Far from consistent last season, if he can reproduce this running he should find another race. Royal Rosa ran his second good race on the trot and looks ready to win something in the near future. Standin Obligation looked more like his old self, Irish Wolf again showed ability, while King Killone ran a fair race and should do better over further, on softer ground. Two Miles West, Bob Bob Bobbin and Leading Man all failed to finish, while Idle Talk was unable to build on the promise shown at Carlisle. One wonders how the form will stand up in the coming weeks.

The Fighting Fifth hurdle was run at a good pace. As expected The French Furze and Torkinking went off in the lead. Halfway down the back straight, they were joined by Mephisto, who helped to keep the pace going until they turned for home. At this stage, Katchit took up the running. However, he was never able to quicken away from his challengers, who were queuing up to challenge. He was cooked before the last, but kept on all the way to the line. Cheltenham clearly brings out the best in him, and I have seen him jump better than he did on this occasion. Whether he possesses the scope to improve enough to challenge for the title next March is questionable. However, he will be hard to keep out of the frame if he turns up for the fun come the big day. Harchibald showed he was back to something like his best at Dundalk recently. As usual, he travelled like a dream at the back of the field, before coming through to join his rivals approaching the second last. Jumping the final flight well, he had the race won on the run in. What he will find up the hill, if he returns to Cheltenham in March, is anyone’s guess. However, in Paul Carberry he has a pilot who is riding at the top of his game. Al Eile ran well but is short of the necessary speed at this distance. No doubt, he will be aimed at Aintree again, where he will be hard to beat. Mephisto ran a blinder after a long lay off; however, Clopf and Blythe Knight emptied far too quickly for my liking.

Fairyhouse 1st December

Maca Rince is an improving filly and she won the juvenile hurdle in a good time.

Catch Me returned in good heart to win very easily from Big Zeb. The form could be useful as the runner-up finished second to Sizing Europe when he was last seen in April. Catch Me’s next run will tell us more, but this was promising.

Fairyhouse 2nd December

The Royal Bond Hurdle lived up to expectations with Muirhead and Cork All Star finishing first and second. Coming to the last there was nothing to choose between the pair; unfortunately, Cork All Star lost his back end on landing and did well to stand up. Recovering well, he kept going all the way to the line. The fact he was able to close the gap again suggest it would have been a close call. He is a horse that can go well fresh and may only have one more run before Cheltenham. Muirhead is a horse with any amount of ability and he looked to have plenty left in the tank at the finish. No doubt, we will learn more when the two of them clash again; it will be a hard one to call. Lightly raced, he has plenty of improvement to come. Whatuthink ran well, he will do even better when he returns to two and a half miles. Megans Joy again travelled in style but she was unable to quicken on the ground; connections would be advised to put her away for a spring campaign. Jered would have been closer but for a mistake at the last; he can win again over a slightly longer trip. Sizing Africa travelled well for a long way, he was not knocked about when his chance had gone. The ground would not have been ideal and he is one to keep an eye on, one more run is needed for a handicap mark. The time of the race was just under six seconds faster then the bumper at the end of the day.

Some decent performers have won the Drinmore Chase over the years. Sackville, Harbour Pilot, and Le Coudray all won the race, while Watson Lake and Forget The Past finished first and second in 2004. This years renewal was somewhat spoilt when Kazal, who was still going well, crashed out at the third last. Drunken Disorderly lived up to this name when he fell over the second last. This should not detract from the performance of Sky’s The Limit, who came through, as he had done last time out, to take control of the race two from home, going clear to win comfortably. Connections feel this is his trip and he may skip Cheltenham for the Powers Cup here in April. Runner-up Be My Leader ran well and looks a sure fire winner over three miles. He jumped well on this occasion; hopefully, he can repeat the trick next time out. Line Ball ran a sound race, though he may have found this coming too quickly after his recent run. He looked a bit flat in the straight; nevertheless, the experience will not be lost on him. On breeding, he should stay three miles; this unfortunately did not tell us any more than we knew. Kazal may have enough stamina to go three-miles. His sire has some three-mile chasers on his C.V. while his dam is out of Cyborg, normally a good influence for stamina. His next run should tell us more; on what we saw here, he looks a decent prospect.

The Hattons Grace Hurdle produced an exciting finish. Having made all the running, Sweet Kiln turned into the straight with Aitmatov her only threat. Jumping the second last she still looked assured of victory and coming over the last she was still holding the advantage. However, Paul Carberry produced Aitmatov with a well-timed run to grab the race from the game mare on the line. Both deserve the utmost credit and both are extremely proficient in the jumping department. No doubt, the mare will stay at home for races around this distance, while the winner enters the Champion Hurdle picture. He is an improving type and this run certainly gave Sizing Europe’s connections a boost. It was a long way back to the Willie Mullins pair of Ebaziyan and Glencove Marina. In a season where the Champion Hurdle is looking wide open, it is hard to argue with those that suggest Sublimity is the one to beat. Despite the form of the race having more than one question mark over it, viable opponents are thin on the ground and it is hard to see where they may emerge from.

Newbury times

Fairyhouse times