Daily Trainers Comments
 |
| Supplicant - Richard Fahey looking forward to him running |
12/10/13
by The Novice Tipster » Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:01 pm
William Buick
NEZAR MY BEST CHANCE ON A TOUGH FUTURE CHAMPIONS DAY CARD AT NEWMARKET
There’s a slightly strange feeling about riding at my local track on Future Champions Day because for the first time in a while I’ll be in action at Newmarket on a Saturday without a ride for the boss, John Gosden.
For that reason alone I don’t think it’s going to be straightforward finding a winner but it’s hopefully business as usual on Sunday at Goodwood where I’ve got some tidy rides for Clarehaven.
As for Newmarket, I think my best chance of getting a result is NEZAR (4.55) in the Autumn Stakes over a mile.
Although he was beaten in a Group 3 Last time when he was third to Miracle Of Medinah I’m pretty sure he’s up to winning at this grade.
He’s a horse I’ve always liked since I won on him first time out at Windsor in July and we were unlucky not to win next time at Newbury when we probably got to the front too soon.
William Haggas has kept him nicely on the boil since and although I didn’t ride him on his next two starts including a win at Chester, I was certain he’d improved on his last run.
While this race looks at least as tough I think it’s possible this will be more suitable because the Somerville Tattersall Stakes was a messy race with a poor pace which was right against us.
The move up to a mile and the chance of an even pace provides him with a very solid chance. And as for ground, he’s flexible so if it stays on the quicker side, no worries.
I’ve picked up a spare for Mark Johnston in the Betfred Cesarewitch, BROXBOURNE (3.50), but realistically she needs to be back to her mid-season form when she was flying.
I don’t know what went wrong when she was well behind in the Ces Trial last month but the one thing I do know that there are absolutely no worries about the trip if she is on song because she won over two miles five at Goodwood in late July.
She’s versatile regarding ground but realistically Mark’s got two other runners in this and one of them, Oriental Fox, looks well treated after winning the Ces Trial easily and only picks up a 4lb penalty for winning three and a half lengths - but we live in hope.
JUSTICE DAY (2.35) deserves his chance in the Vision.ae Middle Park Stakes because he’s been tough and consistent for David Elsworth even since I won on him at Newbury on debut back in April.
In eight runs he’s only been out of the frame twice and won for the third time on his latest start when he powered home for me in a six-furlong conditions race at Salisbury.
But that was on heavy ground which he loves and even if the rain comes it won’t be like that. This is a big upgrade and he needs everything in his favour to be able to make an impression.
I’m on FANTASTIC MOON (5.25) for Jeremy Noseda in the Group 3 Darley Stakes but this one hasn’t run back to anything like his form of last season when he won the Solario on his second start and which turned out to be his last win. He needs to show something.
Richard Fahey
I'm really looking forward to running Supplicant in the Vision.ae Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. We took the decision to supplement him on Monday as he's been in good form since his Mill Reef win.
He needs to step up again on Saturday, it's a Group One race, but I honestly don't know what the top limit of his ability his. He's so laidback in his work at home it's unbelievable and he's a wonderful horse to have anything to do with. We'll give it a go at Newmarket and he's certainly earned the right to have a crack at a Middle Park.
I was quite surprised - but very pleased - that both High Office and Flashman got into the Betfred Cesarewitch. The one thing both have in their favour is they'll stay the trip and they do go there in good form. It's a massively competitive handicap - it goes without saying - but in recent years there have been 66/1 and 50/1 winners and at the time of writing my pair are shorter prices than that.
There's a big field for the closing Darley Stakes as there's nothing else left for these horse this year.
I run two. I was surprised the handicapper didn't raise Tales Of Grimm for his Newbury win as for me it was a career best effort. We haven't had him for very long but his work is very good and I'm expecting him to run well.
This nine furlong trip is exactly where Gabrial wants to be and he's been running consistently to a mark of 107 or 108 recently. Will that be good enough to win this? Possibly not and if I had to choose between my pair on what we see at home it would be Tales Of Grimm, but not by much.
Elsewhere we have a large team in action on the final day of the season at York.
Gabrial's Kaka has had a good year but the handicapper has just got him now. He's one of two runners in the Coral Mobile Three Clicks To Bet Handicap and is in good order at home. He has to show for certain he stays this trip though.
Romantic Settings definitely does and she'd have a big chance if they get any rain beforehand. She's a very good filly who bounced back at Chester last time.
I've three in the Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap and I'd hope Hi There has a squeak. He's really come good of late having learned to settle and won well at Ayr last time.
I just can't work Fort Bastion out as he works well but the twice we've run him he's shown nothing. We're going up in trip with him to see if that helps. Area Fifty One has had a fantastic season winning two £50,000 handicaps. George Chaloner takes five pounds off his back but the handicapper hasn't missed him of late. That said he's so tough and genuine you can never put a line through him.
Rufford ran very well in the Mill Reef last time, finishing second to Supplicant. I guess he's the one to beat in the coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes on that form and I do think he has a really solid chance. I hope he wins as he's a good, hardy horse who deserves to pick up a decent prize.
I was a fraction disappointed with Baccarat in the Ayr Gold Cup, not necessarily with where he finished but with how he went through the race. He never looked comfortable at any stage. I don't know if he was a little off colour but he did a piece of half speed work this week and Tony Hamilton was delighted with him.
We try again in the Coral Sprint Trophy. On what we see at home this is a group horse, he probably needs to be one to win this off 101, but if he bounced back to the form of his Great St Wilfrid win he'd have to be there or thereabouts.
Shore Patrol has been quite a backward horse and has taken time to mature. He ran ok first time but has to step up significantly on that in the Join coral.co.uk For A 50 Free Bet E.B.F. Maiden Stakes. He's been working a little better but is a horse for next year, that said I do hope he runs well for his owner.
Gabrial The Master is a horse I really like. He's so tough and genuine and will continue to improve with age. He's going to knock up into a half decent staying handicapper at some stage. He runs in the Coral Backing Macmillan Cancer Support Handicap and I think he'll get this trip. He did well to win last time and is in good form.
I have to say Asgardella has been disappointing. She was far too keen for her own good at Chester last time and consequently didn't stay. We'll look to switch her off in the Coldstream Guards Association Cup Handicap and ride a race from there.
Roger Varian
Farraaj lines up in the Group 3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket. Things did not go to plan on his last start in America but he has been training well and should run with credit.
Roger said: "Farraaj is in terrific form. I think he is as well as he has been all year and he should run a big race. I would be worried if the ground went soft."
Kingston Hill made a winning debut at Newbury last month and he steps up in grade when he tackles the Group 3 Autumn Stakes also at Newmarket.
Roger added: "Kingston Hill has come on for his debut. This is a big rise in class for an inexperienced horse but we like him and I don't think he'll disgrace himself."
Mushir heads to York to contest the Listed Rockingham Stakes. Sheikh Hamdan's colt made a winning debut at Kempton where he beat two more experienced rivals.
Roger said: "Mushir did well to win on debut having been very green early on. He is a horse we like and although he is stepping up in grade, I think he will run well."
Richard Hannon
We are in five big ones at Newmarket on Saturday
FUTURE Champions Day at Newmarket on Saturday promises to be a humdinger of an afternoon, and we are involved in five of the seven races in our attempt to increase our lead over Aidan O'Brien at the top of the trainer's table.
Assessing our HQ runners, Richard Hannon said:"I'd like to think that we have chances in both the two-year-old Group1's. Anjaal, who runs in the Dewhurst, would not want any more rain as we took him out of the Champagne at Doncaster when the ground turned soft. He has been off since he won the July Stakes on the summer course, but he only got going at the end of that six furlongs so should be well suited by this longer distance. He has always worked like a top horse at home, and we think he warrants a crack at a big one.
"We run two in the Middle Park. Shamshon was taking a big jump up in class for the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury and it did not work out, but, though the ground was softer than he would have liked, he was not beaten that far. It was also a decent race as Hot Spark, who finished third, has since won the Cornwallis at Ascot by five lengths. The owners agreed to supplement Brown Sugar, having won more than 51 grand for winning the Molecomb (Goodwood) and the Sirenia (Kempton). and his chance would be enhanced if the ground stays fast.
"We are also double-handed in the G2 Challenge Stakes. Libranno ran well in the big mile race at Turkey last time, but this seven furlongs is his trip, and his last win came in this grade and over this trip in the Park Stakes at Doncaster 13 months ago. Trumpet Major has had a wind operation since he last ran in the Summer Mile at Ascot in July, but he has looked a different horse since he resumed fast work, and going back to seven furlongs is not a problem as he won the G2 Champagne Stakes over this trip as a two-year-old.
"Lustrous runs in the Rockfel. She was having only her second run in the May Hill at Doncaster, but the winner (Ihtimal) has since run well in the G1 Fillies' Mile, so for one so inexperienced it was a fair effort.
"Pupil and Truth or Dare both run in the Autumn Stakes. Pupil won well on easy ground at Doncaster, but maybe the ground was a bit too soft at Newbury next time, when he finished third in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark. He would definitely have a shot here, while should the ground remain fast it would suit Truth or Dare, who has won twice at Salisbury and landed a nursery off 85 there last time."
We also run Outer Space in the Rockingham (Listed) at York, and the boss added:"He had only won a Sandown maiden first time out before he went for the Cornwallis at Ascot, where he bumped into a real speedball in Hot Spark. The way he was staying on in second suggests that this extra furlong will suit him."
Nick Alexander
Back down the road to Hexham today, Rossini’s Dancer runs in the 3.20, 7 run, ground good, top weight so Kit rides in order to claim a valuable 7lb, hopefully big sis rides Allanard in the same race, I think we will see a more enthusiastic horse back over fences. We then run Milano Magic in the 5pm, 13 run, this 2m 4f trip might be on the sharp side for him though he shouldn’t be far away on ratings, Lucy rides, she also rides Glen Lord in the 5.30.
Paul Nicholls
Chepstow today is the first big meeting of the year, but please be aware that I have not rushed the horses this season. They came in a week later, for starters, and I haven't been hard on them. But hopefully we can have a winner or two, nonetheless, as I am sending a decent team to the track. Here are my thoughts.
14:25 Chepstow - Keltus
Is a nice French recruit who has been with us about three weeks. It is obviously still early days as regards assessing him fully, but he ran ok in three races on testing going at Auteuil, and I think better ground will suit him better. We won this race last year with Far West, and while he is certainly not in that category - very few juveniles were last season - he looks a nice prospect.
15:35 Chepstow- Lightentertainment
Had just the one run in a bumper last season, when fifth in heavy ground at Taunton. Hopefully he will have improved for the experience, but he is still keen and racy at home, and he needs to learn his job. When he does, he will be alright. Newbury winner Berkeley Barron is the obvious one to beat.
16:15 Chepstow- Easter Day
We managed to school him for the first time of grass on Tuesday, after a welcome bit of rain, and he has a great jump in him. But he will obviously improve for experience, just as did Silviniaco Conti did when third to Cue Card in this race a couple of seasons ago. Showed himself to be a very talented staying novice hurdler last season and I would hope that he will prove at least equally good over fences. But I have one eye on the future with him - perhaps the Rising Stars at Wincanton next month - so I would say that he will improve a good deal for the run today, win, lose or draw. Hopefully, it will be the former.
16:45 Chepstow- For Two
Auteuil winner who showed a lot of promise in two runs on testing ground for me at Aintree and Sandown, looking like winning on both occasions but just not finishing off his races. We left him alone after those runs for him to strengthen up, and he has done just that. Has been going well at home, and hopefully you will see more of a complete horse this season.
17:15 Chepstow- Fox Run
Looked good in a couple of novice wins at Taunton and Worcester, but was outclassed when we stepped him up in grade. Has strengthened up, and is fit and well, but I just wonder whether if he is a little too high in the weights, so Harry takes 5lb off. Is another one of mine that I think will enjoy better ground. Is likely to go chasing after this.
17:45 Chepstow - Join Together and Merrion Square
I like to get a confidence-boosting run into horses after the Grand National, so that is the first priority for Join Together here. And he certainly isn't cherry ripe today. In fact, I am keen to get a run into him as I am considering taking him to Auteuil for a 3m5f race on November 3rd. I am just looking for something to build on, and a win would be a nice bonus on ground probably a bit faster than is ideal for him. He has the talent to win off this mark, if perhaps not the peak fitness today.
Merrion Square has been on the go throughout the summer, and a result is one of mine who is as fit as a flea. But I just wonder whether he has shown his hand to the handicapper now, and a few of these are better treated. I hope I am wrong.
18:10 Chepstow- Very Noble
Ran a couple of times in bumpers last season, and looked like he might win until getting tired in the final 100 yards when third at Fontwell. He travels well and has strengthened up nicely since May, so I would be hopeful of a good showing. But Harry Fry runs a decent horse in here in Thomas Brown, and I think that he may prove hard to beat, and overall it looks quite a hot race.
Donald McCain
The verdict on Spitfire Ace
Donald only has one runner this weekend but he's not without a chance if taking to fences.
Hexham
14.15 2m4f Novice Handicap Chase
Spitfire Ace
Being honest, he's been very disappointing so far - he showed ability in points but it's been slow going with him over hurdles after a fair run in a bumper. He's done plenty of schooling ahead of his chasing debut and it's not a very good race so you would like to think he could be competitive but he really needs to start showing something on the track.
It's a quiet weekend to kick off the column but we have plenty ready to go and we are just waiting on some rain - we might have a few going to Wetherby in the week, weather permitting, and there are a couple of possibles for Cheltenham next Saturday.
We had a winner at Carlisle on Friday, as well as Lively Baron getting pipped on the line, and the horses seem in good order. It's that time of year when the bigger names are getting ready to cut loose and, touch wood, it will be another successful campaign.
NEZAR MY BEST CHANCE ON A TOUGH FUTURE CHAMPIONS DAY CARD AT NEWMARKET
There’s a slightly strange feeling about riding at my local track on Future Champions Day because for the first time in a while I’ll be in action at Newmarket on a Saturday without a ride for the boss, John Gosden.
For that reason alone I don’t think it’s going to be straightforward finding a winner but it’s hopefully business as usual on Sunday at Goodwood where I’ve got some tidy rides for Clarehaven.
As for Newmarket, I think my best chance of getting a result is NEZAR (4.55) in the Autumn Stakes over a mile.
Although he was beaten in a Group 3 Last time when he was third to Miracle Of Medinah I’m pretty sure he’s up to winning at this grade.
He’s a horse I’ve always liked since I won on him first time out at Windsor in July and we were unlucky not to win next time at Newbury when we probably got to the front too soon.
William Haggas has kept him nicely on the boil since and although I didn’t ride him on his next two starts including a win at Chester, I was certain he’d improved on his last run.
While this race looks at least as tough I think it’s possible this will be more suitable because the Somerville Tattersall Stakes was a messy race with a poor pace which was right against us.
The move up to a mile and the chance of an even pace provides him with a very solid chance. And as for ground, he’s flexible so if it stays on the quicker side, no worries.
I’ve picked up a spare for Mark Johnston in the Betfred Cesarewitch, BROXBOURNE (3.50), but realistically she needs to be back to her mid-season form when she was flying.
I don’t know what went wrong when she was well behind in the Ces Trial last month but the one thing I do know that there are absolutely no worries about the trip if she is on song because she won over two miles five at Goodwood in late July.
She’s versatile regarding ground but realistically Mark’s got two other runners in this and one of them, Oriental Fox, looks well treated after winning the Ces Trial easily and only picks up a 4lb penalty for winning three and a half lengths - but we live in hope.
JUSTICE DAY (2.35) deserves his chance in the Vision.ae Middle Park Stakes because he’s been tough and consistent for David Elsworth even since I won on him at Newbury on debut back in April.
In eight runs he’s only been out of the frame twice and won for the third time on his latest start when he powered home for me in a six-furlong conditions race at Salisbury.
But that was on heavy ground which he loves and even if the rain comes it won’t be like that. This is a big upgrade and he needs everything in his favour to be able to make an impression.
I’m on FANTASTIC MOON (5.25) for Jeremy Noseda in the Group 3 Darley Stakes but this one hasn’t run back to anything like his form of last season when he won the Solario on his second start and which turned out to be his last win. He needs to show something.
Richard Fahey
I'm really looking forward to running Supplicant in the Vision.ae Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. We took the decision to supplement him on Monday as he's been in good form since his Mill Reef win.
He needs to step up again on Saturday, it's a Group One race, but I honestly don't know what the top limit of his ability his. He's so laidback in his work at home it's unbelievable and he's a wonderful horse to have anything to do with. We'll give it a go at Newmarket and he's certainly earned the right to have a crack at a Middle Park.
I was quite surprised - but very pleased - that both High Office and Flashman got into the Betfred Cesarewitch. The one thing both have in their favour is they'll stay the trip and they do go there in good form. It's a massively competitive handicap - it goes without saying - but in recent years there have been 66/1 and 50/1 winners and at the time of writing my pair are shorter prices than that.
There's a big field for the closing Darley Stakes as there's nothing else left for these horse this year.
I run two. I was surprised the handicapper didn't raise Tales Of Grimm for his Newbury win as for me it was a career best effort. We haven't had him for very long but his work is very good and I'm expecting him to run well.
This nine furlong trip is exactly where Gabrial wants to be and he's been running consistently to a mark of 107 or 108 recently. Will that be good enough to win this? Possibly not and if I had to choose between my pair on what we see at home it would be Tales Of Grimm, but not by much.
Elsewhere we have a large team in action on the final day of the season at York.
Gabrial's Kaka has had a good year but the handicapper has just got him now. He's one of two runners in the Coral Mobile Three Clicks To Bet Handicap and is in good order at home. He has to show for certain he stays this trip though.
Romantic Settings definitely does and she'd have a big chance if they get any rain beforehand. She's a very good filly who bounced back at Chester last time.
I've three in the Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap and I'd hope Hi There has a squeak. He's really come good of late having learned to settle and won well at Ayr last time.
I just can't work Fort Bastion out as he works well but the twice we've run him he's shown nothing. We're going up in trip with him to see if that helps. Area Fifty One has had a fantastic season winning two £50,000 handicaps. George Chaloner takes five pounds off his back but the handicapper hasn't missed him of late. That said he's so tough and genuine you can never put a line through him.
Rufford ran very well in the Mill Reef last time, finishing second to Supplicant. I guess he's the one to beat in the coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes on that form and I do think he has a really solid chance. I hope he wins as he's a good, hardy horse who deserves to pick up a decent prize.
I was a fraction disappointed with Baccarat in the Ayr Gold Cup, not necessarily with where he finished but with how he went through the race. He never looked comfortable at any stage. I don't know if he was a little off colour but he did a piece of half speed work this week and Tony Hamilton was delighted with him.
We try again in the Coral Sprint Trophy. On what we see at home this is a group horse, he probably needs to be one to win this off 101, but if he bounced back to the form of his Great St Wilfrid win he'd have to be there or thereabouts.
Shore Patrol has been quite a backward horse and has taken time to mature. He ran ok first time but has to step up significantly on that in the Join coral.co.uk For A 50 Free Bet E.B.F. Maiden Stakes. He's been working a little better but is a horse for next year, that said I do hope he runs well for his owner.
Gabrial The Master is a horse I really like. He's so tough and genuine and will continue to improve with age. He's going to knock up into a half decent staying handicapper at some stage. He runs in the Coral Backing Macmillan Cancer Support Handicap and I think he'll get this trip. He did well to win last time and is in good form.
I have to say Asgardella has been disappointing. She was far too keen for her own good at Chester last time and consequently didn't stay. We'll look to switch her off in the Coldstream Guards Association Cup Handicap and ride a race from there.
Roger Varian
Farraaj lines up in the Group 3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket. Things did not go to plan on his last start in America but he has been training well and should run with credit.
Roger said: "Farraaj is in terrific form. I think he is as well as he has been all year and he should run a big race. I would be worried if the ground went soft."
Kingston Hill made a winning debut at Newbury last month and he steps up in grade when he tackles the Group 3 Autumn Stakes also at Newmarket.
Roger added: "Kingston Hill has come on for his debut. This is a big rise in class for an inexperienced horse but we like him and I don't think he'll disgrace himself."
Mushir heads to York to contest the Listed Rockingham Stakes. Sheikh Hamdan's colt made a winning debut at Kempton where he beat two more experienced rivals.
Roger said: "Mushir did well to win on debut having been very green early on. He is a horse we like and although he is stepping up in grade, I think he will run well."
Richard Hannon
We are in five big ones at Newmarket on Saturday
FUTURE Champions Day at Newmarket on Saturday promises to be a humdinger of an afternoon, and we are involved in five of the seven races in our attempt to increase our lead over Aidan O'Brien at the top of the trainer's table.
Assessing our HQ runners, Richard Hannon said:"I'd like to think that we have chances in both the two-year-old Group1's. Anjaal, who runs in the Dewhurst, would not want any more rain as we took him out of the Champagne at Doncaster when the ground turned soft. He has been off since he won the July Stakes on the summer course, but he only got going at the end of that six furlongs so should be well suited by this longer distance. He has always worked like a top horse at home, and we think he warrants a crack at a big one.
"We run two in the Middle Park. Shamshon was taking a big jump up in class for the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury and it did not work out, but, though the ground was softer than he would have liked, he was not beaten that far. It was also a decent race as Hot Spark, who finished third, has since won the Cornwallis at Ascot by five lengths. The owners agreed to supplement Brown Sugar, having won more than 51 grand for winning the Molecomb (Goodwood) and the Sirenia (Kempton). and his chance would be enhanced if the ground stays fast.
"We are also double-handed in the G2 Challenge Stakes. Libranno ran well in the big mile race at Turkey last time, but this seven furlongs is his trip, and his last win came in this grade and over this trip in the Park Stakes at Doncaster 13 months ago. Trumpet Major has had a wind operation since he last ran in the Summer Mile at Ascot in July, but he has looked a different horse since he resumed fast work, and going back to seven furlongs is not a problem as he won the G2 Champagne Stakes over this trip as a two-year-old.
"Lustrous runs in the Rockfel. She was having only her second run in the May Hill at Doncaster, but the winner (Ihtimal) has since run well in the G1 Fillies' Mile, so for one so inexperienced it was a fair effort.
"Pupil and Truth or Dare both run in the Autumn Stakes. Pupil won well on easy ground at Doncaster, but maybe the ground was a bit too soft at Newbury next time, when he finished third in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark. He would definitely have a shot here, while should the ground remain fast it would suit Truth or Dare, who has won twice at Salisbury and landed a nursery off 85 there last time."
We also run Outer Space in the Rockingham (Listed) at York, and the boss added:"He had only won a Sandown maiden first time out before he went for the Cornwallis at Ascot, where he bumped into a real speedball in Hot Spark. The way he was staying on in second suggests that this extra furlong will suit him."
Nick Alexander
Back down the road to Hexham today, Rossini’s Dancer runs in the 3.20, 7 run, ground good, top weight so Kit rides in order to claim a valuable 7lb, hopefully big sis rides Allanard in the same race, I think we will see a more enthusiastic horse back over fences. We then run Milano Magic in the 5pm, 13 run, this 2m 4f trip might be on the sharp side for him though he shouldn’t be far away on ratings, Lucy rides, she also rides Glen Lord in the 5.30.
Paul Nicholls
Chepstow today is the first big meeting of the year, but please be aware that I have not rushed the horses this season. They came in a week later, for starters, and I haven't been hard on them. But hopefully we can have a winner or two, nonetheless, as I am sending a decent team to the track. Here are my thoughts.
14:25 Chepstow - Keltus
Is a nice French recruit who has been with us about three weeks. It is obviously still early days as regards assessing him fully, but he ran ok in three races on testing going at Auteuil, and I think better ground will suit him better. We won this race last year with Far West, and while he is certainly not in that category - very few juveniles were last season - he looks a nice prospect.
15:35 Chepstow- Lightentertainment
Had just the one run in a bumper last season, when fifth in heavy ground at Taunton. Hopefully he will have improved for the experience, but he is still keen and racy at home, and he needs to learn his job. When he does, he will be alright. Newbury winner Berkeley Barron is the obvious one to beat.
16:15 Chepstow- Easter Day
We managed to school him for the first time of grass on Tuesday, after a welcome bit of rain, and he has a great jump in him. But he will obviously improve for experience, just as did Silviniaco Conti did when third to Cue Card in this race a couple of seasons ago. Showed himself to be a very talented staying novice hurdler last season and I would hope that he will prove at least equally good over fences. But I have one eye on the future with him - perhaps the Rising Stars at Wincanton next month - so I would say that he will improve a good deal for the run today, win, lose or draw. Hopefully, it will be the former.
16:45 Chepstow- For Two
Auteuil winner who showed a lot of promise in two runs on testing ground for me at Aintree and Sandown, looking like winning on both occasions but just not finishing off his races. We left him alone after those runs for him to strengthen up, and he has done just that. Has been going well at home, and hopefully you will see more of a complete horse this season.
17:15 Chepstow- Fox Run
Looked good in a couple of novice wins at Taunton and Worcester, but was outclassed when we stepped him up in grade. Has strengthened up, and is fit and well, but I just wonder whether if he is a little too high in the weights, so Harry takes 5lb off. Is another one of mine that I think will enjoy better ground. Is likely to go chasing after this.
17:45 Chepstow - Join Together and Merrion Square
I like to get a confidence-boosting run into horses after the Grand National, so that is the first priority for Join Together here. And he certainly isn't cherry ripe today. In fact, I am keen to get a run into him as I am considering taking him to Auteuil for a 3m5f race on November 3rd. I am just looking for something to build on, and a win would be a nice bonus on ground probably a bit faster than is ideal for him. He has the talent to win off this mark, if perhaps not the peak fitness today.
Merrion Square has been on the go throughout the summer, and a result is one of mine who is as fit as a flea. But I just wonder whether he has shown his hand to the handicapper now, and a few of these are better treated. I hope I am wrong.
18:10 Chepstow- Very Noble
Ran a couple of times in bumpers last season, and looked like he might win until getting tired in the final 100 yards when third at Fontwell. He travels well and has strengthened up nicely since May, so I would be hopeful of a good showing. But Harry Fry runs a decent horse in here in Thomas Brown, and I think that he may prove hard to beat, and overall it looks quite a hot race.
Donald McCain
The verdict on Spitfire Ace
Donald only has one runner this weekend but he's not without a chance if taking to fences.
Hexham
14.15 2m4f Novice Handicap Chase
Spitfire Ace
Being honest, he's been very disappointing so far - he showed ability in points but it's been slow going with him over hurdles after a fair run in a bumper. He's done plenty of schooling ahead of his chasing debut and it's not a very good race so you would like to think he could be competitive but he really needs to start showing something on the track.
It's a quiet weekend to kick off the column but we have plenty ready to go and we are just waiting on some rain - we might have a few going to Wetherby in the week, weather permitting, and there are a couple of possibles for Cheltenham next Saturday.
We had a winner at Carlisle on Friday, as well as Lively Baron getting pipped on the line, and the horses seem in good order. It's that time of year when the bigger names are getting ready to cut loose and, touch wood, it will be another successful campaign.
Comments
Post a Comment