Energumene

Ian_Davies

Ian_Davies

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One thing I hardly ever do is bet in-running - especially at short odds.

But it was so clear Energumene retained all his ability and was jumping them into the ground after two or three fences I had to take 2.1.

I think Banbridge (who ran a blinder as he's a 2m4f Good ground horse really) was held when he went at the last.

The Larkhill Point winner is BACK!
 
I attach a screengrab of his only run in a Point - Larkhill is on Salisbury Plain, Henderson trains in Lambourn.

Not a million miles away, about 33 miles, but it would be one Hell of a stone's throw!
 

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Ian_Davies said:
One thing I hardly ever do is bet in-running - especially at short odds.

But it was so clear Energumene retained all his ability and was jumping them into the ground after two or three fences I had to take 2.1.

I think Banbridge (who ran a blinder as he's a 2m4f Good ground horse really) was held when he went at the last.

The Larkhill Point winner is BACK!
Click to expand...
If he jumps that markedly right handed in March, he'll be in the Guinness Stand at the Festival.

RP comments confirmed what I saw.

'Pressed leader, led from 2nd, jumped right when not fluent 3 out, soon switched left and faced challenge but going okay, jumped slightly right 2 out, jumped right when left clear last, ridden out.'
 
It isn't the kind of form I'd get carried away about.

An eight-runner race, six of which were trained by Mullins and only one of which (the winner) was trying.

It wouldn't have been the most suitable test for Banbridge but he was there to 'win if it goes your way' and was giving the winner 10lbs.

Still, it puts Energumene around the 170 mark which is a very encouraging comeback but he'd need to be at his very best (around 180) to have a chance against Jonbon.
 
If Energumene ran to 170 (I'd have him a bit lower than that yesterday on my OR-based scale tbh) what was Banbridge in the process of running to when unseating?

Given Banbridge is better on a sounder surface, a big race (King George next, Champion Chase or Ryanair at the Festival, I'd imagine) might be coming his way this season and he might be worth a look at ante-post.
 
It was really good to see Energumene back and looking good. Banbridge doesn’t go on ground with soft in the description (on past form) so you can either conclude that he ran a blinder and if he hadn’t unseated at the last he’d have given Energumene something to think about, or that he ran as he usually does on such ground and Energumene’s run wasn’t as good as it looked.

As an aside, it’s surely not a healthy situation to have six of the eight runners trained in the same yard is it?
 
Ian_Davies said:
If Energumene ran to 170 (I'd have him a bit lower than that yesterday on my OR-based scale tbh) what was Banbridge in the process of running to when unseating?

Given Banbridge is better on a sounder surface, a big race (King George next, Champion Chase or Ryanair at the Festival, I'd imagine) might be coming his way this season and he might be worth a look at ante-post.
Click to expand...

Yes, I meant that as a best-case scenario in terms of Banbridge running to his OR - I think he's better than when he gets his ideal trip and ground - and I'd be very much inclined to be cautious about the form.
 
The eye test for me showed both Energumene and Jonbon as solid rather than outstanding. Both at tracks where they have good records and beating horses that they should. Encouraging and no crosses but, for me, not worthy of the flowery language in the media.
 
archie said:
The eye test for me showed both Energumene and Jonbon as solid rather than outstanding. Both at tracks where they have good records and beating horses that they should. Encouraging and no crosses but, for me, not worthy of the flowery language in the media.
Click to expand...
Despite his record there,I'd suggest Cork wouldn't be his ideal track,and it's probably folly to judge him on what served as a training spin,imo.
 
That was quite a feat by the Mullins yerd bringing him back after 593 days from a bad leg injury.
He's trounced two very useful animals in Dinablue and Aprreciate it in a race often won by top class horses like himself, Douvan, Un Des Sceaux and El Fabiol0.

Back to his very best there is nothing between him and Jonbon if you consider Shishkin was rated slightly higher than Jonbon.

If he turns out again with another good performance even in a lower class I would be happy to take the 6/1 for the Champion Chase

​

 
Can't see them clashing before Cheltenham Granger. Last thing they will want is a hard race before the big one. Especially Energumene after such a long lay off.
 
Tanlic said:
That was quite a feat by the Mullins yerd bringing him back after 593 days from a bad leg injury.
He's trounced two very useful animals in Dinablue and Aprreciate it in a race often won by top class horses like himself, Douvan, Un Des Sceaux and El Fabiol0.

Back to his very best there is nothing between him and Jonbon if you consider Shishkin was rated slightly higher than Jonbon.

If he turns out again with another good performance even in a lower class I would be happy to take the 6/1 for the Champion Chase

​

Click to expand...
I would say back to his best, which is doubtful , he is well clear of Jonbon, and mist definitely well clear at Cheltenham in March.
 
Age certainly matters but, imo, so does racing miles on the clock.

By my calculations Jonbon has 40.5 miles on his racing clock, while Energumene only has 36.5.

As 11yos go, I expect Energumene to withstand the ravages of Father Time better than some.
 
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