Juvenile Hurdlers 2014/2015

Interesting news on Atan. I look forward to seeing how far he can progress for Dr Smurfit.

Chopper said:
Top work again Bachelors
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Cheers Chopper :)

Sedgefield's second card of the season opens with their first juvenile of year. Races of this sort at the track are generally ordinary although recent events have been taken by the likes of Countrywide Flame, Rupestrian and Marsh Warbler. Five horses are set to line up tomorrow including the unbeaten Full Day and four newcomers.

Full Day was progressive on the flat for the current yard and made a winning debut at Newton Abbot last month. She jumped very nicely on that occasion and despite being niggled for much of the way, she didn't need to be hard ridden to stay on comfortably and win with a bit in hand. The form has worked out well so far with the runner up going on to win at Cartmel and the fifth was not beaten far at Newton Abbot last Saturday. Given her size, one wouldn't be put off too much by the penalty and she sets a very decent standard here. Al Musheer was noted earlier in the thread as an Arqana purchase. He had two rather lacklustre runs at Bordeaux and while he picked up a very small race at Royan La Palmyre (runs here in the "Al Shaqab" grey), he was beaten again at Sables D'Olonne. The form of his flat races don't exactly leap off the page and at 20,000€, he was the least expensive on the featured Arqana list. Nevertheless, he is still of blatant interest having joined Donald McCain. Especially in this company where he at least has a win to his name. Aldreth is still a maiden after eleven starts on the flat but his run at Ripon in the beginning of June offers some encouragement at least as he finished second over ten furlongs. In his subsequent three starts however, he has beaten only two of tewnty-five opponents home, all while competing of a sub sixty rating. Coastal Storm best effort for Hughie Morrison came when travelling well before finishing fifth off 58 in a Kempton handicap in April. After failing to build on this promise in a Lingfield handicap, she was sold to run for Jennie Candlish for £3,100. Her new stablemate, Ain't No Surprise, disappointed after a promising start but Jennie Candlish is still a name to be respected in this field. Coastal Storm should stay the trip well but will do well to finish close to the leading two. Dover The Moon cost 100,000gns as a yearling but fetched only 800gns at the July sale. This sharp drop is down to the fact that despite finishing last in only one of his ten starts, the standard of his form is very low. His being well beaten last time in a selling handicap off 48 for Sylvester Kirk being a case in point. That being said, his mother was a decent Juvenile in France way back in the nineties.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Full Day
2. Al Musheer
3. Coastal Storm

Dover The Moon 1/0 Gold Script 5th Prix Cambacérès (3yo G1), Auteuil 1992
Full Day 6/4 Bright Oassis 1st Knowsley (Later "Top") Novices' Hurdle, Aintree 1982
Alderth 2/1 Munif 1st Conditions Hurdle, Listowel 1997
Al Musheer 3/1 Alriffa 5th Dovecote Novices Hurdle (G2), Kempton 1996
Coastal Storm .5 Rock Of Deauville 6th Fred Winter Juv Hcp Hdl (G3, 112), Cheltenham 2011

Sires
Al Musheer - Verglas (2)
Coastal Storm - Manduro (2)
Dover The Moon - Bushranger
Full Day - Champs Elysees
Alderth - Champs Elysees
 
The winner at Sedgefield was backed into long odds on and one gets the feeling that we didn't learn a great deal about her, rather we learned more about the runner up.

Full Day was the only one with previous experience and set a decent standard - especially in the context of her opposition. She set her own pace, jumped well and travelled comfortably - better than she had at Newton Abbot. Increasing the tempo on entering the back straight she needed only to be niggled at the top of the hill to power effortlessly clear from her rivals before being eased after the last to record a nine length victory. It may be ambitious to think that she's going to be a star and was fully entitled to take this race but Danny Cook has yet to get to the bottom of her so it wouldn't be a great surprise to see her hold her own among the better fillies this season. Al Musheer was a winning French newcomer for Donald McCain but he was easy in the market and there were reservations on the standard of his flat form. He jumped well enough and had the remainder of the field eleven lengths behind him but was comprehensively outclassed by the winner. He looks capable of winning a race and may improve if he is gelded but he wouldn't be a leading light at the Mccain yard on all evidence so far. Aldreth maintains his maiden tag after finishing twenty lengths behind the winner. He ran around a bit before the third, was outpaced at the back and whilst he eventually kept on for third, he's not an obvious future winner. Dover The Moon took a keen hold and forced his way to near the front early on. His jumping wasn't particularly pleasing either. Nevertheless, this probably represents a best effort in an uninspiring career. Coastal Stormdisappointed for Hughie Morrison on her last flat start and on her jumps debut, made a habit out of being slow in getting away from her hurdles. She put in a rather bad error at the fifth and eventually finished tailed off.

There were some juvenile prospects on offer today at the Doncaster juvenile sales and John Quinn, Neil King and Charlie Longsdon were among the buyers at the last check. Four timer Truancy was bought by Conrad Allen for £140,000... I don't really know who Conrad is though but if he has something to do with juvenile hurdlers, that could be an interesting sale.

What is definitely interesting however is the card at Auteuil tomorrow - particularly the first two races as far as this thread is concerned. The opener is a three year old chase where leading spring juvenile, The Saint James, is set to make his steeplechase debut. The second race sees the return of some very useful three year olds, most notably Guillaume Macaire's Kobrouk. The winner of the latter race will almost certainly be contesting Group One races this season.
 
Atan is entered in a two mile handicap at Dundalk on Sunday.

Truancy has been sold to run in Qatar - Donald McCain was the underbidder so maybe he'll still have that kind of money to spend on other juveniles... There were fifteen or so three year olds at the sale who are likely to run over hurdles this winter, chiefly Final Countdown who sold for £50,000 and will run for the same connections as Countrywide Flame and Moidore. Donald McCain spent £42,000 on Sindarban, Neil King spent £31,000 on Lil Rockerfella and Charlie Longsdon splashed out £32,000 on Zarawi and Argot.

Again, it can't be overstated how interesting the two races which start tomorrow's Auteuil card are.

Here's the card, colours and titbits for the juvenile chase

http://www.horseraces.pmu.fr/racecards/race/8998

The card, colours and titbits for the 2m2f hurdle

http://www.horseraces.pmu.fr/racecards/race/8999

And here's the detailed page for the whole card.

http://www.zone-turf.fr/programmes/r1-auteuil-40160.html
 
Oh, it would help if I gave the times...

The chase is at 12:50 UK/IRE time (The Saint James is the one Martin has been raving about)
The hurdle is at 13:20 UK/IRE

The whole card can be viewed on this link.

http://www.centraltv.fr/france-television/france-galop-tv

Replays should be available on the Zeturf widget for those unable to catch the race live. They may also be posted on Youtube as Equida are often decent like that.
 
Aristocracy 4/3 Overturn 2nd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012 (3/1 Tyrone Bridge, 4/2 Fisher Bridge, 2/1 Hi Tech)
Vosne Romanee 2/1 Sweet Glow 1st Long Distance Hurdle (G2), Ascot 1994
Fennann 2/1 Trenchant 1st National Spirit Hurdle (G2), Fontwell 2010 (2/1 Personal Column)
Flying Author 2/1 Leviathan 1st Handicap Hurdle (125), Stratford 2014 (3/1 Rocket Ship)
Zephyr 2/1 Rapier 1st Novices' Hurdle, Ayr 1998
Gimme Five 3/1 Rum Baba 1st NvHcHdl (87), Market Rasen 2000
Magic Magnolia No jumps relatives - American Bred

Sires
Flying Author - Authorized (5)
Magic Magnolia - Azamour (4)
Zephyr - Shirocco (3)
Fennann - Dutch Art (1)
Aristocracy - Royal Applause
Vosne Romanee - Arakan
Gimme Five - Champs Elysees
 
I mentioned the Prix Finot earlier in the topic and it's worth noting that this takes place today - or two divisions of the colts race take place today at least.

They are the first (14:35) and third (15:35) races on Auteuil's card which commences in around 10 minutes time. Plenty of these will end up in the UK and Ireland with Polisky, Saphir Du Rheu, Elenika, Cedre Bleu, Son Amix, Escort'Men, Surfing and Sanctuaire among those to have contested the various colts/geldings divisions in recent years.

Jean-Paul Gallorini and Guy Cherel have won four of the last five renewals between them - they are represented by Celtino (JPG), Austrasien, Gwencily Berbas and Pinson Du Rheu (all Cherel) with my preference being for Gwencily Berbas with Alain De Chitray up, looks a big price for a horse who ran ok on his flat debut last month and is by Nickname who does well with his youngsters and is a great loss to National Hunt breeding.

I'll be backing the other Nickname Breddy du Desert in the second division also which sees plenty of Guy Cherel runners (though BDD isn't one). Breddy du Desert ran well on his debut over nearly 1m7f at Pontivy in May but disappointed dropped back in trip last time out, off a break he could go well at a big price.

The race should be viewable via BH's link above.
Martin
 
Dobro jutro!

Apologies for disappearing. There's been a familial situation which has necessitated my attendance in Sarajevo. As such, I've had very little opportunity to keep a watchful eye on the Juveniles :(

All being well, I'll be back in England next week and should be fully caught up with the sales and races by the end of same. There'll also reviews for the races I've missed - largely for my own benefit - but as always, I'm happy to share my ramblings.

I've done a very quick scan of today's race at Perth and it's just as well that it's a quick one since the first draft was accidentally in Bosnian...

All of those with experience finished in the first three on their debut. Sinndar's Man not only has the best form on paper but promised to improve dramatically for the experience. If he is true to his promise, he should take all the beating. High Expectations and Uplifted clashed over course and distance earlier in the month and while Uplifted is weighted to reverse form, it doesn't look strong in any case with Jazzy Lady disappointing. Al Musheer and Aldreth met at Sedgefield where again, the form looked weak behind the clear winner. Starchitect was entered for this race and would have been of notable interest but alas, he misses this engagement. Les Gar Gan has several bits of reasonable form on the flat but looked vulnerable at a distance. Cape Arrow is Cape Cross' first juvenile of the season, demonstrated fair form in the spring and will get the trip without any major issues but comes here after two disappointing efforts. Network Perfection wasn't totally devoid of promise on the flat but would struggle to win a race in any case.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1.Sinndar's Man
2.Uplifted
3.Cape Arrow

Les Gar Gan 3/1 Safari Journey 1st Handicap Chase (Listed, 130), Ascot 2010 (5/2 Goss 5/2 Guilder)
High Expectations 2/1 Tashtikar 1st Prix Achille-Fould (Listed), Auteuil 2005 (.5 Bigearsonmyright)
Sinndar's Man 2/3 European Dream 3rd Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (Listed), Wetherby 2006
Network Perfection 5/3 High Debate 3rd Future Champions Novices' Chase, Ayr 1988 (5/2 Fledge)
Aldreth 2/1 Munif 1st Conditions Hurdle, Listowel 1997
Al Musheer 3/1 Alriffa 5th Dovecote Novices Hurdle (G2), Kempton 1996
Cape Arrow .5 Conducting 2nd Novices' Hurdle, Newton Abbot 2014
Uplifted 2/1 Innocent 4th Maiden Hurdle, Sligo 2003

Sires
Uplifted - Jeremy (8)
Cape Arrow - Cape Cross (7)
Sinndar's Man - Sinndar (5)
Al Musheer - Verglas (2)
Les Gar Gan - Iffraaj (1)
High Expectations - High Rock
Network Perfection - Distant Peak
Aldreth - Champs Elysees

Many thanks to Martin for keeping us posted on last week's happenings. I can't wait to catch up with what's been going on over there. From what I spotted, Bonito du Berlais is still taking care of business and Karelcytic looks like a force to be reckoned with over fences. Exciting times.

Oh, since OJA isn't available in BiH, are there any updates on those already mentioned in this thread?
 
Hope things are ok at home now BH - missed your input on here.

Onsaijamais was beaten at odds-on in a chase at Craon on Sunday (he's one I mentioned from Dieppe) and there are a few more 3yo hurdles coming up at Enghien today.
 
I saw the Bonito du Berlais race and, while I suspect he beat trees, he dispatched them with ease in the home straight giving plenty of weight away. He looked as though he could have gone round again.

It was an impressive performance, and I have to say I'm surprised he hasn't crossed the channel to a big money owner with Mullins, Nicholls or Henderson, as he'd be a major Triumph contender. Plus he appears to have a bit of size about him giving the impression he'd easily jump a fence.
 
BDB beat a few previous winners the other day and with ease, including Champ De Bataille who's already a dual Auteuil winner and had the advantage of having a run.

Bonito Du Berlais has already been bought by James-Douglas Gordon after finishing third on his debut at Auteuil. He certainly won't have been chepa given he's a half-brother to the top class Nikita Du Berlais so I'd imagine that would put him out of the price bracket of most UK owners.

Can't say for certain and it'd be a fairly uncommon name but there's a James-Douglas Gordon who owns horses with James Ewart, Martin Todhunter and Simon West albeit in different colours (though still with the diamonds on the jacket) while I have it on good authority that Nicholls was at Nico Bertran De Balanda's to buy a filly last year which subsequently ran in J-D G's colours.

Martin
 
Bachelors Hall said:
Unanimite
Kentucky Dynamite (1) 2/1 Barents 1st Conditions Hurdle, Lyon Parilly 2013
Rated 90+ on the flat, Unanimite is a very consistent sort having never finished outside the first four in nine starts. That said, he has only won the one race and that was as a 2yo when he beat Jonjo O'Neill's big money purchase Matorico at Lyon La Soie. On his latest start, Unanimate finished fourth in a Cagnes Sur Mer listed contest. The clear winner, Mr Pommeroy, has since finished sixth in the Prix du Jockey Club whereas the runner up, Cockney Bob, finished fifth in a Chantilly claimer (albeit for 34,000€). Unanimite will be running for Simon Munir.
(Carried Mr Munir's french colours of dark green, brown diamonds)
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Yay!

For all intents and purposes, tomorrow's race at Market Rasen is the Triumph Hurdle of the summer with the three highest (only) officially rated Juveniles set to clash. It also sees the unveiling of (with the possible exception of Russian Bolero) the most exciting newcomer so far in the shape of Unanimite.

Unanimite hasn't been seen since the above noted Listed race in February although the form from that race is, on balance, holding up well enough. It was taken clearly by Mr Pommeroy who, whilst hasn't really built on his French Derby sixth, has established himself as a legitimate Group Three performer. Second placed Cockney Bob is a handicapper and third placed God's Speed is holding his own in UK handicaps for Rae Guest. Behind Unanimite on his last two starts was Goldy Espony who is now operating at Group One level in the USA after taking a French Group Three of her own. Completing the picture, Unanimite's conquerer on his penultimate start, Initial, has since taken to hurdling and finished fourth in last week's Prix Finot. So although his form is now quite stale, it would still count as the strongest bought from the flat so far. Furthermore, he has joined a top yard for his UK bow so he merits obvious respect even in this company. It would be worth noting though that he's been on the Munir payroll for a while now and wouldn't qualify as a "big money purchase". All the same, there should be clues in the market as the Pipe yard holds a line through recent winner Sinndar's Man regarding Goodbye Dancer. Running Wolf is another newcomer but though he'd be given an outside squeak in an ordinary contest based on his handicapping form earlier this year, he can't be given any feasible chance in this company on his latest third at selling level.

Goodbye Dancer is, by some margin, the leading UK juvenile so far despite his rather perverse predisposition. His French flat was fair if rather ordinary and although it is looking rather good seeing he was a rough equal to leading juvenile chaser Karelcytic, he would still be the best part of a stone behind Unanimite in that sphere. Nevertheless, he has looked impressive over hurdles during the summer. On his debut over course and distance, he looked, behaved and travelled like an erratic so and so but still won in a hack canter by fourteen lengths from Zephyr. On his next start at Stratford, his behaviour was still quite alarming but he mercilessly galloped his rivals into despair before finishing a hard held eleven lengths clear of Gimme Five. On his last start at Newton Abbot, he was much calmer and on a casual observation, this appeared to take the edge off him as he was more workmanlike in dispatching of Sinndar's Man. Nevertheless, Goodbye Dancer was conceding ten pounds to the subsequently commanding Newton Abbot winner and connections noted afterwards that he would be better in a better race. Full Day was a nice, progressive sort on the flat and she continued her progress when making a winning debut at Newton Abbot. She came out on top of Vosne Romanee in a short battle up the straight that day and while she probably had a smoother run than her foe, she seemed to have enough in hand that a penalty wouldn't have made a difference. Her last start at Sedgefield was little more than an exercise canter and she comes into this with full potential her far from established. Vosnee Romanee was consistent on the flat and has improved again for the switch to hurdling. Runner up on his first two starts in this sphere, including over course and distance, his admirable aura was finally rewarded at Cartmel where he won as he was entitled to. He followed this up with a hardy success at Fontwell where he stayed on to beat Zephyr and Gimme Five. Albeit a little quirky, it is very difficult not to like this horse. However, this will be his fourteenth start this year alone and through Zephyr and Gimme Five, he has at least a stone to find on Goodbye Dancer. Although Lord Brantwood represents Tim Vaughan, he wasn't particularly fancied before running at Cartmel and finished miles behind Vosne Romanee that day.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1.Goodbye Dancer
2.Unanimite
3.Full Day

Running Wolf 5/4 Bacchanal 1st Stayers’ Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2000 (3/3 Paco Jack 5/4 Crossbow Creek)
Vosne Romanee 2/1 Sweet Glow 1st Long Distance Hurdle (G2), Ascot 1994
Full Day 6/4 Bright Oassis 1st Knowsley (Later "Top") Novices' Hurdle, Aintree 1982
Unanimite 2/1 Barents 1st Conditions Hurdle, Lyon Parilly 2013
Lord Brantwood .5 Il Portico 4th Juvenile Hurdle, Kempton 2010
Goodbye Dancer 2/2 Six Notes 7th Claiming Hurdle, Avignon 2002

Sires
Running Wolf - Amadeus Wolf
Vosne Romanee - Arakan
Full Day - Champs Elysees
Unanimite - Kentucky Dynamite
Lord Brantwood - Sir Percy
Goodbye Dancer - Dragon Dancer
 
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I may as well add Triumph odds if a listed runner is due to run. I reckon normally, I will only quote intended runners (as it will be silly if I'm quoting 60+ horses in a Ludlow preview containing an 80/1 shot) but for poops and titters, here's the first show.

Hargam 20/1
Timiyan 20/1
Chartbreaker 33/1
Karezak 33/1
Top Notch 33/1
Goodbye Dancer 40/1
Mr Gallivanter 40/1
New Street 40/1
Tarabiyn 40/1
Full Day 50/1
Tall Ship 50/1
Come On Sunshine 66/1
Vosne Romanee 66/1

What price do you folk reckon Bonito du Berlais should be at this stage were he to run in the UK this season? I'd say 12/1 but I'm really not an odds compiler.
 
Best form but highly unlikely to run - 12's would be about right, a lot can happen between now and March and his biggest test of all will come in November (and even then we won't know how if he'll handle Cheltenham).

Bonbon au Miel has yet to run at one of the big Paris tracks but was impressive in scoring at the second time of asking at Fontainebleau yesterday for the Macaire/Papot/Cheminaud axis. Will be interesting to see if he heads to the Cambaceres where he'll undoubtedly face BDB.
 
Disappointing run from Goodbye Dancer. Sloppy jumping found him out this time seemingly


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
A little late but here's the preview for the upcoming Bangor opening. I'm kinda in the process of doing the missing reviews and the UK ones should hopefully be finished by tonight if I can get a clear run.

Today's juvenile at Bangor features a clash between four newcomers including two blockbuster signings from the summer sales - Starchitect and Final Countdown.

Starchitect, who cost 110,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July sale, is the second most expensive juvenile prospect sold at auction this season behind New Street. Nevertheless, what makes him more exciting is that he's set to be the first son of Sea The Stars to see a hurdle in public anywhere which is especially intriguing as his half brother, Galileo, is very successful in this sphere. Still a maiden after four starts on the flat for Ed Lynam, his lofty price tag can only really be explained by his latest start when runner up at the Curragh in May where he was still rather green. The race was taken with a little in hand by Aiden O'Brien's gelding Table Rock who subsequently landed a listed contest over a mile at Newmarket in July. The form is given further credibility by the fact that he finished ahead of three winners including the 100 rated News At Six so Starchitect's official rating of 84 may be a little lenient if anything. In the three year history of this Bangor race, Donald McCain has two wins (including Hollow Tree) and a runner up so it is a race he likes to target. What's more, the trainer stated in OJA that he "jumps very well" and at this stage, looks like the season's standard bearer for the yard. If he wins well here, it would be no surprise to see him feature prominently in the early Triumph lists. Final Countdown fetched a more down to earth £50,000 when headlining the potential jumpers section of September's DBS sale and will be this season's throw of the Triumph dice for the owners of Countrywide Flame. Winless on his first five starts for Tony Carson, he took a modest Leicester handicap before following up at Yarmouth where though he looked beaten half a mile out, he grinded on to the line passing subsequent Chepstow winner (and now hurdler) Aristocracy inside the final furlong. His official rating in the mid seventies seems fair enough and he joins a top Juvenile yard. Though he has to improve a fair deal before he can be considered Cheltenham standard, his likeable attitude should see him exploit any weaknesses if they exist in Starchitect. Something of a gap emerges to the other two candidates in the field. Edge won a Chester maiden as a two year old for Hannon senior but after a winter break and a change of scenery, he looks to have lost the plot - particularly in his two starts last month where he was beaten a combined forty four lengths. All told, this season's flat form entitles him to finish last of the four although his family tree is not at all short on hurdlers and trainer Bernard Llewellyn did quite well with a similar sort in Captain Sharpe a few seasons ago. Guard Of Honour started his life as a Coolmore horse and is 4/3 with American Champion Mineshaft. He wasn't deemed talented enough for that operation and before the summer, joined a trainer more synonymous with big staying chaser types in Rebecca Curtis. Whilst he was seventh of nine, his debut effort at Newbury wasn't horrific by any means with a few of his conquerors emerging as listed-ish class. However, he failed to build on this promise on his next starts at Lingfield and Ffos Las and looks in need of a career best to take this race.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1.Starchitect
2.Final Countdown
3.Edge

Edge 3/2 Model Man 1st Prix La Barka (Listed), Auteuil 1991
(3/3 Rasko & Baker Boy 5/4 Cardinal Hill 3/4 American Trilogy 3/1 Grace Card 3/3 Desert Tommy & Far Pavilions)
Starchitect 4/2 Vandas Choice 2nd Handicap Chase (Listed,135), Wetherby 2005
Final Countdown 2/1 Pearl’s A Singer 3rd Mares Novice Hurdle (G3), Down Royal 2006
Guard Of Honour 4/3 The Woodstock Lady 1st Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (98), Exeter 2001

Sires
Guard Of Honour - Galileo (10)
Edge - Acclamation
Starchitect - Sea The Stars
Final Countdown - Selkirk
 
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I'm finally up to date with the UK juveniles (still have to fill my database but at least I know how the races looked). The Irish ones will probably have to wait for a few more days due to other commitments (and the other UK races this weekend).

If I've made any mistakes or if my judgement is way off then please let me know. I'll have a look at tomorrow's race at Fontwell and post a preview either later on or in the morning depending on how entertaining the Tottenham match is.

Fontwell 7th September
This race took in two previous winners who despite their penalties, filled the first two positions. They went a sensible gallop and the time was nearly two seconds faster than the later novice which was taken by a 112 horse who was carrying seven pounds less than Vosnee Romanee.

Vosnee Romanee was progressive on the flat and has continued his progression over hurdles picking up a Cartmel contest he was entitled to win last time out. Ridden with a little more restraint than usual, he's a horse who though possessing a few psychological niggles, is nothing short of admirable in his overall honesty and consistency. He travelled nicely throughout and though he was fourth entering the straight, he needed only hands and heels to cover the deficit. A blunder at the last didn't cost him a great deal in momentum and was ridden out to register a definitive success. Whilst he is a most admirable sort who is clearly above average for the time of year, one suspects he'll settle into a more middling level as the season progresses. Gimme Five is another metonym for consistency having finished placed on all four starts, jumping proficiently on each occasion. Unfortunately for him, his standard seems quite rigidly set which curtails his scope for progression. Nevertheless, he should still be capable of winning in turn provided the level of competition isn't too high. Zephyr, as with his first two starts, gave followers cause for alarm with his attitude and whilst he pulled a little in the early stages, his wanderlust when taking a clear lead in the home straight cost him any feasible chance of winning this contest. Nevertheless, this effort still represents a career best and if he can mature a bit and maybe be kept hold of a little longer, there's every chance he can get a small race of his own. Aristocracy was a dual winner on the flat for Mick Channon where he earned a rating of 69. He wasn't particularly strong in the market though and the standard of his jumping ranged from slow and novicey to really slow and novicey. As such, his losing so much momentum and energy meant that he never really stood a chance and he looked set to finish tailed off leaving the back. That said, he did pass beaten horses in the closing stages so there is ability there. If his poor jumping is down solely to a lack of practice then it's not unfeasible that he can fare much better. Particularly on a more undulating track. Magic Magnolia showed vastly improved form for the switch to hurdling on her first two starts but rather took a step back here. Her jumping was actually a bit better than on her previous starts but the form is a bit disappointing. Her jockey had to kid her along at the start before she was led in and it may well be that she's simply the sort to blow hot and cold. Flying Author is a fifteen race maiden on the flat who's rather flattered by mark of 44. Racing prominently, he ran around at first and was off the bridle at halfway before weakening quickly. Little hope of winning a race on this evidence. Wearing blinkers, Fennann was a very recalcitrant sort on the flat and while he took a two mile Lingfield handicap (needing every yard) on his last start, the race was described by trainer Gary Moore as rubbish. Fennann's head on this occasion was not entirely there but was he still travelling well enough when he misjudged the fourth last flight taking off way too early and giving Jamie Moore no chance of maintaining the partnership. He did continue jumping loose though which indicates no innate aversion to jumping which is somewhat encouraging. It's difficult to say what Fennann may be capable of achieving over hurdles but one imagines he'll do better over further.

Perth 8th September
With the favourite disappointing badly, this race did not take much winning and in the end, the first four were covered by four and a half lengths. The pace was strong though.

High Expectations had not shown anything in three starts at Dundalk and was very easy in the market before the off. There was hope though in the shape of his ill fated half brother Bigearsonmyright who had improved after a poor flat career and the hope was fulfilled here. Travelling nicely turning for home, he was already on top jumping the last and a touch of the whip sealed the race putting a couple of lengths between him and his rivals. Still a little green and room for improvement in the jumping department, he's entitled to step up on this effort - particularly on softer ground. Dry Your Eyes was able to win on the flat but it was a poor race and is flattered by her rating of 68. She ran keenly at Cartmel and did much the same here although she was allowed her head and finished much stronger as a result. Setting her own pace, she was caught only approaching the final flight where she was rather squeezed out. She again shirked the issue when enveloped by the two geldings but to her credit, stayed on again to the line. An improved effort and a decent display of fast jumping, a small race wouldn't be outside her compass. A rare enough runner over hurdles for Kevin Ryan, Uplifted won a Newcastle a Newcastle maiden by six lengths off 53 in may but had since mixed fair runs with stinkers. Sweating up prior to the race, his jumping was rather novicey at times but he stuck on well enough to the finish. Wouldn't be guaranteed to repeat the effort though. The Wallace Line displayed only fair, albeit solid, form in eight starts as a two year old for Mick Channon but was beaten seventy lengths on his only flat start this year. He's another horse who sweated and a poor jump three out saw him quickly outpaced and off the bridle before plugging on again towards the finish. Not an obvious immediate winner. Jazzy Lady had showed more than enough in her first two starts to suggest that a race of this nature was hers for the taking. However, the writing was on the wall quite early on as she jumped very poorly at the first before taking a very keen hold. Beaten before the home straight, this has to go down as a below par performance. Consistent on the flat and generally a tough sort, she can be forgiven this one effort for now.

Plumptom 21st September
A larger field than usual for the type of race but not one of huge quality and German Derby exile Russian Bolero was head and shoulders above the rest of these.

Russian Bolero was a little green on the flat in Germany but nothing psychotic and his level of form was useful. A runner up in a listed contest, he disappointed in the German derby with the cheekpieces taken off but bounced back in a Frankfurt contest where the winner went on to finish third in a listed race. A horse with great potential, he was prominent throughout and didn't need to come out of first gear to take this race as he liked. If one was to find a fault, it would be that he tended to jump a little big at a few of the hurdles but it's worth bearing in mind that he is still a colt so if connections decide to reduce his masculinity, there's potential for further improvement. He beat very little here and it's likely that stronger types will emerge in the coming months but he's straightforward enough and chances are he'll be better on softer ground so he looks like a nice sort for now. Seven lengths back was Witch From Rome whom started at 50/1. The regressive nature of his flat form, in particular his latest eleven length defeat in a Lingfield seller justified such a price. Nevertheless, after going for £2800 at the Ascot July Sale, he joined a capable trainer in Neil King and his ability to count the likes of Kadarann and Kadoun amongst his distant relations goes some way to explaining this revitalisation. He does stay but he isn't a natural jumper though and whilst there could be a very small race out there for him, his position in the field casts a shadow on the overall form of those in behind him more than anything else. Officer Drivel won a maiden on the flat for Luke Dace but appears to be a difficult sort to get right. At Newton Abbot, he raced prominently but jumped poorly when weakening. On this occasion, the intended was for him to be ridden with restraint. However, saddle slipped early on and by pulling himself to the front, Rhys Flint's decision to change tactics was made for him. That said, he jumped nicely by and large and it was only a blunder at the last which cost him second place. Somewhat unlucky here, whilst he's not a world beater, he has at least a smidge of talent and one would be confident of him reversing placings with the runner up were they to meet in the future. Relentless Pursuit failed to progress on the flat after winning over seven furlongs at Dundalk and whilst this is a small step up on his Stratford form, he's unlikely to be making waves in this discipline. Nellie The Elegant momentarily looked a threat at Newton Abbot and under more pronounced waiting tactics here, made her effort toward the end of back straight. However, she was incapable of emerging from the midfield and looks limited at this stage. There was eleven lengths back to interesting newcomer Jarlath who, on his penultimate start, had four subsequent winners behind when stretching a Newbury handicap. He was close up in the early stages but tried to pull up at paddock bend and weakened not long after regaining his position. Maybe gelding him would help him but he doesn't look like a natural and a return to the flat seems like the sensible option. Appellez Baileys started as a 100/1 shot whose flat form ranged from poor to atrocious. A strong distant jumping pedigree but a slow jump over first set the tone for the entire race. The well related Love Tangle has essentially disappointed all year and whilst his headstrong personality was less conspicuous here, his lack of talent was not. Prim And Proper never featured on her debut at Cartmel and it was much the same here as she finished last of the finishers. Planet Rock was beaten an aggregate of three hundred and ten lengths in four starts on the flat, jumped poorly over the first two hurdles and unseated his rider at third. Lady Knight demonstrated promise as 2yo but was regressive on flat for Stan Moore with that spell culminating in twenty-three length defeat in a Windsor claimer. She was in the rear of the field when unseating her rider at the third. New Colours was a very rare hurdles runner for Marcus Tregoning. Just the one win on the flat but a consistent overall profile and a fully justifiable rating of 68. However, he was not at all fluent at any stage and accidentally treading on David Bass at the third seemed to bring out his humanist sensitivities as he effectively had enough of the game. It would be a surprise to see him try hurdling again.

Perth 24th September
Perth's second juvenile of the season featured five horses who had all finished in the first three on their debuts and it was this five that had the race between them throughout.

Sinndar's Man was having only his second race in public and on his debut, it took him a while to figure out the object of the game before he stayed on with promise. Whilst he got a little warm in the preliminaries, he travelled much better here and despite slowing up into the third last and generally being slightly untidy, his jumping also improved. In the end, he was an authoritative winner and would win this race again with a penalty. Still a backward type of animal, he has the scope to improve once again. High Expectations won over course and distance earlier in the month and ran another honest race here. He still wasn't as assured over hurdles as one would like to see and made a couple of mistakes along the way but he travelled nicely and pulled clear of the third under his penalty. Gordon Elliot is bound to have better horses for the winter but High Expectations is capable of taking another small race in the meantime. Al Musheer wasn't a superstar in France and was firmly put in his place on his debut at Sedgefield. Nevertheless he jumped well on that occasion and with the exception of a sloppy jump at the penultimate flight and a tired one at the last, he put in another very economical round. While jumping is his strong suit, stamina is not and while there's a small race for the taking given optimal circumstances, he will continue to be vulnerable to stronger stayers. Aldreth, who was eleven lengths behind Al Musheer at Sedgefield, finished under a length behind Donald McCain's grey on this occasion. Similar to his Sedgefield run, he found himself outpaced before plugging on in the latter stages of the race. Far from an obvious imminent winner, he will be seen to better effect when he gets a trip. Cape Arrow had won over 1m3f on the flat but was disappointing on his last two starts. The disappointment was transferred to hurdles where he made mistakes and finished tailed off last. Network Perfection brought a with him a warranted flat rating of 47 and started at 100/1 here. He battled for his head in the early stages and was set to finish last before falling at the final hurdle. Les Gar Gan had some reasonable form amongst her sixteen runs on the flat but looked vulnerable at a distance. Poor over first and less than fluent from there on, she weakened exiting the back straight and pulled up soon after.

Market Rasen 27th September
Le roi est mort, vive le roi! The Market Rasen race was, for all intents and purposes, the Triumph Hurdle of the summer with the top three rated juveniles with experience taking on (with the possible exception of Russian Bolero) the most exciting newcomer of the season thus far in Unanimite.

Unanimite was a consistent sort on the flat in France finishing in the first four on all of his starts. His Cagnes Sur Mer form last time out would have been the strongest brought from the flat so far this season and it was encouraging that he joined a top yard in David Pipe. With the exception of two hurdles, he jumped nice and fluently and the manner in which he dismissed his accomplished opponents was nothing short of impressive. It is still a very long road to Cheltenham and the 33/1 for the Triumph seems fair at this stage but all the same, Unanimite has firmly laid down the marker. Full Day has been progressive throughout the summer and has confirmed herself to be a talented filly. Setting her own pace, she jumped safely until she came under pressure in the straight. Nevertheless, despite being headed, she rallied bravely from the last and was able to assert superiority over Vosne Romanee. It would be too much to ask of her to be quite up to Cheltenham standard but she is still a likeable sort and one can imagine her being competitive in a Mares only contest such as the one at Aintree in December. Vosne Romanee as per usual was a little keen but not alarmingly so and put in yet another solid and honest effort. Life will become more difficult for him now the season is hotting up and his mark of 126 looks pretty firm but there's no reason why he can't stay competitive at this level. Goodbye Dancer was a clear disappointment and was firmly deposed of his throne here. A capricious character at the best of times, he was very much on his toes at the start and pulled hard throughout the race. Towards the end of the race, he had spent all of his energy and was limited to putting in sloppy jumps. This is not the first time he has behaved in this manner and indeed, it was at this course where he pulled the same antics when making an impressive debut. It may well be that his unquestionable talent is inextricable from his haphazard behaviour and if this is the case then it has been firmly demonstrated that he won't be able to get away with it at this level or above. There was a gap of twenty-one lengths to the two whom completed the field. Running Wolf made several mistakes in rear and was the first off the bridle before losing touch. He never really stood a chance in this field and though the pick of his flat form would entitle him to consideration in a weak event, his jumping would still need to improve. Lord Brantwood pulled very hard during the first half of the race and found himself outpaced with well over half a mile to go. Although this counts as a step up on his Cartmel run, it's difficult to envisage a race being weak enough for him at this stage.

Bangor 2nd October
Today's race at Bangor can only really be described as comedy gold - although one imagines the connections who had splashed a combined £165,500 on the top two in the market may struggle to appreciate the hilarity. None of the four runners jumped with any great enthusiasm and all four approached the majority of the hurdles with marked trepidation. Whilst there's a temptation to dismiss the form out of hand, the four did eventually finish in the expected order.

Starchitect has the loftiest prices tag of all before him this season and was the subject of highly positive reports beforehand. He took the early lead and was a little ponderous at the first but his second jump was more fluent. It was at the third however where disaster almost struck. He swerved very badly to the right approaching the flight and had actually come to a stop before gingerly stepping over the hurdle. Rather fortunately for him, his actions were rather imitated by the others so he didn't need to expend a great deal of energy to get back on terms. His race continued to be peppered with ponderous leaps but when the pace quickened approaching three out, his jumping improved considerably. Responding quickly to Jason Maguire's urgings to lead before the second last, Starchitect soon put the race to bed and in the end ran out a convincing winner. As it stands, there has to be a huge question mark against his name. Nevertheless, he clearly has talent and that question mark can still be rubbed out as quickly as it was etched on. Donald McCain described him afterwards as "good a juvenile I have schooled at home" yet also said he "has the look of a staying chaser". A highly entertaining start to his career if nothing else and one very much to look forward to for whatever reason. Final Countdown was himself a fairly pricey purchase thought of as a jumping type. He sweated up prior to the race and was distracted by Starchitect's antics at the third as he slipped a bit before almost coming to a standstill himself. Left in the lead, he wandered and slowed right down approaching the fourth where he conceded the lead to Guard Of Honour. Regaining the lead after the third last, he was soon outpaced by the winner but still emerged a class above the other pair. Another who will have plenty to answer for until proven innocent, he still clearly has the capability of picking up a race or two. Guard Of Honour failed to make the track for Aiden O'Brien and failed to build on her flat debut for his current yard. He found himself in the lead after the fourth hurdle but even he was very wary of the fifth hurdle and jumped right handed in the main in any case. Though definitively outpaced by the first two, he will have to be tried in a more proper race before his ability can be assessed. Edge jumped poorly at the first and was caught right behind Starchitect when he very nearly unseated at the third. Always in rear, he lost touch in the closing stages. The race was too muddling to write him off on this evidence although he still has plenty to prove based on his flat exploits.
 
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Bachelors Hall said:
Mercoeur 35,000€ Highflyer
Archange d'Or 3/1 Pashto 12th Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1991
Mercoeur is the only horse on this list with hurdles experience. Indeed, all four of his runs have been over obstacles. His first two runs were at Auteuil where he was sixteen lengths eighth behind Le Baron Noir and was outclassed further when ninth to Kobrouk. The RPR of 97 earned in these two runs probably wouldn't be far off what he'd shown. With his sights lowered however, Mercoeur has twice been able to run into third. Penultimately at Nancy behind L'Aigle Royal and at Lyon Parilly last time out behind Fayas. Whilst not abhorrent, his level of form wouldn't exactly have one rushing for Triumph quotes. Even if he has been leaving plenty back at the stable.
(Mercoeur ran in the Dark Blue with Pink Box and Cap)
Click to expand...

Today’s Fontwell contest will be interesting for two reasons. Firstly, most of the contenders couldn't be described as straightforward. Secondly, it features an intriguing newcomer in Mercoeur who was one of the animals listed in the Arqana sale post earlier in the thread. Furthermore, two horses who have finished ahead of him have since joined UK stables – Wells de Lune (2nd in the Fayas clip) has joined Charlie Longsdon and L’Aigle Royal has joined John Quinn. (Kalkir also finished ahead of Mercoeur on his debut at Auteuil) Therefore, a strong showing in this race will bode well for the other two immigrants who each conceded weight to Warren Greatrex’s newcomer.

Mercoeur is of blatant interest with him being a French import and his form, whilst not championship class, is reasonable at the very least. Prior to his 35,000€ sale at Arqana, he had two runs at Auteuil before twice finishing third at smaller venues (which can all be seen above). As Well de Lune and L’Aigle Royal came to the UK, his other conquerors (Le Costaud and Fayas) have since won chases so there’s a discernible level of quality in the form. In a race where all of the contenders hold a penchant to petulance, so too does Mercoeur as demonstrated by his garish head carriage and iffy jumping. Nevertheless, he would still be the leading contender and if the summer break has seen him mature, he should be difficult to beat here. Zephyr posted a career best effort last time out over today’s course and distance where he finished a length and a quarter behind Vosne Romanee. As with his other two starts, his attitude was a cause for concern and his wanderlust when hitting the front probably cost him second place that day. Nevertheless, his UK hurdles form is the strongest in the field and he could be in the mix if Brendan Powell is able to get a hold of him. Drifter brings flat form which is comparable to that of the other UK raised runners and even has the slight measure of Zephyr on their Sandown encounter. Moreover, he has a very eye-catching uncle in the shape of Celestial Halo. However, his character looks questionable given his propensity to pull extremely hard and that can often be enough to cost a horse his chance in this kind of contest. Fennann was another roguish rascal on the flat but his win at Lingfield over two miles (the race was described by the trainer as “rubbish”) did show that he can at least stay. He seemed to have his head in the clouds on his debut but was still travelling when he mistimed his jump and got rid of Jamie Moore. Not one to trust at the moment. The Wallace Line was not disgraced on his debut at Perth despite sweating up beforehand and being somewhat let down by his jumping. That was not a very strong race though and the principles here look too strong for him today. The pick of Malachim Mist’s form is as strong as anything produced on the flat in the UK by any of this season’s juveniles. Unfortunately, it occurred whilst he was a two year old and he was regressive on the flat before his hurdles debut at Stratford in late August. Stamina had been a major concern prior to that outing and the prophecy was fulfilled as he completely bottomed out. Lady Knight started at 66/1 on her Plumpton debut on account of the poor recent flat form which had seen her beaten by no less than twenty-three lengths on each of her last four starts. She made it only to the third flight that day before unseating her rider.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1.Mercoeur
2.Zephyr
3.Drifter

Drifter 2/1 Celestial Halo 1st Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2007
Fennann 2/1 Trenchant 1st National Spirit Hurdle (G2), Fontwell 2010 (2/1 Personal Column 135)
The Wallace Line 2/1 Romancer 2nd County Hurdle (G3,136), Cheltenham 1996
Mercoeur 3/1 Pashto 12th Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1991
Lady Knight 2/3 Drumfire 2nd Novice Hurdle (Listed), Limerick 2010 (.5 Roja Dove)
Zephyr 2/1 Rapier 1st Novices' Hurdle, Ayr 1998
Malachim Mist 4/1 Home Solutions Placed Juvenile Hurdle, 1984

Sires
Drifter - Footstepsinthesand (3)
Zephyr - Shirocco (3)
Fennann - Dutch Art (1)
Malachim Mist - Dark Angel (1)
The Wallace Line - Mastercraftsman
Mercoeur - Archange d'Or
Lady Knight - Champs Elysees
 
Thanks a lot guys. I appreciate the kind words :) Interestingly enough, I'm actually quite disappointed at the level of my detail and effort but that's a whole other story really...

Review for Fontwell 3rd October

Fontwell’s second race of the season was far from an exhibition of gallantry with the prize eventually falling to the horse with the least issues and the most minimal aversion to actually winning.

The Wallace Line jumped competently for the most part without being entirely slick and was last off the bridle. Similar to his last start, he steadied going into the second last flight (third last at Perth) which cost him momentum and handed the initiative to the runner up. At the last, he made another blunder handing Mercoeur a clear lead in the process. However, Richard Johnson’s mount plugged on and the stamina he hinted at possessing on his debut was put into good effect here as he held on by a neck. In truth, this was not a strong contest and what’s more, he was the second best horse in the race in terms of pure ability. Connections will do well to find him another juvenile hurdle to win under a penalty at this stage but he is entitled to improve again for a step up in trip later in his career. Mercoeur brought reasonable jumping form with him from France and was heavily backed prior to the off but concerns over his jumping and his attitude ultimately manifested on this occasion. Although his jumping was generally the best in the field, he was still a bit awkward at the first, the fourth and again at the fifth. He’s almost certainly the most talented horse in the race but it was his attitude which cost him same. After the winner’s slow jump at the second last, he was upsides him and back swinging on the bridle. He was handed the lead after the leader made a blunder at the last however he refused to sustain his effort and was headed shortly after. He unquestionably has the ability to win a race of this nature but it remains to be seen if his attitude allows him to do so. Fennann only made it to the sixth on his jumps debut over course and distance but was last chancy at his obstacles here and was able to complete nine lengths behind the first two. Attitude problems beset his flat career and they re-emerged here as he carried his head high as soon as he was pushed along in the back straight. He stayed on a bit shortly afterwards but then hung after jumping the last. He’s another who will be well suited by further but temperament stands firmly between him and success. Drifter sweated badly beforehand and took an extremely fierce pull in the early stages. He settled down after roughly a mile and still seemed to travel well in the lead before fading after three out. His chance was blown after the first few furlongs and there will be carrying a squiggle with him wherever he goes. Notwithstanding, he does have some talent and is actually a nice jumper so if he gets his head straight, he can be competitive at this kind of level. Zephyr put up a career best effort here last time but having decided to have an off day, he was never likely to build on that effort and he began to get nudged along with a circuit to go. Lady Knight started as the rank outsider based on her losing her form completely and was getting reminders as early as the third here before eventually finishing tailed off. Malachim Mist raced prominently and was quite keen early in blinkers. However, he lost his position very quickly passing the post on the second lap and was pulled up before the home straight.

Here are the previews for tomorrow's races at Kelso and Huntingdon

There are two juvenile hurdles in the UK tomorrow, the first taking place at Kelso. The last two renewals of this event have been taken by Donald McCain and John Quinn – each of whom are represented here today.

Mr Gallivanter is one from one after taking a reasonable contest at Stratford on his debut. A clear and convincing winner, he did make a significant blunder in that contest but at the same time, the manner in which he recovered was catching. He had a run on the flat just over a fortnight ago where he finished fourth of four at Beverley. Nevertheless, the winner was an improving sort, breaking the course record in the process, and he wasn’t beaten far at all. His head carriage can be a little high and he isn’t a complete natural but he does have a quote for the Triumph hurdle (He’s not going to win that race though) and should have the requisite class to take this fairly comfortably. Al Musheer cost 20,000€ on account of his exploits in France which were fair at best. Beaten by the decent filly Full House at Sedgefield, he was readily dismissed at Perth next time by a David Pipe and a Gordon Elliott horse (neither of them superstars). He is a very nice jumper for the most part but he seems to have a distinct lack of Stamina which is not a condition that affects Mr Gallivanter. Capable of another bold show but will do well to win. Fillydelphia was poor on the flat but stepped up somewhat when third at 66/1 at Cartmel. Niggled from halfway and making a howling error, her third there was a fair enough performance but she will need a really poor race if she’s likely to be competitive soon. Cape Arrow is a winner on the flat but has become disappointing and a switch to jumping elicited no change in fortune as he made mistakes and finished tailed off at Perth. Secret Kode is the only newcomer in the field and while she has three seconds to her name from her two year old campaign, she failed to record an RPR any higher than 31 in six starts this year.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Mr Gallivanter
2. Al Musheer
3. Fillydelphia

Secret Kode 3/3 Albanov 3rd Greenmount Park Novice Chase (G2), Limerick 2007
Fillydelphia 3/2 Mon Michel 1st Gerry Fielden (Listed, 116), Newbury 2007
Mr Gallivanter 3/2 Mohanad Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (Listed), Wetherby 2009
Al Musheer 3/1 Alriffa 5th Dovecote Novices Hurdle (G2), Kempton 1996
Cape Arrow .5 Conducting 121 2nd Novices' Hurdle, Newton Abbot 2014

Sires
Cape Arrow - Cape Cross (7)
Al Musheer - Verglas (2)
Secret Kode - Kodiac
Fillydelphia - Strategic Prince
Mr Gallivanter - Heliostatic

Twenty five minutes later is the first juvenile hurdle of the season from Huntingdon. A winner and two placed horses are set to line up but it wouldn’t be the strongest contest.

Gimme Five was only fair on the flat but he has improved for the switch to hurdles and has demonstrated an admirable consistency. He wouldn’t be high class but he’s near the top of the tree when it comes to those seen so far and a race like this would be well within his grasp. Officer Drivel has been a non-runner four times this season and was withdrawn at Market Rasen before making his debut at Newton Abbot. On that occasion, he jumped poorly when ridden prominently but improved significantly on that run next time at Plumpton where he jumped better despite his saddle slipping early on. It’s unlikely he would have beaten the impressive newcomer but he was best of the remainder on that occasion. Witch From Rome finished just ahead of Officer Drivel at Plumpton but the impression on the day was that the positions would be reversed in any future encounter. He wasn’t completely fluent on his debut and though he’s an assured stayer, he will need an even weaker contest than this if he wants a race of his own. Appellez Baileys was poor at best on the flat and hardly took to jumping like a duck to water when finishing well behind the aforementioned duo at Plumpton. Flying Author achieved next to nothing in fifteen starts on the flat and his debut at Fontwell was devoid of promise. Roman Riches’ trainer, Gary Moore, has sent horses to finish first and second in this race during recent years but these were horses with experience and the only jumps debutant he sent was disappointing. His flat form is fairly standard for Juveniles at this time of year. He took a moderate handicap on the Lingfield turf in June off a mark of 60 and also has a couple of all weather thirds to his name so he isn’t bereft of ability. He hung left last time out which would be a concern around Huntingdon and he races as though a longer trip will suit in any case.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Gimme Five
2. Officer Drivel
3. Roman Riches

Witch From Rome 6/4 Kadarann 1st Game Spirit Chase (G2), Newbury 2003 (6/3 Kadoun 6/3 Kadiskar)
Appellez Baileys 5/4 Midnight Legend 3rd Aintree Hurdle (G1), Aintree 1999 (5/4 Legend Of Love 5/1 Hay Ride 5/2 Record Harvest 5/4 Keenan's Future)
Flying Author2/1 Leviathan 1st Handicap Hurdle (125), Stratford 2014 (3/1 Rocket Ship)
Roman Riches 4/2 Western Fling Genesee Valley Hunt Cup (Listed), Geneseo USA 2008
Officer Drivel 2/1 King Of Oriel 1st Handicap Hurdle (95), Punchestown 2013
Gimme Five 3/1 Rum Baba 1st NvHcHdl (87), Market Rasen 2000

Sires
Flying Author - Authorized (5)
Appellez Baileys - Halling (2)
Officer Drivel - Captain Rio (2)
Witch From Rome - Holy Roman Emperor (1)
Roman Riches - Holy Roman Emperor (1)
Gimme Five - Champs Elysees

Apologies for missing out the Irish racing but I really haven't had much time recently. I've recorded today's race at Gowran and will do reviews for the three I've missed over the next few days.
 
Today's race at Ludlow is a maiden which is a regular feature on this card particular card. Over the past ten years, the experienced horses lead the newcomers with eight wins to two.

Heading the experienced horses is Aristocracy who made his debut at Fontwell over a month ago. A dual winner on the flat, he jumped very slowly and novicey that day though he did pick up late after looking like being finishing tailed off. He finished twenty lengths behind decent sorts Gimme Five and Vosne Romanee that day and it's not impossible that he can improve a good deal on that effort. Nevertheless, whilst the morning market support suggests his jumping may have improved, he isn't one to have faith in until he's proven he can jump in a race. Guard Of Honour competed in last week's farcical contest at Bangor where all four runners demonstrated a negligible attitude towards jumping. Guard Of Honour was also guilty of jumping right handed on that occasion. There was a little potential shown on the flat but more will be known about his ability to be competitive in this sphere after today's race. Ravenous brings with him probably the best flat form here but after travelling well enough for a while at Stratford, his effort amounted to an alarming zero. He was inconsistent on the flat though so it's possible he might put in a rejuvenated effort in turn. Nellie The Elegant manage to win a poor Wolverhampton maiden on the flat and has made something of an effort on each hurdles start but ultimately looks too limited for a contest of this nature. With so many question marks hovering over the experienced horses, the newcomers will be entitled to respect. Sternrubin tended to race keenly on the flat for Peter Chapple-Hyam but his standard of form is good for this level. His most notable effort was finishing under ten lengths behind Group Two winner Eagle Top at Newbury where he had three subsequent winners behind him. He finished runner up on his next run at Thirsk in May, the form of which rather balances his standard and justifies his official rating of 77. Jockey Richard Johnson has already ridden two Juvenile winners this season and trainer Philip Hobbs has described him as a nice prospect. He may yet be better with some give in the ground. Moving Waves took a while to find her groove on the flat but but did enjoy being stepped up in trip with her form figures at one mile four furlongs and above reading 231. Her latest start saw her foil a gamble in a Class 6 Southwell handicap with the first two clear of the rest. The standard of that form is naturally poor but it shows there could be races for her. However, a sharp two miles around Ludlow seems highly unlikely to suit her. On his last starts on the flat for Richard Hannon, Bishop Wulstan has either won, finished within three lengths of the winner or been beaten by over nineteen lengths. Consequently, one wouldn't really describe him as straightforward. He's not much better than staying class on the flat but he does stay and the trainer's first runner of the season, whilst being a bit of a headcase, did jump very nicely. One imagines he'd probably fare better without his testicles though. By a sire of precocious sprinters, Monte Viso's best efforts to date came over six furlongs as a two year old. He's achieved very little in four starts this season and even his official rating of 51 looks a little stiff. Premier Jack's shares his father with the decent stayer Bouggler - who is also his cousin. That is where the prospects of Premier Jack's seemingly begin and end as his flat form is poor at best.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Sternrubin
2. Bishop Wulstan
3. Ravenous

Aristocracy 4/3 Overturn 2nd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012 (3/1 Tyrone Bridge, 4/2 Fisher Bridge, 2/1 Hi Tech)
Monte Viso 3/1 Glencove Marina 2nd Hennessy Gold Cup (G1), Leopardstown 2011 (5/4 Maid Equal 3/1 Bahi 5/3 Crowded House 5/4 Ballyagran 5/2 Perugino Diamond)
Moving Waves 3/3 Intersky Falcon 1st Christmas Hurdle (G1), Kempton 2002 & 2003
Sternrubin 3/2 Salden Licht 3rd Aintree Hurdle (G1), Aintree 2011
Bishop Wulstan .5 Gibb River 1st Handicap Hurdle (144), Sandown 2012 (.5 Goblet Of Fire 3/2 Mon Michel 3/3 Sword Fish)
Premier Jack's 2/1 Bouggler 1st Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Aintree 2009* (4/3 Dancing Bay)
Ravenous .5 Superciliary 1st Handicap Hurdle (108), Wincanton 2014
Guard Of Honour 4/3 The Woodstock Lady 1st Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (98), Exeter 2001
Nellie The Elegant - No jumps relatives

Sires
Guard Of Honour - Galileo (10)
Premier Jack's - Tobougg (6)
Sternrubin - Authorized (5)
Ravenous - Raven's Pass (2)
Bishop Wulstan - Oratorio (1)
Aristocracy - Royal Applause
Monte Viso - Piccolo
Moving Waves - Intense Focus
Nellie The Elegant - Mount Nelson
 
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I can't tell you how furious I am that I didn't have him as my "arbitrary 1" :D

Cheers Chopper :)

When I do write ups, I tend to do so as if I have no idea what the prices are. Today was a bit of an exception as the first chance I'd got to have a proper look was this morning but all the same, I write in terms of chance whilst being blind of any value. It was a poor race and though the favourite was vulnerable to temperament (which manifested itself here), he looked slightly better than the winner on balance beforehand. If value was a consideration then 25/1 (opened at 33/1 I think) was obviously way too big. He's a half brother to two decent hurdlers, his trainer has already proven he can get juveniles to jump, his mercurial form meant his latest flop wasn't a death knell for his chances and that his owners merely switched trainers instead of selling him was indicative of the fact that they thought he still had a race or two in him despite having the Hannons get the most out of him on the flat. His sire, Oratorio, also sired top French juvenile Tidara Angel but now he's standing in South Africa, we're not going to see him fulfil his potential as a National Hunt sire which is a bit of a shame (for jumps fans at least).

The fact that the race worked out perfectly for the horse certainly played its part though...
 
Bachelors Hall said:
Full Blast
Khalkevi (2) 4/5 The New One 3rd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014 (2/1 Easter Day)
In the season's curtain raiser at Enghien Full Blast finished third on his only start to date. Whilst the winner of that race, Sir d'Alma, has not been out since, runner up, The Saint James won both of his subsequent starts at Enghien and Auteuil and would be one of the leading juveniles seen so far. Whilst there wasn't much in behind Full Blast that day, the field did finish strung out. Full Blast has joined Paul Nicholls and will be carrying Martin Broughton's colours.
(red, blue sleeves, yellow cap in video link)
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Today's race at Chepstow would very much be the most intriguing of the season so far in terms of newcomers. Not least because of the Paul Nicholls' charge Full Blast. Paul Nicholls is five from seven in the past ten renewals of this race and that record becomes four from four when one only takes into account his runners with French jumping form (2008 R de Rien Sivola, 2010 Domtaline, 2012 Far West and 2013 Keltus). Full Blast is also interesting as he's the first Juvenile to have been placed at either Auteuil or Enghien to run in the UK this season. When elaborating on the aforementioned form, Sir d'Alma still hasn't returned, The Saint James finished second on his chase debut fourth placed Grand Moss was beaten in a claiming chase and fifth placed Polo Rouge was last seen contesting in an amateur riders race. What's more, although described in OJA as nice and athletic, it's worth noting that he's also described as a big chasing type as well as an earlier juvenile. But whilst the form decidedly isn't phenomenal and the comments hardly scream Triumph horse, he is still entitled to the utmost respect as the form would still win the vast majority of juvenile races so far and his trainer has a fine record in this race. Brook is another French import albeit one in a very different mould. A veteran of two AQPS flat races, he finished second at Chateaubriant behind a future hurdle winner before taking his own race over a mile and a half at Cluny (Black and Yellow colours) where the runner up since won at Montlucon Neris. Brook won at Cluny nicely enough but the form doesn't amount to a great deal. Furthermore, given that he's closely related to the Grand National winner Pineau de Re, it's most probable that he would like further to be seen to best effect. Golden Doyen had six runs on the flat as a two year old splitting his time between France and Germany. After being beaten in a Saint Cloud claimer, he won at Compiegne and was purchased by Philip Hobbs shortly afterwards. Philip Hobbs has already had two juvenile runners this season (Avel Vor and Sternrubin), both of whom were imported and both of whom were disappointing. It may not be significant that Philip Hobbs used "is a nice prospect" for Sternrubin and "I hope he is a nice prospect" for Golden Doyen but even if it isn't, Golden Doyen has enough to prove on the face of it. Karezak is an Irish import who spend his time in Ireland running for the Aga Khan under the tutelage of John Oxx. The highlight of his Irish form was when conceding nine pounds to the winner when 1½ length runner up in the Apprentice Derby in June. The form of that race has been done no harm with the winner taking his next two races (including an eleven length win at Fairyhouse), the third being closely placed in a handicap off 83 and the fourth since taking two races. That particular form is comfortably the best piece of British or Irish flat form demonstrated by any juvenile hurdler this season. Furthermore, being by Azamour (Zarkandar, Third Intention, Dawalan) and coming from a family of hurdlers, he is bred for the job. His case is further bolstered by positive schooling reports from the stable that sent Katchit to win this race and the Triumph hurdle in the 06/07 season. However, a huge dent is put in his chances of winning this race by the fact that his five consecutive runner up spots aren't necessarily down to bad luck. He has been beaten favourite on his two UK flat starts at Haydock (11/10) and at Kempton (4/9) and on several occasions, he has edged in the closing stages and demonstrated an unwillingness to put in a full effort. If sending him to a stiff South Wales track and putting hurdles in his way gets his mind on the game then he will have a huge chance. But as ever in these circumstances, this would be a big if. There are five more newcomers but all of these look out of their depth in this company. Foot Soldier makes his racecourse debut and will be Soldier Of Fortune's first UK hurdler. The sire has made a reasonable start with his French jumpers but it would be a big ask for him to make much of an impact in this company. Hopeigetlucky has had four starts on the flat and after tailing off in a Lingfield maiden, put up a career best latest when sixth in a Goodwood maiden off 51. That form wouldn't be good enough for any juvenile race so far and Hopeigetlucky would need luck of unfathomable proportions to feature here. Maid Of Tuscany was fair and consistent during the thirteen runs at her level on the flat for Mark Usher and in Neil Mulholland, joins a trainer who can get fillies to win juvenile hurdles. No chance here but perhaps one for the future in much lower company. Sheer Poetry has a similar profile to Maid Of Tuscany but with half the exposure. Again, no chance but not one to write off forever. Symphony Of Pearls finished a twenty-seven length last of eleven in a Kempton maiden last July. No earthly indication of a chance here.

Russian Bolero heads the three runners with UK experience and does so by a considerable margin. Pattern class on the flat in Germany , he had tendencies to be a little green but nothing outrageous. He made a very taking jumps debut at Plumpton where he jumped fine, albeit a little big sometimes, and won as he liked in the end. The runner up that day, Witch From Rome seemed to have let the form down a little but his runner up at Huntingdon (a penalty behind Gimme Five and nineteen lengths clear of the rest) has given the form more credence. Taken laterally, Russian Bolero beat Witch From Rome by a penalty (seven lengths) and the nature of that win puts him easily ahead of Gimme Five who is around seven pounds from the best of the rest behind Unanimite. This ultimately means that Russian Bolero sets a solid standard and if he runs to his form and is beaten today, his conquerors will have to be considered for the bigger prizes. Magic Magnolia has proven herself to be much better over jumps than on the flat where she was atrocious. She could even have a very small race in her but she's already exposed as limited on all evidence. Lady Knight's poor flat form has followed her over jumps and was beaten seventy-three lengths in a race much much poorer than this last time out.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Karezak
2. Full Blast
3. Russian Bolero

Full Blast 4/5 The New One 3rd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014 (2/1 Easter Day)
Symphony Of Pearls 5/3 Micko’s Dream 1st Dan Moore Handicap Chase (153), Fairyhouse 2001
Brook 2/1 Pineau de Re 1st Grand National (G3,143), Aintree 2014
Foot Soldier 5/1 Freetown 1st Pertemps Final (Listed,138), Cheltenham 2002 (5/1 Allegation)
Hopeigetlucky 4/1 Mack The Knife 2nd Conditions Hurdle, Kempton 1996 (3/2 Edmo Yewkay)
Karezak 3/2 Kalann 10th Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012
(3/1 Kasthari, 3/2 Karasenir, 4/1 Mohayer)
Maid Of Tuscany 3/1 Classic Statement 3rd Reynoldstown Cup Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Wolverhampton 1990
Lady Knight 2/3 Drumfire 2nd Novice Hurdle (Listed), Limerick 2010* (.5 Roja Dove)
Golden Doyen .5 Goldhans 1st Premio Steeplechase d'Italia (Listed), Merano (2/2 Goldtaucher)
Russian Bolero 2/1 Allow Dallow 2nd Maiden Hurdle, Uttoxeter 2013*
Sheer Poetry Allude 8th Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle (G2), Aintree 2003
Magic Magnolia No jumps relatives - American Bred

Sires
Karezak - Azamour (4)
Magic Magnolia - Azamour (4)
Full Blast - Khalkevi (2)
Maid Of Tuscany - Manduro (2)
Golden Doyen - Doyen (2)
Hopeigetlucky - Lucky Story (1)
Symphony Of Pearls - Lucarno
Brook - Kandidate
Foot Soldier - Soldier Of Fortune
Lady Knight - Champs Elysees
Russian Bolero - Tertullian
Sheer Poetry - Yeats

edit - Forgot to add that Karezak is the only runner quoted for the Triumph where he's 33/1 across the boards (even though he's only 3rd fav for today's Chepstow race). That will change after the race whatever happens.
 
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