FAIRYHOUSE 12th December
Preview review
There was no written preview for this day's races as such, rather it was a dump of information with the prospects lists drawn from a daft o'clock glare at same. Consequently, no justifications were recorded. Save for the early faller, the front six filled the same positions, albeit in a very different order. The winner was underestimated due to his poor jumping when third in a moderate contest on his hurdles debut. His flat form warranted better prospects and there was a discernible improvement in both his hurdling and the way he travelled. Strong prospect Ilmig was a well supported favourite and was moving like a winner before the turn for home but he found himself outpaced. Though the ground was soft/heavy, Fairyhouse may still have been too sharp for him. Toughari has a fair record at Fairyhouse which was not immediately apparent from the statistical overviews so this would bolster the case of leaning towards essay previews.
Race review
The race was marred by the death of Damage Control. While fatal injuries are an inevitable consequence of the sport, as well as life in general, it never fails to sap the enthusiasm or demand reflection. Prior to the horse's passing, there had been 603 individual runs in the division this season without a single fatality which is a mercifully low rate of attrition. This also means that I have yet to be presented with the task of reviewing such an event. Matters pertinent to the horse's prospects or performance are completely irrelevant and will not be discussed. Cloying sentiments of condolences are also useless as while the event for many people involved with a deceased horse can be a wretched time, the same horses are concurrently viewed by many in the sport as transitory commodities whose death only provokes a call to the insurance company. Since condolences are more appropriate in some cases more than others, it is more practical to simply forego them as those who were affected will gain nothing from arbitrary remarks made in a detached environment. Nevertheless, if observations can be made pertinent to the causes of the accident, then they will be noted for posterity.
As for the contest as a contest. The last juvenile hurdle prior to the festive races, it has been used to introduce some useful sorts over the years including the likes of Abbyssial, Allblak des Places and Thunder Zone, but with the exception of the stricken horse, none of the newcomers were especially compelling. Those with the strongest hurdles experience earned ratings between 99 and 120 and would fill the first five places, albeit in the exact reverse order. Nevertheless, this group was well clear of the remainder. The pace was solid courtesy of a tearaway leader and the winning time was three seconds quicker than the 0-109 handicap which followed - although they had one less hurdle to jump. Though a pair of the principles underperformed and the quality of jumping was just below par, the finishing cluster was a reasonable one so the form has a fairly settled look without being completely solid.
Peckham Springs failed to score in six runs on the flat and had yet to perform up to his official rating of 79. He jumped poorly on his hurdling debut at Punchestown but made rapid headway to finish just over six lengths third. It was a substandard race for the venue and even his best flat form left him with something to find in this company. Nevertheless, apart from hesitating at the first and fifth, he jumped markedly better and it was a quicker - if untidy - jump at the last which gave him the decisive initiative. In the event, he also gave his trainer his first winner in the sphere. This marks a career best and though the bare form is not worth a great deal, having only made his racecourse debut in late August, further improvement is not out of the question.
111
Toughari achieved little in his first six starts on the flat and one over hurdles, but was able to break his duck at this venue in a handicap off 53 and put up an improved showing here next time over hurdles when an eight length fifth to Jeff Kidder. His jumping has been marked by trepidation and he was still steady going into several hurdles here while getting in too close. Prominent in the chasing pack, he was left in the lead turning in but was headed at the last where he was allowed to find his own stride and rewarded his jockey's trust by losing valuable momentum. Though it can not be said for certain that the mistake cost him the race, the cumulative effect of his entire round will have made a telling difference. There is a moderate race in him, particularly at this or a similar venue, but he might benefit more from a handicap mark.
109
Complete Fantasy was largely modest on the flat and his first two efforts over hurdles did not bring immediate improvement. Nevertheless, he jumped better on his third outing coming at this venue and he maintained his progression when third at Gowran Park last time out. Settling close behind the leaders of the chasing pack, his hurdling took a slight decline as he steadied into several flights and got in particularly close to the second. He was still in contention in the closing stages while unable but land a threatening blow on the race, came close to grabbing second on the line. This was another honest, if slightly regressive, performance and while he is capable of remaining competitive at this level, he is another who could find more success with a sufficient mark.
109
Charlie Bassett was in the process of making a respectable debut at Down Royal but for being brought down at the penultimate flight. Subsequently, he returned to the flat where he finished runner-up in a pair of maidens before a three length fifth in a similar contest at Leopardstown in mid October. Though slightly awkward over the first two hurdles, he was soon jumping well again and was still in touch three furlong out. However, his stamina had been questionable on the flat and though he also wanted for fitness, he failed to see out the trip here and faded to finish eleven lengths behind the third. Despite being a maiden after twelve starts, he is not short of ability or resolution. However, he may only be seen to best effect under the sharpest of conditions.
98
Ilmig began his racing career in early October but was already off the mark on his second start and was well supported ahead of his debut at Punchestown. But for one error, he put in a good round of jumping on that occasion and was equally proficient here after being well backed into 8/13 at the off. He jumped into the lead half a mile out and looked to be travelling well within himself. However, he found himself outpaced on the turn for home and would be left behind by his pacier opponents. It was a similar case on his Punchestown outing and being a flat winner over fourteen furlongs on soft ground, he looks likely to need a sterner test than that afforded by Fairyhouse.
98
Adamaris won his penultimate start on the flat and his official mark of 68 is workable at this level. He was set to make his jumps debut at Gowran Park but for being cast in his box, but was quietly fancied ahead of his introduction here. His hurdling began with him getting very close to the second and steadying at the third but there were no major complaints thereafter. He made some headway into a midfield position but was never able to advance further and was ultimately beaten by thirty-six lengths. Perhaps more time to recover from his box incident and an improvement in trainer form may see him in a better light, but there was nothing particularly encouraging on this showing.
75
Movie King was untidy over the first couple of flights but otherwise posted his cleanest round to date. Held up throughout the contest, he made minor headway with six furlongs to run but never got near to the leaders. He has been entered for a handicap on Sunday although his mark of 90 will require a performance surpassing anything he has achieved on either code.
74
Saga Malta has raced exclusively over hurdles in a four race career with her best effort being a twenty-six length fifth behind Crassus at Limerick. Her jumping was not as good on this occasion as though she was blameless for being baulked on landing at the second, was untidy at the next, got close to the fourth and skewed over the sixth. Her rating of 90 is feasible on her Limerick effort, but her general quality of jumping might be an impediment.
89
Roma Delight went into a clear lead from the start but jumped too exuberantly for her own good and was caught with five furlongs left to race before fading quickly. She did not settle on her debut and does not look a straightforward ride.
52
Townes was not completely disgraced on his hurdles debut at Cork as he was in front with three to go. However, he jumped worse here under a more conservative ride and finished completely tailed off.
0
Willywampus started the season with a rating of 80 but two below par runs saw his revised mark of 73 look harsh. He jumped fine on his hurdles debut at Limerick and though still in the rear, he had yet to be asked any serious question when taking off too early and falling at the fifth. He was not a forlorn a hope as the 125/1 odds suggested, but he has yet to demonstrate this year that he might be immediately competitive.
0
Lady Kapalua was tailed off on her racecourse debut in the season's curtain raiser back in August, and was badly hampered by the first flight faller. From there, her jumping was untidy and she was detached from an early stage before pulling up before three out.
0
Laralei finished a nine length third in a claimer on her final start for Ger Lyons, but showed absolutely no aptitude on her jumps bow. Her hurdling was very slow and she was completely detached after the second before pulling up later on in the race.
0
Damage Control was distracted by two horses steadying into the first flight, which he completely missed and tripped over. He appeared to break his neck on landing. The low sun coming from his left may have been a factor. For all that the incident is a rare occurrence, this may have been mitigated a practice hurdle so that the first flight might not have been a surprise to those in front of him.
CHELTENHAM 12th December
Preview review
The winner had the strongest prospects and finished clear of a strung out field. The next two prospects finished in reverse order, though the third did himself no favours by getting lit up along the back. Camouflaged somewhat exceeded expectations although he still jumped poorly and never looked a threat to the first two.
Race review
Four of this race's graduates had been placed in the Triumph since 2012, but none of Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls or Philip Hobbs were represented in this renewal. Those with the best hurdles form came to the fore and finished in accordance with their prior achievements. They were also the most fluent hurdlers in the field by a considerable margin. The pace set looked decent enough but while the winning time was still nearly nine seconds slower than that set in the Bula hurdle, they did omit three hurdles. Ultimately, the form does look reliable, although it closer resembles a good Class 2 than a pattern quality race.
Adagio brought a rating close to 87 from the flat, overcame some sloppy jumping to make a winning jumps debut at Warwick, and surpassed that form when second in a Grade 2 on the old course. His jumping still lacked fluency on that occasion, but apart from being slightly untidy at the first two, put in a nice round of jumping on ground which would have been ideal. Held up near the rear, he was still in midfield turning for home before cruising into a prominent position at the distance and jumping into the lead over the last. From there, he ran on strongly to the line, increasing his superiority to nearly five lengths on the line. Given his clear round and ground preference, he was able to run his best race to date. While the bare form is not yet pattern class, this was only his fourth run this year so there is still room for further improvement.
127
Historic Heart already had five runs under his belt prior to this contest, but that experience along with the application of cheekpieces, enabled him to run a new career best. His jumping was perfectly clean and a more conservative ride preserved sufficient energy to move to the last without coming under a hard drive. Though unable to match the winner for pace on the run to the line, against whom he was conceding three pounds, he stayed on well to pull seven lengths clear of the remainder. Versatile insofar as the ground is concerned and increasingly straightforward in his nature, Historic Heart is a likeable sort. However, this performance provoked a thirteen pound rise in his handicap mark which would demand even further progression.
124
Son Of Red had been an improver on the flat through the autumn and showed decent speed and aptitude when making a winning hurdles debut at Newcastle. He could have settled better on that occasion and he was also lit up here. His jumping was less affected by his headstrong nature as the only errors he made were clipping the third and steadying slightly over the last. Though still in contention turning in, he was off the bridle two furlong out and began to fade after the last. Nevertheless, he was still putting himself into every stride and was able to match his Newcastle performance. He is a decent jumper and has a nice attitude but his inability to settle is detrimental to his efforts. If this can not be rectified then only the sharpest of tests will see him run above this level.
117
Camouflaged earned two wins and a rating of 76 for Mark Johnston which were sufficient to warrant a 90,000 guineas price tag at the Tattersalls August Sale. He was said to make a noise when disappointing on his hurdles bow at Huntingdon on the first of November, and a subsequent wind operation was complimented with a tongue tie for his second outing for Charlie Mann. There was a big leap forward from a form perspective, but this was compromised by some big and slow leaps over most of his hurdles. He was still disputing the lead at the distance but his wasteful hurdling took their toll from thereon as he weakened on the run in. There should be more to come if he is able to jump better.
107
Pawpaw was the most expensive prospective juvenile hurdler purchased at the Tattersalls July Sale, leaving Clive Cox for 60,000 guineas. Though his official mark of 74 was the lowest of the three newcomers, he finished the best of them despite pulling hard and making a calamitous error at the first which saw him skid on landing. His jumping only improved marginally from there and he was running green in the closing stages. Though he faded from a prominent position, he was able to regain a couple of places on the flat which offers some respite for his prospects. He is entitled to improve for his first outing since June and the early errors made his task appreciably more difficult. Pawpaw still has something to prove in the immediate future but his overall profile is not without its positives.
95
Shake A Leg was a fairly useful winner in Ireland for Andrew Oliver and has joined a yard with a good record in the division. Though his breeding does not compel any real enthusiasm for his hurdling prospects, he was not without his supporters moving from 13/2 in the morning to 4/1 at the off. However, he was another who pulled hard and held up in the rear, he made numerous mistakes throughout. He only had one behind turning in and though he made slight progress without closing on the leaders, his effort was further truncated by a slight stumble after the last. Better jumping can elicit some progress, but better was expected and his overall profile is not one of a potentially useful juvenile.
92
Simply True was formerly a stablemate of Shake A Leg with a higher official rating and a higher price tag at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale. He did not command the same market confidence however and though he led for all but the last three furlongs of the race, his reticent jumping and relative keenness prevented him from looking a serious threat. He lost his position turning for home and dropped back quickly through the field to finish the race forty-six lengths behind the winner. His being able to set and maintain a gallop is encouraging in and of itself and while his finish was underwhelming, he should gain from the experience along with a drop in class.
76
Blue Slate sprang a surprise when winning at Leicester given that he had previously been well beaten in a pair of sellers. Reasonable jumping was a crucial factor in his winning what was most likely a poor race. Such a thing was absent from the start here as he made a very bad mistake at the first, which was followed by steady approaches to, and poor jumps over, the remaining hurdles. In any event, he would likely have been completely outclassed without the error laden round. Nevertheless, this is a habit he will want to drop when he returns to a more appropriate level.
39
DONCASTER 12th December
Preview review
Glorious Zoff was given the strongest prospects with the caveat that he might be having his mark protected. However, while he did underperform, and the ground was more testing than ideal for him, it may be time to concede that his Sligo performance was overestimated. Otherwise, the field finished as anticipated.
Race review
The second graded contest of the season, this race had been won by useful sorts in the past including Peace And Co, Quel Destin and Sametegal. The former two did so for Paul Nicholls and it was this yard which produced another potentially classy sort. The pace set by the leader was a good one without being excessive and was in keeping with the Class 2 handicap hurdle. The winning time was also marginally quicker and the field finished in a strung out fashion and an appropriate order. The first and second jumped well for the most part and despite the small field, there is little reason to challenge the credibility of the form.
Monmiral was a decisive winner of the Prix Rush from Hell Red back in March and while he is thought of in terms of a chaser, he is quickly establishing himself as a serious juvenile hurdler. His winning UK debut at Exeter was a comfortable one and while it lacked substance, there was scope for further improvement. Particularly on the softer ground which he encountered here. Heading the pursuit of the clear leader, his jumping was decent with his only mistakes coming at the fifth where he got in close, and the penultimate flight where he was rather low and ended up skidding on landing. He closed on the leader turning for home and a good jump at three out saw him take the lead. His error at two out saw him shaken up to regain momentum and he was the best part of a dozen lengths clear approaching the last where another good leap put the seal on the contest. Given that the consistent runner-up likely ran a career best, and his winning time reads favourably against his 138 rated stablemate who took the handicap hurdle, it would be fair to place this performance as the best seen either side of the Irish Sea and French Channel. Though the going was officially good to soft, plenty of turf was getting kicked up and Monmiral has proven that he acts in testing conditions. That he has yet to be tested on a sounder surface presents a gap in his Triumph prospects. Saints Des Saints tend to be happy on soft ground but a few are versatile in this regard and close relative La Landiere won the Cathcart on good ground so his festival prospects can not be readily discounted. He is not entered in the Finale hurdle, but at this stage, he spearheads the British challenge for Triumph honours.
140
Gold Desert broke his duck when winning a poor race on his hurdling debut at Sedgefield in October, but has since gone from strength to strength with a third at the same venue and a second win at Catterick. Good ground at Catterick did not entirely play to his strengths and he needed every yard to grab the victory. His jumping has improved with each outing and under an enterprising ride here, he was very fluent over the first four hurdles. A lack of concentration saw him get the fifth wrong and wander somewhat into two out, but he was otherwise polished. Despite being outjumped and passed at three out, he did little wrong in isolation and though he was no match for the winner, he was able to reverse Sedgefield placings with Glorious Zoff to the tune of more than twenty lengths. His official mark of 123 is not a harsh one and he remains unchanged even after a new career best. Though a double penalty is a burden, he would remain competitive in average contests and can also be on the premises in weaker pattern races. Provided he stays healthy, Gold Desert still has more to offer this season.
124
Glorious Zoff failed to win in six starts for Charlie Hills on the flat and his rating of 72 was fair at best. Nevertheless, he made a most taking debut at Sligo where he jumped intelligently and won in nonchalant fashion from the capable Crassus. He was turned over next time at Sedgefield where his aptitude was a shadow of its Sligo mould and he posted an even lesser performance here. His first two jumps had a decided lack of fluency and he was squeezed in mid air at the third. With the exception of two out, the remainder of his round was reasonable but it was never electric and he travelled without conviction for most of the contest. It is plausible that this might have been an exercise in softening his rating of 131 for the benefit of potential handicap targets later in the season and the ground will have been quite unsuitable. However, the stir created by his Sligo performance has waned and in hindsight, it looks most likely that Crassus underperformed in comparison to his efforts either side and Sligo was used to rebuild his confidence. Glorious Zoff is still better than this and he would not be readily dismissed in the future. Nevertheless, perceptions of his ability have to be recalibrated and he will need to remember how to jump if he is to return to his best.
102
Cloud Thunder failed to win in seven attempts on the flat, but he came into this race following a succession of runner-up spots and a rating of 76. Though he was suffering a case of seconditis and traded as low as 1.03 when gubbed at Kempton, any suggestion that he might be ungenuine would be an unjust accusation. Nevertheless, he was thrown in at the deep end for his hurdles debut and he did himself no favours by being keen early on or jumping in a novicey style. He lost his position turning for home and ultimately finished a tired horse. On breeding, there is little reason for him to surpass his flat ability and unless he improves drastically for the experience, his prospects might hinge on the type of rating he eventually receives.
85
Mistersister finished less than two lengths behind Nassalam on his hurdles debut at Clairefontaine and though he was beaten much further by Saint Sam next time, he was able to win a claimer at Le Lion d'Angers after which he was bought for €16,006. Horses bought from French Claiming Hurdles are rarely top class, but they do have a solid winners to runners rate of 24% and have included fair sorts in Notus De La Tour and Chic Name. Returning after a break of over one hundred days, Mistersister was not especially well fancied in a first time tongue tie and did not jump especially well for a French import. He steadied going into the first and after being slightly untidy at the third and fourth, got in very close to the fifth from where he was always struggling before pulling up after the next. His mark has dropped five pounds to a more feasible 125 but he may be the type to acclimatise after a few more runs.
0
CATTERICK 15th December
Preview review
More than three thousand words were written to preview the race which may be a record for a Catterick juvenile. Unfortunately, the concluding prospects list bore little resemblance to the finishing order as none of the strong or reasonable prospects finished placed and the winner appeared at number nine on the list. Notwithstanding, he still had feasible prospects which reflects the very open nature of this contest. Kings Creek was underestimated as his form was not discernibly the strongest and he had previously ran below par on soft ground. Nevertheless, the break opened the possibility of physical development and that appears to have been decisive. Furthermore, while the ground was described as soft, the dry weather probably made conditions less testing than anticipated. Wise Eagle had a questionable attitude, a patchy profile and was uncertain to stay. In his case, the removal of blinkers was a useful step and he adds to Free Eagle's fine start as a sire in the division. En Couleur had feasible prospects and his performance began a resurgence in his stable's form. Kiss My Face had strong prospects due to his bumper form, pedigree and yard but his jumping let him down massively on his hurdles debut. Sir Charles Punch's prospects were contingent on his jumping more confidently than he had in a better race on his debut but this did not materialise.
Race review
The race looked a trappy if average contest and it was ultimately decided between the three best jumpers on the day. The winner benefitted from a break and put his experience to good use here. The next pair jumped well and were upwards of seven lengths clear of the remainder which was headed by the highest rated flat horse. The pace was solid, the field finished strung out and there were no real hard luck stories so it looks reliable as it is on the day. Nevertheless, as the field were in various stages of their careers and most made numerous errors, it would be unlikely that the finishing order would be replicated were the contest to be repeated at the end of the season.
Kings Creek had shown fair if unremarkable form in two runs for Alan King in the summer and after a £12,500 transfer to Iain Jardine, ran to a similar level at Sedgefield in late September. His performances had been marked by an understated professionalism and while he was fresh early on his first run for seventy-seven days, he jumped reasonably well once again. Always tracking the leaders, he moved into the lead turning into the straight and galloped on relentlessly under a hands and heels ride to win by five and a half lengths. The break clearly did him a world of good and he posted a new career best. His revised mark of 117 is not unjustly harsh but if he is an honest performer and can remain competitive if staying in good form.
115
Wise Eagle won a Lingfield maiden in February on his second flat start, but had subsequently finished seventh on four consecutive outings in handicap company. His latest rating of 67 was a reasonable reflection of his ability although he did pull extremely hard when last seen. The blinkers were left off for his stable/hurdling debut and he settled well in midfield from the outset. Apart from getting close to the sixth, he posted a respectable round for a newcomer and while he could not get close to the winner, a better jump at the last enabled him to finish second. Along with bolstering the jumps record of rookie sire Free Eagle, he also gave his trainer a solid first foray in the discipline. While this was not the highest quality contest, this was a pleasing debut and he should be of interest in ordinary company next time.
110
En Couleur showed some promise on his flat debut back in March but achieved little in two subsequent outings in October and started at 125/1 ahead of his hurdles debut at Wetherby. Nevertheless he outran those odds to finish just over eleven lengths fourth to First Impression and jumped well apart from getting close to the sixth. Making headway earlier from a rear position, he also jumped well here apart from getting close to the sixth and led the pursuit of the winner up the straight. A slightly untidy jump at the last compromised his chances of finishing runner up but he was still a good seven lengths clear of the remainder. His allotted rating of 108 is perfectly reasonable and this unexposed horse can progress further in the division.
108
Indigo Lake won a Newcastle handicap on his penultimate outing and the consequent rating of 91 is the highest seen thus far in the division. He has joined a good yard for his new vocation although his leaving John Gosden carries a certain impediment as it is rare for such expats to improve with a new trainer. Furthermore, while Frankel has had reasonable success in the division and the granddam is a half-sister to Kerawi, Juddemonte bred horses typically underachieve over hurdles. He was a solid favourite in the betting ahead of his hurdles debut but he ran nowhere near his flat ability. Though slightly baulked at the first, he was largely responsible for his own undoing as he was keen in the early stages, big over the second and fifth while being slow to get away from a few other jumps. While he was close enough if good enough in the straight and traded at odds-on in-running, he never looked a serious danger and was quite easily left behind by the front three. Indigo Lake has the raw ability to win modest races, but unless there is a dramatic improvement in his aptitude, he is unlikely to advance far beyond average company.
101
Kiss My Face had twice been placed in bumpers and was representing a good yard for the discipline. He was not unfancied but his jumping left a great deal to be desired as he made errors at most flights including getting close on several occasions as well as pecking on landing. There were a couple of incidents where he was baulked and bumped, including on the approach to the penultimate flight. He also covered more ground than most as he switched from an inside position in the back to going widest of all turning for home. These factors will have impacted his performance but not to the extent that he might have finished significantly closer. For a horse so inexperienced, it would be fair to not judge him too harshly on this outing. Nevertheless, he still needs to build on this performance in terms of aptitude and maturity before he begins to reach his potential.
94
Miracle Eagle was a progressive, if moderate, maiden on the flat and made a tolerable hurdling debut at Wetherby. A tendency to pull on the flat was less prevalent on that occasion and was virtually non-existent on her second try over hurdles. However, she was nowhere near as fluent this time round, steadying and getting too close to several hurdles. She raced prominently from the start but began to lose her position in the back straight. While she was able to pass a couple of beaten horses on the run-in, she did not close on the leaders and ultimately regressed from her debut outing. Better was expected and the yard was not in great form so she can still bounce back without holding pretentions to being above-average.
86
Sir Charles Punch had a deteriorating flat mark but this was less due to a loss of ability and more about his capacity to fulfil same as he had a habit of working himself up. He settled better on his hurdles debut in a solid looking race at Newcastle but he was impeded by hesitant jumping which once again prompted his demise. Reticence cost him ground at several hurdles and he was unable to make inroads in the straight. While he has not been completely disgraced thus far over hurdles, he needs to be more assured over his hurdles if he can be competitive in the sphere.
91
Yulong Magicreef disappointed after a promising flat debut and his reasonable jumping on his hurdles bow at Wetherby was the only positive to be drawn from that performance. He improved when next seen at Market Rasen when third in a slightly below-average contest and was representing the stable which won last year's renewal of this race. However, he was an alarming drifter in the markets, going from 5/1 in the morning to five times the price at the off. Apart from getting close to the first and steadying ahead of a skewed jump at the third, there was little other cause for complaint regarding his hurdling. However, while he entered the straight within a length of the leader, he would drop tamely through the field. His rating of 104 has yet to be justified by his performances in the division, but he is a sound enough jumper and it might be workable on his best flat form.
89
I'm Easy achieved little on the flat and ran to a similar level on his hurdles debut at Southwell in September. There was slightly more substance when a fine round of jumping saw him finish a thirty-four length fifth at Newcastle and was not far off that level here despite a regressive round of hurdling. He makes no appeal in open company but his rating of 85 is not excessive.
80
Genever Dragon won on his hurdling debut at Sedgefield with Kings Creek seven lengths behind in third. Though he disappointed on his return to that venue, a trip to Catterick saw something of a resurgence when third to Gold Desert. He led from the outset here and jumped well until completely missing three out. This error did not cost him the lead but it likely knocked the stuffing out of him as he was struggling shortly afterwards and weakening when making another blunder at the penultimate flight. His mark has dropped three pounds to 112 but this still demands a career best if he is to find it useful and his winners penalty will likely keep him vulnerable in open company.
82
Walkonby won four raced on the flat and while she was well beaten on her hurdles debut at Wetherby after taking a keen hold, she did jump neatly for a long way. However, though she settled better here, her jumping was a pale imitation of her Wetherby showing as she was big, slow and ungainly which prevented her from ever leaving the rear. While this was a slight improvement from a form perspective, she can not jump the way she did today if she is to rediscover the ability that saw her win races on the flat.
68
Fahad had initially been rated 77 on the flat for Roger Varian but had began to show signs of decline before switching to his new yard. His stable/hurdles debut came over this course and distance where he jumped poorly in the rear before passing beaten horses in the straight to finish a twenty-three length fifth. This time, he jumped moderately better in the rear but would not make any such progress and would be beaten twice the margin.
68
Where's The Tape jumped acceptably when fourth on her racecourse debut in a poor race at Sedgefield two months earlier. However, there was less fluency on display here and she never progressed from the rear of midfield.
54
Hellfire Kode beat only one of eighteen rivals during her two flat runs back in June and lacked fluency in the rear before finishing hopelessly tailed off.
0
NEWBURY 16th December
Preview review
The uncertainly surrounding the abilities of Goodbye Stranger affected the shape of the preview. Particularly as while ordinarily, newcomers have a moderate record, this one was representing a top yard with no history of running such type. Nevertheless, he still had reasonable prospects due to breeding and connections and despite mixed signals from the market and an inauspicious start to the race, was able to make a winning debut. Strong prospect Leylak wanted somewhat for proven class, but he made a very encouraging debut and was feasibly unlucky to have made a mistake at the last as he did trade as low as 1.44 in running. Kentucky Hardboot exceeded expectations but the ground was not as testing as it could have been and he had experience to his name. Overpriced Mixer was a disappointment although it is possible his confidence was affected by his fall last time out. While the idea of trying to construct so IF/VLOOKUP formula to discern the record of juveniles coming back after a fall is an exciting one, time is currently limited. As such, a look at the Adrian Massey site shows that since 2012 three-year-olds after a fall have a 9.7% strike rate, which increases to 12.4% the race afterwards. the figures for four-year-old juveniles is 7.8% first race back, 9% after two races. This will not account for flat runs in the interim and it is a few seasons short of my worksheet. Nevertheless, a fall has a very tangible impact on a young horse's performance with is mitigated by a confidence booster.
Race review
This particular contest has a good history having been taken by the Triumph one-two in 2008. Clan des Obeaux and Style de Garde are a couple of the more notable recent participants and though those with experience look short of pattern class, the winning newcomer could be quite useful. He did not look brilliant in the opening stages, but he learned as the race progressed and he got ahead of a twice placed hurdler and another interesting newcomer at the line with the trio finishing nicely clear. The race was ran at a solid gallop and the winning time was over two seconds quicker than the following maiden which Nicky Henderson has won with very good sorts in the past. Kentucky Hardboot's position and proximity anchors the form to a certain extent, but the prominent newcomers do have scope for further improvement and could be useful recruits to the sphere.
Goodbye Stranger is something of an anomaly being a Nicky Henderson trained racecourse debutant. There was the option of running in a bumper which the trainer is not averse to doing, although no such horse goes on to contest juvenile hurdles. As it happened, he was sent straight over hurdles and although racecourse debutants have a poor record, he represented a yard with a good record in the race, comes from the same source as We Have A Dream, and is very much bred to do well in the discipline. His opening salvos did not look particularly encouraging as he steadied and hopped over the first, was steady again at the second and untidy at the third where he was shaken up after starting to get detached. The response was gradual but he began to jump with a better rhythm and was actually taking a pull passing the cross-fence. He was still closer to last than first turning into the straight but had got to within a length of the lead at the distance. Untidy jumps at the last two flights compromised his momentum, but he rallied on the run-in and was able to get to the front half a furlong out, finishing a length clear at the line. The signs of inexperience were most conspicuous but he learned a lot from this outing. While the bare form is not a great deal better than average, there is plenty of encouragement to be drawn from this introduction and it will be interesting to see where he goes next. He is currently available at 33/1 for the Triumph although there is work to be done before he can be considered a serious contender.
117
Kentucky Hardboot won a good-to-firm seven furlong Yarmouth handicap in June off 55 and had a patchy profile for a prospective hurdler. Nevertheless, he justified outside support ahead of his jumps bow at Kempton by finishing second to Overpriced Mixer ahead of two subsequent winners. He was not disgraced next time in an open-aged maiden at Huntingdon and appreciated the return to his age group where he posted a new career best. His jumping had been patchy during his first two spins over hurdles, but apart from getting slightly close to the first and the last, hurdled quite well. If there is a criticism, it is that he affords his hurdles a little too much respect and while this does not cost him a great deal of momentum, it will sap the cumulative energy. It emerged after the contest that he lost his left-fore shoe which affords him further credit while possibly explaining his jumping. He is getting closer to his rating of 118 and in a race with more emphasis on speed, he should be a likely sort.
116
Leylak placed no better than sixth in three maiden contests for Michael Halford, but he ran to a creditable standard and is an interesting acquisition for a Dan Skelton yard which has had success with juveniles from the same source. Held up in midfield, he jumped reasonably well without being foot perfect in general. Despite wandering on the approach to the last, he still looked to hold every chance before getting in too close and being slow to get away from the flight. It took him several strides to regain his momentum and he was not helped when the runner-up drifted in front of him half a furlong out. Though he managed to get within a length of the runner-up at the line, the damage had already been done. Whether he would have won with better luck during the final two furlongs is not a ludicrous position, but in the grand scheme of things it is neither here nor there. What can be said is that Leylak showed signs of definite promise on his hurdling debut and he could develop into a fairly useful sort as he matures and gains further experience.
116
Tinnahalla did not win during seven flat outings, but his rating of 75 is sensible and he has shown the requisite stamina for his new career. With Starspangledbanner emerging as a feasible sire of juveniles, Tinnahalla is seriously well bred recruit to the division as he is a half-brother to Thomas Hobson and Drifter while his dam is a half-sister to Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo. He was tried in a hood for the first time and while he was not fighting for his head, he did pull himself into a clear lead passing the stands. He would maintain this lead until the approach to the penultimate flight and although he was readily outpaced by the front three, he was able to preserve an advantage of three lengths over the remainder of the field. Tinnahalla will need to jump and settle better if he is to progress, but it was respectable introduction nonetheless.
107
Iron Heart was a dual winner on the flat for Andrew Balding, but ran below par on his hurdling debut at Wincanton where conditions appeared to be ideal. An untidy round of jumping likely caused a wound on his near fore and he was hesitant going over the final two hurdles. He was very hesitant and untidy at the first here and also steadied into the next. Though he was better over the next three, he skewed over the fifth and was close at the next two, stumbling on landing at the penultimate flight. As rotten luck would have it, he was found to have suffered an overreach on the same hoof he injured at Wincanton. That he stayed on up the run-in, albeit as a thirteen-length fifth, is a tribute to his courage and was vast improvement on his debut outing. He has yet to match his flat form and he may be even more reticent when facing hurdles once again. Nevertheless, his efforts are not without promise and if he becomes more assured over his hurdles and perhaps undergoes a gelding operation then he might find himself with a kind handicap mark.
104
Wightman won one of his twelve starts on the flat, but had not performed beyond a mile and is not especially bred for a hurdling career. Held up just behind midfield, his jumping was rarely catastrophic but it did leave plenty to be desired as he had a habit of landing steeply. He made slight headway passing the cross-fence but never moved into a challenging position and finished quite tired. This was not a disgraceful performance but he does not look an obvious sort going forward.
99
Albert Van Ornum was successful on his penultimate outing in a moderate conditions race at Auch, although the form is not worth a huge amount. Nevertheless, he has joined a very capable yard and is bred to make a better hurdler. However, while he attempted to track the leaders, he was keen early and an unbroken sequence of moderate jumps were detrimental to his efforts. He was a tired horse in the closing stages and while there is some scope for improvement, he would only be of interest in moderate company at this juncture.
98
Overpriced Mixer made a winning start to his hurdling career at Kempton despite a last flight blunder causing his jockey to complete the race without stirrups. Foregoing the Grade 2 at Cheltenham, he was in the process of running a respectable race at Ludlow before falling at two out. Though he would likely have finished second, it is a race which has worked out well and he started favourite for this contest. However, that fall appears to have affected his confidence as while he has not yet been the most fluent jumper, this was his least fluent round overall, steadying into the first and fifth and getting too close to three others including the last. This was much his worst showing in three jumps outings to date, but he is entitled to do better if more confident for the experience.
103
Splinter scored in a Musselburgh seller on his penultimate start for Richard Fahey and since joined Alex Hales for 9,000 guineas. He was anything but fluent on his hurdles debut as he was either steady, close, big or slow at most of his hurdles. Though he initially tracked the leaders, he lost his place along the back straight and began to get detached with half a mile to run.
78
Night Bear finished runner-up to subsequent Doncaster Cup fourth Revolver at Haydock on his penultimate start and was not unfancied ahead of his hurdles debut. Though he was baulked and squeezed on a couple of occasions, his poor jumping was the main culprit of this lacklustre performance. The vet reported that Night Beat lost his near-fore shoe and it would be premature to completely write him off. Nevertheless, he does have questions to answer for the time being.
69
Prince Percy was a respectable second to Soldier On Parade at Market Rasen on his hurdling debut back in July, but subsequently disappointed on the flat and was pulled up when last seen at Plumpton three months ago. To his credit, he posted the cleanest round of jumping in the field, but he never the rear of the field and was pulled up before the last. He had reportedly been struck into on his off-hind and incidentally, his mark of 102 is not unduly harsh. Notwithstanding, he has an increasing amount to prove at this stage.
0
BH, whilst I’m sure we all appreciate the thoroughness of your reviews and find them of great value I’m equally sure that no-one would mind just a bullet point summary for the remainder to allow you to catch up. I know that would probably offend your professionalism, but do take it easy.
I don't believe I made it clear just how greasy and salty the LUCKY 9 VEGAN MEGA BOX truly is. The stuff is legendary and you don't have to take my word for it.
"Be like totally chill with everything except for when it comes to the LUCKY 9 VEGAN MEGA BOX" - The Buddha
"LUCKY 9 VEGAN MEGA BOX ain't nuthing ta f*** wit" - Confucius (incidentally, a great inspiration to the Wu-Tang-Clan)
"I thought winning the Grand National was pretty neat. But then I tried the LUCKY 9 VEGAN MEGA BOX and now I have a better perspective on the important things in life" - Mick Fitzgerald
"My style is impetuous, my defence is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat LUCKY 9 VEGAN MEGA BOX. Praise be to Allah." - Mike Tyson
And so forth...
I am genuinely appreciative of your sentiments, but given that it has taken me three days to do five races, I can assure you I was going at a fairly leisurely pace. While I can be quite demanding of myself (due largely my many years spent making Harchibald look like Persian Punch), I am just about sensible enough to recognise that if it is a choice between writing an essay about a nondescript contest and being sane, my sanity wins the vote. After all, sizable though my efforts have been, this is ultimately an exercise on a subject matter with a very depreciable shelf-life. The benefits are that is an enjoyable endeavour and that I may even develop some useful skills as a consequence. But the project itself is miniscule compared to anything worth sacrificing, including my own health.
