Punchestown Gold Cup 2012

The National Hunt season culminates this afternoon on both sides of the Irish Sea. A disappointing punting experience for this corner, hopefully today will bring a bit of luck. Punchestown has been discommoded by the unseasonable weather but it does bring the main event, the Punchestown Gold cup, to our screens on a Saturday afternoon. Quel Esprit is entitled to go off favourite and expect him to maintain his stable's predominance. However, it is interesting to note that Magnaminity, is the sole representative from Gigginstown's batallion of staying chasers and at the prices he might be worth a small wager.

Over at Sandown the main feature is the Bet 365 Gold Cup. Always like to have a bet in this race but struggling to find one in this year's uninspiring field. Le Beau Bai , if the ground does dry out too much, looks the safest option.


enjoy...

Frosted Off

Little racing this weekend due to the late arrival of winter weather. However with Cheltenham in mind, it is  perhaps better to lose this Saturday, rather than next weekend's important events at Newbury and Leopardstown (sure Sandown will understand). Nevertheless, it's doubtful that we would have seen anything as thrilling as the Hurricane's return on Sunday last. A sublime and uplifting run which cements his place in the Hall of Fame. Hopefully he will get to the Cotswolds in one piece and treat us to an encore!

Temperatures are due to rise on this side of the Irish Sea and expect Punchestown to go ahead on Sunday. Highlight is the match up between Big Zeb and Sizing Europe. Both were beaten by Golden Silver in this last season, but they should get another good prep for the Queen Mother. Otherwise, Caolaneoin may be worth keeping an eye on in the novice hurdle.

good luck..

Champ is Back

After an inauspicious start, last season's top chaser Long Run justified our faith and duly landed the King George and Gold Cup in exemplary fashion. About to turn seven and lightly raced (three outings last term), there should more improvement to come and it is not difficult to see him defend his crowns. However, one wonders if he will be fully fit today, taking on a interesting field in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. If so, he wins, if not, he could be vulnerable. The competition includes his "predecessor", Kauto Star (surely too old), Time For Rupert (ran well enough but probably needs stiffer track), Weird Al (not enough class) and Diamond Harry (more to come). The latter strikes as the most likely, based on his fine record first time out and Brush Hurdles success on this track. An excellent victory in the Hennessy suggests a horse of high ability and at 5/1 or higher, he looks a value bet.

Heading to Punchestown on Sunday and whilst Hurricane Fly remains at home, looking forward to seeing a few up and coming stars including So Young, Last Instalment, Four Commanders, and Oscars Well.

enjoy...

Deal to be done?

Going for one final punt at the end of a rewarding Jumps season in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Due to Easter's late calendar position, the ground will ride faster than normal (can report little or no rain in the local area) and we should have at least, an exciting contest. Deal Done ran well in the Kim Muir and if settling a bit better, he should be thereabouts at the business end. He has been highly tried throughout his career without winning, thus consequently still on a favourable mark. All going well he looks attractively priced at 25/1. One other to consider, is second season chaser Caim Hill who appears to have been laid out for this.

There are other interesting races on the card but it is perhaps too late in the season for the form lines to be upheld. However, one exception may be Prima Vista in the Novice Hurdle. Impressive at Leopardstown over Christmas, he looks the type who may enjoy the summer like going. The warm weather and late Easter must be frustrating for Irish trainers with the portentously titled, Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown being held next week after the May Bank Holiday. It's seem a pity that so many Grade 1 races and valuable pots are up for grabs at the end of a long season, with many top class horses being possibly over the top. With no rain in sight, I will be keeping my powder dry until matters resume in the Autumn.

Nevertheless, we have an exciting Flat Season ahead and the highly rated Frankel running in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.

enjoy and good luck...

Midnight to shine? (2011 Grand National)

For the Steeplechase enthusiast, perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this year's Grand National is whether The Midnight Club's classic, if almost textbook, preparation will bear fruit. Eyecatcing performances as a novice at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals suggested a horse of ability; notions which were confirmed this season with a second in the Thyestes and a win in the Bobbyjo Chase. Commendations to his trainer (Willie Mullins) for managing this and keeping his racing weight today to 10st 13lbs! With the maestro (Ruby Walsh) on board, he appears to have every chance and looks relatively good value at 10/1.

However, this is a race over 4 miles, with monstrous fences and 40 runners. Anything can happen and it usually pays to have a few running for you. I also rate Oscar Time (totally focused in the Waley-Cohen colours), Majestic Concorde (good ground) and at long odds the attractively handicapped, In Compliance.

The remainder of the card is equally engaging, with Peddlers Cross and Finian's Rainbow seeking to go one better than at the Festival, and hopefully, a very informative Novice hurdle and Bumper bookending the day.

good luck and enjoy....

Fly me to the ???

A cracking Champion Hurdle dominates the opening day of this year's Cheltenham Festival. Binocular's (winner last year) contentious absence has stoked up the hype but with or without him, I reckon Hurricane Fly is the most talented horse in the line up. A multiple Grade 1 winner over varying distances at three different tracks (Punchestown, Fairyhouse, Leopardstown), he is equipped with all the necessary attributes to triumph today. The big question mark is his lack of track experience, but this is very much reflected in the odds available. Paradoxically, as all the main contenders have successfully ascended the hill in gruelling fashion, Ruby's charge may relish it more without the "pain" memory track kicking in.

However, this being Cheltenham, I am also going to have a saver on Dunguib whose game (particularly his jumping) could be raised to higher than heretofore seen levels by running in a high calibre contest.

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh's day could be further enhanced by Quevega and doubling her with the Hurricane is the day's best bet. Otherwise, it is the usual highly competitive fare. I don't have strong opinions in either the Supreme or the Arkle but think Dunraven Storm could go well at a price (each way) in the former while Medermit should oblige in the latter.

good luck and enjoy....

Cheltenham Countdown Commences

Trials Day at Prestbury Park generally signals a ratcheting up of intensity in the countdown to the Festival. With that in mind, looking forward to seeing, Wishful Thinking, Punchestowns, Backspin, Rock on Ruby, Grand Crus and Spirit River strut their stuff this afternoon. However while these races will be informative, recent history suggests that ensuing formlines should be treated with a certain degree of circumspection. The card looks quite trappy from a punting perspective and a better bet may be had at Doncaster in the Skybet Chase, where Theatrical Moment should perform well on the mooted good going and currently offers value at 20/1. He did well last year at Cheltenham and has nice bits of form from his novice days. A similar case could be made for I'msingingtheblues but he has to give weight away to a few nice sorts.

The race of the weekend arguably is at Punchestown where Big Zeb, Golden Silver and Sizing Europe take each other on in the Tied Cottage Chase. Last season's Queen Mother and Arkle winners plus the in form Mullins stalwart should provide a thrilling spectacle.

good luck and enjoy

Heading to Leopardstown

Thankfully the weather has abated and we get to head to Leopardstown for an overdue afternoon of Jump racing. While the arctic weather marred the plans of all and sundry, it is anybody guess as to it's effect on the formbook, although on reflection, Willie Mullins' crew did not seem unduly hampered at Fairyhouse. Nevertheless it's quite a competitve card and should be both entertaining and informative.

The Lexus is the main feature and looks more open than usual this year.Cooldine is the market leader but doubt if two weeks is enough time for him to get over his last run and he may be better next time in the Hennessy. Joncol also looks like he will need another race (very sluggish last time) to come to hand. Money Trix ran on well in this last year but is hard to fancy off  such a long absence. That leaves us with the as yet fully exposed, Pandorama, who must have a solid chance based on last year's track form (but needs to be forgiven his recent travails at Newbury).

His stablemate, Thegreatjohnbrowne jumped very impressively at Punchestown last time and will be hard to beat in the Fort Leney Chase. The Stayers hurdle is very intriguing with the progressive Shinrock Paddy looking a nice price (stable form??). I witnessed his win at Naas and as he passed the Winning Post, he looked to have plenty to work on. Mourad looks very short on what he has achieved and the biggest threat could come from Mossey Joe. So far he has taken a unorthodox career path but looked a potential world beater at Cork and could be "anything".

great to be back in action......

any given SUNday

Four Champion Hurdle aspirants take their chance in the Greatwood Hurdle this afternoon but may have to give second best to improving handicapper Any Given Day, who looks to be a similar upward trajectory to his more illustrious stablemate Overturn and is a decent bet at 16/1.

There is plenty of interesting racing to be viewed and and will be keeping a close eye on Noble Prince at Punchestown and a fascinating novice chase at Cheltenham.

enjoy and good luck...

Season's End

The NH season culminates today with the Bet 365 Gold Cup at Sandown. It is certainly not the race it was, but nevertheless highly competitive. It is perhaps prudent to avoid the top of the market and seek some value among the veteran campaigners. Tamarinbleu, Alderburn and Lacdoudal all look interesting but going to stick with another, Lothian Falcon, who did not get far at Ayr last week while appearing to travel well. A point of note, is that he has headed the Racing Post's Marketwatch most bets struck list all week without contracting significantly in the market. I had a good day here last season and will be curious to see if Alsadaa and Twist Magic repeat their wins on similar going.

Punchestown has hogged the headlines all week, with high quality and competitive fields. As per last year, star of the show was the Willie Mullins' yard. Hurricane Fly (under a very cool Paul Townend) was the highlight and hopefully he will stay sound and we get to see more of him. It's seems a pity that such good fields compete for excellent prize money at this stage of the season!

The meeting ends today with rather lesser fare, although noteworthy to see that Choc Thornton has remained for one ride, Gilded Age in the 4yo Hurdle while eschewing the fancied Oh Crick at Sandown.

While the curtain draws on one sphere, things are beginning to heat up in another. I am very interested to see how Border Patrol runs in the Sandown Mile, with a view to his tilt at the Lockinge. On this going, he should not be good enough to beat Paco Boy but worth keeping a close eye on.

good luck....

Punchestown 2010

The NH festival at Punchestown gets underway today with three Grade 1s and the usual competitive fare. The difficulty with assessing late season form, combined with the lack of rain in these parts makes punting fraught with danger, so therefore going to heed well worn advice by keeping my hand in my pockets.

However, I will be rooting for Sizing Europe in the Champion Chase, where his track form suggests he has a decent chance against stiff opposition, including Forpaddydeplasterer. His stablemate Loosen My Load also has a squeak in a open looking novice hurdle.

Looking ahead, one wonders will Denman run in the Guinness Gold Cup, as going wrong way round on quick going hardly seems in his best interests. Further thoughts anon.

cheers....

Irish Grand National 2010

The Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse (4.05) is always a difficult race to analyse. The varying running dates, the vagaries of the weather and the merits of the plot horses (both obvious and covert) greatly increase the number of imponderables. However, I always like to look for a progressive horse with a nice weight, who is not over burdened with expectation. Telenor definitely fits the bill this year!

He caught my eye early in the season at Punchestown, travelling well when beaten over too short a trip. Subsequently, he comfortably won a beginners chase and and on his most recent outing, dead heated with a well touted RSA prospect (Uimhiraceathair) from the Mullins yard. That day he jumped and travelled well, displaying a decent engine and at the finish, plenty of resolution. From a eminent stable (Jim Dreaper) and with an in-form jockey (Andrew Lynch) on board, he has to have a serious chance.

As it is a National and with the ground looking pretty desperate on Sunday, it may be worthwhile looking for a long shot to follow round. Selection Box showed some form last time and with a 7lb claimer on board, could run into a place.

best of luck....

Easter at Fairyhouse

The National Hunt season enters the final stretch with a series a of top class meetings including a feast of grade 1s at Aintree and Punchestown. Matters commence today at Fairyhouse, where the main feature is the Power's Gold Cup. Zaarito's falls have been the cause of much anguish particularly in this corner and while one is slow to desert him, he looks short enough in the betting to win a competitive race on a demanding track. Indeed it looks as if the heavy going will be a crucial factor and with that in mind, it might pay to side with Shakervilz who ran well last time at Navan and whose hurdling form suggests he has the necessary stamina.

Earlier on the card, Morning Supreme, a very promising mare, looks the one to beat and in the novices hurdle Luska Lad, who will relish the conditions, should be too good for Loosen my Load and Blackstairmountain. All three horses however, are worth keeping a close eye on, for the future.

good luck....

Trip to Punchestown

A break in the weather inspired a trek to Punchestown for the John Durkan Chase. It was a first visit to "the home of Irish NH racing". The course could be best described as idiosyncratic with the paddock area seemingly larger than the track. The betting facilities were somewhat cramped and would imagine that it might be a tad uncomfortable with a large attendance. The hurdle races were run on the inner track which precluded any decent view of the finishes. The big screen did not help either and one would have needed the Hubble telescope to get a good view. Nevertheless, the fare on offer was pretty good and one enjoyed a pleasant afternoon among a knowledgeable crowd. The track itself with it's undulations ensures a good test and one would imagine that course form is the key to picking winners.

The feature was won by Joncol who lasted home stronger than his rivals who all failed to jump properly. In Compliance ran well enough to chase him home but as he is probably a spent force, it is doubtful that this was true Grade 1 form. Aran Concerto looked well if not a little fragile in the paddock and he appeared to be running a good race before weakening dramatically 4 out. Injuries have meant that we will never see him reach full potential but he could win a nice race on better ground.

Lenabane with decent form lines was star performer of the day, winning a good beginners chase after blundering at the second last. He is a half brother to Moscow Flyer and worth keeping an eye on. Coole River looked very well in the paddock but disappointed probably due to going but may need further and finally Mrs Harrington's Hugo de Vindecy was an easy winner of maiden further boosting Irish form in this grade.

cheers....

Kauto Star Returns

Kauto Star returns to action at Haydock where he ignominiously fell last year before going on to peak at Cheltenham in march. That performance sealed his place in the hall of fame and looking forward to seeing him start on the road to possible even more glory this season. This race is well within his compass and should win from Notre Pere, who will be suited by conditions. Perhaps more interesting is how will Imperial Commander perform and will he will show any evidence of improved stamina after failing at this trip at both Kempton and Punchestown. From a punting view, The Vicar in the last looks the unexposed type to prosper here particularly on soft going (seldom see Ruby on board for Henrietta Knight).

A potential star also makes his return at Ascot, Zaynar winner of a very strong Triumph is up against it in a competitive field. The Alan King pair Katchit and Karabak have solid credentials in this sphere and ensuing form well worth noting. National Hunt stalwarts, Voy per Ustedes and Monet's Garden also run at Ascot but Schindler's Hunt (a good second last time at Thurles) and with high level form could go close in a decent field.

enjoy....

Weekend Pointers

After an absorbing and interesting weekend's racing at Cheltenham and Punchestown, all roads now lead to the Cotswolds in March. The top performer of the past few days undoubtedly was Dunguib, whose facile victory over more experienced rivals was only surpassed by the high level of his collateral form lines. Wins by Quel Esprit, The Buscuit Club and Quadrillon augment recent good shows from Luska Lad, Some Present, Sweeps Hill, Rites of Passage and Morning Supreme. The 09 Festival Bumper is definitely worth careful scrutiny and suggests that Irish trained novices will carry all before them in the coming seasons. Greatly looking forward to the next installment in 2 weeks at Fairyhouse

Sizing Europe was sublime in victory on less than favourable ground, cruising round and jumping for fun. He looks to have a great chance in the Arkle providing he remains injury free and despite Tantaniano running well at Cheltenham, he is a great value at 7/1 ante post. While one star shone another was eclipsed when Hurricane Fly failed to pick up at the business end. He travelled well but apparently found little. While Solwhit is a top class hurdler and excuses can made on account of the sticky ground, connections and supporters alike must be a tad disappointed with the outcome.

Across the sea, Masterminded came a cropper at Cheltenham failing to concede weight to Well Chief. However he looked far from comfortable going left handed jumping out to the right on a quite a few occasions. It was a long way from his scintillating victory in 08 and perhaps something was amiss. Hopefully he will be back to his best for the Tingle Creek.

While essentially it was a reconnaissance mission over the past few days, on the punting front, I was disappointed with Chapoturgeon's untimely exit. It looked a sloppy error when he was travelling well although it is debatable if he would have foiled Tranquil Sea's triumph. However one to keep an eye on next time along with Poquelin.

cheers....

Paddy Power Gold Cup

The Paddy Power Gold cup kicks off the jumps season in earnest this afternoon at Cheltenham. It's surprising that Paul Nicholls has yet to win this and notable that he is running 3 capable performers. Chapoturgeon was very impressive in winning the Jewson at the festival and if reproducing that level of form will take all the beating. Subsequent to that running he fell at the first at Aintree and not uncommonly ran flat at the April meeting. However with Timmy Murphy on board, expect him to be fully wound up today and to go close. The slight concern is the high weight but that looks offset by the price (8/1 = excellent value!). The remainder of the card looks very trappy and one's attentions are drawn to Punchestown where Dunguib continues on his path to glory.

good luck....