The opening weekend of 2013 gave us a thrilling and compelling few days of jumps racing, headed by the Welsh National at Chepstow.
As usual, we start on Friday where the jumps action came from Lingfield and Musselburgh. It was a day of little quality, but there were a few horses to keep an eye on. Only one of those came at Lingfield, namely Ballygarvey, who was taking in his first handicap chase on his second start for Phillip Hobbs, and recorded a bloodless success. This horse rarely runs on heavy going, but is very dangerous when he does, and looks well handicapped.
At Musselburgh, three to note. First up, a faller from the beginners chase Rudemeister, a huge horse who was in the process of running a big race, and a step up to three miles on a galloping track is his ideal. Two from the bumper as well, the winner Alphabetical Order recorded an impressive time at Lingfield on his winning debut, before scoring nicely here under a penalty. He has a big future. The third Rev Up Ruby is another to note, having raced greenly, stayed on well up the home straight and looks sure to win races.
Chepstow, Newcastle, Sandown and Wincanton were the venues for a busy Saturday.
O'Faolains Boy and Fourovakind both made taking hurdle debuts in the Chepstow opener, finishing first and third respectably. The former jumped well and stretched away after two out, whereas Fourovakind really picked up for pressure and will certainly be shedding the maiden tag soon. The Finale Juvenile Hurdle was a Grade 1 contest, and Swnymor was desperately unlucky. Richard Johnson asked for a big jump at the last, but he dived at it and fell. That left Ruacana clear to score for Denis O'Regan and a first Grade 1 for John Ferguson. Caid Du Berlais was an eye-catching second, but looked a tricky ride.
The Welsh National saw one of the coolest and best timed big race rides in a long while, when the magician Paul Carberry lifted Monbeg Dude to victory for Michael Scudamore. It was a plan judged to the T by a fantastic jockey, narrowly scoring from favourite Teaforthree under Tony McCoy. A fitting end to another great renewal. Victor Dartnall recently re-opened his yard after an outbreak of equine herpes, and Giles Cross got very tired in the Welsh National and pulled up. That disappointment was turned to elation as the yard saddled the winner of the bumper with Seebright. Great to see them having a winner.
The only point of note from Newcastle was a great ride by young Craig Nichol aboard the quirky Stormion. He looked beaten, but in a way that only Stormion can,he plugged on and won narrowly for the Lucinda Russell yard.
Sandown hosted the Tolworth Hurdle, a two mile novice hurdle won this year by Melodic Rendezvous, a first Grade 1 success for jockey Nick Scholfield and trainer Jeremy Scott. He has the ingredients to go right to the top, he has gears, goes in any ground and likes a battle. Pendra ran really well, as did Court Minstrel, a horse who prefers good ground to be seen at his best.
There were three impressive winners at the Esher venue, William's Wishes, Lord Of House and Katenko. William's Wishes was a smooth winner despite making a terrible hash of two from home. Lord Of House is very lightly raced, and is a horse I really like. The form of his Aintree third in October is high class, and made a mockery of his handicap mark under a great ride by Gavin Sheehan, a jockey going places. And Katenko, a French import for Venitia Williams winning easily for Aidan Coleman, potentially en route to the Grand National in April.
Finally, Wincanton hosted a six race card. The Druids Nephew won his first chase in good style, a horse I flagged up in the dark horses blog in October, and I have a race in mind for him at Cheltenham on Trials Day over two miles five furlongs. Gevrey Chambertin again impressed with a very smooth success on his handicap debut.
Sunday only had one Graded race, and that was a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Naas in Ireland. It went to Rule The World and Davy Russell, easily too. He has been described as a 'big, raw bugger' by his trainer and will make a better chaser, therefore Cheltenham may be a no-go this year.
The Sussex National was the big race at Plumpton, won by Well Refreshed for Josh and Gary Moore. It was a very well judged ride on a horse that it is improving all the time, and a race like the Midlands National may be on the agenda now. It was nice to see David Arbuthnot with a winner too; Rocky Elsom in the final handicap hurdle took him off the cold list.
I hope you have enjoyed the review, and if you have any comments, either fill in the box below or tweet me @willbowler2k12
Be Lucky,
Will
No comments:
Post a Comment