Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:25 am Post subject: Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter today - 3rd November
well what a cracking race this looks like being today!! Perhaps not quite the quality we've seen in the race in previous years, but a bit more quantity and a good few relatively unexposed types taking on more established old favourites.
2m 2f at Exeter takes a bit of getting, especially on todays going, so I'm happy to rule out Twist Magic and Cornas on distance reasons.
Ashley Brook won the race last term, and is traditionally best first time out, but I'm again happy to go against him. Surely at 11 he can't hold them all off again?
Panjo Bere had one good win at Ascot last season, but that form is a bit deceiving and I don't think he's good enough.
Oh Crick came into his own at the end of last season with wins at Cheltenham and Aintree and may well progress again, but something nags at me that he will want better going, and is probably a later season horse, he doesn't have a great record first time out.
So, left with Nacarat, who I know some of you think may trouble the mighty Kauto in the King George, Planet of Sound who was 3rd in the Arkle, Imsingingtheblues and last years runner up Mahogany Blaze.
To me, if Nacarat is to even finish in the same furlong as Kauto at Kempton, he must win this race. And he must win it well. He was hugely impressive at Kempton in the Racing Post trophy in March, and ran a good race against better animals at Aintree, only to be outrun at the end. I have a suspicion flat speed tracks suit him better, and this distance may be a bit short for him.
Imsingingtheblues has never really convinced me, so I'm going with 2 against the field as Planet of Sound and Mahogany Blaze.
Planet of Sound may just be a Newbury specialist, so that is a slight worry, but he seems the class horse (at the distance and on the going) to me today.
Mahogany Blaze may well run a place, and should give a run for your money.
All down to fitness at this stage, so bets should be kept to a minimum.
Also, the ground will be key, it will be very soft.
I'll stick with Nacaret at 6's with Corals, the ground should but an emphasis on stamina. _________________ I bet Jamie is the only one in the Spencer household that gives a bad ride!
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I had a look at this one last night and decided it was too competitive to have a go at. It will come down to fitness and I like Panjo Bere and Ashley Brook on this basis as both win first time out. Also, Oh Crick appears suited by big fields and a strong pace so with Mahogany Blaze and Ashley Brook in the field I think he can go close. For me Twist Magic has no chance of staying the trip on a stiff track. He's best on a tight 16f track - I reckon he will win the Tingle Creek in December instead. _________________ Thinking differently is the only way to win at this game. Even if it makes you look a fool sometimes!
For me Twist Magic has no chance of staying the trip on a stiff track. He's best on a tight 16f track - I reckon he will win the Tingle Creek in December instead.
what a cracking race. My two and Cornas jumped the last in line, fantastic stuff.
Happily for me Planet of Sound wins but unfortunately Mahogany Blaze ran out of steam to be caught by Twist Magic for 3rd.
Nacarat faded very badly once pressed. As much chance of beating Kauto round Kempton as I would have.
You don't get excitement like that on the flat, you just dont.
This was a most interesting renewal, not necessarily the highest quality one but has implications for the rest of the year. The win of Planet of Sound strengthens the claims of last years novices towards top honours this year. Cornas ran a cracking race to finish second, he is one to follow in handicaps over 2m this season for sure. Twist Magic went well and 3rd was the absolute best he could acheive, definitely more of a spring horse with a warmer sun on his back now (even though still only 7).
Also on the card there were good wins from Tchico Polos over Dee Ee Williams and Moleskin in the first, both should be ones for the notebook.
Possibly Dunfie but I assumed he won't as he is running at the PP meeting next week.
If he turns up at both I would be against him if he has a hard race next week as I believe he is a rest pattern horse.
_________________ Thinking differently is the only way to win at this game. Even if it makes you look a fool sometimes!
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