31 Dec 2008
1:15 PUNCHESTOWN (IRE)
Punchestown Annual Membership Hurdle(4yo+) 2m4f Yielding To Soft
£11,966.91, £3,511.03, £1,672.79, £569.85
1 Coolcashin (IRE) SP 10/1
Taipan (IRE) - Daisy A Day (IRE) (Asir) 7 11-12 Michael J Bowe
T J Doyle 130 64 143
Chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, stayed on to lead approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in
2 3 Ebaziyan (IRE) SP 1/2F
Daylami (IRE) - Ebadiyla (IRE) (Sadler's Wells) 7 11-8 W P Mullins
R Walsh 155 57 136
Held up, headway in 6th 3 out, 5th next, improved to 3rd before last, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on same pace
3 1Ύ Merdeka (IRE) SP 16/1
Luso - Gentle Reef (IRE) (Orange Reef) 8 10-11 p T J Taaffe
Mr G O'Sullivan (7) 123 51 130
Led, clear from 3rd, reduced advantage 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra and kept on same pace
4 4½ Don't Be Bitin (IRE) SP 10/1
Turtle Island (IRE) - Shonara's Way (Slip Anchor) 7 11-4 Eoin Griffin
P Carberry 126 46 126
Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, moderate 5th before last, stayed on to 4th run-in
5 2 Taravada SP 9/2
Kayf Tara - Prevada (Soldier Rose) 5 11-8 Mrs John Harrington
A D Leigh 121 48 128
Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 2 out, ridden to 3rd entering straight, no extra in 4th before last, kept on one pace
6 4 Sabina Park (IRE) SP 12/1
Arctic Lord - Lisglassick (IRE) (Euphemism) 9 10-6 Mrs D A Love
Mr P McNeilly (7) 109 35 115
Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2 out, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace
7 29 Derravarra Eagle (IRE) SP 25/1
Flemensfirth (USA) - Rathcolman Queen (IRE) (Radical) 8 10-13 Mark L Fagan
A P Thornton (5) 123 9 91
Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped to 6th approaching 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
8 dist Sky To Sea (FR) SP 40/1
Adieu Au Roi (IRE) - Urban Sky (FR) (Groom Dancer) 10 11-4 R Donohoe
S G McDermott 118
Always towards rear, trailing from 4 out, completely tailed off
8 ran TIME 5m 11.30s (slow by 30.30s) Total SP 122%
1st OWNER: Michael J Bowe BRED: Michael J Bowe TRAINER: Michael J Bowe
2nd OWNER: Peter Garvey
3rd OWNER: Maurice Clifford
TOTE WIN £14.20 PL £3.10, £1.10, £4.70; Ex £34.50; CSF £17.39
A fine ride by Tom Doyle on COOLCASHIN, a horse that hasn't always been the most straightforward in the past but did the job in a professional manner today. Content to track the at times clear early leader, he closed up before the second last before the rider made his decisive move coming to the last and took a couple of lengths out of the runner-up and favourite. He jumped the last flight well enough and kept up his level of advantage all the way to the line. He has enough ability to win a good raceand everything fell into place for him today.
For runner-up Ebaziyan, one would think that any plans to go chasing that were put on hold will be expedited without too much delay. Held up early on, he travelled quite well through the field to be ina challenging position on the longish run between the final two flights. When the winner kicked on, it was apparent that Ruby didn't have a huge amount in the tank and he found very little. The rider said afterwards that he just didn't handle the dead ground, which is fair enough, but it certainly wasn't the greatest surprise in the world that he was beaten.
Merdeka ran his best race for a long time and it will be interesting to see where he turns up next. He set off in front, bowled along merrilyand enjoyed a six to eight length advantage most of the way. A mistake at the last didn't help him, but the winner had just headed him at that point and it made little difference to the result. It was still a very good run and gives plenty of hope that there are still races to be won with him.
Also held up off the pace was Don't Be Bitin. He showjumped a few of his hurdles but it would also surely come as some measure of relief to connections to see him show a bit of his old spark. He kept on wellfrom the turn into the straight without threatening and was never nearer.
Taravada is a hard horse to assess these days. Tracking the lead early, he was being given reminders early on the final circuit and never really travelled after that, although he wasn't actually beaten that far. He is becoming quite the disappointing horse. [
01 Jan 2009
1:40 CHELTENHAM
Dipper Novices΄ Chase Grade 2(Class 1) (5yo+) 2m5f Good To Soft 17 fences
£19,953.50, £7,486.50, £3,748.50, £1,869.00, £938.00
1 Calgary Bay (IRE) SP 11/4
Taipan (IRE) - Dante's Thatch (IRE) (Phardante) 6 11-0 Miss H C Knight
A P McCoy 137 129 149
Held up in touch, went 3rd 10th, blundered 13th, tracked leader 3 out, led approaching 2 out, shaken up and stayed on strongly run-in
2 2Ύ Kicks For Free (IRE) SP 11/8F
Flemensfirth (USA) - Keep The Change (IRE) (Castle Keep) 8 11-4 P F Nicholls
R Walsh 131 152
Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, hit 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on but never any impression
3 10 Tartak (FR) SP 5/2
Akhdari (USA) - Tartamuda (FR) (Tyrnavos) 6 11-4 T R George
P J Brennan 138 121 143
Led, hit 4th and 12th, ridden after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out and soon beaten
4 38 The Cool Guy (IRE) SP 16/1
Zaffaran (USA) - Frostbite (Prince Tenderfoot) 9 11-0 N A Twiston-Davies
David England 129 78 103
Chased leader to 9th, weakened 11th, tailed off
5 1Ύ Kealshore Boy SP 16/1
Overbury (IRE) - Rippling Brook (Phardante) 6 11-0 J Howard Johnson
Denis O'Regan 123 76 104
Always in rear and never jumping well, tailed off
5 ran TIME 5m 29.77s (slow by 21.77s) Total SP 109%
1st OWNER: Mrs T P Radford BRED: Mrs Eleanor Hadden TRAINER: Miss H C Knight
2nd OWNER: Trevor Hemmings
3rd OWNER: Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd
TOTE WIN £3.30 PL £1.80, £1.40; Ex £6.10; CSF £7.15
Traditionally a strong novice chase and this year's running was a tight affair. It was run at a fair gallop, and the three market leaders came clear, so the form looks solid.
CALGARY BAY showed his true colours with a taking display and got off the mark as a chaser at the second time of asking. He proved keen through the first half of the race and emerged going strongly nearing four out, where he was none too clever. However, that was his only semblance of an error, and it seemed to ignite him as he eventually powered up the home straight to win with plenty of authority. He has now won both of his races at the track, and got the longer trip without fuss. It will be fascinating to see whether connections now try him over even further to test his RSA chase credentials, or opt to train him instead for a crack at the Arkle, for which he was trimmed in the ante-post betting. Despite wanting to run him at the festival, his trainer reported she is not certain there is a race there for him. She feels he may well be taken off his feet in the Arkle, and three miles may be beyond him at this stage. Alternatively, he would likely have top weight in the Jewson Novices' Handicap. The new Grade 1 over 2m4f at Aintree could well be his big target for the year.
Kicks For Free lost little in defeat conceding 4lb to the winner. He recovered gamely after a mistake three from home and had every chance, but was always being held. The suspicion is that he would have still been beaten by Calgary Bay at level weights. This does somewhat dent his Festival hopes, and his optimum trip as a chaser remains slightly in doubt, but he has a Graded prize in him before the season's end.
Tartak had found Gone Too Lunch too strong over 3m in this class at Newbury last time and set out to make it a test from the front. He was ponderous over his fences in the main, but still ran his race, and he rates the benchmark for the form. It would not be a surprise to see him come back in March for the Jewson Novices' Handicap. Hecould go close in that.
Kealshore Boy, off the mark on his chasing bow at Newcastle in November, faced a stiff task, but spoilt his chance by making far too many errors.
The Cool Guy was shaken off as the race got serious and found this alltoo hot. He can still be placed to strike when dropping back to a suitably lower level on one of the smaller tracks.
01 Jan 2009
2:45 CHELTENHAM
Unicoin Homes Handicap Hurdle(Class 2) (4yo+) 3m Good To Soft 12 hdles
£15,655.00, £4,625.00, £2,312.50, £1,157.50, £577.50, £290.00
1 Big Buck's (FR) SP 9/2
Cadoudal (FR) - Buck's (FR) (Le Glorieux) 6 11-11 P F Nicholls
R Walsh 151 96 158
Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, tracked leaders 2 out, narrow advantage well before last, driven run-in, asserted final 100yds
2 1Ύ Don't Push It (IRE) SP 6/1
Old Vic - She's No Laugh Ben (USA) (Alleged) 9 10-9 Jonjo O'Neill
A P McCoy 135 78 138
Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and quickened after 2 out to challenge last, stayed on but outpaced by winner final 100yds
3 4½ Pennek (FR) SP 8/1
Grand Tresor (FR) - Annabelle Treveene (FR) (Spoleto) 6 9-91 A King
Charlie Huxley (5) 126 65 126
In rear, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out and in rear again, stayed on again after 2 out, kept on run-in but no chance with leading duo
4 1Ύ Tot Of The Knar SP 20/1
Kayf Tara - Maggie Marne (Relkino) 7 10-7 P Bowen
S E Durack 133 71 130
Held up in rear, headway from 2 out and soon ridden, stayed on same pace run-in
5 2Ό Tazbar (IRE) SP 7/1
Tiraaz (USA) - Candy Bar (IRE) (Montelimar) 7 11-9 K G Reveley
James Reveley (3) 152 88 147
Chased leaders, disputed 2nd from 4th until ridden, mistake and lost position 3 out, stayed on again after 2 out and stayed on run-in
6 1Ύ Buena Vista (IRE) SP 20/1
In The Wings - Park Special (Relkino) 8 10-9 D E Pipe
Tom Scudamore 135 69 129
Led, ridden 2 out, headed well before last and soon beaten
7 1Ό Tisfreetdream (IRE) SP 28/1
Oscar (IRE) - Gayley Gale (IRE) (Strong Gale) 8 10-31 p P A Pritchard
Mark Bradburne 129 62 122
Mid-division, headway 4 out, chsinf leaders when hampered 2 out, recovered to challenge well before last, weakened quickly soon after
8 13 Blue Shark (FR) SP 14/1
Cadoudal (FR) - Sweet Beauty (FR) (Tip Moss) 7 10-7 N J Henderson
B J Geraghty 133 55 120
In touch, headway 3 out, tracking leaders when badly hampered and all but unseated rider 2 out, not recover
9 18 Ringaroses SP 14/1
Karinga Bay - Rose Ravine (Deep Run) 8 10-8 Miss H C Knight
Timmy Murphy 134 40 108
Chased leaders until weakened 2 out
F Ballydub (IRE) SP 15/8F
Presenting - Sovereign Leader (IRE) (Supreme Leader) 6 10-12 P J Hobbs
Richard Johnson 138 141
Chased leader from 3rd, driven to challenge and going ok when fell 2 out
PU Jug Of Punch (IRE) SP 100/1
In The Wings - Mysistra (FR) (Machiavellian) 10 9-1121 b S T Lewis
Gerard Tumelty (3) 126
Chased leader to 3rd, weakened 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up after 3 out
11 ran TIME 6m 14.07s (slow by 29.07s) Total SP 118%
1st OWNER: The Stewart Family BRED: Henri Poulat TRAINER: P F Nicholls
2nd OWNER: John P McManus
3rd OWNER: H D Read
TOTE toteswinger: 1&2 £4.70, 1&3 £10.70, 2&3 £9.90. WIN £5.40 PL £2.20, £1.90, £2.70; Ex £25.50; CSF £30.69; TRICAST £212.45Pool: £1,252.05 - 1.40 winning units. TRIFECTA £661.70 Pool: £1,252.05 - 1.40 winning units.
b]BIG BUCK'S made amends for unseating in the Hennessy on his comeback last month, and did the job in good style on his first outing as a hurdler in Britain. He was always going well under a patient ride and probably got to the front a little too soon in the home straight as he looked to idle, so rates value for further. This should do his confidence the world of good and he is obviously a classy horse, plus he has age on his side. However, jumping still remains an issue over fences, and his trainer now intends to run him in the Cleeve Hurdle back here later in the month to test his World Hurdle credentials. That looks an open contest this season, and he would be an interesting outsider in that.[/b]
Don't Push It was second to Fair Along over courseand distance 20 days previously and again found one too good. He still ran another solid race in defeat. He finished clear of the remainder and has found form again since returning to hurdles. The Pertemps Final here in March could be in his plans, and while he will likely go up again for this, he is still currently rated 8lb higher over fences.
Pennek was never a serious threat, but this was better again from him, and he performed with credit from 1lb out of the handicap. His turn is not looking far off again.
Tot Of The Knar was well held on this return from novice company and does look firmly in the handicapper?s grip. She puts the form into perspective.
Tazbar, back up in trip, was 5lb higher than when third on his return to hurdling 12 days previously, and may well have found this coming too soon. He has also done his winning on flatter tracks.
It is difficult to know where the progressive Ballydub would have finished with a clear round. He was just starting to be niggled prior to crashing out. It is hoped that this experience does not dent his confidence too badly.
Blue Shark, who ran no sort of race on his return from a lengthy layoff at Sandown last time, has to rate as unfortunate as he lost all chance when badly hampered by the fall of the favourite. He was going well enough at the time and could now be on his way back.
01 Jan 2009
3:20 CHELTENHAM
Steel Plate And Sections Hurdle(Class 2) (4yo+) (2m4f110y) 2m4½f Good To Soft 10 hdles
£15,655.00, £4,625.00, £2,312.50, £1,157.50, £577.50
1 Lough Derg (FR) SP 7/1
Apple Tree (FR) - Asturias (FR) (Pistolet Bleu) 9 11-12 v D E Pipe
Tom Scudamore 150 133 155
Led, ridden approaching 3 out, hard ridden and headed 2 out, one pace under pressure approaching last, rallied gamely under pressure to lead again last strides
2 nk No Refuge (IRE) SP 11/4
Hernando (FR) - Shamarra (FR) (Zayyani) 9 11-4 J Howard Johnson
Denis O'Regan 151 124 147
In rear, ridden after 3 out, hard ridden from 2 out, stayed on to lead final 100yds, caught last strides
3 1Ύ Franchoek (IRE) SP 7/4F
Trempolino (USA) - Snow House (IRE) (Vacarme) 5 11-12 A King
A P McCoy 148 131 153
Tracked winner, led going well 2 out, ridden and 2 lengths up approaching last, headed and no extra final 100yds
4 17 Five Dream (FR) SP 2/1
Take Risks (FR) - Jenny Pous (FR) (Kaid Pous) 5 11-4 P F Nicholls
R Walsh 145 106 133
Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out and went briefly 2nd well before last, soon weakened
5 65 Maidstone Mixture (FR) SP 66/1
Linamix (FR) - Marie Jbeil (FR) (Double Bed) 4 10-5 Paul Murphy
G Lee 106 58
Behind from 4th, tailed off
5 ran TIME 5m 9.12s (slow by 23.12s) Total SP 110%
1st OWNER: W Frewen BRED: Patrick Gouesnard TRAINER: D E Pipe
2nd OWNER: Andrea & Graham Wylie
3rd OWNER: John P McManus
TOTE WIN £7.80 PL £2.80, £1.90; Ex £27.10; CSF £26.22
A good-class hurdle but all the runners had questions to answer, and despite the small field, it produced the finish of the day.
Another victory for the tough-as-teak LOUGH DERG. Three time winner around here in the distant past, he set off in front, but could never get that far ahead of the favourite, and his rider was hard at work at the top of the hill. He looked cooked when dropping to third jumping the second-last flight, but then started to fight back. He got a gap between the fading leader and the rail, and powered up the hill to score in a manner reminiscent of his victory at Fontwell last February. He is a welcome winner for a stable that is beginning to show signs of a return to form, and he is certainly one to have on-side if it comes to a battle in the closing stages.
No Refuge, who won the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle over course and distance in 2005, has not had that much racing since but had shown he retained ability on his previous outing two months ago, and was getting 8lb from the winner and third. He was another who looked to be struggling at the top of the hill, but stuck to his task and came with a strong challenge up the outside on the run-in, only to lose out narrowly to the strong-finishing winner. Although he has never won a three mile hurdle race, he has over fences, and seems likely to deputise for his injured stable companion Inglis Drever in the World Hurdle back here in March.
Franchoek, with two wins and two seconds in four starts around here, had been upped in trip of late but had yet to score over more than 2m1f. He never let the winner get too much of a lead, and jumping really well, looked to have matters in hand turning in. However, he began to empty going to the last, and when challenged on either side on the run-in, had nothing more to give. Whether some form of headgear will make a difference remains to be seen, but he has now been beaten in all four starts over this distance and the clear impression here was that he failed to stay.
That same remark also applies to Five Dream, who was stepping up to this distance for the first time. He was cruising in the slipstream of the leaders at the second-last flight but came under pressure soon after turning in and quickly dropped away.
1 Mad Max (IRE) SP 4/5F
Kayf Tara - Carole's Crusader (Faustus) 7 11-5 N J Henderson
A P McCoy
In touch, headway after 4 out, tracked leaders next, slight lead 2 out, shaken up last and ran on strongly run-in
2 3½ Pause And Clause (IRE) SP 20/1
Saddlers' Hall (IRE) - Silver Glen (IRE) (Roselier) 5 10-9 Miss E C Lavelle
Jack Doyle (3)
Chased leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, chased winner soon after but no impression from last
3 3Ύ Shoreacres (IRE) SP 8/1
Turtle Island (IRE) - Call Me Dara (IRE) (Arapahos) 6 11-5 B G Powell
Wilson Renwick 133
Mid-division, headway from 4 out, chased leaders next and challenged 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
4 11 Our Hero (IRE) SP 100/1
Oscar Schindler (IRE) - Miners Own (IRE) (Miner's Lamp) 6 10-12 C E Longsdon
Tom Siddall
Mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden next, staying on same pace and no chance with leading trio when went left last
5 3Ύ Cockney Trucker (IRE) SP 11/4
Presenting - Kiltiernan Easter (IRE) (Broken Hearted) 7 11-5 P J Hobbs
Richard Johnson 130
Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden and effort next, weakened from 2 out
6 6 Traffic Control (IRE) SP 50/1
Rudimentary (USA) - Cherry Tops (IRE) (Top Of The World) 6 10-12 T R George
P J Brennan
Chased leader, led 6th, narrowly headed but every chance 2 out, soon weakened
7 4 Teddy's Reflection (IRE) SP 12/1
Beneficial - Regal Pursuit (IRE) (Roi Danzig) 6 11-5 Miss H C Knight
Dominic Elsworth
In rear, headway 4 out, ridden and not reach leaders next, soon weakened
8 17 Imminent Victory SP 100/1
Benny The Dip (USA) - Brave Vanessa (USA) (Private Account) 6 10-12 N P Moore
Jamie Moore
Mid-division, and some progress after 4 out, never in contention and soon weakened
9 11 Quick Shot (FR) SP 100/1
Sassanian (USA) - Byrsa (FR) (Quart De Vin) 5 10-12 Carl Llewellyn
T J O'Brien
Hit 2nd, behind from 6th
10 53 Galaxy Rock (IRE) SP 100/1
Heron Island (IRE) - Blue Pool (Saddlers' Hall) 5 10-12 Jonjo O'Neill
Noel Fehily
Always in rear, tailed off
11 1Ό The Arsonist (IRE) SP 100/1
Missed Flight - Meadowburn (Meadowbrook) 7 10-12 Mrs L J Young
Timmy Murphy
Behind from halfway, tailed off
PU Iveragh Lad (IRE) SP 100/1
Teenoso (USA) - Cheryls Pet (IRE) (General Ironside) 9 10-5 S D Dixon
Mr J Derham (7)
Tailed off 6th, pulled up before 3 out
SU See Me Soon SP 100/1
Alflora (IRE) - See Me Shine (Lighter) 6 10-12 M Sheppard
S E Durack
Led to 3rd, still 2nd when slipped up bend after 3rd
PU Peterfly (FR) SP 100/1
Nononito (FR) - Hitifly (FR) (Murmure) 6 10-12 A W Carroll
Wayne Hutchinson 108
Led 3rd to 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
PU Penharold (IRE) SP 25/1
Arctic Lord - Come On Penny (Rakaposhi King) 5 10-12 A King
Robert Thornton
In rear, some headway 7th, weakened and hit 3 out, pulled up before last
PU Lyrical Chant (IRE) SP 100/1
Deploy - Vic Melody (FR) (Old Vic) 5 10-5 J Scott
Robert Walford
In rear and jumped slowly 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
16 ran TIME 4m 53.33s (slow by 24.33s) Total SP 120%
1st OWNER: Carole Skipworth & Paul Murphy BRED: Paul Murphy TRAINER: N J Henderson
2nd OWNER: Robert Cohen
3rd OWNER: David Nash
TOTE toteswinger 1&2 £5.70, 1&3 £3.20, 2&3 £16.50. WIN £2.00 PL £1.30, £4.00, £1.80; Ex £22.00; CSF £21.99
This was a decent novice hurdle, run at a fair gallop and the first three came clear. The form looks solid enough rated through the third.
MAD MAX, stepping up in trip, maintained his unbeaten record on his return from a 54-day break and again didthe job with something left up his sleeve. He ran a little freely under early restraint and was not quite as fluent as he had been at Ascot on his hurdling debut, but still made up his ground easily on the turn for home. It was clear two out that he was the one to be on, yet after taking it up at that flight he showed signs on inexperience and rather bunny-hopped the last. Once given a smack on the run-in, however, he put the race to bed and is no doubt a classy performer.
The winner is now as short as 6-1 for the Ballymore and it is most likely that the longer trip of that contest would suit rather than the 2m of the Supreme Novices'. There is a real doubt about such a big horse handling that contrasting track, however. His trainer later reported heis now due to have a minor breathing operation, which he has had in the past, as he came back after the race making a noise and will now have a fortnight off, but he still hopes to have one more run before the festival in March.
Pause And Clause stepped up markedly on the level of his hurdling bow at Chepstow last month and rates another promising novice for his stable. He dug deep under pressure from two out and looks a winner waiting to happen in the coming weeks, with a return to further likelyto suit him ideally.
Shoreacres had been given a break after his solid effort in a decent heat at Ascot in November. He was ridden a lot more patiently over this longer trip and settled well enough as the gallop increased early on. He came there with every chance in the home straight, but found less than the first pair when put under pressure and left the impression his stamina gave way. A drop back to the minimum is what he probably wants and, with the likelihood of the run doing him good, the best of him may not have been seen just yet.
There was a break back to hurdling debutant Our Hero, who was last seen winning a maiden point in October 2007. He ran a big race, travelling nicely just off the pace, and should improve a bundle for the run so looks one to take from the race. This was another indication that his stable are now coming back to form.
It was a disappointing effort from Cockney Trucker, who had deservedly won over 2m at the track on Hennessy day. He was bang there turning for home, but was feeling the pinch prior to messy leap two out and ultimately failed to see out the longer trip. That was most likely down to the softer ground though, and it will not be surprising to see him leave this behind when back on a sounder surface.
Traffic Control had flopped on debut for connections in a bumper at Towcester, but this was more encouraging on his hurdling debut and he looks one to improve as he gains further experience.
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