Tragically, to animal right's campaigners delight, we lost a horse yesterday in the Fox Hunters which is run on the National course. But unlike almost every newspaper will say today, including some moronic Racing Reporters he did not pass away due to the fences or the course. I speak of course about Battlefront who tragically suffered a heart attack during the race yesterday and collapsed when pulled up. If you have any interest in racing whatsoever you will understand that this could have happened anywhere, be it back at home or in the parade ring. The National Fences have not 'claimed their first victim' as many journalists have claimed today, but what do they care, anything that makes them money right?
On a brighter note, Hunt Ball recorded his first win of the season when carrying top weight at Taunton, which is not an easy course to give weight away. His closest rival at the like was the Paul Nicholls trained Jump City, to whom Hunt Ball was giving almost 2 stone in weight to. Defeat never really looked on the cards up the home straight as Hunt Ball sailed over the remaining fences and galloped all the way to the line under Nick Scholfield.
But onto today's card and possibly the race of the season and one certainly with a Kauto Star vs Denman kind of feel to it. That's right, today we finally get to see the mighty Sprinter Sacre take on Flemenstar for the first time over 2 and a half miles, oh and Cue Card is thrown into the mix for good measure. They are joined by Ryanair third For Non Stop and 2012 Champion Chaser Finian's Rainbow with rank outsider of the field Mad Moose. But enough of that and on with today's racing which looks a bit of a treat.
2:00 - Alder Hey Top Novices Hurdle - Forgotten Voice
My Tent Or Yours is a bit of a warm order for today's opener after finishing second in the Supreme Novices behind Champagne Fever. However he had a tough race at Cheltenham and with what looks to be a lack of pace here we oppose the strong pulling favourite. His stable mate Forgotten Voice was top class on the flat rated 113 at his best and last time out won the Dovecote. He then side stepped Cheltenham and has been aimed here for better ground, which he needs and definitely gets. If the race is a crawl early on he could well have too much toe for My Tent Or Yours at the end of the race and utilise his flat speed. He also isn't coming off the back of a tough run at Cheltenham and this is effectively his Gold Cup for the season. Saying that My Tent Or Yours is an exceptional horse and will be tough to beat, but he is by no means bomb proof. (4/1)
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| Forgotten Voice breezes past Brick Red at Kempton |
2:30 - Mildmay Novices Chase - Sea Of Thunder
This was a very hard choice for me between Rocky Creek and Sea Of Thunder but the latter just shades it on ground he gets for the first time since early season. He had a tall reputation coming over from Ireland when running at Cheltenham in which he was outstayed by Sire Collonges. He then completely bombed on soft ground but that is forgiveable as that is not his preferred going, he was then put away until now, 139 days later. This could mean there was something not right with him or they have been patient and waited for the better ground to come. Either way he stands a fantastic chance and can get Barry Geraghty off to a flyer winning the first two races. His main threat will be from Rocky Creek as he has done nothing wrong this season at all whereas Dynaste is opposable after a very tough race at Cheltenham. Just a note, Sea Of Thunder is also Pricewise so get on early doors before the price crashes. (8/1) Also well worth a reverse forecast with Rocky Creek, not sure as to what the price will be on that however.
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| Sea Of Thunder has been waited with for ground like this |
3:05 - Melling Chase - Flemenstar
So this is it, the match up all racing fans have been longing for this season, Flemenstar vs Sprinter Sacre. The black aeroplane is again a very short price to remain unbeaten over fences but this is by far his toughest test to date over an unknown distance to him. Saying that I have no doubts he will stay, but he takes on the Ryanair winner in Cue Card who was 7 lengths back in last years Arkle over 2 miles. He will also face the selection in Flemenstar who is the best 2 and a half miler in Ireland right now and looks near unbeatable at the trip. He didn't go to Cheltenham as a lung infection ruled him out, but he has travelled over well and is ready to do battle according to trainer Peter Casey. Flemenstar has been tried over 3 miles this season but it is clear he isn't as effective as he is over 2 and a half. Him and Cue Card will most likely be setting the pace which could test Sprinter Sacre's stamina furthermore, but I expect Flemenstar to at least dominate the first 1 and a half miles, after that is anyone's guess. Of course he has a the tallest of tall orders to beat Sprinter Sacre but Aintree could play to his benefits and his price is now a nice each way price. (7/1)
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| Flemenstar on his way to Landing the Powers Gold Cup |
3:40 - John Smiths Topham Chase - Pacha Du Polder
I think we can all agree that this is an impossible race to pick a horse to back with any real confidence, made harder that its over the National Fences. Pacha Du Polder was held in very high regard at the start of the season by Paul Nicholls and last time he came good on his return to a faster surface. At one point he was very fancied for the Hennessy by his stable, but that plan never really matured, but here we are today. He gets a tentative vote with his job being made easier by Ryan Mahon claiming 3 pounds off his top weight of 11-12. Last time was the first time he ran in cheek pieces and they lit him up a treat beating Big Fella Thanks by 5 lengths. They stay on today and providing he takes to the fences can be in with a chance, but as I say a tough race to pick one. (16/1)
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| Pacha Du Polder winning at Newbury |
4:15 - Sefton Novices Hurdle - Our Vinnie
Our Vinnie came over for Cheltenham with a tall reputation but made it no further than the 6th flight when he was bought down by I Shot The Sherriff. It is impossible to say what kind of race he would have run that day, all we can say is that he had settled well. At Fishers Cross reopposes today and it will be interesting to see how he copes with a faster surface, but he could be vulnerable. Our Vinnie is also lightly raced on good ground but has registered some decent performances on it before unlike At Fishers Cross. The selection has a bit to prove but he received a good training report earlier in the week and is open to a bit more improvement, a fast pace will suit. (8/1)
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| Our Vinnie looks to bounce back today |
4:50 - John Smiths Daily Mirror punters club Handicap Hurdle - Barbatos
Barbatos was a one time very smart novice hurdler before injury struck and he was out for the remainder of the season. He was off for just over a year before returning under a tender ride at Cheltenham in January on bottomless ground. He then went to the Coral Cup at the Festival and finished a respectable staying on 7th behind Medinas. The return to real good ground will help him no end today and he should continue his upward curve a pound lower in the weights. He was also the only one in the Novice ranks to put up a fight against Fingal Bay on more than one occasion, one would have to think if injury didn't strike he would be running in higher company. (10/1)
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| Barbatos beating Forgotten Gold and Batonnier (far right) |
5:25 - John Smith's Mares' standard open NH Flat Race - Midnight Minx
When Anthony Honeyball and Rachael Green team up with a bumper horse it is always well worth a second look, this one is no different. She ran at Sandown behind a few of these including Mollys A Diva, but she hated the ground that day and can be forgiven, though her run was still encouraging. It was bottomless that day, to be seen at her best she really does need good ground after wins on Good and then on the fibresand at Kempton. The best of the form coming at Kempton when having Call me a star and Glorious Twelfth behind behind her while showing a battling attitude. Rachael Green may not be the most well known jockey in the weighing room but she is very good value for her three pound claim and is a jockey to watch. Midnight Minx to land the finale on day two. (14/1)
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| Midnight Minx (black with green cap) beats Call me a star (left) |
Nap - Barbatos
Nb - Sea of thunder
Lets hope for a much better day than yesterday and a winner or two, lets also hope that all our brave Jockeys and Equine friends come back safely.
Happy Punting guys
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