Archive for February, 2010

Kilcrea takes next step on road to Aintree

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

After only one run for his new trainer Emma Lavelle, Kilcrea Castle is being talked about as a lively John Smith’s Grand National outsider, writes Elliot Slater.

Currently on general offer at 50/1 with Horse Race Betting for the April marathon, those odds could be significantly reduced if the eight-year-old puts up a good display in Kempton’s Racing Post Chase, a race for which he is currently amongst the market principals. The ex-Irish gelding joined Lavelle from Pat Doyle’s yard after chasing home Casey Jones in a Grade 3 chase at Punchestown in October. After having a few months off to acclimatise to his new surroundings, Kilcrea Castle made a thoroughly pleasing debut for his new connections when finishing a good third at Ascot in January behind The Sawyer.
 
That run suggested to Lavelle that the Grand National was a race that might just suit the gelded son of Windsor Castle, who if encountering soft ground might have a serious chance of getting in the thick of the action off an attractive racing weight of 10st 8lbs.
 
A great deal depends on how Jack Doyle’s mount goes at Kempton. The step up to three miles is expected to suit Kilcrea Castle ideally, and if able to finish in the first four there could be every reason to believe that the progressive youngster will be given the green light to take on the daunting challenge of the Grand National itself.
 
Only two female trainers have won the world’s greatest steeplechase before. Jenny Pitman became the first when Corbiere famously landed the 1983 renewal, and she then repeated the feat with Royal Athlete in 1995. Last year Venetia Williams added her name to that exclusive list when sending out 100/1 betting  chance Mon Mome to cause one of the biggest shocks in the 180-year history of the race.
 
Maybe Emma Lavelle could be next in line to join that exclusive ladies’ club, courtesy of Kilcrea Castle.

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Apalachi on Target for National Mission

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

A return visit to Aintree and another crack at the John Smith’s Grand National has been top of the agenda for Black Apalachi from the moment the bold front-runner unseated his rider at Becher’s on the second circuit when leading the 2009 field, writes Elliot Slater.
 
It was still too early in the race to say with any degree of certainty, but there is absolutely no doubt that Dessie Hughes’ Old Vic gelding was still going strongly and could have well have finished amongst the front four.
 
Training plans for the eleven-year-old have been specifically tailored around another bid for the Grand National, and after having a seasonal pipe-opener over hurdles at Leopardstown in January, Black Apalachi returned to fences for the first time since April to run a tremendous second to stable companion and one of his fellow Grand National Runners Vic Venturi in the Grade 2 Attheraces Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse recently.
 
Hughes could barely conceal his delight with the way both his Grand National Race Horses had performed and it was no surprise to see bookmakers on both sides of the Irish Sea react immediately by cutting Black Apalachi to 16/1, making him joint second-favourite for the Grand National with some firms. It should also be noted that Black Apalachi gave 5lbs to Vic Venturi at Fairyhouse, but the pair are set to meet off level weights (having been allocated 11st 6lbs) at Aintree.
 
Black Apalachi, winner of the 2008 Becher Chase over the unique Grand National fences, is capable of handling any ground and his front-running style means that there is every chance of him avoiding fallers and other incidents during the hurly-burly of the National. But for coming down at the 22nd fence on his last visit to the track, he could well be going to Aintree as the defending title holder.
 
There are plenty of good reasons for believing that the 2010 renewal could be a golden opportunity for Black Apalachi to gain due compensation.

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Joncol Bypasses Cheltenham in Favour of Punchestown

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Paddy makes the seven-year-old (Joncol) 16-1 for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in 2011

Paul Nolan has decided to miss Cheltenham with Irish Hennessy hero Joncol, who was a 6-1 chance with Paddy Power for the Ryanair Chase, and instead aim him at the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown.

The seven-year-old, who was today introduced by Paddy as a 16-1 shot for the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup, was a revelation when proving a neck too powerful for Cooldine at Leopardstown last time, but is not among the horses going forward for the Ryanair Chase after today’s forfeits stage. Nolan had indicated that he was a ‘50-50′ chance to line up at Prestbury Park after the Leopardstown success.

The Co Wexford trainer said: “We have decided that we are not going to Cheltenham and the horse will hopefully now go to Punchestown providing that the ground is safe at that time. We are hoping for safe, soft ground which has been naturally softened and not watered. I am very pleased with the horse and he is doing very well and has come out of the Hennessy better than the Lexus and I couldn’t be happier with him. The decision was made before the Hennessy that if he won, we wouldn’t go to Cheltenham and we’ll wait and give it another year before we go there. We’re better off sticking with the plan and that’s the reason we’re missing Cheltenham. He’s really learning to race now and Cheltenham is a bit too soon. We’ll give him more runs and more experience for Cheltenham next year. Hopefully it will be the Gold Cup next year if the horse stays sound and there is no reason why not.”

Andy Stewart’s Poquelin is 4-1 favourite for the Ryanair with Paddy.

Paddy Power himself said: “I thought that Joncol had a serious chance in the Ryanair so it’s a pity he’s not running. Three previous Paddy Power Gold Cup winners have won the Ryanair before so I’m firmly in the Tranquil Sea corner now.”

Ryanair Chase
Paddy Power latest betting: 4 Poquelin, 6 Barbers Shop, Tranquil Sea, 9 Planet Of Sound, 10 Schindlers Hunt, 12 Voy Por Ustedes, 16 Petit Robin, 20 bar

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Back to the formbook in search of the National winner

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

The publication of the weights for the John Smith’s Grand National brings the final piece of the puzzle to the table as punters settle down to focus on the horses considered ‘best in’ after the allocations calculated by BHA senior jumps handicapper Phil Smith, writes Elliot Slater.

 Most trainers expressed themselves satisfied (or at least accepting of) the weight given to their respective charges, and it is definitely worth considering those handlers who believe they might just have been given a chance by the handicapper to add their name to the Aintree roll of honour.

 Most notable happy bunny appeared to be Venetia Williams, trainer of last year’s 100/1 shock winner Mon Mome who defied all Aintree Grand National betting experts. Williams seemed more than pleased that the ten-year-old has been allocated 11st 7lb, a rise of just 7lbs for his 12 length hammering of Comply Or Die.

Of his five entries at this stage, there appeared little doubt that champion trainer Paul Nicholls was most happy with the weight of 10st 12lbs given to Big Fella Thanks, sixth in last season’s renewal and, despite unseating his rider at the second last at Kempton recently, clearly in good form this term.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has won the race twice before with Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002) has seven horses entered at this stage, but appeared most pleased with the 10st 7lbs handed out to Razor Royale, runner-up to Poquelin in Cheltenham’s Boylesport’s Gold Cup in December and who has generally been running well in good handicap company since.

Of David Pipe’s entries he seemed most satisfied with the 10st 7lbs given to Seven Is My Number, whilst Howard Johnson looked content with the 10st 5lbs given to his main hope Abbybraney, a horse who has been trained all season with the Grand National in mind.

If body language is anything to go by however, then no trainer looked on better terms with himself than Evan Williams, whose classy State of Play will carry just 10st 11lbs on 10th April. At current odds of 25/1 he looks a cracking each-way ante-post investment when it comes to placing your Grand National Free Bets.

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What is the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

The WBX Hurdling Triple Crown ties together the three Grade 1 two mile British hurdle races in the racing calendar.

Offering a £1 million bonus for any horse that can secure victories in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle, and the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in the same season – the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown bonus will to be shared with winning owners, the trainer, stable
lad and stable staff connected with any successful horse.

The WBX Hurdling Triple Crown will actively encourage the leading two mile hurdlers to compete in Britain’s most prestigious hurdle races. It will also attempt to widen the appeal of National Hunt racing and create increased media interest in the sport’s biggest stars and those connected with them.

This year Go Native stands to win connections the £1 million bonus offered by WBX, if he can secure victory in the 2010 Champion Hurdle.

2009 WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle Review

Go Native winning the first leg of the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown

Having attracted an all-star cast of seven the 2009 WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle was the most anticipated renewal of the Grade 1 feature in living memory and it did not disappoint. With Binocular and Solwhit clashing, ante post favourite and second favourite respectively for the 2010 Champion Hurdle, it was widely expected to turn into a match between the pair.

It was to prove otherwise however as a sedate early pace, saw any number in with chances jumping two out. Binocular, sent off the 4/5 favourite, was, in fact, one of the first in trouble as Tony McCoy’s mount failed to pick up when asked for his effort and it was left to the Irish-trained duo of Sublimity, the 2007 Champion Hurdle winner, and Go Native to fight out the finish with the latter seemingly full of running approaching the final flight.

Sublimity raced towards the centre of the track after the last under Philip Carberry but Davy Condon had every move covered aboard Go Native and Noel Meade’s six-year-old was not to be denied. He scored impressively by 2 ½ lengths with Solwhit a well-beaten third.

2009 williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle Review
Despite Go Native’s success in the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle just four weeks previously it was Binocular, a distant fifth at Newcastle, who was sent off favourite for the second leg of the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Perceived to have been suited by the steady early pace at Newcastle, jockey Davy Condon once again had Go Native, a 5/2 chance, anchored towards the rear of the seven runner field in the early stages of the race.

Lead into the home straight by Cape Tribulation at the Sunbury track, it become apparent that Go Native, Binocular and Starluck had the race between them but Condon exuded confidence aboard Noel Meade’s charge and cruised to the front approaching the last. However Go Native suddenly saw his two length lead diminishing rapidly in the shadows of the post as Starluck rallied on his inner with Binocular outpaced in third.

Fortunately for Meade, and all those connected with the horse, Go Native prevailed by the minimum margin in thrilling style by winning the second leg of the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown.

Will He Complete The WBX Hurdling Triple Crown at the Cheltenham Festival?

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Championship Bumper change of heart

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
They do say that “it is a wise man who changes his mind”, so the about turn performed by prominent jumps owner John Hales with regard to the participation of his impressive Chepstow winner Al Ferof in the Championship Bumper, could prove a very smart decision, writes Eliot Slater.
 
Hales and trainer Paul Nicholls know exactly what it takes to win the big events at the Cheltenham Festival, and in Al Ferof they have another potential star in the making.
 
Hales has already been lucky enough to see such as the great One Man, Azertyuiop, Neptune Collonges and Noland win at the highest level in his colours, and having insisted before the Chepstow race that Cheltenham was not on the agenda for his youngster, he subsequently woke up the morning after and decided that, after all, it might not be such a bad idea!
 
The Chepstow race has proved a significant stepping stone for a number of smart performers, and in defeating the highly regarded Made In Time (recently purchased by JP McManus for doubtless serious money) by a comfortable five lengths, there was plenty in the performance to suggest that Nicholls’ grey could give the Irish battalions something to think about in one of the strongest Cheltenham betting heats of the whole four-day Cheltenham Festival.
 
A winning point-to-pointer in his native Ireland, Al Ferof, ran third in a hot Punchestown bumper before winning well at Fairyhouse, after which he was purchased privately by Hales and came across the Irish Sea to join the Nicholls team at Ditcheat.
 
Now a best-priced 10/1 with the Cheltenham Odds  for the final race on day two of the festival meeting, Al Ferof could prove the spearhead of the home team in an event that is amongst the hardest of the whole fixture to win

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