From Ascot to Wetherby & Abacadabras to Vinndication.
It's been a busy week with quite a few horses making their seasonal reappearances and a few more gaining their second runs of the season, we will go back to last Saturday at Ascot where we had some nice winners and a fair bit of controversy, Ecco got his 2nd win of the season in nice style for Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost when winning the Novices hurdle by 6 lengths, drawing clear after the last and winning with ease. The Sodexo Gold Cup later on in the day went to Vinndication who finished 5 lengths clear under a confident ride from David Bass, it was good to see him get back to winning ways after being well held in his last two starts at Sandown and Cheltenham behind Defi Du Seuil and Lostintranslation. For me the one to take out of the race was the Henderson trained On The Blind Side, he finished 4th after being held up and should come on a ton for that run.
Now where do we start with this race, the Byrne Group Handicap Chase was won by Diego Du Charmil, but that doesn't tell the full story, he could of possibly won but himself and stablemate Capeland along with a loose horse were 12 lengths or so clear of the rest coming to the last fence, the loose horse went around the fence causing Diego Du Charmil to decide to try and follow him, in the process he's gone right across Capeland and crashed him into the wing of the fence. Diego Du Charmil then somehow managed to jump the highest part of the fence while Capeland squeezed through in between wing and fence. He still managed to win the race by a length, but in turn Capeland was disqualified due to not jumping the fence. I understand the reasoning behind Capeland being disqualified, but for me Diego Du Charmil should of also been chucked out due to ending the chances of another horse who was still in contention. It's something we will probably never see again for a long time but it was a strange series of events that's for sure.
At Wetherby we had Ballyoptic winning the Charlie Hall Chase for the inform Twiston-Davies yard, the race turned out to be a real slog with Elegant Escape finishing 2nd, La Bague Au Roi was disappointing and in turn pulled up after not really travelling like we all know she can, it was a decent performance from the winner who had the added bonus of race fitness on his side.
Over at Down Royal in Ireland we had the hurdles debut for the exciting Envoi Allen who done what was expected of him winning very easily by just over 6 lengths. We also had the first Grade 1 of the season in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, it was a small field but saw the likes of Delta Work, Road to Respect and English challenger Clan Des Obeaux running, it was won in the end by Road To Respect who won it last year this time finishing 4 lengths clear of Clan Des Obeaux. Clan Des Obeaux travelled and jumped really well throughout the race but kept on at the same pace in the final furlong, this could be down to him possibly needing the run but we will see going forward. The disappointment would have to be Delta Work, he didn't jump well at all making a few mistakes ending up finishing 4th, will be interesting to see where Gordon goes with him form here.
Sunday at Carlisle saw Lostintranslation come out and win as expected, jumping all his fences for fun and winning relatively easy, this showed he is a Gold Cup contender with him currently available 8/1 joint second fav which could be value come the big day in March.
On Tuesday we had the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter this was won by the Henderson trained Janika for Daryl Jacob, he travelled well sitting behind the leaders before making his move at 3 out and winning by over 2 lengths to Dolos and Destrier who were prominent throughout the race, but also gave a good account of themselves. Janika Looks a promising horse who's next target is going to be the Peterborough chase next month. It will be interesting to see if come Cheltenham they aim him for the Ryanair or stick to this sort of trip and go for the Champion Chase.
Thursday at Newbury saw the chase debut of Champ, who justified favouritism and won easily by 3 1/2 lengths, He was a bit novicey at a couple of his fences, but when Barry Geraghty asked him for his effort he soon quickened clear. The Mares Novice hurdle on the card was a cracker and was between the two market principles at the line, with Silver Forever winning a short head to Floressa, who possibly could of won without making a mistake late on, both look to be really exciting horses for the rest of the season.
Saturday we was back at Aintree where we saw an exciting hurdle race that ended up between Top Notch, Roksana and Vision Des Flos, this was won by Top Notch with Roksana finishing a neck 2nd and the same again to Vision Des Flos, Roksana looked to be travelling the best before a mistake at the final hurdle meaning she lost her momentum, but take nothing away from Top Notch who was headed after the last but battled back really well to just win it.
Meanwhile at Wincanton we saw Reserve Tank get his first win over fences, he travelled well during the race before keeping on strongly to win by 3 lengths. Then came the Elite hurdle which was a fascinating race which was between Fusil Raffles and Grand Sancy, Grand Sancy lead all the way and quickened before 2 out before making a mistake at the hurdle allowing Fusil Raffles to come back to him and eventually win by 3/4 of a length. i wasn't entirely impressed with Fusil Raffles for me if Grand Sancy didn't make that mistake he would of won it especially conceding weight too, will be interesting to see where they both go next. Finally the Badger Beers Silver Trophy, this was won the last 2 years by Paul Nicholls and Present Man, but it wasn't to be the hat trick for them this time, but Paul still managed to get his 10th win in this race with Give Me A Copper. He raced prominently throughout the race before being driven out after the 2nd from home, he stayed on strongly and just held on from Soupy Soups who finished with a wet sail, a little bit further in trip and Soupy Soups would of just got there.
On Sunday there was the return of racing from Sandown and arguably the star of the show was Santini although he made hard work of the race for himself, he was always prominent during the race, made his challenge 2 from home where he was battled all the way to the line by Now Mcginty, with Santini just managing to win by a head. Wasn't what many people would of been hoping for but end of the day he managed to get the win and will come on loads for the race, but for me hes not the Gold Cup winner.
Over at Naan there was a cracking card, Abacadabras won the Novice hurdle easily by 3 lengths looking impressive, before Apples Jade was turned over at odds of 1/4 in the Lismullen Hurdle. She ran her normal way bowling along in front and you was just waiting for her to kick clear but she didn't. She was eventually beat 9 lengths by the Mullins trained Bacardys who tracked the leaders then stayed on really strongly after the last. For me next came the most impressive performance of the day, which was Andy Dufresne who won the Maiden hurdle by 11 lengths, jumped well on his way round before taking up the lead, he then stayed on strongly in the run in. After the race he was quoted odds of 20/1 for the Supreme and 12/1 for the Ballymore leaving Gordon with a really strong hand in those races and a tough decision of who goes where. The Fortria Chase looked an interesting contest and was eventually won by Ballyoisin who took this race last year also, he made all and stayed on well from A Plus Tard in 2nd, who was ridden after 2 out, this was a promising run from A Plus Tard considering it was over a trip the he wouldn't of really liked, still wouldn't rule him out for a big one at the festivals. Finally saw a beginners chase which was ultimately between Fakir D'oudairies and Melon, both raced prominently during the race with Fakir D'oudairies leading after the 4th fence, after that he travelled and jumped really well going on the beat Melon by 3 lengths and going into the Arkle market at 12/1. I wouldn't give up on Melon as it wouldn't of been an easy task giving away 8lbs to Fakir D'oudairies and also Melon always seems to save his best races for Cheltenham.
Thank you for taking the time to read, bit of a long one this week, be back next week after what looks another good weeks racing with the Cheltenham November meeting taking centre stage Friday-Sunday.
Now where do we start with this race, the Byrne Group Handicap Chase was won by Diego Du Charmil, but that doesn't tell the full story, he could of possibly won but himself and stablemate Capeland along with a loose horse were 12 lengths or so clear of the rest coming to the last fence, the loose horse went around the fence causing Diego Du Charmil to decide to try and follow him, in the process he's gone right across Capeland and crashed him into the wing of the fence. Diego Du Charmil then somehow managed to jump the highest part of the fence while Capeland squeezed through in between wing and fence. He still managed to win the race by a length, but in turn Capeland was disqualified due to not jumping the fence. I understand the reasoning behind Capeland being disqualified, but for me Diego Du Charmil should of also been chucked out due to ending the chances of another horse who was still in contention. It's something we will probably never see again for a long time but it was a strange series of events that's for sure.
At Wetherby we had Ballyoptic winning the Charlie Hall Chase for the inform Twiston-Davies yard, the race turned out to be a real slog with Elegant Escape finishing 2nd, La Bague Au Roi was disappointing and in turn pulled up after not really travelling like we all know she can, it was a decent performance from the winner who had the added bonus of race fitness on his side.
Over at Down Royal in Ireland we had the hurdles debut for the exciting Envoi Allen who done what was expected of him winning very easily by just over 6 lengths. We also had the first Grade 1 of the season in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, it was a small field but saw the likes of Delta Work, Road to Respect and English challenger Clan Des Obeaux running, it was won in the end by Road To Respect who won it last year this time finishing 4 lengths clear of Clan Des Obeaux. Clan Des Obeaux travelled and jumped really well throughout the race but kept on at the same pace in the final furlong, this could be down to him possibly needing the run but we will see going forward. The disappointment would have to be Delta Work, he didn't jump well at all making a few mistakes ending up finishing 4th, will be interesting to see where Gordon goes with him form here.
Sunday at Carlisle saw Lostintranslation come out and win as expected, jumping all his fences for fun and winning relatively easy, this showed he is a Gold Cup contender with him currently available 8/1 joint second fav which could be value come the big day in March.
On Tuesday we had the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter this was won by the Henderson trained Janika for Daryl Jacob, he travelled well sitting behind the leaders before making his move at 3 out and winning by over 2 lengths to Dolos and Destrier who were prominent throughout the race, but also gave a good account of themselves. Janika Looks a promising horse who's next target is going to be the Peterborough chase next month. It will be interesting to see if come Cheltenham they aim him for the Ryanair or stick to this sort of trip and go for the Champion Chase.
Thursday at Newbury saw the chase debut of Champ, who justified favouritism and won easily by 3 1/2 lengths, He was a bit novicey at a couple of his fences, but when Barry Geraghty asked him for his effort he soon quickened clear. The Mares Novice hurdle on the card was a cracker and was between the two market principles at the line, with Silver Forever winning a short head to Floressa, who possibly could of won without making a mistake late on, both look to be really exciting horses for the rest of the season.
Saturday we was back at Aintree where we saw an exciting hurdle race that ended up between Top Notch, Roksana and Vision Des Flos, this was won by Top Notch with Roksana finishing a neck 2nd and the same again to Vision Des Flos, Roksana looked to be travelling the best before a mistake at the final hurdle meaning she lost her momentum, but take nothing away from Top Notch who was headed after the last but battled back really well to just win it.
Meanwhile at Wincanton we saw Reserve Tank get his first win over fences, he travelled well during the race before keeping on strongly to win by 3 lengths. Then came the Elite hurdle which was a fascinating race which was between Fusil Raffles and Grand Sancy, Grand Sancy lead all the way and quickened before 2 out before making a mistake at the hurdle allowing Fusil Raffles to come back to him and eventually win by 3/4 of a length. i wasn't entirely impressed with Fusil Raffles for me if Grand Sancy didn't make that mistake he would of won it especially conceding weight too, will be interesting to see where they both go next. Finally the Badger Beers Silver Trophy, this was won the last 2 years by Paul Nicholls and Present Man, but it wasn't to be the hat trick for them this time, but Paul still managed to get his 10th win in this race with Give Me A Copper. He raced prominently throughout the race before being driven out after the 2nd from home, he stayed on strongly and just held on from Soupy Soups who finished with a wet sail, a little bit further in trip and Soupy Soups would of just got there.
On Sunday there was the return of racing from Sandown and arguably the star of the show was Santini although he made hard work of the race for himself, he was always prominent during the race, made his challenge 2 from home where he was battled all the way to the line by Now Mcginty, with Santini just managing to win by a head. Wasn't what many people would of been hoping for but end of the day he managed to get the win and will come on loads for the race, but for me hes not the Gold Cup winner.
Over at Naan there was a cracking card, Abacadabras won the Novice hurdle easily by 3 lengths looking impressive, before Apples Jade was turned over at odds of 1/4 in the Lismullen Hurdle. She ran her normal way bowling along in front and you was just waiting for her to kick clear but she didn't. She was eventually beat 9 lengths by the Mullins trained Bacardys who tracked the leaders then stayed on really strongly after the last. For me next came the most impressive performance of the day, which was Andy Dufresne who won the Maiden hurdle by 11 lengths, jumped well on his way round before taking up the lead, he then stayed on strongly in the run in. After the race he was quoted odds of 20/1 for the Supreme and 12/1 for the Ballymore leaving Gordon with a really strong hand in those races and a tough decision of who goes where. The Fortria Chase looked an interesting contest and was eventually won by Ballyoisin who took this race last year also, he made all and stayed on well from A Plus Tard in 2nd, who was ridden after 2 out, this was a promising run from A Plus Tard considering it was over a trip the he wouldn't of really liked, still wouldn't rule him out for a big one at the festivals. Finally saw a beginners chase which was ultimately between Fakir D'oudairies and Melon, both raced prominently during the race with Fakir D'oudairies leading after the 4th fence, after that he travelled and jumped really well going on the beat Melon by 3 lengths and going into the Arkle market at 12/1. I wouldn't give up on Melon as it wouldn't of been an easy task giving away 8lbs to Fakir D'oudairies and also Melon always seems to save his best races for Cheltenham.
Thank you for taking the time to read, bit of a long one this week, be back next week after what looks another good weeks racing with the Cheltenham November meeting taking centre stage Friday-Sunday.
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