Friday 20th December 2013 - Long Walk Hurdle Preview

Long Walk Hurdle Preview

Renowned for its glamour, class and prestige, not for the first time since the national hunt season has commenced, we see Royal Ascot revert to jumps action on Saturday.  Known as the Ladbroke meeting, the fixture offers crucial insight and is often a jungle for punters to attempt to fathom. As the namesake suggests, the entire day is geared towards the 2 mile speed test, enhanced by the sheer number of runners, which makes for an undoubtedly tricky betting prospect. Previous winners include Sentry Duty, Tamarinbleu and 2011 victor Raya Star. That aside, racing followers have been accustomed to tuning in to the Long Walk hurdle earlier on in the card at 2:25 to witness a schooling session for the mightily unchallengeable Big Bucks. However, with that name absent this year, and with gallant Newbury winner Celestial Halo now ruled out with a foot infection the field is reduced once more with only the quintet remaining. Heads are turned to McCoy’s mount and it looks an ideal opportunity for classy Curtis recruit At Fishers Cross to redeem last outings defeat.

Of late the minimalistic fields topic seems to be constantly gathering momentum and remains to post continuous concerns for those in racing, and with the current field of 5 for the £75,000 contest, it is not overly encouraging here. However, all of the horses engaged are rated above 160, the only exception being Tom Symonds’ runner Tweedledrum. This highlights that the select field is not without quality. As previously mentioned we were due to see Celestial Halo grace the turf once again to take on At Fishers Cross whom was unfortunate last time, this rematch alone looked something to savour yet as another absentee is announced the disappointment grows. Among latest withdrawals are brave Coral Cup winner Medinas and puzzling grey Grands Crus (The pipe trained chaser has appeared to have soured with age) and does not attempt to bounce back on this occasion. Entries include previously mentioned At Fishers Cross, fences reject and French Grade 1 winner Reve De Sivola, Gold Cup 5^th Time For Rupert returns from injury along with tough weekend horse Salubrious. Outsider Tweedledrum completes the line-up.

The logical starting point would be to address Celestial Halo’s precession-like 17 length win in the long distance hurdle at Newbury last time- albeit benefitting from the catastrophic error made by At Fishers Cross at the second last flight. Personally I am among the believers that the Rebecca Curtis gelding would have not had it easy had he taken the hurdle in his stride. Ever-green Celestial Halo (alike Reve De Sivola who has graded wins to his name across the water) had been jumping with great fluidity and rhythm, and Jacob had got a breather into him to ensure he could utilize his battling qualities to best effect had he needed them. It wasn’t to be. Yet with racing we know it is totally unpredictable and followers of the sport are aware of the sheer talent At Fishers Cross has after displaying so in his 6 facile victories last season. There is little doubt that should he turn up at the same level as he was at last year, this is his for the taking. Yet last time out his jumping was markedly underwhelming and lacked fluidity in abundance, he didn’t travel as strongly as we know he is capable of either, so in areas doubt still remains.  

Reve De Sivola won this race by 14 lengths in 2012 and although the same margin separated him from Celestial Halo in the race mentioned previously, he would have to be considered the main danger to At Fishers Cross. On official ratings he only has a pound to find and is likely to run another solid race on ground in which he can revel, yet this will also majorly benefit the chances of the favourite. Should At Fishers Cross produce another lack lustre performance shy of his best, the tough 8 year old will surely take advantage.

Time For Rupert reappears from a rare injury, a growth was discovered in his head, this could have caused the gelding to lose his sight had it been unidentified. He has reportedly recovered well from the ordeal after an operation and offers a link to the imperious Big Buck’s after resolutely chasing him home in the 2010 edition of the World Hurdle, only to be denied 3 ¼ lengths. Although his career has been invaded by injuries and inconsistencies he is undoubtedly a top class performer on his day, yet in all reality, it is very unlikely he is to defy such a layoff on Saturday. Time For Rupert is the oldest horse in the race at the age of 9 and is likely to be up against it with the younger contenders snapping at his heels. The Grand National 2014 is his main target so it is unlikely he is 100% tuned up for his return to action.

For Saturday race goers Salubrious is becoming a familiar name- the Nicholls trained hurdler has ran creditably twice on Cheltenham’s staged meetings on Saturdays, and he bids to go one better here. After forcing the pace last time, which arguably is not his preferred role, he finished 2 ¼ lengths behind JP McManus’s useful novice More Of That. Notably he was given a master class of a ride by none other than Sports Personality Of The Year placed AP McCoy. I struggle to see him winning here, as his price suggests at 7-1, yet this consistent and tough 6 year old travels remarkably in his races and stays incredibly well so it would be foolish to discard him totally, especially seeing as the field lacks quantity.  

Last of the contenders is 100-1 shot Tweedledrum, this mare is rated 123 respectively and gains her 7lb allowance yet has no real chance in this company. With 5^th place up for grabs and almost £2000 on offer, it seems she is here to jump a clear round and pick up some prize money, which she is totally entitled to do and I hope she runs well for connections. Little more can be said in regards to her chances.

To conclude, Ascot racecourse will sorely miss the overwhelming presence of established star Big Buck’s this weekend, but after pleasing Paul Nicholls in his gallop at Exeter racecourse on Thursday, we eagerly await his return. This year’s Long Walk hurdle could reveal new dangers he may face upon his belated return to the National Hunt scene. At Fishers Cross looks to have the perfect opportunity to pick up where he left of last season and has the advantage of familiar rider Tony McCoy aboard who will surely get the best out of him. Time For Rupert is surely best watched on all evidence and it is likely Salubrious will find one too good yet again. Reve De Sivola is an integral player and should give the favourite a race if he falls short.

 

Friday 13th December 2013 - International Hurdle Preview

International Hurdle Preview

At a glance it is safe to say Saturday’s International Hurdle has not delivered the same pre-race buzz as it has in previous years. Known as a stepping stone to the Champion Hurdle, usually it is a coming of age for the younger pretenders and a chance for the more exposed horses to prove their worth. Without a doubt the two principals this year are British trained Zarkandar and The New One, the pair are totally equal in terms of official ratings (both 167), which indicates it should be a very interesting battle between these two. Other notable entries at this stage are the intriguing French duo Albert Hall and Seebreeze D’Ho (who add a whole new dimension to the race) along with Jumps Road for the Tizzards, the Tim Vaughan trained Hawkhill and quirky Welsh Champion hurdle victor Court Minstrel.

At 1-2 I believe The New One is pretty short, and as his namesake suggests, he could well be too short against the tough and consistent Zarkandar, although admittedly conditions aren’t in his favour and looks more exposed. Yet he has the ability to win this race, as he did so last year beating the likes of Grandouet and Rock On Ruby. The Azamour gelding is likely to be targeted at the World Hurdle in March, so it does seem that The New One should be winning here over the shorter trip of 2m1, as it appears he is aiming for Champion Hurdle glory. In Zarkandar’s defence, he ran a mighty race giving Annie Power 11lb at Ascot last time, and contrary to common belief, he did not wear the blinkers last term because he was un-genuine- and proved so in no uncertain matter when battling for a brave 2^nd place. Court Minstrel is undoubtedly talented, but even a return to form can’t really see him winning here, and nothing from his last two outings has opposed this view. I wouldn’t dismiss him completely but as we have begun to get to grips with his character, it may be wise to look elsewhere for dangers.

A month ago we saw the Irish bred Dell’ Arca triumph in a competitive Greatwood hurdle after never racing in Britain before (this would be the case should Seebreeze D’Ho win on Saturday). However on ratings him and Albert Hall have in excess of 20lb to find, and with both Zarkandar and The New One posting good efforts first time out, it looks an unlikely scenario. The last and only time Albert Hall ran in the UK was at Kempton and he was pulled up in a race won by Bourne. The form speaks for itself and will be nowhere good enough here. It is likely the French pair are entered to grab a share of the prize money and the same could be said for Hawkhill and Jumps Road respectively. It’s a shame a race of such calibre has only attracted low levels of attention and clearly owners have missed an opportunity, at least to gain some prize money, but it promises to be a fantastic days’ sport nevertheless (seeing as there is top class action elsewhere on the card). I’m convinced, as always is the case, Prestbury Park will not fail to deliver.

Sunday 1st December 2013 - Imperial Commander

Imperial Commander - A Tribute

Inspired by the heart-warming display the 2010 Gold Cup winner provided spectators with on Saturday at the scenic Newbury Racecourse, Maddy Playle dedicates this post to the imperious career of resilient steeplechaser Imperial Commander. Often considered the bridesmaid to the illustrious Paul Nicholls trained duo of Kauto Star and Denman, arguably this old-fashioned chaser seldom gained the recognition his brave performances were worthy of…

Victor of 8 of his 21 starts under rules, after a win in a Summerhill point to point (by 8 lengths) in the July of 2005, he was purchased by the ‘Our Friends In The North’ syndicate. They were unaware of the pure elation this bay gelding would supply them and many others with up and down the UK in the following years. Imperial Commander opened his account under rules at none other than Prestbury Park- this alliance proved crucial 4 years in advance, but on this occasion he sauntered home 8 lengths in front of subsequent classy Whateley recruit Snap Tie. Exciting times were ahead, yet his next win was 2 years on in a 2m4f hurdle at Newcastle, albeit by a scintillating 19 lengths. In the same year, 2 runs later he returned to the location of his bumper victory and the place he would make his own in the forthcoming seasons (over 50% of Imperial Commanders runs were at the prestigious Cheltenham racecourse) and again won in style by 16 lengths. 27 days later he repeated the success, this time by 11 lengths. The next run wasn’t up to the mark, nor as stylish as his previous attempts, finishing last of 4 behind Joe Lively, a gorgeous horse whom sadly passed away prematurely in the January of 2011, aged 12 (RIP). By notching up a series of wins following this, the Commander rose to top class level and famously commanded a battle with none other than Kauto Star in a thrilling renewal of the Betfair Chase. He was among only a select few that had the ability to challenge the miraculous talent of Kauto Star, only to fail by a nose. This war of attrition established Imperial Commander’s rightful place as one of the best around, yet due to the publics’ obsessive affection with the likes of Kauto Star and Denman, he remained the underdog and relatively unconsidered. Two runs later this gorgeous steeplechaser emerged up the hill through typical torrential rain and silenced the doubters in the merciless running of the Gold Cup, which was beforehand dubbed ‘The two horse race’. Words cannot describe the emotions felt in such a short amount of time: Racegoers held their breath as Kauto Star crashed out and slid gut-wrenchingly along the sodden Cheltenham turf, bravery and admiration was personified as Denman listed the second of his three Gold Cup seconds. However above all else, the racecourse atmosphere was something to savour, it was electric as connections celebrated the best day of Imperial Commanders career.

It’s safe to say after that memorable day in March things were never the same, other than a simply brilliant performance when winning the Betfair Chase, showing the remainder of contestants a clean pair of heels and jumping with fluidity and boldness in abundance. Sadly that was to be the last time Imperial Commander came home in front. Personally, one of my treasured recollections of this horse was his fairly recent return from injury in the Argento Chase. As my eyes welled up, spurred by an overwhelming sense of sentiment and joy, I was only to be disappointed as the Malcolm Jefferson trained Cape Tribulation passed the old king strides before the line. Luckless next time under a mammoth weight in the Grand National, Saturday's Hennessey Gold Cup was to be his swansong. Although he was pulled up 4 out, he revelled earlier in the race when adopting his familiar front-running position and was evidently enjoying every second, which is nothing short of what his fans wanted to see. Imperial Commander wasn’t a world-beater, and regular race goers were under no illusions, he was no Kauto Star or Denman, but he offered something they failed to, the ability to overcome the victim status. Thus, propelling him to National Hunt stardom and giving him a guaranteed permanent place in history. Rejoice in your retired role, Imperial Commander, we bid you farewell and offer our thanks for the good days.

 

 

 

Picture courtesy of Michael Harris- Imperial Commander bids goodbye to the racing world with long time groom Richard 'Sparky' Bevis.