Kelso mid-October meeting

KELSO – Saturday October 18^th

Going – Good (Good To Soft in places)

A bit blowy but sunny and mild at Kelso, with the going decent and much better than that prevalent at Ascot’s big flat meeting.

1.40 2m ½f Isle Of Skye Whisky NH Maiden Hurdle - Division One (Class 4)

A weak contest in which only two ever threatened to take a serious hand.

SPICULAS raced prominently, took it up three out and was pretty much in charge from that point. He built on a decent effort at Hexham and can go on to better things in time.

ANOTHER MATTIE ran a succession of decent races last season without getting his had in front. Plenty fit enough on debut, he once again found one too good having set the early pace. He looks honest enough and should win a similar contest.

Stablemate of the second ALWAYS TIPSY kept on encouragingly from two out, improving on his bumper form.

Big purchase a couple of seasons back PRESENT LODGER has had his problems, wearing a tongue-tie now, but ran well enough in fourth to suggest he isn’t a lost cause.

The likes of COOL ME DOWN, TURTLE CASK and WARRIOR’S TALE are all chasing types who would have found things happy too fast in this contest.

2.10 2m 7½f Clifford and Martin Firth Novices’ Chase (Class 4)

These events are not well supported these days, the worry of getting close to something highly rated presumably being the off-putter.

I NEED GOLD, rated 135, put in an excellent round of jumping and had the race won by two out.

STRAIDNAHANNA is a fine big chasing type but did not jump at all fluently, so it says something that he stayed in contention until the straight. If he tidies up his jumping I would expect him to at least match the winner and more in time.

HARRYS WHIM ran to her best though well held in third.

Point winner MISSION BEACH’s jumping was lousy early on and he simply wasn’t good enough to keep up on the last circuit. He is now qualified for handicaps and low grade in that sphere will be his target.

2,45 2m ½f Isle Of Skye Whisky NH Maiden Hurdle – Division Two (Class 4)

A much better event than the first heat.

SELDOM INN, a bumper winner at Newcastle last term, won this impressively. He cruised into contention two out and left his rivals standing on the flat. I would expect him to improve for a step up in distance.

DEFINITELY GLAD is the fly in the ointment of this form as she is only rated 97. To my eye she ran above that level here, leading for much of the way and comfortably holding the remainder.

CARRIGEEN LANTANA was held up, briefly threatened to get involved but couldn’t get to the first two.

AZURE GLAMOUR has every chance but wasn’t good enough from two out.

SPECIAL WELLS is a big chasing type that will improve with time. Worth noting as long term project.

BENNYLICIOUS challenged on the final bend having chased the leader but was probably getting the worst of the argument when unseating two out. He created a decent enough impression on debut, particularly given that he looked to need the race and will likely go on to better things.

3.20 EDF-ER Barmoor Handicap Chase (114-138)

A competitive looking event won very comfortably by CARLITO BRIGANTE who is a bit better than this level than when at his best. He’s best on good or quick ground and stayed on very well to leave some fair staying handicappers in his wake. He will go up significantly for this win which will necessitate aiming at high level three mile handicaps.

GLEANN NA NDOCHAIS recorded a career best effort in second. I was told by another racegoer, watching down the far side, that his jockey had to take a pull six out. Held by a better animal, he saw out his race well and this augurs well going forward. He used to be hit-or-miss, but ‘hit’ is starting to dominate.

NEPTUNE EQUESTER stays all day and was pickling off horses in the closing stages. He often makes it seem hard work, but seems in good heart.

BEEVES was held form two out. He’s a moody character and doesn’t especially well treated at this point in time.

FILL THE POWER looked plenty fit enough but was beaten four out.      

Having been used to IMPERIAL VIC being turned out looking very fit by previous trainer Michael Smith, it was quite a surprise to see him clearly well short of peak fitness in the paddock. Harriet Bethell clearly has different ideas on preparing this one, new tactics being tried here as he was held up and it was no surprise to see him labouring four out and he was well beaten. Favourite backers were clearly unaware that this one needed the race and I’d want to have a good look at him in the parade ring in future races.

3.55 2m ½f Carnacrack Handicap Hurdle (97-117)

Apparently refreshed after a season away from hurdling, MASON HINDMARSH built on a promising second here last time. He led, pulled away from two out and won very comfortably. He will be bumped up significantly for this but is clearly in good nick.

AMILLIONTIMES has been doing his small yard proud recently and ran a decent race in second, keeping on to the line if never threatening the winner.

BEIDH TINE ANSEO ran an encouraging race after a 510 day lay-off. He progressed to chase the leader three out but couldn’t make any further impression. This was encouraging and he is well handicapped on his best efforts.

DYNAMIC DRIVE has been kept on the go and kept on into fourth without seriously threatening.

4.35 2m 6½f RP Adam Ltd Novices’ Hurdle (Class 4)

Jackie Stephen has been doing a fine job from her Inverurie stable, a location which involves a trip of around two and a half hours to get to her nearest course at Perth and another two hours on for Kelso. Amilliontimes and MO ROUGE have done the stable proud this season, the latter coming from quite a way back two out but, despite being severely hindered by One for Arthur t the last, staying on well to take this contest. I felt on first seeing Mo Rouge that he had the make of a chaser, and I strongly suspect he is capable of stepping up on hurdle form once tackling the bigger obstacles. He was flying at the finish and gave the impression he can step up over three miles.

DONNA’S DIAMOND looked the likely from three out, but was tired on the run-in, wandered toward the stands’ rail and have nothing left to give. A decent effort on hurdles debut against a previous winner and he should have no trouble winning a hurdle or two.

ONE FOR ARTHUR is a chasing type, but should pick up a hurdle in the meantime. He challenged from two out but looked tired at the last, wandering Across Mo Rouge, and there was no more left. Some of Lucinda Russell’s runners have seemed a run off their best and he should be all the better for this outing.

ISLA PEARL FISHER probably ran up to his best hurdles form, in contention two out but tapped for speed from there. This pipe opener will help for a chasing campaign.

Under a penalty WICKED SPICE was held from two out.

JACKOFHEARTS was held up, made an effort two out but couldn’t get on terms. He was tired when falling heavily at the last and, with hindsight, maybe should have been pulled up. He was down for a long time and things didn’t look good, but trainer’s daughter Amy McGregor tweeted that he was up and jig-jogging later.

The McGregor’s SNOOZE N YOU LOSE led to the fifth but either downed tools or ran out of puff. There’s no evidence to date that this one is a racehorse and perhaps he should be doing something else.

5.10 2m 1f 82-104 Sire Maxwell Harper Gow Memorial Handicap Chase (82-104)

The best finish of the afternoon with the more exposed SOME LAD just holding off a moderately progressive sort in WAKHAN in a nodding finish. The former has run some good races around here. Wakhan is younger and still a maiden but lacked nothing in commitment at the sharp end.

OORAYVIC went nicely in front, kicked on four out and responded well when challenged though eventually giving best on the flat. On this evidence he is likely to prove better over fences than he was a hurdler.

OSCAR LATEEN showed promise on chasing debut, stepping up markedly on his hurdles efforts. He was outpaced on the run to two out but stuck to his job up the hill.

ROC DE PRINCE raced prominently early but was feeling the pinch when a bad mistake at the seventh ended any chance he may still have held.

YOURHOLIDAYISOVER was well revved up in the preliminaries, not for the first time. He raced keenly before unseating at the third.

5.40 2m 6½f James and Suzanne Gray Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (72-98)

A moderate race won in decent style by ANOTHER DIMENSION who has a fair record of 3 from 18, 2 from 2 at this course and distance. He has rated much higher and could shrug off a weight rise, though he wouldn’t want the ground too soft.

KARINGO is lightly raced but his two efforts here suggest Kelso suits. He was held up and never got to the winner though staying on up the hill to record a best effort to date.

NORTHERN ACRES, who kept on from mid division for third place, is capable on his day at this level though throws in quite a few moderate runs. Much the same comment goes for KING’S CHORISTER who had his chance two out but was held from that point.

FOOT THE BILL was in contention when unseating at the eighth though had six furlongs still to cover.

BALLYREESODE went up 18lbs for his Hexham win and that was plenty enough to stop him on this occasion.

Simply Ned stars at Kelso First October Meeting

KELSO – Sunday October 5^th

Going – Soft (Good To Soft in places) drying to Good To Soft

Kelso’s season kicked into gear in front of a healthy 3,600 attendance. The rain on Friday into Saturday caused a significant number of non-runners but the racing was competitive with a few pointers going forward.

The opening two mile handicap hurdle was won by in-form SLEEP IN FIRST who stayed on well having led all the way, and thus recording a hat-trick.

Returning to jumping after a spell flat racing, MASON HINDMARSH ran an encouraging second place, though some in behind didn’t run their race.

Enigmatic ENDEAVOR came there with every chance two out but gave the impression that he held a little back.

The Lucinda Russell pair of Rhymers Ha’ and Pulpitarian were disappointing and their form has not given enough encouragement in recent runs.

MOST HONOURABLE was plenty fit enough after a break but faded disappointingly before two out.

MR GALLIVANTER made a procession of the four runner juvenile hurdle, coming clear with any amount in hand. Even at this stage he looks a talented recruit in this category. The second Al Musheer couldn’t match the winner and his handicap mark of 108 could prove harsh.

Cape Arrow jumped round neatly enough in his own time and might make up into a handicap hurdler at a modest level in time.

Two finished in the staying novices’ handicap chase (2m 7½f – horses rated 83-103). BIG SOUND set the pace and stayed on determinedly when challenged to win in decent style. He’s consistent, determined and stays well.

WAKHAN wasn’t good enough but has encouraged on both runs for Sue smith and she should coax a basement handicap chase out of this one.

DOTTIES DILEMA had every chance when belting three out. He stopped pretty quickly after that and I suspect he was winded or otherwise hurt himself a bit in that incident. Capable at this level if he gets his jumping up to scratch.

VENITZIA looked to need the race after a long lay-off. He lost touch on the last circuit and was well behind when pulled up two out, but this race will have been of great benefit. The fact that he has been persevered with after a 925 days break suggests his stable have faith in his ability.

The 2m 6½f Intermediate Hurdle has thrown up decent sorts in the past. On this occasion LANDECKER was held up by Lucy Alexander produced approaching the last to take the prize. The winner is not entirely straight forward but he seems to get better the farther he goes. I believe he may rate into the 140s in time and I wonder if he might be one for the Alexanders to take to Cheltenham?

GOLD CHAIN has been running well over the summer and performed up his best in taking second place.

SPIRIT OSCAR is quite highly regarded but was allowed to go off at a fair lick by Derek Fox. In retrospect he probably used up too much energy and was found wanting from before the last. Better to come if ridden with a little more restraint.

SIMPLY NED has been one of my favourites in recent seasons and was impressive off 157 in winning the feature 2m 1f handicap chase, looking at absolute picture. Second in the Grade 1 Maghull Chase at Aintree last season and this latest success likely takes him out of handicaps, though he should be competitive in pattern races. It’s always worth looking out for Nicky Richards runners aimed at the decent prizes that Kelso put up for their better races.

SCOTCH WARRIOR is a real credit to his trainer Mike Smith, that’s one based in Ayrshire. Running at a distance short of his best he was outpaced two out but stayed on well to take second place. There’s no suggestion that he is harshly treated on his mark of 132 and, upped in distance you have to fancy this one to take a decent handicap this autumn. He has won seven and been placed in six out of 23 races contested.

SWIFT ARROW can be difficult to catch right, but was not disgraced in third place. Though is on a high enough mark.

JET MASTER was held up and made a number of jumping errors, particularly at three out which cost a number of lengths. Driven back to challenge for second, Lucy Alexander asked for a long one, but Jet Master begged to differ and a short stride resulted in a heavy fall. The horse has come out OK but Lucy is once again on the sidelines nursing a broken collar bone.

KUMBESHWAR, up to this level at best but regressive in the last year, showed no immediate signs of a revival on first outing since pitching up at Arlary. He looked plenty fit enough but lost touch approaching two out.

The penultimate contest was a pretty dire 2m 7½f handicap chase contested by four horses rated 67-90. It was won by LOCAL PRESENT who is at least reasonably consistent and showed plenty of determination to hold a persistent challenge from the last having set the pace. Not one that I would particularly expect to follow up.

SENDIYM really should have won this but a number of less than accurate jumps put him on the backfoot. His ‘class’ compared with the other three kept him in the contest but he found the winner just too determined.

RUNSWICK RELAX normally looks a picture but can’t match that look in ability. He had every chance before the last but won’t find many softer events.

BALLYCOLIN is a slow old boat these days and not threatening to add to his one win in a Musselburgh novice event in 2011. He had Maggio in second that day, but is a shadow of the horse he suggested he might be then.

The card close with a basement level 2m 2f novices’ handicap hurdle. BURNT SIENNA built on a degree of promise shown in novice events and stayed on well to win here. She is more than a forlorn hope to progress from this. She did make one serious error down the far side, but that seemed to be more due to being restrained.

ONE FOR HOCKY was made favourite here, but often has excuses and is not one I’d be diving in for at short odds. He had every chance but was held by a less exposed winner.

CATCHTHEMOONLIGHT was flagged up by her trainer as one who needs to be held up and allowed to stay on through the field. She was finishing best of all, but the first two were not in range. Her best bet for a win will almost certainly be in bigger fields where there’s a bit of pace on.

BRUNELLO had apparently been working very well for his new trainer and was quietly fancied. However, he really doesn’t seem madly keen on this game and faded tamely from two out.

Just a note that I am really struggling to keep up with as much racing as I would like at the moment. I will keep an eye out for significant performances but notes will mainly concern those meetings visited. The autumn plan is currently:

Saturday October 18 – Kelso

Saturday November 1 – Ayr (Hopefully to watch Outlaw Tom who is tentatively aimed here)

Thursday November 6 – Musselburgh

Saturday November 8 – Kelso

Friday November 28 – Musselburgh (part of the Saltire Festival in East Lothian)

Sunday December 6 – Kelso

Monday December 29 – Kelso

I might manage Newcastle on December 20^th but that depends on Chrimbo Shopping commitments!

All the above weather permitting of course…

End of September at Musselburgh and Hamilton

A briefer than usual summary for a couple of meetings at the end of September. I’m quite busy at the moment, so concentrating on a few pointers from each meeting.

MUSSELBURGH – Sunday September 28^th

Weather was dry and the ground remained on the quick side.

PENELOPE PITSTOP is the one to take from the opening seven furlong two-year-old maiden. This sister to a five times winner looked as if the outing would do her the power of good. She took an age to get going, but stayed on to good effect and was closing in third. She will come on for the race and I’d be surprised if there aren’t races to be won with her. Up front Best Example shrugged off a disappointing effort at quirky Brighton, seeing off the odds-on favourite Manshaa who didn’t have a lot to offer when passed two out.

The five furlong nursery was a poor event but the winner THE WISPE is at least going the right way and won it a shade cosily. She will stay six furlongs and looks one to progress again at a moderate level. Surrey Pink is at the bottom end of the handicap but ran a creditable race in second and has run well enough here before.

ART OBSESSION has a rather dipped back and doesn’t make the most attractive individual. However, handsome is as handsome does and he battled well to record a win in the seven furlong handicap, holding off a number of challengers. He has presumably had problems and is lightly raced but might step up on this. Beautiful Stranger threatened from two out but his effort petered out in the final furlong.

Progressive sorts REKDHAT and WHO’S THAT CHICK were clear of the rest in the Class 3 Fillies’ Handicap and both can go on from here. Rekdhat in particular looks capable of a step up in class.

HIDDEN GOLD benefitted from a step up to 1m 5f and was going away from ore exposed opponents at the end of the Royal Scots Handicap. He has won on softer ground, is in good form, and there seems no reason why he shouldn’t be seriously in the mix again before the end of the season. LEADERENE faded in the final furlong, but he was taken on for the lead and may not be one to forget yet if able to get an uncontested lead in similar company.

Three-year-old PIGEON PIE saw off a field of well exposed sorts over a mile and a furlong and I’d be a bit wary if she takes on less exposed rivals. Blinkers first time didn’t seem to do any harm. Royal Straight looked fittest here but is on a long losing run and not getting any younger.

IRISH GIRLS SPIRIT won the closing apprentice sprint handicap last term and arguably had an easier task this time round. She is really sharp out of the traps and soon held a comfortable lead. Saxonette

got to her quarters but the winner had plenty in hand. Findog ran a fair race in third but the other six did not encourage, though there’s a hint that HENRY MORGAN might do better over six furlongs. His wins came over six and he’s very lightly raced at seven-years-old.

HAMILTON – Monday September 29^th

Hamilton closed their season with decent ground on yet another bright and pleasant day.

Twenty one hours later and IRISH GIRLS SPIRIT was back on the track in what looked a tougher race, though she avoided a penalty. The opinion amongst a few regulars was that she might struggle to hold on up the hill. Not a bit of it, as she was once again quick away and seemed to pick up even better up the slope, scooting away and being eased close home yet still five lengths clear. She’s entered at Wolverhampton this Friday though she will have to go a bit from an outside draw.

TWO TURTLE DOVES and BRONZE BEAU are fair enough competitors at this level. They race far side and fought out second place.

STRAIGHTTOTHEPOINT showed fine resolution to hold off four opponents in the nursery handicap, coming home comfortably clear of C/D winner White Vin Jan. The visor seems to have sharpened the winner.

FEEL THE HEAT caused a 50/1 shock in the six furlong claimer, though not completely out of it if judged on 2013 form. He was making quite a noise on returning the stables though, and I wonder if he has a problem which explains his recent absence. Tango Sky, favoured at these weights, ran a fair race but was held in the final furlong. There wasn’t any real encouragement for anything else.

Lightly race QUEENS PARK held off her Class 5 elders over a mile and a bit. She may have more to give in time whereas the second ELLAAL is pretty much where he needs to be at the top of the weights in this sort of event. He battled well having been up with the pace and was just held close home. Tectonic is a devilish ride but often thereabouts and filled third place.

The Hamilton Apprentice Series Final was a dire event. It’s a great pity that the course couldn’t put up more than a £3,000 total purse for a series final. The finish was fought out by two very moderate maidens, Wilf Storey’s CARD HIGH just holding off PROSTATE AWARENESS, the latter’s third earlier this season the only passable form between the two. Libra Romana looks one of the poorer animals in Sir Mark Prescott’s yard while Taxiformissbyron was plenty fit enough but couldn’t hack it from over a furlong out.  

BARON RUN won a competitive six furlong Class 4 handicap from two other course specialists, CLASSY ANNE and ALEXANDRAKOLLONTAI. Connections of the latter seemed a shade disappointed, but Alistair Whillans’s filly was arguably recording a personal best here. The first three have all been progressive this season.

Steadily upwardly mobile STANARLEY PIC just held off the gallant effort of veteran DHAULAR DHAR in the closing mile and a half handicap. The pair pulled away from their pursuers in the closing stages. Dhaular Dhar retains enthusiasm at 12 and there might just be one last win in him, even if he has to continue as a thirteen-year-old. Fittest here appeared to be Hero’s Story, but he faded quickly after setting the pace to three out and doesn’t look that keen when asked for an extra effort.