Flat Horses 2019 Update

Good start for the list with CHARLES KINGSLEY hosing up at 2/1 at Hamilton. I’ll keep him on the list as Mark Johnston generally gets his horses going in an upwardly mobile fashion. Lathom was entered in the Dash at Epsom off his old mark of 68, but had diddly-squat chance of getting in the line up! Long term I note Rare Groove is in the Northumberland Plate which suggests Jedd O’Keeffe will look to step him up in trip.

Mark Johnston has entered CHARLES KINGSLEY twice next week and interesting off top weight at Brighton on Monday, a fair looking event by Brighton standards, though there is a fairly lightly campaigned Mark Prescott improver in the entries in Final Rock, though that one ran third of 4 at Lingfield yesterday evening.

My thread on The Racing Forum led to a discussion on the patterns of trainer Roger Fell who favours racing his horses often but not overdoing things on the gallops. Though not necessarily one to follow Fell's Club Wexford has recorded 7 wins in his career and they have all been off a break of 15 days or less. Basically seems to lose his peak condition if he’s off the track for much more than 2 weeks, although I do note he’s gone close a couple of times on seasonal debut. Difficult to tie it down to the trainer as he’s only been with Roger Fell since early 2018, but Fell has prised 4 wins out of him at a good deal better percentage win than previously in the horse’s career. In that time he’s gone from a mark 76 to yesterday’s 79 which suggests good management by his trainer.

Delving a little deeper, a quick check of Fell’s record suggests this is a case of trainer pattern meets horse pattern. You would have made 18% profit since 2015 blind backing Roger Fell’s horses turning out within 2 weeks of their last run, and even better just sticking to handicaps. On this basis I marked up Mulligatawny to a work colleague for a visit to Musselburgh yesterday, and I hope she backed it since the horse obliged at 4/1. 

Staying on the Roger Fell theme, keep an eye out for HAROME appearing in the next couple of works. Slowly away in the Epsom Dash, this one came from right at the back halfway to finish sixth. Certainly one that could follow the Fell ‘quick return’ pattern and should pick up a decent five furlong sprint somewhere along the line, despite current ‘unspiring’ form figures.

Another northern horse to note from this was EEH BAH GUM, Tim Easterby’s charge picking his way through late on to finish fifth. Easterby should be able place this one to advantage before long.

Summary of list horses at this point

CHARLES KINGSLEY - Mark Johnston (entered Brighton tomorrow June 3rd)
RARE GROOVE - Jedd O'Keeffe
LATHOM - Paul Midgley (entered over 5f at Haydock - Thursday June 6th)
MR DIAMOND - Richard Fahey
HAROME - Roger Fell (added confidence if running off a break of 2 weeks or less)
EEH BAH GUM - Tim Easterby

Kelso Ladies Day Summary

KELSO – Sunday May 26^th

Other commitments kept me away from Kelso for Ladies’ Day, but kept up with the action via race replays on www.sportinglife.com . Replays are free via Skybet and they generally post them up quite quickly.

The opening novices’ hurdle was won comfortably by Some Day Soon from the other main contender Valentino Dancer. However, the one that caught my eye was the third BROKOPONDO. Given just enough encouragement to finish a comfortable third he was last of the remaining three to come off the bridle and showed enough to suggest he will make a mark once handicapped.

The novices’ handicap chase over the minimum distance (2m 1f) was won by FELIX MENDELSSOHN who started for Aidan O’Brien in Ireland and raced in Listed company for David Simcock on the Flat in 2015. He’s dropped back from that level but has done what was required to win at Perth and then here. There a fast pace but even then the winner looked to idle a bit in front late on. His mark will still be low enough to seek out similar events at the likes of Perth and Cartmel in the coming weeks.

LOVELY SCHTUFF plugged on for second and should give the Stephen stable some fun in low level two milers. LYCIDAS jumped extravagantly but not always accurately in front and paid for a number of howlers as he weakened after two out.

The 2m Coppola Family Handicap Hurdle looked a decent event if only attracting six runners. ST GALLEN was having only his fourth race, won a maiden last time, and looks a nice type to progress over the summer for Olly Murphy. The winner got first run on MANAMITE who has proved a decent handicap hurdler, was tapped for speed as they quickened after two out but then saw his race out well enough to suggest he can win again before long.

The next event was a 2m 7f Class 3 Handicap Chase, a contest landed by Olly Murphy’s BEAU SANCY to give the stable a quick fire double. The winner eased to the front at the last and won with any amount to spare and Murphy will have an eye on the better staying handicap chases over the summer.

VIENS CHERCHER had an uncontested lead for most of the way but was quickly outpointed by the winner. Of those behind, Cultram Abbey and Lowanbehold ran their race but are well exposed veterans. Elusive Theatre is a temperamental sort, and was fighting a losing battle when decanting his rider two out, while Blue Kascade jumped scruffily and was beaten four out.

The four runner staying novices’ handicap chase was won by CAKE DE L’ISLE, the most fluent jumper of the three that finished. I’m not quite sure how much the winner achieved as Petite Ganache laboured a bit in finishing second though plodding on to the end. Fly Rory Fly jumped sketchily and was well beaten from three out. Potters Story was pulled up after clouting the second fence down the side first time round.

The Hunters’ Chase boasted the biggest field for such an event in Scotland this season, justifying the £7,000 first prize. A waiting race of the highest order ridden by Jamie Alexander on RACING PULSE who made headway steadily on the last circuit, coming to take it up after the last and forging on. Alexander gave a few years and more to the other pilots but his years of race experience clearly made a difference, though he did have to ‘summon a taxi’ after his mount made a clumsy leap at the first!

MR MERCURIAL looked the most obvious choice and looked the likely winner approaching the last, but was outpointed on the run to the line and held into third.

SHIMLA DAWN led or disputed most of the way and was still there with every chance at the last, while NINE ALTARS was another performing most creditably having taken on the leader for much of the second circuit and kept on well for second place.

ZAKHAROVA made experience pay in winning the closing mares’ bumper. That was a third win and she should make hay in mares’ novice hurdle company going forward. It was a fairly narrow win, but her rider used no more than hands and heels and I suspect there was a fair bit more in the tank.

Nicky Richards introduced three and by far the best performance came from HEADSCARF LIL, the only one to give the winner the hurry up. She stayed on strongly up the straight and must surely win a bumper.

The rest were soundly beaten though another Richards newcomer KITTY HALL went well enough to the home turn. Lack of condition seemed to tell from that point and there was more than a hint of greenness. I suspect there will be better to come in time.

Kelso now takes a rest for the summer before a September return. In meantime I expect to take in two or three of the meetings at Perth alongside a few flat meetings. I can't guarantee a full report each time but will flag up horses to follow.

Flat horses to keep an eye on.

I’ve been caught up with commitments to other activities lately so not able to do as much horse racing stuff as I would like. The local Rotary Club has taken up a fair bit of time, but does give me a excuse to run a race night which was very popular and also taken parties to Perth and Hamilton in recent times.

I thought I would try to put up a few horses that I spot this season on the northern flat circuit.

My flat season started with a visit to Hamilton where I picked up a couple of interesting horses both of which have run since.

RARE GROOVE came clear in good style in the 1m 5f Class 3 Buttonhook Handicap. He subsequently ran midfield in a hot looking Class 2 event over 1m 4f at York which doesn’t look bad form as he was held up and unable to get in a blow. He’s currently on a mark of 94 which should be workable for a Class 3 event of the weaker Class 2 handicaps. Well held when running over 1m 6f, but I see no reason why he shouldn’t be suited by the slightly stiffer test.

Second in the above race was CHARLES KINGSLEY who has yet to win a race, but might be a typical Mark Jophnston horse that toughs it out and wins races by having more determination than his rivals. Currently on a mark of 87 and there should be a handicap or two to be won in the coming months on the northern circuit.

Six-year-old sprinters are not normally my cup of tea, but LATHOM caught my eye chasing home Spirit Of Wedza in the opening Class 5 sprint handicap. He hasn’t won a race since the Super Sprint at Newbury in 2015, and was off the track last season. He stuck his head down determinedly and chased home a winner that got a jump on him, clearly retaining ability and enthusiasm. He subsequently ran a cracker when a neck second to rejuvenated Duke Of Firenze at Thirsk and the latter franked the form impressively in better company at York yesterday. Lathom really ought to pick up a 0-75 or 0-80 event to start with and may progress from there.

Fourth horse to keep an eye on is Richard Fahey’s MR DIAMOND who opened the season with a narrow win a 7 furlong Class 4 handicap at Wetherby. He then ran a creditable fifth in a Class 2 event at Goodwood. He was held up and his rider looked for the gap at the cutaway two out, but the end result favoured those coming down the centre so the form might be better than initial impression suggests. A mark of 82 gives room for manoeuvre class wise so his trainer should find another race soon.

Musselburgh - First December Meeting

MUSSELBURGH - Monday December 3rd

Graciously granted one day off work in December aside from the christmas holidays I didn't wish to waste it and took myself along to Musselburgh for their first December fixture.

A rather sombre end to the day as we found that four horses had perished during the meeting. The four died under different circumstances, Kensuke's Kingdom broke down after the finish, Smart Ruler had a heart attack, Sierra Oscar went wrong after three out, and Leatherbelly seemed to suffer a serious leg break on the home turn. No particular reason to link the four but nevertheless a tough day for the course and the sport. The course sadly didn't keep us up to date with the fate of Kensuke's Kingdom after announcing that the vet was attending the horse on the track. I did tweet when I spotted the horse ambulance attending but the great unwashed are apparently not worthy of news on a horse's well being, be it good or bad.

A low quality card so I will concentrate on just a few markers for the future.

GLENLORA led for a long way in the staying novices' hurdle before fading to finish fourth of four finishers. Showed enough promise to suggest Sandy Thomson can find a race for her in time. Not sure if there's a mares only staying novice programmed in the coming weeks but Glenlora would have a chance.

THOMAS TODD stayed on encouragingly to win the staying novices' handicap chase. A winner of a maiden point, he didn't seem a stand-out, but his manner of victory suggested more to come. SIMONE is my 'follow over a cliff' horse and the mare was once again very weak when push came to shove having jumped well in front to four out.

LIFE KNOWLEDGE led for a long way in the Class 5 two mile handicap hurled. He looked a bit headstrong, but kept on admirably once passed by Spin Of A Coin. Twice a flat winner but lightly raced over hurdles, it wouldn't be out of the question that he could land a similar contest.

NENDRUM was clear and had the 2m 4f Class 4 handicap hurdle at his mercy when stepping at two out and coming down. He's a tad frustrating but has won before, goes well here and there should be a race to be won with him soon.

The four runner bumper looked an interesting event but was marred by the horrible injury suffered by poor Leatherbelly. The first two are worth following and YES NO MAYBE SO forged clear from WEAPONS OUT in the final furlong. Breeding and make up suggest both can turn into jumpers.

Horses to Follow - National Hunt

Here's my list of horses to follow over the winter. I published this on The Racing Forum last week and first results were disappointing last weekend, but with rain now arriving I suspect many will get their conditions.

ACDC (Chris Grant)

Marked down as one for the stamina test handicap in the North, but threw a curve ball when winning over 2m 3f at Wetherby recently. That said the trainer is aiming at the Scottish National long term.

BETTER GETALONG (Nicky Richards)

Progressive last season but found Grade 1 company too tough at Aintree. Rated 138 and could make a mark in decent handicap hurdles or in novice chases.

BIG BAD DREAM (Donald Whillans)

Starts off in hurdles this season after showing promise in bumpers without winning. Long term he will make a staying chaser but can make a mark in hurdles when stamina is at a premium.

BLACK PIRATE (James Ewart)

Comfortably won a couple of bumpers before running a very creditable second in a decent event at Ayr in April. Very interesting novice hurdle prospect for the Langholm yard

CLOUDY DREAM (Donald McCain)

There or thereabouts in decent company last season if just falling short at Grade 1 and 2 level. If his trainer is canny as a non-winner last season there will be events available where weight conditions are favourable.

CRIXUS’S ESCAPE (Gillian Boanas)

The trainer has taken over the Reveley yard and has a very interesting prospect. Winner of a maiden then a novice event at Hexham this one starts on a workable mark in handicaps.

CUCKOO’S CALLING (Keith Dalgleish)

Won a couple of bumpers last autumn. Fell a bit short of the mark on the Flat subsequently, but there are soft opportunities in the mares/fillies’ only division in the north and she can win races over hurdles. 

DALI MAIL (Donald Whillans)

Doddle up in a Kelso bumper in February having run a creditable third to a nice sort on previous outing. Raced keenly and well held when upped to Grade 2 at Aintree, but has shown enough to suggest novice hurdles are well within his compass.

DONNA’S DELIGHT (Sandy Thomson)

Winning novice hurdler last season and thereabouts on each run. Could go be a handicap hurdler this season with chasing the long term goal for this brother to a fair staying chaser Knockanrawley.

HIGHLAND HUNTER (Lucinda Russell)

Winner of a Kelso bumper and then not totally disgraced when a bit keen in Grade 2 company at Aintree. Looks a ready made hurdles winner.

IDEE DE GARDE (Nicky Richards)

Won nicely in a bumper at Ayr in January. A nice individual who should pay his way in novice hurdle company.

NORTHERN SOUL (Ruth Jefferson)

Not hurried last season as Ruth took over on the passing of her father. The type to make a mark in novice hurdles in the coming months. Had the better of a prolonged scrap with Legal Eyes at Market Rasen, and that sort of competition is no harm in a young horse’s education.

NUTS WELL (Ann Hamilton)

A decent performer who has rather gone under the radar. Impressed when forging clear on the run-in from some decent opponents at Kelso on return recently. That was on quick ground but he goes just as well in heavy and will be competitive in minimum distance handicap chases.

OFF THE HOOK (Nick Alexander)

Ran second three times over hurdles and remains a maiden. Has ability and should land a race or two in maiden/novice hurdle company. Has raced at minimum trip to date, handling heavy going well enough.

SAINT LEO (Sandy Thomson)

Lightly raced Ray Anderson Green purchase from France. Won last season over fences so not a novice and hence may need careful placing, but this youngster is likely to prove a decent acquisition.

SLANELOUGH (Rose Dobbin)

A decent performer over hurdles for the last two seasons and showed promise on chasing debut at Carlisle when fourth behind useful animals. Should have no trouble landing a novice chase in the coming months.

TESTIFY (Donald McCain)

Impressive in winning small field chases before disappointing in bigger fields. Worth a chance this season as he is on a workable handicap mark.

TRESHNISH (Sue Smith)

Quickly stepped up to chasing after progressing throughout last season. Was last of five on chasing debut at Carlisle but that was a tough race, stable runners have tended to need the run this season and still showed sufficient promise to suggest chase wins are not far away.

TAXMEIFYOUCAN (Keith Dalgleish)

Useful dual purpose animal, winner of a Class 2 handicap on the flat in 2017 and not disgraced over hurdles in Class 2 company. His trainer is a decent placer of his horses and can win a handicap or two with a lightly raced hurdler.

UPTOWN FUNK (Keith Dalgleish)

Good ground performer and lightly raced over hurdles. Recorded his hurdles win at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day and one to keep an eye out for at the free draining East Lothian circuit over the winter.

Back for 2018-19 - Kelso 'Halloween Meeting'

KELSO – Saturday October 27^th

Going – Good (Good To Firm in places)

I’ve had quite a few things on in recent months involved with work, Rotary Club, Young Enterprise and home stuff so haven’t been able to update. I hope to make more time in the coming weeks and have a few meetings lined up as the Scottish jumps season gets into full swing.

A bright but chilly day at Kelso. The cold had really bitten by the last race and there were no more than a handful atop the roof for the closing event.

The ground was generally good all the way round, a few quicker patches, particularly down the side of the course, though my heel made a mark in most places and there’s a lush covering of grass. Wind was very chilly and pretty much across from the right heading up the straight.

1.50 2m Maiden Hurdle (Class 4)

As a hurdles event this was not strong, but there are a few to take forward as chasers of the future and there may be a minor hurdle or tow to be landed.

The winner GOLDENCARD is viewed as a long term chasing prospect but had speed enough to see these off. Setting the pace, Brian Hughes wound things up from three out and nothing got to him. The winner is likely to contest a novice hurdle under a penalty and will then be put away awaiting the good ground in the spring.

THELONGWAYAROUND is a nice chasing sort with a bit of developing still to do. He chased vainly after the leader from two out but held a clear second place and a step up in trip will do no harm.

STAROZOV from Jackie Stephen’s stable can be made fitter. He was tapped for speed from three out but was by no means disgraced and saw his race out. This was an encouraging start as was that of stablemate CAPTAIN KURT who fairly rattled home in the closing stages under hands and heels.

2.25 2m 7½f Novices’ Handicap Chase (Class 4)

KING GOLAN dominated an event over a shorter distance here last time and once again was unchallenged. Given an uncontested lead he once again jumped accurately and had plenty to spare once asked to kick on in the final straight. He’ll go up a fair bit for this, but if able to dominate in similar fashion can pick up another race or two.

Those others with form didn’t particularly encourage and there was plenty of scruffy jumping. BOCASIEN DESBOIS kept on but got no closer to winner than last time.

ST QUINTIN showed a modicum of promise in third place on chase debut after a stable swap and long lay-off. He will presumably be kept on good ground and is not a totally lost cause.

3.00 3m 2f Handicap Chase (Class 2)

This was a weak Class 2 event.

DANDY DAN ploughed through the second fence and didn’t treat the next with an awful lot of respect. However, he was putting the leader under pressure when the latter came down two out. Dandy Dan is a five-year-old novice with plenty of promise going forward and saw out this trip most convincingly.

RED GIANT was aiming a little higher after being unfortunate in missing out at Sedgefield. He jumped round well enough but was found for pace in the last half mile.

I JUST KNOW may need it softer but set a far tempo in front. He was under the pump but still leading when totally misjudging the ditch two out. He led the National until coming down at Becher’s in April and presumably that would be his target in 2019.

LOFGREN made mistakes, never got into the contest and was tailed off when pulled up two out.

3.35 2m Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

The curse of the low sun struck with the two hurdles in the straight omitted. That aside the second last is at a completely different angle from the last in current arrangement and I do wonder if that could have been kept in. In the event the race turned into a four furlong sprint from the last.

IOLANI is in good heart and battled determinedly to hold off challengers to record a narrow win. He’ll go up a bit for this, though it’s hardly jump form and he shouldn’t, but can make it four in there’s not too much rain.

LITTLE STEVIE ran as well as he has done for ages in second. DESERT ISLAND DUSK is often thereabouts in this company and a rooftop regular landed the place part of 40/1 each-way which would rank as one of the better bets of the autumn.

4.10 2m 1f Handicap Chase (Class 4)

Reasons to oppose all of these and four still had a chance two out. Plenty of faffing about before start as various parties discussed the low sun which was deemed not a problem as cloud started to provide some cover.

MIDDLEBROW is a weak finisher but got left in front as runners came to the end of their tether. He just held on after a renewed challenge from CIVIL UNREST who is performing well for a veteran, and has that ability to keep on to the line that James Ewart’s horse demonstrate.

CHAIN OF BEACONS looked the likely winner at the last but ran out of steam close home on return from a wind operation. The run won’t have done him any harm and he has a generally positive profile results wise in recent times.

VENGEUR DE GUYE was run out of it from two out and needs softer ground.

SUDSKI STAR resented being taken on for the lead and was struggling from four out.

4.40 2m 5f Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

ONE NIGHT IN MILAN stayed on well to follow up his Thursday Carlisle win. Keith Dlagleish is a trainer that can continue to exploit this one’s upward profile.

SOMETHING BREWING ran creditably in second and would have every chance of picking up a similar contest, while GREEN ZONE had his chance approaching the last and appeared to run to his level.

BUCKLED set the pace but couldn’t respond once passed two out and BIG TIME DANCER was similarly outpaced from that point.

5.15 3m 2f Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

There was a farce at the start of this race. WYFIELD ROSE planted herself and it was quite clear she wasn’t interested in racing, yet the starter let them go without any apparent efforts to withdraw. The BHA Stewards offered a statement afterwards on Twitter (and in the Stewards Report) that Wyfield Rose was deemed a runner. If these are the rules then the rules stink and if I’d backed the errant animal then I would be furious. My comment to this effect on Twitter was ignored by @BHAStewards.

CHANCEITON showed up well in points for Lucinda Russell last term and came with a nicely timed run to lead before the last and win a shade cosily. This one will continue to make hay where stamina is at a premium.

DAVID JOHN looked to have seen off allcomers until challenged on the run to the last and lost very little in defeat. This was a significant step up on stable debut three weeks ago.

 HANDY HOLLOW ran a sound race close up in third with the remainder well seen off.

Fife Hunt Point-to-Point 2018

BALCORMO MAINS (Fife Hunt Point-to-point) – Saturday April 28^th 2018

Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

This meeting has struggled with field sizes in recent years but, with decent ground prevailing, this year we were blessed with better field sizes and competitive contests. The weather was fine, if a just a little chilly, and an excellent attendance. There were notably more non-racing attractions present than in previous years, giving my wife a chance to spend a bit of money!

For those that don’t know the Balcormo circuit it has 7 fences per circuit with one open ditch, the terrain rising and falling gently. The standard race distance is around 3m 2f.

2.00 3m 2f NPPA Conditions Race

Seven runners from nine entries in the first was a promising start to the afternoon, and of the two non-runners one ran at Perth on Friday and other later in this card.

This contest gave locally trained CHANCEITON a good opportunity to build on a sound performance when second in the Buccleuch Cup at Kelso. Consistent all season, the 7 year old gelding recorded a third win racing prominently and kicking on from three out to win with a bit in hand. Lucinda Russell could keep this one as her pointer, but he suggests sufficient ability to make a mark in moderate company under Rules.

FRANKIE’S PROMISE was a hurdles winner in 2014, rather disappointing since but showing a bit more zip on this occasion. He made one or two slow jumps but was up there most of the way, unable to match the winner from three out but not disgraced.

WHITEABBEY race up with the pace early but couldn’t match the first two from three out. She won three small field races in 2015 but finds one or two too good in more competitive company.

ANOTHER DARK RUM struggles these days but was in touch until predictably left behind in the last half mile.

Veteran CRAZY DIAMOND was coming off a two year break. At his best he would have been bang there but lack of sharpness told one the last circuit and he came home in his own time.

ROYAL CHATELIER struggled to keep in touch after the first few fences and was pulled up before three out. He would be better with more cut though is another now at the veteran stage.

MILANS WELL won handicap chases in his younger days but looks a back number these days. He was struggling down the far side for the last time and pulled up before three out.

2.30 3m 2f Restricted

This looked a weak contest, the winner having shown very little this term.

EXIT TEN harried the leader from two out and got in front close home. He won on good ground at Corbridge suggesting this is his surface.
AFTERCLASS  led or disputed all the way but was run out of it in the final 100 yards. This was a significant step up on recent efforts.

LEFT BACK proved slow under Rules, but has progressed in the pointing field. On that basis third was a tad disappointing, not helped by his tendency to go left at his fences and wide round the right-handed bends. He was disputing two out but gave that one a thump and couldn’t get back to the first two after that. He does have age on his side.

SOUND BARRIER was outpaced from the fourteenth and has been out of sorts this season.

POETIC PRESENCE has been well held in moderate Rules contests (hurdles rating of 79 at best) and found this company too tough from four out.

3.00 3m 2f Intermediate

Unfortunately this was declared ‘no race’ as two entries had run in earlier contests and the third didn’t turn up.

At a meeting which is always going to be battling against a comparatively small horse population in the area. With Gemma Cochrane now working in Ireland there’s only  Nick Alexander training a string of pointers in Fife along with the odd one or two that Lucinda Russell keeps on the go. In general field sizes are dependent on runners from the Southern Counties of Scotland and any English raiders. It’s a struggle to provide six races with conditions sufficient different to guarantee they will fill, so it’s probably a bonus that the other five races filled well enough.

3.30 3m 2f Mixed Open

A race sponsored by Pentland Land Rover providing the biggest prize purse ever for an Open at a Scottish point, so a field of 6 was disappointing from what looked a strong initial entry.

Despite some slow jumps, hurdles winner NICKI’S NIPPER was produced late by Aimee Waugh to win this contest on pointing debut. Rated 102 over fences at best she probably ran near that mark here in conditions which suited.

THOMOND was on my Horses To Follow list under Rules this season but has been disappointing since a move to Fife from Noel Meade. He was sixth in the 2017 Topham Trophy but hasn’t matched that since and should have won this if he was near his best. He has become frustrating and couldn’t resist the winner from two out.

VIACOMETTI was outpaced going to two out and could only stick on at one pace. He came here off a break awaiting the ground and might be one to look out for in a similar event in the last few weeks of the season.

ALLTHEKINGSHORSES led and kicked on from the tenth, but was headed four out and weakened. He’s been out of sorts this season but does seem to raise his game a bit when visiting Balcormo.

SAFARI JOURNEY struggles to see out the trip and was feeling the pinch when depositing Aaron Anderson on the turf three out.

ROLLING THUNDER, a chase winner for Donald McCain, was in the mix when falling heavily two out. After a minute or two he rose to cheers from the crowd. He clearly retains ability and, assuming the fall has no lasting effect, can win an Open.

4.00 2m 4f PPORA Club Members’ Conditions Race

The biggest field of the day pitched up for the ‘short trip’ Conditions Race, those not standing their ground from the original 15 having either run in other races here or at Perth.

TAMBOUR MAJOR led or disputed, pushed on from the eighth and resisted a stern challenge from the last fence. Ground and trip suited well here as the winner returned to his best from after a couple of lack lustre runs this term.

NINE ALTARS played up at the start and was left well adrift. Charlotte Dun let him ease his way into the race on the second circuit but he didn’t have enough in the locker to get past the winner. This looked a missed opportunity.

ROSSINI’S DANCER would have taken this comfortably at his best, but he just lacks the pace these days though keeping on for third from two out.

THE ICE FACTOR was outpaced from three out but probably ran to his form.

UP TO AL disputed for much of the way but gave way from four out.

I didn’t note the finishing order but MR ROBINSON and ALLERTON never got seriously involved and finished well behind, while ROSKEEN BOY was well behind in the final mile.

RAFTIERI is desperately slow and should have been pulled up. As it was he tried to refuse at the last but was forced to jump almost from standstill, just clambering over against the wing. He hasn’t been competitive for ages and ‘racing’ him serves no purpose these days.

430 3m 2f Open Maiden

Difficult to know what to make of this race as the leaders hared off in front and the first three were waited with.

TRELIVER MANOR raced most prominently of the first three to finish. Age is not on his side but he might conceivably step up a grade. Settled third, he disputed at the fifteenth and held off a late challenge.

ROYAL FLUSH looks basically a non-stayer but benefitted from a canny ‘super-waiting race’ under Aaron Anderson, making rapid progress through tiring rivals to challenge the winner on the flat. I suspect this just fell for him and I would be wary of expecting a repeat.

FLOWER BALL kept on steadily for third. He’s only six, there is reason to expect better in time and he may be favoured by softer ground.

BURNETTS JOINT is a big old boat who gets around in his own time. He doesn’t truly see out three mile trips.

CAHERELLY was a long way behind from halfway. He has shown glimmers of ability on occasion, but this was not encouraging.

CARRICKCROSS BOYE is headstrong and led at too quick a pace for his own good. The petrol ran out with a circuit to go and he pulled up before the fourteenth.

CHOIX DE L’AMOUR was the only one to try to match the leader and disputed from the sixth into the final circuit. He faded quickly from the fifteenth and was pulled up.