The Scottish weather having reverted to its default
condition of ‘raining’, the Perth Festival took place in testing going with the
first day weather in particular being pretty horrible.
The going was reported as Soft (Heavy in places) throughout
the meeting though investigation of the surface on the Friday suggested that
the turf had soaked up the moisture remarkably well.
Wednesday April 25th
2.00 2m 4½f Aberdeen Asset Management Maiden Hurdle (Class
4)
Regular Perth raider Nigel Twiston-Davies opened the meeting
with a comfortable winner of the maiden hurdle in KRUZHLININ. He ran creditably
in a fair maiden at Ascot last time and can pick up a novice contest under a
penalty before moving to handicaps.
AVENGING ACE wasn’t disgraced in second, leading until the
last and battling on the flat if always held. Stamina may prove his strong suit
and a move up in trip will do no harm.
BLAZIN WHITE FACE, who didn’t appear comfortable in sloppy
going, would be better served in mares’ company and will have opportunities
given that she remains a maiden going into the new season. FOUR FIDDLERS is
better than a distant fourth place suggests and needs better ground.
2.30 3m ½f EBF ‘Future Champions’ Novices
Hurdle (Class 2)
A winner of a competitive Grade 3 event at Sandown, AMBION
WOOD pulled away to win this contest in decent style. He is now likely to go
chasing and could prove a decent recruit to next season’s staying novice chase
ranks.
GOLDEN CALL made the pace for much of the way, but couldn’t
hold the winner from two out. HE looks another likely to go novice chasing as
he’s very high in the handicap over hurdles after two handicap wins.
TALKONTHESTREET plugged on into third. He’s another with decent
novice form behind him but apparently rather high in the handicap and another likely
to go chasing soon.
MISS MILBORNE and DARK GLACIER appeared to run near to their
form in fourth and fifth.
3.00 2m Aberdeen Asset Management Novices’ Chase (Class 3)
ASTRACAD seems to have stacks of ability as a chaser, but he
does appear a quirky character. Left in the lead at the seventh he made it
quite clear he wasn’t prepared to exert himself overmuch, but was persuaded to
see off two vastly inferior opponents on the run-in. He has plenty of ability
if inclined to use it.
KAI BROON ran an honest race in second given that he’s rated
30lbs worse than the winner. His jumping is sound enough, he acts on a faster
surface and he will presumably be kept going in the coming weeks. He can pick
up a novices’ handicap chase.
THE PADDY PREMIUM pootled around for third. He was well held
and loses his novice tag now, but will presumably be aimed at handicaps here at
a more realistic level.
Musselburgh chase winner OSCAR HILL bowled along in front
until clouting the seventh and decanting Jason Maguire. He has proved he goes
well on good ground and may return here over the spring and summer.
3.30 3m ½f Caledonian Hunt Amateur Riders’
Handicap Hurdle (79-105)
I doubt this event will be much of a pointer to future events
given a very steady pace for two miles in the testing ground. The winner
JASPERITO had shown little on three outings, but would appear suited by the
stamina test. Always close up, he led two out and stayed on well.
DUNDOCK has had periods off Musselburgh, not dissimilar to
this track, and with cut in the ground. Clearly in decent nick, he might manage
a win if the rains continue in the coming weeks.
STORMION is hard work, though he does well enough in the
mud. He kept on under pressure for third without really threatening a win.
DICKIE HENDERHOOP had his fair share of support as ever, but pockets must be
near to empty as he stretched his record to 0 from 23.
MORE EQUITY ran a fair race back in fifth. She normally
sticks to better ground so 6 lengths fifth here wasn’t a bad effort. BOLLIN
FIONA plugged on from the rear for sixth.
4.05 3m Aberdeen Asset Management Handicap Chase (Scottish
Memories Cup) (112-138)
Down the field at Cheltenham, the lightly raced SUMMERY
JUSTICE worked his way into the race after four out with some serious
encouragement from on top. He stayed on determinedly from the last to gain the
day, is on a decent mark and might be a possible for the Perth Gold Cup in
early June. He’s had spells off the track and I suspect he’ll be kept to ground
with a bit of cut.
Gordon Elliott had a quiet week by normal standards of his
forays to Perth. COTTAGE OAK pushed the winner on the flat. He won on his
previous outing here and will presumably be back before long, possibly another
for the Perth Gold Cup.
TYRONE HOUSE led until headed after the last. He was very
tired but clear of the fourth. He won over three miles as an Irish pointer, but
the impression is a slightly shorter trip would help.
ET MAINTENANT, a winner in similar conditions at Newcastle
over this trip, moved into contention four out but faded in the straight.
Decent novice BLENHEIM BROOK, from the same stable, weakened three out and will
presumably be rested ready for an autumn campaign.
SATOU finished well beaten and, though he placed in very
soft in France, looks to need a better surface.
SELECTION BOX was never going and penalty carrying RHUM
unseated early on.
GO SILVER BULLET was still on the bridle when whacking the
tenth and unseating. I was surprised he ran here as he needs faster ground.
4.40 2m ½f Crabbie’s
Alcoholic Ginger Beer Handicap Hurdle (99-125)
COOL BARANCA won on much better ground at Ayr the previous
week, but soft came as no barrier here. He forged clear up the straight to win
with any amount in hand. He followed up at Market Rasen four days later, Dianne
Sayer’s yard being in decent form at this time.
SITTING TENNANT was a very decent animal in bumpers, and
promising as a novice hurdler. He never matched the winner but kept on stoutly
for second. He has had two long spells off the track, but clearly retains
ability and John Wade should find a race for him.
Locally trained PARSON’S PUNCH kept on for third and would
have a chance in a lower class.
NINE STORIES needs better ground and is steadily dropping
down the weights. I’d give him a chance on faster ground.
Thursday 26th April
Slightly more favourable weather for the second day but
still very testing ground.
2.00 2m ½f Murrayshall Hotel Novices’ Hurdle (Class 4)
Dropped in class after being well held in a Kelso Grade 2
hurdle, UBALTIQUE found this task a fair bit easier, being driven out to win.
He should go on from here and further wins wait.
Sue Bradburne’s JET MASTER performed admirably for the
shortly to retire Cupar handler. He lost nothing in finishing eight lengths
second to a decent winner. He may have a run or two more for Bradburne before
presumably migrating west to Nick Alexander’s yard.
OSCAR HILL, unseated over fences the day before, was held
from before the home turn. Hammered by the handicapper over hurdles and fences,
I would expect Gordon Elliott to keeping aiming at non-handicaps here in the
coming months.
HIDDEN FUTURE is consistent but simply not as good as the
first three. He challenged two out but cried enough before the last.
Flat maiden RYTON RUNNER has shown some promise in two
hurdles outings and may make his mark once establishing his level.
2.30 3m Bill and Bunny Cadogan Memorial Novices’ Limited
Handicap Chase (122-132)
RAILWAY DILLON is not always the greatest jumper, but he has
overcome that successfully on a few occasions recently. He walked through the
tenth fence and made a mess of the next (the water). He disputed the lead soon
after and wasn’t in a lot of danger from three out, coming home well clear.
He’s gone up 8lbs for this and if he jumps soundly can overcome that new mark.
MOLESKIN was knackered from three out in the ground and just
held on to second from an opponent who was never travelling. He wants better
ground, and probably needs a rest after exertions here.
FRONTIER SPIRIT was never happy, tired on the last circuit
and just plugged on for third. This test found out his stamina.
SOLE WITNESS seemed to be feeling the pinch when coming down
at the twelfth.
3.00 3m ½f Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer Novices’ Handicap
Hurdle (99-118)
PAPAMOA is hard work, but stays all day and Lucy Alexander
knows him well. He looked destined for third at best but rallied under driving
approaching the last, picking up on the flat to wrest the contest from tiring
rivals on the line. I reckon his ‘off the bridle’ style hides a fair bit of
ability and he’s a bit better than the 103 he ran off here, or indeed his 106.
Worth keeping an eye out for in similar testing conditions.
TALKIN SENCE led to two out and was all out to hold off
Alpha Victor, only to be mugged on the line by Papamoa. He’s run some fair
races on the Scottish circuit and looks the time to pick up a minor staying
handicap.
ALPHA VICTOR disputed for most of the way, was then outpaced
early in the straight, but rallied and went down battling. Evidence of this run
and his win at Sedgefield suggests his current mark is workable.
SEVEN IS LUCKY needs to dictate and never got to the front
here.
3.30 Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger
Handicap Chase for the Kilmany Cup (111-137)
STOVIK set the pace, was headed at
the last but rallied to regain the lead close home. His handicap wins have all
been when carrying less than 11 stone and he seems best receiving weight. His
record around Perth is 12311, all his wins coming with cut in the ground.
ZITENKA used to be a pattern
horse, but the ‘needs a recent run’ isn’t so clear these days, though he’s one
to avoid after a long lay-off. He’s as good as ever, raced prominently and
looked the winner before tiring and being caught close home. He’s not far off a
career high mark but seems in good heart.
DEGAS ART couldn’t match the
handicappers coming out of novice company and RIGUEZ DANCER disappointed again.
TARTAN SNOW was never going and pulled up.
4.05 3m 2½f Champion Stayers
Hunters’ Chase (Perthshire Hunt Cup)
They have fiddled with the
distance of this race in recent years, but this trip seems about best. The
hunter division isn’t particularly strong in this area at the moment, but
Cumbrian based SPECIAL PORTRAIT is probably about the best of those who appear
on the Scottish circuit. He travelled well and saw off one other finisher with
the minimum of fuss. (Since a winner over
4m 1f at the Cheltenham Hunters’ meeting)
COMMERCIAL EXPRESS unseated before
halfway but most of the action centred on the last fence. SIR BATHWICK set the
pace but was very tired when falling heavily at the last. CANNDAR also came
down when knackered at the last, HONEST AND TRUE appearing to stumble over the
stricken jockey and immediately dismounted. HAWTHORNE BAY trundled through the
carnage to take second prize.
Of the beaten horses it’s the five
year old HONEST AND TRUE that’s interests me. He has been struggling to see out
the trip in points, but is worth persevering with at trips short of three miles
under Rules. A try at two mile handicaps might be an idea as he is now
qualified for a mark and has been ‘awarded’ a figure of 76. He’s no worse than
many that bumble round in Class 5 two mile handicaps.
4.40 2m 4½f Sue Bradburne Happy
Memories Handicap Hurdle
DEN OF INIQUITY has shown little
over fences of late, but returned to form over hurdles with a determined effort
to hold off consistent performer Los Nadis. All Den Of Iniquity’s turf wins
have come on soft or heavy ground.
LOS NADIS continues in excellent
form. He’s probably as far as he’d want to be up the handicap assuming he’s
bumped up for this, but is admirably consistent. He has won three times around
here and I would presume Jim Goldie will seek out further opportunities though
a mark of 135 doesn’t leave much room for manoeuvre.
CONQUISTO led until the last and
was then outpaced. This was a decent effort given that his wins have been on
better ground.
LADY BLUESKY flattered briefly to
three out but couldn’t get to the leaders after that.
Favourite SUSTAINABILITY appeared
to hate the rain softened ground, but he’s won in soft and heavy so it could be
something else was amiss.
Friday April 27th
Crossing the course I found the
going to be pretty decent given the rain that had fallen. The turf had started
to dry out on the last day of the meeting. There was some rain toward the end
of the afternoon, but in the main the weather was reasonable for one of my
favourite days of the season. The going took its toll with small fields
generally the order of the day.
2.00 2m ½f Highland Hospice NH
Maiden Hurdle (Class 4)
Winner of a Musselburgh bumper in
January, KEENELAND proved sharp enough on his debut. Turning out looking in
superb condition, as standard for the McCain yard, he led all the way and
pulled clear in the straight. He can tackle much better company than this.
LITTLE GLENSHEE has strengthened
up in the last year and is clearly going the right way on the track. She was never good enough to match the
winner, but kept on stoutly up the straight. She’s looked likely to be suited
by further than this and there should be more to come given a greater test of
stamina.
CHEATINGSIDEOFTOWN has had periods
off the track but, given that he headed up the Dundee road from his Cupar
stable on one occasion, that’s not surprising. He was on his toes, and a little
fractious when mounted and was found out for pace in the straight. He’s a
lengthy type who will likely be suited by a longer trip.
ONE FOR HARRY looked green over
his hurdles early on and probably needed the experience.
INISHKEA, from George Charlton’s
stable, is a typical big strong Charlton type. However he’s 9 and this was only
his second outing so he must have had major problems. He was tailed off from
three out.
2.35 3m 7f G A Engineering
Highland National Handicap Chase (Julian Llewellyn Palmer Trophy) (88-124)
The feature event of the meeting
was a competitive looking event but turned into a battle of attrition in the
testing conditions.
Our own OUTLAW TOM made an
appearance and, though going and distance were right, there was a doubt about
his ability to go the pace around this
sharp track. Fears proved well founded as the pace was starting to tell by
halfway. Tom was tailed off and on the point of being pulled up when two
departures left him in third place three out, only to blunder and
unseat. In retrospect he probably should
have been pulled up but, like the owners in the stand, Campbell Gillies eyes
presumably lit up at the chance of decent third place money. The gelding came
out of the race tired but unscathed and now goes for a summer rest. He’ll be
aimed at staying contests at stiffer tracks next autumn.
Your correspondent shouted “Keep
going, Campbell!” when the two came down three out. Readers are invited to
escort me from the course should they witness such behaviour again!
CERIUM, twice a finisher in the
Grand National including a fifth place, hadn’t won since 2006, though he ran a
decent race over 3m 5f at Warwick in the winter. He would likely have been third
at best but was left in front three out and kept going to beat one other
finisher. Even then Trevor Whelan had to recover from a blunder at the last,
but connections will be well pleased with this foray from Newmarket for a
sizeable first prize. It’s difficult to see a follow up, but Cerium has had his
day in the sun.
DOVE HILL’s effort wasn’t blunder
free and he made a mistake three out when left second. He couldn’t match the
winner from that point and Cathy Walton nursed him home. Like Outlaw Tom he
will be better at stiffer tracks and will find opportunities in stamina tests.
ROCKABILLY led but was being
pushed along when falling three out.
Only a seven-year-old, he should prove a force in staying events in the
next season or two.
NODEBATEABOUTIT, tongue tied for
the first time, was chasing the leader when brought down three out. Another
youngster on the upgrade and not looking inconvenienced by an extreme trip.
OVERLADY, one suited by the
testing conditions, set the pace but weakened four out and was pulled up before
the third last.
INVERLOCHY LAD jumped well once
again and raced up with the pace but his stamina gave out before four out and
he was pulled up.
VAMIZI was always in the rear and
fell at the fifteenth.
CAPTAIN AMERICO looked to find the
track too sharp here. He was pulled up going down the far side for the last
time.
BLAZING DIVA is suited by these
conditions, but she’s best at a stiff track and was pulled up before the
eighteenth fence.
TIPSY DARA, a good winner at
Hexham a few days previously, toppled at the first. Lucy Alexander got a kick
from a following horse and missed the remainder of her rides on the day.
3.10 2m 4½f Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer Novices’
Handicap Hurdle (103-107)
Four evenly matched opponents but it
came down to a prolonged duel down the straight between LOCKEDINTHYEPOCKET and MARKADAM
with the former prevailing close home. Both will find future events more competitive.
WINSTONE was outpaced from two out and
his stable is having a quiet spell.
BADGER FOOT is better over fences,
though has struggled of late, and wouldn’t have been at his best in the testing
conditions here.
3.45 2m 4½f Lonmar
Global Risks Novices’ Handicap Chase (118-132)
This event cut up to just three
runners, though all winners in recent times. Gordon Elliott finally produced a
winner in LORD REDSGIRTH who challenged from three out and asserted on the
flat. A nice chasing sort, he should have a bit of improvement in him over the bigger
obstacles, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s seen out here again before
long.
RED HARBOUR couldn’t match the winner on
the flat. He won at Fontwell for Paul Nicholls last September and has run
creditably since and his new trainer should find an opening for him.
AKARSHAN led but was left behind once
headed after three out. His wins have all been at shorter trips.
4.20 2m Turning Out Quality Handicap
Chase (95-117)
A small field once again and this
looked a good opportunity for sprightly veteran POLAR GUNNER. Unfortunately he
was struck into approaching the seventh fence and was pulled up and dismounted.
He had been struck into, but did at least walk back to the unsaddling area and
I hope he is none the worse.
On a brighter note ROSSINI’S DANCER
provided Sue Bradburne with a winner at here ‘farewell meeting’. The runners
were tanking along early on and the winner kept up the gallop impressively, forging
clear up the straight. Huge cheers greeted the winners from the stands and in
the unsaddling enclosure. Bradburne may continue with a few horses for a short
while before joining Nick Alexander as assistant.
NELSON DU RONCERAY kept on for second
and ran an honest race. He’s not getting
any younger and generally finds one too quick for him these days.
RED KINGDOM led until four out but
couldn’t match the first two. He’s pretty ordinary and needs to be kept to
lowly events to have hope of winning.
GREY SOLDIER jumped ponderously at times
and was o0ut of contention by four out. He has ability but has been off form in
his last few runs.
4.50 3m 3f Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger
Beer Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (102-122)
One of the longest hurdles races of
the season, I believe only Sedgefield stages anything over a longer distance,
and a rattling good battle up the home straight to finish the Festival.
There was precious little to choose between
POCKET TOO and JAUNTY JOURNEY up the straight, the former just sticking his
head in front on the line to give Vic Dartnall a winner Devon trainer another
Perth winner. POCKET TOO needs some stoking but stays all day and has plenty of
ability. He won’t go up much for this and could score again if similar
conditions can be found.
JAUNTY JOURNEY has been consistent in
staying chases and a move back to hurdles was no inconvenience. He isn’t a
prolific runner but regularly gives his running in staying events.
Novice HIGGS BOSON was detached by
three out and came home in his own time. I think there is a race in him, but he
doesn’t look an easy ride and the jury is out.
HOCKENHEIM led early but dropped away
quickly before pulling up two out.
LEWLAUR SUPREME won here for Jim Goldie
last May, but has been way off his game for Willie Young since. He was tired on
the final circuit and pulled up before two out.
No comments:
Post a Comment