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NOVEMBER 2009 HORSES |
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BALLYBRIGGAN
(V. R. A. Dartnall)
5 year old bay gelding (Flemensfirth - Shean Hill) 1 When Victor Dartnall took out a public licence, his pointing background led most people to see his yard as one to watch for staying chasers. In fact, we have all been taught a lesson about jumping to conclusions,* as in the last five years, according to the Post website stats, his highest strike rate has come in bumpers at 22%. Obviously the 19% win rate each in chases and hurdles is not too shoddy either, but the team has proved to be unexpectedly forward. And Ballybriggan proved to be no exception, coming out on debut to win his bumper in respectable fashion. Others in that field in the last couple of years beat seemingly more illustrious opponents, and that could lead to Ballybriggan not being overtried when he goes hurdling - the three horses that were not too far behind have a handful of places to their names, but no wins. Watch for him to step up in trip pronto. * It is accepted that if there is prime UK web location for conclusion jumping, on name alone, this is it. Hurdles over 2m 4f or more CAVINGDON
(Suzy Smith) 5
year old bay gelding
(Karinga Bay – Moonlight Air)
34-1 This
horse is going to do well to avoid being accidentally referred to as
Chavingdon, never mind what may happen if he embarks on a crime wave
fuelled by drugs and alcohol – which would at least make him fit in on
a typical Saturday afternoon at Newmarket. Having been a bumper horse,
the chances of Cavingdon turning out at that venue are admirably small,
but his form so far in obstacle-free jumps races suggests that he could
prove half decent in his chosen sphere. He was third at Uttoxeter (where
so many obstacles are missed out that it is hard to tell the difference
between hurdles and bumpers) and then fourth at Chepstow to the
much-touted Aiteen Thirtythree.* He got off the mark at same venue, with
a narrow success over Murrell, and a much longer gap to all the rest.
With eight of his nine rivals having no pointing or bumper experience,
his two earlier runs were clearly helpful, but it reinforced the idea
that Cavingdon can run a bit, and stay a bit as well. *
Despite Aiteen Thirtythree being in the ownership and stable to become a
major success, there is no obvious history of elite jumps horses being
named after brands of cheese. Hurdles over 2m 4f or more CROON
(A. Turnell) 7
year old bay gelding
(Sinndar – Shy Minstrel)
406/3446154/8466-3 As
a three time flat winner coming into jumping from a useful flat mark,
Croon’s career hurdling was a little underwhelming, especially as
there was only one occasion that he was challenged by stepping up to the
higher grade tracks. Another way in which he confounded was by showing a
lack of aptitude when upped in trip from the minimum as he stayed well
in ferret racing. Perhaps Croon has a deep character flaw, as in 15
jumps races, he has been ridden by no less than 11 different jockeys,
and only Andrew Thornton has managed (or been unlucky enough) to ride
Croon in consecutive races. So having spotted a good array of negatives,
where do the positives come from? Well, in a tightly framed race, he
made a fair stab of his chase debut (getting home at Towcester was
beyond him), and in two milers on a right-handed, easy track, the record
now reads 314863, with only one of the defeats looking feeble. He is at
a level where he can pick up a chase or two. Handicap
chases up to 2m 1f on a right-handed, easy track, rated up to 110
A recycled shot of Croon (4) in action, when just one look and then his heart went boom, suddenly and he was on the moon. A misquote, but in an appropriate manner. ELUVAPARTY
(S. C. Burrough) 9
year old bay gelding
(El Conquistador – Ruby Celebration)
7/5/P/P1F3/77-5 If Eluvaparty is well named,
his infrequency of racecourse appearances can perhaps be blamed on a
raging hangover. In an exclusive beyond-the-grave interview, Hernando
Cortes said that if he conquistadored as rarely as Eluvaparty, the
Aztecs would still control all territory in Mexico inland of the beach.
It does not leave much to work on for a trend in his form, and instead
of highlighting what does not work for him (as it could just be the
DTs), the focus is on the good days. A win in a five runner race at
Exeter. Close up when fell two out at Taunton. Three lengths third at
Exeter. Fifth at Kempton, weakened out of second after a last fence
error. This all points to a right handed track and going not soft or
heavy. However, an insistence on manic front running, motivated by a
need to get to the off licence before it shuts, is a feature of all
these performances. A level track would suit more than a stiff one, but
a bigger deal will be small fields, and the greater chance of an
uncontested lead. Handicap chases up to 2m 2f,
on good to soft, good or good to firm and a right handed track, up to 7
run. IRISH LEGEND (C. Roberts) 9 year old bay gelding (Sadler's Wells - Wedding Bouquet) 2F3U4141/5/753/696312P447/11095-413B Based on his sire and dam, there is probably a tale to tell behind this horse's name, involving a well-known Irish thespian and a disrupted wedding, which leads to the sad conclusion that alcohol may well have been a factor. In the absence of a known anecdote, everyone is allowed to devise their own. Anyone wishing to submit theirs may do so to the usual email address. In the case of having the horse to rely on for entertainment, there has been a fair variety to when, how and where he wins, six times from only thirty-one starts. However, there is a pattern under which he has run consistently well, producing form of 21132. It requires a right handed, easy, level track, races on softer than good, plus trips hovering around two and a half miles. He did won at Chepstow, left handed and as undulating as they come, but in several tries going anti-clockwise on an easy course, Irish Legend has been as badly all over the shop (form wise) as, ooh, a famously inebriated Irish actor. See, there are many more themes to this horse than first appear - at least two. The only thing to defy history is that a recent Worcester win suggests that he can handle longer distances now. Races on a right-handed, easy, level track, on good to soft, soft or heavy, over 2m 4f or more VINTAGE FABRIC
(N. J. Hawke) 7
year old bay gelding
(Royal Anthem – Sandalwood)
33/322190/0/6P115338P2-45037778 When
a horse shows a preference for certain conditions, the counter balance
to that is an inclination to run badly when they deviate from the
optimum. However, in the case of Vintage Fabric’s chasing career, he
tended to jump badly and get a bit shirty before the layout of the track
could possibly be an issue. And after an adequate debut followed by
three totally regressive efforts, he was allowed to have his way and go
back hurdling. Vintage Fabric cottoned on to the benefits quite quickly
and did much better, even though Wincanton is not his sort of location
at all. Wins at Newton Abbot twice and Fontwell once tell his tale, and
after a spell in the personal doldrums (and his stablemates were hardly
in whizz bang form either) the sow’s ear could be made into a silk
purse when Vintage Fabric gets back in his natural environment. It
should be remembered that he has also been placed a few times when
things are right at rewardingly long odds for each way fans. A couple of
tries at three miles have seen him hit the stamina wool (sorry!) with a
furlong or two to go, but that degree of endurance could come to him
when in finer fettle. Hurdles
on a left-handed, sharp, level track, on good or good to firm. |
