SEPTEMBER 2009 HORSES

CLIPPERDOWN     (E. J. Creighton)

8 year old bay gelding     (Green Desert - Maroussie)     P-9

Stumbling across Clipperdown's hurdle debut in the form for Huntingdon's Bank Holiday meeting, it read 'pulled hard, weakened fourth, tailed off when pulled up two out.' It was hard to imagine that a five time flat winner, at up to ten furlongs, could be that bad again on ground that suited, so when his second hurdle run came up, again on ideally quick ground, he was worth keeping an eye on. Steadied at the start, he set off calmly last (good!), and stayed in last. And stayed in last. Four out, the field were still bunched, and he began to make progress without having to work hard. Around three out, Clipperdown got into a barging match with a fading rival, and thereafter came home maintaining the low work rate. Worthy of remembering when he goes handicapping, because on what he has done so far his rating could be low enough to be worthy of a head start.

Handicap hurdles up to class 5, up to 2m 1f on good to firm or firm

Clipperdown has a brief moment of curiosity about his racecard comment in the parade ring

DANIMIX     (T. Vaughan)

4 year old bay gelding     (Dr Massini - Spring Blend)     152

When he burst into life with a bumper win on his Rules debut, Danimix was undeniably impressive, but even considering that he won his only point - in the UK, not Ireland - there was still an unknown element about him, as the horses behind him had no form in the book to use as a guide. The unbeaten record did not last long, but he was not duffed up by far when fifth, and then may have run into a hotpot from Paul Nicholls when a well seen off runner-up at Newton Abbot. On the assumption that the usual approach for his yard will apply - better to defeat some muppets in the back end of beyond than be fifth at Cheltenham - Danimix certainly seems to have sufficient ability to be put in a winning situation or two over hurdles at whatever level his trainer assesses as realistic. Really the only unknown is how long Danimix's morale will hold up if he realises that his name sounds ominously like a pet food.

Hurdles over 2m 3f or more

ENLIGHTENMENT     (Evan Williams)

9 year old bay gelding     (Presenting - Shaiybaniyda)     508/541415/13104/P357-220

The last September selections were moderately successful, but a very likeable bunch, with horses of the nature of Rookery Lad, Ngong Hills and Owlesbury Dream. The Enlightenment was splendid - an era in which common sense began to prevail over nonsense - and in history even the enlightened despots were jolly fun, all for different reasons - Frederick II? Crazy! Joseph II? Hilarious! Catherine the Great - famously attached to her horses. So for that reason, I have been quite keen to like Enlightenment, but at times he makes it hard, and even costly. And then, as a certain group of philosophers found, the penny suddenly drops, having been loitering on the edge awaiting a breath of wind for quite some time. In the case of equine Enlightenment, it is the element of waiting for a while that was the key to the revelation. His four wins have come after absences of 127, 165, 55 and 81 days. That does not render him invincible fresh, where he has suffered six defeats - although one was at the Festival and another in a listed race - but it is still worth following him in the right conditions - with patience, as Axl Rose (another enlightened philosopher?) preaches, but not practises. His record as a hurdler is better than in chases, but for the latter he did get stuck with a prematurely inflated handicap mark, and when Enlightenment's recent burst of frequent runs is ended, he may be in a position to put that right.

Races up to 2m 3f after at least 7 weeks off

JUMEIRAH JANE     (Mrs. S. J. Smith)

6 year old brown mare     (Kayf Tara - Ace Girl)     33/458/-206

Despite having seen her only on television, it is fair to say that were she a human athlete, you would be more likely to see her wash up in the shot putt than the long jump. But in jump racing she needs to combine the two, and a chunky mare that has had a sound hurdling education, even if not a successful one, can really come into her own over fences. The element of discouragement is that her last run was in a seller, but perhaps it was a bluff. The race was a qualifier for the valuable John Wade final, and maybe Harvey Smith was dispatched to Sedgefield with a stout stick and ferocious glare for anyone potentially thinking of a claim. Prior to that Jumeirah Jane's only complete disaster was her first try at two and a half miles, where she ran too freely in front and ran out of puff way to early. A more settled approach could help a great deal. Despite not having proven an affinity by winning, she has got better results on an undulating track so far, which is why her human equivalent concentrates on the field events.

Handicap chases up to 2m 4f, rated up to 105, on an undulating track

NORMA HILL     (R. Hollinshead)

8 year old bay mare     (Polar Prince - Smartie Lee)     46171F62241/831/036/1401/-7

An element of risk applies to this pick, as Norma Hill has had only one run back, an encouraging one, after two years off. Before the break, she had just picked up a couple of wins at Bangor, and whilst this is a thumbs up for her flexibility, sharp tracks have not on other occasions seemed to suit her. Where she has really perked up is on a right handed, easy and level course. Her record on these is 112113, so it will be hoped that it is to one of these such venues that she will return, as the profit to a level stake is over 36 points. Perhaps it will be in chases, as Norma Hill took to it quite well in two tries back in 2005/06 - a win and a thirteen length third of six to no less than Voy Por Ustedes. In general she has avoided soft ground, but it cannot be ruled out that she could pinch a weak race on it when the geography all comes right, and being a bit older, she may now have the bash to last a bit longer than two miles

Races up to 2m 4f on a right handed, easy, level track

PRESS THE BUTTON     (J. R. Boyle)

6 year old bay gelding     (Dansili - Play Around)     1

And so we finish where we came in - novice hurdle at Huntingdon on the lat day of August. Except this time, the horse selected won, and did so impressively, despite attempts from at least one rival to catch him out, and getting tangled up in the crowd for a couple of hurdles mid-race. Press The Button, a highly rated flat horse who has come hurdling whilst still at his best, showed an excellent burst of late pace to seal the first division of his race in a very much faster time than Clipperdown's conqueror managed. And even with a penalty to carry, it ought to be a while before Press The Button bumps into any hurdlers with comparable natural ability. Having won up to a mile and a half on the level, he ought to have the stamina for a bit more than the jumps minimum, if needs be.

Hurdles up to 2m 4f

Press The Button - dedicated athlete about to do the job in hand with minimal fuss