Plumpton 02/11/09

Going: Good

Race 1: At The Races Sky 415 conditional jockeys' Handicap Hurdle [2m 5f]

1: Alldunnandusted     2: Milton Des Bieffes     3: Pete The Feat

Winner owned: CR Dunning, trained: Seamus Mullins, ridden: Jimmy Derham

Coming clean on this one, I backed Milton Des Bieffes, and since the distance was introduced, it was the first time a bet had been beaten by a nose. Subscribing to the argument that a horse losing by ten lengths is a wrong pick, but a horse losing by ten centimetres could have saved that distance somewhere in the race, it can be confirmed that being done by a nose is six times as annoying as a short head. With the going still a point of wonder, Milton Des Bieffes' indifference to conditions was his big weapon, but after looking beaten three out, he ran on with some purpose. Alldunnnandusted sprang a 33/1 upset, which could be easily picked* if you noticed that his least awful result was over course and distance, and his hammering on his handicap debut had been over three and a quarter miles - clearly too far. Pearly Star would likely have nabbed third had he not stumbled over the final flight.

* Someone, somewhere in the country must have.

The ghostly Milton Des Bieffes casts less of a shadow from the front.  Hawk Gold (11) and Paktol Des Brosses (1) are ghostbusting in binary, followed by Pearly Star, Sovereign Spirit, What Luck (9), Colonial Jim, Alldunnandusted and Saddlers Mot.

Race 2: attheraces.com Is Free Maiden Hurdle [2m]

1: Champtho     2: Dakiyah     3: Geoffdaw

Winner owned: Million In Mind Partnership, trained: Oliver Sherwood, ridden: Leighton Aspell

There were probably no stars in this race, but plenty who had managed to raise a gallop on the flat or in bumpers to suggest that they could find a level at which they will be competitive. The favourite, Rileyev, was well backed, but after leading from the off, dropped out a bit feebly once headed. That was when Champtho, who won over 12 and 17 furlongs in the French provinces, surged past in a fashion that was not exactly leaving scorch marks on the turf but had a certain appealing power to it. Chasing him home was Dakiyah, who might have been more dangerous had she opted to jump over a few more obstacles rather than clatter then out of the way. Geoffdaw delivered his challenge later in the race this time and saw out two miles better - he is now handicapped and can go in search of slightly lesser opposition. One interesting run was by Regional Counsel, who was bang in contention until the railway bend and ended up sixth. He had not won since 2006 (picked up a Group 3 two year olds race) and had hurdle form of P/-0. The pulled up was behind Binocular in a Grade 2 race, the eleventh just over a week ago at Aintree. The glass half full brigade will point to history and say there were glimpses. The half empty regiment will note how he faded at the end. 

Race 3: At The Races Virgin 534 mares' Novice Hurdle [2m 5f]

1: Gan On     2: Love Of Tara     3: Bramalea

Winner owned: Club Revive, trainer: Anthony Honeyball, ridden: Liam Heard

Three hurdles out this race looked to be Mayberry's for the taking, but almost as soon as she led, she gave way again and left one or two surprised opponents fighting out the lead. Gan On took advantage, no great shock as she had run well in two out of three bumpers (the other was so bad a performance being tailed off in a poor race that only the most lateral of thinkers might explain it). She dashed clear of Love Of Tara, who was a popular favourite despite having won an amateur riders' race last time over nigh on three miles in a style that hardly cried out for a drop back in trip. Anadama ran her best race to date, which probably still leaves her trainer Alan King wondering how far behind his second worst hurdler she is, and despite flying the yard's flag on his return from suspension, Knar Mardy seems to fulfill a similar omega role for Nicky Henderson. Do the other horses mock them mercilessly?

Race 4: attheraces.com With Free Timeform Novice Handicap Chase [3m 2f]

1: You Can Of Course     2: Hello My Lovely    3: Rojabaa

Winner owned: M Cahill, trained: Neil Mulholland, ridden: Dougie Costello

There are some 0-90 novice handicap chases that are populated with lightly horses who just could be poised to step on to much better things as chasers. And then there are ones like this, in which the runners clearly have no semblance of the pace needed for two miles, but going over three miles two furlongs just looks to increase the chances of meeting one of their regular accidents by 62.5%. To put the race in perspective, the Racing Post predicted, with justification, that the thrice pulled up Mortar would be third favourite and the actual jolly was You Can Of Course, who ran out last time. Some noted that Dougie Costello had come down from the far north to ride him, but maybe no jockey south of the Humber was that desperate for £130. Some pulled up, three unseated, including Mortar (giving Dave Crosse a nasty tumble), and You Can Of Course held his concentration long enough to fight out a very close finish with Hello My Lovely and Rojabaa, in which all three looked like they were towing a ship through a sea of treacle. 

It's all over the shop quite early. Mortar is loose (aieee!) from Kahyasi Jack and Chances Go, Rojabaam You Can Of Course, Supreme Team, Williamtown Lad, Hello My Lovely and the less excitedly loose Champagne Star.

Race 5: John And Jean Taylor Golden Anniversary  Juvenile Novice Claiming Hurdle [2m]

1: Prince Pippin     2: Troubletimestwo     3: Witch Of The Wave

Winner owned: Ian M McGready, trainer: Sean Curran, ridden: Alan Freeman

Condemning such youngsters to claimers cannot be good for their morale, that is why all summer we have juvenile hurdles that are not sellers or claimers, but of a lower standard. It also tends to put off the punting public as they fear that connections of the entries are doing all but paint a huge financial health and safety notice on the horse's hindquarters. Such was that fear that the main topic of conversation pre-race was whether Prince Pippin was named after the Sporting Bengal United striker. So imagine everyone's surprise when that horse trumped Alldunnandusted as longest price winner of the day. His chances were greatly aided when Hector's House fell at the last (after several minor errors) and caused Troubletimestwo to take evasive action. One lot of trouble was enough to damn him to a head defeat. For those frightened of betting in this sort of race, four runners had previously raced against Ravine Rose and had Hector's House stood up, they would have pretty much run to how the bare form said they should, so perhaps the race Prince Pippin was stuffed in at Chepstow (won by Olofi) will turn out all right.

Race 6: Breeders' Cup Live On ATR Handicap Chase [2m 4f]

1: American World     2: Pagan Sword     3: Sebastiano

Winner owned: JP McManus, trainer: Brendan Powell, ridden: Jimmy McCarthy

In a very difficult race to unravel, American World stood out in the paddock, with Royal Kicks, as being in good heart, and he travelled smoothly, just like a horse on good terms with the world ought to. Coming over the last couple of fences, he was clearly set for a cruise home, but was given a fright and a half by Pagan Sword, who made one mistake, that being about ten less than in each of his last three chases and was enough to prevent thoughts of victory. High Oscar was the other main danger, but when he took a heavy fall two out, he did seem to be battling on in vain. 

Race 7: attherace.com Breeders' Cup Preview Handicap Hurdle [2m]

1: Laconicos     2: King Ozzy     3: Ghaill Force

Winner owned: Miss Caroline Scott, trained: Will Stone, ridden: Alex Merriam

An odd day ended on an extraordinary note as Laconicos put 53 consecutive defeats behind him, to outbattle King Ozzy. Kudos to Alex Merriam for delivering the much unanticipated triumph, although the horse did post several of his better defeats this year. Ghaill Force made a brave effort once he kicked on after halfway, but faded from the last. He is a mere amateur compared to Laconicos when it comes to enduring excellence in defeat (his second in a seller to Zabeel Palace is, however, looking a bit heroic now), so he could come up trumps in another twenty runs or so.

Plus Points

Pearly Star (race 1): Debuting for a new yard, he was probably heading for third, but not beaten for certain, when a final hurdle fluff ended his challenge. He had seemed a bit jaded, so investment in him maybe best soonest, in case the effect of a change of scenery wears off.

Paktol Des Brosses (race 1): With a career in French jumping and Welsh pointing (two wins, one tack problem and a second in a members' race), he must have been a nightmare to handicap, but ended up with top weight. He seemed to be competing very well off that when almost falling four out and quickly tailing off. A top notch recovery from Sean Quinlan, and a run to be ignored as a measure of his ability.

Dakiyah (race 2): Has to get her hurdling sorted out, but she was rated 80 on the flat and was in red hot form over a mile and half in the summer. She has won on grass, and seems to have all the credentials to win over jumps.

Serious Choice (race 2): Lost his way badly on the flat, but showed signs of inching his way back to form on his debut over hurdles.

Hannicean (race 2): Another first timer in proper racing,  his only win on the level came on fast ground over 1m 2f. He had a gentle intro here and is presumably capable of much better at some point.

Sumdancer (race 6): Hardly seemed a likely two and half miler, but encouragingly for a return to two miles on soft, he settled much better out in front than has often been the case.

The Hardy Boy (race 6): His yard rarely have first time out winners, and he is high in the handicap and on the wrong ground, but ran really, really well over his preferred course and distance.

Musashi (race 7): Attracted plenty of money despite not really appealing on paddock appearance and although he was a sound fourth, even better might well be possible. 

Kings Majesty (race 7): Still a bit high in the weights, he does appreciate a sharp, undulating track, and might not be far off livening up again.

Down Arrows

What Luck (race 1): Beaten on his debut for Tim Vaughan, when struggling to get three miles, the market expected better, but the drop in trip had an adverse effect. It is hard to see where the next step should take him.

Bramalea (race 3): All three flat wins were on dirt, and on turf she was placed in eight of fourteen runs. Despite a bit of improvement on her hurdles debut, she hardly looked to be a winner in waiting.

Mayberry (race 3): Solid enough in three bumpers, her showing over the last couple of furlongs was disappointingly laboured. 

You Can Of Course (race 4): Did win, but did run out the last time. Although it would be churlish to pick out one horse from this race as a down arrow. Go on, have the lot.

Pagan Sword (race 6): Ran a perfectly good race, but that has proved to be poor guide to a follow up run for him in the past.

Sebastiano (race 6): Placed yet again over fences, there seems no real reason why he cannot win won, except that the facts say that he does not. His hurdle win came on heavy at Lingfield, so maybe he needs there to be more rain when the course has scheduled an inspection?

Royal Kicks (race 6): Often runs well, but without shedding the continuous mistakes. Today was a jumping good day and he still only managed fourth.

Laconicos (race 7): Surely he will not double up, after all these years of futility?

UK-Jumping Selections

Pete The Feat (race 1): Had been a non-runner a few times lately, but ran pretty well on his seasonal debut, being in with every chance until the lack of a run got to him after the last hurdle. He won't be 40/1 next time.

Wheres Johnny (race 6): Less sulky than last spring, and perhaps is best caught, i.e. avoided least far, first time up.

King Ozzy (race 7): Did nothing wrong at all and still managed to be beaten by Laconicos.