Wetherby 31/10/09

Although the card lacked a serious amount of class there were some interesting sorts running and some old favourites.

In the first race, a Beginners Chase over two miles, the field was reduced to four after the withdrawal of Motive. Fit from the flat, Mr Crystal put up a good show on his first start over the larger obstacles. He could possibly pick up another novice event but seems to have his limitations. The one to take from the race, if any, is Lady Pilot. She looked well beforehand but had a really good blow on her return and she stayed on well ( ran yesterday at Southwell but came up against a tartare of David Pipes and broke a blood vessel) and I think she may do better in races against her own sex. Maybe a trip to Huntingdon where she has won twice may reap rewards.

The second race, a Novice Hurdle, went the way of the JJ Lambe trained Skylancer who completed a hat-trick with this win. Given a nicely judged ride by Choc Thornton, he crept into contention down the home straight, took it up at the last and won well. He should stay further too but wouldn't want it too soft. The stable certainly seemed to have eeked out improvement from somewhere unless he as had some surgery I am not aware of. The second horse, Palmito, is a nice big grey mare and she will win more races. Again, she will appreciate a step up in trip and probably won't want it too soft either. Manor Park, who was third, picked up a tendon injury and will be out of action for a while. The one to take from the race for future reference is Takween of JH Johnson. He is still a baby, hadn't seen a racecourse for 552 days and was given a gentle ride round by Barry Geraghty. He is a lovely looking son of Nayef and his pedigree suggests staying. He should be alright on most goings but may need time, worth noting though. Patriot also looked well and will probably do better when handicapping.

The Novice chase went the way of the Nigel Twiston Davies four year old Rory Boy. Judging by the betting this wasn't unexpected. Taking it up at the 8th he stayed on well and won with something in hand although the opposition certainly wasn't that strong. Second placed (again) Lease Lend has turned in to the bridesmaid last season and so far this. He seems to need a stiff 2 and a half on good or firmer or a flat track over 2 to 2 and half on good to soft or softer! Sounds strange and maybe how I read it but could just be a pound or two too high at the moment. Saturdays entry at Newcastle over 2 miles may throw more light on the situation, if he runs. Nikos Extra should be followed next time out. He will most certainly come on for this debut over fences and was maybe a touch too keen on seasonal debut too. Marleybow is interesting. He finished with his ears pricked albeit miles behind but he was stepping down in trip here and, as he is by Presenting, I would think that went against him. He could have gone round again and was probably expecting to, his maiden chase win was over 3m 1f here and although he beat very little that day he won eased down. He looks as though he could make a nice staying handicap chaser. His Achilles heel seems to be the ground. Good or better looks his favoured surface so he may be curtailed if we have a wet winter.

The Mares Hurdle race looked the most interesting on the card with last years winner My Petra taking on the much improved Treaty Flyer and the Gordon Elliot trained Serpentaria who had run up a hat-trick earlier in the year over in Ireland. A couple of subsequent runs had not shown much, but has one was her seasonal debut she must surely have been fit for this but she could only finish 6th. Maybe she didn't travel well but she is one to tread carefully with for now. Quivvy Bridge is another who as been kept busy but this step up in class was a touch too much for her this day.
As the race panned out it will be remembered more for Barry G's mistake than the winner.* Holding every chance and taking up the running he took the chase course on the bottom bend and did not have enough time to correct his mistake and pulled up. Whether he would have won we will never know but the horse was going well at the time. Interestingly she is entered for the Paddy Power this weekend. As for the winner, well Santia looks a nice sort. She should appreciate further and ground appears to be of no issue. I would expect to see her in better class races in the future.

I probably can't say anymore than as already been said about the Charlie Hall chase.** The three that stood out in the paddock fought out the finish. The winner, Deep Purple, looked a picture and will probably challenge for more top honours this season. Although jumping great here It will be better to watch him in a larger field. He could be one who likes smaller fields. Tamarinbleu looked really well too and just lost out in the end. Not an easy horse to win with David Pipe as said and I think that may prove right, hard to see where they go with him really. Ollie Magern was brave in defeat but a short one at the last lost him momentum at a crucial stage. Gave his all and this could be his last season, with him turning 12 in the new year it is hard to see what he can pick up now with his last win coming 2 years ago in this race and mid division finish's last year he must surely be getting too long in the tooth to be taking on the young guns. Veterans chases? I don't know but he would probably be top-weight all the time if he took these up. Snoopy Loopy looks like he had his swansong last season and after a dismal couple of efforts this year he was retired. He returned to the racecourse stables in the horse ambulance so whether he picked an injury up as well only connections know. Church Island was just outclassed.

The Johns Smiths Hurdle was won emphatically by Fair Along of Phillip Hobbs. I thought Petitfour looked as fit as a fiddle too but the winner just destroyed him. Surely another crack at the World Hurdle awaits and if Rhys Flint keeps the ride he may just have a chance. Petitfour looks to be going Novice chasing so we will see how he gets on in that sphere. Of the others, No Refuge is not one to rely on, he looks to have his own ideas and Lough Derg will come on for this run and maybe needs a bit more cut than he got here.

The final race went to the Howard Johnson trained Kealshore Boy. It will be interesting to see which route they take with him as chasing didn't seem to work out last year after his maiden win. He seems pretty fragile too which is a concern. Goldan Jess is the one to note. He may have won had he been handier earlier but he was held up in rear and made good headway to get into second but probably used up to much energy getting there and the winner was always holding him. A more experienced jockey could be the answer. He could pick up a few handicap race wins but one gets the feeling he may just be in the handicappers grip.

Editor's Notes

* As Barry Geraghty negotiated the turn successfully a race earlier, on a horse that Tony notes was not being asked to travel towards it's ability limits, this is a classic example of the dangers of excess speed. In fairness, Mr Geraghty did not try to fob people off with lame excuses - just some media types seemed to feel obliged to do so on his behalf.

** Even if it was not the strongest ever Charlie Hall, it might be the field with most likeable assembly of attitudes.