Taunton 20/01/11

The theme of the day was the Venetia Williams winter in microcosm. A horse that was second in a race he ought to have been capable of winning comfortably. Another about to go clear and win easily in one that was a far tougher challenge, only to fall. And then a game winner in the strongest race of the day. Tough times to be assessing her runners in any context.

Going: Good to Soft

Race 1: Jays/GG Birthday Novice Hurdle [2m 1f]

1: Shammick Boy     2: Credit Swap     3: Bermuda Boy

Winner owned: First Brayford Partnership, trained: Victor Dartnall, ridden: Andrew Glassonbury

This race was won with a positive and certain ride, leading with a sensible couple of lengths daylight a long way out, and staying there. It may have been expected that Credit Swap would close the gap, the question being when and would it be swiftly enough done? Instead, Shammick Boy was gradually extending his lead in the home straight, and was not subject to anywhere near as hard race as even his most optimistic admirer might have predicted. This was his first sign, in three tries, of replicating solid bumper form over hurdles. Credit Swap's Leicester win had appeared a fair race, much stronger than the one Bermuda Boy landed at Exeter, so to lose this comfortably and be close for second was a backward step. Ben Cee Pee M won a lowly Towcester bumper, and had struggled with his jumping over hurdles. This time he was better and stayed on nicely for a never nearer, probably best possible placing, fourth.

Race 2: Shoreditch Handicap Chase [3m 3f]

1: Rudinero     2: River Indus     3: Lavenoak Lad

Winner owned: David Gibbons, trained: Barry Brennan, ridden: Michael Murphy

Outcomes like this perhaps give us a clue that a yard out of form is about to enjoy a rapid change of fortune. Rudinero had been well backed in the morning (by those who felt that the four year gap between his other two wins was not going to be a habit). Having stalked keen early leader Son Histoire, he led briefly but watched Glebehall Bay soon waltz by, and that horse was extending his lead when he hit the deck three out - punsters are gagging for him to refuse so they can say the loon Glebehall Bay ducked out. At this point, it was plain sailing for the winner, as both River Indus and Lavenoak Lad were struggling on fairly slowly, and other potential threats, such as favourite Aconitum, were jumping too awkwardly themselves to be closing the gap. It has to be noted that the four oldest horses, who should have been using their smarts in this long distance race to survive better than the youngsters, mostly did the exact opposite. Which, in a tenuous way, invalidates the study of rat behaviour as a guide to human instinct.

Heading of into the wild blue yonder, with Son Histoire just nosing in front of Rudinero. Next is Reland, then Glebehall Bay and River Indus, who appears to be travelling less well than the others (at least as far as one off still picture can tell us)

Race 3: European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle [2m 3f]

1: Al Ferof     2: His Lordship     3: Kim Tian Road

Winner owned: J Hales, trained: Paul Nicholls, ridden: Harry Skelton

With a much touted reputation and bumper form that was beginning to back it up until Cue Card intervened, Al Ferof had been a bit of a sorry tale in his first hurdles season, falling on debut and managing only third in the Challow Hurdle (nice problem to have, underachieving meaning a placed run in a Grade 1 race). This time nothing was left to chance, kicking on entering the back straight and at no stage giving the slightest cause for worry. However, the oppo was not strong and all it proved is that he is not badly infected with a bad luck virus. Wherever he turns up next, it will be harder than this. His Lordship was a paddock eyecatcher, but after a little positive eyecatching in his bumper debut on fast ground, he flopped next time. This was vastly better, although third placed Kim Tian Road, newly over from Ireland, had her best run on firm, so maybe his Lordship was helped by the ground in that duel. Barton Cliche has a similar history to the runner-up. Not disastrous on his bumper debut, flopping on the follow up. He ended up a well seen off fourth, but as those earlier runs were in the first half of 2009, he does need to prove his soundness before we can start to get enthused about him. 

Al Ferof (grey) and His Lordship return to unsaddle, the winner having begun to mentally wind down from the second last and enjoying the company he did not have in the race

Race 4: Thurlbear Handicap Chase [2m 0.5f]

1: Bedarra Boy     2: Stoway     3: Baseball Ted

Winner owned: PM Clayton, trained: David Arbuthnot, ridden: Daryl Jacob

Seven lined up and it should have been a tight and trappy race, in which Baseball Ted and Bedarra Boy, at the foot of the weights would exert their slight edge late on. Perhaps someone should explain to these horses in advance how it is supposed to work, as it turned out that Bedarra Boy had a huge edge over everyone else, and he pottered off to a big margin win once they entered the home straight, taunting supporters of the placed horses with his second nasty error of the race two out. Baseball Ted kept trying, but his jumping came under "safe, but not slick" and the effort caught him out, losing second to Stoway - running a fair first race for Richard Lee. Cantabilly was in third, ridden along, but responding enough to imagine he might reel in Baseball Ted, when he fell three from the finish. Coach Lane was on an off day. As was Award Winner, who was not in an ideal race anyway.

Race 5: meyertimber.com Handicap Hurdle [2m 1f]

1: Ciceron     2: Karasenir     3: Tito Bustillo

Winner owned: Tony Verrier, trained: Venetia Williams, ridden: Aidan Coleman

The big race of the day, a 0-145 hurdle worth £15,000, and although only seven ran, none could be ruled out entirely. When a seven runner race produces a shortlist of seven (at best six and a half), stay away from the betting ring, for the moneytakers shall ever tempt you with their wares. The finish was a cracker, as Ciceron pounced to lead between the last two hurdles, appeared to have put Karasenir in his place, but only held on narrowly as the horse that had led from the third hurdle showed plenty of heart for a fight when it was required. They left Tito Bustillo treading water, and Benfleet Boy, the very early leader kept on in vain to see of the stragglers. Cracking stuff for a quiet Thursday afternoon.

Race 6: southwest-racing.co.uk Handicap Chase [2m 3f]

1: Magic Marmalade     2: Sultan Fontenaille     3: Golden Duck

Winner owned: Racing Magic, trained: Philip Hobbs, ridden: Richard Johnson

This was the race of the day as far as finishes were concerned, with the first trio all having a spell in front from the wings of the final fence. Sultan Fontenaille had the lead to begin with, but he made a silly mess of the last obstacle, allowing Golden Duck to put his beak in front. At this point those who had intended to back the shining water fowl but chickened out because he looked a touch portly in the paddock, or at least less well tuned up than his rivals (hands up in this corner), were getting distinctly nervous, but Magic Marmalade, who had made steady progress from the home turn, switched from the rail to the outer, and surged into a narrow but much appreciated lead. Alas, Sultan Fontenaille also rallied (recent win a three miler, but this shows that some versatility remains) to edge Golden Duck into third. This cost certain of us a nice Placepot, but feel sorry also for those who espied two mighty orange treasures in the runners names and put Magic Marmalade in an exacta with Golden Duck. Bitter, bitter tears.

Race 7: PAS Sound & Communications Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race [2m 1f]

1: Divine Folly     2: Bathwick Brave     3: Vincentian

Winner owned: Mrs Helen Mullineux, trained: Lawney Hill, ridden: David Bass

Fourteen ran, nine having racecourse experience. Divine Folly had run two very decent races, but was displaced as favourite by appealing newcomer Bathwick Brave. Of the rest, Another Dimension had made a solid debut but regressed (in bad ground) next and Prince Of King had been alright when debuting over course and distance. The ginormous, two handler-sporting new boy Landscape Lad could not help but be noticed, because he filled the landscape, but Little Ms Piggie was far from being the worst sight you can see in a bumper field, although her yard is one of those that does not seem to worry too hard about results in these races. In the end, the modest pace allowed the field to stay bunched for a long way, but when they quickened, talent and experience allowed Divine Folly to skip clear nicely, with Bathwick Brave doing nothing wrong in defeat.

Plus points  

Senses (race 1): Won two 1m 2f flat races on good to firm, missed a year, then went hurdling on soft and heavy. With limited effect. He was towards the rear early, and surged into midfield when the numbers began to thin. He will be conveniently handicapped when fast ground arrives.

Thunderstorm (race 1): Runner up in a seven runner bumper on debut, he won a big field one at Huntingdon next, at the the end of 2009. On the whole, slow horses do not win bumpers there. He was not seen until ten days ago, when 37 lengths adrift of a 132 rated winner over hurdles. He had a similar cruise round to Senses here, and the game of cat and mouse will commence in handicaps. 

Monopole (race 1): Was showing a small glimpse of ability when brought down at Newton Abbot 17 months ago. This was his first run since, and although it was of no special note, he might come on enough for it to intrigue us.

Lavenoak Lad (race 2): Did not ever register as a threat, and in the end pinching third was a minor surprise, but his yard is off the boil, and when they have a bit more buzz in them, a fifth win is entirely possible.

His Lordship (race 3): Lightly raced, likeable to look at, a good return to action on his hurdle debut. Can build on this.

Ronnie Ronalde (race 3): A big horse that also caught the attention pre-race, he ambled at the back and then stayed on for sixth. A big step up on his bumper run, and with a bit of time he could turn out a lot better than what we have seen so far.

Bedarra Boy (race 4): The ease of success suggests he can win again, and avoiding the couple of clumsy errors would mean he could manage it from a considerably higher rating as well - although bear in mind that his yard has just hit a spell of hot form (and this is as good as it gets).

Ciceron (race 5): Won three early in 2010, but had struggled badly since, with an enhanced handicap mark appearing to force him into races of a standard beyond him. That theory was shot down here, as he looked totally at home. Perhaps putting New Year behind him is a big motivation?

Karasenir (race 5): Both his wins have come on good, with some OK tries in defeat on easier ground. He is only 2 wins from 10 tries now, but has never lost by more than ten lengths, often much narrower, and appears to be quite up for a scrap. If his jumping is up to it, he should do even better over fences.

Magic Marmalade (race 6): Had been pointing, and seemed to have a experimental run on his Philip Hobbs debut in a novice hurdle. We can probably work on the basis that this is much more what he is made of.

Golden Duck (race 6): Won last time after a year and a half or so off, and did very well here after another eleven weeks. On the basis of his pre-race appearance, we have to consider two possibilities. A) He's not fat, he's big boned. B) The mental comfort of being a touch on the tubby side allows him to run better than when physically at his peak but perhaps less contented with his lot in life.

How's My Friend (race 7): Ran in two bumpers last season, foiled once each by injury and a slipped saddle. Accidents avoided, he was a solid fourth after a nine month break. Going the right way.

Another Dimension (race 7): A work in progress, he kept on well, if a touch inclined to drift right. Watch for him to put this behind him, at some stage.

Down arrows

Credit Swap (race 1): Is probably built to confuse us all, but showed today he is not one to be dabbling with at short prices.

Abbey Dore (race 2): Has gathered an impressive run of form figures by his name, but for winning a two finisher race last time he has gone up fifteen pounds (and 37 in all for his last five runs). That will take some defying, and he showed here that he could not do that.

Big Knickers (race 3): Owner of solid bumper form, she was challenging for best of the rest in the betting, but for the third time, the concept of hurdling seemed all to bewildering. The penny may drop, but when she goes into handicaps, especially if it is soon, the expectation of rapid improvement might be a bit risky.

Paquet Cadeau (race 4): Did well in front, but as soon as headed going to four out, he took a thumping fall. It could easily stick in his mind for while.

Tito Bustillo (race 5): Does boast some really good form, and pondering it before this, it did suggest that now may be the time for a rise in trip, or at least try a very testing two miles or so. In fact, he laid up with the pace effortlessly, and was unable to live with the finish of the main two. As classy two and half milers are not slow, that option may not help, and perhaps his stamina is fading? Is it too late in the season to be off novice chasing?

Health Is Wealth (race 6): The form of the race where he unseated on chase debut has not worked out so far, and having been up in contention, he could not cope when this better oppo turned up the heat.

Lepido (race 6): Made a few errors on his chase debut, but did get round. However, even if these foolish things are schooled out of him, he was only a one off winner over hurdles, and he has not earned our trust.