Plumpton 31/01/10

Zhank 'eavens for leetle frost covers. After Olive missed the ballot for a run at Hereford by one, and Plan A, Detling point-to-point was postponed, a potential dilemma as to what to do on Sunday was saved by Plumpton's additional meeting. The fields were not that big, and, as is par for extra meetings, neither was the crowd, but it was a pleasant day out, more than seemed likely when I set off in a slightly sub-zero temperature and light snowfall. The theme of the day was recoveries, and there was a trio of increasing dextrous defiances of gravity during the day. Paul Moloney set a good standard on King Brex in the second race going over the first in the back straight, then Tom O'Brien trumped it at the same obstacle in race four, when Lord Appellare did not seem to notice that the fence even existed. And in the finale, Philip Hide, at the fence by the stables, was left with all of him on one side of Maximix, and the fact his right foot remained in the stirrup was enough keep him high enough up to flop back on, get upright sufficiently to steer round the bend, and even not finish last. Watch for a re-run or two on ATR.

Going: Soft (Good to Soft places)

race 1: Starsportsbets.co.uk Juvenile Hurdle [2m]

1: Stars Du Granits     2: Fin Vin Du Leu     3: Tesserae

Winner owned: Ian Josephs, trained: Venetia Williams, ridden: Aidan Coleman

After being fourth to Advisor on his debut at Ascot, Alhaque was a popular favourite for this, but put in a laboured effort, and was beaten halfway down the back straight. At that stage, the eventual first pair had gone clear and it was just a case of who would crack first. That was Fin Vin De Leu (apparently it does not translate as "run out of curry") who won over two miles on the flat so probably found the going more of a problem than the race distance. Stars Du Granits won one of those French AQPS flat races that now count as bumpers on his only other run, and apart from a slightly misjudged flight over the last hurdle, seemed to win without too much bother. Tesserae was lowly rated on the flat, but did win a seller on her hurdles debut. Although third, she was virtually tailed off in being there, and anything further back has cause for concern.

Stars Du Granits exudes confidence at the fourth hurdle, and it rubs off on Tesserae (orange cap), Fin Vin De Leu (red cap), Blue Tango (blue sleeves, mostly hidden) and Seaquel (8). Alhaque (left) looks far less convinced at the wisdom of the undertaking

race 2: Star Sports - The Gentleman's Bookmaker Novice Handicap Chase [2m 1f]

1: King Brex     2: Cockatoo     3: Marc Of Brilliance

Winner owned: Nigel Kemper, Lady Hart and Tony O'Gorman, trained: Charlie Mann, ridden: Paul Moloney

King Brex almost forgets to use his legs for landing after a big jump at the sixth. Rileyev (5) and Cockatoo try to match him, from Stumped and a shy Marc Of Brilliance

As the quintet pelted down the back straight, the only horses on the bridle were King Brex and Rileyev, who had also created a little daylight between them and the rest. However, Rileyev again failed to get home, and it was left to Cockatoo to bustle up King Brex, without ever looking like he would catch him, and then muffing the last to seal the defeat. King Brex had run better than the bare result at Kempton after Christmas and shown signs of learning his lessons when a close second last time, so it was no surprise that he attracted some betting support, nor that he finally got his win. Cockatoo's fifth at Sandown last year probably caught the eye of those that made him favourite, but apart from one win over roughly course and distance on soft, his best runs tended to be on good or faster, so give him credit for the effort in adverse circumstances. The race was a kick in nether regions for those who like to follow a jockey with only one ride at a track, as this was the first evidence of Paul Moloney re-routing from abandoned Hereford, and only in hindsight could they have known it was his sole appearance of the day.

This attempt at the last fence put paid to Cockatoo's chances. Assembled rocket scientists conclude that their analysis skills are not required.

race 3: Call Star Sports On 08000 521321 mares' Novice Hurdle [2m 2f]

1: Sure Josie Sure     2: Megasue     3: Good Faloue

Winner owned: Mrs Jo Tracey, trained: David Pipe, ridden: Tom Scudamore

The race concerned only the first trio from quite a long way out, and Sure Josie Sure showed no mental scars from having been brought down earlier in the week. She led going into the rail turn and managed to get a few lengths clear before beginning to tie up and having Megasue get back at her late on the run-in. Megasue has now been runner-up three times over hurdles, but oddly for a double bumper winner, she has run as if she has plenty of scrap and battle in her, but a bit of a lack of pace. However, when she had been seven lengths behind Sure Josie Sure at Wincanton, the winner had shown a minor wobble late on, but even with the weight concession Megasue could not worry her out of it this time. Good Faloue had a solid debut over hurdles, and did not get dismissed by far even though she was not given a hard time once headed after three out.

race 4: Friendly And Personal Service At Star Sports Novice Handicap Chase [3m 2f]

1: Kawagino     2: Youngstown     3: Maktu

Winner owned: Mrs M Rayner / M Adams, trained: Seamus Mullins, ridden: Philip Hide

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Or a Dutchman. Or a combination of Dutch and monkeyness not often invoked in expressions of surprise. After he won a muppet race here earlier in the season, it looked as if Kawagino's inherent suspicion of chasing had not eased, just found horses unable to exploit it, but he doubled up here, and in the process saw off Youngstown, whose form in winning a couple of chases seemed rock solid, with only an eleven pound rise in the ratings against him. When Kawagino tentatively nosed in front coming off of the rail turn, Youngstown managed to edge back in front, but from the second last there was only one winner, and for once he will not be on the "Down Arrows" list. The question is, will Youngstown recover from the mockery he will receive from his stablemates for losing out to Kawagino?

Kawagino finally appreciates that he who laughs last really does laugh longest

race 5: Star Sports Lay A Decent Bet Novice Hurdle [2m 5f]

1: Grands Crus     2: Abey M'Boy     3: Ballycracken

Winner owned: Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds III, trained: David Pipe, ridden: Tom Scudamore

After two ordinary bumper runs, Grands Crus had shown signs of improvement over hurdles at Taunton (runner-up, held comfortably but miles clear of the rest) and the upward curve was maintained in quite impressive fashion after Evella had ensured the race was run at a good pace. Abey M'Boy was held up initially, and then outstayed the ones that tried to live with Grands Crus, but failed. Ballycracken sort of struggled away in vain for third place in what proved to be an uneventful race.

Grands Crus - quite a photogenic horse and enjoying how easy this has become

race 6: Open A Star Sports Account 08000 521321 Handicap Chase [2m 4f]

1: The Hardy Boy     2: Sumdancer     3: Abbey Dore

Winner owned: Mrs John Grist, trained: Anna Newton-Smith, ridden: Mattie Batchelor

Bow down, unbelievers, in the terrifying face of complete inevitability, for The Hardy Boy finally got course and distance win number six, which had been on the cards since he started to slide down the handicap, but may have had a few waverers after his run here last time. Well the waverers will wave no longer, as even a different jockey to normal was not enough to prevent it happening. Maybe Sumdancer's stamina running out as they bypassed the second last was a huge help, and Maximix's near departure at the third was not a hindrance either. Prince Louis, the one with a hint of unknown, conveniently eased the passage by falling at the seventh (and in the absence of Noel Fehily, Peter Toole was dragged off of the winner by his boss to ride Prince Louis - someone owes someone else a pint or two). Jades Double fell at the sixth, and One Cornetto was unable to follow up his Lingfield win, so when all these are allowed for, it would have been a dismal showing not to win. But that is how gods show their divinity - at the expense of those unable to defend themselves. Credit where it is due - a never dangerous twenty length third represented one of Abbey Dore's better showings, and that added to Kawagino's win might be sign that Seamus Mullins' team is about to hit a purple patch.

"Let each fence I now jump be a black arrow of death sent straight to the heart of those who watch false racing. Ha ha ha haaaa." The Hardy Boy (7) pays an unexpected tribute the Manowar's "Hail To England" album en route to his sixth win here. Sumdancer (5) and Jades Double are the closest attendees at the second fence. One Cornetto (2), Abbey Dore (8) and Stop The Show are also in the supporting cast.

Plus Points

Stars Du Granits (race 1): Has now won both career starts and looks as if he can handle tougher assignments than he had today.

Good Faloue (race 3): Jumped well on the first lap, made a right horlicks of the sixth and seventh, came under pressure three out and seemed set to fall away, but brushed up her technique and only went down seven lengths or so in the end. She should be able to build on this.

Siouxme (race 3): Has had a couple of real drubbings over hurdles, but just gives the impression that once handicapped it could be a different story, especially if able to put her pointing experience (won a maiden, and second, by a long way, in a restricted) to use in novice handicap chases.

Lord Appellare (race 4): Has been running well in races that have worked out as being decent for their level, but pulled up after a lap here. However, after Tom O'Brien made a recovery from what seemed the point of no return when his mount ignored the second, a further blunder at the fourth put and end to any semblance of competitiveness. Maybe the first time use of blinkers was to blame, but he is clearly better than this showing.

Abey M'Boy (race 5): Began the season with two miserable efforts over hurdles but is finding a bit of a spark, and looks as if even further would not go amiss.

Evella (race 5): Won a weaker, mares' only race here by a mile last time, and charged off in front before settling after climbing the hill. She was eventually headed with half a lap left, but plugged away and is the sort of great big mare that either does the shot put, the luge for Venezuela or three mile chases.

Down Arrows

Alhaque (race 1): After a solid debut hurdling, ran a vastly inferior race this time, and as long as Advisor remains a high profile hurdler, Alhaque's price could be too short based on that run behind him.

Marc Of Brilliance (race 2): Has been safe in chases so far, but as a hurdler he had descended into selling and claiming company, and there is the thought that he juts wants to stroll round at his own convenience.

Rileyev (race 2): Making his chase debut, handled the jumping adequately but yet again folded tamely when things got serious.

Maktu (race 4): Came into this having run well in defeat in three chases, only to post a well below par showing. A sharp course may not be to his liking, but there were no other obvious excuses.

Latin America (race 5): A dual bumper winner that had been off since finishing midfield in the Festival Bumper, he looked plenty fit enough and handled the hurdles adequately until awkward at the last, but still ran poorly. Needs a lot of improvement to live up to the previous potential shown.

One Cornetto (race 6): Making a quick reappearance after a win (his first since June 2005 thanks to some lengthy absences), he was a popular betting option, but as well as the possibility that this came to soon, it is worth bearing in mind that the race he won was a terrible one.