Wincanton 05/05/11

The conditions were so quick here that the going stick was putting in a claim for industrial injury, and runners were inevitably thin on the ground, so to speak. That does not necessarily make for a lack of entertainment, but after a first race upset, the inconsistent horses all ran to their worst, all the winners were fairly comfortable and the bookies endured four winning favourites, plus one joint favourite. Not the best of Wincanton, all things considered.

Going: Firm (Good to Firm places)

Race 1: Rewards4Racing Handicap Hurdle [2m 4f]

1: Always Cruising     2: Walls Way     3: Be Kind

Winner owned: The Profile Partnership, trained: Linda Blackford, ridden: Robbie Henderson

Nine were declared and seven actually lined up for this, metaphorically dwarfing the 21 that tackled the remaining races, even though not actually doing so mathematically. Since dead heating for first in a maiden hurdle two years ago Always Cruising had done very little cruising and a lot of being crushed, but the ground allowed him to bounce back here - and he did show a bit too much resolve for the gang opposing him. Walls Way had a similar tale as the winner, landing a Ffos Las race fourteen months ago, and going P09P since - although he was terrible before as well. They both found a niche here that does not occur very often. In four races over hurdles, Be Kind has been second or third each time, but only one of them was a performance of merit, and this one was not it. With a likely ability to cope with the going, Cadeaux Cerise was disappointing in getting tailed off, and Allez Frank returned from nineteen months off in a very lifeless manner.  

Ostaadi (far side) and Crackerjac Boy show the way early(ish) with the pursuit in order Always Cruising, Cadeaux Cerise, Walls Way and Be Kind

Race 2: Racing UK Novice Hurdle [2m 6f]

1: Escudero     2: Before The War     3: Polmar

Winner owned: Michael & Niall Earls, trained: Paul Nicholls, ridden: Daryl Jacob

There was not much evidence of talent to work with in this, and that which was available mostly involved the horses on much softer ground, and the race looked like a decision between Polmar recovering the best of his Irish and French form or Escudero, debuting for Paul Nicholls, living up to his better quality losses (to later Grade 2 performers) rather than the iffy ones (to relative nobodies). With Polmar leading initially but not showing much zest when the heat was increased, the race took little winning, although Escudero did himself appear ill at ease at various points, and was far from impressive. But the job was done. Before The War, never placed in eleven flat runs, had finally made that landmark on his second hurdle run, also on quick going, at Hereford. He finished a bit timidly that day, and was ridden patiently here, handling conditions enough to pick off everyone but the winner and possibly exceeding expectations in doing so. Pointing convert Tork To Me was about to lose third to a plodding on Polmar when he unseated at the last. A quickening of tempo at the end of the back straight saw off Poetic Beat, and Cladding's jumping, or lack of it, had seen him call it a day much earlier.   

Wincanton is not the most photo compatible course anyway, and the setting sun makes it worse. Polmar (red cap) leads Before The War and what probably a hidden Tork To me. Escudero goosesteps confidently in fourth, chased by Poetic Beat

Race 3: Holbrook House Restaurant & Spa Handicap Chase [3m 1.5f]

1: Cullahill     2: Cashel Blue     3: Andrew Nick

Winner owned: Nick Elliott, trained: Bob Buckler, ridden: Nathan Sweeney

Three of the four declared turned out and the choice was to see which of the distinctly wobbly trio was likely to have a hint of stability about them today. At least Andrew Nick, with his 50% completion rate in his last dozen races, had the excuse of unsuitable soft ground for two losses in 2011. Today was a non-going day for him, and he was quickly in trouble on the far side for the second time, from where his jumping became far too scrappy to allow any chance of a fight back. In front of him, Cashel Blue was shaping like the winner, but turning for home, Cullahill stuck his nose in front and all of a sudden Cashel Blue was being ridden and producing no response. Three from home, Cullahill jumped right and gave his rival a real thump - enough to kill off any thoughts Cashel Blue may have been pondering on the topic of a rally. Game shot to Cullahill, who had mislaid a bit of jumping confidence after a fall not so long ago and now looked like his lost property had been recovered.

Race 4: Heart FM Novice Hurdle [2m]

1: Looks Like Slim     2: Sponge     3: Love Love Me Do

Winner owned: Martyn Butler, trained: Ben de Haan, ridden: Robert Thornton.

A simple question for punters here – could Looks Like Slim find a way to implausibly lose one of the easiest openings that a horse and his connections could possibly imagine. The answer was simple as well. Despite being keen in front (but out of harm's way), he was no more able to lose this than the US special forces are able to carry out a mission with no helicopters crashing. Had it not been for a dismal display of jumping, Sponge might just have been able to put some pressure on the favourite, although it is possible that in one of his early errors he knocked/tweaked/pulled something, leading to the later agility problems. Well back in third was Love Love Me Do, seen off readily in four bumpers, and just as vulnerable on her hurdles debut. Last seen in January 2009, Jasper Cliff completed his first hurdle at his own convenience, landing the princely fourth prize of £171.72.

Race 5: Royal Bath & West Show Novice Handicap Chase [2m]

1: Ballabrook     2: Zhukov     3: Oscar Charlie

Winner owned: Ray Pattison, trained: Donald McCain, ridden: Jason Maguire

Ballabrook recently won his first chase, at the thirteenth try, enjoying a far tougher two miles than this and pitiful opposition that was unable to exploit his left handed jumping. Zhukov looked OK over hurdles, but has not taken to fences and his recent third of four at Plumpton was a rare occurrence of him finishing ahead of another horse. Oscar Charlie had shown signs of ability in Irish points, but flopped in a bumper and three hurdles. His recent chase debut, a three runner race of outstandingly poor quality was spoiled when he unseated and bolted before the start. What to choose? What to choose? Ballabrook, we know now. He led from the off, jumped left as expected, did it much more drastically over the last three fences, and still won easily. Zhukov gained second two from home, and with the winner home and hosed, charged dramatically down the run-in to narrow the gap and finish just as second as he was always going to. Having been popular in the betting, Oscar Charlie showed that the brainstorm at Plumpton had not alone ruined his chances that day.

Race 6: Frys Electrical Handicap Hurdle [2m]

1: Aine's Delight     2: Raise Again     3: Citrus Mark

Winner owned & trained: Andy Turnell, ridden: Nick Scholfied

Two of the quintet had reasonable credentials for this. The other three had awful credentials for claiming to be race horses (DNA tests may be needed on horse, but racing was off their radar), although inexperience in a couple of cases meant that they still had time to redeem themselves. If that was to happen, it had to start here and now. In the end Aine's Delight, who was favourite but not as short priced as might have been expected, doubled up her course and distance win tally with ease, but turning into the home straight, things seemed more interesting. She had been asked to improve her position on the inner, but the response was not instantaneous, and Citrus Mark, second in the betting, had begun to pick up after a similarly sluggish initial reaction, and went to the front. He could not stay there, and just when it seemed long time leader Raise Again was going to fight back, Aine's Delight got going, to a rapturous reception from the crowd. Bear in mind that Raise Again has an agenda that does not allow for extra effort and has reservations about even minimum effort. Returning from a year on the sidelines, Ten Pole Tudor ran respectably in fourth, and the field was completed by Art Value, who became the only horse all evening to complete the course and not pick up any prize money.

Plus points  

Always Cruising (race 1): Connections reported a breathing operation has been performed, but the ground made the difference on this specific day, and on good to firm or quicker he might just be able to repeat this show.

Escudero (race 2): Got his win, but would seem to prefer better ground, where the ordinary bare result could be consigned to the dustbin.

Andrew Nick (race 3): Was pretty pathetic here, yet history tells us that this bears no relation to how he may choose to run next time, and if a long price, he is worth the risk - his previous twelve runs went 2PP221PFP1P5.

Zhukov (race 5): For the second chase in a row he managed to finish ahead of another horse. This modest progress could continue, but he would be interesting if allowed to switch back to hurdling - he knew what he was doing in that sphere.

Citrus Mark (race 6): In winning at Warwick and being second at Plumpton, he had raced as if stamina was an important weapon, and this ultra-easy two miles on very fast ground was never likely to suit. The loss can be forgiven, the effort by the horse to prevent it was encouraging.

Ten Pole Tudor (race 6): The course needed thunder in the air and the sky turned grey, but he could not deliver. This was a good comeback from a horse whose stamina at even two miles is borderline, and he might get that elusive hurdles win on quick ground, on a minimum trip, unhilly finish. Or even a place at a decent each-way price. Assuming that he is not lured off to meet the enemy a mile away.

Down arrows

Ostaadi (race 1): Travelled best for most of the race but when asked to go on and challenge at the second last, he found nothing. There have been hints of this in the past, and he looks a very dodgy customer.

Crackerjac Boy (race 1): Jumped off in front, but was immediately being niggled and looked extremely disinterested. A more charitable site might choose to question the ground on his behalf, others would wonder if the improved show not long ago was a one-off effect of the first time headgear.

Polmar (race 2): The ground was a legitimate pre-race concern, but he ran like a horse becalmed in an ocean of unenthusiasm.

Cashel Blue (race 3): For a horse who has needed cut to excel, and had form on good ground of pulled up, beaten 23 lengths, beaten 22 lengths, brought down, he did really well for much of the race. That only served to emphasise the tame finish even more.

Ballabrook (race 5): Has not suddenly got to grips with chasing, just washed up in a pair of bad races, and is really seriously opposable in any future right-handed chases.

Oscar Charlie (race 5): Much better behaved, just as disappointing outcome

Raise Again (race 6): Was weighted to lose by two lengths to Aine's Delight, but lost by more, and a history of one win from fifty-two runs - flat and jumps - tells us that this second is not likely the stepping stone to ultimate glory.