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Folkestone 13/05/10 |
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Having missed this hunter chase night for the last couple of years, it seemed to have a smaller crowd than used to be the case and less competitive racing. Admittedly the reduced crowd was still ginormous for Folkestone and a better fit for the track's practical capacity, and three of the races produced thrilling finishes. Still, it was not the same as remembered. Welcome to UK-Jumping, the first home on the web for 2007 nostalgia. This being jump racing, we also managed to make it through the meeting without any brawls erupting between the lady jockeys - well done to the girls on that one.
Any race meeting featuring owls is a certain winner - see more on http://www.manyhoots.org Going: Good (Good to Firm places), but the rash of non-runners and lightning quick race times suggested that the trainers considered it faster than that. Race
1: Nigel Collison Fuels Ltd Novice Hunter Chase [3m 2f] 1: Delightful Cliche 2: He's On His Way 3: Ambrosinni Winner owned: Mrs P Rogers, trained: Simon Andrews, ridden: Gina Andrews With the first three in the betting in the frame, and each horse performing in exactly the manner that their form suggested they would, the result still managed to not quite fit that expectation. Delightful Cliché had a four length lead at the final fence, but he hung off to his left on the run-in and did not exactly stride out with enthusiasm - just like a horse that peppers the frame with shot but only wins every now and then. This time he just held on by a neck from the favourite, He's On His Way, who has a hat trick in points, but had been less illustrious over regulation fences. The ground may not have helped either as he was on and off the bridle from an early point, but had Delightful Cliché not had such a talented rider on board, He's On His Way might well have got away with a win. Ambrosinni was close enough two out, but his suspect stamina did not quite last. Race
2: Grant's Cherry Brandy South East Novice Hunter Chase [2m 5f] 1: Fort View 2: Behind The Scenes 3: Divine Intavention Winner owned: Guy & Sophie Henderon, trained: Polly Gundry, ridden: Robbie Henderson The favourite for this was Native Bob, based on having been well clear in a hunter chase when he fell on his last run. His bad luck continued as he pulled up at halfway this time around. That left three runners battling out for the honours, and Behind The Scenes proved very resilient in front until Fort View really stuck his neck out on the run-in and got home by a small margin. Switching onto the rails approaching the last, when the runner-up wandered slightly, possibly made a crucial difference in Fort View's favour. Divine Intavention battled on, but in a distinctly one paced style.
Wiping the hand on the sweaty parts of Fort View can pick up success by a kind of osmosis Race
3 1: More Trouble 2: Captain's Legacy 3: Saddlers Blaze Winner owned: IR Mann, trained: Alan Hill, ridden: James Tudor More Trouble had won six points in a row over two seasons, but when Chilling Place ended that run (nothing to be ashamed of), he showed his disgust by running out in the next appearance. Although he travelled well, jumping out to the left caused a few problems, but by the time they turned for home, the oppo had rather melted away. Captain's Legacy has been doing poorly in points due to stamina shortcomings, but this trip brought out the best in him. High Toby started the season well but has been a bit off the boil of late and continued in that vein, whilst the rarely sighted Lord Snow (unbeaten for 3 years, but that is only actually two runs) did not jump efficiently enough to put in a challenge. The Tailor Carey looked set for the minor placing until Saddlers Blaze cut that particular cloth in the last few yards. Apart from one narrow defeat in an open maiden, it is impossible to explain how Saddlers Blaze was able to do this. Race
4 1: Teeton Bollinger 2: The Camerengo 3: Wee Fly Winner owned & trained: Joan Tice, ridden: Nick Pearce This was a two horse race from the third last, and the finish was quite a dour slog between the first two. They had taken each other on in a four miler at Dingley, where The Camerengo was carried out and Teeton Bollinger won, only to be disqualified, so the fact that they both drifted left on the run-in was the least we expected. Teeton Bollinger had not travelled especially well during the race, and when asked to attack on the rails before the last fence, he did not look overly keen on overtaking, but something clicked with him on landing and he just worried The Camerengo out of it. The Camerengo, with an SP of 7/1 and a steady history of good results, somehow paid £4.60 for a place on the tote. Wee Fly was bang in contention three out, but did not produce much when asked for effort. Flowersoftherarest was part of a stable treble on Bank Holiday Monday, and looked good in front despite one or two errors, until slowing sharply approaching the third last, walloping it and getting rid of his rider. Stamina? Physical problem? One off mental wobble? The answer is unknown, but this was a much tougher ask than the restricted he won. Race
5: Guillaine Ovenden 95th Birthday Open Hunter Chase [3m 1f] 1: Kadount 2: Blaze Ahead 3: Badger Winner owned & trained: JM Turner, ridden: James Owen Omitting six of the sixteen fences made this a bit of a farcical event, especially given that by the time the fences had been dolled off, the sun was hidden, for good, behind a bank of cloud. This is not unique, but not entirely fair on punters who put bets on early in the day, or those off course who only become aware of a potential problem when it is too late. Kadount was a warm favourite, and obliged without any stress. His sudden return to his best last time had been in a feeble race, but this was his fourth hunter chase win - all coming in May. Blaze Ahead pulled up at Aintree last time, after two better efforts before that. Returning to a right handed course was a big plus for him, even though a sharp track like this may not be so ideal. Race
6: Edenbridge@nfumutual.co.uk
Centenary Open Hunter Chase [2m 5f] 1: Oscatello 2: Master T 3: Portland Bill Winner owned & trained: Ross Oliver, ridden: Polly Gundry It is a long old drive up from Cornwall for Oscatello, especially to be in the last race, even though historical handicap ratings made him the best horse in the race. Confidence may have wavered when the fast ground was discovered and then the horse he beat a head in a hunt race, Wee Fly, was eclipsed an hour earlier. The betting SP was 2/1 for this, and despite all the doubts, backers saw him deliver very easily. The trip may have been just about perfect, although the oppo were so readily beaten, it was a minor factor in the outcome - the fact that Master T somehow proved best of the rest is not a plus. Predateur was clear second between the last two fences, but wavered, hit the final obstacle and lost two places on the run-in. The favourite was Gold Heart, boasting four wins and a second from his last five. He failed to jump with any conviction and never got in the race competitively. Mr Tee Pee's recent revival hit the buffers on his return to regulation fences, as he showed all the signs of hating it. Plus
Points Ambrosinni (race 1): A sub three mile hunter chase could be within his ability. Fort View (race 2): Took a few tries to open his account in points, and then immediately followed up in a fair quality restricted. This win confirms he is a much improved horse, and still only six. The trip probably suited him best. Behind The Scenes (race 2): Showed very little under Rules, and then won on his pointing debut at Godstone (where he could probably see his stable from the winning line). This excellent effort suggests that the win was not a complete fluke/home track advantage. More Trouble (race 3): Won quite readily, but looks as if he would be even better on a left handed track, especially where the chase track is on the inner, giving him a convenient guiding rail. Teeton Bollinger (race 4): Has come into a good run of form in extreme distance races in 2010, and with a disqualification and a dead heat, his races are certainly eventful. His aptitude for marathons should continue, although he does not seem the sort to adapt if dropped back to three miles. Down
Arrows Achieved (race 1): Bowled along a bit too freely in front and took a few chances with the fences. He eventually took a liberty too many and fell, taking his latest form to 1UUF. Delightful Cliche (race 1): Appreciates a test of stamina, but is not entirely straight forward, and can get turned over in a point, especially on an easy track. Spartan Place (race 2): Has hit a hat trick in points, having got horribly sweaty each time before the race. Today he was not a bit like at all and ran badly. This could be a useful clue for the future, although bear in mind that he did not really take to regulation fences in the days before he became a pointer. Good Return (race 2): Won a 2m 4f maiden impressively at Hackwood Park, and was then close up in a Kingston Blount restricted. That form obviously had some fans, as he was the subject of steady market support. It came to nought, and that goose was cooked by halfway. Captain's Legacy (race 3): Did well on the day, but will find lack of staying power an issue back in points and limited ability holding him back in shorter hunter chases. Wee Fly (race 4): Wins, and at open level, but not overly frequently and for a horse that has won a four miler, his finish was noticeably tame. The Camerengo (race 4): Just does not stick his nose in front often enough for comfort. Honourable Spider (race 5): Has been winning this season, in a style less impressive than his older form, and today's effort confirmed that. Master T, Predateur & Mr Tee Pee (race 6): A known bunch of nutters, although Mr Tee Pee does seem to be invigorated when in points, they all showed their worst side at some stage. |
