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Plumpton 31/10/11 |
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The now annual insane clash with Kempton does make a small dent in the crowd at Plumpton, but things such as a civilised press at the bar does make things very tolerable. There was a bit of a shortage of runners on ground that did not seem that bad, but may have taken a bit of a knock for the overnight drizzle. ATR were backing the whole card as sponsors, but seem to have a misconception that the entire attendance at Plumpton were solely interested in the Breeders' Cup. As this largely holds the fascination of watching paint dry (and it does not even have to be good paint), the race names have been adapted accordingly, to prevent the impressionable from being badly misled. Going: Good (Good to Firm places) Race 1: On ATR Maiden Hurdle [2m] 1: Judiciary 2: Jodawes 3: Hudibras Winner owned: Diamond Racing Ltd, trained: Tim Vaughan, ridden: Richie Killoran When a horse wanders in here from
finishing second at Cheltenham, it is an exceptional Plumpton race where
it does not go off favourite, even when the second was at Race 2: Only On ATR mares' Novice Hurdle [2m 5f] 1: Tara Rose 2: Sapphire Rouge 3: Silver Wren Winner owned: BJ Mould, trained: Nigel Twiston-Davies, ridden: Sam Twiston-Davies This was quite a lively event, and the runners mostly were of the type that can go on and be successful, as long as their sights are kept realistic - i.e. Plumpton or similar. Tara Rose, debuting for a new yard, bounced back from a sluggish hurdle debut to show the sort of limited spark that worked for her in bumpers. We shall see if this preludes a new era of consistency or a reaction to a change of scenery that she cannot sustain. For a long while, Silver Wren was a massive threat, but lack of a run caught her out, and Sapphire Rouge's three mile stamina was put to good use in gaining a "best of the rest" second place. Flite did nothing obvious wrong and looked fit enough, so her detached fourth was disappointing, even allowing for her two seconds not being in very strong company. Race 3: attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle [2m] 1: Mavalenta 2: Lombok 3: Before Bruce Winner owned: The Yes No Wait Sorries, trained: Nigel Twiston-Davies, ridden: Sam Twiston-Davies The question to be answered here was
whether the masterful ride that conned
Tom Cannon is flung clear of Osmosia's last flight tumble, leaving Lombok with a slight lead that he instantly surrendered to Mavaleneta (1). Before Bruce inherited third. Race 4: Sky 415 Novices' Handicap Chase [3m 2f] 1: Run To Fly 2: Kaycee 3: Sailor's Sovereign Winner owned: David A Smith, trained: Peter Bowen, ridden: Tom O'Brien Run To Fly is the sort of whopping great
chasing built horse that has to succeed over fences, because that has been
the only plan ever. Alas, after a fair second in March from a mark eight
higher than today, he had dived into a spell featuring an unseated and two
pulled ups. Just over a week before this, the slide was arrested with a
fourth at Chepstow – virtually tailed off, but in a race this low down
the scale, any finish was significant. It all came right here, as he
jumped soundly and only nearly threw it away by being hesitant in
approaching the last fence. Although outjumped by Kaycee, the win was
recovered by Run To Fly as his challenge came from a horse that has no
turn of foot whatsoever. The betting market had been tempted by the
possibility that this was the day it all fell right for Sailor’s
Sovereign, and those glorious optimists were teased with the chance of
collecting, right up until the second last. Then it was the usual story
being applied.
Run To Fly (far side) just hangs on from a spring-heeled Kaycee at the last Race 5: Virgin 534 Juvenile Claiming Hurdle [2m] 1: A Little Bit Dusty 2: Bathwick Scanno 3: Freedom Flyer Winner owned: TOCS Ltd, trained: Bill Turner, ridden: Tom O'Connor A surprisingly low turn out of five at a
time when a claiming hurdle was the last resort some of the juvenile
hurdlers have been crying out for. A Little Bit Dusty had earlier won
three all-weather sellers this year, plus two hurdle races (one also a
seller). This proved to be his sixth success in 2011, and he was an
appealing betting option because he does seem to try, which counts for a
lot at this level. Bathwick Scanno had become quite regressive since doing
well in his first two hurdle races. This looked a more suitable standard,
but the winner had his measure a long way out. Having been a beaten
favourite in three of his four hurdle runs so far, the punting public went
in support of Freedom Flyer again, and although he ended up merely joint
favourite, the outcome was defeat. Again. Jumps debutant Reggie Perrin was
faring well when he fell at the sixth (fortunately he did fall and rise,
as he ought to), but you had to feel sorry for him, as his mum won the
seventh race, and he was no doubt in for a torrid time from the other
horses in the yard when they found out later that evening. Race 6: Nov 4th & 5th Handicap Chase [2m 4f] 1: Wood Yer 2: The Darling Boy 3: The Hardy Boy Winner owned: Miss Katharine J Holland, trained: Nigel Twiston-Davies, ridden: Sam Twiston-Davies The Placepot section of the card closed
with about as confusing four runner race as could be imagined. Topweight
Forest Rhythm had refused in his only chase. Next on the card was Wood Yer,
debuting in a chase after being consistently placed over hurdles, but
usually by quite wide margins of defeat. Then came a couple of less than
likely lads. The Darling Boy who is a safe conveyance but a bit tame in a
finish, and The Hardy Boy, who has still not convinced that he is back in
his normal groove after a protracted slump. The Hardy Boy made the
running, was swept aside before the fourth last, and a couple of fences
later The Darling Boy decided Wood Yer really cared about this, so the
polite approach was to let him have the race. This was probably how chases
worked in the late Victorian age, but twenty-first century racegoers
expect a bit more commitment from their horses.
Wood Yer is clear and comfortable at the final fence Race 7: ATR conditional jockeys' Handicap Hurdle [2m 5f] 1: Tecktal 2: Twin Bud 3: Hawk Gold Winner owned: Celtic Construction Ltd, trained: Pat Phelan, ridden: Richie Killoran An eventful end to the entertainment. The
unreliable Tigger unseated at the fifth, and Homer Run’s saddle slipped,
allowing him to pull himself to the front. Steering was clearly far from
ideal, but for a while he made his rider’s life easier by following the
loose Tigger and allowing Darren O’Keeffe to put all his efforts into
staying on board. That ended when a mistake at the ninth dashed his rider
to the ground, and the loose horses still had a part to play, as one of
them hampered favourite Citrus Mark at the third last, ending his chance
to compete. With Twin Bud having already started to lose touch, the race
looked to be a duel between Tecktal and Hawk Gold, the latter being
inspired by Sailor’s Sovereign’s body of work. Or is it vice versa?
Neither produced a power packed finish, and Twin Bud rallied to nick
second, only briefly threatening to catch the winner. Tecktal had run some
promising races with a seven pound claimer on board, and the switch to a
more experienced rider in this race was likely the key to her producing
that small degree of improvement to turn places into a win. At present
Reggie Perrin and Tecktal are the Grendel and Grendel’s Mother of
Plumpton. Tigger and Hawk Gold indulge in antics out of spite and jealousy
of better creatures, so we have nicknamed them “President Assad” and
“Gordon Ramsey” respectively.
The last race on the first day of winter timetables disappears into the sunset Plus Points Jodawes (race 1):
Hardly obvious hurdling material, he showed here that winning a race is
within his talents. Questionable stamina means it is not likely to happen
in testing conditions. King’s Colour (race
1): Ran a similar race to his debut here, and whilst the fear of not
staying remains, he will at least have a better chance on a less stiff two
miles than this. Silver Wren (race 2): Made a big leap forward between her bumper runs, and with this run looking to be needed, a similar improvement between hurdle runs is well within her talents. Bach To Front (race 2): Erratic in four bumpers, she looked ready for this after seven months off, but went out like a light at the top of the hill, once her attempt to make all had been foiled. Jumping could have been better, but give her another chance. Malaventa (race 3):
Back on his last winning mark, it was surprising that Malaventa was sent
off at 4/1, and a follow-up should be feasible unless the handicapper does
something inexplicable in the aftermath of a battling win in an average
race. Osmosia (race 3): Has
already won a chase, a hurdle and a bumper, and if this incident has not
got to him mentally, another success could be imminent. Run To Fly (race 4):
Even allowing for the very bottom tier standard of the race, he showed
some spark and Peter Bowen ought to be able to place this vast beast to be
competitive in this grade again. Kaycee (race 4): Jumped
well in his first chase (one stumble on landing the only problem) and he
could win a small handicap away from a sharp course, where his very slow
wind up to full speed is less of a problem. The Hardy Boy (race 6):
Usually needs his first run back, and was on ground quicker than he
prefers. A poor third, but not necessarily a sign that he cannot exploit a
very favourable handicap rating at some time during this winter. His
record in this particular race is now 1423, and the win, significantly,
was the first time he had the benefit of a prep run. Citrus Mark (race 7):
Got a break from the handicapper by only suffering a small rise after his
last race, narrowly beaten and miles clear of the rest. He looked a
serious contender in this, and only called it quits when roughed up and
losing position at the hands of a loose horse. The speed of capitulation
was disappointing (news of an injury incurred would allow quick
forgiveness), but he still seems to be on a workable mark when avoiding
incidents like this. Tecktal (race 7):
Another win is certainly possible now that she has shown what she is
capable of doing. Twin Bud (race 7):
Progressed a bundle for her first run of the autumn (something to watch
for in her stablemates), and she is capable of winning at some point this
season – most likely in a longer race – and her handicap mark of 93 is
not too frightening at the moment. Seamus Mullins: Has had
what must be an unprecedented series of misfortunes in Plumpton’s three
meetings so far this autumn, but the corner must be turned eventually, as
every avenue of ill luck seems to have been explored already. Down Arrows Shinko Moon (race 1): A
bumper winner that had disappointed on his first start for a new yard, he
attracted money before the race, but ruined his hurdling bow with sloppy
jumping that was made all the more conspicuous by him being out in front.
He folded quickly once headed and posted a run where the only positive was
that his rider was very easy on him once beaten. Fly Town (race 2): Was prominent in the betting despite the mediocrity of her small field second on her debut in the UK. It took very little to persuade her to throw in the towel here, and she looks the sort of mare to be opposing for now. Django Reinhardt (race
3): Has run several races of moderate promise – not quite dangerous but
losing by manageable margins – and it had seemed that he was just
waiting to wash up in that less challenging affair to make a more forceful
grab for glory. This race was a good candidate, but he ran exactly the
same as usual. Sailor’s Sovereign
(race 4): Anyone still entertaining ideas that there are races in which he
can be backed should now, finally, be committed to an institution for
their own protection - he will see you in there. Or move to a country
where there is no betting allowed. Oscar The Myth &
Goring Two (race 4): Finished miles behind Sailor’s Sovereign – enough
said. The latter might argue for needing the run and not staying 3m 2f,
but still… Freedom Flyer (race 5):
Not sure whether it is a case of “can’t do” or one of “won’t
do” over hurdles, but he is definitely one to avoid. Forest Rhythm (race 6):
Refused on his chase debut, and was under pressure and last when falling
in this. If he decides to stop before meeting any accidents next time, who
could blame him for sticking with what has worked in the past? The Darling Boy (race
6): Did win a two mile chase at Worcester just over a year ago, but for
the most part he looks as if he keeps enough his sleeve to sabotage his
chance of victory. Tigger (race 7):
Unseating was a new wrinkle in his litany of win avoidance, but the most
wonderful thing about Tiggers is that he is not the only one, and punters
can profit from taking them on. The others have different names, though,
so be wary of that. Hawk Gold (race 7): A
twenty-ninth run in vain, and one of the most winnable races he has failed
in. His Placepot heroics were maintained, but in a race after the Placepot
had finished. |
