Plumpton 20/09/09

Plumpton opens for the autumn with an eight race cavalcade of action! But was it fun? Erm, not exactly. Being Ladies Day there was again a crowd that Plumpton does not have the capacity to cater for. Buying a round was difficult as not only were there excessive queues, but each bar ran out of something early, and thus it was pot luck as to what could be bought in any one location. People having a picnic on the stand terraces is just a bit brainless, but various things stuck in the middle of the course meant that anyone interested in race-related events on the far side of the track were at the whim of the televised coverage. As far as the fashion review goes, it can be reported that the most popular style was lapdancer trapped in an exploding paint factory. More worrying about the state of the human race was the number of hats that were miniaturised versions of conventional hats. This, of course, is a style typically associated with performing chimps...

Going: Good to Firm (Firm in places) if you go with the course announcements, Good (Good to Firm in places) if you rely on At The Races and the betting shop pictures provider

Race 1: Albert Markham Memorial Juvenile Novice Hurdle [2m]

1: Evening Sunset     2: True Britannia     3: Key Regard

Winner owned: Liam Mulryan, trained: Mick Quinlan, ridden: Dave Crosse

The experienced runners had amassed a nice array of wins and places, but sadly at the expense of some untalented rivals, so the gut feeling was that four minutes of inspiration from a newcomer could produce an upset. In the end, the race unfolded a bit oddly as the first two crossed the last hurdle with a nice advantage over the rest, but the plodding on pack made a dent in the margin on the run-in. Evening Sunset most recent flat run was encouraging for her hurdling prospects, but going back any further than that gave a somewhat bleaker view in regards to her staying power. But she got home, seeing out the last few yards much better than True Britannia (who has won over further at Market Rasen). The winner had exactly the same flat rating as Strong Storm, who did manage a couple of flat wins, but was a one-paced fourth today, headed for fifth until Tarawa Atoll fell two out. All in all, True Britannia ran a solid race lugging a double penalty, increasing her edge on Highland River compared to their earlier meeting.

True Britannia sticks her neck out a lap and a few yards too early, chased by Highland River (3), who looks more composed but still took off a bit keenly early on. The camera often lies. Evening Sunset (green cap) and Key Regard (red cap) are also more aware of what is going on

Race 2: Revelstoke Wine Company Novice Handicap Chase [2m 4f]

1: Morestead     2: Milesian King     3: High Gliding

Winner owned: L Gilbert & R Gunn, trained: Brendan Powell, ridden: Philip Hide

After his initial chase experience, Morestead took a nice step forward this time, turning the tables on Milesian King with something to spare. Compared to Fontwell, he appreciated the shorter trip, given his freewheeling front-running way of working, and when tired limited himself to only minor errors. The other part of the equation was that things all happened too fast for Milesian King, who was niggled and scrubbed for most of the race and was eroding the gap far too gradually. In a way, the riding effort was rewarded, as although Morestead never looked catchable, other rivals were dispatched well before the end and it was a bit surprising that the distance between second and third ended up only five lengths.

Race 3: Carol Wille Memorial Novice Hurdle, Div I [2m]

1: Agente Romano     2: Capall Eile     3: Rampant Ronnie

Winner owned: Mrs Janet Davies, trained: Evan Williams, ridden: Paul Moloney

This was another funny race, as Capall Eile set off as if he had to be back home in Ireland for Sunday tea, leaving the field hugely scattered by the first. It did not seem a sustainable tactic, but in the end only Agente Romano caught him, and that was by no means an easy job. In the recent past, Agente Romano has appeared a little gutless, or for jumps horse, over nadgered, but his effort today was not lacking. For a long way, Sagarich was the main visible threat, but she weakened badly from the railway turn, and has regressed since her winning debut over hurdles. Unfair as it would be name names, a good comparison might be someone whose career goes from Red Dwarf to Robot Wars to Coronation Street. There was an enquiry after this race, and connections of Leptis Magna were done for not being entirely off. On the one hand, it was his crucial third run over hurdles and debut for a new stable, but on the other hand his pathetic earlier runs do not suggest that he was capable of much better than his eventual sixth anyway - and may have progressed to have done it!

Capall Eile (right) is carefree at the last, whilst Agente Romano suddenly has an injection of raw determination

Race 4: Create Food And Party Design Handicap Hurdle [2m]

1: Tiger O'Toole     2: Sweet World     3: Pepporoni Pete

Winner owned: Miss S Howell, trained: Evan Williams, ridden: Paul Moloney

Another odd event, although with several of the field pursuing a manic love affair with Newton Abbot, the race depended on who adapted best to the hill here. Sweet World and Maria Antonia had clashed three times recently and although the latter had "won" the series 2-1, all three form lines pointed to Sweet World levelling up the score this time - although her career record at Newton Abbot of 22212 compared to U805036544 elsewhere even raised a doubt on that. Stats fans who noted that the pair had always been first and second when they met were confounded by Tiger O'Toole, who had been becoming a bit of a disappointment, and only decided to end that streak in the last half mile. This was no shock based on some of his efforts, but will it be replicated? Comets seem to keep whacking into Jupiter lately, and more Tiger from O'Toole is probably a stronger statistical chance. In fact, leaving the back straight Kashmina was the most likely concern to Sweet World, but she tied up quite dramatically in the straight and was only fifth. 

Race 5: Thorns Furniture & Catering Selling Handicap Hurdle [2m]

1: Jafaru     2: Little Firecracker     3: Gan Eagla

Winner owned: Miss S Bowles, trained: Gary Moore, ridden: Philip Hide

The denouement of this race was a direct contrast to race one - Jafaru and Little Firecracker were only a little ahead of the pack, but on a shortish run-in they managed to put plenty of daylight between themselves and the also-rans. Jafaru had made a promising hurdles debut, then forgotten how to do it. The return to two miles on fastish ground, and initial drop into selling company, was enough to work the oracle, although with the Little Firecracker being such a diminutive mare, he did come across as a bit of a bully. Gan Eagla took his turn in setting a frantic pace, and the fact that a tame heart such as his was enough to cling onto a place, speaks volumes for the collective lack of will and/or skill of those behind him.

Race 6: Jimmy Parsons Memorial Handicap Chase [3m 2f]

1: Shammy Buskins     2: Particle     3: Changing Lanes

Winner owned: PJ Morgan, trained: Lawney Hill, ridden: Christian Williams

The most in-form yard at the meeting had suffered a reversal with Milesian King, but Shammy Buskins restored some of the strike rate. He led a mile out and for a moment it seemed that the others had let him have first run, but a glance behind showed that the others were not complacent, but trying to close and just could not. Particle kept niggling away, and when Shammy Buskins veered right two from home, a small window of opportunity arose for both Particle and Changing Lanes, which was firmly shut by the winner, who was perhaps a touch embarrassed by the problem he had made for himself. Particle's last three chases saw him unseat, get beaten 152 lengths and then pull up. This was much better, although he usually wears headgear, despite the fact that his only jumps win came when it was suddenly left off - something to watch for?

Race 7: Create Your Wedding In Plumpton Pavilion Handicap Hurdle [2m 5f]

1: Tayman     2: Kilrogan     3: Treasury Counsel

Winner owned: John Goodman, trained: Nigel Twiston-Davies, ridden: Paddy Brennan

Yet another horse set out to make all at a brisk pace, and this time it paid off, with Tayman having a relatively easy time out in front. His only previous race in the last twelve months had ended in a huge defeat, but his style of racing can see things implode quickly if the horse is not spot on, and Tayman had clearly progressed for the pipe opener. The trio chasing him home had a bit of a ding (not quite a ding-dong, but enough competition to be of note) and Kilrogan got the best of it. Treasury Counsel was travelling like a winner on the far side, but when effort was asked, nothing happened until they neared the last hurdle. Initially the Pen Of Derision (a vomit green Tote one) wrote "found zero," but hindsight said a response did come, justs far too slowly.

Race 8: Carol Wille Memorial Novice Hurdle, Div II [2m]

1: Rockys Choice     2: Tayarat     3: Mid Valley

Winner owned: J Bowe, trained: Tim Vaughan, ridden: Richard Johnson

All the controversy was saved until the very end. Tayarat had quickly gone twenty lengths clear, and like the previous race, found it easier to sustain than the front runners had early in the day. Rockys Choice was reeling him in, but still a length or so down at the final flight. Tayarat went left at it, blundered badly and staggered further left. This forced Rockys Choice out onto the chase course, and almost penned in by the wings of the final fence. He got out of his pickle, rallied and narrowly failed to win. An enquiry was called, but few people expected the outcome to bea changed result. Mostly because all that happened was that a tired horse made a bad mistake and hampered a less tired challenger, who happens to be proven over further so was the likelier winner. Which is just one of those accidents that happens - thus the reversal is hardly in the spirit of the trend to sympathise with the first past the post and not the same as veering from a true line on the run-in. And whilst Rockys Choice did nearly get up, part of that was due to Tayarat's blunder doing himself no good either. To summarise: Always harsh to be disqualified for a jumping error, because they ain't 'gainst the rules.

Plus Points

Morestead (race 2): Does not keep much in reserve, so needs about 2m 4f and decent to fast ground to minimise the problem, but is looking like he has found his niche in low grade chases.

Rampant Ronnie (race 3): Lost his way after a course and distance win, but this was a small step back in the right direction.

Shammy Buskins (race 4): Took a big step forwards in recording his first win, and proved it was no fluke today.

Changing Lanes (race 4): Has been pretty consistent in chases, but the downhill fences on the back straight had him a little flumoxed, and might be better suited back on a level track.

Local Present (race 7): Had shown a smidgen of ability in Irish points, and more in bumpers, before it went awry when he started over hurdles. The last two runs have been much better and a hurdle win is starting to look a realistic ambition. 

Down Arrows

Key Regard (race 1): Travelled convincingly well during the first 1m 6f, and really found nothing for pressure when it mattered most. He looks like the trip should not be problem, so is it in his head?

Milesian King (race 2): Has been in good form, but showed that an aggressive ride can get him worried, outpaced and not jumping fluently, in a manner that only a stressed grasshopper normally has to suffer.

High Gliding (race 2): Ran on late for third, but his head carriage did not impress, and he seemed to begrudge the effort. The possible upside is that he is very inexperienced, and might have learnt from it.

Pepperoni Pete (race 4): Did OK, having recently perked up for the use of cheekpieces, but this was his 23rd run in eighteen months, and any sense of jadedness (new word, made up, and it works) might be eased for a rest.

Gan Eagla (race 5): Was ridden as if trying to convince him that there were no other runners, and it was a long, manically fast piece of exercise. He last won over two miles in 2004, had a spell after where he tried a bit on right handed, easy level courses, especially if they were not too far from South Wales, and now seems to have written off success as an experience that does not inspire him.

Openide (race 6): Was a frequent winner early in his career, but in his last 33 races has only managed 1 success, and this staying on fourth is nothing to get too carried away with.

Hard And Fast (race 7): Made hard work of winning a non-handicap seller last time -such a good run that he was dropped three pounds for winning! - and it was a surprise that he was so prominent in the betting. It shocked him into a fairly weak performance. 

UK-Jumping Selections

Drombeg Pride (race 2): Fell at the second, which is worrying, as he had been using his jumping to stay competitive with more naturally speedy horses.

Kilrogan (race 7): Goes very well after a long break, but has won after a month off (as was the case today) and did well enough, simply finding Tayman too good on the day.

Mid Valley (race 8): Four from home he seemed to have been ridden as if imbued with a champion's finish, but good progress before the next got him into the 'close enough if good enough' zone. He was not up to the job, being one-paced over the last couple of furlongs, and the fact that he has not tried handicaps suggests that connections frown upon his rating of 104.