Lingfield 05/01/12

Going: Heavy 

Race 1: Haxted conditional jockeys' Handicap Chase [2m 4.5f]

1: Morestead     2: Sawago     3: Brousse En Feux

Winner owned: L Gilbert, trained: Brendan Powell, ridden: Brendan Powell jnr

In the prevailing conditions this race needed a brave horse to win it, and most of the time that would exclude Morestead from consideration. The trouble for punters is that every so often he does get out of bed on the right side, and this was one of those days, resulting in win number five - done gamely from the front. Sawago had beaten him fifteen lengths last time, was only seven pounds worse off today and would have been more suited by the ground, so that explains the long look round, in amazement, that the winning rider took after clearing the last, where Sawago was only a couple of metres behind but not giving any impression that he was about to overtake Morestead. Whitcombe Spirit was available at 8/1 in the morning, but touched as low as 11/4 on the course. His only chase saw him well behind Sawago, and after jumping off in rear and being slow at the first two fences, there was not much threat of better in the course of this. 

Race 2: Tandridge Maiden Hurdle [2m 0.5f]

1: Ashbrittle     2: Charm School     3: Marcus Antonius

Winner owned: PA Deal & JL Rowsell, trained: David Pipe, ridden: Conor O'Farrell

The betting on this had three horses at 4/1 or shorter, and the rest 25/1 or more. The third in the betting was Tindaro, who just did not give the impression that he wanted a grind in the mud like this, despite a soft ground flat win in France. That proved true, and of the ten dismissed by the market, Marcus Antonious emerged to gain a clear and unthreatened third - working a bit harder than on his Plumpton debut. Meanwhile, well ahead of him, Ashbrittle and Charm School were sorting out the prime positions. They had been split by just a couple of lengths when meeting at Ffos Las last month, and ran to the same again, although up until they neared the final hurdle Charm School appeared to have more up his sleeve. Ashbrittle proved thoroughly unbrittle and outfought Charm School like a hardy ash tree, especially one that has been fashioned into a spear, as the Anglo-Saxons were big on doing. Both of these horses were rated in the 90s on the flat and the difference today was that Ashbrittle won at 1m 7f, but Charm School only as far as 1m 2f, so the winner should be capable of a bit more than a a dour slog like this when stepped up in trip.

Race 3: Holtye Handicap Chase [2m]

1: Rosoff     2: Mallusk     3: The Laodicean

Winner owned: Mrs PJ Sheen, trained: Laura Mongan, ridden: Nathan Adams

Let us first clarify that Rosoff likes this course, and won the two mile handicap hurdle on this card last year. But somewhere in his sixteen race losing run over fences (five wins from twenty-nine in hurdles provides a strong hint as to his own thoughts on what matters most) racegoing people had given up on him ever bothering as a chaser, especially as he had lost easier races than this one. Today, he got on the heels of the leaders at the foot of the hill, overcame a minor error two out and led on the run-in. The difference here was that he did not make the mundane seem like as hard work as is usually the case. Mallusk was a bit of a mystery as far as this race was concerned, which had led to Timeform awarding a harsh looking squiggle to his name. He had three good runs to his name, all on i) testing ground, ii) over two miles and iii) at Uttoxeter. The other performances were steadily poor, but which should be blamed from other tracks, better going and longer distances. Today he ran well enough, proving that distance and going were most significant, and simply could not match Rosoff for speed when carrying 23 pounds more. The Laodicean has generally avoided soft ground and sharp courses, so third, still in contention until the last, was a solid effort.

The course thoughtfully provides Rosoff with a last ditch get out route - which he does not take, for a change. Mallusk curses his own luck.

Race 4: Mirror Punters Club Novice Hurdle [2m 3.5f]

1: Ballygarvey     2: Fermoyle Flyer     3: John's Gem

Winner owned: The Dark Horse Syndicate, trained: Henrietta Knight, ridden: Will Kennedy

After finishing second at 125/1 at Newbury last time, Ballygarvey was odds-on for this race, but it was a brave price to take on a horse whose Irish pointing career involved both a win and a ran out. He did prevail this time, but it was very hard work to do so, and it was not until he pinged the last hurdle that the challengers were finally put to bed. Three mile chases in soft could well turn out to be a different kettle of fish, but it is too soon to anoint him a top notch hurdler. Events behind him were a bit of a surprise as the next two in the betting struggled. This allowed Fermoyle Flyer, who had all sorts of problems going up and down the hill, to recover from a position where he seemed too far detached to have an impact, and he finished the race strongly. John's Gem, himself a treble figure price, was on his heels in third, having raced near the front, and kept going all the way too the line.

A poor photo in the weird light (camera does not have a setting for "yellow and purple sky," but this is near the line and at least shows how tight the finish actually was

Race 5: lingfieldpark.co.uk Handicap Chase [3m]

1: Brunette'sonly     2: Stop The Show     3: Septos

Winner owned: Mrs MM Rayner, trained: Seamus Mullins, ridden: Andrew Thornton

Other than it being a chase over an extra mile and with fewer runners, this was quite reminiscent of race two, with a pair of horses having control of events from a way out, and the one that seemed to be travelling the best was unable to summon the extra intangible-whatever-it-is to finish the job on the run-in. Brunettes'only was in only her second chase, and the main thing against her was that in the first, at Plumpton, she had done nothing obviously wrong, and still lost by 44 lengths. At least some visible excuse could have been used to work a case for this turnaround, which was notable for her beating Ballinhassig, who was one place and a few lengths ahead of her before. This race should be remembered for Ballinhassig starting favourite. On the basis that his trainer, Sarah Wall, usually having one horse in training, which has to be an incredibly mud loving but very slow thing built to drag a plough, you can just about see where the concept came from. Others had found their niche and won very so often, but Ballinhassig never has done, being beaten 35 lengths even when finishing third. That did not stop his popularity for this, despite being six pounds out of the handicap. Being market leader is not likely to happen again, at least for a fair while. Septos had cheekpieces replaced with a visor today, and the bare result would suggest that it had some beneficial effect. However, indifferent jumping along the way says that it needs to have some more still to generate a win.

Race 6: Breathe Spa At Marriott Lingfield Handicap Hurdle [2m 0.5f]

1: Grafite     2: Last Shot     3: Hi Note

Winner owned: Dr Jeff Dalton & C Shankland, trained: Brendan Powell, ridden: Brendan Powell jnr

The day closed with the a small field handicap hurdle, quite common for soft ground at Lingfield, but not so prevalent elsewhere. If you have a two mile mudlover who hates crowds (of horses, and sometimes of people), this is the place to look for races. It ended up with a sudden return to form for Grafite, who seemed to be running over an inadequate trip (won over an extra three furlongs at Towcester), only to find that additional stamina most useful as the quintet paddled up the straight. Last Shot won a flat maiden in France before not winning in a couple of hurdles and had two quiet runs in Britain before this. He did not attract vast market support, quelling the thoughts of a plot, but played his hand here, and was not quite good enough, although performing well enough. Grafite definitely outstayed him, so the guess is that he wants to stick with two miles, and hope for less testing conditions, as he was able to get the better of Hi Note, who has been steadily placed over hurdles so far, and even won one back in September. Gary Moore fielded two, Petit Ecuyer and Beau Fighter. Course and distance suited both, heavy ground was not proven for either, but seemed likely to be workable. They both disappointed, beaten at two out and finishing fourth and fifth, with Petit Ecuyer as good as pulling up on the run-in.

Plus Points

Sawago (race 1): Won over 2m 2f at Fontwell and in heavy ground he did not cope with the extra quarter of a mile. Worth another chance over shorter, or on better ground if sticking to this distance.

Brimham Boy (race 1): Was only a probably to act on the ground, and was not certain to handle the course either, but his effort was too laboured to have those things excuse it entirely. Do be fair to him and bear in mind that both wins came on right-handed, easy, level courses on good to soft if he runs soon on something similar. And the usual tongue tie was not used this time.

Marcus Antonius (race 2): A class or two below the first pair on the flat, he can make his way as a hurdler if this has not ruined the handicap mark to be.

Tindaro (race 2): Failed to cope with extreme conditions, forgive him this flop when reverting to more average going.

Morar (race 2): Debuting over jumps, he was rated 78 on the flat winning at 1m 7f and 2m on soft. He did not see out the race as well as that record suggested he ought to, but this going was a culture shock compared to what he had seen in the past, and he still managed fourth. 

Champion Versions (race 2): Came into this with no racing experience whatsoever, but ran a nice enough race to the second last, and was not given a hard time once beaten. No real clues as to how good he is, but he showed enough to suggest we should monitor his progress. 

Mallusk (race 3): Added a new filter to his developing pattern from a brief career, which says he is best taken seriously in two mile races on soft and heavy. Anything else - give him the elbow. 

Fermoyle Flyer (race 4): Debuted in a three mile hurdle last year, showing little of interest. He then dropped to this distance and ran much better, but still lost comfortable. This was more progress, but the way he ran here suggests that he should avoid hilly courses if the win is to come. It freaked him out totally here, man.

John's Gem (race 4): A leviathan of a horse, this improved effort on his fourth run (second over hurdles) could be attributed to it being the first time he has been mentally and physically ready to show what he is made of - which would be some sort of whale genes. They were handy in this wet ground.

Brunette'sonly (race 5): Battled on with much more spirit than the second, and could be primed to pick up another chase or two before the handicapper or races in tough conditions catch up with her.

Grafite (race 6): Had Hi Note pestering him for the lead, but got the better of that and won the race. He is not a two miler however, and a step back up in trip ought to be a benefit, not a cause for concern. These were not normal circumstances to be racing in.

Down Arrows

Morestead (race 1): The fact that he won today is, due to inconsistency, the biggest bar to him repeating next time, but with nine seconds to his name, he has to be considered for forecasts and placepots.

Brousse En Feux (race 1): It can be observed that he had gained all of his six triumphs on easy courses and better ground, with five right handed for good measure. More importantly, he seems to be a moody and complex character who has not taken to chasing with any conviction.

Sharakti (race 2): Not totally without promise for the second time, but her jumping was shoddy, especially early on, and going into handicaps will not work if she continues to be so careless. 

Rosoff (race 3): A triumph for bloody minded persistence over fences, but he would be won to be taking on in future chases.

Titeuf De Tierce (race 3): Won a four year olds chase at Pau on his first run, and then lost a Bangor handicap chase by less than ten lengths after that. He performed less encouragingly in this, even allowing for having top weight. Other than a gamble with a sharp step up in trip, it is hard to see where he goes from here with a chance of immediate success.

Syndication (race 4): Won a small field bumper on heavy ground, but it was at Towcester. His hurdle debut was not bad - beaten ten lengths at Sandown - but this was the second gently regressive effort since. Will handicapping turn it around? He seemed to give it a go today and just not be good enough.

Stop The Show (race 5): Gained two hurdle wins, but is only once a winner in 22 chases. This was shaping to be number two, but he looked to run up the white flag as soon as soon as Brunette'sonly outjumped him at the last.

Current Climate (race 5): Apparently at home when the mud is flying, he had been tailed off on his chase debut, but lost his most recent race by only 3/4 length. Instead to taking it onward another step, he lost interest in this after a mile or so. Either he does not go left-handed, or he is just committed to being unpredictable, with more off-days than good ones.

Hi Note (race 6): Just turned four, and as been productive over hurdles so far, but these conditions were a little too extreme for her, and getting into a duel for the lead with Grafite ruined her chances of getting away with it.