Plumpton 19/10/09

Shetland Pony Thrills At Plumpton

Going: Good to Firm

Race 1: Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre Maiden Hurdle [2m]

1: Whenever     2: Gunslinger     3: Fairmile

Winner owned: Mr & Mrs WJ Williams, trained: Richard Phillips, ridden: Wayne Hutchinson

This was quite a decent race for a Plumpton novice. Fairmile’s 100+ flat rating immediately jumped out, but Gunslinger and Whenever were no slouches there themselves, in lower grades. In the end, Fairmile did not quite translate his form to jumps and Whenever won quite easily. It was, however, something of an odd route to success. When the field was still bunched on the far side, he was being nudged along when others were cruising. He did respond, and from the rail turn moved further and further clear. It is possible to give him the benefit of the doubt by suggesting that Whenever was unhappy galloping and jumping downhill on fast ground. Or was there a more general resentment? Obviously, the assessment of Whenever has a big influence on how the other newcomers are thought of, but Gunslinger adapted to jumping the better of the two.

Race 2: Gerald and Brenda Golden Wedding Celebration Novice Hurdle [2m 5f]

1: Nur Tau     2: Baily Storm     3: Search For Gold

Winner owned: Mrs RCA Hammond, trained: Nick Gifford, ridden: Liam Treadwell

A small field, and the choice for a winner was between Baily Storm (well beaten in Ireland and a comfy winner of a terrible race for Tim Vaughan on his debut in Britain) or Nur Tau (promised better to come last season but had nine months off to overcome and is from a yard that has the odd first time out winner and at least as many being given a sedate warm up). Nur Tau found a race that did not need a lot of winning, and although one or two paranoiacs were overheard grumbling because a long odds-on market leader was roundly stuffed, the prices offered reflected only Baily Storm's last run. October always seems a popular month for over rating recent form that is suspiciously out of kilter with more numerous older information. Or assuming certain yards can fashion silk purses from every sow’s ear. The same trainer and jockey won this in 2008 - beware/be aware of their plan in 2010.

Race 3: Simon Gibson Handicap Chase [3m 2f]

1: Kisha King     2: Moon Melody     3: Shammy Buskins

Winner owned & trained: Dai Rees, ridden: John Mathias

Four lined up and common sense said that Kisha King or Shammy Buskins would win. Shammy had been unshabby in winning his last two, including on course, going and distance, whereas Dai Rees had helpfully showed all and sundry that Kisha King would appreciate headgear by winning with him in their first use a day earlier, over hurdles. Despite making all in that, the competition had wilted late on to minimise his exertion and when Shammy Buskins' jumping got a touch wayward, Kisha King kicked on and looked all over the winner. This was a premature judgement, because Moon Madness, erm, Melody, ignored by common sense due to 44 runs producing only a win in a selling hurdle, suddenly livened his ideas up after three out and was making rapid inroads on Kisha King’s lead. That was down to a couple of lengths going into the wings of the last, but John Mathias had preserved enough for Kisha King to complete six miles and two wins in 24 hours. A composed ride when the antics of the enemy (the other runner, Toni Alcala, downed tools after a lap or so) might have caused complacency to set in.

An unusual shot from the roof of the stand, because it is pretty exposed up there, even on e bright autumn day like this. Kisha King edges Shammy Buskins. Toni Alcala is just deciding that third is not what he wants and is about to drop behind Moon Melody

Race 4: Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre Novice Handicap Hurdle [2m]

1: Zabeel Palace     2: Manjam     3: Weststern

Winner owned: Curley Leisure, trained: Barney Curley, ridden: Paul Moloney

Five horses came to the second last closely bunched and it looked a brave call as to who would win. From here, Zabeel Palace asserted without exertion to excess, and his trainer's objections to a thirteen pound rise for winning a seller were unfounded and/or a smokescreen. Manjam ran very well on his return from fifteen months off last time out, and another five months was no great hindrance either. Kashmina looked the main danger coming to the last, but (not for the first time here) faded out of the frame. An easier two miles ought to suit her.

Trainer's orders to horse: Win, then get lost in shadows sharpish. Manjam & Weststern (this side) are about to follow suit, but Kashmina is enjoying the sun.

Race 5: Totesport Supports Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre Handicap Hurdle [3m 1.5f]

1: Orchard King     2: Scots Dragoon     3: Wild Tonto

Winner owned & trained: Alison Thorpe, ridden: Richard Johnson

Winning here was probably enough to lose Orchard King the qualification of 'stays but does not win often.' The additional one of 'ignore away from Huntingdon' is wavering as well. In fact it was an odd race, with no front runner lined up, and you rather got the impression that Messrs Johnson and McCoy tricked the less experienced riders into letting them poodle along at a pace that suited the senior jocks. As it was Scots Dragoon, unproven for marathon hurdles, was left for dead by the winner, so the early dawdle did not save him from a fate of being beaten by a quite some distance.

Race 6: Mick And Rosemary Gillard Retirement Novice Handicap Chase [2m 4f]

1: Ask Oscar     2: Particle     3: Bid Art

Winner owned: Argent Racing, trained: Jonathon Geake, ridden: Jimmy McCarthy

An extraordinary race in it's own little way, as two out it seemed that we would see an epic four way battle for the honours, and yet the final distances were 12 and 17 lengths. Pipers Legend, going well at the time, fell two out, and Particle made the worst of several mistakes at the last, where Seamus Durack did well to cling on. Bid Art was probably the least likely winner when Pipers Legend gave him a problem, and he tied up from the second last, all of this leaving Ask Oscar with the race at his mercy, which perhaps does not do his good run (by his standards) justice.

Race 7: Andy Stewart Charitable Foundation Supports Moorcroft Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race [2m 2f]

1: Pro Pell     2: Lord Landen     3: River Beauty

Winner owned: Mrs Julie Middleton, trained: Gary Moore, ridden: Philip Hide

The title for this race was missing "Racehorse Welfare" due to the alphabet invoking the European Working Time Directive. The times we live in, eh? Although returning from a long absence, Nicky Henderson’s River Beauty set an above average yardstick for this race (3rd of 20 at Cheltenham), which was run at a much sounder pace than many bumpers here. It was battled out by her with two newcomers, both of whom caught the eye in the paddock. Lord Landen made the first move and wore down River Beauty, with Pro Pell struggling just a touch at that point. When he picked up, Pro Pell got up and edged out Lord Landen without Philip Hide needing to get too hysterical, and gave the impression that there was plenty more to offer had it been needed.

Plus Points

Gunslinger (race 1): Was beaten when slow on the draw at the last, but will probably find a niche hurdling

Natural Action (race 1): Had a gentle run round at the back, which resulted in a stewards' enquiry. A couple of scrappy jumps did not help, but nor seem like cause for such negativity. His fifth to Press The Button at Huntingdon will probably be the handicapper's guide.

Kisha King (race 3): Often has looked OK, and for the time being at least, blinkers have put the icing on the cake.

Manjam (race 4): Two good efforts since qualified for handicaps show he could win, as long as not too heavily raised for this one.

Go Amwell (race 5): Posted his second straight disappointment but is well handicapped on some form from not that long ago, and stays well over three miles.

Pro Pell (race 7): Simultaneously won the bumper and showed signs of improvement to come.

Lord Landen (race 7): As per Pro Pell, but was runner-up.

Down Arrows

Capall Eile (race 1): Attracted some market support, presumably based on experience advantages vero the main three rivals and a hurdle rating of 111. No wins in nineteen (now twenty) jumps runs surely outweighs that.

Ramona Chase (race 1): The second highest flat rating in the field, she had hurdle experience, pulling up behind Starluck last season. Poor jumping resulted in her doubling the Ps.

Geoffdaw (race 1): Was mixing it with the main three turning for home, then faded like a non-stayer (again)

Moon Melody (race 3): Any hints of being a reformed character are a delusion.

Rock Me (race 5): An unlikely candidate to jump up to three miles, and he did nothing to make it look shrewd.

Particle (race 6): Refusals, blunders, and generally showing a good knack lately for finding ways to lose, even if he did handle the drop in trip surprisingly well.

Pipers Legend (race 6): From an in form yard, he would have been close, but an overall history of a selling hurdle win and 34 far less illustrious outcomes make him one to oppose on balance.

UK-Jumping Selections

Drombeg Pride (race 6): Took a hefty bump at the sixth, and quickly pulled up with a slipped saddle