Thursday's Meetings Ayr Flat 8 Races 1:40-5:30p.m. Hereford N/H 7 Races 2:00-5:20p.m. Tramore N/H 7 Races 2:15-5:35p.m. Exeter N/H 6 Races 2:20-5:15p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 7 Races 5:55-8:55p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
Not a big fan of backing shorties but I think these 3 have excellent chances today so I've put them in to a trixie... AZURE FLY 2/1 CHIC THEATRE 2/1 TEMPURAN 6/4
A couple of last year's nice bumper horses make their first attempts at jumping timber tomorrow at Hereford. Rather Be, trained by some chap I've never heard of, was ninth in the Cheltenham bumper and second to Snow Leopardess, who has won a decent bumper since, before that. 11/10 In the next Colins Sister makes her hurdling debut. She was second to The Nipper(my fancy for the novice mares hurdle) at Sandown. 5/4 Good bumper horses dont always make good hurdlers but these two may be worth a double.
Rather Be - form took a boost when Snow Leopardess won a listed mares bumper in Ireland last week. - 5/4 to get the new Hereford off to a flying start for Needles. Coillte Lass 3/1 - got to take the favourite on. Couldn't get its head in front in 5 bumpers so you need to be brave to take evens on hurdles debut. My choice ran fair to win its point and the yard are flying. I think this will be competitive.
In that opener at 'Ereford was it Bach De Clermont I was talking about with you last year stick before the sales? Himself and Moonman. Or am I thinking of someone else. Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing him. Tomorrow looks a schooling mission if anything. Definitely needs a trip but interesting to see if he has speed there to be competitive at 2m. I think every horse the Ruckers purchase tend to be bought with the Grand National in mind down the line. I think that's the one they are desperate for but I find they can let some nice types slip from winning good races due to that but it's their money and they can do as they please.
Rather Be is an interesting one in that he’s one of those rare beasts that Mr Henderson ran in ‘The Champion Bumper’ at The Festival. This is a race that the forum’s favourite trainer loathes (as he feels that the competitive nature of the heat, and the frantic environment of Cheltenham in mid-March, can finish a young horse both mentally and physically) and he only ever runs one if (i) he thinks this is as good as the horse is (i.e. has very little scope) or (ii) he is overruled by the owner. No idea which category Rather Be falls into but he was only beaten 5 lengths on that occasion and therefore you would suspect he will be more than good enough to win on his hurdling bow and he certainly has the lineage for the game being a half-brother to Sign of a Victory. Won’t be getting involved though at current quotes of 5/6.
In that opening heat at Hereford I like the chances (at least on paper) of Pip Hobbs' charge Beau Du Brizais (lovely name for a gelding by the way, no idea what it means). I would advise a paddock check beforehand but his bumper was above average, throwing up lots of subsequent winners, and his hurdle debut back in April was also not the worst race ever, second-placed Dexcite subsequently winning a couple of class 4s with contempt. Still bits of 8s about him although he is being backed this morning.
3 non-runners now in that Hereford card commencer (and 10 in total, at the time of writing, at the meet). The ‘good to firm in places’ going description must be putting a few off.
In honour of National Poetry Day, what better quote for this Forum than this one: “Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride, friendship without envy or beauty without vanity? Here, where grace is laced with muscle, and strength by gentleness confined. He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity. There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent, there is nothing so quick, nothing more patient. England’s past has been borne on his back. All our history is his industry; we are his heirs, he our inheritance. The Horse!" ~ Ronald Duncan
140 Ayr Full Intention 200 Hereford Rather Be 220 Exeter Court King 330 Exeter Pawn Star 415 Hereford The Tourard Man 425 Ayr Run to the hills 3 singles and a treble on each line. Happy punting!
I’m sure if members could think of something to rhyme with ‘Henderson’ then the forum would be awash with adulatory poems right now! What better way to celebrate the day?!?
Something that rhymes with Henderson ..................... hmm, I relish a challenge (groan) An American chappy called Henderson Took his car to the shop for the fender done "She's my pride and joy And certainly no toy I'll clip your ear if you bend her, son"
Excellent, simply excellent. Just remembered that last week I was accused of always steering the conversation onto Mr Henderson so I’d best not say anything else! Well done Rather Be backers. Ain't seen the race but a 7 length success.
Paul Nicholls has 3 at Hereford and I think all 3 have reasonably good chances of winning. At Exeter I think BARWICK will win and the hat trick seeking COURT KING in the opener will also.
That's the problem with non runners. Both of these sluiced up and would have won whatever ran against them. The nr's battered the returns though.
