Monday's Meetings Pontefract Flat 8 Races 12:45-4:20p.m. Windsor Flat 8 Races 1:00-4:30p.m. Gowran Flat 7 Races 2:05-5:05p.m. Plumpton N/H 7 Races 2:10-5:10p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 9 Races 4:25-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
3:40 Mason Jar @4/1 (11/8 two places and 4/6 three places) This horse really impressed me in his first chase race, finishing fourth of five behind Coolanly at Fontwell, where he jumped well and ran to a good level in defeat. He finished behind Coolanly (135) I K Brunel (140) and Full Back (125) but that doesn't really tell the full story. At two out we saw four in line, Full Back was handily placed at this point and Mason Jar had been asked to close. After two out, Mason Jar was going third best behind and close to Coolanly and IK Brunel, and at the last he began to fade. Sam TD was very kind on him after the last and let him come home as he wanted, finishing about 8 lengths off the winner. Now for me the race showed me two things, importantly that he jumps well and secondly that he probably needs less of a test of stamina, being found out by the extended 2m5 trip and the soft ground at Fontwell. Today he gets an extended 2m3f trip on good ground, in a race that doesn't look the most competitive in the world. I expect they will ride him prominently here, try and use the jumping ability that he showed on debut to get others out of their rhythm and ground. Off a mark of 127 I expect him to be competitive at the very least, and I do expect him to improve further over fences. His rivals today include Dr Sanderson who heads the weights for Paul Nicholls, he hasn't impressed me in his chase races last season and I think he makes the market here for others. I obviously respect the yard and connections, but I would say he should be the same price as Mason Jar or longer on what they've shown. Gateway To Europe ran very well in the Ga Law/Getaway Trump race, but ultimately I think the horse is flattered by the result, he looked to be the third best horse in the race by a long way, but only Getaway Trump blowing up allowed him to finish second. He was also a lot worse than the 5 length margin from the winner, who was given a very easy time of it from the last, unlike Gateway To Europe who was driven out to beat Getaway Trump. He did jump well for a novice, and has to be respected, and I thought he would be shorter than Dr Sanderson because of that run. I am happy to take him on though with the thinking that he was flattered that race and that the form isn't to be taken literally. Enrichissant is the one I think could be the main danger in the race, however this is a career high mark and the Huntingdon form isn't working out at all. He won the same day Project Mars won at Huntingdon and the ground was absolutely awful, which is a very different test to today! If he gets backed then that would be ominous. Copper Coin is another horse in here that is interesting, however I thought this was a tough ask on chase debut, and I think his mark is high enough on what has been shown. Then you've got the dark horse Eragon De Chanay of the Moore yard, which could easily be plotted up for this on return. I haven't liked the way this horse jumps fences though, and in this race that could be all important.
The only other one I've backed on the card is Hugo's Other Horse in the first race. I think he is a fascinating runner and one that I think Nicholls got wrong last season (very rare statement that) by running him on heavy going. He looks quite a light horse over the ground and today should be a perfect starter for his season, and whilst this half brother of Cue Card will need further than this in time, I think they will be proactive on him and try and set a test for the others. I really like his bumper form with Thunderstruck and Corrany and that suggests that he isn't a hopeless back number against Pisgah Pike. Pisgah Pike is rated 129 now after running well in a good handicap off 123 last time out, and he looks to be a rapidly improving horse. My worry with him is that he has had a couple of races already this year and that last one could have taken a lot out of him (kicked for home quite early and got worn down in the shadow of the post). He has to give 7lbs to his rivals here and instead of being at the bottom of the weights in a handicap, he carries top weight here. I've backed Hugo's Other Horse win (25%) and Place (75%) so it would be a profit if he runs in the first three.
Absolutely awful, I doubt he will be staying at the yard for much longer! PP won nicely despite not really settling into the race.
Seriously, I try not to have a dig at jockeys but what on earth was Sam TD doing at the fence where he fell? Shoved the horse into the backside of the leader and completely put the horse off the fence. I hope the horse is ok because it was a horrible fall.
Horrible incident at Windsor today when Saffie Osborne came off Zeyzoun at the front of a packed field. Clipped heels with one in front of her and came off. The fall was nasty enough but you could then see one of the following runners stand directly on her middriff as it passed her. All the jockeys in the race seem pretty horrified by what they saw. Let us hope that her injuries are not too severe.
Sounds awful, Stick, do hope she recovers quickly from this nasty fall. Often wonder why there are not more accidents of a similar nature when I see how close the runners are to each other in a packed field.
Ah, see my current favourite Ghaiyyath has been retired to stud. This 4-time Group 1 winner is heading for the Kildangan Stud in Ireland. Loved this horse and I will never forget his front-running performances in this year's Eclipse Stakes and the Juddmonte International. Have a great time young fella, and here's hoping you sire plenty of top-class racehorses! https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/ghaiyyath-retired-to-stud/185554
