Thursday's Meetings Warwick N/H 8 Races 1:00-4:58p.m. Lingfield A/W 7 Races 1:50-5:15p.m. Naas N/H 7 Races 1:55-5:20p.m. Wetherby N/H 7 Races 2:15-5:35p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 8 Races 3:30-7:15p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
It should be noted, or I think it should at any rate, that the Blake's have their first runner in the old NH sphere for 7 months tomorrow. I'm referring to CLEARANCE (2.50 Wetherby). The 8YO son of Authorzsed goes in the selling hurdle which, on official marks at any rate, looks a 2 horse race between him and Weebill. Brian Hughes has been booked. Bought out of a seller, last summer, Clearance has had 3 runs on the Flat (formline -209) for them but hurdling, as I've said before, may be the better discipline for him. And re Clearance he has a very good formline when returning to the track following a break of 100+ days (-122). Tomorrow, will be his first run since October. Obviously won't be the greatest of prices but in my opinion one to very much look out for. And who knows a Fishcake like drift may occur!!! Good luck all.
Flaming Ambition runs today in the Warwick 1:00 Not a tip from me but it will be interesting to see how he runs as his last effort earnt connections a trip to the stewards room and the horse was given a forty day non-trier ban. I have a theory that these horses generally dont win next time out because winning would almost substantiate the opinion of the stewards that indeed the animal had not been trying before.
Clearance's race has cut up this morn (quite a lot of non-runners at both NH meetings today) with 40% of his original opponents now ruled out. Just 4 go to post now. Weebill has gone odds-on with Clearance second in the market at 2/1. Would expect Clearance to oblige but the non-runners have had an, obvious, effect on the old market.
Just read the report. Cor blimey. Stewards really penalised the jockey (18 day ban) and trainer (£4,000 fine) as well as the old boy horse.
Comparatively small sums at Tattersalls Ascot, so far. 33 lots in (15 sold) and the top price paid, according to their website, is 5,500 gns.
Only just tuned-in, damn busy day for me (I'm retired, not supposed to be 'busy'! ). Interesting comments on the Flaming Ambition horse; stewards really did get it right. My goodness, that Clearance animal must be pretty useless, last of just 4-runners. nearly 15-lengths behind the eventual winner, who was 'gambled-on', apparently. From what price to SP?
Just for an interest today, Div.2 of the Class-5 Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby (17:35). E/W on earch and a Rev.Forecast: Veshenskaya Fame And Hope
Petit Mouchoir made £25k and is headed off across the Channel to continue his career. Seems a lot of dough for an 11 year 2 mile specialist. He did win his point to point over 3 miles but it would appear he was up against Steptoe’s horse and Dobbin. Mr Von Recke must have a plan though. Good luck to him.
Skyace made 80k and went back to her yard no doubt with a few less members of the syndicate Bargain of the sale for me was CAPTAIN DRAKE. Although nine he doesn’t have that many races under his belt, he is also flexible regarding hurdles and chasing. He won the Devon National only two runs ago and you would have a lot of fun with him next year chasing down marathon events like the Sussex National. Factor in that he will qualify for the really quite valuable veterans series events next year and you have a horse that is going to take you to the best courses. At 21k he was a steal in my book. You could pay that for a 5yo pointer and get nowhere near as much fun.
Certainly agree 100% re. Captain Drake, that could be a very astute buy. On Petit Mouchoir, the purchaser, Christian von der Recke, is one of Germany's top trainers, and I feel sure he has something in mind for this racehorse, 11-years old or not. Might just be a little bit early to be too harsh on this buy? Prefer to wait and see what Christian has in mind for this talented old campaigner. Christian von der Recke – one of the greatest coaching personalities in Germany - German gallop (deutscher-galopp.de)
I suppose it depends on the jumps calendar wherever he’s going to be running Swanny. Certainly in UK older horses have more races they can aim at if they stay 3 miles.
