Sunday's Meetings Limerick N/H 7 Races 1:30-5:00p.m. Kempton N/H 7 Races 1:40-5:10p.m. Leopardstown Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Sedgefield N/H 7 Races 2:00-5:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Limerick 15,50 Favori De Champdou 9/1 e/w Lads and Coral four places, 17/2 WH five places, 8/1 sky six places Form at Limerick: 11
Following on from @NassauBoard's comment the other day about the big yards not yet hitting full stride, Lieutenant Henderson is having a slow old time of it with just 4 runners in September and 4 so far in October (2 on the flat and In The Air twice over hurdles - winning both times). He sends 4 runners to Kempton on Sunday and despite the going currently being good with bits of good-firm, there is some rain expected so it should ease to good - meaning hopefully all 4 will run as entered: 2.50 Jungle Wood - outsider of 5 on the tissue having finished well down the field in a Chepstow bumper a year ago. That wasn't a bad looking bumper on paper though and the future form is looking OK without being scintillating. Jungle Wood is upped 5F in trip for his hurdles debut so clearly isn't the speediest at Seven Barrows and he looks to have it all to do against the Nicholls Hotpot, Chris Gordon's well-bred newcomer, FOB's point and bumper winner and a useful flat recruit from Jackdaws Castle. 3.25 Persian Time - C&D winner carries top weight in this handicap chase but he does go well fresh and I think they will be hoping for a big run here. 4.00 First Street - not without chances in receipt of weight from Rubaud (looking to join recent dual winners Sceau Royal and Silver Streak) on his return to hurdles but will need to be fully tuned up to beat the Nicholls runner. 4.35 Blairgowrie - potentially very leniently handicapped off 109 after a decent 2nd on chase debut at Newbury back in January. Might do a small stakes yankee on those 4 for interest.
16:20 Sedgefield - Dripsey Moon e/w Durham National Handicap Chase, a Class-2 event over 3m5f on good ground. This Let The Lions Roar gelding (Damsire: Presenting) has enough decent form to do well in this marathon affair. Distance and current track conditions should be ideal for him. Brian Hughes rides for the Donald McCain Jnr. yard. 8/1 best price early-doors, in many places on the ATR site.
I notice Elliott runs The Goffer in the Munster National today off a rating of 140. His last win over fences was off a mark of 138 in a Grade A Handicap Chase at the 2023 DRF and he followed that up with a fine 4th in the Ultima at the festival off 149. Since then 9 chase starts have not yielded very much (4th in the old Whitbread at Sandown and 5th in this year's Ultima) and amongst them is an eighth place finish in this race last year (off 145). I can't help thinking the Ultima will be the aim again this season and they will be trying to get his Irish mark well down in order to get somewhere nearer to 140 from the English handicapper next March. You don't half need patience in this game ....................
One to note from today... AUTHORISED ART transferred form Mullins to Gary Josh Moore... a sharp 2 miles around Kempton was never going to suit as all its Graded form was at 2m4f plus. Got totally tapped for toe as they quickened going to the 3rd last but stayed on really eye-catchingly to be beaten 9l in 3rd...
Would certainly agree with that word and the use of the old capital letter. The old boy has though made 7 entries (6 horses as Arclight is doubly entered) re Cheltenham on Friday. Potentially he could have a few runners at the 2 day meet (Saturday's entries out later today). That should tell us more re the stable...
I do think if (and I know it's an if) the principals all stand their ground then that 4YO Masterton Hurdle could be an absolute corking corker on Saturday. Some really potentially promising types in that right now. Lieutenant Henderson's 7 entries has been reduced to just 2 actual runners on Friday, people. Namely In The Air (1.15) and Arclight (2.25).
