Saturday's Meetings Fairyhouse N/H 8 Races 1:05-5:10p.m. Kempton Park N/H 7 Races 1:15-4:45p.m. Chepstow N/H 7 Races 1:25-4:52p.m. Newcastle N/H 7 Races 1:35-5:05p.m. Southwell A/W 9 Races 2:40-7:00p.m. Chelmsford A/W 7 Races 5:15-8:15p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
13 declared for the Pertemps Qualifier at Chepstow and 9 of them have entries for the Final as follows (current rating in brackets): Maximilian (142) Anna Bunina (137) Minella Missile (136) Lossiemouth (134) - already qualified for Final Guard The Moon (128) - already qualified for Final Firestream (126) J'Ai Froid (126) Gold In The Rivers (125) - already qualified for Final Icare Allen (124) Currently thinking a mark of 128 would be enough to get a run in the final this year so all of these could still make it. Of the 3 already qualified, Gold In The Rivers would probably need to win to get his mark up to ensure a run (currently 29 ahead of him and the race is limited to 24 runners). Top weight Maximilian is certainly interesting on his excellent novice form but the 680 day absence will surely make it difficult to qualify off a mark of 142. Anna Bunina finished 7th in the final last year off 140 and her current mark of 137 is not exactly appealing. Minella Missile needs to take a massive step forward to qualify but Firestream is interesting if he doesn't bounce - his victory last time after a 2 year absence was impressive. J'Ai Froid is just 1lb above his last winning mark (won the Warwick qualifier for this series last season but didn't run in the final) but is 12YO and fully exposed. The one that really catches the eye is Icare Allen. Last season he absolutely dotted up in the Aintree qualifier (Nov 2023) and Willie Mullins then put him away for the final where he was a well backed 7/1 shot off a mark of 142. A bad mistake 2 out scuppered his chances and he was subsequently moved to Jonjo O'Neil. Jonjo has since run him plenty of times and managed to get his mark down to 115 at Uttoxeter in November - he duly won. He comes to Chepstow off a mark of 124 with 7lb claimer Benjamin Macey on board and he has surely been plotted for the final. I think he would need to win to be guaranteed a run in the Final - for which he is currently 50/1. He is a quirky individual but still only 7 and he is the one my eye will be on at Chepstow.
Thanks mate I like to study the Pertemps through the season and at least come up with a short-list for the final (I’ll post my thoughts on this year’s final next week). I did have Monmiral on my short-list last year but left him alone and backed Emitom ew so at least got a bit of place money. It’s always a challenging race to try and assess but it’s a lot of fun too.
I really like BLOW YOUR WAD 5/1 Kempton 4:10 Same in form yard as Thursdays fancy. Seasonal debut but goes really well fresh. Loves the course and the trip.
Minella Missile looked a decent sort last season but is having a rather odd campaign this year. Was dropped back to a totally unsuitable two miles last time out in a very hot race that he had no chance of winning!
I’ve watched a few stable tours in prep for Cheltenham, one of which was Evan Williams. I only note a few horses from each. My notes for Minella Missile was that he was spring horse for a decent hurdle pot. He has 4 Cheltenham entries including the Stayers. I suspect the Coral or Martin Pipe are the targets and his current mark gets him in either. I suspect the most he’ll be playing for tomorrow is a remote 4th. Just noticed MM has pretty much halved in price for tomorrow so somebody thinks he’s trying.
14:32 Chepstow - Firestream e/w Class-2 Handicap Hurdle over an extended 2m7f on soft ground. As tough a race to fathom as any but will go for this Yeats gelding. Decent form and seems well-suited to current track conditions. Wears same headgear as in previous runs. Ben Godrey rides for the Anthony Honeyball yard. 5/1 best price in many places on the ATR site, at time of writing.
The fully exposed 12YO J'Ai Froid wins the Pertemps qualifier in really good style. Looks like he's been kept back for this (first run since last April) and I assume he will get 6lbs for that, taking him to 132 which should see him get a run in the final but I can't see him being involved from what would be his highest mark for nearly 2 years. Second placed Rickets Bridge is not entered in the final. Firestream ran another good race for 3rd and will probably get a couple of pounds but it could be touch and go for him regards the final off 128. 4th was Classic Concorde who also isn't in the final.
What about Charlie Uberalles in the 3.35 at Kempton. Jumped really well when he won a Class 2 last time- with the second then going on to win a Group 3. I can’t understand his price of 18/1 , so I’ll have a go at that price.
Best of luck Tam. I was very impressed by Hyland over Christmas but let's see whether 147 is still a winning mark for him.
The 11th richest man in Wales in the money again - he's having a real purple patch as an owner. That one was a real handicap blot.
3rd of the 13-runners at 6-1 SP. Ran a real cracker, up there all the way in 2nd place, but got outgunned in the run for the line after final flight. Shock 33/1 winner!
Some gamble landed on Great Attitude in the opener at Fairyhouse today. Looking at Oddschecker he was available at 200/1 with SkyBet at 11:26am and was triple figure odds across the board the whole morning. His price started contracting around 11:45am and he went off at 8/1 SP. This was no fluke either as he won readily. Fair play to connections, I hope they filled their boots
Just a couple of notes re yesterday's racing. - It was great to see Lieutenant Henderson and Whoops A Daisy produce another winner at Kempton Park yesterday. Could, in time, Our Boy Stan prove to be the latter's best offspring yet??? - Is Etalon this terms Langer Dan?!? What are you up to Burly Dan / Dodgy Dan (delete as appropriate)?!? Etalon ran, yesterday, off 135 and could be set for yet another reduction in that mark come Tuesday morn. I'd expect to see a totally different Etalon, in the Topham, at Aintree in the first week of April, team. Full scale nudges, winks and saying no more...
