Five meetings today. Ffos Las, Ludlow, Wolverhampton, Kempton and Downpatrick. Ffos Las. Ludlow. 13:30. Lord Singer. Swanny. 14:35. Battlecry. Oddy. Third 7-1. Wolverhampton. 13:50. Gorgeous Goblin. EW. cyc. Kempton. 18:15. Sunset Kitty. EW. ROTO. Third 16-1. Downpatrick. 14:05. Station Line. Striker. 14:40. Lockdown. Dex. Sad to hear that Roger Fisher has passed away at just 69. A self made man who was diagnosed with an abscess on the brain. According to the Sporting Life website, he'd been ill for quite a while. Morn after morn dispels the dark, Bearing our lives away; Absorbed in cares we fail to mark How swift our years decay; Some maddening draught hath drugged our souls, In love with vital breath, Which still the same sad chart unrolls, Birth, eld, disease, and death. BHARTRHARI, "Against the Desire of Worldly Things"
‎6.15 Kempton Sunset Kitty 22/1 Providing she is fully wound up after a 5 month absence, which is an obvious concern, I really like the look of this 4 year old filly who is having her first start for her new yard. Sunset Kitty has joined the Mike Murphy yard from Walter Swinburn who unfortunately ceased training in October of this year. After making her debut back in September of last year, Sunset Kitty put in her first decent effort on her 2nd start when finishing a decent 1.5L beaten 3rd to Zip Lock at Kempton over 7f. On her 3rd start again at the same track, she finished a well beaten 2nd to Entitled who has now developed into being a talented 4 year old finishing a short head 2nd in a Class 3 event off a mark of 86. This gave her a handicap rating of 67 and after an ok debut in this sphere she won on her 2nd handicap start impressively off the same mark in December 2010 at Wolverhampton over 7f. Under todays rider Adam Kirby, Sunset Kitty was dropped in the midfield on the rail and after being scrubbed along from a few furlongs out she finally got the hang of things in the final furlong to win going away by 2.75L. The 2nd that day was Lockantanks, who reopposes today on 2lb better terms, and with both horse being rated 17lb and 15lb higher now its pretty strong form. Although Lockantanks had to come wide around the final turn and is in good form, I think a fully fit Sunset Kitty should be able to dispose of the same rival later on despite meeting on marginally worse terms. After a 4 month break and after being raised 5lb for that success, Sunset Kitty disappointed on her reappearance run in March of this year when finishing a 4L beaten 4th when sent off favourite. She travelled pretty nicely but didn’t find much and evidently needed the reappearance run, but as this is her only effort after a break I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, especially at the price. After a 3 week break she showed that she was much fitter for the run when she was beaten by a short head at Kempton in April off a mark of 73 in a first time visor. Although the form of that race isn’t great, it showed that she can run well at the track which is important for today. On her next start she was a little disappointing wearing a visor for the 2nd time when she was beaten by 2L in 3rd off the same mark when sent off favourite at Kempton but the form of that race has worked out very nicely. The winner Saddler’s Bend, off a mark of 66 that day, subsequently won her next 3 starts (all on turf) and she subsequently competed in a Group 3 race (finished last) but is now rated 90 on the turf. The 2nd Russian Rave has since won off a 2lb higher mark and is now rated 10lb higher than that day (all subsequent starts on turf) and the 4th has since won a race of similar level. This is rock solid form and it has ended up being just a very strong race. After a month break, Sunset Kitty returned to winning ways when upped to a mile for the first time when landing a Class 5 event at Lingfield back in May. After breaking well, she was restrained to sit in about 5th position on the rail off a steady pace and the extra furlong really helped her as she got up to win by a length. The form of that race isn’t great although the 4th, 5th and 6th have won at lower or similar levels subsequently and she appeared to do all that was required that day and may have had a bit more in hand. Sunset Kitty won her next start also when raised 5lb to a mark of 79 when successful on her turf debut on GF ground at Doncaster in a 8f Class 4 event in June, again under Kirby. In the straight mile Sunset Kitty adopted her typical tactics of sitting just behind the pace and she hit the front about 1f out and battled gamely to win by 0.75L. The form of that race again looks strong with the 2nd Dazeen winning off a 3lb higher mark subsequently, the 3rd San Cassiano winning twice subsequently including impressively off a 4lb higher mark and the 4th and 5th winning off the same mark after this. Once again its rock solid form and demonstrates there was no fluke about her wins. 15 days after her triumph, Sunset Kitty put in a decent effort to finish a good 3L beaten 3rd in a 6 runner affair at Newmarket on GS off her current mark of 84. She tracked the 2 horses out in front but couldn’t close and maintained her finishing position all the way to the line. Although she was hardly miles behind, after looking at the other races that day there seems a clear bias to horses that were prominent or made all so it seemed on that day nothing from off the pace was getting too near at the finish. Regardless, the form of that race is still very strong. The 2nd Bonnie Brae has subsequently won twice since, including off a 9lb higher mark in a Class 2 race beating a subsequent Listed winner into 2nd and is now rated 15lb higher. The 4th Tameen has won twice since, including off a 2lb higher mark by 8L in a similar event so its very strong form again. On her last start, Sunset Kitty was a bit disappointing as she finished a well beaten but eased 9th at Ascot in August. Although she looked beaten at the time, Sunset Kitty was squeezed out of it and was allowed to come home in her own time. I’m willing to overlook this effort as she perhaps was fatigued after 7 runs in the space of 5 months but regardless it wasn’t the best effort. It was off her current mark though and considering her 2nd last effort I still fully believe she is capable of defying her current mark. As stated, she makes her reappearance after a 127 day absence for her new trainer Mike Murphy and although she may need the run, there is no clear cut evidence of this and at the price I am certainly willing to take the chance. Adam Kirby is booked and has ridden her to 2 of her 3 wins from 5 starts so this indicates to me that the owners mean business as he has only ridden once for the yard this year and I believe that it was as a replacement, but that’s only from memory. She has what I feel is a very good draw in stall 6 as she should hopefully adopt her typical tactics of sitting behind the pace and her early pace should allow her to bag the rail. Murphy seems to get immediate improvement from his new recruits but I really don’t think this mark is beyond her anyways. She’s unexposed at the trip with a 50% record over a mile and I think she may improve again over slightly further. If fully fit, I think there is a lot going for her tomorrow and at 22/1 I am willing to play medium e/w stakes in the hope she can land this contest.
In the two divisions of sprint races at Wolverhampton, I was very close to backing Lenny Bee and Lujeanie, however I decided to save the Nassau funds for ventures at Southwell Sands and Kempton Parkway. Good luck one and all.
Morning sports fans. I seem to have been inexplicably drawn to the 2.35 at Ludlow today, a very competitive 3 mile handicap chase with any number of unexposed sorts in the line up. Battlecry, Edgeover and Time For Spring all look decent prospects but the one who really seems to have sprouted wings recently is Lawney Hill's CHAPOLIMOSS (NAP). During spells with Jonjo O'Neil and Martin Todhunter the best Chapolimoss managed was a second place behind Bow Badger at Carlisle, giving him a hurdle rating of 107. He was then sent chasing by Todhunter and fell at the first attempt but did show a little more next time when beaten 15 lengths 4th of 6 by a well fancied McCain runner over 20f, looking a bit slow and ponderous at his fences. In the early summer he moved to Lawney Hill's yard and after pulling up over hurdles he was sent chasing over a longer trip of 2m 7f at Worcester in a class 4 handicap (racing off a mark of 103). He gave 12lbs and a pummeling to Peter Bowen's Gem Mill, jumping well and clearly relishing the trip. His last start was a class 3 handicap chase over 3 miles, for which he was raised 12lbs to 115 and had today's pilot, 3lbs claimer David Bass, in the plate. Again he jumped solidly throughout and after being settled in rear initially he began to get into it during the last mile and he stayed on really powerfully on the flat to win going away by 4 lengths. The horse who finished second, Quotica de Poyans, had won 4 out of 5 for the Shirley-Beavans in the Huter-Chase sphere and was having his first run for Alan King. He looked all over the winner but tired on the run-in and I think the form has a decent look about it. Chapolimoss is raised another 8lbs today but with the capable David Bass again taking 3 off I think there could be more to come from him and I fancy him to outstay his rivals today. Best of luck everyone
Oddy: Good morning! Not Brother Gevrey Chambertin? I am disappointed! Maybe our Friar will tip him to his pilgrim punters.............. Cyc: Will stick with Lord Singer in the 13:30 at Ludlow, as suggested in yesterday's DT. Has a squeak..................(Off to finish Christmas shopping before the end of January.............).
Don't think there will be much value in Gevrey Chambertin Swanny - slight odds-on I think. Interesting bumper though as it sees 3 flat bred horses (2 by Generous, 1 by Saddler's Wells) against 3 NH bred (by Bob Back, Flemensfirth and Dom Alco). I think Road Show (the Sadler's Wells gelding) can go close.
I actually think Ashbrittle is the more interesting of Pipe's runners today but just seen that one is 5/4 as well
Oddy, that one looks to have the race at its mercy. However, its short enough when we haven't seen it over a hurdle.
Bloody hell I go and do a long (for my standards) write up on Chapolimoss and they go and pull it out Change the nap to Battlecry in the same race - up 8lbs for his last victory but will love this stamina test and can give young William another winner.
Sporting Life have an interesting glitch on their website - I was just looking at the boxing day cards and they only have 1 runner down in every race - not much for the betting public to go at there
2 of the grade 1 races on Kempton's Boxing Day card, the Christmas Hurdle and the Feltham Novices Chase, have been reopened until Wednesday 11.00. The Christmas Hurdle attracted only 7 entries initially. What is wrong with connections of good hurdlers? I was thinking it looked quite open this year with Binocular not the force he was and Overturn probably in need of a rest.
Morning, people. A lot of attention on the old bumpers today what with the brother of old Grands Crus making his bow but to my eye the National Hunt flat ‘un to concentrate on today is Mr Henderson’s My Tent or Yours (3.40 Ludlow). Is nicely bred and is sure to have been well tutored by Mr Henderson.
Barney, did you back Prancer in the Kempton Parkway Reindeer race? It looked a good thing on the menu I am backing Mo Farah for the SPOTY
My last day at work in 2011 today and pre-christmas apathy has reached dizzying new heights. Ironically, my boss has just invited for a 1 hour session this afternoon to review and agree 2012 objectives. I think "Find a new job" will be top of my list.
No, Nasssau, I didn't as I always stay loyal to dear old Rudolph. Is that SPOTY thing still going haven't seen it for years?!? I find it so cold and uninteresting that you can only vote for 'approved' people from a list and not your own choice. I understand the warm favourite is a bike rider which just about says everything about the contest!
Morning all, a fun fact for you this damp and drizzly Wednesday. Since 1st December my boy HAAFHD has had 11 runners on the All-Weather. From these he has had: 6 wins 3 seconds 1 third 1 fourth Not a bad little set of stats! Today his son KARMA CHAMELEON runs in the 4.00 Nursery at Wolverhampton. He won a Nursery at Kempton 6 days ago carrying 9-4 and today carries 9-0. It is definitely worth keeping an eye on his AW runners at the moment as they seem to be thriving. His overall strike rate on AW is running at 14% which is very good when you consider the top AW sires this year (Strategic Prince, Dark Angel and Shamardal) are averaging 21%.
Looks like a no bet for me today lads. I see Sumbe, tipped recently by Heisenburg as one that was 'open to lots of unforeseen improvement' before eventually being declared a NR after the owners couldn't get what they wanted on it, runs again today. 3/1 fav however might not be a big enough price.... I mean the horse might not take to the track ect. For my selection I'm going for an open looking race, the 3.00 at Wolverhampton. I think Lenny Bee has a reasonable chance at 7/1 and won't be out of the first 3. So Lenny Bee e/w 3.00 at Wolves. Also, question on the saturday league. What days are being used for the league over the Xmas period? I need to make my selections tomorrow whatever the day/days chosen. Whilst on the topic of questions, I know we have a couple of Germany located regulars. I find myself in Austria over Xmas so I ask your advice on the best way to follow the racing! The best option I've got at the minute is the Racing Post text commentry!
This one (from RV) is a good one for live racing free. Just register with them and go to the streams, then left-hand side ATR or Racing UK, they're very good. http://www.flashsportstreams.tv/forum/view.php?pg=home Also, audio available on SL or Timeform. Timeform does Irish racing too, but you can also get that on PaddyPower, hit "Commentaries" tab. Have a great time in Austria, I'm sure you will!
