Hi all, In a week where racing was interrupted by flooding, snow, frozen ground and waterlogging, we have had just four NH meetings in the UK and whilst we were fortunate to get racing at Doncaster yesterday, we have had a very frustrating time. As many will know, I have a share in Project Mars, who we have been trying to get a race for some time, he has now missed three Huntingdon meetings due to flooding, plus races at Fontwell, Ffos Las and who knows when or where we will get the next run for him! He is rated 106 so fails to get in many 0-105 races and seems likely to miss the bottom of any races that are rated higher than 0-120! Frustrating to be paying his training fees and for him to be ready to run but without a race to go to! He isn't quick so it would be pointless going for a jumpers bumper. These opportunities and other disgruntlement have also caused the end of a career that many will be fondly remembering, with Milton Bradley calling it a day today. My memories of Milton and his horses go back to my very first membership at a racecourse, when my now wife purchased me a membership for Bath Racecourse. If I recall it was the 2009 season, when we regularly saw The Tatling running at Bath, racing against such luminaries at Vhujon and a certain Desperate Dan (what memories). He ran 6 times at the course that year, and at every meeting he looked a much better animal than his opposition. He was long in the tooth back then, and I remember his win very fondly, for a discussion I had with a couple of racegoers at the parade ring. The two ladies were looking at the horses and after a few horses had wandered around they asked me what my views on the race were. My response was "see that old chap? that is the trainer of The Tatling, does he look nervous?" Yes was the reply, and I nodded in agreement, and explained that was because the horse was going to win the race and as it was a claimer he might be going home to another yard afterwards. The lasses seemed shocked by this and off they trotted. He trotted up that day, it was a million miles from his glory days, but the look on Milton's face when he took the 12 year old out of the ring seemed to tell everyone that he was going back home a relieved and happy man! Milton retires at the grand age of 86, and in the RP story he sounds very despondent about it all. A thank you from me to Milton, and the old boy The Tatling too. Review Well its pretty easy this week, we saw Shishkin hack up again at Doncaster, showing his wellbeing and that he is a very exciting horse. He probably still has skeptics around what horses he has beaten, but for me we have seen plenty from him to suggest that he is the real deal and yet another star that can shine in the 2 mile division for some time. We saw Miranda break the H(e)art of Henderson when she beat Floressa and the horrible moving Maries Rock in the graded mares race. She travelled all over Floressa and that has to go down as a very good display. She has tonnes to find with the Irish mares, but that is a common story on these shores. The Cob made the best of the conditions to win the River Don, putting himself on the map as a future staying handicap chaser of some ability. He hacked up, with so many disappointing in behind. However I don't think this was a fluke performance, it was just one of a horse who relished conditions. We then saw the annoying drop of a whip on Aye Right and then Takingrisks pull off a wonderful win in the Skybet. The old boy rolled back the years and stayed on gamely to run down Aye Right in the shadows of the post. The story is a lovely one for Nicky Richards and he beat the right horses into the places. He could remain competitive in veterans chases for the rest of the season. Today we saw some interesting racing in Ireland but it was Billaway that made the biggest impression, cementing his place as the best prospect from Ireland for the race formerly known as the Foxhunters. Will the trip foil him? We will see in March. Eyecatcher Shang Tang in the River Don was a massive eyecatcher. He travelled very strongly but faded very quickly when asked for his effort. He finished as if he had an issue, and I am hopeful that with a summer of development, he can make a very nice novice chaser next season.
Hi Nass, A question a bit off-topic. Project Mars has been ridden in his last two races by Connor Brace, what do you think of him, do you like him? I'm asking because he's going to be the jockey for Highway Jewel on Wednesday or Thursday.
I am a fan of Connor although I thought he gave PM a poor ride last time out. He’s an intelligent young lad who is learning from Paddy and I think he’s got a good career ahead of him. I think he’s also going to have to continue to improve as he’s almost ridden his claim out and with Liam Harrison at the yard they’ve got another very capable young claimer who is riding very well for such a young lad. I certainly wouldn’t be put off any horse with Connor riding. In fact I’d have to be supporting him over many of the experienced household names.
Hello again Nass, I don't know the reason but there has been a change of jockey and today Sean Bowen appears in Connor's place. Do you think there is anything to gain from the change?
Interesting, Connor isn’t riding on Wednesday and both Liam and Paddy are riding for Fergal on the same card. I wonder if he’s off injured/unwell as the family horse has been withdrawn today as well. I like Sean Bowen on chasers and he isn’t a negative booking either. Looks a hell of a race at Warwick!
Hard to fathom how some trainers and their horses are left without a place to run them nowadays, given the sheer volume of races being run. How does that come to happen? Is it more that the animals rated kind of in between being very poor and very good are the one getting fewer chances? The Milton Bradley bit makes a lot of sense but horses also have to start somehwere, and if that means winning 2 k at Wolves or Kempton, it's hard to see what is wrong with it, what other choice do they have, they would also have to wait for a race then too. Its hard to get the balance right isn't it, very hard to keep everyone happy that's for sure. Any idea of what lies ahead for your Project Mars horse then?
Good summary Nass, the weather robbed us of Cheltenham and the associated talking points it would have raised, so it all felt like a bit of a damp squib really. This coming weekend should make up for it in spades though. There is one horse in particular that I am looking forward to seeing at Leopardstown The standout for me on ITV was the interview they did with Rachael Blackmore - great exposure for her and she came across as very professional and knowledgeable. Could she become the first female jockey to be leading rider at Cheltenham? The bookies offering a rather skinny-looking 12/1 at the moment (ridiculous when you have Paul Townend at 5/6).
The problem over jumps is quite pronounced, if you've got a horse who isn't a novice or a mare, you are struggling to find suitable races. You see Hendo stating he can't find races for his good horses!! Project Mars No idea, hopefully the weather improves and some racing is on!!
Crikey, think that price on Townend is ridiculous, especially if Davy Russell doesn’t get back to full fitness. If Davy turns up and splits the rides for Gordon Elliott then Townend will have a cracking chance, but he’s hardly a Ruby Walsh. Will Duffle Coat be running this weekend then? Be a nice opportunity to get his handicap mark down for the Fred Winter
It's the most likely scenario but if he wins on Sunday Gordon will have no choice but to send him to the Triumph. It would be strange if that race didn't produce the winner at the Festival. I have a few bets on Quilixios from a couple of weeks ago 11/2, 5/1 and 10/3, now 5/2-2/1. And of course as I posted on September 11 in the Ante-Post Bets thread 25/1 e/w for the Festival.
It will be interesting to see who gets declared, you’d expect that the race will cut up a bit, be surprised if Gordon ran all of his in the DRF. I’m on the Zanahiyr boat for the Triumph, but wouldn’t be worried if they skipped the weekend as he looked very professional.
Unexcepted? Blimey you are an optimist, it’s a long way from Tipperary novice chase to the Arkle at the festival! It’ll be interesting to see who runs in that race this weekend.
I actually wasn't going to bet on this race but when I saw Zanahiyr drifting I thought maybe he wouldn't run. PP and Betfair now 5/2. I think if the ground is heavy Quilixios has a good chance.
