Horse Racing Results for January 2009..

TRACK NOTES

JANUARY 16th – FEBRUARY 3rd

This feature is suspended during this period owing to holiday. It will return as normal in time to assist you in the build up to Cheltenham, the Dubai Carnival and all the big spring fixtures.

TRACK NOTES

THURSDAY JANUARY 15th

NAD AL SHEBA RACING RESULTS

Fillies and Mares Handicap (Turf):  The Carnival started with a shock as the Irish mare, Miss Gorica, winner only three times in her native country, defied a mark of 102 to beat some well-touted rivals. The outsider of the field of seven, she faced opposition mostly returning to action after lengthy absences. It is doubtful whether she can capitalise on this as the meeting progresses. Lessing (reasonable French form and should do better) finished second ahead of thoroughly exposed Clifton Dancer. The South Africans ran below par. Happy Spirit was fourth whilst Inca Noble, on her first start since June 2007, displayed all the signs of a horse that has had problems. Posted wide she yawed at her bit, pulling hard and looked a difficult and somewhat uncooperative ride. It will be something of a surprise if even Mike de Kock can get a tune from this mare.

Nayef Fillies Conditions Race (Fillies & Mares) (Dirt): A race dominated according to the market by the major players here: Saeed Bin Suroor and Mike de Kock, both represented by impressive once-raced Chilean winners. One of them, India Tiberina, an odds-on shot, behaved poorly in the prelims and looked flighty at the stalls. She came back a lot better than she went down despite a slow start but faded when tackled by her ex-compatriot, Sos Brillante. These two pulled clear in the last furlong with Sos Brillante pulling out more. She flashed her tail in worrying style when given a smack, so on temperament alone neither makes a great deal of appeal for the Guineas. However, first blood to Saeed Bin Suroor. With Purple Sage third, this does not look strong enough form to carry the principals to the fillies’ classic.

Mujahid Handicap (Turf): It did not take long for Mike de Kock to strike back. Silver Mist defied two negatives. This trip of seven-and-a-bit furlongs was on the sharp side and he was drawn widest of all. Nevertheless, he crept into contention in the straight before overhauling the Godolphin second-string, Fateh Field. This was a fair effort under the circumstances as he won cosily. Successful from 106, he should have every chance of negating a rise when stepped up in trip and perhaps having better luck with the draw. Fateh Field ran to form in second. Seihali belied his years at the age of ten in third. King Jock finished fourth from a high mark for him of 108; after that, there was little of note, except to denigrate the run of the Godolphin first-string, visored Iguazu Falls, who virtually bolted and refused to negotiate the bend.

Green Desert (Handicap) (Turf): A race that attracted a fair field. There was a suspicion that Brave Tin Soldier, being by Storm Cat and a winner on dirt two weeks ago, could be better on that surface despite form on turf. It seemed likely that ex-Brazilian Estrela Do Oriente – now with Pascal Bary – was leniently treated from a mark of 95 [officially rated 91 but 4lbs out of the handicap] considering his Brazilian form in Graded Company. Nothing to look at, he ran poorly even allowing for a lengthy absence. Brave Tin Soldier had a dream run before being delivered to take it up early in the straight. Third Set, successful here last year, hunted him down to recover his best form, despite his ungainly sideways head carriage. Hearthstead Maison and With Interest ran with some promise in fourth and fifth.

Al Maktoum Challenge R1 (Group 3) (Dirt): Royal Vintage and Happy Boy – both winners at this meeting last year – were among the interesting contenders returned to dirt. Both were reported to be in need of the run having had chequered careers since. Happy Boy looks a shadow of the horse that won this last year. Royal Vintage blew up quickly without posting too much in the way of promise. That left it to the strong travelling My Indy to burst away. My Indy stretches well on this surface; tonight he looked different class to his opponents. He did not have a hard race to win this but flashed his tail at one point. Of the rest, a fit Green Coast took second ahead of Don Renato with solid handicapper Frosty Secret in fourth. He offers the yardstick and it will be interesting to see any of these protagonists advertising or otherwise the future claims of My Indy, who looks sure to have his sights raised next time.

Haafhd (Handicap) (Turf): Sugar Ray was unable to improve on a good day at the office for Godolphin. Fresh, he made the running, tactics that are rarely successful here. Frankie did his best to make it a slow pace but Sugar Ray emptied quickly although he stayed on to take fifth. This was somewhat disappointing from a horse with such good form to his credit. Crime Scene, fit from a recent run and a seasoned performer here, came late to score. Engrupido finished well in second ahead of Age of Reason and Far From Old. This was a strong-looking handicap and there is every reason to believe the principals will be in the firing line in such events in the coming weeks.

Yes, I know there was racing elsewhere – plenty of it – but it did not amount to much. Eradicate maintained the current strike rate of the Nicky Henderson yard in his novice hurdle. A former high-class contender on the Flat, harder tasks than a win at Taunton await in the coming months.  A strongly fancied Night Cru failed to deliver in the Class 3 Handicap at the same course. He ran all right but found Oldrick too quick.

TRACK NOTES

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14th

NEWBURY RACING RESULTS:

The Class 4 Novice Hurdle, often synonymous with throwing up a good horse, was won by the N. Henderson-trained, Optimus Maximus, a Galileo, who jumped well and handled holding conditions to draw clear of Art Exhibition – who with his penalty was a sitting duck. Next came the first of two message-horses, Mount Helicon. Whereas Mount Helicon had been edged out last time and said to have blown-up, this time it was hard to advance any excuse. He travelled well enough but was on and off the bridle down the straight before a mistake sealed his fate. He was already beginning to struggle and looks unwilling or possibly as if he has some kind of breathing problem as his finds little when let down. The other big word was for Brusilini, another ex-French import. He ran much too freely early and failed to last, making the mistakes of a tired horse in the straight. He will do better if he learns to settle. It was some way back to another hurdling debutant, E Major. It is difficult to raise enthusiasm for the rest. As an aside, Mount Helicon is an ex-inmate of Andre Fabre’s and Brusilini came from the Aga Khan’s estate. Neither connection is renown for selling horses that can be improved upon. In some cases they tend to disperse those with a problem or two.

We saw a very nice young chaser in the Class 3 Pheasant Inn Novices’ Chase in Planet Of Sound, who once again jumped the opposition into submission. This ground was far from ideal according to connections but jumping won the day. Having put in several spectacular leaps down the far-side, a fast clean jump at the cross fence put him clear. But for a silly error two out, he would have won this by even further. Recovering, he put in another bold leap at the last. He does not appeal as an Arkle type, as this extended two miles suits him well and he looks certain to stay further. A succession of mistakes did not further French Opera’s cause. Under the circumstances, he has performed creditably in second. He looks a slogger, but his jumping needs sorting out. Song of Songs travelled ominously well on this his chasing debut and in the main jumped accurately. He blew for some time after the race; although beaten a fair way, he looked as if this run will bring him on.

Mad Max confirmed the huge promise he showed at Ascot with another taking success in the Class 4 Novice Hurdle. Anchored early, he improved as the pace quickened; always stepping over his hurdles, including a couple he fluffed and one he flattened. To become the finished article he needs to break this habit, as he is relying on his bulk to negotiate the obstacles at times. However, on such ground as this one should not expect to be impressed but, considering he was shouldering a penalty (which given his size he was probably impervious to), he did all that could be expected. Only shaken up, he remains an exciting prospect. Pause And Clause showed improvement on his third at Chepstow in second with Stoneacres [representing the form of Dee E Williams] in third. The winner was in a different league today.  Our Hero a 100/1 chance was fourth with Cockney Rebel (should have been alongside Stoneacres on the book) back in fifth.

Normal service resumed after the class of the first three events. The Sawyer was a brave winner of the Class 3 Handicap over three miles, battling back in desperate conditions after being headed on the run-in. Having come to win, Appleaday was the victim of the winner’s determination. There was a fair distance back to Killard Point with Never So Blue a tired fourth.

It was tempting to assume Sam Thomas had left his brains in the weighing room early in the Class 4 handicap over an extended two miles. He kicked Rathmullen into the lead from the fall of the tapes, going quick enough on such ground but the tactics worked well. Rathmullen stays and jumps and, although understandably weary at the end, maintained the gallop.

Jaunty Times looked promising when winning the Class 4 Mares’ Novice Chase.

All the talk in the National Hunt Flat Race concerned the Alan King-trained Lidar, who had reputedly been catching proverbial pigeons at home. Perhaps they were slow pigeons! That is a cheap shot! This was over a mile-and-a-half and Lidar looks as if two miles will suit. He was closing at the finish and will do better in time. Zazamix won a steadily run affair from the front ahead of Vino Griego. I do not often comment on these events but the front three look useful.

LINGFIELD RACING RESULTS:

Royal Collection was last seen when a remote third to Catskill Mountain in a maiden at Newmarket. Fancied, despite a 75 day absence, Royal Collection responded to urging to overcome Rebel City in the Median Auction Stakes. These two were clear.

The Class 4 Handicap over ten furlongs produced a scrappy finish in which Basra burrowed through an inside gap to snatch the verdict from Summer Winds. It is clear that fourth-placed Faithful Ruler requires this trip nowadays and a proper gallop. This race developed into a sprint, which did not suit him, and for the second time running, he was doing all his best work at the finish.

KEMPTON RACING RESULTS:

The seven-furlong maiden almost provided a horror story when Blue Warrior, an unraced four-year-old, broke out of the stalls with a blindfold attached and plunged into the freezing lake. Rescued after an anxious fifteen minutes, he emerged apparently unscathed. It does raise the question about blindfolds in general, as this is not the first time drama has ensued because of their application. If a horse will not enter the stalls voluntarily, is it possible blinds should be reconsidered as a legitimate last resort? After all, part of the training process should be to teach horses to enter the stalls without too much preamble. As for the race, not in truth one likely to be referred back to for its in-running content, Syrinx put three undistinguished runs behind her to win with a little in hand from Thief Of Time.

Once again, Inside Story took the eye in the Class 6 Handicap over an inadequate seven furlongs, particularly at this the quickest of the all-weather tracks. He can win off this mark when returned to a mile.

The Class 5 Handicap went to Fancy Footsteps, a well-grown Noverre filly who is only now realising her potential. Rock Anthem ran well in second considering all his best form has been on Fibresand. He has the action that would explain his record at Southwell, and a return to that track would give him every chance of regaining the winning thread. He remains well handicapped.

Although the closing event may have been a Class 5 handicap that ultimately only featured four runners, the first two look progressive. Cut And Thrust made the most of first run and toughed it out to repel a well-fancied Lexlenos. Racing from 68 and 73 respectively, these two set a fair standard.

TRACK NOTES

TUESDAY JANUARY 13th:

A poor day and one providing nothing of note.

TRACK NOTES

MONDAY JANUARY 12th

FAKENHAM RACING RESULTS:

Kia Kaha won the novice chase but did not look a natural over fences in the process. Perhaps he will improve with experience, but at present a faster pace may catch him out.

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING RESULTS:

This meeting offered little in truth. They made Autumn Morning favourite for the Class 6 Handicap but, for the second time, she pulled too hard early and looked a difficult ride. She had little to offer at the business end.

Double Act’s win over Multimaurice [Hayley Turner’s one-hundredth winner last time] established the winner’s willing attitude as opposed to any inherent ability.

Luckier possibly should have won the Class 5 Handicap. She took up the running over a furlong out, going better than Petrovsky, but Spencer, not at his best here, failed to change his whip hand as the filly came close to Petrovsky who, in typical Mark Johnston fashion, battled back in the closing stages.

Jamie Spencer failed to deliver for the Kirk stable in the maiden that followed. Barwell Bridge, seemingly going well, had the inner with acres of space, but ended up being pulled wide for a run. By the time he began to close, Tinshu had poached a clear lead. In Spencer’s defence, his mount did run in snatches. He appears to be making hard work of breaking his duck.

TRACK NOTES

SATURDAY JANUARY 10th

LINGFIELD RACING RESULTS

In finishing second to easy winner Annabelle’s Charm in the maiden, Middle Of Nowhere showed his first glimmer of ability. This was a marked improvement on his two runs to date and by all accounts came as no surprise. It is a difficult race to weigh up but if the handicapper gives Middle Of Nowhere a chance with a mark in the sixties, he may be of interest in a handicap.

The Median Auction Maiden resulted in a turn up, The Mambo winning at 40/1 from 25/1 shot Best In Class. Neither had shown anything on debuts so their positions here represented plenty of improvement. The race may have been below average. In a messy finish there was little between the first six. Commandingpresence was a dismal failure in seventh. He went to nothing quickly having travelled as a favourite should for much of the way. The way he hung and then failed to finish suggests he is one to avoid at least for the present.

Andean Margin was a short price favourite for the four runner Class 4 Handicap but his form is moderate and defeat was no big surprise. Dream Date’s victory does not look anything out of the ordinary.

There was something of an anti-climax surrounding the Conditions event over six furlongs as Turn on The Style blitzed from the start, taking Aeroplane and Bonus off their feet. Fifteen lengths clear at one stage, Turn On The Style rallied when challenged by Contest but the ex-Irish contender was too strong. Turn on The Style ran right up to his best, whilst the winner can strip fitter and is now Dubai-bound. As for Aeroplane and Bonus, it seems obvious their chances were sacrificed at the start. However, they are better over seven and although they made up some ground in the straight, as hold-up horses, they had too much to do. It is easy to blame their jockeys, but they are not sprinters, so frankly running them against a speedball like Turn On The Style was always going to make life tough if he did what he did, namely break and dash.

On a day of hard-to-predict results, Lady Jane Digby’s win in the Class 2 Handicap was another unfriendly result for most punters. Baylini and Sergeant Schultz followed with Philatelist turning in a tame effort in fourth, looking as if he blew up when holding every chance in the closing stages.

Mistress Cooper was tried over seven furlongs – a trip she does not stay – at KEMPTON in a Class 6 Handicap. She really is a five furlong performer (something one suspects her shrewd trainer is aware of) so it could be she will return to that distance when her mark is conducive to success.

Little was noted at AYR or at GREAT LEIGHS on Sunday.

TRACK NOTES

FRIDAY JANUARY 9th

LINGFIELD RACING RESULTS

Barwell Bridge looked an unlucky loser in the Class 4 Handicap. Full of running on the turn, it appeared he only had to find a gap to win his race. However, it did not come and by the time he was in the clear on the outside, the winner, State General, was clear. Barwell Bridge was a fast-finishing second and should make amends next time.

Hammer may be worth another chance having been inched out of the maiden. A slow pace did not help and Hammer fought his jockey early. Unlike Barwell Bridge, he did get a run to die for up the inner, but was narrowly undone in a sprint to the line by Celtic Gold.

In finishing sixth to Night Orbit in the Class 5 handicap, as far as one could make out in the gloom, Sunset Boulevard, who was not beaten far, ran well enough to confirm his last effort was no fluke. He had to race wide today. Granted better luck in running he may be up to winning a similar event.

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING RESULTS

It would seem Nightjar is better on Fibresand than he is on Polytrack. Although he had a 6lbs penalty to defy in the Class 4 Handicap, in finishing behind Southandwest and Ravi River he failed to run up to his two recent Southwell efforts.

TRACK NOTES

THURSDAY JANUARY 8th

SOUTHWELL RACING RESULTS

United Nations maintained current form with an emphatic win in the Class 5 Handicap over Transmission. He is at his peak just now but that run could be about to be halted as horses of his type do have a limited period of success.

GREAT LEIGHS RACING RESULTS

A meeting run in fog so even less than usual was distinguishable. Silvanus had his trip and weak opposition but failed to win the Class 5 Handicap.

Changing The Guard emerged from the gloom to win the Class 5 maiden at the first time of asking. It was difficult to form an opinion on this win.

Matsunosuke won a Class 3 handicap from a mark of 94 against some rivals as tricky as himself. He did win easily and will now face a hike that will surely make impending success unlikely.

TRACK NOTES

TUESDAY JANUARY 6th

SOUTHWELL RACING RESULTS

Mambo Sun quickly paid a compliment to United Nations when taking the Class 6 Handicap from Transmission. He had finished third to United Nations on the 27th December. This was only a moderate event but, running on penalty, Transmission was officially well in, so this win was better than it looked.

In running, Rebel Duke always threatened to win the Class 4 sprint although it took him a time to wear down First Order with Canadian Danehlll in third.

Red Cape set up the Class 4 over six by setting a fast pace. Sensibly held together by Dale Gibson, Charles Parnell looked to have the race in the bag a furlong out but the gambled-on Xpress Maite foiled the manoeuvre to pull out that all-important extra. These two were clear.

TRACK NOTES

MONDAY JANUARY 5th:

LINGFIELD RACING RESULTS

Whiskey Creek landed a mini-gamble in the Class 6 Handicap over six furlongs, whilst Hellbender, on something of a roll at present, kept on the momentum by winning the class 5 over the same trip. His mark of 65 gave him a real chance in this grade, whereas 73 proved a shade too high for the filly Romantic Queen.

TRACK NOTES
SUNDAY JANUARY 4th

SOUTHWELL RACING RESULTS

Very little to take from this card: United Nations and Rock Anthem dominated the Class 5 Handicap. With little separating them, this looked solid form at such a level. It was over three lengths back to Davenport in third.

TRACK NOTES

SATURDAY JANUARY 3rd

LINGFIELD RACING RESULTS

Slip prevailed in the claimer as he was entitled to do against such opposition. Ten furlongs is his trip and this was a race run to suit. He beat Teasing with a shade to spare but earlier form lines with the likes of Ascot Lime and Grande Caiman were wide of this performance. It would appear this is his grade.

Premio Loco won the Conditions Stakes (Class 3) like a decent animal. Last seen when sixth in the Cambridgeshire, this was a useful performance from a lightly raced five-year-old. He quickened from a slow pace to win with something in hand. Whistledownwind was not given the best of rides. It would appear Shane Kelly’s instructions were to track Premio Loco. This meant lingering in last – the worst possible place to be in a race that is going to develop into a sprint. Sometimes jockeys have to be brave enough to contradict orders.

Whistledownwind would not have won but should have managed better than fourth of five. He failed to pick up and his action in front is that of a fragile horse. Maybe it is best to forget him.

It is a long way down from finishing second in the Chesham at Royal Ascot to a Class 5 all-weather Handicap. Such was Pegasus Again’s journey in beating the ex-Irish Lend A Grand and Blue Charm. The well-backed and fancied Sendreni was a victim of misfortune in running that may not have cost him the race but did not help.

The best event on the card was the excellent Class 2 Handicap sponsored by William Hill. Including the likes of the much-improved Grande Caiman, solid benchmarks: Young Mick, Group Captain and Pevensey, this was no easy race to call, illustrated by the added presence of Millville and Celtic Spirit. Indicative of such a race – eight stood their ground – unmentioned Evident Pride burst through late to land the spoils. Grande Caiman set a stop-start gallop that almost paid off under a canny ride but narrowly succumbed to Evident Pride’s late finish. A blanket covered the first four. Millville ran his usual game race in third. Pevensey, always handy in fourth, ran as if a stronger gallop would have suited. A proven soft ground performer on turf, perhaps an extended mile-and-a-half is required on Polytrack. Celtic Spirit and Paktolos were not beaten far but Young Mick and Group Captain gave supporters little to shout about.

TRACK NOTES

FRIDAY JANUARY 2nd

SOUTHWELL RACING RESULTS

Nightjar may follow up on a comfortable success in the Class 4 Handicap. Equally at home on Polytrack, his defeat of Blue Charm and Resplendent Nova from a mark of 79 is as good as it gets at this level. Although on the upgrade, he will find the pickings easier if confined to this track on a surface that he clearly handles.

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING RESULTS

One-time Group pretender, Harald Bluetooth won a decent Class 4 Handicap from Randama Bay and Just Bond. This was his first run since August and he is entitled to come on for it, although the handicapper will give him more to do from now on. The pulled-up Fifty Cents looked as if he had sustained a serious injury.

Princess Valerina looks as if she has found her level. This is her time of year and she won the Class 4 Handicap over six furlongs comfortably.

TRACK NOTES

THURSDAY JANUARY 1ST

CHELTENHAM RACING RESULTS

Alexanderthegreat was most people’s idea of the winner of the Class 2 Handicap. Narrowly beaten at this track in his two runs this season, it was to be the same story today. A good jumper, he drew on reserves when looking to be going least well of the three leaders from the turn. His attitude is commendable; even though he crossed the last in front, Rambling Minster’s late lunge denied him success. Character Building made up the trio who battled it out over the final two fences.

Calgary Bay finally repaid the faithful with a win in the Grade 2 Novices’ Chase. His attitude has been questioned in the past and he may still be one to be wary of in a tight finish. But he possess ability in spades as was demonstrated today. Anchored but allowed to jump flamboyantly, almost stepping over these fences save for taking a chunk out of the thirteenth, he cruised to the front approaching two out and although he had to be rousted, was never in danger of being caught. A big horse, it could be he has turned some sort of corner. This extra trip suited and there is every reason to believe he would get three miles, making a tilt at the Sun Alliance much more likely than at the Arkle. Kicks For Free was the only one to live with him once the pacesetter, Tartak (may not have stayed) dropped away. But Calgary Bay won with plenty in hand despite McCoy keeping him up to his work.

The story of the Grade 3 Handicap was how Hold Em managed to stay up after a succession of errors, let alone finish third. This was a good effort but he obviously found the transition to handicap company something of a shock. If he can iron out his tendency to bulldoze his way round, he can win a decent handicap. A flat track may be more suitable for the time being. Stan was a clear winner in a race of limited interest. Private Be’s tendency to tear off in front makes him a sitting duck in this sort of company.

Big Buck’s made some atonement for his last fence blunder in the Hennessy when winning the Class 2 Handicap Hurdle with something to spare. He seemed to appreciate this transition to timber and was noted idling up the run-in. He came into his own last spring and a repeat may be on the cards this season. Another who seems more at home for now over hurdles, Don’t Push It, finished second. A big horse who is not over athletic, Cheltenham is not his track, particularly over fences; he even fluffed the last hurdle here. But this was his second decent run in succession having twice fallen heavily over the big obstacles round this tricky track. Pennek put a diabolical run behind him in third ahead of Tot Of The Knar and the disappointing Tazbar, who has failed to turn into the horse he promised to be last season. He looks a little reluctant.

Franchoek probably failed to stay the trip in the Class 2 Hurdle, particularly as it was run at a brisk pace, turning it into a test of stamina. Leading at the last, he was past by first No Refuge, then the ultra-game Lough Derg, who appearing the first beaten, fought back on the run-in to snatch victory. Five Dream dropped away like a non-stayer having looked sure to play a part in the finish two out.