| |
Analysis & Selections by t.h.e.
r.o.o.k. - Whether it be "the
race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we will attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight the fancied horses participating each day and their characteristics and requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides you with a winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a particular may even convince you to back some of those horses which we feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims. whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
SELECTIONS - For each race, we have given you who, in our view, are the likeliest winners;
[1er CHOICE], as well as any runners who could run well at eachway odds; [²E/W
ALTERNATIVE]. Any runner from our features are shown before each race's analysis.
AINTREE
Friday 5th April 2002
2:00 Martell V.S. H'cap Steeple Ch. £40000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 1f, penalty £26000, 15 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Tik-A-Tai & Somemanforoneman
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Eau De Cologne, Tik-A-Tai, Carbury Cross, Lord Of The River, Enrique, Cadougold, and Somemanforoneman all have chances in the opener on day two of the meeting. Several of these come here after showing the first signs of their best form last time out.... so If you like the chances of Eau De Cologne, (Second to Gunther McBride in the Racing Post Chase) Carbury Cross, (who ran his heart out at Cheltenham) and Somemanforoneman (who ran by far his best race of the season last time out at Newbury) don't let me put you off. Personally, I have to side with Lord Of The River, who ran a stormer in the Racing Post Chase (his first race for only 1000 days). I am conscious of the "bounce theory" however connections have given his time to get over those exertions, and he showed enough that today to suggest that some of the fire still remains in his belly. Enrique who won last time out at Wincanton may prove to ultimately be his main threat
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Lord Of The River,
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Somemanforoneman
2:35 Martell Top Novices' Hurdle {Gr. 2} £50000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 110yds, penalty £29000, 11 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Robber Baron,
¦ are there any runners from "FUTURE WINNERS" our feature which each week, notes horses to watch for follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Terek (GER)
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Westender, In Contrast, Majlis, Robber Baron, Old Marsh, Sharmy, Castleshane, and Terek, are the likeliest winners of race two. Westender and In Contrast finished creditable second and third to Like-a-Butterfly in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival . Westender jumped really well in the lead, and stayed on strongly up the home straight, whilst In Contrast was held up towards the rear of the field, but made up steady ground from three up. He never quite got on terms, and hung left under pressure. That trait worries me here as really cant afford to give ground away around this sharp track, especially as Castleshane is likely to ensure this is run at a strong pace. I expect Westender to prevail, however I wouldnt be in the least surprised if Robber Baron, Old Marsh, and Terek (A Group winner in his native Germany) give him something to think about.
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Westender (FR)
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Terek (GER)
3:10 Martell Melling Steeple Ch. {Gr. 1} £120000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 4f, penalty £69600, 9 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Native Upmanship, Tiutchev, Latalomne, Foly Pleasant, and Fadalko, appear to have the best claims in the third. Conditions look ideal for Latalomne who surely would have figured at the end of the Queen Mother Chase, bar his crunching fall two out. A win would be no more than the horse deserves, and a bold bid can be expected. Considering all his troubles, Tiutchev ran a great race to finish fifth. He didn't quite get home that day however if he handles the fast surface he shouldn't be too far away. Native Upmanship ran a blinder, staying on strongly having been unable to go with the principal from two out, he does rather bludgeon his way round though ... around this tight track that may be his undoing. You could make a case for Fadalko on his best form, especially as his yard are in such great form, whilst Foly Pleasant could be interesting if he can handle the step up in grade... his swift jumping could be a real asset around here. I'd like to see Tiutchev win, however everything seems right here for Latalomne, and therefore I'll side with him
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬> Latalomne,
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Foly Pleasant (FR),
3:45 Martell Topham Steeple Ch. For Sport Relief Showcase H'cap £50000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 5f 110yds, penalty £32500, 28 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Korakor (FR)
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Ante Post Grand National favourite Moor Lane, and last year's winner Gower-Slave head the twenty eight runners who line up for the Topham Steeple Chase, however with the likes of Its Time For A Win, Galapiat Du Mesnil, Korakor, Amberleigh House, Extra Jack, Monty's Pass, Northern Starlight, Merry Path, Skillwise, Eskleybrook, Falcon Du Coteau, Shannon Gale, and Gadz'Art, in the line-up they won't have things their own way. Moor Lane could go off a ridiculous price here ... especially if punters try and gain some "compensation" for his withdrawal from the big race.... however there isn't any guarantee he would have prevailed, and whilst I didn't fancy him for the big race, I concede he has a good chance here. I do like the claims of Its Time For A Win, who ran well in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup behind Blowing Wind; Korakor, who will love the conditions and hopefully can put his experience of jumping in France to good use, and Extra Jack, who has been in great form this season, who again has experience of jumping in France. Ian Williams has been selective when choosing his races for Korakor, and his second to King On The Run at Kempton in January looks very good now, especially if you consider that both Blowing Wind, and Super Tactics (a winner on Wednesday), were well behind him that day... He'll do for me
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Korakor (FR)
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Extra Jack (FR)
¦ long*shot ¦:¬>Impertio ~ A moody horse, whose spits the dummy out of the pram a little too often for my liking ... however he does travel well usually in his races. He could nick a place at a big price
4:20 Martell Sefton Novices' Hurdle {Gr. 1} £60000 added, 4yo plus, 3m 110yds, penalty £34800, 17 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬> Whitenzo (FR),
¦ are there any runners from "FUTURE WINNERS" our feature which each week, notes horses to watch for follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Puntal (FR)
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Joss Naylor, Stromness, Lanzerac, Prince Of Tara, Tarxien, Ballyamber, Stormez, Whitenzo, Too Forward, Ballycassidy, Eurotrek, Hitman, Moss Harvey, and The Bajan Bandit have chances of sorts in the fifth. Joss Naylor, who got closest to Ilnamar in the Coral Cup will have his supporters here, especially as the O'Neill camp is in such good form, however Prince Of Tara, Tarxien, Ballyamber, Stormez, Whitenzo, and Too Forward (interesting he was taken out of a race recently due to the ground, interesting to see if he runs here) make plenty of appeal. Tarxien, and Stormez give Martin Pipe a strong hand here however both need to improve on poor efforts at the Festival. Whitenzo looks vastly improved for steeping up in trip and shouldn't be far away, whilst Prince of Tara's good second to Bannow Bay looks decent in light of that horses' good effort behind Barracouda in the Stayers Hurdle. Ballyamber, however is preferred, especially as he should appreciate the step back up to three miles here, after having been taking off of his feet in the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Ballyamber,
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Stormez (FR)
4:50 Martell Mildmay Novices' Steeple Ch. {Gr. 2} £75000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 1f, penalty £43500, 9 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Japhet (FR), Iznogoud (FR) & Phar From A Fiddle,
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Japhet is on a retrieval mission after falling at the second last in the Sun Alliance Chase. Contrary to what was written in the papers, I'm not convinced that he had begun to weaken when falling; Benoit Gicquel certain hadn't asked for everything. He will be weak in the market partly because of this and because there are many who feel he wont act on the ground... if he is the horse I think he is, then I think he'll overturn Cheltenham form with Iznogoud. He is the selection (though I don't believe he'll be risked if the ground rides good to firm). Barton (whose connections surely should have known better than to have concealed from public knowledge news that their horse had suffered a bout of colic just before cheltenham, in the process costing many punters a packet, who supported him in the Arkle) is interesting over a trip that should suit. If he puts in a clear round he may prove to be the main danger
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Japhet (FR),
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Phar From A Fiddle,
5:25 Martell Noblige H'cap Hurdle (Listed Race) £40000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, penalty £23200, 16 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Lord Brex (FR)
¦ are there any runners from "FUTURE WINNERS" our feature which each week, notes horses to watch for follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Ideal du Bois Beury (FR)
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Ravenswood, who landed one of the biggest punts of recent weeks (if not the season) when winning last time out at Newbury will again now doubt have his supporters here, however with the likes of recent winners Ideal du Bois Beury, Another Chance, and Indalo, in the field, nevermind Yeomans Point, Fnan, and Farinel also in the field, he wont have matters entirely his own way. The likely strong pace here, should place an emphasis on jumping, and Ravenswood has failed before in that department .. he may win however I will stay loyal to stablemate Ideal du Bois Beury (eachway). He didn't see out the 3m2f of the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival and should be able to creep into this where it matters in the home straight. I expect him to make the frame. Farinel, who has been a model of consistency this season for Arthur Moore looks the best alternative, especially if he is in the sort of form shown when hacking home at Leopardstown on his last start.
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬> Ideal du Bois Beury (FR), (e/w)
¦ alternative ¦:¬>Farinel
AINTREE
Thursday 4th April 2002
2:00 Martell H'cap Hurdle (Listed Race) £40000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 110yds, penalty £23200, 14 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Montreal (FR), Sudden Shock (GER) & Vrin,
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Montreal, Freetown, Lorenzino, Vrin, Hard To Start, Old Rouvel, Secret Native and Iris Royal, head what should be an
extremely open market for the race of the National Meeting. It is also an early indicator to whether the
Cheltenham Festival form will stand up to inspection. Possible favourites Montreal, and Freetown renew rivalry
again, after their tussle in the Pertemps final on the first day of the
festival. On that occasion, Freetown gave 9lbs and won going away, however it is worth
considering that Montreal led at the last, but failed to get up the final hill. This easier
course should suit him, and it will not surprise me if places are reversed .. whether he can beat the pothers is another matter. Hard to Start; dazzled
(as all the
runners were) by Ilnamar' s amazing change of place in the Coral Cup, nevertheless still ran well
from out of the handicap and should appreciate this longer trip, whilst Iris Royal is better than he showed in
the Pertemps Final and could get a lost closer here. If Montreal is to be beaten,
it is (in my humble view) probably by Lorenzino, and Vrin. The former tries 3miles for the first time
and should give a good account of himself, although he'll need to improve on his all out win at Kempton last time out... Vrin is potentially more interesting. He has the potential to be better over the
larger obstacles, than the hurdles which he currently doesn't respect enough ... that
worries me in such a competitive race , and for that reason I have to pass him over in favour of the
Pipe/McCoy combo
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Montreal (FR)
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Hard to Start
¦ long*shot ¦:¬> Sudden Shock (GER) ~ Have failed to show any of the level shown when racing in Germany and France... on that form he is thrown in ... sooner or later he is certain to come back to form
2:35 Martell Cup Steeple Ch. Showcase {Gr. 2} £120000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 1f, penalty £69600, 6 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Cyfor Malta (FR), & Sleeping Night (FR)
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>With the exception of Hunter chaser Noyan, it
isn't easy to choose between See More Business, Florida Pearl, Cyfor Malta, Lord Noelie, and Sleeping Night. Arguably
Cyfor Malta and Lord Noelie are favoured by the weights here, and if they returned to their best form,
you wouldnt be surprised if they went close.... of course you can also take the view that you
should go by either recent, or proven form, in which case See More Business' gallant third in
the Gold Cup, or Florida Pearl's defeat of Best Mate in the King George, especially on this faster
surface should make most appeal. See More Business and Florida Pearl are likely to try and dictate
matters up front so the race is predictable .. is the outcome?... Not in my view. Lord Noelie is
favoured by the weight, but is too inconsistent to trust... I rather be
wrong than side with him ... again. Cyfor Malta in a visor .... hmmm. I never thought he needed one but if its helps he could be
interesting. I don't think you can guarantee that See More Business will run as well as he did at Cheltenham again, after all, Upgrade ruffled him up the time before at Wincanton .... whilst Florida Pearl just
hasn't fired of late .... Sleeping Light's two runs behind Barracouda, and Sackville look better and better by the
second .. I'd take a chance with him
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬> Sleeping Night (FR)
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>
3:10 Martell Red Rum H'cap Steeple Ch. (Listed Race) £60000 added, 5yo plus, 2m, penalty £34800, 15 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Turgeonev (FR), Ichi Beau, Abalvino, Tango Royal (FR) and Dark'n Sharp (GER)
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Turgeonev, Hit And Run, Dark'n Sharp, Ichi Beau, Lord York, Glenelly Gale, Batswing, Tango Royal and Ivanoph, held the weights in a fascinating handicap chase guaranteed to be run
at a furious pace. If Hit and Run, and Lord York (the obvious front runners)
don't cut each other throats, they may be difficult to pass, however on balance I'd prefer to be on one of the
"finishers". Dark 'n Sharp and Batswing who both ran well in the Grand Annual and likely to go close here with clear rounds, however interesting,
however, Tango Royal, who was a Grade 3 winner over fences in France really appeals. Frankly when I put
in ONE TO JUMP for the first time two years ago, I expected far more from him, however he returned to something like his best in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup; travelling really well coming down the hill (I
thought he'd get into the frame) and still had a squeak at the last, until lack of peak fitness told. That was his first race in this
country over fences, and he clearly is open to further improvement. He appeals at eachway odds
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Tango Royal (FR), (e/w)
¦ alternative ¦:¬>Dark'n Sharp (GER)
3:45 Martell Fox Hunters' Steeple Ch. £30000 added, 6yo plus, 2m 5f 110yds, penalty £21645, 30 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>With Gunner Welburn at present attempting to take "The Big
Race" on Saturday, Secret Bay, Last Option, Sheltering, Torduff Express, and Tubber Roads look the likeliest winners on this prize, however cases can be made for, Son of
Anshan, Coole Abbey, Mr Custard, Sprightly Pip, Teelin Bay, and Whitegates Willie. Conditions
should be ideal for Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Last Option, and in my view he'd be the one to beat if in that
sort of form. He is preferred to Sheltering (Cheltenham clearly isn't Sheltering's favourite course is it, but a
return to his Irish National form of last term would see him going close here),
veteran Secret Bay, and Tubber Roads, who after losing to Secret Bay has won his last
three hunter chases.
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬> Last Option,
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Mr Custard,
4:20 Martell XO Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices' Hurdle {Gr. 2} £100000 added, 4yo only, 2m 110yds, penalty £58000, 18 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Londoner (USA) & Abbot
¦ are there any runners from "FUTURE WINNERS" our feature which each week, notes horses to watch for follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Chopneyev (FR)
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Newhall, Find The King, Derivative, Green Ideal, Londoner, Giocomo, Abbot, Kirat, Chopneyev, Quazar, Sud Bleu, and Cita Verda, all have claims in this open looking affair. Newhall's form
this term looks solid, however I was mightily impressed with fellow Irish raider Find The King's win at Clonmel in November, where he strode clear on a useful
field of juveniles to win by 8 lengths. He wasn't as impressive last time out at Limerick in March, however Beef or Salmon,
Vatirisk, and Rathgar Beau, are no mugs, so to beat them fair and square was a sound effort. I expect
Londoner, and Sud Bleu to improve on Triumph Hurdle form, but not enough to beat Edward O'Grady's charge
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Find The King
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Sud Bleu (FR)
¦ long shot ¦:¬>Chopneyev (FR) ~ very fresh when finishing second to Just Murphy .. the experience will have done him the world of good
4:50 Martell Novices' H'cap Steeple Ch. £30000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 4f, penalty £21775, 11 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ are there any runners from "ONE TO JUMP" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦:¬>Asador (FR)
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Spring Margot, Over The First, Harvis, Returning, Asador, L'Epicurien, and Mr Bossman, are the main challenger for the sixth. Asador, and L'Epicurien, in
particular catch the eye if they could return to their best form., however the ground may be too quick
for Asador (who is supposedly to need cut) whilst I'm not sure about placing total faith in L'Epicurien after his fall at
Cheltenham. He does though meet Spring Margot on far better term than when beating in over hurdles a year ago.
Spring Margot is developing into a lovely chaser, and he is more likely to get round in my view, and for that reason he is preferred
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Spring Margot (FR)
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>L'Epicurien (FR)
5:20 Martell Mersey Novices' Hurdle {Gr. 2} £50000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, penalty £29000, 12 runners.
¦----------¦¤º°¤¦ at the post ¦¤º°¤¦----------¦
¦ t.h.e. r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>Classified, Eternal Spring, Boneyarrow, Jenniferjo, and Claymore look the likeliest winners of the last. Classified was a creditable fourth in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle if you consider that he
didn't really get the run of the race. Despite being hampered two out he stayed on bravely to
finish only 9 lengths behind Galileo. If he returns to his best form he should be too good for these. Boneyarrow, who beat Takagi by 10lengths at
Punchestown in March looks the chief threat
¦ 1èr CHOICE ¦:¬>Classified
¦ e/w alternative ¦:¬>Riyadh
|
|
