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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; [¹ NØ.1 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.
KEMPTON
Wednesday 26th December
12:40 Pertemps Christmas Greetings Novices' Hurdle
[¥____¥: THE FURLONG POLE :¥____¥]
[are there any runners from "One to Jump 2002" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:-->Deoch An Dorais,
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Not the best renewal of this race.... in my view this centres on the
reliability of Island Sound's recent form at Taunton where he appeared to be gifted the race gaining a massive lead around that tight circuit which his rivals failed to bridge. I cant imagine connections will be so gullible this time around, and it
wouldn't surprise me if Deoch An Dorais doesn't prove to be too good. His proximity to Ideal Du Bois Beury [well beaten behind Island Sound] suggests that he has plenty on his plate, however that read like a good race to me, and it
wouldn't surprise me if the selection demonstrates how suspect that
Taunton formline is.
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Deoch An Dorais,
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Barito (GER)
1:10 Pertemps Learning Feltham Novices' Steeplechase (Gr.1)
[¥____¥: THE FURLONG POLE :¥____¥]
[are there any runners from "One to Jump 2002" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:-->Katarino, Valley Henry, and Man On The Hill
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Katarino, Valley Henry, and Man On The Hill, give our "One to Jump" feature a very strong hand in the second race on the card. They are in top class form, and set a high stand for Quakers Field, Innox, Maximize, Frosty Canyon, and High Cotton to aspire to. Valley Henry is highly
regarded by connections who see him as a long-term Gold Cup prospect. He
hasn't let supporters down thus far winning easily at Chepstow, before
readily disposing of Frosty Canyon at newbury on his most
recent start. He wont be too far away however he may have give best to Katarino. Nicky Henderson's charge was top class over hurdles, and gave
every impression that he could be as good over fences, if his defeat of Mr Cool at Newbury is evidence to go by. Those looking for something to support at larger odds could do a lot worse than with Innox, who boasts some useful form in
France, and could be a lot sharper for his sighter behind Katarino
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Katarino (FR)
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Innox (FR)
1:45 Pertemps Christmas Hurdle (Gr.1) - Sponsored by Pertemps
[¥____¥: THE FURLONG POLE :¥____¥]
[are there any runners from "One to Jump 2002" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:-->Landing Light, and Azertyuiop,
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->This is probably far more competitive than the current market suggests, and
you can make cases for each of the five runners to line up here. Azertyuiop who beat Milligan easily in a muddling race at
Wincanton is almost certain to make the running here, and Timmy
Murphy's judgement of pace could well determine the outcome of the race. I'm not clear how the pace will suit Landing Light who in my view is best in a strongly run affair. He disapointed a little in taking the Fighting
Fifth Hurdle, and may be best left for another day. I'd be prepared to take a chance with Bilboa, who lost her way a
bit after winning the Glenlivet Hurdle at Aintree. I wasn't overly impressed with her efforts at the end of June, however she has been
encouraging of late having run creditably behind Line Marine at Auteuil, and more
recently at Enghien, when she cruised around, but couldn't quicken as well as the eventual winner Stormez. She possesses a decent turn of foot that could be very useful during the final quarter
of this race
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Bilboa (FR)
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->
2:20 KING GEORGE VI STEEPLECHASE (Gr.1) - Sponsored by Pertemps
[¥____¥: THE FURLONG POLE :¥____¥]
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->An intriguing renewal, mainly because there is a
good chance it'll raise more questions that answer. It appears that everything is in place for First Gold to make a bold bid to see off the young pretenders in his bid for a repeat triumph. He lived up to all of our expectations with his
brilliant display last year, and if he is in the same frame of mind I can see him going close. The problem here is that there is no obvious
pacemaker in the field therefore a tactical race is on the cards.
Bacchanal and the French challenger, appear to be only contenders for this
role, and it'll be interesting to see how the race unfolds... I wouldnt be
surprised if one of them makes it hurt from early on. They'll need to with Best Mate [and to a lesser extent Florida Pearl] dangerous foes who could be stretch in they are forced into a test if stamina. Best Mate will probably pass that test, however does he really want this
challenge at this stage on his career - the form of his most recent
start at Ascot is hard to read with Wahiba Sands winning at Ascot on Saturday, and Logican ( a stone wrong
in the handicap) running no sort of race there on Friday. He can run a honourable race and yet still be
turned over here. Bacchanal, could be interesting if he can get into a
rhythm early on in the race... he'll need to as his jumping could be vulnerable in the early stages, Eachway
supporters have plenty of options as you can make cases for Florida Pearl, Legal Right, Fadalko, Bellator, and Go Ballistic on bits of their form. We're lucky to have a
promising horse that Best Mate to watch reach maturity, however I suspect that today may not be his day.
Don't be too surprised if Thierry Doumen makes plenty of use First Gold here, and I select
him to make just about all here.
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->First Gold
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Florida Pearl
[²Long*shot]:-:-->Fadalko
2:55 Network Design H'cap Steeplechase
[¥____¥: THE FURLONG POLE :¥____¥]
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->Montpelier, Perfect Fellow, Newick Park, Master Pilgrim, Moving Earth, Moor Lane, and Outlook Good appeal ion the
fifth. Preference is for Perfect Fellow who made a satisfactory
reappearance behind Hurricane Lamp at Sandown 18 days ago, is just
preferred to Montpelier, who will hard to beat despite his welter burden of 12-0. Outlook Good is caught my eye at Southwell on his
British debut could be an interesting eachway alternative
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->Perfect Fellow,
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Outlook Good
3:25 Pertemps Catering H'cap Hurdle
[¥____¥: THE FURLONG POLE :¥____¥]
[are there any runners from "One to Jump 2002" - our national hunt horses to follow feature?]:-:-->Oliver Cromwell,
[t.h.e. r.o.o.k]:-:-->A
very tricky race to end the card with Clandestine, Stormy Skye, King Of The Castle, Frogmarch, Zaffre Noir, Alka International, Cupboard Lover, Ice Crystal, and Oliver Cromwell, all entitled to close inspection. King Of The Castle, who disapointed over 2miles last time out at Wincanton had previously won nicely at Exeter in
October ... he is marginally preferred to Clandestine,
[¹nø.1 choice]:-:-->King Of The Castle,
[²e/w alternative]:-:-->Oliver Cromwell,
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