paddock picks
Andrew Ayres with plenty of future stars to follow from his tours around the country
Andrew Ayres finds some more potential Henderson stars
KEMPTON January 15 (standard-slow)
1m4f handicap (Class 5) ORDINARY FORM SUBLIMINAL (Simon Dow) was useful when trained in France and certainly looks the part. He shaped encouragingly at Lingfield in December and built on that here, finishing third after being tapped for toe at the two-pole. He’s fairly treated and one to support when dropped into a 0-60 handicap.
LINGFIELD January 16 (standard)
1m4f three-year-old maiden (Class 6) UNCOMPETITIVE RACE YDRA (Archie Watson) is a tall, immature looking colt who must have taken an age to strengthen. He was poorly placed as the race unfolded, but kept on well to snatch second inside the final furlong and will improve plenty for the outing. He’s with a sharp yard and should win races.
KEMPTON January 16 (standard-slow)
1m three-year-old maiden (Class 5) USEFUL FORM BATTLE OF PARADISE (Sir Mark Prescott) attracted sustained support through the day and was clearly expected to go close. He proceeded to run a cracker, travelling like a dream and only giving best to the more experienced Target Zone inside the final furlong. He’s got the size and scope to improve and could be useful.
LINGFIELD January 18 (standard)
1m2f three-year-old fillies’ novice (Class 5) SMALL BUT COMPETITIVE FIELD ALLOCATOR (Richard Hannon) looked a million dollars on his debut here and was heavily punted through the day. He was sluggish from the stalls under Ryan Moore and poorly position when the eventual winner Marhaban kicked for home. He’s definitely the best horse in this field and looks smart.
LINGFIELD January 23 (standard)
7f fillies handicap (Class 5) FAIR RACE FIRST LINK (Jean-Rene Auvray) caught the eye when a fast finishing fifth over 6f a fortnight earlier and looked in rude health. She was heavily backed at fancy prices and could be named the winner from the moment she started a run turning for home. This big, raw-boned filly remains well treated off 61 and will win again.
FONTWELL January 27 (good-soft, soft in places)
2m3f maiden hurdle (Class 4) USEFULRACEFORTHETRACK GRANGE RANGER (Jamie Snowden) had been absent since falling in a point-topoint in May 2017 and definitely looked in need of the run. He travelled as well as anything until blowing up on the turn for home and ran a cracker to finish fourth. He’s got the size and scope to make a chaser and could be above average. ROSY WORLD (Suzy Smith) was distinctly backward on her hurdling debut in December and looked much sharper here. She wasn’t good enough to trouble the market leaders, but stuck on well to finish third and will find easier openings. Keep an eye on her when she’s back against mares. 2m1f162y novice hurdle (Class 4) FRONTTWOPULLEDCLEAR ON THE SLOPES (Chris Gordon) is a strapping individual who has improved with each of his starts since joining this yard. He went down with all guns blazing after a pitched battle with the useful Greaneteen and is going to develop into a smart chaser. Keep a close eye on him round the gaff tracks in the south.
KEMPTON January 28( good-soft)
2m novice hurdle (Class 4) IMPRESSIVE WINNER PRECIOUS CARGO (Nicky Henderson) really is a handsome individual and won readily after being heavily bet near the off. He’s certain to stay beyond this trip and is a high class long distance chaser in the making. The Henderson yard excels with this type and he’s definitely one for the notebook. CELTIC JOY (Emma Lavelle) looked in good nick and was a massive eye-catcher in third under a quiet ride from Aidan Coleman. He’s since been allotted a mark of 109 and should make a mark in run-of-the-mill handicaps. 2m5f novice hurdle (Class 4) RACEDOMINATEDBYTHE HENDERSONYARD THE CASHEL MAN (Nicky Henderson) is a bonny individual who went down by a neck after fluffing the last. He was smart on the Flat in a former life and deserves a pat on the back for this massive effort after 611-days on the
side-lines. He’s best behind a fast pace and could give connections some fun this spring.
KEMPTON February 2 (standard to slow)
1m fillies novice (Class 5) FAIR CONTEST ELISHEBA (John Gosden) is a leggy, unfurnished looking filly who cost 200,000gns. She blew all chance when walking out of the stalls under Robert Havlin, but came home best of all to finish fifth and is clearly talented. She’ll be hard to beat next time. 1m handicap (Class 4) SOLID FORM INTREPIDLY (Charlie Fellowes) looked in tremendous shape on this debut for a new yard and was backed as if defeat were out of the question. He almost landed the gamble, only being run down late after kicking clear under Adam Kirby. A 3lbs rise in the ratings is a nuisance, but he remains well treated on his best form and should collect next time.
LINGFIELD February 2 (standard)
6f Listed (Class 1) RACE RUN IN COURSE RECORD TIME MOKARRIS (Simon Crisford) had a summer coat and looked in tremendous nick on this return from a 640-day break. He fluffed the start, looked rusty and did well to finish fourth after being hampered in the straight. He’s obviously retained plenty of ability despite a stop-start career and will be a different proposition with this under his belt.
KEMPTON February 2 (standard-slow)
7f novice (Class 5) ORDINARY FORM DERRY BOY (David Evans) looked well but was surprisingly easy to back in a market dominated by Global Spectrum. He couldn’t quicken with that one from the intersection, but was clear of the remainder in second and showed more than enough to suggest he’ll win races. The Evans yard is in decent form he should break his duck soon.
KEMPTON February 6 (standard-slow)
1m three-year-old novice (Class 5) WEAK EVENT DON JUPP (Marco Botti) was the subject of a positive whisper and looked a mile ahead of his rivals in the paddock. He was confidently ridden by Daniel Muscutt and won with any amount in hand after travelling best throughout. He’s better than the average mid- winter AW performer and should be followed. 1m2f Handicap (Class 4) COMPETITIVE RACE RED FORCE ONE (Paul Nicholls) looked in tremendous shape on this return from a five month break and came within a nose of making a winning debut for the Nicholls yard. He’s well treated on the Flat, has the physique to jump hurdles and is one to watch closely during the spring. JODIES JEM (Stuart Edmunds) is a big, robust individual who needed the outing on his first start since July 2017. He travelled strongly, only faded when lack of condition told, and is nailed-on to improve for the outing. He’s with a shrewd yard and will win races. 2m handicap (Class 6) LOW GRADE AFFAIR THE DETAINEE (Neil Mulholland) has always been a good-looker and caught the eye finishing third on his first run following a six month break. He was easy to back despite the presence of AW king Adam Kirby in the plate, which indicates that this was only a pipe-opener. Make no mistake, he’s more than capable of paying his way on the Flat and over hurdles.