paddock picks
Andrew Ayres with another selection of eye-catchers
Andrew Ayres draws our attention to some eye catchers
PLUMPTON December 17 (soft) 3m1f110y novices chase (Class 4) EASY WINNER
OK CORRAL (Nicky Henderson) is a lengthy, classy looking gelding who looked just in need of the run on this chase debut. He clattered one at halfway, but basically jumped well and won with a ton in hand. He was equally impressive in a better race at Warwick in mid-January and is going to be hard to beat in the 4m National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
LINGFIELD December 19 (standard) 7f two-year-old fillies’ novice (Class 5) FAIR RACE
MINA VAGANTE (Hugo Palmer) is a strapping half-sister to the smart middle-distance performer Crimean Tater. She was always going to find this an insufficient test of stamina, but shaped with definite promise in seventh and will leave the form behind over 1m and beyond. 1m two-year-old novice (Class 5) RACE THAT WILL PRODUCE WINNERS ALANDALOS (Charles Hills) is beautifully bred – out of the 1000 Guineas winner Ghanaati – but looked backward and was a big market drifter. She flopped out of the stalls and was well in rear before finish strongly to snatch fourth. This was an eye-catching debut and she could be useful. EDE’S (Pat Phelan) isn’t the biggest – like most of Sir Percy’s progeny – but he’s well-made and caught the eye finishing seventh under a quiet ride from Paddy Bradley. He’s since been allotted a handy mark of 60 and will be placed to advantage on the AW this winter by this shrewd yard.
CHELMSFORD December 20 (standard) 1m two-year-old maiden (Class 3) FAIR FORM
BALTIC SONG (John Gosden) is a big, scopey colt from a smart German middle-distance family. He was never really in the hunt after a slow start but hinted at ability and will be much sharper with this under his belt. He’s bred to improve and will win races when moved up in trip.
ASCOT December 21 (soft) 2m novice hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) IMPRESSIVE WINNER
ANGELS BREATH (Nicky Henderson)
JERRYS BACK really is a handsome gelding and continued his upward curve by bustling up the smart winner Vindication
came here with a lofty reputation and was well backed on this hurdling debut despite looking babyish in the paddock. He was ridden with bags of confidence by Nico de Boinville and won as he liked after hitting the front before the furlong pole. Connections rate this big grey a future star and he must be followed closely. 2m5f novice chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) HOT CONTEST JERRYSBACK (Philip Hobbs) really is a handsome gelding and continued his upward curve by bustling up the smart winner Vindication. He jumped brilliantly throughout and might have got his head in front had Barry Geraghty ridden him slightly more aggressively. He’ll stay much further and will win good races. KEMPTON December 26 (good-soft) 3m novice chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) HIGH CLASS FORM TOPOFTHEGAME (Paul Nicholls) is a massive gelding who has taken an age to grow into his frame. He travelled like the best horse in this, but was probably kicked into the lead too soon by Harry Cobden and left himself vul-
nerable to a late counter attack from the rallying La Bague Au Roi. He’s top class and is going to be a major player in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March.
LINGFIELD December 28 (standard) 7f two-year-old novice (Class 5) RUN-OF-THE-MILL EVENT
ELMEJOR (John Best) looks a strong, well-made colt and was quietly fancied by connections. He wasn’t sharp enough to figure, but came home strongly to finish sixth and is capable of better. There’s definitely a small race in him.
NEWBURY December 29 (good-soft) 2m110y novice hurdle (Class 4) DECENT RACE
still looked as if he’d improve for the run and shaped with real promise in fourth. He was bang up with the pace for most of the contest, only fading when lack of condition told in the straight. He’ll be fitter next time and is nailed on to win races.
2m4f110y novice hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) IMPRESSIVE WINNER
CHAMP (Nicky Henderson) created a big impression when winning a hot handicap on his reappearance and looked fitter and sharper here. He put up a remarkable performance, racing keenly and throwing in some extravagant leaps before quickened away smartly on the run-in. He’s a top class prospect and will take plenty of stopping.
LINGFIELD December 31 (standard) 7f handicap (Class 4) COMPETITIVE RACE
DIOCLES OF ROME (Ralph Beckett) has progressed physically this autumn/winter and looked in great shape on this return from a seven week break. He did well to finish second after being hemmed-in when the pace quickened and is still on a handy mark. There’s another race or two in this gelding.
KEMPTON January 5 (standard-slow) 7f fillies and mares novice (Class 5) FAIR FORM
PACIFICADORA (Simon Dow) is a good looking filly and was heavily bet at fancy odds close to the off. She lost all chance after a sluggish start, but rattled home in third and is clearly above average. The Dow yard is about to hit top form and she’ll win soon.
PLUMPTON January 6 (good-soft, soft in places) 2m3f110y novice chase (Class 3) CRACKING CONTEST
GOOD MAN PAT (Alan King) was pretty fit on this return from a 268-day break and ran an eye-catching race in third. He wasn’t knocked about at any stage under a quiet ride from Wayne Hutchinson and will leave this form behind.
2m4f110y novice hurdle (Class 3) ABOVE AVERAGE EVENT
ÉCLAIR DU GUYE (Lucy Wadham) looked in great shape and, as was the case on his previous outing here, shaped encouragingly despite finishing out of the money. He travels like a
useful horse and should thrive when moved into handicaps.
LINGFIELD January 9 (standard) 6f handicap (Class 6) COMPETITIVE RACE FOR THE GRADE
FIRST LINK (Jean-Rene Auvray) is a tall, leggy filly who looks as if she’s taken an age to strengthen. She was slightly outpaced throughout, but stayed on strongly in the straight to finish fifth. A return to 7f will see her win a similar race.
KEMPTON January 9 (standard-slow) 1m three-year-old novice (Class 5) ABOVE AVERAGE EVENT
DOBRIANKA (Ralph Beckett) is an attractive filly who was well backed in the morning before drifting near the off. She had no chance after racing wide without cover, but showed plenty of raw ability to finish mid-division and will improve for the experience. She’s from a decent family – dam was Group placed in France – and is one to keep an eye on.
LINGFIELD January 11 (standard) 1m handicap (Class 6) FAIR FORM
SCREAMING GEMINI (Tony Carroll) looked in great shape and would have gone close but for being hampered a couple of times in the straight. He’s slipped back to a handy mark and will win a similar event soon. 6f novice (Class 5) BARRITUS (George Baker) is built like a bull but looked pretty fit on this return from a year on the side-lines. He attracted massive support (25-1 to 5-1) and ran a nailer to finish second after missing the break and being forced wide. He’ll stay beyond this trip and will be hard to beat next time.
LINGFIELD January 12 (standard) 6f handicap (Class 3) COMPETITIVE EVENT
GORGEOUS NOORA (Archie Watson) isn’t the biggest but she looked in cracking shape and was well backed near the off. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to land a blow after being hampered inside the final furlong, shaping much better than her finishing position suggests. Her trainer is a dab hand with his AW runners and she will win soon.