Hi all,
We said goodbye to the Flat season at Doncaster, but it was the jumps that took centre stage on Saturday. Wincanton hosted its best card of the season, Badger Beers Day, while Aintree raced over the Grand National fences for the first time this campaign.
Inside today’s main piece you can read my review of Saturday’s action.
Wincanton: Gustavian Grabs the Glory
The dry autumn meant small fields at Wincanton. Badger Beers Day is usually a bit of a benefit for Paul Nicholls, and he landed a treble, though both Blueking d’Oroux and Rubaud made hard work of winning.
It was class that got Blueking d’Oroux home in the Grade 2 Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase. Rated 20lb superior to runner-up Breaking Cover, he only had a length to spare at the line. The runner-up jumped and travelled better but was outstayed after the last. Blueking d’Oroux doesn’t look a natural chaser, but he stays further than 2m4f. It’s a good pot to win, yet it’s hard to see him troubling the top Irish novices in Grade 1 company later in the season.
Class and guts saw Rubaud dig deep in the Grade 2 BetMGM Elite Hurdle. Coming to the last, Hamlet’s Night – rated 20lb inferior looked like he might cause an upset, but his jump wasn’t as fluent as the winner’s, allowing Rubaud to rally and get up close home.
Gustavian made every yard in the Badger Beers Handicap Chase. The bottom weight got into a superb jumping rhythm and never looked in danger. Scarface, unproven over 3m+, was the only one throw down a challenge in the straight but failed to see out the trip.
Rex Dingle made full use of Gustavian’s light weight in what was a weak renewal of this historic handicap. It’s doubtful he’ll get such a soft lead again, and this will likely be the high point of his season. That won’t worry connections who pocketed £47,552 in prize money.
Aintree: Colonel Takes Command
The William Hill Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over the National fences was the day’s most competitive race. Seventeen went to post, and there was early drama when Our Power and Seddon fell at the third, badly hampering Vintage Fizz, who was quickly pulled up.
Plenty were still in with a chance coming to the last, but it was Colonel Harry, returning from a long break, who powered clear. He looked well treated beforehand, though I’d expected he might need softer ground.
Gaboriot, back in blinkers, went one place better than a year ago in second. He battled on well and finished two lengths behind the winner. As mentioned in last week’s preview, he thrives over these fences and could relish the Becher Chase over 3m2f next month.
Mahons Glory jumped well out in front, really taking well to the fences. He was only headed on the run in and just faded close to home.
Johnnywho (fifth) might have needed the run, though he’s won well fresh before. He’s got a nice pot in him, but his jumping remains a concern as evidenced by the RACEIQ stats here.
Frero Banbou ran well to a point and will likely head for Newcastle’s Rehearsal Chase, which he won last year.
Last year’s winner King Turgeon ran well for a long way before fading into sixth. He may also head for the Becher Chase. White Rhino was hampered at the Chair and never got involved but shouldn’t be written off yet.
Doncaster: Castle Cove Defies Low Draw
The curtain finally came down on the British Flat season. It’s been a somewhat underwhelming campaign, and I’ll review it later in the week.
There was no shortage of runners at Doncaster, and we saw three dominant winners in the feature contests.
Spycatcher relished the testing ground to run out an easy winner of the Listed Wentworth Stakes. He’d scored over C&D on the opening day of the season, so it was a fine training effort to keep him fresh enough to win on the final day too.
Danielle, runner-up to Estrange in last year’s Listed Gillies Fillies’ Stakes, was far too good this time. Down in class after a Group 1 fifth, she was well backed (10/11 fav) and relished the soft ground, surging clear for a nine-length win. Hard to believe she was 11/4 before final declarations.
Castle Cove ploughed through the mud to land the November Handicap. The low-draw bias I highlighted on Saturday was busted as he came out stall 3 but made his move down the outside. Big-race trends are often broken, and this was a reminder to treat them lightly. The drop back to 1m4f suited, and he could progress again as a 4yo.
Hopewell Rock found the conditions too testing but he’s handicapped win races next year back on better ground. Lightly raced 3yo Master Vintner also struggled on handicap debut but looks one to follow over slightly shorter.
Monday Preview
Carlisle and Kempton provide Monday’s action.
Carlisle
Today’s feature race is the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase (2:15) which has £26,015 on offer to the winner. Lat year’s second Unexpected Party and third Path d'Oroux are back. I wouldn’t be surprised if the latter proved the better of the pair this time around. However, I’m more interested in chase debutant Steel Ally. A useful hurdler he should make up into a decent chaser and the recent rain is a plus for the 7yo,
Ostrava Du Berlais has claims in the Mares Handicap Chase (3:23) for Venetia Williams.
Russian Virtue, a dual C&D winner for his previous yard, could go well in the handicap hurdle (2:48). He’s race fit having run on the flat 14 days ago and looks on a good mark back over hurdles.
Kempton
2:00 – Turndlightsdownlow took advantage of a lenient opening mark when winning over C&D 22 days ago. He’s up 10lb but can progress again. Sun Joy is also in form, having scored at Ludlow 18 days ago. He’s up 6lb and a grade but comes from a yard flying at present.
2:30 – Busy Being Busy landed a hat-trick in the spring and was a nose second at Newton Abbot last time. Effective on good or good to soft, he’s up 3lb but remains well treated and should go close if there’s pace to chase.
3:05 – Ilovethenightlife won this race last year and returns from a summer break off the same mark. She’s the pick of those with chase form. She Is For Me Boys, 2 from 3 over hurdles this year, switches quickly to fences. She looks the type to improve for the larger obstacles and a mark of 104 could underestimate her for a stable in cracking form.
Monday Selection
Steel Ally – Carlisle 2:15
In tomorrow’s column I’ll look about at Friday’s Haldon Gold Cup. Plus, you’ll find some future winners for the tracker.
All the best,
John