Hi all,
It was heavy ground at Doncaster for the start of the new British flat season. And the heavy going description was backed up by the times.
I was chomping at the bit for the return of the flat and the big fields at Doncaster. However, after the last two days I wished I hadn’t as it’s been a bit of a mare to be honest.
Less of my travails on the punting front. And instead let’s get back to the action on the track on Lincoln Day. Inside today's main piece I review the best of Saturday's action. Plus, there's a look at today's feature race at Ludlow.
Doddie’s off to a Brocklesby flyer
A furlong out it looked like 3/1 favourite Valadero was going to give Amo Racing back to back wins in the Brocklesby. However, the testing ground just found the colt out close home and he was collared by Doddie's Impact.
Doddie's Impact is named in honour of the Scottish Rugby Union legend Doddie Weir. Doddie sadly passed away at the end of last year aged 52 after suffering from motor neurone disease. So, it was a nice ‘feel good’ winner to get the new season underway.
The winner is bred to stay further but he may prove at his best on soft ground. Valadero showed plenty of speed but will stay 6f and will appreciate better ground. The third home Charged Up kept on well and can win a race in the North for trainer Ollie Pears.
Duke wins slow motion Spring Mile
The heavy ground performers came to the fore on Town Moor on Saturday. Harswell Duke loves the mud, and he made it 4 wins from 8 starts on soft or heavy ground. When winning a slow motion finish to the Lincoln consolation race. Quickly away, he led all the way but had in enough in hand to hold off Titian. Given the conditions it was a gutsy success by the 5-year-old.
Vadream lands Cammidge Trophy
The bookies went for 4/1 the field for what looked a competitive renewal. It turned out to be anything but competitive though as Vadream routed her opposition to win by 4 ½ lengths from Fast Response. The mare had race fitness on her side and got her favoured testing ground something she didn’t get last season.
This was the winners day. She’s not the most straightforward but she’s good when she gets her underfoot conditions.
The runner-up can also hold her own in this company when she gets testing ground. Before the race her trainer Karl Burke has said the filly hadn’t yet come in her coat yet so this was a good effort. She came good in the autumn last year so might see her at her very best later in the season.
Ehraz ran well to finish third on ground that would have been plenty soft enough for the 4-year-old. He’ll be seen to better advantage on quicker ground.
Fast Response’s stablemate El Caballo hated the ground and finished last of the ten runners. We should know about his well being back on a sounder surface.
I thought the winner had good each way claims. However, I talked myself out of a bet and ended up leaving the race alone. A couple of weeks ago I would have chanced her, but my confidence has nosed dived of late and that was the result.
Migration swoops for Lincoln success
The first big handicap of the new flat season saw top weight Migration come from the rear to win a shade cosily from the well fancied Awaal. The runner-up looked to have come with a winning run a furlong out, but he couldn’t cope with the winners late thrust.
The winner was back on heavy ground for the first time since winning at Goodwood back in July 2021. He must be ridden from off the pace and come with a late run. That means he always going to need a good gallop and luck in the run which he got on Saturday.
Another heavy ground performer Baradar who had bounced back to winning ways here (7f) last November. He looked to be coming with a good run 1f out, but his effort just flattened out close home and he had to settle for third. A mile on this ground just stretches his stamina but he’s returned to action on a competitive mark.
Last season’s Cambridgeshire winner Majestic was up 7lb for his Newmarket success but ran a cracker in fourth. The 5-year-old is lightly raced enough to think he can win again.
My ante post pick Empirestateofmind was bang there a furlong out but faded inside the final furlong to finish 7th. He travelled well through the race but on Saturday’s ground might just have needed the run. He’s not one to give up on.
Monday Racing:
Ludlow hosts the race of the day with seven being declared for the Class 3 Boyne Cup (A Handicap Chase) (3:00). Top weights Annsam and Bobhopeornohopeare vying for favouritism.
Annsam is a tough horse to pass when he gets into a good jumping rhythm out in front and he’s better than he was able to show last time.
Bobhopeornohope gained a second course success when winning over the distance two starts back. He finished ahead of Annsam at Kempton last time but that one did go off to hard in front. He also likes to keep up with the pace and the yards runners are going better now.
Dibble Decker has improved for the fitting of the cheekpieces to win his last two starts over fences at Huntingdon. Up 4lb in a better race and stepping up to 3m for the first time. He did win an Irish point over the distance so might stay. Going the right way and a definite contender.
Last time out C&D winner Le Cameleon should be in the mix once more. As could Good Boy Bobby who has been out of form this season but is well treated if bouncing back to form. The Wolf is another to have dropped to a good mark, but his jumping isn’t reliable.
It’s a tricky puzzle that’s for sure. Drying ground probably favours Dibble Decker but I’m just going with Bobhopeornohope.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John
Hi John do you think there is a stable to follow early flat season, I used to pay Jack Berry a lot of respect when he was training but I don’t seem to see anyone in today’s ranks.