Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m recapping on the Grade 1 action at Sandown.
Sandown Sparkles: Lulamba Shines, Il Etait Temps Stars
Saturday delivered a blockbuster day of racing. We had a high-class Tingle Creek, a fascinating Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, and the Becher Handicap Chase over the National fences. I love these pre-Christmas Saturdays, and this one delivered in full. The Grade 1 winners at Sandown were outstanding.
Classy Lulamba Crushes Henry VIII Field
Just four lined up for the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. Lulamba, getting the handy 4yo allowance, headed the betting but it wasn’t a gimmie with his three rivals all smart novice chasers.
Lulamba was backed as if defeat was unthinkable and he delivered. Be Aware went forward and Harry Skelton tried to pressure Lulamba’s jumping early. It was a bold tactic and worked for a while. But Lulamba warmed to the task and his jumping improved as the race developed. Two out he moved up to the long-time leader, travelling better, and took over before powering clear for a very impressive win.
Be Aware was a spent force at the last but stuck on for second, with Lump Sum a head back in third. Alnilam didn’t get to the front this time and his jumping was poor.
I think both second and third ran to form and you can argue Be Aware jumped better than Lulamba – the RaceIQ figures back that up. Ultimately, he just lacks the winner’s class.
Lulamba looks top drawer and has an exciting future. He travelled strongly, stayed well, and is the standout British novice chaser seen so far.
Turbocharged Il Etait Temps Leaves Jonbon Standing
Despite the small field, the Tingle Creek looked a humdinger on paper.
Jonbon, bidding for a third straight win in the race, went from the front, found his rhythm, and looked more like himself. Hot favourite Il Etait Temps was always in a great spot and, turning in, Paul Townend slipped through on the inner. The response was instant. Il Etait Temps powered clear in a matter of strides for a scintillating success.
Jonbon ran well but couldn’t match winners change of gear. He needs further than the minimum trip these days.
Il Etait Temps isn’t the biggest, but he has a serious engine. It’s been a long time since a two-mile performance impressed me more. Cheltenham remains a question, but there are plenty of other Grade 1 opportunities for him this season.
L'Eau Du Sud, weak in the market beforehand, faded two out and was the disappointment of the race. This was Willie Mullins’ first Grade 1 attempt of the season and he landed it – ominous for the opposition.
Moore’s Hot Streak Rolls on as Hurricane Pat Dominates
The Listed Claremont Novices' Hurdle opened the card, with five last-time-out winners. Gary Moore, fresh from a Friday treble, kept the run going as Hurricane Pat won well. He took over two out and quickly pulled clear of a field that looked strong on paper. Now 2 from 2 over hurdles, both wins at Sandown, the soft ground suited and he looks a smart novice hurdler. A clash with Mydaddypaddy in the Grade 1 Formby Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day could be up next.
Aintree: Twig Denies Mr Vango in Becher Thriller
The Becher Handicap Chase was Saturday’s most interesting betting race. They were 9/2 the field, which underlined how competitive it looked. We know the National fences aren’t what they used to be, but there’s still something special about them. Horses either take to them or don’t, and that remains unchanged.
One horse who has really taken to these fences is Mahons Glory. He jumped for fun, soon opened up a clear lead, and made a bold bid from the front. But his stamina gave out approaching the last. That left Twig and the favourite Mr Vango to battle out a slow-motion finish.
Twig doesn’t do much when he hits the front, and Mr Vango who had lost his place three out rallied after the last to get within a short head. To Twig’s credit, he found more when the runner-up closed and race fitness may have tipped it.
It was a tremendous effort from Mr Vango off top weight of 12-0 on his seasonal return. He took to the fences well, and 3m2f is short of his best. Both the winner and the runner-up had hard races, so the Welsh Grand National may come too soon for Mr Vango. But if he recovers in time, he’d have a good chance at Chepstow.
Last year's Welsh National winner Val Dancer finished third. He bounced back from a quiet return at Carlisle, and this should tee him up perfectly for another crack at the Chepstow race.
Jubilee Express Shines in Welsh Grand National Trial
Speaking of the Welsh National, Jubilee Express runner-up to Val Dancer last year made all to win the Coral Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow. Three of the last five winners of the Trial have followed up in the main race, so it’s a proper pointer. Unsurprisingly the bookies cut Jubilee Express into favouritism after Saturday’s success.
Since 2009, 24 runners have come from the Becher to the Welsh National. None have won, though three placed. Those aren’t great stats if you fancy Val Dancer to emulate Bonanza Boy and win back-to-back Welsh National’s. That said only five of those 24 had previously won at Chepstow and none had won over the Welsh National trip.
The last horse to win the Welsh National after running in the Becher was Silver Birch in 2004.
All in all, it was a high-quality Saturday. Sandown delivered top-class Grade 1 winners, while Aintree served up a proper old-fashioned finish over the National fences.
On the betting front, I landed a couple of winners with Bear Market at Aintree and O’Connell in the London National. Bear Market made it three wins from three at Aintree with a strong front-running display, credit to Toby Wynne who timed the fractions perfectly. In contrast, Gavin Sheehan rode O’Connell with patience, saving ground before striking late to outstay his rivals on softening ground. He’s another who’s heading to the Welsh Grand National.
In tomorrow’s column I’ll be dipping into the notebook to recap Friday’s action at Sandown where there was some real quality on show on day one of the Tingle Creek meeting. Plus, I’ll be looking back at some excellent racing at Navan and Cork on Saturday and Sunday.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John