Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on Saturday’s big race action at Ascot and Haydock. Plus, I’ve done a full preview of Monday’s Surrey National at Lingfield.
Three-day entry at the Berkshire Winter Million cost just £40. That was some bargain considering the quality of racing on offer. It’s just a shame it wasn’t publicised more.
On Saturday the action switched to Ascot. There was more rain than forecast and the ground eased too soft.
Ascot
Nurse Susan was a late withdrawal from the Grade 2 Warfield Mares' Hurdle due to the rain softened ground. That left just four mares going to post, with the novice La Conquiere sent off the even-money favourite.
Ooh Betty might not be big, but she has plenty of heart, as she showed when making all. Granted, she got her own way out in front and turning for home all four runners were still in with a chance. Joyeuse left her legs behind at the last, leaving Ooh Betty and the favourite to fight out a thrilling finish. It was the former who dug deep, prevailing by half a length.
Clarence House Chase: Drama and a Defiant Jonbon
The highlight of the Ascot card was the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase. Just four runners went to post, but the race produced plenty of drama before and during the contest.
First, Harry Cobden, due to ride Jonbon, was stood down after a fall earlier on the card. James Bowen took over, having previously been beaten on Jonbon at 4/1-on on his only other ride on the 10yo.
As expected, Thistle Ask went to the front and set a brisk gallop. Stepping up to Grade 1 company, the rapidly improving two-mile chaser made a gallant bid to make it five-from-five since joining Dan Skelton. Jonbon headed him at the last, his stamina coming into play after being slightly outpaced four out.
Il Etait Temps was sent off the 2/5 favourite following his demolition of Jonbon in the Tingle Creek. He was never travelling as well as he had at Sandown and made a tired fall two out. The screens went up, but thankfully he was able to walk away, presumably having been only winded. Whether it was the track, the ground, or just an off day, he’s capable of the odd below-par run and this may have been one of them. He’ll no doubt bounce back.
Jonbon, who has never finished outside the first two in Grade 1 company, was gaining his 11th top-level success and a second successive Clarence House. Even at this veteran stage, his will to win clearly remains.
Haydock: Old Park Star Sets Supreme Standard
Old Park Star produced far and away the best novice hurdle performance we’ve seen so far this season to win the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle. He jumped well and galloped his rivals including nearest market rival Hurricane Pat into submission. He made the latter who also came into the race unbeaten look ordinary.
Now 3 from 3 over hurdles Old Park Star has progressed with all three of his runs and is a worthy favourite for the Supreme on the back of this performance. His odds for the Supreme look about right and it will need an impressive winner at the Dublin Racing Festival to dislodge him from head of the Supreme betting.
Imperial Saint Punishes Rivals Jumping Errors in the Peter Marsh
The Haydock feature race was the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase. Just the five went to post but it was quality line-up with the bookies going 100/30 the field at the off.
Myretown and Konfusion had been given Gold Cup entries early in the week, but they proved easy to back in the pre-race betting. The horse for money was Imperial Saint, and he justified that market support holding off Richmond Lake in a cracking finish. The good to soft ground was ideal for the winner whilst the runner-up would have preferred it a little bit softer.
Myretown seemed to be enjoying himself out in front setting steady fractions. He was still in front coming to the third last, but he ploughed through that fence and ended his chance. His jumping errors are becoming a bit of a concern.
Konfusion didn’t jump as fluently as he had to win the Rowland Meyrick. He was just in front two out but a mistake there did him no favours. If he had taken that one better, he might well have gone onto win who knows. He’s not one to give up on just yet.
Johnnywho was sent joint favourite with Konfusion, but his jumping let him down not for the first time. He’s well enough handicapped to land a good pot but until the jumping clicks won’t collect one.
Royale Pagaille bidding for a third win the race dropped away four out. The Venetia Williams yard must have a bug as she’s having a terrible season just 7 winners from 88 runners Exp/Wins 12.19. Venetia has now gone 37 runners and 35 days since her last winner. I wouldn’t be surprised if she closed the yard down for a couple of weeks because something needs to be done.
Monday Racing
Lingfield has the jumping stage to itself, with the Surrey National Handicap Chase (1:50) the highlight of the card. Rather surprisingly, sixteen were declared for this marathon contest run over 3m5f, although Special John was due to run at Windsor on Sunday. It’s a good-sized field and a competitive race for a Monday, one that’s well worth more than a second look.
Lingfield
1:50 – Surrey National Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 3m5f
Sporting Ace looked well suited to a marathon test in the mud when winning this race last year. He hasn’t been in the same form on four starts since, including three this season over shorter trips. The more testing the ground the better, and he’s now 1lb lower than 12 months ago. This has likely been the target for a trainer among the winners.
My Silver Lining ran to form when a 6½-length second of 12 to Grand Geste in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (3m1½f) at Haydock last time. She’s probably not the same mare that won Warwick’s Classic Chase two years ago, but she’s 2lb below her last winning mark and her yard is back in form, so she must be taken seriously.
Aworkinprogress was well placed to land four handicap chases last season, including three here. The 7yo improved again when winning at Uttoxeter on seasonal return but then ran poorly behind Jubilee Express in the Coral Welsh Grand National Trial. He needs to bounce back but could do so back here on testing ground.
Invincible Nao won at Sandown (2m4f) two starts back. He travelled like the most likely winner before finding little off the bridle from two out when fourth of 6 in the London National last time. He stays 3m4f and is ground versatile, but it was worrying how quickly he faded last time. Yard has won this race twice in 2017 & 2024.
Ivane won the Durham National at Sedgefield in October and ran well again when second of 9 in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen. He’s got a decent chance but 4lb rise makes life tougher for the 8yo, and his best form has come on better ground.
Surrey For Surrey
Surrey Quest is back over fences for the first time this season. It’s also his first start over the larger obstacles since falling at the first in the Scottish Grand National, a race he was beaten a nose in the previous year.
There’s been little to recommend the 9yo on his three hurdle runs this season. However, he now returns to fences after wind surgery. He’s won twice on his first run back following the procedure, which is a clear positive. Soft ground will suit. The drop in class helps too. Handicapped to go close if today has been the plan.
Tomorrow, I’ll review the two days of at the Berkshire Winter Million from Windsor.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John