Good morning all,
It’s Tuesday so it’s three for the tracker day. Inside the main piece, you can find out which three horses caught my eye at the first big jumps meeting of the autumn/winter campaign. Plus, I have an each way fancy running at Leicester this afternoon.
Before all that. The big news in the racing world on Monday was the announcement that Enable had run her last race and had been retired to the paddocks. In some ways the news didn’t surprise.
There had been talk of one last race, in say the Breeders Cup Turf but I’m happy she gets to retire in one piece. After her history making attempt at three wins in the Arc had got bogged down in the Longchamp mud, she didn’t really didn’t have anything more to prove.
I have feeling, nothing more, that if the ground had been good at Ascot and we had been in a normal year racing with a packed crowd at Ascot. Then connections would have allowed the mare one last hurrah on Champions Day.
As neither is happening. I wish Enable a long and happy retirement! She will be covered by Kingman early next year. It will be interesting to see what her progeny achieves on the racecourse.
Enable’s retirement follows quickly on the heels of Pinatubo and Hello Youmzain who are also headed for retirement.
Three for the tracker
We got the first sniff of the winter jumps season, with first big meeting of National Hunt season at Chepstow last Friday and Saturday. So, it was appropriate that my eyes were focused on that meeting.
Here are three that caught my eye at Chepstow.
Crosspark – Caroline Bailey
Crosspark a winner of the Eider Chase in 2019 and runner-up in the Scottish Grand National that year. He never really got going last season only having the two starts. Now eligible for veteran chases the 10-year-old bounced back to form when finishing 2nd of 12 to Present Man. He was only beaten a nose at the line and in another stride would have got his head in front. On the evidence of this run he should be able to add to his four chase wins before too long.
The going quickened up on the Saturday, which meant there were some key non-runners on the Saturday card, including the highly regarded Fiddlerontheroof who was due to make his chase debut.
Flinck – Philip Hobbs
The Philip Hobbs runners seem to be needing the run. However. it won’t be long before they start to hit winning form. Flinck was one to run with promise on his first start for 245-day when finishing 3rd of 11 in Saturday’s Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle. Always in a prominent position he was beaten just over five lengths at the finish. A winner twice last season, both on soft ground, at Warwick and Haydock. It was a career best effort on RPR’s from the 6-year-old on ground that would have been quick enough. He remains capable of winning a handicap hurdle off his present mark but connections also have the option of going novice chasing with him this season.
Boldmere – Caroline Bailey
Boldmere a winning hurdler who quickly developed into very useful chaser last season winning two of his four starts at Leicester and Doncaster. The 7-year-old had the Grade 2 Towton Novices' Chase at his mercy when falling at the final fence back in February. Returning to action in the 3m handicap chase on Saturday, he was very keen in the early stages but in some bold jumps which showed his confidence hasn’t been dented by his Wetherby fall. Lack of recent run took its toll and he was a beaten horse in the straight. He will be sharper for the run and can win more races over fences in the coming months.
Tuesday racing
Yesterday’s selection Northernpowerhouse ran a absolute mare. He was awkward away from the gate and soon got detached from the rest of the field and looked unsteerable in the straight. Oh well that racing. Today’s tip runs this afternoon at Leicester.
Leicester
5:00 – The mud loving and improving Ascension looks to have great chance of landing the hat trick even off a 6lb higher mark than when winning at Ayr 24-days ago. I’m going for one at an each- way price: The mud loving Cold Stare, a winner at Goodwood two starts back off 2lb lower, isn’t the easiest to catch right but 7f on soft/heavy ground are his optimum conditions. If it’s a going day for the 5-year-old he can get into the money.
Tuesday selection:
Leicester
5:00 – Cold Stare – 15/2 @ Paddy Power (paying 3 places 1/5 odds)
Good luck with your bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk