Rain, Fog and Now Frost

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I look back at the weekend’s action.

Weekend Review

The abandonment of Sandown resulted in a quieter day on the quality racing front last Saturday, with ITV showcasing lower-grade contests from Wincanton and Newcastle.

Sunday brought a bit more interest, marking the second Premier Raceday at Plumpton, where the Sussex track hosted its most valuable card to date. While the traditional highlight, the Sussex National, graced the card, it was the addition of a new race, the £75,000 BetGoodwin Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle, that truly set the day apart.

Meanwhile, across the Irish Sea at Naas on Sunday we were set for what appeared to be one of the strongest novice hurdles witnessed on either side of the Irish Sea so far this season. Sadly, the Grade 1 contest couldn’t take place because of thick fog. The meeting was abandoned after the first race. Rightly so as it was crazy running the meeting in what was a virtual pea souper. Horse racing is a spectator sport and if you can’t see the action what’s the point? Indeed, the meeting shouldn’t have even started. The are massive integrity issues especially as 1/4 favourite got turned over in the only race run. The one positive thing is that the meeting is being rescheduled for Friday.

There hasn’t been much to get excited about since the start of the year. It’s that time of the year and the overall low quality is exacerbated by abandonments. Things can only improve but with freezing weather forecast it probably won't in the short term.

Ride of the Year

It may only be the second week of January, but we’ve already seen the ride of the year.

What a recovery by jockey Joe Anderson on Transmission in the BetGoodwin Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle. Not only was it a fantastic recovery but he also went onto win the race. Down the far side Transmission blundered and his jockey was around the horse's neck. Somehow, he got back in the saddle but trying to get his feet back in the irons. He managed to get both feet back into the irons after the fifth last. Remarkably he took it up between the final two furlongs and found plenty to hold off Hititi on the run in. 

I’d advised both the winner and second for Victor Value subscribers so at the last the profit was banked whichever won but I was delighted it was Transmission who prevailed.

For those of you who haven’t seen this fantastic you do so on the attheraces website.

Sussex National

Conditional jockey Caoilin Quinn clearly likes winning National’s. He won the Welsh Grand National on Nassalam and gave Dom Of Mary a peach of a ride to win the Sussex National. Tommie Beau ran a cracker in second and had them on the stretch turning in for home. However, once Dom Of Mary came alongside him two out there was only going to be one winner. The race was won by the last but a good jump there and he pulled clear for a 10-length success.

Dom Of Mary was one of three on my shortlist but I opted for Gold Clermont. She probably wasn’t good enough, but her jockey never gave her a chance as he had her wide throughout. Compared to the winner and runner-up she must have travelled half a mile further.

It was a tale of three conditional jockeys in the Plumpton feature races. An efficient one by Caoilin Quinn, a poor one by Philip Armson and an incredible one by Joe Anderson.

Monday Preview

Ayr is off due to freezing weather. That means Taunton provide today’ sole National Hunt action and there’s a teatime all-weather card at Newcastle.  Taunton isn’t certain to race either due to forecast overnight frost. The track will hold an 8am Monday morning inspection to see if racing can go ahead.

After all the rain and now fog at Naas it’s now time for the frost to do its worst.

In the hope that they can race at Taunton I’m putting the feature race under today’s microscope.

Taunton

3:00 – The Stables Business Park Handicap Hurdle is a Class 3 contest run over 2m 3f and rather surprisingly there’s a decent field size. It’s a not a bad race for a low-key Monday.  There are four on my race shortlist.

Zoffee a useful staying handicapper on the flat for Hugo Palmer, returns to hurdling for the first time since pulling up in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. The 8-year-old who is having his first start for Ollie Murphy could be well handicapped on his return to the sphere.

Mr Freedom had a productive campaign over hurdles last season, winning four times and won three times on the flat last summer. Was in the process of being placed when unseating his rider at the last at Sandown last month. Likely to be in the mix once more dropped a notch in class here.

Just Loose Change, a previous C&D winner produced a career best on RPR’s when a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 11 over C&D 25 days ago. He’s been nudged up 4lb for his latest effort but clearly goes well around here and won’t be far away if in the same form here.

Ask Brewster, a winner of a point in the spring, has shown ability on two starts over hurdles. The 5-year-old could do better going handicapping for the first time and must be considered a contender.

Monday Selection:

Despite a weekend of less thrilling action, I am delighted to report that the Victor Value Service yielded a commendable 8-point profit for those who joined last week. If you're interested in securing a January pass for just £10, you can still avail yourself of the offer here.

Taunton

3:00 – Just Loose Change – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Bet365.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John