Post by Old Timer on Nov 21, 2020 11:31:25 GMT
Well I definitely do need the practice if yesterday is anything to go by. See if there’s any improvement today.
Haydock 14.25 Gr 3 Handicap Hurdle 456 (140.2) 24.5f – 17 Run
Last year – 570 (134.1) gd/sf – 17 Ran
Stoney Mountain 16/1 6-11-3 (138) by 2.25 l from Acey Milan 7/1 5-10-4 (128)
Highland Hunter 9/1 6-10-10 (131) was 19.25l 8th
Relegate 7-10-8 (137) (9.3)
‘19/20 record: 0/1/2 Best: 267.9 off 137 carrying 10-11 (Gr 3 HcHd 24f sf Chelt)
‘20/21 record: 0/1/1 Best: Gr 2 Hd 20f sf/hv Navan
08/11/20 Gr 2 Hd (210/) 20 sf/hv Nav 11-0 14/1 4/8 20.75 l off 135
waited with towards rear, pushed along from 7th, no impression 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening after
12/03/20 Gr 3 HcHd (563/139.6) 24f sf Chelt 10-11 11/2 5/24 8.8l off 137
held up towards rear, headway and switched right before last, stayed on flat, unable to get on terms
Plus: class (F); going (F); distance (F); recent outing (13 days); class down; down 6lbs (wt);
Minus: course (?); up 2lbs (OR);
Verdict: promising sort with Mullins winning 3 bumpers and a mdn hurdle; only had 3 runs with Colm Murphy, but promising in finishing 0.05l behind Third Wind (+4) in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and a promising return over a too short 20f Gr 2 Hd at Navan where the winner was rated 23lbs higher; in with a good chance, although a mare.
Dolphin Square 6-10-10 (139) (11.1)
‘19/20 record: 3/3/6 Best: 256.2 off 131 carrying 11-6 (Cl 2 HcHd 24f sf Newb)
‘20/21 record: 0/2/2 Best: 268.1 off 137 carrying 11-8 (Cl 2 HcHd 24f gd Newb)
05/11/20 Cl 2 HcHd (97/132.6) 24f gd Newb 11-8 11/2 2/12 1.5 l off 137
chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, disputing 2nd next, went outright 2nd and stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
Plus: going (W); distance (W); form run lto (16 days); down 12lbs (wt);
Minus: class (?); course (?); up 2lbs (OR); up class;
Verdict: progressive last season winning 3 times under his owner, but for this season‘s return finished 2nd under Johnson who retains the ride; up in class and off a 3lb-higher mark, but conditions suit.
Third Wind 6-10-12 (141) (12.1)
‘19/20 record: 1/1/3 Best: 271.9 off 141 carrying 11-1 (Gr 3 HcHd 24f sf Chelt)
‘20/21 record: 0/1/1 Best: 269.1 off 141 carrying 11-12 (Cl 2 HcHd 24f gd Newb)
05/11/20 Cl 2 HcHd (97/132.6) 24f gd Newb 11-12 9/2 5/12 4.5 l off 141
mid-division, headway before 2 out, plugged on run-in
12/03/20 Gr 3 HcHd (563/139.6) 24f sf Chelt 11-1 12/1 4/24 8.75l off 141
held up in rear, not fluent 2 out, closed before home bend, went 4th before last, stayed on same pace flat
Plus: class (F); going (W); distance (F); recent form run (16 days); down 14lbs (wt);
Minus: course (?); up in class;
Verdict: ties in very tightly with Relegate of the Cheltenham running and with Dolphin Square on his return run at Ayr; seems likely to be in the mix with the other two.
Highland Hunter 7-10-4 (133) (11.8)
‘19/20 record: 1/0/2 Best: 261.4 off 128 carrying 10-7 (Cl 2 HcHd 26f sf Muss)
‘20/21 record: 0/1/1 Best: 257.5 off 133 carrying 11-8 (Cl 3 HcHd 24.5f hv Ayr)
31/10/20 Cl 3 HcHd (59/126) 24.5f hv Ayr 11-8 11/4 F 2.19 1.5 l off 133
better than mid-division, headway to go 3rd 2 out, ran on after last to snatch 2nd on line
Plus: going (W); distance (F); course (F); form run lto (21 days); down 18lbs (wt);
Minus: class; up 2 classes;
Verdict: was quietly fancied but came nowhere in last year’s renewal; won a Cl 3 at Musselburgh though and a positive return following a breathing op when 2nd to Justatenner (-1) in a Cl 3 at Ayr; J is 3lbs better off today; something to prove, methinks.
Whole host of horses fancied by some, but not by me for diverse reasons. Those include The Jam Man whose trying to juggle three careers, Main Fact who despite the wins has never tried this trip, a remark that applies to Collooney. Imperial Alcazar has no handicap form, so that rather rules him out.
From my shortlist, Highland Hunter is the first to go as his breathing operation will have to bring much improvement on last year’s effort. The other three all have a chance though and I’ll hope I’ve got the order right with Third Wind from Dolphin Square and the mare Relegate third.
Haydock 15.35 Cl 3 Handicap Chase 130 (127.4) 28.5 sf – 12 Run
Last year – 165 (126.4) gd/sf – 9 ran
Perfect Candidate 7/1 12-11-8 (129) by 7l from Moving In Style 6/1 8-10-11 (118)
Kings Monarch 6/1 6-10-13 (123) was 11.5 l 3rd
Don Poli 11-11-7 (130) (4.0)
25/10/20 Cl 2 HcCh (150/138.4) 25f sf Aint 10-9 5/1 4/12 17 l off 132
prominent, led 14th, headed after 3 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd and weakened flat
Hasn’t won since 2015 and Sexton the latest of 4 trainers in that time; wasn’t a bad debut for the yard, but Pobbles Bay finished 3l ahead in 2nd and would seem likely to do again as he’s only giving DP 2lbs; too short a price for DP.
Kings Monarch 7-11-4 (127) (9.8)
08/10/20 Cl 3 HcCh (70/122.6) 24f hv FLas 11-5 5/1 1/7 2.5 l off 122
chased leaders, challenged after 13th, led flat, stayed on
Won a couple early in 2019 and like most of the rest of the yard was not in such good form last year; however, dropped his mark from 130 down to 122 for this season’s return in winning at Ffos Las; marks back up to 127 but Sam’s having one of his rare rides for the yard, which suggests it might be worth a dabble.
Pobbles Bay 10-11-7 (130) (3.0)
25/10/20 Cl 2 HcCh (150/138.4) 25f sf Aint 10-7 14/1 2/13 14l off 130
towards rear, modest 6th 3 out, kept on from 2 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
Getting his mark down to the last winning level, but he was second of a pretty bad bunch lto, and it may be a while before he wins again.
Financial Outcome 7-10-10 (119) (9.3)
08/10/20 Cl 3 HcCh (70/122.6) 24f hv FLas 11-0 3/1 F 22/7 2.5 l off 117
2nd or 3rd, led 10th, pressed from after 13th, headed flat, no impression towards finish
Ran a fair enough race to finish 2nd to Kings Monarch (+2) at Ffos Las, but made a bad mistake next time out at Wetherby and lost any chance; meets HM on 6lbs better terms today, which puts him in with a shout.
Alminar 7-10-9 (118) (17.6)
24/10/20 Cl 3 AmHcCh (69/116.4) 25f sf Chelt 11-0 12/1 3/13 6.6 l off 118
held up in touch, lost ground 10th, progress into midfield 15th, took closer order 2 out, kept on steadily from last
Progressing nicely and after finishing 3rd in an amateur at Cheltenham underwent wing surgery and this is his return run, with windpipe refitted; bit early to expect him to win, but certainly a place chance.
I think we can forget Don Poli and Pobbles Bay, and instead on the 7yos. Kings Monarch looks the most likely from the betting, but from the weight advantage point of view Financial Outcome could strike if he’s overcome his miscue at Wetherby. So I’m going Financial Outcome from Kings Monarch and Alminar to fill out the frame.
Haydock 14.25 Gr 3 Handicap Hurdle 456 (140.2) 24.5f – 17 Run
Last year – 570 (134.1) gd/sf – 17 Ran
Stoney Mountain 16/1 6-11-3 (138) by 2.25 l from Acey Milan 7/1 5-10-4 (128)
Highland Hunter 9/1 6-10-10 (131) was 19.25l 8th
Relegate 7-10-8 (137) (9.3)
‘19/20 record: 0/1/2 Best: 267.9 off 137 carrying 10-11 (Gr 3 HcHd 24f sf Chelt)
‘20/21 record: 0/1/1 Best: Gr 2 Hd 20f sf/hv Navan
08/11/20 Gr 2 Hd (210/) 20 sf/hv Nav 11-0 14/1 4/8 20.75 l off 135
waited with towards rear, pushed along from 7th, no impression 3 out, kept on same pace without threatening after
12/03/20 Gr 3 HcHd (563/139.6) 24f sf Chelt 10-11 11/2 5/24 8.8l off 137
held up towards rear, headway and switched right before last, stayed on flat, unable to get on terms
Plus: class (F); going (F); distance (F); recent outing (13 days); class down; down 6lbs (wt);
Minus: course (?); up 2lbs (OR);
Verdict: promising sort with Mullins winning 3 bumpers and a mdn hurdle; only had 3 runs with Colm Murphy, but promising in finishing 0.05l behind Third Wind (+4) in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and a promising return over a too short 20f Gr 2 Hd at Navan where the winner was rated 23lbs higher; in with a good chance, although a mare.
Dolphin Square 6-10-10 (139) (11.1)
‘19/20 record: 3/3/6 Best: 256.2 off 131 carrying 11-6 (Cl 2 HcHd 24f sf Newb)
‘20/21 record: 0/2/2 Best: 268.1 off 137 carrying 11-8 (Cl 2 HcHd 24f gd Newb)
05/11/20 Cl 2 HcHd (97/132.6) 24f gd Newb 11-8 11/2 2/12 1.5 l off 137
chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, disputing 2nd next, went outright 2nd and stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
Plus: going (W); distance (W); form run lto (16 days); down 12lbs (wt);
Minus: class (?); course (?); up 2lbs (OR); up class;
Verdict: progressive last season winning 3 times under his owner, but for this season‘s return finished 2nd under Johnson who retains the ride; up in class and off a 3lb-higher mark, but conditions suit.
Third Wind 6-10-12 (141) (12.1)
‘19/20 record: 1/1/3 Best: 271.9 off 141 carrying 11-1 (Gr 3 HcHd 24f sf Chelt)
‘20/21 record: 0/1/1 Best: 269.1 off 141 carrying 11-12 (Cl 2 HcHd 24f gd Newb)
05/11/20 Cl 2 HcHd (97/132.6) 24f gd Newb 11-12 9/2 5/12 4.5 l off 141
mid-division, headway before 2 out, plugged on run-in
12/03/20 Gr 3 HcHd (563/139.6) 24f sf Chelt 11-1 12/1 4/24 8.75l off 141
held up in rear, not fluent 2 out, closed before home bend, went 4th before last, stayed on same pace flat
Plus: class (F); going (W); distance (F); recent form run (16 days); down 14lbs (wt);
Minus: course (?); up in class;
Verdict: ties in very tightly with Relegate of the Cheltenham running and with Dolphin Square on his return run at Ayr; seems likely to be in the mix with the other two.
Highland Hunter 7-10-4 (133) (11.8)
‘19/20 record: 1/0/2 Best: 261.4 off 128 carrying 10-7 (Cl 2 HcHd 26f sf Muss)
‘20/21 record: 0/1/1 Best: 257.5 off 133 carrying 11-8 (Cl 3 HcHd 24.5f hv Ayr)
31/10/20 Cl 3 HcHd (59/126) 24.5f hv Ayr 11-8 11/4 F 2.19 1.5 l off 133
better than mid-division, headway to go 3rd 2 out, ran on after last to snatch 2nd on line
Plus: going (W); distance (F); course (F); form run lto (21 days); down 18lbs (wt);
Minus: class; up 2 classes;
Verdict: was quietly fancied but came nowhere in last year’s renewal; won a Cl 3 at Musselburgh though and a positive return following a breathing op when 2nd to Justatenner (-1) in a Cl 3 at Ayr; J is 3lbs better off today; something to prove, methinks.
Whole host of horses fancied by some, but not by me for diverse reasons. Those include The Jam Man whose trying to juggle three careers, Main Fact who despite the wins has never tried this trip, a remark that applies to Collooney. Imperial Alcazar has no handicap form, so that rather rules him out.
From my shortlist, Highland Hunter is the first to go as his breathing operation will have to bring much improvement on last year’s effort. The other three all have a chance though and I’ll hope I’ve got the order right with Third Wind from Dolphin Square and the mare Relegate third.
Haydock 15.35 Cl 3 Handicap Chase 130 (127.4) 28.5 sf – 12 Run
Last year – 165 (126.4) gd/sf – 9 ran
Perfect Candidate 7/1 12-11-8 (129) by 7l from Moving In Style 6/1 8-10-11 (118)
Kings Monarch 6/1 6-10-13 (123) was 11.5 l 3rd
Don Poli 11-11-7 (130) (4.0)
25/10/20 Cl 2 HcCh (150/138.4) 25f sf Aint 10-9 5/1 4/12 17 l off 132
prominent, led 14th, headed after 3 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd and weakened flat
Hasn’t won since 2015 and Sexton the latest of 4 trainers in that time; wasn’t a bad debut for the yard, but Pobbles Bay finished 3l ahead in 2nd and would seem likely to do again as he’s only giving DP 2lbs; too short a price for DP.
Kings Monarch 7-11-4 (127) (9.8)
08/10/20 Cl 3 HcCh (70/122.6) 24f hv FLas 11-5 5/1 1/7 2.5 l off 122
chased leaders, challenged after 13th, led flat, stayed on
Won a couple early in 2019 and like most of the rest of the yard was not in such good form last year; however, dropped his mark from 130 down to 122 for this season’s return in winning at Ffos Las; marks back up to 127 but Sam’s having one of his rare rides for the yard, which suggests it might be worth a dabble.
Pobbles Bay 10-11-7 (130) (3.0)
25/10/20 Cl 2 HcCh (150/138.4) 25f sf Aint 10-7 14/1 2/13 14l off 130
towards rear, modest 6th 3 out, kept on from 2 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
Getting his mark down to the last winning level, but he was second of a pretty bad bunch lto, and it may be a while before he wins again.
Financial Outcome 7-10-10 (119) (9.3)
08/10/20 Cl 3 HcCh (70/122.6) 24f hv FLas 11-0 3/1 F 22/7 2.5 l off 117
2nd or 3rd, led 10th, pressed from after 13th, headed flat, no impression towards finish
Ran a fair enough race to finish 2nd to Kings Monarch (+2) at Ffos Las, but made a bad mistake next time out at Wetherby and lost any chance; meets HM on 6lbs better terms today, which puts him in with a shout.
Alminar 7-10-9 (118) (17.6)
24/10/20 Cl 3 AmHcCh (69/116.4) 25f sf Chelt 11-0 12/1 3/13 6.6 l off 118
held up in touch, lost ground 10th, progress into midfield 15th, took closer order 2 out, kept on steadily from last
Progressing nicely and after finishing 3rd in an amateur at Cheltenham underwent wing surgery and this is his return run, with windpipe refitted; bit early to expect him to win, but certainly a place chance.
I think we can forget Don Poli and Pobbles Bay, and instead on the 7yos. Kings Monarch looks the most likely from the betting, but from the weight advantage point of view Financial Outcome could strike if he’s overcome his miscue at Wetherby. So I’m going Financial Outcome from Kings Monarch and Alminar to fill out the frame.