Wednesday's Meetings Hexham N/H 7 Races 12:23-3:23p.m. Warwick N/H 7 Races 12:45-3:45p.m. Southwell A/W 9 Races 1:05-5:10p.m. Dundalk A/W 8 Races 2:00-5:30p.m. Kempton(E) A/W 9 Races 4:20-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Just 2 opponents for Jonbon then - Monmiral and West Cork. Should still prove a good guide to his prospects.
Jonbon ought to be winning but you would want to be on West Cork from a punting perspective. Jonbon is a good horse but I don't think he's an exhilarating animal, he has a big engine and will better over further than 2miles, but ultimately his relations, price tag and owner will have hugely inflated his legacy when all is said and done. Well prepared to have my humble pie as well should he go on and destroy good fields through the year.
I agree his breeding and connections could lead to the dreaded hype but what he did over hurdles was far from shabby. No guarantee, of course, that that will transform to fences. Meanwhile his trainer already expressing reservations about the going at Ascot for Constitution Hill. Will he consider a trip to Ireland I wonder? He’s already earmarked Epatante for the Fighting Fifth (but why not rum Constitution Hill there too if the ground is suitable?) so there isn’t much else before the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton (I’d already go odds on that being Good-soft at best). Has to be the Morgiana or Hatton’s Grace then, surely?
Hong Kong 12.15-Wonder Years Each Way @ 9-1 [Skybet] 4 places His French Jockey could have a good meeting
Cepage in the Veterans Chase at Warwick 3.15 looks interesting. Has gone well fresh in the past and this is the time of the year when the Venetia Williams yard usually begins to hit form (2nd with a big outsider at Hereford yesterday and unlucky with Frenchy Du Large at Lingfield wo fell early when fav). Cepage has some smart form at the big tracks to his name and could go well on this first run in a veterans chase.
Had a good luck at the NH cards today and just cannot find anything with any confidence although Cepage (see above choice of LordGyllene) did make me ponder, for sure. So, I took a look at Kempton today, and to my surprise (as synthetic trackss are not usually my cup of tea) one caught my eye in the opening Nursery. Here goes: The opening race at Kempton (16:20), a Class-6 Nursery over 6f., could well go to the Kodiac colt Sajwaan, who certainly looks good enough for a strong showing. He will be ridden by the Arc hero, Luke Morris, for the Archie Watson yard. Luke is an expert in how to ride a horse on the Polytrack, and any other AW surface. Picking winners at Kempton Park, in particular, are hard to come by, but 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'? 5/1 is the general best price at time of writing.
All happy with Jonbon Jovi? Have to say, I just watched the replay and I was impressed. I won't go overboard as it looked a point and shoot ride on paper, but it was pleasing to see how he travelled through the race and how he jumped.
Surely must be good is it? We have been washed out of it here in Ireland the past 5 or 6 weeks but if the ground was soft/heavy you would still imagine NH horses to be able to race.
Only just now been able to watch Jonbon. Very impressive indeed, I assume Henry VIII at Sandown next. Jumped with aplomb and never out of 2nd gear. Ascot need rain for Constitution Hill.
Maybe so, wouldn't leave too much space between runs though, would it? Nicky is becoming ever more cautious as each Winter passes. Let's hope he does run, seemed to get through that race today in 3rd gear and apparently came out of it well.
Racing Post report there was overnight rain at Ascot and there is now a bit of soft in the going description so looks good for CH and L’Homme Presse
Agree with everything you say. Quotes of 7/4, almost 4 months shy of 'tapes up', for the Arkle though appear on the bonkers side of bonkers. This is because of (i) the fragility of the breed, and (ii) so many of his potential opponents haven't even ran. Is the reincarnation of Pegasus lurking elsewhere?!?
Constitution Hill has been declared. Just 4 opponents. CH priced up at 2/7. Forum favourite, Nicky Henderson, has just 2 runners on Saturday. CH and Immortal in the Bumper that concludes the Ascot card. Hilariously (is it really though?!?) the great man will be opposed in that race by Endersen. Hendo vs Endo. Who will win?!? You decide...
Is the reincarnation of Pegasus lurking elsewhere?!? If he is, then no doubt “the Forum’s favourite trainer” will release him to fly away from the field against the backdrop of Cleeve Hill- provided the going’s soft enough, of course!
