Open Meeting Review

It’s been a great Open Meeting, and with so much to say I thought’s I’d give my good, bad, and a few eyecatchers. Please give feedback.

Good

- It’s obvious to start with CUE CARD but there was no denying that he was extremely impressive in destroying a high-class Grade 2 field with slick jumping and a sharp turn of foot. Often in racing the visual impression left by a horse determined out opinions on how good it’s ability truly is, and with that in mind it was pleasing to see the field he had beat include the promising Dunraven Storm (twice unbeaten over hurdles), Ballyadam Brook (a multiple hurdles winner in Ireland; Only touched off in Grade 3 company conceding weight), and Owen Glendower, who was also coming off the back off 2 easy wins. There are still good horses to come out from the top yards (especially in Ireland) but he’s not been beaten yet and has shown 2 very important qualities; He can jump well, and handles Cheltenham (2 wins from 2 starts there).

- I know that Lacdoudal never runs a bad race and this return to the winner's circle was much deserved, but GARDE CHAMPETERE would be unbeaten in these races if they were run at levels and put in yet another brave display. I can find nothing wrong with the horse (many others too) and hopefully he comes back again and again.

- TIME FOR RUPERT had the fortune of a competitive looking Mr Thriller (see Eyecatchers) falling, Quantitveeasing disappointing, Reve De Sivola belting one and then not being given a hard race at all not to mention The Giant Bolster falling when still well there, but he would have needed the run over a trip a bit short for him and he can go on from this to land bigger things. He will face tougher fields in the foreseeable future but jumped well and ground it out and can go onto better things.

- What SAM WINNER has achieved in winning this we don’t really know but it was the best juvenile hurdle run this season by far (plenty of unexposed/classy/good flat types)and he won by 15 lengths without turning a hair. Plenty will come out of the woodwork but this horse sets a high standard especially if improving.

- With Chicago Grey & Beshabar falling (see eyecatchers), and Berties’ Dream running a shocker it’s debateable what WAYWARD PRINCE achieved in winning seeing as he had to work hard but he’s not done improving yet and there are still plenty of races to be won with him and if he improves for better ground, he should do well.

- Considering how testing the ground was on Saturday any front running performance was a good one, but to lead over 3 miles 3 furlongs and win by 8 lengths was some feat for MIDNIGHT CHASE, especially considering he was pushed by Junior and Gentle Ranger. Any number of options are open to him now, and given how he jumped and travelled and frond, I sorely hope he can defy another rise in the handicap, as it was just great to see a horse win like he did on Saturday.

-Little Josh may have had the guts and class to win as he did, but plaudits in my mind should go to the brilliant ride given by SAM-TWISTON-DAVIES, having the guts to go from the front and boot his horse (who had been called a suspect jumper in the past) into every fence that
came his way and he was always holding off Dancing Tornado at the end.


- With Tataniano wanting top of the ground (and giving 5lbs away) and Forpadydeplaster fading fast, it’s hard to know just what GAUVAIN has achieved but he the bare facts are that he beat last year's Champion Chase second Forpadydeplasterer 4 lengths into second with 13 length Grade 1 winner Tataniano a further 6 lengths back in third, and Given that his trainer was surprised at the win and the fact it was his first run since April 2009 you'd have to think there is plenty of improvement to come.

- The Open meeting always produces a serious festival hope or two and if Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner MENORAH can win first time out giving 27lb to Bothy, then surely he must be considered as a serious Champion Hurdle contender seeing as he idled in front, went wide for the better ground and dived after the last. He loves good ground and a fast pace, and has shown that he can hack it at the very top level (Supreme Novices) and do it the tough way. His ante – post price may also be boosted by a false defeat, just like last year before the Supreme.

- ROCK ON RUBY was impressive in landing the last for Paul Nicholls, and while the race doesn’t look up to much, he won by 5 lengths and should be watched closely in Novice Hurdles to come.

- It’s not strictly Cheltenham, but SOLWHIT once again proved his class when winning the Dobbins and Madigans Hurdle on Saturday and will be a force to come in the 2 mile hurdles.

- The SECOND – LAST fence has still has its share of fallers but as of yet no fatalities and even while it’s still a very tricky fence, surely on a flat surface things are safer than a drop???


Bad

- BERTIE’S DREAM romped home in the Albert Bartlett novices hurdle and could have been forgiven for lack of race fitness against Jessie’s’ Dream, Corkseagh Royale, and Venalmar first time out, but he jumped nothing short of abysmally on Saturday and options now look bleak unless this was a blip(he would have been sixth but for Chicago Grey and Beshabar falling)

- The talent of LONG RUN isn't in doubt and he’s capable of better than his third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in all likelihood, but given his form last season and targets this year, he should have been a lot more threatening than a one paced third off 158 (only running off 11-1 in weight) even if he is only 5. While he didn’t ‘bank one’, several mistakes, sloppy at the sixth, seventh and, more crucially, the third last and second last, hampered his chances badly and once really asked he was never closing and was outstayed by Dancing Tornado. The winner was improving but as of yet is nothing special, while the same can be applied to the second. A return to Kempton, where he won the Feltham, may be in his favour, but he'll be playing for a place at best if Kauto Star and Imperial Commander are on their game.

- CATCH ME should have done a lot better of his mark, and was a let-down even if he’s worth another shot.

- Given his several battling runs it’s hard to be disappointed in FORAPDYDEPLASTERER but he blew a perfectly good opportunity on Sunday, having beaten off Tataniano beforehand but he failed badly to pick up when galled by Gavuain and in the end got beaten by a horse that was coming off the back off a 600+ day layoff. He will improved as the season goes off but this was an inauspicious defeat and there were clear flaws in his armour, such as a lack off a good jump at the last to put the race to bed and his inability to head straight under pressure, factors which cost him the race.

- GET ME OUT OF HERE was extremely disappointing on his season debut and did nearly the same thing in the Greatwood, travelling well until hitting a hurdle and just fading away. It’s hard to know where to go with him, seeing as he hasn’t schooled well and can’t even hack it in handicaps based on 2 runs this season.

- THE HYDE NOVICES’ HURDLE has produced the likes of Black Jack Ketchum Powerstation, Massini’s Maguire and Neptune Collonges (all in one renewal) along with Diamond Harry and Tell Massini, but this year’s renewal just lacked in any even half established horses and while Champion Court was good winner (first hurdles debut) the field looked poor and I’m sceptical about the form.

Eyecatchers

- MR THRILLER was touted as a serious prospect for Graded hurdles after running out a 15-length winner of the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle and then beating Champion Hurdle fifth at Haydock before ground and a mark of 160 stopped those ambitions, but he was going to lay down a good challenge to Time For Rupert when falling 2 out, a good effort considering that Cheltenham isn’t his favoured course and he should be winning very soon.

- The 1.20 on the Saturday was a terrific looking race, which makes CHICAGO GREY’S effort all the better, considering that he was all over Wayward Prince (Bettie’s Dream, Cannington Brook beaten off) when he fell, carrying 11-7. He hasn’t been quoted yet but is coming on strong with every run and could well turn out to be value in the coming weeks/months.

- BESHABAR was unlucky to be brought down (and jockey Christian Williams even unluckier to break both arms) and while he had been shoved along a lot he was coming into and is still a good prospect. His hurdles form entitles him to major respect and with a good debut behind him, he should be winning soon.

- OGEE wasn’t too far of some classy novice chasers last season (Grade 1 winner in that sphere over hurdles) and ran well for a long way on his seasonal debut before being let down by fitness and mainly jumping in the latter stages. He banked the 4th last and 3rd last before stumbling at the last 2 but would have liked better ground to jump out of and is one to keep on the right side of.

- MAD MAX was never really looking like winning the Paddy Power, but he was right there until 2 out and jumped perfectly before blowing up, suggesting the run was badly needed. He can make his mark on good ground this season in any company.

- This probably came just too soon after his Aintree second for POQULEIN, but he ran a very good race all the same and will be much better in graded company, where he still has a lot of potential.

- CRYSTAL ROCK has only raced in low grade company but looked all over the winner in a very competitive handicap hurdle for novices and comes out with plenty of credit having given over a stone in weight to the runner up.

- I was bitterly disappointed with the way that LOOSEN MY LOAD failed to quicken when challenged by Ghizao but in all likeliness the winner is a very good horse and yet again he didn’t tough a twig, and was travelling just as well coming towards the turn. He was giving 6lbs and may well want a trip, so don’t discount him on flatter tracks over 3 miles, as he may go for the Feltham if Sizing Europe goes for the King George.

- Considering the ground was a slot slower than advised, this wasn’t a terrible run from TATANIANO giving 5lbs on ground he wouldn’t have liked a bit. He can go on from this.

- I originally felt that SANCTUAIRE had an awful lot to do on his rating in the Greatwood, but he settled beautifully and jumped slickly in the early and middle stages and was just getting into the thick of things when coming down 2 out. Clearly he’s no spent force (any grade) and can go on from this.

- Menorah was impressive in grinding out the Greatwood, and it was a surprise to see his previous conqueror LUSH LIFE running over 2m5f first time out. He went wide in search of better ground (which was already testing) and was traveling very well until fading badly 2 out. He plainly had used up his energy and is well worth a chance (hopefully down in the handicap) back at 2m.