I will admit it – I am getting more than a little excited as I start to pack ahead of my annual trip to Hong Kong for the International races on Sunday the 8th where, as things stand, we can expect Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck and Japanese superstar Almond Eye as well as plenty of other top class beasts that will make for a fascinating week, and loads of discussions/arguments over a beer or two (though I promise, Brexit will be off the menu).
Meanwhile, we had the makings of a new Dick Francis novel this week with the astounding case of trainer Denis Quinn. You can soon search out the details (if you really want to), but in brief, the trainer was charged with a doping violation after Murdanova came home third at Wolverhampton in October 2017. Far from a “did he didn’t he” case it turned in to a proper “whodunnit” with tales of a third party or parties “deliberately and maliciously” doping the horse “without Mr Quinn’s knowledge in an attempt to damage him.” Two anonymous phone calls, blood and urine samples, and a pre-emptive investigation by the BHA concluded that “individuals hostile to Mr Quinn administered bute to Murdanova” saw a £1 fine for the unwitting trainer, but more importantly, if they ever fancy turning it in to a best seller just ask me and I’ll happily give it a go!
Moving forward and I could do with making a few quid to help pay for the drinks (as well as betting cash) in Hong Kong, and thankfully Newbury come to my rescue with an outstanding meeting on Saturday, ably supported by Newcastle (frost permitting) and four other meetings with the exception of the abandoned Doncaster. The trouble with these better class meetings is their built in competitiveness, but I would rather find a rare winner here than in a maiden seller on the all-weather at Southwell (for satisfaction purposes). The 1.15pm over two and three-quarter miles is a prime example, seventeen runners with a stone and a half covering them from top to bottom with an 11/2 favourite at the time of writing. Brilliant if you find the winner, but no guarantees that will be the case and a distinct lack of value near the head of the market with my first pick Sametegal clearly well weighted at his best, but 7/1 for a horse off the track for close to two years looks laughable.
Nothing comes with a guarantee at this level but a Nicky Henderson trained Nico De Bonville ridden contender at 22/1 or better is too hard to ignore so Divine Spear will carry a little of my money each way. This will be his first race back after a wind operation and although better known over fences in recent years, he looks well handicapped at his best, and the maestro wouldn’t send him here if he felt he was without a chance.
The 1.50pm looks well worth a watch for future reference with Snow Leopardess the one who interests me if she holds her old abilities after a couple of years off the tack, but my second bet will be on Two Taffs in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at 3.00pm, again each way though at a shorter price around the 18/1 mark. Now a nine-year-old, he ran a blinder at Wetherby over hurdles when third at the beginning of the month on his first start for two years and with that under his belt and a return to fences, he could be a major force once again.
Blatant advertising now and I am close friends with Ron at Post Racing (https://www.postracing.co.uk) and they used to own a bit of Cabaret Queen who is now with Willie Mullins and she also runs here so I will have divided loyalties, but the form book comes first for a change and we all know (famous last words) that we should never change our minds – so I won’t!
One more suggestion to round things off for this week and if Newcastle get the go ahead, I am pretty keen on the chances of Imperial Alcazar in the French Furze hurdle at 12.55pm. I am told Fergal O’Brien thinks very highly of the five-year-old who failed to impress on his hurdling bow when getting up in the shadow of the post, but who will be better suited by the added quarter mile here. I also got the feeling looking at connections faces at Aintree that he may have needed it a touch more than they thought that day, and if that is the case, he can come good for a second time here with the excellent Paddy Brennan in the saddle.
Horses To follow:
I think it would be fair to comment that the Roger Varian trained Dublin Pharaoh did not show his very best at Chelmsford on Thursday afternoon, restless in the stalls and midfield before running on when the race was over to finish a disappointing four length fourth in a pretty ropey seven-furlong novice event. With the odds on favourite winning as he pleased little notice will have been taken of the “also rans”, but I just get the feeling the American Pharoah colt is an awful lot better than he looked and with an all-weather pedigree (his dam is a Storm Cat mare), he will find races he can win on the polytrack this winter without any issues.
Sean’s Suggestions:
Divine Spear each way 1.15pm Newbury Saturday
Two Taffs each way 3.00pm Newbury Saturday
Imperial Alcazar 12.55pm Newcastle Saturday
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