POINT-TO-POINT 2013-14: TREND SET AS OAK FELLED

PPORC

Barbury Racecourse (LH 8F, 18J)

Sun, 1 Dec 2013 (Good to firm, good in places becoming Dead)

RACE ONE: CONNOLLY’S RED MILLS INTERMEDIATE

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Not the race it promised to be at initial entry stage, with none of Bubbly Breeze, Champagne Rosie (last year’s Leading Mare), Goodnight Vienna, Kostaquarta, Paddycards and – in particular – Theatre Queen turning out.  Thenford Ryde attempted to pick up where he left off in April 2012 by jumping off in front in another bid to make all, but he was a spent force by halfway.

HALL KELLY bid his time under Abigail Banks, and having been produced wide turning for home assumed the lead approaching the last.  A sticky leap (not his first) there didn’t go punished – indeed, the length or so advantage held at that point had extended to all of 7l by the line as successive rivals faded or failed to go through fully with their efforts.  The bare margin flatters the Saddler’s Hall 8yo a touch, and another fair step forward would be needed before a decent Ladies’ Open could be considered within compass, but he continues to provide a lot of fun for connections.

LUCKY LANE’s two wins for Jane Clark were gained on occasions where he could get away with it stamina-wise, but anything other than a slovenly early pace around this galloping track threatened to stretch his reserves to the limit.  His luck ran out between the final two, but not before giving Dr Elizabeth Smee a good spin – likely more satisfying than many of those that her previous horse Final Veto (sadly lost during the close-season) could produce in the previous couple of seasons. 

A Staff College-qualified horse, maybe the likes of Hackwood Park and Peper Harow will provide the greatest opportunities to add to his win tally this term.

Niggled as early as the seventh, AS IT IS never looked entirely at ease on the surface and did rather inherit third place late on.  He’d looked mildly progressive under the right conditions until his Whitfield third last April, and another outing back on something softer should say more about how much extra there really is to come.

Sarah McQueen’s new Irish import JAMRHAM might also have appreciated a deeper surface than today’s judged on his previous winning form.  Even allowing for that, however, the manner in which the 6yo flicked from carrying a double handful (following a cute ride from Joe Knox) to producing nothing when asked two out hardly extoled his virtues as one who’d deign to convert an opportunity even when underfoot conditions suit more.

CARRIGKERRY never threatened under Katy Lyons, a late deputy for the sidelined Page Fuller, though in mitigation this did represent a step of two rungs up the ladder from his last-time Garthorpe Maiden win.

RACE TWO: JOCKEY CLUB OPEN MARES’ MAIDEN

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The first race in the programme of Mares’ Maidens that go a long way to identifying the season’s Leading Mare, although the eventual winner of that accolade in 2012-13, Champagne Rosie, managed just a third-placed finish in this corresponding event 12 months earlier.

PAMPELONNE represented trainer Sylvia Edmunds and owner John Busby, responsible for 2011-12 Leading Mare Briery Star, but entered the contest with possible stamina questions to answer having never raced beyond an extended 2m4f in 20 winless Rules starts previously (and having never placed at 2m3f or beyond).  Sam Davies-Thomas didn’t ride the Oscar seven-year-old as if lasting home was of primary concern, however, sending her on at two-thirds distance. 

A line of thought among some racegoers after the contest was that the tactic might not have reaped maximum dividends had the runner-up been kept under wraps a little longer, but Edmunds mare wasn’t really flagging close home and might well have found extra if required.  She can be placed to advantage to avoid the really good Restricted horses from here on and continue to rack up points for Leading Mare, with most surfaces seemingly coming alike to her if her Rules cv is any guide.

Andrew Doyle committed Monmouthshire raider BACH ME round the outside of Pampelonne going into the dip after three out, but the bid for glory was already starting to waver when a jump to the right at the penultimate obstacle brought her back to the eventual winner.  This would be as close as she’s come to breaking her duck in six Points so far, but it may require holding on to her until the last possible moment if she is to stand a chance of finally converting a potential winning opportunity. 

Godfrey Maundrell’s MINOR CHORD, whose uncle Rhythm King was of course a prolific source of wins for the same connections, gave it another fair go from the front but not for the first time found the petrol gauge flickering at around 2m4f.  No longer eligible for the same short Maidens she contested up until May of this year, the prospects of her landing a Point sadly appear slimmer than before.

DOUBLE BUD, carrying 2lb overweight, had unseated twice in three outings last Pointing season, and her round of jumping on this reappearance often looked that of a mare with confidence issues – the brakes were jammed on at least three times on the opening circuit.  She’s likely to see out this 3m Pointing trip in the fullness of time, but there are technique issues to address at least as pressingly as those of stamina.

Four-year-old debutante TIGERALLEY betrayed a degree of immaturity in the preliminaries, but was given a patient ride by Sam Painting and was warming nicely to the task when exiting in fourth place six fences from home - too far out to be overly dogmatic as to how close she might have gone with a clear round.  The exploits both under Rules and between the flags of the Revoque filly’s half-siblings make for a mixed bag (ranging as they do from improving recent Warwick novice handicap chase winner Alpancho to 14-year-old Restricted ever-present Caged Tiger), and time will tell whether she can prove the equal or better of these.

RACE THREE: LADIES OPEN

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With much of the most feared or intriguing opposition, not least one-time Champion Hurdle second Khyber Kim, not making an appearance, the stage looked set in this Ladies’ event for a return to winning ways for COTTAGE OAK.  What the Cheltenham Foxhunter third delivered, however, fell well short of expectations.

Sound or even lively as it was, the ground ought not to have inconvenienced Joseph O’Shea’s charge – his form for Gordon Elliott was hardly bereft of winning efforts on quick surfaces.  Nor should the strong gallop set by BALLAGIO have knocked the Flemensfirth gelding out of his stride, as he, along with his other rivals, basically ignored Frankie Hickman’s mount until he weakened sharply early on the final circuit. 

For whatever reason, however, Cottage Oak’s jumping was consistently substandard – steep at the sixth, too close in at the ninth, and otherwise generally short of fluency despite the gelding’s familiarity with the challenge the course sets (he won the Men’s Open at the corresponding fixture in 2012-13).  Gina Andrews’ report to the stewards subsequently that her partner didn’t take a cut at his fences was no surprise; and the immediate question worth raising is whether anything about last season’s itinerary, including as it did appearances at both Cheltenham and Aintree, has left its mark.

All of which risks overshadowing the achievement in victory of LATEST TREND, which whilst as unexpected as odds of 20-1 would imply looked to have nothing in the way of fluke about it.  A scratchy leap at the fourth was as close as Bridget Andrews came to enduring the same jumping meltdown as her sister’s partner, and the Moscow Society seven-year-old could hardly have been travelling better when looming upsides the by then floundering Cottage Oak three from home. 

Another ex-Tim Vaughan horse (after Quedillac) to reappear in Ladies’ Opens for trainer Stuart Penny, Latest Trend hadn’t revived for a crack at National Hunt fences in the summer but found these slightly smaller obstacles no inconvenience.  With that in mind, and given his greater effectiveness on drier surfaces under Rules (he was campaigned primarily as a summer jumper with good reason), he looks the sort who could be best deployed around the Larkhills and Badbury Ringses of this world assuming the ground at such venues remains as sound (or faster) as it often does.

One-time Coral Cup sixth STONEMASTER had made awfully hard work of breaking his chasing duck, finally doing so at the fourteenth attempt at Kilbeggan in July (2m6f, good) on his final outing for Dessie Hughes.  Yet to fail to complete in 41 Rules and Pointing starts following a 6l second here, he looks certain to provide a safe number for Emily Rucker in Ladies’ Points, but having been sent close enough by his pilot to lay down a stern challenge to the leaders from five out it was a bit disappointing that he didn’t give Latest Trend more to do up the final home straight.  Visored for that Irish chasing win, perhaps the return of headgear could polarise his thoughts more in that regard.

Former Alan King (and hence Barbury) inmate MISTER CHANCER managed just one outing in his initial Pointing campaign last term, finding Master Medic too classy in a small-field Milborne St Andrew affair (soft).  Eventualy a 15l fourth here, he might well have needed what was still just a second outing in 18 months, and whilst yet to score beyond 2m4f in any mode of racing he didn’t look a dubious stayer here (nor necessarily should he, with winners at up to 3m in the immediate family).

RACE FOUR: MENS OPEN

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The list of classy absentees from the initial entry of the Mens Open was at least as long as that of the Intermediate, with the assorted connections of Berties Dream (2013 Pertemps Final fifth), Bellsinni Ron, Ashfield’s Dream, Lorikarad, Ninetieth Minute (one-time Coral Cup winner), Offshore Account and Rebel Du Maquis all opting to sit the race out with their respective charges.

What remained was a thin-looking four-runner event, but one that Peter and Niff Mason will have been delighted that, although definitely thinking about it on a couple of occasions on the way round, SHY JOHN consented to win under pillar-to-post tactics that represented a marked change from his usual.

Not committed until the final fence when accounting for 12 rivals in the Intermediate on this card in 2012-13, today’s small field wouldn't have been as conducive to Shy John being ridden softly, softly until produced later through the pack.  Had he not strode on, however, it’s uncertain that any of his rivals would have done, judged on their Rules outings at least - Otto The Great has led early in races before but isn't an inveterate front-runner; Seigneur Des Bois has never front-run as far as can be discerned; and although a front-runner over 2m4.5f at Southwell on his final Rules start Clouded Thoughts would have had no vested interest in doing so here with stamina much beyond that trip still in doubt.

A win in spite of getting to boss his field rather than because of it, then, and the chances of this switch to front-running becoming permanent are surely slim.  Only twice out of the frame in 13 Point starts, winning five, the Kier Park seven-year-old still has time on his side to find the improvement needed to land better Opens than this, so long as enough falls right.

Under pressure and relegated to last six out, SEIGNEUR DES BOIS rather inherited second place following the fall of one rival and capitulation of another.  The half-brother to last season’s (subsequently disqualified) “Thrusters” winner Saphir Des Bois has good-ground winning Rules form if you look far enough back, but last winter’s best chasing efforts for Tom George were logged in barely raceable conditions at Ffos Las, so a step up on this performance once able to get his toe in wouldn’t surprise inordinately.

Bred by his former owner John Dawson Cotton, former Guillaume Macaire and Nicky Henderson inmate OTTO THE GREAT had claimed two novice events (one a four-runner Doncaster 3m chase) earlier in 2013 but also let down favourite-backers in five of his other 10 Rules starts and on balance would have to have rated a disappointment for his vaunted former connections.  The initial foray into Pointing for this handsome grey also proved a let-down, with the response to pressure from the top of the final back straight amounting to little.  Trip and ground should not have inconvenienced, nor the small field, and he has something to prove now.

CLOUDED THOUGHTS, representing the Case team that had enjoyed its biggest winner under Rules with the errant Deep Trouble at Sandown 24 hours earlier (thanks in no small part to a ride of the season candidate from Leighton Aspell), looked to be the last credible challenger to Shy John when coming down three out.  Stamina for the full 3m wasn’t entirely assured entering the contest and, given the point of his departure, arguably still isn’t.

RACE FIVE: DODSON & HORRELL PPORA NOVICE RIDERS

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No shortage of thrills and spills in the season’s first Novice Riders’ contest, not least after an initial false start from which EURO FARMER and TEENANDO required a good three furlongs to pull up.

Going 3m3f in a 3m race might just have proven the difference between victory and defeat for Euro Farmer, a wholly willing – if not entirely 100% foot-perfect – conveyance for Laura Jenkins but just not quite able to resist the late thrust up the run-in of KORNATI KID, at 11 two years his junior.  Jenkins, a winner once each last season on Euro Farmer and Sizing America for boss Sally Randell, should find further opportunities to score in this grade for as long as relatively inexperienced handling continues to amuse her teenage partner (it did throughout 2012-13).

The mere actuality of Kornati Kid passing the post in front doesn’t tell the entire story of his afternoon’s work, however, as the Kayf Tara gelding made an almighty blunder at the final fence on the penultimate circuit – one which his partner, first-time Point rider Charlie Marshall, 16, did extremely well to survived (airborne, and one hand off the reigns). 

Clearly the propensity to make some shocking errors that prevented this former Philip Hobbs inmate from reaching the very top in novice chases remains, but so too does enough of the class that facilitated wins at up to Grade 2 level in that sphere.  As such, he could consistently prove to be a cut above a lot of performers in Novice Riders’ events this winter, if only the mistakes don’t get too much in the way.

Incidentally, this success rather belatedly completed a hat-trick between the flags for Kornati Kid, the first two legs having been secured in Opens at Brafield-on-the-Green and Mollington for Anabel and Ollie Murphy in spring 2012.

Although beaten only 3.5l in the end, THE FOX’S DECREE was seemingly ridden to last the trip on this first start at 3m for over three years and was never closer than at the finish.  He looked a safer ride than most here, however, and can continue to impart the confidence gained over 50 previous National Hunt starts to his new owner-rider Kate Derrick.

Class told from three out with GAMATO, still winless outside of Maiden class after 25 Pointing starts but a regular finisher nowadays under Robert Defago.

BLEUVITO fared no better this week than last, albeit at a course whose left-handed orientation will likely not have suited him as well as Cottenham.

NATURAL ACTION isn’t always that inclined to put everything in, and an edgy, sweaty demeanour here marked him out as one of the less appealing in the preliminaries.  He was soothed into the race beautifully by Sean Bowen, however, and was in the process of throwing down a serious challenge when making his one and only mistake three out, giving his very promising-looking partner no chance.  He’s better than a record at Barbury now of FPU would automatically imply, and compensation ought to await in Novice Riders’ company before too soon if consenting to operate as willingly for Bowen hereafter.

Last seen getting outpaced in a 3m5f contest on soft ground at Taunton in March, and generally happiest when set more exacting stamina tests than Barbury on good to firm / good was ever going to offer today, sending off SONA SASTA the favourite was just plain potty.  Seventh and beaten at the time, he was one of three participants to dump the rider (James Jackson-Stops) at the last, along with the similarly well-held pair of SHAKE THE BOTTLE (Kate Mieczkowska) and BE ASHORED (Beth Eckley).

   

RACE SIX: PPORA 4&5yo 2m4f MAIDEN

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Regrettably, racing ended for the second weekend running with a runner in the concluding event breaking down irreparably, David Brace’s Irish import and second favourite DOLMEL ROCK going wrong out in front with just under a circuit to travel.

Victorious in the 2012-13 edition of this contest with Knockdhu, Tom Lacey’s decision to plump for ILLICIT ILLUSION from his pair of initial entries proved the right one, as the Heron Island 5yo found plentifully for pressure leaving the final back straight and already looked to have matters in hand before a fine leap at the last further reduced any doubt.  Owned by Paul Drinkwater, but guest-ridden by Tom Weston whilst Sam Drinkwater recovers from a foot injury sustained schooling, the effectiveness of many of his unraced dam’s siblings at sub-3m trips (notably 14-time chase winner Glemot) augured well ahead of a drop to 2m4f for Illicit Illusion, following four Irish outings at the full distance in which his finishing effort only once endured to the line all that strongly.

Karen Hobbs’ new recruit RISE TO IT was rarely, if ever, quite as close to the speed as the winner, but stayed on well late on without ever looking about to give the favourite a serious fright.  A half-brother to Commander Kev, one-time winner of the “Cuckoo” at Folkestone for the same handler, he ought to be able to withstand the step up to 3m.

HARRY’S CHOICE couldn’t get an uncontested lead until Dolmel Rock’s demise gifted it to him, and the effort of fighting for it left him suitably softened up for those delivered to challenge after three out.  The first foal of a mare whose only defeat for Ray York in three Points and a bumper came on her debut here, this wasn’t a bad introduction and a speedier track may suit.

Sirrell Griffiths’s WELSH DESIGNE, equipped with a tongue-tie on debut, raced in fourth or fifth throughout without ever threatening a whole lot more.  The tactical speed that facilitated his dam’s bumper win doesn’t seem to have been inherited.

A half-brother to a multiple loser off marks in the 40s in Polytrack handicaps, PEMBLETON DRIVE argued a far less compelling case than some on paper here but did travel fairly eye-catchingly through the contest before curling up early in the straight.  A more sustained effort is clearly going to be needed to take even a weaker short Maiden than this, but there’s definitely a bit of something about him.