Equinties - the review

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Well, it was a bit of a weird weekend and if anything, quite underwhelming.

A sentiment echoed across racing twitter.

Anyway, some nice horses came to the fore in Ireland on Sunday, but Saturday was full of surprises. Let’s get stuck into the review. 

Headline roundup

JONBON divides

In something that is only usually seen when Graeme Rodway says something controversial, Racing Twitter was alive on Saturday afternoon after JONBON’s eventful victory in a match race at Warwick. 

Following HADDEX DES OBEAUX’s late absence from the race, JONBON made hard work of things in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase as he beat the 136-rated CALICO by five lengths. 

The seven-year-old DOUVAN sibling was headed at the sixth fence and was hurried along by Aidan Coleman a fair way from home, however, he took the outer route to get by his opponent and went clear on the run-in – his dodgy performance split Twitter right down the middle. 

Our take: you can’t take shit from a two horse race… pace is always going to be fucked and things get messy.

JONBON did what he needed to do. I quite liked the gritty performance tbh but you would have to be worried if you were a JONBON backer, that’s for sure (unless you use Paddy Power and then you’ve already been paid out!).

Given EL FABIOLO has just kicked DYSART DYNAMO and APPRECIATE IT, a Supreme winner, into touch, do I think JONBON wins the Arkle? No… but tbh I never really thought that anyway but he’s defo going to be in the running and will make a great race.

Henderson’s other novice 

In better news for Seven Barrows, the team fired in a brilliant treble at Exeter on Sunday, a great feat that was headlined by LUCCIA’s dominant display in the Listed Novices’ Hurdle over two miles. 

The five-year-old bolted up by 11 lengths and is now the 7/4 ante-post favourite for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle in March, and you have to be seriously impressed by the performance. Strong traveler. Nico knew he had plenty in hand. Job done. 

She added to the successes of WALKING ON AIR, a once Ballymore hope, in the Pertemps qualifier, and THE CARPENTER in the 2m2f novices hurdle on his debut over timber. 

With her, CONSTITUTION HILL, JONBON, MARIE’S ROCK, and a few sneaky handicap fancies, Hendo could have a very strong team for this year’s Cheltenham Festival. 

Newbury surprises and Grand Annual ambitions 

No favourites won at Newbury on Sunday, Nicholls couldn’t buy a winner and the ground reduced my bumper selection to a NR.

Despite this, it looks like AUCUNRISQUE, the brilliant Betfair Hurdle winner, could be heading to the Grand Annual Handicap Chase at the Festival after Saturday’s spin over hurdles. 

The Chris Gordon-trained seven-year-old held off from the 4/1 favourite FILEY BAY at the death to take home Britain’s most valuable handicap hurdle by just a length, and a trip back over fences is on the cards for the NO RISK AT ALL gelding off a mark of 145. 

As for the rest of the day on Betfair Super Saturday, FUNAMBULE SIVOLA retained his title in the Garde 2 Game Spirit Chase – he will head straight to the Champion Chase now – and LOVE IS GOLDEN was a massive eyecatcher on debut over hurdles for Gary Moore in the two-mile handicap hurdle – he’ll be an interesting one to watch. 

Further news

Irish and Brits abroad

Joseph O’Brien is never afraid to send a team abroad. CLEVELAND, TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS, BARON SAMEDI, RAISE YOU and STATEMENT are all booked in to run at ‘The Championships’ at Royal Randwick on April 1st and April 8th.

The $2 million Gr1 Sydney Cup is the target for the Gr1 placed Baron Samedi, Gr3 runner up Cleveland and the winning Galileo gelding Temple Of Artemis.

CLEVELAND has the option of running in the Gr1 Tancred before rocking and rolling in the Sydney Cup. He was last seen in the Irish Cesarewitch behind Waterville.

TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS is rated 96, so he would have to improve to get into the Sydney Cup. He has entries in a Gr3 and Gr2 at Rosehill.

(S)haggas is sending a formidable battalion as well. The talented filly PURPLEPAY who won a Gr2 at Chantilly has got her bags packed, along with Gr2 winner DUBAI HONOUR, new recruit EARL OF TYRONE and the 99 rated PROTAGONIST who could be well treated off that mark given he was a close second to ALGIERS (r110) who has racked up two Group 2 wins at Meydan recently.

Australian prize money has gone through the roof recently. There are 89 races worth $1 million or more. The pinnacle is The Everest that is worth $15 million. The sales auction houses are getting stuck in as well. Inglis Sales have just launched 50 maiden races that carry a $100,000 bonus for winning, which is on top of the $20,000 for winning a maiden in Australia. Inglis prize money contribution will accumulatively total $12.55 million.

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Bumper preview

Catterick

This is probably THE worst bumper I’ve seen this season.

The odds on fave, TEDTWO (great film) has already run twice and achieved little over 90 in ratings which is shocking.

Despite the price, he’s such a weak fave that the Niven horse CLOVA HOTEL is even getting squeezed and unless he’s been cheated with… he’s shit. Menzies is no good either and on the drift.

The next in line is FOXWOOD. Owned by Wade, this lad cost 25k and is a half to a once rated 147 JP horse.

I’m not sure the yard has ever won a bumper but there’s a first for everything and as a 5yo I’m sure this is the best horse in the race if he’s trying.

At 14’s, against this shit show of a field, he’s a good bet.

Caveat is he might not try. Bewley might want to take his time with this lad but that’s the gamble.

Today's best stats

Only one qualifier today.

16.00 TEASING GEORGIA goes for McCain who is 2 from 3 in these races at Plumpton.

Risk on

14.30 KLITSCHKO

18.30 MOUNTAIN SONG

Good double or use as lev. A mad Monday bet would be to double lev the bumper to 42x returns. Woof!