Racing Live - Plumpton 13th December 2010
07:30 It has been dry overnight with temperatures touching zero and forecast to rise to plus four. Frost covers have been deployed and the official going is Good to Soft. The going stick is 6.6 on the hurdle course and 7.2 on the chase course and the seven race card gets underway at 12:35. 12:04 Good afternoon from a misty Plumpton, where the action gets underway in a little over half an hour. Connectivity is a little on the iffy side here so no promises re rapid updates. 12:28 We begin with a two mile hurdle, the panbet.com Juvenile Hurdle, with 12 going to post. Comedy Act looks the class act in the opener. Wulfrida the negative, pulling hard 12:47 Comedy Act had no trouble taking his opening race over obstacles, ridden patiently by Richard Johnson before hitting the front with a nice leap two out and, once in front, never looked to be in any danger. The only possible fly in the ointment in terms of form was the front running 66/1 shot Mr Muddle taking second spot. Omaruru pleasantly caught they eye in third spot and will probably pick up a small race at some point.
12:56 Race two is the panbet.com Plumpton Races Free Bet Today “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle, a 2m 5f contest with 12 going to post. This races candidate for the naughty step is Newton Tonic, pulling his lass around quite hard. Kind Of Easy is a big horse and was pulling slightly.
13:23 The betting had it as a two horse race with Brackloon High and Skint vying for favouritism. It was On Trend who set the pace with Brackloon High and Half Cocked tracking in second spot, whilst Barry Geraghty settled Skint behind the leading group. Going out on the final circuit Brackloon High was upsides On Trent, however the challenge was short lived as by three out Brackloon High, who was eventually sent off favourite, was in reverse and he eventually only beat one home. Turning for home it was effectively a four horse race with Aviador, Skint, On Trend and Jetnove having a lead on the closing Bunglasha Lady. By two out Skint was in the lead as Aviador was the first of the leading group in retreat. On Trend was a further two back in third with Bunglasha Lady, looking like she needs further, back in fourth. 13:32 Our first chase of the afternoon is the 2m 1f panbet.com Supports Vote McCoy Novices’ Chase, with just seven going to post. Medermit on a redemption mission looks OK in the parade ring but, and I can’t put my finger on it, there was something that put me off. Sarando was pulling slightly, as was Tullamore Dew.13:50 Despite some occasional iffy jumping down the back straight for the final time Medermit took the spoils in this novice chase and now stands to win a £50,000 bonus should he win at the Cheltenham festival. A quick double for Choc Thornton and Alan King the winner was settled mid-div before coming to challenge the long-time leader Rackham Lerouge. Medermit hit the front two out and once clear only the fences were going to beat him. American Trilogy took a crashing fall two out, rolling under the running rail – I am pleased to report he got up OK and walked back to the stables.
14:00 Race four is the panbet.com Lower Margins Bigger Returns Handicap Hurdle, a two mile contest with 11 going to post. I had to check my racecard to check this is a hurdle as the paddock looks as though it is full of chasers. Apart from that nothing to report.
14:19 It will be interesting to see if the stewards take a look at the running of the favourite Mauritino as he was hardly sighted throughout the contest and it is no surprise Jonjo O’Neill (or his representative) has been invited to have a chat with the Stewards. Olympian Boy and The Bishops Baby were the pacesetters and still led turning for home, at which point it became a different double act with Swiss Art swapping places with Olympian Boy. Swiss Art and The Bishops Baby were abreast crossing the last but it was Swiss Art who had the better turn of foot, pulling clear to record a four length victory but probably value for a lot more. Olympian Boy held on for third spot. 14:29 Our second chase of the afternoon is the 40% Better Off On Betfair SP Handicap Chase, a marathon 3m 2f contest with 12 facing the starter. Despite it being a chilly afternoon Digger Gets Lucky is getting warm in the parade ring. Pacco is a head shaker and Skippers’s Lad is pulling slightly.
14:33 Medermit may go to the new chase at the festival, although The Arkle is not ruled out 14:50 Felix De Giles gives a demonstration of how to ride a three mile plus chase, settling Rey Nacarado before stalking the long-time leader and hitting the front approaching the last. The long-time leader in question was Rebel Melody who did little wrong in front and, from a neutrals perspective, would have been a worthy winner. Digger Gets Lucky was prominent throughout and looked booked for third spot, that was until Deep Pockets came with a late charge under Ian Popham to grab third spot at a decent price for each way backers. 14:52 It is getting very misty and gloomy here at Plumpton and if you are watching the racing on television you are probably getting a better view than we are on-course. Commentator Simon Holt looks as though he is dressed to go Polar exploring. 15:06 Next up is the panbet.com Handicap Hurdle an extended 3m 1f contest with 11 going to post. Gentleman Jimmy is pulling hard and getting warm, Royaume Bleu is also getting on his toes. Prince Louis is pulling slightly. The Red Laird “looks” nice and Massini Moon was very relaxed.15:26 The best finish of the afternoon as Gentleman Jimmy and Massini Moon battle up the run in with the former prevailing by a neck. Prince Louis set the pace, albeit with a strong tendency to veer left as he hurdled, although he ran out of steam going out on the final circuit. Gentleman Jimmy took up the running three out and it was soon a two horse race as Nassini Moon tried to head him. The Red Laird came home third. Royaume Blue was doing his beast work at the end to come home fourth.
15:34 Our concluding contest is the 2m 4f panbet.com New Accumulator Bonus Handicap Chase, with 11 taking part. Nothing to really report from the parade ring except Stop The Show is getting a tiny bit warm.15:55 Bobby Donald was the vain front runner in the final contest, leading from flag fall until approaching three out, at which point Fleur de Vassey, who had been vying for favouritism, took up the running. However it was not an unchallenged lead and bottom weight Marias Rock had the advantage approaching the last and being headed was enough for the top weight. It was Abbey Dore, who was eventually sent off the favourite, who emerged as the challenger to Marias Rock and he closed the gap on the run-in. The line came in time for Marias Rock as Nick Schofield bought her home a length clear of the jolly. It was a further length back to Fleur de Vassey with the front running Bobby Donald taking fourth place prize money. 15:58 That’s it from a now foggy and freezing Plumpton, where full credit should be given to Simon Holt for his exemplary calling in difficult conditions. Some decent racing for the Sussex course which is throwing off its “gaff track” image by attracting some top trainers. The weather will dictate where we are next with either Bangor or Newbury on Wednesday next on the agenda. From an eerie Plumpton a very good evening.
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Non-RunnersThe time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner. SC - Self Certificate Non-runners No non-runners Results 12:35 Juvenile Hurdle 2m
13:05 Novices' Hurdle 2m 5f
13:35 Novices' Chase 2m 1f
14:05 Handicap Hurdle 2m
14:35 Handicap Chase 3m 2f
15:10 Handicap Hurdle 3m 1f 110yds
15:40 Handicap Chase 2m 4f
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