Seinsational, one of nine ‘decs’ for a weak-looking Maiden Hurdle over two miles of ‘good’ ground Worcester tonight, is taking a long time to win, I’m not sure he wants to!
Napped twice in this column Dr Newland’s vexing charge has raced erratically for Sam Twiston-Davies and significantly the last effort five weeks ago was by far his worst; serious betting is all about investing on progressive genuine sorts, nothing to do with sentiment, and this-type racehorse is the sort I’d prefer to lay all day long rather than back.
Perhaps there is some hidden agenda with Seinsational, that’s often the case and ex-French-trained Capitole, once-rated 77 (flat), is worth chancing as a free each-way bet to nothing with three places on offer.
Capitole finished only eleven lengths behind short-priced favourites Chasamax and Kentucky Harboot over course and distance fifteen days ago, his first-up jumping experience and though a bit wayward he negotiated the mini-fences adequately. It will be most interesting to monitor him closely, again ridden by Robert Dunne, a good horseman. Trainer Tom Gallagher had a winner at Bath on Tuesday.
Eight go to post (hopefully!) for a Novices’ Hurdle over three miles and include consistent, hitherto luckless Supreme Yeats and similarly-rated Blue Sans, penalised for success at Fontwell last month; preference is for the former on a point of stamina.
Supreme Yeats, sent off favourite, jumped mini-fences well around Southwell last time out and an absence of nine weeks is countered by encouraging reports of well-being from the yard of Laura Morgan.
Commentators and newspapers still refer to mini-fences as hurdles, why?
The aforementioned runners will comprise an each-way double, my main source of income decades ago; I’m much happier scrutinising National Hunt racing programmes because the ‘process of elimination’ method brings consistent reward with so many moderate thoroughbreds flogging around.
My actual preference, in stark contrast, is two-year-old racing but this year has been difficult because so many juveniles are more savvy nowadays, armed with experience of bustling barrier trials, before encountering the daunting race-track environment.
Experienced Gainbourg and excellent Danny Tudhope, are napped for a moderate Novice Median Auction Stakes over a mile of Hamilton; don’t oppose without good reason..
In the meantime let’s enjoy a ‘Seinsational’ day jumping.
Selections, Hamilton, 3.00 Gainsbourg (e.w); Worcester, 6.55 Capitole (e.w); 8.00 Supreme Yeats (e.w).
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019