Middle Ground
The last couple of weeks in the racing calendar are probably best described as the middle ground, no-mans land, after the Cheltenham Festival but before the Grand National, after the start of the Flat season but before it really gets going. It’s all a little empty really, not helped by a vacant bank holiday on Good Friday – surely that must be something to change for future?!
All the racing in this period has a feel of an anti-climax, coming off the resounding high that the Cheltenham Festival produces, the new champions and superstars it crowns. All eyes head to Aintree, Punchestown and then onto next season with some decent jump racing to entertain but no major stars as they’re all safely tucked away after their main events of the season.
I’m not a huge fan of racing on the flat, as will become obvious, and the slightly staggered start to the turf season has left me occupying my time thinking about 2011’s storylines. Which horses I’m looking forward to seeing in new circumstances, which ones I want to see continue at the top and whether some can come back from disappointing Festival runs (that goes for most Cheltenham favourites!!!).
Over the past few months I’ve become a massive fan of Big Buck’s and he continues to dominate the staying hurdle division, looking to add another prize to his reputation this Thursday at Aintree where he’ll face the impressive Cheltenham runner-up Time For Rupert again. However, in the aftermath of Zaynar’s third place in the Champion Hurdle it was reported that connections wanted to step up to three miles and have a crack at the champion next season. Well, what a prospect that will be to look forward to and build up to through next season – much like the potential Diamond Harry v Big Buck’s duel could have built this season. I’m already a big fan of Zaynar and he has an early opportunity over 2m4f to re-assert himself as a big player over a distance that suits far more than the 2m Champion Hurdle ever did.
In the same race this week Celestial Halo will have his last run over hurdles before a chasing career begins in the autumn. I’m intrigued more than excited by this switch, but he’s certainly one I’ll be watching with interest. Of the other novice chasers for 2010/11 the re-appearance of the supremely talented Mikael D’Haguenet will surely grab the centre of attention when he finally makes it off the injury list! Woolf Moon is one in the 3m category I’m also keen to see after he won so impressively at Cheltenham in January.
The major thought for me though is the potential Gold Cup line up in 12 months time; Imperial Commander, Denman, Kauto Star, Long Run, Cooldine, What A Friend, Weapons Amnesty, Punchestowns and Joncol all spring to mind immediately along with two favourites of mine; Somersby, who is being stepped up in trip after an impressive Arkle second when he couldn’t quite close up on Sizing Europe and Weird Al who was so unlucky to be injured when he was, a feeling accentuated after seeing the RSA Chase unfold. I believe he’s have been right there throughout and stood a massive chance. If they can keep him wrapped up well through the season I think he can figure in the big one.
Just out of that list, and on a slight tangent, the thought of Kauto Star v Long Run at Kempton on Boxing Day isn’t bad either is it? They both relish that flat, tight circuit and if not this year then pretty soon we’re going to see a new force dominate that race!
For now though, thoughts are dominated by Aintree and the three day National meeting, culminating in the Grand National on Saturday afternoon. There are a few I fancy already in this, but I’ve not delved too deeply into the card or weights and have left the ante-post market alone until I know the conditions on the day. A 20 horse handicap over 2m5f is hard enough, but a 40 horse handicap over 4m4f is near impossible to call with any certainty. I’ll be back with some previews prior to the weekend and reflections on the other two days of racing, however unfortunately I have to work Thursday and Friday so won’t catch most of the action. Likewise with the first two days of the Cheltenham meet next week, but I should catch the Friday evening and at least a day or two over the Irish Sea at Punchestown so it’s not all bad!
Tags: Aintree, Big Bucks, Grand National, Imperial Commander, Kauto Star, Zaynar
