Tatty's Nags to Notice - Monday 16th January 2012

Jumping at Plumpton and all-weather racing at Wolverhampton give us our entertainment for the day.

Plumpton has never been one of my faves ever since the day, a few years back, when I had picked 5 placed horses in a placepot and my choice in the last was cruising towards the last fence, about 3 lengths clear of the field. When jumping, it promptly made a complete hash of the fence, sending its jockey sprawling on the the turf. I’ve never been overly keen on the place since.

Plumpton Racecourse back in 1985

3 trainers who have a decent record here are Alan King, Nick Gifford and Caroline Keevil. The latterly mentioned Ms Keevil trains at Motcombe, near Shaftesbury in Dorset and it is well worth having a look at the her stables website at www.carolinekeevilracing.co.uk

The stable has 2 entries on the card with Blue Lovell tackling the 3 ¼ mile h’cap chase and Bobs Present in the Novice Hurdle. Both on the face of it look out of their depth, but they are well worth watching to see if they can spring a surprise.

Alan King has a couple of runners and the one I prefer is HENRY SAN in the 1.10 This will be his 3^rd run over the timber after showing previous promise on the level. He ran well at Folkestone a month ago, but was never able to keep up with Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Double Ross who has since not been disgraced running at class 1 level at Newbury on New Years Eve. 

Tatty’s Nags to Notice

Plumpton

1.10 Henry San

3.40 Sir Winston

Wolverhampton

2.55 Dicky Mint

3.25 Warneford

4.25 Miss Astragal

Tatty's Nags to Notice - Friday 13th January 2012

For Friday, we have a meeting at my local (and possible favourite NH) course, namely Huntingdon. I previously wrote an article extolling the virtues of racing at Huntingdon, please click on the following link to read:

Go Racing at Huntingdon Racecourse

With my fascination for the interesting runner shall we say, I notice that trainer Jeremy Scott, based at Brompton Regis in Somerset, brings just one mare to the course and she runs in the 3.20 event. DREAMBROOK LADY has been running quite well over the last couple of months, just missing the frame at both Hereford and Taunton. Moving up into handicap company for the first time, I believe she has been allocated a fair mark of 87. The yielding ground should not cause her any problems and the stable is in decent form to boot. In my opinion, she is well worth consideration. 

• DREAMBROOK LADY Huntingdon 3.20
  

 Lastly, BEWARE – today is Friday 13^th – BET AT YOUR PERIL!!!

Tatty's Nags to Notice - Thursday 12th January 2012

Jumping at Catterick and Fontwell and all-weather flat fixtures at Southwell and Kempton are the order of the day.

Over the timber at Fontwell, we have an interesting runner in the 3.05 Off the track since March 2010, HONOUR HIGH has shown some decent form in far higher grade events than this and also at this track. Lady Herries doesn’t have too many runners at Fontwell, but she has a reasonably good record when coming here. I’m not saying he will win, but is well worth a look. 

Fontwell Park - Notice the figure of 8 chase course

The stable also has EASTER FAYRE running in the bumper at 4.05 I think she may need the run, but don’t discount her chances totally as she has found the frame in similar events last summer.

The Grandstand at Catterick

Brian Ellison has a decent strike rate when taking National Hunt runners to Catterick and HAKUNA MATATA has his debut run over the timber in the 1.45 When running on the level, he showed some signs of talent, especially when winning in desperate ground at Newcastle. On offer at time of writing at 8’s, it may be worth keeping an eye on the market.

                      Nags to Notice

• HAKUNA MATATA Catterick 1.45
• HONOUR HIGH Fontwell 3.05
• EASTER FAYRE Fontwell 4.05

Robbie Keane Flies the Nest and Modification of the Grand National Course

I know this blog is supposed to revolve around the subjects of horse racing and non-league football and I will go on to the subject of the nags in a moment (I promise), but occasionally I like to drift off topic a little and have a rant about something else (OK, quite often then).

The illustrious Mr Keane

I read today that Tottenham Hotspur and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane, has decided to cross the water and join Mr Beckham at LA Galaxy. Is this an admission that he is past it and cannot cope with the rigours of Premier League football anymore? Or maybe has he become a mercenary to the US dollar?

Probably both if the truth be known.

OK, back to the subject at hand. After the dreadful scenes at this year's at Aintree Grand National, the powers that be have announced some modifications to be in place in time for next years race.

For full details, have a look at my article (link below)

Grand National Course to be Modified

Do you have an opinion on the race? Are the fences too stiff and does anyone involved in National Hunt racing really care about the distress the horses may suffer and even the deaths of horses? I'd love to know your opinion.

Tatty is now off to study the form.