11.25am Haydock’s meeting on Wednesday under weather threat
Tony Paley: The severe weather being experienced in northern Britain is having a major impact on racing plans and Haydock’s jumps meeting on Wednesday is the latest meeting in jeopardy with a 3pm inspection called for Monday. With 60 millimetres of rain having fallen since Christmas Day, the Merseyside track is heavy, waterlogged in places. And with another 25mm of rain forecast, including up to 13mm on Wednesday, course officials are taking no chances.
Tuesday’s planned meeting at Kelso must also survive a 1pm track inspection on Monday afternoon. The forecast is largely positive for the next few days, but recent heavy rain has left the ground heavy, waterlogged in places. Clerk of the course Anthea Morshead tweeted: “Rain passed through KelsoRacecourse now, & 4cast dry, sunny, breezy to Tues night. Going Heavy, waterlogged in plcs so will inspect 1pm Mon.”
Sunday’s meeting at Limerick got the go-ahead after a positive early-morning course inspection - but Monday’s fixture remains under scrutiny. Although the ground is heavy, conditions were considered good enough for today’s meeting to receive the green light. The threat of heavy overnight rain has, however, forced officials to announce an 8am inspection tomorrow morning ahead of Monday’s card. Racing today is due to begin at 12pm, with the Grade Two Shannon Airport Novice Chase the highlight.
Sunday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
There is no doubt about the star attraction at Kempton Park this afternoon, and the Desert Orchid Chase, in which Sprinter Sacre returns to the track and race in which he lost his unbeaten record in such dramatic fashion two years ago, could offer an interesting test of just how much racehorses remember, and for how long.
“Children don’t remember bad birthdays, do they?”, Homer Simpson once memorably asked after getting everything wrong on Lisa’s special day. Most punters would agree that horses can also “remember” a hard race, and may be reluctant to dig as deep next time.
Sprinter Sacre’s run here two years ago was distressing for all concerned, above all for a flight animal trying to run when his heart was not doing what it should. It is an experience that could have left a mark, and while Sprinter Sacre looked as though another summer off had brought a return to something like his best form at Cheltenham last month, he really did nothing more than he should on form terms given the conditions of the race.
From a betting point of view, I think he is a very poor price this morning, even following a drift to a top price of 8-11. The eagerness to see Sprinter Sacre back at his brilliant best, or even something close to it, is understandable, but in those circumstances, people tend to see what they want to see. Sire De Grugy (2.00) was the winner here two years ago, and went on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following March. He also returned to form last time out and will be a much more significant test for Sprinter Sacre than any of his opponents in the Shloer Chase.
It promises to be Nicky Henderson versus Gary Moore in the preceding chase too, as Vaniteux goes up against Ar Mad, who galloped his rivals into the ground in the Henry VIII Chase at Sandown last time out. It was an impressive display, but Vaniteux (1.25) looked destined for the top when successful on his chasing debut and can make the most of the couple of pounds he gets from Ar Mad.
The Last Samuri (2.35) looked as though a return to winning form was imminent when third in the Rehearsal Chase last time, while at Chelmsford City, which makes it onto the Channel 4 schedule following the postponement of Chepstow Welsh National card, Aumerle (1.40) and Meadway (2.15) both look solid.
The best two-miler racing anywhere today is probably Un De Sceaux (1.15), who makes his long-awaited return to action in the Grade One feature event at Leopardstown, while the Grade One Future Champion Novice Hurdle is likely to produce a live contender for the Supreme Novice Hurdle in March, with Tombstone and Long Dog the obvious candidates. The Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at 2.55 is the biggest betting race of the day, and Sumos Novios, a winner at Punchestown last time out, is the one attracting money this morning.
The tipping competition - it will be back
This period, that indeterminate phase between when Santa arrives and most of the nation gets back to work in the first week of January - was christened Chrimbo Limbo on the Broadcasting House programme on Radio 4 this morning. During this period there will be no tipping competition but you are welcome to add your comments and own hot tips (including inside info or Nan’s fancy) below. Happy Chrimbo Limbo.
