Frustrating day for those who followed the strong prospects they traded at 1.54 and 1.22 in-running;- although this should serve as a solid reminder that I am not a tipster
Here is the review for the Fontwell contest. The write-up for Perth should be done before breakfast. Enjoy
FONTWELL - 5th September - Review
Preview review
Sometimes, when a horse springs a surprise, there are still clues within a profile which become obvious in hindsight having been overlooked beforehand. Other times, a newcomer becomes so invigorated by its first encounter with hurdles that it greatly surpasses any evidence based expectations. Yesterday's juvenile hurdle at Fontwell appears to be one such instance. The Yellow Mini brought with her a flat rating of just 45 which is the lowest for any winning debutant in the sphere since the 41 rated Egmont took Hexham's curtain raiser in June 2015. Put into context, there have since been 327 juvenile hurdlers rated 50 or lower on the flat with only 49 rated Alohamora winning on her debut at Catterick in February 2018. When looking for other clues, sire Cannock Chase, having his first runner in the sphere, was mentioned as having potential in the discipline but that would not been enough to build a case. Timeform's smart stats flagged up Gavin Sheehan's record at Fontwell and his eight rides on juveniles at the venue have resulted in two wins, a second and three thirds. While again, this would not have necessarily offset the rating, his fine judgement of pace and the conscientious in which he introduced The Yellow Mini to her hurdles was certainly a factor in her success and probably earns an early nomination for ride of the season. Trainer Michael Wigham rarely participates in these contests, but has sent out two juveniles to win first time with 43 rated Parsley's Return winning a Ludlow seller in December 2005, and 61 rated Skylark Lady taking the aforementioned Hexham contest in 2016. Beyond these factors, that the remainder of the field all had questions to answer which increased the likelihood of a surprise result, although hindsight is a wonderful thing. Taking The Yellow Mini out of the race, the completed field did so in precisely the same order as the prospects lists with Oneonechop's lack of stamina and Tara Iti's temperament proving themselves in the race. Nevertheless, this will offer scant consolation to the backers of Ramure; even though nothing written here ever is in any way advisory!
Race review
Several of these came into the race with feasible prospects but only two ran anywhere close to form. The quality of jumping was not brilliant and though the front two pulled well clear, the performances of those behind can be readily disregarded. Notwithstanding, most of the runners did settle well enough and as well as going a solid yet sensible gallop, the winning time was the quickest of the three over the distance on the card; including the handicap won by a 120 rated horse. As such, while the collateral form is essentially meaningless, the clock does afford the winning performance some substance. Whether the first two placings can be confirmed does not look certain as the runner-up was awkward during her first encounter with real pressure and the winner may struggle to outrun the penalty. Ultimately, the best horse on the day won and that is the most tangible conclusion that can be drawn from this contest.
The Yellow Mini was rated just 45 on the flat and her best effort, a second off 45 in a Bath handicap, was followed by three subpar performances. She was the first runner over hurdles for sire Cannock Chase, a stallion with feasible credentials, a cousin of a winning novice hurdler and while trainer Michael Wigham had not had a runner in the sphere since November 2016, he had previously sent out two to win first time. She was not completely unfancied, starting at 16/1, and was ridden with confidence as she disputed the lead from the outset. With the front two racing alongside each other for most of the contest, it was only when her rival began to fade leaving the back that she moved into a clear lead. Ramure managed to get within a length after jumping quicker at two out, but The Yellow Mini kept on doggedly to keep her rival at bay and ran with more purpose on the run-in to cross the line with just over three lengths in hand. While she clearly relished this new discipline, her hurdling was not without its blemishes. Distracted by her rival when making minor errors over the first two, she was slightly big over the third and sixth, steady when clipping the next, was outjumped at two out and went right at the last. Notwithstanding, these errors were not especially to her detriment and it is an area where she can improve with experience. Though unexposed in this discipline with a performance given credence by a respectable time, The Yellow Mini was the beneficiary of a fine ride from Gavin Sheehan along with a lack of fitness and experience from her sole serious adversary. It remains to be seen if she can progress but this should not detract from her exploits here. 100
Ramure was the season's first participant with French hurdling form and though she had yet to get within eighteen lengths of a winner in her native country, the form was respectable in the context of this race. She was also the first French import for trainer Stuart Edmunds whose winner runner rate in the sphere is strong, and is adept at getting winners first time out. A drifter during the day though steady enough in the market, Ramure was sent off the 2/1 second favourite. She was ridden with more patience than she had been in France, but made smooth headway along the back and travelled well into a challenging position entering the straight where she traded at 1.54 in-running. Managing to get within a length of the lead jumping the penultimate flight, she was keeping tabs on the winner all the way to the last before said horse jumped in front of her on landing. This forced Ramure to reorganise herself and her inexperience showed when coming under pressure as she wandered, giving the impetus to the winner. Sensibly, she was not given a hard time from there by Ciaran Gethings. Mostly fluent over hurdles in France, she was not quite so smooth over Fontwell's hurdles as she made a mistake at the second, wandered approaching the third and seventh and got very close to the sixth due largely to a lapse in concentration. Nevertheless, Ramure will have learned plenty from this outing and would be the one horse to take out of the contest. While it is hoped that her valeur is not taken into account when she is allotted an official mark, a race of this nature should still be within her range; particularly with more give in the ground. 97
Oneonechop was a busy horse in France and has been keep to a regular workload with this being his sixth outing since joining David Pipe in July. His efforts at Newton Abbot set the standard on domestic form and while not immune to minor errors, has mostly shown himself to be a neat and able jumper. Though sent off the 15/8 favourite, stamina had been a concern going into this contest and he ultimately put up his worst performance to date. Tracking the leaders in midfield, his round was littered with mistakes as he was untidy when reaching at the second, reached again at the third, was steady and low at the fourth, clipped the fifth and seventh before clattering his way through two out. Already off the bridle going along the back, he had been left behind before reaching the home straight and a very tired leap at the last confirmed he was a spent force. Ultimately beaten by forty lengths, Oneonechop is most probably due a break. Clearly lacking stamina at the best of times, any return during the winter may have to come on the flat where he is not particularly well treated. Nevertheless, should this performance see his BHA rating drop a few pounds, he would not be out of the reckoning for a small handicap around Newton Abbot come spring time; particularly as he is capable of jumping well enough to be competitive in that kind of contest. 67
Tara Iti is bred to make an impact in this sphere and is in the right hands to do so. However, while he has the ability to win races at this level, his temperament is another matter. The Gary Moore yard ran a similar horse in this race last term in Big Jimbo who was well backed during the day and ultimately finished second. Tara Iti was also well backed, starting at 3/1 having opened at 8/1 in the morning. However, after getting warm in the preliminaries, he was pulling extremely hard while being restrained in the rear of the field. His hurdling was also poor as he was steady, big and skewed over his early jumps before moving to steady and slow jumps as the race progressed; with a tendency to also jump to his right. Detached from a long way out, he passed a beaten rival on the run-in but was still tailed off in the end. Tara Iti is proving to be disappointing and unless a pet sheep or something to that effect cheers him up, it might be worth allowing him his head as nothing else seems to be working and he should not want for stamina. 53
Sir Taweel was a winner on the flat, is related to decent jumpers and has joined a capable yard; albeit one which is currently out of form. He offered only minor promise on his hurdles debut at Stratford but was backed during the day from 20/1 to 9/1 to do better here. Ridden to dispute the lead, he was slightly cautious over the first two but was clean over the next couple before going through the top of the fifth. He got away from the sixth well enough despite skewing, but after trailing his hind legs through the last in the back, he faded rapidly and his last jumps in the straight were those of a tired horse. Having never raced beyond a mile on the flat, his stamina over hurdles is becoming questionable and he may need a fair amount of time before he develops into something that can be competitive in the sphere. 43
Risky Business only has the fact he is by Mastercraftsman going for him in this sphere as he was moderate on the flat and jumped too cautiously on his hurdles debut at Stratford eight weeks earlier. Held up towards the rear, he wandered and hopped over the first two; getting a reminder after the second; did not enjoy the kickback on the bend, was slow over the rest of his hurdles and finished completely tailed off. 16
Kinghenrytheninth is out of a winning juvenile but his flat form for Roger Teal is modest at best. Initially racing keenly in midfield, he made errors and jumped right at his first five jumps before pulling up. 0