Dying embers of the Flat

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

RACING POST TROPHY – Crowded House 82

HORRIS HILL STAKES – Evasive 69

ST SIMON STAKES – Buccellati 75

Along with the majority, I was impressed with Crowded House’s performance on Saturday, who earns himself a top-notch performance rating having stopped the clock with an impressive turn of foot. This event gets top marks in the book so Crowded House is definitely a horse to go to war with next year, although the jury is out as to whether he has too much speed for the Derby…you decide!

Hope some of you took a price about Mad Rush for the Melbourne Cup when advised here at 12-1. Having said that, my ante-post record this year is one of getting the right price but the horse not delivering – such as Prince Kalamoun – although Moonstone nearly come up trumps in the Oaks at 50-1.

As for Orpsie Boy, I ended up having a few buttons on him at Doncaster with Betfair even though the ground wasn’t fast enough. The phrase ‘follow him over a cliff’ does spring to mind, but hopefully I can nail him on the turf next year on fast ground.

Still no baby yet, spiced food will be used as a last resort on Wednesday evening in order to avoid the poor child arriving on Oct 31!



TOP OF THE FORM

A few winners emerged out of the chart last week with Rutba from the number one race at Yarmouth (omitted now) scoring again.
I’ve decided to have a clearout amongst the old entries, including turf Flat runners, and concentrate on the jumps and all-weather. Some of those below are runners from the past few months that have yet to reappear, although there are no engagements for this week having checked the five-day entries.

Artzola – Two winners have already emerged from this handicap on Sep 12 and this mare caught the eye running on into fifth.

Elijah Pepper – Form of Pontefract victory has worked out and trainer David Barron knows how to place progressive sprinters. Could be one for the winter as already boasts a victory on Polytrack.

Hazzard County - Stayed on into third at Great Leighs and deserves to land one after some consistent efforts.

Lochstar - Judge 'n Jury's victory at Ascot three weeks ago has worked out well. Back in fifth was the beautifully-bred Lochstar, who has already scored on Polytrack and is one be with if appearing this winter.

Presentandcorrect - A beginners' chase won by Ohana at Fontwell last month was franked by the third and fourth, making runner-up, Presentandcorrect, of interest. Making his debut for Carl Llewellyn here, this dual hurdler winner impressed over fences and can build on this next time.

Short and sweet from me today, but I'll be previewing one of the weekend jumps races from the book later in the week.