‘First the worst, second the best?’ Let’s hope that is the case for these unlucky runners-up from last week.

Host (2nd)

Light blue and black silks, (Richard Hannon)

Monday 11th  January – 17.15 Wolverhampton

It was a successful Monday evening at Wolverhampton last week for Richard Hannon, with his only two runners finishing first and second in the same race. Both horses ran well, but I think there was a preference as to which horse should win of the pair – Muay Thai.

Of course, I could be completely wrong. But I think Thore Hammer Hansen could have asked his mount, the eventual second-placed Host, for more in the closing stages. In my opinion, he probably would have had it not been Hannon’s other runner in front.

The three-year-old was waited with by the apprentice jockey but made smooth headway on the bend and looked to be mounting a strong challenge. But, as Host quickened there seemed a reluctance for him to pose a serious threat to Muay Thai. Hammer Hansen opted to only whip his mount twice on the straight, then twice again just yards from the finish, even though the horse responds well to pressure.

The colt looked like he had plenty left in the tank and under a stronger ride, he may have won. I definitely think Host is one to keep an eye on, especially when the market speaks in his favour.

Woodview (2nd)

Red, white and black silks, (John Moore)

Wednesday 13th January – 16.45 Kempton

Sometimes it can take young horses a few runs to understand what is required of them, and that appears to be what has happened with John Moore’s Woodview. The three-year-old managed his best performance to date on Wednesday and looks capable of winning races in the future.

Woodview settled quickly in midfield for jockey Liam Keniry, showing no signs of greenness for the first time in his career. The gelding travelled smoothly throughout and even when the pace increased, he was still held together by Keniry.

Coming into the final few furlongs, Woodview was still cruising and was the last off the bridle. Then when asked to quicken, he obliged. Eventual winner, Nortonthorpe Boy, had broken too far clear to be caught by the time Woodview had reached top speed. But he still finished strongly and may have got his head in front over a longer trip.

Woodview looks capable of winning over a mile, but when he steps up further in distance I think he could take all the beating in these low-level affairs.

Kestenna (2nd)

Navy blue silks, (John Gosden)

Saturday 16th January – 12.50 Lingfield

John Gosden-trained debutants always attract market support. Therefore, it was no surprise to see Kestenna so strong in the betting last Saturday. She showed plenty of ability and is one to keep on side of in the future.

The filly broke poorly and ran greenly for the majority of the race. But, as jockey Kieran O’Neill continued to ask questions of his mount, Kestenna continued to find. Despite being off the bridle from a long way out and short of room on the home bend, the three-year-old finished with plenty of speed and managed to grab second-place on the nod.

Kestenna showed natural ability and speed, with a better break she may have even got the better of the well-backed favourite, Skulk. She will definitely win races and could be a decent prospect for Gosden.

Fils D’oudairies (2nd)

Black and pink silks, (Joseph O’Brien)

Sunday 17th January – 12.50 Punchestown

Unquestionably, Envoi Allen is the best National Hunt horse in training, so finishing within a few lengths of him is a commendable effort. Therefore, connections of Fils D’oudairies would have been very pleased with their geldings second-place finish behind him in the Killiney Novice Chase.  

After Asterion Forlonge fell at the first, the race looked like a simple task for Envoi Allen. But Joseph O’Brien’s Fils D’oudairies stayed on incredibly well in the final few furlongs to give the favourite something to think about, forcing Jack Kennedy to become slightly more animated in the saddle than usual to avoid the chance of an upset.

Fils D’oudairies jumped well throughout and found plenty in the closing stages. The way he hit the line suggested that he could cope with a slight step up in trip, or just a faster run 2m 4f trip as when Asterion fell there was no pace left in the field.

Under the Radar’s Previously Featured Horses

After a busy Christmas racing schedule, we return with the first Under the Radar of 2021. Hopefully, we can kickstart the year with some winners.

Dickie Diver (2nd)

Green and yellow silks, (Nicky Henderson)

Tuesday 29th December – 13.30 Newbury

In his first start since a creditable fourth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in 2019, Dickie Diver returned from his 655-day break in good style. Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old stayed on well to grab second behind runaway winner Paint The Dream in a competitive Class 3.

The J P McManus owned gelding travelled smoothly for Aidan Coleman and jumped well. Coming over the last Dickie Diver was six lengths behind second-placed favourite Demachine, but made up ground quickly in the final furlong to beat him by just under a length.

Dickie Diver will strip fitter for this run and will come on from it. The way he stayed on also suggests that stepping back up in trip would be the best move, potentially returning to a 3m trip. With this run under his belt, it would be no shock to see him winning a race of this standard soon.

Jack Of Trades (2nd)

Beige silks, (Simon and Ed Crisford)

Saturday 2nd January – 12.35 Lingfield

The impressive victory of Wake Up Harry was a standout performance on Saturday, as was the run by Jack Of Trades in second-place. The three-year-old finished four lengths clear of third in an eye-catching run that showed signs of significant improvement.

Jack Of Trades, ridden by Nicky Mackay, was held up in midfield after breaking well and travelled smoothly throughout. Coming on to the straight the gelding was caught in behind a wall of horses and forced very wide. Despite that he still finished well and found plenty for pressure.

After two disappointing efforts over course and distance, this run was a step in the right direction for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford. The way Jack Of Trades pulled clear from the pack was impressive and the form should have some substance to it as the winner looked a smart prospect. It would be no surprise to see Jack Of Trades winning a race of this nature soon.

Rohaan (2nd)

Navy and white silks, (David Evans)

Saturday 2nd January – 14.20 Lingfield

The risks involved in holding up a horse are huge. It could encounter traffic when trying to make up ground or the jockey may mistime their challenge. On Saturday evening it was the latter.

David Evans’ fast-improving Rohaan looked set to make it four wins in a row for the majority of his 6f trip, until he entered the final furlong. Jockey Darrah Keenan still hadn’t asked the gelding for an effort with 200 yards to go, by which stage it was too late. The eventual winner, Bravado, had broken too far clear to be caught.

Rohaan ran on strongly and would have won cosily if asked to quicken sooner. The three-year-old has a great turn of foot and will be seen in stronger races than this Class 4. With Evans revealing that he was unhappy with the ride post-race, it would be a shock for Rohaan not to win soon under a less risky ride from Keenan.

Chipiron (3rd)

Pink and green silks, (Ivan Furtado)

Saturday 2nd January – 17.10 Wolverhampton

At odds of 33/1, the market didn’t fancy the chances of Chipiron. But despite the lack of support the French recruit ran a great race to finish third on stable debut for Ivan Furtado.

Chipiron broke slowly but was patiently waited with by jockey Elle-May Croot, making her professional debut. The gelding then made steady headway down the outside and found plenty when asked to quicken, finishing strongest of the field.

The five-year-old hung his head right in the closing stages and Croot did well to keep him straight, which may mean he still had more to give, and the left-handed track of Wolverhampton perhaps didn’t suit. Chipiron won six of his seven races on right-handed tracks in France so a switch back could see him improve, especially if stepped up in trip. He is definitely one to keep an eye on.

by Charlie Parker-Turner

With 2020 drawing to a close, let’s see if we can highlight some potential winners for next year.

Charles Le Brun (2nd)

Blue, white and orange silks, (Jonathon Portman)

Monday 14th December – 20.10 Kempton

The phrase ‘Christmas gamble’ has been thrown around willy-nilly this month, with smaller stables supposedly backing their runners at big prices knowing they are above their mark. One runner that failed to land such a gamble was Charles Le Brun. The gelding was well-backed all day and went into 10/11 from 3/1 shortly before the off. Charles Le Brun was the best horse in the race but he had no luck in-running and lost by a nose.

Richard Kingscote did all he could to weave his way through the pack but no gaps opened up until the final furlong, but by that time it was too late. With a clear run, as the market knew, Charles Le Brun would have won easily. He is one to look out for in his next few races.

Getmegold (3rd)

Blue and yellow silks, (Colin Tizzard)

Tuesday 15th December – 13.35 Wincanton

Heading into the Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle all eyes were on exciting prospect Sizable Sam, but it was the performance of Getmegold that had punters talking after the race. Colin Tizzard’s gelding ran on for an impressive third-place despite being out of touch a long way from home.

The five-year-old jumped well but as the pace quickened on the back straight he was soon outpaced. Getmegold kept on well for Robbie Power and finished fastest of them all. He made up at least twenty lengths on the home straight and, over a longer trip, he may have sprung an upset at odds of 50/1.

It is unlikely that Getmegold will be priced up at such great odds next time out, but he could be a good bet in another Class 4.

Foxes Tales (2nd)

Blue and white silks with starred cap, (Andrew Balding)

Wednesday 16th December – 17.05 Kempton

Andrew Balding’s Foxes Tales made a promising debut last week in a race that he definitely could have won.

The two-year-old broke poorly and showed signs of greenness before he eventually settled in the rear of the pack. Coming on to the home straight Foxes Tales had plenty to do but made great headway on the inside to clinch second, showing a great attitude and an eye-catching turn of foot.

The winner, Beating All, had a significant lead on Foxes Tales two furlongs out and still only finished a length ahead of him. I really wouldn’t be shocked to see Foxes Tales running in Class 1/Class 2 races in the future. 

Espresso Freddo (2nd)

Red and green silks, (Robert Stephens)

Wednesday 16th December – 18.05 Kempton

It’s easy to say “What are they doing? I could have done better than that.” when watching racing from the comfort of our homes. However, backers of Espresso Freddo had every right to exclaim exactly that on Wednesday evening.

The six-year-old travelled into contention impressively but jockey Dougie Costello gave him too much to do late on and handed front-running Mostawaa the victory. Espresso Freddo was still held together almost one furlong out and looked like he could win on the bridle, but Mostawaa found extra and left Costello’s mount with no time to quicken.

In previous races, Espresso Freddo has found plenty off the bridle so this was certainly a misjudgement by Costello. If the handicapper doesn’t hike Robert Stephens’ gelding up in the weights then I can see him adding to his six career victories.

by Charlie Parker-Turner