Sand Stormers: On the 11th day of Christmas...

Timeform Debate / Paul Smith / 12 November 2011 / 1 Comments

Andrew Balding has Intransigent entered at Lingfield on Friday

"For a 0-62 handicap, that was almost certainly a warm race with plenty of strength in depth and Pipers Piping did enough to make him of interest in the short term......"

Paul Smith has a couple more additions to his list of All Weather horses to follow.....

Christmas is coming. I know this because adverts are imploring me to buy 'Greatest Hits' compilations of artists I didn't realise had actually had any great hits.

Twelve days of Christmas has morphed into 12 weeks and I am not a fan. I don't think I would be too keen on my true love sending me 11 Pipers Piping as a gift either, but hopefully the horse of that name will be able to provide some cheer in the coming weeks.

A winner five times in 2010, he hasn't managed to put his head in front this time round but he is almost certainly best at 7f and he only tackled that trip once in his first nine outings this year.

His new stable have kept him to that trip in two recent runs and his latest effort at Wolverhampton, where he wasn't beaten far despite coming from a long way back, suggested his turn wasn't far away.

For a 0-62 handicap, that was almost certainly a warm race with plenty of strength in depth and Pipers Piping did enough to make him of interest in the short term.

The other addition to the list this week is Michael Attwater's George Guru, who was mugged on the line at Kempton despite coming from an unfavourable draw.

He must have had his share of problems - he didn't see a racecourse until August of his 4yo campaign - but he has been kept busy since then and he continues to improve.
Providing he can be kept sound, he should continue to pay his way this winter - his attitude likely to stand him in good stead.

After a quiet start to the column, this week has the potential to be a bit busier with four of the dozen holding engagements. I think we can safely ignore Greek Islands' entry over hurdles at Bangor, though, and Even Stevens is going to be up against it in Listed company at Lingfield on Saturday.

Flag Of Glory is entered at Wolverhampton on Saturday night (19.50) and his last win came over the same course and distance when trained by Chris Wall.

He looked as though his reappearance would bring him on when down the field at Lingfield last month and although it could be that he will need his next run too, he is likely to be a price that allows for those concerns.

Intransigent holds an entry in the 5f maiden at Lingfield on Friday (13.25) and he should be well suited by the surface. Whether quite such a test of speed is what he wants is debatable though and without knowing the draw, or the quality of opposition, it is hard to be overly enthusiastic about his prospects.

That said, he definitely shaped with promise on his debut and as long as he isn't stuck out too wide, he could be worth a small interest.

Sand Stormers NAP

Flag Of Glory (19.50 Wolverhampton, Saturday)

LIST OF HORSES TO FOLLOW

Aiaam Al Wafa (likely big improver when switched to handicaps (27/10))
Adorable Choice (underrated filly who did well to last as long as she did at Newbury (21/10))
Bond Fastrac (still well handicapped on old form and good second at Nottingham (11/10))
Conducting (better than the result on both 17/9 and 12/10)
Even Stevens (looked Fibresand monster (22/3))
Flag of Glory (shaped nicely on first run for Peter Hiatt (27/10); can do better)
George Guru (lightly raced and still on the up; poor draw (2/11))
Greek Islands (looked worth upping in trip (12/10))
Intransigent (related to smart AW performer and promise on debut (10/10))
Kames Park (no chance the way he was ridden in slowly run race (12/10))
Pipers Piping (well handicapped now and made up lots of ground late (4/11))
Priestley's Reward (ran best race so far when second on All Weather debut (22/10))

Comments (1)

1. Anonymous | 11 November 2011

   good start. won easy.