Horseracing Betting: The Timeform Weekend Review

Weekend Review / Timeform / 01 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Bad weather disrupted races at Newcastle but as the boys from Timeform explain, there was plenty of other action to keep punters occupied over the weekend gone by....

Saturday saw the final day of Newbury's three-day Hennessy meeting, with the three mile two furlong contest the showpiece race. There was plenty of other talent on show on a strong support card that included three-time World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever whilst at Newcastle frost denied National Hunt fans the chance of seeing potential Champion Hurdle contenders put forward their cases in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, a decision that will no doubt have frustrated Barry Geraghty who had made the trip to partner Punjabi, only to see his replacement A.P. McCoy ride four winners for his boss Nicky Henderson at Newbury!

One of those, the chasing debutante Petit Robin was strongly supported in the seventeen furlong handicap chase, and justified his support with an impressive performance, looking a potentially high-class chaser in the process. He defied a BHA mark of 132 with bags to spare, in control from four out and still full of running at the line. Whilst talk of the Champion Chase was an over-reaction, Petit Robin looks one to follow this season and also has potential back over hurdles, having beaten the useful Beshabar in a novice there last December.

Henderson struck again half an hour later when Duc de Regniere showed further improvement to beat Mobaasher, Petitfour and Blazing Bailey in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle, with Inglis Drever pulled up sharply after 4 out having reportedly suffered a tendon injury. The relatively steady pace was probably more to Duc de Regniere's advantage than those in behind but he won well enough to give the impression he'd have a good chance of confirming places with the beaten horses off level weights. He is progressing into a serious World Hurdle Contender.

A double at Towcester had given hope to followers of the Pipe yard that the stable might be over its quiet patch, and Madison Du Berlais, fourth to Denman in the Hennessy last year, stepped up on that form when scoring for connections in the same race twelve months on. He was ridden much closer to the pace on this occasion and stayed on strongly from the last to fend off Air Force One. He will have limited options from now on, but the Aon Chase back at the same course in February might prove a suitable option.

Sunday's card at Fairyhouse saw the return of 2006 Champion Hurdle winner Brave Inca who clashed old rival Hardy Eustace in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle. Ultimately however both had to play second fiddle to Edward O'Grady's Catch Me who followed up his Lismullen win with a one and a half length victory over Brave Inca. Elsewhere on the card Trafford Lad continued his unbeaten record over fences to make it three from three, whilst Champion Bumper winner Cousin Vinny made a most encouraging start to his hurdles career when finishing a close third behind stablemate Hurricane Fly in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

On the Flat, Sunday's meeting at Kempton saw jockey George Baker notch up his fiftieth winner on the polytrack surface, whilst Hayley Turner, currently on eighty nine winners, will be hoping to log the eleven winners needed to hit a century before the end of December.