Due to a fairly hectic pre-Christmas schedule a planned Sandstormers article failed to materialise, apologies. However listeners of Timeform Radio were, I'm sure, delighted to hear my dulcet tones towards the end of December as I suggested a couple of horses that were worth following over the winter, namely Chookie Royale and Kaafel, and it is with them that we must deal with first.
Many will say that Chookie Royale is pretty well exposed at this stage in his career, being a five-year-old, and they would be right, but there is one important stat to account for and that is that the Keith Dalgleish-trained gelding is two from two on polytrack, with both wins being gained at Wolverhampton. His latest outing, resulting in a length and a half defeat of Dubawi Island in quite a competitive handicap, actually represent a marginal career best and, with him being versatile with regards to trip and his form having a consistent look to it, it would come as no surprise were Chookie Royale to pick up another couple of races over the winter. A long-term project he is not but a winning one he could be.
Kaafel made a winning start for new trainer Peter Hedger, having previously been in the care of Charlie Hills, at Lingfield last month on what represented his all-weather debut. Current connections paid 50,000 gns for Kaafel and gave him a three-month break prior to that effort and his narrow win marked a slight improvement upon his previous form, travelling well in touch and staying on to lead at the post. Despite only mustering one win for Hills, Kaafel proved largely consistent and it is not out of the question that he can pull out a bit more improvement, particularly with the manner of all-weather racing looking to suit his style, and he can prove his worth by winning the 15:10 at Lingfield on Saturday (for which he holds an entry, I didn't just pluck that specific race out of thin air).
That pair have both been included on the Sandstormers spreadsheet (available below) alongside the two most recent additions now up for discussion.
Gung Ho Jack could also be in action at Lingfield on Saturday, this time in the 14:00, and the suspicion is that he may be ready to strike when judged on his latest effort. On the figures the four-year-old ran one of his lesser races when finishing seventh at Kempton, not settling fully under a hold-up ride and never really managing to land a blow, but it is fair to say that he was considerately handled in the closing stages. His two best recent efforts have come when winning on the polytrack at Wolverhampton, giving hope that he can transfer his full ability to the surface, and he is on an appealing handicap mark of 69 when considering that he ran well off 77 at Windsor in July.
Another to note is Doctor Parkes, a seven-year-old now in the care of Stuart Williams having left Eric Alston prior to his most recent start. On his final outing for Alston in September, Doctor Parkes landed the spoils on his all-weather debut at Wolverhampton, beating Clear Praise by a length, turning in his best effort of the season. He contended a useful handicap on his first start for Williams late last month, running below form after a three-month absence which does offer a valid excuse, but he is a largely consistent sort that strikes as being capable of winning more races on this surface off what is currently a workable handicap mark.
We must now conduct something of a debrief and regrettably there isn't a great deal of good news to report. Two of our selections, Cabal and Fred Willetts, have taken to the track on a number of occasions since being highlighted and neither have managed to get their heads in front. In truth Cabal's latest effort didn't mark her down as a winner waiting to happen but one glimmer of hope is that, for a long way, she travelled well before flattening out. A change of fortune could be brought about by her being granted a strong pace but she will need to step up on her recent efforts to win.
Fred Willetts is simply operating below his best at present and therefore will become the first to receive a red box next to his name on the spreadsheet, mainly due to varying distances and the reapplication of headgear failing to spark a revival. It is worth noting that he was backed at long odds when finishing down the field at Wolverhampton last time and remains on a decent mark, but sticking steadfastly with horses that aren't in form is a rapid road to ruin and, for now at least, Fred Willetts is not one to be interested in.
Hopefully next week I will come to you bearing news of the success of both Kaafel and Gung Ho Jack, which would make amends for the disappointing efforts outlined above, alongside a more comprehensive review of the previous seven days of all-weather action and the latest horses worth sticking in your notebook.
