In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up all the action of note from this weekend’s racing for SBC Blog readers.
For six minutes on Saturday race-fans were able to forget whip rules, lack of prize money and corruption charges as the imperious Kauto Star warmed the hearts of all who watched him triumph in the Betfair Chase. One of the sport’s greatest ever chasers, Kauto jumped magnificently before kicking for home to readily dismiss the challenges of Diamond Harry, Weird Al and Long Run to triumph by eight-lengths. The National Hunt trainers champion Paul Nicholls simply said “This is my proudest-ever moment”. Kauto Star has been cut to 11-2 from 16-1 for the King George VI Chase. That price is not for me though as it’s hard to see him taking part in five weeks time after such a strenuous effort here and he goes best when fresh. Long Run made a few jumping errors when finishing second, running 12lb below his best but will improve for his seasonal outing. Continue reading
Population
Sportsman Racing: Weird Al’s Gold Cup Tilt
In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up all the action of note from this weekend’s racing for SBC Blog readers.
The injury-plagued Weird Al put his problems well and truly behind him with a monumental win in the jump season’s first big renewal – the Charlie Hall chase. Superbly piloted by Timmy Murphy Weird Al came from off the pace to quicken away from Time For Rupert after the last fence earning quotes of 20-1 for the Gold Cup next March. Owing to setbacks Weird Al has only had nine career runs at the age of eight and remains open to further progression. Long Run will prove very difficult to beat in next year’s Gold Cup but if Weird Al stays in good health then he must have a chance in the Hennessy if entered at the end of next month. Continue reading
Sportsman Racing: Weird Al's Gold Cup Tilt
In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up all the action of note from this weekend’s racing for SBC Blog readers.
The injury-plagued Weird Al put his problems well and truly behind him with a monumental win in the jump season’s first big renewal – the Charlie Hall chase. Superbly piloted by Timmy Murphy Weird Al came from off the pace to quicken away from Time For Rupert after the last fence earning quotes of 20-1 for the Gold Cup next March. Owing to setbacks Weird Al has only had nine career runs at the age of eight and remains open to further progression. Long Run will prove very difficult to beat in next year’s Gold Cup but if Weird Al stays in good health then he must have a chance in the Hennessy if entered at the end of next month. Continue reading