TOMORROW’S race programme, boosted by an appearance from the legendary Lester Piggot, promises to be extremely entertaining.
Principal event is The Clarendon, a mile-and-a-half handicap and one of the most hotly contested races of the season.
Sponsored by Charles Le Quesne (1956) Limited, it brings together Crossways, the Carling Jersey Derby winner, and Off Minor, second in both the Derby and the Champion Hurdle.
With the latter just a pound better off this time it will be a close run thing between them and there’s no doubt Off Minor deserves to win a big race this year, although this is by no means a two-horse race.
Palala River was only beaten half a length in the Derby and she enjoys lenient treatment by the handicapper with a 9 lb pull; she will also enjoy the likely good-to-soft going.
An even bigger blot on the handicap might be Cheeky Girl.
She has under-achieved all season, but ran a huge race in the Derby, beaten two-and-a-half lengths in fifth place before she now meets Crossways on 15 lb better terms, adjusted for the mare’s allowance.
She can be forgiven for her subsequent defeat over too short a trip.
Cheeky Girl has the look of a horse that has waited all season for this opportunity and, given the opportunity, she will grab it.
In the Supporters’ Handicap Hurdle See More Snow has to give two-and-a-half stones to two very modest performers.
They say weight will stop a train, but Casa Rosa and Regal Ali have shown no worthwhile form for some time and See More Snow is probably up to the task.
The Animal Health Trust Handicap Sprint provides an exciting curtain raiser to The Clarendon.
Can unbeaten Catcando maintain his 100% record? He must run off a mark of 87, which is, frankly, barmy.
He could no more win off that mark in the UK than his owner, Des Ahier could win the 100 metres at the Olympics, and the handicapper would have done better to leave him handicapped at a sensible level, adjusting his rivals in an appropriate downward direction.
Catcando may well win, but five furlongs is a bit sharp for him and the flying grey mare Highland Flight, a specialist sprinter, is readily preferred.
Dizzy in the Head, from Paul Johnson’s UK stable is a prolific scorer over sprint distances; he was impressive when beating Abbajabba by 5 lengths at Hamilton recently off a mark of 77 and he carries only a pound more here.
He may not quite be able to give 21 lb to Highland Flight.
Round four is the Stanleybet Handicap over an extended mile.
It is a surprise to see Last Eclipse line up here when she appeared to have a chance second to none in The Clarendon; this is also not her distance so, much as she is admired, she is passed over.
Hormuz is another raider from Paul Johnson’s County Durham yard.
This one has plenty of ability, but is politely referred to as a ‘character’ and it is two years since he put in enough effort to catch the judge’s eye; this is his trip though and he would not have made the long journey just for the view.
Lieuday has been knocking at the door, but Hush Money has won his race for this year.
Aqua Tiger competes from 8 lb out of the handicap, but if this is one of his rare going days he could nevertheless run well.
Lieuday is given the nod to score for Guernsey.
The last race of 2004 is the Rozel Bay Hotel Handicap, sponsored by the racecourse caterers who have done such a good job feeding and watering the club members this season.
It features the third of Paul Johnson’s challengers, Moyne Pleasure.
This six-year-old gelding managed to win a little race on the sand at Wolverhampton in May and that form would put him in here with a shout.
This hasn’t been a good season for Countrywide Pride, but he’s well handicapped again and so a revival is not impossible.
Vrubel has been expensive to follow for one so well bred and is good enough to score if he puts his best foot forward.
Compassionate returned to something like his old form last time and is sure to run well again, but stablemate Snow Lark won this race last season, is similarly handicapped now, and could win it again.
Article posted on 28th August, 2004 - 12.00am
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