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Hey Kev... I was much more confident about IdJ than anything in this one...
The preview for tomorrow's race at Hereford started off as an essay. However, before long, I was struggling to keep my eyes open and my thoughts were everywhere and nowhere. Whether it's because I'm tired from a long day at work, or it's simply a dire race is anybody's guess. For what it's worth, here's all I managed.
The average winning juvenile hurdler at Hereford has a seasonal RPR of just 109.63 while the average participant has a seasonal RPR of 80.03. These figures are each in the bottom ten of British and Irish racecourses. The course is set to host its second running of this fillies' maiden hurdle, the first of which was won by Raffles Gitane who went on to place in the Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham's April meeting. This year's renewal, however, looks par for the course with the four experienced runners failing to win from a combined fifteen starts, and the four newcomers bringing either poor form or patchy profiles. Just north of the city described by Richard I as "Hereford in Wales", the course is right-handed, mostly flat and has a sharp home turn. Its average winning DIs of 1.25 median, 1.42 mean, are on the higher side of standard, although its completion rate of 81.36% is the tenth lowest in the country. The circuit also provides a decent jumping test with a clear round rate of 95.34%; a test which is especially for hurdling debutants whose rate of 90.91% is lower only at Lingfield and Taunton amongst the British racecourses. The going has most recently been reported as soft, heavy in places, with strong winds potentially offsetting the forecast overnight showers. Pump It Up has been shown to set decent gallops in the past and while a couple of rivals have raced prominently, she will most probably be responsible for setting a decent pace.
Fiamette chf Jo Davis f3-0-0 (56) 48 j5-0-0 (88) 87 94
Free Eagle (Dr Fong){13-e}(0.57) 2/1 High Stratos 3rd 2m4f Conditions Hurdle, Punchestown 2015
Finishing eighth on all three starts on the all weather last winter, Fiamette's flat mark of 56 exceeded her accomplishments. Leaving Anthony Carson for Jo Davis, she joins a trainer who has had a couple of winning juveniles, although none of her twelve with official marks improved on their flat form. Free Eagle is a positive as he enjoyed three winners from his first crop, and the damline has several winning jumpers nearby in High Stratos (2/1), Poet (2/1), Vanishing Point (2/2) and Alum Bay (3/1). There were few signs of her bettering her flat showings on her jumps debut at Stratford back in August. Racing in a first time visor, she gave chase to the two leaders and was not beaten off until dropping away towards the end of the back. Her hurdling was slow and steady to begin with, but she jumped better when ridden into her flights. Fiamette returned after a sixty-six day break for a warm looking contest at Ffos Las where she started at 150/1 having opened at 66/1. Tracking the leaders from the outset, apart from skewing slightly at the first and clipping the second, there was little complaint to be made of her jumping. She was still in contention turning into the straight and only began to lose touch approaching the penultimate flight from where she would finish a seventeen length fourth. Fiamette was helped by the underperformances of more fancied runners, with the subsequently pattern class Moka de Vassy finishing behind, but it still marked a career best. Her next outing came at Fontwell in early December where she was supported during the day from 33/1 to 10/1 before settling on 14/1 at the off. Her jumping took a slight regression as she hit the top of the second and got in very close to the sixth before finding herself comprehensively outpaced by the front three in the market. Nevertheless, she only failed by a neck to snatch third on the line and was twenty-eight lengths clear of the remainder. Shaping very much like a stayer, Fiamette's most recent outings have come in handicaps over intermediate distances at Fontwell later in December, and at Ffos Las a fortnight ago. In the former contest, running off 98, she attracted support during the day and started the 9/2 second favourite. Setting off in mid division, she took closer order on the second circuit but made no impression from leaving the back before flattening the penultimate flight and finishing a twenty-four length fifth. Dropped to 92 for her latest appearance at Ffos Las, where she again attracted support. She jumped decently, if tight on occasions, and though shaken up at the end of the back, was back on the bit when close and untidy three from home. Though not a serious mistake, it did put an end to her effort and she would lose fourth close to the line where she finished just over twelve lengths behind the winner. This was a step back in the right direction and though Hereford would typically be on the sharp side, the conditions and pace angle are similar to what she enjoyed at Ffos Las in October. Furthermore, the visor which saw her run well on that occasion has been reapplied and the yard has had a winning juvenile at the course. Fiamette would have little more than a few pounds to find on best form, and with her rivals being less likely than herself to enjoy these conditions, a decent performance would not be unexpected.
Hang Up bf Fergal O'Brien f4-0-1 (65) 71
Lope de Vega (Authorized){1-l}(1.11) 3/1 Colophony 1st 2m3?f Handicap Hurdle (105), Huntingdon 2008
Wearing a hood when making her racecourse debut at Sandown in June, Hang Up looked in need of the experience but was beaten by less than five lengths when sixth of eight behind a couple of next time out winners. Kept to around ten furlongs at Wolverhampton a month later, she ran to a similar level when a four and a quarter length third in a novice fillies stakes. Hang Up was unable to sustain these efforts in a couple of appearances at Kempton in October where she was beaten twenty-three lengths in an eleven furlong maiden, and the best part of twelve lengths in a twelve furlong handicap off 68. Staying in the colours of Malcolm Denmark, she left James Fanshawe, whose former inmates have a 14.81% winner to runner rate in the division, to join a Fergal O'Brien yard with a respectable rate of 23.81%; as well as a first time rate of 15.38% with flat recruits. Sire Lope de Vega's winner to runner rate of 17.39% is little better than fair and his progeny's improvement rate of 28.57% is modest. Nevertheless, Authorized is doing well as a damsire (29.41% WR) and the third dam has produced a pair of winning jumpers in Colophony and Demographic. Hang Up will have to account for her two disappointing efforts in the Autumn, but her Summer form is just about the strongest brought from the flat. Her profile is such that a decent showing can not be discounted, although Hereford is not the most forgiving for a newcomer to the sphere.
Madam Malarkey brf Nigel Twiston-Davies b2-0-0 (-) - 42
Pether's Moon (Presenting){1-l}(0.33) 1/0 Grenfell P-T-P Final Hunters' Chase, Cheltenham 2009
Juvenile hurdlers who started off in bumpers have just a 2.36% first-time strike rate and none of the seven such trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies were able to oblige. Nevertheless, Mahogany Blaze did finish third on his hurdling debut for the Naunton based handler; whose winner to runner rate with juveniles is a healthy 32.56%. His latest former bumper horse to try her hand in the sphere is Madam Malarkey. The daughter of a prolific pointer, she will be her sire's first representative in the division. Madam Malarkey is the niece of winning jumpers Shining Light and Brave King, good chaser Castle Warden appears at 3/1 on the damline, while Triumph third Al-'Alawi and Toirdealbhach came from the fourth dam before becoming sires.
*Started favourite but ran no kind of race at Warwick on debut
*43l last at Taunton on second outing
Miss Curiosity bf Seamus Mullins b3-0-1 (-) 87
Life Force (Zerpour){u}(0.33) 2/1 Los Amigos 2m5?f 0-140 Rated Chase, Fairyhouse 2015
First juv for Life Force - very unlikely type although full-brother Vale Of York has had winners in France
2/1 Tom Horn 2/1 Shoughall's Boy 3/1 Jamalade 4/1 Fairy King, State Case 4/3 Coole Avenue
ex-Bumper horses poor in juvs but improved on debut to finish second at Newbury in December - easy winner followed up at Cheltenham next time but form in behind not working out.
Seamus Mullins 12.07% WR, 3.64% FTO
Pretentieuse bf Deborah Faulkner j2-0-0 (-) 56 58
Great Pretender (Limnos){17-b}(0.45) 1/0 Limaranta 70.0 2nd Prix Bournosienne (G3,3yH), Auteul 2006
(Patrice Lenogue) €3,000 Arqana Summer
Pretty good pedigree, poor form, cheap purchase.
0.5 Ri 57.0 1.3800m HcC 0.5 Emila Romagna 55.0 1.4yC Ploermel 2/1 Limarauth, Mango Bay 3/1 Rash Moment 4/1 Actinium
Pump It Up chf Richard Spencer f12-1-3 (49) 59 j4-0-1 (93) 83 98
Charming Thought (Pivotal){1-l}(2.08) 3/1 General Eliott 1st 2m?f Handicap Hurdle (100), Market Rasen 2011
***Preview from Doncaster where she finished second having very much got the run of the race
"Though rated just forty-nine on the flat, Pump It Up was at least able to win in that sphere, landing a twelve furlong heavy ground handicap at Windsor off 46 back in August. Another representative of Charming Thought, the closest winning jumper on the damline is handicapper General Elliott at 3/1, while 1989 Kennel Gate winner Arden shows up at 4/1. Unfancied on her hurdling debut in a fillies' maiden at Fakenham in late October, Pump It Up started prominently but lost her place towards the end of the first circuit. One paced in midfield during the second lap, she plugged on for a forty-two length fourth, jumping reasonably if slightly awkward in the process. Her latest appearance came in another fillies' maiden at Leicester six weeks ago where she started at 28/1. Leading at a reasonable clip, she jumped well apart from clipping the fourth. Joined by her rivals towards the end of the back, she was outpaced by the market leaders at the top of the straight, plugging on to finish a fourteen length fourth of seven. This probably marked a new career best for Pump It Up although the form has been done no favours by the first three who were each outclassed next time. An honest filly who can jump well, Pump It Up could be competitive off her mark of 86, although that would not be enough to give her a winning chance here."
*Subsequently flopped when attempting same tactics in better race at Lingfield last time.
Simply Red chf Oliver Greenalll b2-0-0 (-) 57 j2-0-0 (-) 74 90
Proconsul (Motivator){22-d}(0.76) 2/1 Teela 4th Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, Sedgefield 2010
***Preview from Doncaster where she finished fifth, making little impression on Tiki Fire
Another to have started her career in junior bumpers, Simply Red was beaten thirty-four lengths at both Market Rasen in October, and Aintree in November. Her fourth dam produced a winning novice hurdler in Resist The Force, but closer relatives achieved very little over jumps and sire Proconsul has yet to have any winners of any description. Simply Red made her hurdling debut at Market Rasen early this month where she started at 100/1. Held up in the rear, making a few minor errors, she never remotely threatened to get involved although she did pass a few beaten horses in the straight to finish a twenty-three length fourth. The form looked quite modest beforehand and has been done few favours by those who have been out since.
*stable has been quite tepid recently but does have two winners and place from seven juveniles at Hereford
Tiki Fire bf Neil King f7-0-3 (64) 70 j4-0-1 (92) 90 96
Awtaad (Big Shuffle){1-h}(1.46) 3/2 Dictum 1st 2m3f Novices' Chase, Haydock 2007
***Preview from Doncaster listed race where she finished tailed off
Initially with Karl Burke, Tiki Fire placed twice as a two-year-old at Haydock and Newcastle and would largely hold her form on four outings this term without troubling the judge. Selling for 10,000 guineas at the Tattersalls August Sale, she joined a Neil King yard with healthy winner to runner and improvement rates of 31.25% and 54.05% respectively. Sire Awtaad is another first crop sire, but while the Cape Cross line does get juveniles, Awtaad himself is not the tallest, was untried beyond a mile and his three runners to date have achieved little. Tiki Fire is quite tenuously related to Don Cossack (4/3) though the decent chaser Dictum is a slightly closer relative at 3/2. Making her hurdling debut in a fillies' contest at Fakenham, Tiki Fire was quite weak in the market. Racing in a first time hood, she never left the rear of the field and made a couple of serious blunders before finishing a tailed off last. With such a lamentable effort along with the yard's juveniles rarely firing first time, better could have been anticipated for her next outing which came at Warwick early last month. Starting at 100/1, Tiki Fire was once again waited with, hopping over the first and doing so again when landing atop the second. She was tight at the third but was better at the next and was in the process of making decent headway when briefly losing her footing on landing at the fifth. Though she picked up the bit soon enough, her leaving her hind legs in the sixth and stumbling badly cost her valuable ground and momentum. Tiki Fire did her best to get back within shouting distance but the race was gone by the time she entered the straight and after being slow away from two out, would merely plug on to finish fourth. Her effort was better than the bare result suggests and though easy in the market beforehand, she went into last month's Doncaster contest with feasible prospects. Racing in midfield, Tiki Fire was some way off the pace turning for home, but was still able to get first run on the reopposing Galah. Her round of jumping was not as clean, as she clipped the first, was untidy at the second, tight at the fourth and was not smoothly away from three out. Headed by Galah approaching the last, without having caught the runaway leader, she could only plug on behind the front pair, four and a half lengths clear of the remainder. Tiki Fire was not disgraced on this occasion and posted her best performance to date over hurdles. However, there is no reason why she might reverse placing with Galah and the yard's horses have not been running to form.
*(yard has since been in better form)
*Yard one from two at Hereford (both prior to 2010)
Strong prospects
1. Fiamette
Reasonable prospects
2. Tiki Fire
3. Pump It Up
4. Hang Up
Feasible prospects
5. Simply Red
Moderate prospects
6. Miss Curiosity
7. Madam Malarkey
Negligible prospects
8. Pretentieuse
Hey Kev... I was much more confident about IdJ than anything in this one...
The preview for tomorrow's race at Hereford started off as an essay. However, before long, I was struggling to keep my eyes open and my thoughts were everywhere and nowhere. Whether it's because I'm tired from a long day at work, or it's simply a dire race is anybody's guess. For what it's worth, here's all I managed.
The average winning juvenile hurdler at Hereford has a seasonal RPR of just 109.63 while the average participant has a seasonal RPR of 80.03. These figures are each in the bottom ten of British and Irish racecourses. The course is set to host its second running of this fillies' maiden hurdle, the first of which was won by Raffles Gitane who went on to place in the Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham's April meeting. This year's renewal, however, looks par for the course with the four experienced runners failing to win from a combined fifteen starts, and the four newcomers bringing either poor form or patchy profiles. Just north of the city described by Richard I as "Hereford in Wales", the course is right-handed, mostly flat and has a sharp home turn. Its average winning DIs of 1.25 median, 1.42 mean, are on the higher side of standard, although its completion rate of 81.36% is the tenth lowest in the country. The circuit also provides a decent jumping test with a clear round rate of 95.34%; a test which is especially for hurdling debutants whose rate of 90.91% is lower only at Lingfield and Taunton amongst the British racecourses. The going has most recently been reported as soft, heavy in places, with strong winds potentially offsetting the forecast overnight showers. Pump It Up has been shown to set decent gallops in the past and while a couple of rivals have raced prominently, she will most probably be responsible for setting a decent pace.
Fiamette chf Jo Davis f3-0-0 (56) 48 j5-0-0 (88) 87 94
Free Eagle (Dr Fong){13-e}(0.57) 2/1 High Stratos 3rd 2m4f Conditions Hurdle, Punchestown 2015
Finishing eighth on all three starts on the all weather last winter, Fiamette's flat mark of 56 exceeded her accomplishments. Leaving Anthony Carson for Jo Davis, she joins a trainer who has had a couple of winning juveniles, although none of her twelve with official marks improved on their flat form. Free Eagle is a positive as he enjoyed three winners from his first crop, and the damline has several winning jumpers nearby in High Stratos (2/1), Poet (2/1), Vanishing Point (2/2) and Alum Bay (3/1). There were few signs of her bettering her flat showings on her jumps debut at Stratford back in August. Racing in a first time visor, she gave chase to the two leaders and was not beaten off until dropping away towards the end of the back. Her hurdling was slow and steady to begin with, but she jumped better when ridden into her flights. Fiamette returned after a sixty-six day break for a warm looking contest at Ffos Las where she started at 150/1 having opened at 66/1. Tracking the leaders from the outset, apart from skewing slightly at the first and clipping the second, there was little complaint to be made of her jumping. She was still in contention turning into the straight and only began to lose touch approaching the penultimate flight from where she would finish a seventeen length fourth. Fiamette was helped by the underperformances of more fancied runners, with the subsequently pattern class Moka de Vassy finishing behind, but it still marked a career best. Her next outing came at Fontwell in early December where she was supported during the day from 33/1 to 10/1 before settling on 14/1 at the off. Her jumping took a slight regression as she hit the top of the second and got in very close to the sixth before finding herself comprehensively outpaced by the front three in the market. Nevertheless, she only failed by a neck to snatch third on the line and was twenty-eight lengths clear of the remainder. Shaping very much like a stayer, Fiamette's most recent outings have come in handicaps over intermediate distances at Fontwell later in December, and at Ffos Las a fortnight ago. In the former contest, running off 98, she attracted support during the day and started the 9/2 second favourite. Setting off in mid division, she took closer order on the second circuit but made no impression from leaving the back before flattening the penultimate flight and finishing a twenty-four length fifth. Dropped to 92 for her latest appearance at Ffos Las, where she again attracted support. She jumped decently, if tight on occasions, and though shaken up at the end of the back, was back on the bit when close and untidy three from home. Though not a serious mistake, it did put an end to her effort and she would lose fourth close to the line where she finished just over twelve lengths behind the winner. This was a step back in the right direction and though Hereford would typically be on the sharp side, the conditions and pace angle are similar to what she enjoyed at Ffos Las in October. Furthermore, the visor which saw her run well on that occasion has been reapplied and the yard has had a winning juvenile at the course. Fiamette would have little more than a few pounds to find on best form, and with her rivals being less likely than herself to enjoy these conditions, a decent performance would not be unexpected.
Hang Up bf Fergal O'Brien f4-0-1 (65) 71
Lope de Vega (Authorized){1-l}(1.11) 3/1 Colophony 1st 2m3?f Handicap Hurdle (105), Huntingdon 2008
Wearing a hood when making her racecourse debut at Sandown in June, Hang Up looked in need of the experience but was beaten by less than five lengths when sixth of eight behind a couple of next time out winners. Kept to around ten furlongs at Wolverhampton a month later, she ran to a similar level when a four and a quarter length third in a novice fillies stakes. Hang Up was unable to sustain these efforts in a couple of appearances at Kempton in October where she was beaten twenty-three lengths in an eleven furlong maiden, and the best part of twelve lengths in a twelve furlong handicap off 68. Staying in the colours of Malcolm Denmark, she left James Fanshawe, whose former inmates have a 14.81% winner to runner rate in the division, to join a Fergal O'Brien yard with a respectable rate of 23.81%; as well as a first time rate of 15.38% with flat recruits. Sire Lope de Vega's winner to runner rate of 17.39% is little better than fair and his progeny's improvement rate of 28.57% is modest. Nevertheless, Authorized is doing well as a damsire (29.41% WR) and the third dam has produced a pair of winning jumpers in Colophony and Demographic. Hang Up will have to account for her two disappointing efforts in the Autumn, but her Summer form is just about the strongest brought from the flat. Her profile is such that a decent showing can not be discounted, although Hereford is not the most forgiving for a newcomer to the sphere.
Madam Malarkey brf Nigel Twiston-Davies b2-0-0 (-) - 42
Pether's Moon (Presenting){1-l}(0.33) 1/0 Grenfell P-T-P Final Hunters' Chase, Cheltenham 2009
Juvenile hurdlers who started off in bumpers have just a 2.36% first-time strike rate and none of the seven such trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies were able to oblige. Nevertheless, Mahogany Blaze did finish third on his hurdling debut for the Naunton based handler; whose winner to runner rate with juveniles is a healthy 32.56%. His latest former bumper horse to try her hand in the sphere is Madam Malarkey. The daughter of a prolific pointer, she will be her sire's first representative in the division. Madam Malarkey is the niece of winning jumpers Shining Light and Brave King, good chaser Castle Warden appears at 3/1 on the damline, while Triumph third Al-'Alawi and Toirdealbhach came from the fourth dam before becoming sires.
*Started favourite but ran no kind of race at Warwick on debut
*43l last at Taunton on second outing
Miss Curiosity bf Seamus Mullins b3-0-1 (-) 87
Life Force (Zerpour){u}(0.33) 2/1 Los Amigos 2m5?f 0-140 Rated Chase, Fairyhouse 2015
First juv for Life Force - very unlikely type although full-brother Vale Of York has had winners in France
2/1 Tom Horn 2/1 Shoughall's Boy 3/1 Jamalade 4/1 Fairy King, State Case 4/3 Coole Avenue
ex-Bumper horses poor in juvs but improved on debut to finish second at Newbury in December - easy winner followed up at Cheltenham next time but form in behind not working out.
Seamus Mullins 12.07% WR, 3.64% FTO
Pretentieuse bf Deborah Faulkner j2-0-0 (-) 56 58
Great Pretender (Limnos){17-b}(0.45) 1/0 Limaranta 70.0 2nd Prix Bournosienne (G3,3yH), Auteul 2006
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(Patrice Lenogue) €3,000 Arqana Summer
Pretty good pedigree, poor form, cheap purchase.
0.5 Ri 57.0 1.3800m HcC 0.5 Emila Romagna 55.0 1.4yC Ploermel 2/1 Limarauth, Mango Bay 3/1 Rash Moment 4/1 Actinium
Pump It Up chf Richard Spencer f12-1-3 (49) 59 j4-0-1 (93) 83 98
Charming Thought (Pivotal){1-l}(2.08) 3/1 General Eliott 1st 2m?f Handicap Hurdle (100), Market Rasen 2011
***Preview from Doncaster where she finished second having very much got the run of the race
"Though rated just forty-nine on the flat, Pump It Up was at least able to win in that sphere, landing a twelve furlong heavy ground handicap at Windsor off 46 back in August. Another representative of Charming Thought, the closest winning jumper on the damline is handicapper General Elliott at 3/1, while 1989 Kennel Gate winner Arden shows up at 4/1. Unfancied on her hurdling debut in a fillies' maiden at Fakenham in late October, Pump It Up started prominently but lost her place towards the end of the first circuit. One paced in midfield during the second lap, she plugged on for a forty-two length fourth, jumping reasonably if slightly awkward in the process. Her latest appearance came in another fillies' maiden at Leicester six weeks ago where she started at 28/1. Leading at a reasonable clip, she jumped well apart from clipping the fourth. Joined by her rivals towards the end of the back, she was outpaced by the market leaders at the top of the straight, plugging on to finish a fourteen length fourth of seven. This probably marked a new career best for Pump It Up although the form has been done no favours by the first three who were each outclassed next time. An honest filly who can jump well, Pump It Up could be competitive off her mark of 86, although that would not be enough to give her a winning chance here."
*Subsequently flopped when attempting same tactics in better race at Lingfield last time.
Simply Red chf Oliver Greenalll b2-0-0 (-) 57 j2-0-0 (-) 74 90
Proconsul (Motivator){22-d}(0.76) 2/1 Teela 4th Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, Sedgefield 2010
***Preview from Doncaster where she finished fifth, making little impression on Tiki Fire
Another to have started her career in junior bumpers, Simply Red was beaten thirty-four lengths at both Market Rasen in October, and Aintree in November. Her fourth dam produced a winning novice hurdler in Resist The Force, but closer relatives achieved very little over jumps and sire Proconsul has yet to have any winners of any description. Simply Red made her hurdling debut at Market Rasen early this month where she started at 100/1. Held up in the rear, making a few minor errors, she never remotely threatened to get involved although she did pass a few beaten horses in the straight to finish a twenty-three length fourth. The form looked quite modest beforehand and has been done few favours by those who have been out since.
*stable has been quite tepid recently but does have two winners and place from seven juveniles at Hereford
Tiki Fire bf Neil King f7-0-3 (64) 70 j4-0-1 (92) 90 96
Awtaad (Big Shuffle){1-h}(1.46) 3/2 Dictum 1st 2m3f Novices' Chase, Haydock 2007
***Preview from Doncaster listed race where she finished tailed off
Initially with Karl Burke, Tiki Fire placed twice as a two-year-old at Haydock and Newcastle and would largely hold her form on four outings this term without troubling the judge. Selling for 10,000 guineas at the Tattersalls August Sale, she joined a Neil King yard with healthy winner to runner and improvement rates of 31.25% and 54.05% respectively. Sire Awtaad is another first crop sire, but while the Cape Cross line does get juveniles, Awtaad himself is not the tallest, was untried beyond a mile and his three runners to date have achieved little. Tiki Fire is quite tenuously related to Don Cossack (4/3) though the decent chaser Dictum is a slightly closer relative at 3/2. Making her hurdling debut in a fillies' contest at Fakenham, Tiki Fire was quite weak in the market. Racing in a first time hood, she never left the rear of the field and made a couple of serious blunders before finishing a tailed off last. With such a lamentable effort along with the yard's juveniles rarely firing first time, better could have been anticipated for her next outing which came at Warwick early last month. Starting at 100/1, Tiki Fire was once again waited with, hopping over the first and doing so again when landing atop the second. She was tight at the third but was better at the next and was in the process of making decent headway when briefly losing her footing on landing at the fifth. Though she picked up the bit soon enough, her leaving her hind legs in the sixth and stumbling badly cost her valuable ground and momentum. Tiki Fire did her best to get back within shouting distance but the race was gone by the time she entered the straight and after being slow away from two out, would merely plug on to finish fourth. Her effort was better than the bare result suggests and though easy in the market beforehand, she went into last month's Doncaster contest with feasible prospects. Racing in midfield, Tiki Fire was some way off the pace turning for home, but was still able to get first run on the reopposing Galah. Her round of jumping was not as clean, as she clipped the first, was untidy at the second, tight at the fourth and was not smoothly away from three out. Headed by Galah approaching the last, without having caught the runaway leader, she could only plug on behind the front pair, four and a half lengths clear of the remainder. Tiki Fire was not disgraced on this occasion and posted her best performance to date over hurdles. However, there is no reason why she might reverse placing with Galah and the yard's horses have not been running to form.
*(yard has since been in better form)
*Yard one from two at Hereford (both prior to 2010)
Strong prospects
1. Fiamette
Reasonable prospects
2. Tiki Fire
3. Pump It Up
4. Hang Up
Feasible prospects
5. Simply Red
Moderate prospects
6. Miss Curiosity
7. Madam Malarkey
Negligible prospects
8. Pretentieuse
I have a proposition for you (I'm re-watching The Wire at the moment) - if anyone gets that reference, well played./https://api.equidia.fr/api/public/media/original/20210628-r1c3p1-png?updated_at=2021-06-26T12:25:45+02:00)
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