Monday racing tips: Andy Ayres picks out his best bet for today’s racing while updating us on all the latest gossip from a weekend at Haydock and Kempton
Our Trackman has his say on Nicky Henderson and the Haydock fences as well as his latest batch of horses to chuck in your tracker
THERE’s a lot of tarmac between Haydock and Lambourn and Nicky Henderson must have wished he’d saved on the diesel after Saturday’s results.
Hendo’s stable star Might Bite was toothless in the Betfair Chase, while top novice River Wylde came home lame after a late tumble in a Graduation event.
The Haydock fences looked bigger than bungalows and caught a few seasoned pros on the hop.
Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright has plenty of previous with iffy watering and questionable going descriptions and I reckon he’ll be out with a set of hedge-trimmers before the next meeting.
Harry Fry looks the sort of fella who only gets excited once a year, but must have been quietly chuffed with the weekend’s activities.
Jump racing’s Captain Sensible sent out big winners all over the show, including uber-talented but bone-china fragile Jolly’s Cracked It at Ascot on Friday.
LATEST IN HORSE RACING
This horse was produced in outstanding nick despite being off for two years and might yet have another big pot in his dicky legs.
The start of the 2m introductory hurdle here was plain ridiculous. Runners lined-up single file and set off at the sort of intervals Wiggo would expect in a cycling time trial.
Whether it’s the starter, stewards or tea lady, someone should have a word and get this sorted because as things stand it makes the game looks a bit daft.
Talking of which, poor Jamie Moore went a decent shade of beetroot after losing his breeches in a tumble during the 2m5f handicap chase.
HOTPOTS & HOWLERS Don't miss the Sun Racing weekly review with some strong views on the likes of Harry Fry, Haydock & the BHA
Admittedly the weather was a bit nippy, but judged on this display young Jamie won’t be auditioning for Magic Mike any time soon.
Keep an eye on Nicky Henderson’s Igor who finished runner-up in the 2m3f maiden hurdle here. He was ridden by galloping dentist Sam Waley-Cohen and ran a proper race despite looking greener than Trigger in the paddock.
A posse of punters schlepped round to Kempton from Ascot for a night’s racing on the sand, where Eden Gardens (2-1 to 6-5) landed a touch for Simon Crisford in the 1m nursery.
His dapper owner Maurice Manasseh was a top class cricketer in his youth and certainly looked as if he enjoyed whacking the bookies for six on this occasion.
Monday Magic
IT’S GOT LEGS (3.10 Kempton) shapes as if this step-up to 3m will suit and looks ready to open his account after a big run at Ascot last time.
By the way, a shrewd customer connected to the Crisford yard tells me their unraced juvenile Approach The City is way above average. He was a non-runner when fancied at Wolves on Saturday night and is definitely one for the notebook.
Roger Charlton was at the double at Lingfield on Saturday, Breathless Times (9-4 to 6-4) dipping on the wire to land a few lumpy late wagers and Red Impression railing better than Mick The Miller to break a track record in the 6f novice event.
This little grey is a proper pocket rocket and looks a natural for the three-year-old sprint final back here next spring.
Star of the show at Lingfield was old man Captain Lars who kicked off his Zimmer frame to record win number 11 of the season in a competitive 5f handicap.
His trainer Archie Watson will send out bundles of winners over the years, but I doubt he’ll ever find anything tougher than this old bruiser.
You’ll see more joggers round the local park than runners at Kempton today, but IT’S GOT LEGS should go close for top man Gary Moore in the 3m handicap hurdle (3.10).
He shaped well behind a smart one of Dan Skelton’s at Ascot last time and will appreciate this step-up in trip.