Summer Jumping at Its Finest
By Jaysus, what a card they put on at Wolverhampton this Thursday afternoon! Six races of proper National Hunt action with the sun beating down and the ground riding a treat at Good. The Wolverhampton racecard was stuffed with ARC Summer Chase Series qualifiers and enough progressive sorts to keep any jumping enthusiast glued to the action.
The going description of Good with 51% moisture was bang on the money - firm enough to quicken the pace but with just enough give to keep the jumpers happy. Perfect conditions for some of these summer campaigners to strut their stuff, and by God, they didn't disappoint.
The Feature Attraction - That Class 4 Chase
The 2m 7f handicap chase at 14:55 was the pick of the card on paper, and what a cracking contest it shaped up to be. Mt Fugi Park and Samuel Spade locked horns at the top of the weights, both carrying 122, but it was the progressive types lower down the handicap that caught this old fool's eye.
Impatient for Jonjo O'Neill Jr. has been crying out for this sort of test - the step up in trip looked tailor-made for this staying type. The way he's been finishing his races lately suggests there's a big performance brewing, and at 116, he's still got room to manoeuvre in the handicap.
Court In A Storm is another I've had my eye on. Tom Bellamy's booking was significant, and this horse has been threatening to put it all together. The drying ground was always going to suit, and that mark of 115 could prove very workable if connections can keep him sweet through the summer months.
The Skelton Factor
Harry Skelton had three rides on the card, and you ignore the champion jockey's mounts at your peril. His mount Sunray Shadow in that feature chase looked particularly interesting - rated 113 but with the feel of a horse going places. The Skeltons know how to place their horses, and this one's been kept fresh for a reason.
Novice Hurdle Gold Mine
The 15:30 novices' hurdle was where the real treasures were buried, and I'll be keeping a close eye on a few of these for the months ahead. King's Scholar came into this rated 120 and carrying Sean Bowen - that's a combination that demands respect in any company.
But it's the unrated brigade that had me reaching for the notebook. Delta Legend caught the eye in the market - Charlie Price doesn't get many rides at this level, so when he does, it usually means something. This one's been working well at home, and novice hurdlers can improve in leaps and bounds through their first season.
Magna Patch is another name to file away. Ciaran Gethings has been riding with real confidence lately, and this horse has the breeding to suggest staying trips will unlock improvement. Mark my words, we'll be seeing this one in better company before the year's out.
The Unrated Gems
So Proud and Arbitration both looked like they had more to offer than their debut form suggested. Jonjo O'Neill Jr.'s booking on So Proud was particularly eye-catching - the O'Neill team know their novices, and this one's been given time to mature. Arbitration under Brendan Powell looked like a horse that would benefit enormously from the experience, regardless of where he finished.
Handicap Hurdle Hunting Grounds
The 16:00 limited handicap hurdle over 2m 7f was a proper puzzle with eleven runners, but a few stood out like beacons in the fog. Whenthemusicstops has been running some cracking races in defeat lately, and I.J. Power's 7lb claim could prove crucial at this level.
Artiste d'Ainay is a French import that's been acclimatising nicely to British jumping. Sean Bowen's presence in the saddle suggests connections fancy their chances, and these French-breds often have that extra gear when the chips are down.
Mexican Stan caught my fancy purely on the name, but Tom Broughton's booking added substance to the style. This one's been threatening to break his maiden over hurdles, and the step up in trip looked like it could be the key.
The Skelton Treble Chance
Son of Tyran gave Harry Skelton his third ride of the day, and while rated only 78, this horse has been showing steady improvement. The Skeltons are masters at getting horses to peak at the right time, and this one looked like he was building towards something special.
Late Card Value
The closing 2m 4f handicap hurdle at 17:05 provided the perfect end to a cracking day's jumping. Tsavo Park looked the class act of the field under Paddy Hanlon, but at this level, class doesn't always prevail.
Scottish Dancer has been knocking on the door in similar company, and Harry Reed's booking suggested this one was primed for a big run. The extended trip looked ideal for this staying type, and his recent form figures made for encouraging reading.
Playful Fox gave Harry Skelton his fourth ride of the afternoon - talk about being in demand! This one's been consistent without winning, but sometimes that's exactly what you want in a competitive handicap. The form lines all tied together nicely, and the Skelton magic could prove decisive.
Looking Ahead - Summer Campaign Targets
The beauty of these ARC Summer Series qualifiers is they give these horses a proper pathway through the warmer months. The progressive novices from today's card will be popping up in better company soon enough, and the handicappers who ran well will be targeting similar prizes over the coming weeks.
Keep an eye on the French imports particularly - they often take time to acclimatise but can be devastating when they hit form. And never underestimate the Skelton team's ability to have their horses spot-on when it matters.
All in all, a grand day's jumping at Wolverhampton with plenty of pointers for the weeks ahead. The summer jumping scene is alive and kicking, and days like this remind us why we love the game. Roll on the next card - there's money to be made following the right horses from today's action!
