Monday 4th February

rossom

4.05 Doncaster

It Is What It Is 8/1

Although I'm absolutely perplexed and slightly concerned as to why A P McCoy isn't riding this one given he has no ride in this contest, I think It Is What It Is has the potential to be absolutely chucked in off a mark of 76 on his handicap chasing debut and I'll be a little disappointed if he doesn't run a really big race. Jonjo O'Neill's 6 year old hasn't stood much racing in his career with only 4 runs under rules to date but handicaps were always going to be his port of call and being a half brother to the 135 peak rated chaser Major Malarkey his future clearly lied over the bigger obstacles. This son of Presenting made his debut last February over hurdles at Southwell over 2m when well beaten before being turned out quickly twice more in what clearly looked an attempt to get a lenient handicap mark before being put away for the rest of the season. It Is What It Is made his chasing debut at Warwick over 2m on the back of a 9 month absence in December where it was clearly evident that he was just out for an educational spin as he was held up at the back of the field under tomorrow's pilot Richie McLernon and allowed to come home in his own pace as he finished a comprehensively beaten 10th. Although that race doesn't look very strong at all, that run has now allowed him to qualify for handicaps off the mark he achieved over hurdles and you'd have to believe that if he wasn't capable of scoring off a mark of 76 that he won't be racing in the colours of JP McManus for much longer. Although he'll be suited over further in time, the step up to 2m3f for tomorrow's very weak contest should definitely suit and with his recent effort blowing away the cobwebs from his break and the experience he learned sure to stand him in good stead I'm confident of a very big run. Although Richie McLernon has been on board all 4 starts to date, the absence of A P is puzzling. However, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if there was a jockey change tomorrow and if that occurred I'd be very, very confident about his. Jonjo O'Neill has his string in fine order at present and I can see no reason why he won't be trying tomorrow given his trainer's record with handicap debutants and his very lowly mark. If all goes to plan, I foresee a massive run on the cards which should hopefully see him shed his maiden tag at the 5th time of asking.

rossom

I can certainly see why there has been quite a bit of money for 3.30 Doncaster Mr Robinson 17/2 as he is upped to 3m for the first time on his 2nd start for Tony Carroll and given that he is a full brother to the talented hurdler and chaser Possol and it would be pretty disappointing if he wasn't good enough to score off a mark of 87 on his first start beyond 17f.

SRFC

Every bookie is odds on Darlan bar Ladbrokes who have connections to the McManus Operation and they go best priced 11/10 and have ROR a 6/4 shot while he's 2/1 elsewhere something fishy there.

superfurry1

Any opinions on theatre evening in the 150? Ran no sort of race first time out but well fancied, 16-1 today could be value

kiers47

superfurry1 wrote: »

Any opinions on theatre evening in the 150? Ran no sort of race first time out but well fancied, 16-1 today could be value

I would be thinking if he was good enough to win a maiden hurdle first time out would have been the one considering how they steamed into him that day.

This is a much hotter contest and IMO if he struggled the last day he is likely to struggle again here with not much of a lay off.

Will be interesting to see what Zuider Zee is like now sent hurdling was rated 108 on the flat and goes with a trainer in John Ferguson who is very capable of prepping them for their hurdling debut. Is after drifting a bit now but he is the most interesting for me. I would be keen to oppose the McCain horse but i couldnt possibly pick between the top 3 so it is not a betting heat for me.

Goldcupfav

Darlan RIP id say..

FortuneChip

I'm afraid you might be right. Horrible fall. Hadn't put a foot wrong all race, looked great coming to the last.

Johner

Shane732

F*ck me.

bellybuster12

That was ugly:( Such a shame.

Slattsy

I left right after the race but it looked like Darlan broke his neck

He'd have won that quite easily i reckon.

If anyone has any updates, post em here.

FortuneChip

Just heard it proved fatal.
Sad news

bellybuster12

ESPN says fatal:(

http://www.espn.co.uk/horseracing/sport/story/191629.html


Just confirmed on ATR also.

Colonel Sanders

FortuneChip wrote: »

Just heard it proved fatal.
Sad news

RIP Darlan

Was hoping he'd get up but from what I was hearing didn't look likely.

2ndcoming

SRFC wrote: »

Every bookie is odds on Darlan bar Ladbrokes who have connections to the McManus Operation and they go best priced 11/10 and have ROR a 6/4 shot while he's 2/1 elsewhere something fishy there.

Interesting theory. McManus trying to keep the price decent for Cheltenham so he can rock up on the day with 250k to lump on him.

Johner

RIP Darlan, awful to see that happen to any horse. On what we what saw and were about to see he would have been very very hard to beat in March.

rossom

RIP Darlan. Terrible, terrible shame.

2ndcoming

Johner wrote: »

RIP Darlan, awful to see that happen to any horse. On what we what saw and were about to see he would have been very very hard to beat in March.

Ah no way! Didn't get to see the race. Bad fall I take it? What a shame.

Johner

2ndcoming wrote: »

Ah no way! Didn't get to see the race. Bad fall I take it? What a shame.

He was coming to win his race going well at the last and took a crashing fall onto his neck.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

Johner

Mujamead had to be put down after a fall in the 4.05. What an awful day.

Hoofer

very sad to see that about Darlan, brought back sad memories of seeing sporting limerick breaking down at Galway 2 out..I'd say JP and Nicky are very down after that today with it being so close to the festival too.It always happens to alot of the good ones.

ste2010

Shocking...I can't explain it but voy pur, golden silver, synchronized and now darlan I have these emotional feelings like I've lost someone I knew...very strange but very sad

UrbanSea

ste2010 wrote: »

Shocking...I can't explain it but voy pur, golden silver, synchronized and now darlan I have these emotional feelings like I've lost someone I knew...very strange but very sad

Voy Por is alive, although retired

ste2010

RichieLawlessness wrote: »

Voy Por is alive, although retired

I know it was the retirement that got me

ste2010

Exotic dancer was the one I was looking for

beaker1

cant believe 3 horses lost there lives today very sad