Saturday 21/12/13

sonnky

Haydock 14.05- Solix @ 20/1

A wide open renewal of the One Stop Energy Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock in which a case could be made for all 12 of the runners. The market is quite tight in this with the favourite at 11/2 and the least fancied of the 12 at 20/1, this shows how competitive of an event it is.

My fancy for the race is the Ian Williams trained Solix. This French bred is a high class performer as shown in his performances for Nicky Henderson a few seasons back. After moving to Henderson from France he started off in the Totesport Trophy Hurdle off a mark of 152, he finished a respectable seventh under top weight. On his next run in the Coral Cup at the festival he finished 5th off the same mark. His next season seen him make an impressive start to his chasing career winning his opening two starts by a combined 24 lengths. His third run over fences was at Cheltenham when he finished an excellent 1 and 3/4 lengths 2nd to Champion Court. However after this race his form began to tail off. He could only manage 6th in the Jewson at the Festival and he was beaten 93 lengths in fourth at Aintree in a Grade 2 over 3 miles. Those proved to be his last two races for Henderson as he changed owners and he was moved to Ian Williams.

His first season for Williams was a shocker. He was Pulled Up on his debut for the yard at Ascot when sent off the 5/4 Joint Favorite in a 2m 6f Graduation Chase. His next start was even worse he was last of 15 in a handicap hurdle behind Mr Watson at Cheltenham beaten 89 lengths. The final nail in the coffin was when he fell 3 out in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival having been sent off a 100/1 shot. 234 days after his fall, Solix made his seasonal debut in a Kempton Graduation Chase over an extended 2m 4f. He was last of 5 runners until the fall of Sir Du Bearn at the last allowed him finish a 32 lengths beaten 4th. His latest run was in a class 3 handicap chase at Newbury over an extended 2m 6f 3 weeks ago. That run has given plenty of reason for optimism after he finish a staying on 6th beaten only 14 lengths after being almost last turning for home. He has received a two pound drop for that run so runs here off 133. He looks very well treated on his form of old off this mark, and after his previous run he might be coming back to form. The first time cheek pieces used 3 weeks ago are retained and they might be just what he needs to get him back to near his best.

Jason Maguire rides again and over a trip almost furlongs longer I think he has a great chance of landing this, The softer ground should be a help to Solix, as he won't be outpaced like he was on better ground last time, and even though all his wins have come with good in the going I think he won't mind it as long as it's not too soft. Solix is Ian Williams only entry anywhere today and this looks a big positive. He looks a very nice each-way bet, if showing a glimpse of his old form.

Johner

Don Poli is better than Moyle Park lads!

Gringo180

Johner wrote: »

Don Poli is better than Moyle Park lads!

Best backed horse of the day, the bank of Willie Mullins took a severe hit there!

Backstreet Moyes

Gringo180 wrote: »

Best backed horse of the day, the bank of Willie Mullins took a severe hit there!

I am sure he didn't even back him today even though he said Don Poli would piss all over Moyle Park.

Colonel Sanders

Johner wrote: »

Don Poli is better than Moyle Park lads!

What's the bet SRFC got a late phone call telling him not to back it.....

Colonel Sanders

4/7 SP, what price was it this morning

UrbanSea

At Fishers Cross is a right nag not one to trust at all.

Colonel Sanders

UrbanSea wrote: »

At Fishers Cross is a right nag not one to trust at all.

His novice form hasn't really stacked up for me (apart from beating The New One when jockey error cost the latter IMO)

The cash eventually came for Reve De Sivola which made the market look a little less ludicrous at the off

UrbanSea

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

His novice form hasn't really stacked up for me (apart from beating The New One when jockey error cost the latter IMO)

The cash eventually came for Reve De Sivola which made the market look a little less ludicrous at the off

Yeah I've said it many times here he has never convinced me. That Albert Bartlett looks awful

Harry Angstrom

Looks like Venetia is wearing plenty of roadkill.

UrbanSea

Didn't back Houblon today but hope he wins. Love that horse

Gringo180

Writing out a bet with a hangover is a bad idea, looking at me dockets I wrote Superious instead of Salubrious and Chrisp Brown Pea instead of Chris Pea Green :o

Gringo180

UrbanSea wrote: »

Didn't back Houblon today but hope he wins. Love that horse

What a great attitude the horse has, very game.

UrbanSea

Very game he is a lovely horse. Just still don't trust his jumping too much

Harry Angstrom

Runner up is a monkey.

Full sure i was collecting there on Cedre Bleu.

Houblan made hard work of it but stayed on very well.

Pocket talking but I just cant take to Daryll Jacob. Could he have been stronger in that finish?

Goldcupfav

TheTorment wrote: »

Full sure i was collecting there on Cedre Bleu.

Houblan made hard work of it but stayed on very well.

Pocket talking but I just cant take to Daryll Jacob. Could he have been stronger in that finish?

Didnt once give the horse a smack. Looked terrible but maybe the horse is a tricky ride.

LutherBlissett

The horse is difficult and Jacob gave it his all, but my god that windmilling style of pushing the horse that he has looks awful! (And I don't think it's necessarily a positive for the horse either, pulls its mouth around a lot without constant forward motion you need.)

SRFC

Another saturday another winner for the champion :cool::cool:


Some things never change

rossom

SRFC wrote: »

Another saturday another winner for the champion :cool::cool:


Some things never change

Yeah a 1/12 winner. I thought only mugs backed horses at that price in Novice Hurdles?

What about the beast Don Poli who pisses all over Moyle Park? Couldn't even beat an exposed 123 rated rival.

Unreal info you get.

Colonel Sanders

rossom wrote: »

Yeah a 1/12 winner. I thought only mugs backed horses at that price in Novice Hurdles?

What about the beast Don Poli who pisses all over Moyle Park? Couldn't even beat an exposed 123 rated rival.

Unreal info you get.

Not aimed at you Rossom but does anyone actually believe SRFC gets "info"?

I've had him on ignore for over a year. If I want to hear some clown spouting about "dough" and other such nonsense I'll listen to Mark Winstanley, he at least gives you the odd controversial laugh while mouthing off nonsense

convert

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

Not aimed at you Rossom but does anyone actually believe SRFC gets "info"?

I've had him on ignore for over a year. If I want to hear some clown spouting about "dough" and other such nonsense I'll listen to Mark Winstanley, he at least gives you the odd controversial laugh while mouthing off nonsense

Seriously, does anyone ever read the charters? http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057103603

jimjamcos

Away for the day so only got seeing racing there. Disappointing to see Recession Proof fall but delighted for HDO...gutsy as they come!

Ray Mond

SRFC wrote: »

Another saturday another winner for the champion :cool::cool:


Some things never change

Is willie any good in the scratcher