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Wednesday 14 March 2012

Flat Out !



I know where in the middle of Cheltenham week but its now only just over 2 weeks to the start of the flat season and at this time of the year we are offered several publications to titilate our thoughts for the months ahead.

One such publication is the Raceform 100 winners, Horses to Follow - Flat 2012, which is now in its 50th year and this booklet puts forward several sprinters to follow over the coming season.

A couple of the obvious ones are Hoof It, Mac's Power and Sirius Prospect but there are also mentions for Dakota Canyon, Eland Ally, Gowanharry, Hawk's Reef, Indego Blues, Lisiere, Pearl Secret, Pea Shooter, Swan Song, Swiss Spirit, Tartiflette and York Glory.

I will have a look thorugh some of the ones that dont feature in my own lists of horses to follow and see if they can be added.

CHELTENHAM NEWS

Although the Queen Mother Chase was an all action race it left you wondering afterwards if the right horse had won - what with all the shenanigans that went on after what turned out to be the last fence. Both trainer and jockey of Sizing Europe were left bemoaning their luck but in all fairness he was leading coming round the dolled off fence so he may well have been run out of it up the hill in any event. Maybe we will see both horses back out at Aintree or Punchestown for a rematch.

I was in my local Ladbrokes today and one interesting stat that was mentioned was that Paul Nicholls hasnt had a chase winner at the festival since Kauto Star won the Gold Cup in 2009....surely that must be broken soon ?

Donald McCain certainly put everyone right who read his column on Betfair today, see below :-

16:00 2m5f Handicap Hurdle
Son of Flicka
He ran a screamer when he was second in the 'boys' race last year and he has been aimed at this meeting all season. He wasn't in much form earlier in the year but his work has been better in recent weeks and he does seem to be coming to himself - he's back down to a more realistic mark and the conditions should suit him well. It's obviously a very hard race but the signs at home have been more encouraging of late.