NTF 1 to follow from the weekend: Hey! Amigo!…
There were a number of big guns in action over the weekend with star performer being the monster machine that is SPRINTER SACRE, dismissing his rivals with contemptuous ease in the Tingle Creek Chase. Can anything beat him this term? Already it looks unlikely but if you have any challengers to the Henderson horse than drop your opinions in the comments box below. Personally I’d like to see Sunday’s winner FLEMENSTAR pitched in against him in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, now THAT would be some race!!
I stay at Sandown for this weeks NTF ‘1 to follow from the weekend’ runner with the honours going to an eye-catching front runner in the 2m6f handicap hurdle…
NTF 1 to follow from the weekend
AMIGO (D Pipe) – Saturday 1.25 Sandown – 3rd in the 2m6f Pertempts Handicap Hurdle
This was David Pipe’s French import’s debut run for the yard and he put in an extremely bold show from the front in this Class 2 handicap. He showed himself to be a neat jumper of his obstacles, was fast and fluent over his hurdles and was quick away from them on the landing side. He doesn’t spend much time in the air and his technique perfectly compliments his front-running style. He gave the others a good sight out front and was still in the lead as they jumped the last. He kept battling away and dug deep all the way to the line but he possibly just got tired in the testing ground on what was his first start for 226 days.
There was plenty to like about this performance and it is not hard to think that his current mark of 118 looks very lenient. He will surely strip much fitter for this run and one can easily imagine him gracing the winners enclosure before long.
It may be that he will be seen to better effect on slightly better ground as 2 of his 3 wins in France came on ground that was described as Good to Soft. It has to be said though that he appeared not to mind this testing ground and he may well be a versatile sort.
He has already jumped fences when racing in his native France and David Pipe will certainly have options going forward from here with the 5yo.
I imagine another handicap hurdle will be foremost in the trainers mind and if they can get him in a contest where he receives a relatively uncontested lead then he will prove pretty difficult to peg back.
AMIGO ideal conditions – 2m4f – 3m Handicap Hurdles | Soft/Good to Soft ground (although could be an adaptable sort)
Who were the runners that caught your attention and went in your own notebook as ones to follow from the weekend?
Did you see any future champions amongst the weekends runners?
What were your thoughts on Sprinter Sacre, Flemenstar, Sir Des Champs?
Drop me a comment below and share your runners to follow from the weekend with the NTF readers.
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Happy Punting
Ben – (NTF)
A terrific blog Ben, consistently turning out winners, an eye opener for any new young punter that comes along and needs a bit of help finding winners and a great assistance to your older punters with some valid points
Thanks Les
Very kind words and much appreciated.
Ben (NTF)
Hi Ben
I was sceptical about Flemenstar but after reading Flemensfirth’s best progeny show speed even if they go from Arkle winner to dour stayer like Tidal Bay. Do you have view of him on better ground as arguably Time for Rupert, Pandorama & Tidal better on soft albeit Imperial Commander went on anything?
Surprised how surprised people were at Sir Des Champs lack of toe. Thought his form showed he got far better for a stiffer track or distance at Chel/Punch for me.
Sprinter Sacre is Timeform’s 12th best ever I think that’s premature.
Any thoughts on Days Hotel who showed yet more progression on his 3rd start. Looked like a super tanker negotiating Cork as well? Big Lad.
I think Flemenstar can travel every ground, look the way he travels in Fairyhouse back in April, same story. I think Flemenstars big Plus common with other Top horses like Big Bucks,where i think its similar to him, is the body conformity, that hindquarters and forequarters are on a very even line and he has this stability and straight genetic gift, that allows him to travel so well. Like for humans the hip to describe in words,or The running of Usain Bolt, it always looks effortless, more like gliding.
Flemenstar is not a very muscular horse like Sprinter Sacre, but has the Plus i mentioned which weights it out in my opinion. Finally yeah I think Ground doesnt matter,as Front and Back are balanced out and its not a small horse with better forelegs( Better for deep ground in my view) or a hindquarter focused horse ( better for sprints or firmer ground).
Thanks Ben
Greay input and analysis as always, much appreciated.
Cheers – Ben (NTF)
Hi Jon
The Flemensfirth lot are a funny bunch on the Dosage scale as on pure figures they shouldn’t be staying 3m+ in the manner they do. However, they have proved plenty of times in the past that they do and generally he is an adaptable sort of sire. I’m not fully convinced that Flemenstar will be a stout 3m2f stayer myself as he strikes me as one that will be much better over the 2m4/5f trip. As for ground I don’t have a strong view but gun to my head I would say, despite winning the Powers Cup on Good ground last April, he won’t be as effective on Good ground against the top of the tree runners.
I agree that 12th best is a tad premature for SS. At least wait until he has had a full season out of the novice ranks before sticking in such lofty heights.
Days hotel impressed me greatly and looks one to follow. Big lad as you say, looked well put together and warmed to his jumping task as the race when on.
Ben (NTF)
Hello Ben
I watched the video on friday and it cost me big time after listening to you about Prosecco from lindas yard, a horse i would definitley have backed but instead layed,sick as a parrot at one time i could have got 7/2 but layed it at 7/4.
Any comments for next time. Tommy
Tommy
These things happen. I wouldn’t have expected Prosecco to improve that much at his age away from his favourite track. If you felt that strongly and would have definitely backed him then you shouldn’t let anyone change your mind, even me! If you followed my 2 bits of advice in the video then you would have been OK anyway as my Nap LITTLE JOSH won and he was available at least at 6-1 when I highlighted him and before the money started coming for him through the day. When you put your neck on the line making selections then you will get plenty wrong, that’s the nature of racing, you have to be willing to be wrong to be right.
It won’t always plan out exactly how you expect it, Prosecco didn’t but Little Josh did.
Cheers – Ben (NTF)