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| Punter's Diary by Malcolm Heyhoe |
[current diary] 2b1os
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| Updated: 1st November 2012 - GG.com |
November Fireworks
November's jumps action strikes a familiar note with the Charlie Hall Chase on the 3rd of the month ushering in the start of the National Hunt season proper.
It is about the time the jumps took centre stage, and at least the Flat season will almost be out the door come November despite trying to overstay its welcome with the increasingly downbeat Breeders' Cup series.
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Ascot also stages a cracking card on November 3 with the United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase serving as the tastiest morsel on a tempting card. Watch out too for the Emma Lavelle-trained Claret Cloak in the 2m handicap hurdle at Ascot.
Ms Lavelle's horses don't often find much in the finish which is always a drawback but she landed this race with Tocca Ferro a couple of years back and is bidding to do the same with the talented Claret Cloak.
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The following week sees the Haldon Gold Cup saunter onto the stage on November 6, and there is sure to be a classy line-up for this Graded event. I'd like to see Cue Card start his season off with a win and let's hope Colin Tizzard has him ready to fully express his talents. Philip Hobbs squeezed no sort of tune last term out of Captain Chris and Wishfull Thinking, who both went backwards and will be seeking rehabilitation in 2012/13. This might be their starting point.
Doncaster's November Handicap on 10th of the month thankfully brings the curtain down on the Flat, and this race gets harder and harder to work out with each ing year.
Perhaps the irably consistent Nicholascopernicus can land this prize for rookie handler Ed Walker while over at Wincanton Fingal Bay should land the Rising Stars Novices' Chase and whatever Paul Nicholls sends out for the Badger Ales Trophy is worth close inspection.
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The Oct 2012
