Juliette's Weekly Frolic
Pendil's runaway win in the 'Yellow Pages' three-miler was in itself worth the jaunt to Kempton last weekend, and I was amused by the reactions of my elders and doubtless betters among the racing scribes who mostly waffled on in the vein that "it didn't tell us much more about his Gold Cup prospects." I suppose that if Chaou H had been able to stay with him in the last quartermile and had then been outstayed on the run-in, that would have been taken as evidence of Pendil's stamina (and endorsed the likelihood of his getting the extra distance at Cheltenham), and it must just be feminine illogic that makes me conclude that running Chaou into the ground at an eartier stage, and going on without the slightest falter or easing of pace, is double evidence of the same. (Incidentally, has any 'chaser ever won eleven off the reel before? No record book, and no one I know, can produce one. Even Arkle used to lose now and then in handicaps and never had a sequence of more than eight.) Those with access to TV might have seen another illuminating 'chase last Saturday when Red Sweeney battled on to beat Proud King at Teesside. This time last year, he was a warm order for the Grand National, but broke down and had to be withdrawn at the last moment. He's been a long time coming back to form, but one more run like Saturday's and Red Sweeney (now with Arthur Stephenson) is likely to be among the ' National' favourites again.
With respect to the always .
interesting and enterprising Newbury, this weekend's top events are at Haydock — the Final of the Wills Premier Chase on Friday, and the Victor Ludorum Hurdle on Saturday.
The unbeaten Anthony Watt has been the ante-post rage for the ' Premier,' understandably enough, but he won't find it easy to cope with either Clever Scot or Skymas, the latter On easy winner at Fairyhouse last week) being the Irish hope to extend their winning sequence in the race. Taking a chance on his getting the yielding ground he needs, I go for Clever Scot.
One of my last week's nonrunners, Parcener, is an entry for the Victor Ludorum, and is worth each-way support, though frankly it's hard to visualise his beating Padlocked. A pity he isn't in the Highclere Hurdle at Newbury, also for four-yearolds, in which my fancy is for Astronaute.
Assets, £91.08 (Five to follow assets, £12.52). Outlay: £3 win
Clever Scot, C3 win Padlocked. £2 win Astronaute, £1 each way Pa rcener.
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