• Detailed trends & stats for the feature race each day
• Fascinating editorial features from Paul Ferguson & Donn McClean
WHILST there was plenty of negativity surrounding this year’s Cheltenham Festival, there only seemed to be positive vibes following a hugely successful Grand National meeting at Aintree. Being a local, I will always have slightly rose-tinted glasses on when it comes to the three-day fixture, but I think it is safe to say that the meeting was a huge success this year and we saw plenty of high-class action
From the (possibly) controversial three-way finish of the Aintree Hurdle, to the stunning display of the potentially top-class mare Brighterdaysahead, we were treated to healthy competition throughout and the handicaps, as ever, were devilishly difficult to solve.
Arizona Cardinal staying-on strongly to beat James du Berlais was another personal highlight, although Willie Mullins – who won four Grade 1s throughout the three days – and Paul Townend – who rode three of them – would land the most sought-after prize of all, as I Am Maximus ran out a dominant winner of the Grand National The victories of Il Etait Temps, Impaire et Passe, Mystical Power and Dancing City all went some way towards helping propel Mullins to the top of the British trainers’ championship and that
will ensure a fascinating conclusion to the domestic National Hunt season.
There was a first spring festival win – at either Cheltenham or Aintree – for Olly Murphy, as Strong Leader provided the trainer with a second Grade 1 (a first since Itchy Feet won the Scilly Isles on 1st February 2020) and jockey Sean Bowen - who had won this very race some five years earlier aboard If The Cap Fits - with a fourth top-level win, with success in the Liverpool Hurdle
The Weatherbys-sponsored Grade 2 bumper concluded the meeting and the first and second of Horaces Pearl and Tripoli Flyer will leave trainer Fergal O’Brien dreaming of novice hurdle glory over the summer.
In the pages that follow, I have taken a look at all 21 races, which I hope that you will find of use. With Punchestown on the horizon, it will soon be time for me to lock myself away and start work on the 20242025 edition of Jumpers To Follow In the meantime, enjoy the read Best wishes, Paul.
DESPITE the soft ground, it was the speed of the Arkle form which trumped that of the staying types who had finished first and second in the Turners, in the opening Manifesto Novices’ Chase. Il Etait Temps had won the Irish Arkle in February before finishing third in the Cheltenham equivalent and was held-up in the early stages Diminutive in stature, the grey wasn’t always fluent but eased into second place approaching two out and quickened right away on the run to the final fence, crossing the line 9 lengths clear of Ginny’s Destiny. In winning as well as he did, the winner paid a handsome compliment to Gaelic Warrior, who had beaten him at Limerick over Christmas, as well as in last month’s Arkle Ginny’s Destiny jumped well on the front-end but was pressed throughout, so could never really gain complete control of the race. Given that him and Grey Dawning had endured a tough battle in the Turners, perhaps the pair were slightly below their best and in the end, were beaten by a quicker horse on a track which often favours such Both horses remain fine prospects going forward, perhaps over further That comment certainly applies to Dan Skelton’s grey, who made a mistake three out, which possibly cost him second spot Expect him to be campaigned over staying trips next season, whilst Ginny’s Destiny might head down the Stage Star route and attempt to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup from a lofty mark of 155.
absentee Sir Gino was sent off favourite to maintain his unbeaten record, despite sustained market support for Triumph second Kargese, who again raced keenly and tracked her main market rival in third place, with Kalif du Berlais setting the pace Kargese actually moved ahead of Sir Gino down the back straight and was in front by the time she dived at three out, where Sir Gino made a mistake (had also made a slight error at the final flight on the back straight). Not fluent two out, Sir Gino drew upsides on the run to the last and outstayed the filly inside the final half-furlong 3¼ lengths on top at the line, it was a good performance, given that he made those errors and shaped as though he would probably come forward for the run, having been absent since trials day (late-January). He certainly shapes as though he will stay further in time and it seems likely that he will remain over hurdles next season.
Kargese will certainly need to learn to relax if she is going to develop into a contender for the Mares’ Hurdle next season, as she was too keen once again. She has the option of running at Punchestown. There was a further 14 lengths back to Kalif du Berlais back in third and it will be interesting to see if the champion trainer opts to send the son of Masked Marvel straight over fences in the autumn He certainly has the physique for it and his handicap mark was left unchanged (135).
SIR GINO
A WINNER of the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at this fixture last year, Gerri Colombe became the third Gold Cup runner-up to win the Bowl since 2007, with a gutsy display. Settled in fourth, he jumped well in the main under Jack Kennedy and having briefly looked in a little trouble down the side of the course, really found his stride on the run to the three out. In front soon after, he stayed on strongly to fend off Ahoy Senor by just ½-a-length Given the hard race that he had at Cheltenham ahead of this win, it would be a surprise if he were seen again (holds an entry in the Punchestown Gold Cup) and I would expect him to be campaigned similarly next term
Ahoy Senor bounced back to his best at a meeting which he clearly enjoys His form figures at the fixture now read 1122 and having twice been narrowly denied in the Bowl, perhaps he should be considered to head straight to Aintree – and skip Cheltenham – in 2025 He was handy throughout along with Bravemansgame (faded and reportedly made a respiratory noise) and remains a high-class performer on his day, with his best seemingly saved for Aintree in the spring.
The novice Corbetts Cross finished third and will need to take a big step forward in the autumn/ winter, if he is to develop into a genuine Gold Cup contender. In finishing third here, however, he
likely achieved as much – if not more – as when winning the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. His jumping will need to improve in his second season over fences, if he is to mix it at the top level in open company.
A TIGHT three-way finish and one which resulted in a Steward’s Enquiry, which took an awful long time to resolve. Heavily-backed on the day, Impaire et Passe looked like justifying favouritism comfortably when hitting the front on the run to the final flight and despite shifting to his right at the last, quickened more than a length clear but began to idle in the closing stages and was almost collared by Bob Olinger, with Langer Dan beaten just a nose and a short-head into third. The winner drifted left, to the inside rail, whilst Bob Olinger appeared to lean in to his left as he lunged late, with Dan Skelton’s Coral Cup winner sandwiched between the pair. The winner was third just a stride or two after the post, but hung on and kept the race in the Steward’s room. Moving forward, the winner –who is the youngest of the three and still only six – should develop into a high-class novice chaser next season, whilst both him and the runner-up hold an entry in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on Friday 3rd May.
DEREK O’CONNOR was seen in inspired form at the Cheltenham Festival and was again sublime aboard Cheltenham runner-up Its On The Line, who ended up winning the Foxhunters’ by 4¼ lengths, which looked most unlikely for long periods of the race He only got as far as Becher’s last year and was again held-up, having been ridden more positively at Cheltenham Not overly fluent, he latched onto the main group as the field turned for home and returned to join the course proper Up the inner at two out, his stamina kicked in at the elbow, from which point he began to pull clear. It was a fine effort, but he endured another very tough race – as he had done at Cheltenham – so I would be cautious about his prospects if he heads to Punchestown, where he won last year Of those in behind, the fourth placed Time Leader ran well for a long way and was beaten a similar distance to at Cheltenham At his best on a sounder surface, he is one to note if kept on the go for Cheltenham’s May meeting or even Stratford Having finished fifth last year, you would imagine that Hannah Roach’s 10-year-old will be back for another crack at the race in 2025.
RACING keenly in the hands of Bryony Frost, Sans Bruit made just about all on ground which he clearly relishes, jumping well throughout. The six-year-old, who had raced over hurdles on his first two starts in Britain and was racing from 2lbs out of the handicap, stretched the field out down the back straight and appeared to have been given a breather as he jumped the cross-fence
around a length up on Grand Annual winner Unexpected Party, who faded from three out. Clear two out, he stretched right away and after one more sound leap, finished 4 lengths clear of Saint Roi, who was in turn 7 lengths ahead of Grand Annual third Path d’Oroux The winner was put up 12lbs by the handicapper on Tuesday and in truth, there wasn’t much to note of those in behind. Jumping won the day here and the winner is very much the one to take from the race
ANOTHER winner to make virtually all, Diva Luna stepped forward on her Listed win at Market Rasen to score by 3½ lengths for Ben Pauling and Kielan Woods. Travelling enthusiastically on the frontend, the daughter of Diamond Boy was joined by the eventual third La Marquise around the side of the course Pressed inside the final quarter-mile, she picked up nicely and began to draw away in the closing stages to win in fine style. Runner-up Jubilee Alpha arrived at Aintree having won a maiden bumper at Wincanton in early-February and handled the softer ground, whilst Speculatrix – who was one of the standouts in the paddock beforehand – ran much better than the result would suggest in sixth. Having travelled up well, she tired in the closing stages on what was her first start 414 days. With that in mind, she could be expected to step forward and with Punchestown likely to come too soon, perhaps she will be sent hurdling once the new season begins in May, before going out on her summer break. Fourth home Metkayina is another who can make an impact over hurdles next season, perhaps on better ground
SANS BRUIT
DESPITE just six horses going to post, this looked to be a competitive renewal with two Cheltenham Festival winners among the half-dozen runners. The race was, however, marred by the fatal injury suffered to the highly-promising Giovinco, trained in Scotland by Lucinda Russell.
The pace was set by Broadway Boy and Ultima winner Chianti Classico, who took over halfway down the back straight when the former got in tight. They then started racing at the open ditch and perhaps paid for it up the home straight They certainly set things up for the closers and it was Heart Wood who looked to be a big threat when challenging two out. He possibly didn’t see out the trip fully, whilst Kim Muir winner Inothewayurthinkin swept wide and late to record a 4-length success, which didn’t look overly likely when he was pushed along around the home bend. Not always fluent, he clearly has a big engine and was doing his best work late-on, suggesting he will have little trouble in going back up in trip next season The lightly-raced Iroko kept-on for second and was placed at the meeting for a second successive year, resulting in his handicap mark being upped by 3lbs He is likely to be one for top staying handicaps next season, whilst Heart Wood will be worth noting over a slightly shorter trip, with this his first start beyond 2m5½f.
DESPITE the three non-runners, this looked to be a strong 19-runner handicap, in which the novice Inthewaterside set the pace under Harry Cobden A little flat-footed at the first flight in the back straight, he jumped well in the main and having kept going to finish third, remains a bright prospect for fences next season Top-weight Springwell Bay moved well for a long way and was pushed up to challenge when coming down two out, where he hampered Guard Your Dreams and Jango Baie, who lost many lengths before running on to take second. His effort can, therefore, be marked up considerably and he clearly goes well at the track, having won the Grade 1
Formby Novices’ Hurdle on Boxing Day. Whether he would have beaten the winner is another matter, as Kateira won for the first time this season on a track where she had also run well previously Runner-up to Irish Point in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle last year, she struggled early season before showing signs of a return to form at Kempton last time and although she ought to improve again for meeting better ground, the seven-year-old mare had just under 2 lengths to spare over the fast-finishing runner-up. The pair were put up 8lbs and 7lbs respectively, by the handicapper
THE SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE form came to the fore here, with runner-up Mystical Power just confirming the form with the third placed Firefox, who finished 3 lengths closer to the winner than he had done at Cheltenham. Firefox sat in third throughout and the positions didn’t really change until after three out, when he was shaken up and he took up the running at the penultimate flight. Mystical Power was last off the bridle and was himself in front at the last, but that was perhaps a little too soon as he seemed to be tying up a little in the dying strides, as the much more imposing runner-up came right back at him at the line. The pair drew 9½ lengths clear of the front-running Lookaway who set the pace and hurdled fluently, particularly down the back straight The winner looks sure to be suited by better ground in time and a sharper test, whilst Firefox looks to be a very smart prospect for the novice chase division next season Rather surprisingly, he is just 1-5 over hurdles (ran once last season before reverting to bumpers) but could improve significantly for a fence and could well gain Grade 1 honours as a novice chaser. It will be interesting to see if Mystical Power heads down the Champion Hurdle route, although he would appear to have plenty to find with the main protagonists within that division. Supreme fifth Mistergif was disappointing, having shaped much better at Cheltenham, whilst Personal Ambition, who hung to his right up the home straight, is another chaser
STEPPING up to 2m4f for the first time and like stable-mate Sir Gino, who had won the Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle the previous day, Jonbon was having his first start since trials day, having been pulled-out at the Festival Quite keen early, he sat in fourth and tracked a relatively strong pace, which was set by the eventual runner-up, Conflated He missed a couple down the far side, but jumped the cross-fence nicely and loomed up three out, at which point it looked like he might run out an easy winner. Pushed along from two out, he took a few strides to get on top, but he took off in front at the last and stayed the new trip well to beat a gallant Conflated by 1¼ lengths. The runner-up has to be given plenty of credit, too, as he showed a fine attitude when Ryanair winner Protektorat challenged at the last He reversed form with the third and holds an entry in the Punchestown Gold Cup, should Gigginstown House Stud wish to go again with their game 10-year-old As for the winner, he jumped much better than when last seen – in the re-routed Clarence House Chase – and looked to win the race through stamina, so expect him to be campaigned over this trip (and possibly further) next season. The King George might be considered and given the interrupted preparation that those from Seven Barrows must have had ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, his performance can probably be marked up slightly Still only eight, his connections have plenty to look forward to with him for next season, with this having opened up plenty more options. This was also his third successive victory at the Grand National meeting and his
trainer stated in the days after Aintree that he could run again, at either Punchestown or Sandown (Celebration Chase), before the season is out.
NEVER too far from the pace, the well-supported James du Berlais caught the eye from early and appeared to relish the test of the Grand National course Kept wide, he was still cruising when joining issue as the field turned for home and in fact, probably raced a shade too freely throughout. Good jumps at the final two fences saw him take the lead and still on the bridle, it looked as though he had done enough to seal victory under Paul Townend. Despite him going a couple of lengths up, however, Arizona Cardinal fought back gamely and outstayed the runner-up, winning by a length at the line. Stuart Edmunds’ eight-year-old had also taken really well to the track and jumped soundly throughout (his jumping helped him hold such a prominent position). A stronger stayer, who relishes soft ground, he showed a tremendous attitude to wrestle back the lead and given how he took to the course, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see aimed at either the Grand Sefton or the Becher next November. He went up 5lbs for this careerbest performance.
Third and fourth home, Kandoo Kid and Celebre d’Allen, also ran well, with the front four a long way clear. Kandoo Kid was having his first try over the Grand National fences and is versatile in terms of ground He could easily be back for another crack at the race next year, or indeed the aforementioned Grand Sefton
ARIZONA CARDINAL (RIGHT)
TWO Cheltenham Festival seconds set the pace, with Kyntara (Pertemps Final) and The Jukebox Man (Albert Bartlett) taking one another on from the off With that in mind, the runner-up – as he had done at Cheltenham – again ran very well in defeat, as he kept going despite being no match for Dancing City in the closing stages, with Willie Mullins’ previous Grade 1 winner (successful at the Dublin Racing Festival) reversing Albert Bartlett form to the tune of 12¾ lengths. He tracked the pace throughout, on a course (over hurdles) which suits a more patient ride. The runner-up finished 7½ clear of the third and remains a high-class prospect for staying novice chases next season, when he will look to land an elusive Graded race, with him hitting the frame in a trio of Grade 1s Interestingly, all three of his Rules wins have come at Ffos Las on testing ground, so don’t be surprised to see him return to South Wales next winter, whilst the winner appreciated the slightly lesser test of stamina. Another former Point-to-Point winner, he split Cheltenham Festival winners Ballyburn and Slade Steel in a bumper at last year’s Punchestown Festival and is another very bright prospect for staying novice chases next term.
Whilst it looked as though there might not have been too much depth to this year’s Sefton, Cherie d’Am (3rd) is another former Points winner who should be noted in novice chases against her own sex and Shanagh Bob (4th) could be given another
chance, as this was his first start since 16th December (118 days) and he, too, has the build of a chaser. He looks a thorough stayer, so could end up developing into a National Hunt Chase candidate.
THERE was drama at the start of this 19-runner handicap for conditional and amateur jockeys, when Imperial Cup winner and market leader Go Dante was left a long way behind, following an unconvincing standing start, which followed a lengthy delay Despite giving away many lengths, Olly Murphy’s improving eight-year-old ran a remarkable race and was beaten just 3¼ lengths at the line, finishing in fifth. An obvious eye-catcher, he will be of huge interest in something similar at the beginning of next season, off the same mark (134).
Almost as remarkable was the winning run of El Jefe, who was easily the biggest priced winner of the week and came from a long way off the pace to score under Ben Smith Looking tailed-off as the field turned for home, he continued to make steady headway up the inner and as those to the fore began to tire, the seven-year-old got up to score by 1½ lengths, from Ballee, who deserves credit as he was up with the pace throughout. His two wins came on right-handed tracks, so might be worth noting when racing that way around He went up 2lbs (137), whilst the winner was given 4lbs by the handicapper
GRAND NATIONAL day got underway with a 21-runner handicap hurdle over 3m½f which was won for a second successive year by Dan Skelton. Last year’s winner West Balboa was sent off the 11-4 favourite to repeat her success from 12 months earlier, but she could finish only third behind her highly-progressive young stable-mate Gwennie May Boy, who is now unbeaten in three starts for the stable. Held-up by Charlie Todd, the six-year-old had made his way into midfield with a circuit to run and could be spotted moving well turning for home and was in front on the run to two out. Easing clear, he ran down the final flight slightly but had the race in safe-keeping and was 7½ lengths clear when crossing the line. It was a dominant performance and it wasn’t a surprise to see him put up 11lbs as a result. Rated just 113 when moving to Skelton from Jonjo O’Neill, he won on heavy ground at Bangor and Uttoxeter before this and the son of Mahler appears to be on a sharp upward curve. It would be no surprise to see him aimed at the Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on 23rd November West Balboa ran well in the race again, from a 6lbs higher mark
Lord Snootie finished second for Christian Williams, having pulled-up behind the winner at Uttoxeter on Midlands Grand National day. He, reportedly, didn’t enjoy wearing a tongue-tie on that occasion and although not the biggest, is expected to go chasing in the autumn The more imposing Johnnywho also ran well for a long way, before tiring into fourth, and he also looks a bright prospect for fences
Although he has only won once from five starts over hurdles, he has performed with credit in defeat at times and given his record, is probably one to catch first-time-out, as he boasts an unblemished record on reappearance. Further down the field, Cuthbert Dibble was disappointing in the end (faded from the side of the course), but the drying ground wouldn’t have been ideal and this was his fourth start since he made his belated reappearance (30th January) and perhaps, that took its toll. He can readily be given another chance next term, be it over hurdles or if switched to fences.
GORDON ELLIOTT won the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle for the third successive year and actually saddled
the first and second, as Brighterdaysahead beat stable-mate Staffordshire Knot by an impressive 7½ lengths. Despite losing her 100% record in the slowly-run Dawn Run at Cheltenham, the mare was sent off the 6-5 favourite under Jack Kennedy and she produced a high-class performance. Settled in midfield, she clearly enjoyed going back up in trip and more importantly, the even gallop. Still travelling within herself, she loomed up three out and landed in front at the second last. Easing clear, she was nimble at the last and only had to be pushed out to win with any amount in hand, putting up one of the performances of the week Visually, at least, it was hugely impressive from a well-bred mare who has looks to match her undoubted talent She holds entries at the Punchestown Festival, but I would be surprised if she were asked to run again so soon and suspect she will now be done for the season. As for the 2024-2025 campaign, she will have the option of going chasing, but being only five, I would be surprised if she wasn’t campaigned with the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in mind.
Staffordshire Knot put up an improved effort in first-time cheek-pieces, with Bugise Seagull also running well to hit the frame for Charlie Longsdon He looks a chaser for next season, whilst the Willie Mullins-trained pairing of Jimmy du Seuil (4th) and Ile Atlantique (5th) were beaten a similar distance as they were behind Ballyburn at Cheltenham The latter is a gorgeous-looking son of Coastal Path who should benefit for going chasing and he might also appreciate being dropped to the minimum trip and being allowed to stride on
PROMINENT throughout, the novice Cruz Control defied a 6lbs rise (won at Newcastle in March) to score for Tom Lacey, who won this race in 2018 with Thomas Patrick. He jumped well on the frontend in the main, but did make a fairly serious error at the penultimate fence down the back straight. Soon back on an even keel, he again made an error at the cross-fence, but it didn’t check his momentum and he jumped the last three well and was clear from two out. 2022 winner Sam Brown ran on late in the day but couldn’t get to the winner, who was put up a further 6lbs (now rated 142) Further back,
Kinondo Kwetu travelled up well three out and would probably appreciate even nicer ground, so could be kept on the go (finished third in last year’s Summer Cup at Uttoxeter), whilst Crebilly failed to build on his fine second in the Plate at Cheltenham, on his first start at the trip Jonjo O'Neill's lightly-raced novice looked a threat off the home bend but faded after an error two out and at this stage, he doesn't always jump as fluently as is required to win a race of this nature This was just his fifth chase start, however, so there is plenty of time for that to improve and I suspect that the Paddy Power Gold Cup will be an early-season target and he remains capable of winning a nice prize. Reverting to hurdles would be another option at some stage
RUNNER-UP in the Stayers’ Hurdle (a race which he has won twice previously), Flooring Porter attempted to make all, but was beaten in this race for a third year in a row. He could finish only fifth on this occasion, fading up the home straight, with Buddy One (2nd) building on his fourth at Cheltenham to split two fresher rivals.
The race was won by Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader, who had won a novices’ hurdle at the
track in December 2022 and he flashed home when runner-up in last year’s Top Novices’ Hurdle, finishing second behind Inthepocket, and he had been saved for this race, following his third in the Cleeve on trials day. Not always the most fluent jumper, he was held-up by Sean Bowen but made stealthy headway down the far side and eased up into fifth on the turn for home. Still going well, he was into third three out and although he hit the final two flights quite hard, the seven-year-old pulled clear to win by 4¼ lengths. Clearly at home on a flat track, he has the build of a chaser but it would be no surprise if next season was geared around retaining his crown.
Third home Hiddenvalley Lake was possibly a little keen in the early part of the race, in the hands of Rachael Blackmore, but ran well and pulled nicely clear of the remainder He hasn’t had a hard season and will, presumably, have another crack at chasing next term
CLASS shone through in the Grand National, with four Grade 1 winning chasers filling the first four places, with I Am Maximus running out a thoroughly convincing winner in the end. A clear-cut winner didn’t look
obvious as the well-packed field ran towards the final fence and he took a few strides to pick up around the elbow, but powered clear once levelling for home and was very strong as he crossed the line. Last year’s Irish National winner was still a novice until 3rd December, when he beat Found A Fifty (winner of the very next race, incidentally) in the Drinmore Novice Chase and he had warmed up for the National by beating last year’s runner-up by 14 lengths in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse Not always the most fluent jumper, he was kept up the inner by Paul Townend and the pair got into a really nice rhythm in the early stages, which resulted in him holding a perfect position for the first circuit. He made an error at the Chair, which resulted in him falling back through the field a little and he made another mistake at Becher’s second time around Back into a nice rhythm, he was on the heels of the leaders as the field re-joined the racecourse proper and Townend looked confident between the final two fences Once they passed the Chair on the run-in, the race was all over and he ran out a dominant winner of a high-class renewal.
Runner-up Delta Work went one place better than when third in 2022, whilst fellow 11-year-old
Minella Indo ran a huge race, perhaps racing a little too exuberantly for Rachael Blackmore. The eye was continually drawn to the former Gold Cup winner, who had been off the track since finishing fourth in a cross-country chase at Cheltenham in mid-December (120-day break) With the abandonment of the Glenfarclas Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, perhaps he was a little too fresh, but he appeared to relish the jumping test and ran with great credit
Galvin (4th) and Kitty’s Light (5th) would have appreciated the drying ground and in fact, even better ground would have helped both The latter appeared to warm to the task and having raced just behind the pace throughout the second circuit, was just about upsides at the last He ran a fine race for Christian Williams and was the only British-trained runner among the first seven home. Only eight and at the right end of the weights, he could well be back for another crack at the race next year, whilst in the shortterm, he could return to Sandown on the final day of the season in an attempt to retain his bet365 Gold Cup crown.
HIS form had been boosted by both Il Etait Temps on Thursday and indeed by I Am Maximus in the Grand National and Found A Fifty finished strongly to justify favouritism in the Maghull, which was the seven-year-old’s second Grade 1 success of the season Runner-up in the Irish Arkle and third at Cheltenham, Gordon Elliott’s runner was settled just behind the strong pace Out to his right at times (perhaps, following both Nickle Back and Quilixios), he was travelling strongly when hitting the front two out and it looked as though he would run out a convincing winner Headed by Master Chewy after the last, he rallied gamely to win by a head, again leaving the impression that he will appreciate going back up in trip next season. A winner over 2m3½f at Down Royal on chase debut, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he were to return to the same venue for the second-season chase in the autumn Not too many got into the race in truth, although the antics of Matata didn’t help matters at the start, with several horses left wide having been slightly hampered.
FERGAL O’BRIEN landed the Nickel Coin last year with Dysart Enos and saddled the one-two in the concluding race of the meeting, the Grade 2 geldings’ bumper. The winner Horaces Pearl, ridden
by Connor Brace, came from off the pace to beat stable-mate Tripoli Flyer, who had looked the most likely winner for most of the home straight. Given plenty of cover under Paddy Brennan, the Lingfield (all-weather) winner was well-positioned throughout and got a lovely run into the home straight Hitting the front as the field passed through the wings of what would be two out, his rider was looking around for dangers and it looked like a case of 'how far' at that stage. Asked to put the race to bed with just over a furlong to run, he was unable to do so and perhaps, he had hit the front sooner than ideal Run down by his stable-mate, the winner had been ridden for luck and came down the centre of the course to win. Turning into the home straight, he had just two behind him and was forced wide, but he finished really well to get up The third placed Good And Clever was handy throughout and built on his promising start for Warren Greatrex, when successful by 12 lengths on softer ground at Warwick. The maiden Valgrand had been off the track since chasing home The Kemble Brewery at Cheltenham in late-October and kept-on well under Harry Skelton, whilst beaten favourite Mister Meggit (14th) was still travelling well when short of room and stumbling around the home bend. He had earlier looked highly-promising in recording wins at both Carlisle and Doncaster and had little chance after that unfortunate incident.
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