Monday November 25 – Kempton – Master Tommytucker – 76
A proper good gallop was set from the outset by Paul Nicholls’ gelding on chasing debut and that pace resulted in a big speed figure. Whether he would have won had his main rival, Who Dares Wins, jumped the last better is open to debate, but either way, he probably deserved the victory based on his solid jumping and total commitment to the cause. Extremely lightly-raced for an eight-year-old, the son of Kayf Tara can start making up for lost time.
Tuesday November 26 – Punchestown – Salsaretta – 72
A little inconsistent over hurdles, Willie Mullins’ mare could turn out to be a more potent force over fences based on this performance. In what turned out to be a very strongly-run affair, the daughter of Kingsalsa jumped pretty well in the main and having picked up the running travelling best two out, she stayed on willingly to pull well clear of some very smart chasing recruits. Just below Grade 1 level over hurdles, the six-year-old mare is likely to put that record straight at some stage – particularly as the mares’ chasing division is primed with fairly easy pickings.
Wednesday November 27 – Wetherby – Ribble Valley – 69
An extremely hot line-up was assembled for a Class 4 novice event and Nicky Richards’ inmate couldn’t have been any more impressive in maintaining his unbeaten record over hurdles. Impressive on debut at prohibitive odds at Hexham on debut, the son of Westerner faced a far more extreme test at the Yorkshire venue, but travelling like a good horse throughout, he readily proved up to the task. The feature of his performance was the way he jumped at speed and this classy six-year-old looks ready-made for Graded races in the not too distant future.
Friday November 29 – Newbury – Son Of Camas – 77
A race with a rich tradition in producing future stars and this year’s renewal proved no different with the winner and several others in behind all sending out positives signals for the future. In a race run at a sound tempo from the start, Nicky Henderson’s gelding was the one who saw the trip out best and he looks one to add to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle shortlist even at this early stage of the season. A special mention also goes out to the third, Trincomalee, who posted the fastest final circuit sectionals of the race having made significant ground up from the rear of the field.
Saturday November 30 – Newbury – The Cashel Man – 81
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old took this competitive field along at a swinging gallop from the start and, despite momentarily looking vulnerable to the closing pack after jumping three out, he found extra reserves to pull well clear in the latter stages. Clearly very talented on his day, the son of High Chaparral is likely to prove a key contender in some of the bigger handicap later in the season, with races such as the Lanzarote Hurdle and Coral Cup, over the same trip, two readily springing to mind.
Saturday November 30 – Newbury – De Rasher Counter – 76
As one would expect for a maximum and competitive field of this nature, the pace was strong throughout and seemed to really suit Emma Lavelle’s inmate who jumped and travelled well on the front end from an early juncture. Picking up the running going well turning for home, the seven-year-old found plenty for pressure in the latter stages and this well-orchestrated plan hatched as long ago as last year, will surely not be the last of his successes at this sort of level.