March 5 – Leopardstown – Fils D’Oudairies – 70
Disappointing when sent off favourite over fences at the Dublin track on his previous start, Gordon Elliott’s gelding bounced back to form on his return visit back over hurdles and based on the time figure, there doesn’t appear any fluke about the result. The way he stayed on in the latter stages off strong fractions suggests he’s in a good place at present and he could be one to bear in mind if tackling one of the handicaps at this week’s Cheltenham festival.
March 6 – Leopardstown – Della Casa Lunga – 63
Just the five faced the starter in this mares’ novices’ hurdle, but the pace was generous throughout and it played into the strengths of the eventual winner who put matters beyond doubt with a fine turn of foot late on. Clearly none the worse for her previous fall at Naas, now the daughter of Champs Elysees has found her sweet spot, she can continue to thrive in similar races.
March 10 – Wolves – Athmad – 99
Yet again, another one of these big-field, competitive handicaps at the Dunstall Park venue run at a very strong gallop and that suited the deep-closers, the winner being one of several to benefit. Good on the clock at Southwell previously, Ruth Carr’s gelding needed to raise his game again to cope with a stronger field but he proved equal to the task at hand and actually won in the style of a horse of a younger vintage. Likely to continue to be campaigned on the all-weather until the grass season starts in earnest, the seven-year-old can continue to thrive in the blinkers.
March 10 – Exeter – Red Dirt Road – 65
Just run out of the argument at Leicester the time before, Jonjo O’Neill’s inmate was well supported to make amends and having dictated a decent pace from the front, he duly justified the money in his direction. Despite being bred to get further, the son of Fame And Glory clearly has plenty of natural boot and he can continue his rise up the ranks based on this evidence.
March 11 – Wolves – Alrehb – 100
An extremely competitive renewal of the Lincoln trail but it was won in very convincing fashion by a horse carving out a decent career on the all-weather. Good on the numbers at Southwell previously, Keven Philippart De Foy’s grey had to prove he stayed beyond a mile well and, as it turned out, he actually thrived for the step up in trip. Whether he can translate this sort of form back on the turf is open to debate but when he does get his ideal conditions he’s clearly a force to be reckoned with at this sort of level.
March 12 – Naas – Journey With Me – 71
Having been left off the boat to Cheltenham, the pressure was on Henry Be Bromhead’s gelding to a degree to deliver the goods in a relatively weak affair and despite a late scare, he duly obliged. Pressed by the useful mare Limerick Lace on the run to the last, the son of Mahler found plenty for pressure when asked and in posting a useful time figure, he paid a handsome complement to Impervious, who beat him giving him weight at Punchestown previously. Further success beckons.