October 23 – Wolves – Kings Code – 96
A strongly run event for the grade and the winner did really well to score from the position he found himself turning for home. Passing the entire field in the space of two furlongs was no mean feat by David Evans’ gelding and he remains one to keep on side if kept going during the winter months.
October 24 – Hereford – Favour And Fortune – 66
Some of the better novices are beginning to surface and Alan King’s inmate is easily the pick of the bunch so far to date. Not quite up the standard required for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last season, the son of Soldier Of Fortune was in much more humble surroundings for his first attempt over hurdles but either way, he still put on a show for the paying costumers at the Midland venue. Impressing with the way he travelled off a strong gallop, his technique was also a big feature of his round and he already looks like Graded material for the future.
October 24 – Wolves – Vespasian – 101
A well contested a strongly run six-furlong handicap that went the way of a horse who arrived at the Midland venue a little out of sorts, but in-keeping with his profile, bounced back in conjunction with racing back on an all-weather surface. Always to the fore, Simon & Ed Crisford’s inmate picked up the running over a furlong out and from that juncture, he strode nicely clear to post a fast time figure. Clearly well suited by the synthetics, the son of Acclamation now has form figures of 31216232621 on away from the turf and he isn’t one to dismiss lightly in his bid to follow up.
October 26 – Clonmel – Limerick Lace – 65
A progressive mare over fences, Gavin Cromwell’s inmate could not have been any more impression on her first run since a slightly below par effort by her standards at Fairyhouse back in April and on this evidence, she looks in line for another productive campaign. Just short of top class in his first season over fences, the daughter of Walk In The Park travelled like she was a total cut above the rest and her time figure was pretty impressive when you allow for the fact she was eased down close home. Sure to have her sights raised, the six-year-old remains one to firmly keep on side – especially against her own sex.
October 27 – Cheltenham – Our Champ – 68
The Showcase meeting always gets the juices flowing for the National Hunt fans and they didn’t have to wait too long to witness a very smart performance, coming in the shape of Chris Gordon’s inmate in the opening two mile handicap. Tracking the honest pace set by Coolnaugh Haze, the five-year-old picked up the running after the third last and despite being hounded by several pursuers inside the final half a mile, he responded well for pressure to scoot clear up the hill. Well handicapped on the evidence of this taking display, the hat trick bid may still be in touching distance despite the inevitable hike.
October 28 – Cheltenham – Flooring Porter – 72
All the chat before this fascinating novice chase was whether Gavin Cromwell’s gelding would be anywhere near the force he was over hurdles and on the evidence of what we saw at the home of National Hunt racing, the answer was very much in the affirmative. Similar to how he likes to operate over hurdles, the eight-year-old soon made his intentions clear in this three-mile event and he never looked in too much trouble once establishing a good rhythm. Jumping the last two well when challenged by Broadway Boy, he stayed on best of all up the hill he knows only too well and as far as first time out performances go, this has to go down as the perfect start to his new vocation.