October 14 – Hereford – Gris Majeur – 67

Not a particularly flashy race on paper beforehand but it produced an above average time figure for the grade, so it’s probably one to keep on side going forward. The winner hadn’t shown too much in recent times but in-keeping with his stable’s runners at the (local) track, Sheila Lewis’ grey was able to better his previous career high by some margin. Whether he can go on from this effort remains to be seen, but he is well worth considering when encountering similar conditions on easy, right handed tracks.

October 16 – Punchestown – D Art D Art – 67

On a card that saw Jordans post a decent speed figure of 68 for the Grade 3 novices’ chase, a race of that nature would have normally taken centre stage on this column but we believe the one to note going forward was this handicap hurdle won by Thomas Mullins’ inmate. Arriving at the Kildare venue with a run under his belt from the Flat, the five-year-old stayed on well after the last to get the better of a protracted dual with Missus Beeton and with third, Pray Tell, giving a solid feel to the form, the result looks a totally believable one. In good form in the early part of last season, it was noticeable that the son of Jeu St Eloi didn’t go on as anticipated after the turn of the year, but with another six months under his belt, it maybe a different story this time around.

October 16 – Wetherby – Primoz – 71

A progressive hurdler from last season, it was always hoped Lucinda Russell’s gelding would make into a better chaser and that could well turn out to be the case based on this opening effort. Jumping well throughout, he won with more in hand than the bare margin suggested and with the speed figure speaking favourably of the performance, he should easily be capable of making the necessary strides forward to a higher level.

October 17 – Wincanton – Celtic Dino – 70

It’s not often at this time of year, we see a runner of this class out in an ordinary novice hurdle, but the time figure suggested this was no ordinary performance by Sam Thomas’ inmate. Jumping off sharply in a bid to make all, the five-year-old soon has his rivals at the pin of their collars and maintaining a strong gallop all the way to the line, he posted the sort of time figure associated with graded races (Supreme Novice candidates usually 70 or above pre-Cheltenham). Considering he was eased after the last and there was room for significantly more, this was a pretty special effort on hurdling debut and while facing similar conditions (good ground) throughout the rest of the season, he should be a force to be reckoned with at a high level.

October 17 – Carlisle – Western Zephyr – 68

Only five runners went to post for this novices’ handicap chase but it was run at a sound gallop and the winner took no prisoners from the start. Jumping soundly from the front, Charlie Longsdon’s gelding kept up a strong pace throughout and on this evidence, the wind operation he had encountered in the off season seems to have worked the oracle.

October 19 – Wolves – Beylerbeyi – 80

With the Flat season coming to its conclusion, this column is now going to switch its attentions to the National Hunt scene but there will be the odd all-weather contest to talk about and this handicap at Wolverhampton is worth highlighting. There was a four-way joust for the lead heading into the first corner and that mad gallop was maintained throughout the entire 1m2f journey. Unsurprisingly, the winner, along with the first three home, all sat off the pace and Ian Williams’ gelding further enhanced his solid credentials at the Midland venue. Arcadian Nights and Rozenoo are worth noting next time.

As expected Qipco Champions Day at Ascot produced some brilliant racing and the times matched the visually impression of the quality on show. Just about pick of the bunch was Kalpana with an 86 in the Fillies’ and Mares contest, closely followed by Anmaat with an 85 in the Champion Stakes and Kyprios, 84 in the Stayers along with Kind Of Blue with the same figure in the Sprint.