October 25 – Newbury – Centigrade – 83
As we’ve hinted, this column will now switch most of its attentions to the winter game but we couldn’t leave the Flat action without paying homage to Ralph Beckett’s colt, who made a lasting impression on his second start. Setting off with a degree of intent at the Berkshire venue, he soon had his rivals at the edge of their thresholds and maintaining a strong gallop all the way to the line, he posted one of the fastest speed figures we have awarded any two-year-old this season. Clearly very talented with a huge engine, it now remains to be seen whether the son of Too Darn Hot can run to a similar level on better ground next season and if that does prove to be the case, all the big, middle distance races come into the conversation.
October 26 – Cheltenham – The Wallpark – 72
A competitive and well run handicap hurdle that went the way of a horse who just appears to be coming to himself and on this evidence, has at least put himself forward for a possible tilt at something more substantial. Since finishing down the field at Listowel back in June, Gordon Elliott’s charge has gone from strength to strength and on the evidence of his latest effort, three miles appears to be his trip. Form wise, the race has already been given a boost with the fifth winning at listed level since and now rated 152, the days of handicaps may well be over for this improving six-year-old.
October 28 – Wexford – Inthepocket – 75
13 runners went to post for this beginners chase but, as the betting suggested beforehand, only two counted from an early stage and Henry De Bromhead’s inmate soon brushed aside his only real threat, Farren Glory, in decisive fashion. The way he jumped before quickening right away in the stages hinted towards a horse who belongs at the very top table over fences and it will be interesting to see what sort of route connections go down for the rest of the campaign. Still a novice, the Arkle would seem the obvious target, but at the same time, he would have enough class to be considered for The Champion Chase. Either way, he has time on his side and we have no reason to believe he isn’t top class material.
November 1 – Down Royal – Brighterdaysahead – 71
One of last season’s leading novices, Gordon Elliott’s mare obviously has big aspirations for this term and on the evidence of this initial outing, the sky could well be the limit. Setting a good gallop throughout, she had all bar King Of Kingsfield in trouble from a long way out and despite a poor jump at the last, she still had enough class and stamina to see off her main pursuer. The initial thought after she crossed the line was she is likely to take all the beating against her own sex in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham later in the campaign but it was interesting to hear her handler throw a spanner into that particular works when mentioning the Champion Hurdle as a possible target. Obviously, she will have to raise her game to another level to get to the likes of State Man (80 best) and Constitution Hill (84 best) but she has time on her side and the other pair will start to show signs of decay at some stage. As for the runner-up, King Of Kingsfield, he actually ran the fastest final circuit to the tune of 0.9 seconds and he looks the type who could do really well over fences. Therefore, he could well be a sneaky one for the Arkle at 66-1.
November 1 – Wetherby – Liam Swagger – 66
It’s early days to be talking about Triumph Hurdle candidates and there’s a good chance by March, there will be a whole host of top quality performers having throw their hat into the ring but all the same, it’s worth noting the son of Iffraaj’s time figure for this listed win, which was well above average for this time of year. Whether he turns out to be the type who proves best on a sound surface rather than soft winter ground remains to be seen, but for now, he should prove one to keep on side in the early part of the season at the very least.
November 2 – Ascot – Martator – 76
As is often the case with these big, Saturday two-mile handicap chases at premier tracks, the pace was honest from the start and the way the race panned out really suited Venetia Williams’ inmate. A real improver on good ground towards the backend of last season, the seven-year-old seemed better than ever at the Berkshire circuit and he looks the type who could easily develop into a Grand Annual candidate later in the campaign.
November 2 – Wetherby – The Real Whacker – 80
Not a vintage renewal of the Charlie Hall on paper beforehand but the time figure suggested it was a decent race and it saw the revival of a horse who, like most of his stable last season, came back to form with a vengeance. Jumping well from the front throughout, he had his rivals at full tilt from a long way out and he saw the trip out well when pressed late on. Probably not quite top class, something like the Cotswold Chase will likely prove his Gold Cup as being able to dominate a small field is more his bag.
November 2 – Ayr – Saracen Beau – 68
Rock On Jet ensured this novice hurdle was run at a true gallop and Nicky Richards’ inmate proved equal to the task once the front runner dropped away. As far as hurdling debuts go, this was about as good as it gets and the time figure suggests he is well above average. One to follow up the north.
November 3 – Cork – Gorgeous Tom – 73
A keenly contested novices’ chase and Henry De Bromhead’s gelding, well backed beforehand, justified the heavy support with something to spare. Not entirely without fault over his fences on the way round, he still had too much quality for his rivals and under similar conditions, he is likely to punch above his weight throughout the rest of the season.
November 3 – Carlisle – Slugger – 70
Yet another well-supported Harry Derham-trained horse on debut for the stable to make a mockery of its handicap mark and the time figure suggests this was no flash in the pan. The way he galloped on strongly after setting decent fractions hinted there could well be plenty more to come and he remains one to keep on side for the foreseeable future.