November 18 – Exeter – Gyenyame – 70
Just the three runners for this beginners’ chase but a time figure that suggests the winner is a pretty useful recruit. Setting his stall out from an early stage, Joe Tizzard’s gelding soon had his two rivals at full stretch and maintaining a good gallop all the way to the line, his winning margin of 24 lengths was a fair reflection of his superiority. Heading into this contest on a mark of just 116, it will be interesting to see how he fares when reassessed but either way, he remains one to keep on side over fences.
November 20 – Ffos Las – Jig’s Forge – 65
Ben Pauling’s team is just beginning to click into gear and this son of Westerner looks one of the most promising the Naunton handler has introduced to the fray so far. Having his first run for 226 days, the five-year-old was understandably a little fresh and keen in the early stages but despite using up valuable petrol, he still had the quality and engine to keep up a solid gallop. Posting a useful speed figure, he should make light work of a penalty before being asked to take on stiffer opposition further down the line. The River Don at Doncaster was muted as a possible target.
November 21 – Warwick – Castle Ivers – 67
A good gallop set by Aviation for this novices’ hurdle meant the cream rose to the top in the latter stages and the front two pulled well clear. Despite being made to work hard for victory, Olly Murphy’s gelding was full value for his half a length success and he looks sure to go on to better things. As for the runner up, Don’t Mind If I Do, he should have little difficulty winning a maiden hurdle and he has the size and scope to make into a lovely chaser further down the road.
November 22 – Tipperary – Taponthego – 64
Runner-up in a maiden hurdle at Wexford that has worked out well, Henry De Bromhead’s inmate was backed off the boards to fly the flag for the form and he duly obliged. Setting off to make his fitness count, the lightly-raced chasing type strung the field out leaving the back straight and sound jumps at the final two hurdles were good enough to maintain a significant buffer over the rest. Suited by the step up in trip, he looks a smart prospect in the making and he could easily be good enough to tackle graded company in the foreseeable future.
November 23 – Punchestown – Ballyburn – 77
There was a great deal of expectation surrounding the chasing debut of last season’s top novice hurdler and Willie Mullins’ inmate didn’t disappoint. Jumping off with a degree of purpose, the way he attacked the first few fences was a precursor to the round of jumping he produced and even though he was not at full stretch in the closing stages, he still went on to record a speed figure right out of the top drawer. The fact he also reportedly took a blow during the race is a sure sign there is even more to come and that is a scary prospect for all novices looking to take him on during the rest of the season. Where he goes now is open to debate and with connections not willing to commit to any particular race during the next few months, the guessing game as to where he is likely to end up at Cheltenham begins. On the evidence of his first display, he clearly has enough pace to be considered an Arkle prospect but at the same time, the fact he ended up in the Gallagher’s last season and he is considered a long-term Gold Cup horse, might mean he goes down the three mile route. Either way, make no mistake, the son of Flemensfirth is a generational talent in the making and one that racegoers should relish while he is in training.
November 23 – Haydock – Roadlesstravelled – 70
Probably not the strongest Grade 2 ever run but the speed figure suggests it wasn’t a bad race after all and the winner maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles. The fact that several of his rivals, Saracen Beau , being the main example, were struggling to keep up with the pace he set from an early stage lent itself to think the data was going to be of a strong nature in the final analysis and that theory ended up ringing true. An uncomplicated type, stiffer tasks await but he clearly has a decent engine and better ground in the spring will suit.
November 23 – Haydock – Steel Ally – 73
Competitive stuff and the winner took no prisoners, ultimately going on to run his rival ragged. Shaping as though he needed the run in the Welsh Champion Hurdle, Sam Thomas’ inmate seemed more at home over this slightly longer trip and he also coped well with the rain-softened ground, which was muted as a concern pre-race. A genuine type, he can continue to make his mark in similar races throughout the season.