December 8 – Cork – Only By Night – 70
A tricky one to assess alongside Hilly Way winner Energumene due to the fact the Grade 2 missed out the fence heading away from the stands – thus missing out a decent chunk of the race – but we decided to award Gavin Cromwell’s mare a slightly better overall of the pair. Even allowing for the discrepancy in the yardage, the six-year-old was just as impressive, if not more so, than the boys and she is easily the best in her category so far this season. Whether she will stay the extra distance to become a factor in the Mares Chase over 2m4f later in the season only time will tell, but either way, she remains one to keep on side for the foreseeable future.
December 8 – Huntingdon – Djelo – 75
A race run at a proper gallop and Venetia Williams’ inmate impressed with the way he never seemed to be out of third gear throughout. Just done for toe over two miles on his seasonal bow, he looked easily more at home over the 2m4f trip and on this evidence, he could even stay further. In hindsight, connections have probably missed a trick not entering him in the King George, as his high cruising speed and sound jumping would have been a big asset. That aside, he rates one of the most improved chasers in training and deserves to be followed accordingly.
December 10 – Uttoxeter – Jingko Blue – 68
Just the five runners going to post for this novices handicap but the pace was honest throughout and the winner made a big impact on his chase debut. Up against a horse in the shape of Jagwar, who was impressive at Bangor previously, Nicky Henderson’s inmate needed to bring his A game to the table, and he did just that, quickening smartly in the latter stages to put his seal on matters. A useful novice hurdler, he looks to be an even better prospect as a chaser on this evidence and he should take high rank as the season progresses.
December 13 – Cheltenham – jango Baie – 77
A great week for the owners as Nicky Henderson’s gelding readily floored the previously impressive winner Caldwell Potter with plenty to spare and in doing so, he posted the joint fastest speed figure we have awarded a novice chaser so far this season (Ballyburn the other). The way he jumped and travelled throughout suggested he has what it takes to go right to the very top over fences and long term, the only question to ask is do connections drop him back in trip for the festival, or ask him to stretch out over further.
December 13 – Cheltenham – Mirabad – 69
A strange race in many respects, the winner seemingly nicking it with a swift manoeuvre half way, but the time figure suggests there was no fluke as far as Dr Newland’s inmate is concerned. The fact he was able to maintain the gallop for the final mile without conceding too much of the advantage he built up is testimony to his ability and he has the skills to win at an even higher level.
December 14 – Fairyhouse – Marjborough – 70
Last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner couldn’t have been any more impressive on his chasing debut and he now enters the conversation for the Arkle as a serious threat to stable mate Ballyburn. The way he jumped and travelled before quickening right away on the run in was very taking and the speed figure suggested he was operating at a high level. The fact he made Tullyhill and Asian Master look relatively one-pace is testimony to his ability and, given that he looks as though he will only continue to improve, quotes for Cheltenham of 7-1 appear more than fair.
December 14 – Cheltenham – Haiti Couleurs – 74
We’ve seen some smart novices so far this season and Rebecca Curtis’ gelding belongs in that category based on this performance. Just as he did at Aintree on his chase debut, he took the race by the scruff of the neck at halfway and from that point, he totally dominated his rivals. One of his main attributes is his sound jumping but he is also not slow, as his time figure backed up. The only surprise about this effort was he didn’t receive any ante post quotes for the Brown Advisory after the race because based on our data, he is easily one of the best, if not the best staying novice chaser we have seen over this side of the Irish Sea.