January 17 – Windsor – Gidleigh Park – 76

Just four runners went to post for this Grade 2 novices’ chase but Harry Fry’s giant ensured the pace was extremely strong, so much so, that the useful pair Personal Ambition and You Wear It Well, were flat to the boards from the start. Despite one of two indifferent leaps, he jumped well in the main and he had enough in the locker once establishing a clear advantage, to withstand the late pressure applied by Caldwell Potter. Reportedly said to be suffering from a heart conditions on his chase debut at Kempton, it was good to see this talented individual bounce back in such brilliant fashion and based on his speed figure, he has to enter the conversation for The Arkle at the very least. Although beaten fair and square on the day, the runner-up probably deserved a better press than he got in the post-race aftermath and, although he may not to be quite good enough for Grade 1’s just yet, he is not one to right off either.

January 17 – Windsor – Secret Squirrel – 71

Unsurprisingly for a race of its kind, a useful speed figure was the end product of a sound gallop throughout and Hughie Morrison’s gelding ran out a worthy and well backed winner. Unnecessarily involved in a speed dual at the head of affairs in a similar contest at Ascot previously, he was a busted flush when falling in third at the last, but even so, many viewed he would have gone close to winning with a more conservative ride – and they were right. More patiently ridden on this occasion, the chestnut came through strongly at the business end to score in cosy fashion and he looks one for the shortlist for the big Newbury Hurdle in a month’s time. Another consider for that race at the Berkshire venue is Navajo Indy, who came from along way back to finish a creditable fourth. Seemingly unsuited by the sharp nature of the track, a return to a more galloping circuit where his form figure read 121 will see him in a much better light and, providing he gets his required soft ground on the day, current odds of 16-1 will look big.

January 17 – Market Rasen – Fingle Bridge – 66

Wellington Arch ensured this novice event was run at a true gallop and it looked as though he had the market leader in big trouble approaching two out. However, Olly Murphy’s inmate responded well for pressure in the closing stages and he gradually reeled in the front runner, who only faltered in the final bounds. Miles clear of the rest, this looks strong form and you can see both showing up well for the final of this series run at Sandown later in the season.

January 17 – Southwell – Path To Dubai – 81

Two useful time figures on the all weather from last week, the first of the pair came in the shape of this 1m4f handicap at the Midland venue. Previous course winner Alpine Oasis took the field along at a decent clip and when he dropped out of the equation turning for home, the race developed into a battle between Path To Dubai and Plage De Havre and in the end, there was only a nose that separated the pair. The stewards, however, deemed the latter had interfered with the former sufficiently for the result to be overturned but the outcome aside, this was a smart race for the grade and the first two home deserve to be followed accordingly.

January 17 – Newcastle – Old Harrovian – 87

Based on our data, an even stronger race took place at Gosforth Park earlier in the day and the winner looks a group horse in waiting – certainly on the all-weather at least. The way Andrew Balding’s inmate went through the race before readily pulling clear late on backed up that view and his overall speed figure is one of the best of its kind we’ve seen for some time. Where he goes from here remains to be seen, but either way, he is a horse of serious talent and one to keep on side. 3-6 on the synthetics as opposed to 0-4 on turf, the six-year-old a listed contest on the all-weather would seem to be the next logical step.

January 18 – Ascot – Jonbon – 76

Not much to add what’s already been said about Nicky Henderson’s inmate, but another smart speed figure from one of the most likable and reliable Grade 1 horses seen in recent times. The son of Walk In The Park is a pleasure to watch and it’s not as if he ever gets a chance to have an easy race – often wearing his heart on his sleeve from the front. If ever a horse deserves to win the Champion Chase, it’s him and he looks a worthy favourite to do so.

January 18 – Navan – Three Card Brag – 70

The well supported favourite, Olympic Glory, may have fluffed his lines, but this was still a useful performance by Gordon Elliott’s gelding who backed up his excellent effort in the Paddy Power Chase previously. Probably too aggressively ridden on that occasion, a more conservative approach paid dividends at the Meath venue and he had enough in the locker to repel the threatening challenge of Kinturk Kalanisi. A strong stayer at the trip and open to any amount of improvement over fences, the eight-year-old has a profile of a horse who could do well in some of the better three mile handicaps chases towards the backend of the season.