March 23 – Naas – Sunchart – 85
For the second season running, Andrew Slattery’s gelding won on his opening gambit and this time, his speed figure he posted was a career high. The fact the field got well strung out in the closing stages backed up the view it was a proper test at the trip and proven over further, his confirmed stamina proved to be the key component. Whether he can back up this effort is questionable given his overall profile but he should remain competitive in similar events when conditions are in his favour. Of the rest, Trustyourinstinct was probably the one to take out of the race for future reference with better ground likely to play more to his strengths next time.
March 26 – Hereford – Jimbo Sport – 62
A pleasing start to life under rules by Ben Pauling’s gelding and the speed figure he posted suggests he is well above average. Nicely supported to make a winning debut, the six-year-old set out to make it a proper test at the Midland venue and even though he was strongly pressed in the latter stages by main market rival Soldier Saint, he duly kept up the gallop to seal victory. Whether he will be seen out again remains to be seen but he should be kept on side for next season when a lucrative career over hurdles awaits.
March 28 – Wetherby – Wandering Ego – 65
Another cab off the rank in the bumper sphere was Olly Murphy’s inmate in the concluding heat at the Yorkshire track later in the week and he too, clocked a very notable time figure. Setting very strong fractions from the outset, the son of Order Of George soon has his rivals at full stretch and the impressive feature about his work in the closing stages was the fact he maintained his advantage despite running lights out in the first mile. Clearly a horse with a big engine, the five-year-old looks an exciting prospect going forward.
March 31 – Curragh – Two Stars – 81
Fozzy Stack’s inmate impressed on his seasonal bow on several fronts, non more so than the fact he managed to defy a seriously disadvantageous draw, which makes this performance even more praiseworthy. Getting over from stall 1 to lead up the stands side rail was one thing, but then to power clear in the style he did indicates he is a sprinter of some substance and one who should easily find the transition into pattern company a smooth one. Best with plenty of ease underfoot, he will probably be campaigned accordingly and it would come as little surprise if he were tackled some of the best sprinters around come Autumn time. Class act.
March 31 – Doncaster – Dancing Gemini – 87
Roger Teal’s inmate, a quality juvenile, suffered for being in the twilight zone as a three-year-old but on the evidence of this display both visually and the clock, his future looks extremely bright. Noted travelling strongly in behind the pace set by Port Lynas, the son of Camelot quickened smartly to pick up the running approaching the final furlong and from that juncture, he pulled right away in impressive fashion to score by four lengths. Posting an eye-popping time figure, he now looks ready for something more substantial and the Lockinge, muted as his next possible target, looks well within his range.
March 31 – Uttoxeter – Konfusion – 62
We end the look back to last week with a horse who we urge you to keep on side, both in the short and long term. The seven-year-old had an improving profile heading into this novices’ handicap but the way he disposed of his rivals was impressive to say the least and his data suggests he is some way ahead of the assessor at this current moment in time. Seemingly well suited by the step up in trip, the lightly-raced gelding was always in second gear and he only had to be nudged out to record an emphatic 17-length success. Likely to be given a severe hike following this romp, it will mean the son of Schiaparelli will have to tackle a different type of opponent next time, but on the evidence of his performance at the Midland venue, he should be able to cope with whatever comes his way. Long term, we see him as a winner of a big, long distance chase – potentially a National of some description – and he is certainly in the right hands if he is to back up that view.