November 24 – Kempton – Old Park Star – 67
The start of a good week for Nicky Henderson-trained novice hurdlers and this guy looks one for the future. The first four in the market were all well supported, adding strength to the notion the form could be solid, and the way he disposed of his opposition late on suggests he is above average. In-keeping with many inmates from Seven Barrows, he looks a chaser in the making but he has plenty of ability to continue to do well over hurdles.
November 27 – Lingfield – Noble Park – 67
A slow start to the week building up to a crescendo on Saturday and Sunday and the first entry on this column comes via Nicky Henderson’s gelding who made continued progress in landing this novices handicap chase with some ease. Although he was successful previously at Hereford, he did not impress on every level but any negativity was cast aside with his performance at the Surrey venue. The way he jumped and travelled before going on to power clear of his rivals was the sign of a very well handicapped horse and even a rise to his new mark of 125 still looks way short of his true worth. One to keep on side.
November 27 – Taunton – Cantys Cove – 61
A very rare bird with a bumper speed figure above 60 suggesting this was a very good race of its type. The winner, who was well backed, duly got the job done and this was a far cry from his two previous Irish points performances (pulled up in his most recent). Clearly better suited to the quicker terrain at the west county track, Jamie Snowden’s inmate can easily land another one of these events under a penalty before embarking on a lucrative career over jumps – particularly over further. As for the runner-up, Religious Cross, he ran encouragingly on his debut, finishing off his race off well, despite being keen. This point winner looks to have more to offer, particularly upped in trip when going jumping.
November 27 – Thurles – Kappa Jy Pyke – 66
All eyes were on Salvator Mundi on his chase debut but he failed to live up to expectations and left the door wide open for his stable mate to walk through. Smaller in stature, he ironically jumped better than his more illustrious counterpart and was a deserved winner on the day. Indeed, it would be dangerous to underestimate Willie Mullins’ inmate and he should be treated accordingly next time.
November 28 – Doncaster – Moon Rocket – 69
Just the four runners and it was a race run in unpleasant conditions but that did not stop Kim Bailey’s inmate posting an above-average speed figure on chase debut. A useful hurdler, he was well backed to make a seamless transition to fences and he impressed how well he coped with the task at hand. There will obviously be stiffer assignments ahead but this was a pleasing start to his new vocation and should develop into top class staying novice chaser.
November 28 – Newbury – Act Of Innocence – 71
A race with a rich tradition of introducing classy performers to the hurdling ranks at this years renewal should turn out to be no different. A generous gallop was the order of the day from the start and second favourite, Sinnatra, was the first to lay his cards on the table three out. from that juncture, Nicky Henderson’s inmate had to show his true worth and he did not disappoint, quickening up well to reel in his main market rival to eventually win going away. The speed figure we awarded him suggested he is easily up to graded level already and expect him to be campaigned accordingly in due course. Odds of 25-1 for the Supreme Novices appear to underestimate his class and potential and he looks the best of the UK novices to have run so far.
November 28 – Newbury – Mambonumberfive – 70
As events panned out, this race set up perfectly for Ben Pauling’s inmate and just as he did at Aintree on his chase debut, he came through strongly at the business end to put the race to bed. Clearly well suited by a well-run two miles, there must be a temptation to run him back at graded level after this performance, although connections did moot he may see out his handicap mark while he remains well treated.
November 29 – Bangor – Idaho Sun – 68
sent off 1-14, it was hardly a great surprise to see Harry Fry’s inmate win in the manner he did, but the speed figure suggested it was a better performance than first met the eye. Soon in command, he maintained a strong gallop throughout and even allowed for the fact he was heavily eased in the latter stages, it was a display that pointed towards him being close to graded class.
November 29 – Fairyhouse – Jimmy Du Seuil – 67
Much the best of these over hurdles (rated 155) and a winner of the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen, Willie Mullins’ inmate made a winning chasing debut at the expense of a very useful mare in her own right, namely The Big Westerner. He was a little uneasy in the betting but he jumped efficiently in front and never looked like being beaten, only coming off the bridle on the run-in. This was only the ninth run of his life and there’s likely plenty more improvement to come. As for the runner-up, she can count herself unlucky to bump into a horse of this magnitude on chase debut and compensation surely awaits Henry De Bromhead’s mare.
November 29 – Newbury – Ryan’s Rocket – 69
The Coral Gold Cup produced a reasonable time figure (66) but the best one on the card came courtesy of the final race won by Fergal O’Brien’s gelding. Settled just off the sound pace, he tracked the leaders heading down to the last and from that juncture he proved the strongest, eventually pulling clear late on. More at home over this trip on the evidence of this effort, the seven-year-old could easily develop into a Grand Annual type.
November 30 – Fairyhouse – Koktail Brut – 73
The door for Gordon Elliott’s inmate was left ajar with the defection of Love Me Tender during the morning of the race, so it was a shade disappointing to see him make heavy weather of landing the prize. However, the speed figure suggested he had run better than first feared and he remains today’s the forefront of Irish-trained novices’. Whether he ends up being top class or just short remains to be seen but he has a good attitude and can continue to do well in events of this nature.
November 30 – Leicester – Swindon Village – 69
The race won by Kalkbrenner is the gift that keeps on giving and Charlie Longsdon’s inmate proved to be another winner from that excellent heat at Ffos Las. Setting out to make it a proper test, he looked vulnerable at the top of the home straight but he impressed how much he found off the bridle and in the end, he scored with a bit in hand. A proper chasing type, he can continue to thrive over hurdles in the short term before meeting his full potential further down the line.