January 8 – Ffos Las – Bossman Jack – 66
Desperate conditions greeted the runners at the Welsh venue but that prevent this opening novice hurdle being run at a sound gallop and the time figure backed up that view. Starzand did his level best to draw the sting out of Dan Skelton’s inmate but his main market rival found the superior speed late on and he ultimately scored with a bit in hand. The son of Jack Hobbs, who had shaped well on his hurdling debut behind the highly regarded Cristal D’Estruval, still has plenty to learn about the game, but he looks a nice one going forward and is one to bear in mind when sent handicapping.
January 9 – Exeter – Silver Thorn – 68
Again, another fowl day, arguably worse than the previous one, but despite the testing conditions, Emma Lavelle’s grey still managed to record a speed figure of some note in this competitive handicap chase. Setting solid fractions from the start, he saw off all his rivals apart from the game El Granjero in the final half a mile and despite the persistency of his main pursuer, he found the necessary requirements when needed. 2-2 since stepped up to three miles, more success awaits this likeable promising type. The runner-up is also worth noting for next time.
January 9 – Naas – Future Prospect – 71
An above average maiden hurdle run at a sound gallop and an impressive winner in the shape of Willie Mullins mare. Tracking the pace from the outset, she travelled well throughout and when asked to put the race to bed at the last, she did so in ready fashion. Although she probably did not beat much, her time figure suggests it was a smart performance – the best on the card – and it would come as no surprise if she were to join stable mate and current ante post favourite, Bambino Fever, on the plane to the Mares Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.
January 9 – Naas – I’ll Sort That – 70
As many of you would have probably noticed, this was no fluke based on what we had Declan Queally’s inmate achieving on the data (73 at Navan) previously and with the front two pulling clear, it was another believable result. His trainer-jockey knew he had a horse that stayed well, so he clearly wanted to make it a proper test and only Sortudo of his rivals offered any resistance in the final half a mile. You could argue that the eventual runner-up was slightly unlucky given his position at halfway, but that should not take anything away from the son of Sandmason who, for the second time, showed admiral battling qualities under pressure. Whether he goes to Cheltenham, only time will tell but he thoroughly deserves the opportunity and The Turner’s Hurdle would be a poorer contest without him in it. As for Willie Mullins’ inmate, he lost little in defeat and it was a bit of a surprise to see him pushed out to 20-1 for the same contest in the aftermath.
January 9 – Naas – Flicker Of Hope – 63
A small, but select field went to post for this novice chase and it went the way of a horse improving at a rapid rate of knots. Similar to his previous success at Fairyhouse, Mark Fahey’s gelding was given a patient ride and just as he did at the Meath venue, he found a nice change of gear when it mattered most. Moreover, his final circuit time was six seconds quicker than the other two races over fences and it would be dangerous to underestimate this guy if he was asked to race in a higher grade next time. In behind, Bossofthebrownies was just found wanting for pace when the tempo really cranked up, but he will come more into his own when the emphasis is more on stamina.
January 10 – Kempton – Lookaway – 69
A crazy early gallop led to all kinds of things happening in this handicap chase and in the end, it was a case of Neil King’s inmate wanting it more than his rivals. The nine-year-old was soon in the heat of battle and just when it looked as though he might pay for those exertions at the business end, he found more through sheer guts and determination. Ultimately well on top at the finish, the son of Ask shaped as though stretching out to three miles might see him to even greater advantage in future and the big handicap back here in a month was muted as a possible experiment to that theory.
January 10 – Kempton – Iberico Lord – 70
The fact one of the main fancies for this race, Lanesborough, was taken off his feet early suggested they went a good gallop in this valuable prize and it saw a horse produced a revival that the market failed to predict. Disappointing since landing a big two-mile handicap at Newbury back in 2024, Nicky Henderson’s inmate proved a total revelation in this strongly run environment and maybe it was just the step up in trip that led to him bouncing back to his best. Either way, he looked in rude health at the Sunbury venue and he has to be on the shortlist for the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham festival based on this evidence. Of the rest, runner-up, Double Powerful, did remarkably well to finish as close as he did considering where he was at halfway and this effort just goes to show the ability he does possess if he can stay on his feet (had failed to complete the course on his previous three starts).