March 15 – Market Rasen – Roccontier – 64
By no means a strong maiden hurdle but the winner was extremely well backed beforehand and he duly lived up to the hype. The fact he was sent straight into the lead suggested he knew his job and the further he went the better he looked, ultimately pulling well clear in the final half a mile. Clearly stiffer tasks await, but this was a highly promising start by Nicky Henderson’s gelding and he is a name worth keeping on side throughout his career.
March 17 – Exeter – River Kwai – 64
As we know, a well run bumper is as rare as hen’s teeth but this one bucked the trend and produced a winner for whom it should pay to keep on side. The main feature of this performance was how easily he travelled behind the strong pace and once asked for maximum effort, he assumed command despite just drifting to his left close home. A well made sort with plenty of size and scope, Paul Nicholls’ inmate should have a bright future ahead, particularly when he asked to tackle a fence.
March 20 – Newbury – El Capitane – 66
Just the five runners went to post for this novices handicap chase but the pace was generous throughout and Kayley Woolacott’s inmate really thrived in such an environment. Held just off the speed by Ben Jones, the son of Mahler was produced with his challenge approaching the last and with a good jump, he soon scampered clear to record a convincing success. A multiple point winner, he clearly loved the quick surface and he should make hay in the final weeks of the season while the ground stays in his favour.
March 21 – Kelso – World Of Fortunes – 69
The market spoke heavily in favour of Hollygrove Cha Cha in this mares’ listed event but she ended up underperforming on account of the lively surface, whereas the winner really excelled. As she has proved in the past, she is very reliable at this level and she looked on really good terms with herself in the final half a mile, powering her way clear of a useful field. Likely to head to either Fairyhouse or Punchestown, the ground will determine how well she fares but either way, she can give a good account of herself if kept away from Grade 1 level.
March 21 – Newbury – Prairie Wolf – 67
The fact the well backed course specialist, Heltenham, never looked comfortable at any stage, suggested the gallop broke the back of quite a few in this competitive handicap but not the winner, who looked in total control throughout. Based on his previous records, he really comes alive on a quick surface and this was his third win of the season under such conditions. A keen goer and a solid jumper, Aintree now appears on the agenda according to all the post race chat and if taking to the spruce fences at the first time, current odds of 33-1 for the Topham are likely to be easily outrun.
March 21 – Navan – Glens Anthem – 66
For the second time in a week, we witnessed a quality bumper performer and the speed figure backed up the view Willie Mullins’ mare could be right out of the top draw. Despite racing just behind the bridle at times, she soon came alive again once Patrick Mullins grabbed hold of her and the way she scooted clear in the closing stages was very impressive. Well related, her dam landed the 2015 Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival and it would come as no surprise to see this five-year-old add graded honours to her cv at some stage.