February 3 – Taunton – Talk To The Man – 66
King’s Champion was a fair guide to the strength of the opening race at the west country venue and if taking the view that he ran somewhere close to his best, the winner has to be marked up as a useful recruit to hurdles. Paul Nicholls’ inmate managed to keep tabs on the short priced favourite throughout the first circuit and even though he looked to be travelling worst of the pair turning for home, he picked up the best when required to eventually pull nicely clear on the run-in. Clearly benefitting from stepping up in trip and a decent gallop in the conditions, the son of Walk In The Park maybe capable of running to an even higher level and something like the EBF final at Sandown might suit – if he qualifies.
February 5 – Thurles – Laurets D’estruval – 72
Rich Ricci is quietly assembling a strong team of novices and this chap, according to our figures, is the standout performer over the two mile trip so far. Willie Mullins’ inmate failed to get the job done at the first time of asking at Limerick but his time figure in defeat was good and in accordance with the data and market support beforehand, he made light work of going one place better. The way he hit the line suggested he was getting stronger as the race developed and it will be fascinating to see whether connections decide to roll the dice where his Supreme Novice entry is concerned.
February 5 – Huntingdon – Act Of Innocence – 67
A late defector from trials day due to the adverse conditions, Nicky Henderson’s inmate came to the Sidney Banks with a view to find out whether he was Cheltenham material and on the evidence of his display, he certainly put himself in the conversation. His main market rival, Sinnatra, set decent fractions from the front, but he went a pace that the son of My Dream Boat was always comfortable with and once it became apparent Dan Skelton’s inmate was in trouble on the run down to the second last, there was only going to be one outcome. Winning cosily without subjected to a particularly hard race was just what was required regarding his festival preparations and one would imagine he will face the starter in the Turner’s, for which he is currently a 12-1 chance with most firms.
As for Sinnatra, he blatantly did not see out the extended 2m3f trip and he will be seen to better effective back over two miles next time.
February 7 – Newbury – Sober Glory – 74
On a day where the conditions played a pivotal role in the outcome to most races, it is probably a wise policy not to take too many performances of the participants at face value. However, that way of thinking might do Philip Hobbs & Johnson White’s gelding an injustice and we still believe he has not got the credit he deserves for his last two victories. He hit the ball out of the park at the Berkshire venue the time before and his demolition of the useful Kadastral should not be sniffed at either. Harry Cobden was also very impressed and for our money, he has done considerable more than El Cairos, for instance, yet he is still treble the price of his overrated counterpart for the Supreme.
February 7 – Newbury – Lulamba – 78
The performance of Nicky Henderson’s star novice chaser divided the crowd in the post-race chat, but our numbers suggest it might be an unwise decision to take a negative view. Similar to Sandown, he took a while to find his feet in the jumping department but there is no denying the qualities he exhibited in between fences and he was soon in control. A lesser horse would have surely wilted with the amount of potentially costly errors he made but not this guy, and it is a frightening thought to the rest in his division what he could be capable of showing with a blemish-free round. No doubt his technique will be worked on at home by the master of his craft and it will take a very good one to beat him in the Arkle – which let’s no forget, is likely to be a small field.
February 7 – Warwick – Hollygrove Cha Cha – 71
The market spoke heavily in favour of Jamie Snowden’s mare beforehand and those who took part in the plunge, never had too many anxious moments. Seemingly happy to be back over hurdles, she was given a particularly positive ride by Gavin Sheehan and she always looked to be travelling sweeter than her main market rival, Jubilee Alpha. This victory took her stats when racing on soft/heavy ground to 111151 and she will be a big player in any race she contests when conditions are similar.