February 16 – Carlisle – He’s On Fire – 65
There were two above average novice hurdles run on this card, Johnny’s Jury being a good winner of the opening two mile event but it was Willie Mullins’ inmate who really stole the show over half a mile further and he could turn out to be very good. The way he cruised up to the leaders before quickening right away in the closing stages was very impressive and considering he was eased down late on, there could be plenty more to come. Rated 120 prior to this contest, it will be interesting to see how he is assessed in the aftermath but providing he doesn’t get a huge shot across the bows, a decent handicap should be coming his way before the season ends at the very least.
February 17 – Market Rasen – Khrisma – 65
A keenly contested mares listed event and Nicky Henderson’s inmate beat a decent field in fairly comfortable fashion. A winner of two of her five starts over hurdles, she is a mare on an upward trajectory and it will be interesting to see what route connections decide for her next. Handicaps might well be in the offing depending on what opening mark she receives and the County Hurdle was spoken about as a possible target afterwards. Whether she quite has the experience for a race of that nature is open for debate but she does remain a mare to keep on side, all the same.
February 18 – Punchestown – Straight John – 67
A straightforward task for Gordon Elliott’s inmate on paper and he duly made no mistake. However, the speed figure he posted suggested he did not just pootle around and, as a result, it was a performance not be be underestimated. Not entered at Cheltenham, he did pay a handsome complement to Leader d’Allier, who beat him easily the time before, and looks the type who will do well when keep below Grade 1 level.
February 20 – Warwick – Burds Of A Feather – 61
Max Comley’s mare was extremely well supported on her rules debut and she made no mistake having been gifted a freebie right from the start. Despite being given an uncontested lead, the clock suggested this was a smart effort by a horse who clearly has a big engine and on this evidence, she deserves to be having a crack at something more substantial next time.
February 21 – Kempton – Jax Junior – 68
Lucy Wadham’s gelding had the best credentials on paper prior to contesting this Grade 2, but it was good to see him go out and create such another likeable impression. The way he jumped and travelled throughout the contest never gave his supporters any anxious moments and he is quickly developing into a totally professional and reliable character. Although the 2m4f trip is arguably his optimum, he proved the time before at Sandown he has enough gears for two miles and it is over that distance that we might see him again in the Arkle at Cheltenham. He may not quite be good enough to lower the colours of Lulamba or an on-song Kopek Des Bordes but he thoroughly deserves his place in the field and it would come as no surprise if his proven stamina enables him to pick up some pieces late on. in short, there will be dafter 40-1 pokes than him during festival week.
February 21 – Kempton – Klub De Reve – 66
Harry Derham’s inmate had already proven he could handle a well run affair around the C&D on his previous outing and that valuable experience he gained stood him in good stead when he returned to the Sunbury venue tackling stiffer opposition. Although his task was simplified when we lost both Locked And Loaded and Double Measure at different stages of the race, there was still no denying the superiority he had over the rest of the field and this has to go down as a well hatched plan by connections. A Supreme entry, it is extremely doubtful he will honour that engagement but he looks just the type for Aintree the following month and he looks well worth his place at Grade 1 level.
February 21 – Kempton – Lookaway – 70
As is always the case, a competitive affair but there was only one who punters wanted to know and the crowd were proved right in no uncertain terms. Right from the start, Neil King’s inmate jumped and travelled like the winner and despite being hard pressed in the final half a mile, he found the requisite amount of reserves to fend off his nearest pursuers. Clearly, a flat, right-handed track suits him best and now he has proved that he stays three miles well, there should be plenty more options for this likeable and game type in future.
February 21 – Fairyhouse – Grangeclare West – 78
Probably one of the most competitive renewals of this Grade 2 for many years and the time figure it produced suggests the outcome might have some bearing on the Grand National – as has been the case in recent times. The winner was third in last year’s Aintree marathon, so this tees him up nicely for a repeat bid and based on the data he produced at the Meath venue, he could not go there in better form. Off an almost identical mark, Willie Mullins’ inmate looks sure to be one of the main players with a clear round.
As for the rest, runner-up Gerri Columbe might not be the force he was but he has now but in two big efforts this season and he has the back class to be of some consideration for the National, while Stellar Story did his Aintree claims no harm either. Indeed, the latter did really well considering the unfavourable terms and there is no way he should be 40-1 for the National, almost four times the price of the winner.