March 5 – Haydock – Static – 66
Not the most memorable of weeks pre-Cheltenham but this handicap hurdle produced one of the better time figures in midweek and the winner did the lion’s share of the heavy lifting. Picking up the running at the third, Donald McCain’s inmate maintained the gallop all the way to the line and given the way the field was strung out all over the Merseyside venue, he clearly did some serious damage. Seemingly suited by the step up in trip, the five-year-old can continue to make hay at this level.
March 6 – Exeter – Sherminator – 64
One of the most competitive handicaps of the week and it was won in the style of an improving novice, who coped admirably with the examination paper handed to him on his first start in this discipline. Harry Fry’s inmate had run out an impressive winner at Ludlow previously and looked on a reasonable mark of 118 on his handicap debut but the way he won suggested he had way more in hand than the assessor afforded him. Likely to get further should connections need an extra option, he should continue to progress on the right lines.
March 7 – Ayr – Primoz – 70
In-keeping with the resurgence in his yard’s fortunes, Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore’s gelding bounced right back to form and this performance was in stark contrast to several of his displays during the first part of the season. The way he cruised through from the rear of field before storming right away without being fully extended suggested he is a horse right on top of game at present and one would imagine he will be out in force at Aintree next month.
March 7 – Sandown – Scorpio Rising – 64
As ever, a competitive renewal to the final of this series but it turned out to be a one-way affair. Olly Murphy’s inmate has steadily progressed throughout the season and was one of many with leading claims to scoop the prize but he travelled easily the best throughout and he wasn’t fully extended to beat his 16 rivals. Clearly a strong stayer in the making, he should come even more into his own over fences next season.
March 7 – Sandown – Mondo Man – 74
Probably not the strongest of renewals of this valuable pre-Cheltenham handicap but another race that was one-way traffic from along way out. Rubber-stamped urgent right from the start, the five-year-old matched motors with his main market rival, Rubber Ball, throughout the first half a mile but once he shrugged him aside, he never looked back. Make no mistake, this was some effort to maintain such a strong gallop under testing conditions and he looks capable of landing a similar prize if given the requisite amount of rest.