Day Three

EFT SYSTEMS MAGHULL NOVICES’ CHASE

HAVING skipped a possible engagement in Thursday’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase, this looked to be a penalty kick for Arkle runner-up Jonbon , who provided Nicky Henderson with a fourth win in the race since 2011. Sent off at prohibitive odds, he took a lead from Marvel de Cerisy and having jumped well, was upsides by the time they reached the fi nal fence on the back straight. Another good leap at the cross-fence resulted in him readily pulling clear of the long-time leader. In a little tight at the penultimate fence, he lengthened away from Calico on the run to the last, where Calico came down when around 8 lengths adrift. Jonbon didn’t have to improve on earlier form to win a second Grade 1 over fences and at this fi xture for the second successive year. Much tougher tasks will await next season, but he has the option of going up in trip, something that was expected to happen at Aintree. In hindsight, his connections probably made the right decision, as this was a very weak Grade 1 compared with Thursday’s Manifesto. With Shishkin having proven his stamina over 3m1f, it could be that Jonbon ends up being campaigned over an intermediate trip in his second season over fences and maybe he is another who will return to this meeting for the 2024 Melling Chase. He clearly goes well at the track.

Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle

RIDDEN patiently, Lanzarote Hurdle winner West Balboa justifi ed strong market support and ran out a comfortable winner on her fi rst start over 3m. That Kempton success in mid-January was just her fourth start over hurdles and the daughter of Yeats has clearly always been held in high-regard, as she ran in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle on just her second start last season. Always travelling within her comfort zone, she still had more horses in front than behind when leaving the back straight, but made stealthy headway around the side of the course and smoothly arrived on the scene two out. Quickening up the inner, she was in front at the last and ran on strongly to win by 5 lengths. Still very lightly-raced and unexposed as a stayer, she went up 7lbs (142) for this success and could step up in to pattern-class contests against her own sex next winter.

Runner-up Pounding Poet fi nished only mid-division last year, but had earlier twice run well at this course over 2m4f (second on both occasions) and again performed with huge credit. The ground had once again dried out ahead of day three and Tom Lacey’s seven-year-old appreciates a sound surface. With that in mind, the 0-150 handicap hurdle at the same track (Friday 19 th May) might be worth considering, as should the valuable staying handicap hurdle ay Haydock the previous weekend (Saturday 13th May).

The consistent Mill Green – third in each of the past two Pertemps Finals – gives the form a solid feel, whilst this year’s Pertemps winner Good Time Jonny could finish only fourth, following a 5lbs rise, although to be fair to Tony Martin’s runner, he didn’t enjoy the clearest runs up the home straight. Likewise, Gatsby Grey (5th) also met trouble in running and therefore, ran well in the circumstances and having looked like finishing second, didn’t finish quite as strongly as some of those in and around him. Coming back in distance slightly is, therefore, an option.

TURNERS MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE

A STRONG renewal of this Grade 1 novices’ hurdle, which went the way of Gordon Elliott for a second successive year and following on from Gerri Colombe, provided both the trainer and owner (Robcour) with a second winner of the week. In winning, Irish Point was another to frank the form of Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Marine Nationale, with the grey having got to within a head of the festival scorer in the Royal Bond, on his second start in Ireland. Having run well in Grade 1 company over this trip next time, he dropped in distance for his last two starts, but saw the longer trip out really well to score in taking fashion. Held-up in mid-division, the son of Joshua Tree got a lovely lead into the race and was only delivered between the last two, jumping on at the final flight and going on to finish really strongly. Still only five, there was plenty to like about this performance and he has plenty of options going forward. His jumping has improved throughout the season and rather like Friday’s Top Novices’ winner Inthepocket, he has the option of going chasing when he returns. The Irish handicapper put his I.H.R.B. rating up to 146 (+4lbs) on the back of this and it was the final success in the illustrious career of jockey, Davy Russell. Runner-up Kateira came from a long way off the pace and also finished well, taking the rise in class in her stride. Only fifth in the Nickel Coin at this meeting last year, Dan Skelton’s six-year-old had won mares’ only novices’ hurdles at Uttoxeter, Huntingdon and

Market Rasen, but appreciated the stronger pace to run at. Rated only 128 beforehand, she held an entry in the 2m4f handicap hurdle that concluded day two, but wasn’t eligible, having had just the three starts over hurdles. She would have been able to contest the valuable mares’ novices’ handicap final at Newbury recently – with it being a novices’ handicap – but she thoroughly justified the decision to run in an open Grade 1, as she came through to collar Hermes Allen inside the final furlong. She was put up 10lbs (138) for this performance, but she looks up to contesting pattern-class races against her own sex next season and is likely to be campaigned down that route.

Hermes Allen left behind a disappointing run in the Ballymore by finishing third and he actually beat You Wear It Well (5th) – who would have found the ground livelier than ideal – by further on this occasion, than in Newbury’s Challow over the Festive period. Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old again hurdled really fluently and is likely to develop into a very smart novice chaser next term, whilst I wouldn’t actually mind seeing him campaigned down the Stayers’ Hurdle route. Dropped 2lbs by the handicapper (148), he would make plenty of appeal in something like the valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock on Betfair Chase day, but it seems almost certain that he will be sent chasing. Both Hermes Allen and You Wear It Well were ridden from the front and those tactics are difficult to deploy over hurdles at Aintree. Rather like Kateira, Jamie Snowden’s Cheltenham Festival-winning mare is another who will be aimed at the better mares’ only events next winter.

As he had done at Cheltenham, fourth-placed Letsbeclearaboutit travelled well, but was probably undone by coming back in distance on much quicker ground. Already eight (missed the whole of last season), he is another who is likely to go chasing next term, whilst Cool Survivor – a stable-mate of the winner – was still going reasonably well when taking a heavy-looking fall three out. He was a heavy-ground winner over 3m earlier in the season, so would appear to be quite versatile.

Jrl Group Liverpool Hurdle

GORDON Elliott saddled his third winner of the week, with last year’s winner Sire du Berlais supplementing his Stayers’ Hurdle win. The 11-year-old recorded an unlikely success, however, as he appeared to be struggling from an early stage and had to be coaxed along for most of the contest. Still in last place as the field left the far side, he made up a lot of ground between three out and the final flight, and having jumped to the front, outstayed the mare Marie’s Rock, who travelled really well but had no answer to the finishing prowess of the evergreen winner. This was the winner’s 30th start over hurdles and it was just the second time in his career that he has won back-to-back races. A great servant to his connections, he has now won this race twice as well as having been successful at the Cheltenham Festival on no fewer than three occasions.

With the exception of the winner, the staying division still looks quite thin on the ground and could do an influx of new blood into it next season (which is why I wouldn’t mind seeing Hermes Allen sent down that route). One horse who was trying the 3m trip for the first time was Brewin’upastorm, who looked a blatant non-stayer and is likely to revert to intermediate trips in future. He did, however, move up stylishly three out and looked (briefly) as though he was a danger to all, before his stamina gave way. Eventually beaten 48¾ lengths and finishing last of eight, he shaped much better than the bare result would suggest.

William Hill Handicap Chase

THIRD in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and a winner at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, Midnight River appreciated stepping up to 3m1f on better ground and provided Dan and Harry Skelton with a double on the day. This was just his second start over a staying trip as a chaser and he travelled with ease throughout. Angled out after the second last, he came home very strongly and produced a fine leap at the last. He was put up 5lbs (156), so will find life tougher next season, when the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury is reported to be his first target (following a prep-run).

Runner-up Bowtogreatness remains a maiden and is sure to win a race at some stage next season, as a second-season novice. Kinondo Kwetu (3rd) ran well and can be marked up slightly, as he was a shade keen early and the front three got away from him a little, on the long run from two out. He kept on to take third place on what was his first start in 56 days and his first start on the back of wind surgery. He was hugely progressive last summer/autumn, winning his first five starts over fences and seeing his rating rise from 107 to 137. He looks capable of winning a nice prize on good ground.

Beauport came down at the final fence down the far side, when still travelling well. It was a long way from home and given that he hasn’t been overly strong in the finish of late, it would be folly to assume that he would have played a hand in the outcome, but he is certainly capable of landing a nice handicap chase at some stage next winter. He was racing here off a 6lbs lower mark from which he finished fourth in the 3m handicap hurdle on the same card last year and he has a good record when fresh. Therefore, keep him in mind for his reappearance next season.

Randox Grand National

10LBS ‘well in’ (or ahead of the handicapper) by virtue of his second successive victory in Cheltenham’s Ultima Handicap Chase, Corach Rambler justified favouritism with an authoritative success and provided both Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox with a second Grand National in the space of six renewals. Having come from behind to win at the past two festivals, the fear was that the nine-year-old might find himself quite far back in the field, but he was able to hold his position throughout and jumped really well. Settled in behind the leading group, he was up into fourth or fifth as the field re-joined the racecourse proper on the first circuit and always seemed to be travelling comfortably. Right up the inner over the Canal Turn for the second time, he was held together by Derek Fox and appeared to be travelling best as the field approached two out. Allowed to jump upsides at the final fence, he immediately drew clear before idling and was value for more than the official winning distance (2¼ lengths), with Vanillier finishing strongly in second. It was a hugely impressive performance and the handicapper raised him a further 3lbs to 159, which effectively means that he is now rated 13lbs higher than his winning mark of 146. 20-1 favourite to win the race again next year, he now has a rating from which he will almost certainly be forced into Graded company.

Runner-up Vanillier was ridden with a lot more patience and still had around a dozen horses in front of him when jumping the third last. He made up plenty of ground after the final fence and will be of interest next year, if ridden closer to the pace. Last year’s winner Noble Yeats (4th) is another who stayed-on well, whilst The Big Dog (5th) gave Aidan Coleman a great spin for a long way, as he really took to the course, but probably lacked the scope to improve from his lofty mark of 160.

Of the remainder, Mister Coffey (8th) ran a stormer, appearing to have most of the field on the stretch when pulling clear from three out. His stamina gave way after the last and it could be that he will be aimed at the Topham again next year. Un-placed when sent off favourite for that race last year, he was held-up on that occasion, but given how he ran here, would surely give a bold bid from the front over 2m5f. Still a maiden, surely he can be placed to win a chase next season, given his vast experience.

WEATHERBYS NHSTALLIONS.CO.UK STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE

A FULL field of 20 went to post for the concluding race of the meeting and it was quite a rough contest. The market was headed by the Willie Mullins-trained pairing of Blizzard Of Oz and Captain Cody. The former reversed earlier Limerick form with his stable-mate, whilst the latter was unable to back-up his sound sixth in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, although he was caught wide throughout and was one who seemed to suffer from trouble in running at various stages. It is possible that he needs softer ground, but given how the race unfolded, I would be more than prepared to give him another chance next season over hurdles, whilst Blizzard Of Oz was still on the bridle when taking up the running inside the final quarter-mile. Whilst it was a good effort from the runner-up, he was unable to contain the fast-finishing Florida Dreams who had flown home on his sole start at Musselburgh in early-January. The son of Doyen was kept back for this race since and was tracking the eventual second into the straight. Short of room off the home bend, he was again tightened up with a couple of furlongs to run and had to be switched inside by Danny McMenamin. Once seeing daylight on the far side, he picked up well between the wings of the final flight and really stuck his head down once getting the rail to run against. He won by 1½ lengths and looks to be a horse who possesses plenty of pace for hurdling, so expect to see him start off over the minimum trip next season.

The well-beaten Bertie’s Ballet (15th) and Gordon Elliott’s Pour les Filles (5th) were another pair who were sandwiched early-on in the scrummage for a positive position, so the fact that the latter could run on to grab fifth suggests that he has plenty more to offer moving forward, whilst the third and fourth are another pairing to take from the race with the future in mind.

Hasthing (3rd) was very weak in the market on his second start for Jonjo O’Neill and JP McManus, having won twice in France. He was giving weight to the winner when beaten on his British debut at Uttoxeter, but was forced very wide on that occasion and is better than that bare form might suggest. He has plenty of improvement to make, physically, and would also have appreciated softer ground, so could be one who makes significant improvement next winter, whilst Bowenspark (4th) bounced back to form and reversed earlier Listed form with Newbury winner Aslukgoes (10th). Henry Daly’s dual winner was never far from the pace and despite racing keenly and also having to be switched up the inner, the son of Walk In The Park flashed home. Given the stamina in his pedigree, he should flourish once upped in trip over hurdles next season.

Esprit du Potier (6th) couldn’t round off an unforgettable day for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox, but he was the sole four-year-old amongst the first eight home and completed a hugely positive week for the trainer, with her five runners over the three days producing form figures of 22116. This son of Montmartre has improved considerably since being beaten on debut (reversed that form here) and had won his two subsequent starts. The grey helped set the pace here and showed a good attitude once headed, keeping on and being beaten just over 4 lengths at the line.

And, Go To War (8 th) is one who really stood out in the prelims, with Fergal O’Brien’s Soldier Of Fortune gelding looking a picture in the parade ring. The Uttoxeter winner boasts a stout pedigree – being a half-brother to Flight Deck – and is another who will benefit from stepping up in distance over hurdles. He was held-up right out the back early on and although he avoided much of the trouble in running, found himself behind a wall of horses when the fi eld started to quicken. He should improve on this form once sent hurdling.