It finally feels like the jump action is at the forefront of everyone’s mind with the return of Cheltenham and Aintree over recent days. Both tracks were the beneficiaries of good weather and raced on sounds surfaces, while at Doncaster their final Flat card was run on testing ground.
In a repeat of last season, the Irish raiding party across both days of the Cheltenham meeting enjoyed plenty of success.
Many on my social media feed appeared to find this a cause of concern; and while I again expect the Irish to dominate the spring fixtures I don’t expect the imbalance in the equine talent housed either side of the Irish sea to be increased throughout the main part of the season. It’s also probably pertinent to point out that between them Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson only ran eight horses across the two days. No need to panic just yet.
The standout performance on Friday was undoubtedly Valgrand in the Grade Two novice hurdle.
Under a positive ride from Harry Skelton, who was clearly eager to make the most of race fitness, experience and assured stamina, the handsome son of rising French sire star, Bathyrhon, jumped with accuracy and power and looked could be called the winner at any stage of the 2m contest.
This performance will have obliterated his mark of 118 but I won’t get too carried away just yet. Like his trainer, I’d be keen to see him produce another similar performance in a deeper contest. Nevertheless, he looks an exciting prospect.
The standout performance on Saturday came from Paul O’Brien on Givemefive in the Masterson Hurdle.
Derham gained his first Cheltenham winner
With hurdles removed due to low sun I was impressed by the tactical nous he showed to get his position as they turned into the home straight, which then allowed him to challenge on the straightest and most direct line to the finishing post.
Afterwards, trainer Harry Derham, for who this was a first Cheltenham win, confirmed this had been the target from some way out.
After two promising seasons in the training ranks the quality in his growing yard is significantly increasing so I wouldn’t expect this to be the last target they hit this season. Indeed, on Sunday morning Imagine, from the same yard, was cut into 8/1 for next month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.
The Old Roan Chase at Aintree once again proved that you don’t need large fields to get exciting racing. Minella Drama was runner-up in this race a year ago and capitalised on a 6lb lower mark.
Sent to the front at start he was never headed and despite facing a number of challengers heading to the final fence he gamely stuck out his head.
That sentiment probably can’t be applied to the runner-up Hitman. He travelled best approaching two out and flew the last but as is being customary, he looked reluctant to dig deep in the final stages.
Ahoy Senor probably ran his best seasonal return to date, staying on well having been outpaced. If we get a dry autumn he remains a force to be reckoned with.
Stage Star was disappointing. He lacked his customary zip over his fences and jumped with his head quite high and additionally he put down twice on jockey Harry Cobden.
It could be that he wasn’t appreciating good ground but that would be a real concern as up to this point his best form has come on a sound surface. I have a strong suspicion he’s some way below his best if unable to lead.
The jumps action on Monday comes from Ayr and can be watched live on Racing TV. I have three selections:
Nick Alexander struck at his local track Kelso, with loveable stable star Elvis Mail on Saturday. He’s represented here by Everyday Champagne, who had been in good form throughout the spring and summer when finishing second three times in a row.
The grey failed to fire on his latest start when dropping back to 2m 5f at Kelso in September but the drop in trip did not suit and he returned lame after being struck into.
I’m happy to put a line through that run. This step back up in trip is a positive move and he’s certain to enjoy underfoot conditions. He can land a second win at this track under capable conditional jockey, Bruce Lynn.
Having hit a lean spell during the middle of the month the Dan Skelton yard are back in top gear and sending out winners across Britain with their usual regularity.
Entity Of Substanz travels to Scotland to make his handicap debut having caught my eye at Warwick on his last start.
Over a trip of 2m he was held up towards the rear and travelled powerfully under jockey Fergus Gillard. He was just starting to make a forward move when making a mistake three out and this put him on the back foot at a crucial time as the race was increasing in tempo but he stayed on under moderate encouragement up the home straight to suggest the 11 lengths he was beaten wasn’t an accurate reflection of his ability.
The runner-up from Warwick, Don Virginia, holds a rating of 107, which makes the opening mark of 96 for the Colm Donlon-owned gelding look more than reasonable.
In his early starts he was not always able to race efficiently but he looked far better in that department last time out so this step up in trip to 2m4f should bring about further improvement. I’d be disappointed if he cannot win this off his current mark.
Market favourite Home Free was undoubtedly value for more than the narrow margin he won by at Uttoxeter on his last start but he jumped continually out to his right. With four fences up the home straight here at Ayr, it is a habit that could well cost him.
Lucinda Russell was among the winners this weekend and it’s her chasing debutant Rattling Road who interests me most
As is typical for this yard he’s physically a strong chasing type and it often appeared that when hitting top gear he rather saw hurdles as an inconvenience, often jumping sloppily which persistently cost him momentum.
I’m hopeful that a fence will gain his attention and if a recent wind op can help him see out his races more strongly (he was a weak finisher on more than one occasion last season) his mark of 106 could well be lenient.
Good to soft ground looks likely to provide his optimal conditions with soft ground a threat to his wind and faster ground unlikely to suit given his significant size.