Newcastle - Friday November 17
There were rumours the ground was on the quick side of good for the first meeting of the season but it looked like nice terrain and they came home well.
Race 1
A novice hurdle that revolved around three of them, but really the interesting one was French import Jassas who was having his first start for the in-form J Ewart.
Paddock inspection was more than enough to confirm he was the business - a big strong horse horse fully wound up for the debut - and with Johnson booked it was very surprising he wasn't a short priced favourite.
Inniscastle Lad had showed enough last time behind a good one but he's pretty moderate looking and not certain to go on this season, while Hello Fellas came in for support but he's crying out for softer and a distance of ground.
Joke Dancer is a lovely stamp of a horse and he reminds me of the same stable's Emral Silk, a big raw horse at this stage with plenty to learn.
But he could be quite talented and after once again looking slightly fractious beforehand and keen in the race, he knuckled down late on to give the Ewart horse a fright. He's one to watch and he's only four.
Race 2
A staying handicap hurdle where the market was lop-sided due to last week's Warwick winner Triopas running off the same mark with Johnson looking for a quick double.
This very sturdy beast tanked along before getting outpaced when it mattered, and the each-way money was spot on for Chu Chu Percy, who looks much improved this term and could be the sort to keep building.
Kings Eclipse once again suggested he has a race in him while The Conn wasn't best positioned turning in and he can certainly do better with some soft ground and ideally a change of jockey.
Race 3
Cracking Find looked a shoo-in for the novices handicap chase over 2m but it may not have been straight forward had Gris De Pron not crashed out at the second last when apparently tanking.
I'm a big fan of the winner though, as he'll keep jumping and galloping, and he shouldn't go up much for this so remains one to have on side when stepped back up in trip.
Gris De Pron is a nice strong youngster who had jumped brilliantly until his exit; he just got a bit low when travelling at speed and should bounce back from this.
An Laoch doesn't have a great deal of substance physically and was never likely to have the basic speed to go with the the other pair, but his jumping kept him in it and there should be races around for him, although he'd be of more interest in the coming years.
Race 4
Not much of a mares novice hurdle, Tokaramore looked a bit on edge and not especially fit but still went off favourite ahead of the nicely bred Mary Eleanor, who didn't have to achieve that much to win.
The less said of the ride on the runner-up the better; it was a lamentable effort and Katy Royal is surely better than she has shown in three runs to date.
Both Clovelly and Cheenys Venture were well held but have enough about them to suggest a small handicap is not out of reach for them.
Race 5
The handicap chase wasn't a race to get too involved with for all that Dica looked to have finally been nailed by the handicapper and forced into a better race as a result. He ran his usual admirable race but finished held.
With No Planning unable to front run and then losing his action, it fell apart a little and it was left to a smattering of weak finishers to fight it out, the roguish Rear Admiral responding to pressure after trying to take the last with him, he's a big lad but looked pretty straight.
Jet Master was set an impossible task and may yet have a race in him from this mark, but Baileys Concerto was very tame once more and his better days look to be behind him.
Race 6
Ballinslea Bridge was a worthy favourite on form and looks in the closing bumper but in the end he was just out-fought by Chanceanotherfive, who isn't much to look at but was tenacious and did well to defy a penalty.
Glinger Flame is a nice sort to go to war with and Sultans Pride looks more of a stayer, but Sweet As Candy was backward and will need time.
Wetherby - Saturday November 18
The ground was good to soft after a dry week for a competitive looking card.
Race 1
Talk about hindsight being a fine thing. The opening novice hurdle looked quite deep with four of them having shown fair form and a Longsdon raider that was making its debut.
The disparity in the market was very wide, however, especially in the morning where solid bumper performer Wemyss Point was 25/1 and bigger despite having shown comparable form first time over timber as the Skelton hotpot Cabaret Queen.
Now the latter clearly had bundles in hand when winning at Market Rasen, but the penalty for that made things interesting while Nicely Indeed, a stablemate of Wemyss Point, had the best form in the book but appears to find winning very hard following an injury absence.
With Just Don't Ask looking a nice big chasing type (looked fit enough) the market didn't know what to make of it all, other than Wemyss Point being over-priced and eventually backed down to 7s at the off.
The well-bred five-year-old has his quirks and looked lazy at various times during the race, but the useful T Dowson kept him up to his work and there looked to be plenty in the tank at the end.
Cabaret Queen didn't travel as well as expected and only plugged on to grab second, ahead of Just Don't Ask who should find a novice race in due course. Nicely Indeed backed out of things worryingly and he is expected to go backwards from here.
Race 2
A novice chase that looked a two-horse race with useful staying hurdler Ami Desbois taking on a speedier type in Whatduhavtoget, the market just favouring the former in the end despite the trip being on the short side.
There's nothing not to like about Ami Desbois, who jumped like an old hand I thought and this 143 -rated hurdler only has to improve a stone and a bit to go well in the RSA Chase at the Festival; if it came up soft there'd be few tougher in the field.
Can someone please tell me how the 104-rated Mortens Leam hasn't been able to pick up a handicap hurdle prior to giving Ami Desbois a big fright here.
My 'cliff' horse and horse to follow looked the type to go through the ratings this term but his mark has been shattered now with an extraordinary first effort over fences.
* I've been reminded that the horse's official mark can't be affected owing to the new rules in these novice chases. Essentially he'll appear to have at least a stone in hand wherever he goes next.
He's not over-big at this stage and he got quite low a few times, but was nimble enough and I suppose it was vindication of sorts that he should be able finally to show his true ability. Where he goes now I know not.
Whatduhavtoget looked a bit lairy beforehand and she may not be one to rely on; very fresh early on she somehow found a leg at the third but crashed out at the same fence next time around when held. She needs to calm down.
Race 3
Early Retirement is a horse worth following as mentioned here before but he had his work cut out in this deeper race from a 7lb higher perch than when beating a modest bunch at Southwell.
All eyes were on Skipthescales who had stayed on eye-catchingly well here a fortnight ago and with the extra yardage to suit he was strongly backed to get off the mark.
Things looked dicey on the turn in as Dowson was scrubbing away, but it was another endorsement of the youngster's talent that he got him home after the last, Early Retirement not for the first time looking a little immature as he veered left under pressure.
Both will remain of interest, as does Little Bruce, who was well-backed to bounce back from last week's flop in the slop. He seems to love this track and needed all of this trip, so with some headgear applied he can win again in a bigger field where they'll go quicker.
Western Rules was very fit for his return from a lengthy break, but he's a bit slow and heavy ground is what he needs.
Race 4
A run of the mill staying chase featuring many of the usual suspects. Golden Investment was taking a slight drop in class and this sound jumping strong traveller had to go well for all that his attitude has looked poor in the past.
He did little wrong here though, battling past Doktor Glaz after the last although you wouldn't say he hit the line running. But the pair came miles clear after travelling much the best, however what they achieved may be over-rated by the assessor.
The runner-up isn't bred to stay and it wasn't a total surprise to see him reeled in. The way he went a shorter trip should suit, but he's enormous and this type of track will always see him in better light than, say, Kelso.
Red Danaher plugged on into third but he lacks size and scope and it wouldn't surprise me if he reverted to hurdles, his sliding mark not really helping here and he's essentially very ordinary.
Can't Pay Won't Pay is moderate looking to say the least and after countless blunders prior to his exit it could be that he too is seen in better light over timber. Sharney Sike flopped again and isn't one to trust.
Race 5
There were plenty who thought that William Of Orange was ready to deliver over hurdles for the first time and they were spot as as Hughes was able to dictate steady fractions at the head of the field.
He saved plenty for late in the piece and nothing got a blow in, Irish Roe battling on for second after numerous errors and she should enjoy going over further, while Keep In Line found disappointingly little and he too could now be poised for a step up in trip.
Race 6
The handicap chase took some figuring out as nothing made great appeal. Get On The Yager is a useful looking sort but his form doesn't match up and he was downright poor here, suggesting he's not quite right.
Poker School had become disappointing while Wolf Sword was starting to look high in the weights. However, the pair had the finish to themselves, both finding more than is often the case, and it's now becoming harder to crab the winner for his consistency.
Indian Temple looked fit enough but is probably being held back by the assessor at this time, while Cusheen Bridge looked all over the winner until fitness probably told late on.
Twenty Eight Guns is a nice big sort who should relish softer and further and this should tee her up nicely.
Race 7
Schiaparannie has long since shaped as though she might be quite useful over obstacles and she was a warm order to land a mares contest in the finale.
Overcoming some novicey errors, she basically outstayed them here and a step up in trip looks sure to see her pull out more improvement. She has loads of size and scope and could be decent.
Our Belle Amie is quite sturdy and will come on for this run, but there's something that tells me she might not be straight forward. Autumn Surprise looked quite fit and she's a nice daughter of Yeats that should continue to progress, while Northern Girl has shown enough to pick up a little handicap somewhere.
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Sunday, 19 November 2017
Thursday, 11 January 2018
Catterick - Thursday Jan 11
The ground was officially soft but it's still one of the best draining tracks in the land and it wasn't that bad - those at the front end were finishing well enough, with the hurdles course looking the worst of the two.
The opening juvenile looked a decent affair with Turning Gold and Cornerstone Lad representing what I consider to be the best juvenile form in the north for a good while at Wetherby behind Albert's Back.
I'm no expert in these baby races but there was no doubt that Alan King's Crushed would need to be useful to best the pair - and despite market strength he was nowhere near up to the task.
Keen and very novicey, the Southern raider showed little promise as the aforementioned duo dominated the race, with the penalised Cornerstone Lad reversing Wetherby placings with a gritty performance.
Both have plenty of size and strength which augurs well for careers in this sphere, with the winner's inherent stamina coming to the fore from the second last as the free going Turning Gold came to the end of his tether.
Perhaps he had been out in front too long, as he rallied when passed at the last, but it's likely he only just gets the trip and a more patient ride on better ground could see him in different light.
Shine Baby Shine took third some way back, but she too has enough size and scope to have a future over timber, while Take The High Road looks more like a filly and I suspect they'll turn his attentions back to the flat for the time being.
I quite liked the victory a while back by Chu Chu Percy, and the form had worked out nicely since. The 56-day absence withstanding, he looked the one to beat in a weak looking stayers handicap with Bangor winner Tailor Tom the only real danger.
The pair came miles clear, and the form is probably solid with both horses likely to progress further, although their short term prospects are in the hands of the assessor.
There was a right old punt on Aramist, but I couldn't see it myself and he doesn't look much of a jumper, coming down when making a horlicks of one down the far side.
Gogo Baloo is of interest further down the line; a half sister to Milly Baloo she has just as much size if not more and may not be seen to best effect until going over fences.
The first of two good chases on the card fell to the classy Dresden, who looked a different league to the others in the paddock and having dropped in grade and in trip after numerous efforts over further, he hacked up really under a positive ride.
From a punting point of the only issue was the price and those wise owls who snaffled the early value would have been on good terms with themselves from an early stage.
Un Prophete looked fast asleep in the prelims, loping around the ring in a most unappealing manner. I don't know if this is his usual behaviour but it may explain his deplorable effort, although it must be said he's not one to set your clock by and now has to prove he can go on again from this higher mark.
Discoverie looked in good nick and the Slackmeister has worked wonders with the former rogue, who ought to be able to pick up a weaker race than this having established himself as capable from this sort of mark.
Cracking Find ran his usual honest race despite an uncharacteristic blunder in mid-race, and this solid effort on unsuitably moist terrain sets him up nicely for a race or two over a longer trip this spring.
The novice hurdle was at the mercy of French Furze third Hear No Evil, who is a decent looking animal and he justified favouritism although it was hard work, and better ground could suit him.
Planet Nine looked threatening at the last but his jumping remains a sore point, and this backward sort could do with another summer on his back for all that this was a better effort.
Sam's Gunner looked a decent type beforehand and it's a shame from a punting point of view that he's shown his hand here, staying on powerfully from the last to claim second spot, running to at least 115 in the process. Even from that mark he'll remain of interest and he'll stay further - he's a fair prospect.
The North Yorkshire National beckoned and last year's winning connections were represented by I Just Know, who I've mentioned on these pages several times as one of the most likeable horses in training.
His jumping is incredibly accurate and anything trying to match him in the front rank is going to end up disappointed. He's not exuberant by any means but gets from A to B as quickly as any horse..
He looks better each time I lay eyes on him and it was clear he wasn't a 131 horse looking at him beforehand, Straidnahanna won from a similar mark last season but he's not as good as this fella.
It looked momentarily as if he could be swamped on the turn for home but his stamina kicked in and he proved himself to be well handicapped in kicking away from them from the third last, hitting the line hard in the manner of one that will gallop all day long.
This 15-length romp will put him on a mark in the low to mid 140s, which puts him on the cusp of a Grand National spot. Frankly, I could hardly think of a more likely type for the Aintree race and he's won on all sorts of ground from good to very soft.
Without wishing to go overboard (too late - Ed), he covered the ground from the third last to the line in just a second slower than Dresden did earlier on the card.
The placed horses probably lost no caste in defeat, Billy Bronco simply wanting softer ground, while Point The Way, who is finally starting to strengthen up, stayed on well despite the usual mistakes.
Eye-catching in fourth was Milborough, who had little chance from the back of the field on his first start for nearly a year. He fell at the first in this three years ago before landing the Eider and he'll go back there again with decent claims from a much lower mark.
The next handicap hurdle was a tight betting heat and taken by Crackdeloust, who I had backed numerous times previously on account of his impressive frame and early promise.
However, in several runs he's failed to deliver and the introduction of blinkers needed to work the oracle in the face what I felt were not optimum conditions, being softer underfoot and having question marks over the trip, as he looked not to stay it last season.
But all those doubts were put to bed with a straight forward display, travelling and jumping well before staying on nicely ahead of the promising Niceandeasy, who simply bumped into one and looks likely to be winning again soon.
The winner is a proper chase type though and if the blinkers continue to work he'll surely rate much higher in time.
The finale saw a couple of decent physical specimens in Nendrum and Steel City, who were both very well handicapped and strong in the market; the latter going off at 5/1 after being well into double figures early doors.
The M/D Easterby yard has been going great guns this season and they had it off here with a recent recruit that had gone sour down south. Nendrum was disappointing on this softer terrain, while a mention must be made of Hit And Run in third, who faced in impossible task and wouldn't have been favoured by the drop in trip. He remains of interest over further.
The opening juvenile looked a decent affair with Turning Gold and Cornerstone Lad representing what I consider to be the best juvenile form in the north for a good while at Wetherby behind Albert's Back.
I'm no expert in these baby races but there was no doubt that Alan King's Crushed would need to be useful to best the pair - and despite market strength he was nowhere near up to the task.
Keen and very novicey, the Southern raider showed little promise as the aforementioned duo dominated the race, with the penalised Cornerstone Lad reversing Wetherby placings with a gritty performance.
Both have plenty of size and strength which augurs well for careers in this sphere, with the winner's inherent stamina coming to the fore from the second last as the free going Turning Gold came to the end of his tether.
Perhaps he had been out in front too long, as he rallied when passed at the last, but it's likely he only just gets the trip and a more patient ride on better ground could see him in different light.
Shine Baby Shine took third some way back, but she too has enough size and scope to have a future over timber, while Take The High Road looks more like a filly and I suspect they'll turn his attentions back to the flat for the time being.
I quite liked the victory a while back by Chu Chu Percy, and the form had worked out nicely since. The 56-day absence withstanding, he looked the one to beat in a weak looking stayers handicap with Bangor winner Tailor Tom the only real danger.
The pair came miles clear, and the form is probably solid with both horses likely to progress further, although their short term prospects are in the hands of the assessor.
There was a right old punt on Aramist, but I couldn't see it myself and he doesn't look much of a jumper, coming down when making a horlicks of one down the far side.
Gogo Baloo is of interest further down the line; a half sister to Milly Baloo she has just as much size if not more and may not be seen to best effect until going over fences.
The first of two good chases on the card fell to the classy Dresden, who looked a different league to the others in the paddock and having dropped in grade and in trip after numerous efforts over further, he hacked up really under a positive ride.
From a punting point of the only issue was the price and those wise owls who snaffled the early value would have been on good terms with themselves from an early stage.
Un Prophete looked fast asleep in the prelims, loping around the ring in a most unappealing manner. I don't know if this is his usual behaviour but it may explain his deplorable effort, although it must be said he's not one to set your clock by and now has to prove he can go on again from this higher mark.
Discoverie looked in good nick and the Slackmeister has worked wonders with the former rogue, who ought to be able to pick up a weaker race than this having established himself as capable from this sort of mark.
Cracking Find ran his usual honest race despite an uncharacteristic blunder in mid-race, and this solid effort on unsuitably moist terrain sets him up nicely for a race or two over a longer trip this spring.
The novice hurdle was at the mercy of French Furze third Hear No Evil, who is a decent looking animal and he justified favouritism although it was hard work, and better ground could suit him.
Planet Nine looked threatening at the last but his jumping remains a sore point, and this backward sort could do with another summer on his back for all that this was a better effort.
Sam's Gunner looked a decent type beforehand and it's a shame from a punting point of view that he's shown his hand here, staying on powerfully from the last to claim second spot, running to at least 115 in the process. Even from that mark he'll remain of interest and he'll stay further - he's a fair prospect.
The North Yorkshire National beckoned and last year's winning connections were represented by I Just Know, who I've mentioned on these pages several times as one of the most likeable horses in training.
His jumping is incredibly accurate and anything trying to match him in the front rank is going to end up disappointed. He's not exuberant by any means but gets from A to B as quickly as any horse..
He looks better each time I lay eyes on him and it was clear he wasn't a 131 horse looking at him beforehand, Straidnahanna won from a similar mark last season but he's not as good as this fella.
It looked momentarily as if he could be swamped on the turn for home but his stamina kicked in and he proved himself to be well handicapped in kicking away from them from the third last, hitting the line hard in the manner of one that will gallop all day long.
This 15-length romp will put him on a mark in the low to mid 140s, which puts him on the cusp of a Grand National spot. Frankly, I could hardly think of a more likely type for the Aintree race and he's won on all sorts of ground from good to very soft.
Without wishing to go overboard (too late - Ed), he covered the ground from the third last to the line in just a second slower than Dresden did earlier on the card.
The placed horses probably lost no caste in defeat, Billy Bronco simply wanting softer ground, while Point The Way, who is finally starting to strengthen up, stayed on well despite the usual mistakes.
Eye-catching in fourth was Milborough, who had little chance from the back of the field on his first start for nearly a year. He fell at the first in this three years ago before landing the Eider and he'll go back there again with decent claims from a much lower mark.
The next handicap hurdle was a tight betting heat and taken by Crackdeloust, who I had backed numerous times previously on account of his impressive frame and early promise.
However, in several runs he's failed to deliver and the introduction of blinkers needed to work the oracle in the face what I felt were not optimum conditions, being softer underfoot and having question marks over the trip, as he looked not to stay it last season.
But all those doubts were put to bed with a straight forward display, travelling and jumping well before staying on nicely ahead of the promising Niceandeasy, who simply bumped into one and looks likely to be winning again soon.
The winner is a proper chase type though and if the blinkers continue to work he'll surely rate much higher in time.
The finale saw a couple of decent physical specimens in Nendrum and Steel City, who were both very well handicapped and strong in the market; the latter going off at 5/1 after being well into double figures early doors.
The M/D Easterby yard has been going great guns this season and they had it off here with a recent recruit that had gone sour down south. Nendrum was disappointing on this softer terrain, while a mention must be made of Hit And Run in third, who faced in impossible task and wouldn't have been favoured by the drop in trip. He remains of interest over further.
Saturday, 5 November 2016
Hexham
Back across the border we headed in readiness for a six race card, which attracted some decent fields on account of the soft, good to soft in places conditions.
Once again the big hill on the run to the last caught out plenty and at this time of year if you're not fit you aint going to be winning.
Kelka was produced in magnificent fettle by the Jeffersons and the well-backed filly hacked up in the opener in a weak, but interesting field.
I had her down as a very decent mare in the making after winning her debut bumper - she has plenty of size and scope and is bred to stay very well. This was a taking start and she is one to follow.
Quietly was up there all the way and the Sue Smith inmate, very backward last term, showed plenty here after looking pretty straight I must say beforehand. The other Smith horse, Priory Lad, wasn't anywhere near as fit.
Air De Rock was the first horse to figure from the V Williams camp in two months and although well turned out, was quite small and compact. He got very warm late on and may need time, while in behind Brackenmoss Rory (not fit) caught the eye, not for the first time, while Loch Linnhe and Motion To Strike (very warm, buzzy) can also win races.
Ryedale Racer made it 2/2 for Jefferson/Hughes with a simple victory under a penalty, without having to improve on his win at Carlisle. I'm surprised he hasn't grown or filled out, this horse, but he's a bonny sort. He's getting plenty of experience considering he ought to be a lot better in a year's time. Willie Boy is a big strong chaser who needs time, while Chu Chu Percy wasn't at all fit.
I like to put up a handful of horses to follow for a laugh at the start of the season and I gave I Just Know a good write up here last month, as I'm sure regular readers will know.
So imagine my delight when he rocked up looking head and shoulders above some mediocre opposition in the 0-105 handicap chase for novices. I've noted here before that the Smith horses are much straighter this term than is often the case and I Just Know looked tremendous, having strengthened up he really does look the part.
It was just so disappointing there was little in the field to give us much of a price. We had to avail ourselves of some 2/1 but the pleasure was in watching him jump the early fences without breaking stride.
Danny asked him up a couple of times but he was cute in going short, particularly at the last, and he looks an absolute natural. He's a 125 horse and we'll reassess his progress once he gets there - in the meantime keep backing him.
The next two races were of little interest from a punting perspective. A 0-100 2m handicap hurdle was won in good style by maiden Catchthemoonlight, under a polished ride from H Reed, who may be a conditional to follow. They went too fast up front but he got the fractions right. Pretty Miss Mahler was weak in the market but has rather telegraphed that she is ready to win soon, staying on well in second place. She's a half sister to the stables Monbeg River. Quest Magic looked big and should come on for this.
The 2m 4f handicap chase was a shocker. Most of them have lacked a finishing effort in the past, including the eventual winner Mumgos Debut, who benefited from a the step up in trip. This was dire, and he'll struggle in anything but poor company I suggest.
An interesting feature of this NH campaign is that John Wade has packed up training and now has more than 30 horses dotted around several northern yards. Forty Crown is one such animal, who runs in the colours of partner Maria Myco. I've never been a fan of the horse physically, but he turned up in pretty good order on his first start for G Bewley.
The 10-year-old was down in class on a career low mark and with improvement expected he looked a very strong bet to land the closing stayers hurdle.
But he proved disappointing, dropping the bridle after travelling well in the first half of the race. After staying on again after the last, I can only suggest either he blew up or he showed a bit of attitude. Blinkers had been applied last term, and perhaps he's worth one more chance if they reach for some headgear next time.
Roman Numeral didn't look straight and doesn't stay 3m in a horsebox, while Toarmandowithlove is capable of winning a poor contest of this type and may benefit for the outing.
Once again the big hill on the run to the last caught out plenty and at this time of year if you're not fit you aint going to be winning.
Kelka was produced in magnificent fettle by the Jeffersons and the well-backed filly hacked up in the opener in a weak, but interesting field.
I had her down as a very decent mare in the making after winning her debut bumper - she has plenty of size and scope and is bred to stay very well. This was a taking start and she is one to follow.
Quietly was up there all the way and the Sue Smith inmate, very backward last term, showed plenty here after looking pretty straight I must say beforehand. The other Smith horse, Priory Lad, wasn't anywhere near as fit.
Air De Rock was the first horse to figure from the V Williams camp in two months and although well turned out, was quite small and compact. He got very warm late on and may need time, while in behind Brackenmoss Rory (not fit) caught the eye, not for the first time, while Loch Linnhe and Motion To Strike (very warm, buzzy) can also win races.
Ryedale Racer made it 2/2 for Jefferson/Hughes with a simple victory under a penalty, without having to improve on his win at Carlisle. I'm surprised he hasn't grown or filled out, this horse, but he's a bonny sort. He's getting plenty of experience considering he ought to be a lot better in a year's time. Willie Boy is a big strong chaser who needs time, while Chu Chu Percy wasn't at all fit.
I like to put up a handful of horses to follow for a laugh at the start of the season and I gave I Just Know a good write up here last month, as I'm sure regular readers will know.
So imagine my delight when he rocked up looking head and shoulders above some mediocre opposition in the 0-105 handicap chase for novices. I've noted here before that the Smith horses are much straighter this term than is often the case and I Just Know looked tremendous, having strengthened up he really does look the part.
It was just so disappointing there was little in the field to give us much of a price. We had to avail ourselves of some 2/1 but the pleasure was in watching him jump the early fences without breaking stride.
Danny asked him up a couple of times but he was cute in going short, particularly at the last, and he looks an absolute natural. He's a 125 horse and we'll reassess his progress once he gets there - in the meantime keep backing him.
The next two races were of little interest from a punting perspective. A 0-100 2m handicap hurdle was won in good style by maiden Catchthemoonlight, under a polished ride from H Reed, who may be a conditional to follow. They went too fast up front but he got the fractions right. Pretty Miss Mahler was weak in the market but has rather telegraphed that she is ready to win soon, staying on well in second place. She's a half sister to the stables Monbeg River. Quest Magic looked big and should come on for this.
The 2m 4f handicap chase was a shocker. Most of them have lacked a finishing effort in the past, including the eventual winner Mumgos Debut, who benefited from a the step up in trip. This was dire, and he'll struggle in anything but poor company I suggest.
An interesting feature of this NH campaign is that John Wade has packed up training and now has more than 30 horses dotted around several northern yards. Forty Crown is one such animal, who runs in the colours of partner Maria Myco. I've never been a fan of the horse physically, but he turned up in pretty good order on his first start for G Bewley.
The 10-year-old was down in class on a career low mark and with improvement expected he looked a very strong bet to land the closing stayers hurdle.
But he proved disappointing, dropping the bridle after travelling well in the first half of the race. After staying on again after the last, I can only suggest either he blew up or he showed a bit of attitude. Blinkers had been applied last term, and perhaps he's worth one more chance if they reach for some headgear next time.
Roman Numeral didn't look straight and doesn't stay 3m in a horsebox, while Toarmandowithlove is capable of winning a poor contest of this type and may benefit for the outing.
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