Cheltenham December Meeting

[mayo]

Shu Aiming For Another Big Cheltenham Run On Day One Of The International

Saturday, December 6, 2014 - Irish handler Peter Maher is looking forward to seeing his stable star Big Shu return to Cheltenham for the £35,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (2.40pm), one of the feature races on day one of The International, Friday, December 12.

The nine-year-old provided the County Kildare handler with his biggest victory to date with victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase, run over the same three miles and seven furlongs of Cheltenham's Cross Country Course, at The Festival in March, 2013.

Big Shu was third to fellow cross-country specialist Balthazar King in the same race at The Festival this year before falling at the third fence in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree in April.

He finished third behind the Edna Bolger-trained pair of Love Rory and Keep On Track on his first start of the current season in a cross-country race at Punchestown on November 15.

Maher reported today: "As long the ground is no faster than good, then Big Shu will travel over to Cheltenham. He is a soft ground specialist but he is fine on good going over a longer trip.

"He was sick a month before he ran at The Festival in March and I had Aintree on my mind at the time. I wanted to keep him fresh for the National and to keep his weight light for that race, so I didn't want to run him in case he got lumbered with too much weight.

"In the Grand National itself, he went out at the third after a horse backed off the fence and interfered with him. He didn't have anywhere to go but shouldn't have been on the inside anyway - you want to be on the outside on the first circuit and then move in on the second lap.

"The ground was a bit slippery when he ran last time at Punchestown because there was a lot of rain in the days beforehand. Big Shu jumped all the difficult fences well but made a few mistakes at the easier ones. I was happy enough with our horse because the first two home had been specifically aimed at that race.

"I think Big Shu would have beaten Balthazar King at this year's Festival if he had a couple of runs under his belt beforehand but I don't think we saw the true Balthazar King that day because the ground was against him.

"Balthazar King is the cross-country king of Britain and Big Shu is the cross-country king of Ireland. Balthazar King is a fast ground, out-in-front type of horse and a brilliant jumper. Big Shu is a soft-ground specialist and, while I would love to have another race between them, they are two completely different horses.

"We will be looking at Aintree again this year because Big Shu ticks all of the boxes for the Grand National. Hopefully, he will run next week and at Punchestown in February, which he ran in last season, before coming back for The Festival and then we can make a decision about Aintree."

A total of 15 entries for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase also includes Uncle Junior (Willie Mullins IRE), Sire Collonges (Paul Nicholls), Any Currency (Martin Keighley) and Carruthers (Mark Bradstock), who were second, third, fourth and fifth behind Balthazar King in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at The Open on November 14.

Duke Of Lucca (Philip Hobbs) was fourth in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at The Festival in March, while Roi Du Mee (Gordon Elliott IRE) and Rare Bob (Patrick Griffin IRE) have both won Grade One chases in Ireland. French challenger Pasquini Rouge (Patrice Quinton FR) could make a second consecutive appearance at The International, having finished third in this race 12 months ago.

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase is the final race of the Crystal Cup and presentations to the winning owner, trainer, jockey and horse of the 10-race Cross Country series will be made after the race. For more information about the Crystal Cup, please visit www.crystalcup.org.

Day one of The International also features the £45,000 Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase (2.10pm) over three and a quarter miles, which has attracted 17 entries including Hadrian's Approach (Nicky Henderson), who could make his first appearance since winning the Grade Three bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown Park in April.

King's Palace (David Pipe), who made an impressive debut over fences at The Open, and Virak (Paul Nicholls), a facile winner at Haydock Park on his latest outing, head 13 contenders for the £20,000 Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices' Chase (12.30pm).

A seven-race card also includes the £12,000 Shloer Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase (1.05pm, 18 entries) and the £12,000 CF Roberts Electrical + Mechanical Services Handicap Hurdle (1.40pm, 22 entries).

This year's Crabbie's Grand National hero Pineau De Re holds an entry in the £22,000 Citipost Handicap Hurdle (3.15pm, 22 entries) and racing concludes with the £12,000 British Stallion Studs EBF National Hunt Novices' Hurdle (3.45pm, 19 entries).


Ground

The going at Cheltenham is currently Good on both the New Course and the Cross Country Course.

[mayo]

Johns Spirit Heads Weights For Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham on December 13

Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - This year's Paddy Power Gold Cup runner-up Johns Spirit (Jonjo O'Neill, 11st 12lb) tops the weights for the £100,000 Grade Three Caspian Caviar Gold Cup on day two of The International, Saturday, December 13 at Cheltenham.

The start time of the two mile, five furlong handicap chase has been brought forward to 2.00pm (from 2.35pm) in order to minimise the risk of issues with the low sun over the four fences in the home straight.

Simon Claisse, Head of Racing South West and Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham, explained: "In 2006, we commissioned a report from the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) to identify the risk period for low sun affecting fences and hurdles in the home straight during the months of November, December and January following a number of occasions in the preceding seasons when obstacles were omitted.

"Based on STRI's research and our previous experience, the risk period was identified as being between 2.50pm and 3.50pm.

"Physical solutions to screen the sun's track through this hour were not feasible so the running orders since then have ensured chases are not run during this period.

"Following the experience of the novices' chase at The Open run at 2.25pm, the start time of the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup has been brought forward to 2.00pm, to minimise the risk of issues with the low sun over the four fences in the home straight."

Johns Spirit went down by a head to Caid Du Berlais (Paul Nicholls, 11st) in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, although Johns Spirit would be 1lb better off if the pair re-oppose in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, which has 32 entries. Johns Spirit won the 2013 Paddy Power Gold Cup and then finished fifth in last year's equivalent of the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

All four of Paul Nicholls' entries feature highly in the weights of the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup with dual Grade Two victor Wonderful Charm (11st 11lb), Grade One second Rolling Aces (11st 7lb) and Sound Investment (11st 1lb) also among the champion trainer's contenders.

The Malcom Jefferson-trained Attaglance (10st 9lb) was beaten half a length by Present View in the Listed Rewards4racing Novices' Handicap Chase at The Festival in March but missed this year's Paddy Power Gold Cup due to the soft ground, having finished fourth in the race 12 months earlier.

Yorkshire-based Jefferson may also be represented by Firth Of The Clyde (10st 1lb), who scored over fences at Wetherby and Market Rasen last season before coming home 10th at The Festival in the Grade Three Byrne Group Plate. The eight-year-old, who only made his debut in October, 2012, was second under top-weight on his seasonal return in a Kelso handicap chase on November 8.

Jefferson reported: "If the ground is fine, then Attaglance will run at Cheltenham. If it's soft, he won't go and it would really need to be good, good to soft in places for him to take his chance. He will also be given an entry at Doncaster on the same day and he could go there instead if the ground was better.

"He ran well behind Johns Spirit in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last year and was just beaten by Present View at The Festival, who was third in this year's race, so the form of both races has stood up well.

"If the ground came up soft, really soft, then we could run Firth Of The Clyde. He would have a great chance on soft or heavy ground as he is definitely a better horse on softer going. I think that the ground was too quick for him in the Byrne Group Plate.

"He ran over two miles and a furlong at Kelso but he will appreciate the step back up in distance - I wouldn't mind even giving him a go over three miles on good to soft ground.

"It was a good run at Kelso, considering he was giving a lot of weight away and our horses just haven't been firing on all cylinders. They are coming back to themselves now and Firth Of The Clyde will definitely improve because he needed a run last year."

Niceonefrankie (Venetia Williams, 10st 8lb) was an impressive winner of an Ascot handicap chase on November 21, while No Buts (David Bridgwater, 10st 6lb) and Monetaire (David Pipe, 10st 2lb) could also make reappearances after scoring well at Newbury's Hennessy meeting last week.

A trio of entries from Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins includes Djakadam (10st 8lb), who was eighth in the Hennessy Gold Cup, The Paparrazi Kid (10st 7lb) and Turban (11st 5lb).

Other notable entries include Paddy Power Gold Cup fourth Oscar Whisky (Nicky Henderson, 11st 11lb), who has posted six victories at Cheltenham, the lightly-raced Court In Motion (Emma Lavelle, 10st 6lb) and easy Sedgefield handicap chase victor Darna (Kim Bailey, 10st 10lb).


About The International

The International takes place at Cheltenham on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, offering £528,000 in prize money over the two days.

Key races include the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International, a leading trial for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at The Festival, the £100,000 Grade Three Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, the £45,000 Grade Three Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase and the £40,000 Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle.

The £35,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase also takes place over Cheltenham's unique Cross Country Course and completes Europe's Crystal Cup Challenge.

[Old Vic]

another penalty kick for The New One at the weekend ?

Will Mullins send anything over?

[Old Vic]

[IMG] pic.twitter.com/gBboYjJIJ5[/IMG]
International Entries.

Looks like TNO vs vaniteux ...Sign of Victory precautionary entry?

[mayo]

Ruby

A lot of the Paddy Power Gold Cup field line up again for Saturday’s big race.

You could have thrown a blanket over about eight of them going to the last fence that day before Caid du Berlais stormed up the hill. This race is run on the New course at Cheltenham and his stamina should come into play even more which could help to offset the 5lb hike he got for winning here last month. Even with that victory – he’s still 1lb lower than when he ran in the Galway Plate.

Ataglance has good course form but still hasn’t made his seasonal debut. That could be a disadvantage but connections must think he’s still on a winnable mark to try and protect it for so long, while Paul Nicholls’ Sound Investment doesn’t come here as the second string to the favourite given the form the stable is in.


No Buts beat Sound Investment eight lengths at Newbury and that was a good performance. I was on The Paparrazi Kid in that race and the winner jumped and stayed well and might be competitive again despite a 10lb rise.

Edgardo Sol ran well in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and despite top weight could finish much closer this time while Ericht has to improve.

Easter Meteor has disappointed on a few occasions now. You’d be a brave man now to trust him to put in a shift. Darna and Barrakilla have both been supported but need to step up. Venetia Williams’ Niceonefrankie won at Ascot last time out and is sure to jump and stay. Whether he’s still ahead of the handicapper is another thing

[Old Vic]

Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - Zeroeshadesofgrey is set for a deserved step up in class in the £30,000 Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.35pm, 11 entries) over three miles at Cheltenham on Saturday, December 13.

The Neil King-trained five-year-old won two of his four starts in bumpers last season and has recorded a pair of impressive victories over hurdles this term.

He started the campaign with a 20-length victory in an extended two and a half-mile novices' hurdle at Uttoxeter on November 15, and proved his stamina for three miles when taking another novices' hurdle by 16 lengths at the same course on November 27.

Zeroeshadesofgrey ran respectably on his only outing so far at Cheltenham, finishing 15th to Silver Concorde in the Grade One Weatherbys Champion Bumper at The Festival in March.

King revealed: "There is a pretty good chance Zeroeshadesofgrey will run at Cheltenham on Saturday. He is also in at Doncaster but, at the moment, we are leaning towards the Albert Bartlett race.

"He is in really good order. Fortunately, he has had two easy races at Uttoxeter - winning on the bridle both times - and it will be a nice step up for him at Cheltenham.

"We think the world of him and from the word go he has always struck us as something a bit out of the ordinary.

"He obviously had some good bumper form last season and I am delighted he is showing what we thought he could do over hurdles. He is actually one of those horses who jumps fences better at home than he does hurdles and ultimately chasing will be his game.

"Any ground from good to heavy seems to be OK for him, but perhaps it's a case of softer the better."
Zeroeshadesofgrey could clash with another exciting prospect in Blaklion (Nigel Twiston-Davies), who captured the Grade Two Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow in October.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has entered the Graham Roach-owned pair of Port Melon, who was one place behind Blaklion when third in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at The Open, and eye-catching Wincanton scorer It's A Close Call.
Other notable entries include Newbury victor Out Sam (Nicky Henderson) and Binge Drinker (Rebecca Curtis), who completed a three-timer over hurdles at Chepstow last Saturday.

Day two of The International is headlined by the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle (3.10pm, 10 entries) over two miles and a furlong, which is set to feature Stan James Champion Hurdle second favourite The New One (Nigel Twiston-Davies).

The six-year-old, chasing back-to-back victories in the race after his six-length demolition of Zarkandar last year, is in line to clash with exciting second season hurdler Vaniteux (Nicky Henderson) and Bertimont (Dan Skelton).

Other highlights of the seven-race programme are the £100,000 Grade Three Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (2.00pm, 16 confirmations) and the £40,000 Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle (3.45pm, 12 entries) over an extended two and a half miles.

[Old Vic]

Tuesday, December 9, 2014 - Trainer Dan Skelton is hoping Bertimont can put it up to The New One (Nigel Twiston-Davies) in the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle (3.10pm) at Cheltenham on Saturday, December 13.



Bertimont has taken his form to a new level since joining Skelton from Irish handler James Lambe over the summer, starting with a 16-length victory over Dawalan in a valuable handicap hurdle at Chepstow on October 11.

The four-year-old proved himself up in class when beaten four lengths into second by Purple Bay in the Grade Two Elite Hurdle over two miles at Wincanton on November 8.

Skelton reported: "The intention is for Bertimont to run at Cheltenham on Saturday.

"His preparation has gone very smoothly since Wincanton and Cheltenham has always been the aim.

"We have obviously got to take on The New One in his backyard, but it is a £130,000 race and we are going to give it a go. He is a horse with a lot of speed, who jumps slickly, and I think he is worth his place in the line-up.

"I came away from Chepstow thinking that we have a good horse and I was delighted with his run in the Elite because it showed he can compete at that level.

"It can be tough for four-year-olds in their middle year but he is a wise horse and doesn't let himself down. He is in very good form and I can't fault him.

"It is probably going to be the best ground he has encountered - I don't know if that is a positive or a negative - and we will know more after the event."

Bertimont is a 12/1 shot with the sponsor, while The New One is the 4/9 market leader.

The New One is bidding to become the first multiple winner of the StanJames.com International Hurdle since Relkeel (1997, 1998, 1999), having defeated Zarkandar by six lengths last year.

The six-year-old was an unlucky third in the Stan James Champion Hurdle in March and has cemented his claims for next year's renewal with a pair of authoritative victories this season.

He opened his account in a two-mile Listed event at Kempton Park on October 19 and doubled up in style when recording a two and three-quarter length verdict over Zamdy Man (Venetia Williams) in the inaugural Betfair Price Rush Hurdle at Haydock Park on November 22.

Also among the entries for the StanJames.com International is Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle third Vaniteux, who was second to Garde La Victoire on his reappearance when top-weight in the StanJames.com Greatwood Hurdle at The Open.

His trainer Nicky Henderson has also entered impressive Ascot handicap scorer Sign Of A Victory, while Irish-trained King Of The Picts (J P Shanahan) was second in last year's Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.


Completing the entries are Mad Moose (Nigel Twiston-Davies) and Olofi (Tom George), plus the Lawney Hill-trained pair of Billy Twyford and Mighty Mambo.

Rory Jiwani of StanJames.com said: "The New One puts his StanJames Champion Hurdle credentials on the line this Saturday in the race he won 12 months ago. His biggest threat to a repeat triumph comes from Nicky Henderson who has entered both StanJames.com Greatwood runner-up Vaniteux and Sign Of A Victory, although the latter looks set for Ascot next weekend


"Bertimont was second to Purple Bay in the StanJames.com Elite Hurdle and Dan Skelton's charge should enjoy the quick ground at Cheltenham, with Venetia Williams' Zamdy Man the last of the genuine contenders.

"The New One is 4/9 to win this Saturday at Cheltenham with Vaniteux a 5/2 shot. Nigel Twiston-Davies' star is 3/1 for the Stan James Champion Hurdle in March behind 2/1 favourite Faugheen, with defending champion Jezki a 6/1 chance."


StanJames.com International Hurdle - Stan James bet:

4/9 The New One, 5/2 Vaniteux, 6/1 Sign Of A Victory, 12/1 Bertimont, Zamdy Man 40/1 Olofi 66/1 Billy Twyford 100/1 King Of The Picts, Mad Moose 500/1 Mighty Mambo

Each way 1/4 odds 1-2

Day two of The International also features the £40,000 Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle (3.45pm) over an extended two and a half miles, which has 12 entries including the 2012 Stan James Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby (Harry Fry), who was beaten a head by The New One at Aintree in April.

Garde La Victoire (Philip Hobbs) may step back up in distance following a game victory in the Grade Three StanJames.com Greatwood Hurdle at The Open, while Melodic Rendezvous (Jeremy Scott), successful in the Grade Two StanJames.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park in January, could also return to a longer trip.

Lac Fontana (Paul Nicholls) captured the Grade Three Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle at The Festival before scoring at Group One level in the Pertemps Network Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree the following month.

Volnay De Thaix (Nicky Henderson) was fifth behind Lac Fontana at Aintree, while other contenders include the 2013 StanJames.com Greatwood Hurdle winner Dell' Arca (David Pipe) and course and distance scorer Brother Brian (Hughie Morrison) plus King Of The Picts and Mad Moose.



Blaklion (Nigel Twiston-Davies) and Port Melon (Paul Nicholls) may re-oppose in the £30,000 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.35pm), having finished second and third in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at The Open last month. A total of 11 entries for the three-mile contest also includes Out Sam (Nicky Henderson), who made a winning debut over hurdles at Newbury last month.



About The International

The International takes place at Cheltenham on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, offering £528,000 in prize money over the two days

Key races include the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International, a leading trial for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at The Festival, the £100,000 Grade Three Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, the £45,000 Grade Three Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase and the £40,000 Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle.

The £35,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase also takes place over Cheltenham's unique Cross Country Course and completes Europe's Crystal Cup Challenge.

[Old Vic]

A few stats on the Massey Ferguson ...

http://www.fatjockey.com/news-blogs/racing_news.php?Cheltenham-December-Gold-Cup-2014-310

5 Year old and fav stat against Caid Du Berlais.

what beats him though ?

Caid Du Berlais (7/2), Barrakilla (13/2)in, No Buts (8), Attaglance (10), Ericht (11)in, Niceonefrankie (12), Darna (14), Carrigmorna King (16), Easter Meteor (16), Edgardo Sol (16), Splash Of Ginge (16)out, Tatenen (20)out, Workbench (22)out

[Morning Glory]

I would find it hard to back caid du bureaus at that price. attaglance could go elsewhere. I'll pass !

[johnno]

Tom Scudamore

Looking ahead to Saturday at Cheltenham, I ride Stars Over The Sea in the 12.15pm. It’s his first big test. He’s been winning in lesser company and winning very easily and now he’s taking on a few of the big boys including the likes of Hargam who ran very well here at the November meeting. I’m a big fan of my horse. He’s still got a little bit to learn but he’s been winning despite still being quite raw. He’s got his own way of jumping and he may not look very pretty at times but he’s very quick doing it. No horse as yet has been able to get him off the bridle but I’m sure this race is going to be a different task. I’m really looking forward to riding him. He’s ready for it now.

The ground was good to soft when I walked it on Friday but given the forecast for more rain it looks likely to be soft, tacky ground I imagine. The other thing that will make a difference is if they get the frost covers out overnight because they can make the ground really dead and very tiring. The covers are obviously good news as it means we can race but they also make the ground more testing.
I’m not worried about the ground though. I haven’t ridden Stars Over The Sea on testing ground but there’s only one way of finding out if he acts on it.

I’m interested to see how Solar Impulse runs in the 1.25pm as I beat him on Monetaire pretty convincingly at Newbury. Solar Impulse is only a four year old so there’s no reason to believe he won’t improve again but even if he just runs to the level of form he showed at Newbury I think he’ll be hard to beat as that was a decent race. I’ll be watching with interest.

I ride Easter Meteor in the big race, The Caspian Gold Cup at 2.00pm. Easter Meteor was bitterly disappointing in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month but he is much better than he showed that day. If you took that run out of it, on his previous form he’d be coming here as the favourite. He’s got to bounce back. I rode him during the week and he seemed in really good form but he’s got to go and do it on the track now.

I won on No Buts for David Bridgwater last time out at Newbury but when I spoke to David (Pipe) earlier in the week he told me that he was running Easter Meteor. Whilst there are some occasions when David says that I can ride what I want in these situations, in this instance he said he wanted me to ride Easter Meteor which I totally understand and am more than happy to do. I’m lucky that with the trainers I ride for, like David Bridgwater, they just concentrate on getting the horses to the big races and then worry about who’s riding them. On those odd occasions when there’s a clash, everyone is very understanding of my situation and there are never any ultimatums, so it means I don’t have to try and juggle things to keep people happy.

No Buts is 10lb higher than when he won last time but I think that rise is fair given the way he ran. I don’t think Cheltenham will hold any fears for him. It’s a very competitive race but I’d be disappointed if he’s not there at the end. He’s got a good chance and is definitely one of my main dangers. If No Buts goes and wins without me on him it won’t bother me. That’s just the way it is. If I ride over 100 winners this season the majority of that success will be down to David (Pipe) and he has first call on me. I’m in a very lucky position to ride for the trainers and on the horses that I do. If No Buts wins I’ll feel a pang of disappointment at missing out but then, for the want of a better word, I’ll grow a pair of balls and be delighted for Bridgy and everyone else connected to the horse. That said when I’m in the race I won’t be thinking of other horses I could have ridden as I’ll be completely focused on riding my horse and hopefully running well.

I may stick around to watch The New One in the International Hurdle at 3.10pm unless there’s anything at home that I’ve got to get back early for. I not only expect The New One to win I expect him to win well. Zamdy Man is a good horse and the softer it gets the more it will suit him but I can’t see him beating The New One. I think they’ll be first and second again.

We have a couple of runners up at Doncaster. Border Breaker runs in the 12.30pm and although he hasn’t quite fulfilled his potential he’s definitely getting there. Softsong then goes in the 1.05pm. He ran well to a point at Huntingdon last time. He’s dropping back to two miles and I think Doncaster will suit him. He’ll have a squeak.

[Faugheen_Machine]

I'm a massive Caid Due Berlais fan and have backed him accordingly. If the bookies push him out in the morning then I'll back him again. I think he'll progress into a Ryanair contender and therefore must be winning this against what looks to be substandard field..

[Faugheen_Machine]

Also each way doubled him with Tell Us More in the Neptune.

[Old Vic]

Going against CDB tomorrow. Probably will back Ericht Ew after reading Barry Gs blog.

I like tell us more though

[mayo]

No buts was on Donns list and will do me

Horses To Follow » *No Buts

No Buts

No Buts put up a really nice performance to win a good two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Newbury on Friday.

David Bridgwater’s horse settled into a nice rhythm for Tom Scudamore early on, just behind the leader Loose Chips, and his jumping was good throughout. Jumping into the lead at the fifth last fence, the cross fence, he travelled well in front, he travelled well to the third last fence as all his rivals came under pressure. A mistake at the second last by his closest pursuer Pendra was no hindrance, but he put distance between himself and his rivals on the run to the last, and he stayed on nicely up the run-in to win well.

Noted in HTF Private when he finished fourth behind Sound Investment at Sandown on his debut this season, the Kayf Tara gelding just continues to progress. He was ridden a little more patiently here than he had been at Sandown, and he seemed to appreciate that, but there was a lot to like about the turn of foot that he showed after the second last fence. This two and a half miles appears to be his optimum trip for now, although he could get further in time, and he handles this soft ground well.

The handicapper has raised him 10lb to a mark of 140, but a hike of that magnitude was to be expected. He is only six and this was just his seventh run over fences, so he still has lots of scope for progression. He holds an entry in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham in mid-December, and he will be of interest if he takes his chance in that. If top weight Johns Spirit stands his ground, he would have just 10st 6lb to carry in that race, and that would be a really nice racing weight.

28th November 2014

[mayo]

Also hargam and volnay de thaix doubles and singles