Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m recapping Saturday’s big-race action.
The racing itself was good, although it wasn’t the best day from a punting perspective, with Deep Cave the one that got away. I debated going with two in the Howden Silver Cup but, in the end, opted for just Pic Roc. Disappointing, but it is what it is. Just one of those things. You kick the metaphorical cat and move on.
Big-Race Saturday Review
The Class 2 Howden Handicap Chase (2m3f) was run at a solid pace, with Etalon and Scarface helping to ensure an honest gallop. The pace held up and Etalon just proved better treated than Scarface in the closing stages. Scarface held on by a nose for second ahead of Issam.
Issam came from further back than the front two and was never able to land a blow. That was just his fourth start over fences, and he remains progressive and in form. Softer ground wouldn’t have inconvenienced him. Bad was sent off the 5/2 favourite but never travelled with fluency and finished a well-beaten fourth.
Long Walk Hurdle – Impose Toi Confirms Staying Class
The Grade 1 Howden Long Walk Hurdle (3m) went the way of the progressive stayer Impose Toi.
Impose Toi has progressed rapidly, stepping up from handicaps to land a Grade 2 at Newbury before following up here. His Newbury win came in a steadily run race, but this was well run and he showed conclusively that he stays a strongly run three miles.
Strong Leader moved to the front four out and Sean Bowen tried to run the finish out of his rivals. He was headed at the last by Impose Toi. The winner wasn’t doing much once in front, which allowed Strong Leader to finish within 1¼ lengths at the line.
Honesty Policy, in the same colours as the winner, was sent off the 11/4 favourite. He was a little keen on his first start since the Punchestown Festival but stayed on well after the last to finish a close-up third. The 5yo has come a long way in a short time and remains capable of better.
Impose Toi was cut for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and is clearly the best British-trained staying hurdler. He’s a leading contender for March, but Honesty Policy won’t be far away and looks the better-priced option of the pair after this.
Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase – Deep Cave Snatches It Late
The Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (3m) looked competitive on paper and proved just that, with only two lengths covering the first five home.
Deep Cave, one of the least exposed runners over fences, got a dream run on the rail and just got up on the line to pip Leave Of Absence.
A good jump at the last helped the winner, but if you backed the runner-up, you’ll have been cursing Rex Dingle for allowing Deep Cave that inside run. The winner jumped the last better but Leave Of Absence might have held on had he grabbed the rail late on.
Johnnywho didn’t jump as well as the front two, but none finished stronger. He’s on a good mark and looks in need of further than three miles. He was a bit of an eyecatcher but this perfromance won’t have been missed.
Victtorino, bidding for a hat-trick in the race, wasn’t disgraced in fifth. He remains on a winnable mark and can strike again when the stable hits top form.
Festive Handicap Hurdle – Wilful Dictates from the Front
There was a stop-start gallop in the Festive Handicap Hurdle, which suited Wilful, who was able to dictate from the front. He kicked for home approaching two out to run out a comfortable winner.
Top-weight Alexei travelled powerfully and looked a big danger between the final two hurdles, but his big weight told on the run-in. It was a good effort, but he was 20lb worse off with Wilful compared to their Welsh Champion Hurdle clash and that proved decisive. He lost second close home to Hot Fuss, who was back to form and likely posted a career best, having raced closer to the pace than most.
The winner wouldn’t be certain to follow up this success given he had the run of the race which he won’t always get in future.
Haydock: Grand Geste Makes All in Tommy Whittle
Grand Geste produced an assured round of jumping when making all to win the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase. Given this was just the six-year-old’s third start over fences, the performance was impressive. He went clear in the straight to score by 6½ lengths. You can watch the finish here.
It was a nice race to win to get off the mark over fences.
The step up to 3m1f clearly suited Grand Geste and he could stay further. Joint-trainer Joel Parkinson suggested the Peter Marsh back here next month is on the agenda. There are more races to be won with him.
My Silver Lining continued her return to form finishing a respectable runner-up effort. Softer ground and a longer trip would suit her better. She won the Classic Chase (3m5f) at Warwick in 2024 and that race could be in her sights once more.
Jacks Parrot, weak in the betting, finished third and is another who would have preferred more testing ground and further. He could be one for one of the regional nationals in the coming months.
Saladins Son travelled well with the winner for a long way, but his jumping wasn’t as sharp and that told late on as he faded into fourth after the last.
After today’s racing British racing takes a three-day break before returning with a bumper Boxing Day of sport on Friday. That doesn’t mean there won’t be a column. I’ve completed previews for the King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Coral Welsh Grand National. The former will be with you on Tuesday, the latter on Christmas Eve.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John