Hi all,
Last weekend felt like the moment the 2025/26 National Hunt season truly clicked into gear. Big names returned. Younger horses put down markers. And we finally saw racing with real depth and drama.
Inside today’s main piece, you’ll find my thoughts on last week’s action in Victor’s Notebook.
But first, a look back at Sunday’s Grade 1 John Durkan Chase at Punchestown.
Punchestown (Sunday)
Last year’s John Durkan produced a thrilling conclusion. This year’s topped it. Ten went to post, but from an early stage it was really all about Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File.
Gaelic Warrior was allowed an easy lead and quickly stretched clear. Fact To File closed him down steadily and looked to have the race won jumping the last. But credit to Gaelic Warrior, he dug deep and battled back to snatch victory by a neck in a pulsating finish. You can watch the race here.
Fact To File had been asked to make up too much ground to be able to challenge the leader. Meanwhile the winner had a little bit in reserve for the finish.
He clearly enjoyed rolling along out in front, although Paul Townend might have preferred to take a lead. He now heads to the King George VI Chase at Kempton. On a going day he could pulverise his field. On a bad one, he could down tools just as quickly. Boxing Day will come down to which Gaelic Warrior turns up.
Fastorslow, returning after a year off, ran respectably in third, one place better than last year. It was a fair return – nothing more.
Heart Wood had race fitness but was caught for third before the last.
Further back, Inothewayurthinkin, the Gold Cup winner, was beaten more than 52 lengths. The extended 2m3f was always too sharp and everything about his season is geared to Cheltenham in March.
Beyond the first two, and Heart Wood, the rest were going through the motions. But that’s not to downplay the race. Two top-class chasers fighting all the way to the line. You won’t see many better races this season. Mind you both the winner and runner-up will have had a hard race.
Victor’s Notebook
Chepstow (Friday)
This week’s notebook begins at Chepstow in Friday’s concluding bumper. No Walkover made a winning debut for David Pipe, having chased home Thursday’s hurdle scorer Cristal D'Estruval in an Irish Point back in February. He shaped like a stayer and will improve for further. He’s nice prospect. The third home, Bande Organisee, also shaped with promise and is bred to stay. One to note when switching to hurdles.
Ascot (Friday)
Fortune De Mer, a Grade 2 novice hurdle winner at Cheltenham in October, looked well treated on handicap debut. He travelled strongly and Harry Skelton rode with confidence, possibly too much, when finishing a length second to Trustintimes over 1m7½f. He was simply beaten by a better-handicapped rival on the day. There is a handicap hurdle in Fortune De Mer and the winner should cope with a rise in the weights.
Ascot (Saturday)
Followers of Venetia Williams will have been encouraged by the displays of Martator and Royale Pagaille.
Martator raced wide and finished strongly from the rear when 2¼ lengths second to the in-form Calico in the Hurst Park Handicap Chase (2m1f). He is back on a workable mark and looks ready to strike and might a return to further on good ground. The yard looks ready to hit form at Newbury this weekend.
Haydock (Saturday)
Andashan was no match for the classy Kabral Du Mathan in the 2m3f handicap hurdle but was suited by the longer trip and looks capable of staying further. He is on a winning mark and can be placed to advantage.
Ma Shantou, sent off 4/1 favourite for the Betfair Stayers Handicap Hurdle, ran poorly. The yard’s runners have been finishing weakly of late and he looked amiss. It will hopefully pay to forgive this lacklustre effort.
The concluding 3m1½f handicap chase was won by Top Of The Bill, who made all in an authoritative success. Whether he can repeat it remains to be seen, but the form stacks up. The two to note for the future are Saladins Son and Konfusion.
Saladins Son, having just his fourth run over fences, was a good second on seasonal return. There’s a race to be won with him. Trainer Anthony Honeyball targets the Badger Beers at Wincanton and next year’s race could be his aim, given he’s dual Wincanton winner.
Konfusion stepped up in class, was well backed at 9/4, and was still going well before stumbling and unseating his rider at the 11th. He remains progressive in staying handicap chases.
Summary
Plenty of future winners across the weekend. Fortune De Mer, Martator, Andashan and Konfusion heading the list as horses to note.
Tuesday Racing
There’s a cracking 7f handicap (5:30) at Wolverhampton this evening with four in form horses Sarab Star, Morte Point, Al Arbeed, and Crown Board all capable of winning. Sarab Star is the shortest priced of the four but can win a race like this. Morte Point forced a head heat at Southwell 26 days ago and is just 2lb higher in his hat trick bid. Al Arbeed returned from a 6-month absence to finish a length 4th of 10 to First Principle on handicap debut at Southwell 25 days. The form of the race looks strong, and he should go close albeit stall 8 could be better.
Tomorrow I’ll be looking at Saturday’s Newbury’s Hennessey Gold Cup, sorry I meant the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John