Hi all,
It’s Tuesday, which means a dive into the notebook – highlighting Newbury performances missed in yesterday’s column and key notes from Sunday’s Graded card at Fairyhouse.
Victor’s Notebook
Newbury – Friday
Two Grade 2 contests headlined Friday’s action. In the first, Wendigo outstayed No Questions Asked to land the John Francome Novices' Chase. Fifth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m) at Cheltenham, he needed every yard of the 2m4f trip and will be better again returned to three miles. Regent’s Stroll went too hard in front but jumped well on chase debut. If he learns to settle, he has the engine for Grade 2 success.
Impose Toi, a winner of a valuable Aintree handicap on seasonal return, had too much pace for Strong Leader in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle. Receiving 6lb and helped by a steadily run race, he made it tell. This wasn’t a true stamina test, but he should stay a strongly run three miles and is a leading contender for Grade 1 success over 3m.
Earlier, Mambonumberfive made it 2-2 over fences in the Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. The 4yo jumped accurately and is worth his place in a better race next time. Mighty Bandit (Warren Greatrex) shaped well in second on chase debut and can win over fences, provided the ground isn’t too testing.
Newbury – Saturday
Guard Duty (Emma Lavelle) ran an excellent race on seasonal return when a 1¾-length second to the progressive French Ship. He came from further back than the winner and may have been set too much to do. Given the stable has been quiet, the run can be upgraded. Soft ground suits and his mark is workable.
Indeevar Bleu was no match for the well-treated Tutti Quanti in the Intermediate Handicap Hurdle, but this was a solid comeback. There’s a race in him over a bit further. Last Rodeo previously highlighted in the column wasn’t suited by dropping back to an extended 2m and will be better back over 2m4f+.
Intense Raffles shaped better than his 19-length 8th suggests in the Coral Gold Cup. The Irish Grand National winner didn't get enough of a stamina test at 3m2f on ground that wasn’t testing enough. He’s very much one for deep ground and a proper slog.
Elliott & Kennedy Dominate Fairyhouse
Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy swept all four Graded races at Fairyhouse on Sunday, only a neck away from a five-timer. A landmark afternoon.
The first leg came from Mange Tout, now 3 from 3 over hurdles after a decisive win in the Grade 3 juvenile. Koktail Brut then made all in the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, battling hard to hold off Blake. A half-brother to three-mile chaser Gevrey, he should improve for a step up to 2m4f.
The standout performance was provided by Romeo Coolio in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase (2m4f). Travelling powerfully, he could be called the winner three out. His jumping was excellent for a novice, and more Grade 1 success awaits the 6yo.
The four-timer was sealed by Teahupoo in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. Runner-up to Lossiemouth last year, he dug deep to hold Ballyburn and now has three Hatton’s Grace successes. He’ll head straight to the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. There he’ll face Ballyburn who was promoted to favouritism for the race afterwards. It should be a mouth-watering rematch.
It hasn’t been easy for Elliott in recent seasons against Willie Mullins’ dominance, but Sunday was his day and in Romeo Coolio, he has a real star on his hands.
Calandagan Conquers Japan
Before I finish looking back at last week’s action, a quick word on Calandagan’s stunning Japan Cup victory.
I said in my season review that he proved himself a champion when winning the Champion Stakes. On Sunday morning (UK time), he went even higher. He travelled to Japan. He took on the best on their own patch. And he beat them in a record-breaking time.
That’s the mark of a true great.
To go abroad. Handle the pressure. And win the biggest race in Japan. That puts him in rare company.
If you haven’t watched the race yet, do so here. It’s worth a few minutes of your time. And it’s a reminder of why Flat racing, at its very best, is simply unbeatable.
Tuesday Racing
I couldn’t believe the price about Believitanducan, who went off 9/2 before winning at Plumpton yesterday. With two non-runners I expected him to start around 3/1 and thought he might even go off favourite. 9/2 felt like a gift, and I hope readers following the handicap hurdle method were on.
Tuesday’s racing is modest fare, and only one contest interests me – the Novice Handicap Chase (3:05) at Clonmel.
The ground is heavy, so stamina will be crucial. One Last Tango is the obvious place to start. He was set too much to do and didn’t jump well when a 9½-length fourth of nine on reappearance at Limerick. Needs to race handier and jump more cleanly if he’s to finally get off the mark at the tenth attempt over fences. Drops in class here and handles heavy, so he’s the right favourite.
At bigger odds, Rockbrook looks worth consideration on handicap chase debut. He was well beaten on his two chase starts at the end of last season and likely needed the run back over hurdles here 26 days ago. A proper mudlark, he gets first-time cheekpieces and looks fairly treated switching to handicaps over fences.
In tomorrow’s column I’ll be looking ahead to Saturday’s Becher Chase at Aintree
Good luck if you’re playing.
John