2.00: A fair renewal of the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle
and won in game style by Fundamentalist. A good winner on his
Kempton debut, he had not impressed everyone with his attitude at Haydock
next time when second to Royal Rosa but did absolutely nothing wrong
here. Travelling well off a decent pace he was in front two out and
overcame a mistake at the last to fend off the late thrust of favourite
Inglis Drever. Chasing is always going to be the winner's game – he is a
triple point-to-point winner, but connections hope to taste further success
at Liverpool and Punchestown this season. Providing this hasn't left its
mark, and he is relatively fresh, the three miler at the former venue would
look an ideal target. Connections are undecided whether to go over fences
next season or not and Cashmans' quote of 16-1 him to win the Royal &
SunAlliance Chase next year makes little appeal. Inglis Drever was the
form horse in the race but came off the bridle surprisingly early. He did
run on strongly from the bottom of the hill but needs softer ground. This
performance made a mockery of suggestions he should have run in the Champion
Hurdle on Tuesday and he would need the mud to be flying to be effective
against the best at the minimum trip. Grey Report ran a tremendously brave
race in third having made the running. However he has his limitations and
the fact he was only four-and-a-half lengths adrift of the winner at the
line suggests this wasn't a vintage renewal. Sadler's Wings was a major
disappointment having flattered to deceive coming down the hill. He was
warm beforehand and didn't fire on the day but not for the first time in his
career, he didn't look entirely straightforward. The on-course money for
Very Optmistic was hard to fathom as he needs softer ground. He was never a
factor in the final six furlongs but remains a good chasing prospect.
2.35: A race that completely changed complexion from the bottom of
the hill with Our Vic failing to last home and justify strong stable
confidence. Instead the race went the way of Rule Supreme, long regarded
as a good prospect but sent off at 25-1 and Willie Mullins' second
string. His fencing has long been a cause for concern but his sustained
run from the third last eventually took him to the front on the run in. He
clearly has talent but his fencing will always be a problem as connections
ponder where to go next. Mullins feel he has the engine to be a Gold Cup
horse but fears he lacks the scope for the Grand National. He could be hard
to place. Royal Emperor ran very well in second considering he would have
preferred softer ground and jockey Dominic Elsworth dropped his whip. He
is going to be aimed an next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup but needs to
progress further before becoming a leading contender. No excuses were
offered for Our Vic and as owner David Johnson admitted it is "back to the
drawing board" with him. He had travelled like the winner coming down the
hill and may be better on flatter tracks. He remains lightly raced and an
exciting prospect. There was carnage at the second last where the Mullins
first string Mossy Green came to grief, bringing down Pizarro. Ruby Walsh
felt his mount would have been placed without winning, a remark which
mirrored the verdict of Barry Geraghty over Pizarro. Both are talented
young chasers but much depends on how the handicapper assesses their
performances to date. Calling Brave parted company with Mick Fitzgerald
four out and returned with a big cut to his leg. He is expected to make a
full and speedy recovery but while connections felt he wasn't beaten at the
time of his exit, neither were they saying he was set to play a leading role
in the finish. All in all a fair renewal of the race but one which again
leaves us without a natural heir to Best Mate's throne.
3.20: Not the clash of the giants we had expected but a display of
breathtaking quality from Azertyuiop who won this race with a decisive turn
of pace turning for home. However his race was really won four out when
for the second year running Moscow Flyer dived at the fence. In 2003 he
survived, this year Barry Geraghty was unshipped. He had been slow at two
previous fences too and Jessica Harrington admitted afterwards that her star
had not been able to settle into his rhythm. We will never know if he
would have managed to overcome these problems to defend his crown but it
seems unlikely. The winner is 2-1 to repeat his success in 2005 with
William Hill, who make Moscow Flyer 5-2. God willing they seem set to
dominate this division for another 12 months and set a very good standard
for Well Chief and company to aim at. Remarkably Venn Ottery looked to be
the danger to the winner as he was still swinging away approaching the
second last. He emptied at the bottom of the hill to finish a leg weary
fifth and trainer Paul Nicholls was inclined to blame his previous breathing
problems. However he warned if these could be sorted out the remarkable
nine-year-old would "not be far behind Azertyuiop next year." Philip Hobbs
felt Flagship Uberalles would finish second behind the big two and therefore
expected him to be second following Moscow Flyer's exit. It was a good run
from the previous champion, tying in with his Tingle Creek effort earlier in
the season. As Hobbs pondered maybe he had run as well here as when
winning the race two years ago. He is third best of his generation
now. Cenkos ran on up the hill to finish fourth which was commendable
given the fact he had raced up with the pace. Mick Fitzgerald feels he may
stay further but he is always going to struggle in this elite company. Ei
Ei and Eskleybrook were out of their depth.
4.00: Connections of Monkerhostin have enjoyed a good month
and their seven-year-old was a brave winner of the Coral Cup. Travelling
strongly throughout, he was still swinging away turning in and then
responded well to pressure to fend off the sustained challenge of Court
Shareef. He was undoubtedly helped the presence of Rhinestone Cowboy in
the field, allowing him to carry 10-8 but will struggle to find handicaps
from here. He is proven at a higher level though and at the age of seven
looks more straightforward than has been the case in the past. The
runner-up carried no fewer than 11 pounds more than his long handicap mark
and while it was a personal best, it could also be one he pays a hefty price
for. Rhinestone Cowboy ran a cracker in third, still travelling well but
losing touch with the two principals going to the last. He ran on to hold
on to third without threatening to close the gap and it will be fascinating
to see where he goes next. A step up to genuine staying distances could be
on the cards as connections clearly feel he lacks the speed to mix it with
the very best at two miles. Mughas ran another honest race in fourth but
is a pound or two too high in the weights. His hand was played in November
when he won a couple of quick races but he has progressed since. He deserves
a chance of luck. Emotional Moment ran well in fifth, his handicap mark
having been protected by a mixed season over fences. He could still have his
day in a race of this nature. The French Furze has dropped to a lenient
mark but is far from straightforward and it seems highly unlikely that he
will be able to exploit it.
4.35: Not a race to take too strong a view about but favourite
backers went home happy after Native Emperor overhauled Celestial
Gold in the dying strides. Robert Widger gave the winner a very confident
ride and was still some 25 lengths adrift of leader Celestial Gold going to
the second last. However he began to eat into the defecit soon after and
as the leader tired, he was well on top at the finish. Handicaps look the
future of the winner who has plenty of ability. The runner-up ran a super
race and looked all over the winner when storming clear at the third
last. He couldn't maintain his relentless gallop up the hill but is
lightly raced and there are more races to be won with him. Drombeag, a
stablemate of the winner, was also given plenty to do but made eyecatching
headway down the hill. He could never land a telling blow to the
principals but held on well for third. His best days are in front of him.
5.10: Tikram defied his novice status and being three pounds out
of the handicap to win well under Timmy Murphy. He jumped well in the main
and showed great tenacity up the hill. Useful over hurdles, he is going to
be even better over fences. Iznogood has been in great form of late and he
gave the winner most to do. Racing prominently throughout he battled on
splendidly under the McCoy drive. He can win again providing he remains in
the same heart. Performance of the race came from the third home Fondmort who
was under pressure going to the last but stayed on strongly for third. He
is on a career high handicap mark and is never going to find it easy but is
a model of consistency around here and a credit to connections. Jakari was
among the disappointments of the race but both Turgeonev and Polar Red
caught the eye. The former had chased Isio home in the Vodafone Gold Cup
last time and did well to finish fifth after losing his pitch four out. He
was carried wide too after the last and remains at the top of his
game. Polar Red looked set to play a major role in the finish turning in
but his stamina limitations were exposed. He would be of interest dropped
in trip this spring.
5.45: The secret was out after her gallop at Leopardstown and
Total Enjoyment received one of the roars of the meeting in winning the
bumper. She was impressive too, always going well for Jim Culloty, going
on two furlongs out and thundering home up the hill. She has a bright
future along with runner-up Refinement, another mare who was anchored off
the early pace. She could never reel the leader in close home but never
gave up the chase and was clearly the pick of the home team. Master Albert
ran on well from an impossible position to claim third but his Fairyhouse
conqueror Martinstown was a bitter disappointment. He went out very
quickly as the tempo increased and with his form upheld, is definitely worth
another chance. He remains a fine long-term prospect. Knocknabooly very
much caught the eye, travelling best for a long way before failing to
sustain his run inside the final quarter of a mile. He isn't short of
speed and will be a fascinating recruit to hurdling next winter.
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