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Wotter Trotter was sent off a big price on debut for a horse representing the Skelton brothers but he belied those odds with a promising effort in fourth.
Wotter Trotter, who is by a leading sire in Walk In The Park and is a half-brother to numerous winners, was ridden with patience and fared easily the best of those held up, his effort only flattening out after a late mistake.
This was a positive introduction in a good novice for the track and he is entitled to progress for the experience, with the step up to two and a half miles likely to suit.
Timeform Eyecatcher: Saturday
WATERFORD WHISPERS
Runner-up, 2½m beginners' chase, Navan, Saturday 7 December
This was a strong maiden chase which is likely to prove a rich source of winners in the coming weeks.
Waterford Whispers, a chasing type on looks, was unable to land a glove on the impressive Ile Atlantique, but he shaped very well in second, matching the pick of his useful hurdles form at the first time of asking over fences.
Waterford Whispers jumped soundly, travelled well and kept on under a hands-and-heels ride without being able to seriously challenge a talented rival who was placed in two Grade 1s in novice hurdles last season. Waterford Whispers is entitled to build on this encouraging introduction to chasing and it shouldn't be long before he's off the mark in this sphere.
The second running of this Grade 2, and it attracted a strong-looking field, with a trio that had shown plenty already over fences and two newcomers that look the type to make better chasers than hurdlers, in particular the third Saint Davy.
He developed into a useful hurdler last season, winning handicaps at Ludlow and Sandown, but he's a well-made gelding, and very much a chaser on looks.
Connections seemingly hold him in high regard to start him at this level and he showed more than enough to suggest he's capable of winning races in this sphere, just caught out by the downhill fence both times, otherwise jumping solidly. This experience won't be lost on him and he's a sure-fire improver for next time.
Nedzor’s dam is from the good jumping family of Kingsmark, Gaye Brief and Gaye Chance, and though unlikely to reach those heights, there was plenty to like about his hurdling handicap debut at Leicester on Thursday.
Well backed, Nedzor was given a positive ride by Henry Brooke, leading until approaching the last, and again briefly on the flat, before staying on all the way to the line.
Unfortunately for his backers on Thursday that wasn’t quite enough as he bumped into a clearly well-handicapped horse in winner Trust House who represents a yard in flying form.
With that reappearance under his belt, Nedzor can surely go one better soon, including if tried over further, and is one to keep firmly on side.
This form should work out well, a couple of those towards the top of the weights making their class edge tell, with the most progressive Charlotte's Web stamping herself as a potential pattern-class filly by overhauling Elladonna after the pair had pulled clear.
Elladonna did very little wrong, just unlucky to bump into a filly improving at a rate of knots, proving as good as ever, leading on the bridle two furlongs out and only headed in the final 50 yards.
There are more races to be won on the all-weather with Elladonna, unlikely to bump into a rival as progressive as Charlotte's Web if placed properly, and she represents a trainer who does with in the winter months.
Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday
CHEERFUL CHAP
Runner-up, 2¼ mile novice handicap chase, Clonmel, Tuesday 3 December
Cheerful Chap, a dual winner over hurdles last season, is able to run off a lower mark over fences and is of interest in this sphere following a promising reappearance at Clonmel.
Cheerful Chap was never far off the pace and went upsides at the second last but couldn't go with the winner on the run to the final fence and was ultimately beaten by five and a half lengths in second.
There was no shame in finding the unexposed winner too strong and Cheerful Chap looks up to defying this sort of mark over fences, particularly as he's entitled to be sharper with this comeback under his belt.
A winner of her sole outing in Irish points, Lady Balko was always likely to improve on her fair handicap hurdle form once sent over fences and that looks likely to be the case for a mare who recorded a hurdling hat-trick last season judging by her performance on Monday.
Having shaped as if in need of the run over an inadequate trip when fifth to Billytherealbigred in a novice handicap at Bangor on her chasing debut (form working out well) in October, Lady Balko got back on the up at Plumpton on Monday back up in distance.
She dictated travelling smoothly, quickened clear leaving the back straight and was firmly in control when untidy at the last, winning easily. Her jumping was very assured bar two minor blips and she is a young staying chaser to follow, with further wins sure to come her way this winter.
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