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Must Go Now had been hit with a 10 lb rise in the weights for his emphatic five-length win at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day but he shaped as if still on a fair mark when third in a better handicap at Naas.
He left the impression that he wasn't suited by the slight drop in trip at Naas but he ran on well in the straight to get to within two and a half lengths of the winner who had run well in a similar event last month, while the runner-up was on a much lower mark over hurdles than fences.
Must Go Now pulled ten lengths clear of the fourth in a race that should prove to be a solid piece of form and, given he has relatively few miles on the clock, he could still do better when stepping back up in distance.
This seven-furlong handicap was run at just a steady gallop and three of the first four home were at an advantage by racing close to the pace.
The only runner to make an impression from off the pace was Lessay who was still last turning into the straight but made good headway and passed plenty of rivals.
This was only Lessay's third start for Ed Dunlop (he was previously with Andrew Balding) and his mark is now lower than it has ever been, so he's one to watch out for on the back of this promising display.
This novice was taken from the front under an enterprising ride, Sweet Couture poaching a clear lead around two furlongs out and having just enough in hand to hold off the next pair home, with newcomer Cupola catching the eye in third.
She was easy to back on debut despite making plenty of appeal on paper, but she shaped with plenty of promise amidst greenness, the penny really starting to drop in the closing stages.
Cupola was dropped in early and raced wide from off the pace, ridden to close in the straight and doing all of her best work at the finish. She looks a sure-fire improver and is well up to winning a similar event next time.
It may be another decade or two before a horse sold for such a sum out of a public sale shows its face over jumps, but the SP of Wolf Moon shouldn't necessarily be used as a stick to beat the form of the highly-touted Palladium who made a winning start to his hurdling career.
Indeed, Wolf Moon started at 50/1, but he shaped much more like he looks (grand chasing type) than either the market or his unplaced run in a point suggested he might, getting close to a rare recruit to hurdling despite having had to come from a long way back.
He also pulled well clear of the remainder, making the winner work harder than expected, and his SP shouldn't dampen the view he's likely to progress and win races.
Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday
FAR AWAY WEST
Runner-up, 2m handicap hurdle, Catterick, Wednesday 22 January
Far Away West was unable to reward strong support on her first start for Dan Skelton (was previously with Daisy Hitchens) but she was beaten only by an improver and it shouldn't be long before she gets off the mark.
Far Away West raced in mid-division early on but was in touch turning for home and she stuck to her task well in the straight without being able to get on terms with the winner.
This was arguably her best effort yet and provides a solid platform on which she can build for this powerful yard.
Time Tested wasn't seen to best effect when fourth in a messy affair at Newcastle and this progressive four-year-old remains one to be positive about.
Time Tested, who was dropping in trip after winning over a mile and a quarter at Lingfield on his previous outing, raced in mid-division but became outpaced when the steady pace lifted. He was unable to land a blow but kept on well inside the final half-furlong to be beaten less than a length and a half in fourth and he remains capable of better when getting a stronger pace to chase or when stepping back up in trip.
He had previously won three of his five starts outside of novice company - he was runner-up on the other couple of occasions - and been progressing well on Timeform ratings.
Although yet to win a race, Zero Tolerance remains one to consider off his current mark as he shaped clear second-best here until his front-running exertions took their toll after an uncharacteristic late error.
Going with plenty of zest at the head of affairs, Zero Tolerance pressed on some way out and typically jumped well for the most part, though was headed after a mistake two out and lost a couple of places on the run-in to finish fourth behind favourite Always Busy.
This was a slight step up in trip for Zero Tolerance who has had only four runs over fences and finished runner-up at Newton Abbot and Chepstow on his two previous runs this season.
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