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Sunday's juvenile event at Exeter has been won by the likes of Monmiral and Fanfan Du Seuil in recent years and while this season's renewal may not be quite so informative, it was hard to knock winner Romeo's Bond who was probably value for a bit more than the bare margin having wandered around on the run to the line.
However, the eye was drawn to Girandole earlier in the contest as Mark Gillard's horse moved well and jumped proficiently before laying down his challenge two flights from the finish.
He was bang there with the winner jumping the second-last and did stay on well enough to hold the third, Prince Of Bad Lins, at bay and if building on this he should definitely be winning over obstacles before long.
He was rated just 50 on the Flat but has clearly taken to jumping hurdles and, being a son of No Nay Never, could be out again soon before the ground turns too testing.
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There were only six runners in this conditions event, but it looks a race to take a positive view on, the first two home showing smart form and pulling clear of the remainder.
The winner, eight-year-old Documenting, recorded his fourth course and distance success, but was better positioned than Spycatcher throughout, and was well placed to make his attack off the home turn.
Spycatcher came from last of all and did well to close the winner all the way to the line in the straight having conceded first run. He was also conceding 4 lb to his older rival, too, which marks his performance up further.
That was Spycatcher’s first start on the all-weather, but he is clearly effective on an artificial surface, and is worth persevering with throughout the winter, as there is sure to be plenty more opportunities for this improving three-year-old.
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He clearly hasn't been the easiest to train but there was a lot to like about Induno's return from over a year on the sidelines in the Fujitsu Handicap Hurdle.
David Pipe's charge had been off the track since finishing fourth at last season's November Meeting, when all-the-rage in the market, and travelled sweetly for much of this contest.
He made good headway early in the home straight and after being shaken up shortly after the second last, kept on nicely.
He appeals as being on a winning mark at the moment and if connections get a clear run with him from here, his turn shouldn't be far away.
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Paul Nicholls introduced a smart sort to win this race 12 months ago, and Thyme White looked very interesting before the race given how he shaped in some top handicaps over hurdles last season.
He is every inch a chaser on looks, though, and Thyme White shaped with plenty of promise to finish runner-up to another good prospect - who had the benefit of a run - on his first start over fences. He was held up in the rear while the eventual winner was front rank for much of the race, but Thyme White travelled fluently through the race and jumped well in the main.
That was his first start since undergoing a breathing operation, and first for seven months, so naturally he is entitled to tighten up for the outing. There was nothing wrong with Thyme White's finishing effort, but he will perhaps be seen to better effect in a bigger field given how strongly he travels, and he is almost certainly on a good mark.
He remains with the potential to progress out of handicaps, too, so is definitely one to look out for next time.
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There were only four runners in this novices’ chase, but the form looks solid enough, the standard setter Emitom beaten only by one who took incredibly well to fences at the first attempt, and smart hurdler J’Ai Froid leaving the impression he will improve plenty for his initial experience over fences.
J’Ai Froid was very progressive over hurdles last season, rattling off a relatively quick four-timer before finishing runner-up in a Grade 3 Handicap at Aintree on his final start. He found another chunk of improvement that day, just not good enough to beat an even better handicapped sort, and the third and fourth bolstered the form next time.
He showed a clear aptitude for chasing on his first start for seven months, too, and seems sure to improve for the initial experience, a little slow and ponderous at some of his fences while also leaving the impression he needed the run in the closing stages. J’ai Froid represents a burgeoning yard, who shouldn’t be underestimated, and he looks a novice chaser to be positive about next time.
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This handicap chase was perhaps not as strong as it looked on paper as Zhiguli and Soyouthinksoagain - the two with the best form over fences - were both disappointing. However, there's still some substance to the form and the winner, Fantastikas, was impressive on his first start over fences.
Pemberley was no match for Fantastikas - a scopey, strong galloper who had the look of a better chaser than hurdler - but he stuck to his task well in second and is one to note when stepping up further in trip.
Pemberley had shaped like a strong stayer when runner-up at Huntingdon when last seen 11 months ago and he again left that impression, keeping on well in the finish. He may be rising nine, but that was only his third start over fences and there is more to come when he tackles marathon events, while the return to softer conditions over the winter should also suit (registered his only win over hurdles on heavy ground).
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Zabeel Champion, a smart Flat handicapper bought for 185,000 guineas, and Lydford, a dual winner on the Flat, are both exciting recruits to hurdling and unsurprisingly dominated the market and the finish on their hurdling debut at Leicester on Monday. First Angel came from a different background having graduated from points and bumpers, and it is to his credit that he got to within three lengths of a pair of talented performers at Leicester.
First Angel made no impression on his hurdling debut at Wetherby last month, but that was a warm race and he clearly improved significantly for that experience, proving much more competitive at Leicester. He travelled nicely, made smooth headway and still held every chance jumping the last before finally cracking close home as the market leaders found extra. That was an encouraging performance - it was notable how he pulled 14 lengths clear of the third - and he may still have more to offer for Laura Morgan, who has impressed during her short training career.
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