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Zenta shaped really well to finish third in an ultra-competitive event on her handicap debut at Leopardstown on Sunday, moving through the race like a mare starting out from a lenient mark.
Zenta, a Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler last season, had seemed in need of the run when third on her chasing debut at Cork in December and she proved a lot sharper back over hurdles at Leopardstown, looking the likely winner as she made rapid headway out wide on the home turn to hit the front before the final flight.
She was unable to sustain the effort up the run-in and had to settle for minor honours, but she showed enough to suggest she's up to winning a big handicap, with the County Hurdle appealing as a suitable option.
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Black Bamboo looks a horse to follow after his encouraging sixth place in the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle over three miles at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Rated 121, he can have his sights lowered into easier company than this, and he shaped well in the first-time hood, finding trouble in-running at a key part of the contest after being ridden with patience from the rear.
He stayed on again after the last and was beaten less than eight lengths, likely ensuring he’ll get to run off a similar mark next time, and in an easier grade he’d be of obvious interest.
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Hermes Le Gris was well backed on his return from eight months off and sent off the 2/1 favourite on his first start for Robbie Llewellyn in this conditional jockeys’ event. He looked all set to deliver another success for his new trainer who is making a name for himself only to come down two out, which was all the more frustrating given how smooth his jumping had been up until then.
After being held up and travelling strongly, Hermes Le Gris led on the bridle entering the straight and was in control at the second last when stumbling and falling, handing victory to Hobb’s Delight. Sold cheaply out of Warren Greatrex’s yard in the autumn after a couple of early-season runs over fences when fitted with a hood, Hermes Le Gris will be worth backing to make amends next time.
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A clutch of generally progressive four-year-olds made for a warmish race for the grade on paper, but the gallop was steady and Wadacre Gomez took full advantage of having his own way in front.
Inspiritus did well to finish as close as he did under the circumstances, ridden much more patiently than the winner, and short of room when beginning to make his effort.
He stayed on well enough in the closing stages, but the winner had already flow, and he finished with running left at the line. There should be more to come from him over this sort of trip and he remains a horse to be interested in from this sort of mark.
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Jo Lescribaa was stepping back up in trip for his handicap debut and shaped a lot better than the bare result in finishing a remote fourth to One Eye On Vegas in deteriorating conditions. Racing on the worst of the ground on the inner throughout while those that beat him charted a wider course, he made his effort early in the straight before weakening approaching two out and finished tired.
Placed in a couple of French bumpers and an Irish point, Jo Lescribaa’s best effort over hurdles came when third in a novice, also at Leicester on his previous start. He’ll prove effective at beyond two miles, and while he had a hard race here, he’s in top hands with Venetia Williams and sure to win races.
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Crossbeau would have been a certain winner of this conditional jockeys’ event, and in convincing fashion too, had he not unseated at the last with the race at his mercy. Having led two out, he was six lengths clear at the time, handing victory to the fortunate Borodale.
Crossbeau had showed little at huge odds in his first three runs over hurdles for Tim Vaughan and was a big price again but offered more on his handicap debut when third to Accidental Legend at Uttoxeter in December. His latest start when unfortunate not to get off the mark at least confirms that he’s going the right way now and it shouldn’t be long before he gains compensation.
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Something To Do showed very little in maiden and novice company last year but proved a different proposition when runner-up on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton on Monday. Something To Do, who was upped markedly in trip, fitted with headgear for the first time and had been gelded since last seen in September, was only denied half a length by the long odds-on favourite after giving him plenty to think about. He was three lengths clear of the remainder and showed enough to suggest he's well up to winning races from his lowly mark, while George Boughey's record of running up sequences with similar types is also encouraging.
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