Our star columnist on Salvator Mundi and a host of exciting recent winners plus a guide to his Saturday team.
I was very pleased with Salvator Mundi in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer at Punchestown on Sunday.
He pulled very hard in what was a slow-run race and wasn’t able to show off his jumping ability against race-fit and experienced horses with decent form but was still able to win.
It looked like he blew up after jumping the second last turning for home and he still had enough in reserve to put a good horse like Kel Histoire to the sword.
I’d imagine he’ll go straight to Cheltenham.
The runner-up might go for a longer race at the Festival in March, being by Masked Marvel he’ll have lots of stamina and just doesn’t have that gear the likes of Salvator Mundi have.
Lecky Watson jumped very well in the main in the Sky Bet For The Fans Novice Chase but made one mistake six out and gave us all a fright at the last, but the second horse made a bad mistake there as well.
Overall, I was pleased with him, and it was a nice jump up from Naas to beat a field like this at Punchestown. He’s started very well over fences.
We missed the Christmas programme with Funicili Funicula and he’s a horse I was always looking forward to getting out.
He’s shown all the right stuff at home, and he’ll get entries for all the top novice hurdles at Cheltenham. He looks quite a speedy type, but I’ll talk to Paul more about that and he’s certainly one that will give his owner lots of good days in the future.
