Ga Law – Fell in 3.15 Doncaster 28/01/23
Ga Law has a big engine and if he could get his jumping together would be a definite winner in waiting. He made a few mistakes throughout this race and travelled into contention only to fall at the last when still with every chance. He is a horse to note, he isn’t the finished article and when he puts it all together could be a very nice prospect. He still has potential off a mark of 152.
Edwardstone – 2nd in 1.20 Cheltenham 28/01/23
Edwardstone was unlucky not to have won this having tracked Energumene throughout the race and was just nabbed on the line by the very game Editeur Du Gite. Alan King seemed very happy with the performance and I would imagine there is more to come from Edwardstone. I think he is a worthy favourite of the Champion Chase and wouldn’t put anyone off having a small double with him and Delta Work for the festival NRNB.
Delta Work – 3rd in 12.40 Cheltenham 28/01/23
In my opinion this was a perfect prep run for the festival for Delta Work. I would imagine he wasn’t fully wound up for this and wasn’t especially suited by race conditions giving weight all round. In March off level weights I feel we will see a different horse who should have way more class than his opposition. He is the next best after Constitution Hill as my banker of the festival.
Datsalrightgino – 2nd in 12.10 Cheltenham 28/01/23
Datsalrightgino was second to Stage Star off a mark of 138 at Cheltenham in a Novices Handicap Chase. They were 10 lengths clear of Unexpected Party back in third. The handicapper has edged Datsalrighgino up a further 3 lbs but back on better ground he is still handicapped to be very competitive. The step up in trip seemed to suit and he can pick up a race before the season is out.
Popova – 2nd 3.40 Thurles 22/01/23
Popova travelled strongly throughout this race and only found the Thomas Mullins Hey Johnny too strong at the finish. Her jumping was excellent in the main, bar a slight mistake at the second hurdle. Popova was raised another 3lbs for this second but she can still be competitive off a mark of 122 and should be able to pick up another race throughout the season. Another slight positive is that trainer Henry De Bromheads horses aren’t flying by any means and when they turn the corner she should improve again.
Legacy Thor – 6th in 1.07 Navan 21/01/23
Legacy Thor was a big eye catcher behind our selection Hms Seahorse in the feature Grade B Handicap Hurdle at Navan. He was a 7 ½ lengths sixth but jumped out to his right at every hurdle bar one and gave away enough ground to have cost him at least a top four finish in my opinion. If this race had been on a right handed track I feel he could have gone very close. Legacy Thor has been dropped 2lbs to a mark of 116 which was his last winning mark. One to go close in his next few runs especially if a good claimer was to ride and he was to get better ground.
Ifiwerearichman – 2nd in 12.00 Navan 21/01/23
Ifiwerearichman ran far too free and showed a good engine to run as well as he did in the circumstances. Now he might not have finished where he did bar Landrake falling at the third last bringing down Spirit of Legend in the process. Intranet went wrong after the second last but still Ifiwerearichman ran well enough to go into the notebook. I personally feel he would be better suited by a right handed track and if he would just drop the bridle he could easily improve. At the age of five and with only four runs on the racecourse to his name that could easily happen.
Faulty – 2nd in 3.57 Fairyhouse 14/01/23
Faulty is becoming frustrating, his form figures read 232 in three attempts to win a Bumper. He was second to a talented horse of Willie Mullins and Westport Cove could prove to be above average over time. If Faulty is to be seen at his best he will need to learn to settle as he is far too free throughout his races to do himself justice at the business end. At this stage it may be better to put him over hurdles with a stronger jockey in Bryan Cooper. A hurdle might just get rid of that freeness and help him concentrate more. He is talented enough to pick up a race over the coming weeks especially when the Cheltenham contenders have been put away.
Kitty’s Light – 3rd in 1.30 Kempton 14/01/23
Kitty’s Light showed enough at Kempton to suggest he is coming back to form at his favourite time of year. He now finds himself well handicapped and can go close again in the Coral Trophy at Kempton when finishing second last year off a rating of 140. Now with an official rating of 132 it would be no surprise if he was to bounce back to form for this lucrative prize. He should be finding a winnable handicap in the next few runs and is one for the tracker.
Common Practice and Nusret – 2nd and 3rd in 12.27 Fairyhouse 14/01/23
Blood Destiny ran out an impressive winner in this race and could be the main danger to stablemate Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle. However, in the same race the Joseph O’ Brien pair of Common Practice and Nusret caught my eye finishing 18 lengths behind Blood Destiny. It looked like both had an eye on the handicap division and both horses interest me in the likes of the Boodles hurdle at the Cheltenham festival. Both Nusret and Common Practice are priced at 25/1 and it was a perfect race to run in, considering it was no surprise to see Blood Destiny win so easily and the handicapper will find it hard to judge the form of those who finished behind.
Cappucino – 3rd in 3.50 Naas 08/01/23
Cappucino was well supported for the final race at Naas on Sunday. There was a strong word for the Paul Nolan winner Cut The Rope who looks like a nice horse going forward. Jockey Jack Hendrick thinks that Cappucino is a nice horse and he looked a bit green throughout the race before staying on into third. There is stamina in the pedigree so maybe this lad will need further in time but he is well regarded by connections and he may pick up a Bumper before going jumping.
Copshill Lad – 3rd in 2.05 Exeter 01/01/23
I Was initially disappointed with Copshill Lad on his hurdling debut, finishing third at Exeter. On reflection I might have been a bit harsh. The winner How Will I know is a nice horse of Harry Frys and on form and more jumping experience was a deserved favourite. The second Game Winner could be another for your tracker as he ran a beautiful race finishing second at 22/1. He was staying on strongly before a mistake at the last put an end to his challenge. He looks like this trip of 2m2fs is a minimum and is suited by a stamina test. Copshill Lad travelled nicely throughout and maybe just needed the run after a long layoff. His jumping should improve for that race and Milton Harris thinks this is a nice young horse who should pay his way.