This is the first of a series of weekend reviews I am going to do throughout the jumps season where possible.
We start on Friday with the first day of the Cheltenham Open Meeting, and what a start with the smooth success of Dynaste on chasing debut. It wasn't all plain sailing, as Tom Scudamore had to change his plan of going up the inside of Fingal Bay coming to two out, but for just hand riding sprinted up the hill to win well. If there is a race at the Festival that will best suit him, I would say it was the Jewson as opposed to the RSA. I say that because over three miles around Cheltenham he isn't guaranteed to stay, but he will be fine at Kempton in the Feltham as it is an easier three miles. Fingal Bay was a shade disappointing, and appeared one paced up the hill, the jury is out when it comes to him for the time being.
Dodging Bullets was, in his own way, quite impressive in the Opus Energy Novice Hurdle, after having to make his own running, and keeping on really well up the hill to score by a length and a half. River Maigue ran really well, justifying the hope of his trainer Nicky Henderson, who thinks he can be a 'top novice this season'. A few people think that Court Minstrel would have won if he had a clear run, but I don't think he would. No doubt he would have been closer, but I think Dodging Bullets would have gone again if he was tackled. He would be better suited by an end to end gallop which he didn't get here, and the Festival is a viable long term target. Duke Of Navan ran a blinder too, and is a horse that I really like for the future, probably chasing.It would be great for trainer Nicky Richards to have a nice horse to go to war with down the south like Noble Alan.
The cross country provided another win for Uncle Junior, given a great ride by young Patrick Mullins. I'm sure he'll be back for the big one in March.
Ending the card was the gallant grey Swing Bill who won again under Mikey Ennis, repeating his win in the same race twelve months previous under Tom Bellamy, who has since gone on to more success, impressing many judges. Hopefully Mikey Ennis will be a name we hear plenty more of this season.
Newcastle also raced on Friday, and just one horse to mention here, and that's Aland Islands trained by Tim Vaughan, who made a successful chase debut under Aidan Coleman. His trainer has always thought very highly of him, and he certainly hasn't been over-raced. He will be one we hear plenty more of in the coming months.
Saturday was Paddy Power Gold Cup day at Cheltenham, plus Uttoxeter, where I was heading, and Wetherby. At Cheltenham, Far West again impressed in the opener, beating a horse I'd seen win on his British debut Vasco Du Ronceray. Our Father was yet another David Pipe inmate to impress with his jumping on chase debut, hacking up in the three mile novice chase by twenty lengths. He spent the summer at Timmy Murphy's, and it certainly seemed to help. A super ride by Jamie Moore on Monbeg Dude helped secure the first running of the Henrietta Knight handicap chase, narrowly defeating Bradley, who has Grand National written all over him, he jumps, he stays, and he loves good ground.
To the big one, the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and it was Al Ferof who reigned victorious with a great ride by Ruby Walsh, and proved to the doubters, including myself, that he does stay and isn't badly handicapped. Walkon ran a belter, but it is yet to be seen whether that was only because he was fresh. Grand Crus was flat, and is having a breathing operation, again, the jury is out.
It was also great to see Cross Kennon run so well to in the Listed handicap hurdle, for a under-rated trainer Jennie Candlish.
As for Uttoxeter, I was a little suprised to see so many big name trainers such as Donald McCain, Charlie Longsden, Sue Smith, David O'Meara, Lucinda Russell, but it was Caroline Bailey who shone, with another great piece of placing to get Noble Legend to score for the fourth time in a row, and doesn't he half jump! Cape York was the one beaten horse to take out of the day, spooky in the paddock and green in the race, but he kept on well for a creditable third in the closing bumper behind a nice McCain winner, and will certainly improve once he grows up a bit.
As for Wetherby, just a beaten horse to watch, Electric Tiger, who finished third in the two and a half mile novice hurdle. He needs one more run before he recieves his opening mark and will be of big interest to me if getting a mark around 100.
Sunday was the final day of Cheltenham, plus top class action at Punchestown, and Fontwell's big day with the Southern National the feature. With no Sprinter Sacre or Darlan due to the soft ground, some would have said it was a much weaker card than when the final declarations came out on Friday. Captain Conan provided a jumping masterclass to win the opener, from Sire De Grugy in second, who ran really well also for Jamie Moore. Captain Conan has always looked a chaser and hopefully he gets to the Festival in one piece, because if he does, he will be one to beat. Wishfull Thinking got a confidence building win if anything in the Shloer Chase, followed by a deserved big race success for Olofi, who has had his fair share of hard luck in recent times in similar big field handicaps. Coneygree was a nice winner for Mark Bradstock and Mattie Batchelor in the novice hurdle, and is a half brother to stable star Carruthers, and bred by the late great Lord Oaksey.
As for Punchestown, Hurricane Fly ran out a potentially fortunate winner of the Morgiana hurdle, after the luckless fall of Go Native at the last when holding every chance. It'll be fascinating to see where they both go from here, but it wouldn't suprise me if Go Native ended up having the better season. And as for a jockey in Ireland to watch, Jane Mangan again showed her skills with Beef To The Heels winning on the same card, and is improving with every ride.
I hope you have enjoyed my look back at the weekends action. If you have any comments or feedback, either fill in the box below, or tweet me @willbowler2k12
Will
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