Saturday 1 November – Horse racing review
Wetherby
The Charlie Hall Chase run over, according to Timeform, two-miles, seven-furlongs and one-hundred and seventeen yards, developed into an exciting race. The first five home jumped well, apart from minor mistakes from MENORAH and Taquin De Seuil. MENORAH ran 5lb below his Timeform master rating and equalled his best RPR. This was the fourth time in the past two seasons he has recorded and excellent RPR on good or good to soft. To put some meat on the ratings bone, Silviniaco Conti ran 15lb below his 2013 King George win. Taquin Du Seuil, who appeared to get a second wind running into second, ran 1lb below his Festival win. Double Ross upped his game, recording his best RPR, 3lb above his career high. Medermit ran well after a break, just 2lb below his Punchestown RPR recorded in April. Overall, to my mind this comes up as Grade Two standard, with Taquin Du Seuil looking the one most likely to improve in the coming weeks and months.
Elsewhere at Wetherby, SOLAR IMPULSE, despite a desperate mistake at the sixth fence, ran on strongly, jumping the last two fences in good style. He beat a consistent yardstick (ran to his best RPR) and should develop into a useful handicapper. AURORE D’ESTRUVAL confirmed herself a smart mare when sauntering home in the Listed Mares Hurdle. The second and third ran very close to their best suggesting the form will stand the test of time.
Ascot
At Ascot, there were some notable performances highlighted by SIGN OF A VICTORY’S win in the two-mile Handicap Hurdle. Cantering throughout the race he won easily by half a length. The margin more than flattered the runner-up with an 11lb rise in the handicap unlikely to halt his progress. SIGN OF A VICTORY is best on good or good to soft and may reappear in the Ladbroke Hurdle, ground permitting. The runners from Seven Barrows generally looked in the need of the run/experience. Clondaw Banker, Cocktails At Dawn, and Chapel Hall all look sure to find the winners enclosure in the coming weeks and months. Jolly’s Cracked It and Wilberdragaon both look progressive horses, with the scope for further improvement. The former may defy a penalty before taking on stronger opposition, while the latter may go straight over hurdles having schooled well at home. On Sunday November 2nd at Carlisle, MANY CLOUDS showed his well-being taking the Colin Parker Chase. He battled on well having jumped well throughout the race. He now heads for the Hennessy Gold Cup, with his trainer reporting he will come on again for the race. If getting genuine soft ground, he holds a decent shout. The runner-up Eduard lost nothing in defeat conceding 6lb. He will improve further if getting his jumping together. Holywell reportedly looked badly in need of the run and is unlikely to show his best until the New Year. OTAGO TRAIL made an impressive hurdles debut in the opening novice hurdle. He travelled like a dream looking a natural as he jumped fluently throughout the race. One to keep an eye on. Over at Huntingdon, UN ACE got his chasing career back on track with a good win over a useful yardstick, while ORDO AB CHAO continued his education winning comfortably. The trainer has a high opinion of this exciting novice hurdler.
Down Royal
Over in Ireland, ROAD TO RICHES and DON COSSACK ran out comfortable winners of their respective races at Down Royal. It is worth noting between them, they have won eight chases; seven of those have come going right-handed. Both Rocky Creek and Boston Bob were in need of the run behind ROAD TO RICHES.
