As the National Hunt season continues to gather momentum, we have already seen a number of eye-catching performances across Britain and Ireland. From established names confirming their promise to emerging talents stepping up, these are a few performances that stood out to me in particular.
Obviously, the performance that brought me the greatest enjoyment was Wendigo’s victory in the Grade 2 John Francome at Newbury, made even more special by sharing the day with so many of his owners. You can still buy or gift a share in him by clicking HERE.
Final orders
Gavin Cromwell’s Final Orders produced a strong performance to land the Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s December meeting under Keith Donoghue, a jockey who excels in these specialist contests. He had run well over the banks on his reappearance at Punchestown and took a significant step forward here, winning by four and a quarter lengths and defeating the well-backed favourite J’Arrive De L’Est. He jumped soundly throughout and asserted in convincing fashion, a performance that has seen him cut to around 7/1 for the Festival Cross Country Chase, where he looks a major player. Keith Donoghue may now face a tricky decision between him and stablemate Stumptown, last season’s winner of the race.
Il Etait Temps
Despite commanding victories at Aintree, Punchestown and Sandown at the end of last season, there remained a feeling in some quarters that Willie Mullins’ grey might not quite be the real deal and would always play second fiddle to his superstar stablemates. Any such doubts were emphatically put to rest with a sublime performance in the Tingle Creek, where he brushed aside Jonbon and L’Eau Du Sud with little fuss.His form continues to look exceptionally strong. He has already accounted for the John Durkan winner Gaelic Warrior by two and a quarter lengths, the Betfair Chase winner Grey Dawning by nine and a quarter lengths, along with several other top-level performers.On the strength of these performances, he is undoubtedly the one to beat in the Champion Chase and currently heads the betting at around 5/2.
Lulamba
A smart juvenile hurdler, narrowly denied in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham before making amends at Punchestown, Lulamba has made an excellent start to his chasing career. He made a striking debut over fences at Exeter, winning by ten lengths. That form has since been well advertised, with the third, Salver, going on to score by twelve lengths.He was then asked to step up again in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown, taking on a strong field of previous winners. Many pundits and punters were keen to oppose him, and while he took a little time to find his rhythm, once he did the outcome was never in doubt. His jumping improved as the race unfolded, he took control with authority, and he powered clear to win by nine and a half lengths. He now heads the Arkle market at around 15/8 and will take plenty of stopping in March.
No Drama This End
Paul Nicholls’ son of Walk In The Park is two from two over hurdles, recording convincing victories on both occasions. While the Sandown contest may have looked weak on paper, he could only beat what was put in front of him and did so impressively, winning by five lengths on the bridle with a smooth, assured round of jumping.His most impressive performance came on his hurdling debut in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in November, where he brushed aside several decent prospects in authoritative fashion. He now looks set to head to the Challow Hurdle next, a route his trainer knows well. On the evidence of his two runs to date, it is difficult to gauge his ceiling, but it would take a brave punter to oppose him at Newbury. He shapes as a major contender for the spring festivals and is prominent in the betting for both the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Oh My Word
The Thomas Cleary-trained gelding made a promising start to his career at Navan in a ten-runner contest run in testing conditions. Initially he appeared to be struggling, but once the penny dropped he picked up willingly under pressure, staying on strongly to win by a length and a quarter.
It was his second start, again at Navan and in similar conditions, where he truly caught the eye, producing a huge performance to improve markedly and win by eleven lengths. In doing so, he accounted for several well-regarded rivals, all of whom had previously been winners. The performance was made even more impressive by the fact that he raced keenly for long periods yet still finished strongly. At this stage, he looks a major contender for the Champion Bumper, where he will inevitably face strong opposition from the Mullins yard and other leading stables. On soft ground, it may take a very smart horse to lower his colours. His next run will be revealing, and another strong performance against quality opposition would see him move into single figure odds for Cheltenham.
Old Park Star
In what appeared a strong race on paper, featuring several previous winners, Nicky Henderson’s gelding produced a hugely impressive performance despite carrying a penalty, powering clear by twelve lengths. He jumped and travelled superbly throughout, relishing the stiff finish and drawing further clear with Nico de Boinville barely having to ask. His form received a boost recently with Un Sens A La Vie, who finished three lengths behind him at Kempton, scoring easily at Ludlow. On all known evidence, he looks set to be a major contender wherever he lines up in March, with current quotes of around 8/1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and 14/1 for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.
Wendigo
Newbury’s Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at the end of November is regularly won by top class performers and chasers that will go onto great things. Like the legendary Denman, Bobs Worth, Coneygree and many more. This year’s winner Wendigo looks another performer destined for the top in jumps racing and has staked a big claim for the Brown Advisory in March. Wendigo settled well just off and jumped fluently throughout. Moving into contention from five out, he was pushed along turning for home before responding strongly to a challenge from No Questions Asked. He jumped the final fence beautifully, edged clear on landing, and stayed on powerfully to win by two lengths. Over a trip that looks short of his best on quick enough ground, this was a really impressive display. At Cheltenham, he will have to overturn the well fancied Mullins’ favourite, Final Demand, but he looks well capable of rising to the task.
