Roksana and Cyrname Sparkle

 



There was some terrific racing this weekend from here and over in Ireland, we will start with a look back at the 2 day meeting from Down Royal which started on the Friday. As usual it was a great meeting for Gordon Elliot who managed to win 8 of the races across the 2 days, his first one being Farouk D'alene who won in easy fashion as he was entitled to, unfortunately his next 2 runners couldn't get their heads in front. the first one was Queens Brook in the mares novice hurdle, who was beat a head by Skyace, Queens Brook travelled well and took the lead over the last, but Skyace just managed to do her close to home. The next race was the Grade 2 WKD hurdle which saw Abacadabras sent off the odds on favourite as he started his Champion Hurdle campaign, he travelled well and came there with every chance with 2 hurdles to jump, but had nothing to offer when really asked for his effort to go and catch the all the way winner who was Aspire Tower. I'd say that Gordon will not be too upset with Abacadabras' performance there, yes he failed to pick up when asked but I would say he will come on for that run and his next race will be the one that should give us a better idea of if he is Champion Hurdle standard. The next saw Envoi Allen make his chase debut, it was was no surprise to see him win in easy fashion and you'd of been disappointed if he didn't being sent off the 1/14 favourite. He jumped well winning by 6 lengths, he is without a doubt one I’d want to see run again over fences before getting carried away like a lot of others have.
Over at Wetherby on the Friday there was a nice double on the card for the Skeltons, with Shan Blue winning the Novices chase in really impressive fashion maintaining his unbeaten record over fences, he jumped every fence inch perfectly, he's a horse I'm very much looking forward to seeing up in grade but its hard not to of been impressed with what he's done so far. Their second winner was also a winner for the 10 follow with Third Time Lucki winning the Novices hurdle comfortably to keep his unbeaten start over hurdles, there was also a nice run in 2nd by Captain Biggles on hurdles debut and he's one id keep an eye on in upcoming races.

Onto Saturday and back to Down Royal, which started the way the Friday did with winners for Gordon Elliot, amongst his 5 winners on the day were Ballyadam who won his maiden hurdle impressively and Sir Gerhard who won the bumper in equally impressive style. The Grade 2 chase also went to Elliot, but not with Samcro who could only finish 3rd a neck behind Easy Game, the winner was Battleoverdoyen who put in a brilliant round of jumping. Elliot also saddled the winner of the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase with The Storyteller taking the race, it was a great finish between himself and Chris's Dream who were neck and neck up the run in and clear of Tout Est Permis. As well as having the winner Gordon Elliot will be happy with the runs of Presenting Percy and Delta Work who finished 4th and 5th a neck between them, both of who will have bigger targets ahead of them this season.
Back over at Wetherby for Charlie Hall Chase day were my two performances of the weekend, firstly was the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle, which saw last years Stayers Hurdle hero Lisnagar Oscar make a return, but he could only finish 4th, the winner went the way of the Skeltons and Roksana, she was held up out the back before making her move with 3 to jump, jumping her way to the front before the 2nd last quickening clear to win easily by 8 1/2 lengths. After they said this could be her last season racing, so after that performance I’d take a gamble with her and aim her for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham come March, Dan has already said that they will give her a go in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot next time, with all of her best from being around the 3m mark I feel she wouldn't look out of place in a Stayers Hurdle but feel they will go for the Mares again which she has won in the past. The other horse to take out of the race was Next Destination who returned to the track from a 920 day absence running a fine 2nd on debut for Paul Nicholls, will be one to keep an eye on next time out. My 2nd performance of the weekend is an obvious one and that was Cyrname who won the Charlie Hall being sent off 3/1 2nd favourite, he jumped enthusiastically as he usually does and the highest rated chaser in England made a mockery of that starting price winning without Harry Cobden even having to ask him, many thought he wouldn't get 3m or like going left handed but he soon proved that he has no issue with it. After the race Paul Nicholls said he will be aimed at the King George again which he was 2nd in last year, with us possibly seeing him in a Gold Cup come March, it was really great to just see him back on a racecourse after many of us feared the worse after his fall at Ascot last time out. It's safe to say Nicholls has an exciting crop of 3m chasers with Cyrname, Topofthegame, two times King George winner Clan Des Obeaux and last years Gold Cup 6th who he now trains over Willie Mullins in Real Steel.

A quick mention for Carlisle on the Sunday and the Colin Parker Memorial chase which went the way of Imperial Aura who won last years novice handicap chase at Cheltenham, he travelled powerfully throughout the race jumping well beating Windsor Avenue by 2 1/2 lengths. He has since been cut for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham where he's the 2nd favourite behind Saint Sonnet, I wouldn't put anyone off of him as he's improving from race to race and who knows what he could do next time out, its safe to say that the jumps are well and truly back.

Thanks for taking the time to read this weeks blog, next week we have the Elite hurdle and the return of Goshen over hurdles.

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