JUMPS SEASON STEPS UP A GEAR

Paul Ferguson is looking forward to key action on both sides of the Irish Sea

- Paul Ferguson

The weekend of October 31November 1 could be a very informative one indeed, with the pick of the action likely to come from Down Royal, a meeting at which Gordon Elliott likes to unleash many of his stars, and Envoi Allen is set to make his chasing debut on the opening day of that two-day meeting (Friday, October 30).

The Charlie Hall is the main event domestically that weekend, while the following day Carlisle stages the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase, a race which has gone the way of Many Clouds, Waiting Patiently and Lostintranslation in recent years. Olly Murphy has suggested that this is where we are likely to see Brewin’ upastorm make his return to action, and the lightly-raced seven-year-old remains a horse with a very bright future.

A winner on his chasing debut at this track last year, he has a perfect record first-time-out (all on right-handed tracks, incidentally) and going back up in distance looks sure to suit this term. Windsor Avenue and Cheltenham Festival winner Imperial Aura are another pair of possible contenders for this, but ready preference would be for Brewin’upastorm, who appeals as the type to enjoy a fruitful campaign.