Summer is now fading fast, and the focus rightly begins to shine on the national hunt season proper in Ireland. I have previewed some notable types who have run over the last couple of weeks and who should be progressing for their respective yards as the winter draws in and the jumps season gets into full swing.
Annie Agnew is the first of those and she got the better of a threeway battle on the run-in under Simon Torrens in a two-mile, three-year-old hurdle at Down Royal.
The daughter of Sir Percy, who was runner-up on her debut at Ballinrobe last month, was always prominent and took over in front at the thirdlast where Spinning Web disputing at the time, blundered. The latter came again, though, and was only half-alength adrift at the line with Doctor Nightingale who thought about running out when improving on the inner two out, just a neck further away in third.
Gerald Quinn, who trains the winner said: "We always thought a lot of her. We thought the last day she would improve from the run. Simon says she wasn't doing a wild lot there in doing the donkey work in front. I was sort of a bit worried that the ground had gone good to yielding, she would prefer it a bit quicker. She has flat pace in her pedigree. Listen she is exciting and one to look forward to, I've never had one like her."
In the following race over two miles, Air Drop went one place better in the Mares' Maiden Hurdle.
The daughter of Al Namix, trained by Gordon Elliott, was prominent throughout and went on after the third-last. After fluent leaps at the last two flights, she stayed on well to account for Dame Rapide by threeand-a-half lengths.
Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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LOOKING BRIGHT FOR IRISH STARS
Karl Hedley reports as jumps challengers pile on the heat across the water
WELL SET TO STEP AHEAD
Ben Morgan has ten warming prospects to follow in the coming weeks
CUE FOR MANY A CELEBRATION
Graham Buddry recalls the life and times of jumps legend Cue Card
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
TWISTER RUNS MASTER CLASS
John Anthony watches Nigel Twiston-Davies' star catch time judges' eye
NO LEAVES ON LINE TO SLOW THESE FLYERS
Simon Nott enjoys a West Country Weekend catching up with ring pals
EXPECTATIONS SOAR AT RIDGE
Nick Townsend talks to rising Newmarket training star James Owen
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
NORMA'S COLOURS ARE FLYING PROUD
Robert Cooper sees Percy Willis and Kaadam grace white and green spots and red cap
CHIANTI FLOWS AS NEW LION GROWLS
Prior to the National Hunt season 'proper' getting underway at Chepstow the question on many people's lips was whether or not Willie Mullins would target a second consecutive British trainers' title.