WETHERBY, 31 March (Soft)
1m7f36yds (+27yds) 0-100 Novices’ Handicap Chase (class 5)
A near-4l fourth for ROBINS FIELD did at least bring to an end an increasingly unfortunate sequence of non-completions (PPFUPP), but how much better it might have been for him without two significant errors at the final pair of fences, the first after having just got to the front. It’s not hard to put those mistakes down to never having been meaningfully involved at the business end of a race hitherto, and overall this was a performance that suggests his current mark of 80 – already 12lb lower than the initial one apparently allocated to him off the back of a single completion in hurdles - is surely conquerable when getting all of the basics right.
An older half-brother to Ballygeary, recently a 2m-2m3f hat-trick scorer in novice hurdles for Donald McCain, Harriet Dickin’s son of Robin Des Champs has enough other encouragement elsewhere in the pedigree (the likes of Sweet Duke) to suppose a step up in trip could be coped with if racing slightly less free than he did here; indeed, perhaps something like a 2m4f or 2m7f chase this summer around Worcester, where in theory he’d once again have as much time to organise himself at the fences as he did here, could prove near to an optimum requirement.
2m (-45yds) Novices’ Hurdle (class 4)
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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.