Another major weekend of jumps racing is in the books, with Grade 1s in both Britain and Ireland and some truly engrossing contests. Here we look at five weekend eyecatchers to keep an eye on going forward.
Weekend Eyecatchers: 5 to Follow from this Newbury and Fairyhouse
Weekend Eyecatchers: Regent’s Stroll
Starting at Newbury on Friday in the first race of their major two-day meeting, Regent’s Stroll was a notable winner for Paul Nicholls and an ownership group that includes Sir Alex Ferguson. It would not be their last success of the weekend, but it was certainly one of substance. Unbeaten after bumper wins at Ascot and Newbury last season, Regent’s Stroll was well touted on his jumping bow in the hands of Harry Cobden.
He jumped well until the second last when he made a shuddering error, almost coming to a standstill. It was to his credit that he got going again and won by nearly 10 lengths, suggesting there is considerable depth to his talent. He could have Grade 1 novice hurdles in his near future at the likes of Cheltenham or Aintree in the spring.
Weekend Eyecatchers: Sir Gino
The absence of Constitution Hill from the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle meant Nicky Henderson instead had to rely on Sir Gino, and the young pretender more than met the challenge. He gave Nico de Boinville a perfect spin around Gosforth Park and they cruised clear to win by eight lengths, landing a first Grade 1 in open company for the unbeaten Seven Barrows inmate.
The form is open to some question, with the 143-rated Lump Sum in second while Sir Gino’s main market rival Mystical Power ran no sort of race and finished out the back. Still, the winner was impressive and has put himself in the Champion Hurdle picture.
Weekend Eyecatchers: Lossiemouth
Another weekend winner firmly in the Champion Hurdle picture is Lossiemouth after she won the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, beating reigning Stayers’ Hurdle champion Teahupoo. The Willie Mullins-trained mare was keen at times and a poor jump at the fourth last appeared to put her on the back foot, but Paul Townend was patient and waited before going past his three rivals to win decisively after the last.
“She has that bit of speed. She has a nice Flat pedigree and when they went steady, it was [hers to win] bar a fall or something like that,” said Mullins. “She did make a bad mistake at the fourth last but when it came down to a speed race, I thought she was going to win that anyway.” Lossiemouth is now favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March – a venue where she has won all three starts previously.
Weekend Eyecatchers: Caldwell Potter
Once trained by Gordon Elliott, Caldwell Potter changed hands for a staggering €740,000 in February and was having his first outing for Paul Nicholls as he jumped fences for the first time in public at Carlisle on Sunday.
He impressed but did tend to jump quite exuberantly at times over the minimum trip. Still, his new boss was enthused by what he saw and the Ditcheat supremo is looking forward to plotting his way forward. “He’s relatively inexperienced so we’ve just got to build that experience now, get him some practice and quietly creep on,” was Nicholls’ assessment.
Weekend Eyecatchers: Croke Park
Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud landed the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase with Croke Park. Sam Ewing was the man on board and his mount made every yard of the running but was being asked serious questions from three out to the line, as market principals Heart Wood and Firefox attacked alongside Gorgeous Tom.
Croke Park wasn’t to be denied and stuck his head down gamely to win by a neck and a short-head in a pulsating finish. Given his determination late on and the fact he won his beginners’ chase over a trip in excess of three miles, the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in the spring could be a long-term target.
By James Mason
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