I was thrilled that Thistle Do Nicely followed up his impressive win at Wincanton with a very taking display in a Class 3 Novice at Wetherby on Charlie Hall day. He beat a solid 125 rated horse by an eased down 10 lengths, and in turn achieved a rating of 134. I think he could be very smart, and I look forward to stepping him up in Grade as the season progresses.
Thistle Do Nicely powers clear in the Class 3 at Wetherby.
Another youngster to impress lately was Alrightjack, who put in a good performance to win his bumper at Fontwell last week. He powered away up the hill and I look forward to his novice hurdling career with anticipation. We have run 7 horses in bumpers this season and all have been placed, with 4 finishing runner up, so the future looks very bright.
Alrightjack wins his bumper.
Meanwhile, as the youngsters have been winning, the older horses have been holding their own in Graded races this season, as we’ve been placed in 3 of the first 4 Graded race this season. Monbeg Theatre went down fighting when 3rd in the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle, where Tom O’Brien gave him a cracking ride, but it was a real shame for Page to miss out on him after she broke her collar bone last month.
We head to Cheltenham tomorrow where Double Treasure will look to go one better than his gallant 2nd in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow earlier this season. He runs in the competitive Grade 2 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, and is in top form at home. He’s the highest rated in the race so lets hope the handicapper is correct! Fact of the Matter also runs tomorrow, but he’ll take his chance in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase. He schooled beautifully over the course last week, and I hope it brings about a few pounds of improvement in him, but he’ll be doing well to beat last seasons Aintree Grand National hero, Tiger Roll.
Fact of the Matter runs at Cheltenham tomorrow.
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