Magical Zoe (18/1) wins Grade 3

Paul Nicholls claimed his eighth victory in the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter with Greaneteen winning the two miles one contest for a second time on Friday. Racing off a mark of 168 and shouldering 11st 12lb, the eight year old made all the running and produced a tremendous performance stretching away to beat his stablemate Dolos by seven lengths conceding twenty pounds in the process. The Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown early next month is his next target and it promises to be a mouthwatering clash if both Gentleman De Mee and Shishkin turned up. The disappointment of the race was Third Time Lucki who dropped away tamely after a mistake at the fourth last. Dan Skelton's dual Grade 2 winner was held up early on and appeared to be travelling strongly turning for home. However, he folded quickly after the hitting the first in the homestraight and Harry Skelton soon accepted the situation.

It was another very successful day for One Jump Ahead with 8 winners in the Talking Trainers section. The highlight of the day was provided by Magical Zoe (18/1) though who stayed on strongly after the last to claim the Grade 3 mares' novice hurdle at Down Royal. Featured in the Switching Stables section on page 169, Henry De Bromhead's filly had won convincingly on her hurdles debut at Wexford during the Autumn but this represented a major step up in class. Racing on much softer ground, she moved well through the race before quickening up on the run-in to reel in Nikini and score by a length. Bloodstock agent Alex Elliott bought the mare for £140,000 having won a bumper for Barry Fitzgerald and he text me after the race to say she will be even better on nicer ground. She is a fast improving filly who won't look out of place in the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares' Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. 

Otherwise, Gordon Elliott dominated the opening day of Down Royal's two day fixture with four winners. American Mike justified prohibitive odds in the opening staying maiden hurdle producing a good performance. Jack Kennedy's mount quickly settled matters after the last having looked as though he was in for a battle at the previous flight. Mighty Potter wasn't quite as convincing on his chasing debut later on the card. A dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, the five year old made a few novicey errors and appeared to hang to his right on the run-in. A three and a half lengths winner from Mars Harper, he will be more at home getting a lead in future but needs to jump better if he is to trouble the best novices this winter. 

The winners featured in One Jump Ahead on Friday were De Legislator (4/9), Greaneteen (7/2), Lallygag (8/13), Magical Zoe (18/1), Masters Legacy (7/1), Outlaw Peter (4/7), Royale Dance (11/8), Teddy Blue (4/11) and Thyme Hill (1/2).

I am continuing to work on the November Update, which will be emailed to clients next Thursday (10th November). If you haven't ordered the 5 One Jump Ahead Updates, please head to the Publications section of the site.