Lossiemouth looks another star for the Ricci family

Rich and Susannah Ricci may have suffered a reversal in the bumper at Fairyhouse on Sunday (the person writing the Racing Post analysis must have been watching a different race) but their famous pink and green silks were carried with distinction by French import Lossiemouth (3/1) in the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle. Taken wide by Danny Mullins, the Great Pretender filly jumped superbly and quickened up smartly between the final two flights. Pushed clear on the run-in, she scored by four lengths looking a high-class filly in the process. She will presumably head to Leopardstown on St Stephen's day for the Grade 2 juvenile and looks every inch a Triumph Hurdle prospect. Rich contacted me after the race and feels she will come on a bundle for the outing. She is another exciting prospect for the Top 40 in One Jump Ahead.

There were a couple of notable winners at Kelso, including Traprain Law (13/2) in the concluding two miles handicap hurdle. Owned by Ray Green, the grey is featured in the French Revolution section in OJA and he looked a different proposition following wind surgery. Lucinda Russell's charge had been beaten at the Borders track and Ayr since arriving from his native country and was racing here off a mark of 107. Making all the running, he was quick over his obstacles and stretched away after the last to win by eight and a half lengths. He will stay further, too, and should have plenty more to offer. As discussed, those featured in the French section having been run well of late and Irish Point (18/1) came within a neck of winning the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse being caught close home by Marine Nationale. 

Ned Tanner (7/2) was suggested as a horse to follow in the November Update after his chasing debut at Kelso last month. Contesting the Paris Pike Novices' Handicap Chase, the six year old was taken wide by Sean Quinlan and he travelled strongly into contention on the final circuit. Forced to dig deep after the last, he fended off the persistent challenge of Git Maker to prevail by half a length pulling along way clear of the third. There could be a decent staying handicap chase to be won with the Milan gelding one day.