Qualismart looks just that

Harry Whittington is assemblying a strong team of youngsters and he appears to have another useful prospect on his hands judging by Qualismart's winning debut at Market Rasen. A four year old gelding by Martaline, who is highlighted in the Unraced Bumper section of One Jump Ahead, he was reportedly trained in France but didn't run over there. He joined Whittington during the summer and he looked a natural on his jumping bow at the Lincolnshire track. Racing with enthusiasm throughout, he never looked in any danger having taken charge halfway down the backstraight. A two and a quarter lengths winner, he looks a Graded horse in the making and it will be interesting to see where he heads next.

Newbury staged their first jumping fixture of the season and it was dominated by Nicky Henderson (3 winners) and Paul Nicholls (2). Dusart made a striking impression on his racecourse debut as he won the two miles novice hurdle by two and a half lengths from the penalised Soaring Glory. Previously handled by Ian Ferguson in Northern Ireland, the five year old was due to contest a point-to-point in the spring until the virus put paid to those plans. Despite his lack of experience, the Flemensfirth gelding was very professional and he ran on strongly after the last to win with plenty in hand. He looks a high-class prospect for the Seven Barrows outfit.

The staying novice chase was robbed of a lot of interest when The Big Breakaway was a late withdrawal (ground too quick). However, it was still won in good style by Kalooki, who was making his fencing bow. A smart novice hurdler last term, Philip Hobbs' gelding overcame a couple of sloppy errors to win comfortably by twelve lengths. It would be no surprise to see him return to the same track at the end of the month for the Grade 2 novice chase over an extra furlong (28th November). His stable are beginning to fire now following an ordinary October.

In total, there 4 winners in One Jump Ahead on Thursday, namely Qualismart (5/2), Here Comes Johny (11/8), Ballingers Corner (2/1) and Kalooki (5/2). Don't forget to head to the Publications section of the site to order the 5 One Jump Ahead Updates, if you haven't already done so.