8 from 14 at Chepstow

The selections in the Autumn Update didn't come themselves in glory over the last couple of days. Scaramanga ran creditably in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on his first start for Willie Mullins finishing eighth. A shade keen early on, Jason Watson's mount held every chance inside the final quarter of a mile before his effort petered out late on. He wouldn't have beaten the easy winner Run For Oscar under any circumstances though who blitzed the field by over three lengths. 

Admiral D was ninth in the Coral Sprint at York and never landed a blow. The slow ground was expected to suit Richard Fahey's three year old but he was in trouble early on struggling to lie up with the leaders. Whilst he made modest late headway, Oisin Orr's mount was never a threat. Perhaps he was feeling the effects of a long season. It was a disappointing effort nevertheless.

The Talking Trainers section in One Jump Ahead fared much better with 8 winners from 14 races at Chepstow's two day fixture on Friday and Saturday. Chris Gordon sent out a double on the opening afternoon with Press Your Luck and Presenting A Queen scoring. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls rarely leaves the Welsh venue empty handed and once again his string came to the fore with three winners, including Knappers Hill (16/5) in the Silver Trophy. Paul stated on page 107 that he felt the six year old was 'a 150 plus hurdler in the making,' and he carried 11st 10lb to a two and a quarter lengths victory off a mark of 141 in the day's feature. 

Paul also suggested that Flic Ou Voyou (9/4) was capable of winning a decent two and a half miles handicap chase. The Kapgarde gelding produced a terrific round of jumping before crossing the line seven and a half lengths in front. 

Elsehwere, Lucinda Russell continued her excellent start to the season with Green Vault (9/4) producing a strong staying performance in the novices' handicap chase at Hexham on his chasing debut. Racing off a mark of 112, he kept on strongly after the second last to win going away by nearly four lengths. Stamina is very much his strong suit and even softer conditions will suit in the future.