One that got away

Donny Boy made it three wins from as many career starts when scoring on his hurdles debut at Newcastle on Thursday. Featured in Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers in One Jump Ahead, the Westerner gelding had created a favourable impression on his Rules debut at Kelso when streaking clear to win a bumper by fourteen lengths. Encountering timber for the first time at Gosforth Park, Nick Alexander's five year old was keen early on but proved far superior to his eleven opponents. Having raced prominently, he led at the third last and easily drew away to win by eight and a half lengths. A step up in trip won't be an issue once learning to settle but it will be interesting to see if he is tested in something like the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at Haydock (22nd January). Longer-term, he is ideal for the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kelso (5th March). He is a tremendous prospect.

One Jump Ahead had a decent day but it would and should have been even better - Kyntara ought to have got off the mark over hurdles at the second time of asking. The Kayf Tara gelding had looked one paced when only third on his reappearance at Lingfield in November. Stepping up a couple of furlongs and racing on a slower surface at Warwick on Thursday, he looked in control turning for home and seemingly had the race in safe keeping between the final two obstacles. Unfortunately, Kim Bailey's former UK pointer met the last all wrong and lost momentum. That proved costly as Picanha took full advantage. David Bass' mount rallied on the run-in and was closing in again on Richard Phillips' winner but found the winning post coming too soon. Three parts of a length separated the pair. Kyntara will hopefully gain compensation early in the New Year - he is a proper stayer who wants three miles with plenty of ease underfoot.

The Glancing Queen is being aimed at the mares' chase at the Cheltenham Festival and Alan King's seven year old maintained his unbeaten record over fences at the Midlands track. Bought for £80,000 having won an Irish point for Colin Bowe, the daughter of Jeremy finished fifth in the Dawn Run Mares' Novice Hurdle at the Festival last spring. Successful on her chasing bow at Bangor in November, she was stepping up in trip here and ran out a comfortable seven and a half lengths victor following a fine round of jumping. She is a high-class mare with form figures at Prestbury Park of 1585 - ran has run twice in the Festival bumper.

Winners on Thursday featured in One Jump Ahead were: Crystal Glory (100/30), Donny Boy (4/9), Guily Billy (13/8), Lupus Regem (11/8), Paso Doble (4/5) and The Glancing Queen (7/4).

In other news, Keskonrisk, who was featured in the Top 40 Prospects last season is sadly no longer with us. Formerly trained by Joseph O'Brien, the No Risk At All gelding made his chasing debut for Willie Mullins at Navan last weekend. Having held every chance between the final two fences, he faded tamely on the run-in eventually finishing fifth. A bumper winner for Timmy Hyde, he was subsequently bought by Henrietta Knight on behalf of Mike Grech. 

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