Highwind another winner for French section

The French Revolution section in One Jump Ahead has been in excellent form and the blistering run continued on Monday with Highwind making a winning start to his hurdles career at Punchestown. Successful on the Flat for Christopher Head, the son of Zarak was purchased privately in the spring and gelded soon after joining Willie Mullins. Despite a couple of indifferent jumps late on, the four year old looked a talented performer before recording a two and three quarter lengths win. There were some promising efforts in behind but the Audrey Turley owned gelding looked in a different league to the opposition. More work is required in the jumping department but there is no disputing that the engine is there. He can only get better and the New course at Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle will be to his taste. In the last couple of weeks, the French Revolution section has unearthed Highwind, Jimmy Du Seuil, Joyeuse, Kabral Du Mathan, Miss Manzor and Storm Heart.

Switching codes, Value Racing Club have been at it again with Counsel looking a shrewd acquistion winning on his first start for the syndicate at Lingfield. The former John Gosden and Ian Williams trained six year old was purchased for only 9,000gns in July and defied an absence of 212 days to land the seven furlongs handicap off a mark of 67. Taking advantage of a plummeting rating, the Frankel gelding was never far off the pace before running on strongly to score by nearly three lengths. Once rated in the high 80's, there are more races to be won with him.