Thursday Review

Jonjo O'Neill is putting together a strong team of youngsters and Springwell Bay looks a smart recruit to Jackdaws Castle, judged on his wide margin win the bumper at Market Rasen on Thursday. The Kayf Tara gelding had finished runner-up in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper at the Punchestown Festival last spring (third won easily at Ayr on Monday) before being bought a couple of days later for €155,000. A half-brother to the 137 rated hurdler Mint Condition, he was sent off odds on favourite for his first start for new connections and never looked like letting his supporters down. Ridden handily, Jonjo O'Neill jnr's mount went to the front in the homestraight and sauntered clear with the minimum of fuss by win by fourteen lengths. Given the fact he is only four, it would be no surprise to see him kept to bumpers with the Listed event at Ascot next month (17th December) a possibility. Stablemate Soaring Glory finished runner-up in the race a couple of years ago.

I was impressed with Earth Lord's victory in the two miles five novice hurdle at Wincanton. The Mahler gelding was placed twice over hurdles during the spring but looked an improved performer on his reappearance. Racing and jumping with a lot of enthusiasm, Philip Hobbs' charge proved far superior to his six opponents pulling clear after the second last. Rated 127, he remains a novice for the whole season but would be an interesting proposition in handicap company. A strong traveller and fine jumper, he will make a chaser long-term but there are more races to be won with over timber in the meantime.

Two of last year's Top 40 Prospects, namely Amarillo Sky and The Edgar Wallace won over fences at Wincanton and Market Rasen respectively. The pair jumped well and looked set to reach much loftier ratings over fences compared to their hurdles ratings. The latter had no trouble disposing of Sam Barton in the two miles five novices' handicap chase at the Lincolnshire track. Emma Lavelle's gelding was bitterly disappointing. Even allowing for the fact the track looked sharp enough, he came off the bridle along way from home. Ironically, he had beaten The Edgar Wallace over hurdles at Doncaster last season and was four pounds better off here. It is very much a case of going back to the drawing board with him - he is crying out for three miles on a galloping track and much softer ground - he looked woefully slow on this occasion.