Top 40 Prospects winner The Big Breakaway (2/1)

He wasn't cheap having been purchased for €360,000 at the Goffs Punchestown Sale last spring but The Big Breakaway looked a horse with a big future when winning on his Rules debut at Chepstow on Wednesday. The Getaway gelding, who was an easy winner of his sole Irish point for Donnchadh Doyle, is a half-brother to the useful staying chaser Kildisart. The four year old contested the two miles three maiden hurdle at the Welsh venue and, despite showing signs of greenness, ran out a ready eight lengths winner. Robbie Power's mount joined longtime leader Blackjack Kentucky at the second last before sauntering clear. His rider was suitably impressed and it will be interesting to see where he heads next. Colin Tizzard's charge looks every inch a Graded horse in the making but perhaps he will contest another run of the mill novice hurdle before upped in class. The former Irish pointers are doing the Top 40 Prospects proud at present following the recent successes of Israel Champ and Sporting John.

Earlier on the card, French import Cap Du Mathan could only finish third behind another Tizzard trained runner Getaway Fred. Not for the first time, Paul Nicholls' four year old was tapped for speed when the tempo lifted and could only keep on at one pace. Beaten around six lengths in third, he is crying out for a step up to two and a half miles plus. I thought the runner-up Shang Tang shaped with plenty of promise in second in the same event. A gelded son of Shantou, he has always had a lofty reputation having been fancied in a trio of bumpers last season. Held up, he kept on nicely and is another who will stay further. Emma Lavelle's five year old is from the family of National Hunt Chase winner Loving Around and cost €80,000 as a store. He has a decent future without being a superstar.

Philip Hobbs' interview in the Talking Trainers section of One Jump Ahead continues to churm out the winners with two more at Warwick courtesy of Winter Getaway (9/2) and Flinck (11/4). The best race on the card at the Midlands track was the Highflyer Novices' Chase, which is no longer restricted to four year old. Ironically, it was that age group which proved victorious though with Torpillo making the most of his allowance - received seven pounds from her four opponents. Despite only finishing third, I thought Lisp shaped well. Rated 145 over fences, he isn't bred for fences being a son of Poet's Voice. However, Alan King's gelding jumped well and it shouldn't be long before he makes his mark over the larger obstacles. Keen early on, the five year old was held up by Tom Cannon before making his challenge approaching the second last. While his effort petered out on the run-in, he wasn't beaten far and is the sort who may prefer a big galloping track such as Doncaster.