Gamble nearly landed

Aintree hosted their first meeting of the season with the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase providing a thrilling spectacle with former Grade 1 winner Riders Onthe Storm edging out Hitman. Richard Hobson's stable was under a cloud last term but the nine year old bounced back to form with a gutsy display under dual champion jockey Brian Hughes. Despite his defeat, Hitman made a pleasing return to action conceding twenty pounds to the winner. Paul Nicholls' six year old underwent his second wind operation during the summer and is expected to come on for his seasonal return. The Betfair Chase at Haydock (19th November) could be next before a possible tilt at the King George on Boxing Day. More improvement will be necessary if he is to win either of those events but that may be forthcoming over the longer distance. He jumped and travelled strongly here and is capable of mixing it at the highest level.

It was an excellent card throughout with Peking Rose getting the better of A Different Kind in the two and a half miles handicap hurdle. Fergal O'Brien's winner also underwent wind surgery since his last run and he battled on well to hold off Donald McCain's runner-up. The three miles handicap hurdle at Haydock (19th November) is expected to be Peking Rose's next target - both Paisley Park and Stoney Mountain won both events in recent times - while the runner-up looks tailormade for the two and a half miles handicap on the same card. 

Harry Fry spoke favourably about Irish point winner Credrojava (15/8) on page 58 of One Jump Ahead and the daughter of Presenting landed some tidy bets in the concluding mares' bumper. Positioned to the fore throughout by Johnny Burke, the former Sean Doyle trained mare stayed on powerfully to win by half a length. Connections have the option of contesting the Listed mares' bumper at Cheltenham (12th November) next month before going hurdling. A mare with plenty of size and scope, she will appreciate stepping up in trip once jumping obstacles.

It was Ayr's turn on Monday to stage their opening fixture of the jumps campaign and the two miles novices' handicap chase was the main event. Since Day One enjoyed an excellent season over hurdles last season winning on four occasions and he commenced his fencing career with a neck victory over Grade 2 winning novice hurdler Nells Son. Nicky Richards' runner-up looked set to take the prize when moving upsides on the run-in but Donald McCain's charge found more and prevailed narrowly. The winner was receiving eight pounds. Both horses should make their mark over the larger obstacles this winter.

Gandhi Maker was highlighted as a potential 'handicap snip' on page 182 of One Jump Ahead and Stuart Coltherd's lightly raced six year old suffered an agonising defeat in the two and a half miles novices' handicap chase earlier on the card. Heavily backed beforehand - available at 6/1 on Monday morning - the evens favourite produced an in and out round of jumping but looked firmly in control when going clear turning for home. However, Policy Maker gelding belted the third last which checked his momentum and gifted an opportunity to Tfou. Nicky Richards' gelding took advantage and led after the last before recording a two and a quarter lengths win. The Greystoke handler expected Tfou to improve over fences when we spoke in the summer (see page 123 of OJA) but Gandhi Maker should have won and the mistake at the third last proved his undoing. Racing off a mark of 83 and in receipt of twenty three pounds from Tfou, he is likely to get a small rise but will gain compensation sooner rather than later. 

All orders received for One Jump Ahead by noon on Monday have been posted out - those received since, will be sent out on Tuesday am.