Favour And Fortune makes smooth start

Top 40 entry Favour And Fortune made a seamless transition to hurdling when outclassing his eight opponents in the opening two miles novice at Hereford on Tuesday. The Soldier of Fortune gelding had created a favourable impression in bumpers last winter winning at Southwell and Warwick before being found to be wrong after the Cheltenham Festival championship event - pulled muscles between his front legs. Reportedly to have been working beautifully in recent weeks, he jumped enthusiastically and took over between the final two flights. A thirteen lengths scorer, his trainer Alan King suggested afterwards that the Hemmings owned runner will contest another run of the mill novice hurdle before stepping up in class. It wouldn't be a surprise if his connections are eyeing a tilt at the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day - the race formerly known as the Tolworth Novices' Hurdle which has been transferred from Sandown. He certainly isn't short of speed and looks a high-class recruit.

Caustic is one of the Unraced Bumper Horses in One Jump Ahead (page 172) and the ex-Juddmonte three year old ran well in the concluding junior bumper at Exeter. In training with Ian Williams until late September, the son of Galileo was transferred to Owen Burrows and was well found in the market. Too keen early on, he held every chance in the homestraight but couldn't match Kel Du Large late on finding Jane Williams' winner three lengths too strong. Given the fact he pulled hard during the first half a mile, he did well to finish as close as he did. Not surprisingly, he was outstayed by a proper National Hunt bred winner. There will be other days for Caustic, especially on an easier track.