A couple of near misses

Subcribers to the Christmas Special certainly got a run for their money in the big two staying chases on Tuesday. The Big Breakaway (advised @ 14/1) failed by a length and a quarter to concede twenty six pounds to The Two Amigos in the Welsh National at Chepstow. Joe Tizzard's gelding shouldered 11st 13lb and kept finding in the homestraight but couldn't reel in Nicky Martin's winner who was competing in the race for a third time. It was a tremendous performance by the runner-up who may not have welcomed the persistent rain throughout the day as much as the winner. The disappointment of the race was Ask Me Early who was beaten before the first fence. Positioned wide, he was pushed along from the moment the tapes went up and never looked like getting involved - frustrating to say the least. The Welsh National is run over three and a quarter miles and a marathon test but a good early position is imperative. 

A few minutes later, Panda Boy (advised @ 7/1) was beaten less than a length in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown defying his lack of chasing experience. The Martin Brassil trained six year old was racing over fences for only the fourth time and, having been taken wide J.J.Slevin's mount was switched to the far side in the homestraight staying on well. A short head and three parts of a length third behind old favourite Real Steel (I remember fancying him for the King George one day), it was an excellent effort. The lightly raced Valirann gelding is capable of winning a big staying prize one day and couldn't be in better hands. Unfortunately, Donkey Years parted company with Mark Walsh early on - ironically, he is a stablemate of the winner. 

While it was disappointing not to hit the jackpot in either race, there were no shortage of winners in One Jump Ahead. The Top 40 Prospects had a brace at Leopardstown with Tekao and Fact To File justifying short price favouritism for J.P.McManus and Willie Mullins. The pair produced good performances considering they were keen early on, in particular, the former who stepped up on his hurdles debut at Navan by taking the opening maiden hurdle for three year olds. He is an exciting sort going forward who jumps well and will enjoy a stronger gallop. 

Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers section produced the first couple of winners at Chepstow with Out Of Office (7/4) and Saint Davy (7/2) winning the opening novice / maiden hurdles over two and two and a half miles respectively. The pair are smashing chasing prospects for the future, while the Changing Codes feature included Comfort Zone (10/11) who battled on gamely to win the Grade 2 Finale Hurdle under Jonjo O'Neill jnr. Six and a quarter lengths behind Lossiemouth at Fairyhouse last time, he is a tough sort who handles soft ground well. He deserves a break now following three quick races.

The Talking Trainers feature was also in superb form with Boothill (7/4), Editeur Du Gite (28/1), Flight Deck (10/1), Grandads Cottage (22/1), Saint Davy (7/2) and Tarras Wood (2/1). The last named was one of 11 unraced bumper horses selected by Paul Nicholls in his interview - Fire Flyer, Isaac Des Obeaux, Lime Avenue and Tarras Wood have all won.

Finally, well done to Anthony Bromley who nominated Blue Lord (2/1) as a horse to follow over the Festive period in the Christmas Special. The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned gelding stayed on strongly to win the Grade 1 two miles chase by eleven lengths.