Irish Pointers end the year in style

It was fitting that Paul Nicholls claimed the final Grade 1 of 2022 with Hermes Allen landing the two and a half miles event at Newbury by an eased down by four and three quarters of a length. The Poliglote gelding, who was purchased for £350,000 over a year ago, was making it three out of three over timber since joining the Champion trainer. Successful in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham last month, he produced an even better performance in tough condiitons at the Berkshire track. Leading in the homestraight, he was switched to the stands side after the last and was value for more than the winning margin. It was Nicholls' fifth win the race and his third successive victory following on from Bravemansgame and Stage Star. The Ballymore NH at Cheltenham will presumably be next and will go there with realistic claims. He may have been expensive but you get what you pay for and he looks very good indeed. 

Hermes Allen was highlighted as a horse to follow in Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers and the section has ended the year in rampant fashion. Well Dick (3/1) was also included and Charlie Longsdon's recruit built on his Rules debut at Chepstow by taking the staying novice hurdle at Uttoxeter earlier in the afternoon. A big strong individual, he stayed on dourly to win by nearly two lengths. Stamina is very much his biggest asset and fences will be his job next term. Chasing Fire, Deep Cave, Hermes Allen, Out of Office, Saint Davy and Well Dick have all won since Christmas. 

It was disappointing to see Jet Powered faded tamely in the Introductory Hurdle at Newbury finishing a remote fifth. Nicky Henderson could offer no explantion afterwards. The combination of racing keenly early on in bog like conditions certainly didn't help his cause but there must be more to it than that. It is worth remembing the Jet Away gelding underwent wind surgery before his Rules bow in the Autumn. Hopefully, the five year old can bounce back.

Every cloud has a silver lining though and the two miles contest went the way of the French import Jupiter Du Gite. Racing for the first time for Gary Moore, the Sussex handler commented on page 92 of One Jump Ahead: "A half-brother to Editeur Du Gite, he is a gorgeous horse who was purchased in April having finished third in his only AQPS Flat race earlier the same month. Gelded since arriving, he is a lovely horse." Only a three year old, he made the most of his hefty age allowance making all the running and winning by 15 lengths. Sent off 66/1, there were no shortage of clients who ended 2022 on a high note, judging by the emails I have received since. 

Happy New Year and best wishes for a healthy and profitable 2023 to all subscribers and contributors from everyone at Mark Howard Publications Limited.