Glad to see the back of November

Gordon Elliott dominated proceedings at Fairyhouse on Sunday with four winners from his sixteen runners, including Grade 1 successes for Romeo Coolio and Teahupoo in the Drinmore Novice Chase and Hattons Grace Hurdle respectively. The former was particularly impressive in beating his five rivals by upwards of eight lengths. The six year old came up short over hurdles at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring but he looks set to make an even better chase producing a superb round of jumping. The step up to two and a half miles appears to have benefited the Kayf Tara gelding and it will be interesting to see where he goes next. Owned by the British based patrons KTDA, perhaps the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown in early February will come under consideration before his main spring targets are finalised. It will be a surprise if doesn't add to his Grade 1 tally before the end of the campaign.

It wasn't quite so straightforward for his stablemat but Teahupoo became the fifth horse to win the Hattons Grace Hurdle for a third time just edging out Ballyburn in a driving finish. The eight year old was gaining his sixth Grade 1 victory and, having led between the final two flight, Jack Kennedy's mount was forced to dig deep to fend off the late thrust of Willie Mullins' charge. A nose separated the pair with 40 lengths back to the third after three other runners departed at the final flight. Expect the pair to renewal rivaly on a few more occasions this term, including at Cheltenham in March. Despite losing his rider at the final flight, Mystical Power ran encouragingly until getting tired late on. The J.P.McManus owned gelding got warm beforehand and is far from straightforward but there is no disputing his talent. Patiently ridden by Mark Walsh, he moved up menacingly before the hometurn. A number of the Closutton inmates have been needing their first outings and dual Grade 1 winner looked another case in point. Still only six, he could yet make an impact in the staying division this winter. 

It has been a tough spell for the Top 40 Prospects in One Jump Ahead and that trend continued on Sunday with a disappointing afternoon. Four of the five runners were making their seasonal reappearances and will hopefully improve with the run under their belt but it doesn't disguise the fact they didn't manage a victory between them and a few bubbles were burst in the meantime. However, I am not going to change my policy and will continue to attempt to highlight young fresh talent from either France or the Irish pointing field rather than fill it with established bumper winners from last season or highly rated hurdlers going chasing for the first time. One Jump Ahead has built its reputation by highlighting dark horses who have gone on to establish themselves as household names. 

While it was a blank day for the Top 40, there were a couple of featured winners at Carlisle on Sunday, including The Burren Man who coasted home to land the two miles three novices' hurdle on his Rules debut. Another success for Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers section, the four year old was purchased for €180,000 in May having finished runner-up in his point for Donnchadh Doyle. Reported to have impressed since joining Harry Derham, the Maxios gelding was confidently ridden on the inner track at the Cumbrian track and strolled to the front in the homestraight. A nine and a half lengths winner, he has a bright future. Juby Ball's win in the beginners chase earlier on the card wasn't as easy on the eye but it was still a sound performance on his fencing bow. Not seen since early February, Evan Williams' runner jumped efficiently and, while the six year old had to battle to regain the advantage on the long run from the last (final two fences taken out due to the low sun), he can remain ahead of the handicapper following his neck win. Soft or heavy ground will dictate his programme and he remains one to follow. 

With November behind us, Upon Tweed thankfully kicked off December in good style maintaining his unbeaten record at Ayr on Monday. A two and a half lengths winner of the two miles novice hurdle, Nicky Richards' budding star had no trouble defying his penalty despite a few novicey leaps en route. The five year old will improve again when encountering better ground and coming off a stronger pace. Don't be surprised if the Berkshire gelding tests his credentials in the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day. The Greystoke outfit sent out Florida Dreams to finish fifth in the inaugural running in 2023 and Upon Tweed looks on a different level. He is one of the hottest properties in the north at present.

If the Top 40 is finding it hard going at the moment, spare a thought for Gavin Cromwell who only managed two places from his 20 runners over the two days at Fairyhouse. Indeed, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winning handler hasn't had a winner over jumps for 22 days and 86 runners. The tide will turn in the near future.