Following a slight lean spell during the middle of last month, Harry Derham's team are back firing on all cylinders with Paul Nicholls' nephew and former assistant sending out 4 winners from only 7 runners this month, including Washington's victory in a valuable handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Viyanni was bought privately during the summer having won on the Flat at Bellewstown for Johnny Murtagh in early July. Given plenty of time to settle into his new surroundings, the ex-Aga Khan owned gelding made a successful start to his hurdling career at Market Rasen on Thursday. The son of Almanzor was evidently well schooled because he jumped fluently racing close to the pace throughout. Taking over before the second last, he got in tight to the last but picked up well on the run-in to record a cosy one and a half length win with thirty lengths back to the third. Lightly raced, he is another nice prospect highlighted in the Changing Codes section of One Jump Ahead.
Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers feature highlighted It's Hard To Know (6/4) having won his sole start 'between the flags' for Pat Turley in February. A winner on his Rules debut for Ben Pauling at Lingfield last month, the chestnut son of Malinas defied a penalty at the Lincolnshire venue under Ben Jones. Making all, he pulled away early in the homestraight and, while that advantage was reduced approaching the final flight, he never looked like being headed giving the impression he will be even better over three miles in time. Stamina and a good attitude appear to be his biggest qualities. He is a promising type.
I have started work on the Christmas Special, which will be published on Sunday 22nd December, and have been studying the weights for the Welsh National at Chepstow. Last year's Update came up trumps with both the first and second, namely Nassalam and Iron Bridge, being selected at bigger prices. Fingers crossed, we can have a repeat later this month. If you haven't ordered your copy, or the other 3 OJA Updates, please head to the Publications section of the site. I am working at Aintree on Saturday and will hopefully speak to a few people regarding their Festive plans - news of those will be included in the Christmas Special. Declan Phelan is also set to pen a piece regarding the latest acquisitions from the Irish pointing ranks - leading owners J.P.McManus and Robcour have already added to their powerful squads with some interesting recruits this Autumn.
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