Two more smart prospects for the Top 45

The Top 45 Prospects in One Jump Ahead has made a fine start to the season and the trend continued on Saturday with Taurus Bay (13/2) winning the rescheduled Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Aintree and Chicks For Free (10/11) landed some hefty bets on her Rules debut in the mares' bumper at Uttoxeter looking a very smart prospect in the process. I am looking forward to catching up with Gavin Sheehan at Carlisle on Monday regarding his thoughts on Jamie Snowden's new recruit.

The Rising Stars Novices' Chase was billed as a head to head between No Drama This End and former stablemate Talk To The Man, who had impressed on his fencing bow at Worcester last month. The former took them along at a decent tempo but was in trouble approaching the second last. Headed by Taurus Bay on the inside, Ben Pauling's charge had too much speed for his rivals and fended off the challenge of Talk To The Man after the last to score by a length and a quarter with seven lengths back to the third. Despite his defeat, the runner-up ran well and is likely to be seen to better effect over three miles. A strong traveller and tremendous jumper, he was outspeeded by the winner who had good form over two miles last term. 

Ben Pauling is eyeing the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown in February but has yet to decide whether he runs beforehand. The Grade 2 Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot before Christmas (19th December) is an option, although he will be forced to carry a three pounds penalty. The Group 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase over the same C&D  would seem the obvious target in the spring. Paul Nicholls reports that No Drama This End has come out of his race well. Two and a half miles on drying ground was too sharp for him - he needs soft ground to show his best form and is another likely to tackle three miles sooner rather than later. The Grade 2 Esher Novices' Chase at Sandown (4th December) was touted as a possible target beforehand on Saturday.

Chicks For Free looked a filly with a big future when winning the mares' bumper at Uttoxeter. Heavily supported in the market, Jamie Snowden's runner raced in midfield before being pulled to the outside in the homestraight. Quickening up smartly, she hit a top speed of 35.35mph and covered two of the last three furlongs in 12.87 and 12.74 seconds according to Race Iq. The winning margin of four and a half lengths flattered those in behind with her jockey easing her down late on. Black type will be on her agenda and it will be interesting to see where she heads next - the Listed Henrietta Knight Mares' bumper at Huntingdon (6th December) is a possible target unless or they could wait for the Listed Alan Swinbank Mares' bumper at Market Rasen (22nd January). Either way, she is very much one to follow.

Whilst working at Aintree on Saturday, I managed to have a chat with Dan Skelton and his running plans for the forthcoming Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham next week. That news will be passed on in the November Update, which will be emailed to clients on Thurday (12th November) pm. The champion trainer intends starting his Grade 1 winning novice hurdler Bossman Jack over fences at either Carlisle (17th November) or Ffos Las (18th November) later this month. That is certainly something to look forward to.

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