Saturday Review

The cold spell put paid to the meetings at Fairyhouse and Warwick and, not for the first time, Ireland led the way in terms of rearranging meetings when announcing that the former's fixture will now be staged on Wednesday next week. It remains to be seen whether the Grade 2 Hampton Novices' Chase and Classic Chase at the former track will be saved and hosted elsewhere - don't hold your breath.

Alan King stole the headlines at Kempton with the Barbury Castle based handler being responsible for the three of the seven winnners at the Sunbury venue. Twelve year old and triple Grade 1 winner Edwardstone gained his first win for nearly two years when turning back the clock and claiming the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Conti. The former Arkle Trophy and Tingle Creek Chase winner stayed on strongly in the homestraight to led soon after the third last before beating Master Chewy by a length and three quarters. Sadly, another Grade 1 winner Kalif Du Berlais lost his life following a mistake at the ninth fence. It was a sickener for Paul Nicholls and everyone involved with Team Ditcheat. 

Earlier on the card, Baron Noir made it two wins from three starts over timber when defying a penalty in the opening novice hurdle. The six year old, who beat El Cairos in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival last spring, followed up his victory at Uttoxeter with a workmanlike success here - hit the front too soon and had to be driven out after the second last. A strong traveller, who jumps well, the Vadamos gelding is likely to take his chance in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March - his syndicate will be keen for their members to have a runner at the Festival. Alternatively, the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle over the same C&D next month (21st February) could be an option. A fast run two miles brings out the best in him and something like the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr in April would be ideal for King's promising youngster - the stable have won it twice with Raya Star (2012) and Favour And Fortune (2024). 

Precious Man is also likely to return to Kempton for the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle (21st February) following his comfortable win in the juvenile hurdle. A winner in France prior to being bought privately, the Almanzor gelding finished runner-up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham's November meeting before undergoing wind surgery. Returning from an absence of 56 days, Dan Skelton's charge appeared to have things under control when left clear at the last - the Harry Derham trained Wertpol suffered a fatal injury. Unlikely to head to Cheltenham in March, he is a speedy four year old who is suited by flat tracks and, provided things go to plan next month, the Grade 1 Anniversary 4yo Hurdle at Aintree has been earmarked as his main spring target. Featured in the French Revolution section in One Jump Ahead, he is a useful gelding with a bright future.

A Pai De Nom gave subscribers to the Christmas Special a run for their money in the Lanzarote Hurdle. A three times winner over hurdles beforehand, the Passing Glance gelding was bidding to enhance Dan Skelton's excellent recent record in the two miles five event and didn't look overburdened off a mark of 124. Having travelled smoothly into contention, Harry Skelton's mount came off the bridle turning for home and couldn't match the finishing kick of the former Greatwood and Betfair Hurdles winner Iberico Lord. Beaten eight and a half lengths, there were no excuses. Nicky Henderson's winner had dropped to mark of 136 having run below par on his previous handful of races and only two pounds higher than when winning at Newbury in February 2024.