Jagwar and Junker make it two out of two

Soft ground is a rare commodity at the moment but that was the official going at Bangor on Dee on Wednesday. Regular readers of One Jump Ahead will be aware that Jagwar featured in the Top 40 Prospects last term and, while the ex-French gelding won at Carlisle, he was largely frustrating over timber. However, the J.P.McManus owned youngster has improved markedly since switched to fences and, having won the Bobby Renton Memorial Handicap Chase at Wetherby last month, he defied a five pounds rise to win the two and a half miles handicap chase which opened proceedings. Progressing with racing, the five year old is getting his jumping together and gives the impression he will stay further in time. I shouldn't lost faith in him.

Olly Murphy nominated Junker D'Allier as his horse to follow in OJA and the Kapgarde gelding defied a penalty with consumate ease in division one of the two miles novice hurdle. A bloodless winner at Carlisle in October, he jumped superbly and outclassed his opponents here. A six and a half lengths scorer, his trainer suggested a trip to Cheltenham (13th December) next month could be on the cards, although the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day could be under consideration, too. Either way, he is a smashing prospect both short and long-term.

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