Proactif another smart prospect for Top 40

There were a number of smart youngsters on show on Wednesday, including Top 40 entry Proactif (15/8) who made a winning Irish debut at Fairyhouse. Contesting the opening juvenile hurdle, the J.P.McManus owned runner had won on his hurdles bow at Auteuil in September when handled by Daniela Mele before being snapped up by Willie Mullins. Returning from a break of 123 days, the Masked Marvel gelding raced prominently from the outset jumping accurately and finding plenty for pressure once challenged approaching the final flight. Pushed out to beat stablemate and compatriot Macho Man by nearly three lengths, he looks every inch a Triumph Hurdle contender. In all likelihood, he will head straight to Cheltenham with Mark Walsh faced with a tricky decision over whether to partner Proactif or another stablemate Narciso Has. 

Ominously, the Irish and British champion trainer sent out 5 winners from his 11 runners at Fairyhouse. In contrast, none of Gordon Elliott's last 35 runners have entered the winners' enclosure. 

There were two divisions of the two miles novice hurdle at Newbury with Sober Glory justifying cramped odds in the first one. Disappointing at Sandown last time, the Mount Nelson gelding made all the running and never looked in the slightest danger. While effective over the minimum trip, one can't help feeling he will improve over further and would be vulnerable to an opponent with a sharp turn of foot in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle. A Listed novice hurdle at Exeter (8th February) is expected to be his next port of call, which will tells us more.

French import Fire Warning won the second division pulling away after the last looking above average. The Grey Gatsby gelding won on the Flat in his home country before finishing runner-up at Auteuil in October when trained by Hugo Merienne. Bought for €340,000 at the Arqana Arc Sale a few days later, he joined Nicky Henderson soon afterwards and sports the famous pink and green silks of Rich and Susannah Ricci. James Bowen took his mount to the front from an early stage before staying on strongly to score readily by three lengths. Featured in the French Revolution - Part II section in the November Update, he is a useful prospect for the future, but it remains to be seen whether he is ready for something like the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle. The Grade 2 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton (21st February) could be a better option. Incidentally, his winning time was eight and a half seconds slower than Sober Glory.

C'est Different booked his place for the Pertemps Final when running away with the staying handicap hurdle later on the card. The Manatee gelding was claiming his fourth consecutive win - 29lb higher than when registering his first victory at Carlisle in February last year. Raised twelve pounds for a wide margin win at Market Rasen on his seasonal return in late November, he defied that with another convincing success. Dylan Johnston's mount sat in behind the leaders before hitting the front at the second last. Pushed out on the run-in to register a five and a half lengths victory off 121, he will head to the Festival with leading claims.

Talking of Cheltenham, I will be discussing some of the handicaps at the Festival in the February Update - if you haven't ordered a copy, please head to the Publications section of the site.