Impressive chasing debut by Sinnatra

Ffos Las hosted the chases which were due to take place at Chepstow last weekend and National Hunt enthusiasts were treated to a most impressive fencing debut by Sinnatra on Wednesday. Twice a winner over timber last season and rated 141, Dan Skelton's gelding was expected to improve for the outing but he proved far too strong nevertheless trouncing his four opponents by upwards of seven and a half lengths. The son of Walk In The Park was held up in rear and jumped superbly before making his challenge after the second last. Cruising to the front, he sauntered clear conceding nineteen pounds to the four year old Pourqoui Pas Papa. His trainer suggested afterwards that the six year old will contest a novice chase under a penalty before a tilt at the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown (5th December). He looks an exciting prospect and the same connections will be looking forward to stablemate Kabral Du Mathan's chasing bow at Perth on Thursday. 

The former Grade 1 winning novice hurdler Captain Teague won on his first run for the champion trainer having been transferred last spring. Well beaten on his only other run over fences in November 2024, the eight year old disappointed in three runs over hurdles last season. However, he bounced back at the Welsh track reeling in the front running former stablemate Tutti Quanti in the two miles three novices' chase. Paul Nicholls' runner-up built up a huge advantage down the backstraight but Harry Skelton's mount made inroads after the fourth last. Leading at the last, he was pushed out to score by a length and a half. Tutti Quanti jumped well, bar one mistake at the sixth, and ought to have no trouble going one better provided this effort hasn't left its mark - he must have had a hard race here. It would be no surprise to see him drop back in trip next time.

Switching codes, Knights Charge recorded his third win from only four starts this term when edging out Port of London in a ten furlongs handicap at Nottingham. Featured in the Maidens In Waiting section of AOTF, Roger Varian's charge suffered a narrow defeat at Doncaster's St Leger meeting last month but scored here off a mark of 93 under Shane Foley. A progressive type, he has Pattern race aspirations next year and I look forward to visiting his trainer in February to see what he has in mind for the Lucky Vega colt.