Saturday Review

While it was disappointing that Jagwar couldn't win the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday there were plenty of positive to be taken from the performance. Withdrawn from the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month due to heavy rain the day before, the six year old was having his first run since March and hailing from a stable who have struggled to find some form all winter. Held up, the J.P.McManus owned runner largely jumped well bar nodding on landing in front of the stands on the first circuit and was still in contention turning for home. An error at the last didn't help his cause but he stayed on well on the run-in and was beaten less than two lengths conceding twenty pounds to a race fit rival who enjoyed the run of the race. With hindsight, he may have won if ridden closer to the pace. The other conclusion to draw from the performance is the fact he appears to be crying out for a step up in trip, which could bring about significant improvement. His defeat was frustrating but there is still plenty to look forward to with the ex-French trained gelding.

The Top 40 had better fortune at Doncaster with Real Quartz making it two wins from as many starts over hurdles. A former Irish pointer winner, the five year old won cosily over two miles one on his UK debut at Carlisle last month and appreciated the step up in distance on Town Moor. A very slick jumper, Tristan Durrell's mount squeezed through a gap approaching the final flight before keeping on well to beat Uptown Dandy by a length and a quarter. Unlikely to be one of Dan Skelton's top notchers in the novice hurdle department, it will be interesting to see what rating he is allocated by the assessor on Tuesday. He will have no trouble staying even further in future.

Indeed it proved a productive afternoon for Team Skelton with 3 winners from 11 runners, including Carlenrig's narrow success in the Grade 2 staying novice hurdle at Cheltenham. The former winning UK pointer was highlighted in the Diary following his eyecatching Rules debut at Chepstow in early November. Runner-up behind Rocking Man over two miles three, the Soldier of Fortune gelding wasn't given a hard time by his jockey on that occasion and that kindness was rewarded here when just edging out They Call Me Hugo by a short head. His trainer suggested the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Festival will be his long-term target this campaign before going chasing next season. 

Ben Pauling suggested on page 107 of One Jump Ahead that Lanesborough was on a favour mark saying: "He has unfinished business over hurdles and I think he is well treated and view him as a 125-130 horse in the making." Making his seasonal reappearance in a two miles handicap at Doncaster off 116, the Diamond Boy gelding justified strong market support before trouncing his eight opponents by upwards of eight and a half lengths under Ben Jones. That's what sets OJA apart from rival publications. Nicky Henderson's former assistant continues in excellent form with 8 winners in December - following 18 winners during November. 

Admittedly, they were very short prices but Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers article continues to churm out the winners with Masked Man and Cristal D'Estruval enjoying easy successes at Lingfield and Carlisle over the weekend - neither faced stiff opposition but both look ready for a rise in grade. 

Finally, a reminder that the Christmas Special will be emailed to subscribers on Tuesday 23rd December - please head to the Publications section of the site to order a copy, if you haven't already done so.