Saturday Review

Grangeclare West gained his first win over fences since December 2023 when running out an emphatic winner of the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. The ten year old finished an unlucky third (mistake at the last) in the Grand National last spring off a mark of 163 and Willie Mullins' charge will return to Aintree in April three pounds higher. Stablemates I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025) completed the Bobbyjo / Grand National double and the Cheveley Park Stud owned gelding is as short as 10/1 to go two better from last year. Stable companions Captain Cody, Lecky Watson and Spanish Harlem were all well beaten and have something to prove now. 

Elsewhere on the Fairyhouse card, there were a couple of short price winners for the various sections in One Jump Ahead. Mode Avion (French Revolution) scored by a dozen lengths in the two miles handicap hurdle off a mark of 117, while Look Me (Stable Switchers) looked a useful type when landing the concluding bumper on his first run for Willie Mullins. 

I am afraid Hoe Joly Smoke could only finish sixth in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton. Beaten around seven lengths, Dan Skelton's runner travelled smoothly and held every chance leaving the backstraight. However, not for the first time, the gelding found little off the bridle and was well held in the end. Indeed, it proved a day to forget for the stable with the highly promising Precious Man suffering a fatal fall at the second last in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle. 

Finally, the Value Racing Club owned Only The Bold ran a tremendous race in the Eider Chase at Newcastle. Trained by Jamie Snowden, the eleven year old was racing off a three pounds higher mark than when winning the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter last year. Johnny Burke's mount jumped well and moved strongly throughout but couldn't reel in the all the way winner Anglers Crag who was winning the race for a second time. Beaten five lengths in second, it was an excellent effort in a gruelling contest. 

Just a reminder, if you haven't ordered the One Jump Ahead Cheltenham Festival Update, please head to the Publications section of the site.