French Revolution winner Hardy Du Seuil (100/30)

The two and a half miles novice chase at Carlisle was due to be the most interesting race of the day. However, the rain failed to materialise at the Cumbrian venue and it meant the defection of Ahoy Senor, Cadzand and Deluxe Range. Despite the fact there were only a couple of runners, it was an intriguing affair nevertheless and it produced a good result for followers of One Jump Ahead. Hardy Du Seuil, who is featured in the French Revolution section, had got no further than the first fence on his British debut at Wetherby last week. It was a different story here though as he handed out a comfortable beating to the short price favourite Tupelo Mississippi. Overcoming a couple of novicey errors, Gavin Sheehan's mount had too much speed for Brian Ellison's runner and quickened clear on the run-in. A seven and a half lengths winner, his trainer Jamie Snowden has suggested that the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase at Wincanton (6th November) could be an option, although he would have to cross swords with Grade 1 winning novice hurdler Bravemansgame. His stable won the two and a half miles event with another four year old Ga Law twelve months ago and he is a nice prospect.

Arguably the most impressive winner of the day was Might I in the two miles two novice hurdle at a rain softened Newton Abbot. Harry Fry won the same event with his subsequent Grade 1 winner Metier twelve months ago and this gelded son of Fame And Glory has Graded aspirations of his own. A smart bumper performer last term, he travelled powerfully throughout and took charge between the final two flights. His owner Brian Lambert has the exciting Bootshill with Fry, too, and he has plenty to look forward to. Despite the fact Might I has sufficient speed for trips around two miles, he is bred to stay much further being a half-brother to three milers Binge Drinker and Stattler. It will be interesting to see where he goes next - trainers tend to be creatures of habit and it wouldn't be a surprise if he followed a similar route to his stablemate and contests the Tolworth Hurdle earlier in the New Year, provided he passes his next assignment. He looks a smart one. 

In other news, Nicky Martin revealed on Thursday that stable star Bear Ghylls had incurred a setback. Fourth in the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, the six year old has injured a hind fetlock which means he is unlikely to be in action before Christmas. With that in mind, one wonders whether his chasing career will be postponed until next season.