Irish Pointers winners Le Frimeur & No Walkover

Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers section continued his tremendous run of form with two more winners on Friday - both look fine prospects for the future, too. Le Frimeur (Evens) had impressed when winning his sole point for Pat Doyle in March before being transferred to Harry Derham during the summer. A four year old by Gemix, he was strong in the market prior to his Rules debut in the opening two miles three maiden hurdle at Chepstow and justified that support with a cosy success. While his jumping was clumsy during the first half of the contest, he really warmed to his task when it mattered. Three slick leaps in the homestraight and J.J.Slevin's mount responded well to urgings collaring the long time leader Knead A Win between the final two flights. Pushed out on the run-in to prevail by a length and a half, it was seventeen lengths back to the third. Stamina looks his forte and three miles won't be an issue eventually. Unlikely to be over raced this winter, he is very much one for the future.

No Walkover (5/6) had to dig deep to win the concluding bumper at the Welsh track. The Poets Word gelding had been due to run in a similar event at Hexham earlier this week until the weather intervened. An unlucky loser of his point behind the Warwick winner Cristal D'Estruval when handled by Andy Slattery, he moved smoothly for Conor O'Farrell and looked set for a comfortable victory. However, the four year old was forced to battle and just got the verdict from debutant Half Hoping by a nose. Likely to be kept to bumpers this term, one would imagine he will head to Ascot next month for the Listed event (19th December) - David Pipe has won 3 of the last 6 renewals. He is another terrific prospect for the remainder of this season and beyond.

Indeed, it rounded off a good day for the Pond House team with Neon Moon (4/1) coming from last to first to win the two miles five handicap chase at Ascot under Harry Cobden. Both winners featured in David's interview in the November Update. Fingers crossed the ante-post selection for the staying handicap hurdle at Haydock tomorrow goes well.

The Irish Pointers winners this week alone include Hot To Go (4/1), Harry Lowes (1/2), Legendary Luke (9/2), Cristal D'Estruval (11/4), Le Frimeur (Evens) and No Walkover (5/6). All six are smart youngsters and that is why Declan Phelan is the best in the business when it comes to Irish point-to-points. No other publications / podcasts / youtube 'experts' can match that. 

Another fantastic supporter of One Jump Ahead, leading owner Rich Ricci has been in touch and informed me of some new recruits from France, including an impressive Auteuil winner who will be sporting the famous pink and green later this season. News of that one and the others will be included in the Christmas Special.