Another big prize for Value Racing Club

Former Group 3 and Listed winner Al Shabab Storm was purchased for 45,000gns in October last year and has proved another shrewd acquisition for Value Racing Club. The five year old, who joined Mick Appleby, won the Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle off a mark of 98 in late June. Beaten less than a length in the Portland Handicap and Sky Bet Sprint Trophy at Doncaster and York respectively, he successfully dropped back to the minimum trip at Doncaster on Saturday. Confidently ridden by promising apprentice Harry Vigors, the Advertise gelding picked up strongly before powering clear to win by three lengths. Having earned over £30,000 at Newcastle in June, he added another £25,770 on Town Moor. Scoring off a mark of 103, Pattern races beckon next season and his victory came at the ideal time with racing manager James Couldwell heading to the Newmarket Autumn Horses in Training Sale next week - the same sale where he purchased Al Shabab Storm.

It has been a frustrating few days for many of the horses featured in the Talking Trainers section in One Jump Ahead - there seem to have been so many seconds and thirds. Thankfully, the two day meeting at Cheltenham ended with a victory for Ballycrystal Boy in the bumper. A four year old by Crystal Ocean, he won his only Irish point for Brian Lawless before being bought for £160,000 at the Cheltenham Festival Sale. Strong in the market, Jamie Snowden's runner raced prominently before hitting the front early in the homestraight. Pushed clear, he was firmly on top at the line scoring by four lengths. Given his age, it is possible he will remain in bumpers this season with his longer-term future over obstacles likely to be over two and a half miles plus. The further he went, the better he looked.

Lucinda Russell sent out a treble at Kelso and she will have been pleased with the reappearance effort of Derryhassen Paddy in the three miles one novice chase at Cheltenham. Placed in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle in March 2025, the former pointer didn't convince in the jumping department on his chasing bow at Ayr in November last year. Forced to miss the remainder of the season due to an injury, he appreciated the step up in trip here on his first start for 346 days. Given an educational ride, he never looked like getting involved - plus he slipped turning for home - but his jumping was much more assured and, provided he builds on this, he could be a force in a big staying handicap in the spring. The stable have an excellent record in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival, especially with novices, and the Scottish National could also figure in his plans. 

Thank you very much to those clients who have purchased One Jump Ahead during the last 24 hours - all orders have been dispatched. Weather permitting, I am due to work at Aintree on Sunday which faces an inspection at 8am due to the forecast high winds. It promises to be an excellent card, although with the ground set to ease, it remains to be seen how many non runners there will be. At the time of writing, 13 horses have been declared for the feature event the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase - it will be the biggest field ever for the two and a half miles contest, if they all stand their ground. Provided I haven't been blown away, I will be back to update the Diary early next week.