Le Divin Enfant looks useful

Things didn't go to plan for Salvator Mundi on his chasing debut at Thurles on Thursday with the Grade 1 winning novice hurdler headed after the last by stablemate Kappa Jy Pyke in the two miles two beginners chase. Beaten a length and a quarter, the No Risk At All gelding didn't do a lot wrong in the jumping department and appeared to be in control turning for home. However, the alarm bells started to ring on the approach to the final fence and he couldn't withstand the challenge of the Danny Mullins ridden winner on the run-in. Perhaps the longer trip stretched him but ironically the five year old settled much better in front than he did when being held up over hurdles last term. Fitness wise, Paul Townend's mount will almost certainly improve but he didn't look a future Arkle Trophy winner on this evidence.

Willie Mullins completed a double on the card when another import from across the English Channel, namely Le Divin Enfant, made an impressive start to his career at Closutton. Featured in the French Revolution section of One Jump Ahead, the Saint Des Saints gelding had finished fourth twice in his native country, including behind Lulamba at Auteuil over a year ago. Previously handled by Davide Satalia, the four year old was returning from an absence of 415 days and made all under Paul Townend scoring by 23 lengths. With a rise in grade almost certainly on the agenda next time, we will learn more but he looks a useful prospect.

Elsewhere, the most interesting race of the day in the UK was the two miles novices' hurdle at Lingfield. Mossy Fen Road justified strong market support making all the running and seeing off the challenge of smart ex-Flat racer Mondo Man to win by three parts of a length. A former winning pointer who impressed on his Rules debut at Wetherby last season, he found the ground too lively when elevated in class in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April. Indeed, soft ground is likely to dictate his programme and I suspect a step up in trip won't be too far away either. A future chaser, he is above average and it wouldn't be a surprise if Harry Derham steered him towards something like the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury in a months time. One note of caution is the fact that his two principal rivals at Lingfield, Mondo Man and Dutch Corner (given a sympathetic ride with the future in mind), both raced keenly during the early stages and Paul O'Brien's partner was allowed a soft time in front. Much sterner tests lie ahead and drier conditions in the spring may not be ideal.