Quickfire treble for featured horses

The featured horses in One Jump Ahead had a productive afternoon at Punchestown on Monday. Those included in the French Revolution section have been in terrific form in recent months and Anotherway and Billericay Dickie supplied the section with two more successes in the maiden hurdles. The former looked in need of the run when finishing eleventh on his jumping bow at Leopardstown over Christmas and took a big step forward here. Despite a few clumsy leaps, the Anodin gelding took control rounding the hometurn and readily pulled eleven lengths clear. A decent sort on the Flat, he should continue to progress. The latter was also a winner on the Flat in his native country and was returning from an absence of 548 days on his jumping debut in the two and a half miles event. Willie Mullins had expressed concerns about the ground beforehand but under a patient ride by Paul Townend, the New Bay gelding was produced at the last before sauntering clear to win by eleven lengths. He threatens to be even better on a sounder surface in the spring.

Then, in between, Bioluminescence got off the mark over hurdles at the second attempt in the mares' novice. Gavin Cronwell's runner had performed creditably on her first try over hurdles at Navan in November and was back from a break of 71 days. A big powerful filly by Walk In The Park, she was always handy before staying on well in the homestraight. Featured in the Irish Pointers article, her future appears to lie over three miles one day and fences.

The plan is to email the February Update to clients on Thursday (1st February) because I want to see the final declarations for the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. If you haven't ordered your copy, please head to the Publications section of the site.