Knight Salute
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – It is difficult to gauge how much of an advantage he held due to being kept wide entering the home straight. I feel more confident that Magistrato had a near impossible task given the inside route he took from two out to after the final hurdle. Either way this was still a very positive performance and one that has resulted in him trading seventh best in for the early Triumph Hurdle market. Given the time of year and the possibility that he was advantaged by his trip round I think that his best odds of 25/1 look close to the mark. He will need a sound surface to show his best form and he is yet to show he can perform close to his best on softer ground.
Saint Riquier
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – I suspect most folk would have assumed that this run was all about a third try for a mark. Consequently, it was surprising to see him ridden so positively and finish so close at the line. He enjoyed a positive trip round, and this second-place finish looks a fair reflection of his ability. Obviously, with such lightly raced sorts the pecking order is that bit more likely to be thrown upside down on another day.
Yorksea
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – He spent a fair bit of the race closer to the inside than may have been good for him. He was switched wide approaching the final hurdle and consequently began to close the gap on the leading bunch. It would be easy to conclude that he might have finished closer still if kept wide throughout. I am not sure on that score as his jockey would have been keen to keep him covered up on this hurdles bow. I would not hold a strong view either way if he took the winner on again next time. Like the winner he is yet to show he can handle a softer surface.
Magistrato
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – I feel reasonably confident that we will see better from him when he competes on softer ground. He was also taken round the inside for the whole race which will not have been a help. It may have been a serious negative for his claims; particularly from two out to the winning line.
Aliomaana
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – Maybe his extra experience helped his cause here. Either way this was appositive performance as he only lost out on third place in the final 100 yards. One would guess he is less likely to progress compared with the four that finished in front of him.
Rocky Man
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – For the second time in a row he ran as if an extra half a mile would come in handy. He still performed well here even though he appeared to look one paced against a few speedier types. His sire is responsible for Sceau Royal and Sharjah who both prefer competing on good ground.
Caramelised
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – After looking potentially decent class in his two early tries over hurdles he has now lost all chance by pulling too hard in both of his latest starts. He also made a serious mistake two out which further reduced his claims here. It will be interesting to see if they geld this entire horse, and what difference it makes to his demeanour on the racetrack.
Mister Allegro
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – It may be more than a coincidence that his two impressive victories over hurdles came when competing over sharper and flatter tracks than Cheltenham. There may be more to this apparently disappointing display. I am not sure…
Addosh
13th November 2021 – Cheltenham – After being readily outpaced by the eventual winner after the second last hurdle, he did appear to be staying on again when crumpling on landing after hitting the top of the final hurdle. My best guess is that he would have finished fifth or sixth if standing up.
