In his exclusive column, the Irish jump jockey and Betway ambassador discusses his battle aboard First Lieutenant in the Lexus Chase
Monday was a pretty special day with the highlight being Prince Of Scars’ win in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle.
I have to admit it came as a little bit of a surprise, as I thought he was going to struggle a little in a race like that. It only goes to show that you never know when fast improving horses like him are going to stop.
To be fair to Gordon [Elliott], he had been telling me how fit and healthy the horse was.
As for his future, I’m convinced he’ll be seen at his best when jumping fences on heavy ground. He may end up going to Cheltenham this year, but he’d need conditions in his favour to be seen at his best.
First Lieutenant ran a blinder in the Lexus Chase and was only beaten 1/2 length by Don Poli.
I wanted to have one go at the winner, but to be fair when I got to his girths, he just pulled out a bit more.
Don Poli is so deceptive in his races, but one thing I can assure you is that he is a very tough horse to pass.
As for First Lieutenant, Mouse Morris had told me that he had the horse back to his best and he could come back for the Irish Hennessy. After that, maybe even another tilt at the Grand National.
I was delighted with the way Zabana jumped and travelled on his chasing debut in the beginner’s chase earlier on the card.
He was just short of World Hurdle class last season, so is entitled to make up into a nice chaser.
Fingers crossed he will improve with a step up in trip and we will know whether we have a Cheltenham horse in the coming weeks with bigger tests ahead.
Time will tell whether he’s a JLT or RSA Chase prospect.
Looking back at Tuesday’s action and No More Heroes continued his rapid progress over fences with a dominant display.
It wasn’t your typical four runner race as we went a decent gallop. I finished second on Rule The World, but was really taken with the winner.
He has it all – he’s a good jumper, has the class and bundles of stamina. He’s exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to a race like the RSA.
It’s pretty hard to get too excited about Nichols Canyon’s workmanlike Ryanair Hurdle win.
Yes, he showed battling qualities to rally back and get the better of Identity Thief, but hitting that flat spot is a definite worry. You certainly don’t want to be doing that in a Champion Hurdle around Cheltenham.
It may well be that he just had a harder race than people thought against Faugheen the last day, so I’d imagine he may go straight to the Festival now.
It’s worth mentioning that the ground rode at its worst on Tuesday and that wouldn’t have helped him or Identity Thief show their best.
It only remains for me to wish you all a happy and healthy new year.
