Weekend Review - December 9th/10th

In Compliance’s taking success in the John Durkan Chase was the highlight of last weekend’s racing, but there were also a number of runners in the lesser contests that should be monitored in the coming weeks.

9yo Whatatouch hadn’t been seen since beaten out of sight in the 2003 Paddy Power Chase but his run in the Proudstown Handicap Hurdle over 2m7f at Navan offered plenty of encouragement. Up with the pace early, he lost his place 5 out before staying on late to finish 7th of 13, suggesting he retains some of his ability of old. He will be of interest when going back to chasing for he remains relatively unexposed having had just 6 runs over fences. At his best he was rated 114 over fences, and has won off 108 but his mark over the larger obstacles is now just 101 which is should be low enough for him to win off. Formerly with Noel Meade, he has now gone to unknown handler Richard Walker and perhaps the move to a smaller yard where he can get more individual attention will work the treat. 3 miles should suit him best and he acts well at Navan – he has won on ground ranging from heavy to good, but a softer surface might be best coming back from his injury.

JP McManus has horses with a number of trainers throughout the land and relatively new addition to his team, Martin Brassil, looks to have a winner in waiting in the 7yo Final Orders. He ran Shanghide to a fast-diminishing head in a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Punchestown, showing a likeable attitude under the Tony McCoy drive. Winner of his sole point-to-point in April 2004 (where he beat the 116-rated chaser Bravery by 12ls), he was a decent bumper horse back then and it’s interesting that he’s been persisted with having been off course for nearly 2 years. In a stable tour of his Curragh base in August, his talented trainer put him up as one to follow and Brassil has certainly shown his ability to get one back to their best after a break with Nickname. Relatively weak in the betting on Sunday, he is probably only coming back to himself and he will take some stopping in a maiden next time. A step up to 3 miles would not be problem, as he was briefly outpaced turning in and he will make a good chaser in time.

A number of well-treated ex-hunter chase horses have emerged in the handicaps recently, not least Bothar Na, Well Tutored and Newbay Prop, and Ballistraw looks another to fit the bill after his narrow victory over 2m4f on Sunday. His neck defeat of Vedelle with Julius a further 10ls back in third looks rock-solid form, as the trio were towards the fore in the betting and they pulled well clear of the remainder. Mick Hickey’s 7yo will be difficult for the handicapper to get hold off as he only just does enough in front (his 3 career wins have all been by less than a length) and he looks up to taking a big pot before the season’s out. The Paddy Power Chase, for which he was promoted to favouritism in some books after this, is a likely target but perhaps the Thyestes Chase, an event his trainer won twice recently with Bob Treacy, could be the one. He got just 6lbs for this success and remains well-handicapped off 129 and he will enjoy going back up to 3 miles.

Toofarback and Alexander Taipan fought out a thrilling finish to the 2m4f Beginners’ Chase at Punchestown but third Clew Bay Cove looks the one to take from the race. He made an inauspicious start to his chasing career, beaten a combined 52ls on his first 2 runs over fences, but that was of little concern as he often needs a run or two to put him straight. He was in the process of running a big race at Navan on his penultimate start but for unseating his rider 4 out, and this run confirmed that promise. A classy sort who finished fifth to Missed That in the 2005 Champion Bumper, he jumped well here and appeals as a type to land a beginners’ chase soon. Beyond that he should be competitive in the better handicap chases as he has had 4 chase runs, making him eligible for a handicap mark. A return to 2 miles or 18f may suit best as he can run free.