Coney Island won impressively but the form is open to debate

Robin Waters
Third, 2m5½f maiden hurdle, Ascot, Friday, December 22
Having seen this gelding make a highly promising debut at Newbury three weeks earlier, I was glad to see that he had made the right improvement and looked in rude health. However, he was held up near the rear and I always felt he was slightly out of his ground. He made good progress after jumping the third-last, but in the end he didn’t have what was required to challenge the front two. I feel he is a winner in waiting.

Clondaw Native took a significant step forward to win. He still has plenty more to offer.

The light-framed Settie Hill looked very fit and produced a sound performance on only his second start over hurdles.

Good Man Pat looked in tip-top shape and travelled well stepping up in trip, but when asked for his effort jumping the second-last his response was very tame.

Stage Summit is a nice, big, rangy type who looked well.
So, too, did Whisky In The Jar, but he failed to cut much ice.

Winner, 2m1f novice handicap chase, Ascot, Friday
This was not a strong race, but this son of Oscar is a wonderful specimen and make mincemeat of his rivals. He jumped with fluency and I was impressed by the way he pulled away to win as he liked. I just fear the handicapper may have overreacted to what he achieved here bearing in mind the weakness of the opposition.

Exitas looked grand and ran right up to his best in second. He tracked the leaders and tried to go with the favourite after jumping the third-last, but he was no match for him in the closing stages.

I See You Well looked fit and crept in to contention, but he tried to match strides with the winner and paid for those exertions in the closing stages.