Novice chasers sort themselves out as campaign gathers pace

The season's novice chasing scene has started to take on a more defined shape after action at Punchestown at the weekend. Poor visibility was a major negative for racegoers and armchair viewers alike on Sunday, but even the bare details were informative, with Gigginstown House Stud taking an aggregate six of the first four slots in the two Grade 2 novice chases on the card.

Last season's Fighting Fifth winner Identity Thief confirmed the good impression of his chasing debut when spearheading a one-two-three for Henry de Bromhead in a race that shed light on the two-mile division. A Toi Phil stated his case as a potential star of the staying category in making it two from two since his transfer from Willie Mullins to Gordon Elliott.

Exactly what Mullins has lost, and what other trainers have gained, will be an evolving story during the winter. Mullins is beginning to raise the tempo now, with seven wins from 13 runners between last Thursday and Sunday. Three novice chasers contributed to the tally. Switched from hurdling after completing a hat-trick of wins at the Galway festival, Westerner Lady made if four from five over fences in a Grade 3 mares' chase at Clonmel. Haymount took a beginners' event at Punchestown on Saturday, and Isleofhopendreams easily accounted for modest opposition at Cork on Sunday.