'He has a decent handicap in him' - seven to follow from the festive period

Cratloe Hill
Third, Limerick, December 26

Any notebook missing this horse after his run in a 2m maiden hurdle at Limerick on the first day of the Christmas festival is certainly deficient as he ran one of the most eyecatching races of this or perhaps any Christmas.

Held up off the pace, he made steady headway under an inexperienced rider and continued to do so after a mistake at the second-last. He raced a bit green after the final flight but still finished third, beaten just over two lengths behind a Willie Mullins hotpot.

The cover is truly blown as regards getting a handicap mark but he looks a bit better than that anyway and he could easily land an ordinary maiden hurdle at least.
Justin O'Hanlon

Fell, Wetherby, December 26

Gamely though Good Boy Bobby ground out victory in a muddy Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby, he looked to have fortune on his side.

Empire Steel appeared to be going the best as he moved up to dispute the lead at the fourth-last fence and would have taken an awful lot of beating, despite trainer Sandy Thomson's observations that "it's a long way up that straight" and "he's a very raw seven-year-old".

Sandy Thomson: trainer of Empire Steel

This effort, on the back of a highly encouraging reappearance second at Haydock, suggests this promising stayer has a decent handicap or two in him.
David Carr

Dhowin
Third, Wincanton, December 26

Dhowin was forecast to be a 7-1 chance but went off 7-2 favourite, so was clearly fancied in places, and he was not disgraced by finishing third, beaten 12 and a quarter lengths.

He stayed on with promise but would appreciate further than 3m1f, especially on a tightish circuit such as Wincanton, while more testing ground than this good to soft would be another plus.

Warren Greatrex is convinced the unexposed chaser, who has some useful hurdling form, has a decent prize in him, perhaps a regional National or something similar.
James Burn

Saint Segal
Second, Chepstow, December 27

This horse had caught my attention when winning first time up at Bangor, so much so I had a small wager at 50-1 for the Triumph, and he enhanced his reputation with a fine second in the Grade 1 Finale at Chepstow.

I'm convinced he is a serious talent. The Finale is not the strongest Grade 1 but he tanked into it like the best horse even though he raced way too freely, and he still plugged on well behind a better stayer in Porticello.

His jumping is a little mixed, but that can be ironed out as he gets more experience and when he settles better he could be a major force. There is loads more to come and I hope we get to see him in the Grade 2 Triumph Trial next at the end of January.
James Stevens

Basford
Third, Wetherby, December 27

The Jennie Candlish-trained four-year-old faced a tall order carrying a penalty in a competitive bumper but he shaped with promise behind debut winner Grey Dawning and Sporting Ace, who were in receipt of 7lb.

He made a favourable impression when winning at Carlisle on his debut the time before and again moved through the race smoothly from off the pace.

The stable has not really been firing on all cylinders but when it does, Basford should prove a horse worth following.
Andrew Dietz

Burning Victory
Third, Leopardstown, December 28

There was plenty of encouragement to be taken from the 2020 Triumph Hurdle heroine's effort behind leading Stayers' Hurdle candidates Klassical Dream and Flooring Porter and she shaped as though she should be up to winning a decent pot over hurdles this season.

Her jumping has at times left a bit to be desired but stepping up to 3m has been a big help on this evidence and she showed much more than when disappointing in a big-field handicap at Navan this month.

Burning Victory: returned to form at LeopardstownCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Tuesday's run should give her confidence. It's a shame she is not yet qualified for the Pertemps Final as having only two hurdles in the final seven furlongs on the New course at Cheltenham would suit her well, but off a mark of 143 she could be a big player if she returns to Leopardstown for the William Fry Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Mark Boylan

Minella Crooner
Second, Leopardstown, December 29

In the hottest maiden hurdle of the season Minella Crooner split new Ballymore favourite Journey With Me and Kilcruit. That, in itself, is quite an achievement but the fact he did so having made a few mistakes along the way means he must have a huge engine.

There was nothing finishing more strongly up the home straight and I loved the way he hit the line. He is only five and there is a big future ahead of the son of Shantou who is a half-brother to the 140-rated chaser Adrrastos.

He won his sole point, swooping late and fully seeing out the 3m trip, so the Albert Bartlett could be an option. Gordon Elliott could alternatively try to get a few more runs into him to secure a mark for the Martin Pipe. Whichever direction he goes, I'll be on his side.
David Jennings

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