Aspen Colorado can build on Listowel success at Galway

THE prospect of small fields in the better-class conditions races through the winter is one of the problems of an Irish jumps scene in which a small number of owners and trainers have become dominant. That topic is explored in a report elsewhere in today's newspaper, and you only have to look at the complexion of the two non-handicap races over fences at Galway for an illustration.

Joseph O'Brien's transition from jockey to trainer is set to consolidate a scenario in which the major stables are taking an increasing slice of the cake, and it is likely the Piltown yard will make a progressively more significant contribution this season. One of its principal standard-bearers could be dual bumper winner Aspen Colorado, who was conspicuously weak in the market when getting his hurdling career off to a winning start at Listowel.

The gelded son of Galileo was no more than workmanlike in getting the better of his main market rival, the Gordon Elliott-trained Sanibel Island. However, the inference to be drawn from his status as a market drifter is that connections felt there were negatives attached to his chance, perhaps that he had not schooled well or that he was likely to need the outing, his first since failing to run to expectations in the Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival. Having negotiated that first test he can go on to better things, starting with today's rated novice hurdle (2.55).