Race-fit Decor Irlandais close to rating needed to win festival pointer race

2.25 Warwick
Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle | Grade 2 | 2m5f | 5yo+| ITV4/RTV

Last year's winner Beakstown represented something of a dip in standard of winners in this race, which has been slowly establishing itself as a dependable trial for top honours.

Both The New One and Willoughby Court have gone on from this race to win the Baring Bingham at the Cheltenham Festival and winners these days generally need to produce a performance threatening the 150 mark.

Only one of these has so far got within a stone of that. Decor Irlandais has produced figures of 143, 143 and 145 on his last three starts and that still does not tell the story, as he did not stay the 3m1½f trip at Cartmel the second time and beat Mercian Prince on the bridle at Catterick last month.

That performance was significant, not just for the scalp he took [Mercian Prince did not match his useful chase form] but for the manner.

After being easy to back, Decor Irlandais tanked through the race and won hard held. Given it was his first run since August, it is reasonable to expect more now he is race-fit.

Harry Senior represents some significant form lines. He has been second to both Sporting John and Edwardstone, before getting his first win over hurdles at Chepstow on Welsh National day.

He needs more, but his connections would not be the only ones looking excitedly towards the spring if he were to win.

Barring Whatsupwithyou, a surprise winner but a taking one on his rules debut at Ascot last month, all the others have BHA marks in the mid-130s. They can take heart from Beakstown, Willoughby Court and Deputy Dan, who all came into the race rated lower.

What they say

Tom Messenger, assistant to Dan Skelton, trainer of Shan Blue
This has been the plan for a while. He got a clear round in at Southwell last time, which was good, and he gained some more experience. He's always shown plenty and this is a race we've won before with Three Musketeers and Beakstown. He should have a good chance.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Mossy Fen
He's a nice horse who has done well. He was unlucky last time at Cheltenham and will hopefully run well.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Whatsupwithyou
I think he’s got a great chance. It’s a very open race. Decor Irlandais on ratings looks like he’s going to take a lot of beating but I’m not completely convinced by the Catterick run. I’ve got our lad in good form, the rest is much of a muchness and it’s whoever goes on to improve. I couldn’t be happier with our horse going in to the race and he’s come on quite a lot for his first run and he couldn’t have done any more in his first run than to impress.

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