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Saturday reaction: 'My instinct is he's not a Grade 1 performer - yet'

David Baxter assesses the key performances at Cheltenham and Doncaster

The runners in the International Hurdle take the final flight and set the seagulls flying. The winner was Song For Someone (4th left)Cheltenham 12.12.20 Pic: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
The runners in the International Hurdle take the final flight and set the seagulls flyingCredit: Edward Whitaker

On-song Someone unlikely to worry Epatante

The fact Champion Hurdle favourite Epatante was trimmed while minding her own business at home indicates the International Hurdle was not the strongest of contests in relation to the Cheltenham Festival championship race.

However, Song For Someone did well to fend off Silver Streak, and has now won three Grade 2s in a row for Tom Symonds.

Perhaps a Champion Hurdle bid is a season away, but he could run in the Kingwell Hurdle again before connections decide whether to tackle the Group 1 this term.

Is Chatham Street Lad ready for a Grade 1?

Did we see a Grade 1 performer running in a Grade 3 handicap chase? For those who think they did, you can get 25-1 about Chatham Street Lad for the Ryanair Chase.

If not, does the Stable Plate Handicap make more appeal at the Cheltenham Festival? That will be the dilemma facing connections after Chatham Street Lad romped home in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.


More Saturday reaction:

No hurdles, no problem for 'fabulous' Song For Someone as Goshen fails to figure

'Health and safety bonkers' – Evan Williams blasts removal of jumps over low sun (Members' Club subscribers)

'I had to back it up' – Mick Winters leads muddy celebrations at Cheltenham

Is Chatham Street Lad a serious player for the Cheltenham Festival?

'One run then the Marsh' – Nicky Henderson plots festival plan for Fusil Raffles

At last! Serial villain and punters' foe Sky Pirate wins on bridle at Cheltenham

'I like him a lot' – Monmiral's Triumph Hurdle odds tumble after impressive win


On the evidence of his latest victory, a mark of 141 vastly underestimated the eight-year-old, but the last three winners of the Ryanair (Balko Des Flos, Frodon and Min) were rated 166, 169 and 170 respectively.

Another big chunk of improvement will be needed for the top level. My instinct is he's not a Grade 1 performer, yet.

Chantry House now on a recovery mission

Chantry House had been second in the ante-post betting for the Marsh Novices' Chase but is now on a recovery mission after a disappointing third in the 2m4½f novice chase at Cheltenham.

Last season's Supreme third had made a perfect start to chasing at Ascot, but did not jump alertly on more than one occasion on his second attempt, and was beaten a fair way from home.


Results, replays and analysis


He plugged on to be third, but either the earlier mistakes took a toll or he was failing to pick up out of the ground as he finished pretty slowly.

It would be foolish to write him off on the back of one poor run, but I doubt he will be troubling Marsh favourite Envoi Allen at Cheltenham come March.

Adagio (left): could be on the Triumph Hurdle trail
Adagio (left): could be on the Triumph Hurdle trailCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Monmiral a strong contender for Triumph

A pair of Triumph Hurdle hopefuls advertised their claims on Saturday, and of the duo I was more impressed with Doncaster winner Monmiral.

Now unbeaten in three, Monmiral took the Grade 2 Summit Juvenile Hurdle, and bar a small mistake at the penultimate hurdle the result was never in doubt. He is as short as 10-1 for the Triumph and should be taken seriously.

Adagio is a top-priced 20-1 after winning the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham, but it did not look a strong race and he will likely need further improvement.


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Published on 12 December 2020inReports

Last updated 18:12, 12 December 2020

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