Beaten by Kopek Des Bordes but not humbled - is this horse the best maiden in Britain and Ireland?

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Is Good And Clever the best maiden in Britain and Ireland? There is an argument to suggest he is after he was far from disgraced when third in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last month behind the new Supreme favourite Kopek Des Bordes.

That was his second Grade 1 start after finishing third in the Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree, won by Potters Charm. Before then he was second to Regent's Stroll, so it is fair to say his connections do not mind throwing him in at the deep end.

"He's come out of the race really well and is back cantering," says trainer Warren Greatrex. "He's taken it all brilliantly and reflecting on it I was thrilled with the way he ran in Ireland. He performed with great credit, travelling and jumping well and was obviously beaten by an extremely talented horse but we're still a work in progress."

Greatrex entered the lion's den by taking on Willie Mullins at the Dublin Racing Festival, as he did when La Bague Au Roi landed a Grade 1 in 2019. "I'm glad our decision was vindicated. As we were getting closer to the time it felt like a big shout to go and I was starting to worry a bit but he performed brilliantly," says Greatrex. 

"I feel sometimes with horses like him, you learn more doing it this way, getting experience in Graded races, than going somewhere and winning a maiden hurdle. There's not a lot of pressure on him at this stage of his career. I've deliberately kept him over the minimum trip and haven't really gone to the well yet. I think it's important sometimes to leave that until the end of the season."

Warren Greatrex: entered the lion's den at LeopardstownCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

With that in mind, where might we see Good And Clever this spring? He has entries in the Supreme and Turners but is unlikely to head to the festival unless the ground became bottomless.

"Unless something happens to any of the market leaders, we're not going to win the Supreme based on the form shown over there," says Greatrex. "At this stage, my plan is to aim for the Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso on March 2, which is a Grade 2 over two miles and two furlongs, and then step up in trip again over two and a half miles at Aintree. I believe he still has plenty left in the tank.

"There's plenty for us to look forward to with him, particularly next season. I don't think I'll hang around and it will be all about chasing, when I think he has the potential to just get better and better."

Another promising talent trained by Greatrex, Quantock Hills, will head to the festival and is being aimed at the Fred Winter. After two successes this season, he could only manage fifth in the Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham last month behind East India Dock. 

"He just didn't quite finish his race last time but he was found to be a little under the weather afterwards, which explains that performance," adds Greatrex. "He should have a nice weight in the Fred Winter and has course form, having won there in December.

"We're also hoping to run Herakles Westwood. To open up my options he had to have four runs under the new rules to run in handicap chases. He ran a bit flat at the weekend but we'll put him in the National Hunt Chase, the Ultima and Kim Muir."

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