KHRISMA
3.40 Punchestown, 28 April
Khrisma has been an unlucky horse during this National Hunt season in my opinion, but as a result she remains well handicapped. Nicky Henderson's mare didn’t get into the County Hurdle and then made a terrible mistake at Kelso on her penultimate start. It was worse luck here as connections went in search of compensation. Harry Cobden probably hasn’t hit the ground in Ireland as well as he might have hoped, and this is possibly one that he might like another go on. She travelled and jumped well, but rounding the home turn she was squeezed and badly hampered as herself and the eventual second went for the same gap. I’m not saying she would have won, but she certainly would have finished a lot closer. Khrisma is still lightly raced, and I am convinced she has a higher ceiling than what she has produced thus far. Hopefully, next season we will see it.
JIMMY DU SEUIL
6.05 Punchestown, 30 April
This contest will undoubtedly be remembered for providing racing fans with a wonderful moment as the much-loved Bob Olinger signed off on his brilliant career with a Grade 1 victory. However, nostalgia aside, there may have been a sign that Jimmy Du Seuil has the potential to make his mark in the division next season. Now, regular readers will know I have already flagged The New Lion for the Stayers Hurdle in my post-Cheltenham column, but Jimmy Du Seuil could be one to feature in the Irish three-mile hurdles. He ran on well here from off the pace, on what was his first start over three miles. Willie tends to explore things at this meeting, as Allaho and Fact To File were both tried over two miles. This may have been another exploration mission, and it certainly wasn’t a bad effort. With his good record fresh, he would be of interest at the start of next season if turning up in a similar contest.
OUTOFAFRIKA
6.35 Punchestown, 30 April
The bumpers at this meeting are generally quite informative. Of course, there are plenty of them to go through, but one of those I want to take out of the meeting is Outofafrika, who shaped well in the bumper on Thursday’s card won by Adaboy Mushy. Gavin Cromwell’s gelding was very keen throughout the race, but still managed to lead, travelling well, turning for home. Given his exertions earlier in the race, there was an air of inevitability that he might fade in the closing stages and his effort faltered inside the final furlong. He was only beaten three lengths despite not being fully driven out late on, and he looks like one that could improve significantly for a summer on his back. He needs to learn how to race more efficiently, but I think he has plenty of ability.
DIVISION
3.10 Ascot, 1 May
Wise Approach was sent off favourite for the Commonwealth Cup Trial but could only manage fifth under a penalty. While he is likely to improve for the run, I thought Division was a huge eyecatcher in the Wathnan Racing colours. Division missed the break as he reared leaving the stalls and was then a little keen at the rear of the field. A finishing speed percentage of 109.3% for this contest suggests the pace was steady and the winner was prominent throughout. He covered plenty of ground too as he made his challenge on the stands side having come across behind the field from his draw in stall 1. His finishing sectionals were eye-catching, backing up the visuals. This represented a big step forward on his juvenile form and he could have a good season.
APIARIST
2.40 Thirsk, 2 May
There were a few hard luck stories in this year’s renewal of the Thirsk Hunt Cup, with both Blue Rc and Sea Force among them. I’ve looked further down the field though, and Apiarist was possibly the unluckiest of all. He went for a similar run to Sea Force near the far rail, but he was completely cut off as Sea Force waited for a gap. Apiarist ended up being last of the thirteen runners approaching the furlong pole and, as a result, he did remarkably well to finish as close as he did at the line. He was flying at the finish here and with a clearer run he might well have gone very close. His overall profile doesn’t exactly suggest he’s well treated, but Jack Callan seems to get a good tune out of him.
MAN OF VISION
4.10 Newmarket, 2 May
Man Of Vision could be a sprint handicapper to follow this season after a highly promising return at Newmarket on Saturday. Charlie Appleby hasn’t really fired yet this season and is operating at a strike rate of less than 5% for the last two weeks, which is extremely low by his standards. Man Of Vision was making his handicap debut here and seemed to be going as fast as he could in the early stages. He was dropping back in trip from running over seven furlongs in all three previous starts, and he didn’t have a completely trouble-free passage either. I think there are enough reasons to suggest he will improve for this effort and he could prove much better than his current mark of 89 by the end of the season.
