Saturday provided the best racing of the jumps season so far.
The day started quietly enough with Denman reinforcing his Cheltenham credentials with an effortless win in the novice chase, his 4th success of the season so far.
The big betting heat of the day, the Totesport Trophy, went to 50/1 shot Heathcoat, tipped in my Friday night preview as the outsider to watch.
Well Chief rewrote the Champion Chase script with a resounding win in the Game Spirit Chase and is clearly the one they all have to beat come March. Kauto Star once again tried to go through, rather than over, the final fence in the AON Chase to put just a little niggling doubt in the minds of even his most loyal supporters.
Best performance of the day though must be reserved for the Irish Hennessey at Leopardstown. The Listener jumped beautifully and appeared to have Beef or Salmon well and truly roasted turning for home. There was Robert Alner’s grey floating along with poor old Beef or Salmon languishing somewhere in the distance. Neither the old Leopardstown specialist nor his jockey Andrew McNamara had given up the cause however.
The Listener still held a commanding advantage over the last but he suddenly emptied and Beef or Salmon found plenty to speed past him to win by 3 parts of a length. Wonderful stuff.
Back to earth with a bit of a bump on Monday when the only jumps meeting is at Plumpton. There are no runners from our list to follow.
Take care.
ahorse 