The totescoop6 Elite Hurdle was won in authoritative fashion by Celestial Halo from Mamlook and the Champion Hurdle runner-up is now trading at 10.0 on Betfair for this season's renewal. Whether he had to improve in order to hand out a ten length beating to David Pipe's Cesarewitch second is the crucial question in determining the merit of this win and it's more than possible that a repeat of the Cheltenham run was sufficient, with Whiteoak (arguably) and Blue Bajan undeniably below par. It's true that Mamlook has improved on the flat of late and it's not illogical that he will carry that improvement over to hurdles. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper does to his mark, and whether he is capable of mixing it off top weight in handicaps like the December H'cap at Sandown on the Tingle Creek day or the Ladbroke at Ascot a fortnight later, the ratings ceiling for which is 150. If he can be competitive, it will reflect very well on his Wincanton conqueror. Either way, Celestial Halo is a major challenger for the two mile crown in four months time.
If Celestial Halo's win gave us the day's firecracker, then the totetentofollow Rising Stars Novices' Chase was rather a damp squib by comparison. The defection of Kangaroo Court was the first disappointment but the abject jumping display of Bakbenscher and untimely departure of the normally sound jumping Gullible Gordon, robbed the race of much of its meaning long before Red Admiral crossed the line in front. The winner, in fairness to him, jumped with alacrity throughout and seemed to really enjoy himself. He paid a handsome compliment to Kangaroo Court who had outsprinted him from the second last at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting and therefore enhanced his reputation in absentia. I'm still concerned about Gullible Gordon, who jumps beautifully when allowed his own way but badly misjudged the thirteenth fence when coming under the merest semblance of a challenge. He has now traded 1.34 or shorter seven times in just ten outings, yet has managed to win just twice. He's a horse I will continue to oppose in running until he proves he can respond to pressure. Bakbenscher jumped atrociously throughout, and simply doesn't get his hocks underneath him. It will take a monumental re-school to correct his errant technique and I would prefer to see him return to hurdles where he remains feasibly weighted. If he runs over fences again within the next few weeks, he'll be one to be wary of, and a definite lay at a track with stiff fences such as this.
The Badger Ales Chase provided a great spectacle for fans of bold front running chasers, with Ellerslie George putting in a flawless and often breathtaking display. The only downside was the colour of his coat, as he brought back memories of the great Desert Orchid winging these same Wincanton fences. Robbie Henderson has precious little experience of jumping regulation fences but has developed a wonderful rapport with his father's chaser and did absolutely nothing wrong here. The partnership will win again, especially on tracks like this, seemingly suited by going right handed for the first time for new connections who have eked out a fair bit of improvement from him. It was a day to remember for trainer Nick Mitchell who also landed the feature at Down Royal with The Listener.
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