THE two-day Christmas meeting at Wetherby was once one of the highlights of the season in the north when the Rowland Meyrick and Castleford Chases were important trials for the Gold Cup and Champion Chase respectively.

Their stock has fallen markedly in the past couple of decades, however, and although they are still good handicaps, they no longer hold a crucial role in the development of the season.

The conditions were heavy, and not many really stayed the extended three-mile trip in the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick. The Dutchman made most and was still going well when falling four out, leaving Snow Leopardess (Charlie Longsdon/Jonjo O’Neill Jr) in front, and the mare gamely tried to withhold the strong challenge of 9/2 winner Canelo (Alan King/Tom Bellamy), but that one proved three-parts of a length too strong.

The winner will presumably be aimed at the Ultima at Cheltenham in March, and may have more to offer. The runner-up is all heart, and will appreciate a return to further, with extreme trips unlikely to bother her. The Midlands National might be an interesting target for her given how well she handles the mud.

Castleford goes with the Flow

SUNDAY saw conditions deteriorate further, with four fences per circuit omitted, and the one who coped best in the Castleford was Kim Bailey’s First Flow (David Bass), who did well to defy a big weight, and has been very well campaigned by his trainer. This was not a great race, but the winner was very game in holding off a pair to whom he was conceding 21lb, and he’s clearly up to winning a graded level, for all he may not be suited by a track like Cheltenham.

There was a listed chase for mares at Doncaster on Tuesday, although heavy ground again saw a few of the runners failing to show their form. The winner, Annie Mc (Jonjo O’Neill/Richie McLernon) was impressive, however, with the 11/4 market leader beating the Paul Nicholls-trainer Cut The Mustard by 16 lengths.

She’s struggled a little in top-end handicaps of late, and is probably best kept to mares’ races, which should prove lucrative on this evidence.