IRISH Saint (39) has always looked like he’d do best over fences and at longer than two miles. He proved this idea right when putting up his best ever performance to take a graduation chase at Ascot by 13 lengths over two and a half furlongs short of three miles. The time was good. In fact Irish Saint covered the last two miles in slightly faster time than they went in the two-mile, one-furlong handicap chase on the same card, with the pace being strong throughout.

My impression of Irish Saint at this stage is that he doesn’t quite have the size or jumping ability to win a Grade 1. My ratings say he’s solid Grade 2 class. Indeed he’s already won at that level but lost all three times he’s tackled Grade 1 company, beaten 40 lengths the one time he didn’t tackle novices at the top level.

Puffin Billy (36) was level with Irish Saint and looked to be going just as well approaching two out but failed to rise properly at that jump and lurched over it. At the last he failed to rise at all and the abrupt stop caused him to be somersaulted over the jump.

SEASONAL DEBUT

Trainer Oliver Sherwood said it took Puffin Billy a long time to get over his seasonal debut. It looks like he’s now a horse that needs to be kept fresh. In light of the heavy fall, I’d like to see Puffin Billy laid off for at least 10 weeks. If he is, then I’d bet on him bouncing back to form. He’s a useful horse who still has a good deal of potential