Sticwiththeprocess

(Ted Walsh)

Naas, January 5th

Considering there is plenty of scope for improvement with his jumping, Sticwiththeprocess made a satisfactory rules introduction for Ted Walsh and J.P. McManus in what were testing conditions at Naas on their Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle card. Lining up in a two-mile maiden hurdle won by Joystick, the Blue Bresil five-year-old travelled quite well into contention in the straight, before his effort petered out a little - not helped by a mistake at the final flight - but he was entitled to get tired on his first start in 280 days in such demanding ground.

There was no disgrace in finishing fifth in a 21-runner maiden hurdle at the first attempt over flights. It’s possible the best of this ex-point-to-pointer is seen in handicaps when learning his trade with further experience in maidens. Regardless, he’s in good hands with Ted Walsh to progress if good enough and it will be interesting to see what sort of improvement he can make from this in his coming starts.

Powerful Paddy

(Alan McIntyre)

Fairyhouse, January 11th

The concluding bumper at Fairyhouse last Saturday has been won by high-class sorts like Gerri Colombe, Romeo Coolio and Stattler in recent years, though it’s hard to have confidence that we definitely saw a winner of such stature this time around, given how steadily-run the race was. As summed up by Timeform: “A steady pace meaning they finished in a bit of a heap”.

De Temps En Temps did well to win in the circumstances to complete a four-timer on the card for Gavin Cromwell, and there was also some encouragement to be taken from the third-placed Powerful Paddy for trainer Alan McIntyre. Owner Michael Foley’s homebred, sent off at 40/1, has been given time to mature as a six-year-old newcomer, but still shaped as though he’d sharpen up for the initial experience. He kept plugging away quite well in a messy race pace-wise and a better reading on him should be gained next time.

Come On The Lads

(Gavin Cromwell)

Punchestown, January 12th

Not for the first time, Come On The Lads went into the notebook as a handicap hurdler of some interest, despite again being beaten a pretty decisive margin in a maiden hurdle. Having caught the eye on the sectional times on his previous start at Leopardstown over Christmas (beaten 28 lengths in ninth but his final half mile was the second quickest of any runner in the field), he similarly ran well from way too far off the pace at Punchestown to ever be a player.

The 50/1 shot was towards the rear early and it was noticeable how quickly he managed to improve his position after the fourth last hurdle. Additionally, nothing clocked a faster time than him from four furlongs out to three furlongs out. The impossible task he faced eventually told at the business end and he was no match for the useful-looking winner Kappa Jy Pyke, but this fourth-placed effort from Gavin Cromwell’s unexposed hurdler marked him out as a lively handicap prospect, obviously depending on how the assessor treats him. The Elzaam five-year-old has been progressive on the flat prior to this, not beaten far off a mark of 81 on his last appearance on the level at Dundalk in December.

Gringo d’Aubrelle

(Gordon Elliott)

Punchestown, January 12th

There weren’t huge fireworks from the run, but - given where he’s come from following a mammoth 1,020-day absence - Gringo d’Aubrelle hinted there could be a day in him over fences before the season is out when fourth in the Amateur National Handicap Chase at Punchestown last Sunday.

On the same card three years earlier, the one-time €270,000 point-to-point recruit finished a well-held second to Dysart Dynamo in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle, having been third to Cheltenham Festival scorer Stage Star and Aintree Grade 3 winner West Balboa in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle on his previous start.

The 10-length bumper winner (also a maiden hurdle winner) had three runs of little impact in beginners’ chases since returning to the track after the layoff this season and he again finished 26 lengths adrift of ready winner Nine Graces last weekend. However, he looked to gain confidence with his jumping as the race went on here and was ridden much more patiently than he was for his two previous wins under rules. He should have gained plenty from this first handicap experience. Down 1lb since to a mark of 115 over fences, he’s bound to be competitive off that type of rating when putting it all together in this sphere. After all, twice he ran to Racing Post Ratings of 133 as a novice over hurdles.