A FABULOUS three consecutive days of National Hunt Racing got underway last Friday at Cheltenham with two Grade 2 races taking centre stage. There were plenty of noteworthy performances on the clock, and I will be using the Grade 1 speed figure par of (117) as a reference point.

Each step down the class ladder will represent two lengths per mile, which will also equal two points on the speed figure scale. I will insert the speed figure, calculated in lengths per mile, after each horse’s name.

The ground was described as Good To Soft (Soft) at Cheltenham on Friday, and the winning times were on the soft side. Homme Public (115) looked a fortunate winner of the Arkle Trial over the reduced two-mile trip when the Joe Tizzard-trained front runner JPR One (who had been jumping perfectly) overjumped the last and unshipped Brendan Powell.

The Evan Williams-trained Minella Missile (116) showed a bright turn of foot from the rear when taking the Grade 2 Novice Hurdle over two miles five furlongs, coming home a length and half ahead of Captain Teague (115).

Connections were keen to play down big race entries going forward, but the clock was striking a different tune. The winner recorded the fastest final four furlongs of the race in 55.36secs according to Course Track sectionals.

Triple Trade (123) recorded the best figure of the day in the Class 2 Paddy Power Handicap Chase over the reduced two miles when getting the better of Calico (122) by three-quarters of a length. A final two furlongs of 29.77secs saw the seven-year-old wear down the brave front runner near the finish.

The Mouse Morris-trained Foxy Jacks took the Class 2 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase by one and a quarter-lengths from the staying on Latenightpass. The runner-up recorded the fastest final four-furlong sectional of 59.83secs.

THE going was changed to Soft for Paddy Power Gold Cup day on Saturday following 5mm of overnight rain. Stage Star (123) made most of the running in the big race, over the extended two-mile four furlong trip, finishing four lengths ahead of Notlongtillmay (121).

Both horse and rider did extremely well to recover from a final-fence blunder, and gallop all the way to the line, while still recording the fastest final two furlongs of the race in 33.50secs. The Ryanair Chase now looks to be the main target.

Burdett Road (109) was the impressive winner of the Triumph Hurdle Trial clocking a final four-furlong time of 56.76secs from the rear. Bookmakers cut his price from 20/1 into 7/1. Connections feel he will be even better on a sounder surface.

Buddy One (123) took the Class 2 Handicap for Irish trainer Paul John Gilligan over the extended two miles and seven furlongs in impressive style from a handicap mark of 147.

He travelled like a dream throughout, and put the race to bed with a 14.88secs last-furlong burst, before idling at the finish. The Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse next month looks on the cards for the exciting prospect.

NAVAN hosted three graded races last Saturday on Fortria Chase day with the ground described as Soft To Heavy.

Captain Guinness (115) took the feature race over two miles in smooth style when giving 13lb and a seven-length beating to Riviere D’etel (111).

The winner recorded 47.20secs for the closing sectional from the third-last fence. Connections are eyeing up next month’s Tingle Creek at Sandown for which he is a general 5/1 chance.

Bob Olinger (107) bounced back to form when taking the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle over two miles four furlongs by a length from Zanahiyr (106). A closing sectional of 42.64secs was recorded from the second-last hurdle.

No firm plans have been set for the previous Grade 1 winner going forward. What’s Up Darling (97) took a steadily run Grade 3 Novice Hurdle over two miles by a neck from Dee Capo (96), for a Gordon Elliott 1-2.

The prominent racing gelding was all out at the finish while recording a closing sectional of 43.56secs from the second-last hurdle.

The eagerly awaited debut over fences of the multiple Grade 1 winning Facile Vega (70) yielded a low figure on the clock.

A less than fluent round of jumping from the six-year-old produced a closing sectional of 46.48secs from the third-last fence.

Coko collects

The Grade 3 Troytown Handicap Chase over three miles was the main attraction at Navan on the Sunday where the going was described as Soft to Heavy (Heavy in places).

Trainer Gordon Elliott saddled a record 14 of the 20 runners, and was rewarded with four of the first five home. Coko Beach (113) raced prominently and stayed on willingly to record a two-length victory over the Gavin Cromwell-trained Limerick Lace (112) while recording a closing sectional of 53.08secs from the third-last fence.

A return trip to the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January looks a possibility.

Croke Park (111) provided the second leg of a four-timer on the day for Gordon when staying on bravely to take the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle by three and a quarter-lengths, over two miles and four furlongs, from Mel Monroe (109).

A closing sectional of 45.44secs was recorded from the second-last hurdle. He should be seen in even better light when stepped up in distance to three miles.

American Mike (88) provided the last leg of the Gordon Elliott four-timer when making all the running in the beginners’ chase over two miles and four furlongs to finish three and a quarter-lengths ahead of Fact To File (86).

He was recording his first win in over a year when keeping on well at the finish to produce a closing sectional of 47.12secs on his debut over fences.

The Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick over Christmas could be next on the agenda.

JONBON (116) took the Grade 2 Schloer Chase on Soft ground at Cheltenham on Sunday over the reduced two miles by nine and a half lengths from Edwardstone (111).

The prominent racer jumped well while recording a final four-furlong time of 61.90secs. A mouthwatering clash with Captain Guinness beckons in the Tingle Creek.

Iberico Lord (113) took the Class 1 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle by two and a half-lengths from the front running Lookaway (111) over the extended two miles.

The five-year-old travelled strongly throughout the contest, and a final four-furlong time of 58.89secs proved too strong for the opposition. Malina Girl (106) provided trainer Gavin Cromwell with a double over the three days when coming home 10 lengths clear of Cloudy Glen (103) in the Class 1 Jewson Handicap Chase over the extended three miles three furlongs. A final four-furlong time of 61.66secs proved too much for her opposition. A tilt at the Aintree Grand National could be on the agenda next year.