Nic Doggett with his eyecatchers from the two novice races at Cheltenham on Saturday afternoon.
Horses to take out of the weekend's action
The Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and the Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday were won in impressive fashion by Bobs Worth and Hell's Bay respectively. However there were plenty of horses who ran well in defeat. Nic Doggett takes a look at some of the biggest eye-catchers.
Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle
Winning time - 5m 02.38s
Habbie Simpson - 3rd
Alan King's gelding fared best of those carrying the maximum number of penalties. Having found himself shuffled back before halfway, the six-year-old had to come from further back than eventual winner Bobs Worth when first making his challenge. Left behind by the winner when the race mattered but another success beckons next time for this already three-time winner.
On His Own - 4th
Tired late on but ran a race full of promise having disputed the lead for over three quarters of the contest. Was a bit guessy at some of the obstacles on his hurdling bow, and big at others, but he was still on the bridle turning for home. Must have a big engine, and although like the third home Habbie Simpson he was outpaced late on, this was a very promising run.
Saint Are - 7th
Another who travelled well for a long way and still held every chance running down the hill. His greenness there looks to be the reason behind him losing his place but he rallied fairly well up the finishing straight despite being steadily ridden into the last flight of hurdles. A terrific run at 100-1 on his UK debut and a novice hurdle win should be a formality.
Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices' Chase
Winning time: 5m 21.4s
Medermit - 2nd
Not the most daring of eyecatchers but an exceedingly pleasing run. Held up in the early stages in order to get him following horses again (had refused earlier in the season), he crept into the race in the final mile after making a small mistake passing the stands for the first time and also on the far side. He travelled almost as well as the winner Hell's Bay and made him fight all the way to the line. Whether Arkle of Jewson-bound, he looks a major player for whichever assignment he is given.
Have You Seen Me - 4th
The locally-trained eight-year-old arguably went off too fast and got involved in a prolonged duel with Mr Thriller. However as that horse faded tamely, this fellow kept on running and jumping and was far from disgraced back in fourth. For a horse who races so keenly this trip on a testing track is probably a little far and he must be hard to beat if dropped in trip, especially when eased slightly in grade.
Sway - 6th
Mare who was keen in the early stages and probably failed to last home as a result. Wasn't quite as fluent at her obstacles as she had been at Exeter but still ran with promise. Whilst it should be remembered she was getting lots of weight from the geldings, she should be back in the winners' enclosure when dropped in trip and grade.
Cois Farraig - 7th
Made several mistakes during the race and was badly outpaced before five fences out. However having found himself detached, he rallied quite well and ran on well up the hill suggesting a slower run race, possibly over three miles on a flat track, would be his preferred cup of tea.
