bet365 Charlie Hall Chase Day, Wetherby Racecourse, Saturday 29th October 2022

If we all thought that the jumps season had already arrived, at Chepstow and indeed at Cheltenham last week, we were sorely mistaken.

The first major clash of the UK National Hunt Jumps Season has arrived in earnest, with Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame clashing for the third time over fences, and the fourth time in all, with the score currently set at 2-1 in favour of the Lucinda Russell-trained Dylan Thomas gelding. Interestingly, for myself, it is a sort of “come full circle” moment, as I was there alongside Tom at the Goffs Point-to-Point sale at Yorton Farm Stud, near Welshpool, in November 2020, where he was sold to Lucinda and her team. However, at that time my mind was focusing on other things; Ahoy Senor was going into the sales ring straight after the hammer had gone for £570,000 for the now Nicky Henderson-trained McManus star in Jonbon. Some act to follow, but whereas Henderson has been steady with Jonbon, sending him novice-chasing this season, Ahoy Senor has already done that, and now steps up into open company for the first time. Joining him is his old adversary Bravemansgame, and it seems like it was not that long ago Megan Nicholls tipped this horse up, when he was only running in bumpers. Adding more spice to the mix is Eldorado Allen, who looks set to give another good account, and should not be underestimated, especially as he has won at this level, albeit over a much shorter trip, but he is definitely worth a look at 3 miles, especially as for me he only won last year’s Haldon Gold Cup due to more stamina in the tank. In that race he beat Hitman and Greaneteen, and then his second Grade 2 win last season was over a trip just shy of 3 miles in the Denman Chase, beating Royal Pagaille and Clan Des Obeaux. Not too shabby indeed! That is why this is such an interesting race today.

Of the other two runners in the race; don’t be discounting them so easily, just because the big boys have turned up. They are in there on their own merit, and deserve every bit of respect as a result. Sam Brown is known to be a plodder, but the Anthony Honeyball-trained 10-year-old will love the fact that it has been raining constantly all morning. In fact, driving over here this morning, everywhere was the same; thick, grey, uninspiring cloud and lashings of rain, making myself think that this ;ad could get soft ground today quite easily. Lastly, but by no means the least, is one of my absolute favourites in racing; Paint The Dream, for Gloucestershire trainer and well-known cake enthusiast Fergal O’Brien. I was at Doncaster last week to see the other O’Brien take the big prize, and if history repeats itself a week on, then the fact that he has already run this season, and is in fact the only one to have had a run this season, is a bonus. There will not be a problem with pace in this race, as most of the field like to race prominently, so it will be a true test of stamina, on rain-softened ground (at the time of writing the going was still listed as good to soft, good in places). Nevertheless, it looks like a cracker of a race, despite the small-sized field.

A look at the rest of the card, and in the opening contest my eye is drawn to an interesting runner in the shape of Joe Dadancer, for the Ben Pauling team. Owned by the Megsons, the son of Califet and Sister Phoebe was looking like a very easy 11 length winner of their sole point to point in Ireland, before coming down at the last. Nevertheless, that appears to have been a classy run up to that point, with the market agreeing, as he was the general 7-4 favourite pre-race.

The second race is the Listed bet365 Mares’ Hurdle, with Molly Olly’s Wishes looking to make it back-to-back wins in the race for Dan and Harry Skelton. I think this time around the task is easier in terms of numbers, however Nina The Terrier started last season well, and Martello Sky has been a wonderful horse so far for Lucy Wadham, so it will remain to be seen which of those fancied horses comes out on top. Personally, I think Martello Sky can beat last year’s winner, and gets the vote as well of the bookies, as she is the 15-8 favourite at the time of writing. The bet365 Hurdle (registered as the West Yorkshire Hurdle) looks set to be a cracker, with old favourites such as Indefatigable and Thomas Darby coming back against some just as classy rivals such as Sporting John. I think he’s interesting; he clearly does not mind hurdles, even though he has won graded chases, however I personally feel he’s better at home over hurdles. Threeunderthrufive is also interesting, as he was running away with novice chases last season before coming unstuck at Cheltenham in the Brown Advisory, however he was behind some very good horses (including Ahoy Senor and L’Homme Presse) and only beaten 19 lengths, showing that he is capable of running in big races. The reverting to hurdles might be a slight concern for some, however he could easily run a stormer. The previously mentioned Thomas Darby is an old favourite, and Indefatigable has run some fantastic races in defeat lately. However, she did fall in the Mares’ Hurdle when the pressure got going, and so if she is in a tough fight, I’d be wary of her putting in a mistake or two. However, when she won at Warwick in early-2020 she was very good, so for me, I think a chance could be taken on her to spring a surprise against her rivals; after all, she maybe could have run in the Mares’ Hurdle earlier on the card, but last year’s winner of this race is taken to make it back-to-back wins.

The bet365 Handicap Chase at 4:10 is an interesting race, because the top 5 have at one point in the last 24 hours all been favourite for the race! When I started writing, Mongol Emperor had significant market support, but since I sat down, Ladronne is now the 3-1 favourite. I would love to see Restandbethankful score for Adrian Heskin, Olly Murphy and the McNeil family, the connections having tragically lost Clifton Bridge yesterday at Uttoxeter. The yard is in very good form, and he is a favourite of mine, always well-mannered when I’ve visited Olly Murphy’s yard. The handicap chase at 4:45 looks ridiculously competitive, and there’s not one I can say is a stand out, but in the last I think Nicky Richards’s Findthetime will prove hard to beat. Sam Martin of Rein It In Racing will not be pleased with myself too much however if I do not mention Ashington for Ursa Major Racing (now I’ve mentioned him can I have some Battenberg?!).

Right, that’s that done, I’m off for some food before the action happens. Safe journey back all, and let’s hope we see some great racing!

Words - Jack Williams for JTW Equine Images.