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Timeform Eyecatcher: Sunday
TEAHUPOO
Second, 2m4f Hatton's Grace Hurdle, Fairyhouse, Sunday 1 December
Lossiemouth followed the fine example set by Sir Gino 24 hours earlier when impressively landing the Bar One Racing-sponsored Hatton's Grace Hurdle, but she wasn’t the only one to add another positive run to her CV on Sunday, as the runner-up Teahupoo caught the eye in defeat.
Although he couldn’t complete a hat-trick of wins in the race despite his excellent record fresh, just unable to live with the speed of Lossiemouth from the back of the last attempting to concede 7 lb to that rival, time may well tell that Teahupoo faced an impossible task.
Having jumped on at two out, the stout stayer Teahupoo was left behind by the winner in the final 100 yards, but wasn’t unduly punished; he’ll likely follow the same path as last season and head straight to the Stayers' Hurdle now where he will surely take plenty of beating again.
The smallest field for the Coral Gold Cup since 2018 and the topweight off the lowest BHA mark since 2006 - though the scale not necessarily quite the same - suggested this wasn't perhaps a vintage renewal of one of the season's signature handicaps, though it looked open and competitive.
Victtorino in third very much caught the eye, too, along with the winner the only runner in the field without an outing this season, and it was an encouraging return from nine months off, but in contrast to the winner, he looked very rusty.
He was in rear labouring at the end of the back straight, and still had plenty to do approaching two out, but he finished his race to good effect, storming home to finish never nearer than at the finish. Victtorino is sure to be sharper for this outing next time and would be very interesting if he went to the Silver Cup at Ascot next, a race he won 12 months ago and will be similarly weighted.
This Grade 2 novice chase was run at a steady pace which placed a relative emphasis on speed and that wouldn't have played to the strengths of the stoutly bred Johnnywho.
Johnnywho lacked a turn of foot once the tempo finally lifted and had to settle for third, but he showed plenty of aptitude for chasing - as he had done when an impressive winner on his first start over fences - and he remains open to further improvement when faced with an adequate test of stamina.
Johnnywho is bred to be suited by staying trips as he's out of Howaya Pet who won the Porterstown Handicap Chase over three miles and five furlongs at Fairyhouse and was placed in a handicap chase over four miles at Punchestown. Johnnywho is a half-brother to London National winner Doing Fine.
The runner-up had already built up a big lead by the time the well-backed chasing debutant had exited at the eighth, his rider then getting a breather into him as they became well bunched at the home turn, the well-weighted High Moon then in front for most of the straight but finding the trip too much of a test.
However, he remains a horse to be interested in, as he's clearly threatening to come good soon, but he was just stretched over the longest trip he's attempted to date, even on this speed-favouring track.
High Moon was only headed in the final 100 yards and lost second place soon after, also, but his handicap mark is as low as it's ever been over fences, and he remains one to keep in mind.
Timeform Eyecatcher: Wednesday
SAISISSANTE
Third, 2m mares' handicap hurdle, Hereford, Wednesday 27 November
Saisissante offered plenty to work with when third on her handicap debut at Hereford, leaving the impression that she would come on for her first outing in nearly a year.
Saisissante travelled with verve in a prominent position and led into the straight, but she was headed before the final flight and weakened after putting in an untidy jump.
She showed enough to suggest she's started out from a decent mark - her fairly useful Flat form in France also offers hope on that score - and she's one to be interested in. It's also worth noting that her five wins have been achieved when wearing blinkers or cheekpieces, so the reapplication of headgear could help bring about a bigger effort.
Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday
JASMIN DE GRUGY
Won, 2m4f handicap chase, Southwell, Tuesday 26 November
A mixed bag of profiles but, on a positive note, it was the most obvious improver in the race who made a successful chasing debut in a well-run race.
Jasmin de Grugy had completed a hat-trick over hurdles when last seen six months ago, and made a seamless transition to fences to extend his winning sequence to fences, making a mistake at the eleventh, but impressing with his jumping on the whole.
He was leading on the bridle between three and two out and readily moved clear of his rivals from there, promising there is even more to come, and he is firmly a horse to keep on the right side, capable of making his mark at an even higher level.
Another impressive display from Paul Nicholls' unbeaten four-year-old Kabral du Mathan, who looked every inch the type to make his mark felt in premier handicaps throughout the season, and the presence of a reliable sort in second adds further strength to the form.
He was strong in the market and made a mockery of his opening mark to maintain his unbeaten record, a shade keen early on but not needing to be asked for maximum exertion to account for a reliable and in-form rival.
Kabral du Mathan looks a leading candidate for top-level two-mile handicaps this season - Doncaster's bet365 Handicap Hurdle and the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot rating as appealing targets in the near future - though it's worth acknowledging he has the best part of a fortnight to run unpenalised.
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