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A modest maiden on balance, both the runner-up and third appealing as better long-term prospects than the winner, particularly War And Love considering the yard she hails from.
She is bred to be useful - out of a half-sister to very smart Raymond Tusk - and she shaped very well amidst considerable greenness, slowly into stride and still having plenty to do entering the straight, though she stayed on strongly in the final furlong once the penny began to drop.
War And Love is the type to improve considerably for this experience, enough to make her of interest for a similar event next time, either kept to a mile or over further.
Gustav Graves, a five-time winner on the all-weather last winter, has been disappointing this of late but he took a step back in the right direction when beaten only a length and three-quarters in fifth at Newcastle on Thursday.
Gustav Graves was held up last of the seven runners but he ran on in encouraging fashion inside the final furlong and was never nearer than at the line.
He was running off a mark a stone lower than the one he had defied over the same course and distance in March so he is clearly on a dangerous mark if building on this promising display.
Deep Cave was given a patient ride by Jonathan Burke at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, however the first two for most of the race finished in those positions at the line, a good indication of the steadily-run nature of this three-mile handicap.
An import from France over the summer, Deep Cave is threatening to come good soon for his new yard, as he was inconvenienced by the steady gallop but also by some late trouble in running as he was trying to open up fully.
The seven-year-old finished with running left and is one to look out for next time, especially in a race with more guaranteed pace. He looks to have the scope for fences, too, when connections decide to switch disciplines.
Timeform Eyecatcher: Tuesday
STORMBREAKER
Runner-up, 2m3f handicap hurdle, Punchestown, Tuesday 31 December
He may have been no match for the progressive Farmers Lodge who readily defied a 12 lb rise in the weights for a decisive win at Fairyhouse, but Stormbreaker produced his best effort yet over hurdles to finish a clear second and looks well up to winning a similar event.
Stormbreaker, who was making his handicap hurdle debut, can have his effort upgraded slightly as he lost his place after seemingly taking a false step following the sixth flight but he was soon back travelling well and made good progress out wide between the final two flights before staying on into second on the run-in.
Stormbreaker seemed to settle better wearing a hood for the first time and he remains relatively unexposed as a hurdler after only four starts over jumps.
Given the esteemed nature of his pedigree (dam a 1m winner and half-sister to the smart winner up to 1m Algaith, from the outstanding family of Nayef, Nashwan and Unfuwain), you might not have expected Studious to be rocking up in a 0-68 handicap at Wolverhampton on a Monday evening.
However, his backers (strong in the betting) were rewarded with an emphatic success on his first start since a gelding operation. Upped in trip for his handicap/all-weather bow, Studious proved a different proposition, travelling fluently, shaken up early in the straight, and getting a gap soon after. He quickened to lead inside the final furlong and asserted for a hands-and-heels ride, winning with plenty in hand.
He will go on improving and can win again before the handicapper catches up with him.
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