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This was more like it from Glenglass on his second start over hurdles after disappointing on his hurdling debut over three months earlier. He had made a winning debut under Rules for Gordon Elliott in a bumper at Fairyhouse in November but finished well held in a maiden hurdle at Navan the following month, reportedly having finished lame.
But returning from his break in a first-time tongue and stepping up half a mile in trip, Glenglass confirmed his bumper promise with a far better effort this time, though couldn’t trouble the odds-on favourite Snake Oil in the closing stages and was beaten four lengths. The winner had come up against some useful types previously, however, so there was no disgrace in Glenglass being the only one to give him much of a race whilst also drawing a long way clear of the remainder.
With further improvement to come, Glenglass should be capable of going one better over hurdles, especially if his jumping becomes a bit more polished, but he’s a winning pointer who’s every inch a chaser on looks and that where his future ultimately lies.
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Dermot Weld's Enthrallment could be in for a productive season after catching the eye in second in the Leopardstown Members Handicap on Saturday.
The lightly-raced son of Fastnet Rock was having just his third career start and he was a slightly unlucky loser here as he had to wait for room from just before the two-furlong pole.
Once he saw daylight he didn't pick up immediately but stayed on well for a narrow neck second after responding to Chris Hayes' pressure and on this evidence, as well as his pedigree, he can improve again over another two furlongs.
Watch out for him in a 1m4f handicap in the near future.
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This was just a modest handicap and the field finished in a bunch, but the winner, The Mad Monk, won with much more in hand than the official margin suggests, and he is a horse to be positive about moving forward.
He didn't show much on his first three starts, but almost certainly was brought along with handicaps in mind, and he duly showed improved form over a mile at Lingfield last month.
The Mad Monk left the impression that race didn't get to the bottom of him, so it was little surprise he was strong in the market ahead of this, and he managed to win while still looking rough around the edges.
He travelled comfortably throughout the race and was produced nicely to come and win his race entering the final furlong, but his inexperience was still evident as he tried to hang into his rival on his inside. The Mad Monk got the message close home as he picked up the eventual second that had the run of the race and he was ultimately well on top at the line.
A nice type physically, The Mad Monk rates as the type that could rack up a sequence now, starting life in handicaps from a basement mark, and he is well worth backing next time with further improvement in the offing.
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The disappointment of the race was the well-backed Sun Festival, who only managed to beat one rival home on his debut for Joseph Parr, but this still looks strong form for the grade, and the third home, Forge Valley Lad, is surely capable of winning more races at this level.
This was run at a good tempo and Forge Valley Lad travelled comfortably throughout held up at the back of the field, making a small move into contention coming down the hill around three furlongs out but still having more in front than behind when entering the straight.
Forge Valley Lad began to weave his way through the pack once in the straight and was produced to lead well inside the final furlong, looking the likeliest winner until he didn't appear to find much once in front, seemingly paying for his move into contention.
It is worth noting he had been seen to good effect ridden more prominently of late and a revert back to those tactics may see him in a better light next time; Forge Valley Lad left the firm impression he is still on a good mark.
These are early days for Transatlantic with the excellent Gary Moore team but they'll find the key to him soon.
Thrown in at the deep end in the Imperial Cup on his first start for the yard, he showed little when pulling up, but there was more to like about his run in these calmer waters.
His hurdling wasn't fluent and he raced too keenly but looked a danger two out before tiring. A mistake at the last cost him second place but connections have the options of switching back to handicaps and going down in trip again.
He's already five pounds lower than Sandown before the handicapper assesses this run and should be winning before too long.
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There wasn't much pace in this race on paper beforehand and it duly was only run at a moderate gallop, War Defender getting an uncontested lead and the eventual winner, Prejudice, always well positioned to strike.
The thriving Coase, who finished second, left the impression he is still in top form, though, and will remain a horse to be interested in for similar events if kept on the go in the coming weeks.
He was a good winner over a mile at Newcastle on his previous start and carried a penalty for that success over an extra two furlongs here, but Coase's jockey was eager to wait before pressing the button and that arguably proved the difference.
For all he stays a mile and a quarter, a return to a mile in a more strongly-run race will suit better, and he is more than capable of winning more races on this evidence as the winner has a classy pedigree - he's a brother to Postponed - and was dropping in grade.
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