Delighted with that. He was ahead of his mark when you look at the lack of depth in this race- jumped beautifully at times but can still improve. Job done for the day now can sit back and see how Flemenstar shows first time out and with Utd v Arsenal to come.
Taking a chance with days hotel next up. Flemstar does have plenty of ability but he prefers longer and may not be fully wound up yet after his operation. We shall see small stakes
Poor round of jumping. Far too big at nearly all of them. Giving them too much air. Good enough to beat trees though!
70% fit at most - he was carrying a ton of condition, looked very bulky. Probably as a result of that his jumping wasn't as slick as it can be, he was giving his fences loads of air, almost ballooning them. You could see him blow up after the last - got very tired. Plenty of work for Tony Martin to do.
well done toppy-- great shout on the Skelton horse--he really has kicked off with a bang ! Stick , your wheelbarrow job was spot on !! Im hoping that ravens Brook puts up a good show !
Dabble on Speed Master at Ffos Las - Sir Barney would be telling me that horses seldom progress for leaving Seven Barrows but this one is very interesting making his chase debut in a handicap - Twister plot?
I'm actually still unsure why he was sent to Tony Martin. Not the sort of handler you associate with G1 'chasers and he would be well down my list of trainers for Flemenstar. Easy win though tbh conceding weight and Days Hotel is 160 odd animal/tree!! Fascinating unraced 4-y-o running in the next novice 'chase at Limerick for EB and JP...most unusual profile.
Days Hotel who couldn't get within thirty lengths of Sprinter Sacre and Sizing Europe! It wasn't encouraging Dex and it wasn't the "steering job" you would expect for a 1-6 shot now was it?
Perfectly satisfactory Stick on debut for new trainer over a far from optimum trip...I actually think he won like a 1/6 shot...cruised ahead and idled after ballooning the last but picked up well and won going away...never looked like getting beaten. There is plenty in Days Hotel collateral form that shows him to be a useful tool. Where Flemenstar goes after the John Durkan is the question and what lies ahead. I certainly wouldn't crab him too much today.He won.
I am sure we will find out a whole lot more next time Dex. I was disappointed today as he didn't seem to take a cut at his fences. I like the horse a lot but I wasn't wowed today!
