3 from Timeform
Nick Seddon picks out three horses that caught the eye during the final three days of the Cheltenham Festival.
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Fayonagh – Cheltenham, Wednesday 15th March
As you would expect, there were plenty of eye-catching performances at Cheltenham last week, but perhaps the most taking winner of the entire festival was
Fayonagh in the Champion Bumper, who hit a high of 95 in-running when rounding the turn in last place. The mare took a while to hit top gear, and was still only 13th approaching the final two furlongs before storming home to lead in the final 50 yards in what was a truly remarkable performance. Fayonagh, who is a half-sister to the very smart hurdler Solerina, had caught the eye on her previous start at Fairyhouse in February, when winning by some 20 lengths on heavy ground in a mares’ listed contest. The transition to quicker going was a worry prior to the Champion Bumper, but she took that in her stride and looks to have a bright future, especially when sent over obstacles.
Gordon Elliott
Verdana Blue – Cheltenham, Thursday 16th March
Verdana Blue looked a useful mare in the making when recording her most recent win in a minor event at Taunton in February, taking her record to 2-2 in completed starts. For all that, the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle still looked a sharp step up in class, however, she excelled herself on the day, leading between the final two flights and holding second place right up until the final 100 yards, before just being run out of the frame. There’s seemingly still more to come from Verdana Blue, particularly considering that this was just her fourth start over hurdles, and she looks nailed on to win plenty more races going forward, especially given the current race programme for mares.
Nicky Henderson
The Worlds End – Cheltenham, Friday 17th March
The Worlds End has made a very favourable impression so far this season and looked well worth his place in last week’s Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, having gone unbeaten in three starts since his hurdling debut, including a smart win at Haydock in February. He looked set to play a big part in the finish at Cheltenham before departing two out when holding every chance. It’s hard to say for sure where exactly The Worlds End would have finished, but he had travelled strongly into the race and looks one to keep onside moving forward. If none the worse, he will surely be a big player in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree next month, and will surely make a smashing novice chaser if that is the plan next season.
Tom George
