Ratings Update: Newbury, Newcastle and Fairyhouse

A cracking three days of racing kicked off at Newbury on Friday, which saw the eagerly anticipated return of 2016 King George winner Thistlecrack (now rated ? from 169 over hurdles) in the Long Distance Hurdle. It initially looked a match between the last two winners of the race, Thistlecrack and Unowhatimeanharry (remains on 163), but Beer Goggles (up 9 lb to 158) caused an upset. Beer Goggles was given a well-judged ride from the front, but he also showed a willing attitude, and will reportedly head to the Cleeve Hurdle next. Thistlecrack shaped well for three quarters of the race, but his tame finishing effort is a slight concern, especially given that the King George is only three weeks away, and he has questions to answer. Unowhatimeanharry did little to dent his prospects in the top staying contests again this season, though there are plenty emerging to stake a claim to the crown within the division.

Earlier on the card Neptune winner Willoughby Court (up 7 lb to 152p) took a big step forward from his chasing debut when beating Yanworth (149+ from 146P) by three lengths. Willoughby Court is clearly going to take high rank in the novice chase division this season, the Dipper at Cheltenham the obvious next race if he's kept left-handed at this sort of trip, with the JLT and the Manifesto already likely targets in the spring.

The performance of the day on Saturday came from Total Recall (155p from 154), who won the 61^st running of what is now known as the Ladbrokes Trophy. He looked a long way ahead of his mark on Saturday, impressing with how he went through the race, despite his jumping being adequate at best, a mistake two out nearly costing him, before he produced a storming finish under strong driving (rider banned for four days for excessive use of whip) to lead close home. Total Recall is sure to progress further, not long with Willie Mullins nor at all exposed at staying trips, and graded races will surely be on the agenda before long, though the Grand National may also come into consideration. The runner-up Whisper (up 8 lb to 167) produced the best performance in this race since the subsequent Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth beat Tidal Bay in the 2011 running, his performance suggesting – like the winner – he merits serious consideration for the Gold Cup.

Total Recall gets up to win a thrilling Ladbrokes Trophy in the last 20yards! Watch LIVE on @ITV pic.twitter.com/ZFtU8XCETY

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 2, 2017

Cap Soleil (128p from 134p) lost her unbeaten record when beaten nine lengths by Dame Rose (129p from 117+), who wasn’t in the same form as on her hurdling debut, but she reportedly returned with a cut leg and remains with potential. Dame Rose received a more measured ride from the front and duly made it pay. Though she's evidently not short of speed, she is bred to stay further than two miles, and has further listed options coming up at Haydock and Taunton later in the month, with the Dawn Run the obvious target longer term.

Elegant Escape (143 from 137p) took a significant step forward to get off the mark over fences at the third attempt, his style not unlike his stable's 2015 winner of this race Native River, though his performance a little below the level that one showed. The runner-up Black Corton (down 2 lb to 149) couldn't extend his winning run any further, essentially beaten on merit; he’s a smart novice but with limitations.

The Gerry Fielden was unsatisfactory due to the lack of pace, some clearly not suited by the relative test of speed or by their position when the tempo picked up, the ride on the winner High Bridge (up 5 lb to 146) well judged, though he may well have been the best handicapped horse anyway, his victory yet another boost for the form of Elgin's race at Ascot last month. Charli Parcs (144p from 144) shaped well on his first start since the Triumph, perhaps now ready to fulfil the promise of his British debut, and he remains with potential, either over hurdles or fences (tall, useful-looking gelding), but he’s likely to remain on a competitive mark in handicap hurdles.

The Fighting Fifth also took place at Newcastle on Saturday and Buveur d’Air (remains on 170) looked in outstanding shape on his return from eight months off, making his two main rivals - one a dual Fighting Fifth winner, the other last season's Fred Winter hero - look second-rate. The contrast in style between him and Faugheen merely adds to the understandable buzz surrounding their potential Champion Hurdle head-to-head in March.

There was a bumper card at Fairyhouse on Sunday, which was largely dominated by Gordon Elliott, but he had to play second fiddle in the opening Grade 3 juvenile hurdle to the J.P. McManus-owned Espoir d’Allen (up 2 lb to 134P), who made light of the rise in grade to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles in impressive fashion. Espoir d’Allen presumably has the Grade 2 event at Leopardstown on Boxing Day next on the agenda and will take all the beating if turning up there. Gordon Elliott’s Mitchouka (remains on 131p), who finished second, remains with potential, and has races in him if kept to this level.

Mengli Khan (up 10 lb to 148p) has installed himself as the favourite for the Supreme at Cheltenham after winning the Grade 1 novice hurdle by five and a half lengths from Early Doors (140p from 137p), showing form surpassed only this season by his stablemate Samcro. Mengli Khan has got loads of scope for an ex-Flat racer and he should continue to take plenty of beating wherever he turns up, with the Future Champions at Leopardstown over Christmas likely to be next up.

She's not bad, is she? 🍏🍎 @Fairyhouse @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/rsDiH2lMcQ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 4, 2017

Apple’s Jade (remains on 158) ran to somewhere near her best as she landed back-to-back wins in a cracking renewal of the Hatton’s Grace, getting the run of things in front but storming away from eight-time Grade 1 winner Nichols Canyon (remains on 163) impressively. Gordon Elliott suggested after the race that she'll have a similar campaign to last season, taking in the Quevega Hurdle at Punchestown before bidding to defend her Mares' Hurdle crown at Cheltenham, a race for which she's rightly a short-priced favourite.

Gigginstown got their third winner on the card when the exciting Death Duty (up 3 lb to 156p) extended his unbeaten record over fences to three. He might have failed to meet expectations at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals last season, but his overall record strongly suggests he shouldn't be judged on that and he looks a young chaser going places. Rathvinden (152 from 151+) lost little in defeat, despite being no match for the winner, and should continue to give a good account.

Presenting Percy (up 6 lb to 155p) wasted no time getting back to form on his first handicap start over fences, producing a level of form which would see him more than hold his own at Grade 1 level, jumping impeccably. He clearly stays extremely well (which opens up the four-mile National Hunt Chase as a possible Cheltenham Festival target) and he's one to follow, with further improvement still on the cards.