Ratings Update: Annie Mc calls the tune

The week after the Lord Mayor’s Cheltenham Festival show was, as you’d expect, a quiet one. The performance of the weekend came on the Flat at Naas on Sunday, as Karawaan (up 8 lb to 99) ran away with an Irish Lincolnshire handicap that was rendered less competitive by a significant track bias; that said, the winner did it readily and may have more to offer, whilst a few further back shaped with promise, notably the fifth-placed Crownthorpe (remains on 96). Still Standing (up 3 lb to 109p) won the listed Devoy Stakes in fine style, and will reportedly head back to the track for the Alleged Stakes next, while Normandel (loses +, now 101) won just an average renewal of the Group 3 Park Express Stakes.

With the jumps season in full swing, though, it feels wrong to dwell on the Flat for too long. Those in charge of the sport may consider that more clearly defined Flat and jumps seasons – ones that don’t swell into each other like oil and water – may make it easier for the general public to embrace the different codes of the sport.

The pick of Saturday’s jumps action came from Newbury, with the most sentimental success going the way of Get In The Queue (119) who didn’t need to improve to win one of the most valuable bumpers of the whole season. The winner is the best bumper horse seen in Britain this winter but one of only two in the field who'd been able to win a race so far, the other boasting form the best part of 20 lb inferior to the winner. The race was notable, however, for providing Noel Fehily with a winner on his last ride after a distinguished career that included wins in the King George VI Chase and Champion Hurdle, among others.

The feature race – the Grade 2 (for the first time) final of the EBF and TBA Mares’ handicap series – was blown apart by Annie Mc (up 8 lb to 135) who thrived coming from midfield under the excellent Jonjo O'Neill Jnr in a truly-run race, though it might well have been a much closer finish had She Mite Bite (121) not gone wrong when going well two out.

A double for Jonjo O'Neill Jr as Annie Mc wins the EBF & TBA Mares' "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle Series Final in impressive fashion 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zSgDAFWmud

— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) March 23, 2019

The winner faces a hike in the weights, but she may well have still more to offer under the right circumstances, the good-topped mare retaining plenty of potential for chasing next season, too. Her victory provided O'Neill Jnr with a first double following the earlier success of Chic Name (up 4 lb to 130).

Elsewhere on the card, the likeable Gala Ball (147 from 146+) showed more resolution under a more forceful ride than runner-up Valdez (unchanged on 147) in the 0-150 handicap chase, while Lillington (up 4 lb to 133) progressed again for a fifth win of the season. In doing so, he defied a mark 25 lb higher than that off which he started the campaign, this run highlighting that he's a completely different horse attitude-wise this season. He benefited from a final fence error from Master Work, (127 from 123+), but may well have won regardless.

The standout performance at Bangor came from The Bay Birch (up 6 lb to 133) in the mares’ handicap chase, while Winston C (up 8 lb to 138p) and Burrows Park (up 6 lb to 132) produced the best hurdles performances up at Kelso. Meanwhile, Some Chaos (now 140p), Blue Flight (146 from 139+) and Claud And Goldie (up 7 lb to 127) served up a fine finish to the staying handicap chase, with the first-named continuing his own progression with a two and a quarter length success in a race that looks likely to prove strong form.

Over in Ireland, Cubomania (144) won an unsatisfactory listed novices’ chase at Thurles, in which the two market leaders Jetz (147) and Duca de Thaix (§ added to 149 rating) flopped badly and Benruben (142+ from 138) crashed out at the last when looking the likely winner.

Scarpeta (146) confirmed himself a class above his rivals when successfully giving weight away in a conditions race, appreciating the less competitive scenario than the Coral Cup provided just 10 days previously. He will continue to go well in events of this nature, whilst he also has the option of going back on the Flat in the coming months, something connections are reportedly keen on.

On Sunday, Trans Express (up 4 lb to 119) added a fifth C&D win over hurdles at Exeter, beating Sir Ivan (now 133) and Espoir de Teillee (up 2 lb to 134) by half a length and the same margin. The last-named ran a cracker, making his handicap debut after 16 months off, arguably shaping best (having gone keenly early) only for the battle-hardened first two to find more late on. His profile isn't that of one who will want turning out quickly but this effort suggests he's well capable of doing some damage in useful handicaps.

It's a ton up for Harry Cobden! 💯

Saintemillion out jumps Diable De Sivola at the last to win the GG Fast Results Chase for trainer Paul Nicholls 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TfdHE0c9mH

— Exeter Racecourse (@ExeterRaces) March 24, 2019

Elsewhere on the card, Saintemilion (up 4 lb to 125p) continued his progression over fences, a quick jump at the last sealing victory over Diable de Sivola (138 from 131+).

There wasn’t too much to shout about up at Carlisle, the only real highlight being the enterprising ride of James Bowen in the closing bumper, making the 600-mile round trip worth it for all those connected to the Peter Bowen-trained Equus Dancer (97+ from 87). Bowen Jnr (Jnr, Jnr) again proved his worth in the saddle when sending the winner into a clear lead entering the back straight, with the pair running out 12-length winners from Portstorm (91).