Ratings Update: Bristol de Novembre

Haydock

First of all, a note on the ‘big’, ‘stiff’ and ‘solid’ Haydock fences, which seemed to cause consternation among some of the leading trainers, especially those of beaten horses. Clearly, there are plenty of other factors at play, and it’s hard to know how the performance of many beaten completers – like that of Might Bite – were adversely affected. However, the facts tell us that a total of seven horses fell or unseated their rider over the four chases on the card, up from four the previous year, and zero the one before that (only three chases that year).

The going was much quicker this year, though – the Betfair Chase was half a minute quicker than 12 months earlier – and, while some horses may struggle to jump well in testing ground, they’re clearly approaching the obstacles with more speed when the ground is faster.

One thing that was the same, though, was the end result: Bristol de Mai (169 from 165x) made it back-to-back wins in the race, having to fight much harder against four top-notch (or potential top-notch, in the case of Clan des Obeaux (161)) rivals than when laughing at an aging Cue Card during his 57-length romp last year.

"There are no injuries anyway, no reason for it behind that.” - Nicky Henderson revealed on #LuckOnSunday that Might Bite is "perfectly sound" after Betfair Chase flop.👇https://t.co/UX5Kk77H4y pic.twitter.com/Sl4DR4NoS9

— Racing UK (@racing_uk) November 25, 2018

The winner, now unbeaten in four starts at the track (three of which have come in November), was pretty flawless from the front and, in many ways, this performance is that bit easier to quantify as he lowered the colours of last season's Gold Cup winner into second, no doubting that he's top class on his day, and to do it away from the mud like this shows that there's more strings to his bow. He failed to fire in last year's King George but, in hindsight, maybe two big performances in the previous six weeks had left a mark, and the fact that he'll go to Kempton a fresher horse this time around could be a real positive.

Runner-up Native River (172), who'd not been seen since winning at Cheltenham, made a very solid return from eight months off, not performing to his very best but doing all that he could under conditions that didn't place enough emphasis on stamina as is ideal for such a strong stayer.

The 2016 King George winner Thistlecrack (166) has been beset with problems, seen only twice last season and below his best both times, but this was an encouraging comeback from 11 months off that shows he at least retains most of his ability. He was rusty in the jumping department which held him back somewhat, just making headway when a slow leap four out stopped him making up more ground, but he'd travelled well throughout and battled on for third; he shouldn't be written off for the King George.

Might Bite (down 1 lb to 170), whose jockey led the criticism of the fences, disappointed for the first time in this sphere, but the fact that it came on his return from eight months makes it that bit easier to forgive, as perhaps he wasn't as straight as anticipated for this return. His jumping lacked its usual flamboyance and he finished tired; obviously he has a bit more to prove all of a sudden, but it'd be no surprise if he bounced straight back in the King George.

Elsewhere on the card, Activial (up 2 lb to 146) won a good-quality graduation chase, though the race rather fell apart around the winner, Full Glass (141p) the first to go up the straight when still in contention, whilst River Wylde (up 8 lb to 151p) had just taken it up when crashing out at the final fence, leaving the winner clear of tired and/or below-par rivals.

Black Mischief (up 5 lb to 137) rattled home to pick up Mr Antolini (up 3 lb to 138) and Chti Balko (up 4 lb to 144) – the latter having looked the winner for most of the home straight – in the 19f handicap hurdle, while a similar finish occurred in the stayers’ handicap hurdle, with Paisley Park (up 4 lb to 148p) coming from a long way back to reel in Shades of Midnight (remains on 137) and First Assignment (loses 'p' on 137). Meanwhile, Vintage Clouds (up 4 lb to 147) is in line for another productive campaign based on his reappearance win in the finale, which represented just about his most polished performance yet.

Ascot

After Fifty member Didtheyleaveuoutto (now 124p from 121P) had impressed in an introductory hurdle there on Friday afternoon – just getting the better of the similarly promising Thomas Darby (124p from 121P) in a tactical affair – Saturday’s action at Ascot saw the two top-rated runners emerge victorious from the graded action.

First, Politologue (remains on 166) – a bona fide Group 1 performer – won the 1965 Chase, though he was forced to run to his best by Charbel (159) who seems better than ever this autumn, the others not up to the task of posing a threat late on, though the third Gold Present (155) ran a promising race having dictated an ordinary gallop.

Politologue wins ahead of Charbel in the Christy Chase at @Ascot

Will we see him win the King George? pic.twitter.com/eMH7qaozKq

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 24, 2018

The winner is being aimed at the King George, and there are certainly elements of his pedigree that suggest he will stay three miles if conditions aren't testing. Of the others, Benatar (now 150p) wasn’t ideally positioned as the race developed, but is definitely worth a go in a big-field handicap.

Then If The Cap Fits (147+ from 147p), back up in trip, went one better in the Coral Hurdle than when second in the Elite Hurdle last time. Though success looked unlikely for much of the straight (he failed to travel so well as usual, the muddling nature of the race perhaps not helping), he stayed on to lead inside the final furlong and was in command close home. He is reportedly a possible runner in the Christmas Hurdle (at Kempton, rather than Leopardstown, presumably), but his form is a little short of the standard required (at this stage), and whether he has the speed for the task is also a bit of a concern.

ICYMI: If The Cap Fits wins the Coral Hurdle at @Ascot for @HarryFryRacing1 and @noelfehily 🙌

What next for this horse? pic.twitter.com/J957PlsMOc

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 24, 2018

Runner-up Old Guard (remains on 151) was having his fourth race in barely a month and showed just what a tough performer he is, emerging best at the weights and producing yet another smart effort after just six days off, while Rayvin Black (131+ from 131) seemed to excel himself, though he was given an excellent, enterprising ride that showed him to optimum advantage. Elite third We Have A Dream (down 5 lb to 145), on the other hand, didn't seem to get on with a change of rider, a bit too keen and with his jumping nowhere near up to its usual standard.

The high-value two-mile handicap chase, the same sort of quality as a Grand Annual with as many as six racing off BHA marks of 150 or higher, was unusual for being so concentrated, all down to Speredek (up 2 lb to 153) who went hard and broke most, with only Caid du Lin (up 4 lb to 141) overhauling him, and the third Marracudja (134) coming from further back still. The winner was unrecognisable from the novice whose jumping went to pieces only last month, and is now in the premier league of handicappers, though it’s worth pointing out that plenty in this field are just getting going for the season.

Navan

The Monskfield Novices’ Hurdle had perversely produced its two best winners for several years - Death Duty and Samcro - since being downgraded to Grade 3 level in 2016, though it's doubtful thatthis will prove a vintage renewal with little more than three and a half lengths covering the first five home, the winner Easy Game (remains on 130) pouncing very late.

The beginners’ chase was of plenty of interest beforehand and it didn't disappoint, even if last year's Supreme Novices' fourth Paloma Blue (122p) did somewhat. The jumping throughout the ranks varied, no less between the front pair, the second faultless where the winner was a little scrappy, a most willing attitude getting Jetz (135p) home in front. Runner-up Duca de Thaix (up 1 lb to 134), in first-time cheekpieces, resumed his progress, but was delayed in being asked for maximum effort, and though seeming to look more straightforward this time, was turned over having gone very short in-running once again.

Won by Vautour, Douvan and Min in recent years, Jetz proves best to get off the mark over fences for @Jessica_Racing and @Robbie_Power_ in the @IrishEBF_ Beginners Chase at @NavanRacecourse: pic.twitter.com/3FQYXI82jm

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 25, 2018

There was a maximum field of 25 for the valuable and wide-open-looking Troytown Handicap Chase, almost half of whom were trained by Gordon Elliott, who had landed the four most recent renewals. The recent Cork National winner Out Sam (down 3 lb to 144§) fared best of his contingent back in fifth this time around, and it was Tout Est Permis (149p from 144+) – comfortably the youngest horse in the race – who took control late on. He confirmed the promise of last month's Galway run, making it two from two since joining Noel Meade, and may do better still having been campaigned exclusively at shorter trips by his previous handler.

Finally, in the closing listed bumper, Barrington Court (up 12 lb to 107) got off the mark having gone close in a trio of events in the spring; given her pedigree (by Mastercraftsman and half-sister to a sprinter), she may have more of a career on the Flat than over hurdles, but this performance entitles her to a try in graded bumper company next.