Ratings Update: Kemboy and Elegant Escape enter the Gold Cup picture

In fact, it was a case of ‘as you were’ on several occasions as a number of big races were won by horses who didn’t need to improve on past performances. Altior was one who did, though, despite having around 20 lb in hand of his rivals in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton. His rating nudges up, from 179p to 180p, after a faultless performance that saw him give a nineteen-length beating to the 157-rated Diego du Charmil and which took his unbeaten record over obstacles to sixteen.

1️⃣6️⃣from 1️⃣6️⃣

The sequence over obstacles continues for Altior in the Unibet Desert Orchid Chase @kemptonparkrace

Results ➡ https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/7xHYTEwVEP

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) 27 December 2018

In the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase over the same course and distance, Dynamite Dollars (154 from 150p) successfully conceded weight all round, notably to odds-on runner-up Kalashnikov (147+ from 152p), who came up short on his biggest test over fences to date but may need more of a test and/or softer ground to be seen to best advantage.

Three years after Native River, Colin Tizzard won the Welsh National with another six-year-old when Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up Elegant Escape (158) got the better of Ramses de Teillee (148) by a length and a quarter. Neither the well-backed winner, nor the runner-up (who made a bad mistake four out) needed to improve their ratings, both of them well in at the weights, though third-placed Yala Enki (155 from 152) deserves credit giving weight to a pair of younger and most progressive rivals. The winner could be another Gold Cup contender for his yard, while the runner-up makes more appeal for something like Haydock’s Grand National Trial.

Future Gold Cup winner? Elegant Escape - following in the footsteps of a certain Native River... pic.twitter.com/gENjJ7aJCU

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) 27 December 2018

Also at Chepstow, leading three-year-olds Quel Destin (141 from 136) and Adjali (141 from 137p) clashed in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle, with little between them on form beforehand, and there was only a neck in it at the line, with Quel Destin making all and battling well to take his record since joining Paul Nicholls to four out of five.

Meanwhile, there were three more days of Grade 1 action at Leopardstown where another six-year-old, Kemboy (167p from 161p) won a cracking renewal of the Savills Chase to put himself firmly in the Gold Cup picture, travel difficulties having prevented him coming over for the Ladbrokes Trophy. Allowed to stride on with over a circuit to go, he dismissed a field of proven Grade 1 performers in impressive style, turning for home still on the bridle and then storming clear to beat Monalee (161 from 157p) by seven and a half lengths, with last season’s winner Road To Respect (166 from 168) close behind in third.

An annihilation! Kemboy puts in a emphatic display and routs them in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at @LeopardstownRC for Willie and David Mullins... pic.twitter.com/upkCNAutaI

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) 28 December 2018

Altior’s nearest rival in the two-mile chase division Footpad (172 from 174) was caught out by lack of peak fitness in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase on his first completed start of the season, but should be more of a match for half-length winner Simply Ned (162 from 159) should they meet again in the Dublin Chase there next time. Willie Mullins’ other runner Great Field (161+ from 169p) fell for the second successive start, making the running but tiring in a share of second when coming down at the last.

The Neville Hotels Novices’ Chase over three miles proved a Gigginstown benefit, the owners having five of the six finishers, and there were no significant rating changes, the Drinmore winner Delta Work (153p) keeping his unbeaten record over fences but not having to improve to land the odds by eight lengths from Mortal (145p from 143p). The big handicap chase of the meeting, the Paddy Power Chase, went to Auvergnat, better known for his cross-country exploits, though he was well treated on his banks form and ran out a decisive winner in first-time blinkers. He reverts to his old rating of 150 with a return to his favourite discipline at Cheltenham on the cards.

The main talking point over hurdles at Leopardstown was Samcro’s third successive defeat this season as he beat only one home in the Ryanair Hurdle. If he’s persevered with over hurdles this term (now 162 from 163), he surely needs stepping up in trip, though there’s a possibility we won’t see him again until he goes over fences next autumn. Melon was another to run well below his master rating of 166 in fourth but at least he had the excuse of looking rusty on his first start for eight months and is likely to be sharper next time. With the big names disappointing, the Mullins second string Sharjah (155+ from 154+) didn’t need to improve by any significant amount, in what ended up a substandard renewal, to follow up his surprise defeat of another stable-companion, Faugheen, in the Morgiana last time.

A proper Grade 1 animal! Sharjah wins the Ryanair Hurdle in brilliant style for Patrick and Willie Mullins at @LeopardstownRC... pic.twitter.com/8qDk5ONIKb

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) 29 December 2018

As for Faugheen (165) himself, his heavy fall two out in the Christmas Hurdle when still looking a threat left Apple’s Jade (160) to win her ninth Grade 1 unchallenged by a wide margin without needing to improve.  She could drop back to two miles for the Irish Champion Hurdle next.

In addition to Kemboy and Sharjah, Mullins’ other Grade 1 win at Leopardstown was provided by Aramon (142 from 132) who gave the stable a fourth successive win in the Future Champions Novices’ Hurdle, showing a smart turn of foot after the last to beat shorter-priced stablemate Sancta Simona (132p from 132P) ten lengths.

Back in Britain, seven last-time-out winners lined up for the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury. In a steadily-run race, Champ (146p) didn’t need to show any further improvement to complete a four-timer this season in taking style despite not settling fully. An entry in the Betfair Hurdle wouldn’t go amiss as he’s not short of speed on this evidence and a better pace in a large field would suit.