Ratings Update: Moore charge breaks new Ground at Fontwell

The BetBright Chase took centre stage at Kempton on Saturday and was won by the quirky but undeniably talented Pilgrims Bay (up 5 lb to 133§). The seven-year-old was seen to good effect with a strong gallop and plenty of runners to keep him interested, but it was still hard not to be impressed with the way he went through the race under a confident James Best. He produced a career-best effort to hold off the challenge of the rallying Double Shuffle (up 3 lb to 152) close home, and should remain competitive, although his suspect temperament means he will never be one for maximum faith. Double Shuffle may have given the winner more to think about but for a bad mistake three-out, and remains unexposed as a staying chaser, with the Grand National reportedly next on his agenda.

Charli Parcs (now Timeform-rated 140p from 145P) was a hot favourite for the Adonis Hurdle having created a deep impression when making a successful British debut over the C&D in December. However, he was already struggling when taking a heavy fall at the second-last, and his participation at Cheltenham has to be in doubt. His departure left Master Blueyes (up 16 lb to 144) to run out a dominant winner and he cemented his place in the Triumph with a much improved display, although more is needed to win an average renewal of the four-year-old championship.

Paul Nicholls won the Pendil Novices' Chase for the ninth time in the last 12 years with the likeable Frodon (remains on 148), who didn't need to be at his best to record his sixth victory of the season, and is reportedly set to dodge Cheltenham. He has other options at Aintree and Ayr later in the season.

River Wylde (up 4 lb to 143p) is also far from guaranteed to run at the Festival, despite a decisive success in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle. The same connections also have Lough Derg Spirit to consider with the Supreme in mind, and trainer Nicky Henderson felt that one might be the more streetwsie of the pair. River Wylde looks an exciting prospect moving forward, though, and both his form and potential make him a big danger to all if taking his chance at Cheltenham.

The National Spirit Hurdle is the feature race of the entire season at Fontwell and the latest renewal went the way of the rejuvenated Camping Ground (up 10 lb to 166+). He was making his debut for the Gary Moore yard on Sunday and produced a staggering display of galloping to forge some 29 lengths clear of the field from three-out. His improvement has to be put into context against a whole host of below-par displays from his flagging rivals, but the visual impression he created was backed up by the clock, and supplementing him for the Champion Hurdle is surely an option on the back of Sunday's top-class performance (though Moore said on Monday that Aintree may well be next on the agenda).

There was also plenty of good-quality action across the Irish Sea over the weekend, and Pleasant Company (up 6 lb to 156+) booked his ticket to Aintree with a comfortable success in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday. Jockey Ruby Walsh justifiably earned plenty of praise for a textbook waiting ride, but his mount also deserves plenty of credit for the way he stayed on to cut down the more positively-ridden runner-up. He remains with potential as a staying chaser and now looks potentially very well-treated for the Grand National.

Dinaria des Obeaux (remains on 133p) needed some help from the stewards to land the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle earlier on the card. She stayed on strongly in the closing stages to beaten just a head and was awarded the race having been impeded by Ex Patriot (up 10 lb to 138) between the last two. She seems consistent rather than progressive at this stage and looks set to miss Cheltenham, with the prospect of more to come when stepped up to two and a half miles.

Meanwhile, Alisier d'Irlande (now Timeform-rated 155 from 145?) bounced back to form with an easy success in a Grade 3 at Naas on Sunday. He looked a very smart prospect as a novice last season and should win more races at this level if continuing in the same form, although that is far more guaranteed given his patchy profile to date. Forge Meadow (up 12 lb to 135p) won the Grade 2 novices' hurdle on the card and reportedly heads to the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, with the return to better ground expected to suit.

Limini (up 9 lb to 155+) won the inaugural running of that contest at last year's Festival and looks set to return following a decisive defeat of the smart Apple's Jade (remains on 154) in the listed Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday. Her target at the meeting this time round is yet to be decided, but Willie Mullins is seemingly leaning towards supplementing her for the Champion Hurdle. Much more is needed to be involved in a race of that nature, but she remains relatively unexposed after just six starts over obstacles and would certainly be worth her place in an open year.