A fascinating Renewal of a race that hasn’t had a truly great winner since Kicking King won it in 2004, for all that the recent list does include the likes of Noland and Joncol. The winner can sometimes disappoint during the season, but this renewal looked stronger than most and it’s fair to say that today’s victor will be a major player in Grade 1 races this season on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Following on from an impressive return to action in the Clonmel Oil Chase, TRANQUIL SEA set himself up for another crack at the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March when he recorded his first top-level success over fences. This was impressive too, as he was never in trouble afteralways following leader Cooldine and looked much the best horse 2 out, seeming set to win really after fairly winging the last but just idled for a lack of company infront, being much more dominant than the official margin suggested (he was eased before the line).
The obvious target now is the Ryanair Chase, and connections have already said that he will be sent there fresher than last year, when he flopped following an impressive win in the Newlands Chase on heavy ground; You’d have to say that this marks an improvement of sorts from his previous Career best in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, as he was a conclusive winner over last year’s third J’Y Vole, who sets a high standard; He has a big season ahead of him.
The runner up J’YVole left off right where she had been previously with a good effort, having been well placed into the race by Davy Condon as she travelled ominously well 2 out, before failing to find for any pressure until after the last; It’s likely she was flattered by the winner idling but in any case this was a very solid effort and she gives the form a very solid feel, having come third in the Ryanair; She’ll win again this season.
Roberto Goldback was a near top novice last season, winning a solid novice chase, romping home in the Grade 2 MCR Chase, and then coming third in the P.J Moriaty; A massive slog in the Powers Gold Cup ruined his chances for the rest of the season, but this effort and his reappearance run confirm that he’s none the worse for his hard year and connections can look forward to big things with him, although it should be noted that this gives a huge form boost to The Nightingale, who slammed him by 11 lengths at Down Royal earlier on in the season.
The run of Glencove Marina must have delighted trainer Eoin Grffin immensely; He jumped and travelled well on only his seventh start since 2008 and shaped like a major player 3 out, only to flatten out in the home straight; This was a career best over fences, and If he can be kept sound connections should reap the rewards of earlier promise shown over hurdles.
Given his fitness problems last season (infection brought him down after Christmas) this was an excellent run from Cooldine, who jumped well out In front at a steady pace and just got done for fitness and toe over the trip in the home straight, only being passed for fourth just before the winning post; Back over 3 miles, he should do well and may have been forgotten by some, and he makes plenty of appeal as a long term prospect for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Trafford Lad was helped by a steady gallop buy is probably still yet to recover from a tendon injury that kept him out after a promising treunt last year; He’s on the way back and has the class to do well in his sphere, although we still have yet to see how good he is following his problems. The same very much applies to Mossbank.
Tranquil is definitely one who appears best fresh and my response to his prep last year was to swear and put a line through his name.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff