Handicap hints

There were a number of informative contests run at both Sandown and Doncaster this Saturday (31 January).

Celestial Halo and Osana both ran decent Champion Hurdle trials at Sandown. The latter, in particular, impressed given the time he has been off the track since finishing runner up in both the big hurdle races at Cheltenham and Aintree last spring. He is sure to come on for the run and has to be on the shortlist for those looking to take on hot favourite Binocular.

Celestial Halo, too, shouldn’t be discounted given that he has winning Festival form over the Champion Hurdle trip (in last season’s Triumph Hurdle).

We’ve mentioned previously that there was still time for contenders to emerge for this year’s Triumph Hurdle and Master Of Arts put himself right in the frame for a crack at the premier juvenile event of the season by winning on his debut at Doncaster. He cosily beat a decent field and should improve again for even better ground given his decent form on the Flat last summer. The Pipe yard is also starting to run into form, which is encouraging.

The other two performances to note came in handicaps.

At Sandown, Night Cru ran an eye catching race in the valuable Grade 3 Totescoop6 Heroes Handicap Hurdle. He was also decent on the Flat, but has taken time to find his form over hurdles. He travelled ominously well in behind the leaders here and if re-united with Tony McCoy at the Festival could prove to still be ahead of the handicapper.

Meanwhile at Doncaster, Three Mirrors ran much better in the Williamhill Handicap Chase than his finishing position suggests. The two mile trip was always going to be on the short side for him, and he warrants serious consideration for any 2 ½ mile handicap on decent ground. Given Ferdy Murphy’s excellent recent record with chasers at the Festival, something like the Racing Post Plate could be an ideal target.