The Racing Mind Notebook - w/c 01/11/21

Amarillo Sky - Chepstow 2:30 - 03/11/21 - 2m Novice Handicap Chase (0-135)

Colin Tizzard is going through a decent run of form, and punters certainly thought his runner at Chepstow AMARILLO SKY had a favourites chance in the 0-135 novice handicap chase on the card. An expensive 280k purchase from the P2P scene in Ireland, chasing was always going to be his game. Going off 4/1f he jumped cleanly throughout and caught the eye with his straight jumping, hardly touching a twig in the process. Unfortunately he faded out of the race and does seem to be a horse who needs to strengthen further, as he's not finishing off his races consistently enough. Hopefully with more experience, and given his breeding (Westerner x Flemensfirth) he will be a decent horse to follow over middle distances and beyond. A work in progress no doubt, however chasing will be his game and he could take decent rank in handicaps by the end of the season.

Hiaou - Naas 2:30 - 06/11/21 - 2m3f Maiden Hurdle

Caldwell Construction have some decent horses to go to war this season including Mighty Potter, Fil Dor and Grand Paradis. They have given Gordon Elliott plenty of horses after losing a number of high profile stars last season, and they may have a decent younger horse to follow this season who may go under the radar. The unraced 4 year old HIAOU was seen at the weekend first time out in a maiden hurdle involving the eagerly awaited hurdle debut of Eric Bloodaxe. Despite being beaten 11 lengths by the Gigginstown owned gelding, he travelled nicely throughout and finished off his race well enough, despite making a couple of errors in the latter part of the race which didn't help his cause. Running so well without any racecourse experience and still being only being a 4 year old, he looks sure to pick up a maiden hurdle before setting his sights higher.

Kiltealy Briggs - Aintree 1:40 - 06/11/21 - 2m4f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135)

6 runs over fences without a win doesn't tell the story of KILTEALY BRIGGS chasing career so far. Despite not winning over fences, he performed consistently on deep ground in his first 3 runs over fences, which didn't suit the gelding at all as he needs better ground to be at his best. Thrown into the deep end in the Paddy Power Plate at the Festival, he ran well to finish 9th - a cracking run given his lack of experience. Running in a decent novice handicap chase at the weekend at Aintree, he caught my eye with his impeccable jumping on his favoured good ground. Jumping well from the front throughout, he was nailed by the Olly Murphy trained horse Linelee King, giving 9lb to the winner. I think Kiltealy Briggs could be one for the Topham at Aintree in the spring, and may get 3 miles in time.

Gunsight Ridge - Aintree 2:50 - 06/11/21 - 2m Handicap Chase (0-140)

Olly Murphy had a couple of winners at Aintree including the above mentioned Linelee King, and has seemed to turn a corner with a number of horses running well last season. The stable seemed to be hit and miss last season, so it's good to see them running well again. Murphy had a number of horses who didn't reach the heights predicted by their trainer over hurdles last season including GUNSIGHT RIDGE, who was beaten in 3 handicaps over hurdles being well backed in all. Thrown into the deep end at Aintree into an open handicap over 2 miles without a run over fences in public, he jumped cleanly throughout. He lost his position in the latter end of the race looking well beat but rallied well to finish 3rd suggesting he may need a step up in trip and perhaps being aimed at a novice handicap chase might suit the gelding better. A notable mention to the runner up SAO too, who was travelling like a tank throughout the race and didn't settle. He may be exposed, but might pick up a race like the Castleford at Wetherby around Christmas on deep ground.

Fifty Ball - Sandown 1:00 - 07/11/21 - 2m4 Novice Handicap Chase (0-135)

This one won't be missed by many. Starting at 3/1, the 2nd in the Betfair Hurdle FIFTY BALL caught the eye of many with his 3rd at the weekend in his first outing over fences. He jumped well enough throughout before getting in too tight at the last. Although he may not of beat the experience winner Minella Trump, it certainly didn't help his cause and he looks a winner in waiting over fences. His 2nd in the Betfair Hurdle looks absolutely solid form, and I expect Gary Moore might be thinking about the decent novice handicap chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.