The Turf

28 February 2009

Winning streak

Walsh and Nicholls doubled up in the juvenile hurdle with Hebridean, who had twice been beaten over obstacles despite winning a Grade 3 on the Flat for Aidan O’Brien. He now looks a tougher customer ready to cope with the hustle and bustle of the Triumph Hurdle. Said Nicholls, ‘It’s just been a case of getting the Flat out of his mind, getting him jumping and putting it all together.’

Le Burf, from the ten-horse Broadway yard of Giles Smyly, was a runaway victor on the soft at Wincanton earlier this year. He took the Raceform Update chase with another front-running victory in the quiet but always effective custody of Noel Fehilly. ‘I didn’t think he’d have the pace to do what he did at Wincanton,’ said his delighted trainer. ‘But he loves the tactics, he loves to dominate and seems to jump better in front.’ He could not want for a better flag-bearer.

As for my forecast in the bumper I was as much impressed by the second, Ballybach, as I was by the half-length winner. Trainer Nick Gifford loves him, too, and will continue his education by letting him get his head in front on a smaller track now, rather than face the hurly burly of the Festival bumper at Cheltenham. You have to be mentally ready for that as well as physically and Ballybach is too good a prospect not to be given time.