Whistleinthedark made it 2 from 2 over fences with a comfortable front running victory under Partick Cowley.
WHISTLEINTHEDARK made it 2-2 over fences, his most worrying moment coming when his rider lost his irons for a couple of fences in the back straight on the second circuit. With his opponent clearly not at his best it's hard to be sure how much he's achieved here but what can't be disputed is that he's taken well to the larger obstacles.
A dominant front running performance by Western Safire on her hurdles and yard debut under a confident ride from Patrick Cowley.
WESTERN SAFIRE, runner-up in a first-time hood in a Worcester bumper last summer, was easy to back yet dominated on this her hurdles and stable debut. She posted a most accomplished round and in truth was in a totally different league to her rivals. She will undoubtedly face stiffer future tasks under the incurred penalty.
Notlongtillmay made it 3 from 3 over fences with a positive front running display under Brian Hughes.
NOTLONGTILLMAY jumped well and wasn't unduly exerted in maintaining his unbeaten record over fences (3-3). He's one to keep on the right side of having shown distinct improvement since being upped-in-trip. It'll be interesting to see what the future holds, although the likelihood is that he'd be plenty more competitive in handicaps than in graded company (holds an entry in the Turners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham).
Notlongtillmay followed up his Wetherby win with a comfortable victory under Patrick Cowley at Mussleburgh
NOTLONGTILLMAY, up 4lb, had no issue with the longer trip, making it 2-2 over fences. He's an enthusiastic type, one that may benefit from going back left-handed judging by the way he adjusts at his fences, and is capable of rating a fair bit higher yet.
The highly promising Glen Cannel remains unbeaten over hurdles after this gutsy win at Ayr in heavy ground. he stayed on well under a strong ride from champion Brian Hughes.
GLEN CANNEL, with a tongue-tie added, improved on his Market Rasen form to defy a penalty, despite still not looking entirely the finished article (lugged to his left under pressure). Things will likely get tougher from now but he has the potential for better.
Loughderg Rocco improved on his promising Wetherby chasing debut to make all and win convincingly over 2m 4f at Leicester under a positive ride from Adam Wedge. Number 30 of the season for the yard.
LOUGHDERG ROCCO was dropping back in trip after his close second on his debut over regulation fences at Wetherby in the autumn. He took his form to a new level with this comfortable success from the front. He is capable of defying a penalty before entering good handicap company.
Whistleinthedark made all and jumped well on his chasing debut in first time hood, to record a comfortable victory at Market Rasen on Boxing Day, under a good ride from Patrick Cowley.
WHISTLEINTHEDARK did well on his chase debut. With a hood on for the first time, he settled well in front, and although not entirely fluent, won unchallenged. He should benefit from the experience and can progress further.
In the end, Here we Have It won a shade comfortably in spite of hitting a flat spot down the back, he rallied well under yard 7lbs claimer Lewis Dobb who gave him a fine ride.
HERE WE HAVE IT made hard work of it and looked in trouble turning for home, but he rallied well to his credit and was well on top at the line. He's been tried over as far as 3m in the past, albeit unsuccessfully, but it's easy to see why connections thought he may want further.
The strong pace suited Captain Ivan who jumped well and stayed on strongly under Patrick Cowley.
CAPTAIN IVAN was 0-6 over fences previously but he got a good pace to aim at here and effectively had this won when jumping to the front two out. These conditions suit him best. QUOTES: CAPTAIN IVAN tends to travel well but not find too much off the bridle. They went a really good gallop though and pace in a race is what he wants. Patrick Cowley, rider.
The well bred Glen Cannel (by Flemensfirth) stayed on well in the testing ground at Market Rasen to record a well earned victory on his hurdles debut.
GLEN CANNEL, third when sent off favourite on debut for a Worcester bumper in September, struck at the first time of asking over hurdles, appreciating the step up in trip and sticking to his task pleasingly. His dam developed into a useful hurdler and his future looks quite bright.
