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Lucas Murphy is very much the talk of the pointing pond at present  but every jockey relies on the engine beneath to advertise their skills and in Histrionic (121) he found a willing partner  to take the Novice Riders event at Larkhill by a wide margin. A decent hurdler, with a win over three miles at Chepstow, Histrionic had shown a limited appetite for the larger obstacles under Rules, falling and finishing fourth of five on just two starts, but here, ridden less prominently than usual, he made headway to challenge rounding the home turn and was upsides long time leader Highstakesplayer (115?) when that rival overjumped at the last. Histrionic’s figure suggests he will be difficult to beat in similar events and he may even be worth a spin in the Coronation Cup. Highstakesplayer led the field a merry dance over the final circuit and can gain compensation before long.  

Histrionic, Lucas Murphy (1st) nearside, jumps the last with Highstakesplayer, Ivor Herbert, Conditions Race (Level 2) For Novice Riders

Earlier on the card Follow My Order (104) had paid a further compliment to the strength of form of Woodstock Otto’s race at Dunsmore, clocking another figure in advance of his form rating . He  won a shade cosily and can follow up in a Restricted.

The star performer on show at Sheriff Hutton was Barton Snow (100) who duly scored a bloodless victory in the Ladies Open.   They went steadily in this race however -his subsequent figure being well below his best – but at least this showed him to be in rude health – in contrast to some of his stable’s other recent runners. Barton Snow’s long term target is the Aintree Foxhunters. Fastest figure at the meeting were recorded by the admirable Camdonian (116) who took his record to nine wins from just fourteen starts. He may have been a tad fortunate here however as favourite Grandads Cottage held  every chance when hampered by the weakening Bowtogreatness on landing two from home with the result that he lost his rider.

Perhaps the most striking performance on the day came from Byorderofthecourt (108) who took the Restricted in an above average time.  He was returning from  along absence after a frustrating and truncated spell under Rules with Paul Nicholls, but hardly came off the bridle in defeating the promising Hugo Moss and provided he stays sound can go on to better things.

The standard of runner continues to improve at Revesby Park   where the Open featured a  heavyweight clash between Music Drive (110) and Linlee King (112). The former’s fencing  appeared a little ring rusty and he was perhaps least suited to this steadily run affair which turned into a bit of sprint over the final three fences. He will strip better for the run. This  should not detract from the winner’s performance  however as Linlee King travelled strongly throughout and put in a  spectacular jump at the last to seal the deal. He can land another Hunter Chase.

There  were several decent figures recorded on the Revesby card but only one slightly ahead of its form rating. This came in the maiden where Pillar to Post (98) appeared better suited to the standard trip than previous attempts at two and a half miles. He should be able to find another minor contest in due course whilst runner-up Guseakie (96) also showed improvement and will be of interest in future maidens.

Here are this weekend’s best figures.

HORSEHEATH 24/01/2026

12:35 THE RESTRICTED RACE, 3M: Cash Or Card (IRE) (107)

 1:10 THE MIXED OPEN RACE, 3M: Rebel Dawn Rising (IRE) (125) Designed To Win (IRE) (123)

 1:45 THE MAIDEN RACE, 3M: Seek Him There (IRE) (98)

 2:20 THE MAIDEN CONDITIONS RACE, 3M: Seek Him There (IRE) (98)

 2:55 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), 3M: Designed To Win (IRE) (116)

ALNWICK 25/01/2026

1:00 THE MAIDEN RACE (NWFAA), 3M: Where’s Willy (GB) (98) Phantoms Cave (IRE) (96)

 2:30 THE RESTRICTED RACE, 3M: Whatudoing (IRE) (106)

CHIPLEY PARK 25/01/2026

12:00 THE HUNT MEMBERS, SUBSCRIBERS & FARMERS RACE, 3M: Sizing Cusimano (GB) (116) Punches Cross (IRE) (110) Noble Blue (FR) (108)

12:35 THE JOCKEY CLUB MAIDEN RACE, FOR MARES & FILLIES, 3M: Emmas Wish (IRE) (95)

 1:10 THE MAIDEN RACE, 3M: Farfromaway (IRE) (103) Seek Him There (IRE) (98)

 1:45 THE MIXED OPEN RACE, 3M: Hidden Heroics (FR) (127)

 2:20 THE EXETER RACECOURSE INTERMEDIATE QUALIFIER RACE, 3M: Talimar Pearl (FR) (116) Arctic Oscar (GB) (108) Catch Me Quick (IRE) (106)

 2:55 THE RESTRICTED RACE, 3M: Woodstock Octo (IRE) (112)

COCKLEBARROW 25/01/2026

  2:20 THE HEYTHROP & ADJACENT HUNTS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 1), 3M: Mumbo Jumbo (IRE) (112)

 2:55 THE LORD ASHTON OF HYDE’S CUP MENS OPEN RACE, 3M6 1/2F: Lavorante (IRE) (120) One For Rosie (GB) (114)

 3:30 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), FOR NOVICE RIDERS, 3M: Imperial Esprit (IRE) (120)