ON THE CLOCK

The Autumn rains finally arrived providing a good racing surface for the majority of early season meetings and this in turn led to some high class performances on the clock. Top of the tree byChristmas was Grandads Cottage (130)  who demolished the field in the Mixed Open at the Cottesmore registering a time figure that puts him in well the mix for the Aintree Foxhunters – his reported long term goal. A tall imposing type, rated a high as 139 under Rules, GrandadsCottage  put in an exemplary round of jumping (he has never fallen in nineteen career starts) and ran right way from two rivals who have already franked the form with ready wins on their next starts.  

Two other Opens have caught the eye – A Jet of Our Own’s (122) victory at Larkhill in late November and Latitude’s (124) win at Chaddesley Corbett towards the end of the year. A Jet of Our Own was returning to form after failing to win last season when a majority of stable runners were under a cloud. In an exciting finish, made the more so by Famous Clermont dramatically slowing on the run-in having been clear at the last, A Jet of our Own held off the consistent Duc de Bourbon by a length with Douglas Longbottom just a further three quarters behind in third. A Jet of our Own disappointed in the first Hunter chase  of the season however and the best horse to take out of this Larkhill race is probably Douglas Longbottom who finished fast over a distance far from ideal. He remains progressive. 

Phil Rowley’s  Latitude is no stranger to this column having posted a decent time on his pointing debut back in October 2020. A career under Rules followed during which time he registered 4 wins from fourteen starts and gradually rose in the ratings to a lofty 139. He clearly retains a fair amount of ability and should be competitive in Hunter chases.

Givega (110) was an impressive winner of the Open at Horseheath at the turn of year clocking a time some five seconds faster than any other race on the card. However, all is not what it may first seem, as six fences were omitted in this race due to low sun  and his figure has been adjusted accordingly. Nevertheless, he had a number of prolific winners strung out behind and  is very much one to keep on the right side of. Runner-up I’m Spellbound ran another sound race – it’s worth noting that he has only been beaten once in points going left-handed.

In contrast to the Men/Mixed events, the majority of Ladies Opens have been steadily run. Potentially the best at present is St Cuthberts Cave (100), a decent performer under Rules whoso far has had relatively easy time of it in points with two easy victories in testing conditions.Previously only campaigned at distances up to 2m 4f, it remains to be seen over what distance he will be effective in Hunter Chases. 

Fastest race on the opening day of the season at Lower Machen was the Restricted won by Jongleur D’Ainay (98). Conditions deteriorated markedly this day however and with many horses failing to cope with the testing conditions its difficult to be precise as to how good this performance was. Looking back, I can see I made a  similar comment about Jongleur D’Ainay after his maiden win at Wadebridge in January 2024, but on the plus side he has now won two of his three starts and what can be said with certainty is that this rangy gelding is very well suited by give in the ground.

Other Restricted winners to note this season are Couer D’Alene (112), Line em Up (104)and Monrocco Moonlight (104) all of whom have clocked time figures a few pounds in advance of their form ratings.  Couer D’Alene has already re-appeared , looking a  certain winner until capsizing at the second last at Chaddesley, and the form of his previous victory at the course now looks strong suggesting that future early success is in the offing for the placed horses Dom Rodrigo and Call Me Early.

The new race series restricted to horses rated no higher than 110 under Rules has provided for some interesting contests including that won by Lavorante (120) at Charing. This was supremely game performance with Lavorante making all , jumping soundly, and respondingreadily when challenged by the useful Kilfilum Woods four from home. The winner has now emerged victorious in his last eight races and looks ready to tackle Open company.

It’s often the case that Young Horse maidens are fairly steadily run affairs with no resultant fast figures. Two exceptions this year however are those won by Woodstock Otto (112) at Dunsmore and Karaktere D’Enfer (98) at Chaddesley. The former, a half-brother to the progressive Bective Abbey, looks an exciting prospect for the Newman stable and could well run up a sequence. 

Karaktere D’Enfer had luck on his side however as he was held in second place when left clear by the fall of Hooj two from home. Hooj (100?) had travelled supremely well throughout and is very much the one to take out of this race – unless of course, being owned by the Skeltons, henow heads under Rules.

Many races are of course run at a pace well below what the principals are capable of – tactical events or races for inexperienced riders or horses for example- and therefore as far individual race analysis goes it’s prudent to concentrate on those horses whose top time figures are well up to, or above, the average level required to win such races.

The following comprise this week’s best figures:

AMPTON 10/01/2026

12:00 THE VETERAN HORSE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), 3M: All Loved Up (IRE) (113) Mumbo Jumbo (IRE) (107) 

 1:45 THE MENS OPEN RACE, 3M: Famous Clermont (FR) (124) 

 2:20 THE RESTRICTED RACE, 3M: Call Me Early (IRE) (107) Easy Rider (GB) (98) 

 2:55 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), FOR NOVICE RIDERS, 3M: All Loved Up (IRE) (113) 

 WADEBRIDGE 11/01/2026

12:05 THE CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), FOR NOVICE RIDERS, 3M: Holiday Fund (IRE) (112) 

 1:15 THE FOUR, FIVE AND SIX YEARS OLD MAIDEN RACE, 3M: Next Gen (IRE) (104) Emmas Wish (IRE) (95) 

 1:50 THE RESTRICTED RACE, 3M: Share A Moment (IRE) (110) Easy Rider (GB) (98)