On The Clock

Hyperbole is the curse of the modern day pundit and Cheltenham’ Princess Royal Challenge Cup Hunterchase had it in spades. True Joe O’Shea’s training feat was remarkable given he is very much a one man band nowadays and Henry Crow gave Barton Snow an excellent ride (though whether it was the ‘ride of the week’ is debatable given to the ice cold delivery of Paul Townend in the week’s two premier events) but the opinion, aired in some quarters, that Barton Snow could be the greatest hunter chaser of recent times is frankly ludicrous.   In fact, the race is relatively easy to rate. Barton Snow and fourth placed Golden Son ran close their marks from their last time out runs, It’s on The Line replicated his effort from the previous year and the lightly-raced Music Drive improved slightly for being closer to the pace. Martin Harris has allotted the winner a rating of 146, 7lbs better than last year’s winner Wonderwall and on a par with horses of the calibre of Cappa Bleu – but below that of recent winners Billaway, Hazel Hill and Porlock Bay (all rated 150).    Conversely it was also mentioned in some quarters that this year’s renewal was comparatively moderately run – evidenced by the fact that the winning time was some fourteen seconds slower than the preceding Gold Cup compared to a gap of only 11 seconds the previous year) Such hollow analysis ignores the fact that this year’s Gold Cup was more strongly run than last year- Gaelic Warrior’s time figure coming out at 175 compared to Inothewayurthinkin’s 166. Barton Snow registered a time figure of 138 – on a par with recent runnings of the race. All said and done, Aintree stands to be a fascinating renewal with all the main protagonists engaged again.

It was back to reality the following Sunday where racegoers at Buckfastleigh needed stoicism in face of the elements. Persistent driving rain, small fields and worsening ground make calculation of a going allowance tricky but visually at least Espiritu Park was impressive when taking the Mares maiden- powering way up the hill and finishing comparatively fresh. A twenty length defeat of the 89 rated Emmas Wish makes her one to follow.    

It’s unusual for the time figures for more than one race per meeting to better the horse’s form ratings but that was the case at Lanarkshire, suggesting that the sport in the North is in ruder health than generally appreciated. Deerstalker (108) had questions to answer over the full trip but did so readily, quickening well to hold off the useful Townhill, the pair finishing well clear. He will find further opportunities. One who is undoubtedly suited by shorter trips is the progressive Phantom’s Cave (110) who stormed clear in the Conditions (Level 2). Phantom’s Cave had been going well when falling behind Hugo Moss at Friars Haugh the time before and looks to be on an upward curve.

There was a return to the fray for one of this column’s favourites Jet Smart, at the Lamerton. In what was a very hot renewal of the Mixed Open he ran well but ultimately had to give best to the forcibly ridden Hidden Heroics (102), the winner finally delivering on the promise he showed at Wadebridge in January.  The horse to take out of this meeting however maybe Danceifyoucan (90) who on his British debut recorded a figure some 10lbs in advance of his form assessment. He had shown promise on his only run in Ireland as recently as January and can take a run of the mill Restricted.

The weekend’s fastest figure was posted by Largy Pearl (120), unbeaten since going down to Barton Snow at the Stratford Hunterchase meeting last May. His consistency nowadays is in stark contrast to his disappointing initial season where he failed to follow up on a fast time win at Horseheath and another strong point is his jumping, which ultimately allowed him to get the better of an improved Largy Shark at the Holderness. Hunter chase success awaits.

Here are the best figures for this coming weekend’s meetings:

HOWICK 28/03/2026

1:45 THE LADIES OPEN RACE, 3M: Camino Rocio (IRE) (126)

 2:20 THE RESTRICTED RACE, 3M: Ask Elli (GB) (107) Karaktere d’Enfer (FR) (102

LARKHILL 28/03/2026

1:05 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), 3M: Lavorante (IRE) (120)

  2:15 THE TEDWORTH GOLD CUP MIXED OPEN RACE, 3M6F: Who’s In The Box (IRE) (125) Crawter (IRE) (117)

PARHAM 28/03/2026

  2:55 CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), 3M: Imperial Esprit (IRE) (120) Catch Me Quick (IRE) (106))

4:05 THE MAIDEN RACE, 3M: Lily’s Choice (IRE) (93

TRANWELL 28/03/2026

 1:30 THE NORTHERN AREA CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 3), 3M: Boley Bob (IRE) (116)

 2:00 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS MAIDEN RACE, 2M ABOUT 4F: Claramount (IRE) (94)

 2:30 THE LADIES OPEN RACE, 3M: Tag Man (IRE) (126) High On The Hill (GB) (122)

 3:00 THE MIXED OPEN RACE, 3M: Surprise Attack (IRE) (125) Summerville Boy (IRE) (120)

COTLEY 29/03/2026

2:45 THE LADIES OPEN RACE, 2M ABOUT 4F: Caspers Court (IRE) (132) Kansas du Berlais (FR) (124)

 3:20 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS EIGHT YEARS AND OVER CONDITIONS RACE (LEVE L 2), 3M: Lavorante (IRE) (120) Ninth Wave (IRE) (106)

MAISEMORE PARK 29/03/2026

1:35 THE GOFFS GB POINTING BONUS YOUNG HORSE MAIDEN RACE, 2M ABOUT 5F: Noble Thistle (IRE) (104)

  2:45 THE PPORA CLUB MEMBERS CONDITIONS RACE (LEVEL 2), FOR NOVICE RIDE RS, 3M: Coeur Serein (IRE) (112) Fighter Allen (FR) (112)

 3:20 THE SIX YEARS OLD AND OVER MAIDEN RACE, 3M: Guseakie (IRE) (96) Colonel Whizz (IRE) (92)

TREBUDANNON 29/03/2026

2:10 THE EXETER RACECOURSE INTERMEDIATE QUALIFIER RACE, 3M: Woodstock Octo (IRE) (112) Share A Moment (IRE) (110) What’s Up Harry (GB) (108)

 2:45 THE MIXED OPEN RACE, 3M: Caspers Court (IRE) (125) Hidden Heroics (FR) (122)

3:55 THE MAIDEN RACE, 3M: Emmas Wish (IRE) (97) Dreamaboutit (IRE) (89)