Dave’s Dream

Dave’s Dream looked good on his chasing bow at Huntingdon on Thursday. Settled nicely in third place behind Matuhi and My Moment, his jumping was good in the main, if a little out to his left on occasion. He came under pressure leaving the back straight, and had to be ridden along by AP McCoy going around the bottom turn as My Moment and Tom Scudamore went on and looked to be going the better. Dave’s Dream came wider than ideal into the home straight and he wasn’t foot-perfect at the second last, but he moved on nicely between the last two with his ears pricked, jumped the last and came away on the run-in.

The son of Anshan won his only start over hurdles in the 2007/08 season, which meant that he wasn’t eligible for novice events last term despite the fact that he lacked experience, but it didn’t faze him, he won the Imperial Cup off a mark of 130 on just his fourth start over hurdles, and started 7/2 favourite for the County Hurdle under a 5lb penalty, where he acquitted himself adequately in finishing sixth. All the while, however, he looked like a chaser in waiting, and a horse who would benefit from stepping up in trip. He did well to win over an extended two miles on Thursday on ground that would have been fast enough for him over the minimum trip, and he should prove to be better now as he steps up in trip. He is out of a half-sister to Irish Grand National winner Son Of War, so there is no huge surprise there. He is only six, has raced just eight times in total now, and he is an exciting prospect. He is in the Arkle betting, but it may be that he needs two and a half miles at least to be seen at his best over fences, and the Jewson Chase may be the more logical Cheltenham target.

19th November 2009