Eradicate

Eradicate was the other horse (along with Alarazi) to take out of the finale at Cheltenham last Saturday, the Class 2 Stellar Football “End Of Transfer Window” Handicap Hurdle over two miles and a furlong. Nicky Henderson’s horse ran a really nice race to finish fourth on his first start over timber since winning the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock last May off an 11lb lower mark (from Overturn no less). Under top weight of 11st 12lb less David Bass’s 5lb claim, he made his effort turning into the straight but could never quite get to Art Professor and weakened slightly up the hill to finish nearly 12 lengths back in fourth.

He has been dropped 1lb for this run, but he proved here that he handles Cheltenham well – he had disappointed in last season’s County Hurdle. He is still just seven, he has raced just nine times over hurdles (only once finishing out of the first four) and he has to be on your shortlist for the County Hurdle now, especially given he wont have had much racing this season, ensuring he will be fresher than most, and given his trainer’s excellent recent record at the Festival, particularly in handicaps.

29th January 2011