Lambro

Lambro made a really pleasing chasing debut at Naas on Saturday, and he clearly has the potential to be even better over fences than he was over hurdles. He jumped really well for a chasing debutant, he was neat at his fences, and he ultimately won with plenty in hand despite the trip being too short for him, the slow pace probably being against him, and the ground almost certainly being easier than he prefers. He drew clear on the run-in to beat the useful Shinrock Paddy comprehensively in the end, by four and a quarter lengths, the pair of them having jumped the final fence together, with a huge gap back to Stonemaster, who had been well supported in the market as usual, back in third.

Paul Townend had Lambro towards the outside of the front rank in the early stages, and took him noticeably wide in the home straight on both occasions. He was happy to take a lead, but Lambro’s smooth jumping always kept him prominent and it became apparent at the second last fence that the race concerned just him and Shinrock Paddy.

The manner in which Lambro pulled away from Shinrock Paddy after the last fence, having jumped the last two fences fluently, was impressive. The runner-up is a 150-rated hurdler, he won a Grade 1 novice hurdle two seasons ago and had already had a run over fences this season when fifth to Lucky William in the Buck House Chase at Punchestown, and the pair of them were clear.

Lambro was well backed beforehand as well, which is significant given that Willie Mullins said afterwards that he was surprised the horse was able to win as he thought the trip would be too short. A son of Milan, he was a progressive novice hurdler last term, he won a Grade 2 race at Fairyhouse when Ruby Walsh chose to ride Gagewell Flyer instead, when he had good fellow novices like Last Instalment and Pineau De Re behind him. He has won over three miles over hurdles, so he should be even better stepped up in trip now. His Grade 2 win last season came on good ground in the spring, and so he should be worth particular attention when he encounters some better ground, even though he seemed to handle this testing ground well. He is only six, this was just his seventh start on the racetrack, and he is exciting.

12th November 2011