Competitive Edge

Competitive Edge stepped forward again from his Leopardstown win on Irish Champion Hurdle day to win a two-and-a-quarter-mile handicap chase at Gowran Park on Saturday impressively.

He was relatively weak in the market beforehand, while the four who chased him home were all supported and were in-form horses, and the time was very good too, by far the fastest on the day and under Racing Post par.

This form looks very solid. The front four had a break of about 10 lengths after half a mile, but Competitive Edge effortlessly bridged that gap just after half way to press the leader over the third last before cruising clear over the next and coming away to win unextended.

He was winning this off a mark of 123, just 1lb higher than his hurdles mark. Even after a rise for this, he can progress again. He is only six, and this was just his seventh chase, so he still has tons of scope for progression. Also, he is by Presenting, so he could be even better on better ground. He could be even better going back left-handed too as he just had a tendency to jump out that way, especially over the early fences, and he is one to note wherever he runs next. Also, he could develop into a nice horse next season for Conor O’Dwyer.

9th March 2013