Never Enough Time

Never Enough Time was impressive in winning a maiden hurdle at Cork last Thursday. Strong in the market beforehand, he travelled well through the race in the middle of the pack, he jumped accurately, and he improved effortlessly around the home turn. He jumped up well onto the quarters of the leader Harlekin over the second last flight, and he eased clear from the final hurdle, coming away under hands and heels to win easily in a good time for a maiden, especially given that they only appeared to go a steady gallop.

The Tom Foley-trained gelding obviously handles this heavy ground well but he is a brother to Johnny Roche and Ready Or Not, both of whom, although relatively modest, showed their best form on the few occasions on which they encountered quickish ground, so he may be at least as good on better ground. His trainer may not want to over-race him this season – he is still only five – but the prospect of further improvement on better ground bodes well if he were to run at the Punchestown Festival.

JP McManus’ horse had shaped quite nicely on his debut at Punchestown in January, when he was the only debutant in the race, and he built on that here. This was just his third run, he should be able to progress from it, and he is quite exciting now. He could be good.

21st March 2013