Glingerburn

Glingerburn put up another really impressive performance when he beat Bristol De Mai and Intense Tango to land the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso last Saturday. Held up at the back of the seven-horse field by Brian Harding through the early stages of the race, he travelled strongly and jumped well, and he moved up on the outside of his two market rivals as they approached the second last flight. He and Bristol De Mai moved on on the run to the last, but Nicky Richards’ horse had moved into a two-length lead by the time they reached the obstacle. He jumped the final flight well and he kept on well up the run-in to win nicely.

Visually, it was an impressive performance. The King’s Theatre gelding travelled through the race like a good horse, and he was able to take the measure of two good horses without too much fuss really. Bristol De Mai was considered a Triumph Hurdle prospect when he beat Karezak in the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow in December. Indeed, were it not for the fact that his owners also have Peace And Co and Top Notch, he probably would be aimed at the Triumph. He was sent off favourite to beat Garde La Victoire and Jollyallan in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown on his previous run. Intense Tango had won her previous two races, her second and third runs ever over hurdles, and she went into Saturday’s race on a significant upward trajectory. Also, the winning time was good, by far the fastest comparative time on the day and almost bang on Racing Post par.

This was Glingerburn’s fourth win in just four runs over hurdles. On his previous run, after which he was noted in HTF Private, he showed a fine turn of foot to beat Hawk High in the Morebattle Hurdle over Saturday’s course and distance. But he had proven that he could operate away from Kelso too by winning his two previous races at Doncaster.

He is not entered at Cheltenham, but he could be a horse for one of the good novice hurdles at Aintree. The handicapper raised him 7lb for this, but handicaps may be out for him now anyway. Aintree should suit him ideally, he is trained by Nicky Richards in the north, and a flat left-handed track suits him well. He has never run on ground softer than good to soft, but that should not be an issue now in the short term as we move into the spring. He will be of interest in whichever race he contests at Aintree and, in the longer term, he could prove to be very good indeed.

28th February 2015