Aloomomo

Aloomomo took a significant step up in class in his stride when landing the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

Settled nicely behind the leaders through the early stages of the race by Gavin Sheehan, his jumping was good in the main for one so inexperienced. A close-up fourth as they turned for home, he jumped into second at the fourth last and he had moved into a one-length lead by the time he jumped the third last. That was a lead that he did not relinquish. La Vaticane looked a danger at the second last, but Warren Greatrex’s horse just powered clear on the run to the final fence and he maintained his momentum all the way up the run in to win by nine lengths.

This was a really good performance by the Tirwanako gelding. He made his debut for Greatrex in March last season, but he looks like a seriously improved horse this term. He has now won his last three chases, his three races this term. He won at Uttoxeter in October off a mark of 108, followed up four days later under a 7lb penalty, and he was winning here off a mark that was another 14lb higher.

That handicapper has raised him another 11lb to a mark of 140, but that still may not be able to keep pace with his rate of progression. He is only five, he is just maturing as a staying steeplechaser, he still has plenty of potential to progress further.

He handles this soft ground well, and he stayed the extended two miles and six furlongs well, leaving the impression that he could improve again for another step up in trip. He did jump a bit to his right on occasion, and his trainer said that he could be even better at a right-handed track. His trainer also said that he came back after the summer a different horse, and that his homework has been super. He jumps great and he relishes soft ground. There is no telling how good he could be. He could be a Hennessy horse for next year.

28^th November 2015