Coastal Tiep

Coastal Tiep ran a cracker to finish second to River Frost in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap hurdle that opened proceedings at Kempton last Saturday.

Paul Nicholls’ horse travelled well through his race for Sam Twiston-Davies, if a little in snatches.  He got shuffled back a little on the run around the home turn, he was out wide as the winner River Frost ran around the inside.  He picked up well though after landing a little flat-footed over the second last flight and, switched to the far side, he finished off his race well.  He just couldn’t get to River Frost, but the winner had a better run around the home turn and the pair of them finished nicely clear and clocked a decent time, just 0.04secs/furlong slower than Racing Post par.

This was a good run from Coastal Tiep, and he should improve for it.  He is only five and this was just his third run over hurdles.  Also, it was his first run since he finished behind Elegant Escape at Ascot in November, and it was his first handicap.

The handicapper raised him just 5lb for this run, to a mark of 135, and that is not overly harsh.  Winner of his only completed point-to-point and of his only bumper, he has the potential to go a fair way beyond that mark now over hurdles.  Also, there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree, his dam is a half-sister to Ten Up Chase winner Pomme Tiepy, and he left the impression here that he could progress again for a step up to three miles.

25^th February 2017