Possol

Possol hardly jumped a jump in the three-and-a-quarter-mile handicap chase at Cheltenham’s December meeting, and he did remarkably well to finish as strongly as he did to take third spot behind Mon Mome and Star De Mohaison. Although he finished third in last season’s Jewson Chase – a race that is working out ridiculously well – he might just be a better jumper on a flat track. He jumped well when he beat Mon Mome by a neck at Haydock on his previous start. We now know that he stays this extended three-mile trip well, having looked like a possible short runner at Haydock last time, he is still only five years old, and remains highly progressive. The handicapper has left him on his mark of 143, which could under-estimate his ability now, and the Racing Post Chase at Kempton in February could be the race for him now. His trainer Henry Daly was very worried about the ground before the race at Cheltenham, and there could be big pot in Possol on better ground. It may be significant that Daly won the Racing Post Chase with a similar type in Young Spartacus in 2001.

12th December, 2008