Manyriverstocross

Manyriverstocross seemed to appreciate the step up to two and a half miles when running out an impressive winner of a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle at Sandown last Friday. Held up in behind early leader Frascati Park, he travelled well into the home straight and showed a nice turn of foot to take it up at the last and come away on the run-in. His action suggests he would not necessarily have appreciated the cut in the ground, but he got through it well. He settled well, jumped well, and seemed to be well suited by being held up and played late, which makes sense given that his good runs on the flat have been when coming from behind. He proved here that he stays two and a half miles well, which leads to the conclusion that he probably just got out-sprinted at Ascot last time. Alan King’s horses weren’t going that well either, they are just getting going now. Manyriverstocross will probably have a little break now and target the Challow Hurdle next, before having one more run before going to the Cheltenham Festival, where the Ballymore Properties Hurdle as opposed to the Supreme Novices’ should be his objective.

4th December 2009