Beshabar

Beshabar was weak in the market prior to the three-mile novices’ chase at Cheltenham on Saturday, but he shaped well through the race before being brought down at the second last when Chicago Grey fell in front of him.

The Tim Vaughan-trained gelding’s jumping was quite scratchy throughout and a mistake at the first ditch resulted in him being at the back of the field for much of the contest. He made progress coming to the top of the hill on the final circuit and, despite mistakes at the ditch at the top of the hill and another at the downhill third last, turned for home travelling well enough on the heels of the front three. He actually jumped the second last well and was angling to mount a challenge to Chicago Grey and Wayward Prince when he was brought to a halt a couple of strides after the fence, forcing Christian Williams over the horse’s neck which unfortunately resulted in another fairly serious injury to the jockey.

Beshabar is a fragile sort who was lightly-raced during his time with Paul Nicholls. He was a good handicap hurdler though, winning his first two (both Grade 3s) easily before winning another handicap off a mark of 142 at Ascot in February. He is the type to do even better over fences and there are many options for him as he should stay this three-mile trip well. A nice horse for his new trainer to have acquired, he could well make up into a high-class novice chaser this season.

13th November 2010