De Boitron

There was a lot to like about De Boitron’s performance on his comeback run, when he finished second to Pret A Thou in what looked like a competitive two-mile-three-furlong handicap chase at Catterick on Monday. The field was well spread out through the first half of the race, as a result of the decent pace set by Carrietau up front, and the Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding was settled way out the back early on, as far back as second last. He worked his way into the race nicely though, and travelled up to the leaders after they took the last fence in the back straight before turning into the straight. He was still travelling best of all going to the second last, and having looked the likely winner on the run to the last, he just couldn’t get to Pret A Thou on the run in. Graham Lee wasn’t overly hard De Boitron when he knew his chance of winning had gone, and it was understandable that his effort faded here late on, given this was his first run since November.

This was a pleasing return to action for De Boitron, who looks interesting now. The performance can also be marked up on the basis that Ferdy Murphy’s stable has yet to really get going this season. He was a consistent type last season, he won twice and never finished outside the first three from seven starts. His performance in beating Doctor David at Doncaster was good, and he went on to beat the Philip Hobbs-trained Calusa Crystal on his next start, in a decent two-mile-one-furlong handicap chase at Cheltenham’s April meeting. He would be interesting now if he took his chance in the Grand Annual, run over the same course and distance as that race in April. He has run 21 times over fences, but he is still only seven and he was recording the highest Racing Post Rating of his career at Catterick, which is interesting, given that he left the impression that there was more to come. His current mark of 134 could be lenient. He seems to handle good and easy ground, but his form on good or goodish ground reads 11130. His trainer may not be in the best form now, but he certainly knows how to get one ready for the festival and so De Boitron would be interesting if lining up for the Grand Annual. He is not quoted at present in a market that goes up to 40/1, so he could be allowed go off at a big price if he took his chance.

14th February 2011