Jenari

There was a lot to like about the performance that Jenari put up in making a winning chasing debut over two miles at Naas on Monday.

He was quite weak in the market through the day as all the money came for Mount Benbulben, and Jessica Harrington’s gelding was ridden patiently, well back in the field as two of the main protagonists, Far Away So Close and Mount Benbulben were ridden handily. Even Dylan Ross, who is normally held up, raced several lengths ahead of Jenari for most of the race. Jenari was no closer than ninth jumping the third last, but he jumped it well and made good progress around the home turn to get into contention. He still had a lot to do from the second last, but a mistake there from Dylan Ross helped him, and he stayed on really well to catch Noel Meade’s horse half way up the run-in, the pair of them having drawn a little way on from Mount Benbulben and Far Away So Close after the last.

This was a really strong beginners’ chase and Jenari won it well. He was a classy novice hurdler last season, and he showed improved form when stepping up to two and a half miles last spring, winning the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse and falling three from home in the Grade 1 at Punchestown when right in contention on the outside and travelling well, so he should be better over fences over further than two miles too.

By Milan, he won the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse on good ground, but he has proved before that he handles testing conditions too, he looks a straightforward horse, and the type to make into a high-class chaser. A half-brother to Jetson and Jered, and a full-brother to Jezki, he looks a natural over fences, he is only five, and there should be plenty more to come.

29th October 2012