King Of The Picts

The Pat Shanahan-trained King Of The Picts was unsold at the Tattersalls Horses-In-Training Sale last October, and Pat Shanahan does not have many jumpers, but the four-year-old was impressive in winning the Grade 3 Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle over two miles at Tipperary on Sunday, and he should be able to build on that now.

A clear second behind the leader Un Beau Roman through the early stages of the race, his jumping was neat and accurate, and he showed a nice turn of foot on the run to the second last to take up the running. He was joined by Shamar up the inside between the final two flight, and Que Pasa came with a strong challenge on the near side, but King Of The Picts fought them both off, jumped the last well and picked up again on the run-in to win quite nicely.

This was just the Rock Of Gibraltar gelding’s fifth run over hurdles, he is only four, and he should be able to go on again from this now. On his previous run at Listowel, he was just caught late on by Massini’s Trap after kicking clear at the third last, but he still finished a little way clear of the rest of the field that day, and he showed here just how tough he is when he gets into a battle. He is suited by ease in the ground, he goes well behind a fast pace, and he could just remain a little under-rated as we get further into the National Hunt season proper.

6th October 2013