Hargam

Hargam came under pressure early in the two-mile conditions’ hurdle at Kempton on Sunday, but he found lots for that pressure. A good jump at the final flight took him into the lead, and he kept on well up the run-in for Barry Geraghty to hold Court Minstrel by a neck. The pair of them came away from Mister Miyagi and the winning time was good, 0.11secs/furlong faster than standard. It was the fastest time by far of the day, and it was the only one to dip below standard.

After a really good juvenile season, which included a third place in the Triumph Hurdle, Hargam didn’t win last season, but young hurdlers often struggle during their four-to-five-year-old season. This was JP McManus’ horse’s first win since he won the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Musselburgh in February 2015. He can build on this now. Also, he kept finding for pressure over this sharp two miles, so he could improve for a greater stamina test. He has never gone beyond the minimum trip over hurdles, but he won on the flat over a mile and a half. He is by Sinndar out of a Galileo mare, so he is bred for stamina. His dam’s half-brother, Vahorimix, won the French Guineas, but her dam won a listed race at Deauville over an extended mile and a half. Hargam should improve for a switch back to a stiffer two miles, and he is well worth a try now over two and a half miles or further.

16^th October 2016