Curious Times

Curious Times put up a game performance to win the 2m maiden hurdle. Always prominent, JJ Slevin allowed him jump to the front over the second last flight. He travelled well in front on the long run down to the final flight, but it looked ominous for him when favourite Black Tears moved up on his outside. Stuart Crawford’s horse battled back well against the rail, however, and he was still just about in front at the final flight. He stood well off the final obstacle, jumped it well, and he stayed on strongly up the run-into beat Gordon Elliott’s mare by almost 3l.

At the time, it was generally disappointing that Black Tears did not go on to win, having travelled well into her race. However, it may be that the winner’s performance has been under-rated, especially in light of the impressive performance that Black Tears put up in winning her maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last Wednesday. Curious Times had been well beaten in his previous two runs, but he ran well for a long way in a good maiden hurdle at Navan on Troytown Chase day, behind Defi Bleu, and his new handicap rating of 112 may still under-rate him. He goes well on goodish ground, he raced in a tongue-tie for the first time here and, still just a six-year-old, he has plenty of potential for further progression.

Down Royal, 29^th January 2019