Highest Sun

Highest Sun put up a nice performance to win the 2m handicap hurdle. Strong in the pre-race market, he settled nicely early on for Tom O’Brien. He made nice progress at the third last and moved to the front at the second last, before staying on well to win nicely in a good time. He has progressed now with each of his four runs since he has joined Colin Tizzard from France. Third behind Didtheyleaveyououtto and Thomas Darby on his British debut at Ascot in November, when he hung to his left on the run-in, he travelled well in Al Dancer’s race at Cheltenham’s December meeting on his second run in Britain before weakening late on. He didn’t run badly on his previous run in finishing second behind The Twisler at Wincanton in January when he was keen early on, but this was a step forward from that. The handicapper raised him by 8lb to a mark of 139, but he is only five and he has run just five times over hurdles. He continues to progress. He is probably at his best on a left-handed track, and ideally held up behind a fast pace.

Chepstow, 23^rd February 2019