The Conditional

The Conditional ran another massive race to finish second in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

Quickly into a nice racing rhythm just behind the pace and along the inside, he travelled and jumped really well through his race for Brendan Powell. He moved nicely in behind leaders Dingo Dollar and De Rasher Counter on the run to the third last, and he was still on the bridle on the run to the second last fence. He picked up too when Brendan Powell went for him between the last two fences, but he wasn’t closing on the leader when he made a mistake at the last. Even so, there was a lot to like about the way that he recovered his equilibrium and kept on up the run-in to retain second place, closing on the winner as they neared the line.

This was another big run from David Bridgwater’s horse seven weeks after he had won a good handicap chase at Cheltenham’s October meeting. The handicapper raised him by 8lb for that win, but he proved here that he still had plenty of leeway off his mark of 139, and he should still have some leeway off his new mark of 142. He is only seven and, a point-to-point winner and winner of a maiden hurdle at Thurles for Martin Hassett, this was just his third run for his new trainer and just his ninth over fences. He still has potential for progression as a staying chaser and, given how well he travelled through his race here, there could be plenty of upside. He has good form on soft and heavy ground too, so he could do even better as we move more deeply into the winter.

Newbury, 30^th November 2019