Everlastingpromise

Everlastingpromise only finished fourth in the end in the two-mile handicap chase, but he ran much better than that. In front from flagfall, he made a fairly significant mistake at the fifth fence, but he retained his place in front, and he still looked a likely winner until he made another fairly bad error at the last when still in front. He just weakened on the run-in, on the far side, as Allardyce stayed on strongly under the stands rail. Everlastingpromise was only fourth, but he was only beaten less than three lengths.

Enda Bolger’s horse was impressive in winning handicap chases at Clonmel and Thurles in the autumn on better ground. The ground wasn’t that bad at Naas, but it was still winter ground, and it may be that we won’t see the best of him until he gets back on some better ground. The handicapper left him on his mark of 125 after this and, still only six, he has the potential to go beyond that mark. He doesn’t hold any entries at Cheltenham, but there could be a good handicap chase in him now in the spring.

Naas, 5^th January 2020