Humaniste

Humaniste looked good in landing the two-mile handicap hurdle at Tipperary on Sunday. Settled towards the rear of the field early on by Sean O’Keeffe, he made nice progress around the outside as they raced out of the back straight final time. He moved into third place at the top of the home straight, closed on the two leaders between the final two flights, jumped the last final flight two lengths down and stayed on powerfully up the short run-in to win going away by four lengths.

It was a very likeable performance by Edward O’Grady’s horse. It looked like he had plenty to do at the top of the home straight, but he got there with lots of time to spare, and it appeared that he won with at least a little in hand, clocking a time that was two seconds faster than the time that Saint Roi clocked in winning the Grade 3 hurdle.

Winner of his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in November 2018, he didn’t win in four attempts last summer, two on the flat and two over hurdles, and he was well beaten at Punchestown in September on his first run over hurdles since, but he stepped forward from that on Sunday, he appeared to appreciate the patient tactics that his rider employed.

He probably won’t want the ground to get too soft, but he is only five and this was just his sixth run over hurdles, so he has plenty of potential to progress now over hurdles. He would also be of interest if he raced on the flat before the end of the season off his flat mark of 79.

Tipperary, 4^th October 2020

© Sportinglife.com, 5^th October 2020