Sizing Pottsie

Sizing Pottsie put up a really impressive performance to win the two-mile handicap chase. Jessica Harrington’s horse was quickly into a nice rhythm just up on the outside of habitual front-runner Yaha Fizz. Still second on the run to the third last fence, he jumped that obstacle well and moved up on the outside of the leader and into the lead. Paddy Kennedy just allowed him stride on from there and, suddenly, he was six lengths clear as they raced around the home turn and had all his rivals struggling in behind. He was a little long at the second last fence, and he got in tight to the last, but he was safe over them, and it never looked like his rivals were going to get close to him.

This was a good race, it was a hot intermediate handicap chase, in which dual Ladbroke Hurdle winner Off You Go and progressive novice hurdler from last season Entoucas were sent off as joint favourites. Sizing Pottsie beat them well, with good horses like Daly Tiger and Capuccimix further behind, in a good time, almost seven seconds faster than the time that Front View clocked in winning the beginners’ chase a half an hour later, proving that his handicap rating of 149 probably under-rated him by a fair way. The handicapper raised him by 8lb for this to a mark of 157, which was a reasonable hike, and that puts him within range of graded chases. He is only six and this was just his seventh run over fences, so he could improve again from this. He appears to be at his best on soft or heavy ground over two miles, and he is now two for two over fences at Fairyhouse, so he will be of particular interest if and when he returns to the Co Meath track. His trainer mentioned the Dan Moore Chase as a possible next target and, while he would probably have top weight in that, he would be of interest if he did take his chance in it, back over two miles at Fairyhouse next month.

Fairyhouse, 12^th December 2020