Colonel Mustard

Colonel Mustard only finished fourth in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday, but he ran better than that. Settled by Conor Orr just behind the leader Lifetime Ambition through the early stages of the race, he was just a little bit keen, but he travelled well and his jumping was much better than it had been on his hurdling debut at Down Royal. He moved well in second place behind Lifetime Ambition down the back straight, and it appeared as if he was travelling better than the leader as they jumped the second last flight and raced to the home turn. Frere Tuck moved up on his outside at that point, and it appeared as if the pair of them had it between them as they straightened up for home. If anything, it looked like Colonel Mustard was travelling better than his rival on the run to the final flight, but he weakened on the approach to the obstacle, got in tight and landed flat-footed. He tired on the run-in as he was run out of the places by Hurricane Cliff and the rallying Lifetime Ambition.

This was Colonel Mustard’s first run since his seasonal debut at Down Royal in October, when he finished second to Ballyadam, and it was probably lack of a recent run that took its toll here. An impressive winner of his bumper at Punchestown in September on just his second run, Lorna Fowler’s horse shaped well here, and his jumping was good. He should progress from this, his first run in 78 days, and it may be that he will be better on better ground. He should be winning his maiden soon before stepping up in grade.
Punchestown, 17^th January 2021