Crosshill

Crosshill ran well in finishing second behind Ciel De Neige in the two-and-a-quarter-mile beginners’ chase at Thurles on Thursday. He jumped more than adequately in the main for a chasing debutant, and he travelled well in third place, just behind Dark Spark and Ciel De Neige. He came under a ride on landing over the second last fence, but he stayed on well for Sean O’Keeffe up the home straight. He was the one who mounted a challenge to Ciel De Neige, in front of Soviet Pimpernel and Dark Spark and, while it never really looked like he would get to the impressive winner, he kept on well to get to within four and a half lengths of him, and he pulled seven lengths clear of Soviet Pimpernel.
It was a good performance by Jessica Harrington’s horse on his chasing debut and on his first run since last April. Ciel De Neige is a talented individual, he finished second in a Betfair Hurdle and he jumped his fences really well on Thursday, and Crosshill did well to run him as close as he did, over a trip that was almost certainly short of his best, and conceding race fitness. He was also conceding race fitness to Soviet Pimpernel, a 142-rated hurdler who admittedly may not be as good over fences as over hurdles.

Crosshill beat the Albert Bartlett Hurdle winner Vanillier in winning his maiden hurdle over two and a half miles at Punchestown last October, and he was only just caught by Lady Breffni in a valuable three-mile novices’ handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse In April, so it is probable that he will do better now if and when he goes out in trip over fences. Out of a bumper winner and from the family of Badger Ales Trophy winner Cornish Sett, this was a good starting point for Ronnie Bartlett’s horse, and he will be of interest now when he steps up in trip over fences.
Thurles, 25^th November 2021