McFabulous

McFabulous did well on his comeback run to finish second to Stormy Ireland in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Nicely settled early on in the main group behind clear leader Stormy Ireland, he travelled well down the back straight, restrained after jumping up almost level with the leader going over the first flight in the back straight. He got shuffled back in the  field a little as they raced to the top of the hill, but rider Harry Cobden still looked comfortable, and McFabulous travelled well down the hill, he was travelling at least as well as Stormy Ireland and Brewin’upastorm as they raced to the second last flight. The front two got away from him as they straightened up for home and raced to the final flight, and he probably would have finished only third had Brewin’upastorm not come down at the final flight, but he kept on well up the run-in after making a mistake at the last to get to within two and a half lengths of the winner, coming away from third-placed Guard Your Dreams.

It was a nice run from Paul Nicholls’ horse on his first run since last year’s Aintree Hurdle, and he should progress from it. There was talk about sending him over fences after the Relkeel Hurdle, but there should be more to come from him over hurdles if he remains over the smaller obstacles. He goes well right-handed and on flat tracks, and he is two for two at Kempton – he won the Relkeel Hurdle last year when it was run at Kempton – so he will be of particular interest if and when he goes back to Kempton. This intermediate trip if a good trip for him, but he did finish third in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last season on his only attempt at three miles and it may be worth giving him another go over the longer trip.
Cheltenham, 1^st January 2022