Get My Drift

Hollow Games was very good in winning the two-mile-one-furlong beginners’ chase at Navan last Sunday, but Get My Drift but up a nice performance to finish third behind him. Settled towards the rear of the field early on by Mark Walsh and towards the outside, his jumping was very good in the main for a debutant. He moved up nicely at the end of the back straight to latch onto the end of the leading group of seven, he travelled well into the home straight, and he jumped the third last fence in a share of third place. He just got a little out-paced when they quickened from the second last fence, but he stayed on well up the run-in to just get the better of Colonel Mustard for third place.

It was a really encouraging run by Mouse Morris’ horse in his first chase, his first run since Punchestown in April. It was a race that was dominated by Hollow Games from the front, and in which it was difficult for the hold-up horses to get involved. The other three horses who, with Get My Drift, filled the first four places all raced prominently, and Hollow Games was faster from the second last fence to the winning line than Captain Guinness was in the Fortria Chase later in the day. Get My Drift didn’t win over hurdles after he won his maiden hurdle at the 2020 Leopardstown Christmas Festival, but he ran some decent races in defeat, including in finishing third in a competitive handicap hurdle at the 2021 Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Also, he jumped his fences so well here, there is every chance that he will be a better chaser than hurdler. He should be able to win his beginners’ chase soon before stepping up in grade.
Navan, 13^th November 2022