4th-Feb-2023

Final Orders has been weak in the market this morning, but he should still run a big race here. 

His rate of improvement has been remarkable since he started jumping fences.  He isn’t overly big, and he isn’t bred for it, but he finished second on his chasing debut at Downpatrick in September, and he has won his next four, improving from a handicap rating of 120 when he won at Down Royal in November, to today’s rating of 140.

Today’s rating is 11lb higher than the mark off which he won at Leopardstown over Christmas, but this is not a massive step up in grade, the top weight here is rated 144, the top weight in the race at Christmas was rated 141.  Also, he won with lots in hand at Christmas, and he had no difficulty dropping down to two miles and a furlong.  Indeed, it seemed to suit him well, Keith Donoghue was able to ride him aggressively, his jumping was very good and he kept on well to win with plenty in hand.

Back over the same course and distance today, on ground that we know he handles, he could step forward again.

FINAL ORDERS WON (ADV 7/1, SP 9/2)