Love is Golden

Love Is Golden was impressive in winning the two-mile novices’ hurdle at Newbury last Saturday on his debut over hurdles, despite racing keenly for much of the race.  He was still keen as they raced out of the back straight, but he jumped the third last flight well, which took him up into third place. Russian Ruler appeared to be travelling well in front at that point, but Love Is Golden picked up well when Niall Houlihan asked him to, and he had got the better of Russian Ruler when that rival was unfortunate to come down at the final flight. That left Love Is Golden clear to go away up the run-in and win, eased down, by six lengths from Holetown Hero, who had won his previous two.

This was a nice hurdling debut from Gary Moore’s horse. A four-time winner on the flat for Mark and Charlie Johnston, he reached a peak flat rating of 88 and he stayed a mile and a half well. Gelded since his last run on the flat, he jumped well here, and there is every reason to expect that he will improve for this run, his first over hurdles and his first since his final run on the flat last October. He should do better too as he learns to settle better over hurdles. He holds an entry in the novices’ hurdle at Doncaster on Wednesday, and he will be of interest if he lines up in that. His best form on the flat was on good ground, and he won on good to firm, so he will remain of interest now as we move into the spring.
Newbury, 11^th February 2023