Imagine

Imagine was very good in winning the two-mile beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse on Tuesday. This was a race that had depth, with the opposition including Sandor Clegane, Pinkerton, Path D’Oroux and Inothewayurthinkin, all of whom have hurdles ratings in the high 130s or low 140s, but Imagine won impressively. Jack Kennedy quickly had him into a fluent racing and jumping rhythm in front, and he never saw a rival.

Gordon Elliott’s horse himself has a rating of 136 over hurdles, and he kept good company last season as a novice, finishing fifth in the Martin Pipe Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race that is working out really well already. He has the potential to go well beyond his hurdles mark over fences too. Jack Kennedy said afterwards that he was a stronger horse this season, and that, allied to his fluency over his fences, makes him an exciting novice chaser for the season ahead. He could do even better too when he steps up in trip. His trainer said afterwards that he could give him an entry in the Drinmore Chase, and he would be an interesting contender in that.

Fairyhouse, 7^th November 2023