Sail Away

Sail Away ran well for a long way in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Newbury on Friday. Prominent from early, he travelled and jumped well behind the leader Frero Banbou, and he still travelled well into the home straight, but he came under a ride from the fourth last fence. He challenged the leader at the third last fence, the pair of them with a little break on their rivals, but he tired from the second last fence, as lack of a recent run probably told.

Dan Skelton’s horse should be better with this run under his belt. It was his first run since April and his first run since a wind operation. He should also be better for stepping up in trip. He won over three miles in May last year, and he put up a career-best performance at Ayr in April when he was impressive in winning a handicap chase over three miles off a mark of 136. He is rated 144 now, but he is only seven and there is every chance that he will be capable of surpassing that mark with this run under his belt and stepped up in trip.

Newbury, 1^st December 2023