Toto Too

Toto Too was impressive in winning the rated novices’ hurdle at Naas last Thursday. Settled nicely towards the rear of the field early on by Keith Donoghue, he made nice ground easily around the home turn, and travelled best of all into he home straight. He made a significant mistake at the second last flight, he lost his hind legs and, with them, lots of momentum, but he got going again on the run to the final flight. He was only fifth jumping that obstacle, but he picked up impressively to hit the front half way up the run-in. His rider was able to be easy on him close home, he left the impression that he had plenty in hand, and he still clocked a decent time, the second fastest of the four races that were run over the course and distance on the day.

It was a nice performance by Basil Holian’s horse on his first run for Gavin Cromwell. Winner of his maiden hurdle at Navan last September for Peter Fahey, this was just the Ocovango gelding’s third run over hurdles, and it was his first run since October, so he has plenty of potential for progression now. His trainer mentioned the Galway Hurdle as a possible target now, and that would be very interesting. He is relatively inexperienced, but he is obviously talented and progressive, and he ran well in a bumper at Galway last summer on his only run to date at the track.

Naas, 4^th April 2024