Indian Blood
The fast pace that Theft set in the early stages of the two-mile novices' handicap hurdle at Newbury on Saturday suited Indian Blood well. Even at that, held up a detached last of the 11 runners, the son of Indian Ridge still wanted to go even faster. However, Timmy Murphy got him well settled down the back straight as the pace steadied, he made nice ground up the inside from the top of the home straight, took it up between the last two flights, and came clear to win nicely. He was probably aided by the fall of Clova Island at the last, but he had been travelling better than that rival up the home straight and, such was the authority with which he prevailed, you have to think that he would have won well anyway even if Clova Island hadn't come down.
A winner over a mile and a half on the flat in France, David Johnson's gelding hadn't shown very much in three previous runs over hurdles, with the result that he was allowed into this race on a mark of just 100. The handicapper will, of course, have his say now, but he is only five, he has run just three times over hurdles now, he should progress again as he learns to settle better, and he is worth having on side.
28th February, 2009
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