Master Of The Hall

Master Of The Hall put up a really nice performance to win a two-mile hurdle at Sandown on Saturday on his hurdling debut. He did enjoy the run of the race behind a sedate enough pace set by Quintessentially, which was understandable on the ground, but there was a lot to like about the way that he quickened on the run to the second last. He was chased from that point by his main market rival Sonowyouno, a nice progressive horse of JP McManus's and winner of both his previous starts over hurdles, but it never looked like the gap would be bridged. Barry Geraghty asked Master Of The Hall for a long one at the last, but the horse wasn't sure, so he put in a short stride cleverly, got kick-started again having landed a bit flat-footed, and careered off up the run-in, coming away nicely from a really useful rival.

Winner of his only point-to-point at Dromahane on New Year's Eve last year, after which he was bought for £80.000, Master Of The Hall made his debut for Nicky Henderson in a bumper at Sandown in early November. He was well fancied and well backed that day, and he took it up, travelling well, at the top of the home straight. However, he didn't find as much as it looked like he would when he was challenged, and he faded to finish last of the leading group of four. He has obviously come on appreciably for that run, as a lot of the Henderson horses who made their seasonal debuts around that time, he jumps hurdles well, he should improve again, and he is an exciting prospect.

5th December 2009

© The Irish Field, 12th December 2009

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