Celian

Celian put up a good performance to win the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Huntingdon on Saturday. Neil King's gelding was undoubtedly helped by runner-up Prince Louis's propensity to jump to his left, and he came under going down the back straight final time, but there was a lot to like about the manner in which he stayed on dourly for pressure, relishing the soft ground and leaving the distinct impression that he will be even better given a sterner test of stamina again. Chasing leader Prince Louis from early, he got up on the inside going out of the back straight, secured the inside berth going around the home turn, and made the best of his way home from there, always looking likely to hold Prince Louis up the home straight and over the last to go on and record a gallant win.

A son of Indian Ridge, Celian has just turned seven and this was just his third chase. On his previous start, he would have given Kawagino a good race in a three-and-a-quarter-mile chase at Plumpton but for coming down at the fourth last, and Kawagino was racing off a 21lb lower mark than his hurdles rating and was raised 11lb for the run. Winner of his bumper on heavy ground, he should continue to improve now, and he will be interesting wherever he goes next, ideally on soft ground and over three miles at least.

16th January 2010

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