Take It Easee

Runner-up Take It Easee was the one to take out of the two-mile handicap hurdle at Gowran Park on Thursday for me. Ultimate winner Carnbridge took it up early and set out to make it a true test on the soft ground over the distance, but the Noverre mare, although the youngest and least-experienced horse in the race by some way, and a little keen in the early stages, travelled and jumped well in amongst horses in mid-division. She moved up nicely in behind the leader on the approach to the home turn, apparently travelling best of all, moved around the leader to take it up at the top of the home straight, and went on by at least three lengths on the run to the last, game over. However, it was a long way from the second last to the last flight at Gowran Park on Thursday, and Carnbridge stays this trip well, loves heavy ground and was getting 17lb from the mare, three years his junior. Take It Easee got a little lonely in front, wandered around a little on the run to the last, got in tight underneath it and lost all momentum to the staying on Carnbridge, who just wore her down and got up to win by a short head.

The runner-up lost little in defeat. Trainer by Prunella Dobbs, who sent out Farringdon to finish second to An Cathaoir Mor in this race last year, this was just her third run over hurdles. She managed just one win in 15 attempts on the flat, and that was on her last start on the level, at Nottingham last November. She was impressive in winning her maiden hurdle on just her second attempt at Limerick over Christmas over two miles on heavy ground, and this was another step forward on her handicap debut off a mark of 110. She is still only five, and she can continue to progress now over hurdles.

21st January 2010

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