Palypso De Creek

Palypso De Creek ran a cracker to finish second to Our Vic in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday. Competing from 6lb out of the handicap and very weak in the market beforehand, he travelled well through his race, moved up nicely going down the back straight final time, moved in behind long-time leader Our Vic on the run to the fourth last and spent the entire of the home straight trying to get past that rival, but he just couldn't. Even so, there is no disgrace in going down by three lengths to Our Vic, even in receipt of 13lb. The pair of them had it between them from four out, and they finished clear of their field. This was just Palypso De Creek's third run since joining Charlie Longsdon from France. He stayed on well to win a three-mile hurdle on good ground at Towcester last October on his British debut, and was quietly fancied for the Becher Chase at Aintree in November, where he jumped the big fences well, but just tired on the ground from the second last. It is apparently owner Alan Halsall's long-held ambition to win the Grand National, and Palypso De Creek does hold an entry this year, but it just may be a year or two too soon for him. He is only seven, he is nicely progressive, and his new mark of 139 is only 3lb higher than the mark off which he effectively raced at Haydock on Saturday. He is also in the Racing Post Trophy at Kempton on 27th February, and he would be of interest if he took his chance in that. Even if connections are thinking of the National this year, he probably has to go up another couple of pounds in order to be sure of getting into the race.

23rd January 2010

Back