Edgbriar

Edgbriar put in a nice performance to win a two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Bangor on Saturday. Master Somerville set a decent pace and, after pecking on landing at the first, the Paul Webber-trained eight-year-old settled in just behind the leaders. He began to jump better as the race progressed at a decent pace, the field covered by no more than five lengths, but he came under pressure from Liam Treadwell after they jumped the fifth last.

Master Somerville pressed on from the front from here and was chased by The Panama Kid, with Edgbriar looking outpaced with four lengths to make up on the leaders as they turned into the straight. From there, he responded well to Treadwell’s urgings and began to stay on. Switched to the near side for a clearer run, he made up the lengths easily and was upsides the other two jumping the last. He pulled away on the short run in to win going away by two lengths from the pace-setting Master Somerville, with The Panama Kid back in third.

Edgbriar has really come into his own over fences. Twice a winner over hurdles last season, earning a rating of 134, this was his second win over fences, and he has progressed with every run so far this year. The form of this race looks fairly solid, given the strong pace throughout, and the fact that the front three pulled clear of the fourth horse. Edgbriar was suited by the strong pace over this trip, he was able to out-stay his rivals after being outpaced approaching the straight, and he actually won a shade cosily. He now looks well worth a try over further. He improved a lot for a step up in trip over hurdles to eventually gain his first win, and he has the potential to do the same over fences. He is only up 3lb for this which is more than fair.

Edgbriar has won on all types of ground, but he may have a preference for going left-handed. He has options at Aintree were he would be interesting in the big three-mile handicap chase. The track would suit and having missed Cheltenham, he may be able to slip under the radar a little.

27th March 2010

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