Master Of The Hall

Master Of The Hall produced a nice performance to make a winning debut over fences in what looked like a decent two-mile-six-furlong beginners chase at Ascot on Friday. Barry Geraghty just held him up last of the five-runner field, just towards the outside of runners. He jumped well, he warmed to the task even more as the race went on, took it up from Fredo just before the third-last, still travelling really strongly, and he then eased clear under no pressure in the straight. He did make a bad mistake at the last and for a second it looked like he may have let Fredo back in, but he picked up well and was soon in command again, winning by three and a half lengths.

This was a pleasing performance from Nicky Henderson’s horse. Despite his bad blunder at the last, there was a lot to like about the way he jumped on his debut, and he should be able to build on this. He was an exciting novice hurdler last season, although he did disappoint on his last start last season, when he went off an odds-on favourite for a good novice hurdle at Huntingdon. He was a bit inexperienced there, in that he never settled and ran too freely, and he was probably unsuited by the heavy ground. He actually still looked a little green early on here, which is understandable as this was just his fifth-ever start under rules. It’s likely that there could be a lot more improvement to come from this son of Saddlers' Hall, on better ground, over further, and when he gets more experience. It would be a surprise if he didn’t get three miles, Nicky Henderson thinks he could be very good, and he will be interesting wherever he turns out next.

19th November 2010

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