Presenting Forever

Presenting Forever ran a cracker when going down by just a head to Midnight Chase in a competitive three-mile-two-furlong listed handicap chase at Cheltenham on Friday. He jumped well and travelled really well just in behind the leaders for rider Brian Hughes. He gradually made his way closer to the front down the back straight and he actually ended up in front after the third last, where Midnight Chase made a bad mistake. He jumped the second last well and he looked all over the winner after he pulled clear before the last, but a bad jump there just stopped his momentum, and he appeared to idle a little when in front and on his own in the centre of the track. Midnight Chase began to stay on really well on the far side rail, possibly where Howard Johnson’s horse could not see him, and just got up head him late on. Presenting Forever did rally again once he saw Midnight Chase, but he couldn't get his head back in front.

There was a lot to like about the way Presenting Forever won on his seasonal debut at Carlisle previously, the way that he stayed on after travelling well into the race. He did jump a little to his left and tended to hang in that direction as well, so Cheltenham probably suited him better, but he was still 8lb out of the handicap, which meant that he was 18lb higher than the mark off which he won at Carlisle. He was only getting 17lb from Midnight Chase, a horse who is being talked of as a Gold Cup candidate now. There was certainly no disgrace in finishing second to Neil Mulholland’s horse, who was winning for the fourth time in a row here, and also winning his fourth race at Cheltenham.

Presenting Forever is still only six, this was just his sixth run over fences, and he has huge scope for progression now. Connections thought enough of him to pay 370,000gns for him after he won an Irish point-to-point, and it is likely we will see the best of him now in this his second season over fences. A 7lb hike is not harsh, and he should be worth following wherever he goes next. He has won on soft ground, but he appears to be at his best on good ground, he stays three miles well, he goes well left-handed and he proved here that he could perform at Cheltenham. He should do better next time if held onto for longer, and he will be interesting when returned to Cheltenham next, perhaps for the William Hill Chase.

10th December 2010

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