Clarcam

Clarcam put up an accomplished performance to win his beginners' chase at Navan on Saturday. Settled in second place by Bryan Cooper behind Un Beau Roman through the early stages of the race, his jumping was really efficient throughout. He did leave his hind legs behind a little when he was long at the fence in front of the stands first time, but that slight blemish aside, his jumping was just about flawless. He seemed to be able to meet every single fence in his stride with the exception of that one, including the last two fences, when he was quickening on the run to them.

Gordon Elliott's horse tracked Un Beau Roman into the home straight, moved up nicely on the far side, joined him at the second last and picked up impressively to come away from the Willie Mullins horse and his main market rival Sizing Codelco on the run to the final fence. He jumped that fence nicely, and it was notable that he picked up again when his rider gave him a little squeeze. It was a good win, achieved with minimal fuss.

There is no doubt that this performance from Clarcam is a positive pointer to Vautour. The Gigginstown House horse could not get close to the Arkle favourite when the pair of them met in a beginners' chase at Navan last month. However, nor is there any doubt that this was an improved performance from Clarcam. He is an exciting two-mile novice chaser for the season and, as a four-rising-five-year-old, he has lots of scope for progression, and he will be in receipt of an albeit reducing age allowance for the remainder of the season.

6th December 2014

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