Moon Over Germany
Moon Over Germany put up a really nice performance to win the two-mile maiden hurdle at Navan on Monday, and the performance may be under-rated going forward.
Setting off just behind the leaders, Eddie Harty's horse travelled and jumped well throughout, and moved nicely in behind the leader Ball D'Arc on the run to the second last. A slight mistake at that obstacle meant that Davy Russell had to ride him on landing, but he picked up nicely for that pressure, took a slender advantage on the run to the final flight, jumped that well and stayed on strongly all the way to the line to win by almost five lengths.
It was a solid performance, it was visually impressive, but there was also substance to it. The runner-up, Ball D'Arc, a point-to-point winner, was impressive in winning his bumper at Thurles in early November, and he was a strong favourite for this. It is probable that he ran his race, because he pulled 20 lengths clear of the third horse, and the winning time was really good, comparatively the fastest race run on the day by a long way. Well beaten in two bumpers last spring, the Germany gelding shaped with a lot more promise on his debut this season over hurdles at Thurles two and a half weeks earlier. Out of a half-sister to Captain Cee Bee, and by his sire, he shapes like he will be a much better hurdler than he was a bumper horse. He handled this heavy ground well, and he should improve for this. He is just four and this was just his second run over hurdles and just his fourth run under any code. His trainer says that he will not be over-faced, but he will be of interest now in a winners' novices' race before stepping up in grade. He could be good.
14th December 2015
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