Stand Up And Fight

Stand Up And Fight put up a really nice performance to win the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown last Saturday. JP McManus' horse's jumping was a little novicey through the early stages of the race - which is forgiveable, on his hurdling bow - but it got better as the race progressed. He travelled well through his race in third place behind a decent pace, he moved into second after the second last, he hit the front at the last and he came away impressively for Mark Walsh from Kagney, who in turn came clear of a well-stretched-out field.

This was a good performance from the Enda Bolger-trained gelding. Visually it was impressive, and it also had substance. Runner-up Kagney set a decent standard and had race-fitness on his side. He finished second in a bumper at Listowel and he won a bumper at Downpatrick in September. Also, the winning time was good, the fastest comparative time on good day's racing.

There is no telling how good Stand Up And Fight could be, but he has buckets of scope for progression. By Flemensfirth, he is from a decent National Hunt family, and he finished second in a maiden hurdle at Navan last April on his only previous run. He should progress from this, his seasonal debut and just his second run ever, and he will be interesting now stepped up in grade. He could do even better in a better race with a stronger pace.

22^nd October 2016

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