Minella Daddy
Minella Daddy put up an impressive performance to win the three-mile handicap chase at Ascot last Friday. Prominent from early, Sean Bowen allowed him stride on into the lead at the fence on the run down into Swinley Bottom and, from there, it never looked like he was going to be headed. Jumping well throughout, he travelled like the most likely winner from a long way out and, well clear at the last, he was eased on the run-in and still had seven lengths in hand of his rivals.
This was a fine performance from Peter Bowen's horse, it was another step forward as he progresses over fences. It was just his third chase, and he has progressed nicely from his chasing bow at Worcester in September to his second chase, which he won, at Ffos Las in October. This was his best performance yet, and it promised more.
The handicapper raised him a not insignificant 11lb for this win to a mark of 142, which is 12lb higher than his hurdles mark, but he jumps his fences so well, he is already a better chaser than hurdler. And he is only six, so he has the potential to go higher still over fences.
There could be a big staying handicap chase in him now, perhaps the Silver Cup, back at Ascot in December, a race in which he holds an entry. His trainer says that he is probably better going right-handed than going left, and he is obviously proven at Ascot, so he would be of interest if he lined up in that. But he is progressive now, he jumps and stays well and he handles soft ground as well as this goodish ground, so he will be of interest wherever he goes next.
18th November 2016
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