Killer Miller

Killer Miller ran well for a long way in the Troytown Chase at Navan last Sunday.

Noel Meade's horse travelled well through his race for Barry Geraghty in mid-division, and his jumping was good for one so inexperienced in among a throng of hardened staying handicap chasers. He travelled well into the home straight, it looked like he was going to be involved at the top of the home straight, but he just couldn't go with them from the third last fence as his youth and his inexperience and lack of a recent run probably told. Even so, he ran a lot better than his finishing position in ninth place, 28 lengths behind the winner Empire Of Dirt, suggests.

Third in a maiden hurdle at Navan in March 2014 on his racecourse debut, JP McManus' horse did not manage to win a bumper in three attempts, but he won his maiden hurdle at Limerick in May 2015 on his second attempt over hurdles. Left off after that, he put up an impressive performance to win his beginners' chase on his debut last season at Naas last November, staying on well to beat his better-fancied stable companion Bonny Kate by six lengths, with Sub Lieutenant another seven lengths back in fourth. That is really strong form. Bonny Kate won her next three, was third in Sunday's race, and is now rated 137 over fences, while Sub Lieutenant won a Grade 3 chase at Naas last March, has won his first two races over fences this season so far, and is now rated 159.

Killer Miller raced off a mark of 137 on Sunday, and the handicapper has dropped him 1lb for that run, which was a nice bonus. He should be well up to his mark of 136. He could surpass that mark by a fair way in time.

He is only seven and Sunday's run was his first run since last November and just his third run in a chase. He has lots of scope for progression from that run.

Out of a half-sister to Cane Brake and Bob Hall and Judge Roy Bean, Killer Miller's best runs have been on soft ground, so he should appreciate the winter ground. He is not proven over three miles yet, but he should get it all right, and he will be of interest now in a good staying handicap chase. Races like the Paddy Power Chase and the Thyestes will be of immediate interest now.

Navan, 27^th November 2016

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