Stellar Notion
Stellar Notion ran a massive race to finish fourth in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown last Tuesday, given how prominently he raced from flagfall. Always in front or disputing the Otago Trail, Henry de Bromhead's horse jumped really well for David Mullins, and he kicked on at the second last fence. He was joined by the closers on the run to the final fence, but he still kept on well up the hill to retain fourth place.
This was a race in which it was probably a significant advantage to be held up. The other horse who mixed it with Stella Notion at the head of the field, Otago Trail, faded from the end of the back straight, and four of the first five home were held up. Stellar Notion was the only one who raced up with the pace, and he effectively set it.
He is nine years old now, but he has raced just 14 times under all codes in his life, and just five times for de Bromhead, so he still has scope to progress further. Second in the Munster National on his previous run, he was at his best over two and a half miles when he was with Tom George, and a drop to that type of trip could suit him now, given that he is at his best when he is ridden aggressively. Looking further ahead, he could be a Galway Plate horse for next July.
27th December 2016
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