Bags Groove

Bags Groove was seriously impressive in winning the Rising Stars Novices' Chase over 2m 4f. The race developed into a match between Bags Groove and Secret Investor, but Secret Investor is a highly regarded horse who was representing Paul Nicholls, who had won this race six times in the previous 10 years, including with Silviniaco Conti and Frodon and Modus. But Bags Groove was impressive. Sent to the front from flagfall, he got into a lovely racing rhythm in front for Noel Fehily and, with the exception of a slight scare at the last, his jumping was really slick. He always travelled like the likely winner, he had the race in the bag from the third last fence, and he kept on well all the way to the line.

Harry Fry's horse was a good hurdler last season, but he is already a better chaser. He was impressive in winning at Ffos Las on his second run over fences in October, when he was weak in the market, and this was a nice step forward from that. He does tend to jump to his right, so it may be that he will be at his best on right-handed tracks, but that is fine, because his running style should be well-suited to right-handed tracks like Kempton and Sandown. This 2m 4f is a good trip for him, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.

Wincanton, 10^th November 2018

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