Absolute Power
Absolute Power ran well to finish second in the 3m handicap chase. He travelled well in midfield for Jerry McGrath, he moved up nicely on the outside on the run across the top of the track over the cross fence, and he arrived there in the front line at the fourth last fence. He was quickly joined there by Chosen Path, who ultimately proved to be the stronger, but the pair of them pulled well clear and it appeared as if Absolute Power was travelling better on the run to the last. He got in tight to the final obstacle and he had to move fairly sharply to his right, which upset his momentum, but he closed again all the way to the line.
He went down by a neck in the end, but it was still a fine run. The winner is owned by the race's sponsor, and he was well backed, so it is probable that he was primed for the race. Absolute Power was racing over fences for just the third time, and he should do better when he can improve the fluency of his jumping, which he should do with experience. The handicapper raised him by 5lb to a mark of 125, but he is progressive enough to cope with that type of hike. He is only seven and this was just his third chase and his seventh run under all codes, so he has lots of potential for progression. He will be of interest in another staying handicap chase now off his new mark.
Newbury, 19th December 2018
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