Winter Escape
Winter Escape put up an impressive performance to win the Grade 3 2m 4f novice chase. Weak in the market beforehand, Aidan Howard's horse warmed to his task well for Mark Walsh, he moved nicely in behind favourite A Plus Tard around the home turn, and he stayed on well over the last and up the run-in to get the better of that rival, who was well fancied and well backed, with the pair of them finishing clear of the 145-rated Jetz.
This was a good performance from JP McManus' horse, the runner-up is a talented and progressive performer. Winter Escape was giving him a stone, and probably won with more in hand than the winning margin of just over two lengths. Fifth in a County Hurdle when he was with Alan King, this was just his fourth run for Aidan Howard and his fifth chase, and it was his third win. He is not really under the radar now, but he deserves a shot at a Grade 1 novices' chase now. He stays this 2m 4f well, and he could be a horse for the JLT Chase at Cheltenham.
Punchestown, 13th January 2019
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