Nube Negra
Nube Negra put up a really nice performance on his chasing debut to win the two-mile beginners' chase. Always travelling well for Harry Skelton behind a decent pace that Ballymoy set, he travelled really well down the side of the track, and his jumping was good over the five fences on that part of the track. His rider was at pains to restrain him in behind horses, leaving the impression that he will be even better off a stronger pace and in a better race. He travelled really well into the home straight, and he showed an impressive turn of foot from the final fence to come clear. There was an awful lot to like about the performance.
Ballymoy was a little disappointing, he appeared to get outpaced on the run down the side of the track when he was passed by Commanche Red before staying on again. That said, Dan Skelton's horse ran out an impressive winner, and Ballymoy, a 152-rated hurdler who won the Holloway's Hurdle at Ascot last January, stayed on to finish second, albeit over a trip that was probably too sharp for him.
Nube Negra was a good hurdler himself, he finished third in the Fred Winter Hurdle in 2018 and he reached a high of 137, but, on this evidence, he will be a better chaser. This was his chasing bow and his seasonal debut, so he should improve for it. This two miles on ground just on the easy side of good suited him well, but he could also operate on soft ground over hurdles, and he has proven that he can go well at Cheltenham and Newbury and Ayr. He should do better too in a better race with a stronger pace.
Warwick, 3rd October 2019
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