Blood Destiny

Blood Destiny was very good in winning his beginners' chase at Naas on Thursday. Quickly into the lead and into his racing rhythm for Paul Townend, his jumping was very good for a chasing debutant, and he kept on well to win nicely. Heart Wood chased him for most of the way, and tried to mount a challenge, but it never really looked like he could get to Blood Destiny, who kept on well up the run-in to win by nine lengths.

There was substance to this performance too, as well as style. Heart Wood is a talented horse, a second-season novice who already this season had a good run over fences under his belt, when he finished second to Grangeclare West at Naas, with Corbetts Cross, subsequently winner of a hot beginners' chase himself, back in third. Also, the two other horses who made up this four-runner field are 130+ rated hurdlers, and they were 25 lengths behind.

Blood Destiny was a talented juvenile hurdler last season, he was sent off as second favourite for the Triumph Hurdle behind his stable companion Lossiemouth on the back of two impressive victories. His season did flatten out a little in the spring, he was well beaten in the Triumph and he finished second in the Grade 2 juveniles' hurdle at Fairyhouse in April, but this was a nice bounce back on his first run over fences. He wasn't as keen here either as he was on occasion last season over hurdles, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses now over fences. His age allowance will be reduced as the season develops, but he could still take a high rank among the top novice chasers this season. This two-and-a-half-mile trip looks like a good trip for him, at least for now.

Naas, 14^th December 2023