IRISH Saint (39) has always looked like he’d do best over fences and at longer than two miles. He proved this idea right when putting up his best ever performance to take a graduation chase at Ascot by 13 lengths over two and a half furlongs short of three miles. The time was good. In fact Irish Saint covered the last two miles in slightly faster time than they went in the two-mile, one-furlong handicap chase on the same card, with the pace being strong throughout.

My impression of Irish Saint at this stage is that he doesn’t quite have the size or jumping ability to win a Grade 1. My ratings say he’s solid Grade 2 class. Indeed he’s already won at that level but lost all three times he’s tackled Grade 1 company, beaten 40 lengths the one time he didn’t tackle novices at the top level.