Bronze Angel defies the handicapper

THE handicapper simply cannot stop Marcus Tregoning’s Bronze Angel, who defied a 6lb increase for winning the Cambridgeshire by coming home just over a length ahead of Maverick Wave in the Balmoral Handicap, Europe’s richest over a mile. The pair were followed home by Empire Storm and Levitate with the first six racing on the far side.

This was the softest ground Bronze Angel (20/1) had ever encountered but it made no difference. His young apprentice jockey Louis Steward has now won the Ebor, the Cambridgeshire and the Balmoral in just a few weeks and, the way things are going, he could even find himself partnering Tregoning’s loyal servant in a group race.

Johns Spirit repeats dose

JONJO O’Neill continues in splendid form and landed another double at Cheltenham on Saturday.

In The Rough took the opening novices’ hurdle but the star was Johns Spirit (5/1 favourite), who won the Marie Curie Cancer Care Handicap Chase for the second year in succession, coming from the rear under Richie McLernon to beat Persian Snow by a length. He followed up in the valuable Paddy Power Gold Cup 12 months ago but much depends on the assessor this time and a tempting alternative is the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

Tiger Roll so happy here

GORDON Elliott is in a rich vein of form and his Triumph Hurdle winner Tiger Roll (15/8) just got the better of odds-on favourite Calipto in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle. It was good to see Bryan Cooper on a Cheltenham winner after his fall at the festival and he would no doubt like to be on board if Tiger Roll heads for the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal.

Moon Racer a smart recruit

THESE are early days but David Pipe unleashed a possible star in Moon Racer, who made most in the closing bumper, quickened up nicely and beat Arabic History by a dozen lengths. He was backed to do the job for Tom Scudamore and started the 11/4 favourite.

Moon Racer, formerly with Co Waterford trainer Michael Ronayne, was bought for £225,000 at Brightwells Sales after springing a 50/1 surprise in a Fairyhouse bumper.

The New One shines

AT Kempton last Sunday Nigel Twiston-Davies’ The New One made a pleasing reappearance, landing the Listed williamhill.com Hurdle at a prohibitive 2/11. He clouted the last but looked good otherwise and may well take in the new Betfair Price Rush Hurdle at Haydock on November 22nd. Twiston-Davies is always in fine form at this time of year and also won with Fond Memory and Wood Yer. All three were ridden by son Sam.