THE crowds were back at Prestbury Park as the Showcase Meeting wetted the appetite for the National Hunt season ahead at jump racing’s most prestigious venue.

Those present need only have waited until the second race to see a potential superstar for the season ahead as Third Time Lucki (135+) made a most impressive debut over fences as both novice chases on the card were above average on the clock, albeit in different ways.

Harry Skelton’s hands were full in the early exchanges aboard Third Time Lucki as he strained the reins to persuade his partner to settle, indicating the early gallop was slow.

However, several imperious leaps heading down the back straight took the pair to the lead and, despite being eased down from around the second last fence, his final circuit time was still 1.9 seconds faster than Annual Invictus.

Speed rating

Despite the differential in circuit time, the speed rating achieved by Annual Invictus (142) was faster when adjusted for distance, illustrating that Danny Kirwan (136) set a good pace despite jumping markedly right on more than one occasion.

A comparison of the closing sectionals from the fourth last portray how fast Third Time Lucki (88.5) could have run and the resolution Annual Invictus (88.0) showed off a much stronger gallop.

Harry Cobden performed a miracle to steer Danny Kirwan round let alone finish second, especially given his waywardness after the last fence. In the circumstances his closing effort of 88.6 seconds was meritorious and testament to the raw ability the son of Scorpion possesses.

All of his best form to date has been right-handed and this run suggests the configuration suits the eight-year-old best, albeit his mind may deny him the chance to realise his potential.

Better chaser

Torn And Frayed (136) made a pleasing debut over fences for Sam and Nigel Twiston-Davies and looks set to make a better chaser than hurdler on this performance.

The seven-year-old was noticeably strong on the run-in as he passed Favoir (135) on his way to posting a finishing split of 88.3 seconds.

The pick of the hurdle races saw the Sam and Nigel Twiston-Davies successful as Guard Your Dreams (145) shouldered top weight to victory in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap.

The overall race time was by far the quickest on the day although the five-year-old’s closing sectional of 91.7 seconds was eclipsed by Top Bandit (116) (91.4) who won the final race.

However, a split-screen comparison with the same race shows Guard Your Dreams to be around 15 lengths superior from the earliest junction of the two races.

This would have seen all those runners down to the fifth-home Mullaghmore Wave (118) cross the line in advance of Top Bandit.

Best data

Definite Plan (140) recorded the best data on Saturday as he made his handicap chase debut a successful one and supporting first-time cheekpieces in the hands of jockey Jordan Gainford.

The feature of the race was the early pace as Cloth Cap (126) and Cool Mix (131) contested the lead, which was the main contributor to the good time figure.

At the early stages of a comparison with the Before Midnight’s two-mile chase there was nothing between the races despite the extra distance covered by the staying chasers.

The finishing sectionals favour Before Midnight (140) (86.4) compared to the 87.5 clocked by Definite Plan indicating that Gordon Elliot’s Irish raider finished to good effect over the trip as he edged out The Hollow Ginge (140) who himself was fighting back at the line to give the impression he thought his task was complete.

Fast chase debut by Sixshooter

GALWAY’s weekend cards were run in conditions more akin to the depths of winter rather than autumn so good time performances were thin on the ground.

The exception to the rule was Sixshooter (148+) who marked his chasing debut with a performance which stood out on the clock from the 15 races. Sean Flanagan was content to let his mount bowl along in front at a pace which was no faster than the other chases in comparison.

However, it was all change as the field set out on the final circuit as the son of Well Chosen stretched his field with a final circuit 8.7 seconds faster than the handicap winner Theatre World.

Bay Ambition (140) emerged from the pack to fill second on her first outing for almost two years. There would have to be a concern about Gavin Cromwell’s mare bouncing if returned to the track soon.

Eyecatchers

Whoputfiftyinyou (85), Kempton, Tuesday, October 19th – produced a smart turn of foot to win a shade cosily.

Orzo (88+), Kempton, Wednesday, October 20th – made an impressive debut, powering clear close home.

White Pepper (120+), Galway, Saturday, October 23rd – impressive hurdles debut posting almost identical data to the highly regarded Choice Of Words

Gelino Bello (135+), Aintree, Sunday, October 24th– quickened impressively after the last hurdle, the race was run at a strong pace.