IT is going to be a long, long, winter for anyone not into jumps racing, which I am making sure will not be me. There have been a smattering of good performances already this campaign, and those increased further in frequency in the latest week.

Pick of the bunch was the Guinness Kerry National win of Cabaret Queen by a pixel from Moyhenna, which earns that pair figures of 148 and 147 respectively. This is likely to prove strong form.

There were other good wins at Listowel from N’Golo (132) in a novice hurdle, Djingle (143) in a two-finisher Kerry Group Chase and Weseekhimhere (128) under a penalty in a bumper.

Highest-rated bumper horse

The last-named is easily the highest-rated bumper horse in action right now, though it is likely to take a figure of 140, or maybe more, to lead the division come next spring.

The Elite Hurdle winner and Champion Hurdle also-ran Fusil Raffles made a quite impressive winning debut over larger obstacles at Uttoxeter, beating Quick Grabim by four lengths and posting a 139 time.

Soldier On Parade (135) has claims to be considered the best juvenile hurdler seen so far in Ireland/Britain after a wide-margin win under a penalty at Market Rasen, though his effort was not really backed up by the clock.

He is still behind the likes of Magneto (142), Heros D’Ainay (140) and Jeu De Paume (136) – one or more of whom may be seen in Ireland/Britain before long – among juveniles to have been seen out already in France.