Hypotenus

(John McConnell)

Fairyhouse, February 25th

There are plenty of races to be won with John McConnell’s promising French recruit on the basis of his fine effort when second to the well regarded Zenta in the Grade 3 Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle. With one of his main rivals, Harley Street, bombing out, it would have been disappointing if this four-year-old by Lope De Vega didn’t finish in the first two in what looked a light edition of the race. However, the €215,000 purchase off the flat from Carlos Laffon-Parias shaped encouragingly and generally jumped well for one making his debut in this sphere. (MB)

Bocelli’s Voice

(Dermot McLoughlin)

Fairyhouse, February 25th

It will be interesting to see how the handicapper assesses this seven-year-old by Mahler after finishing a respectable fifth on his third run over hurdles at Fairyhouse. It wasn’t an overly deep race but he would have finished a fair deal closer but for some mistakes at the final three flights. There had also been some promise to take from his previous fifth at the same venue. He was placed in a couple of point-to-points on decent ground, so there could be a handicap in him this summer. (MB)

Cadatharla

(Colm Murphy)

Fairyhouse, February 25th

A pair of particularly well-handicapped sorts fought out the finish of the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle, with the Barry Connell-trained L’yser edging out Cadatharla, trained by Colm Murphy, by just a neck. The front two pulled nine and a half lengths clear of the remainder and surely remain open to further improvement, having had just six and five runs over hurdles respectively. Given how little separated them, it was interesting to see the handicapper raise the winner by 9lb and the runner-up by 5lb. Both are capable of winning races in the future but the second makes particular appeal in the short term and could be up to landing a decent pot at the Fairyhouse Easter or Punchestown Festival this spring. (MB)

The Wallpark

(Vincent Ward)

Fairyhouse, February 25th

Vincent Ward does not oversee a major string and has saddled just one winner under rules in the past six years, but he may not have to wait long for his next success if The Wallpark can build on his promising series of runs. A five-year-old by Ask, he showed ability on his third start when runner-up in a Down Royal maiden hurdle in November and went through the ring for £45,000 the following month at the Goffs UK Tingle Creek Sale. However, The Wallpark was still running for Ward when fifth to the useful Doctor Bravo at Down Royal in January and showed improvement when third to the likely high-class Down Memory Lane in a Fairyhouse bumper last weekend. He could be interesting when tackling handicap company in time. (MB)

Crafty Gael

(Ross O’Sullivan)

Naas, February 26th

Crafty Gael probably bumped into a well handicapped sort in Thetys in an extended one-mile-seven-furlong handicap hurdle for four-year-olds at Naas last Sunday. He was just niggled along to keep tabs with the leaders as he entered the straight but once his rider got serious with him, he really picked up to challenge after the last. He had no answer to the winner’s surge on the outside, but he came away from the remainder. This was just his fifth ever run and a step forward from his sixth place finish on handicap debut at Punchestown previously. He has scope to kick on again and should be able to win off a mark of 90. (RG)

Jody Ted

(Eoin Griffin)

Naas, February 26th

This unexposed seven-year-old may not be far away from doubling his tally over fences after an encouraging second in the Grade B Barberstown Castle Novice Handicap Chase behind Limerick Lace. Providing conditional jockey Mark McDonagh with his first ride since returning from a broken leg suffered in November, Jody Ted arguably hit the front a little earlier than ideal before being unable to match the improving winner close home. A 1lb rise from the handicapper for the effort looks more than reasonable. There are definite novice handicap chase options for him at Fairyhouse and Punchestown in April. (MB)

Valsorpresa

(Gordon Elliott)

Naas, February 26th

It would be unfair to expect him to possess the same sort of ability as his dual Cheltenham Festival-winning brother Presenting Percy, but Valsorpresa made a pleasing debut when third to more experienced rivals Bialystok and Thecompanysergeant in a maiden hurdle at Naas last Saturday. The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old, who was born a week after his brother’s 2018 RSA Chase success, is not overly big and seemed to appreciate the yielding ground. He could be up to winning a similar maiden hurdle later in the spring on a sound surface, or else will be of interest if kept in training for a summer campaign. (MB)

Tempo Chapter Two

(Adrian Murray)

Naas, February 26th

Tempo Chapter Two outran odds of 50/1 to finish a promising fifth on his debut for Adrian Murray and on his first start in 212 days in a handicap hurdle run over just short of two miles at Naas last Sunday. His run can also be upgraded given he was bundled into after the last, yet was still able to renew his effort. He could be a very well handicapped horse now considering he finished mid-division in State Man’s County Hurdle last season off a British mark of 134. That was when he was trained by Willie Mullins who thought he was worth trying over three miles so a step up in trip could also suit this seven-year-old. (RG)

Fox Le Bel

(Liz Doyle)

Clonmel, March 2nd

On his first start over a trip as long as two miles and seven furlongs since December 2020, all Fox Le Bel did was stay, eventually getting up for third just before the line. Liz Doyle’s gelding was one of the first horses off the bridle as he struggled to lay up with the pace set by long-time leader and favourite Made In The Woods, but he gradually got himself into the race and his progress became more inclined the closer he got to the line. He has been in good form of late but this run might open a few more doors for him. (RG)

Take My Hand

(Michael Mulvany)

Clonmel, March 2nd

Take My Hand looks one to note after a brave effort at Clonmel on Thursday. Off a mark of 93 on her handicap hurdle debut, she built up a healthy lead through the early stages of the two-mile contest. She looked set to fade away when she went a couple of lengths down to the winner Truckers Angel in the straight, but to her real credit, she boxed on strongly to hold onto third. She should be able to win a handicap hurdle but will also have the option of going back on the flat when the turf season begins later this month. She has been second on three of her last four starts on the level and may be able to make her race fitness count in the early stages of the season. (RG)