BRAVEMANSGAME (162) was a treat to watch at his fences as an immaculate round of jumping delivered victory in the Charlie Hall Chase alongside his fastest time-figure as a chaser.

Harry Cobden was happy to be wide of his field throughout on the winner as his mount jumped with pinpoint accuracy, more than balancing any extra energy he may have expended in covering more ground than his four rivals.

As a novice the seven-year-old perfected the art of being clever when in tight to a fence, his trademark technique again in evidence at the final fence as he nimbly cleared the obstacle before forging clear to win by three and a half lengths.

The vastly superior time-figure compared to the other chases was supported by an equally dominant final circuit as the Ditcheat youngster covered the ground 1.8secs or nine lengths quicker than Ladronne (103), whose race was slowly run and, more impressively, 3.8secs or 19 lengths quicker than Tango Boy (124). To complete the data, the son of Brave Mansonnien was at least 1.2secs the quickest from the last in the back straight.

The King George is firmly on the agenda, with connections said to be looking forward to the challenge of taking on Allaho. The improvement needed to topple Willie Mullins’ juggernaut is upwards of 15 lengths, assuming he runs to his best, which I am not sure was in evidence in the Charlie Hall victory.

However, I fully expect Paul Nicholls’ chaser to rate higher as his fencing will assist Harry Cobden in holding his position, how much higher will depend on his ability to handle Allaho’s unique punishing early tempo.

For the well backed Ahoy Senor it was a horror show as the tendency to race exuberantly saw him beaten before the race began in earnest.

The highly talented novice chaser was equally as fresh on his seasonal debut last season and, while he now has everything to prove on his next outing, I would expect to see a much-improved showing if lining up for the Many Clouds Chase at his beloved Aintree.

Chief threat

Sam Brown (159) was the first to come under a ride as the field exited the back straight although he then emerged as the chief threat to the winner before a big jump at the second last saw his challenge falter. Anthony Honeyball’s lightly raced 10-year-old holds an entry in the Coral Gold Cup and may be of interest at big prices.

Molly Ollys Wishes (153) went back-to-back in the Listed Mares’ Hurdle as Dan and Harry Skelton captured both high profile hurdle races on the card, with Proschema completing the big race double in the slowly run Grade 2 staying hurdle.

The feature of the mares’ contest was the strong pace as See The Sea (139) took a compacted field along at a pace which rarely dropped below 32mph through the final circuit. The pace increased further when the winner and Martello Sky (151) joined battle at the entrance to the straight as they set down to fight out the finish.

The final hurdle played its part in the final outcome as Molly Ollys Wishes was more fluent than Martello Sky, which proved to be the difference between the duo at the line.

The mares covered the final circuit 2.9secs or 15 lengths quicker than Proschema (134+) who employed his superior speed to floor his rivals in the three-mile contest, as once again Harry Skelton raced widest in the straight.

The gap was narrowing between the two races as the seven-year-old was quicker up the home straight in beating Thomas Darby (128) by a comfortable 10 lengths.

OF the two jumping cards at Galway over the weekend, there was more to glean from the action on Sunday with the Noel Meade pair Thedevilscoachman and Affordable Fury, along with Flash De Touzaine impressing on the clock. It was a second course victory for Affordable Fury (128+) who previously won a bumper before making a successful debut over obstacles in the maiden hurdle. The four-year-old will need to improve at his hurdles although there is no doubting his engine as he combined the best time-figure, when adjusted for distance, with a finishing sectional the equal of Deeply Superficial (113). The pair were both quicker than Fortunedefortunata (126); the relevant data being 74.7secs and 75.8secs.

Flash De Touzaine (132+) was quicker than Thedevilscoachmen (128+) overall, although Noel Meade’s gelding was swifter through the closing stages to turn the tables on Liz Doyle’s charge. I was not convinced either winner was doing a great deal in front and expect both to rate higher.

WEXFORD also played host to a two-day Bank Holiday weekend card with the opening race of the meeting on Sunday seeing Inthepocket (141+) post the best time of the day when making a successful hurdling debut for Henry De Bromhead.

Always travelling strongly for Rachael Blackmore, the five-year-old only needed to be shaken up approaching the last to justify favouritism. The J.P McManus-owned gelding covered the final circuit 3.4secs or 17 lengths quicker than Champella (122) who won the only other race conducted at a reasonable pace throughout. The performance becomes more impressive when considering most of the difference was achieved from the third last hurdle.

Switching discipline to fences, Gold Cup Bailly (134+) also clocked a notable time on his chasing debut. Following an absence of 322 days, the Simon Munir & Isaac Souede-owned gelding deserves additional credit for seeing out his race strongly, illustrated by his closing sectional of 70.3secs proving to be quicker than race-fit Optional Mix (124) who stopped the clock at 71.3secs for the same distance of ground.

Grand National winner Noble Yeats (134+) was the star attraction for racegoers on Monday although on the track and moreover on the clock he played second fiddle to Impervious (149+) on the day as she impressed on her chasing debut. Colm Murphy’s talented mare complemented her stronger overall time when adjusted for distance with a closing sectional 0.6secs quicker than her more illustrious counterpart.

Good Risk At All (147+), Carlisle, Sunday 30th October – relished sluicing through the mud to win effortlessly on his seasonal debut.

Thunder Rock (141+), Uttoxeter, Friday 28th October – comfortably landed a novices’ handicap in a time which points to a bright future over fences.

Queen Aminatu (109+), Lingfield, Thursday 27th October – quickened sharply to sweep past her field, she is now 3-3 when racing round a bend on the all-weather.