Neil Morrice has a look at a few UK and Irish horses who could impress in the coming weeks including Mighty Moth, Mr Vango and more!
PICTURES OF HOME Leopardstown, March 3rd
There was support for PICTURES OF HOME before this long-distance handicap chase and he was perfectly poised without having been asked any questions when being brought down by Old Soul at the second-last fence. His jumping had been a joy to behold, and he can soon put the record straight.
FAMOUS CLERMONT Wincanton, February 28th
FAMOUS CLERMONT turned what looked certain victory into defeat by some careless mistakes at the business end of this hunter-chase. He looked to have eventual winner Espoir De Guye covered only to get too close to the cross fence, the third last and finally the last obstacle before being outgunned. Winner of the Aintree Foxhunters in 2023, he remains a talented entity who can go a long way to making amends if he runs at Cheltenham or goes back to Liverpool.
ISHOLO DU VIVIEN Catterick, February 27th
ISHOLO DU VIVIEN travelled and jumped well to make much of the running in this maiden hurdle, and though conceding the lead on the second circuit was coming back at the pair that beat him on the run in. He is a good prospect who should improve for a step up in trip, and soon open his account.
MIGHTY MOTH Hereford, February 25th
MIGHTY MOTH completely dominated this maiden hurdle to come home unchallenged. It was an overdue success for the mare, who can be campaigned to further success through the late winter and early spring.
BOWTOGREATNESS Kempton Park, February 24th
BOWTOGREATNESS was equipped with earplugs for the featured Coral Trophy Handicap Chase in which he settled and jumped beautifully. In what became a dash to the line he finished a creditable third and is now heading for Cheltenham. He’s in the Ultima Handicap Chase, but his trainer told me he’s favouring the three-and-a-quarter mile Kim Muir/Fulke Walwyn Amateur Riders’ Chase for which Ben Sutton is on standby to ride.
MR VANGO Exeter, February 23rd
MR VANGO put up a spectacular display in the gruelling Devon National, making all and taking the fences like a seasoned veteran. On only a second outing over fences, he came home a fence clear of his closest rival, to post a poignant victory just days ahead of the untimely passing of his trainer. His connections may consider a crack at the four-mile National Hunt Chase next week, and if there’s cut in the ground he wouldn’t be a forlorn hope.
