Neil Morrice has a look at a few UK horses’ dark horses from Cork, Kelso, Exeter, Wincanton, and Fairyhouse
DARK HORSES LATEST
LE LABO Cork, December 7th
LE LABO travelled beautifully with his pilot in no rush to press any buttons in this maiden hurdle. He turned for home with four in front of him but scythed through them and was four lengths clear when crumpling on landing at the final flight. Joseph O’Brien’s former bumper winner looks to have all the attributes needed to soon put this unfortunate hiccup behind him, and when running next will be the proverbial winner without a penalty.
YOUNG JACK Kelso, December 7th
Point winner YOUNG JACK came in for some late support while starting as a roughie in this novices’ handicap chase. On a first run for nine months he showed an aptitude for jumping, being accurate and fast through the air, and although unable to contain King Of Answers between the final two fences lost no caste in defeat. He will have learned much from this very promising debut over fences and can be placed to go one better.
DRACO MALFOY Huntingdon, December 7th
DRACO MALFOY had shown promise on two bumper starts at the course but was returning from a more than 300 day absence in this maiden hurdle, in which he came in for considerable support (15-8 into Evens). He enjoyed getting a nice tow into the race and jumped impeccably, and when given the office in the straight pulled clear of a decent foe in Lisnamurrican. Kim Bailey looks to have uncovered an exciting addition to his operation on the edge of Cheltenham.
TENNESSEE TANGO Exeter, December 5th
TENNESSEE TANGO didn’t go unbacked in this novices’ hurdle, and after moving sweetly for much of the trip stayed on for minor honours behind the very smart Gentleman Toboot. He hails from a stable not short of talent in its novice team, and having been given a largely educational ride can build on the effort as a horse to follow.
WEST ORCHARD Wincanton, December 4th
On a return to hurdling WEST ORCHARD put in an eye taking display to chase home Happy Returns. A big horse, he was asked to close in on the leaders before the penultimate flight, and though staying on proved no match for the winner who had a fitness edge on him. This should have blown away any cobwebs before he goes back over fences.
ATABOYCHARLIE Fairyhouse, November 30th
Another winner without a penalty is ATABOYCHARLIE, who but for falling at the last would have delivered in this Listed handicap hurdle. He ranged up with his jockey looking like he had plenty of horse underneath him, with the gelding weaving from side to side as he went to the front. It was a silly fall, and it’s hard not to assume there was more to give on the run in, had he needed it.
