Racing Recap - Saturday Review
Saturday’s racing provided plenty to digest across both sides of the Irish Sea, with eye-catching performances from established names, progressive handicappers, and a few horses who look set to play a significant role as the Cheltenham Festival edges closer. From Cork to Sandown, we saw smart maiden winners, strong handicap performances, and several horses firmly putting themselves on the spring festival radar.
Cork – Maiden Hurdle, 2m1f (12:35)
We finally got to see Old Borough Cup winner The Reverend make his long-awaited debut over hurdles, and expectations were understandably high given his quality on the Flat. Rated 102 in that sphere, this was always going to be a fascinating starting point for his hurdling career, now under the care of Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend.
Overall, you would have to say it was a solid and professional debut rather than a spectacular one. The Reverend jumped well for the most part, although he did edge slightly out to his right on occasions, which is not uncommon for a horse having his first run over obstacles. Importantly, there were no serious mistakes, and he looked comfortable throughout the race.
When Townend asked him to quicken, he responded readily, pulling clear without ever looking in danger. He was never fully extended and ultimately won with a bit in hand, which is what you would expect from a horse of his Flat ability in a maiden hurdle of this nature. However, whether there is real depth to the form is something that only time will tell.
Looking ahead, if The Reverend does harbour Grade 1 aspirations, you would imagine he will be seen next at the Dublin Racing Festival before potentially heading to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. That said, his performance here didn’t completely blow me away. Current quotes of around 16/1 to 25/1 for the Supreme feel about right based on what we’ve seen so far.
There is clearly plenty of ability there, but before making a strong judgement on him as a genuine top-class novice, I’d like to see how he fares in a stronger race next time. He remains one to watch rather than one to fully commit to at this stage.
Sandown – Maiden Hurdle, 2m (12:15)
At Sandown, Sinnatra was a very smooth and stylish winner of the opening maiden hurdle for the Dan and Harry Skelton team. While there was little depth to the race in terms of overall form, the performance itself was hard not to be impressed by.
From flag fall, Sinnatra jumped and travelled like the best horse in the race. He moved strongly throughout, settled well, and was slick at his hurdles. When Harry Skelton asked him to extend turning for home, he quickened away with ease, putting the race to bed without any fuss.
One particularly noteworthy aspect of the performance was the time. Sinnatra’s race was run three seconds quicker than the final handicap over the same course and distance later on the card, which is an excellent effort given the nature of maiden hurdles.
He’s been given a 4lb rise for this success, taking him to a mark of 133, and I’d be very surprised if that mark proves beyond him. In fact, I’d argue he’s comfortably better than that rating already. He looks like the type who will be extremely competitive when he steps into a well-run handicap during the second half of the season.
Sinnatra is definitely one to keep firmly onside going forward and could easily develop into a serious festival handicap contender if placed correctly.
Sandown - Handicap Chase, 1m7½f (12:45)
The next race on the Sandown card saw Vanderpoel, my selection on the day, deliver again with another strong handicap chase victory. Following his impressive win at Ascot last time, he turned out here off a revised mark of 134 and confirmed himself as a horse firmly on the upgrade.
Although the race was competitive, Vanderpoel always looked in control. He travelled strongly throughout and, crucially, stayed on powerfully after the last to pull clear of Kotmask, whom he beat comfortably in the end.
After the race, trainer Ben Pauling mentioned that the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival is now the main target, and on this evidence, that looks a very sensible plan. The 7lb rise for this victory takes him up to a mark of 141, which still leaves him bang in contention for a race of that nature.
Importantly, he is now fully qualified for the Grand Annual having had four runs over fences. You would imagine connections will go straight there without another run, and at current odds of around 12/1 to 14/1, he looks a very solid each-way proposition for the spring handicap.
Sandown - Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase, 2m4f (1:50)
The veterans’ chase saw Triple Trade deliver an impressive performance on his first run in this company. A horse I had previously flagged in my horses to follow, he stayed on best to see off Jet Plane in a competitive finish.
Given his age, Triple Trade remains remarkably enthusiastic and retains plenty of ability. He travelled strongly throughout and found generously from the back of the last to assert close home. The way he finished the race suggested there is still plenty left in the tank.
He’s been nudged up 3lb to a revised mark of 131, and you’d have to say there’s every chance he’s still well enough treated to win another race or two, particularly if he continues in veterans’ company. This was a very encouraging first effort in this sphere, and he’s one to keep an eye on going forward.
Sandown - Mares’ Hurdle (Listed), 2m4f (2:25)
My third winner of the day came courtesy of Nurse Susan, who delivered a strong staying performance to land the Listed mares’ hurdle. From an early stage, it looked as though she might struggle to keep tabs on the pace, but once Harry Skelton got her organised, she finished her race powerfully.
Turning for home, Nurse Susan really began to find her stride, staying on strongly to see off the favourite Jubilee Alpha and score in convincing fashion. There is no doubt that stamina is her biggest asset, and she used it to full effect here.
The Coral Cup has already been mentioned as her main spring target, and following a 6lb rise to a mark of 140, she is now guaranteed a place in the field. Given that connections have won the race twice with Langer Dan, both times off a mark of 141, it’s impossible not to see the parallels. Nurse Susan stays all day, the trip will suit her perfectly, and she has shown she can handle all types of ground. With Doncaster and Haydock mentioned as possible prep races before Cheltenham, she looks like a very solid Festival handicap contender if everything continues to go to plan.
Cheltenham Festival Angles
Several performances from Saturday’s racing have clear Cheltenham Festival implications, with a handful of horses either confirming themselves as realistic contenders or firmly putting themselves on the shortlist for spring handicaps.
Starting with The Reverend, his hurdling debut at Cork was efficient rather than spectacular, and while he did exactly what was required of him, he remains a work in progress. If he is to take in the Dublin Racing Festival next, that run will be far more revealing in terms of his true level. At this stage, he looks more like a horse who could develop into a Festival contender rather than one ready to win a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle this season. The raw ability is there, but he will need to show more in a deeper race before he can be considered a genuine Grade 1 player.
At Sandown, Sinnatra looks tailor-made for one of the Festival’s ultra-competitive handicaps. His smooth maiden hurdle success and strong time figure suggest he is well ahead of his current mark of 133, and he strikes as the type who will continue to improve with racing. Provided he is campaigned with handicaps in mind, he could easily line up at Cheltenham as a well-treated horse who still has plenty in hand. He is very much one to keep onside as entries and targets begin to take shape.
Vanderpoel now looks an obvious Grand Annual candidate after his latest success. He has the ideal profile for the race, progressive, improving with experience over fences, and clearly effective at a fast pace. His new mark of 141 should see him creep into the race nicely, and with his racing style and turn of foot, he could be perfectly suited to how the Grand Annual is often run. At current odds, he appeals as a strong each-way proposition and looks one of the more solid Festival handicappers at this stage.
Veterans’ chase winner Triple Trade is unlikely to be aimed at Cheltenham, but his performance highlighted that he remains competitive and capable of winning again in the right company. While Festival glory may not be on the agenda, he is a horse worth keeping in mind for similar races through the spring, particularly if he continues to thrive in veterans’ contests.
Finally, Nurse Susan is arguably the most interesting Festival prospect to emerge from Saturday’s action. Her stamina-laden Listed success at Sandown screamed Coral Cup horse, and with a mark of 140, she fits the profile perfectly. Connections’ proven success in the race only strengthens her credentials, and with her ability to handle any ground and stay strongly up the hill, she looks exactly the type who could be ridden quietly before coming with a late challenge. If she arrives at Cheltenham in similar form, she could be a major player in one of the meeting’s most competitive handicaps.
Overall, Saturday’s racing provided several horses who look set to shape the Cheltenham Festival narrative, particularly in the handicap divisions. With the Festival drawing ever closer, these performances may prove highly significant in the weeks to come.
Every week I will be analysing the weeks horse racing betting and comparing the latest betting odds and finding us the best value horse racing tips from the ante post markets. Identify potential horses from the weeks action that may go onto to make big impacts in the big spring festivals such as the 2026
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