14:20 Leopardstown (IRE) 26 Dec 2021
Racing Post Novice Chase
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner €60,000 - 6 ran
disputed lead early until led 1st, made rest, pressed after last (normal 2 out), ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
disputed lead until headed 1st, soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and pressed winner after last (normal 2 out), no impression inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression after last (normal 2 out), no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace
chased leaders in 4th, ridden and no impression before last (normal 2 out), kept on one pace
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along halfway, went moderate 5th at 7th, soon ridden and no extra, never a factor
towards rear, bad mistake 1st, soon 5th, mistake 7th and soon dropped to rear, weakened and pulled up before last (normal 2 out)
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €2.10 |
| CSF | €2.42 (2, 6) |
| Win | €1.91 (2) |
| Place | €1.10 (2), €1.10 (6) |
| Exacta | €2.40 (2, 6) |
| Trifecta | €3.60 (2, 6, 1) |
Expert Analysis
A race that produced a performance of rare merit for a novice chaser, at risk of being under-appreciated in the scrum of good races/performances over the Festive period, Ferny Hollow giving weight and a beating to one of proven smart merit who seemed to give her running, the time comparing well with the useful handicap which followed (allowing for the omitted last in this), a 99.6% finishing speed confirming that this was a truly run affair.
FERNY HOLLOW (c162 here, 147+ previously) has won both his chases since a bumper season in which he beat Appreciate It at Cheltenham and one start in a hurdle in which he lowered the colours of Bob Olinger, and looks a proper talent, giving weight and a beating to a filly right at the top of her game and seemingly with no excuses, setting off at a strong gallop (jumped quickly if a bit to his right) and keeping going, having to battle pretty hard as Riviere d’Etel came at him again on the long run-in and doing just that. This could be another vintage season for two-mile novice chasers, with Edwardstone achieving a similar level in Britain, and plenty of others coming through, but Ferny Hollow will surely be still at or near the top of the tree when it concludes.
RIVIERE D’ETEL (c147 here, 147+ previously) looked hard to beat given her form and generous sex/age allowance but “beat” – seemingly fair and square – is exactly what she was, keeping tabs on the winner in second but having to go pretty quickly to do so, like him adjusting a bit right at times, with a chance on the long run-in but unable to get past her classy rival. Others may improve past her now but she is very useful in her own right.
COEUR SUBLIME (c139+ here, 142+ previously) could get nowhere near as close to Ferny Hollow as had been the case at Punchestown, nonetheless posting a decidedly useful effort, which should see him win a chase or 2 kept away from the big boys/girls, sitting off the pace until closing to be about four lengths down jumping what proved to be the last, outpaced and not given an unduly hard time thereafter.
GALLANT JOHN JOE (c125 here, ? previously) never threatened but ran to a fair level on what was his first start in getting on for two years.
ZOFFANIEN (c0 here, 130 previously) was always behind, jumping less than fluently, and could do with having his sights lowered.
GRAND BORNAND (c0 here, 121+ previously) demolished the first and was always behind thereafter.
