Horse: Demanding Gerry

Trainer: James Fahey

What caught the eye: Given the market support before the race, I think there were expectations from connections that there would be a better performance on Saturday, albeit that Demanding Gerry was staying on to finish fifth.

As impressive as the young Michael Kenneally is as a claiming jockey, and he’s certain to have a big future, I think he may have misjudged the pace, as this mare stayed on well late in the day for the second time in consecutive races. That said, the wool could have been pulled over my eyes, and it may have simply been a horse-and-jockey introduction with a day in mind for this mare.

When is she a bet: Keep her high on the agenda, either up in trip (should I have misjudged the ride) or next time out, where she’s likely to be more prominently ridden. Whatever the case, she has wins in her.

 

Horse: Danny Power

Trainer: John Queally

What caught the eye: In short, everything.

It is far too early to get all giddy about the first impressive novice hurdle victory, but I’m struggling not to do so with this performance, albeit that the opposition may not have been all that. But…

Given the antics before the race, the greenness shown on the track, and the fact that he was wide for much of the race, it just compounds the fact that the performance was very good, and I don’t think he’ll be in his current ownership for much longer. He won hard-held, and I was seriously impressed with this easy victory.

In recent years, we’ve seen novices in the late summer months contend for the top prizes over hurdles - Bob Olinger, Marine Nationale and Mystical Power, to name a few. I’d also like to think I have a decent track record of pointing people in the direction of a few horses very early on.

Previously, having suggested Galopin Des Champs as a Gold Cup bet at 20/1 after his beginners’ chase as a novice, I latched onto Jango Baie after he walloped Caldwell Potter on his first start over fences, and Jonbon at 33/1, only to be denied in the Supreme by the monster that is Constitution Hill. You can throw the likes of Item into the mix on the Flat, too.

This isn’t something I make a habit of. You won’t find me backing everything that wins a maiden, but when one gets me off my comfy sofa chair on a weekend, I struggle not to get excited. It’s better to be first to take notice of these horses, than last, and I loved this run. 

On the RaceiQ data, he was first on the Jump Index, giving plenty of air to his obstacles in the early parts of the race. He was first in lengths gained jumping, with +13.69 lengths gained on the field. He reached a top speed of 35.51mph (3rd), and his entry speed into his hurdles was electric.

When is he a bet: I don’t know when he will represent value is the honest answer, but he’s a live wire and he’s talented. Tune in. Track him. Back him.