Whistleinthedark made the long journey to Perth worthwhile by making it 4 from 4 over fences this season, all in the capable hands of Patrick Cowley
WHISTLEINTHEDARK, who held an alternative entry at Punchestown this week, didn't have too much difficulty making it 4-4 over fences despite the hood being left off. Ridden by Patrick Cowley each time, he's already gone up 25lb since going chasing and is on the verge of smart form.
QUOTES: WHISTLEINTHEDARK has been going well since he went chasing and I was hopeful coming here today. He’s been progressive and I think he’ll go to Aintree next month for a handicap – Laura Morgan, trainer.
WHISTLEINTHEDARK was dropping in trip, but the rain that fell beforehand made this more of a test. Always up with the pace before taking over with a mile left, he looked to be a sitting duck for the runner-up coming to the last, but his stamina came in useful and he kept on pulling out more on the run in to make it 3-3 over regulation fences. Winner of a two-runner novice chase last time, he was 21lb higher than when successful in a novices' handicap the time before which shows how much he is improving.
Big Changes wins again at Doncaster with a useful 7lbs taken off by yard conditional Jockey Lewis Dobb who gave him a fine ride.
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BIG CHANGES 4/1 6 11-5 t 103 midfield in touch, ridden and headway before 3 out where 2 lengths down, pressed leader 2 out, soon led, narrowly ahead approaching last, stayed on run-in
Delighted to see Charging Point break his duck at Southwell having broken him in at North Lodge Equine during Lockdown ! A promising run and looks like he will stay 3 miles in due course.
Racing Post Ratings assessment: the winner was well in on his recent C&D run and arguably took a small step up on that effort with the second running to his mark. CHARGING POINT just about avoided the drama on the bend after three out, nipping around the inside and really seeing his race out well having got to the front. This was his first win at the seventh attempt and there should be further improvement in him, being just a 5yo.
Big Changes enjoyed the quicker ground at Leicester and won, going away under a good ride from yard conditional Lewis Dobb.
BIG CHANGES, in the refitted tongue-tie, had the ground in his favour and returned to form back up in trip to notch a third win over fences. On this showing he'll be suited by a return to 3m
Whistleinthedark made it 2 from 2 over fences with a comfortable front running victory under Partick Cowley.
WHISTLEINTHEDARK made it 2-2 over fences, his most worrying moment coming when his rider lost his irons for a couple of fences in the back straight on the second circuit. With his opponent clearly not at his best it's hard to be sure how much he's achieved here but what can't be disputed is that he's taken well to the larger obstacles.
A dominant front running performance by Western Safire on her hurdles and yard debut under a confident ride from Patrick Cowley.
WESTERN SAFIRE, runner-up in a first-time hood in a Worcester bumper last summer, was easy to back yet dominated on this her hurdles and stable debut. She posted a most accomplished round and in truth was in a totally different league to her rivals. She will undoubtedly face stiffer future tasks under the incurred penalty.
Notlongtillmay made it 3 from 3 over fences with a positive front running display under Brian Hughes.
NOTLONGTILLMAY jumped well and wasn't unduly exerted in maintaining his unbeaten record over fences (3-3). He's one to keep on the right side of having shown distinct improvement since being upped-in-trip. It'll be interesting to see what the future holds, although the likelihood is that he'd be plenty more competitive in handicaps than in graded company (holds an entry in the Turners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham).
Notlongtillmay followed up his Wetherby win with a comfortable victory under Patrick Cowley at Mussleburgh
NOTLONGTILLMAY, up 4lb, had no issue with the longer trip, making it 2-2 over fences. He's an enthusiastic type, one that may benefit from going back left-handed judging by the way he adjusts at his fences, and is capable of rating a fair bit higher yet.
The highly promising Glen Cannel remains unbeaten over hurdles after this gutsy win at Ayr in heavy ground. he stayed on well under a strong ride from champion Brian Hughes.
GLEN CANNEL, with a tongue-tie added, improved on his Market Rasen form to defy a penalty, despite still not looking entirely the finished article (lugged to his left under pressure). Things will likely get tougher from now but he has the potential for better.
