Norfolk Delivers the Goods on a Cracking Evening
Well now, what a grand evening we had down at Great Yarmouth on Thursday. Seven races of proper jumps action under the floodlights, and fair play to the seaside track - they served up a card that had a bit of everything. From novice chasers learning their trade to battle-hardened handicappers scrapping it out, there was plenty to get the blood pumping.
The good ground was riding perfectly, and with Harry Cobden and Gavin Sheehan both having multiple rides, you knew the big guns were taking this evening seriously. Sometimes these midweek cards can be a bit pedestrian, but not tonight - there was proper prize money on offer and some seriously progressive types on show.
Feature Race: Insurrection Commands Respect in Keltruck Chase
The evening's feature was always going to be the Keltruck Ltd Handicap Steeplechase, a Class 3 affair over two and a half miles that drew a quality field of five. And by God, what a field it was - led by the imperious Insurrection, rated 138 and carrying the colours with Harry Cobden in the plate.
Now, I've been banging the drum for this fellow all season, and tonight he reminded everyone why he's rated so highly. That's a horse with serious Festival potential written all over him, mark my words. The way he travels through his races and quickens off the turn - it's the hallmark of a proper good one.
Numitor at 130 provided the main opposition with James Bowen aboard, and you can never write off anything that Welsh wizard rides. But it was the third string, Coastguard Station with Bryan Carver, that caught my eye as a potential value play. Rated 125, he's been running some tidy races in defeat and this looked like his chance to finally get his head in front.
Maiden Hurdle Mayhem and Future Stars
Christ almighty, what were they thinking putting fourteen runners in the Richard Layton Maiden Hurdle? It looked like the start of the Grand National with that many runners milling about at the start. But sometimes these big-field maidens throw up the most interesting results, and tonight was no exception.
Fidendum, rated 108 with Nick Slatter doing the steering, went off as the obvious choice - and rightly so. But I had my eye firmly fixed on American Empire with young Theo Gillard aboard. That's a horse with a proper pedigree for jumping, and at 103, he's still got bags of improvement in him.
The real eye-catcher though was Good For You with Ciaran Gethings in the saddle. Rated just 97, but the way he was traveling through the race suggested he's been underestimated by the handicapper. One to keep a very close eye on when he steps up in trip - that's a staying pedigree if ever I saw one.
Conditional Jockeys Show Their Worth
The conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle was a proper war of attrition, and fair play to the young lads - they didn't give an inch. Luke Scott on Geordies Betty looked the part from pillar to post, but it was the battle between the 97-rated trio that really caught the attention.
Oscar Palmer on Tara Iti rode like a man possessed, and William Maggs wasn't about to let Iamyouare go down without a fight. But the horse that really impressed me was Maestro du Mesnil with Ned Fox aboard. That's a French import with serious class, and at 99, he's still well within himself.
Young Fern O'Brien deserves a mention too - riding Brave Move off 89, she gave the horse every chance and showed exactly why she's one of the most promising conditional riders in the game. That's a combination to follow when they get the right opportunity.
Ones to Follow and Future Targets
Right, let's talk turkey about the horses that caught this old fool's eye tonight. Top of the list has to be American Empire from the maiden hurdle - that's a horse going places, and when he steps up to handicap company, he'll be worth every penny of support.
Coastguard Station from the feature race is another one for the notebook. Bryan Carver gave him a peach of a ride, and I suspect we'll be seeing him in some decent handicaps before the season's out. The Midlands National at Uttoxeter wouldn't be beyond him if connections are thinking big.
From the staying hurdle, Block Rockin Beats with Gavin Sheehan looked like he was just getting warmed up at the finish. That's a horse who'll appreciate every yard of three miles plus, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him pop up at one of the summer festivals.
The bumper threw up a couple of interesting types too - The Hostage with James Bowen looked like he had plenty in hand, and anything Charlie Deutsch rides for his boss is worth noting. Autumn Air could be a smart recruit to the jumping game.
Looking Ahead: Where Next for Tonight's Stars?
So where do we go from here? Well, tonight's card has thrown up some serious pointers for the weeks ahead. Insurrection will be aimed at something much bigger - possibly the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown if connections are feeling ambitious.
The maiden hurdle winners will be stepping up to handicap company soon enough, and that's where the real fun begins. American Empire looks tailor-made for one of the big summer handicaps, while Good For You screams Scottish National to me - that's exactly the type of progressive stayer they love up at Ayr.
All in all, a cracking evening's entertainment from the Norfolk coast. Great Yarmouth might not have the glamour of Cheltenham or the prestige of Aintree, but nights like this remind you why the smaller tracks are the lifeblood of our sport. Proper racing, proper horses, and proper value for the punters - what more could you ask for? Sláinte to that, and roll on the next one.
