Sunday Afternoon Done Right
Sweet Jesus, what a way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Hereford served up a proper feast of National Hunt action that had everything you'd want from a day at the races - quality handicaps, promising novices, and enough talking horses to keep the pub conversations flowing well into the evening.
The good ground played fair all day, and credit where it's due to the groundstaff - they've got this track riding like a dream. None of that jar you sometimes get at Hereford when the going gets away from them. This was proper racing ground that let the better horses show their class.
Feature Race: Impero Shows His Class
The Elliot Henderson Group Handicap Hurdle was always going to be the race of the day, and fair play to the connections of Impero - that's a horse going places. Danny Gilligan gave him a peach of a ride, tracking the early pace before unleashing that turn of foot we've been hearing whispers about.
Rated 140 and carrying top weight, Impero made light work of what looked a competitive Class 2 contest on paper. The Kemble Brewery ran his heart out in second, and there's no shame in that - Tom Bellamy had him perfectly positioned, but when Impero quickened two out, the race was over as a contest.
What impressed me most was how Impero traveled through the race. This lad's got bags of class, and I wouldn't be surprised to see connections having a crack at some of the better handicaps at the festivals. He's the type that could cause a shock or two at a bigger price.
Novices Worth Following
Now, here's where it gets interesting for those of us who like to spot the future stars early. In the Ladies Day Novices' Hurdle, Ceol Draiochta caught my eye despite not winning. Ryan Mania had him handy throughout, and while he couldn't quite get there on the day, there's definitely improvement in this one.
The way he traveled and jumped suggests he'll be much better over further. That 109 rating looks workable, and I'd be very interested to see him stepped up to three miles. There's a staying pedigree there that's crying out for a proper test of stamina.
Chemistry, making his debut for Sean Quinlan, showed enough to suggest he'll win races when he finds his mark. Unrated novices can be tricky to assess, but the way he finished his race suggests there's more to come when he gets his head in front.
Handicap Gems and Future Winners
The longer handicap hurdle threw up some proper talking horses. Heart Above, despite being well-held, jumped and traveled like a horse who'll win when things fall right. Oakley Brown knows him well, and that course and distance form makes him one to keep onside at Hereford.
But the one that really caught my attention was Travis Wheatley. Ryan Mania's having some season, and the way he had this lad positioned throughout suggested he fancied his chances. Didn't quite get there, but he's clearly well-handicapped off 103 and looks the type who'll pick up a nice pot before the season's out.
In the chasing ranks, Looking Splendid lived up to his name in the Racing TV Handicap Chase. Dylan Johnston gave him a confident ride, and despite carrying penalty, he looked to have plenty in hand. Course and distance winner now, and clearly loves it around here - one for the notebook when he next appears at this track.
The Ones to Follow
Right, here's the meat and potatoes for those of you planning ahead. Impero is the obvious one - that performance screams of a horse ready to step up in class. Don't be surprised to see him pop up in some competitive handicaps at the bigger meetings.
Ceol Draiochta is my dark horse for the weeks ahead. That 109 rating over two miles looks generous when you factor in the step up in trip that's surely coming. Ryan Mania doesn't often get things wrong, and his confidence in this one was evident.
For the more speculative punters, keep Travis Wheatley on your radar. Off 103 and clearly going the right way, he's the type who could land a touch at decent odds when the handicapper hasn't quite caught up.
And don't sleep on Looking Splendid when he next rocks up at Hereford. Course specialists are gold dust in this game, and Dylan Johnston clearly has him sussed around this track.
Looking Ahead
What a cracking day's racing that was - the type that reminds you why we love this game. Hereford might not have the glamour of Cheltenham or the prestige of Aintree, but on days like this, it serves up proper National Hunt racing that gets the blood pumping.
The ground held up beautifully, the racing was competitive throughout, and we've spotted a few for the future. Hereford continues to be one of the more reliable tracks on the circuit, and if today's card is anything to go by, we're in for a treat whenever these horses next grace the track.
Keep those notebooks handy, folks - something tells me we'll be seeing some of these names in bigger headlines before too long. Sláinte to that!
