Another Proper Day's Racing at the Marches
Fair play to Hereford for serving up a proper afternoon's National Hunt action on Wednesday. Seven races might not set the world alight in terms of prize money, but by God there was quality scattered throughout this card that had me scribbling notes faster than a bookie counting takings at Cheltenham.
The good going after some clever course management meant we saw horses at their best, and that's when you can separate the wheat from the chaff. The Hereford racecard might have looked modest on paper, but scratch beneath the surface and there were some serious horses having their homework checked before bigger targets.
Dartmouth Castle Shows Class in Novice Hurdle
The opening Strawmax Novices' Hurdle was always going to be about Dartmouth Castle, and Theo Gillard's charge didn't disappoint. That 124 rating tells you everything - this lad is operating at a different level to your average Wednesday afternoon performer. The way he quickened up the hill had me reaching for the notebook immediately.
Kashchei ran his heart out in second, and don't be fooled by that 110 rating - Finn Brickley has this one going the right way. The gap at the line flattered the winner; this was much closer than it looked. File Kashchei away for a decent handicap hurdle when the assessor gets his hands on him.
As for Rupert The Prince, well, Charlie Maggs will know more about where this one stands now. Unrated going into the race, but showed enough to suggest there's a race in him somewhere down the line.
Walk On Quest Reminds Us Why He's Special
The day's feature race was always going to be that £15,000 Bedmax Handicap Chase, but for my money, the most intriguing contest was the Racing TV Handicap Chase over two miles seven. Walk On Quest has been knocking on the door for Jack Power, and that 121 rating suggested he was ready to kick it down.
What impressed me most wasn't just the winning margin, but how he traveled through the race. This horse has always had the engine, but now he's learned to use his gears properly. The step up in trip suited him down to the ground, and I'd be amazed if connections don't have their sights set on something more ambitious before the season's out.
Presentandcounting ran a cracker in defeat for Theo Gillard. Only a pound lower in the weights, but that small margin made all the difference. This one's another to keep on the right side - he's clearly in good heart and won't be long finding a suitable opportunity.
Ones to Follow and Future Stars
The Racing TV Handicap Hurdle threw up some fascinating performances, not least from Rexem who justified his 122 rating in good style for Alex Harvey. But it's the horses behind him that caught my attention for future reference.
Jericoacoara ran a blinder for Joshua Thompson, and at just 114 in the ratings, there's clearly more to come. The way he stayed on up the hill suggested this longer trip is right up his street, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him pop up in something more valuable before long.
High Dancer was another to note for Danny McMenamin. Same rating as Jericoacoara but looked like he was just getting the hang of things late in the race. These are the type of horses that can spring surprises when everything falls right.
In the Hunters' Chase, Whatdeawant caught my eye despite carrying the 122 rating that made her the one to beat. Miss Lisa O'Connor gave her a peach of a ride, but it was the way she quickened when asked that impressed most. These point-to-point graduates often take time to adapt, but this mare looks like she's figured it out.
The Bumper Provides Future Clues
You can't ignore the bumper when you're looking for future stars, and the Racing TV Open Maiden provided some interesting pointers. These unrated performers are tomorrow's hurdlers, and the way some of them traveled through their races had me making mental notes.
The winner might have grabbed the headlines, but keep an eye on the placed horses. National Hunt Flat races are all about education, and you could see several of these learning on the job. When they reappear over hurdles, don't be surprised if they show significant improvement.
Alan Doyle and the Maggs brothers had runners throughout the card, and that kind of representation usually means they fancy their chances. These trainers know Hereford inside out, and when they rock up with multiple runners, it pays to take notice.
Looking Ahead - Where Next for the Stars?
The beauty of a day like this is spotting the horses that will pop up at bigger meetings down the line. Walk On Quest looks ready for a step up in class - perhaps something at Cheltenham's November meeting if connections are feeling ambitious. That performance had all the hallmarks of a horse ready for better things.
Dartmouth Castle is clearly being aimed at something more substantial. With that rating, he's entitled to have a crack at some proper prize money, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him turn up in graded company before the season's out.
The handicappers from today's card will be scattered across tracks like Ludlow, Worcester, and back here at Hereford over the coming weeks. These are the horses that provide the bread and butter of National Hunt racing, and identifying them at the right time can be profitable business.
All in all, a grand day's racing that reminded us why the smaller tracks are the lifeblood of our sport. Quality doesn't always come with the biggest prize funds, and Wednesday at Hereford proved that point in spades.
