Noland redemption for Sam – but don't write off War

Well that was an interesting few days. I returned from my annual winter golfing ‘break’ (for some reason I always feel like I need a holiday just to get over it) late on Saturday night tired yet full of anticipation over Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Chase card at Punchestown the following afternoon. In fairness what racing fan wouldn’t be?

The clash of Noland, The Listener and War Of Attrition was enough to have me uncharacteristically enthusiastic about rubbing the sleep from my eyes at 9am, but the sight of rows of cars covered in frost coupled with the state of the roads as I made the drive from the northside prompted some doubt of the ‘officials optimistic’ text message received from the Turf Club regarding the 10am inspection.

Sure enough, racing was called off shortly afterwards but as I was all but there by that stage At The Races still wanted me to do a live report. At least it wasn‘t a completely wasted journey! Anyway my subsequent conversation with Racing Manager Richie Galway confirmed the rumour that the glittering fixture would not be lost but instead been postponed until Tuesday, but that was already a busy day on the channel so like many I ended up watching proceedings unfold on the box. What to make of it all though?

Well, as the least exposed of the ‘big three’ Noland was hardly a surprise winner, and while some pointed to the runner-up’s third-last fence mistake as possibly significant I think without it Paul Nicholls’s charge would have been able to get a lead for longer and probably have won more easily if anything. The breathing operation he had during the close season seems to have worked a treat and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t arrive at Cheltenham as one of the favourites for the Ryanair Chase. The much-maligned Thomas is unlikely to be in the saddle there but few would have begrudged him this moment of glory after his recent travails.

It was great to see The Listener bounce back to form after his Down Royal flop, but his jumping remains an Achilles heel when the heat is turned on and with Nicholls raiding the big Irish chases with increasing regularity things are likely to remain much tougher for the admirable grey this season than last.

War Of Attrition was pushed out for the King George and Gold Cup by some firms following his third placing, but it is worth bearing in mind that he was also beaten in this either side of his Cheltenham success and while it is difficult to see him recapturing the blue riband he would be of definite interest at the current prices if turning up at Kempton.

The undercard also featured some good performances, most notably Coljon’s debut victory over fences in the beginners chase. Regarded by the Nolan team as possibly their best young prospect, the Bob’s Return gelding made an instant return on connections’ decision to bypass a hurdling career when collaring the trail-blazing Pesoto in a thrilling denouement and should prove worth following as he steps up in class.

Categories: Horse racing