Mark Howard’s Christmas Hurdle Review

Mark Howard, regular pundit on Racing UK and author of the popular ‘One Jump Ahead’ series, shares his thoughts on the 2009 running of the Christmas Hurdle, second leg of the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown.

Noel Meade enhanced his already envious record in the Grade 1 event with win number four in the last six years as Go Native followed up his smooth victory in the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle and set himself up for the £1 million bonus offered for winning the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown.

Davy Condon once again did the steering as the six year old was held up during the early stages as Straw Bear ensured a decent early gallop for the same owner’s Binocular. Quickening up smartly going to the second last, he arguably hit the front soon enough before having to be kept up to his work by Condon to see off the renewed challenge of Starluck.

The winning margin may have only been a short head but he is clearly a top-class hurdler and looks set to play a big part in the outcome of hurdling’s Blue Riband in March.

Runner-up Starluck produced a career best as he went into the race fifteen pounds inferior to the winner on official figures. Alan Fleming’s charge displayed his customary high cruising speed and his supporters may deem him a little unfortunate not to prevail but for a clear jump at the final flight.

It was a terrific effort by a four year old but has he missed his chance of winning a Grade 1 event this term? One suspects he will back at Kempton on Boxing Day in 2010 in an attempt to go one better.

While there is no doubt Binocular showed more sparkle than he had done on his reappearance at Newcastle, his effort will still go down as a shade disappointing given his lofty reputation.

Nicky Henderson believes the former Boylesports Hurdle winner has taken time to come to himself but with everything seemingly in his favour, he simply couldn’t match the front two for pace. The Champion Hurdle remains his ultimate goal but on the evidence we have seen so far this season, he needs to up his game considerably.

Cape Tribulation was dropping back to the minimum trip having chased home Zaynar in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham a fortnight earlier and he acquitted himself well in fourth. He, too, lacked the finishing kick of the principals but he should be a force in two and a half miles condition hurdles, while the 140 rated Pepe Simo didn’t disgrace himself back in fifth. A Listed novice winner at Haydock last time, he was in contention until the taps were turned on going to the second last.