THE Festive period served up some fantastic action on the racetrack on both sides of the Irish Sea and it was Tattersalls Cheltenham Graduates to the fore with a total of six black type winners.
‘Bravemansgame’ starred in the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton, the big mid-season highlight of the National Hunt Season.
The Paul Nicholls trained son of ‘Brave Mansonnien’ travelled with zest and jumped with his usual assurance and was superior to the opposition in recording a record 13th King George chase win for his trainer. The Bryan Drew and John Dance owned eight-year-old will now head to the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
He was purchased by Tom Malone for £370,000 at the 2019 Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale from Donnchadh Doyle’s Monbeg Stables.
‘Hermes Allen’ was another Grade 1 winner over the Christmas period for the champion trainer. Owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, John Hales, Ged Mason and J Diver, the gelding ran out the most impressive facile winner of the Challow Hurdle at Newbury beating a strong field. The son of ‘Poliglote’ was bought for £350,000 by Aiden Murphy at the 2021 Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale from Caroline McCaldin.
He is now one of the leading contenders for further Grade 1 honours in the staying novice hurdle division at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
In Ireland, ‘Gerri Colombe’ put up a very taking performance when winning the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick for Gordon Elliott and owners Robcour. The ‘Saddler Maker’ gelding jumped very well in the hands of Jordan Gainford and put his rivals to the sword. Sold by Colin Bowe’s Milestone Stables to agent Mags O’Toole for £240,000 at the 2020 Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale.
At Kempton on December 27, ‘Boothill’ won the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices Chase for Harry Fry and owner Sandy Lambert, under Johnny Burke in decisive fashion. By the late great ‘Presenting’, he jumped very well and will be a leading fancy for honours at the Cheltenham Festival.
He was purchased by Kevin Ross for £125,000 at the 2019 Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale from Colin McKeever’s Loughanmore Farm Stables.
‘Credrojava’ was another black type winner for the Harry Fry yard; the progressive mare took Listed honours at Taunton. A graduate of Sean Doyle’s Monbeg Stables, she was purchased by Kevin Ross for £80,000 at the 2022 Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale.
At Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, the concluding Listed Bumper saw ‘Fierceley Proud’ win on his debut for Ben Pauling and owner Tim Radford. Given a patient ride, he travelled well and moved through the field in good style to win with a degree of authority at the line.
The talented youngster was purchased by John Kilbride for £125,000 from Don Cantillon at the 2022 Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale.
The first Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale of 2023 will be staged on January 28 after racing on Festival Trials Day.
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