Ratings Update: Reaction to the weekend's key performances d2h5f

Jumps

While Kempton’s card featured a trio of graded contests, it was Katate Dori (141+ from 127p), winner of the very valuable three-mile handicap chase, who made the biggest impression on the day. The long-running race in question, won memorably by Desert Orchid under 12-3 in 1990 in its Racing Post Chase days, has had umpteen different names since after various sponsors have come and gone but surely deserves some sort of permanent element to its title.

The winner of the latest Ladbrokes-sponsored renewal, in contrast to Dessie, was carrying bottom weight of 10-5 having started his chasing career in ordinary contests but novice Katate Dori is rising rapidly through the ranks and routed his field once jumping ahead five out, going on to win by 15 lengths from top weight Hyland (remains 150) who himself finished clear of the rest having been left with too much to do to get anywhere near the winner.

Besides his two King Georges, Pendil was a dual winner of the corresponding handicap under 12-0 in the 1970s and is ed in the Grade 2 novice chase on the card which was won for the fourteenth time by Paul Nicholls. Rubaud (remains 147) didn’t need to run up to his best in receipt of weight from the placed horses but dug deep to get back in front over this new trip after making the running as usual. Boombawn (143 from 140) and Mark of Gold (142 from 135) both improved their ratings and came out better at the weights on the day within a couple of lengths of the winner.

Rubaud was also a former winner of the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, with the latest renewal of that contest going to Tripoli Flyer (143p from 133p) who was one of the best winners of the race in recent seasons and completed his hat-trick in fine style. He’s open to further improvement and would be worth his place in the Supreme field even though his tendency to jump right would be a concern at Cheltenham.

The Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, on the other hand, didn’t look a good renewal for all that the trio who finished well clear of the other two all showed improved form. Mambonumberfive (129 from 123) settled much better than on his British debut, while runner-up St Pancras (132 from 123p) came out best at the weights and showed his 33/1 Musselburgh win was no fluke.

Last year’s Bobbyjo Chase was won by subsequent Grand National winner I Am Maximus, and while an infection ruled him out of defending his title at Fairyhouse, Willie Mullins won the same contest again with the high-class Intense Raffles (154+ from 149+), last year’s Irish Grand National hero, ought to be on the Aintree shortlist after going down fighting by less a length, conceding 3 lb to the winner, and is clearly showing the right signs going into the spring.

Sunday’s Naas card had to be abandoned part-way through, but there were some interesting winners at Punchestown on Thursday who could make an impact for Mullins at Cheltenham. Gameofinches (109P) shot to the head of the Champion Bumper betting after travelling strongly and winning hard held on his Rules debut under Patrick Mullins. With major progress expected, he could well head his stable’s bumper team at the Festival and is a strapping six-year-old who could take the ‘Fact To File route’ and go straight over fences next season.

High Class Hero (146p from 137p) who will be well worth his chance in better company next time (holds a Brown Advisory entry) with further improvement on the cards.

Flat

A steady pace in the Winter Derby at Southwell meant that the form was held down by the proximity of one of the rank outsiders so ready winner Military Academy (117p from 115p) lacked race fitness and experience and appeals as one to do better still over further, with a suitable target in Bahrain next month.

There were smart performances from the first two in the listed Hever Sprint Stakes on the same card in which Clarendon House (115§ from ?), who had looked increasingly temperamental last season, was much more motivated following a break and had a bit too much pace for Marshman (ran to best of 116) who was conceding 3 lb to the winner and dropping back from six furlongs. It remains to be seen, however, if the winner has turned over a new leaf.

But the real Flat stars on show at the weekend were in Riyadh where, not for the first time, Japan enjoyed plenty of success on the Saudi Cup card. That included victory in the world’s richest race itself which was won for the second time in three years by Yoshito Yahagi. While Panthalassa had held on to make all the running in 2023, his representative this time Romantic Warrior (remains 129), making his dirt debut, had committed for home entering the straight.

With the pair pulling a long way clear of the rest, Forever Young put up a top-class effort at level weights; according to Timeform’s weight-for-age scale he should have been getting 2 lb from the older runner-up. That makes him the one to beat in the Dubai World Cup next month, while the irable Romantic Warrior, who had won his last eight starts and ran right up to his best here, will take some beating in the Dubai Turf, having won the Jebel Hatta over course and distance last month.