/ Rory Delargy / 17 November 2009 /

Rory Delargy continues his look back at the Open Meeting, where he attended the three day mini-festival as part of the Timeform Radio team.

Saturday's card finished, in pattern terms at least, with the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Handicap Hurdle, in which Lie Forrit provided us and iron-man Campbell Gillies with a decent winner; it was a remarkable comeback for the promising rider, who looked to be heading for months on the sidelines after a horrible incident at the last Aintree meeting when riding this horse, bred and part owned by his grandfather. That, and the obvious delight taken by many in his victory, led to the most emotional scenes of the entire weekend. Lie Forrit heads to Newbury for a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier and he looks the perfect sort to come back in March. Keep him in your notebooks.

Sunday threatened to be slightly anticlimactic after the fireworks of the main day, but arguably was the most enlightening of the three days. We should deal very briefly with the Connaught Chase, despite it not having pattern status. Well Chief's victory brought a tear to many an eye, but it was the run of Master Minded which will have had punters crying. He was beaten by more than fitness and wanted to go right throughout. He's likely to bounce back in either the Tingle Creek or Victor Chandler Chase, both of which he won last year, but is looking a challenge for connections and makes absolutely no appeal for the Champion Chase at this stage.

Paul Nicholls had a happier start when Tataniano cruised home in the November Novices' Chase where he impressed enormously with his relaxed style and fluid jumping technique. Stablemate Tatenen was as short as 5/2 for the Arkle after winning the same contest in 2008, but Tataniano looks in a different league and the 9.2 available on Betfair makes real appeal, despite this season's contest looking very warm. It's been suggested that Arkle favourite Sizing Europe may even get a Champion Chase entry, which would merely add to the value.

This year's Greatwood Hurdle was lacking in quality and we won't see a Champion Hurdle winner emerge from it, but the front four pulled clear, suggesting the form was strong. Of those, Khyber Kim can't be relied upon to repeat the form and the handicapper has already raised Harry Tricker. Medermit will probably go chasing, so James De Vassy may be the one to follow in the short term, depending on the assessor's reaction. He's another ready to jump fences when required.

I'd suggested that Reve de Sivola was difficult to oppose in the Hyde Novices' Hurdle, and was initially disappointed that he was readily brushed aside by Tom George's Tell Massini, but reviewing the race in detail has led me to believe that this may have been the standout effort of the meeting. Tell Massini will be aimed at the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle come March, and the only pity is that there is no market on that race yet, because he appeals as a strong bet and I think he could be very smart indeed.

The curtain came down on the meeting with a decidedly decimated bumper which was run at a slow pace and therefore to suit the impeccably bred winner Ghizao. He reportedly goes hurdling and could be anything. I'll keep a watching brief on him and also a couple of unplaced runners, Master Beau and Chain Of Command, who will be interesting dropped in class and tried over timber.

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