Paul Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

The remarkable events at Newbury on Saturday overshadowed all else that went ahead on the track this weekend.

As it turned out Al Ferof had little to beat in the novice hurdle that was the only race to take place at the Berkshire course, but he did the job more than sufficiently, encouragingly jumping well in the main, and he's sure to head to Cheltenham as a serious contender for whichever race is chosen for him.

Across the Irish Sea, Indian Daudaie finally got his chance in the Grade 1 juvenile at Leopardstown. The wait wasn't really worth it as it transpired, unable to build on the encouragement of his Cheltenham effort in finishing fifth to Unaccompanied. He would likely have benefited from a more truly-run race, and increasingly it looks as if he's not going to fulfil all his potential until longer trips are on the agenda.

On Sunday, Cap Elorn finished well beaten in the novice hurdle won by Highland Valley at Exeter. However, he'd shaped with sufficient promise previously to imagine he'll be worth another chance in a handicap, whilst he wasn't given an unduly hard time by Nick Scholfield on this occasion.

In the listed even which followed Cedre Bleu came up well short in his head-to-head with Spirit Son. The winner looks as if he could be right out of the top drawer, generally second favourite only to Cue Card for the Supreme Novices', so time is likely to show there was no disgrace in defeat this day and Cedre Bleu's all-round potential remains intact, particularly with fences in mind.

It was a similar story for Definity in the graduation chase as he was bumping into a very useful rival in Bakbenscher, but given his past problems it was encouraging to see him put up a good fight once headed at the second last. He'll soon be back winning in novice company, though this would appear to put an end to any lingering Cheltenham aspirations.

Water Garden ran to a similarly modest level as on his hurdling debut when fourth to Golden Chieftain, but there's little question he's capable of better, and will surely be one to look out for when qualifying for a handicap mark after another start.

The two horses sent to Hereford on the same day both finished runner-up, Don't Turn Bach underwhelming with his finishing effort when eleven lengths second to the odds-on Our Mick having travelled better than that one for most of the way. It would seem that he's got a physical problem of some nature, and he'll struggle to reveal his true ability unless it can be rectified.

Violin Davis also had to give best to an odds-on favourite, this time in the form of Mizzurka in a novice hurdle for mares, doing enough to suggest she can win a small race herself before long without promising much better to come, essentially one of the yard's lesser lights.

Harry Bowles / 14 Feb 2011