Handicappers' Corner: Keep it in the family

It could be argued that someone's birth certificate is often more important than their CV in racing circles too, though these past few weeks have at least struck a blow for this "keeping-it-in-the-family" policy. Indeed, fresh from the recent Grade 1 wins for the Tizzards and Moores with Cue Card and Sire de Grugy respectively, the father-and-son team of Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies surpassed even those achievements with a big-race double on Saturday's valuable card at Cheltenham.

Double Ross (c137) set the ball rolling with victory in the Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup, providing his local yard with its first success in this long-standing race as he saw off the JP McManus-owned pair Cantlow (c150) and Colour Squadron (c148+), though it's worth noting that the latter again didn't enjoy the clearest of passages at a vital stage. In truth, Colour Squadron wasn't the only runner who shaped a bit better than the bare result suggests - fourth-placed Sew On Target (c129) and sixth-placed Easter Meteor (c147) both paid for pressing on too far out - and that partly explains why we've taken a cautious view of the overall form for now.

Similar comments apply to the International Hurdle some thirty-five minutes later, when the proximity of third-placed Jumps Road (h137) rather limited the view that could be taken of the form, though that shouldn't detract too much from another impressive winning performance by The New One (h169p), who is very much the Twiston-Davies stable star. The fact that The New One was able to reverse placings (admittedly over a different trip) with 2012 winner Zarkandar (h165) from last season's Aintree Hurdle suggests he's still on the upgrade - along with My Tent Or Yours (h167p), he very much heads the British challenge to the Champion Hurdle crown of Hurricane Fly (h173).

The New One wasn't the only hurdler to post a significant rating over the weekend, however. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained More of That (h158p) maintained his 100% record with a smooth win in the Relkeel Hurdle, which may have attracted only four runners but is still a race to view positively, particularly as runner-up Salubrious (h156) brought strong handicap form to the table and pulled well clear of the remainder. More of That would appear to possess more stamina than several of his siblings - which include Eastlake (c143), who won the two-mile handicap chase for the same connections earlier on Cheltenham's Saturday card - and he looks a live contender for the World Hurdle, for which his owner has another highly-regarded possibility in At Fishers Cross (h155p).

The World Hurdle could well be on the agenda for Kings Palace (h151p) in future years, but it seems he'll be kept to novice company for the time being and certainly sets a high standard amongst the British-trained staying novices judging by his runaway win in the Grade 2 Bristol Novices' Hurdle on Saturday, particularly as the form of his previous two wins this season have been working out very well.

Saturday's headline action wasn't confined to Cheltenham, however, as Doncaster staged the Grade 2 Summit Juvenile Hurdle, where Fox Norton (h138p) just got the better of useful Flat recruit Broughton (h131p), with hot favourite Royal Irish Hussar (h139) possibly unsuited by the less testing ground back in a disappointing third. As is usually the case with Nick Williams-trained juveniles, Fox Norton is a well-bred gelding who didn't race on the Flat and, given that lack of experience, appeals as one with more long-term potential than most of his age group - he's certainly made great strides on all three starts this season and would be an interesting runner in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow later this month, a race his stable won with the ill-fated Me Voici in 2009.

The Summit Juvenile Hurdle, of course, used to be part of Lingfield's Saturday card before being switched to Doncaster following a spate of abandonments. The Surrey track can still boast a Grade 2 contest on its Saturday card, namely the RSA Novices' Trial, though this attracted just three runners - thanks in no small part to a non-graded staying novice chase at Cheltenham earlier on the same afternoon. Paul Nicholls wasn't complaining, however, as he landed both races at the chief expense of Emma Lavelle-trained runners. Black Thunder (c145p) confirmed his Haydock superiority over Shotgun Paddy (c139) to win at Lingfield, whilst Sam Winner (c143) took advantage of a weight pull, plus a good ride from Daryl Jacob, to reverse previous placings with Le Bec (c148) at Cheltenham.

Nicholls had to play second fiddle to old foe Nicky Henderson twenty-four hours earlier, when Oscar Whisky (c142p) opened his account over fences at the second time of asking, but runner-up Wonderful Charm (c150p) emerged with plenty of credit in failing by just a half-length to concede 8lb to that rival and, if anything, he remains the best prospect of a typically strong Nicholls staying novice chase team - it remains to be seen whether he'll let his fledgling jockey-daughter Megan partner them any time soon!