As though the long nights and wet weather weren't enough, the first staying handicap chaser of the season going into the Notebook should provide final confirmation that winter is upon us. It's also fitting that this week's inductee ran at Chepstow, a track that ushers in what's widely seen as the jumps season proper in October and where the mud always seems to be flying.
It was certainly testing in south Wales last Wednesday, as it has been on all four occasions that Merlin's Wish has been seen on a racecourse. He's only ever run over three miles-plus, each time over fences as well, Martin Keighley presumably thinking anything else would be wasted on this point winner.
Last week was the second time Merlin's Wish had tackled a handicap and the third time he'd finished second, but it seems certain that he's going to make a breakthrough sooner rather than later. There's little doubt that he was the moral winner last week, brought to a near standstill with a blunder four out but clawing back the lost ground all the way to the line- it's likely he'd have overhauled the well-handicapped Stormyisland Ahead in another 50 yards.
The one concern that should be voiced about Merlin's Wish is that he's made mistakes before, compromising his chances with errors on his reappearance and tending to jump low at Chepstow even before he clattered four out, but that's still excusable at his stage of development. It's more pertinent to remember how well handicapped he is and how much remaining potential he has over even longer trips. Merlin's Wish will stay long distances, so after he's banked a win or two around three miles we can expect to see even more improvement once he's tried in some of the regional 'Nationals'.
Timeform Notebook (Jumps):
Shutthefrontdoor - Impressive winner on chase debut and could take high rank among novices.
Straidnahanna - Paid the price for trying to live with top novice prospect but showed plenty of ability on debut.
Merlin's Wish - Unexposed staying handicap chaser who will win races as his jumping improves and stamina is drawn out.
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