Musselburgh staged its valuable Trials Day card on Sunday and it is not inconceivable that Clever Cookie, who won the feature Scottish County Hurdle, could make his mark at the Cheltenham Festival; he should certainly be up to winning top-end handicaps.
Clever Cookie is clearly improving in leaps and bounds at present and he had little difficulty in shrugging off a rise in the weights and a step up in class as he won with a great deal of authority, pulling eight lengths clear of his rivals. Patiently ridden in the early stages, Clever Cookie could be seen tanking along on the bridle as they swung for home and he was clearly going best of all as they approached the second-last flight. An awkward landing at that obstacle wasn't enough to halt Clever Cookie's momentum and he produced a spring-heeled leap at the last to settle matters, drawing clear of the opposition in taking fashion under a hands-and-heels ride.
Clever Cookie deserves extra credit as not many horses made appreciable ground from the rear on the hurdles course, and the powerful way in which he moved through the race marked him down as a horse likely to benefit from an even stronger pace. A good pace is near-guaranteed in Festival handicaps and it isn't difficult to imagine Clever Cookie picking off toiling rivals up the hill. A mark of 132 was enough to get into the County Hurdle last year and the unexposed Clever Cookie, who prevailed at Musselburgh off 124, should sneak in towards the foot of the weights. He would be a fascinating contender in the County Hurdle.
Timeform Notebook:
It was a highly successful week for the Notebook as Pass Muster won a 'jumpers' bumper' at 16/1. Pass Muster, who is at his best when the emphasis is on speed, had shown fairly useful form on the Flat and he was evidently well suited to the steady early pace and move away from deep winter ground. He remains well treated over hurdles and is worth bearing in mind, especially when the ground improves.
Close House didn't appreciate the drop to the minimum trip at Wincanton and failed to show improved form. He is currently operating a fair way below the level he achieved over hurdles but it is worth giving him another chance when conditions are more favourable.
Shutthefrontdoor - Disappointed last time but earlier efforts suggest he can develop into a smart novice.
Straidnahanna - Narrowly denied by a useful prospect at Haydock and remains unexposed.
Merlin's Wish - Staying handicap chaser who remains capable of winning off current mark.
Close House - Once again shaped as if three miles was too far; will be suited by return to shorter.
Many Clouds - Genuine type that has taken well to chasing, already showing improved form which has recently been boosted by Indian Castle.
Famousandfearless - Seemingly well regarded and type to improve for switch to handicaps.
Champagne At Tara - Shaped well on hurdling debut under considerate ride. Not knocked about last time.
Regal Encore - Looks set to enter handicaps on a lenient mark and is sure to progress.
Champagne West - Progressive novice that has rattled up a hat-trick in good style.
Pass Muster - Still potentially well treated over hurdles based on fairly useful Flat form.
Dungeness - Has looked an improved horse this season and could be better over further.
Benefit Cut - Shaped well on chasing debut at Ascot and open to progress in this sphere.
Tap Night - Smart chaser who remains unexposed and is likely to have a Festival handicap as his main aim.
Clever Cookie - Improving rapidly and impressed with the way in which he travelled at Musselburgh.
