Doncaster staged an interesting card last Wednesday with much of the Cheltenham ante-post interest surrounding the performance of Pearl Castle. John Quinn's juvenile didn't need to improve on the form of his impressive C&D win to prevail and he shouldn't be underestimated in the Triumph Hurdle. However, with Cheltenham in mind, there may have been a performance of greater significance as last year's Pertemps Final winner Holywell continued his climb up the chasing ranks with a seemingly-hard-fought win in the three-mile novices' chase.
Holywell has taken time to get to grips with chasing, but slowly seems to be getting the hang of things and has won on his two most recent outings. As expected, Holywell - who had won over 19 furlongs at Catterick - was suited by the return to three miles at Doncaster and responded well to strong pressure from A P McCoy to lead close home, beating the lightly raced Victor Hewgo by three-quarters of a length.
Holywell ran in snatches, wasn't always fluent and was subjected to reminders early on the final circuit, but he showed a good attitude under pressure and was arguably a comfortable enough winner in the end, always looking likely to prevail once drawing level. On strict form terms, Jonjo O'Neill's novice chaser hasn't achieved much over fences, running to just a useful level on Timeform's ratings. However, his exploits over timber, where he developed into a very smart hurdler and finished runner-up to Solwhit in the Liverpool Hurdle, strongly suggests that he is capable of showing much more, and he is likely to enter handicap chases on a favourable mark.
Blinkers were applied when Holywell showed much-improved form to win the Pertemps Final and finish second in the Liverpool Hurdle, and it would be little surprise were they to replace the cheekpieces that have been an ever-present sight this season. As a novice, Holywell has plenty of options open to him - he could be the type to relish the four miles of the National Hunt Chase - but he has seemingly been brought along with handicaps in mind and it would be surprising were he not aimed at the Festival Handicap Chase (Tuesday) or the Kim Muir (Thursday, for amateur riders). Holywell's chance will obviously become clearer once he has been allotted a handicap mark over fences, but, given the level of form he has achieved, it is extremely likely that his chase mark will underplay his ability.
Timeform Notebook:
Shutthefrontdoor - Disappointed last time but earlier efforts suggest he can develop into a smart novice.
Merlin's Wish - Staying handicap chaser who remains capable of winning off current mark.
Close House - Has faced some stiff tasks over fences and could yet do better.
Many Clouds - Likeable type that pressed on too soon at Ascot but will continue to give a good account.
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 - Possibly found run coming too soon at Leicester and worth another go.
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.
If In Doubt - Lightly raced and unexposed as a staying hurdler. Still improving and boasts solid form.
Chance Du Roy - Shaped well at Ascot and looks likely to give another good account at Aintree.
Holywell - Slowly getting the hang of things over fences and open to improvement in this sphere.