Timeform Notebook: Midnight to Sail home

Nicky Henderson has a pretty formidable record in the novices' hurdle that closes the card on the Friday of Cheltenham's December meeting, so it is perhaps significant, given the firepower at Henderson's disposal, that he gave the expensively-purchased Royal Boy his debut under rules in the contest. Royal Boy, bought on the back of an impressive point win in Ireland, shaped with great promise on his first start over hurdles, staying on stoutly in the closing stages to finish second. He would have benefitted from a stronger early gallop and looks like a banker to register a maiden victory before competing in top novice events.

It generally isn't an encouraging sign to see a horse rack up a load of second-place finishes, but Midnight Sail, a runner-up on his last four outings, has done little to suggest that he is ungenuine. Alan King's gelding simply bumped into a well-handicapped rival on Saturday and the way the pair pulled clear suggests that he is in good heart. Providing the handicapper doesn't take too strong a view of the form, he should remain competitive in similar races. Midnight Sail is effective over a variety of distances which will give his able handler plenty of options.

Ulys Du Charmil is another horse hailing from the Alan King yard that shaped well at Doncaster on Saturday, finishing second on handicap debut. Only a four-year-old, Ulys Du Charmil remains open to significant progress and it was encouraging to see how strongly he travelled for much of the contest, making steady headway on the bridle as most of his rivals were under pressure. He couldn't make an impression on the winner in the closing stages, but the way he moved through the race suggested he was ahead of his mark and should have few problems picking up a couple of races.

Runners Debrief:

It was a successful week on the Notebook front as Super Duty and Highland Lodge both confirmed the impression that they were novices to keep on the right side of by winning at Cheltenham. The way Super Duty kept responding for pressure was particularly pleasing and it is not too fanciful to suggest that a race such as the RSA chase at the Cheltenham Festival could be a long-term target.

Highland Lodge jumps exceptionally well for a horse so inexperienced and he put up a really impressive performance on Saturday, running out a wide-margin winner from Our Father. Highland Lodge clearly revels when the mud is flying and he should be difficult to beat in good staying chases when conditions are testing.

We put up Ballywatt on the back of an encouraging, strong-travelling effort, and he once again exhibited the same trait, moving stylishly into contention before narrowly failing to overhaul the winner, going down by a nose. He remains a horse of potential and it would be premature to question his attitude, even though he did, admittedly, find less than looked likely.

English Summer once again ran well, finishing in second place at Wolverhampton, but, although he is proving consistent, he remains vulnerable to a less-exposed type.

Looking ahead, Saint Roque is entered at Ascot on Friday and should be able to take advantage of a lenient handicap mark. In hindsight, it was probably a blessing that he was withdrawn at Cheltenham as the first two home there, At Fisher's Cross and Inish Island, were both very well treated.

Exciting novice hurdler Puffin Billy is also entered at Ascot on Friday, but, as the Tolworth Hurdle was mooted as a potential target, there is no guarantee he will be declared, particularly as the race has attracted a very strong entry.
 
The Ladbroke Hurdle is always a competitive affair, but Claret Cloak would have to be respected after shaping well on his seasonal reappearance over C&D. The Emma Lavelle yard has hit a rich vein of form after a relatively subdued period and the lightly-raced Claret Cloak could be a step ahead of the handicapper.

At Haydock, Merry King would be an intriguing runner in the Tommy Whittle if allowed to take his chance. Jonjo O'Neill's young chaser has looked like a natural and is open to further progress as he steps up in trip.

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