Ratings Update: Metier the big mover on low-key weekend

It may not have been a vintage renewal of the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday, but it was still hard not to be impressed by the winner Metier (147p from 132p), who posted a well up-to-scratch performance to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles.

Metier travelled strongly in mid-division and moved up to challenge at the last, having matters well in hand from there as he forged clear to win by 12 lengths from Shakem Up’Arry (131). That represented not only a significant improvement on the form he had shown to win his previous two starts over hurdles at Newton Abbot and Ascot, but also the best effort produced by a British-trained novice hurdler this season. The Betfair Hurdle could be up next, though that will depend on how the handicapper reacts, and his main target this season is likely to be the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Appreciate It (148p) is the only horse in this division with superior form claims as things stand, with both horses yet to show all that they have to offer.

Metier - what a prospect

🏇 Three runs for @HarryFryRacing1
🥇 Three wins
🏆 Grade One hero@unibet Tolworth Hurdle glory for Metier who routs his rivals to remain unbeaten over timber @Sean_Bowen_ @Sandownpark

Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavHpYf pic.twitter.com/bnCmC1h65V

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 2, 2021

There was certainly no more popular result at Sandown on Saturday than the victory of the 13-year-old Seeyouatmidnight (141+ from 135+) in the Veterans’ Final, while there was no more deserving winner on the card than Ibleo (147p from 143p), who gained the victory his consistency this season had merited in the two-mile handicap chase. Ibleo, who was still last at halfway in a strongly-run race, shaped as if likely to be capable of even better when going back up in trip, though he is seemingly more likely to stick at two miles for the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival.

With the card at Cheltenham at New Year’s Day being abandoned due to waterlogging, the other action in Britain since Christmas has been relatively low-key, but we’ve continued to be treated to some quality racing in Ireland, not least the now-traditional return of Al Boum Photo (172) in the Savills New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore.

Sent off the 9/2-on favourite to complete a hat-trick of victories in the race, Al Boum Photo did all that was expected of him on his first start since landing his second Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, cruising clear after sweeping past his only serious rival between the final two fences, ultimately winning by 19 lengths. Still in his prime and with relatively few miles on the clock, he’ll be the one to beat when attempting to bring up a historic Gold Cup hat-trick, especially with so many of his rivals having blotted their copybooks over Christmas.

Al Boum Photo - he's back

🏇 17 races
🥇 9 wins
🏆 Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero
🏆 Three-time Savills New Year's Day Chase scorer
⭐️ A superstar

A picture perfect performance from Al Boum Photo who completes the hat-trick at @TramoreRaces for @WillieMullinsNH & @PTownend pic.twitter.com/ULcaAUuv4z

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 1, 2021

Willie Mullins also hit the target at Cork on Saturday with Koshari (141 from 134?), who proved at least as good as ever after 29 months on the sidelines to win the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle, doing well to peg back one who had enjoyed the run of the race. He came up short on his previous attempts in graded company but will likely be given plenty of handicap options at the Cheltenham Festival having also reached a useful level over fences before his lengthy absence.

Hes A Hardy Bloke (124p from 121p) looked a novice hurdler to follow when successful earlier on the card, showing improved form to follow up his Punchestown maiden win three weeks earlier. Always travelling strongly in touch, he quickened to lead approaching the last and barely needed to come off the bridle to assert, ultimately winning by four lengths with plenty in hand. He remains with potential and has earned a crack at minor graded company.

The feature race at Fairyhouse on Sunday was the Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase, which managed to throw up a thrilling finish despite the withdrawal of Shattered Love and the below-par performance of Salsaretta. It developed into a thorough test of stamina which played to the strengths of the first two, with Agusta Gold (146 from 141) just finding extra close home to get the verdict by half a length from Moyhenna (145 from 144). This represented a career-best effort from Agusta Gold, a tough and consistent mare who is reportedly being aimed at the Irish Grand National in the spring.

Cracking mare - Agusta Gold has finished in the first three in 18 of her 19 starts and lands Grade 3 honours on her return for Danny and Mags Mullins 👏 @Fairyhouse @dan2231 pic.twitter.com/TU1wkR4z5q

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 3, 2021

Elsewhere on the card, Royal Kahala (130p from 123p) produced a useful effort to win the mares’ hurdle, impressing once again with the turn of foot she showed after the last to run out a ready winner, beating the well-backed favourite Hook Up (123 from 126) by five lengths. This was Royal Kahala’s third victory in succession and her second from as many starts over hurdles, clearly improving with every visit to the racecourse. She looks a smart prospect and could well develop into a leading contender for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Festival could also be on the agenda for Whatdeawant (100p), who had little trouble taking the measure of the highly-touted Ginto (97p) in the concluding bumper. The winner was suited by the emphasis on speed in a steadily-run affair, leading on the bridle over a furlong out and then just needing to be shaken up to assert after briefly running green. He looks sure to progress and win more races, with the Champion Bumper already having been mentioned as a target, while Ginto should also prove capable of much better in time. This race didn’t pan out ideally for him, but he’s unlikely to come into his own until being faced with obstacles and a trip anyway, an imposing sort physically who had created a very positive impression when winning his sole start in points 10 weeks earlier (subsequently bought for €470,000).

Nice type - Whatdeawant is closely related to Hardline and denies the well-touted Ginto in a winning start for Willie and Patrick Mullins and Sean and Bernadine Mulryan @Fairyhouse pic.twitter.com/9snbEcBE5M

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 3, 2021