One to note

There is top-class action all over the place this weekend, on both sides of the Atlantic, but today my eye was drawn to the chasing debut of former top hurdler Garde La Victoire at Uttoxeter.

The six-year-old was the best of these over hurdles, but this was still a fair event with the four-year-old Bristol de Mai receiving 9lb. Regal Encore and Astre De La Cour have useful form as well, but Garde La Victoire put in a fluent round of fencing to win eased down by seven lengths. He did have a tendency to jump a little flat in the early stages of the race, but he never looked in danger of falling and I see no reason why connections should not have the Arkle Trophy in their long-term sights.

Earlier on the card that horse’s trainer Philip Hobbs sent out hurdling debutant Onefitzall to win the 2m 4f novices’ hurdle, also eased down at the finish. He struck me as very much a galloper when I saw him win his bumper here last season and he could develop into a useful staying chaser in a year or two.

I was disappointed to see Red Hanrahan come down at the third last in the opening novices’ hurdle at Wetherby. The former Irish point-to-pointer, who changed hands for £150,000 at Cheltenham in April, had not been asked any sort of question when tipping over. He looks useful.

In the next Graham McPherson’s Kayf Blanco caught my eye. He was evidently not here for a hard race and came home in third after making eyecatching headway from the home turn. He has finished in the first three in eight of his 12 starts and has the pedigree to prove effective over further than two miles. This six-year-old is one for your notebook.

Bye for now