I'm struggling to recall a one and a half mile novice stakes on the all weather that has generated quite so many column inches. Earlier this evening, under the Southwell floodlights and to the roar of a bumper crowd, Constitution Hill won nine and a half lengths. Where next?
Thirteen have been declared for tomorrow's Ladbrokes Trophy (3.35) run over three miles at Kempton Park; the going is described as good to soft, soft in places.
Katate Dori won last year's renewal 15 lengths and goes off a mark 11 pounds higher this year.
Sam Thomas' charge is consistent but hasn't won since; on New Year's Day he was headed in the final 110 yards, as they say, beaten half a length by Herakles Westwood at Cheltenham. The handicapper raised him one pound for his trouble.
Kdeux Saint Fray was sent off 7/2 favourite for the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham four weeks ago, a race won by stablemate Jordans Cross. He appeared outpaced off the home turn but stayed on well to claim fourth.
He steps up to three miles for the first time tomorrow; with just four chase starts to his name, I'm happy to look elsewhere. The last six-year-old to come home in front was Gloria Victis in 2000.
On seasonal debut Hoe Joly Smoke finished third behind Three Card Brag over three miles one furlong at Cheltenham in October, losing second place on the run to the line.
After that run it became clear connections thought that, even though he stays a bare three miles, he was probably better over a shorter trip.
The gelding finished third behind stablemate Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November and then fifth behind runaway winner Glengouly in the December Gold Cup. Given a break, he's back to three miles here, sporting first-time cheekpieces to help the cause.
The Doyen Chief isn't always clean at his fences and was all out to hold Your Darling a neck over course and distance six weeks ago, Soul Icon fourth. At Bangor in November this one came to the last in front but made a mistake - Tom Bellamy lost an iron - and then appeared to be outstayed by Deep Cave.
Chance Another One is one of two Irish raiders for Emmet Mullins.
He beat Viroflay (runs in 4.05 race) over course and distance in November and runs off a mark seven pounds higher here.
Stablemate Rising Dust has won five of his last six starts and steps up in class. Sean Bowen rides but I'd imagine Donagh Meyler has had the pick of the pair.
Lookaway looked to have a fight on his hands at this track last time but Old Cowboy looked as though he had been shot when ploughing through the penultimate flight, leaving Neil King's charge to come hone 24 lengths clear of Leader in The Park.
After that run the trainer immediately nominated this race as the target, confident the gelding will stay the trip. Back in 2021 he beat thorough stayer Collectors Item in an Irish point-to-point.
A slight digression if I may.
Old Cowboy was subsequently reported to have bled from the nose that day; in his analysis Nick Luck told Racing TV viewers he thought Old Cowboy would have won comfortably had he stood up. Gary Moore's charge comes with risks attached but he goes again in the Pendil at 2.25 and could be considered overpriced at 12/1.
Deep Cave was deeply disappointing when fifth off top weight in the Great Yorkshire at Doncaster last month.
Prior to that he'd won at Bangor and then pinched a race from Leave Of Absence at Ascot.
Back in 2022 Christian Williams sent out the mare Win My Wings to win the Eider Chase at Newcastle and then some 30 minutes later Cap Du Nord to win this race. The handler harbours high hopes for Deep Cave but a shot at the Grand National will have to wait for the time being.
Henry's Friend finished five lengths behind Deep Cave at Ascot in December. The pair look closely matched on revised terms although I tend to think Ben Pauling's charge shows his best form at Ascot.
Soul Icon was only beaten two lengths by The Doyen Chief last time but his form is over shorter trips while Boombawn tries three miles for the first time, as does Leader In The Park, although Ben Pauling's inmate won a three mile point-to-point three years ago.
Veteran Gustavian likes to go from the front but at 11 years of age is past his prime.
A number in this field have questions to answer over the trip.
I'm going to give another chance to Deep Cave who was disappointing at Doncaster but had looked progressive before; stable form would be a concern.
Deep Cave is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 12/1 with Sky and Paddy Power, both paying four places.
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