Weekend racing review: The return of the National Hunt

14 Oct

Chad Yeomans

Quadrilateral won the Fillies' Mile, but who looks a better bet for the 1000 Guineas? And which trainers hit the ground running at Chepstow?

What did we learn from the Fillies’ Mile?

Firstly, that Quadrilateral is very good, and she’ll be better over further in time.

She seemed a bit reluctant to go forward as they came into the dip and looked in trouble going into the final furlong, but she flew up the rail to nab Powerful Breeze, who’s attempt shouldn’t be overlooked.

Hugo Palmer’s filly broke free in the parade ring beforehand and then again in the final furlong. She thought she’d done enough but idled slightly.

If she winters well, then she’d be my idea of a 1000 Guineas winner. She's currently priced at .

What next for Pinatubo?

Pinatubo won the Dewhurst on Saturday, though not as impressively as many people were expecting.

That victory confirmed him as the champion two-year-old, and there are murmurs of him going to the Derby after the Guineas.

He’s obviously very good, but it’s a long time between now and the Classics of next season. He doesn’t look like a Derby winner to be, but I’ve been wrong before.

I’d love to see Monarch of Egypt go up in trip on better ground.

Return of the National Hunt

The jumps season kicked off at Chepstow this weekend.

We learned that Paul Nicholls’ horses are still probably a few weeks off full fitness and not likely to come right until November.

Thyme Hill won the Persian War for Philip Hobbs on Friday and impressed me with how he moved away from second and went through the line. I’m sure he’ll be winning plenty more, with the Betway Challow in December a potential early-season target.

Both Fergal O’Brien and Nigel Twiston-Davies have their strings in top form. They’re clearly fitter and further along than other yards and I expect them to keep rattling off winners over the next few weeks.