Full Steam Ahead For Landofhopeandglory And Ivanovic Gorbatov

It was a good day at Fairyhouse on Sunday starting off with Landofhopeandglory in the first.

Landofhopeandglory
He’s now three from three over hurdles. He won nicely and came through the race pretty well. Barry was happy with him and they sprinted down the last two up the straight which wouldn’t have played to our horse’s strengths but it was nice that he got away with it.

There are still no decisions made about Christmas time. I haven’t spoken to anyone yet, we’ll see how he is during the week and that will be decided closer to the time.

There’s a long way to go between now and Cheltenham but this fella seems to be on the right track and hopefully he’ll continue to progress in each race.

Big Ben, who had a good run the first time out over hurdles could be out soon again, perhaps over Christmas. Housesofparliament and Sword Fighter are both doing good but they’re just a little bit away from getting run at the moment. They’ve both done a nice bit of schooling so all in good time.

Ivanovich Gorbatov
Ivanovich Gorbatov travelled and jumped very well in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle yesterday. Between the last two, you’d have thought he was in with a shout but he ran a great race all the same. We’ll see what the ground is like everywhere over Christmas and I’d imagine we’ll send him out. It was a great battle between Apples Jade and Vroum Vroum Mag. They’re two great mares.

It was a great 1-2 for JP McManus in the Drinmore Novice Chase. The winner, Coney Island, never really looked like he wasn’t going to be in with a shout. Both Coney Island and second placed Anibale Flyer look like two very exciting horses for the future.

Airlie Beach
Meanwhile in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, Airlie Beach looked like a really tough mare. It obviously doesn’t do fillies like her any harm being a mother already especially when you see them coming back as good as she did.

She was the one that stood out for me over the weekend and I was absolutely delighted for Danny Mullins also. He’s riding very well and it was great to see him have a Grade One winner.

Likewise, I enjoyed the Tingle Creek on Saturday; a great race between Un De Sceaux and Sire De Grugy. Hopefully they’ll meet again over the course of the season and produce another race like they did at the weekend. Altior was also impressive at Sandown. He made one small mistake and was perhaps a little exuberant but overall he was great.