Classy Not That Fuisse can strike on hunter debut
| Published date | 19 January 2022 |
| Publication title | Weekender |
On that occasion he chased home Shallwehaveonemore, who has put in two solid hurdling runs this term, including when fourth to Constitution Hill in the Tolworth last time out.
The pair pulled clear of the remainder in that Kempton bumper last March where Walking On Air raced plenty keen enough and there is more to come from him.
Atakan 3.10 Plumpton, 3m1f handicap hurdle On the face of it, likely favourite Dynamite Kentucky looks hard to beat as he's unpenalised for his recent Exeter win in a conditionals'
handicap, especially as his rider, Cillin Leonard, is able to claim an extra 2lb back against the experienced riders.
However, he could be worth taking on as he's far from guaranteed to repeat the same level of form so soon after a long-distance race on heavy ground and Atakan fits the bill.
Colin Tizzard's six-year-old has shown definite signs of ability in three novice hurdles over trips ranging from 2m to 2m5f.
He looks nicely treated ahead of his handicap debut off 106 and shapes as though he will appreciate the step up to 3m1f which should unlock some improvement. Gran Luna 3.30 Newbury, 2m½f handicap hurdle The key piece of form here is last month's mares' courseand-distance handicap in which Gran Luna scored narrowly from Voice Of Calm, who reopposes here.
Voice Of Calm gets a 1lb pull for a head and while Emma Lavelle's six-year-old holds every chance of reversing the placings judged on that bare form, she has had much more racing on the Flat and over hurdles and doesn't look open to as much improvement as the lightly raced Gran Luna, who can confirm the form.
Nicky Henderson's six-year-old stepped up significantly on her Taunton reappearance to record what would have been a career-best when scoring here last time and, given that she has just six starts to her name, it would hardly be a surprise if she progressed substantially again.
Thursday Not That Fuisse 3.30 Ludlow, 3m hunter chase Not That Fuisse finished a highly creditable fifth in the Grand Annual at the latest Cheltenham Festival, while the overall level of his form around 2m4f suggests he's better suited by further than the minimum distance these days.
He takes another step up in trip here, but it's in the hunter division where he'll likely be travelling well within his comfort zone and if he is to truly stay three miles anywhere, it will be at a...
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