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Hi Reader
A little catching up for us today with eye catchers cover the past forthnight.
It was quiet up to Fairyhouse and then quality racing at the Aintree Festival.
You can check out this week’s Eye Catchers below.
He’s On Fire
He’s On Fire - 1st in 3.15 Fairyhouse 05/04/2026
Rich Ricci has another good one on his hands with He’s On Fire. He showed serious progression from winning a Carlisle maiden hurdle to romp home in the Grade 2 novice hurdle over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse. The son of Chanducoq showed a good turn of foot to quicken away from the field to win by twelve lengths on spring ground.
Willie was impressed and mentioned another run at Punchestown as a possibility. That may not happen as it will be all about novices chasing for He’s On Fire next season. This Grade 2 novice hurdle has been won by top class staying chasers like Nick Rockett, Captain Cody, Ashdale Bob & Al Boum Photo in recent years. He’s On Fire looks like a Brown Advisory Novice Chase horse for next season if all goes well over fences which is never guaranteed.
Highlands Legacy
Highlands Legacy - 2nd in 4.40 Aintree 09/04/2026
Jonjo O’Neill Jnr did well to stay on Highlands Legacy following his mistake at the final fence in the Red Rum Handicap Chase. I liked how the horse recovered quickly to keep galloping and secure second place. Ryan’s Rocket looked the most likeliest winner at the final fence before Highlands Legacy made that mistake.
Nevertheless, the horse to take going forward is Highlands Legacy who is more consistent in his races and normally jumps great. This premier handicap chase was only his fifth run over fences and came off a three month break. The handicapper has been kind with a four pound hike to 137. Personally, I would put him away and target a couple of premier handicap chases between two and two and a half miles in the autumn time.
Fairy Park
Fairy Park - 3rd in 5.15 Aintree 09/04/2026
The first three placed in the Grade 2 mares bumper look good prospects. My eye was drawn to the Joe Tizzard trained and Brocade racing owned Fairy Park. Her dam Fairy Hill is a half sister to Bellshill who Willie Mullins trained to win an Irish Gold Cup in 2019. Fairy Park won her Irish point to point by eight lengths with Colin Bowe. She finished second on her first start for Joe at Newbury and improved again to finish third here. This is a big mare that is made for hurdling and chasing so will be much better next season. I like how she stayed on well to the line finding the two miles at Aintree on the sharp side. An exciting mare to send novice hurdling next season.
Zeus Power
Zeus Power - 1st in 4.40 Aintree 10/04/2026
Zeus Power landed the Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) impressively when taking into account his poor hurdling during that race. He looks to have stamina in abundance and rates a stayers hurdle prospect for next season. The staying division is ready for a changing of the guard with Home By The Lee & Bob Olinger turning twelve years old next year. Ballyburn is injured and misses all of next season so that should leave a gap for an up and coming staying hurdler.
Joseph O’Brien is doing great with the small numbers he has over jumps. Zeus Power enjoyed the extra half mile here following his staying on for third place in the Turners Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. This win was his first run over an extended three miles. It saw him travel much better and he had the class to overcome a poor jump at the second last hurdle to win nicely. Once they work hard to smooth out his hurdling he could prove the real deal in staying hurdle races at the top level next season.
Bossman Jack
Bossman Jack - 1st in 1.55 Aintree 11/04/2026
Bossman Jack looked very good winning the Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) by all of five and a half lengths. The form is solid with Soldier Reeves in second and Ballyfad in third. All three had run previously in the Turners hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Bossman Jack made a bad mistake at the final hurdle at Cheltenham which cost him second place most likely.
His hurdling can improve with experience with Dan Skelton saying he still has the mind of a big baby! That shows the natural class and talent this son of Jack Hobbs has in his locker. It will be interesting to see if they stick with hurdles next season or send him over fences. Whatever the decision there is no doubt now that Bossman Jack is a top class middle distance racehorse.
Jordans
Jordans - 3rd in 4.00 Aintree 11/04/2026
Ben Jones should have known better than to go for home so soon in a Grand National on Jordans! It has happened so many times in the past that any jockey that has watched replays of the Grand National would know. The thing is Jordans did so well to get to the elbow and almost last home following his burst to the front after the third last fence.The horse was having his first chase run over more than three miles and a furlong.
A superb effort from the seven year old who surely will be campaigned to have another go next season. Iroko finished fourth in the national as a seven year old and returned this year to finish second. Jordans has more speed on spring ground than Iroko so it bodes well for the 2027 Aintree Grand National if he makes it there. The handicapper has raised him two pounds to 152 which is a mark well worth protecting for this race in a year's time. Don’t be surprised if Jordans is kept over hurdles until the national weights are announced in February of next year.
Happy Punting,
Hugh
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