Racing review: Cormier’s Morebattle success sets up Cheltenham target

Despite its close proximity to the Cheltenham festival, Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle has proved a noteworthy trial for a seasonal target at the showpiece jumps meeting in recent times. 

Before the 2m hurdle received a healthy prize-money increase last year, the Nicky Henderson-trained We Have A Dream justified short odds at the Scottish venue before finishing a gallant second to Ch’Tibello in the County Hurdle just two weeks later. Shrewd Irish handler Emmet Mullins went one better 12 months ago by landing the Morebattle and Plate at the festival with The Shunter.

Few trainers would willingly turn down a £100,000 pot and there was no surprise to see a talented field line up for this year’s edition of the Morebattle, with Brian Ellison’s in-form Cormier denying Saint D’Oroux and Faivoir in an exciting finish. 

Victory for the consistent six-year-old sets up a crack at a festival handicap - he is entered in both the Coral Cup and County Hurdle at this stage. Whether he can follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned We Have A Dream or The Shunter is yet to be seen, but he proved that Cheltenham caused him few problems when successful in a 2m1f event in January.

Potential Group performer lights up Southwell

Even the most die-hard racing fans can be forgiven for missing a customary Saturday evening all-weather fixture, especially Southwell’s eight-race card at the weekend given there were four odds-on favourites in relatively uncompetitive heats.

However, those who decided to tune into Sky Sports Racing instead of Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway would have witnessed the performance of a potential Group-class performer in the 7f handicap. Tiber Flow is the horse in question.

This big, attractive three-year-old son of Caravaggio has been slowly brought along by trainer William Haggas and remains unbeaten after three starts this winter. Pace compromised the last twice when held up in races run at glacial tempos (17-second opening furlong in both races), Tiber Flow has showcased a high cruising speed, instant turn of foot and professionalism to strike without being duly extended.

Haggas initially entered Tiber Flow in the Listed Spring Cup at Lingfield but opted for the Southwell route instead. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him move up in grade next time, perhaps on All-Weather Finals Day on Good Friday.

Walking On Air bypasses Cheltenham

This might put the mockers on it, but we are yet to see the usual number of late absentees ahead of the Cheltenham festival. The races are diluted enough, so it’s phenomenal news that we should get the best of the best turning up to face one another.

However, one potential superstar that won’t be travelling to Prestbury Park next week is the Nicky Henderson-trained Walking On Air, who was as short as 7-1 for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. 

The impressive Newbury winner, who missed a recent engagement in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon, is thought to be heading towards the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting next month instead.