DRAWING CONCLUSIONS LESSONS FROM THE RECENT ACTION

KEMPTON, MONDAY

PASO DOBLE sat close to the strong early pace when reappearing in the 2m Class 3 handicap hurdle, a race that was set up for the finishers, doing well to split 2-1 winning favourite TIMBERMAN and third JUST THE MAN (9-2).

The Paul Nicholls-trained four-year-old, a course and distance winner on his second outing last term, looks sure to improve for this and could land a good prize this term.

KEMPTON, WEDNESDAY

PINK JAZZ finished a respectable 50-1 fifth of 12 in the 1m Class 5 handicap on his first all-weather outing since February.

This was an improvement on his recent efforts over hurdles and in Flat turf races (his combined record across those two disciplines stands at 0-13) and he should find a race soon.

His best efforts last winter came in blinkers – he ran without them here – and he’ll be especially interesting at Wolverhampton where his record over 8.6f-9.4f reads 12311 (3-5), improving to 11 (2-2) in headgear.

FAIRYHOUSE, SATURDAY

The pace held up in the majority of races, with the winners described as ‘made virtually all’, ‘led’, ‘made all’, ‘disputed lead’, ‘tracked leader’, ‘held up in midfield’, ‘chased leader’ and ‘tracked leader’.

BROOMFIELDS JEREMY was the exception to the rule, coming from midfield to land the 2m4f handicap hurdle by a head from CARRAREA, another who was give a patient ride. Both can be followed.

CHEMICAL ENERGY was always prominent when landing a gamble in the 2m4f novice hurdle, as were the runner-up LUNAR DISPLAY and 20-1 third SWEET STREET. The main one to take from the race is fourth-placed FERDIA , who did well to finish seven lengths behind the winner under a waiting ride.

MC ALPINE, another ridden patiently, was over nine lengths behind Ferdia in fifth and can also be forgiven this disappointing effort. His wins have come in fields of 16 and 18 runners and he’ll be much happier given a big field/ strong pace scenario.