Smaller field could see Ferry master his rivals once more

Golden Emblem

Third, 2m3½f mares’ handicap hurdle, Hereford, Wednesday, November 24 Golden Emblem paid for taking on the favourite in the early stages and will be happier under more patient tactics next time.

The pace map for this mares’ handicap hurdle suggested that evenmoney favourite Nikap would be in receipt of an easy lead, but Neil Mulholland’s Golden Emblem had other ideas.

Often ridden patiently, Sam Twiston-Davies elected to press the early pace on the seven-year-old and helped set the race up for 12-1 outsider of four and stablemate Runasimi River.

Golden Emblem dropped away to finish just over five lengths behind the winner in third place, with Nikap back in fourth.

Since undergoing wind surgery, Golden Emblem has shown good form in big fields (12 or more runners), recording form figures of 113 (2-3), and a return to such conditions can see her in a better light.

The ground at Hereford was officially ‘good’ and softer underfoot conditions will also help.

Herbiers Won, 2m3½f handicap hurdle, Doncaster, Saturday, November 27

Herbiers opened his account for the season in impressive fashion and can follow up.

Oliver Greenall’s Herbiers was very progressive last season, scoring twice in juvenile company before signing off with victory in the Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.

He pulled up at Chepstow on his return to action in October but was always behind after an early mistake and he ran much better at Wetherby three weeks later, finishing fourth of the ten runners.

Backed into joint-favourite for the Virginbet.com Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster last Saturday, he was held up in rear before looming into contention three out, pulling clear to score by more than eight lengths from the pacesetting Global Citizen.

This was his first run beyond two miles and he certainly looked to relish the stiffer test of stamina. Aside from seasonal debuts, his record now reads 12131141, with the wins coming on ground ranging from good through to soft.

The Ferry Master

Fifth, 2m7½f Listed handicap chase, Newcastle, Saturday

The Ferry Master found the ground softer than ideal and his modest fifth can be forgiven. All the rage ante-post for the Rehearsal at Newcastle last Saturday, Sandy Thomson’s eight-year-old drifted out to 13-2 on the day.

His two wins last season came on good/good to soft going and the heavy overnight rain was far from ideal, neither was his patient running style.

He jumped awkwardly and out to his right at the first fence and never seemed happy afterwards, remaining in a modest fifth for the majority of the race. His three wins under rules came when racing prominently in small fields (six, five and three ran) and perhaps he resented being crowded in the 12-runner line-up.

A drop in grade and smaller field can see him bounce back to winning ways in the near future.