The Sky really is the limit

SKYCUTTER created a very favourable impression on his debut over obstacles and can follow up in the Join Racing TV Now Introductory Juvenile Hurdle at Musselburgh.

An above-average performer on the Flat, it was going to be a case of whether he could negotiate eight flights of hurdles at Wetherby.

He managed to do that safely, if jinking out to his right at one or two of them - but that was probably because he was simply in a different league to his rivals and was under absolutely no pressure.

Rated 89 on the level, he had previously been seen finishing a threelength fourth in the November Handicap and in truth not many horses as good as that go hurdling these days.

With Skycutter it will probably be a case of the better the race he runs in, the stronger the gallop and the better he will look. Going right-handed in Scotland will surely be a help to him, too.

John Quinn does not have as many jumpers in his stable these days but likes to keep his eye in with the odd one, and to that end First Impression is doing him proud.

While he ran in juvenile hurdles last year, it appears that another summer of racing on the Flat has really benefitted him.

A well-backed 5-4 chance on his reappearance at Wetherby, he fairly scooted clear, looking like he had plenty in hand.

The handicapper has had a go at stopping his progression with a 7lb rise ahead of the Visit racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle, but a flat, tight track like this will be right up his street.

Thunder Rock was another to win at Wetherby where he looked a cut above his rivals and he should be able to follow up in the British Stallion Studs EBF Blackford Hill ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Time may show he faced a very stiff task against Harry Fry’s Might I first time out, but there was nothing of that calibre on his most recent outing.

Peripeteia looks a cut above the others who have had previous experience in the Betyourway At Betway Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Wolverhampton.