One in a Mullion at Chelmsford
10-3 Held up behind, ridden after 5 out, no impression when blundered and unseated rider after next, in a race won by Irish Octave at Uttoxeter 3m hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Oct, 9 ran. 9-4 Tracked leader, led before 2 out, soon pressed, ridden and headed before last, well held in 3rd after, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Right Of Reply at Hexham 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) gd in May. 15-8fav Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 32l behind Jester Jet at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Mar. 10-1 Mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace closing stages, 4th of 13, 2l behind Chu Chu Percy at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Nov. 5-2fav Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 20l behind Rivabodiva at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Oct. 8-1 Prominent early, chased leaders, mistake 3rd, struggling 8th, behind and driven after 13th, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 17l behind Attention Please at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
12-1 Led, blundered 1st, pulled up before next, in a race won by Knocknamona at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran. 20-1 Behind, effort before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 16, 37l behind Golden Investment at Wetherby 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov. Aidan Coleman steers Midnight Tune to victory in the Jockey Club Catering Mares Handicap hurdle at Wincanton yesterday
OURMULLION failed to sparkle when tried on turf on his most recent outing but a switch back to Polytrack in Chelmsford’s Bet totetrifecta At betfred.com Handicap can see him return to his best.
John Best’s charge has shown all his better form on artificial surfaces, counting two victories at Chelmsford and one at Lingfield on his record so far and placing on all but two of his nine starts.
His turf record is much more ordinary having finished unplaced in four attempts and he was again all at sea at Windsor in October, weakening with a couple of furlongs to run before trailing home well beaten over 10 furlongs.
Given a break since that effort, Ourmullion is much better judged on his two course-and-distance successes in September and while he has been boosted 3lb in the ratings ahead of this contest, he still looks a winter campaigner on the upgrade.
Sandown kicks off two days of top action with White Moon expected to star in the Grade Two Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
A point to point winner back in May, he has made a fantastic start for Colin Tizzard with six-length victories at both Wincanton and Exeter already this term.
That latter came in what was only an ordinary race, but he triumphed in style under a penalty and can kick on again here with the Cheltenham Festival already touted as an ultimate aim by some.
When current connections forked out #340,000 for Night Of Glory on the eve of Royal Ascot, they probably did not have a National Hunt career in mind.
He has failed to really get to grips with British racing so far after enjoying some success for previous trainer Michael O’Callaghan in Ireland, but is interesting now his attentions are switched to jumping in the Tokio Marine Kiln Introductory Juvenile Hurdle.