Salsify in the Hunter chase at 4.20

All you want to learn about backing in running can be seen by watching  Salsify the replay of the hunter chase - what I mean by swinging off the bridle - that one I put up on facebook after the dismal showing of my other selections but It was just so good i backed it again and again in running from a mile out its form on heavy ground let him go off at 16s but anyone not backing a race running this so so confident ride has a lot to learn - GET INNNNNNNN 


Traditionally as strong a hunter chase as you will get all year in Ireland, and with the ground drying out everything came right forSALSIFY. He won what are traditionally the two top spring hunter chases at Fairyhouse and Punchestown last year, and with him coming into form seemingly a bit earlier this time around he does deserve to take his chance at Cheltenham, where the ground is very likely to be in his favour.The winner raced quite keenly while being held up, travelled up strongly to lead coming to the last and found plenty from the final fence. His form on better ground would entitle him to be considered among the top two or three hunter chasers around on this side of the water, and how he´ll fare in a flat-out gallop over 3m2f around Cheltenham, only time will tell.


Saddlers Storm may well have booked his passage to the festival as well. He dictated the quite steady gallop, jumped well and only gave way after the last. He won´t be able to get away with that at Cheltenham, but did enough here to justify making the journey.

Last year´s winner On The Fringe was a little bit disappointing. Held up off the pace, he was being driven to go with them before the second-last and, but for getting a dream run up the inner off the home bend, it´s hard to see him finishing as close as he did. Perhaps he wasn´t as fit as he was at this time last year. He failed to see out the trip at Cheltenham last year and perhaps staying at home for the big hunter prizes later in the spring might be given serious consideration.

The consistent Not Before Eight possibly ran his best race of the season, staying on well and would have got up for third in another stride. He does see out his races well and is known to stay 3m5f, so if he makes the trip to Cheltenham, he could be a sneaky outsider at a big price as he´ll be finishing strongly.

Viking Splash is a useful yardstick and ran another honest race. He was unable to maintain his effort from before the second-last but kept on at the one pace. Trying to win another Tetratema Cup is likely to be his main ambition this season.