The flat and the jumps combined to make a spectacular weekend of racing over Easter. After our column on the top 5 flat performances from the weekend just gone, we focus on the best jumping efforts here.
Asterion Forlonge – 159
With so many great races taking place in Ireland over the weekend, it may surprise many that the top RPR was given in a Grade 3 match race to a 1/4 favourite. However, it fits the personality of Asterion Forlonge to barge out of the blue into top spot given his enigmatic career and there is no doubt he was impressive in what he did regardless.
He won by 14 lengths from a rival rated in the 140s, and though that mark is probably inflated, it is difficult to suggest that he did not run his race. He may still have a prize in him against a bigger field while remaining a little short of top class.
Journey With Me – 157
At Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, the biggest Graded conditions race was won by Journey With Me, who claimed his biggest career success to date. The eight-year-old had looked distinctly promising as a novice chaser, but after nearly a year off, disappointed at odds on at Naas at the beginning of March.
This victory rapidly set that right though, as he came nine lengths clear of Appreciate It, who was in receipt of 3lb. Given the relative strength of opposition, it seems bizarre that this effort received a rating 2lb lower than that of Asterion Forlonge, but it nonetheless reaffirmed the talent of Henry De Bromhead’s charge, who will hopefully have a clearer run at better races next season.
Intense Raffles – 155
While proven Graded performers will always have the platform to produce higher ratings, it is likely that Intense Raffles’s victory in the Irish Grand National was superior to anything else we witnessed. The six-year-old was having just his third run for Thomas Gibney after joining from France and jumped almost impeccably, bar one shuddering clatter, to hold off gallant veteran Any Second Now.
The ratings suggest he had over a stone in hand off his mark of 140, which is fair given his inexperience was belied by prodigious staying power and accurate leaps. He is as yet unbeaten for Gibney and so much could be in store for him next season if he maintains this monumental rise.
Brewin’upastorm – 155
The win for 11-year-old Brewin’upastorm in the Grade 2 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle would have been a genuine thrill for trainer Olly Murphy, who was brave enough to send him across the pond. In a proper away match, he overcame two 152-rated opponents, conceding weight all-round, to score by a game half-length from Champion Hurdle fourth Zarak The Brave.
The hurdling division between 2m-2m4f is not strong on either side of the Irish Sea at the moment and Brewin’upastorm has always been a Grade 2 level horse, if slightly wanting above that. This represented a victory superior to last season’s National Spirit Hurdle win at Fontwell, and his best for more than two years.
Sir Gerhard – 155
Where is best for Sir Gerhard to go next is anyone’s guess. He is a two-time Cheltenham Festival winner who clearly retains a lot of ability, but, as of the last two seasons, has demonstrably struggled to show that at the top level. He possesses form of 92PF0 in Graded races since the start of last term and form of 111 elsewhere.
The latest of those 1s arrived at Cork on Sunday, where he went off at odds of 1/5 when dropped back to a trip of 2m. In truth, anything but the manner of victory he achieved would have been a disappointment, but it was still a power-packed effort and he cannot be convincingly ruled out of dining at the top table again just yet.
Performances of the Weekend – Top 5 Flat Stars from the Easter Weekend’s Racing
The Easter Weekend provided plenty of thrills and spills for racing fans. Looking through all of the flat racing throughout the period in Britain and Ireland, we analyzed the top 5 performances on Racing Post Ratings, and posed what the future holds for each of those runners. Elegant Man – 119 The top flat performances…
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