Exciting youngsters make their mark

On Saturday at Doncaster Rocky’s Treasure made all in the hands of David Bass to record a facile seventeen length victory in the Grade 2 Novices’ Chase for trainer Kim Bailey and owner John Perriss. The son of Westerner was produced to win his point-to-point by handler / rider Declan Queally before being purchased by Aiden Murphy for £60,000 at the 2016 May Sale.

Sunday saw a quick return to the track for the highly regarded Envoi Allen who duly maintained his unbeaten record when staying on strongly to run away with the “Future Champions” Listed Bumper for Gordon Elliott and owners Cheveley Park Stud. The son of Muhtathir ran out the ten length winner of his Maiden point-to-point at Ballinaboola for Colin Bowe before being purchased by Tom Malone for £400,000 at the Cheltenham February Sale. Bookmakers were suitably impressed by the performance and reacted by installing him as 6/1 favourite for the Champion Bumper.

Gordon Elliott also looks a to have another smart recruit on his hands in the shape of Battleoverdoyen who bolted up in the opening Maiden Hurdle on the card at Navan. He went through the race with ease and won as he liked in the hands of Jack Kennedy. A step into Graded company looks to be next on the agenda for the son of Doyen who won his Maiden point-to-point at Loughanmore on debut for handler Jerry Cosgrave before being purchased for £235,000 at the 2017 April Sale.

At Southwell Umbrigado followed up his impressive bumper win by taking the Maiden Hurdle for David Pipe and owners John White and Anne Underhill. The exciting son of Stowaway finished runner-up on his only start in his point-to-point for Aidan Fitzgerald before being purchased by Tom Malone at this year’s Festival Sale for £160,000.

Monbeg Zena having her first start for Olly Murphy after winning her Maiden point-to-point on debut for Sean Doyle took the Mares’ Maiden Hurdle in convincing fashion under Noel Fehily. She was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of Sullivan Bloodstock for £110,000 at the 2017 Festival Sale.

At Hereford First Drift opened his account over regulation fences for trainer Ben Case and owner Mrs Carolyn Kendrick. The son of Generous was produced to win his point-to-point by Stuart Crawford and purchased by Kevin Ross for £45,000 at the 2016 Festival Sale.