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By Billy Blakeman ValueChecker
Celestial Halo Fails to Complete on Chase Debut
20/10/10
Top class hurdler Celestial Halo made an inauspicious start to his chasing career when he fell four from home in a dramatic conclusion to the Best Mate Beginners' Chase at Exeter.
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Celestial Halo was travelling very much like the winner Rougham but took off wrong at the fourth last and came down. Rougham, who was the closest challenger to Paul Nicholls’ 1-4 favourite, also fell at the same fence. That left Diamond Brook and Jocheski battling for the victory, which went to the former by a narrow margin.
Celestial Halo's jockey Ruby Walsh said: "He was jumping super before that, but he just got on top of it. It's better he did it then than in the Arkle."
Although the former Triumph Hurdler appeared none the worse afterwards, his trainer had some concerns. "It's not ideal," he admitted. "I'll have to talk to (owner) Andy Stewart and see what we do. Plenty of good ones have fallen on their debut and we still have the option of going back over hurdles. I've slightly had it in the back of my mind that he's by Galileo and he's not chasing bred. He has always been very fast over his hurdles but he might not take to fences. We'll see."
Dare Me justified his serious reputation after romping to victory in his opening hurdle race, having previously looked very good in the bumper sphere.
"That was very satisfactory," said trainer Philip Hobbs. "Richard (Johnson) said he was a bit fresh and it wasn't ideal for him to be in front all the way but he showed he could run over two and a half, although he has the speed for two. If you were looking at the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham he might need another run in between, so we'll have a think."
Dare Me was cut to 16-1 by and Paddy Power for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle next March.
Sticking with the jumps, Wednesday's nap is Scotsbrook Cloud in the 4.30 at Fontwell as the horse is clearly well ahead of his current mark.
Recommendation: 4.30 Fontwell - Scotsbrook Cloud
