Adamant Approach confirmed that it was better than that when taking the lead at the last, looking likely to win, in the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Unfortunately it fell leaving Like-A-Butterfly to win from the hard driven Westender. Finishing close behind these two were In Contrast, Eternal Spring, Sacundai and Native Scout. Got One Too was below form on ground riding too fast. The proximity of the principals at the finish suggests that the race was good but not exceptional. Like-A-Butterfly would almost certainly have preferred give in the ground and remains the best novice on the ratings.

In Contrast renewed rivalry with Westender on 3lb better terms in the Gd2 Martell Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on April 5. The allowance did not matter because the latter did not jump fluently at all losing around a length at every hurdle.

Keen Leader, hacked up against some useful rivals in very testing conditions at Uttoxeter on February 2. Has only raced on mud under rules and probably needs those conditions to be at best. In current form hard to know how good it is until beaten.

The Gd1 Royal and Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle over 21f at Cheltenham on Mar 13 proved a nightmare for the top-rated. Rouble broke a leg on the flat before it had even reached the stands for the first time. Top rated Keen Leader benefitting from heavy overnight rain found the eased conditions to its liking. Travelling well, seemingly having plenty left in reserve, it took up the running 3 out and had the rest of the field under pressure as it approached the second last. At that hurdle there was a dramatic series of events starting with Keen Leader falling then managing to bring down Ballyhampshire Boy and Tarxien. These two were already under pressure and not going to trouble the winner. It meant that the top four rated in the race had failed to get round. In my opinion Keen Leader would have won the race and is rated accordingly, though we still do not know how good it is. The spoils actually went to Galileo (Pol) a former top class flat performer in Poland, who led at the last and kept on well for pressure all the way up the hill to the line. Winning from Over The Bar a brother to the lazy but useful Merry Masquerade, the overnight rain must have been a bonus. Who just held on from the hard driven Lanzerac, responding well to pressure. Both the first and third look capable of paying their way in staying events on the flat. Whereas the second is likely to have its attentions turned to chasing next season. Classified came home at one pace in fourth.

There were a number of disappointments in the race namely The Bajan Bandit, Irish Hussar and Samon (Ger), who all looked suspect on stamina. Also disappointing were Direct Bearing and Thari, both would have had an outside chance if converting their flat form. The overnight rain probably scuppered their chance though Direct Bearing jumped poorly and was never in contention. All in all this was a good race and there will be plenty of winners emerging from this next season if the Handicapper is not too harsh.

Classified, put up a game effort to win the Gd2 Martell Mersey Novices' Hurdle on good ground at Aintree on April 4 from Eternal Spring and Boneyarrow. The result was a triumph for A P McCoy who was hard at work for a long way and would not give in. The result may have been different, however, had the course not been watered, for the runner-up looked to not get home after going best early in the straight.

Got One Too ridden with more restraint than usual was a comfortable winner of a Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on January 12. On the same weekend Adamant Approach maintained its improvement with a victory over Native Scout in the Pierse Hurdle. The latter would probably prefer a stiffer track but is improving fast.

Polar Red hacked up in the 2m Novice Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on 26 January. Despite being raised 23lb it still managed to win, albeit by just a head, the Imperial Cup at Sandown on March 9.

The fact that Intersky Falcon won the Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle at Aintree on April 6 was not a shock, that it did so by 15 Lengths easily, was. The progress of this horse has been meteoric, where will it end?

It had not ended for Intersky Falcon at Sandown on April 26 when arguably it was unlucky not to beat Copeland at level weights. It only went down by a couple of inches having received a hefty bump from its rival who had come off a straight line in the final furlong. In my book that cost it the race but not in the opinion of the stewards who allowed the result to stand. Post race Tony McCoy said that the bumping was 50:50. Having not lost my sight yet will just say "garbage!". If only the stewards' dogs could talk.

Just to confirm the progress it has made Intersky Falcon kept on well for pressure to lead close home when winning the Gd3 Merewood Homes Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on May 5. For a horse that improves this much in one season the following year often proves an anti-climax, we shall see. In the meantime congratulations to Jonjo O'Neill and Lee Cooper for a fine bit of work.

Tucacas (Fr), had the race sewn up at Cheltenham in the Listed Mares Only Handicap Hurdle on April 18. Over confidence from her rider allowed Monger Lane, who was in receipt of 24lb to get a lead on her that was not possible to pull back. For the future if this mare keeps up this rate of progress she could well be as good as the mare, Lady Rebecca, in whose name the race was titled.

Prince of Tara followed up an easy novice hurdle win at Fairyhouse on 20 Jan by getting within a neck of Bannow Bay in a Gd2 hurdle at Navan on Feb 17.

Joss Naylor was unfortunate to come up against such a well handicapped rival as Ilnamar when coming second to that one in the Coral Eurobet Cup at Cheltenham on Mar 13. It might not have beaten the winner but the impression was that it had been given too much to do. I would not be at all surprised if this improving novice turns out to be rated in excess of 150.

Be My Belle, won a hurdle, making all, from Prince of Tara at Punchestown on Mar 16. She stays well in testing ground and is still improving.

On the same card One Night Out won a 22f Novice easily and is another who continues to improve. It won again in a novice over 3 miles at Punchestown on April 27.

Boneyarrow, made all to win a hurdle at Punchestown on Mar 17. This looks a chasing prospect

Laveron, who had not impressed in the UK during the winter, showed its true ability with a fast time win at Auteuil on April 1. This one is suited by give. It followed this up by easily winning one of the main Handicap Hurdles of the season at Auteuil on April 27 from what was a lenient handicap mark.

Davenport Milenium, continued its upward path by numbering a below par Like-a-Butterfly (definitely!) amongst its victims when winning the Gd1 Champion Novice Hurdle at Puncestown on April 24.

On April 26, just two days after its Gd1 triumph, Davenport Milenium was at it again At Punchestown with a victory in the Gd1 Emo Oil Champion Hurdle. It is on the upgrade having improved a stone on the last two runs. It is also fair to say that it owes its wins to some below par end of season performances from its rivals. In this case it was Adamant Approach, whose excuse was that the ground had gone against it, Ned Kelly and Landing Light, who was said to be suffering from a respiratory infection after the race. For the winner, talk is of going for the Champion Hurdle next season now rather than going novice chasing. Well the horse is improving and with Valiramix sadly out of the picture I can not find a case against it.

Scottish Memories 133, easily won a Gd2 Novice at Fairyhouse on April 1 with Sacundai down the field.

Scottish Memories showed what an improver it is with a success in the Gd1 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on April 23, it will be aimed at the Champion Hurlde next season. Ballyhampshire Boy, who had made the running until headed by the winner before the last, kept on for second ahead of Adamant Approach who would have preferred the ground a shade faster in this grade.