Tintintin
Tintintin kept on to take sixth place in the two-mile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday. This was a race that was blown apart by an enterprising mid-race move by Luke Scott on the strong-travelling Mirabad, who was allowed go clear of his field at the top of the hill. Tintintin came under a ride when the pace quickened, he was under pressure on the run down the hill, but he responded well to pressure, staying on up the hill to take sixth place.
Fergal O'Brien's horse did win over this course and distance at the April meeting, but he probably needs a greater test of stamina now, a longer distance or a stronger pace or softer ground, or some combination thereof, to be seen to best effect. He ran well in the Swinton Hurdle over less than two miles at Haydock in May, and he kept on well to take fourth place in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham's November meeting, on the Old Course. Friday's race was run on the New Course, and that presents a greater stamina test, but the moderate pace was not in his favour. He will remain of interest now when he is faced with a greater test of stamina. It may be that two and a half miles will be a better distance for him now. He has raced 13 times over hurdles, but he is only five, and there may be untapped potential over the intermediate trip.
Cheltenham, 13th December 2024
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