Deep Cave
Deep Cave finished only fifth in the three-mile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but there are reasons for believing that there is better to come from him. For starters, he was held up off a sedate pace. The finishing speed percentage was just over 110%, and the winner and second, Strackan and Idefix De Ciergues, raced in first and second from early. It was difficult for the hold-up horses to get into the race.
This was Deep Cave's third run for Christian Williams, and he appears to be progressing again with his racing in Britain. He was a talented horse for Henry de Bromhead two seasons ago, he beat Lot Of Joy when he won his maiden hurdle at Leopardstown's 2022 Christmas Festival. Also, he wasn't beaten far by Good Land in the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival six weeks later. Given a rating of 135 after that run, he is rated 130 in Britain now, and he obviously has some leeway in that mark. Christian Williams' horses appear to be running into form not, he is usually a trainer to note from February and on into the spring and summer, and Deep Cave will be of interest in another staying handicap hurdle now off this mark.
Cheltenham, 1st January 2025
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