'Who on earth is this guy?' - David Jennings' top ten performances of the Irish season so far

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This weekend is that rarest of beasts at this time of year – a weekend without a Grade 1 card in Ireland. Taking advantage of this (relative) lull, I've taken stock with my top ten performances of the season so far . . .

1 Lossiemouth

Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle, Fairyhouse, December 1

Yes, I know she was getting 7lb from Teahupoo, and, yes, I know the Stayers' Hurdle hero ideally wants further and softer ground, but there was still something sexy about the way Lossiemouth sauntered by him in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. It's going to take a whopping performance to beat her in the Champion Hurdle as her acceleration and mares' allowance are a lethal combination.

Lossiemouth: impressive winner of the Hatton's GraceCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

2 Fact To File

John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, Punchestown, November 24

He turned from boy to man in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown. It wasn't just any John Durkan Chase either, it was probably the best one ever run, and he won it. He had every chance to concede defeat when Spillane's Tower loomed large on his outside after the last but the really good horses find ways of getting the job done and that's exactly what he did. He's favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and probably deserves to be.

3 Anzadam

WillowWarm Hurdle, Fairyhouse, November 30

Who on earth is this guy? Never heard of him before he won a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on Saturday and now sane people are telling me he might even win the Champion Hurdle and that 33-1 is value. It took Paul Townend an absolute age to pull him up afterwards, too. He must be well above average and the fact he got a Racing Post Rating of 150 for his Irish debut tells you all you need to know.

Anzadam: a Champion Hurdle dark horse?Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

4 Brighterdaysahead

Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, Punchestown, November 23

You don't beat State Man in Ireland. It just doesn't happen. Brighterdaysahead did in the Morgiana Hurdle. It was proof that what Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy have been saying about her all along was true. She's a star.

5 Envoi Allen 

Ladbrokes Champion Chase, Down Royal, November 2

For a horse who has won 16 races, nine of them Grade 1s, and at three different Cheltenham Festivals, Envoi Allen doesn't get half the recognition he deserves. His Ladbrokes Champion Chase success showed he can get down and dirty every so often as he fought off Hewick in a real humdinger.

Envoi Allen (right): saw off Hewick in the Ladbrokes Champion ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

6 Touch Me Not

BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase, Punchestown, November 24

If you have seen a better jumping display than the one produced by Touch Me Not in the Craddockstown Novice Chase, let me know; I would want to see that. He was only a moderate 125-rated hurdler but he looks at least two stone better over fences. His jumping is a thing of beauty.

7 Inthepocket

2m beginners' chase, Wexford, October 28

Missed the second half of last season with a setback but looked as good as ever on his return to action in a beginners' chase at Wexford in October when beating Farren Glory by 15 lengths. A genuine Arkle contender.

Inthepocket: impressive winner at WexfordCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

8 Better Days Ahead

 2m4½f beginners' chase, Navan, November 17

The Martin Pipe winner was asked a big question when pitched in against Slade Steel in a beginners' chase at the Navan Racing Festival, but he answered it emphatically. The further he went the better he looked and he won't be easily brushed aside in the Brown Advisory next March.

9 Kalypso'chance

2m1f National Hunt Flat race, Punchestown, November 24

The bumper at Punchestown on John Durkan day looked hot but Kalypso'chance made State Man's half-brother Soir De Garde look ordinary as he galloped right away from him to win by 15 lengths. There was a further 27 lengths back to the highly regarded W B Easy in third, too. It was the best bumper performance of the season.

Kalypso'chance: wide-margin bumper winner under Harry SwanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

10 Salvator Mundi

2m maiden hurdle, Tipperary, May 15

It seems like an eternity ago now, but Salvator Mundi won a Tipperary maiden hurdle by 62 lengths back in May. That is a long, long, long way no matter how poor the opposition were. He could be absolutely anything.

Read these next:

Five beaten horses from the weekend who it could pay to follow - including a surefire improver when stepped up in trip 

Who is lined up for the Navan Novice Hurdle this Saturday after it supplied three Cheltenham Festival winners last season? 

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