'I'm not sure where his ceiling level is' - can mega improver Skyjack Hijack make it seven wins in a row?
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Landing six races on the bounce is an impressive feat for any horse and Skyjack Hijack is serving up one of the stories of the jumps season so far.
The six-year-old began his winning spree off a mark of just 97 at Carlisle in August with a workmanlike triumph. The other five victories were far easier on the eye, and Skyjack Hijack is a worthy favourite on his first foray into Grade 2 company.
However, all good things must come to an end and perhaps there is hope for his rivals. Skyjack Hijack has run nine times since the start of June and eventually a busy schedule may take its toll.
The market leader's doubters might also point towards the form of the six successes in this stellar sequence amounting to little. Only one subsequent winner has emerged from those races and that horse, Lady Harriett, has finished well beaten on three further occasions as well.
The capacity for inexperienced novices to take a major leap forward from one run to another may see one of Skyjack Hijackās opponents reach or surpass his level.
Point-to-point winner Clondaw General is open to untold improvement after picking up a Worcester novice on his stable debut for Kim Bailey, for all that race lacked depth.
Western Knight has presumably caught Joe Tizzard by surprise as he snared a novice at odds of 22-1 before following up under a penalty in a small-field Ascot affair when a 6-1 chance. He dug in to repel the 142-rated chaser Excello that day and will be a player if dealing with this longer trip.
The profile of Jet Blue is also a compelling one. The French raider is a Grade 2 bumper winner on good to soft ground and went close to landing a similar event at the highest level on a deeper surface at Longchamp three starts back. A stiffer test of stamina should suit him.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders
Grade 2 the 'next step' for Western Knight
Joe Tizzard believes Western Knight will have conditions in his favour as he bids to complete a hat-trick in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
After causing a shock success on his hurdles debut at Uttoxeter last month, the five-year-old followed up when stepping up in class at Ascot next time out. He beat some strong opponents that day and his performance yielded a career-best effort on Racing Post Ratings.
Western Knight is a general 4-1 third favourite behind the seven-time chasing Skyjack Hijack and the Kim Bailey-trained Clondaw General, and Tizzard is hopeful of his chances.
"He's a nice horse and I was very pleased with the way he went through his race and kept galloping at Ascot last time," he said.
"This is the next step for him, it was a decent pot at Ascot, but he came out of it well and got a nice mark. It's drying up which will suit him."
What they say
James Reveley, rider of Jet Blue
I think he's got the right profile for this type of track and distance. He hasn't got that much experience over hurdles, but what he has shown in his last two runs is very promising. At the start of his career his jumping wasn't very brushed up, but he's really got that together now. He's schooled well over the British-style hurdles, and although it's a big step up in trip, I think that will suit him as all he does is stay. Hugo Merienne did a good job in rebuilding his confidence and he seems well now he's in David's [Cottin] yard.
Jennie Candlish, trainer of Skyjack Hijack
He's in great nick. He absolutely loves life and, despite his busy spell, he looks and feels super. I'm not sure where his ceiling level is and his biggest asset is his jumping so we shall go make that count. It's hard to weigh up the value of his form, but he deserves to take his chance in Graded company and I wouldn't swap him.
Oliver Greenall, joint-trainer of Aboutdamntime
He was impressive at Carlisle and the form is working out well behind him. I think he'll improve for the experience that day, and although it'll be a lot harder for him at Cheltenham, he deserves his chance. He seems the right type to do it with.
Kim Bailey, trainer of Clondaw General
I'm very happy with him. It's a big step up and we had hoped to go to Chepstow last weekend. I look at him as a chaser and not a hurdler so it's a bit of a learning curve for him.
Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Stop Loss
We're looking forward to him. It's a better race to start him off in over hurdles, but the track is local to us and we'll see how he can fare in this company.
Reporting by Liam Headd
Read the rest of our Saturday previews:
- 3.45 Wincanton: can Grand Sefton winner King Turgeon carry top weight to victory in Somerset National to complete four-timer?
- A possible Willie Mullins Supreme contender and a trainer operating at an 80 per cent strike-rate - Thursday's punting pointers
- Tom Marquand back from Japan after stunning weekend six-timer - and bids to continue his flying form tonight
- I've been a Jonbon doubter in the past - but he could easily be even shorter than 8-11 for the Clarence House
- 1.38 Southwell: can Angel Of Antrim continue to defy the handicapper and make it five on the bounce up in grade?
- 3.45 Wincanton: can Grand Sefton winner King Turgeon carry top weight to victory in Somerset National to complete four-timer?
- A possible Willie Mullins Supreme contender and a trainer operating at an 80 per cent strike-rate - Thursday's punting pointers
- Tom Marquand back from Japan after stunning weekend six-timer - and bids to continue his flying form tonight
- I've been a Jonbon doubter in the past - but he could easily be even shorter than 8-11 for the Clarence House
- 1.38 Southwell: can Angel Of Antrim continue to defy the handicapper and make it five on the bounce up in grade?