Cristal set to sparkle at Carlisle
A curtailed novice hurdling campaign could prove a blessing in disguise as Cristal d’Estruval returns to Carlisle on Monday for the job he was bought for in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase.
Always held in the highest regard by Harry Derham and his team, the five-year-old commanded £400,000 after winning his Lisronagh point-to-point for Colin Bowe in early 2025.
He wasted little time opening his account under rules, downing Alan King’s Supreme Novice’s Hurdle fourth Baron Noir on hurdles debut at Warwick a year ago, with the classy Bossman Jack back in third.
A son of Group One-winning Crystal Ocean, he would follow up under a penalty by a whopping 38 lengths at Carlisle a month later but that would be the last time he was seen, with a setback ruling out any further steps up the ladder over hurdles.
However, he always looked a chaser in the making and it is perhaps fitting he returns to Cumbria to both kickstart his chasing career and make up for lost time.
Teeshan is another of owner Johnny de la Hey’s string that moved from Paul Nicholls to champion trainer Dan Skelton and despite a lengthy absence, he still looks the one to beat in the Racing TV Maiden Hurdle.
A point-to-point winner in October 2023, he won an Exeter bumper on his rules debut for Nicholls before taking in the championship event at Cheltenham.
That all proved too much for him at that stage in his life, but the way Skelton’s horses are running he is unlikely to want for fitness.
The Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase looks a good opportunity for Hello Judge to return to winning ways.
Trained by the very capable Ann Hamilton, he has a run under his belt already this season when a fair second over this course and distance last month and he only has three to beat.
Jamie Snowden has his team fully firing and has already made some successful ventures north from Lambourn this term.
His bumper runners have been in exceptionally good form this term and his enterprise could pay dividends once again in the concluding Book Your Christmas Party Here Mares’ Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race, where winning point graduate Lady Jetfire makes her rules introduction.
Skelton can register yet another winner in the Get A Free Trial Of Racing TV Now Mares’ Handicap Chase at Stratford with Service Minimum.
The six-year-old will have to carry top weight on her chase debut, but she is fighting fit with three hurdle starts since September, winning once and finishing third twice, albeit in small fields.
It may be that she needs fences to sharpen up and she could be one to look out for.
Locker Boum impressed with success on his hurdling debut at Chepstow last month and can build on that in the Trailertrek Towbars Novices’ Hurdle.
Trained by Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, the lightly-raced five-year-old will make only his third start under rules, but his recent victory can open up plenty of possibilities. – Press Association
TAB is betting on 2 UK and 1 Irish meeting on Monday. Here are the tips.
PUNCHESTOWN: Race 1: 14.00 Moorish Castle, Race 2: 14.30 Good Option, Race 3: 15.00 Choir Girl, Race 4: 15.30 Borora Aura, Race 5: 16.03 It’s Only A Game, Race 6: 16.38 Hamsiyann, Race 7: 17.13 Brickfield Belle, Race 8: 17.45 Le Fanu.
CARLISLE: Race 1: 14.20 Teeshan, Race 2: 14.50 Hello Judge, Race 3: 15.20 Diamond White, Race 4: 15.52 CRISTAL D’ESTRUVAL (NAP), Race 5: 16.27 Bruce Banner, Race 6: 17.02 Oh Clare, Race 7: 17.35 Lady Jetfire
STRATFORD: Race 1: 14.40 Emid’io Pepe, Race 2: 15.10 Eastern Fire, Race 3: 15.40 Lord Of Cheshire, Race 4: 16.15 Locker Boum, Race 5: 16.50 Service Minimum, Race 6: 17.25 Molly’s Lad, Race 7: 17.55 Apollon Forlonge.
ALL TO COME: Cristal d’Estruval (Carlisle, Race 4) and Service Minimum (Stratford, Race 5).