Tarablaze is hot prospect

The latest horses to catch the eye of Chronicle racing correspondent KEITH McHUGH

ERADICATE (trained by Nicky Henderson): A high-class handicapper bordering on group class on the Flat when trained by Mark Johnston, it was no surprise to see Eradicate make a winning jumping debut at Taunton for his in-form trainer.

Eradicate hurdled fluently for a newcomer and found plenty when tackled between the final two flights, suggesting there was plenty left in the tank.

The stable has an embarrassment of riches in the hurdling department so it would be no surprise to see Eradicate miss the Cheltenham Festival for a crack at one of the novice events at Aintree, where his Flat-race speed would stand him in good stead.


IWILLREMEMBERYOU (Charlie Longsdon): A tough and consistent handicap hurdler last winter, this mud-lover comes from a shrewd stable just starting to hit form.

He was always being held by Coe in Haydock's Tim Moloney Handicap Chase, but stayed on dourly to be second, displaying a willing attitude and strongly suggesting a return to the winner's enclosure is close at hand.

Heavy ground and a stamina test are the nine-year-old's main requirements, so a crack at Newcastle's Eider Chase or the Midlands National at Uttoxeter could be on the agenda.


McMURROUGH (Malcolm Jefferson): Third to Alfie Flits in a high-class novice hurdle at Haydock, this powerful gelding was doing all his best work in the closing stages and had the highly-regarded Dee Ee Williams, Mahonia and Clay Hollister well behind.

Still lacking experience, McMurrough lost his place at halfway before getting his second wind and finishing to great effect.

A step up in trip will suit McMurrough, but he should be seen to even better effect as he gets more match practice and a trip to Aintree in the spring could prove profitable.


NAIAD DU MISSELOT (Ferdy Murphy): Second on his first two starts over fences, last year's Coral Cup winner was all at sea going right-handed at Ascot next time and his return to a left-hand track at Haydock saw him in a much more favourable light.

The eight-year-old was given a quiet ride out the back by Graeme Lee, but crept into contention in the home straight and was just starting to deliver a strong challenge when a bad mistake two fences from home almost stopped him in his tracks.

Naiad Du Misselot rallied, but the progressive Will Be Done had flown and the Murphy horse had to settle for third place.

From a stable whose horses thrive in the spring, Naiad Du Misselot can land a nice prize in novice handicap company.


TARABLAZE (Philip Hobbs): Connections were disappointed when this highly-regarded six-year-old was beaten into second by Hell's Bay at Chepstow and the gelding showed why with a deeply impressive display in a competitive fixed-brush hurdle at Haydock.

Held up early on, Tarablaze made headway just after halfway and was still hard on the bridle entering the home straight.

The son of Kay Tara swept to the front two hurdles from home and although he was joined at the last by another highly-promising sort in Moscow Catch, jockey Richard Johnson only had to shake him up to win readily.

Likely to be aimed at one of the staying novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival, Tarablaze should not be underestimated as he is a classy individual clearly on the upgrade.