IDAHO SUN REMAINS UNBEATEN OVER HURDLES

An unusually early start for the team on Saturday paid off when Idaho Sun handsomely defied a 6lbs penalty in a Class 3 novice hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee in the colours of Jeremy Gear.

With the start time of the race set for 11.30 we left Higher Crockermoor at 3.30 and enjoyed a pleasingly clear run to North Wales.

My original plan to send Idaho Sun to Ascot last weekend was shelved when the ground there was quicker than ideal.

He relished testing conditions at Bangor-on-Dee, made all the running, jumping soundly, and came home unchallenged at odds of 1-14.

Afterwards it was interesting to hear our jockey Bryan Carver suggest that Idaho Sun was only doing no more than a half-speed.

Having won four out of his five starts he is certainly going the right way.

It was great to give this promising five year old more experience before we raise our sights with him in the Grade 1 Formby Novice Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day.