Ban dims Son's rise

Celtic Son’s career took off in spectacular fashion once he was stepped up in trip.

The six-year-old has made a whirlwind rise through the ranks of young staying hurdlers and would have been a leading fancy for his chosen engagement at the Cheltenham Festival but for yesterday’s 40-day ban.

Since tackling further than two and three-quarter miles, Celtic Son has rattled off five victories in the space of six weeks, starting with a rating of 98 and with his latest success achieved off a mark of 135.

His only defeat in that period came over a slightly shorter distance.

It was only last month that he opened his account in a novice hurdle at Exeter, which ironically was the track where his run in October – in a race over a shorter trip – came under the microscope.

A narrow defeat at Uttoxeter five days later was quickly followed by three victories in less than a week at Taunton, Newbury and Warwick.

The latter success was the most meritorious as he had leading Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Strong Flow back in third place when beating Touch Closer.

After a four-week break Celtic Son returned in triumph last week, taking a novice hurdle at Kempton over an extended three miles by six lengths from Definite Approach.

The Celtic Arms gelding had made a successful start to his racing career in a bumper at Thurles almost exactly two years ago, when trained in Ireland by Eric McNamara.

It was 12 months before he surfaced in England, making his debut for champion trainer Martin Pipe in a bumper at Newbury.

After finishing sixth to Secret Ploy he ran at the Berkshire track a second time before taking his chance in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, where as a 66-1 outsider he was down the field behind Total Enjoyment.

Seven months later he was 9-4 second favourite to make a winning hurdling bow at Taunton but could finish only fifth behind 15-8 market leader Alrafid.

Five days later came his controversial run at Exeter, where he was nearest at the finish when fifth to Salsalino after being held up before making headway from three out. That race was over two miles one furlong.

It was followed by another unplaced effort at Newbury in November before he was stepped up in trip, starting his prolific winning streak in the New Year.