Minister calls the tune ay Haydock

Rambling Minster jumped his way into the John Smith’s Grand National picture with a splendid staying performance under trainer Keith Reveley’s son James in the Blue Square Gold Cup Chase at Haydock.

There were fears that the heavy ground would not be ideal for the 11-year-old, but Reveley junior did his homework and his walk of the course beforehand revealed there was a strip of good ground up the straight.

He made sure Rambling Minster (18-1) bagged it on each of the three occasions they raced up there in the three-and-a-half-mile test and taking up the running at halfway, he held the challenge of Coe by three and a half lengths.

The Saltburn trainer said: “I was a bit worried whether we were able to keep him fit with all the bad weather we have had and he is a not a heavy ground horse.

“James found that bit of good ground and the horse jumped so well that he was able to take a breather while the others were struggling a bit.

“He has a slight overreach and that will keep him off for a couple of weeks so he will go straight to Aintree now.

“He has 10st 1lb which is a lovely racing weight. He stays and is a brilliant jumper and as he is 11 now, he isn’t going to improve so if there is any time to go there, is it now.”

The younger Reveley now needs only two more winners before he loses his 3lb allowance.

Francois Doumen’s Kasbah Bliss, ridden with tremendous confidence by Christophe Pieux, ran out an impressive winner of the Grade Two Blue Square Hurdle and is now 6-4 favourite with the sponsors for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Only fourth turning into the straight, the 10-11 favourite had plenty of ground to make up on the leader, Hills of Aran.

However, Pieux never looked concerned and pulled back the advantage effortlessly, jumping to the front at the final flight to stride away for an eight-length victory.

Doumen said: “I could not be more pleased. Christophe rode him with a lot of confidence and I told him not to hit the front before the last.

“Kasbah Bliss is accepting soft ground better than before and whilst respecting the opposition, even if it is soft ground at Cheltenham, it will take a good horse to beat him – Christophe said he is better than last year.”

Tarablaze (1-2 favourite) made it three wins out of four over hurdles in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle under a fine Tony McCoy ride.

Trainer Philip Hobbs’ representative Liam Byrnes said: “Tony said that Tarablaze has plenty of ability but that he does not want the ground too quick.

“We are not sure if he is street-wise enough yet to go to Cheltenham, he is still a bit green.”

Synchronised (11-1) is heading for the Pertemps Final at the Festival having put up a stout staying performance under Richard McGrath in the qualifier.

Jonjo O’Neill, who trains him for JP McManus, said: “He travelled well, jumped well and all went to plan.

“We have never had him down as a decent horse, but soft ground must be the key to him and we will have to think of him as a good horse now.

“He is very genuine and honest and we will have to think of the Final now.”

Stow (9-4 favourite) made all the running in the hands of Sam Thomas in the Blue Square Novices’ Hurdle.

Jerry Roberts, representing in-form trainer Venetia Williams, said: “He will go to Cheltenham but we will have to see what he goes for.

“If he has too much weight in the Fred Winter then maybe he will go for the Triumph Hurdle.”

Denis O’Regan was suspended for one day (February 28) for misuse of the whip on the runner-up Indian Groom.

Coe may have been a shade unlucky in the Blue Square Gold Cup but his owner Trevor Hemmings saw The Vicar (6-1) carry his colours to victory in the Blue Square Novices’ Handicap Chase under Dominic Elsworth.

Winning trainer Henrietta Knight said: “The Vicar is a bit quirky but he has ability.

“He is in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham but is more likely to go for the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase.”

Noel Chance’ Murphy’s Cardinal (100-30), owned by his daughter, won the Blue Square Walrus Hunters’ Chase and now heads for the Cheltenham equivalent.