RACE REPORT

BACK IN FRONT: 1997 br g ex Storm Front (Strong Gale):
Bula Hurdle, Cheltenham, 2m1f, £43,500, good

1st

 Back In Front

5/2f

11.8

2nd

 Inglis Dever

7/2

11.4

3rd

Westender

5/1

11.0

Distances: 4, ¾

Time: 4m 2.10s

Ran: 7

Trainer: E J O' Grady

Jockey: D N Russell

Owner: Nelius Hayes

 This looked stronger than the last couple of runnings, with Rooster Booster, winner of the race two years ago on his way to his Champion Hurdle success, and Westender, who looked to have a chance on official ratings having hinted at a return to form lasttime, tackling a couple of the new kids on the block in the shape of Back In Front and Inglis Drever.
In the end it was the young protagonists who got the better of their elders as BACK IN FRONT came home 4l clear of Inglis Drever in a good time, which may well have been set up by Rooster Booster opening up a wide margin lead over his rivals as his jockey adopted the front-running tactics that were employed successfully on his only win last season.
Back In Front returned from a lengthy absence with a win on the Flat with cut in the ground at Navan in October, and followed that win up with a promising one and a half length second behind subsequent Fighting Fifth winner Harchibald at Punchestown, attempting to give that rival 5lb. Obviously, he would meet on level weights back here in March so quotes of 8-1 about Back In Front for the Champion Hurdle look more than fair. His immediate plan remains unclear, with connections ruling out going to Leopardstown over Christmas and suggesting he may not be seen again until March.

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