Larzac

The horse struggled earlier in the season at bigger tracks like Cheltenham and Punchestown, races that demanded more than he could offer at the time. Bramley reckons he simply wasn't ready — he needed to mature, to fill out physically and mentally. Over the summer he has done exactly that, and the timing of this breakthrough win feels significant. He's still learning, still finding his feet, but that first victory gives him something to build on. Recent form shows he was miles off the pace just four days ago, finishing eighth, which makes the win at Uttoxeter feel like a genuine turning point rather than a fluke.

The long-term plan is clear: Larzac is being groomed as a chaser, a horse built for the tougher, more demanding jumping races down the line. For now though, Bramley is keeping him to novice hurdles and will likely progress him into handicap races as the season goes on. That's a sensible, patient approach for a horse who is only just starting to show what he might become. One win from six is not much to get excited about, but sometimes how a horse wins matters more than the tally, and getting him to peak at the right moment will be the key to unlocking his best form.