It is rare at this time of year for a novice chaser to run to a mark somewhere in excess of 150 but that’s what NH Handicapper Noel O’Brien believes the exciting Mossey Joe (IRE) has achieved in just two runs over fences. The giant son of Moscow Society won two point to points and a hunter chase last year without coming off the bridle and he made his racecourse debut in a Grade 3 Novice Hurdle at Cork six months ago, in which he also won easily despite taking a strong hold for much of the contest.

A reappearance run at Punchestown last month saw him finish a good second to Askanna before he toyed with the opposition in a Killarney novice chase two weeks ago. At Cork on Friday evening he ran in the Dromahane Chase over three miles. He was giving 10 pounds and upwards to some experienced handicappers and Barry Geraghty barely moved a muscle to account for The Last Derby by three and a half lengths. Mossey Joe is owned and bred by William Clifford and he is trained by Cratloe based Declan McNamara. McNamara has only had his trainer’s license for a very short time and this horse is certainly a good advertisement of his training abilities.