It was good to see FANFARON DINO gain his first success in a novice handicap hurdle run in testing conditions that he relished at Uttoxeter on Friday.
As a half brother to the Champion Hurdler EPATANTE he obviously has a brilliant pedigree but he is 17 hands, was quite weak when when he came into training and has taken time to grow into his frame.
He showed some promise last season and I was pleased with his first run back at Chepstow last month which saw him given an opening handicap mark of 87 which seemed fair enough.
While Fanfaron Dino was quite keen at Uttoxeter, his jockey Richie McLernon soon had him in a lovely rhythm just behind the leaders and his jumping was very good.
He showed ahead for the first time at the last flight and although displaying signs of greenness on the flat he was nicely on top at the finish.
We’ll see how he comes out of the race but I’d imagine we will be looking at another 0-100 handicap for Fanfaron Dino in around three weeks time.
