Kasper Hauser continued his rapid progression when making a winning debut over fences in the O’Neill’s Bar Beginners’ Chase at Tramore. The Kevin Coleman-trained four-year-old landed the contest under Calum Hogan, following up on a recent success over hurdles at Kilbeggan.
Partnered once again by Hogan, Kasper Hauser was positioned to make his challenge approaching the second-last fence and asserted thereafter to score by four and three-quarter lengths. The runner-up was the 66/1 outsider Rattledelatch, while the other market joint-favourite, Coded Welder, could only find fifth.
Step up to timber to fences
The winner had taken a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan last month and his connections elected to test him over larger obstacles at Tramore. The performance suggested he has adapted well to chasing; Coleman indicated that the plan had been to try the two-mile-six-furlong trip and to keep the colt a touch held up to assess his stamina.
Although still a relatively lightly raced novice, Kasper Hauser has shown a clear pattern of physical development this season. Coleman noted that the horse had looked immature as a juvenile and has strengthened with time — attributes that helped him take to fences more readily on good ground, which was considered important for him.
Racing and future targets
The winning connections reported they will keep the gelding in training through the summer, with plans to campaign him until September. A weight allowance played in their favour at Tramore; the jockey and horse combination benefited from a 12lb allowance in the conditions of the beginners’ contest.
With two victories from as many starts under rules — a maiden hurdle and now a beginners’ chase — Kasper Hauser will be one to watch among the younger chasing prospects in the coming months. The pair of wins provides his trainer with options for selecting suitable targets at provincial and festival meetings later in the summer and early autumn.
Notes from Tramore
- Race: O’Neill’s Bar Beginners’ Chase, Tramore.
- Winner: Kasper Hauser, trained by Kevin Coleman and ridden by Calum Hogan.
- Age: Four years old.
- Previous form: Won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan last month.
- Runner-up: Rattledelatch (66/1).
- Other notable: Coded Welder, joint 3/1 favourite, finished fifth.
- Connections: Owned by Trevor Payne and the One In A Million Syndicate.
As the summer programme unfolds, the manner of Kasper Hauser’s chase debut will make him of interest to trainers and racegoers monitoring the next wave of staying novices capable of stepping up through the chasing ranks.
