Gary Moore seems to have acquired another superstar over hurdles this season with Nassalam and now the experienced trainer has eyed the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow as the three year olds next target.
The gelding looks to be a very exciting recruit for the yard, being regarded as the next Goshen by many experts in the industry and on December 27th he can back those claims up when stepping up for his first taste of black type racing.
The gelding moved over to England during the Summer and was given to Gary Moore after being bought by John Stone after finishing second in a conditions hurdles event at Clairefontaine.
Since moving over to England, the son of Dream Well is unbeaten on both starts to date, having ran twice in two Juvenile Hurdle events and landing them by a combined 108 lengths, something similarly achieved by his stablemate.
Having landed his first event by 59 lengths, he stepped out at again over the same course and distance at Fontwell on Monday and managed to again be a long distanced winner.
Wow! In a race won by Goshen for @gl_racing last year, Nassalam comes home miles clear at @FontwellPark!
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 15, 2020
The jockey? @jemoore85 - he only broke his back and sternum in August 💪 pic.twitter.com/fwpRyoa5qf
(Credit ATR) Moore said: “I’m very pleased. As long as he got round he had nothing to beat, but it was very straightforward. It’s not the way to make the running, but he kept it simple.“He’ll run in the Finale at Chepstow just after Christmas. That’s where he goes next.”
Moore's son and winning rider Jamie Moore was also impressed with the performance and added:“The last day I was coming back from an injury and I thought we had a good chance and today I thought I’d just enjoy it. These are the horses you want to be riding.
“He’s jumped brilliant. I’m grinning. I really like this horse. I know the opposition wasn’t the best, but it’s just the way he does it. It’s all very easy for him.
“When he schools at home the first couple of hurdles he’s exuberant. I said to dad he’s improved since his last run. He’s got a lot fresher at home.“He felt on top of the world today. He’s a lovely little horse – he’s like a baby Sire (De Grugy) with the face on him.
“He hasn’t beaten much so far, but they can only win. I gave him a squeeze after the last and there was plenty there.
“You can’t compare him with Goshen, but he’s another nice horse we’ve got hopefully. He’s had two nice runs so we can step him up in grade now and see what he can do then.”
Nassalam is now getting quotes of 14/1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle on the Friday of the Cheltenham festival, where the new recruit will be looking to go one better than Goshen and land the event.