National Hunt Preview 2011/12

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The forthcoming national hunt season is greeted with a myriad of emotions for the jumps enthusiast, hope, expectations and most of all dreams. As soon as the big spring festivals end, the jumps fan is salivating for the autumn and the beginning of the new jumps season.

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What makes Jumps racing so special? The answer lies in relationships that punters build with different horses. Unlike the flat, where prodigious talents are sent off to stud to protect their value, jumpers return year on year like gladiators ready to defend their titles along with punter’s hopes and dreams.

Weekends during the winter are witness to key trials which help to provide the punter with clues for the Holy Grail of National Hunt Racing, the Cheltenham Festival. The objective of this preview is to help the punter in his decision making process. This is done by reviewing the best of the jumping class of 2010/2011, beginning with last year’s established hurdlers and http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2291]chasers , followed by last year’s http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2297]novice hurdlers and http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2296]chasers and finishing with a section on last year’s http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2300]bumper class . Thus whether you are looking to narrow down your selections for the Tote Ten To Follow Competition or simply looking to back the winner of the big jumps races throughout the season; I hope you enjoy this preview and that it proves a useful resource for the season ahead.

Nothing beats jumps racing!

Big Buck’s

This Paul Nichols trained son of Cadoudal is arguably the greatest staying hurdler of all time. He cemented this reputation by becoming the first horse to win three World Hurdles on the bounce.

Big Buck’s started the season by easily justifying long odds in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle in November and the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle in December at Newbury. He went into the Festival facing potentially his greatest challenge in the shape of young pretender Grand Crus. His supporters had little to worry about bar Ruby Walsh losing his whip after jumping the last flight, as he easily repelled the challenge of Grand Crus, winning by 1 ¾ lengths, going away again in the finish. He confirmed his superiority over his young rival at Aintree the following month, running out an even more convincing 5 length winner. He was given a well-earned break following this race, connections resisting the temptation of sending him to Punchestown.

His record over hurdles is astonishing, registering twelve straight victories and it’s really hard to see any of last year’s crop of novices being capable of mounting a credible challenge. Perhaps this challenge will come from established hurdlers stepping up in trip such as Thousand Stars or Oscar Whisky. Expect him to follow a similar race program to last year.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 174

Hurricane Fly

This Willie Mullins trained son of Montjeu was the best winner of the Champion Hurdle since the mighty Istrabraq, reflected in a BHA rating of 173.

He started the year by defeating old foe Solwhit in the Grade 1 Hattons Grace Hurdle over 2m 4f at Fairyhouse in December. This was followed by further Grade 1 success in the Festival Hurdle and Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in December and January. Solwhit filled the runners up spot on both occassions. He was sent off the 11-4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle. His price would have been shorter but for questions regarding his ability to handle a fast run two mile race on good ground, his ability to handle the unique undulations of the track and the absence of a Montjeu sired winner at the Festival. He answered these questions with aplomb in beating the tenacious Peddlers Cross by 1¼ lengths, with a further 5 lengths back to Oscar Whisky in third. He rounded off his season by winning the Grade 1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

The standard bearer for all two mile hurdlers with championship aspirations, it will take some effort to lower his colours. The one caveat is that he has missed two of the last three Festivals due to injury. These training fragilities does not make him an ante post proposition. Expect him to follow a similar race program to last year.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 173

Peddlers Cross

This Donald McCain trained son of Oscar won the 2009/2010 Neptune Hurdle at the Festival. In doing so he really announced the arrival of his trainer to the top table of Trainers. Connections decided against a novice chase campaign in favour of a tilt at the Champion Hurdle.

He started the 2010/2011 season by winning the rearranged Fighting Fifth over 2m 1f at Newbury in good style, beating Starluck by 1 ¼ lengths with an undercooked Binocular a further 6 lengths back in third. He was forced to miss his intended prep races for the Champion Hurdle as a consequence of bad weather cancelling the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock, and then a cough ruled him out of running in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown. Desperate to get a run into him before the Festival, connections brought him to Kelso for the Morebattle Hurdle where he was no more than workmanlike in beating Bygones of Brid by 11 lengths. He lost his unbeaten record in the Champion Hurdle, beaten just under 2 lengths by the impressive Hurricane Fly with another 5 lengths back to Oscar Whiskey in third. He was over the top when well beaten in his final start in the Aintree hurdle over 2m 4f.

His run in the Champion Hurdle established him as the best two mile hurdler in Britain but connections must be seriously weighing up a chasing career for this former point to point winner. His blend of speed and stamina would mark him out as the ideal Arkle type and with little or no chance of reversing form with Hurricane Fly, it may be the wiser course of action.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 170

Grand Crus

This David Pipe trained son of Dom Alco improved out of all recognition for the step up in trip during the 2010/2011 season.

He landed some nice wagers when landing a handicap at Cheltenham over 2m 5f at the start of November off a mark off 126. Before the handicapper could reassess him he was sent out the following week under a penalty to win the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock over 3m. On paper he looked a handicap good thing, and that is how it transpired, drawing clear from 2 out to beat Barafundle by 10 lengths. He contested the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham over 3m in January and put up quite an astonishing performance. Travelling powerfully throughout, he drew clear from two out to beat Knockara Beau by 10 lengths, but in truth was value for more. It now appeared that Big Buck’s had some credible opposition in the world hurdle. The concern going into the festival was whether Grand Crus would be as effective on the quicker spring ground. In the World Hurdle, Grand Crus was held up out the back travelling well. He made his move approaching the third last and made his challenge upon jumping the last but could not get past the reigning champ, beaten 1 ¾ lengths. He lost absolutely nothing in defeat, and gave Big Buck’s a genuine fright. The pair clashed again at Aintree but the result was more emphatic this time, beaten 5 lengths.

Connections had toyed with the idea of sending him chasing last year, but given his performances he was kept over the hurdlers. He will definitely go chasing in the autumn with the RSA the logical target, and it will be a surprise if he does not make his presence felt. While he has shown the ability to handle quicker ground, there is little doubt that he is much more effective with easier underfoot conditions.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 167

Oscar Whisky

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Oscar runs in the colours of Ffos Las supremo Dai Waters. He rounded off his novice campaign in the 2009/2010 season with an excellent fourth in the Supreme Novices behind Menorah. He was only beaten by 4 lengths but was let down by his hurdling technique at times, something that improved immensely throughout the 2010/2011 season.

Started the year with an ultra-impressive performance over 2m 5f at Cheltenham in January, where he led on the bit jumping the last and only had to be shaken up to pull 7 lengths clear of Any Given Sunday. On the back of this performance, he was been touted as a World Hurdle horse in many quarters. His next start was in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las in February, where he was not extended to justify odds of 2-11. Connections opted to run in the Champion Hurdle at the Festival instead of the World Hurdle. This decision was justified with a gallant third to Hurricane Fly, beaten 6 ¼ lengths. He was rewarded for his consistency throughout the season on his final start in the grade 1 Aintree hurdle over 2m 4f in April. He was given an aggressive ride by Barry Geraghty and held a 3 length advantage after jumping the last. In the end he was all out to hold the late surge of Thousand Stars by a neck. It may well have been that he was idling after being in front for so long.

Connections have indicated that he is to stay over the smaller obstacles with the World Hurdle the long term target. As he is only rising 7, there may be more physical improvement to come which may help him to lay down a challenge to the mighty Big Buck’s. Races such as the Long Distance and Long Walk hurdle would seem likely early season targets.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 165

Binocular

The Nicky Henderson trained son of Enrique runs in the JP McManus colours. He was the winner of the 2009/2010 Champion Hurdle.

He started the 2010/2011 season by running in the rearranged Fighting Fifth at Newbury in November, where he travelled and jumped well before blowing up on the run to the line, trailing in 7 ¼ lengths behind Peddlers Cross. Many Paddock judges noted that he was carrying a fair bit of conditioning and all in all it was a promising reappearance. He looked backed to his Champion Hurdle winning best when easily winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton by 3 ¾ lengths from Overturn. Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Binocular. At Sandown in February, he was sluggish in beating his 116 rating stablemate Ruthenoise by 1 ¾ lengths in his Champion Hurdle prep. He missed the Champion Hurdle on the eve of the race as connections were concerned that medication used to treat a rash would not be out of his system in time to past a drugs test post-race. He ran disappointingly on his final two runs at Aintree and Punchestown.

Binocular goes into the 2011/2012 season with plenty of questions to answer. There is no denying that on his day he is a very talented 2m hurdler. It is interesting to note that his Champion Hurdle winning time is comparable to what Hurricane Fly achieved. Expect him to follow a similar race program to last year, starting with the Fighting Fifth and culminating with a run in the Champion Hurdle, where he will attempt to regain his crown.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 165

Thousand Stars

This Willie Mullins trained gelding runs in the Quevega colours and has improved a massive fifty seven pounds since switching stables at the start of the 2009/2010 season. The highlight of that season was his win in the County Hurdle at the Festival under regular pilot Katie Walsh. He proved throughout the 2010/2011 season that this was no fluke.

He started the year with two defeats to Hurricane Fly in the Festival Hurdle over Christmas and the Irish Champion Hurdle in January, both at Leopardstown. He ran a blinder to finish fourth under Paul Townend in the Champion Hurdle at the festival. His best race to date came on his next start in the Aintree Hurdle over 2m 4f, where he received a power pack ride from Katie Walsh to finish a fast finishing second, beaten a neck by Oscar Whisky having stayed on strongly from three out. On his final run he managed to finish second to Hurricane Fly over the minimum trip in a messily run affair at the Punchestown Festival.

Connections have decided to abort plans for an Arkle Chase campaign in favour of a tilt at the World Hurdle. They were probably swayed in their thinking by his latest victory in the grade 1 French Champion Hurdle over 3m 2f at Auteuil in June. While he has received a fair level of form over two miles it would be no surprise to see him improve further as he steps up in trip. The Hattons Grace Hurdle is a likely starting point.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 164
Solwhit – This Charles Byrnes trained son of Solon is one of the most consistent horses in training. The winner of six Grade 1s, this number would increase to ten but for the presence of Hurricane Fly.
Started the season in great style by winning his sixth Grade 1 when easily accounting for the mare Voler La Vedette by 2 lengths over 2 miles at Punchestown in November. On his final three runs of the season he was easily brushed aside by the high class Hurricane Fly, who increased his superiority on each occasion. After his last defeat to his great rival in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, connections wisely decided to avoid a rematch at the Festival by targeting the stayers hurdle instead. Unfortunately he missed that engagement after failing to fire in his homework. He was put away for the season in the hope of freshening him up for a novice chase campaign in the autumn.
While the Arkle will be the obvious long term target, there must be a slight doubt as to his suitability for the track as he ran disappointingly in the Champion Hurdle during the 2009/2010 season, admittingly his preparation was less than ideal at the time, having scoped poorly in the weeks leading up to the race. Nevertheless this soft ground loving horse should have plenty of winning opportunities on home soil before then.

Age: 7
BHA Rating 162

Menorah

This Philips Hobbs trained son of King’s Theatre runs in the Diana Whateley colours. As winner of the 2009/2010 supreme novices, connections were hopeful that he would develop into a leading Champion Hurdle horse during the 2010/2011 season.

Started his season in fine style at Cheltenham in November by defying top weight in the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle, finding plenty up the hill to withstand the challenge of Bothy by a neck. He returned to Cheltenham in December for the Grade 2 International Hurdle and showed a devastating turn of foot to burst the Cue Card bubble. This race was a slowly run affair despite the use of Nicene Creed as a pacemaker by connections of the winner. He went off second favourite for the Champion Hurdle on the back of these victories but trailed in a well beaten 5th behind Hurricane Fly. The winner comfortably confirmed placings with Menorah at the Punchestown festival in a muddling affair that is best ignored.

He will now embark on a chasing career in the autumn with the Arkle at Cheltenham his main target. He is out of the same family as Deny’s Adventure, who was a previous winner of the Arkle. It will be a disappointing if he cannot make his presence felt in the best two mile novice chases in the coming months.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 162

Mourad

This Willie Mullins trained son of Sinndar was a very good juvenile hurdler during the 2008/2009 season which culminated in a good third to Zaynar in one of the hottest renewals of the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He has built upon this promise in the last couple of seasons, as he stepped up in trip.

He began the 2010/2011 season in the Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse over an inadequate 2m 4f in December, keeping on at the one pace to finish fourth to stable mate Hurricane Fly. He was stepped up to 3m for his next two starts and recorded impressive victories at Leopardstown over Christmas and at Gowran towards the end of January. This established him as the main Irish challenger for the World Hurdle at the Festival. At Cheltenham, he ran a great race in finishing third, beaten 4 ½ lengths but could never strike a blow on the front two. He attempted to make amends on his final start at Punchestown over 3 miles in April. There were no Big Buck’ss or Grand Crus to face this time, but there was Quevega. He was beaten 1 ¼ lengths but may well have shaken up the great mare had he met the last flight on a better stride.

With no more to give over hurdles, connections may decide to send Mourad over the larger obstacles in the autumn. While he can handle the winter underfoot conditions, he is a better horse on better ground and one can see him developing into a leading Irish challenger for the RSA, should connections send him down that route.

Age: 6
RSA Rating: 160

Quevega

This Willie Mullins trained daughter of Robin Des Champs is easily the greatest mare of her generation.

She completed a hat trick of victories in the David Nicholson mares hurdle over 2m 5f at the festival on her first start in the 2010/2011 season. Always travelling well and jumping slickly she was not extended in beating Sparky May by 10 lengths. She followed this up by retaining the World Series Hurdle at Punchestown over 3 miles in April, overcoming a mistake at the last to beat her stable mate Mourad by 1 ¼ lengths.

She revels in the spring ground and so expect her to follow a similar campaign to the previous two seasons. Connections may be tempted to run her in the Aintree Hurdle after Cheltenham as the 2m 4f trip would appear right up her street. She has become the Irish banker at the Cheltenham Festival for the last three years and it will take something really extraordinary to lower her colours in the 2011/2012 David Nicholson.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 158

Mille Chief

This Alan King trained gelding runs in the colours of the MacNeill family. His trainer has made no secret of the high regard he holds this son of Ski Chief. He was antepost favourite for the Triumph Hurdle during the 2009/2010 season but was forced to miss the race due to injury.

He made is eagerly awaited return to the track at Aintree over 2m 1f in October, looking to exploit what seemed an attractive mark of 136. The result was an anti-climax as he was a well beaten fifth. His next start at Ascot over 2 miles in November was more encouraging. Stripping fitter, he lost little in failing to concede eighteen pounds to the smart novice Aegean Dawn. At Sandown in January, he defied top weight when running out an impressive winner in bottomless ground. It was at that point that he started to enter Champion Hurdle calculations. On his final run before the Festival, he had to battle hard to just hold off the challenge of Celestial Halo in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. He failed to fire on his final two runs of the season in the Champion Hurdle at the Festival and the Scottish equivalent in April.

The formbook shows that all four of his wins to date have been achieved on righthanded tracks with give in the ground, and that he has disappointed anytime he has being asked to go lefthanded. It looks like he will have another season over hurdles and given his preference for going righthanded, races such as the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton seem obvious targets.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 156

Carlito Brigante

This Gordon Elliot trained son of Haafhd, runs in the colours of Michael O’Leary Gigginstown House Stud. He was a high class juvenile hurdler during the 2009/2010 season, culminating in a fourth place finish in the Triumph Hurdle for which he was sent off the 7-2 favourite.

Carlito Brigante began the 2010/2011 season with victory at Haydock over 2m in November. His sights were raised considerably at Cheltenham in December where he contested the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle over 2m 5f. He ran disappointingly and was subsequently sent away for a breathing operation. His next run was in a two runner affair at Fairyhouse over 2m in January where he was beaten by Alaivan. He was sent off an unconsidered 16-1 shot for the Coral Cup over 2m 5f at the Cheltenham Festival. Back on his favoured good ground, he made a mockery of his rating of 140 to run out a very easy 6 length winner. He was no match for Big Buck’s at Aintree on his penultimate start but was a very creditable third behind Quevega over 3m 1f at Punchestown.

Carlito Brigante looks just below top class over hurdles so a switch to fences now looks likely. Ground is very important to Carlito Brigante with all six of his lifetime wins coming on ground described as good to soft or better. He may struggle on soft ground throughout the winter but could easily turn up at Cheltenham in something like the Jewson or the Centenary Chase at a good price.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 155

Silviniaco Conte

This Paul Nichols trained son of Dom Alco unfortunately lost his novice status for the 2010/2011 season after winning a minor event in the French Provinces in March 2010. This meant that he was only eligible to run in novice hurdles until the end of October.

He won a minor event at Bangor over 2m 1f in October by 29 lengths before really announcing his arrival in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices Hurdle at Chepstow over 2m 4f at the end of the month. In a performance that seemed to take connections by surprise, he came home 10 lengths clear of the high class Captain Chris. A noticeable feature of both these runs was how well he jumped for a novice. He stepped into open company for a Grade 2 over 2m 4f at Ascot in November. He took the lead three out and soon drew clear to beat the 163 rated Karabak by 7 lengths. On his penultimate run, he was stepped back to 2m 1f for the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December. In a slowly run affair, the race developed into a sprint finish and Silviniaco Conte lacked the gears of Menorah, finishing third beaten 5 lengths. On his final start he was well beaten behind Mille Chief in the Kingwell Hurdle over 2m in February.

Connections decided to put him away for the rest of the season with a view to going novice chasing in the autumn. It is not hard to see Silviniaco Conte developing into a leading Jewson or RSA contender especially the way he attacked his hurdles. Looks pretty versatile with respect to ground which increases his opportunities further.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 154

Pittoni

This Charles Byrnes trained son of Peintre Celebre runs in the colours of Paddy Wilmott. He was a very decent juvenile hurdler during the 2009/2010 season, which included a win in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile at Leopardstown.
He had only one run over hurdles during the 2010/2011 season. This was at Leopardstown over two miles towards the end of February, where he beat Cass Bligh by 2 ½ lengths.

Pittoni has had a couple of spins on the flat in the meantime and is now rated 100. He looks feasibly handicapped in comparison to his flat rating. A trip across the water for something like the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November may be on the cards before a possible switch to fences. He is a much better horse on soft ground so a visit to Cheltenham may not be high on the agenda.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 141

For Non Stop

This Nick Williams trained son of Alderbrook is out of the same family as Nicky Henderson’s former high class chaser Fiddling the Facts.

For Non Stop started his season by easily winning a 2m 4f novice handicap at Chepstow in October off a mark of 112. His next start came in a 2m 5f handicap at Cheltenham in November where he finished a clear 6 length second to Grand Crus (gave one pound). On the back of this run he was sent off favourite for the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle over 2m 5f at Newbury in December where he could only finish fourth to the ill-fated Backspin. Nick Williams reported afterwards that he had missed some work prior to this race due to the bad weather at the time. Connections decided to run in the Coral Cup at the festival instead of the Neptune. This was understandable as he looked well handicapped off 135 in light of Grand Crus subsequent performances. Travelling and jumping well, he took up the running from three out and had them all in trouble behind bar the eventual winner Carlito Brigante. He was about 2 lengths down at the final flight when falling. He looked beaten at the time but may well have finished second but for that mishap. He was stepped up to 3m 1f for the Grade 1 Sefton Novice Hurdle at Aintree on his final start but was well beaten having broke a blood vessel.

He still looks well handicapped and may be targeted at something like the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock before a switch to fences. It would be no surprise to see this former point to point winner scale the heights over fences with a tilt at something like the Jewson a possibility.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 140

Tocca Ferro

The Emma Levalle trained son of April Night started the 2010/2011 season ridiculously well handicapped off a mark off 126.

He duly dotted up in a listed race at Ascot over 2m in October. It was a much better performance that the official winning margin of a neck suggests as he led on the bit upon jumping the last and was just idling in front. He was raised eight pounds for that effort but it still could not halt his progress, running out an even more impressive winner of the Gerry Fielden at Newbury’s Hennessy meeting over 2m 1f in November. The handicapper raised him to 141 after that and he was installed as favourite for the Totesport Trophy at Newbury. He unfortunately missed that engagement and the rest of the season after suffering a slight tendon tear on his final piece of work at Kempton.
Should he make a full recovery it would not be surprising to see him try to exploit what appears a very workable mark, before stepping into open company. He needs to improve over twenty five pounds to get competitive in a Champion Hurdle, but he may well be up to the task.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 141

Other Categories:

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2291]Established Chasers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2297]Novice Hurdlers
http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2296]Novice Chasers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2300]Bumper Class

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]Read the full story here

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The second part of Fenway Park’s http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]2011/12 National Hunt Preview is a look at established chasers.

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Long Run

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Cadoudal runs in the Robert Waley Cohen Colours. He entered the 2010/2011 season with plenty of questions to answer after a somewhat disappointing fourth in the 2009/2010 RSA chase.

He started the 2010/2011 season by finishing third in the Paddy Power Chase at Cheltenham off a mark off 158 in November. In hindsight, the 2m 5f trip was probably on the sharp side for Long Run as we now know that he has stamina in abundance. On the positive side he jumped much better than he had in the RSA on his previous visit. He was fancied to put up a bold show in the King George at Kempton in January, as this was the scene of his best performance as a novice, when he romped to victory in the 3m Feltham Chase. In the King George he was equipped with first time ear plugs and after a mistake at the first he soon settled into a nice rhythm. He took up the running three out and powered away to win by an impressive 12 lengths from stablemate Riverside Theatre with Kauto Star in third. Despite this success he was allowed to go off a generous 9-2 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The perception was that he was better on a righthanded flat track. He firmly put these doubts to bed, storming to a 7 length win over the old guard of Denman and Kauto Star, breaking the course record in the process. This win would have been more emphatic but for a couple of bad blunders, noticeably at the third and the twelfth.

As a rising seven year old there is every chance that there is more improvement to come, a scary thought for potential rivals. He is likely to start off in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, followed by a defence of his king George and Gold Cup crowns. Undoubtedly the one all top staying chasers have to beat.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 182

Master Minded

This Paul Nichols trained son of Nikos and two time winner of the Champion Chase runs in the Clive Smith colours. He came into the 2010/2011 season with plenty of questions to answer. Connections had put his defeat to Big Zeb in the 2009/2010 Champion Chase down to the ground. This was certainly a plausible explanation as it was certainly the quickest ground that he had encountered so far in his career. Prior to the start of the 2010/2011 season he was given a breathing operation.

His campaign started in great style with comfortable wins at Ascot over 2m 3f in November and at Cheltenham over 2m 1f in December. His supporters were given a fright on his next start in the Grade 1 Victor Chandler at Ascot over 2m 1f in January, where he just held on from the fast finishing Somersby. In truth, he probably found himself in front far too soon and was idling for AP McCoy. He was sent off the 2-1 favourite to regain his title at the Festival but ran disappointingly for the second year in succession. He was never able to strike a blow and was well beaten prior to making a bad mistake at the second last. In hindsight, it looks like this French bred lost the pace necessary to compete over the minimum trip. With that in mind, connections decided to test the waters with a view to next year by stepping him up in trip at Aintree over 2m 4f in the Melling Chase. He put up his best performance of the year when easily accounting for the Ryanair hero Albertas Run by 9 lengths.

Connections have indicated their intention to target the King George in the forthcoming season. There must be a serious doubt about his ability to see out this trip. In addition, the three mile chase division looks extremely competitive. Thus the Ryanair would seem a more logical target. Will probably start his season at Ascot in November in the same race he won last year.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 178

Sizing Europe

The Henry De Bromhead trained son of Pistolet Bleu runs in the colours of Ann and Alan Potts. At the start of the 2010/2011 season, connections were keen to step him up in trip with a view to running in the King George and Gold Cup.

He was beaten by China Rock at Punchestown over 2m 7f in October and then by Kauto Star at Down Royal over 3 miles in November. Despite these reversals, it was still not clear as to whether he truly seen out the 3 mile trip or not. He missed out on the King George when it was abandoned due to snow in December with connections deciding to sidestep the rearranged fixture in January. The decision was then taken to go with plan B and a tilt at the Champion Chase. Despite nine out of the last eleven winners of the Arkle finishing first or second in the following year’s Champion Chase, he was allowed to go off a pretty much unconsidered 10-1. Racing in the vanguard throughout, he took up the running at the seventh and ran out a convincing 5 length winner from the 2010 winner Big Zeb. The latter turned the tables at the Punchestown festival but Sizing Europe was beaten in the same race the previous twelve months and may have being slightly over the top by then.
With the staying chase division looking decidedly hot in comparison to the two mile division, it would be no surprise to see Sizing Europe kept to the minimum distance in an effort to retain his crown. His versatility with respect to ground means that he should make his presence felt in the top 2m chases during the winter months

Age: 9
BHA Rating: 177

Denman

This Paul Nichols trained son of Presenting runs in the Paul Barber colours and is one of the greatest staying chasers of his generation, with one Gold Cup and two Hennessys amongst a glowing CV.

He Started the season at Newbury in November in an effort to win the Hennessy for the third time in four years under top weight. He was still upsides the eventual winner Diamond Harry at the third last but soon had to give way to his younger rival, eventually finishing a gallant third, beaten 15 ½ lengths. The concession of twenty six pounds proving an impossible task. Connections have discovered that the key to Denman as he gets older is to keep him fresh, and so it was put away until the Gold Cup in March. In the Gold Cup he was still in contention jumping the second from home but soon had to give way to Long Run on the approach to the last where he stayed on gamely up the hill to be beaten 7 lengths in the end. Thus for the third year in the trot, he filled the runners up spot, a quite remarkable achievement. He was sent to Aintree for his final start but was well beaten on a track that does not suit his galloping style.

Now in the twilight of his career, he may be entering his last year in training. It is noticeable that since going novice chasing in the 2006/2007 season, that eight out of his last nine wins have come at Newbury and Cheltenham. He may only have two starts next year, but connections may favour a tilt at the Betfair Chase instead of trying to concede lumps of weight to younger horses in the Hennessy. After that all roads will lead to the Gold Cup, where he may still be competitive but not good enough to win.

Age: 11
BHA Rating: 177

Big Zeb

This Colm Murphy trained son of Oscar began the 2009/2010 season as the top rated two mile chaser in trainer with a rating of 174. Despite winning that year’s Champion Chase and easily dethroning Master Minded, one gets the impression that he was still largely underrated in many quarters.

He began the 2010/2011 season in great style, beating old rival Golden Silver in the Fortia Chase at Navan in November and repeating the trick in the Paddy Power Dial a Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Golden Silver finally managed to get his head in front at Punchestown in January as Big Zeb idled after finding himself in front too far from home. He was allowed to go off 3-1 second favourite for a repeat bid in the Champion Chase at the Festival. He tracked the strong pace set by Sizing Europe and went to deliver his challenge at the second last where he made a slight mistake. He rallied again coming down to the last fence but had little more to give, eventually going down by 5 lengths. While the official going was described as good, it was noticeable that the track was riding slower on the Wednesday. This was certainly against Big Zeb who needs genuine good ground to be seen at his absolute best. On his final start at Punchestown, he managed to reverse placings with his Cheltenham conqueror, with only ¾ of a length separating the pair.

Big Zeb is now rising eleven and in the last thirty odd years only the great Moscow Flyer managed to win the Champion Chase as an eleven year old. His chances of regaining his title will largely be ground dependent, and should the ground be similar to what he encountered in 2009/2010, he is certainly is capable of putting up a bold show.

Age: 10
BHA Rating: 176

Imperial Commander

This Nigel Twiston Davies trained son of Flemensfirth needs little introduction. The highlight of his 2009/2010 season was his epic victory over Kauto Star and Denman in the Gold Cup. He came into the 2010/2011 season as the second highest rated staying chaser on 185, behind Kauto Star on 190. Many observers still had Imperial Commander as the one to beat in the Gold Cup.

He made his seasonal debut in the Betfair Chase over 3m 1f at Haydock in November. He ran out a comfortable winner on bottomless ground. He was much better value than the 1 ¼ length winner margin suggests as he idled on the run in, having shot 5 lengths clear after jumping the last. He missed his intended prep in the King George with a setback. The vibes emanating from the Twiston Davies camp prior to the Gold Cup were less than positive. In addition gallop watchers were less than impressed by his last two pieces work at Kempton and Warwick racetracks. Despite this, a repeat success was looking a possibility as he travelled and jumped as well as 12 months earlier off a furious pace, until making a bad mistake at the fourth last. He could never recover and was eventually pulled up slightly lame. He was also reported to have burst a blood vessel.

Connections had thought about sending him to Punchestown but decided the best course of action was to put him away for the season. He is now rising eleven, but significantly does not have a huge amount of miles on the clock. He will be trained principally for the Gold Cup and will probably start his year off in the Betfair Chase, followed by the King George or the Lexus Chase. He loves Prestbury Park with form figures of 111411 in his six lifetime starts prior to this year’s effort in the Gold Cup. He will need to produce something pretty close to his Gold Cup winning best in order to compete with Long Run and his peers.

Age: 10
BHA Rating: 170

Kauto Star

This Paul Nichols trained son of Village Star runs in the Clive Smith colours. He is the greatest chaser of his generation, accumulating an astonishing fourteen grade 1s.

He began the 2010/2011 season at Down Royal in November, where he had to be pushed out to beat Sizing Europe by 4 lengths. It was quite an underwhelming performance but it was not the first time he had started a campaign in sluggish form. He was sent off the 4-7 favourite to win a remarkable fifth King George at Kempton in January but had no answer to the powerful Long Run, trailing in a well beaten third, beaten 19 lengths. He went into the festival seeking a third Gold Cup but confidence of connections was tempered by his effort in the King George. He ran a blinding race in finishing third to Long Run, beating 11 lengths. Connections decided to send him to Punchestown for his final run but he was pulled up after never travelling.
At the start of the 2010/2011 season Kauto Star had a BHA rating of 190. While he ran with credit in the King George and Gold Cup, there is little doubt that these runs where well below his career best efforts. Connections will probably give him one run in the autumn to see if he shows a spark, most likely in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. If he fails to shine, he will be retired.

Age: 11
BHA Rating: 170

Diamond Harry

This Nick Williams trained son of Sir Harry Lewis was a top class hurdler (rated 164) during the 2009/2010 season before embarking on a novice chase career.

He started the 2010/2011 season by winning the Hennessy at Newbury off a mark of 152 by just under 2 lengths from Burton Port. This was not a surprising result as Diamond Harry’s optimum conditions are fresh, soft ground, and a left handed flat galloping track. This was evident again at the start of the 2009/2010 season when in won the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock, where he gave over a stone and an easy beating to Burton Port. After his win in the Hennessy connections decided to put him away until the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Unfortunately Diamond Harry met with a setback in the run up to the race and was put away for the season. Connections probably regret this decision as the Lexus and Irish Hennessy both looked winnable races on a track that would have played to Diamond Harry’s strength.

Although Diamond Harry is clearly a very good horse fresh having won first time out on each of the last five seasons, there is little evidence to suggest that he fails to hold his form throughout the year. Connections expect him to return as good as ever in the autumn. He could start off in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, followed by the Lexus and/or Irish Hennessy and then a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 168

Albertas Run

This Jonjo O’Neill trained son of Accordian runs in the colours of Trevor Hemmings. He is the embodiment of a Spring horse, having registered three Grade 1 victories at the Cheltenham Festival on the bounce, the RSA Chase and the last two runnings of the Ryanair Chase.

He started the 2010/2011 season by suffering a crunching fall at ascot over 2m 3f in November. At the time he was certainly coming off second best to Master Minded. His next run in the King George at Kempton over Christmas was not much better as he was pulled up after struggling for a long ways. His form going into the Ryanair Chase meant that he was allowed to go off at 6-1. Racing on the good ground he adores, he quickly set a steady pace from the front where his accurate jumping had many of his rivals in trouble. He jumped the last in front and stayed on bravely up the punishing Cheltenham hill to repel the late charge of Kalahari King by one length. He rounded his year off with a repeat bid in the Melling Chase at Aintree over 2m 4f. He ran another brave race but was simply outclassed by Master Minded, beaten 9 lengths.
All roads will lead to another assault on the Ryanair Chase at the festival where the quality of opposition this time round is potentially far better than anything he would have faced in his last two victories. Difficult to see him completing a remarkable hat trick.

Age: 10
BHA Rating: 168

Riverside Theatre – This Nicky Henderson trained son of King’s Theatre runs in the Jimmy Nesbitt colours.

He started the 2010/2011 season with an easy win in a graduation chase at Kempton over 2m 5f in November, beating Free World by 9 lengths. He gave the impression during his novice chase year that a step up in trip would suit. In the 2009/2010 Arkle he was badly outpaced but stayed on relentlessly to finish 8 ¾ lengths behind Sizing Europe. His sights were raised considerably on his next start as he contested the King George at Kempton in January. He travelled well but found his stamina being stretched over this 3m trip in the last couple of furlongs, but plugged on to take second, beating 12 lengths by his stablemate Long Run. His final start came in the grade 1 Ascot Chase over 2m 6f in February. Jumping with his usual accuracy, he had 10 lengths to spare over the runner up Gauvain.

On the back of these two longs he was installed ante post favourite for the Ryanair Chase at the Festival. Unfortunately he suffered a hairline fracture to his pelvis and was force to miss the rest of the season. Connections expect him to make a full recovery and he should have a leading role to play in what could prove an ultra-competitive 2m 4f division.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 165

Pandorama

The Noel Meade trained son of Flemensfirth is a remarkably consistent sort, having registered nine wins from twelve starts under rules.

He started the season off by being pulled up in the Hennessy at Newbury in November. Connections were keen to try and exploit what seemed a very favourable mark of 156. An early blunder at the second, soon put paid to his chances and his was pulled up before the eight. He was next seen in the Grade 1 Lexus chase at Leopardstown over 3m at Christmas where he was the subject of a significant gamble (6s into 7-2). Jumping well and relishing the heavy ground, he ran out a 6 length winner from the ill-fated Money Trix. This established his credentials as the leading Irish challenger for Gold Cup in March. The concern going into the festival was the prospect of good ground, which would significantly reduce his chances. As fate would have it, the ground did turn good and connections were considering withdrawing their charge right up to the morning of the race. They decided to let him take his chance and as expected he was taken off his feet and trailed in a well beaten eight.

It is hard to ever see him challenge for a Gold Cup unless we get a soft ground festival. As it is, there are plenty of decent prizes such as the Lexus and Irish Hennessy to be won on winter ground.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 165

Weapons Amnesty

This Charles Byrnes trained son of Presenting runs in the colours of Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud. He unfortunately suffered a slight tendon injury when winning the 2009/2010 RSA Chase at the Festival and missed the entire 2010/2011 season.

His last three runs of his novice season marked him out as a horse of undoubted potential and class. In the 3m Grade 1 chase at Leopardstown over Christmas , he went down by a short head to Pandorama after a protected battle up the straight, where the underfoot conditions would have been more to the winner’s advantage. On his final run before Cheltenham, he went down by 1 ¾ lengths to the ill-fated Citizen Vic in the Grade 1 PJ Moriarty Chase over 2m 5f at Leopardstown. This distance was always going to be on the shape side for this stamina laden gelding. He went off at odds of 10-1 in the RSA chase, largely due to the hype surrounding the Henderson pair of Long Run and Punchestown. Relishing the better ground, he travelled like the best horse throughout the race and powered up the hill to defeat Burton’s Port by 7 lengths.

The novice chasing class of 2009/2010 now look an exceptional bunch in light of the performances of Long run, Diamond Harry, Burton Port and Bensalem during 2010/2011 season. In winning that year’s RSA, Weapon’s Amnesty positioned himself as top of that class. He also reaffirmed his liking for course and distance, having won the Albert Bartlett novice hurdle in 2008/2009. Connections will now be hoping that their patience will be rewarded. The king George would appear an unlikely target as Weapon’s Amnesty needs to go left handed and so he will probably stay at home to contest the Lexus and Irish Hennessy, before heading to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup.
Age: 8
BHA Rating 152

Bensalem

This Alan King trained son of Turtle Island is a half-brother to Emma Lavelle’s very smart Court In Motion. He suffered from travel sickness, pneumonia and pleurisy after finishing second to Quevega at the Punchestown Festival at the end of April 2010. At one point connections were concerned that he was not going to survive, let alone race again.

He made a full recovery and started the 2010/2011 campaign over hurdles, in order to protect his chase mark of 143. He proved no match for Grand Crus in the Cleeve Hurdle over 3m 1f at Cheltenham in January. It was still an encouraging performance as he travelled well until blowing up late on in the race. He was beaten into second place on his next start at Haydock on bottomless ground in February. He led on the bit after three out but could find no more after a mistake at the second from home. He returned to fences at the Cheltenham for the Stewart Family Handicap over 3m 1f, hoping to make amends for a fall two from home in the same race twelve months earlier when looking the probable winner. On this occasion he was held up out the back off a strong pace and gradually began to pick his rivals off one by one. Jumping the last he joined by Carole’s Legacy but pulled out more on the run to the line to win by ½ length. He made his final start at Aintree over fences in a listed 3m 1f handicap, where he was undone by a bad blunder 2 out, eventually trailing in fifth, beating 8 lengths.

He now goes into the 2011/2012 season off a mark of 152. As a novice chaser during 2009/2010 in was only beaten 2 lengths by Diamond Harry at Newbury over 3m. Diamond Harry is now rated 168 and in that context, Bensalem remains a potentially well handicap horse. He looks tailor made for the Hennessy before stepping into open company to contest some of the better staying chases.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 152

Sunnyhillboy

This Jonjo O’Neill trained son of Old Vic runs in the colours of JP McManus and was formerly a smart handicap hurdler (rated 142). He signed off for the 2009/2010 season with an excellent second in the Byrne Group Plate over 2m 5f at the festival.

He started the 2010/2011 season in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham over 2m 5f in November, but failed to make an impression. He ran much better in the Vote AP Gold Cup over same course and distance in December, finishing a 7 length third to Poquelin. He was stepped up to 3m 1f at the festival for the Stewart Family Chase. He was the subject of significant support and went off the 4-1 favourite, but unfortunately got no further than seventh where he suffered a heavy fall. He made his final start of the season in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse over 3m 5f in April. Again he was the subject of significant support and went off the 6-1 favourite, which was quite remarkable for a horse yet to win beyond 2m 4f. He was slightly hammered at the fourth last but managed to stay on well to take third, finishing 6 lengths behind the eventual winner Organisedconfusion.

Sunnyhillboy is not the biggest in the world and so it is no surprise that he jumps much better on decent ground. He has met with bits and pieces of bad luck in his career to date but one gets the feeling that someday everything will fall into place, allowing him to win a decent handicap over extreme distances. It would be no surprise to see him being aimed at races such as the Irish and Scottish Grand Nationals.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 142

Beautiful Sound

This Gordon Elliot trained son of Presenting runs in Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud colours. This strapping gelding is the definition of an embryonic chaser.

He was off the track for three full years through injury but made a winning return at Punchestown over 2m 4f in November. He disappointed next time out at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival over 3m in the Paddy Power Chase. He was sent off the 5-1 favourite despite his inexperience but could never land a blow may have fallen victim to the ‘bounce’ factor. He made amends on his next start at Fairyhouse over 3m 1f in January, where he travelled powerfully into the lead from 3 out but idled badly after the last on the tiring ground. After failing to make the cut for the 3m 2f Kim Muir at the Festival, connections decided to run him in the Byrne Group Plate over 2m 5f. He struggled to go the pace over this trip on the better ground and this resulting in him making a couple of jumping errors. Nevertheless he stayed on strongly to finish third, beaten 5 ¼ lengths. One has to believe that he would have gone extremely close in the Kim Muir in light of this run. He was just touched off by Shakalakaboomboom at Punchestown over 3m 1f on his final start, having failed to make the cut for the Irish Grand National.

Beautiful Sound is much more effective on better ground and one can see him being aimed at all the good long distance staying handicaps in the spring such as the Irish Grand National.

Age: 9
BHA Rating: 134

Other Categories:

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]Established Hurdlers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2297]Novice Hurdlers
http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2296]Novice Chasers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2300]Bumper Class

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2291]Read the full story here

[TFK]

The third part of Fenway Park’s http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]2011/12 National Hunt Preview is a look at novice hurdlers.

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Spirit Son

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Poliglote was purchased by Michael Buckley after winning a listed hurdle at Auteuil in September.

He did not make his British debut until the middle of January where he recorded a bloodless success at Huntingdon over 2m 1f. He was just as impressive on his next start at Exeter a month later over the same trip. Both these wins were on soft/heavy going. He started 5-1 second favourite for the Supreme Novices at the Festival despite concerns about his ability to handle the quicker ground. He finished a two length second to Al Ferof but probably comes out of the race with the most credit as he paid the penalty for taking on Cue Card and stable mate Sprinter Sacre too far from home. He built upon the promise of that run running out an impressive 13 length winner over Cue Card at the Aintree Festival over an extra half a mile.

Nicky Henderson has stated that he will definitely be staying over hurdles for the 2011/2012 season. He sees him as a gelding with plenty of scope for improvement. He looks to have the right blend of speed and stamina necessary to be competitiveness in a Champion Hurdle. May begin the new season in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle or the International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 154

Al Ferof

This Paul Nichols trained son of Dom Alco runs the John Hales colours. This former point to point winner in Ireland was a top class bumper horse in 2009/2010 where he finished second to Cue Card in the Champion Bumper at the festival.

His novice hurdle career started innocuously enough when falling two out at Cheltenham in December. He quickly made amends in minor events at Taunton and Newbury. Started 10-1 for the supreme novice, but belied those odds in running out a two length winner from Spirit Son. The impression is that he was slightly flattered by this victory as the race was set up for him with the front three in the market cutting each other’s throat too far from home.
Connections have stated that he will be going down the Arkle Route in the autumn. It is interesting to note that he did have entries for 3 mile races during the 2011 season. The concern is that he may lack the basic speed for a test of this nature and in time may prove much better when upped in trip.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 154

Bobs Worth

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Bob Back was actually bought by stable jockey Barry Geraghty as a yearling and sold to on for £20,000. This certainly looks like a bargain now.

He made his debut over hurdles at Kempton over 2m in November, showing decent speed to beat Sire de Grugy by 9 lengths. He was stepped up to two miles five furlongs at Cheltenham for his next two runs in January. The latter event was a Grade 2 and he had 2 ¼ lengths to spare over the Paul Nichols trained Rock on Ruby. In both these victories, it was noticeable how strongly he was finishing out his races. He was very short in the betting for the Neptune Hurdle at the festival but ended up being rerouted to the 3m 1f Albert Bartlett. Travelling like much the best horse in the race, he again stayed on strongly to beat his stable mate Mossley by just over 2 lengths with a further 6 lengths back to Court in Motion in third.

He was put away for the rest of the season with a view to going chasing in the autumn. Although not as scopey as others who will be embarking on a similar route, it will be very disappointing if he fails to develop into a leading contender for RSA honours. His willing attitude makes him a horse you always want on your side.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 152

Cue Card

This Colin Tizzard trained son of King’s Theatre came to national prominence when sauntering to victory in the 2010/2011 Champion Bumper, beating Al Ferof by eight lengths.

He began the 2010/2011 season with victories at Aintree and Cheltenham, before stepping up to open company in the International Hurdle in December. The race was run at a muddling pace and turned into a sprint finish, with Menorah coming out 4 ½ lengths to the good over Cue Card. He was giving a lofty rating of 159 by the BHA on the back of this performance. This would have being good enough to win most Supreme Novices and he was duly sent off a well backed 7-4 favourite. All seem to be going to plan as he cruised up to join Sprinter Sacre and Spirit Son before 2 out. These exertions, together with his early race keenness soon told against him and he was beaten coming down to the last, eventually trailing in fourth, beaten 6 ½ lengths. He attempted to make amends at Aintree over an extra 4f but was comfortably put in his place by Spirit Son.

One gets the impression that he may not be top notch, his inability to settle in the early part of his races does not help and he finds surprisingly very little once challenged. Having said that, he is only rising six and has time on his hands. Will be sent chasing in the autumn and with plenty of stamina on the dam side, looks more of a Jewson or RSA horse at this stage than an Arkle candidate.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 151

Zarkandar

This Paul Nichols trained son of Azamour is bred to be a star of the flat, being a half-brother to the very high class Zarkava.

Had his first run in the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton at the end of February. In a performance that seemed to take connections by surprise, he came home just over 2 lengths in from of Molotof, with a good distance back to the third. As this race has proven an informative trial for the Triumph in recent years, it was no surprise to see him go to the Triumph as one of the fancied runners, despite his inexperience. In the Triumph he jumped with great fluency prior to making his assault on the leaders approaching the second last, from where he stayed on strongly up the hill to repel the challenge of Unaccompanied to just over 2 lengths. He rounded off his season by capturing the Grade 1 juvenile at Aintree by just over a length from Kumbeshwar. This was a less than impressive performance but must be taken in the context that this represented his third hard run in the space of about six weeks.

He will now be campaigned with the Champion Hurdle in mind. He has about 22 pounds to find with Hurricane Fly on official ratings. Nevertheless, as a rising 5 year old he is open to any amount of improvement and is one horse that does possess the basic speed to shake up the reigning champion. Expect to see him start off in something like the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December.

Age: 4
BHA Rating: 151

Grandouet

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Al Namix runs in the Simon Munir colours. This gorgeous looking horse had a very busy season, running seven times in total.

On his first start at Wetherby in October he ran too free and finished well beaten. He was much better next time out at Cheltenham in November where he finished second to Sam Winner. At Newbury in December he progressed further by beating the stable’s other runner A Media Luz with consummate ease, before winning his festival prep at Ascot in similar fashion. Nothing travelled better than Grandouet in the Triumph and he came there cruising off the home turn, however his stamina began to wane soon after the last, and he eventually finishing third beaten 5 lengths by Zarkandar. He attempted to exact revenge on his Cheltenham conqueror at Aintree, on a track that was more likely to play to his strengths. He was unfortunately brought down two from home, when travelling well. He finally got the grade 1 he deserved at the Punchestown festival, where he put up his best performance in beating the Fred Winter runner up Kumbeshwar by 9 lengths.

What is impressive about his profile is the way he has progressed with each of his runs to date. With the wealth of hurdling talent at Seven Barrows, he looks likely to go chasing with the Arkle the long term target. With another year under his belt, he may see out the Cheltenham hill much better this time round.

Age: 4
BHA Rating: 150

Sprinter Sacre

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Network was a very good bumper horse during the 2009/2010 season.

He finished second to Frascati Park on his debut at Ascot over 2m 4f in November, where he travelled supremely well but found disappointingly little after jumping the last. He won too minor events over 2m at Ffos Las and Ascot in February in the manner of a long odds on shot. He went into the Supreme Novice at the Festival as the stable’s second string. Turning for home nothing was travelling better than Sprinter Scare, however he started to feel the pinch approaching the last flight of hurdles and was eventually beaten just under 6 lengths. This was a cracking performance by this 5 year old and like Cue Card and his stable mate Spirit Son probably paid the penalty for taking each other on too far from home.

A characteristic of his runs to date is his tendency to pull really hard in the early stages of his races, a characteristic that probably did not help his cause in the Supreme Novices. Connections have indicated that they intend to go down the Arkle route and it would be disappointing if this imposing French bred does not take high rank, particularly if can learn to settle.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 149

Sparky May

This Pat Rodford trained daughter of Midnight Legend was one of the most heartwarming stories of the 2010/2011 national hunt season. She was ridden by assistant trainer, Kieran Burke who will take over as trainer for the 2011/2012 season.

After three victories in minor events, she really came to prominence when beating the high class Carole’s Legacy in a Grade 2 mare event over three miles. Connections decided to aim her at the David Nicholson mares race at the festival in lieu of taking on novices. Despite making a bad blunder at the second hurdle, she ran a mighty race in defeat, going down 10 lengths to the wonderful Quevega. She rounded off her season by reverting to novice ranks for the Grade 1 Sefton over three miles at the Aintree Festival. She travelled like the winner for most of the race but paid the penalty for her early race keenness. She ultimately finished third, beaten just over 6 lengths by Saint Are. She was likely feeling the exertions of a long season as well.

She is to be kept over hurdles with another crack at the David Nicholson on the cards. It would be no surprise if further improvement was to come, particularly if she can settle better.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 148

Oscars Well – This Jessica Harrington trained son of Oscar was a very moderate bumper horse during the 2009/2010 season. Connections will be hopeful that lightning strikes twice as the great Moscow Flyer was the very same.

Oscars Well first came to prominence when easily winning a Grade 1 at Navan over 2m 4f in December. The form of the race was ridiculed in many quarters as it was perceived to be a very weak Grade 1. On his next start in the Grade 1 Deloitte hurdle at Leopardstown over 2m 2f he showed that there was no fluke about that performance when demolishing the most impressive field of novices assembled for any race prior to Cheltenham. He eventually came home just over 5 lengths in front of Zaidpour, but was value for more. On the back of that performance he went off 4-1 second favourite for the Neptune at the festival. The race was run at a moderate pace and Oscars Well was keen throughout the first part of the race. Coming down to the last he looked to have the field covered but uncharacteristically slipped on landing over the last. He could not recover, eventually finishing an unlucky fourth, beaten just over 6 ½ lengths. It is open to conjecture as to what might have happened but for that mistake, with many judges suggesting that he would have won. Although the field was closing in fast, his jockey had not gone for the whip and Oscars well is a horse that finds plenty when asked.

Connections have indicated that he will be trained with a Champion Hurdle campaign in mind. His performance in the Deloitte and the Neptune marked him out as a speed horse and his ability to skip away from his hurdles quickly will stand to him as he contests the best 2m hurdles this coming winter. Whether he has the turn of foot to challenge Hurricane Fly is open to debate but the prospect of this question being answered is mouthwatering.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 147

First Lieutenant

This Mouse Morris trained son of Presenting runs in Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud colours and is a former point to point winner.

First Lieutenant started the year in low key fashion by finishing fourth in a Navan Maiden in September. Giving the trainer’s propensity for bringing his horses along slowly this was not surprising. He first began to show his true capabilities when lowering the colours of Zaidpour and Hidden Cyclone in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over two miles at Christmas. He headed to the Neptune at the festival as part of a strong Irish contingent. Relishing the better ground and the 2m 5f trip he stayed on strongly up the hill to chin Rock on Ruby on the line. He was beaten at the Punchestown festival on his final start, where he may have still being feeling the effects of that hard at Cheltenham.

He is also going chasing in the autumn and looks like he will develop into a leading Irish challenger for the RSA at the festival. The Drinmore and Moriarty are likely targets on route to Cheltenham.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 146

Rock on Ruby

This Paul Nichols trained son of Oscar was a high class bumper horse, winning the listed bumper at the Paddy Power meeting in November.

He then had his attention switched to hurdles and made his debut at Newbury over 2m 1f in December, showing plenty of pace to beat the smart Megastar by 6 lengths. In January he finished 2 ¼ lengths behind the high class Bobs Worth at Cheltenham over 2m 5f furlongs. On his penultimate start, he further demonstrated his likeness for both course and distance in the Neptune Hurdle at the festival. Travelling well throughout, he found himself in front soon after jumping the last but was just collared by First Lieutenant in the dying strides. He had his final start at the Aintree Festival over 2m 4f but trialed in a well beaten third behind Spirit Son. It is likely he was still feeling the effects of his hard race at Cheltenham and so this run can easily be forgiven.

Rock on Ruby is a very uncomplicated horse who is very versatile with respect to ground. He looks sure to be sent chasing in the autumn. While not short of pace, he appears more of an ideal candidate for the Jewson rather than the Arkle at the festival.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 145

Court In Motion

This Emma Lavelle trained son of Fruits of Love is a half-brother to Alan King’s very smart chaser Bensalem.

Made a successful hurdling debut in a minor event at Exeter over 2m 6f in November. He then finished an 8 length second to the ill-fated Backspin in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury over2m 5f in December. His trainer remarked that he was short of fitness due to the inclement weather at the time. He followed this up with an annihilation of the opposition in a Grade 2 at Warwick over 2m 5f in January where he relished the bottomless ground to come home 21 lengths clear. He was then stepped up to 3m at Haydock in February, and finished a 6 length second to Back In Focus. He was giving the winner seven pounds, and so lost little in defeat. His best run was arguably in the Albert Bartlett over 3m at the festival where he finished third, beaten just over eight lengths. He signed off for the year in less than conspicuous circumstances, by falling two out in the Sefton Hurdle over 3m 1f at the Aintree Festival.

While he showed his ability to handle better ground in his final two starts, there is little doubt that he is much more effective on soft/heavy ground. He probably lacks that extra gear on the quicker surface. Nevertheless, he should shape into a leading contender for RSA honours as he now goes chasing in the autumn.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 144

Zaidpour

This Willie Mullins trained son of Red Ransom is a half-brother to the Nick Williams high class hurdler Zaynar and runs in the now familiar colours of the Ricci family.

He made his eagerly awaited debut in a Punchestown maiden in November, where he was not extended. He then won the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse over 2m in December extremely easily by 12 lengths from Pineau De Re. Was sent off at the prohibitive odds of 1-4 to follow up in the Grade 1 Future Champion Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over 2m at Christmas. Not travelling or jumping with the fluency he displayed at Fairyhouse, he ran on in the last 100 yards to go down by a fast diminishing ¼ length. In hindsight, this was still a cracking effort, but it’s probable that this race came too soon after the Royal Bond. He was sent off evens favourite to make amends in the Grade 1 Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown over 2m 2f in February. Again he had to settle for the runner up spot, beaten 5 ½ lengths by the potentially high class Oscars Well. Went to the Cheltenham festival as Ireland’s leading fancy in the supreme novices. He lost all hope after making a bad blunder at the third last, trailing in a well beaten seventh, where the quicker ground would not have been to his liking.

He was not seen again after that and goes into the 2011/2012 season with plenty of questions to answer. He looks likely to go chasing with the Arkle the likely long term target.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 142

Hidden Cyclone

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has being building quite a reputation in the training ranks in the last couple of years, and this strapping stowaway gelding looks capable of taking his trainer to the next level.

Hidden Cyclone was a model of consistency throughout the 2010/2011 season where he suffered only one defeat in six starts under rules. That defeat came over an inadequate 2 miles at Leopardstown in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle in December. It was still a cracking effort, going down just under a length to the Neptune hero First Lieutenant. This was followed by a step up to 2m 4f and a couple of comfortable Grade 2 victories at Leopardstown and Thurles. He ended the year by winning a minor event over 3 miles, again relishing the step up in trip.

Seen as a horse for the future, connections wisely resisted the temptation of running in the big spring festivals. He will embark on a novice chase career with all roads leading to a crack at the RSA. It would be no surprise to see him take in the Drinmore and Moriarty along the way.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 141

Sire De Grugy – This Gary Moore trained son of My Risk could be potentially be the best National Hunt horse that has gone through his trainer’s hands.
He made its debut in what has become a notoriously hot bumper at Sandown at the beginning of November. He finished second to the very smart knight Pass, where his refusal to settle found him out in the closing stages. After winning a couple of minor events, he was stepped up in class at Kempton over 2m in February in the Grade 2 Dovecote Hurdle. Relishing the tacky ground, he ran out an impressive 11 length winner from Empire Levant, despite taken a keen hold early on. On his final start at the Aintree festival, he found things happening much too quick on the better ground, but still stayed on well to take third behind Topolski, beaten just over 6 lengths.

Connections have stated their intention to go chasing in the autumn and there should be plenty of winning opportunities for this soft ground loving gelding over the winter months.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 143

Sonofvic

This Paul Nichols trained son of Old Vic is out a good chasing family being a full brother to the stable’s Aiteenthirtythree and a half-brother to Forest Pennant.

He made his debut at Chepstow over 2m 4f at the beginning of November. He had little difficulty in registering a first success, coming home 5 lengths to the good over Teaforthree, jumping with great enthusiasm throughout. Connections have remarked that he needs a good break between his races and so he was not seen again until Ascot at the end of February, over the same distance. He put up quite a taken performance in beating the 143 rated Tornado Bob by 2 lengths with a further 27 lengths back to the third.

He missed Cheltenham as connections felt that he was not ready physically or mentally for a challenge of that nature. Looks tailor made for fences and one can see him developing into a leading RSA contender.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 141

So Young

This Willie Mullins trained son of Lavirco arrived in Ireland after winning three times on the level in France.

He soon made his presence felt over hurdles by romping to easy victories at Leopardstown over 2m 4f in January and Punchestown over 2m in February. On the back of these wins and no little hype he went off favourite for the Neptune Hurdle at the festival. Held up out the rear, he made steady headway towards the leaders approaching the second last, where a bad mistake at the final hurdle halted his momentum and it had to settle for third, beaten 4 ½ lengths. He probably was not battled hardened enough for a race of this intensity and that was probably his downfall. He was sent off 9-10 favourite to make amends at the Punchestown festival, but finished last, something clearly amiss.

While not short of pace, stamina would seem to be more his forte and one can see him developing into a leading RSA candidate. The Drinmore and Moriarty look likely targets prior to this.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 141

Unaccompanied

This Dermot Weld trained daughter of Danehill Dancer is rated 98 on the flat.

She made a winning debut over the smaller obstacles at Punchestown over 2m in December. She was ultra-impressive next time up, when winning the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown over 2m back in February. She travelled like a seriously good animal and her hurdling was neat and slick. This propelled her as Ireland’s leading contender for the Triumph Hurdle. In the Triumph, she travelled and jumped well but had no answer to Zarkandar up the punishing hill, eventually going down by just over two lengths. She ended her campaign in disappointing fashion at the Punchestown festival, trailing in a well beaten fourth. She was likely over the top by then. In between these runs she managed to lower the colours of St. Nicholas Abbey over 10 furlongs at the Curragh.

She remains an interesting prospect for top 2 mile hurdle races, particularly when the mud is flying. May be capable of winning a decent handicap off her current rating before contesting some of the better 2m hurdle races.

Age: 4
BHA Rating: 140

Our Girl Salley

This Prunella Dobbs trained daughter of Carroll House was a very smart bumper performer during the 2009/2010 season, winning four times.

She made a winning debut over hurdles at Navan over 2m 4f at the beginning of November. Jumping slickly, she came through easily in the closing stages to win a going away 10 lengths. She followed this up with listed wins in mares only events at Leopardstown over 2m 2f at Christmas and at Fairyhouse over 2m in January. On the back of these victories, she was fancied to throw down a serious challenge to Quevega in the David Nicholson at the Festival. Unfortunately she missed this engagement, having scoped poorly in the run up to the race. On her final start at the Fairyhouse Irish Grand National meeting, she was a disappointing sixth. Connections put this down to a lack of fitness as she was targeting the Punchestown festival.

Not seen again, it would be disappointing if she cannot make her mark in the coming winter months on the soft/heavy ground that she revels in. While she has shown her ability to handle two miles, she seems ideally suited to two and a half, and races such as the Hattons Grace and ultimately the David Nicholson seem likely targets.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 135

Rebel Rebellion

This Paul Nichols trained son of Lord Americo was a decent bumper performer when trained by Charlie Mann during the 2009/2010 season.

He was installed a short price favourite to make a winning debut for Paul Nichols at Ascot over 2m 6f, towards the end of November. He finished nearer last than first, but connections reported that he choked during the race and was immediately sent off for a breathing operation. He was not seen again till February where he made amends at Kempton over 2m 4f. On his final start in March, he showed his ability to handle a step back to 2m when running out a ready winner at Sandown.

This point to point winner is out of the family of the former high class staying chaser Monsieur Le Cure. As such, his future lies over the larger obstacles and he will go novice chasing in the autumn but connections may be tempted to win a handicap over hurdles first as he looks feasibly rated off his current mark.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 133

Our Father – This David Pipe trained son of Shantou runs in the famous colours of David Johnson.

Our father made a winning debut at Chepstow over 2m 4f at the beginning of January. Despite being really keen early on, he came through to win by a comfortable 4 lengths. He attempted to follow up over course and distance in February, but found the concession of a penalty too much, going down by just over a length to the Nigel Twiston Davies trained Listenlook. On his final start at Newbury, he also had to settle for the runner up spot, this time going down by just under 4 lengths to Colin Tizzard’s Handy Andy.

All three of his runs have being on soft ground, so he needs to show that he is just as effective on a better surface. This big scopey horse will improve as he fills out his frame and chasing will ultimately be his game. For the time being it is likely that connections will attempt to exploit what appears a lenient rating of 129 in handicaps. There are few better than the Pond House team in this regard.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: 129

Empire Levant

This Paul Nichols trained son of Empire Maker runs in the colours of the Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He was sent off favourite to make a winning debut at Newbury over 2m 1f in December, where he travelled and jumped well until making a bad mistake at the third last, just as the race was beginning in earnest. He eventually trailed in third, beaten just over 8 lengths. He made amends next time out at Doncaster over 2m 1f in January, beating the 139 rated Palawi by a comfortable 2 lengths. He was then stepped up in class to contest the Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton over 2m in February. He found the tacky ground against him, but still managed to finish an 11 length second to the 143 rated Sire De Grugy. On his final start at the Punchestown festival over 2m, he ran much better than his finishing position of fourth suggests. He made a couple of bad mistakes, most notably at the third last which put paid to any chance he had. In the circumstances he did well to finish fourth.

Given an official rating of 128, it would be no surprise to see him win a valuable handicap in the course of the new season.

Age: 4
BHA Rating: 128

Shuil Royale

David Arbuthnot may have a very decent animal on his hands in the shape of this King’s Theatre gelding.

After easily defying a penalty in a Wincanton bumper in February, Shuil Royale was being mentioned in many quarters as a potential Champion Bumper horse. Connections decided against this and instead embarked on a novice hurdle campaign. In his first outing at Sandown over 2m 1f, he finished third to Hildisvini, beaten over 14 lengths. He built upon the promise of this run by winning very easily in his final start at Kempton over 2m at the end of March.
Out of a good chasing family, it would be no surprise to see him go straight over the larger obstacles with a tilt at the Arkle or Jewson on the cards.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 120

Hildisvini

Charlie Longsdon is a trainer on an upward curve, and this son of Milan can help him to ascend the trainer heights even further.

After winning his bumper at the end of January, he made his debut is quite a hot little novice hurdle at Sandown over 2m 1f in February. Jumping well, he came home 2 ½ lengths in front of Kid Cassidy, who was conceding seven pounds to the winner. He managed to defy a penalty on his final start at Lingfield over 2m 4f, beating Cleaver (winner next time out) by half a length, the pair well clear of the third.

Connections see his long term future over the larger obstacles and he would be no surprise to see him make his mark in staying events in the forthcoming season.

Age: 5
BHA Rating: N/A

Prince Of Pirates

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Milan runs in the famous green and yellow silks of J.P. McManus. He was a very good bumper horse during the 2009/2010 season, lowering the colours of stable mate Bobs Worth in February.

He started the 2010/2011 season in impressive fashion by winning at Cheltenham over 2m in December. His task was certainly made easier by the departure of his main rival Al Ferof two from home, but the winner had not being asked a serious question up to that point. He suffered an injury setback in that race and missed the Cheltenham festival. He was not seen again until the Punchestown Festival at the start of May. He travelled ominously well through this race but found disappointingly little from two out. He may well have being feeling the effects of his injury.

With plenty of stamina on the Dam side, it would be no surprise to see him start off in handicap company before possibly stepping up in class.

Age: 6
BHA rating: N/A

Chablais

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Saint Des Saints was a £260k purchase by Kelvin Hughes shortly after winning his point to point in Ireland.

He made his much anticipated debut over the smaller obstacles at Kempton over 2m 5f in January. He certainly did not disappoint despite a couple of jumping errors, coming home with 1 length to spare over Sybarite, with the pair well clear of the third.

Still considered a big baby by his trainer he was given the rest of the year off to strengthen up. May well be up to winning a decent handicap over hurdles but one would expect to see him over fences sooner rather than later. He remains a horse of huge potential.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: N/A

Other Categories:

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]Established Hurdlers
http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2291]Established Chasers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2296]Novice Chasers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2300]Bumper Class

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2297]Read the full story here

[TFK]

The second part of Fenway Park’s http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]2011/12 National Hunt Preview is a look at last year’s novice chasers.

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Wishfull Thinking

This Philip Hobbs trained son of Alflora ended the 2010/2011 season as the highest rated novice over fences, a distinction that is usually bestowed upon either the Arkle or RSA winner. It was a just reward for his high level of consistency throughout the season.

He started the year in underwhelming fashion at Aintree over 2m 4f by falling at the first fence in October. He made amends next time out at Wincanton over 2m 5f, benefiting from the fall of his market rival Robinson Collonges. His next start at Cheltenham in December highlighted his potential. He was most unfortunate to fill the runner up spot behind Reve De Sivola as he was badly hampered at the seventh fence and practically brought to a standstill. He stepped up to handicap company for his next start over the same course and distance, and put in a round of jumping that belied his novice status. On the back of these runs, he was sent off favourite for the new Grade 2 Jewson at the festival over 2m 4f. Jumping with his usual exuberance, he just gave best to Noble Prince after the last, going down by 4 lengths. He went one better at the Aintree festival over same distance, beating Medermit by an emphatic 11 lengths. He rounded off his season by carrying top weight to victory in a novice handicap over 2m 5f at the Punchestown festival.

Connections may be tempted to step this point to point winner up in trip in order to contest some of the top staying contests. Should he fail to make his mark, they can always aim him at the Ryanair Chase as he excels over this course and distance.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 164

Noble Prince

This Paul Nolan trained gelding was another to smash the Montjeu hoodoo at the festival. Formerly a very decent hurdler (rated 148), he often seemed like a horse that was devoid of a trip in that sphere, lacking the pace for 2m events and finding his stamina being stretched over staying trips. Noticeably all three of his wins over hurdles came over the 2m 4f distance.

He started his chasing career with an easy victory over the minimum trip at Punchestown in October. He was stepped up in class for his next start in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over 2m 1f at the Christmas festival. He was beaten 5 lengths by Realt Dubh. He managed to close the gap considerably on this rival over course and distance in the Grade 1 Irish Arkle Chase at the end of January, beaten a neck after a protracted duel on the run in. Connections decided to step him up in trip for the Cheltenham Festival, and this decision was rewarded by winning the new Grade 2 for novices over 2m 4f. Appreciating the better ground, he found plenty up the hill to beat the very smart Wishfull Thinking by 4 lengths. He ended his season on a low note, falling 2 out when looking the likely winner in the Powers Gold Cup over 2m 4f at the Fairyhouse Irish Grand National meeting.

The John Durkan looks a likely starting point but expect him to contest some of the top 2m chases during the winter months as opportunities over his best trip are thin on the ground. Don’t expect him to come into his own until the spring with the Ryanair and Melling Chase obvious targets.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 160

Captain Chris

Philip Hobbs has a nice team of potentially very good young horses to go to war with next year, and chief amongst them is this son of King’s Theatre. Captain Chris was a very smart novice hurdler during the 2009/2010 season (rated 146).

He made his much anticipated debut over fences at Cheltenham over 2 miles back in November. He trailed in a 10 length runner up to the Paul Nichols trained Ghizao. He was beaten by the same rival at Newbury over an extra 3f in December, despite being in receipt of 10 pounds. Both of these runs where on tacky ground and he showed a tendency to jump out to the right. In February he was stepped up to 2m 5f for the Scilly Isles at Kempton. This was on much better ground, and Captain Chris put in a much better performance, but was outstayed by Medermit up the Sandown hill. Connections were faced with a dilemma as to what race to run him in for the Cheltenham Festival. In the end they decided to run him over the minimum trip in the Arkle Chase. Relishing the better ground, Captain Chris was pushed along slightly going down to three out to keep tabs on Finian’s Rainbow who was setting a lightning pace from the front. He made his challenge after the last and was pushed out by Richard Johnson to record a comfortable 3 length victory with a further 6 lengths back to Realt Dubh in third. On his final start at the Punchestown festival, he confirmed placings with the latter.

Connections have stated their intention to step Captain Chris up in trip next season, with the King George mooted as an early season target. One gets the impression that Captain Chris may be more endowed with pace than stamina. He was outstayed by Medermit at Sandown and his tendency to jump out to the right was more pronounced at the end of his races on winter ground. Good ground is clearly important to Captain Chris and it is not difficult to see him continuing the find record of Arkle winners in the following year’s Champion Chase should he line up in this race at the Festival.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 160

Time For Rupert

This Paul Webber trained son of Flemensfirth finished off his hurdle career with a gallant second to Big Buck’s in the 2009/2010 world hurdle, going down by just over three lengths. This earned him an official rating of 166, making him easily one of the highest rated hurdlers to go chasing in recent years.

He looked the consummate professional in his first two outings at Cheltenham, over 2 miles 5 furlongs in October and over 3 miles 2 furlongs in November. The form of both of these races was exceptional and threw up many winners. He was due to step into open company in January at Cheltenham in the Argento Chase but missed the race due to a poor scope. Connections were going to use this race to in order to decide whether to go for the Gold Cup or to stick to novices and the RSA. Having missed this race, they opted to go for the RSA, where it was not surprising to see Time for Rupert go off a short price favourite. The race itself proved an anticlimax for his supporters as he looked beaten after jumping the first. Usually ridden in the vanguard during his races, this time he was held up right out the back and never jumped with the degree of fluency that characterised his season up to that point. He was found to be bleeding from his nose post-race and so was still probably suffering the effects of his earlier illness. In hindsight, it was to his immense credit that he battled on to finish fifth, only beaten 6 lengths.

He was put away for the rest of the season and will be campaigned with the Gold Cup in mind. Remains a horse of huge potential, and certainly has the ability to serve it up to Long Run in the Gold Cup. The Betfair Chase at Haydock is a likely starting point to rebuilding his reputation.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 159

Quito de La Roque

This Colm Murphy trained son of Saint Des Saints was a decent novice hurdler during the 2009/2010 season (rated 132). He really came into his own since being switched to the larger obstacles.

He made a winning debut at Clonmel over 2m 4f in December. His next start was in the Grade 1 Fort Henry novice chase at Leopardstown over 3 miles at the Christmas festival, going down by ¾ of a length to the RSA hero Bostons Angel. He may well have won but for a bad mistake at the second last. He made amends by picking up two Grade 2s over 3m at Naas in January and Navan in February. Connections decided to bypass the RSA Chase, expressing concern over the quicker ground. On his penultimate start at the Aintree Festival, he showed his ability to handle a much quicker surface when grounding out a win over the then rated 132 Sarando. This was a much better performance than it looks on paper, as Quito de La Roque was hampered by a faller at the fifth, made a mistake at the thirteen fence and stumbled on landing after jumping the second last. He put in a much better round of fencing on his final start when running out a convincing 14 length winner of a Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival, again over 3miles. Here again he demonstrated his effectiveness on a sounder surface.

Stamina is definitely his main weapon, but his run at Aintree showed that he is not lacking for gears over the 3 mile trip. Expect him to be aimed at the top staying chases in both Ireland and England, where it will be disappointing if he cannot make his presence felt.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 159

Finian’s Rainbow

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Tiraaz runs in the colours of Michael Buckley. A very decent novice hurdler during 2009/2010 (rated 142), it was always hoped that he would make a much better chaser, and so it transpired.

After running up a hat trick of wins at prohibitive odds in small fields, he went into the Arkle as one of the fancied runners. Racing prominently, he soon took up the running, where some prodigious leaps had those in behind struggling to keep tabs. He was joined at the last by Captain Chris, where a slight mistake did not help his cause. That mistake, coupled with his early race exertions was probably his undoing and he had to settle for second, beaten just under 3 lengths. He managed to gain compensation in the Grade 1 Maghull Chase at the Aintree Festival, beaten Ghizao by 2 lengths, but was a tad fortunate as the latter made a bad blunder at the second last which cost him many lengths.

He goes into the 2011/2012 season as the leading English challenger for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. His style of racing will make it difficult for him to get his head in front, particularly in the better class of races as he uses up too much energy in the early part of his races by refusing to settle. As a rising nine year old, there is also a chance that some of his Arkle peers will get stronger physically and improve past him.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 157

Realt Dubh

This Noel Meade trained son of Beneficial, runs in the Des Sharkey colours made famous by the former top class 2m hurdler Harchibald. Realt Dubh was a decent novice hurdler (rated 135) during the 2008/2009 season, but missed all of the 2009/2010 season through injury, bar one run at the Fairyhouse Irish Grand National meeting.

He was sent straight over fences in the autumn and immediately showed that he had lost none of his old ability. Won a Grade two at Punchestown over 2m in November, before finishing a 5 length second to Jessies Dream in the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase over 2m 4f at Fairyhouse in December. He travelled very sweetly through this race but had little more to give upon jumping the last, the soft ground stretching his stamina over this extra 4f. He picked up two Grade 1s over the minimum trip on heavy ground at Leopardstown in December and January, lowering the colours of Noble Prince on both occasions. He went to the Arkle as Ireland’s leading hope and performed with much credit in finishing third to Captain Chris, beaten just under 9 lengths on ground just a tad too quick for him. The highlight of a glorious season was his victory in the Powers Gold Cup over 2m 4f at Fairyhouse in April. Travelling and jumping with his usual fluency, he was just about to lay down a challenge to Noble Prince when that rival departed at the second last. He rounded off his season with another fine effort at Punchestown, where he just lacked the gears over the minimum trip to challenge the Arkle hero Captain Chris on good ground.

One can see Realt Dubh contesting the top 2m chases in Ireland during the winter months, with a step up in trip likely as the ground improves in the spring, with the Ryanair and Melling Chase likely targets.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 157

Ghizao

This Paul Nichols trained son of Tiger Hill runs in the joint ownership of David Johnson and the Stewart family. Was nothing more than a decent horse over hurdles during the 2009/2010 season (rated 135). He was the recipient of a breathing operation prior to beginning his novice chase campaign and this brought about a significant amount of improvement.

He was beaten on his first run at Cheltenham in October, where he was probably in need of the run like a lot of the Ditcheat inmates at that time. His next run at Cheltenham over 2m 1f marked him out as a horse to follow. He put 10 lengths between himself and the runner up Captain Chris, and confirmed placings with that horse next time out at Newbury, despite the concession of 10 pounds. Went into the Arkle Chase as a leading fancy and would have certainly gone off favourite but for concerns on how he would handle the quicker ground. He travelled well off a strong pace but his momentum was halted by an uncharacteristic blunder at the fourth from home. Despite rallying well after this, his chance was gone and he trailed in a well beaten fifth. He went looking for compensation at Aintree but again was undone by a bad blunder at the second last. He was only beaten 2 lengths and one has to conclude that mistake cost him victory.

With Master Minded now lacking the gears to be competitive in the Champion Chase, Ghizao now appears the leading contender from the Nichols yard. He certainly is well equipped to pick up plenty of decent prizes during the winter months where the underfoot conditions give him a distinct advantage over his peers. One gets the impression that there is a lot more to come from this chaser with the Tingle Creek a possible early season target.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 155

Bostons Angel

In winning the RSA chase at the festival, this Jessie Harrington trained son of Winged Love provided trainer and jockey compensation for Oscars Well unlucky defeat in the Neptune hurdle run earlier on in the day. Bostons Angel was nothing more than a moderate hurdler as witnessed by him being pulled up twelve months earlier in the Albert Bartlett hurdle at the festival.

He really began to blossom once switched to fences in the Autumn, beginning the year with a good second to Thegreatjohnbrowne at Punchestown over 2m 4f on good ground. He won his first Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December over 3m, beating Quito De La Roque by ¾ of a length. He won his second Grade 1 at Leopardstown in the PJ Moriarty over 2m 5f, beating Magnanimity by a head. Despite these two wins, he was an unconsidered 16-1 chance for the RSA, mainly due to concerns surrounding the value of his form and his ability to handle the quicker surface. In the end there was less than a length separating the first four home, with the favourite Time For Rupert out of the frame, having failed to run his race.

One gets the impression that Bostons Angel is value for a bit more than the winning margin of a neck as he seemed to be pulling himself up after forging a couple of lengths clear of Jessies Dream up the Cheltenham Hill. It appears that he attempted something similar in beating Magnanimity in the PJ Moriarty. A fine reliable jumper, one suspects that he will continue to be underrated in many quarters and it is not difficult to see him being competitive in races such as the Lexus and Irish Hennessy on a track that plays well to his strengths.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 152

Jessies Dream

This Gordon Elliot trained son of Presenting runs in the David Johnson colours.

This second season novice chaser got off the mark at Galway over 2m 6f in October in what at the time looked a hot race for that time of year. Always travelling and jumping well, he came home 3 lengths in front of Corskeagh Royale with the Albert Bartlett winner Berties Dream a well beaten fourth. The highpoint of Jessies Dream’s season was his victory over Realt Dubh in the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase over 2m 4f at Fairyhouse in December. He may have been a tad fortunate as his principle market rival Mikeal D’Haguenet fell at the last when travelling ominously well. He lost little in defeat next time out at Leopardstown over 2m 5f where he was beaten ¾ of a length by Magnanimity in a muddling three runner affair. What was noticeable about this race was his tendency to hang righthanded under pressure and this tendency came to light again in the RSA at the festival when going down by a ¼ of a length to Bostons Angel.

The formbook suggest that Jessies Dream is definitely better going righthanded as his only victory to date going lefthanded came in a bumper. With this in mind, he probably would be more suited to races such as the King George and the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 151

Wayward Prince

This Ian Williams trained son of Alflora was a high class novice hurdler (rated 150) during the 2009/2010 season culminating with victory in the Grade 1 Sefton Hurdle over 3m 1f at Aintree.

He began his chasing career with a comfortable success at Huntingdon over 3m in October, beating Aberdale by 9 lengths. He showed his liking for the undulations of Prestbury Park next time out in November over 3m 1f, staying on well to beat Balthazar King by 4 ½ lengths. Connections decided to send him to Wetherby for his RSA prep race where he was less than impressive in beating Cape Tribulations by 2 lengths. He ran a strange sort of race in the RSA Chase, looking beaten for most of the way until staying on strongly from 3 out, eventually going down by a fast diminishing length in third to Bostons Angel. He was sent off the 7-4 favourite to gain compensation in the Mildmay Novice Chase at Aintree. He was also fitted with a first time visor, connections probably feeling that this would allow him to travel better through his race than he had done in the RSA. After a couple of mistakes at the twelfth and fourteen fences, he plugged on to finish fourth to Quito de La Roque, beaten 7 ½ lengths. He had quite a tough race at Cheltenham and so this run while not terrible can be easily forgiven.

Staying is definitely his game and it would be no surprised to see him getting competitive off his current mark in races such as the Welsh National and the Aintree Grand National.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 150

Beshabar

This Tim Vaughan trained son of Flemensfirth was formerly a smart handicap hurdler with a rating of 149 during the 2009/2010 season when trained by Paul Nichols.

He made his seasonal debut over fences at Cheltenham over 3m 1f in November. Despite lots of jumping mistakes, he was staying on well prior to being brought down 2 out. He got off the mark on his next start at Doncaster over 3 miles in February. Jumping much better, he had to be hard ridden to beat cool mission by 2 lengths. His next assignment came in the 4m National Hunt Chase at the festival, where connections felt he would relish the step up in trip. He ran a cracker in finishing second, going down to Chicago Grey by 4 ½ lengths. His best effort came in his final start in the Scottish Grand National. Ridden prominently and jumping well, he beat Merigo by ¾ length with his Cheltenham conqueror finishing well down the field.

He is now rated 150 and connections will be eager to protect this mark with an assault on the Aintree Grand National firmly on the cards. On good ground he would have an excellent chance.

Age: 9
BHA Rating: 150

Mikael D’Haguenet

This Willie Mullins trained son of Lavirco was a very high class hurdler (rated 154) during the 2008/2009 season winning 3 Grade 1s, most notably the Ballymore Hurdle. He unfortunately missed the entire 2009/2010 season, and so his eagerly awaited fencing debut had to be postponed until December.

It is a reflection of the regard that connections held him in that this debut came in the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase over 2m 4f at Fairyhouse. He travelled and jumped with zest until misfortune struck at the final fence where he crumpled upon landing, handing the initiative to Jessies Dream. Despite this disappointment, he showed that he had retained plenty of ability. He made a very quick reappearance in the Grade 1 over 2m at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, where he was well beaten, probably fallen victim to the dreaded ‘bounce’ factor. He was next seen in the Grade 1 PJ Moriarty at Leopardstown over 2m 5f in February. Misfortune was to strike again as he was badly hampered by the fall of his stable mate Quel Esprit two from home. He failed to recover, going down 5 ¾ lengths to Bostons Angel. Things did not go any better for him in the RSA as he fell at the fourteen fence. After a disappointing effort in the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, connections decided to send him back over the smaller obstacles for the 3m World Series Hurdle at Punchestown in the hope of relighting a spark and restoring some confidence. He travelled well to 3 out, where his stamina began to wane and he trailed in a well beaten eight behind Quevega.

In hindsight, connections may feel that they erred in not taking a softer approach with the horse. He still remains a novice, and as he is only rising eight, he has plenty of time to fulfil his early potential. The Drinmore and PJ Moriarty would appear logical early season targets should they decide to keep him over fences.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 149

Flat Out

Willie Mullins had a very unlucky season with his novice hurdlers and this Sagamix gelding continued the trend. Flat out was a very decent novice hurdler during the 2009/2010 season (rated 142). He is one of those horses where the adage ‘biding his time over hurdles’ applies, as this scopey grey was always going to improve for the switch to fences.

He made a winning debut at Punchestown over 2m 4f in January, making all and putting in an exhibition round of jumping, bar a mistake at the last, to run out a very easy 13 length winner. He was stepped back to 2m 1f for his next outing in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown towards the end of January. Nothing was travelling or jumping better than Flat Out to two out, where he made a bad blunder and unseated his rider. Worse was to follow as it transpired that he picked up an injury that ended his season.

The Irish 2m chasing division looks an ultra-competitive division and providing he makes a full recovery it would be no surprised to see Flat out make his mark before a possible assault on the Champion Chase.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 146

Quel Esprit

This Willie Mullins trained son of Saint Des Saints was a decent novice hurdler (rated 141) during the 2009/2010 season.

He started his novice chase career by justifying odds of 2-5 at Limerick over 2m 4f back in October. From there his season went dramatically downhill. He fell two out when looking beaten in the Grade 1 PJ Moriarty over 2m 5f at Leopardstown in February. His next race was in the RSA chase at the festival where he seemed to appreciate the better ground. He took up the running from the twelfth fence and was still going well enough when departing at the third last fence. His fencing to that point was a mix of the good and the bad. On his final start at the Punchestown festival, he was brought down by a loose horse after jumping the eleventh fence.

The only positive to take out of his season is that he looks pretty well handicapped, but he needs to start justifying much of the hype that surrounds him. It would be no surprise to see him been targeted at something like the Hennessy at Newbury before stepping taking in races like the Lexus and the Irish Hennessey on his home soil.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 145

Thegreatjohnbrowne

This Noel Meade trained son of Beneficial was a mid-season purchase for JP McManus. This imposing gelding was always going to make a much better chaser than a hurdler and so it transpired. After a disappointing campaign over the smaller obstacles during the 2009/2010 season, he was the recipient of a wind operation.

He made an impressive debut over 2m 4f at Punchestown in October, where he had 5 ½ lengths to spare over the RSA hero Bostons Angel, where he took up the running after the second fence and put in an exhibition round of jumping. He confirmed the promise of this initial outing on his next start over 2m 6f at Punchestown in November. Jumping with great verve, he was not extended in beating Tharawaat by 7 lengths. He then faced a big step up in class in the Grade 1 Fort Leney over 3m at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. He attempted to make all but made a mistake jumping the eight from home just as he was about to pour on the pressure. He maintained his advantage until headed by Bostons Angel on the run down to the last fence, but rallied gamely to take a slight advantage jumping this fence only for him to fade into fourth place behind Bostons Angel on the run up to the line, beaten 3 ¼ lengths. He was noticeable from early on that Thegreatjohnbrowne had a tendency to jump out to the right at some of his fences. Connections had him x-rayed when they got him home and discovered he had a stress crack to the shin of his off-fore. He was due to make his reappearance in his new colours at the Punchestown Festival in the spring but was a late withdrawal, connections understandably not prepared to risk him on the quicker ground.
He remains an interesting prospect for top staying chases, but his tendency to jump righthanded may restrict his competitiveness in races such as the Lexus and Irish Hennessy.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 146

Cape Tribulation

This Malcolm Jefferson trained son of Hernando was a high class hurdler (rated 154), having gone off second favourite for the Albert Bartlett at the Festival during the 2008/2009 season.

He embarked on a chasing career in the autumn after struggling to make a significant impact in his second season over hurdles in 2009/2010. He made a winning debut over 3m 1f at Hexham in October. He stepped into open company for his next start at Carlisle in November over 2m 4f, where he jumped left at most of his obstacles and trailed in last. He reverted back to novices for his next start at Wetherby over 3m 1f in February, where he put in a much better performance in going down by 2 lengths to the smart Wayward Prince. On his final start at Market Rasen over 2m 7f at the end of February, he was beaten a neck at odds of 4-6 by Radium. The latter went on to run with much credit at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals and so in hindsight it was not such a bad effort.

The formbook clearly shows that Cape Tribulation is a much better horse going left-handed, with all four wins coming this way over hurdles and fences. He looks well handicapped based upon his hurdle rating and the Paddy Power Chase at the Cheltenham November meeting would seem a logical starting point.

Age: 7
BHA Rating: 145

Quantitativeeasing

This Nicky Henderson trained gelding is a full brother to the former high class mare Asian Maze. Giving his breeding, it was disappointing that he could not achieve a rating better than 139 in this sphere.

His chasing career began in disappointing fashion as he showed very little when trailing in next to last at Cheltenham over 2m 5f in November. He justified odds on favouritism on his next two starts at Fontwell over 2m 6f in January and Market Rasen over 2m 7f in February. His best performance undoubtedly came in the Centenary Novice handicap over 2m 5f at the festival. He held a narrow advantage after jumping the last but soon had to give way to Divers, eventually going down by 2 ¾ lengths. He was conceding seven pounds to the winner and it was a very credible effort with the welter burden of 11-11 upon his back. His final start was in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April where he failed to see out the trip.

He is only rising seven and so in open to plenty more improvement. He looks a well handicapped horse and so it would be no surprise to see connections aim him at races such as the Paddy Power in November and its equivalent in December.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 142

Stoney’s Treasure

This Alan King Trained son of Silver Patriarch is out of a useful jumping family that includes Martin’s Lamp and Hurricane Lamp.

He was beaten off a mark of 113 on his chasing debut at Fontwell over 2m 6f in November. He was well backed to go one better next time out at the Newbury Hennessey meeting over 2m 7f in November but was rather laboured in finishing fourth. He found things happening far too quickly over 2m 3f on his next start at Newbury in January. It appeared from these runs, particularly the middle effort at Newbury that he was crying out for a step up in trip. Thus it was no surprised to see him win his final two starts at Warwick over 3m 1f and Uttoxeter over 3 miles.

He is very versatile as to ground, with possibly a slight preference for some give, and one could easily see him been competitive in something like the Welsh National at Chepstow or the Midlands National at Uttoxeter.

Age: 7
BHA Rating 137

Definity

This Paul Nichols trained son of Definite Article is out of winning Irish Grand National mare Ebony Jane. He was forced to miss the entire 2009/2010 season through injury. Prior to that he had been a very decent hurdler (rated 149).

Showed lots of promise on his debut over 3m at Exeter in December behind Wymott, where he was undone by his keenness early on. This was to be expected after over six hundred days on the side line. He got off the mark on the second time of asking over 2m 4f at Fontwell at the end of January. Connections stepped him back up to 3m for his penultimate start at Exeter in February, where he was beaten 4 lengths by Bakbenscher on heavy ground. Connections decided to run him in the Centenary novices handicap over 2m 5f instead of Stewart Family handicap over 3m 1f. In the Centenary, Definity found himself outpaced from three out but stayed on strongly to finish fifth , beaten 7 ½ lengths by Divers. He was certainly doing his best work at the end of the race and in hindsight would probably have been more suited to the longer race, especially given the stamina on his Dam side.

Looks very well handicapped for staying chases around the 3m mark and it would be no surprise to see him contest the Stewart Family Handicap this time round.

Age: 8
BHA Rating: 136

Vino Griego

This Gary Moore trained son of Kahyasi had bits and pieces of decent form as a novice hurdler (rated 135) during the 2009/2010 season.

He made a low key start to life as a novice chaser when well beaten at Kempton and Cheltenham on his first two starts in the autumn. Both these runs were characterised by less than fluent rounds of jumping. He showed a marked improvement on his next start at Newbury in November over 2m 7f. He went two lengths in front after a good jump at the last, but idled on the run in and finished third, beaten 2 ½ lengths. He took another step in the right direction at Cheltenham over 2m 5f at the end of January. He jumped really well the whole way round but nodded on landing after jumping the third from home. He regained his momentum but was outstayed by The Giant Bolster up the hill, beaten 2 ¼ lengths. He was beaten at odds of 2-5 on his next start at Lingfield, where he was most like feeling the effects of his race at Cheltenham nine days earlier. On the back of this run he went into the Centenary Novice Handicap at the festival as an unconsidered 20-1 shot. He travelled supremely well to three out in the first time blinkers but had little to give upon jumping the last, eventually finishing fourth, beaten 6 lengths by Divers.

One gets the distinct impression that there is a decent handicap to be won with this strapping gelding. He needs to be held up longer in his races as he tends to idle once he gets his head in first. He has shown a liking for Cheltenham and it would be no surprise to see him run big races in the 2m 5f handicaps in November and December at this track.

Age: 6
BHA Rating: 133

Other Categories:

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]Established Hurdlers
http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2291]Established Chasers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2297]Novice Hurdlers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2300]Bumper Class

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2296]Read the full story here

[TFK]

The fourth part of Fenway Park’s http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]2011/12 National Hunt Preview is a look at last year’s Bumper Class.

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?attachment_id=2304" rel="attachment wp-att-2304]

Cheltenian (5yo)

This Philip Hobbs trained son of Astarabad runs in the Roger Brookhouse colours. He cost connections £210,000 at the Brightwells Cheltenham sales in November after finishing second at Punchestown on good ground in October for Liz Doyle.

He made is British debut at Kempton on good to soft ground in February. Captain Chris made his debut in this race the previous year and Cheltenian was backed into 8/15 to make a winning debut. In a slowly run affair he took up the running two furlongs from home and despite veering left, ran on strongly to beat the high class Montbazon (received ten pounds) by a length. He made his final start in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival on good ground. Travelling well throughout, he took closer order approaching 3 out before powering up the hill in the final furlong to beat Destroyer Deployed by 5 lengths.

The last two winners of the Champion Bumper, Cue Card and Dunguib started short price favourite for the Supreme Novice. Stamina looks to be the main asset of Cheltenian, and his trainer has suggested that the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett will be his likely target for the forthcoming season.

Montbazon (4yo)

This Alan King trained son of Alberto Giacometti is out of a decent French jumps family.

He made his debut at Kempton on good to soft ground in February. In what was a slowly run affair, he made his challenged entering the final two furlongs but was always being held by the winner Cheltenian, beating 1 length. He built upon that promise by justifying 13/8 favouritism next time out at Doncaster on good ground in March, beating Close House by 3 ½ lengths. He was sent off the 5-2 favourite for the Champion Bumper at the Aintree Festival on good ground. Travelling supremely well, he made his move entering the final furlong but lost out to Steps To Freedom by 2 lengths, with a further 8 lengths back to Allure Of Illusion in third.

Montbazon’s run at Aintree marked him out as a classy individual, and with plenty of physical improvement to come, one could see him developing into a leading English contender for the Supreme Novices.

Knight Pass (5yo)

This Warren Greatrix trained son of Accordian is out of a good staying jumps family that includes Monty’s Pass and Harbour Pilot. He runs in the Macolm Denmark colours made famous by Monsignor.

Knight Pass started the year by winning a notoriously hot bumper at Sandown on good to soft ground in November by 8 lengths from Sire de Grudy (now rated 143 over hurdles). This race has being won in the past by Megastar and Bensalem with good sorts filling the minor positions. He followed this up with a win at Southwell on good to soft in January. The form of this race does not amount to much but it was visibly very impressive. Not surprisingly he went into the Champion Bumper at the festival as one of the leading contenders but ran disappointingly, finishing closer to last than first.

His run in at the festival was too bad to be true and connections will be hoping that he leaves this form behind when he goes hurdling in the autumn. With plenty of stamina on the Dam side, he may be more a Neptune horse than a Supreme Novice horse.

Ericht (5yo)

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Alderbrook runs in the Christopher Hanbury colours.

He made his debut at Ascot on good to soft ground in November where he finished a ¾ length second to the Ian Williams trained Twentyfourcarat. The winner stole a march on the field under a very canny ride from Timmy Murphy and so Ericht could consider himself an unfortunate loser. He got off the mark at Huntingdon on good to soft ground in January, winning in the manner of a 1-2 shot. On his penultimate run in a grade 2 at Newbury on soft ground in February, he beat the well regarded Bygones In Brid of the Alan King Yard by 4 lengths. His final run came in the Champion Bumper at the festival where he ran creditably enough in finishing sixth to Cheltenian, beating 16 lengths.
Ericht has shown his versatility with respect to ground but one gets the feeling that he is better with a bit of give underfoot. Would not be surprising to see him develop into a Neptune horse over the winter months

Mono Man (5yo)

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Old Vic runs in the same colours as Ericht.

He made his debut at Hereford on soft ground in January, where he sauntered clear to record a facile 17 length win. His final run of the season came at Ascot on soft ground in February, where he was sent to the front entering the final 2f and just had to be push out under a hands and heels ride by Barry Geraghty to beat the well regarded Oscara Dara of Alan Fleming by 1 ¾ lengths with Persian Snow of Philip Hobbs back in third.

Connections decided against running in any of the big spring bumpers and will be hoping that this pays dividends in the coming season. One can see him developing into a leading contender for the Neptune hurdle at the festival.

Ballyclough (4yo)

This Jonjo O’Neill trained son of Heron Island runs in the colours of JP McManus and is out of the same family as Jessica Harrington’s former county hurdle winning mare Spirit Leader.

Ballyclough had his one and only run towards the end of March at Haydock on good ground. In what was no more than a modest pace, he was held up out the back early on having settled very well. He made good headway 3f from home and only had to be pushed out to record a comfortable 4 length win over Red Rocco. In the process he lowered the colours of a couple of well-regarded types in Ebanour from the McCain yard and City Press from the Henderson yard.

It is not very often that connections have a bumper winner at odds of 28-1. It maybe that Ballyclough is just one of those horses that reserves his best performances for the track. Not looking short of pace, Ballclough will probably start off at 2m.

Bold Optimist (5yo)

This Gordon Elliot trained son of Oscar was deputing ante post favouritism for the Champion Bumper at the festival prior to suffering a slight setback and missing the rest of the season.

He made his highly anticipated debut at Leopardstown on soft ground at the Christmas Festival. He showed a striking turn of foot to pick up well in the final furlong to win by 2 ½ lengths going away from Felix Younger. While the form of the race is nothing to write home about, it was the manner of the victory that highlighted the potential of the winner as it is seldom you see national hunt horses show that turn of foot.

Bold Optimist looks pacey enough to compete in all the top two mile novice hurdle races next season with the Supreme Novices at the festival a likely long term target.

Burn and Turn (5yo)

This Jessica Harrington trained daughter of Flemensfirth is out of the same family as the stable’s former high class 2m hurdler/chaser Space Trucker.

She made her debut at Cork on soft ground in December and finished a 7 ½ length third. She showed her battling qualities on her next start at Fairyhouse on heavy ground in January, going down by ¾ length to Tony Martin’s Bog Warrior (winner over hurdles since). On her penultimate start at Leopardstown on soft ground towards the end of January she was beaten 1 ¼ lengths by the well regarded Mart Lane. On her final start at the Punchestown festival she ran out a very easy 9 lengths winner from Lord Gale, appreciating the much better ground.

She will be a very interesting recruit to hurdling next year and with a good mares race program available, expect her to keep to her own sex for the time being. She could develop into a David Nicholson horse at the festival where the spring ground would be in her favour.

Caolaneoin (5yo)

This Seamus Fahy trained son of King’s Theatre is out of the same family as Venetia Williams former high class 3 mile chaser Teeton Mill.

He made his debut at Fairyhouse on heavy ground in January. He belied his odds of 16-1 by finishing a 2 length second to the high class Lovethehigherlaw of Willie Mullins, the pair well cleared of the third. He showed that there was no fluke about that performance when winning next time out at leopardstown on heavy ground in February. Always travelling well, he took up the lead entering the final furlong to win by ¾ length from Giant’s Quest, but was value for more. He ran disappointingly on his final start at Punchestown in May when finishing well down the field in the Champion Bumper. He probably found things happening too quick for him on the faster ground.

Caolaneoin is a fine stamp of a horse whose long term future lies over fences. Before that, he may well be up to winning a nice race on his preferred winter ground.

Samain (5yo)

This Willie Mullins trained son of Black Sam Bellamy runs in Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud Colours.

He displayed greenness when beaten a neck by Sydney Des Pictons (winner of a maiden hurdle since) at Fairyhouse on heavy ground way back in April 2010. He was not seen again till Punchestown on heavy ground in January where he beat Cairdin by 1 ¼ lengths. His final two starts marked him out as a horse with serious potential. At Naas on soft/heavy ground in February he readily pulled clear of a field containing numerous winners. He was installed as favourite for the Champion Bumper at the festival on the back of this win, but connections decided to bypass this in favour of the Curragh at the start of April. Settling well, he made effortless ground on the leaders entering the final two furlongs to win by 6 lengths from a strong field.

While certainly not short of pace, Samain may be more effective over a longer trip. It will be disappointing if he cannot make his presence felt in the top novice hurdle races on both sides of the Irish sea this coming season.

Mount Belbulben (6yo)

This son of beneficial is out of a good jumping family that includes In Compliance. He was formerly trained by Gillian Callaghan but was purchased by Barry Connell at the Cheltenham Brightwells sale in April for £250k and will now be trained by Gordon Elliot.

The winner of a point to point at Tinahely, he made his debut at Down Royal on soft ground in February where he was beaten 4 lengths into fourth place after meeting trouble in running. He soon made amends at Thurles on soft ground at the end of February, where he stayed on strongly to beat Willie Mullins Mozoltov by 7 lengths. On his final start he put up his best performance when lowering the colours of the subsequent Punchestown Festival bumper winner Lovethehigherlaw, kicking clear in the final furlong to record an easy 8 length winning victory.

Stamina would appear to be his forte as would heavy ground and it would not be surprising to see him contest some of the better staying tests for novice hurdlers this winter.

Waaheb (4yo)

This Dermot Weld trained son Elusive Quality was a mid-season purchase by JP McManus and is out of a listed flat winner over 10 furlongs.

He made his debut at leopardstown on soft ground in January and was not extended in beating Crystal Swing by 4 lengths. Next time up at Leopardstown on soft ground in February he comfortably beat the well regarded Jenari by 1 ½ lengths. This was followed up with a bloodless success in a listed event at Limerick on yielding/soft in April where he beat Black Zorro by 7 lengths, value for more. It was not surprising to see him go off the 15/8 favourite to complete a four timer at Punchestown on good ground in the Champion Bumper. He took up the running entering the final furlong and after a protracted duel with Lovethehigherlaw was only beating a short head. It was a hell of an effort from this four year old and with another year of physical improvement to come, one would not bet against him reversing places with the winner if they lock horns again.

JP McManus has being blessed with some exceptional 2m hurdlers down through the years, such Istabraq and binocular, and there is little doubt that Waaheb is potentially very high class.

Swincombe Flame (5yo)

This Nick Williams trained daughter of Exit to Knowhere is out of a 3m hurdle winner.

She made her debut at Warwick on heavy ground towards the end of February, where she readily drew clear to win by 11 lengths. Her next run was in the mares listed bumper at Doncaster on good ground in March. She displayed great determination and stamina in seeing off the challenge of Alan King’s well regarded Tante Sissi (received eight pounds) by 2 ¼ lengths.

Swincombe Flame will now be sent over hurdles and one would expect her to improve further as she steps in in trip. She is versatile with respect to ground, and connections will be hoping that she can develop into a David Nicholson horse.

Fingal Bay (5yo)

This Philip Hobbs trained son of Kings Theatre is out a good jumps family, being a half-brother to the Charlie Swan trained Oodachee.

His one and only run last season came at Exeter on heavy ground in February. Ridden prominently, he took up the running from 3 out drawing relentless clear of the remainder of the field to come home a 22 length winner from the Great Gusto. The form of the race is poor but the winner was visibly impressive.
One gets the feeling that soft/heavy ground is important to Fingal Bay and he should pay his way in novice events over hurdles in the winter months.

Mart Lane (5yo)

This John Hanlon trained son of Stowaway runs in the Barry Connell colours and is a full brother to connections ill-fated classy bumper/novice hurdler Western Leader.

Mart Lane was the subject of glowing reports prior to making his debut at Leopardstown on soft ground in January. Despite always travelling like the like winner he was no more than work man like in beating Jessica Harrington’s smart mare Burn And Turn by 1 ¼ lengths. Connections had being considering the Champion Bumper prior to this run but subsequently decided against this. Mart Lane had his final start at the Curragh on soft ground in April, where he was well beaten behind the high class Samain.

His trainer makes no secret of the high regard that he holds this son of Stowaway. One would expect him to improve as he steps up in trip.

Victor Hewgo (6yo)

This Keith Reveley trained son of Old Vic is out of the same family as Howard Johnson’s former high class 2m chaser Direct Route.

He was well backed to make a winning debut at Doncaster towards the end of February on good to soft. He was held up way out the back before making good progress late on, without ever reaching the winner, finishing 3 ½ lengths behind Malt Master. He was a well backed favourite to build upon this run on his next start Hexham in March on good to soft but was the victim of an enterprising ride by Timmy Murphy on the runaway leader and winner Bygones Sovereign. Again held up out the back, he attempted to make headway late on but could never strike a blow, beating 17 lengths but still managed to pull 12 length clear of the third.

It would be no surprise to see him win some minor events up north, before dipping his toes in better races down South later on in the year. He looks more a chaser than a hurdler and so we may not see the best of Victor Hewgo until he goes over the larger obstacles.

Destroyer Deployed (5yo)

This Tim Vaughan trained son of Deploy is out of a family that includes dual Whitbread winner Topsham Bay. He was purchased by connections after finishing third in an Irish point to point back in October.

He made his bumper debut at Towcester on soft ground in February, where he stayed on strongly in the final furlong to win by 2 ¾ lengths. He defied a penalty on his next start at Fontwell on soft ground in February, where despite some keenness early on he pulled away in last three furlongs to win by 2 ¾ lengths. Incidentally this was the bumper that Cue Card won last year before going onto Champion Bumper glory at the festival. Despite these good omens, Destroyer Deployed was an unconsidered 66-1 shot for the Champion Bumper. He made a mockery of those odds in finishing a 5 length second to Cheltenian. Racing on good ground for the first time, he was outpaced slightly entering the final three furlongs but stayed on strongly again up the hill.

The evidence of this run suggests that the Albert Bartlett is a likely long term target for Destroyer Deployed. He should be well up to winning a decent prize on his favoured winter ground before then.

Fourth Estate (5yo)

This Nicky Henderson trained son of Fantastic Light is half-brother to Noel Meade’s very useful 2010/2011 novice hurdler Prima Vista.

He made his debut at Doncaster at the beginning of March on good ground. Despite the pedestrian pace, he settled well in mid division. The race developed into a bit of a sprint finish from 2f, and Fourth Estate showed the best turn of foot to win by 2 ¾ lengths under David Bass. It was a promising debut which he built upon next time out at the Ayr Scottish National meeting, also on good ground. In a race run at a good pace, he made eyecatching progress 1f out to win hands and heels under Barry Geraghty. This was visibly a very impressive performance and marked the winner out as a horse of some potential.

It is interesting to note that Fourth Estate won the same bumper on his final start as the stable’s high class novice hurdler Sprinter Sacre. Connections will be hoping that Fourth Estate can also develop into a Supreme Novice contender at the festival.

Jenari (4yo)

This Jessica Harrington trained son of Milan is out of the same family as Noel Meade’s former high class 2m hurdler Jered.

He made his debut at Leopardstown at the end of March on soft ground. Held up out the back he made his challenge 2f from home but had to settle for second behind the potentially high class Waaheb. He built upon this run when justifying odds on favouritism at Gowran Park in April on good ground. His final start was in the Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival where he put up his best performance of the year. Ridden more prominently than on his previous two runs, he went second 2f from home but was soon ridden. Nevertheless he stayed on well to finished third, beaten 5 lengths by Lovethehighlaw and Waaheb, with a nice break back to the fourth.
There is little doubt that this was the best bumper run Ireland this year. Connections feel that while he is effective on soft ground he is more effective on a decent surface. One gets the impression that he is better over a trip in excess of 2m and so he may be more of a Neptune type than a Supreme Novices horse next season

Lovethehigherlaw (5yo)

This Willie Mullins trained son of Presenting runs in the Michael O’Leary Gigginstown House Stud colours and is out of the same family as former champion hurdle winners Morley Street and Granville Again.

He made his much anticipated debut at Fairyhouse on heavy ground in Januray where he just had to be pushed out to beat Caolaneoin by 2 lengths with a further 19 lengths back to the third. His bubble was somewhat burst on his next start at Limerick on soft ground in March where he was beaten at odds of ½ by Mount Benbulben. The winner is a very decent sort but notably some of the Mullins runners had being performing below par at the time and so excuses could be made for the runner up. On the back of this run he was sent off at odds of 8-1 for his final at Punchestown on good ground run in the Champion Bumper. Tracking the leaders throughout, he made his challenge entering the final furlong and after an engrossing duel with Waaheb, just got his head in front in the shadow of a post.

The closest Michael O’Leary has come to a supreme novices winner was War of Attrition’s second place behind Brave Inca in the 2004/2005 season. In this former point to point winner he has a horse that may well be capable of going one better.

Oscara Dara (6yo)

This Alan Fleming trained son of Oscar is out of a decent jumping family.

He made his debut in a fibresand bumper at Southwell in December. He justified good morning support to come home an easy 10 length winner. His best run came on his final start at ascot in February. As in his previous run, he set off in front until headed over 2f out by the well regarded Persian Snow, he rallied gamely to repel the latter in last furlong but had no answer to the winner Mono Man, beating 1 ¾ lengths. In truth, the winner was value for more, but this was still an excellent performance by the runner up in a race where each runner was a previous winner.

Starluck has being a real flag bearer for the stable in the last few years and the stable will be hopeful that Oscara Dara while probably not of the same class has the potential to be pretty decent over the smaller obstacles.

Other Categories:

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2287]Established Hurdlers
http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2291]Established Chasers

http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2297]Novice Hurdlers
http://www.thefreekick.com/blog/?p=2296]Novice Chasers

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