Forty national hunt horses to follow 2013-14
1. Annacotty – Martin Keighley
Consistent
in lower grade handicap hurdles last season (struggled a tad when stepped up in
class) and has already made his mark in the point to point sphere, so every
right to expect a profitable campaign this season. Debuts over fences under
rules tomorrow at Chepstow and can kick off this project on a positive note.
2. Arbeo
– Diana Grissell
Fairly progressive last season, though probably
wants soft ground or 3 miles to be seen to best effect in handicap chases. Only
7 and still a useful prospect.
3. Bar De Ligne – Steve Gollings
The return of Gollings to the list! Whatever are
things coming to? Rubbish debut over fences when apparently suffering stomach
ulcers, but then ran out a handy winner in front of well-regarded Grandad’s
Horse in the Summer, jumping well out of good ground. Should do well at around
2 ½ m.
4. Big Occasion – David Pipe
On this list last year and
was a slow learner over fences, hitting the bar too many times for comfort. But
he got his act together very well for the Midlands National and then ran into a
good ‘un in the Scottish National. Obvious Welsh National credentials.
5. Carole’s Spirit – Robert Walford
Half
sister to Carole’s Legacy, a distinguished former resident of this list. Looks
to have a bit of stamina about her and one to take note of at around 2½m and up in novice hurdles this term.
6. Champagne West – Philip Hobbs
Related to Monsignor, scalper of
Best Mate back in the day. Also has RSA Chase winner One Knight in his
bloodline, who gave me one of my biggest and best Festival wins. What else is
there to say? Except that breeding counts for bog all over the jumps. And that
he failed to win his rules debut. But he did shape well. And he has winning
point-to-point form, so could go straight over fences. Should relish a trip,
too.
7. Diamond King – Donald McCain
Unbeaten in bumpers, winning a heat in April by 19
lengths. He clearly has some ability and will be interesting if he can
translate that to hurdles.
8. Harry Topper – Kim Bailey
This resurgent
trainer has been handling this one carefully. Unbeaten in the chases in which
he has completed, he ended the season on a downer, unseating Timmy Murphy at
Kelso and then being brought down early in the Grade 1 novice chase at
Punchestown. Top prospect for 2013-14, though.
9.
Ifyouletmefinish – Venetia Williams
Knuckled over on his only chase start last
season when he looked a likely winner against a decent Easterby yardstick.
Solid hurdles form to take into novice chases, despite that one blip. Left Jeremy Scott in the early Autumn.
10. Imperial Vic – Michael Smith
Likes
to get his nose in front and seems to possess the stomach for a fight too, so
should be a thrilling to follow in novice chases this year. Soft ground seems
to suit and 3m looks the trip.
11. Jezki
– Jessie Harrington
The
Champion Hurdle is shaping up to be such a fantastic race this season. Already.
And I reckon I say that every year. With a classic old guard (Hurricane Fly,
Grandouet, Rock On Ruby) versus new pretenders (Our Conor, My Tent Or Yours,
The New One) scenario bubbling away, Jezki is the beast I’ll be going to war
with. He was arguably a tad unlucky in last season’s Supreme and possibly
lacking in experience too. At Punchestown he won very well and looked more
complete.
12. Katenko – Venetia Williams
Good
quality staying chases will be his game again. Became exciting to watch last
year before colic wiped out his chance to run in the Gold Cup. Colic is a nasty
thing and there’s a risk that this one won’t recover to build on his pulsating
season. But there’s a chance he will too.
13. Legal Exit – Jim Culloty
Back to the breeding lines again. This novice
chaser is related to Lucky Bay, another very old friend of mine whom Culloty
rode when trained by Hen Knight. This one was stuffed by Champagne Fever in the
Deloitte at Leopardstown last season, but picked up a decent race at Limerick
in April, beating a fair sort in Bonisland. Seems versatile as regards ground.
14. Le Reve – Lucy Wadham
Staying novice chases this season. Another gutsy
type who seems to like a scrap. Only 2 from 5 over hurdles, but enough promise
to suggest his trainer will find suitable openings.
15. Many Clouds – Oliver Sherwood
Looked class for a lot of last season, but blew up
in the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle at the Grand National meeting when I’d
decided that was the race to pile in. Punter error: soft ground seems to be
required and I’m on a recovery mission with him.
16. Melodic Rendezvous – Jeremy Scott
Tolworth Hurdle winner who I
was convinced was set to break my duck in the Supreme before he picked up a
late injury. That Supreme now looks like good form and whether he would have
been in the mix is hard to say. But has a good turn of foot, even though he
rarely encountered his favoured ground and will be more than interesting.
17. Midnight Minx – Anthony Honeyball
Campaigned
in bumpers last year where took three average events before showing up well in
the big mares bumper at Sandown in the Spring. One for the growing number of
mares only hurdle races in the programme book. Another up and coming trainer.
18. Mrs Eff – Philip Kirby
I’m a big fan of the down to earth P Kirby and this
one goes in the book as one of his half decent handicap hurdle types for a low
profile campaign.
19. O’Faolains Boy – Rebecca Curtis
One for staying novice chases. Improved all season
last year, including decent effort in the 3-miler at the Festival, albeit
slammed by At Fisher’s Cross. Fine prospect if form on the Point To Point
circuit means anything.
20. On The Bridge – Jeremy Scott
Handicap hurdler, most probably. He has gone up 47lb
since August last year, I note. Campaigned over the Summer, which I never
really warm to in a winter prospect, but after a rest it will be intriguing to
see where his progress levels off.
21. Oscar Rock – Malcolm Jefferson
This one seems to be on a
lot of lists for this season. And no wonder after his eye-catching win in
Newbury’s very decent bumper in February, when in the care of Harry Fry. Now with Jeffferson, looking forward to his hurdling
debut.
22. Our Vinnie – Charles Byrnes
Dour stayer who gives
everything. Best on soft or deeper. Love his spirit and has a touch of quality
about him. Staying novice chases likely to be the game this season.
23. Pendra
– Charlie Longsden
Overfaced in the Coral Cup, but
previous efforts were all very sound and with more experience he should be a
force in handicap hurdles. Could be a chaser this year as well. 2½ m could be
best trip.
24. Pine Creek – John Ferguson
Good record in novice
hurdles and then a creditable effort in the Imperial Cup. Still looking
progressive and fancied to get his head in front again this season.
25. Rare Legend – John Joseph Hanlon
A dark horse. Just one fair effort over the sticks
as a novice behind Willie Mullins’ Suntiep. But already one win and two places
from three PTP outings and would appear to be plenty of scope to make a mark.
26. Red Devil Boys – John Ferguson
Another that everyone has on their lists. Obvious
really. Very impressive win at Doncaster in big field novice hurdle and another
two bumper wins. And he’s Ferguson horse that is not a flat bred!
27. Red Sherlock – David Pipe.
Out of Shirocco – another mate of mine and by Lady
Cricket. Related to Swing Bowler. Flashing tail when asked for pressure. Come
on!
28. Sausalito Sunrise – Philip Hobbs
Picked on the back of a decent 3rd to
McCain’s Up And Go at Ascot in February. That was only his second run. Out of
Villaflor, which is a really nice town half way up Mount Teide in Tenerife. Am
I taking this breeding stuff too far?
29. Seymour
Eric - Martin Keighley
Another
from the yard of a trainer I’ve a soft spot for. This horse makes the list
courtesy of Roy Waterhouse who spotted that this gelding was the winner of the
last ever jumps race at Hereford on 16th December
2012. Won three more since then and embarks on a chasing campaign this term
where 3m will suit when the mud is flying up by his sheepskin cheekpieces.
30. Sire De Grugy – Gary Moore
Enjoyed a spectacular end to the season with a
tanking victory in the Celebration Chase at Sandown on ground that would not
have been ideal. I’ve been a fan of this horse since his handicap hurdling
days. He seems to be still improving but any chance of real success this season
depends on him avoiding Sprinter Sacre.
31. Suntiep – Willie Mullins
Staying novice chases this year are possible. Seems
to jump well with plenty of dig in the ground. Unbeaten so far and maybe one of
the lesser lights in the powerful Mullins barn.
32. Swing Bowler – David Pipe
Out of Lady Cricket…. Ran a really poor race in
Quevega’s Mares Hurdle at the Festival, but a fair 3rd in the
Betfair Hurdle and previously unbeaten suggests that race may have been an
aberration. Prepared to give her another chance this term.
33. Theatre Guide – Colin Tizzard
Maximum respect for the Tizzard team after the way
they campaigned Cue Card last season. This one is leagues way from that class –
he couldn’t lay a finger on Dynaste at Newbury and struggled at the Festival in
the Byrne Group Plate - but he was
a decent novice and there should be scope if placed to advantage in staying
handicap chases on no worse than soft.
34. The Skyfarmer – Philip Hobbs
Last season's steady improvement in bumpers hopefully bodes well for progress this.
35. Tolkeins Tango – Victor Dartnell
Modest rather than spectacular progress over
hurdles last term. But fancied to pay his way this.
36. Trustan Times – Tim Easterby.
Has run very well in competitive hurdles, though probably found out in
the Long Walk Hurdle as a touch below top class. Seems genuine enough and
presumably connections will want to chance his improvement back over fences
where his mark is lower.
37. Upswing – Jonjo O’Niell
Unexposed hurdler who has recorded just one win. But plenty more expected this year as a chaser. Seems happy in the mud and will
probably handle a trip.
38. Up To Something – Charlie Longsden
Well touted last season, but didn’t really live up
to expectations. Admittedly given some tough assignments and not all of that form
has worked out. Signs of his real ability in final outing though and given another
chance here to make a decent fist of fencing.
39.
Wilde Pastures – James Ewart.
He pulled off a three-timer in handicap chases
last season and consequently took a hike in the weights. He was very keen final start and maybe that explains the one-pacedness rather than the weight. So he’s here in the hope that there is still more to come at around 2 ½ miles.
40. Zarkandar – Paul Nicholls
Only
because the step up the three miles is intriguing. The staying divison has a
cloud over it with the likely absence of Big Buck’s ‘til later in the season
and Solwhit can be ground dependent. This horse doesn’t owe me a penny. Massive
respect. And he’s a half brother the world’s finest filly, Zarkava. It’s
basically about time I had him in my list.
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