Novice Hurdlers

Kicks For Free 5yo P.F. Nicholls

Top-class form in Bumpers last season, finishing placed in both championship events at Cheltenham and Aintree, travelling like the winner at the latter venue, before being collared in the final 2f. Two miles will be his trip, and he’ll be seen to best effect on Good ground.

Once A Brownie 5yo E.U. Hales ( Ireland)

Best form when 4L fourth to Leading Run in February. Not quite in the top-bracket in Bumpers, but has a willing attitude. Raced only on softer than Yielding (goes well on Heavy) this game front-runner could develop into a useful novice.

Roll Along 6yo C. Llewellyn

Lightly raced but unbeaten in Bumpers, showing best form when beating Spartacus Bay at Warwick (race not run to suit, and Soft ground possibly against him). An edgy type in the paddock, he has been a complete professional once out on the track. Looks likely to make his mark in novice hurdles at the minimum trip, and will potentially stay further.

Sound Accord 5yo C. Tinkler

Won only start in Bumpers with a bit in hand despite running green. A half-brother to River City, he is bred to ultimately jump a fence, but there are races over hurdles to be won with him.

The Pious Prince 5yo P.R. Webber

Bolted-up in his only Bumper run at Ayr in February before being put away for the season. Sold for 180,000gns out of Len Lungo’s yard at the May sales. Looks an exciting prospect, and the only real concern is the trainer’s unrelenting capacity for ruining good horses.

Perce Rock 4yo T. Stack ( Ireland)

Won first Bumper start by a distance in Heavy ground, and bettered that form when fourth to Hairy Molly in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, staying on from well back. Likely not suited by the prevailing ground at the Festival, and should be a different proposition when running under softer conditions again. Will stay further than 2m, and likely to take high rank amongst staying novices in Ireland.

Novice Chasers

Briareus 6yo I. A. Balding

Enjoyed a highly progressive season over hurdles last year, winning Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle, and running a creditable 6 th in the Champion Hurdle at the Festival. Set to go novice chasing in the new season, and this foot-sure hurdler will be one of the higher-rated horses to switch to fences, with the Arkle the ultimate target. Will prove best on Good ground.

Conna Castle 7yo J.J. Mangan ( Ireland)

A dual Bumper winner who progressed again in the latest season, showing himself to be just short of the top-class in novice hurdles in the process; chasing home Straw Bear at Aintree on ground that was far too quick for him. A three-time winner in points, chasing is going to be his game, and he is one to look forward to in the series of valuable events for top-class Irish novice chasers over the minimum trip. An early season campaign taking in the Craddockstown Novice Case at Punchestown, would be a logical route.

Mr Nosie 5yo N. Meade ( Ireland)

Suffered only defeat when 4 th behind Nicanor in the Sun Alliance Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Lightly raced, and a winning pointer to boot, its likely that he will be sent novice chasing in the new season (Iktitaf in same ownership), and he is an exciting prospect. The Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in early December appeals as a likely target.

Au Courant 6yo N.J. Henderson

Won a bumper and a novice hurdle in two runs last season, before being put away with fences in mind. Hasn’t therefore achieved a great deal as yet, but is with a trainer who knows the time of day when it comes to novice chasers. Open to plenty of improvement. Will stay at least 2m4f and probably further.

Denman 6yo P.F.Nicholls

Top-class staying novice hurdler last year, meeting only defeat when chasing home Nicanor in the Royal And Sun Alliance Hurdle at the Festival. Has bags of scope, and is a classic ‘anything achieved over hurdles is a bonus’ type, which points to a smashing staying chaser in the making. A very exciting prospect, and it will be a major disappointment if he does not take high-rank amongst next seasons novices.

Dom D’Orgeval 6yo N. Williams

A tough, genuine and consistent hurdler, showing marked improvement for the step-up in trip last season. Best efforts when third to Skys The Limit in the Coral Cup and Mighty Man at Aintree, he went on to run creditably behind Mid Dancer at Auteuil in the late spring. Seems unlikely to make the improvement necessary to trouble the very best staying hurdlers next season, and its to be hoped that his attention is turned to fences sooner rather than later.

Glenfinn Captain 7yo T.J. Taaffe ( Ireland)

Won a Bumper before proving progressive over hurdles in the latest season, running creditably all starts. Best efforts at around the minimum trip, but will benefit from being stepped-up to at least 2m4f. Versatile in terms of ground conditions, but likely to prove best on easy going. Likeable attitude.

Killaghy Castle 6yo N.J. Gifford

Progressive novice hurdler last season, though some 20lb short of the top rank. Ran mainly around 2m4f, but will stay 3m. Likely to prove a better chaser than hurdler and seems sure to win races over fences, so long as he isn’t tried too highly.

Money Trix 6yo N.G. Richards

Progressive staying novice hurdler last season, showing best form when chasing home Black Jack Ketchum at Aintree, running-on gamely after being outpaced by the winner. Very much a staying chaser in the making (has scope), and a combination of 3m and soft ground will likely see him to best effect; a very nice prospect.

Mounthenry 6yo C. Byrnes ( Ireland)

Genuine and reliable. Never out of the first three in ten starts over hurdles last season (won five, including a Grade 2 – beating Iktitaf), it’s to be hoped that he is sent over fences in the next season. The pattern in Ireland caters well for 2m4f+ novice chasers, and if he takes to fences, he seems likely to be in the mix in all of the main events.

Nicanor 5yo N. Meade ( Ireland)

Top-class staying novice hurdler last season, winning RSA Hurdle in good style, before finishing off with a workmanlike victory at the Punchestown Festival. Although a winner at up to 2m5f over hurdles, it is rumoured that he might drop back to the minimum trip over fences. Although he has a turn of foot, he would likely need a strongly run race over 2m to be seen to best effect. However, there will be plenty of other opportunities for him, should things not work out over the minimum distance. Sure to be hard to beat, whichever route he takes.

Stoneville 6yo E. McNamara ( Ireland)

Sound-jumping novice hurdler, though some way short of being top-class. Raced mainly at around 2m4f, best effort was in defeat in Grade 2 at Naas in February (not seen out thereafter). He looks every inch a stayer, and will benefit from being stepped-up in trip, when sent over fences. Wants soft ground.

Travino 7yo Ms M. Mullins ( Ireland)

Good in bumpers, and even better over hurdles, showing very smart form despite winning only once (in a Grade 1) in seven starts. Best efforts in defeat at Cheltenham (behind Nicanor) and Punchestown (in open company behind Asian Maze). Built for fences, he can be expected to take a hand in all of the top novice chases over 2m4f+, though will likely prove best at 3m. Beaten a head by Missed That in his only point, he has the potential to go to the very top. The softer the better.

Vic Venturi 6yo P. Fenton ( Ireland)

Progressive novice hurdler. Raced mainly at around 2m4f last season, his best performance came in a Grade 3 over 2m6f in Heavy ground, indicating that he will improve further when stepped-up in trip. This game former pointer can develop into a smart novice chaser.

 

Hurdlers

Brave Inca 8yo C. Murphy ( Ireland)

Ultra-tough, game, genuine and consistent Champion Hurdler, and a superb example of a National Hunt racehorse. Doesn’t have too many gears, but there are precious few who are able to stare him down in the heat of battle. No reason why won’t continue to be very difficult to beat in the top Irish conditions hurdles over the minimum trip.

Asian Maze 7yo T. Mullins ( Ireland)

Top-class hurdler at all distances from 2m to 3m, though best suited by 20f or further. Fell in Champion Hurdle, before going on to take emphatic victory in the Aintree Hurdle, followed by a further facile success in Champion Stayers at Punchestown. The pattern in Ireland caters very well for her type, and in receipt of the mares allowance, she is going to prove extremely difficult to beat in races like the Lismullen, Hattons Grace and Tara Hurdles, in the early part of next season.

Black Jack Ketchum 7yo J.J. O’Neill

Undefeated novice hurdler, winning all five starts in the latest season, including victories in the Spa Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Sefton at Aintree, putting the issue beyond doubt in a matter of strides in the former race, and dismissing some smart opposition with contemptuous ease in the latter. With Baracouda retired, and Inglis Drever having had a setback, minimal improvement is all that is required, for him to go straight to the top of the staying hurdle game. A very exciting prospect.

Iktitaf 5yo N. Meade ( Ireland)

High-class novice hurdler over the minimum trip last season. Missed Cheltenham due to a minor setback, but closed out the year with a victory in the Champion Novices at the Punchestown Festival, quickening readily to beat Straw Bear. Versatile in terms of ground, he seems likely to be able to make the step-up into open company in the coming season, as there is surely more improvement to come.

Straw Bear 5yo N.J. Gifford

One of the best 2m novice hurdlers in the UK last season, and with Noland going chasing, he seems the one most likely to step-up and be successful in open company next season. Beaten a neck in the Supreme Novices, he showed further improvement to brush aside decent types like Conna Castle at Aintree. A defeat behind Iktitaf at the Punchestown Festival may have been a race too far. Given the lack of talent amongst UK 2m hurdlers, normal improvement should see him able to challenge in the various Champion Hurdle trials. Promising.

Cruzspiel 5yo J.R. Fanshawe

Decent on Flat (better than Al Elie who wa 4 th in a Champion Hurdle), he won two novice hurdles in effortless style late in 2005, but was not seen out in 2006. Withdrawn from the May sales, its not altogether clear what plans are, but he is for keeping on the right side, if he does appear in the next season.

One Sniff 7yo N.G. Richards

Winning pointer. Showed fair form in finishing 17L second to Denman on debut, and won second novice at Kelso with a bit in hand. Will be best over 3m, and is an interesting prospect. Something like the Lombard Properties Hurdle at Cheltenham’s Paddy Power meeting would be a logical target, so long as he gets qualified for handicaps beforehand.

Silent Oscar 7yo C.P. Donoghue ( Ireland)

Outclassed behind Iktitaf in Royal Bond, but otherwise a progressive sort (would have won next three starts, but for being brought down in second). A good mover, he travels well in his races, and he is potentially well-treated under his current rating (123). Seems more than capable of picking-up a valuable 2m handicap hurdle, off that kind of mark. The Pierce might be a target.

You Sir 6yo J. Bowe ( Ireland)

Won a bumper, and his only start in novice hurdles last season, making all and winning with authority in the latter, in the style you would expect of a horse related to the great Limestone Lad. Doubtful whether he will prove quite as good as his illustrious uncle, but he can certainly make his mark felt in hurdles at 2m4f and further, especially on bottomless ground.

Manners 8yo J.J. O’Neill

Lightly raced. Decent Bumper horse in 2004, missed a year, and came back to win two of three novice hurdles in the latest season (only defeat came behind Noland, on his return). Not entirely sure of his BHB mark (likely to be in the high 120’s/low 130’s) , but whatever it is, I have him down as possibly one of the best handicapped horses in the country. No surprise to see him win a really decent prize at some point over the coming months.

Chasers

Justified 7yo E. Sheehy ( Ireland)

Top-class novice chaser last year, winning four from seven, at distances between 2m and 2m4f. An accomplished jumper for a novice (though he unseated his rider in the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes at Christmas), he gained his revene for missing Cheltenham - met with a minor setback – with a comprehensive win in the Powers Gold Cup, finding plenty to defeat In Complaince by three lengths. Looks well equipped to mount a challenge to the established order as, Newmill (reportedly goes over hurdles in the early part of the season) apart, the 2m – 2m4f chase division in Ireland looks relatively weak in the absence of Moscow Flyer. Logical early season targets would include the Fortia Chase, followed by the Hilly Way or John Durkan Chases over Christmas.

Kauto Star 6yo P.F. Nicholls

Top-class, if sometimes clumsy, chaser in the latest season, winning Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. Confined to trips around 2m since joining his current stable two years ago, but would not be inconvenienced by stepping back up in trip either. That is unlikely to be necessary, as there are very few established 2 milers in the UK capable of getting him into a race, and many of last seasons better novices, will be stepping up in trip themselves. Likely that he will prove difficult to beat in the various trials leading up to the Champion Chase, unless the fences continue to get in the way.

War Of Attrition 7yo M. Morris ( Ireland)

Top-class novice hurdler and novice chaser over 2m in the last two seasons, he showed improved form for being upped in trip in the latest, winning Cheltenham Gold Cup and Heineken Gold Cup at the spring Festivals. Not the greatest Gold Cup winner of all time, but there was lots to like about both Festival performances, and he continues to look progressive over a trip. With Beef Or Salmon now a 10yo, he has the capacity to take over as the best staying chaser in Ireland, and will be hard to beat in events like the James Nicholson Champion Chase, the Lexus and the Irish Hennessey. A successful season looks assured.

Missed That 7yo W.P. Mullins ( Ireland)

Very similar profile to Justified. Progressed well last season, after what can only be described as a hapless introduction over fences on his debut. Confined mainly to 2m – 2m4f, he acquitted himself with great credit (won two Grade 1’s). Likely to prove more suited to tests of stamina than 2m, the John Durkan would seem an ideal target, before a potential clash with War of Attrition and Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus.

Monets Garden 8yo N.G Richards

Top-class novice chaser in England last year, winning three out of four starts. A stayer over hurdles, he ran a highly creditable race in the Arkle (best at weights), before closing out his season with a workmanlike performance at Ayr (result never in doubt). A superb jumper of fences, he is likely to go right to the top in the UK, given the paucity of top-class chasers around, and the likely enforced absence of Trabolgan. Doubtless the King George at Kempton will be his target in the first part of the season.

Afistfullofdollars 8yo N. Meade ( Ireland)

Very impressive in only chase run to date, beating subsequent useful handicapper Black Apalachi 24L at level weights at Down Royal in November 2005. Not seen out again due to cracked pelvis, but seems sure to win more races over fences, if recovering from that (Landing Light won Tote Gold Trophy a few years ago, following similar setback).

Idle Talk 7yo T.R. George

High-class and consistent novice chaser last season, finishing fine second (best at weights) to Star de Mohaison in the Royal And Sun Alliance Chase. Though he definitey wants a stamina test, he perhaps found the 4m1f of the Scottish National beyond him, though he stayed-on again once headed, to be beaten only a dozen lengths, giving weight to the first two. A bold-jumping front-runner, its to be hoped that he proves better than similar type Lord of Illusion, though to be fair, he has already achieved more than his stablemate. Currently rated around the mid 140’s, the Hennessey will be right up his street.

Neptune Collonges 5yo P.F. Nicholls

Developed into a very useful staying novice hurdler in the last season, running My Way De Solzen very close in the Long Walk (open company), before finishing a remote third to the hugely impressive Black Jack Ketchum at Aintree. There’s little doubt that the going was against him in the latter race, as he is very much best served by bottomless ground. Already a multiple chase winner in France as a 4yo, he was bought with fences in mind, and despite a relative lack of experience, this big, scopey individual can make his mark in long distance handicap chases in the next season. Given his going requirements, the Welsh National looks the most obvious target in the Programme book.

Southern Vic 7yo T. Walsh (Ireland)

Although a shade below the very best of Ireland’s novice chasers last season, there was a lot to like about his performances, and he should prove even better when asked to tackle longer trips. Twice successful over 3m in soft ground last season, he is likely to be campaigned with that as his minimum distance requirement in the next season. Generally a sound and accurate jumper, something like the Thyestes might be on the agenda, with the Irish National the long-range target.

State Of Play 6yo E. Williams

Very smart staying novice chaser in the latest season, putting up best display at Aintree when beating excellent yardstick Lacdoudal by 16L (albeit in receipt of 24lb). Lightly raced, and still open to improvement, he has the look of a horse that has a decent handicap in him, and the Hennessey would be a good starting point. Longer term, he looks a likely type for the BetFred Chase (won by Lacdoudal in the latest season), and its not entirely inconceivable that he can make his mark in open company, granted soft conditions.