Day: September 1, 2006

Review of the flat 2002

The successes

My “horse of the year” was probably Macaw.  Trained by Jim Goldie last season, Macaw is only a small colt but he won handicaps at York, Newmarket and Goodwood.  Better still he won at odds of 20/1, 7/1 & 4/1, from only 9 starts.  He has now been sold to race in America where he was 4th in his first race at Belmont. 

There were plenty of other multiple winners.  Affaire D’Amour won 4 of his 7 starts including once at 12/1.  Another Mark Prescott horse to win 4 was Chivalry, all wins coming on minor tracks and the best SP being 5/2.  
Generally, Prescott is worth following.  Another 3 year old, Froglet, won 3 of his 6 starts, including one at 4/1.  He didn’t quite manage to emulate his mother who won 5 on the bounce in the July of 1996.

By far the classiest horse to win 4 times was Islington.  She was only 8th in the Oaks but was most impressive in her next 2 runs winning both the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and the Yorkshire Oaks.  She also ran with credit in the Arc finishing 5th.  Staying with the classic contenders, Mark Johnston’s Bandari ran away with the Lingfield Derby trial.  He also won the Great Voltigeur at York beating Highest, but disappointed in the Derby, and finished 3rd to Bollin Eric in the St Leger.  Bandari seems an edgy, nervy sort but genuine enough.  Another Johnston colt, Simeon, also did well for me.  He won a minor event at Ripon, a Haydock handicap and a classic trial at Sandown.  He also ran a good third to Sulamani in the Prix Du Jockey Club but disappointed a bit after that and was sold out of Johnston’s yard.

Sprinter Bandanna gave me 4 wins and all at nice prices, 13/2, 3/1, 5/1 and 8/1.  This is a tough mare that is effective at 5 or 6 furlongs.  Three of the wins came at Bath.  Another sprinter that gave me a decent profit was the progressive Feet So Fast.  Trained by Willie Musson, this gelding won valuable handicaps at Lingfield and Newmarket before going on to win a 10 runner conditions event at Ascot.  He was bought out of Musson’s yard, possibly to run abroad.

Two of John Dunlop’s horses, Persian Lightning and King Eider won 3 apiece. Persian Lightning progressed steadily and his wins included handicaps at Leicester and Haydock.  He is probably best between 10-12F. Unfortunately I was not on King Eider when he won at 14/1. He was a fairly useful handicapper who stays 2miles.

 Staying with the handicappers, Mary Reveley’s My Line won 3 from 9 starts, 2 of his wins coming at Carlisle and the best price being 11/2.  Alec Stewart’s useful performer Selective also paid his way with 3 wins, one of these at 9/1.

Two of the more successful 2 year olds that I followed were Bakewell Tart and Steelaninch.  Both won 4 times.  The latter proved a useful performer whose wins included nurseries at Ascot and Newmarket.  He has since been sold for 100,000 gns.  Bakewell Tart’s wins included a nursery on the AW at Wolverhampton when ridden by claimer Hayley Turner and a listed race in Milan! The best winning price for both of these juveniles was 13/2.

 Naahy, a Mike Channon 2 year old won 3 times but I missed the best of these (5/1).  I managed to catch all 3 wins for another successful juvenile, Airwave.  This one looks a very smart sprinter in the making with his best win coming in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket when he beat the highly rated Russian Rhythm. 

 Desert Deer won 3 of his 6 starts.  He beat Common World into second place at Newbury and also won a listed race at Newmarket running on in tenacious fashion.

Of course things don’t always go according to plan. I put Derwent on my list at the start of the season.  He turned out to be a very useful type winning 3 including once at 10/1.  He was however he was never given much of a chance by the “experts” and I never backed him.

 And the failures

 I will not dwell on these for obvious reasons.  What you don’t want on your list to follow is a horse that runs up a sequence of losses.  A good (or bad) example was Harbour House.  This 3 year old of Mick Channon’s failed to win in 9 starts before I finally gave up on him.  What-A-Dancer also proved frustrating.  Although Alan Swinbank’s 5 year old ran some good races, notably when a head second in a rated stakes at Newbury, he did not register a single win in 11 starts.

Keeping the faith

 Despite these examples there are times to “keep the faith.”  Mid way through the season I “axed”, La Paz, Macadamia, Red To Violet and Spectroscope.  La Paz promptly won a Kempton maiden at 7/1.  Worse was to follow, Red To Violet won twice at 9/2 and 6/1 and Spectroscope, who had shown very little up to that point won at 5/2 and 4/1 with both wins coming at Goodwood.  Spectroscope has since performed well in novice hurdles.    Macadamia did even better than these with a 9/1 win.  Perhaps the best example of not sticking to my guns was when 2 year old Landescent won on his 8th start at 25/1 (after I had relegated him).

 Sprinters

Sprint handicappers often come in at good prices (at least that is one of my theories).  I have already mentioned Bandanna.  Idle Power won at 9/1 on his 11th start (I did keep faith with this one), while CD Flyer came in at 10/1.  This was Mick Channon’s handicappers first win for 3 years so I promptly ditched him on the basis that I had had my win out of him.  Another 10/1 winner was Cashmere, a lightly raced progressive sort, while Peter Makin’s Canterloupe won a Windsor handicap in August at 16/1.

 I had high hopes of Mr Mahoose and Torosay Spring but neither of these really paid off.  Mr Mahoose seems a bit of a quirky sort and difficult to win with although he did oblige in a handicap at Yarmouth in July at 5/2, but this was from 6 starts.  His best effort was when an unlucky second of 23 in an Ascot handicap.  Torosay Spring won a minor event at 7/4 but failed to get her head in front in two subsequent starts.

Dandy Nicholls dominated the sprinting game last season but I did not have much luck with his horses.  I had the classy Continent on my list for most of the season and finally gave up on him just before he won the July Cup at 12/1.  His other win was in the Prix L’Abbaye at Longchamp and my system only covers horses running in the UK. He was also 2nd in the Nunthorpe but is hard to catch on the right day as he is often slowly away and needs to come late. I also put two other Nicholl’s trained sprinters on the list.  Veteran Further Outlook failed to register a win and although Flak Jacket won twice, I missed him on the most profitable of these (12/1).
 
The lister that I really missed out on though was Jimmy Noseda’a Just James who won 2 of his 6 starts, both at 20/1.  I wasn’t on either time.  The first of these came in a competitive 20-runner handicap at Newmarket in astonishing circumstances.  Just James was last and detached with a couple of furlongs to go but burst through to win by three parts of a length.
Vita Spericolata was a good example of the ups and downs you get following the sprinters.  She made all to beat Smokin’ Beau a neck at Chester (11/1) but that was the only win from 12 starts.

The most bizarre set of results came from Peruvian Chief.  He won at 12/1 on his 18th outing.  The bare facts don’t tell the whole story however.  He was 2nd at Newmarket at 33/1, beaten a short head.  He was also beaten ¼ length when 14/1, 1 ¼ lengths at 9/1 and was third to Needwood Blade beaten 1 length again at 9/1.

 A couple of successful sprinters that I did not cash in on as much as I would have liked were Needwood Blade and Smokin’ Beau.  Needwood Blade won 3 from 9 including odds of 7/1 and 9/1.  He is a smart performer who won a rated stakes at York and a listed event at Newmarket.  Smokin’ Beau is only small but he is tough, genuine and consistent and won 4 of his 11 starts including one at 10/1.  His wins included a listed race at Goodwood and a rated stakes at Newbury.  I didn’t have my money on for all of these though!

 Other handicappers

It has occurred to me that it might be an idea to put more handicappers on my list to follow, as if you pick the right ones they do tend to win at decent prices.  For example Beauchamp Pilot won 3 of his 8 starts including odds of 9/1 and 4/1.  He won the Cambridgeshire and was in the frame in the Royal Hunt Cup and the John Smith’s Cup at York.  He was also 3rd in a listed race at Newmarket to another favourite of mine, Smirk.  Smirk was 7/1 that day and he also won a Goodwood handicap at 12/1.
Both these are really genuine sorts.  One that showed some signs of temperament was Common World.  He paid his way for me however winning a couple of handicaps, one at 7/1. He was also placed in listed company at Ascot.

Champion Lodge proved an ideal lister winning 2 out of 9 at odds of 9/1 and 12/1 and proving the value to be had following the smaller stables.  His wins came in large fields at York (where he overcame a bad draw) and Newmarket. The Judge, trained by Paul Cole was one of my first runners.  He was strongly fancied for the Lincoln but ran disappointingly; perhaps the ground was against him.  He then took a decent 21 runner handicap at Newbury before making no show in his remaining 2 starts. His win was at 12/1, again showing how the right handicapper can show a handsome profit.

One that I never seemed to catch on a winning day was Judge Davidson who won 2 out of 7, one of them at 11/2.  I even managed to miss my old friend Tees Components.  I put him on the list mid season thinking he might win the Cesarawitch.  He failed to justify heavy support there but promptly romped home in a B handicap at Newmarket at 4/1 when I wasn’t on him.  Such is life!
Marlo was a model list horse.  He won 1 of his 6 starts coming home by a short head at Yarmouth at 14/1.  You can’t say fairer than that.

 A few personal favourites

I was thankful  for Junkanoo who gave me my first winner of the season. Mary Reveley’s gelding won an 18 runner event at Nottingham at 3/1 and didn’t run again. 

Prins Willem gave me a nice 10/1 winner.  James Fanshawe’s 3 year old progressed into a fairly useful handicapper and actually won twice.  He is owned by a Dutchman and runs in the orange colours of the Dutch national football team.

You wont find the name of Florentine Flutter up there with the likes of Rock of Gibraltar but he did a good job early in the season for me winning a Haydock maiden at 8/1.  He was pulled up on his next outing and after another poor run was sold for just 7,500gns.

Although Dune didn’t actually pay his way he was a model of consistency.  He won a 0-70 Classified Stakes at Thirsk and despite going up steeply in the weights won a valuable 18 runner handicap at Haydock.  He was in the frame in all his other 7 starts.  Dune was trained by Roger Charlton as was Blagovest who proved a profitable choice.  He won 2 of his 4 runs, one of them at 5/1.  His best run was when winning a 12 runner handicap at Newmarket.

Loveleaves was another to make me a nice profit.  On the list as a result of a promising run on her only start as a 2 year old she won 1 of her 3 starts last season at 11/2.  Miss Corniche was also a profitable maiden 3 year old coming in at 9/1 in a listed event at Yarmouth.  At least she would have been profitable had I managed to place the bet on that particular day!  Can’t blame the horse though – she did her bit.

2 year olds

I kicked off the season with an A list of 50 2 year olds. I have already mentioned Bakewell Tart, Steelaninch, Naafy and Landescent elsewhere. I had plenty of other successes from this batch.  Profit wise Cap Ferrat did a good job winning one of his 2 starts at 5/1.  Revenue and Rimrod both had good seasons.  Although Revenue only registered 1 win, this was at 14/1 in a minor event at Royal Ascot, just the job.  He ran well all season finishing in the frame in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, the Gimcrack, Flying Childers and the Cornwallis at Ascot.  Rimrod also showed a profit with 2 wins from 5 including a listed race at Goodwood.

Tizzy May was a fairly typical “early” type from the Hannon stable who gave me 2 wins.  Irresistible also won twice but at cramped odds.  He was also 2nd to another “lister” Airwave in a listed race at Ayr.

Sharplaw Venture and Oblige were two of my best 2 year old selections.  The former won 2 out of 4 at odds of 12/1 and 4/1, the former coming in a 25 runner field at Ascot.  Oblige did just that at odds of 5/2 and 17/2, the latter coming in a Haydock nursery. 
As the season progressed I added further juveniles, usually prior to their first outing.  I was particularly pleased with Saturn who progressed to win twice in 4 starts at 3/1 and 11/2.  At the same time I added Gerard Butler’s Commission to the A list and he won a minor event at Sandown (7/2) before coming 5th in a Group 3 at the same course.  Derby entrant Shuhood did even better yet winning his sole start at 5/1. Audience was another that went straight on the A list and won twice, the first at 6/1.
Another successful A list 2 year old was Geoff Wragg’s filly Ego.  She won 2 of her 4 starts, both at 2/1.
 
The juveniles added to the list mid season did pretty well on the whole. For example Muqbil of John Dunlop’s won impressively first time out at 4/1.

There were numerous other first time out wins but sadly few were backed.  Adekshan (3/1) won at Yarmouth, ridden by Fergal Lynch for M Stoute, Henry Cecil’s Apex Star won both his starts.  Barzak, trained by Roy Bowring won his only start at 11/1.  Bowring reckons this is the best horse he has ever trained. Indian Haven was another from a small stable that won first time out (9/4).  
Camlet, a half sister to Gossamer won on her debut at odds of 10/1.  Due Respect, trained by Richard Hannon won on the last of his 3 starts at 13/2. 

Midas Way won the second of his two starts at 10/1.  Roger Charlton’s colt looks likely to improve further.  Another Roger Charlton horse, Quartet won on his debut at 10/1 but was a bit disappointing in his next run behind Saturn at Newbury.  I added Roger Charlton’s Famous Grouse to the list after an eyecatching 2nd on his debut and he won his 2 remaining starts, both at Nottingham.  Other Roger Charlton winners were Rocket Ship (4/6 only run) and Trade Fair (1/2).
There were plenty of good reports about John Gosden’s Wondrous Story and the filly duly won at the second attempt in a maiden at Salisbury at 7/1. 

I added Tim Easteby’s Go Tech to the list after he had caught the eye in his first 2 runs, and he went on to register 2 wins at 5/1 and 3/1 as well as finishing 2nd twice in nurseries.

 

Following trainers
 
In the main for my system I concentrate on the horse rather than the trainer.  However I did have a bit of a plan to include in my lists 3 year olds trained by Mark Prescott and both John and Ed Dunlop.

I have already mentioned Chivalry, Affaire D’Amour and Froglet from Mark Prescott’s yard.  Unleash, now running over hurdles with Philip Hobbs won twice and Plateau paid his way by winning 1 of his 3 starts at 4/1.  Another Prescott 3 year old, Blue Mantle, won 2 out of 4 including a 6/1 win but was subsequently sold to race in Ireland. 
Albanova was probably the best of these Prescott horses, winning her first 3 starts including a listed race at Chepstow.  I also included Parachute who appeared well handicapped.  He didn’t run on the turf but I see that he has run up a hat trick on the all weather since Christmas.

Overall I had less success with the Dunlop horses.  Ajeel won a handicap at Yarmouth and then ran a respectable 2nd to Macaw at Newmarket. King Eider and Persian Lightning have been mentioned already.  Contact Dancer and Old California both did well.  The former won twice at 5/1 and 11/4 and ran a solid race in heavy ground at Doncaster in November when second to Knavesmire Omen.  Old California won his first 2 races including a 4 runner B handicap at Haydock but was subsequently a bit high in the weights and has gone to Martin Pipe for whom he has already won over hurdles.

Dawn’s Sharp Shot just had one run as a juvenile and won a Sandown maiden first time out at three at 8/1.  She subsequently showed nothing in a couple of runs in handicaps.

Unraced 3 year olds

These are probably not a great idea for this type of system.  They tend to be “talked up” and start at cramped odds.  Rosa Parks is a good example.  This filly was a leading fancy for the 1,000 gns but although she ran well enough in good company her only win from 7 starts came in a maiden at 4/5.

There were a few successes, notably Oval Office of Henry Cecil’s who won both his starts accounting for Dryden House first time at Goodwood and following up at Sandown.  Funfair was an easy winner of a maiden at Carlisle and was then a gutsy winner of a valuable handicap at York at 15/2.  Suleiman won a maiden on his debut and was second in his other 2 runs  including a very creditable effort at Longchamps.  Of the rest Bustan won his first 2 starts, the second at Newmarket when beating Al Moulatham at odds of 11/2.

Grecian Glory won at odds on on her debut but did not show a profit overall.  However, Alrayihah won on her second outing at 11/4 at Goodwood despite not being suited by the sharp track.  She did not race again.

Lastly, Richard Hannon’s Hero’s Journey won 2 of his 4 starts, the second coming in a listed race at Kempton.
 
A touch of class
 
It’s always nice to back the winner of a big race and my horses to follow did manage a few.  They won 2 classics but I wasn’t on either of them. 

I was still pleased to see Bollin Eric win the St Leger for Tim Easterby from 2 other “listers” Highest and Bandari.  Gossamer won the Irish 1,000gns but of course I was only betting on UK races.  Asian Heights won 2 of his 3 runs in the UK at odds of 6/4 & 5/4 so paid his way for me, while High Pitched won a listed race at Newbury at 4/1.
Mick Channon’s Queens Logic may well have gone on to great things had her career not been cut short by illness and injury.  She had just the won run last season winning at 1/3.

Coshocton and Jelani  ran well in  the Epsom Derby with Hawk Wing 2nd.  Sadly Coshocton who had earlier won a listed race at Newbury at 9/1 broke a leg and had to be destroyed during the race but Jelani was 4th.  Jelani later won a 3 runner listed race at Haydock at 4/1 but unfortunately my selection that day was Bollin Eric.

Hawk Wing showed a significant loss to level stakes as his only win was in the Eclipse when 8/15 favourite.
Naheef, trained by Bin Suroor, a flop in the previous season’s 2000 gns, won the Group 3 Winter Hill stakes at Windsor (6/4) but did not show a profit for the system, neither did Nayef, who won 1 of his 3 starts at odds of 6/4.  Nayef, trained by Marcus Tregoning, won the Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) beating Golan by ½ length.

Tholjanah ran in the Derby but hopes that he might land a classic didn’t materialise.  He did however win a listed race at Newmarket at 3/1 in his last run of the season.

Other Group race winners were King of Happiness (Craven Stakes) and Fight Your Corner (Chester Vase) while Brian Meehan’s colt Kaieteur won a Group 1 event in Munich.

The Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York saw the first 5 places go to “list” horses, all 5 separated by less than a length.  For the record the 5 in finishing order were, Bandari, Highest, Bollin Eric, Bustan and Systematic.
 
Highest, who has been mentioned in passing several times did win twice and was runner up in his 4 other starts.
Geoff Wragg’s filly Monturani won 2 listed races at 11/8 and 15/8 from 3 runs so showed a nice little profit.

Some odds and ends

I will end with a few random comments about horses that warrant a mention but do not fit neatly into any of the earlier categories.
Gerard Butler’s Playapart was talked of as a classic contender and duly won his first run of the new season at 6/1 but he didn’t really progress after that.

Jimmy Fitzgerald’s Raison Garde only won 1 of his 7 starts but that came first time out at Pontefract at 16/1. I wasn’t on it though.

I had hopes for Dryden House, Prince Hector and Native Title.  Dryden House won 2 of her 7 starts before being sold to race in France. Her wins came at 5/2 and 7/2.  I kept thinking that Native Title was being lined up for a big gamble but in the end he only won once in 10 starts and that at 9/2.  Prince Hector was likewise a bit disappointing in his first 2 runs but Amanda Perrett’s 3 year old did win a class C handicap on his third outing at 7/4.

I have mentioned Roger Charlton a fair number of times in this report and his 3-year-old Tikkun proved a useful addition to my list.  He overcame a serious foot injury to win first time out at Doncaster at the rewarding price of 15/2.  He spoiled his chance by running a bit too freely in his 2 subsequent runs.  L’Affaire Monique also showed a nice profit, running twice in the UK and winning the first of these, a Chepstow fillies maiden, at 11/2.

Fragrant View was runner up to Islington in a maiden and beat Highest in a similar event at Chester but did not show a profit overall and neither did Heir To Be who won once in 5 starts in an 18 runner handicap in heavy ground at Nottingham at 3/1. 
 
Meshaheer was on the “list” from the start and broke even winning once out of 6 starts at 5/1.  He won a 7f listed race at Newbury with another one of “my horses” Suggestive a length away in third.  Earlier Meshaheer had finished 3rd to Just James in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes.

Ghannam ran with a great deal of consistency including 3 seconds but his only win was at evens so he was not ideal from a system viewpoint.  His win came in a maiden at Thirsk , he then overcame a bad draw to run Macaw to a length and was a respectable 4th of 10 in the Hungerford Stakes. 
Another very consistent, but not very profitable horse was Sociable who finally won on his 9th and final outing of the season at 11/2 in a maiden at Sandown after finishing 2nd 4 times.

One frustrating aspect of the season was losing out on winners of races abroad.  The likes of Gossamer has already been highlighted.  The grey Double Honour only recorded an odds on win in the UK but won a listed race in Hamburg by 16 lengths.  I was pleased to see Double Honour go on to do well over hurdles. 
Other winners abroad were Love Regardless who won twice in Germany, Music Club who won a listed race at Longchamp and Wareed who won a Group race, also at Longchamp.

But to finish on a bright note one horse that fully justified my confidence in him was Greenslades.  His trainer Peter Makin had a wretched time with his stable suffering a virus.  His Canterloupe gave me a 16/1 winner and Greenslades won 2 of his 3 starts with the last coming at 8/1 in a Class B 6 furlong handicap at Ascot, again showing that sprint handicappers can come in at decent prices.

Continue reading “Review of the flat 2002” →

 

Review of National Hunt season 2001/2.

 

With the new national hunt season soon to gather momentum, now seems an opportune moment to take a look back at some of last seasons jumpers.  I will approach this in alphabetic order.

Abalvino (8) P Webber Won a bumper as a 5 year old.  Last season he won twice from 7 starts but perhaps his best effort was when 2nd to Tiutchev at Sandown when 4lbs out of the handicap.  Thought to prefer right handed tracks he did win going left last season.  Normally a good jumper who likes to dominate.  Best at around 2 miles.

Another General (7) R Phillips  A forrmer bumper winner who won 4 times over hurdles last season.  In the first of these he beat Polar Red by a neck at Leicester.  The first 3 wins were in heavy or soft ground but he handled good to soft well enough when winning over 3 miles at Newbury in March.  AZ chaser in the making, Another General impressed with his hurdling and his resolute attitude.

Armaturk (5) P Nicholls  A winner over hurdles both in France and England, Armaturk proved useful over fences last season with Paul Nicholls exploiting his 4 year old's weight allowance. He beat Impek a neck over hurdles in October at Kempton before going on to win 3 of his 5 starts over fences.  Both his defeats came at Cheltenham.  He was 2nd to Seebald in a Group 2 ijn November before finishing 3rd to Moscow Flyer in the Arkle. He made all at Newbury at th end of December when main rival Europa lost any chance with a bad blunder 3 out.  A facile win at Warwick followed but his best performance was in winning the Group 1 Martell novice chase at the Aintree festival, reversing form with Seebald.  Armaturk is a genuine, progressive sort who is particularly well suited by sharp, flat tracks.

Asador (6) P Nicholls   A winner 3 times over hurdles in France he broke down on both front legs on his first run in this country in the 2000 Triumph hurdle.  Won novice chases at Newton Abnbot, where both his main rivals fell at the last, and Plumpton.  In between he fell at the last when in command at Taunton.  It seems that he must have soft ground and as he has a tendency to jump left he is better going that way.  His jumping was not always foot perfect and he was pulled up in the Grand Annual handicap at the Cheltenham festival.  He wears a ring bit and is reportedly difficult to train.

Barton (9) T Easterby  Very much the apple of trainer Tim Easterby's eye.  Barton was a winner 9 times over hurdles.  The best of these were an impressive 9 length victory in the Royal and Sun Alliance at Cheltenham in 1999 and a 14 length win over Best Mate in bottomless ground in the Martell at Aintree in 2001.  Bounce Back was 4th in the latter race.  Barton could only finish 2nd to October Mist on his chase debut at Wetherby last season but followed up with 4 consecutive wins against indifferent opposition.  Critics were quick to burst the bubble when he ran disappointingly behind Moscow Flyer at Cheltenham.  The trainer reported that he had a bout of colic before the Cheltenham run but the defeat may have been more down to the trip of 2 miles. He was truly impressive in his last run of the season when cruising to victory in the 25 furlong Mildmay novice chase at Aintree "without touching a twig."

Beethoven (6) N Chance – Started his career by winning an Ascot bumper beating First Love and followed this with a second to Irish Hussar in a similar contest at Sandown.  Won on his novice hurdle debut at Ascot.  His final appearance last season can be ignored when he was pulled up behind Keen Leader as the ground was desperate and the stable may have had a virus.

Benbyas (5) J Eyre  A winner twice over the flat and runner up on all 3 starts over hurdles in 2000/1, the front running Benbyas proved a genuine and consistent hurdler last season.  He won twice at Wetherby before beating Tikram to take a £17,000 handicap at Cheltenham in game fashion.  He put up another fine run from the front when 3rd to the useful Copeland of Martin Pipe's in the valuable Tote Gold Trophy handicap at Newbury in February and was 4th of 21 in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.  Genuine, consistent and a good jumper.

Best Mate (7) H Knight  Best Mate has never been out of the first 2 in his career.  His trainer has always claimed that he goes on any ground and over any distance.  He was given a superb ride by Jim Culloty to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in flawless fashion and has been hailed as one of the major talents of recent times. Obviously a very special horse Henrietta Knight has enthused about him since buying him after he won a point to point in Ireland.

Bounce Back (6) M Pipe  A high class hurdler in France he joined Martin Pipe to run in novice chases.  He was not fluent when winning at Chepstow in his second outing when visored first time.  Proved to be something of an enigma in subsequent starts, often failing to deliver when apparently travelling well.  Lived up to his name by "bouncing back" in his last start when winning the Attheraces (formerly the "Whitbread") Gold Cup.  Martin Pipe had the horse entered in the Grand National and the trip obviously suited at Sandown.

Byron Lamb (5) N Richards A half brother to Lord Lamb and Mr Lamb and a full brother to Sir Lamb. Beat Lenny Lungo's Mr Woodentop to win his bumper.  He then failed to justify favoritism on his hurdles debut when 3rd at Doncaster but proceeded to  run up a hat trick of wins in novice hurdles, twice at Ayr and then at Carlisle.  According to his trainer "he's got all the gears."  Likely to go novice chasing now.

Carbury Cross (8) J J O'Neill  Went into last season on a winning run of 5.  Ran 6 times last season and may have been an unlucky loser in the Scottish national when he unseated his rider at the 20th when going as well as anything.  Had earlier run a cracker when blinkered first time at Cheltenham in a valuable 3 mile handicap where he was 2nd.  He then turned the Martell V.S. handicap at Aintree into a procession winning by 18 lengths.

Chives (7) H Knight  Described by Henrietta Knight as "a lovely big horse" and "every inch a chaser" Chives began the season by scoring twice over hurdles. He was not foot perfect when winning on his chase debut over 3 mile sat Stratford and fell early in the Sunbury novices chase at Kempton which represented a step up in class. A win at Wincanton was followed by a creditable 3rd in a decent race at Warwick.  Chives finished the season in style running a blinder to come 3rd behind Hussard Collonges in a gruelling Royal and Sun Alliance chase at the Festival.

Contract Scotland (7) L Lungo  Finally broke his duck in his 6th and last race last season, encountering good to firm ground for the first time.  He has won both his starts so far this season before as his trainer put it, going on his Summer holidays.  Can be expected to go novice chasing when making his reappearance.

Cruise the Fairway (6) B Powell – Tough, genuine and lightly raced over fences.  Won over 3 miles in a novice chase at Newbury in December and lost little in defeat when runner up to Frosty Canyon, again at the Berkshire course.

Dark N'Sharp (7) R Phillips  Ex German, he won 3 of his 5 starts over hurdles in 2000/1.  He fell at the last on his chase debut at Huntingdon and was then just touched off in a thrilling finish at Doncaster by Hit and Run.  He then ran a blinder from 6lbs out of the handicap when 3rd in the Cheltenham "Grand Annual."  Was driven clear to win the Red Rum handicap chase at Aintree by 9 lengths  and followed up with a fluent win at Ayr.  Looks likely to do well over 2 miles in the coming.                         

D'Argent (5) A King D'Argent is bred to be a 3 mile chaser but won 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles last season, at Doncaster and Exeter, both in "national hunt" events.  Lightly raced and open to improvement.

Direct Access (7) L Lungo  Direct Access was hyped up as a future star after winning all his 4 starts over hurdles in 2000/01.  This was particularly creditable as he stands at 17.1h and is not built for hurdles.  He has been rather disappointing since going over fences however.  He won twice at Carlisle before falling when travelling well in a decent race at Cheltenham. He failed to justify favoritism in either of his last 2 starts.  He was giving weight to a decent rival in the first of these and may not have been suited by the firm ground in the second.

Dungarvan's Choice (7) N Henderson  A very game and consistent gelding. Winner of a Chepstow bumper in November 2001, Dungarvan's Choice failed to settle on his hurdles debut at Chepstow and was second but he went on to win at Huntingdon, a track hardly suited to his galloping style.  He was always handy when winning his next race at Sandown but was down the field in the Supreme novices hurdle at Cheltenham.  Lightly raced, Dungarvan's Choice looks an interesting prospect for staying chases.

Enhancer (4) A Swinbank Bought for 23,000 gns Enhancer won on his only start in a  Musselburgh bumper in February. Half brother to the useful jumper Redemption.  A promising start.

Europa (6) T Tate  Had won 2 bumpers and 2 novice hurdles coming into last season.  Looked a good chasing prospect but was a little disappointing.  He did win twice, at Hexham and Catterick but his jumping sometimes let him down.  He struggled to win a small race at Perth in May and he does not seem to have progressed as expected.  Said to lazy and blinkers may be an option.

Exit Swinger (7) M Pipe – Useful chaser who won a handicap at Newbury in December.  Other notable performances were when 4th to Turgeonev in the Group 2Victor Chandler at Ascot and when 2nd off top weight in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham.

Fasgo (7) P Nicholls – A winner over hurdles at Chepstow and fences at Sandown.  A former winner between the flags for Richard Barber.  A stayer who likes soft ground

First Love (6) N Henderson  Formerly owned by the Queen Mother, now by the Queen.  A real chasing type he won a couple of novice hurdles at Sandown.  Slightly disappointing in defeats at Huntingdon and Ascot, although in the former race he appeared not to stay two and a half miles.

Flame Creek (6) N Chance  Marked down as a horse with a future when showing a fair turn of foot to win a Wincanton bumper.  He was a warm order to win his opening novice hurdle at Folkstone but was turned over by a 100/1 shot.  He hung left that day and a blunder 2 out didn't help the cause.  After a 3 month break Flame Creek reappeared to win stylishly at Cheltenham and has since won a decent little race at Kelso beating Monkerhostin and Cita Verda.  Regared by his trainer as a speed horse he will be going over fences now.

Fondmort (6) N Henderson  Fondnort had winning form in France and won on his British debut in 2000/1 getting the better of Impek by a neck.  Showed good form in novice chases last term winning 3 out of 6.  Won a Group 2 race at Sandown and also won twice at Kempton.  Finished 5th in the Arkle and may be best on right handed tracks.3rd to Armaturk in his final race at Aintree when the stable were below par.  Could be one to watch in Handicaps in the coming season.

Forto (7) Dai Williams.  Forto had some decent handicap form on the flat in Germany and made a promising hurdles bow when 3rd to Pipe hotpot Tucasas at Sandown.  Won his last 2 starts over hurdles at Ludlow and Fontwell. 

Frosty Canyon (9) P Webber – Can be a chancy jumper.  He was 4th behind Hussard Collonges at Cheltenham in the Royal and Sun Alliance.  Seems suited by Newbury where he won in February taking the notable scalp of Japhet. 

Full Irish (6) L Lungo Won 5 of his 6 starts last season.  He won a bumper at Sedgefield where Mary Reveley’s Man Murphy was 3rd and followed this with another bumper success, this time at Haydock where he beat Eurotrek.  Fell when looking a probable winner on his hurdles debut, he went on to score 3 times in novice hurdles. 

 Gola Cher (8) A King – A winner of 3 of his 5 starts in 2000/1, he won 2 out of 4 last term.  Won a Group 2 at Chepstow and ran a fine race on defeat when 2nd to Silver Streak at Cheltenham in December.  Followed up by winning and Kempton and was reported as being “not himself” by his trainer when pulled up in the William Hill at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Golden Goal (6) Venetia Williams – Ex German Golden Goal failed to win over hurdles but always looked “every inch a chaser.”  The Venetia Williams trained gelding opened his account on his chase bow at Haydock.  He subsequently struck up a profitable partnership with the excellent Norman Williamson who road him to victory 3 times.  A win at Plumpton was followed by a game success in the Scilly Isles (Group 1) chase at Sandown where Martin Pipe’s Bounce Back was 3rd.  He completed the hat trick in the Pendil Novice Chase at Kempton (Group 2).  Ran well for a long way when 4th at Cheltenham in the Cathcart, possibly suited by a flatter track. 

Granit D'Estruval (8) F Murphy  Made a very promising reappearance last season when taking a 3M 2F handicap chase at Carlisle in soft ground. After being outclassed by Bacchanal in a 3 horse race and then pulled up at Leopardstown he was given a confidence boosting outing over hurdles winning over an extended 3 miles at Uttoxeter.

Grey Abbey (8)  F Murtagh – Grey Abbey won 4 times in 2000/1, the last win coming in the Future Champions Novice Chase at Ayr.  After winning at Ayr on his second outing last season he ran disappointingly on a number of occasions.  A wind operation seemed to do the trick however and he came back to his favourite track at Ayr to win a 20F handicap chase giving a fine jumping display.  After finishing 3rd at Doncaster he carried 12 stone to victory at Wetherby beating Heidi II and Meadowbank.  A bold front running display saw him beaten just over 2 lengths into 3rtd place in the Scottish National.  Grey Abbey is a game chaser who jumps and stays really well and is best when allowed to dominate. 

Hand Inn Hand (6) H Daly  – Henry Daly’s charge made a belated reappearance in February after an injury has sidelines him for 3 months.  He confirmed the promise of the previous season by winning readily at Ascot over 2 miles in soft ground.  His final run can probably be ignored as it came too soon after his Ascot effort.  A winner of 2 novice hurdles in 2000/1, Hand Inn Hand possesses a turn of foot and is a horse of some potential when put over fences. 

Hussard Collonges (7) P Beaumont – This French bred gelding galloped his rivals into the ground in a Wetherby novice hurdle on Easter Monday 2001.  Described as a  big old-fashioned chasing type.  After finishing runner up to Mini sensation Hussard Collonges jumped well to win a novice handicap chase at Wetherby. His finest hour came when taking the Royal and Sun Alliance chase at the Cheltenham festival.

Idaho D’Ox (6) M Pipe – Ex French , Idaho D’Ox made a successful British debut in October strolling home in a bad race at Exeter.  He put in some consistent displays after that, including a 3rd behind Polar Red in very heavy ground at Cheltenham and a 2nd to Hand Inn  Hand at Ascot.  He then carried 12 stone to victory in a novice hurdle at Wincanton, and finished the season with a 2nd to the progressive Intersky Falcon. 

Il Athou (6) S Sherwood – Il’Athou won twice in 2000/1 and again had a successful campaign last year winning 3 of his 4 starts.  He jumped impressively to win novice chases at Bangor and Huntingdon before making all to win a 3 horse group 2 event at Ascot, from Monkerhostin and Imaginaire. Set off much too fast in the Arkle and was pulled up. 

Ilnamar – (6) M Pipe – A winner in France over both hurdles and fences, Ilnamar came good in his final two races last year.  He stayed on strongly to win the Coral handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham festival beating Joss Naylor.  He started at 25/1 that day and was not Mr Pipe’s first string.  He turned a competitive handicap into a procession.  He went onn to take the Martell hurdle at Aintree. 

Impek (6) H Knight – Beaten a neck by Armaturk on his seasonal reappearance over hurdles under an over confident ride from Jim Cullotty at Kempton, he continued to run consistently.  He was again slightly unlucky at Sandown in the Imperial Cup when narrowly beaten by Polar Red under an inspired ride by A P McCoy.  He jumped faultlessly to win on his chasing debut at Huntingdon in May.  He is an interesting chasing prospect.  He is said to be temperamental and not the easiest horse to train.

In Contrast (6) P Hobbs – In Contrast had won 2 bumpers at Cheltenham and was considered a decent hurdling prospect coming into last season.  Expectations were realised as he won 4 of his 7 starts.  His first win was at Cheltenham where he beat the well regarded Henrietta Novice Robber Baron.  He then won at Newbury beating a useful Henderson newcomer in Isio.  He was a faller at Ascot next rtime when probably not suited by the right hand track.  His 3rd in the Supreme Novices at the festival behind Like A Butterfly was a smart performance.  Westender was 2nd that day but In Contrast reversed the form with Martin Pipe’s hurdler beating him by 8 lengths to take the Martell Novice Hurdle at Aintree.  In his final race he won over an extended 2 miles 5 furlongs at Cheltenham.

Inching Closer (5) Ferdy Murphy – A winner on the flat, Inching Closer made a successful start over hurdles last season with a win at Uttoxeter.  His other win came when upped in trip to 3 miles 3 furlongs at Sedgefield in March.  Probably best on good ground, both his wins over hurdles were in the soft. 

Isio (6) N Henderson – A French import that had won a flat non-thoroughbred race in the provinces there.  Ran a cracker on his UK debut when 2nd to In Contrast at Newbury and was second again at Taunton behind Martin Pipe’s ex German Samon.  An easy win followed at Taunton but the consistent Isio had to settle for second again at Kempton behind the talented but erratic Hitman.  The gelding was rewarded for his consistency with wins in novice hurdles at Newbury and Ayr, beating Khan Kicker on the latter occasion.  Isio is likely to go novice chasing in the new season. 

It Takes Time (8) M Pipe – This former Irish bumper winner was unbeaten in his 3 races during 2000/1.  Last season he won 4 of his 8 outings.  An easy win in a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot was followed by 2 victories at Cheltenham.  In the first of these in the Tote handicap he had the useful Brother Joe in second place.  He finished a more than creditable 3rd to top stayers Barracouda and Bannow Bay in the Group 1 Bonus print Stayers hurdle at Cheltenham and ended the season with a win at Sandown.  A tough and smart staying hurdler. 

Iznogoud (6) M Pipe – A Group 1 winner at Ascot over hurdles Iznogoud scored his first win over fences at the same course at the expense of Valley Henry.  Hi sbest run was when 2nd to Hussard Collonges at the Cheltenham festival. 

Jakari (5) H Daly – Only ran once last season when pushed out to win a NH novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in November.  A minor injury sidelines him after that.  He is a scopey chasing type who could go well in the coming season. 

Keen Leader (6) J J O’Neill – Former Irish points winner who won a bumper at Perth on his sole start in 2000/1.  Proved a star turn last season winning his first 3 races over hurdles.  The best of these was when he galloped his rivals into the ground in heavy going at Uttoxeter in February.  Fell 3 out in the Sun Alliance novice hurdle at Cheltenham when holding every chance.  Keen Leader is an exciting chasing prospect. 

Khan Kicker (6) Ferdy Murphy – Khan Kicker had some form in bumpers in his native Ireland.  He had some problems with his jumping in his first season in the Uk and was a faller on his second outing.  He improved as the season progressed however.  He ran Mary Reveley’s Man Murphy to a length and a half at Carlisle in January and showed his liking for soft ground when winning at Musselburgh.  He was upped in trip at Haydock when fourth behind the enterprisingly ridden Mr Cospector.  He made jumping errors that day and may also not have got the trip.  He finished the season well, winning at Kelso and finishing a good second to the progressive Isio. 

King on the Run (9) – V Williams Lightly raced over the years and a winner of 6 races in his career.  He won his only start last season at Kempton coming away in good style in the straight to win with something in hand.  A progressive handicap chaser who runs well when fresh. 

Lord Moose (8) H Daly – This son of Mister Lord has been plagued by injury and missed all of 2000/1.  He had further problems last season but did win a handicap at Newbury and is fit could be one to follow in the coming season. 

Man Murphy (6) Mary Reveley – Won 3 times over hurdles last season having started his career with a win in a bumper at Catterick in January 2001.  3rd in his first run in a bumper behind Lenny Lungo’s highly regarded Full Irish he also ran 3rd to Benbyas in a novice hurdle at Wetherby. 

Mini Sensation (9) J J O’Neill – This full brother to Shotgun Willy won his first 2 novice chases at Wetherby and Bangor, beating Hussard Collonges by 8 lengths on the latter occasion.  He lost some form mid season but showed his liking for a thorough test of stamina when runner up in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. 

Monkerhostin (5) O Sherwood – This ex French bay gelding produced e decent run when 2nd to Fondmort at Kempton over Christmas but seemed to have lost some confidence on his following run and went over hurdles for the remainder of the season, winning races at Sedgefield and Stratford. 

Montreal (5) M Pipe – A chasing type who won twice in handicap hurdles last season at Ascot and Sandown, having to dig pretty deep on both occasions.  A gritty type who should be suited by 3 miles over fences. 

Mr Woodentop (6) L Lungo – This son of Roselier is bred to be a 3 mile chaser but managed to win 3 novice hurdles last season. These wins included a 3 mile contest at the Ayr Scottish National meeting where he accounted for Paul Nicholl’s Whitenzo. 

Noble Justice (6) R Hodges – Noble Justice has run just 4 times in his career, all at Wincanton.  The winning pointer was twice placed over hurdles before winning a 2 mile 5 furlong novice chase under Tony McCoy. 

October Mist (8) Mary Reveley – Both October Mist’s wins came at Wetherby. In the first he beat Barton by one and a half lengths when Tim Easterby’s horse was making his chasing debut.  In the second he just edged out Stormin Native by a short head in a thrilling finish.  He was rather disappointing later in the season and may have lost some confidence as a result of a fall in a race won by Turgeonev, again at Wetherby. 

Polar Red (5) M Pipe – Polar Red looked a promising hurdles recruit, having won 5 times on the flat.  He was second in each of his first 3 efforts over hurdles but came good big style on his fourth run and his first in handicap company.  In bottomless ground at Cheltenham, and visored first time he destroyed a decent field.  He followed this up by winning the Imperial Cup at Sandown narrowly from Impek, under a brilliant ride from A P McCoy, despite a 23lbs hike in the weights.  He failed to complete the “double” in the County hurdle at Cheltenham that probably came too soon after his effort at Sandown. 

Poliantas (5) P Nicholls – Poliantas was a winner over hurdles in France and won three novice chasers last season for the Paul Nicholls yard.  

Premier Drive (9) G Moore – Premier Drive had decent hurdles form, as evidenced by a 3rd to Telemoss (level weights) in a handicap at Hexham last May.  He was second in his first 2 novice hurdles and then fell at Kelso.  He followed this with more consistent performances, 3rd to Direct Access at Carlisle and second behind Europa at Hexham. Such consistent form was rewarded with back-to-back successes at Leicester.   After breaking a blood vessel and being withdrawn at the start on his next outing he made all to win at Hexham.  In his last run he was pulled up in a hot novice chase at Perth won by the consistent Waterberg. 

Ravenswood (5) M Pipe – Rather like his stable companion Polar Red, Ravenswood was a decent flat performer, finishing a close 4th in the Northumberland Plate.  His jumping let him down on his first 3 runs and as a result he was given a lenient handicap mark.  This was exploited by his astute handler and Ravenswood promptly ran up a sequence of 3 wins, at Newbury, Aintree and Ayr.  Lightly raced and improving young hurdler.

Robber Baron (5) H Knight – Described as an “absolute Machine at home” this son of Un Desperado was rather disappointing.  He made a promising hurdles debut when second to In Contrast and may have found the track on the sharp side next time out at Ludlow. He was 6th at Aintree on his last run in April.  He was reported to be coughing during the middle part of the season. 

Rouble (6) J Gifford – This very promising young horse was tragically killed in a fall at the Cheltenham festival.  Prior to that he had won well at Ascot, Sandown and Fontwell. 

Royal Auclair (5) M Pipe – Martin Pipe’s gelding crumpled on landing in the Rising Stars Novice Chase when tanking along 15 lengths clear.  A win at Exeter over St Pirran was gained in workmanlike fashion and followed by a win in the Timeform novice handicap chase at Cheltenham and an even better performance to win a competitive Cathcart at the same venue.  Royal Auclair is a bold jumper that relishes some cut in the ground. 

Saint Par (4) P Nicholls – This grey gelding was placed over fences before joining the Nicholls yard and his long term future is no doubt over the larger obstacles.  He finished last season though with 3 straight wins over hurdles proving himself a tough and genuine type.  His wins came at Chepstow, Uttoxeter and Ayr where he beat Cita Verda. 

SH Boom (4) K Bailey – One of the first crop of the Champion Hurdle winner Alderbrook and half brother to a couple of useful hurdlers. Ran in a two bumpers, winning the second of them at Towcester. 

Sharpastrizam (7) P Beaumont – A most progressive chaser who won 4 times last season on good ground or faster.  He is an exceptionally good jumper. 

Shoshen (6) A King – Shosen was placed in his first two starts over hurdles but really cam egood in his third run at Newbury when he was pushed out to score by 9 lengths from a Martin Pipe runner.  According to his trainer Shosen will be even better over fences. 

Southern Star (7) H Knight – This former winner over hurdles looked a promising recruit to novice chasing with a couple of easy wins at Bangor and Cheltenham.  His fencing gave cause for concern in some of his subsequent starts but he out of a fine effort on his last appearance when 2nd to Barton at Aintree with the useful French chaser Japhet back in third. 

Spring Margot (6) Venetia Williams – Spring Margot was a useful hurdler in 2000/1 winning 3 novice events as well as a bumper.  He continued going the right way over fences last season winning 4 of his 6 starts.  His first 3 wins came at Market Rasen, Fontwell and Ludlow and he went on to win at Aintree in April on his handicap debut. 

Stormin Native (7) A Crook – Stormin Native was a fine big horse that put up some solid performances last season winning at Ayr and Haydock.  His jumping was excellent and it was ironic that he should fall at Perth and sadly have to be destroyed. 

Supreme Glory (9) P Murphy – Supreme Glory was made one of the leading fancies for the Grand National after impressively winning the Welsh equivalent at Chepstow.  Eventual Aintree winner could only finish third that day while 10/1 chance Supreme Glory was foot perfect in victory.  Unfortunately the Supreme Leader gelding suffered a leg injury and had to miss Aintree.  Supreme Glory is an excellent staying chaser who finished third in the 2000/1 Scottish National and won over 3 and a half miles at Stratford on his reappearance last season.  He also gave a good account of himself when staying on strongly to take 5th place in the AON chase at Newbury. 

Tees Components (7) M Reveley – Tees Components has the potential to be a national hunt star, but that potential will most likely never be realised.  He has had leg problems, which mean that he will almost certainly have to be campaigned on the flat from now on.  He won 4 bumpers in total, two of them last season.  The best performance was in easily winning the prestigious Christmas bumper at Chepstow where he was always travelling well and was always going to prevail once he hit the front.  He has since won on the all weather at Lingfield. 

The Bajan Bandit – (7) L Lungo A multiple bumper winner “The Bandit” was a slightly disappointing 10th in the Royal & Sun Alliance hurdle at a time when the stable was not firing.             He got back to winning ways at Ayr beating Mounthooley by 7 lengths.  He is a strong galloping chasing type and will no doubt be going over fences this season. 

Truckers Tavern (7) Ferdy Murphy – Truckers Tavern made a big impression over fences last season.  After running up a hat trick of wins Truckers Tavern came second to Harboiur Pilot in the Dr P J Moriaty Novice Chase at Leopardstown.  In the Arkle where both the ground and the trip were against him he stayed on really well to finish fourth behind Moscow Flyer.  Continued success over fences seems assured. 

Turgeonev (7) T Easterby – Turgeonev was a revelation in 2 mile chases last season thanks in aprt to a change of tactics.  Waiting tactics proved successful and he ran up a 4 timer at Newcastle, Wetherby (twice) and Ascot.  The best of these was the win at Ascot in the valuable Victor Chandler chase. He probably failed to quite see out the trip at Cheltenham where he was pulled up in heavy ground over 2 miles 5 furlongs.  2nd to Kadarann at Ayr on his last run. 

Vol Solitaire (4) P Nicholls – After wins at Leicester and Cheltenham, Vol Solitaire scored a notable victory in the Welsh Champion Hurdle beating Copeland.  He almost added the Scottish equivalent but was just edged out by Milligan.  He is a big chasing type who should prosper over fences in the coming season

Continue reading “Review of jumps season 2001/2” →

 

 

Review of the 2006/7 jumps season

The 2006/6 jumps season will be best remembered as a season of change.  We lost some great old favourites with the demise of Best Mate and Rooster Booster, the legendary Martin Pipe decided to call it a day, Paul Nicholls took the trainers crown and both Moscow Flyer and Baracouda were retired after distinguished careers.

Once again the Irish captured many of the top prizes.  Three of the biggest races of the season went the way of the Irish with Kicking King, Brave Inca and War of Attrition taking the King George, Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup respectively.

The 2006 Gold Cup had been billed as a clash between Best Mate and Kicking King pre season.  Neither actually made it to Prestbury Park with Best Mate tragically suffering a heart attack at Exeter and Kicking King out through injury after Christmas.

Although injury restricted Kicking King’s season he did have his moment of glory when winning the King George.  However the fact that he only won by a neck from the fast closing Monkerhostin may show that even in victory he was not quite at his best.

If I had to nominate a “horse of the year” it would be a close run thing between War of Attrition and Brave Inca.

War of Attrition has always looked a horse with stacks of ability and there were early signs that he could be a serious threat to the main contenders at Cheltenham when he beat Kicking King over 2 miles 6 at Punchestown in October.  A couple of runs in Ireland followed including a second behind Beef or Salmon in the Lexus chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.  That was over 3 miles and although he went straight to Cheltenham I was pretty hopeful that he would get the extra 2 furlongs.  As it turned out he was always travelling and jumping well in the Gold Cup and ran out quite a comfortable winner from Hedgehunter, with another Irish Horse, Forget the Past completing an Irish 1-2-3.

To emphasise his superiority War of Attrition rounded off his season with a win in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April where Beef or Salmon, never at his best at Cheltenham, chased him home.  War of Attrition has more pace than the majority of staying chasers and there is every reason to suppose that he is an above average Gold Cup winner.

In 2004 War of Attrition and Brave Inca fought out the finish of the Supreme Novices with Brave Inca just getting the better of the argument by a neck. That race produced both the major champions of 2006 as Brave Inca won the Champion Hurdle.  He had been my long term fancy for the race and had won 3 of his 4 races leading up to the festival.  The last of these was in the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown at the end of December when he beat old rival Mac’s Joy by a length.  Brave Inca and Tony McCoy looked a formidable combination all season and a typically battling performance saw the partnership prevail in the big race.  Mac’s Joy lost nothing in defeat and chased the winner all the way to the line.  The two met again at Punchestown and after Brave Inca had won on their last 5 clashes no one would begrudge Mac’s Joy his success as a change of tactics by his jockey Barry Geraghty paid off.  Rather than waiting with Mac’s Joy he set sail for home from 3 out and, on ground that was probably a little quicker than he would ideally want it, Inca Trail never looked like reeling in the winner.

It was another vintage year for the Irish hurdlers and right up there with the best of them was the mare Asian Maze. After an absence through injury she started he season with a promising 2nd to Mac’s Joy in the Red Mills Trial at Gowran Park.  She then rather surprisingly went for the Champion Hurdle rather than the World (formerly stayers) Hurdle and was a faller.  Compensation was not far away though as Asian Maze galloped her rivals into submission in the Aintree Hurdle trouncing Hardy Eustace who had been 3rd in the Champion Hurdle.  This was a performance of some quality.  She went on to land the Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown over 3 miles and she looks an exciting prospect for the future.

My list of Irish horses to follow was quite remarkably successful with almost all of them finding their way into the winner’s enclosure. 

One of the Irish winners on my list that gained a rather surprising win was Sir OJ.  He came with an astonishing late run to land the Robin Cook Memorial Handicap at Cheltenham at odds of 16/1 flashing home past a tiring leader on the run in. 

He won at Naas in a Grade 2 after that but was a faller in the Grand National where in truth he was always likely to lack for the necessary stamina anyway.

I had high hopes for Accordion Etoile, a decent hurdler starting out on a jumping career. Things began well enough when Paul Nolan charge just got up on the line to pip the Martin Pipe trained Tamarinbleu at Cheltenham in November.  His jumping had not been fluent that day and it let him down when he blundered away his chance in his next 3 runs.  He jumped much better on his final outing when winning a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Fesival.  Good ground is an important factor for him which is likely to dictate his racing plan for next season as mid winter conditions in Ireland are unlikely to bring out the best in him.

I have already given a mention to Forget the Pat who was 3rd in the Gold Cup.   He also won Grade 2 Chases at Gowran Park and Fairyhouse. 

Other horses to note from the Irish section of my list to follow were Missewed hat, The Railway Man, Mansony, Mr Nosie and Southern Vic.

Missed That had won the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2005 and connections decided to send him straight over fences.  After a far from impressive debut he rattled off 3 wins including a couple of Grade 1 novice chases at Leopardstown.  He then never really got into the race in the Arkle and he was a faller at Fairyhouse, but he was back on the winning trail with a resounding success at the Punchestown Festival.

Mr Nosie won 3 times and was 4th in the Royal and SunAlliance Novice Hurdle while The Railway Man justified his place on my list to follow by winning twice, the second of these at 16/1.  Most of the leading Irish horses were seen in the UK but Southern Vic who won 4 times from 6 starts raced exclusively in Ireland.

In the UK there was a shift in the balance of power with Paul Nicholls claiming the trainers title from Martin Pipe, who announced his retirement at the end of the season during hannel 4s Morning Line programme.

Nicholls had been increasing the quality of his string year by year, particularly with his French imports and was I feel a popular winner.  He is also very open about his horses chances when interviewed by the media.

Kauto Star was probably the main long range Nicholls hope for championship glory at the Cheltenham Festival. Injury had restricted his chances the previous season but he had shown himself to be a horse with immense potential and with Moscow Flyer aging, and Azertyuiop and Well Chief on the easy list the Queen Mother Champion Chase looked a realistic goal.

As is often the case with jumpers things didn’t go quite as planned.  His campaign started well enough when he finished 3rd to Monkerhostin in the Haldon Chase at Exeter, giving weight to the winner.  The race of course will always be remembered as Best Mate’s last.  Kauto Star’s next stop was the Tingle Creek where he turned the tables on Monkerhostin easily enough and the Champion Chase seemed a very real aim.  Unfortunately come the big one at Cheltenham Kauto Star was a faller at the 3rd and didn’t race again.  He remains a horse of some potential and hopefully he will be back challenging for honours next season.

From the point of view of my list to follow the too most prolific Nicholls runners were Neptune Collonges and Star De Mohaison, like Kauto Star both were French imports.

The grey Neptune Collonges won 4 of his 7 starts over hurdles and is expected to do even better over fences, particularly when he gets his preferred soft ground.  Three of his wins, at Sandown, Wetherby and Haydock came in Grade 2 company but arguably his best runs were in defeat.  At Christmas he ran a blinder when 2nd to My Way de Solzen in the Long Walk Hurdle which was rerouted to Chepstow.  The subsequent exploits of the winner make this some performance in hindsight.  Neptune Collonges missed Cheltenham but ran at Aintree where he was 3rd to the redoubtable Black Jack Ketchum.  This was on good ground showing that he does not absolutely have to have it soft or heavy.  Neptune Collonges was already a winner over fences before coming to the UK so was denied a novice chasing season. He looks an exciting prospect for the better races over fences in 2006/7.

After winning at Aintree in October Star de Mohaison finished 2nd and 3rd in races won by The Listener, before getting back in the winning track when 1/3 favourite at Fontwell. His season will be remembered though for an almost unprecedented  spring double.

He was a relatively unconsidered 14/1 shot for the Royal and Sunalliance chase at the Festival but in a race where many were let down by their jumping Star de Mohaison jumped like a stag and really only Idle Talk, another from our list to follow posed any likely threat at all over the last couple of fences.

He then went to Aintree and won the Mildmay Novices.  Again he was chased home by a couple of horses from our list to follow, Turpin Green and Copsale Lad, but again, although he had to dig deep on the run in he showed accuracy of jumping and real pace to mark himself down as a novice of some potential.  Only one other horse had completed this particular Cheltenham and Aintree double and that was the ill fated Monsieur Le Cure.

Sticking with the French imports Alan King enjoyed plenty of success with Halcon Genelardais and, especially from My Way de Solzen. Halcon Genelardais fell at the last fence on his UK debut at Aintree and then finished 4th at Bangor before running up a hat trick of wins in soft ground novice chases, the best of which was a Grade 2 at Wetherby.  Very soft ground may be the key to this horse and the Welsh National could be a suitable long term aim.

My Way de Solzen ended the season with form figures of 21112.  His first run was a handicap hurdle where he finished well and was only beaten a neck.

There was much better to come though as he went on to take the Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow, getting the better of Neptune Collonges in a race where the hot favourite Inglis Drever was disappointing and was well beaten when falling.  My Way de Solzen then made all to beat Dancing Brave at Fontwell on his way to a memorable victory in the World Hurdle.

My Way de Solzen won a thrilling race at Cheltenham just holding off the fast finishing Golden Cross ridden by flat jockey Johnny Murtagh.  This was a gutsy display on ground that was not as soft as he would have liked.  This was though a pulsating race run at an end to end gallop with Chocolate Thornton excelling on the winner. As a horse to follow My Way de Solzen couldn’t be faulted as his wins at Chepstow and Cheltenham came at 12/1 and 8/1 respectively.  Mighty Man was sent off 4/1 favourite for the World Hurdle and finished a creditable 3rd.  Mighty Man started the season unbeaten from 4 starts but his campaign was dogged by ill luck for much of the time. He just got up to beat The Market Man by a head at Cheltenham in December giving Richard Johnson his hundredth winner of the season but his next two races proved frustrating.  Firstly, on New Years day The French Furze was allowed to slip the field and established a massive lead which Mighty Man just failed to cut down, going under by 3 parts of a length, he was then arguably unlucky in the Cleeve Hurdkle, run at Sandown when he flew home in second after meeting with some interference.

He made up for the disappointments on his final run at Aintree where he reversed the Cheltenham form with My Way de Solzen, the pair of them pulling well clear of the rest of the field. Ridden much closer to the pace this time Mighty Man clearly appreciated the track and the good ground.  My Way de Solzen, a taller bigger animal looks likely to go chasing next season while Mighty Man may well be kept to hurdles.  Mighty Man was actually the first horse to be unsaddled in the new Aintree winner’s enclosure.

Another horse from our list to follow that just failed at Cheltenham was the grey Monet’s Garden. Nicky Richards’ star apparently does not take too much racing and therefore it was no surprise that he only ran 4 times during the season.  His only reversal was in the Arkle at the Festival when he finished 2nd to Voy Por Ustedes.  In fact he was the only horse to give that winner a race.  His other wins came at Ayr (twice) and Carlisle, all at long odds on.  Monet’s Garden jumps particularly well and seems quite versatile when it comes to trip.  It is said that he is best on a flat track.

Robert Alner’s grey gelding The Listener is related to a couple of jumpers that have featured in my list to follow previously, Fork Lightning and Distant Thunder. He won his first 3 novice chases in decent company, beating Star de Mohaison twice but having jumped really well in those races fell on his 2 subsequent starts, the second of which was the Royal and SunAlliance at the Festival.

Racing Demon started the season in most people’s lists to follow after his second to No Refuge at Cheltenham the year before and he was a hugely popular winner on his first start of the season at Exeter in the race after Best Mate’s demise.  Wins at Sandown and Exeter again followed, but although made favourite for the Arkle he could only finish 7th, confirming the suspicion that his future probably lies in staying chases rather than speed events.

Sir Mark Prescott’s flat stable has provided jumps trainers with some decent hurdlers in recent years and the latest to come off that conveyor belt was Straw Bear.  He had the right sort of profile having won 3 times on the flat up to 11 furlongs and shown a liking for soft ground.  He notched up 3 wins in novice hurdles under Tony McCoy, the best of which was a Grade 2 at the Aintree Grand National meeting.  He lost nothing in defeat when a neck second to Noland in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham and ended his campaign with another second in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival and remains an exciting hurdles prospect for trainer Nick Gifford.

An otherwise excellent Cheltenham festival was marred by the deaths of 9 horses.  Three of those fatalities occurred in the National Hunt Chase for amateur riders, including Millenaire from my list to follow. He had been a profitable selection winning 3 novice chases at odds of 9/2, 7/2 and 4/1 ridden each time by AP McCoy.

Other multiple winners on the list were Cerium, The interestingly named Senorita Rumbalita and Rasharrow. The trouble with putting Lenny Lungo’s horses on a list to follow is that they tend to “mop up” in the North at skinny prices but fail to win on their trips down south.  Rasharrow rather came into this category winning at odds of 1/4, 1/5 & 4/6 at Kelso, Ayr and Perth but losing in between at Sandown and Cheltenham.  In fairness he was highly tried on those occasions and he ran well enough in his final novice hurdle win at Perth to suggest that he could do well over fences.

Like Rasharrow, Senorita Rumbalita boasted winning bumper form from the previous season and went on to score 3 times in novice hurdles.  Mind you, that should by rights have been 4 wins but on her debut at Wincanton her saddle slipped jumping the last and she parted company with Andrew Thornton allowing Barton Park to take the race at 100/1.  Her best win was at Sandown where she should a good turn of foot to collar Mister Quasimodo close home at odds of 11/2.  She went on to run with great credit at Aintree where she was 4th to Straw Bear.  Cerium was not in the front rank of Paul Nicholl’s novice chasers but he did land races at Warwick, Aintree and Wincanton.

The list to follow also supplied some big priced winners, the most profitable being Florida Dream, a full brother to the great Florida Pearl.  While not having his illustrious relative’s class he did his job as a horse to follow with wins at 8/1 and 20/1.  His jumping was not always the best but first time blinkers may have done the trick for the first win at Huntingdon.  His second success came in a handicap chase at Wincanton where he led the field a merry dance and made just about every yard of the distance under top weight.  This was a gallant performance from the front having set a pretty fearsome tempo.

Another horse to win by making all the running was Andrew Balding’s Briareus.  He put in a smart performance to win a grade 2 hurdle at Wincanton at 14/1, really turning the proceedings into a bit of a procession and pulling 14 lengths clear of the second, Royal Shakespeare.  He was not disgraced when 6th in the Champion Hurdle but is really built for chasing and will almost certainly be seen in that sphere next term.

Three other notable big priced winners were Go For Bust, River Alder and Valley Ride, all showing that sometimes one win is enough to ensure a profit from following a horse.  Nicky Henderson’s Go For Bust won once in 7 starts in a handicap hurdle at Ludlow at 18/1, River Alder won a  handicap Hurdle at Kelspo at 20/1 from only 3 starts while Valley Ride was a 10/1 winner at Bangor from 6 starts.  Having said that, Valley Ride should have recorded another win when he lost a race at Stratford in October in quite bizarre circumstances. 

In a dramatic conclusion to a competitive handicap Valley Ride swerved badly right under the whip on the run-in and unseated his rider Tom Doyle ten yards from the line when clear in the lead.

Howard Johnson had enjoyed a dream of a season in the previous year but found things much tougher this time with his horses running below par for much of the time.  I had a fair sprinkling of his horses on my list to follow but most disappointed.

Inglis Drever looked on course to defend his World Hurdle title when winning with ears pricked at Wetherby first time out and went on to get the better of Baracouda at Newbury but things went wrong after that and he never made it to the Festival, while No Refuge only registered one win, a grade 2 hurdle at Windsor in mid November.  Two of the Johnson horses that paid their way for me were Lennon and Galero.  Lennon won twice with the second win coming in a handicap hurdle at Perth right at the end of the season which he won at 9/1.   Galero won a novice chase at Musselburgh at the same odds under an excellent ride from Graham Lee. Both horse and jockey did well to fend off the challengers up the straight. This was a gritty victory and he is certainly a horse with size and stature.

I didn’t have much luck with Martin Pipe’s horses on my list.  The giant Bannow Strand won a couple but didn’t really fulfil his considerable potential and Standin’ Obligation was probably the most successful of the Pipe horses with 3 wins.  The best of these came in a competitive big field handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in November.  From a betting point of view his most profitable win came in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in April where he fairly romped home at 14/1 under Timmy Murphy.

Restless D’Artaix looked a useful prospect for Nicky Henderson when winning cosily at Newbury in a novice hurdle on his second run after finishing a  promising 3rd on his UK debut at the same venue.  He didn’t run again so presumably must have had some sort of problem.

Villon had an even more restricted season running just once.  Villon had won a couple of bumpers and also twice over hurdles and there were high hopes for him over fences.  He duly obliged in a beginners chase at Uttoxeter beating Roman Ark but like Restless D’Artaix was not seen again.  The problem now will be that he has lost his novice status for next season without having gained much experience.

Another Lenny Lungo inmate Brooklyn Breeze paid his way for me.  Although better known as a chaser he landed a handicap hurdle at Aintree in October coming off the pace with a strong finish under Gary Berridge at odds of 13/2.  He showed the benefit of a wind operation here but only ran twice more, which included a decent 4th to Sir OJ in the Robin Cook Memorial Chase at Cheltenham.

Handicap hurdle races have never really been my forte but this year I seemed to do OK with my selections in them.  Ursis looked a likely horse to follow from Jonjo O’Neill’s yard.  A winner on the flat in France he had won with some ease on his hurdles debut at Wetherby the previous season.  After a “sighter” at Chepstow he justified favouritism in a handicap at Wetherby making all in October, and after a  3 month break cruised to victory at Chepstow making light of a 6 lbs rise in the weights.  His winning odds were 6/4 and 3/1.  Another successful “U” was Undeniable, a thoroughly genuine and consistent chaser from Sue Smith’s yard. He unseated once in 8 starts but was in the first 3 in all his other races winning twice.  The first of these came over 2.5 miles at Huntingdon where he was running 11 lbs below his hurdling mark, and then at Carlisle over 3 miles.  In between he was 3rd in the Kim Muir at the Festival.

I have already mentioned Mister Quasimodo.  A dual bumper winner he proved a useful novice hurdler winning at Chepstow and Exeter, the latter at odds of 6/1.  His best effort was when 2nd of 11 to Noland in a listed event at Exeter.

The Reveley family have provided me with a few winners over the years and this season I followed Keith Reveley’s Into the Shadows.  This mare won handicap hurdles at Huntingdon and Ayr and managed to sandwich a win on the all weather at Southwell in between.

I normally manage to spot when a horse from my list to follow are entered but in the case of All in the Stars I didn’t realise he was running until I noticed him about halfway round at Fontwell on the TV in November.  Held up by young conditional Daryl Jacob he came through to win the 3.5 mile handicap chase nicely in the end at 8/1.  He then contested the Hennessey where he finished well in 5th behind Trabolgan.  His jumping was not the best that day and again let him down when he stayed on stoutly to finish second to Royal Auclair in the Mears handicap, a listed race, in December. A second deserved success did come his way in the Country Gentleman’s Association Chase at Wincanton in February again at 8/1.  He went to Ayr well fancied for the Scottish National but ran no sort of race and was pulled up.

Another handicap chaser to show a profit for me was staying chaser Rosie Redman who won at Kelso in April at 7/1, a race she had won the season before.

I have already mentioned some of the principle races at the Cheltenham Festival.  Two winners from my list to follow that gave me particular satisfaction were Reveillez (in the Jewson) and Non So (Racing Post Chase).  I had followed both horses for a number of years.  Reveillez was a decent handicapper on the flat and also a winner over hurdles and he landed a gamble in the Jewson. He came to the festival having won a small novice chase at Folkestone and jumped and travelled well for Tony McCoy to repel a determined challenge from Copsale Lad up the run in.  Mick Fitzgerald, who was on board Copsale Lad rode Non So to a comfortable and deserved win at 14/1.  The horse whose name in Italian means “I don’t know” had been an unlucky loser of a coupe, of decent races the previous season.

Three horses that were involved in memorable finishes were Cornish Sett, King Killone and Turpin Green. 

Paul Nicholl’s Cornish Sett ran consistently in good company for most of the season and won a novice chase at Newbury in November a couple of days before my birthday.  I best remember him for a terrific finish to the Vodaphone Gold Cup when he dead heated with Horus.  Horus has led most of the way bur Cornish Sett collared him up the run in only for the Pipe horse to fight back again.  It was a result to smile about as neither horse deserved to lose.  The post race presentation featured messrs Nicholls and Pipe both with a hand on the trophy.

King Killone’s win in a novice chase at Newcastle was really in stark contrast to Cornish Sett’s epic battle as he came home in splendid isolation, the only one of the 5 runners to finish.  A 9/1 winner for my list to follow nonetheless.  He has earlier won a four runner novice chase at the same track beating odds on favourite Wild Cane Ridge by a short head in a race where another of my list horses, Galero, was pulled up.

I had high hopes for Turpin Green trained by Nicky Richards.  He got off to a winning start getting the better of Sue Smith’s Rebel Rhythm in a gruelling battle up the hill at Carlisle but that proved to be his only success. Having watched that race at Carlisle you really wouldn’t have questioned the horses resolve but he made a right mess of things two runs later in the Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown.  He came to the last with the race in the bag but tried to refuse and ended up climbing over the fence and losing all momentum allowing Napolitain to steal the race. He was then 5th behind Reveillez in the Jewson but went a long way to redeeming himself with a good effort in 2nd place behind Star de Mohaison at Aintree.

Copsale Lad has received a couple of mentions along the way.  His best efforts were when chasing home Reveillez and Star de Mohaison in big races but he did also win a  couple, of novice chases, both over 21 furlongs at Lingfield.

Rebel Rhythm is a horse I have always liked.  After his losing effort behind Turpin Green at Carlisle he won at Wetherby but struggled after that and may have had breathing problems.  He did end the season on a winning note though with a comfortable 28 length success at Market Rasen.

Crow Wood, a winner of 7 races on the flat took to hurdles quite well winning twice, including the fiercely competitive 17 runner Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh in February.

Rimski and Penneyrose Bay kept the list to follow ticking over during the early part of the season.  The front running mare Penneyrose Bay won novice hurdles at Worcester (3/1) and Wincanton (11/4).  She went chasing later in the season and ran 2nd in a  beginners chase at Stratford.  The grey Rimski won twice at Chepstow, the second in the Persian War novice hurdle a grade 2 contest over 2.5 miles.  Hr didn’t really live up to that early promise as the season unfolded but did finish 6th in the Royal and SunAlliance.  The pick of his later efforts was probably when 2nd to Standin’ Obligation in an 18 runner handicap in April.

I decided to keep Alderburn on my list to follow for a second season after he had done OK for me first time round winning a maiden hurdle from Penneyrose Bay at 15/2.  He won a couple of novice chases and justified his inclusion on the list.

Exotic Dancer had looked a talented horse the previous season and I was particularly impressed with his close up third in the Aintree Hurdle at a time when Jonjo O’Neill’s string had been under something of a cloud.  I decided to keep him on my list for another year in the hope that he would make a novice chaser.  In the event his jumping tended to let him down but he did manage to win one of his 4 starts, beating Bewley’s Berry, another horse from the list, in a 4 runner event at Cheltenham.

Billyvoddan and Idle Talk both got their novice chasing careers off to a promising start.  Billyvoddan won two of his 6 starts, beating Reveillez in the second of these at Leicester.  Idle Talk also won twice but his best effort was in defeat when chasing home Star de Mohaison at the Festival.

Charlie Egerton’s cutely named Mr Pointment had won a bumper at Bangor the year before and had a light campaign in 05/06 winning novice hurdles at Market Rasen and Fakenham. And put in a career best when 5th in the Royal and Sunalliance hurdle, where Glasker Mill another from the list to follow was 7th and Rimsky 6th.  Glasker Mill is with Henrietta Knight so will be a chaser in time a feeling enhanced by the way he won over the fixed brush hurdles at Haydock in January.  He is owned by Trevor Hemmings.

The BHB Order of Merit scheme has its detractors and I must admit that its finale did become a bit of a fiasco but the eventual winner Royal Shakespeare, although short of top class gave his all throughout the season.  In search of the Order of Merit crown he was sent to the races 12 times, all in good company, and although only winning twice he was never disgraced.  His best win was in a Grade 2 at Wincanton early in the season.
Going into the last day of the season Monkerhostin was 4 points behind Royal Shakespeare, who edged ahead of him at Ayr on the previous Saturday.  At one point it looked as though both horses would go for the Celebration Chase at Sandown on the last day of the season even though Royal Shakespeare had never jumped a fence in public.  In the end neither horse ran and connection agreed to share the prize money.

I will end this year’s review with my favourite race of the season.  The Grand National saw a couple of horses from our list to follow claiming places. Clan Royal was well fancied on the day and quite rightly so.  A narrow and possibly unlucky second to Amberleigh House on 2004 and carried out when leading in 2005 he was campaigned over hurdles during the to protect his handicap mark.  He actually won over timber at Market Rasen in March showing his wellbeing but on the day at Aintree just found a couple too good.  He will be 12 next year and his chance has probably gone but he will go down as a real Aintree specialist, in the same vein as the likes of Spanish Steps, and a horse that deserved to win a National.  I fancied Nil Desperandum each way at a big price but lost confidence on the day and deserted him.  Having come 6th in 2005 he again ran a big race to finish 4th at 33/1.  This was his last run under Irish trainer Frances Crowley as the horse will be trained in England next season.  No doubt another visit to Aintree will be on the cards.

 

 

 

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