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
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