Magical Legend
7yo Gr M, Midnight Legend o/o Alice’s Mirror
Liam Corcoran
Consistent and game mare who battles hard and stays well. Ignore her final run last season she would have been 7th or 8th but for a bad error 2 out when getting tired. Previously a fine 2nd at Cheltenham she is one of those mares that excels in mares only races on soft ground and stays well up to 3m. Despite a career high mark of 131 I really like her attitude and feel she is still progressing. I would expect to see her winning on soft ground again soon.
Make Haste
4yo B G, Sadler’s Wells o/o Mosaique Bleue
Venetia Williams
Fair performer on the level who showed a lot of promise on hurdling debut when 5th at Haydock. Badly outpaced on that occasion he stayed on nicely to be a not too far beat 5th. Outclassed over 2m again at Aintree I think he could make up into a fair 2m 4f handicap hurdler this season winning his novice en route. His return in a 2m novice highlighted his need for further again and then he came on for that run when staying on well when the race was over at Warwick in another novice. He looked to be finishing the race with petrol still in the locker and a handicap mark of 115 looks very soft given the improvement I am expecting when this horse steps up in trip. By Sadler’s Wells he loves to get his toe in and I would expect to see him going close in a novices handicap shortly.
Marcus
7yo Gr G, Silver Patriarch o/o Loving Around
Emma Lavelle
Winner at Wincanton over hurdles and looked useful to an extent over fences last season. I liked him in the paddock at Taunton on one occasion last season when he was 2nd to a smart sort of Nicholls’ but he still looked very weak behind to me. 3m just stretched him last season and he is the type of horse I feel that if connections have done enough work on his jumping he could prove his handicap mark of 125 very inaccurate this season. Best suited with cut in the ground he should make up into a nice 2m 5f – 3m handicap chaser and is one I feel will be worth following as he is still eligible for novices handicap chases.
Master Minded
5yo B G, Nikos o/o Haute Tension
Paul Nicholls
Emerged as a star chaser last season winning the Champion Chase before finding a bad error and a longer trip too costly at Aintree on his final start. Jumping much improved throughout the season and a tough horse that seems to travel effortlessly in his races. Gives the impression there could be more to come this season and whilst Tidal Bay is sure to keep him busy for his Champion crown he does at least set the standard. Returning this weekend in the Tingle Creek he has McCoy on board and whilst other Nicholls horses have started to become a bit disappointing he looks the type to buck the trend and win on his reappearance.
Matako
5yo B G, Nikos o/o Verabatim
Caroline Keevil
Far from disgraced in four bumper starts last season with the majority al on decent courses. Looks a decent type and very sizable on the paddock notes I made at Newbury. Caroline’s horses always improve for obstacles and he strikes me as the sort that will end up doing well over fences in the future. He is already suggesting that 2m 4f will be his maximum trip and his best form has come on a sound surface. He’ll win his novice races in the right grade this season. He shaped with a small bit of promise on his hurdles debut and will certainly win a small race at a decent price in the spring.
National Trust
6yo B G, Sadler’s Wells o/o National Treasure
Helen Lewis
Improving sort in the first half of last season showing a tenacious attitude to score in a competitive event at Ascot. Lost its way after a fine third to Mous Of Men at Doncaster, but was at least given the rest of the season off. Could make a chaser in time as he is a big enough sort but off 125 I still think there is powder in his hurdling gun. He likes to get his toe in and whilst 2m 4f looks his ideal trip at the moment I think he’ll get 3m in time. I would be surprised if he wasn’t able to win off his current mark.
Nomecheki
6yo B G, Kalmoss o/o Kan A Dare
Nick Gifford
Unbeaten in three starts in France he came to Nick Gifford’s with a tall reputation and was expected to win on debut. Jumping however let him down having run keen and with 2nd in the bag and staying on nicely he fell at the last. Off a mark of 120 he is very well handicapped and he could go handicap chasing off his hurdles mark this season. Said to have schooled impressively as well, he is one of those dark horses to have on our side this season. Given he wants cut in the ground I would expect to see him on the track shortly and he is a horse who I will probably be having a nice bet on, on his return in a novices handicap.
One Sniff
9yo B G, Mister Lord o/o Deep Fern
Nicky Richards
Only had 5 starts and has had his fair share of problems but a likeable horse who showed a really good attitude on his final start staying on really well to score. A smooth and fluent jumper he has the right way of doing things and stays strongly. Off a mark of 131 he is still open to tons of improvement and is definitely one of those horses that can keep on improving, especially the further it goes up in trip. Definitely well handicapped in my opinion I think he’ll win one of those feature 3m 4f chases around a galloping track this season. Potentially a Scottish National horse in time.
Oponce
6yo B G, Varxi o/o Fraxinelle
Noel Chance
After a few no shows Oponce finally improved on his chasing debut and looked the winner when unseating his rider 3 out off a mark of 92. If the horses confidence remains in tact there is every chance that Oponce is very well handicapped as a mark of 92 will certainly give him a few cracks at his races this season. He is an unexposed horse in my opinion and I think there is every chance that he will be capable of landing 2 or 3 handicap chases over 2m 4f – 3m this season. Its interesting to note that last time in a handicap chase he was still in with every chance when tipping up 3 out and the return to 2m 4f seemed to spark that improvement. I expect
Pasagai
6yo B G, Panoramic o/o Saragay
Chris Bealby
Form improved over fences last season and put up a really good effort when winning in December at Bangor On Dee. Often gives the impression he would stay three miles but when he tried it he found precious little off the bridle. His jumping came under pressure over three miles on his final start and I’m willing to forgive him that run. Back over 2m 5f this winter I think off a mark of 111 there is more improvement in him and with the key to him soft ground he is one that can pay his way through November – February.
Pascha Bere
5yo Gr G, Verglas o/o Ephelide
Nick Gifford
Three improved efforts over hurdles last season and on his final start he found the well handicapped Laredo Sound too hot for him. A solid hurdler over 2m he is open to more improvement this season and he shaped with plenty of promise when 3rd to The Polomoche on his return at Stratford. Next time at Fontwell he found the easy ground his undoing and he was never travelling suggesting that he would prefer a sounder surface like he ran on, on his seasonal reappearance. He looks the type who will jump a fence in time but off his current mark he is handicapped to win a 2m – 2m 4f handicap hurdle.
Pasco
5yo Ro G, Selkirk o/o Palena
Paul Nicholls
Looked very smart winning two Newbury novice hurdles last season and then ran no race when pulled up in the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Has shaped with plenty of promise in two chase starts to date and blew up badly on his debut over fences at Exeter when 3rd to a nice type of Alan Kings. A much better showing last week at Newbury saw him jump impressively from fence to fence and his front running tactics saw him run out an impressive winner. He may not be an Arkle horse but he will be tough to beat in his novices when dominating on soft ground and he certainly has races to be won in him this season.
Ping Pong Sivola
5yo Ch M, Blushing Flame o/o Clio De Chalamont
Venetia Williams
Big strong mare who won well at Taunton over hurdles giving everything in a tight finish on heavy ground. Found out in her next two starts she just looked a filly who would be best suited by 2m 4f to me. I think there is more to come when sent chasing this year and she is handicapped to win off a mark of 101 and she shaped well for a long way on her chasing debut when a good 3rd to Amble Forge. Staying on strongly over the 2m 1f she looks as if 2m 4f will suit better and should be one to have confidence in shortly in a handicap chase over 2m 4f.
Play On Words
5yo B G, Nikos o/o Snow Drop
Paul Nicholls
Beaten in a bumper on debut but this son of a Triumph Hurdle winner has bags of promise. Described as one of the more encouraging sorts over the summer at Ditcheat he is bound to be hard to beat returning in a bumper this season. Future lies over hurdles however and likely that he will make up into a very useful novice this season.
Punchestowns
5yo Ch G, Morespeed o/o History
Nicky Henderson
Impressive winner of his first two hurdle races and then just found a couple too good for him in a competitive race at Cheltenham. Looked a big strong easy travelling sort last season who would surely improve over fences and whilst he has time on his hands I would expect connections to consider going chasing before the end of the year. He was really impressive on his return at Cheltenham when demolishing a high class field and the 2nd has since come out and hacked out. This horse could easily be as good as there is in the 3m hurdling division this season and I expect him to make up into a Gold Cup horse of the future. He is one I’m very excited by.
Roll Along
8yo B G, Carroll House o/o Callmartell
Carl Llewellyn
Lightly raced novice chaser last season who improved all year including a fine 2nd in the Sun Alliance Novices Chase at Cheltenham. Connections felt the Aintree run came too soon for him and he wasn’t at his best so its clear there is more to come this season. He really is a cracking staying chase prospect for this season and the way he beat Hennessy 2nd Air Force One at Ascot suggested there would be a lot more to come from him. A very good jumper he looks the sort of chaser that will stay all day and its hardly surprising to see connections considering the King George. He is still very well handicapped and he’ll land a big staying chase before the year is out.
Royal Scoundrel
4yo B / Br G, Anshan o/o Bridgequarter Lady
Peter Bowen
Impressive winner of a bumper on its debut and bounded clear of what looked a fair field winning with any amount in hand. A big strong sort he looks sure to improve and whilst he is more than likely to stay in bumpers for the foreseeable future, he should make up into a nice novice hurdler after Christmas.
Seven Is My Number
6yo B G, Pistolet Bleu o/o Waterloo Ball
David Pipe
Came back last season creating a big impression when winning his bumper before running in a couple of decent novice hurdles. Jumping poorly on debut he stayed on one paced behind a smart Nicholls horse and whilst he was deemed disappointing at the time the race turned out to be a good one with the winner winning at Aintree. Faultless in the jumping department next time he showed a great attitude to see of Woolcombe Folly in a driving finish. Reported to have schooled excellently over fences of late and looks an exciting 2m novice chaser for this season.
Shining Gale
6yo B G, Glacial Storm o/o The Shining Force
Charlie Mann
A very strong traveller in his races who doesn’t find a lot for pressure and to be frank I don’t think he gets the 2m 4f that connections tirelessly ran him over last season. A big strapping sort he has always had a tall reputation but the key to him has been unlocked over fences. Effortless on his chasing debut he then had the useful Herecomesthetruth beat at Cheltenham before that horse refused. Shining Gale has really improved over the summer and is a joy to watch chasing as he jumps superbly. I think he could easily be a Sun Alliance Chase prospect.
Soixante
5yo B G, Old Vic o/o Dante’s Serenade
Henrietta Knight
Bonnie maiden hurdler who deserves to have got his head in front. Capable in a couple of handicaps last season he stuck on gamely without quite being good enough to score. Best with cut in the ground he is crying out for further and whilst 3m handicap hurdles will probably appeal to connections, for me he is one to improve massively for larger obstacles. Like many in this book that stand out as chasing prospects, he looks a genuine type and would have been at least 2nd but for falling on his chasing debut at Plumpton. The winner of that race looked fairly useful and I would expect Soixante to boost the form sometime soon if recovering from his tired fall.
Souffleur
5yo B G, In The Wings o/o Salinova
Peter Bowen
Very smart novice staying hurdler last season who went backwards after winning the Challow Hurdle at Newbury. Mark of 145 wont make life easy but still capable and looks the type to take to chasing this season. Had a fitness boost on the level recently and definitely caught the eye at Haydock last time out when staying on really well late on. He looks a natural for the Pertemps Hurdle Series and I was impressed with the way he stayed on last time. The handicapped is sure to have dropped him a couple of pounds for that and he is one I would want on my side in the final at Cheltenham where the hill will really suit.
Starting Point
6yo Br G, Monashee Mountain o/o Louise Moillon
Alan Swinbank
Twice a winner in novice hurdles last season and only found out under a double penalty later on in the season. Said to have schooled fences extremely well this Monashee Mountain gelding travels effortlessly in his races and looks a really game performer. Likes to try and put his rivals to the sword early so no doubt a mark of 130 over hurdles will produce limitations but in northern 2m novice chases he could prove exceedingly hard to catch around tracks like Catterick and Kelso where he was impressive over hurdles.
Striking Article
6yo Ch G, Definite Article o/o Sindabezi
Howard Johnson
Useful hurdler who just missed out at the highest grade failing to jump well enough in the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Made a hugely impressive debut over fences last week at Hexham relishing the slower conditions and running out an easy winner. Jumped fluently and accurately on that occasion he gave his rivals no chance and won in a comfortable manner. Looks the type to make up into a decent novice chaser this season and definitely looking as if he could be up to Arkle Chase standard.
Talenti
5yo B G, Sadler’s Wells o/o Sumoto
Emma Lavelle
A useful novice who has had five starts over hurdles being placed on three occasions. Far from disgraced when outclassed on his debut he has continued to show promise in decent novice events. Finding 2m and 2m 4f on the short side he looks the sort who will benefit from a step up in trip to 3m this season and his mark of 113 gives a strong indication that he is well handicapped. He should be excellent value for a normal class 4 novice hurdle over a staying trip, prior to handicaps, but I would like to see him aimed at something like the Coral Cup or perhaps the Pertemps Hurdle this season.
The Apprentice
6yo B G, Shernazar o/o Kate Farly
Victor Dartnall
Winner of a bumper and then a novice hurdle he showed plenty of ability staying on into 4th in a competitive at Chepstow at the end of the season and gave the impression that he would improve for a step up in trip. Still unexposed off his mark I would expect him to get chasing this season and off 115 he could be very competitive in 2m 4f – 3m novices handicap chases. Handles any ground and looks the type to pick up a couple of handicaps this season. Trainer always does well with horses that are lightly raced over hurdles before going chasing.
The Nightingale
5yo B / Br G, Cadoudal o/o Double Spring
Paul Nicholls
A horse that has always had a tall reputation and made a hugely impressive debut at Wincanton last year winning in very impressive fashion without needing to be asked a serious question. Unable to build on that effort when 2nd to a smart sort of Nicky Henderson’s at Newbury but still stayed on well in 2nd. Looks the type to make up into an exciting novice hurdler this season and already been mentioned as a potential Ballymore Properties Hurdle candidate by his connections. Not likely to be aimed at low key events given his connections but an exciting novice for the season and has already given the impression he could be smart having come over a error at Exeter, with a fantastic bloodless win at Taunton recently.
Tidal Bay
7yo B G, Flemensfirth o/o June’s Bride
Howard Johnson
Given as one of my main horses for last season and once again I have him right up there in the pecking order. His Cheltenham triumph was simply breathtaking and whilst that was over 2m I feel he is a better horse over 2m 4f. Its difficult to know what he will go for this season but if aimed at the Ryanair Chase I think he would be seriously hard to beat as there isn’t a class 2m 4f chaser around at present. A fantastic jumper he is definitely better over slightly further than 2m but what impressed me last year was the way his jumping improved massively throughout the season. A big strong type he could be a big danger to Master Minded’s thrown in the Champion division but deep down I hope he goes to 2m 4f. In many regards I feel he would stay 3m and something like the King George shouldn’t be discounted. If he does stay 3m then I feel he could be the only danger to Denman’s Gold Cup thrown. For me is one of the best horses in training at present and I would expect him to be well up there with the best of them over fences by the end of the season.
Unowatimeen
8yo B G, Supreme Leader o/o Collinstown Queen
Donald McCain
I really liked this horse when he won at Sedgefield on heavy ground and I really thought he was going to end up a top class novice. His next start he was mightily disappointing and I had a very big bet on him on that occasion. Publically reported that he burst a blood vessel on that occasion he was then looking beat on his next start when falling. He was a hard one to decide on whether to include or not include in the book but off a mark of 130 I can’t help thinking this horse is seriously well handicapped. It all depends if connections can iron out his jumping and get him to stop bleeding. Those horses always go best fresh and with that in mind first time out in a 3m handicap chase this season may be the time to catch him. I have no doubts whatsoever he has the ability, you just need to hope that his connections patience will be paid dividends this season.
Vodka Brook
5yo B G, Alderbrook o/o Another Vodka
Robert Alner
Second in three bumpers last season and on each occasion he looked like winning before getting beat. I don’t think despite that, that he is ungenuine and by Alderbrook I would expect him to improve with age. The yard had a troubled season last year and Vodka Brook is a horse who I would expect to win his bumper before going hurdling. He is going to want a trip as his bumper runs suggest and for me we won’t see his real potential until he is sent chasing in a year or so. I would like to think he can win his novice hurdle down south somewhere over 2m 4f – 3m and expect he to make up into a fair handicapper for the season.
Voice Of Reason
6yo Ch G, Accordion o/o Ginger Bar
Carl Llewellyn
I really like this bumper horse and think he would have taken a major hand in the Champion bumper last season had he not met with a setback. An impressive winner on his debut when beating Vodka Brook at Folkestone and followed that up with a thoroughly professional performance at Warwick digging in well over 2m on heavy ground to pull out a gutsy win. Not seen since that January win I think he could be very smart indeed and whilst 2m 4f – 3m will be his ideal trip over hurdles, its over fences over a couple of season’s I’m really looking forward to him for. I was so impressed with this horses attitude in bumpers and I would expect him to be graded class over hurdles. I actually think this horse will end up a Gold Cup horse of the future and I actually feel in a couple of years he’ll be winning the Sun Alliance Chase at Cheltenham. I would go as far to say for me he is the most exciting horse in training at present and there is just something about him in his two races to date. Only raced thus far on slow ground I hope he doesn’t become dependant on it but I think he could end up being a seriously impressive horse for novices hurdles this season. He is potentially very classy indeed.
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