Wednesday, September 3, 2014

**Potential Novice hurdlers of interest 14/15**


Some bumper performers of interest from last season that could be very interesting over hurdles this season - wont waste my time on Shaneshill, Black Hercules etc as we know all about them and everyone will be talking about them for months to come, shall try to find some that may be a bit lesser known and could pay their way for the season.



Investmentsuccess (IRE)

6-y-o (01Jan08 br g)
Oscar (IRE)  (12.6f) — Miss Muppet (IRE) (Supreme Leader  (12.5f))
Trainer Thomas Mullins

After race at Fairyhouse Mon, 21st Apr, 2014 (1st) Just greenness beat him at Cork. It is not his fault he didn't win before now. He is well bred and I expect him to go all the way to the top as a chaser. He is a half-brother to a good horse in Down In Neworleans (and Chomba Womba).   Thomas Mullins

Ran a race full of promise on debut at Cork(2m hvy) behind multiple bumper winner Killer Crow when looking like the experience would do him the world of good finishing 3rd beat 4.5l.

He showed that to be the case when romping clear at Fairyhouse next time (2m g/y). He travelled powerfully throughout and easily took it up 1f out before being sent about his work and put the race to bed in a matter of strides romping clear to win by 7l.

2nd - Draco - maiden hurdle winner since and decent placed form
3rd - Marinero - won a bumper next time out
4th - Bosman Rule - bumper winner since

So the form has a bit of substance to it given the exploits of those in behind and i think the summer could have done him the world of good given he's still green/babyish and could be one to keep onside in novice hurdles next season from a stable that could fly under the radar against more fashionable sorts.


Thistlecrack

6-y-o (29Mar08 b g)
Kayf Tara  (13.8f) — Ardstown (Ardross  (12.6f))
Trainer Colin Tizzard

No trainer quotes

Made an encouraging debut when a staying on 3rd in April '13 but was'nt seen for a year then before reappearing in April at Wincanton in what looked a fair bumper for the time of the year.

He looks a lovely big horse and raced keen enough throughout before taking it up turning in. Jockey let out a bit of rein and he galloped all the way to the line under hands and heels riding while still looking about and showing signs of greeness.

Neck or Nothing in 2nd is a very decent yardstick - impressive winner of a Punchestown bumper and was running a very big race at the Chelt November meeting in a listed bumper before jumping the path and losing all momentum. Finished midfield in the Cheltenham equivalent too  so sets a decent standard.

Considering Thistlecrack beat him by an easy 3l and they pulled 11l clear of the 3rd, it could prove decent form given the winner had the look of a horse that would be a lot wiser for runs.

No More Heroes (IRE)

Race record
5-y-o (01Jan09 br g)
Presenting  (13.8f) — What A Breeze (IRE) (Naheez (USA)  (12.9f))
Trainer Gordon Elliott

After race at Leopardstown Fri, 27th Dec, 2013 (1st) He is a big three mile chaser down the road. He may go for a winners bumper, but really we will have to try and mind him.   Gordon Elliott

Wed, 13th Nov, 2013 "He's a nice horse that ran well on his first start over hurdles but is a real staying chaser in the making." Gordon Elliott

-"He's a horse for two years down the road.

"He's a nice big galloping horse and he looked like he was going best at the line.

"All he does is stay. He's very relaxed and nothing fazes him at home.

"He'll go hurdling next season but we'll be minding him again then," was Elliott's summation in the aftermath. 

Yet another in the long line of Gigginstown potentially top class staying chasers for the future. Impressive winner of a point to point at Dromohane in April last year travelling best throughout and quickening clear after the last to win by an impressive 5l. What makes this victory even more impressive is the horses in behind and what they have done since. Not many point to points will have worked out as well as this:

2nd - Battle Born - 2 time bumper winner for Charlie Longsdon
3rd - Powerstown Dreams - bumper winner for Steve Gollings
4th - Fort Worth - bumper winner for Johnjo O Neill
5th - Royal Player - Maiden and Novice hurdle winner for Philip Hobbs
6th - Voyage of Newyork - wide margin ptp winner next time and Novice hurdle winner for Lucinda Russell

Even 3 of the pulled up horses won point to points shortly after so it looks a well above average point.

No More Heroes made his debut in a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick and shaped with a great deal of promise when behind G2 Novice hurdle placed Gilt Shadow. Getting outpaced before keeping on well into 4th over 2m, a trip that would no doubt have been well short of his optimum.

Reverted to bumpers next time when stepped up to 2m4f on soft ground which would have been much more his trip and he made no mistake, travelling well throughout before taking it up 2f out and powering clear to win by a facile 39l over Bosman Rules(a winner since). This pointed him out as a horse with a massive engine and one to follow for the seasons ahead.

Returned at Naas in February(2m3f sft/hvy) in what looked a decent bumper versus 2 previous bumper winners in the shape of Milsean and Grand Partner. He closed up to join the leader 3f out before taking it up at the furlong pole before finding plenty and pulling away to win by 2.25l from Milsean. He found plenty off the bridle and left the impression the further he goes the better he will be.

2nd Milsean - won a bumper by 25l next time
3rd - Grand Partner - maiden hurdle and novice hurdle winner since

The fact he is only a 5yo, the summer will no doubt have done him the world of good and will be a real force to be reckoned with in staying novice hurdles throughout the winter.

Whether he would be a festival horse would have to be up for debate given trainer comments and minding him for the future but i have no doubt he will comfortable pay his was through the winter months.

Westhorpe (IRE)

5-y-o (24Mar09 b g)
Westerner  (9.3f) — Chantoue Royale (FR) (Cadoudal (FR )  (18.0f))
Trainer W P Mullins

Mullins disclosed: "He shows plenty. The owner's grandson rode him in a piece of work the other day and told us he was a fair sort.

"He should be old enough to have a licence the next time he runs.

"Aubrey will now be looking forward to claiming seven off him in a winners' bumper.

"We'll talk to the owner (about Cheltenham). It is an option but he was bought for Aubrey to ride.

"Patrick said he got very unbalanced from idling in front there." (GC & EM) 

Very nice winner first time out at Fairyhouse (2m sft/hvy) when taking it up 2f out and staying well all the way to the line. Him and the 2nd pulled 18l clear of the 3rd and the form of the bumper looks decent.

2nd Fine Article - won a bumper next time out and far from disgraced when 4th in the G1 Punchestown bumper beaten just 8l
3rd Officer Cadet - won a bumper next time out

He was mentioned as one of 3 in the Willie Mullins bumper team for the Cheltenham Festival shortly before the race but never turned up. Whether it was due to them wanting to give him more time to mature and look after him or whether he had a small setback i dont know.

No doubt he will have more illustrous stablemates ahead of him in the betting markets for the big spring festivals but one thing is for sure, if he has progressed again from that debut as he should have, he could have a bright future in novice hurdles for the season ahead.

Royal Caviar (IRE)

6-y-o (31Mar08 b g)
Vinnie Roe (IRE)  (12.0f) — Blackwater Babe (IRE) (Arctic Lord  (11.7f))
Trainer W P Mullins

After race at Fairyhouse Wed, 20th Nov, 2013 (1st) He's a fine big chasing type, and I was pleased that he could go on that ground because it's turned quite slow. On his pedigree I thought he might want better ground but he's such a strong horse he handled that. I'd imagine he'll go for a winners' bumper. Patrick said he pulled quite hard and was afraid that he didn't settle well enough but he showed plenty of toe. W P Mullins 

Navan:"The time was good and anytime you go under four minutes means you have a nice type," said Ireland's champion trainer, who was completing a 4-1 treble on the card.

"He's a fine big chasing type and he was long odds-on so we felt that there was no point giving up ground and we decided to ride him more positively than we did at Fairyhouse [last month].

"The plan before today was to keep him in bumpers, but we'll have to see now after that. I've a feeling the second is a lot better than we gave him credit for. He looked a lovely horse in the parade ring."

Royal Caviar, a wide margin ptp on his only start previously jumped to the head of the Champion Bumper betting after what was a massively impressive debut success at Fairyhouse (2m2f sft). Travelled very well behind the leaders before taking it up late on to cruise away to a 6.5l success. The manner of the victory suggested he would be going on to much bigger things in the future and would be one to keep onside long term.

Was next seen at Navan when sent off a very prohibitive 1/4 shot to land a Grade 2 bumper (2m y/s) and was surprisingly made pull out all the stops to beat Fine Rightly (a race which he lost on appeal a week later and the placings were reversed). He cruised up alongside as they turned in and looked the winner all the way up the straight but just struggled to quicken when first asked, even tho he did go onto win by over 2l(after cutting the eventual 2nd off) but i have no doubt as the trainer says above that he will be a much better horse on nicer ground as we saw in his ptp.

A lot of people were disappointed by that run, with the fact he had to come off the bridle at all but that is quite shortsighted and they underestimated the quality of horse he was in against.

2nd(promoted 1st) Fine Rightly - a 2 time novice hurdle winner since and rated 134
3rd Desertmore Stream - a 3 time hurdle winner since and rated 135

So as we go on the race looks alot stronger than it did at the time. This was the last time we saw him as he never made it to Cheltenham and was roughed off for the season due to a setback. Hopefully he is over that and will be one to leave his mark over hurdles before no doubt becoming a better chaser again.

Tell Us More (IRE)

5-y-o (01Jan09 b g)
Scorpion (IRE)  (12.5f) — Zara´s Victory (IRE) (Old Vic  (13.0f))
Trainer W P Mullins

After race at Gowran Park Sat, 8th Mar, 2014 (1st) Normally with a horse like this you would wait until the autumn but we will see if there is something similar for him. He won nicely and to change yards and do that was very impressive. There was lots of talk about him at the sales and I was pleased to get him. W P Mullins 

Bought for 290k at the sales after an impressive point to point win that has to be seen to be believed, he was almost knocked over and stopped to a walk trying to avoid a dolled off fence 2 out and still got up to win easily. A video of the race below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgjiRpOF1f4&feature=youtu.be

Harold Kirk:"He has been bought for an existing client and will go into training with Willie Mullins," said Kirk. "He's a gorgeous horse - today's standout - and he won his point very well. I wasn't there when he won, but the right people were on the phone telling me we should try and get him.

"He's by an exciting young sire and he would be the first one we've had by him. He should make a smashing chaser - he's a big-framed, scopey type."


He then made his debut for Willie Mullins in a bumper in March at Gowran (2m2f sft) led turning in and eased clear to win in a hack canter. The form of the race is questionable as to what he beat but he could not have done it any more impressively. He is probably the one i am most looking forward to seeing again as he really is in the "could be anything category.

Simon Squirrel (IRE)

4-y-o (30Mar10 b g)
Robin Des Champs (FR)   — Misty Heather (IRE) (Oscar (IRE)  (12.6f))
Trainer Charlie Brooks(Now trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by the Wylies)

05 April 2014
A brilliant brilliant  day, Simon Squirrel did as we expected and won the bumper comfortably at Chepstow. It was very encouraging to hear Liam Treadwell tell us there is so much more to come from him and that the penny was only dropping as he approached the line. Liam gave him a smashing ride.. Simon Squirrel has a bright future ahead of him.

Was very hard not to be taken by this one on debut - travelled well to challenge up the straight and powered clear to put the race to bed. Was nt stopping at the line and was still having a look around late on.

Second has nt been seen out since but Sidbury Hill in 3rd had finished 4l second to Josses Hill on his preious run and was plenty of porevious winners in here so form may not be too shabby.

Trainer would not be renowned for his first time out winners either(as far as i can see this is his first) so must be every hope Simon Squirrel has a lot of improvement to come in due course.

Has since been purchased by the Wylies and has been sent to Paul Nicholls which is a very noteworthy move and one that really catches the eye.

A Vos Gardes (FR)

4-y-o (25Apr10 b g)
Kapgarde (FR)   — Miscia Nera (FR) (Panoramic  (9.7f))
Trainer Charlie Longsdon


15Feb14 Ascot   ( 16 Sft ,RPR118 )
He probably hit the front too soon but he is a grand horse. He´ll probably miss Cheltenham and have one run somewhere small before turning him out. - Charlie Longsdon, trainer.
13Nov13 Bangor-on-dee   ( 17 Sft ,RPR98 )
Sixteen pounds is a massive pull. He´s a real baby but has a good attitude and we´ll give him one more run and put him out in a field. : Charlie Longsdon, trainer 

2/2 in bumpers for Charlie Longsdon and looked like a horse that was going to improve for time/runs.

Made his debut as a 3yo at Bangor in November (2m1f sft) and made it a winning one. Staying on strongly late on to beat Foryourinformation who came out and won nto. A Vos Garde was in receipt of 16lbs from the field this day but it was a v encouraging debut none the less given he was just a 3yo.

Then was put away and returned at Ascot in February where he showed that he was still a big baby, hitting the front a furlong out and wandering all over the place but still going on to win by a length. Still a very green immature horse. The 4th from that Ascot bumper, Royal Vaction(beaten over 4l) ran a very respectable race in the Cheltenham bumper when a staying on 9th behind Silver Concorde so the form could be better than it looks.


Value At Risk

5-y-o (28May09 b g)
Kayf Tara  (13.8f) — Miss Orchestra (IRE) (Orchestra  (10.1f))
Trainer Philip Fenton

After race at Leopardstown Sun, 29th Dec, 2013 (1st) He's a beautiful horse and he really rose to the occasion today. The form of his Fairyhouse win was very good. It was different tactics today and he travelled better. He's another chaser in the making and I'd say we'll be looking at Fairyhouse or Punchestown rather than Cheltenham. Philip Fenton

After race at Fairyhouse Sun, 1st Dec, 2013 (1st) He looks like one for the future. He's a grand stamp of a horse. Next stop is Leopardstown all being well if it doesn't come too soon. He's only four and we don't want to rush him. He done it the hard way today and it's a good sign of a horse. He probably wants soft ground . he's a big horse and he's got big feet. We pulled him out at Punchestown, that was too dry, and we ended up running here on ground that was probably better. He looks a nice horse . he's a good jumper and he's a chaser in the making. He could be a very good horse and we'll just stick to bumpers with him this season. I think Cheltenham would be on his agenda . that could be a way to ruin him! Philip Fenton


Looked a real one for the future from an early stage last season and bumper form looks absolutely rock solid.

Started off at then end of the season before at Punchestown when 2nd as a pretty unconsidered 20/1 shot in the market behind Very Wood (Albert Bartlett winner at Chelt) in a bumper and has the likes of Wiklow Brave and Western Boy in behind so it looks a strong piece of form. Was put away for the summer after this and brought back in the winter.

Arrived at Fairyhouse in December on comeback and made all to beat Windsor Park who is a 2 time bumper winner since so this looks good form.

4 weeks later once more over 2m at Leopardstown under a penalty he showed he could do it other ways, travelling well to take it up 2f out before quickening and keeping the gallop up to the line.

2nd Draco - maiden hurdle winner since
3rd Fort Smith - Bumper winner since
Yes Sir Brian in 4th a decent yardstick as a bumper winner previously and placed form behind Wicklow Brave and Goldboy in bumpers and beat just 13l by Vautour in a maiden hurdle.

I am willing to forgive his Cheltenham run which was poor as i have no doubt it was nt the plan all along as per trainer quotes above and to be fair he was cut up completely 3 times in running which makes the result look worse. Things really didnt go his way from a 5f out in running.

He did go to Punchestown and show that Cheltenham run to be all wrong when running a close 3rd behind Shaneshill and Silver concorde in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper. Travelled well into the race from the back and kept going all the way up the straight to the line.

I know there is still a cloud hanging over his trainer but i feel this is a horse guaranteed to improve for time and we could see him step up on last seasons form again over hurdle this time round.

Altior

4-y-o (06May10 b g)
High Chaparral (IRE)  (10.4f) — Monte Solaro (IRE) (Key Of Luck (USA)  (9.4f))
Trainer Nicky Henderson

No Trainer quotes - did get a special mention from NJH last week on tv though

Could not have been more impressive when winning at Market Rasen first time up as a well backed 4/6 shot, so must have been showing plenty at home. They went a crawl early and he reluctantly had to go to the front and make the pace, but the manner in which he quickened clear in a matter of strides at the 3f pole was very eyecatching.

Hard to know what to make of the form as the 2nd has not been out since but its probably not up to much but he was so much better than the rest you'd be very confident he could handle to step up to a decent level.

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