The new season is almost apon us and like most I can’t wait for it to begin, the flat maybe more valuable when it comes to prize money but it doesn’t come close to NH for excitement/enjoyment.
Last seasons NH horses to follow unbelievably hit over 1000 views and thankfully the list produced plenty of winners to ensure those views weren’t wasted. Highlights being:
- Neptune Novices Hurdle winner Willoughby Court.
- Grade 1 winner Death Duty.
- Three time handicap winner Definitly Red.
- Multiple Graded winner Sutton Place
- Grade 2 winner Forge Meadow.
NH Horses to Follow
Any Second Now – 5yo
Sire: Oscar Dam: Pretty Neat
Trainer: T M Walsh Owner: John P McManus
Novice Chaser Trip: 2m4f+
Form: 113U
This unexposed gelding has ran 4 times to date winning twice including Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle when beating the highly regarded at the time Crack Mome. Last year the trainer was adamant that the horse was still raw and had a lot of growing still to do. With that comment in mind for him to produce the level of form over timber that he did would suggest the son of Oscar has plenty of ability. If another summer in the field has done the trick then I expect him to line up over fences this coming season. The novice chase ranks looks a very competitive category this season so no doubt it’s a tough ask, but with the expected improvement I have no doubt this horse could run in the highest grade.
As You Were – 5yo
Sire: Azamour Dam: Princess Skippie
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Owner: F N Doyle
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m4f+
Form: 1
On debut this gelding made a deep impression when thumping the field by 16 lengths, beating a good yardstick in Judgement Day. He travelled well through out the race and kept finding in the straight when the jockey asked the question. He looks a strong stayer in the making with plenty of class about him. It’s always difficult for smaller yards in Ireland to compete with the dominance of Mullins and Elliot but in this son of Azamour I’m confident Emmet Mullins has a good horse to go to war with over timber. He looks a horse that relishes the soft underfoot conditions so I’m expecting him to flourish around the festive period.
Ballyward – 5yo
Sire: Flemensfirth Dam: Ifyoucouldseemenow
Trainer: W P Mullins Owner: Andrea & Graham Wylie
Novice Hurder Trip: 3m
Form: 21
Going into last season this horse had a reputation of being one of the best bumper horses in the Mullins yards and he certainly proved that reputation right when producing a very impressive performance when beating Drumconnor Lad by 16 lengths at leopardstown. This gelding looks a proper stayer and won’t come into his own until stepped up to 3mile. Despite that trip looking perfect for him I fully expect him to start over 2m or 2m4f and later stepping up, most likely at the festival. This combination of owner and trainer have had plenty of chances at the Albert Bartlett but have yet to taste success (Although trainer did this year), however I think Ballyward could be their best chance they’ve had for awhile.
Benatar – 5yo
Sire: Beneficial Dam: Carrigeen Lily
Trainer: Gary Moore Owner: Ashley Head
Novice Chaser/Handicaps Trip: 2m4f+
Current Rating: 142 Expected Rating: 153
Form: 1424
On debut this gelding looked a serious horse when winning a maiden hurdle by 10 lengths, however his next 2 outings were slightly disappointing when comftably beaten in a listed race by Keeper Hill and then firmly put in his place by Le Breuil. On his last outing of the season this 5yo gelding got back on track when running a very creditable race coming 4th in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices Hurdle behind Finians Oscar, that level of form is very strong. The son of Beneficial goes novice chasing this season and I’m expecting plenty of improvement from the switch to the larger obstacles. I think he will appreciate 3mile in time and the Ultima handicap chase could well be a perfect spring target for him.
Canardier – 5yo
Sire: Crillon Dam: Idylle Du Marais
Trainer: Dermot A McLoughlin Owner: Slattery B/Stock
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m
Form: 1
This gelding is well regarded by connections and was well backed on debut in a very competitive bumper at the punchestown festival where he showed a high cruising speed to beat all 17 rivals and land the gamble. What made the victory even more impressive was the 2nd Its all Guesswork was able to get the momentum behind him when coming to challenge but the winner whilst still travelling well was able to fend him off and go away at the finish. I feel this gelding could be a dark horse over 2mile in Ireland this season and due to connections and most likely will face off against the Mullins and Elliot battalion he is more than likely going to be a good price. If starting early enough the Royal Bond could well be a suitable early target to aim for.
Captain Chaos – 6yo
Sire: Golan Dam: Times have Changed
Trainer: Dan Skelton Owner: Mike & Eileen Newbould
Novice Chaser/Handicaps Trip: 2m4f+
Current Rating: 137 Expected Rating: 150
Form: 243F
Last season didn’t really go to plan for this gelding where he was unable to score over fences in three goes. He was though highly tried having only ran in pattern company. He did however run a very good race on his penultimate start when finishing just under 7 lengths behind the Harry Fry trained American in Grade 2 company. A mark of 137 looks very lenient on that form, although if I was them I’d run in a couple of low key novice chases and then aim him for the Novice handicap chase on the Tuesday of the Cheltenham festival. Whatever handicap they aim for though as long as his jumping holds up he will be very hard to beat as I think he’s one of the best handicapped horses in training.
Claimantakinforgan – 5yo
Sire: Great Pretender Dam: Taquine D’Estress
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Owner: Grech Parkin
Novice Hurdler Trip: 3m
Form: 6235
This PTP winner started his racing under rules in the best possible way when winning a bumper in cosy fashion at Haydock when beating Global Stage with the pair 12 lengths clear of third. His best performance was when he come third in the champion bumper being denied by the Gordon Elliot trained mare Fayonagh who subsequently won a further Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. The form that this gelding produced in bumpers only bodes well for his future as he doesn’t look the bumper type so he can only improve for the switch to jumping and especially when upped in trip. He’s definitely a stayer to keep on the right side of with the Albert Bartlett being the main target.
Cultivator – 6yo
Sire: Alflora Dam: Angie Marinie
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Owner: Kimmins F & F
Handicap Hurdler Trip: 2m
Current Rating: 139 Expected Rating: 150
Form: 3618
For me this gelding is crying out for a strongly run big field handicap, the reason why I think this is he’s got such a high cruising speed in small events this attribute is just wasted. A mark of 139 looks workable and I expect/hope he contests all the top 2mile handicaps. His form from last season is abit hit and miss, although I feel the trip is the reason for that as I believe he’s a proper 2miler. If I was campaigning him I would aim for the listed William Hill handicap Hurdle at ascot early November, which Nicky Henderson won a few years ago with Sign of A Victory. I can easily see this horse reaching a rating of 150.
Death Duty – 6yo
Sire: Shantou Dam: Midnight Gift
Trainer: Gordon Elliot Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Novice Chaser Trip: 2m4f – 3m
Form: 11U3
If you follow me on Twitter I’m sure you’re not suprised to see this fella in my list once again as I go on about him enough to probably drive most insane. This is the season where we hopefully see him reach most of his potential with the switch to fences. Last season started brilliantly for this son of Shantou winning his first 4 races over hurdles with Grade 1 Lawlors Hotel Novice Hurdle being his biggest scalp in early January. He went into the Cheltenham festival being a lot of people’s banker of the week however it wasn’t to be as he looked in trouble when turning for home and then unseating his rider at the last when already beat. He came back to form when finishing a good third behind Bacardys and Finians Oscar in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival. The Grade 1 Drinmore novices chase looks the perfect early season target for him, which will hopefully be a stepping stone to bigger and better things for the season. I would however test the trip theory over 3mile again before Cheltenham, as I’m still sure it wasn’t the trip that got him beat last season. He’s a horse I can easily see going off fav for the RSA. Fingers crossed he does the business this year.
Finians Oscar – 5yo
Sire: Oscar Dam: Trinity Alley
Trainer: Colin Tizzard Owner: Ann & Alan Potts
Novice Chaser Trip: 2m – 2m4f
Form: 1112
This son of Oscar is the novice chaser I’m most looking forward to. There is no doubt he should still be unbeaten so far, due to the jockey going too soon on him on his latest start at Punchestown where he was denied close home by the multiple Grade 1 winner Bacardys. This 5yo gelding has also won multiple Grade ones last season winning the Tolworth and Mersey Novices Hurdle. Fences will bring out the best in this horse and I really can’t wait for this to happen. The trip conundrum is a big question mark though, I think 2m4f is his optimum right now but I think he has the class to win an arkle. The 8/1 paddy power offer for him to win any race at the festival looks the perfect bet to solve all problems. Injury ruled him out of last seasons festival so hopefully connections will have better luck this time round.
Kerrow – 7yo
Sire: Mahler Dam: Olives Hall
Trainer: Alan King Owner: Trevor Hemmings
Handicap Chaser Trip: 3m+
Current Rating: 135 Expected Rating: 148
Form: 6126
This Alan King trained gelding looks a proper stayer and the fact he’s only 7 proves there is plenty of improvement still to come. He showed solid form throughout last season with his last run being his best when finishing 6th in the National Hunt chase at the Cheltenham festival. If you take the form with him and Beware the Bear who finished 2 lengths further back literally then that would suggest Kerrow is well handicapped as he would get 11lbs if they met in a handicap despite finishing ahead of him. He looks to appreciate good ground so an early start to the season could be possible. I’d be targeting the Grade 3 Betvictor Handicap Chase at the showcase meeting over an extended 3m3f, where I think he would have a massive chance off his mark of 135. He could well be a Grand National horse in the spring however he will need to probably win two races before then to have any chance of getting into the race. He’s definitely a handicapper to follow.
Last Goodbye – 6yo
Sire: Millenary Dam: Welsh Ana
Trainer: Miss Elizabeth Doyle Owner: Last Goodbye Syn
Handicap Chaser Trip: 3m+
Current Rating: 136 Expected Rating: 146
Form: 6157
If you watch the novice handicap chase on the opening day of the festival you’ll see that this 6yo was unlucky as he got badly hampered at a crucial time giving him to much to do to get to the winner. With this in mind he did well to finish 5th and get as close as he did. Punchestown was a similar story but this time he was just given too much to do and stayed on to finish a never nearer 7th. With only 5 starts over fences he’s still very much unexposed with plenty of time on his hands, he looks the type to improve when he steps up to 3mile with the way he finishes off his races. With the trip in mind I would have an early season target of the Grade B Troytown handicap chase at Navan and then if all goes well the big paddy power chase over the festive period.
Minella Awards – 6yo
Sire: Oscar Dam: Montys Miss
Trainer: Harry Fry Dam: Masterson Holdlings ltd
Novice Chaser Trip: 3m+
Form: 5211
This son of Oscar showed a very good level of form in the backend of last season winning two very competitive handicaps at sandown and Punchestown. His latest was the most impressive of the two when being stepped up to 3mile for the first time. That day he beat a good yardstick in No Comment by a length, with the two clear of the rest. He looks a proper stayer but with a hint of class which should help him to be competitive at the top level over fences. I could easily see this horse line up in either of the RSA or NH chase come March. He’s a stayer worth following as I think he will win plenty of races. The Fletham would look the perfect target for the first half of the season and depending on how that goes would map out the rest of his season.
Minellafordollars – 5yo
Sire: Kings Theatre Dam: Another Dollar
Trainer: Gordon Elliot Owner: Dr Bernardine Rochford
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m4f
Form: 11
This unbeaten gelding showed a very impressive display on his under rules debut when dispatching a field of 11 with the minimum of fuss winning by over 8 lengths. Racing post gave the son of Kings Theatre a RPR of 127 straight after that performance and after only one run that is a very high mark. He looks like a very exciting gelding for Elliot to go to war with over hurdles this season and I’m sure he’s looking forward to getting started. I would say 2m4f looks the trip for him right now with further looking more like his future. An end of season target could either be the Martin Pipe or Neptune.
Minotaur – 5yo
Sire: Azamour Dam: Mycenae
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neil Owner: John Paul McManus
Novice Chaser/Handicaps Trip: 2m4f-3m
Current Rating: 135 Expected Rating: 145+
Form: 7311
At the start of last season this horse came in with a big reputation, mainly because of the high figure JP parted with to ensure the horse was running in his colours. It’s safe to say the 5yo gelding took his time to get the hang of things over timber with his latest 2 performance being very good where he hardly broke a sweat when thumping the fields by wide margins. He was given a mark of 135 after this two races, which I think is very fair. With the mark in mind I’m sure Jonjo has a plot for him. If he was mine I would start off in the fixed brush at Haydock in November to exploit the mark and it would be a great introduction into novice chasing. He’s definitely well handicapped in my eyes and wouldn’t surprise me if he finished the season on a mark of 145+.
Mortal – 5yo
Sire: Kings Theatre Dam: Pomme Tiepy
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m4f+
Form: 1
Gigginstown look to have another exciting prospect on their hands as Mortal looked every bit of a good horse when winning on debut in comftable fashion. The form of the race looks nothing special but it’s the way he won it beating rivals with experience that impressed me the most. He looks a horse for the future, with still plenty of growing to do, with this in mind I feel a light campaign is probably on the cards. Wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t make the trip to Cheltenham and stayed in Ireland with either fairyhouse or Punchestown in the spring his main targets.
Mr One More – 5yo
Sire: Asian Heights Dam: Norah’s Quay
Trainer: Harry Fry Owner: Richard A Fry
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m – 2m4f
Form: 1
Harry fry has gone from strength to strength in each year he has been training, unearthing gems and I think he may have found another one here. Mr One More made a pleasing debut by making all in a bumper at Bangor-on-dee, with the form of the bumper turning out very strong with numerous of winners coming out from it, most notably Le Breuil. He’s a very exciting gelding for Harry fry to train and I’m sure he’s looking forward to him jumping over hurdles.
Paloma Blue – 5yo
Sire: Stowaway Dam: Court Leader
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Owner: C Jones
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m4f+
Form: 12
Son of Stowaway made the perfect start to his racing life when getting the better over Oakley Hall on debut. Form of his debut looks decent with the 2nd winning since and 4th running a good race at Punchestown. He would next take his place in grade 1 company at the Punchestown festival where he would only find the fantastic mare Fayonagh too good for him. The winner was running her 5th race so for Paloma Blue to run so well on only his second start says a lot of his ability. He’s definitely one that looks likely to improve for jumping with scope in abundance.
Potters Legend – 7yo
Sire: Midnight Legend Dam: Loose Morals
Trainer: Lucy Wadham Owner: Mrs J May
Handicap Chaser Trip: 3m+
Current Rating: 139 Expected Rating: 147
Form: 4244
I’m sure Lucy is hoping her luck will turn soon with this horse because he’s been knocking on the door in top handicaps but just finding a few too good. His best effort would be when finishing a staying on 4th in the Kim Muir when only losing by just over 2 lengths. He’s no doubt well handicapped off 139 but he needs everything to fall right for him on the day. He’s a Stayer so only being 7 would suggest there is still more to come from him. When looking at the racing calendar the one race that screams out to me would be the Becher chase, which looks the perfect race for him and would be a good Grand National trial.
Pym – 4yo
Sire: Stowaway Dam: Liss Rua
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Owner: Mrs Patricia Pugh
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m4f
Form: 1
There is perhaps more of an expectation now when you see these certain colours being worn by an unraced horse due to the success of Altior, with that being the case Pym definitely didn’t disappoint for Nicky who had won the same bumper with the likes of William Henry and Sprinter Sacre. Nicky obviously likes aiming a good one at this bumper and I’m pretty sure he’s unearthed another potential star. He’s got plenty of stamina in his pedigree so I think the Neptune could be the big target for this horse if everything goes to plan. He’s definitely an exciting prospect and he’s trained by the right man to get the best out of him.
Red Jack – 4yo
Sire: Mahler Dam: Hollygrove Bonnie
Trainer: Noel Meade Owner: John P McManus
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m – 2m4f
Form: 11
Similar to Death Duty if you follow me on Twitter you will know how much I love this horse and how good I think he is. For me he’s the most exciting horse going novice hurdling and I can’t wait for it. His form is rock solid having beaten Debuchet by almost 3 lengths on debut who subsequently finished 2nd in the champion bumper and also won a listed race. Furthermore the form doesn’t stop there as third place Le Richebourg has come out and won three races since also. After debut JP waited little time to secure the horse, which I imagine was for a substantial fee. In the famous colours he went an won the big sales bumper at Fairyhouse where he traveled like a dream throughout and showed a quick turn of foot to put 5 lengths between him and the rest, it was only hands and heels to the line with the whip not being used. He’s 14/1 with WilliamHill to win any race at the festival and I think that is brilliant value and well worth a bet.
Reigning Supreme – 6yo
Sire: Presenting Dam: Gli Gli
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Owner: Michael Buckley
Novice Chaser Trip: 2m4f – 3m
Form 2141
Michael will be looking forward to seeing this lad over fences this season, as he’s an exciting prospect. Nicky always said this horse was still very raw and still had plenty of growing to do last season, which hopefully occurred over another summer at grass. If this is the case then he could be potentially a dark horse for all the top novice chases. Form of his debut looks strong with Any Drama coming out and winning 2 novice events. The light campaign would be classed as a good thing in my eyes as there is no point over running a horse when he still needs to grow. A race like the Grade 1 Scilly Isles would be a logical target for the horse this season.
Robin Roe – 6yo
Sire: Robin Des Champs Dam: Talktothetail
Trainer: Dan Skelton Owner: Mrs Barbara Hester
Novice Chaser Trip: 2m4f
Form: 111F
Dan Skelton never hid his praise for this horse and you could see why from his debut where he looked a superstar when beating No Comment by 12 lengths and that horse has subsequently franked that form on numerous occasions. The high regard was shown again when throwing him into a Grade 1 after just a maiden hurdle success. However he took a fall and ended up injuring himself, whilst still travelling well ruling him out for the remainder of the season to the disappointment of trainer and connections. The one concern going straight novice chasing would be the lack of jumping experience so it wouldn’t surprise me if they went over hurdles to start with or even go for the fixed brush hurdle. He looks a top notcher and I fully expect him to be contesting Grade 1s.
Samcro – 5yo
Sire: Germany Dam: Dun Dun
Trainer: Gordon Elliot Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Novice Hurdler Trip: 2m4f
Form: 1111
This unbeaten son of Germany looks like another top notcher for Gordon Elliot to go to war with over hurdles this coming season. He has looked outstanding in 2 of his 3 races in bumpers, most notable his most recent race where he destroyed the field by 17 lengths easily. He’s a horse with a sky high potential and he could quite easily be Elliot’s best Novice for this season. For me he looks a Neptune horse all over, but the 14/1 on offer from Paddy Power to win any race at the festival looks too much of a tempting bet to miss. He’s got all the attributes to becomes an exceptional horse and if everything goes to plan I think he will go to the top.
William Henry – 7yo
Sire: Kings Theatre Dam: Cincuenta
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Owner: Walters Plant Hire ltd
Novice Chaser Trip: 2m – 2m4f
Form: 2121
Despite being 7 this gelding has only ran a total of 7 times due to being restricted because of injury, missing out on a whole season. He was back in training last season and showed he hadn’t lost any of his ability when winning 2 out 4 and coming second to the progressive wholestone in a Grade 2 on trials day at Cheltenham in ground softer than he would have liked. He was still given a light hurdle campaign that season, perhaps saving him for novice chasing. I expect him to go over fences this season and he’s my dark horse for the Arkle with it being so wide open due to the lack of good quality 2mile Novice hurdlers from last season. The 33/1 on offer from bet365 looks a tempting bet. He’s got the scope for fences and it wouldn’t surprise me if he took a similar route to Altior.
Cheltenham Ante-Post
Red Jack to win any race 14/1
Samcro to win any race 14/1
Finians Oscar to win any race 8/1
William Henry – Arkle 33/1
sleeracing 