It’s that time of year again with the flat season coming to a close and suddenly, we’re all excited for those wintery afternoons of high octane jump racing. The 2015/2016 jump season came to a close with the sublime Richard Johnson being crowned Champion Jump Jockey, after playing second fiddle to non-other than Sir Tony McCoy, no less than 20 times. Also taking status of a champion was Paul Nicholls, who despite not having the strength in depth of yesteryear, still managed to beat the Irish challenge of Willie Mullins, despite the Closutton handler having a more than majestic Cheltenham Festival with his arsenal full of talented weapons.
Looking forward to this season, I have dug deep into the video archives, notebooks and trackers to come up with a list of 10 horses I would strongly suggest worth following throughout the next 7 months as we embark on another season of jump racing that gets the heart racing.
Altior – Nicky Henderson
In 2014, Nicky Henderson nominated Altior as his leading hope for the future when the High Chaparral gelding bolted up by 14l on his debut at Market Rasen. He took time to grow up and mature, but continued his rise up the ranks last season, including when producing a lighting turn of foot to beat the Mullins hotpot Min, in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle to remain unbeaten. Given another summer to strengthen, he is reportedly looking a more complete animal and Nicky Henderson has confirmed he will be going over fences this season. Providing he takes to the larger obstacles, he will be aimed at the Arkle, where I would be very surprised if he wasn’t ready to pounce coming down the hill. I’m really looking forward to him this season and I hope he remains sound and can give the Seven Barrows handler another star in the 2m chase division.
Anatol – Paul Nicholls
Anatol went straight into my notebook on his British debut last October at Ascot when jumping like a stag throughout, gaining ground at each of his fences. He did look in need of the run that day when weakening after the second last flight and then was unfortunately injured soon after that race, meaning we did not get to see him on a racecourse again last season. He has been dropped 3lbs to a rating of 129 and the word around the yard is that they will make a mockery of that mark and is an exciting prospect for novice chases but because of his mark, do not be surprised to see him pitched into novice handicaps early on.
Asum – Dan Skelton
Last season, Dan Skelton had a season to remember with his very first Cheltenham festival winner which added to his tally of 104 winners. One horse that didn’t add to that but surely will this Winter, is Asum. The Son of Kayf Tara has been the apple of Skelton’s eye since he arrived in his Warwickshire yard but it was well documented how keen Asum was at home. With this in mind, when he finally made his debut at Warwick, (was very well backed), he was held up by Harry Skelton with the intention to teach his mount to settle and how to race. He stayed on strongly and was a very unlucky second to Clondaw Cracker, who will go on to win many races himself this season. I expect Asum to win a novice hurdle before showing up at Cheltenham in November for the Open Meeting.
Aux P’tits Soins – Paul Nicholls
Aux P’tits Soins has had a lofty reputation at Paul Nicholls yard after jockey Nick Schofield was quoted saying he was the “best he’d ever ridden at home” and he justified Schofield’s confidence when winning the 2015 Coral Cup on his British debut. He was then out of action with an injury and was only seen again in this year’s renewal of the World Hurdle on his second start of British soil when he loomed up behind the leaders with two flights left to jump before showing obvious signs he had needed the run to be beaten 40l by Thistlecrack. The 6 year old has reportedly had a clear summer and has been schooled over fences which he has impressed his connections, leaving them dreaming of the years to come. I have no doubt Aux P’tits Soins can go right to the top of the novice chase pile and we will see him in either the JLT or the RSA come March, providing he stays sound.
Blow By Blow – Willie Mullins
The Grade 1 Punchestown Bumper was arguably the hottest bumper contest all season and it was won by Blow By Blow who was given an incredible ride by the brilliant Katie Walsh, who belied odds of 14/1. The Gigginstown owned 5 year old is certain to make up in to a strapping chaser in years to come so it will be seen that anything he achieves over hurdles will be a bonus. I seriously expect this horse to rank high up in the Mullins novice hurdlers this season and is one horse who, if he shows respect to his hurdles, could end up favourite for the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March.
Give Me A Copper – Paul Nicholls
When asked about Give Me A Copper recently, Paul Nicholls described him as “exciting” and his previous handler Donal Coffey was quoted saying “he could win a Gold Cup”, which is not said of many horses after just one run under rules. The Son of Presenting is said to be well schooled for his first season over hurdles despite the fact his potential will not be reached until he jumps larger obstacles next season and beyond.
Invitation Only – Willie Mullins
Unbeaten in two runs under rules for Willie Mullins, Invitation Only looks a future star in the making for owners Andrea and Graham Wylie. The way he powerfully travels through his races suggest he has a serious engine and he was purposely kept away from Cheltenham and Aintree to ensure he wasn’t given a hard time in his first season. Patrick Mullins was waxing lyrical about this horse last year and he certainly knows a good young horse when he sits on one.
Lisheen Prince – Philip Hobbs
Over the last few years, the colours of Diana Whateley have become very familiar in the winners enclosure as names such as Captain Chris, Menorah, Snap Tie, Sausalito Sunrise et al have flown the flag for the great supporters of the game. Last year, they gave a debut to Lisheen Prince at the Open Meeting at Cheltenham in November and he was well supported in the betting, going off at just 11/2 for the Listed Bumper which was won by Ballyandy, who went on to win the Champion Bumper for Nigel Twiston-Davies. The son of Oscar traveled well throughout and looked set to fight out the finish as they turned down the hill but seemed to bottom in the rain softened ground before the home turn. He was said to have been intimidated by the experienced and that he simply needed time. He was then put away for the season to be given that time to grow and mature and he will return to action this season with novice hurdling in mind. He won his point over 3m on good ground, so I expect to see him start his career at Chepstow or Exeter where Hobbs’ has been known to start off his better horses. I am very adamant this horse is going to be useful in time.
Traffic Fluide – Gary Moore
Gary Moore encountered more bad luck in the space of 14 days last season than most trainers do in a year when his main hopes were ruled out through injury. The whole of the racing fraternity are hoping he has more luck this season and with horses like Krugermac, Ar Mad and Traffic Fluide back, I have the feeling he will be looking to have one of his better seasons to date. The latter horse mentioned, Traffic Fluide has taken my eye on each of his starts in England especially on his impressive third to Un De Sceaux in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot in January. He travelled superbly behind the trailblazing Un De Sceaux and looked a major threat to finishing second in front of his stablemate and ex champion chaser, Sire Des Grugy, eventually running him down to a neck. I have the feeling he will be stepped up in trip this season, which could be a shame as he could be a live outsider for all of the two mile chases this season, which seem to be dominated by at attention of Douvan and the rejuvenated Sprinter Sacre. I am very excited to see him back over fences this season. I have been informed he’s training well and the stable are excited to get him back on a racecourse.
West Approach – Colin Tizzard
The last horse in my Ten to Follow this season is the Colin Tizzard trained West Approach. The homework from West Approach often leaves his connections purring, but he is yet to prove his true ability on a racecourse. He showed up well for a long way in the Albert Bartlett before ending his season with a dominating front-running performance at Newton Abbott on a mark of 132. I’m not exactly too sure of the plans of West Approach whether they are looking to stay over hurdles or go over fences, but either way, i’m sure West Approach is going to fulfil his potential and pay his way this season.
Other horses to follow:
Koshari – Willie Mullins
Won at Punchestown when actually only 3 years old and showed real determination to win after being well supported in the market beforehand.
More Of That – Jonjo O’Neill
In a wide open Gold Cup, it would not surprise me to see ex World Hurdle winner More Of That improve to be Gold Cup class. He burst a blood vessel in the RSA and he still ran with great credit. Had he have won that race as expected, he would be single figure odds for the 3m2f race with most bookmakers.
Sausalito Sunrise – Philip Hobbs
A talented individual who needs to be full of confidence in himself. He does look an out and out stayer with class and can pop up in a decent staying chase handicap.
Seefood – Dr Richard Newland
Certainly no world beater and will not have the class to end up at Cheltenham but does look a nice recruit for this stable who do well with ex-Irish horses. A race at Market Rasen on Saturday would have blown away the cobwebs and he can look for suitable opportunities to land a handicap.
Yanworth – Alan King
Described by Alan King as “the best i’ve trained”, Yanworth can develop in to a live Champion Hurdle contender if the 2m division is the chosen path for the gelding this season.
Robin Roe – Dan Skelton
Went in to many notebooks after winning on debut at Warwick at the backend of last season. He travelled very well throughout and quickened clear despite showing greenness similar to a two year old! He looks sure to improve with time and will hold his
own in novice hurdles this season.
Duke Des Champs – Philip Hobbs
Very big and babyish last season, this horse will have improved massive amounts for getting another summer on his back. Going novice chasing this term, I advise you follow him as he is expected to lead the novice chase team for the Hobbs yard.
Doctor Harper – David Pipe
A fragile horse who will need everything to drop right for him, but off a mark of 138, I would be very surprised if the Pipe team don’t have a handicap already eyed up, potentially at the Open meeting at Cheltenham in November.
La Bague Au Roi – Warren Greatrex
It’s no secret how highly regarded La Bague Au Roi is by Warren Greatrex and this season, she can improve to mix it with the best mares over hurdles. However, I do think she will much prefer a flat track.
Fouburg – Dan Skelton
This horse could prove one of the better handicapped horses in training off his current mark of 119. I know how highly regarded he was coming into last season but he just couldn’t learn to settle in his races. With another summer gone by, if Fouburg can learn to settle, you can be sure to see this horse rated closer to 135 by the end of the season.
