Miesque will know much more than me regarding purchasing pricey horses and the like but I would always avoid anything with known physical problems - there'd be no guarantee that one op would fix the problem (particularly a wind issue).
Horses with solid 2m4f-3m hurdle form will always sell well as point-to-point prospects, especially horses that haven't won.
Winners on the flat, over hurdles or fences would likely be going straight into Open company or Club Members (possibly with a penalty in the Club Members events) while a Maiden can start at the very bottom.
If you were after something for a Confined then local yards normally have something going - or failing that if you have a £2,500-3,000 budget then Mark Gichero of Winning Line Bloodstock usually has a few for sale, some more suitable than others for pointing or Mel Smith can normally find a horse or two.
Prefer to look at the sales catalogues or call a couple of contactsin Ireland and in seeking a horse for a friend came across three or four nice horses (Fight Away Boys, Darsi Dancer, Thoonavolla etc.) who for various reasons weren't deemed suitable at the time.
Depending on which Hunt race you intended to win would in part limit the sort of horse you're after, one at Cottenham would probably require a 2 1/2m horse while the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale would likely required a 135+ rules horse, and they generally aren't cheap.
I prefer Maiden's on the basis that you can always move around the country to try and look for a worse race, the old 8yo+ Maiden is a personal favourite though I've yet to have a runner in one thus far. You can normally pick up a horse that's capable of winning a Maiden (circa 90-100 rated under rules) for around £1,500-2,000, sometimes much less (our two cost £380 and £600) and the first one is usually competitive granted the right underfoot conditions.
Would also call up a few trainers over the water - some are much better than others so worth noting those who's horses do well once they exit the yard (there are two in particular I like in that regard though they don't seem to have catalogued anything for sale at Doncaster).
If you wanted to do it all from scratch then can normally pick up an unraced horse, sometimes a nice one for 5-6k, many are a lot cheaper at the Ascot Sales and it's just a matter of breaking it and then schooling etc. would make sure it's not a Luso etc. or something that isn't likely to shine until it's 7 or 8.
I know of a 7yo mare for sale, she won last weekend and is by Kris Kin who would be a nice mare for Confined or Club members events if anyone was interested.
As for jockey's some are considerably better than others - though they probably cost more to put up, there are plenty of youngsters who I think are well up to standard and would appreciate the rides and in words of a friend of mine "the basics of being a jockey are doing what you're told, as long as you do that nobody can complain".
Martin
