Juvenile Hurdlers 2014/2015

[Bachelors Hall]

Some people here may be familiar with this thread, others may not be. The general premise is that I share whatever information I collate on this season's juvenile hurdlers and anything else that may be useful. Hopefully, others will share, contribute and discuss.

Furthermore, on a race by race basis, I will post the runners with his/her most notable jumps relative. Taking for example the winner of the first juvenile at Hexham, Come On Sunshine's 4th dam was the 2nd dam of Yorkshire so his info would be formatted as;-

"Come On Sunshine 4/2 Yorkshire 6th Christmas Hurdle (G1), Kempton 2002"

Whilst this information can be rather convoluted more than it is useful, it is still fun all the same.

To start with, I made a list of the top 100 juveniles (by RPR) from each of the past five seasons. Here's a list the trainers whose horses made the list, with the trainers listed in order of how many of the 500 hailed from their stables.

Paul Nicholls 44
Nicky Henderson 30
W P Mullins 30
Alan King 25
Gordon Elliott 16
Donald McCain 14
John Ferguson 12
D T Hughes 11
John Quinn 11
Venetia Williams 9
Charlie Longsdon 8
E J O'Grady 8
Mrs John Harrington 8
Noel Meade 8
Brian Ellison 7
D K Weld 7
David Pipe 7
Gary Moore 7
Nick Williams 7
Charles O'Brien 6
C Byrnes 5
Colin Tizzard 5
Jonjo O'Neill 5
Sheena West 5
Tony Carroll 5
Warren Greatrex 5
Brendan Powell 4
Eoin Doyle 4
Paul Nolan 4
Steve Gollings 4
Tim Vaughan 4
A J Martin 3
Alison Thorpe 3
Charlie Mann 3
Edward U Hales 3
Evan Williams 3
Howard Johnson 3
Jennie Candlish 3
Kieran Purcell 3
Philip Hobbs 3
Sabrina J Harty 3
Tim Easterby 3
Tom Tate 3
A L T Moore 2
A P O'Brien 2
Augustine Leahy 2
C Roche 2
Denis W Cullen 2
Don Cantillon 2
Dr Richard Newland 2
J F O'Shea 2
John C McConnell 2
John Joseph Hanlon 2
John Joseph Murphy 2
K J Condon 2
Kim Bailey 2
Lucinda Russell 2
M F Morris 2
Mick Channon 2
Micky Hammond 2
Neil King 2
Nigel Twiston-Davies 2
Oliver Sherwood 2
P J Rothwell 2
P M J Doyle 2
Peter Casey 2
T E Hyde 2
T Stack 2
Tom George 2
Tracey Collins 2
A J Whelan
Adrian McGuinness
Alistair Whillans
Andrew Crook
Andrew Slattery
Anthony Honeyball
Anthony Mullins
Ben Pauling
Bernard Llewellyn
C A McBratney
Charles Egerton
Colin Bowe
David Wachman
E McNamara
Edward P Mitchell
Eugene M O'Sullivan
Frank Sheridan
Gary Brown
George Charlton
Graeme McPherson
Harry Fry
Hughie Morrison
J G Coogan
J Halley
J J Lambe
J T Gorman
James Ewart
James Joseph Mangan
Jamie Osborne
Jeremy Scott
Jim Best
Jim Goldie
John J Walsh
John Ryan
John W Nicholson
Karen McLintock
Keith Dalgleish
Kevin F O'Donnell
Kevin Ryan
Lawrence Walshe
Lee Smyth
Lucy Wadham
M Halford
M J Grassick
Mark H Tompkins
Matthieu Palussiere
Maurice Barnes
Michael Banks
Michael Blanshard
Michael Hourigan
Michael Quinlan
Michael Smith
Miss Clare Judith MacMahon
Miss Elizabeth Doyle
Miss Martina Anne Doran
Ms Joanna Morgan
Nick Gifford
Nigel Hawke
Noel Quinlan
P A Fahy
P J Prendergast
Patrick G Kelly
Patrick J Flynn
Patrick O Brady
Paul W Flynn
Peter Niven
Phil Middleton
Philip Fenton
Renee Robeson
Richard Lee
Richard Rowe
Robert Alan Hennessy
Robert Stephens
Robert Walford
Roger Charlton
S Donohoe
Seamus Durack
Seamus Fahey
Seamus Mullins
Sean Curran
T J Taaffe
T M Walsh
Terence O'Brien
Thomas Cooper
Thomas Mullins

In a similar fashion regarding the sires of juveniles, here is the list of those whose offspring appear in that 'Top 100 from past 5 seasons' in order of frequency. As with the previous list, a few bumper horses will have sneaked in but the ages are the same and those bumper sires can sire jumpers in any case.

High Chaparral 15
Galileo 10
Montjeu 10
Pivotal 9
Jeremy 8
Rock Of Gibraltar 8
Cape Cross 7
Nayef 7
Alhaarth 6
Barathea 6
Dubawi 6
King's Theatre 6
Poliglote 6
Tobougg 6
Authorized 5
Beat Hollow 5
Califet 5
Danehill Dancer 5
Haafhd 5
Martaline 5
Motivator 5
Robin Des Champs 5
Saint Des Saints 5
Sinndar 5
Tiger Hill 5
Al Namix 4
Azamour 4
Dubai Destination 4
Kapgarde 4
Le Fou 4
Milan 4
Oscar 4
Red Ransom 4
Sakhee 4
Smadoun 4
Antonius Pius 3
Bering 3
Dansili 3
Dylan Thomas 3
Footstepsinthesand 3
Hernando 3
Hurricane Run 3
Invincible Spirit 3
Kayf Tara 3
Kendor 3
Lavirco 3
Lemon Drop Kid 3
Lomitas 3
Medicean 3
Monsun 3
Old Vic 3
Redback 3
Shirocco 3
Teofilo 3
Westerner 3
Alberto Giacometti 2
Anabaa 2
Bachelor Duke 2
Balko 2
Beneficial 2
Bernardini 2
Bertolini 2
Black Sam Bellamy 2
Captain Rio 2
Choisir 2
Dalakhani 2
Dilshaan 2
Dom Alco 2
Doyen 2
Dr Fong 2
Dynaformer 2
Enrique 2
Fraam 2
Generous 2
Gold Well 2
Halling 2
Hawk Wing 2
Indian Haven 2
Johann Quatz 2
Kalanisi 2
Keltos 2
Khalkevi 2
Kutub 2
Lando 2
Lawman 2
Le Vie Dei Colori 2
Librettist 2
Linamix 2
Manduro 2
Network 2
Night Shift 2
Notnowcato 2
Peintre Celebre 2
Presenting 2
Raven's Pass 2
Red Clubs 2
Sadler's Wells 2
Sakhee's Secret 2
Shamardal 2
Singspiel 2
Slickly 2
Stormy River 2
Tillerman 2
Turgeon 2
Val Royal 2
Verglas 2
Voix Du Nord 2
Act One
Ad Valorem
Alderbrook
Alphabet Soup
Anabaa
Assessor
Astarabad
Aussie Rules
Avonbridge
Ballingarry
Big Shuffle
Cacique
Captain Marvelous
Catcher In The Rye
Chevalier
City Honours
Clodovil
Cockney Rebel
Conillon
Corri Piano
Daliapour
Dark Angel
Davidoff
Daylami
Diamond Green
Diktat
Domedriver
Dream Well
Dutch Art
Echo Of Light
El Prado
Elusive Quality
Empire Maker
Excellent Art
Exit To Nowhere
Fantastic Light
Fasliyev
Fath
Flemensfirth
Flying Legend
Fragrant Mix
Gentlewave
Giant's Causeway
Goldneyev
Governor Brown
Graveron
Great Pretender
Highest Honor
Iffraaj
Imperial Ballet
Imperial Dancer
Include
Indian Danehill
Indian Ridge
Indian Rocket
Intikhab
Irish Wells
Ivan Denisovich
Kahyasi
Kentucky Dynamite
Key Of Luck
Kheleyf
King Charlemagne
King's Best
Laverock
Le Balafre
Lesotho
Limnos
Lord Du Sud
Lord Of England
Loup Solitaire
Lucarno
Lucky Story
Maille Pistol
Moss Vale
Muhtathir
Mull Of Kintyre
Multiplex
Nickname
Nicobar
Oasis Dream
Observatory
Officiel
Okawango
One Cool Cat
Oratorio
Orpen
Overbury
Panoramic
Paolini
Passing Sale
Pelder
Phoenix Reach
Pierre
Policy Maker
Polish Summer
Proclamation
Pyrus
Rail Link
Reefscape
Refuse To Bend
Reset
Reste Tranquille
Robin Des Pres
Roli Abi
Russian Blue
Sabiango
Saffron Walden
Sagamix
Sassanian
Shaanmer
Silver Patriarch
Sixties Icon
Ski Chief
Soviet Star
Spartacus
Starcraft
Statue Of Liberty
Storming Home
Sulamani
Sunday Break
Tirwanako
Titus Livius
Touch Of The Blues
Trade Fair
Turtle Bowl
Viking Ruler
War Chant
Where Or When
Whipper
Windsor Knot

 

[Bachelors Hall]

As a fair number of French juveniles cross these shores, I've been keeping an eye on how the spring juveniles have been coming along. This is a summary of the male races of note...

There are six listed juveniles during the spring season, three for each gender. Here's a quick run through the male races. The images show the finishing positions of the horses with the weight in brackets (kilos - 1lb = 2.2kg), RPR (which is largely useless) and cumulative distances. The lines below show subsequent outings.

The first was the Prix Wild Monarch which is a race restricted to hurdling debutants. Despite this stipulation, the race has a remarkable history of producing some fantastic horses. Chief among the race's graduates are Long Run, Golden Silver and Nickname but the likes of Kauto Stone, Chapoturgeon, Mon Parrain, Hinterland, Iron Man, Dear Villez, De Boitron, Le Duc and Domtaline have all made their jumps debut in this race.

Video of closing stages

The second was the Prix Stanley where Prix Wild Monarch made his return. Again, this race has an impressive race history. Leading jumps sire Robin des Champs appeared in the 2000 renewal and since then, Golden Silver, Twinlight, Iron Man, Dear Villez, Don't Be Shy and Kapga de Cerisy have lined up as have French hurdling star Le Grand Luce and recent Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris victor Storm of Saintly.

***Just a warning if you wish to watch the clip... Le Baron Noir sadly takes a fatal crash at the penultimate obstacle.

Closing stages

The final spring listed contest was the Prix Aguado, the racecard for which I believe I posted earlier in the thread. Naturally, some of the names will pop up more than once but again, this is a race which boasts a fine history or runners. Both Robin des Champs and Saint des Saints have lined up along with Long Run, Nickname, Twinlight, Roi du Val, Don't Be Shy, Le Volfoni, Le Grand Luce, Remember Rose, Vol Solitaire and Othermix.

Closing stages

I have attached a bit of a "cheat sheet" for the rest of the relevant male juvenile races contested during the spring. Obviously, most of these horses won't see these isles and a lot will probably drift into obscurity in any case. Nevertheless, it is fun to be able to contextualise any horses which do jump the Channel. Clips for the races below aren't difficult to find but if you're having trouble finding any then please don't hesitate to ask me to find/upload the race.

 

[Bachelors Hall]

Here's a similar summary for the female juveniles. To be honest, there isn't much to go by for the history of each race given that the vast majority of racemares will race for two seasons at the most before getting packed off to stud...

The Prix Wild Monarch is, like the male counterpart, restricted to hurdling debutants.

Closing stages

The Prix d'Iena was a race I went into some detail earlier in this thread. Four have come out to contest the third listed fillies race.

Entire race

Finally, the Prix Sagan did not feature Kada Rique among the field. Nevertheless, there was Kotkikova who hails from that wonderful family of Kotkijet, Katko, Kotkita, Katarino, Katenko etc and was a very warm order following her winning debut

Closing stages

Attached is the cheat sheet for the fillies.

 

[Bachelors Hall]

As far as I can tell, there were seven or eight horses sold at Arqana yesterday who may well be contesting juvenile hurdles this season. I have not considered unraced horses since they tend to go for bumpers first before being sent over hurdles. Here are the horses in order of price fetched.

Matorico 115,000€ J O'Neill
Mastercraftsman 4/1 Harawi 3rd GCdH de Printemps, Auteuil 1997
Rated 85+, Matorico was placed on four of his six starts before winning a conditions race at Lyon Parilly in March. Subsequently, he has ran with credit in three "Quinte" races (generally handicaps with above standard prize money and larger fields) including two at Longchamp. His latest effort was on the 16th of June.
(In the above clips, Matorico is the grey in the Moratalla colours of Red with the Green Cap)

Annalulu 80,000€ T Malone
Hurricane Run (3) 3/3 Trouble At Bay 1st Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (G2) Kempton 2004
Rated 75+, Annalulu has won two of her last starts including last time out in a Deauville handicap. Given her inflated price tag and gender, I'm not entirely convinced she'll go hurdling but if she does then I will fill in the gaps.

Souriyan 50,000€ T Malone for Jamie Snowden
Alhaarth (6) 2/1 Serabad 2nd Finesse Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2008
Rated 93+ and standing at 16.1¾ hands, Souriyan finished third on his debut in January before taking minor events at Lyon La Soie in February and Tabres in April. Since then, he's twice finished fourth at Bordeaux including in a listed contest last time out. The winner of both those Bordeaux contests, Machucambo, has since followed up in a similar listed contest at Toulouse.
(Souriyan ran in the Aga Khan colours)

Gladstone 43,000€ Highflyer
Mizzen Mast 2/2 Wingtips 5th Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012
Rated 84+, Gladstone got off the mark on his fourth attempt in February at Cagnes Sur Mer. Next time out, he finished a length and a half behind the aforementioned Machucambo when fifth at Toulouse before filling the same position when two lengths behind Souriyan at Bordeaux. Following a two month break, Gladstone was an easy winner of a Maisons Laffitte claimer.
(Gladstone carried the Yellow silks with Green Chevron and Red Cap)

Ashkoun 40,000€ T Vaughan
Sinndar (5) 4/2 Blue Streak 1st Claiming Hurdle, Plumpton 2003
Standing at 16.0 hands and without an official rating, Ashkoun has had only the three starts. Second on his debut at Toulouse and fifth at Tarbes, he won on his third attempt when taking a three year old maiden at Agen at the beginning of June.
(Ashkoun ran in the Aga Khan colours)

Mercoeur 35,000€ Highflyer
Archange d'Or 3/1 Pashto 12th Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1991
Mercoeur is the only horse on this list with hurdles experience. Indeed, all four of his runs have been over obstacles. His first two runs were at Auteuil where he was sixteen lengths eighth behind Le Baron Noir and was outclassed further when ninth to Kobrouk. The RPR of 97 earned in these two runs probably wouldn't be far off what he'd shown. With his sights lowered however, Mercoeur has twice been able to run into third. Penultimately at Nancy behind L'Aigle Royal and at Lyon Parilly last time out behind Fayas. Whilst not abhorrent, his level of form wouldn't exactly have one rushing for Triumph quotes. Even if he has been leaving plenty back at the stable.
(Mercoeur ran in the Dark Blue with Pink Box and Cap)

Amirli 26,000€ D McCain
Medicean (3) 2/1 Amilynx Jumps sire (Imjoeking, Burren River)
16.0 hands and still a maiden after five starts, Amirili has yet to earn a rating. Nevertheless, his runs haven't been completely devoid of promise. After finishing a close fifth and fourth at Longchamp, he came closest to breaking his duck when narrowly touched off at Dieppe. Since then, he was beaten into fifth on the sand at Deauville. Amirli has a Singspiel half brother in Ireland called Aminabad who won a listed Limerick bumper last season for Willie Mullins.
(Amirli is the chestnut in the Aga Khan colours)

Al Musheer 20,000€ D McCain
Verglas (2) 3/1 Alriffa 5th Dovecote Novices Hurdle (G2), Kempton 1996
After twice finishing down the field at Bordeaux, Al Musheer managed to pick up a very small race at Royan La Palmyre. Whilst he and the runner up finished clear of the third, the runner has since been well beaten twice and Al Musheer himself subsequently finished down the field in seventh at Les Sables D'Olonne.
(Al Musheer ran in the Grey "Al Shaqab" silks)

 

[Bachelors Hall]

That's pretty much everything I have for now. The next juvenile hurdle isn't until the 13th at Stratford so in the meantime, I'll be twiddling my thumbs unless anybody wishes to join in with the sharing and caring.

Cheers

 

[Irish Stamp]

Good luck with it BH - some good stuff in there.

Just about to start going back over our three year old hurdle ratings in France thus far this season to see who the top hurdlers are. Will post a few when I get the chance.

Martin

 

[chroniclandlord]

Thanks BH, there are some really interesting pieces among the statistics. I was surprised to see Venetia Williams so high up the list, I'd never think of her as a leading trainer of juveniles. On the other hand, I'd have expected Phillip Hobbs to have trained more than three of the five hundred.

As a matter of interest, what sort of RPR was number one hundred achieving each season?

 

[granger]

good work sir

 

[Bachelors Hall]

Good luck with it BH - some good stuff in there.

Just about to start going back over our three year old hurdle ratings in France thus far this season to see who the top hurdlers are. Will post a few when I get the chance.

Martin

Cheers Martin. I genuinely look forward to your findings. I have a rough notion of who should be up there but I'm not quite at the stage of putting numbers to the names.

When converting the "valeur" rating to the "official" rating we have over here, do you find it accurate to the degree of a pound or two or is there a discrepancy? Like, Storm of Saintly's 79>174 seems spot on but that's just me using basic measures.

Thanks BH, there are some really interesting pieces among the statistics. I was surprised to see Venetia Williams so high up the list, I'd never think of her as a leading trainer of juveniles. On the other hand, I'd have expected Phillip Hobbs to have trained more than three of the five hundred.

As a matter of interest, what sort of RPR was number one hundred achieving each season?

To be honest, I was too but on closer inspection, over the past five seasons, Ms Williams can account for Houblon Des Obeaux, Tango De Juilley, Ciceron, Stars Du Granits, Kapga De Cerisy, Baradari, Zamdy Man, Tenor Nivernais and Drumshambo whereas Mr Hobbs only has Sadler's Risk, Rougham and Pistol. I imagine that we were harconing (I do wish that was an English word) back to the days where Venetia exclusively trained staying chasers whilst Philip hoisted the likes of Detroit City, Made In Japan and Fair Along. Such is life but the ageing process doesn't always have to be horrific... I guess...

As for the lowest figures, the range is 113 and the mean is 114. Essentially good enough to win most "midweek" races but liable to struggle in standard "Saturday" races.

good work sir

Thank you. I do this as an obsessive, almost masturbatory, labour of love. But as with most things of this nature, it's pretty much always better when others get to partake.

 

[Desert Orchid]

Excellent work, BH, and thanks for sharing it with us. I'll look in (and hopefully learn something) from time to time!

 

[sunybay]

great posts

 

[Grasshopper]

An interesting area of research, BH.....Good luck with it.

 

[Bachelors Hall]

Excellent work, BH, and thanks for sharing it with us. I'll look in (and hopefully learn something) from time to time!

great posts

An interesting area of research, BH.....Good luck with it.

Thank you very much.

As much as it pains me to admit it, the references to "earlier in this thread" (which only the most fastidious among you will have noticed - which may well just be myself) are a by-product of stale copypasta. For that, I apologise.

If it helps, I can tell you that Gladstone and Mercoeur have safely made their way to Warren Greatrex's yard.

 

[Irish Stamp]

Cheers Martin. I genuinely look forward to your findings. I have a rough notion of who should be up there but I'm not quite at the stage of putting numbers to the names.

When converting the "valeur" rating to the "official" rating we have over here, do you find it accurate to the degree of a pound or two or is there a discrepancy? Like, Storm of Saintly's 79>174 seems spot on but that's just me using basic measures.

I think a lot depends on the horse in question - I've seen plenty come to the UK thinking "this will be fun" and watching them get mullered off ridiculously low marks in the end - the most obvious example of this is a mare of Lucy Normile's though that in itself may explain why she hasn't met expectations.

I like SoS a lot though would like to see him take on Bel La Vie (assuming he comes back) and Vanilla Crush once more before proclaiming him a 170+ horse. Always fascinates me how French chasers are often seen as "inferior" yet when we send a solid handicapper such as Join Together over he can't get the likes of Shannon Rock off the bridle and is invariably one of the first beat.

I liked what I saw of The Saint James in the early three year old hurdles though he has a bit to find with the likes of Bonito Du Berlais who's also exceptionally well bred on form lines through the beaten horses.

Martin

 

[granger]

God I miss the jumps .If anyone spots a useful flat yoke that will be sent hurdling come the winter, let me know.

 

[Singing Detective]

Sheikh Fatah of Qatar bought a Milan gelding for 65,000 euros to be trained by Willie Mullins and a 95,000 euros filly out of Robin Des Champs to be trained by Tom Symonds at the recent Derby Sales.

 

[Singing Detective]

Sheikh Fahad that was

 

[granger]

Great stuff. Thank you

 

[Bar the Bull]

Great work BH. Superior posting.

 

[Bachelors Hall]

Sunday is fast approaching and along with the small matter of a World Cup final, it also brings an excruciatingly intriguing Juvenile Hurdle at Stratford which features three winners. Whilst one wouldn't imagine that the race will be used as a launchpad for a Triumph, Anniversary and Punchestown 4YO treble followed by six consecutive Champion Hurdles, it isn't so difficult to see the winner emerging as a 130+ type of animal.

The most exciting of the three winners on show is the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Goodbye Dancer. Formerly trained in France, his flat form (around the 70 mark), whilst not spectacular, did see him match the efforts of the aforementioned Karelcytic. On initial impressions, his breeding doesn't scream jumper, but for all his sire, Dragon Dancer, lacks results at this stage, all three of his hurdlers have at least been placed and being a son of Sadler's Wells bodes very well for a prospective sire of young hurdlers. Goodbye Dancer's debut at Market Rasen was quite remarkable for three reasons. He sweated up badly beforehand and pulled like a train throughout the race but, although the race lacked strength in depth, he came effortlessly clear in the closing stages to win with any amount in hand. The other UK winner in the race hails from a yard with consistent and commendable success. Alan King's Gimme Five was a comfortable winner at Uttoxeter and the second and third are set to re-oppose on Sunday. Whilst the third, David Pipe's Intermath, was patently a non-stayer, the runner up, Jim Best's Jazzy Lady was a very consistent sort at her level on the flat and wasn't slowing down. Nevertheless, Gimme Five jumped quickly for the most part and demonstrated a telling touch of speed to pull seven lengths clear on the flat. The third winner in the field, Avel Vor, is introduced to the UK by Philip Hobbs. After an inauspicious start to his hurdles career where he was beaten 22.25l at Fontainebleau, 32l at Enghien and pulling up in at Auteuil claimer, Avel Vor landed a Compiegne claimer on his final start. Following this race, he was picked up for 12,577€. The form doesn't amount to a great deal although in fairness, the second and fourth have since finished first and second at Nancy so at least it is solid. He should be up to winning a race or two in the UK but he may be reaching a bit too far on Sunday.

Art Of War will be Tom Dascombe's first National Hunt runner since 2009 and despite being overfaced at Royal Ascot, would have the strongest flat form on offer following his Ripon win in May. Masterpaver's flat form reads reasonably well in the context of this race although he looks a good ten pounds better on AW than on turf. Announcement has to prove her stamina given she has yet to race over a mile and although Dream Big has shown nothing since his Kempton debut, he does join a top juvenile trainer in Tim Vaughan.

No Second Thoughts 3/2 Chivalry 3rd Agfa Hurdle (Listed), Sandown 2005
Announcement 3/2 Anusha 1st The Ladbroke (G1 Hcp), Leopardstown 1995
Ain't No Surprise 3/4 Power Elite 1st Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Leopardstown 2004
Intermath - Camacho .5 Viaduct Joey 1st Handicap Hurdle (111), Galway 2013
Masterpaver 2/1 Stumped 1st Handicap Hurdle (118), Leicester 2007
Dream Big 4/1 Hypertrophic 1st Carolina Cup (Hcp), Camden 1993
Bright Society .5 Deepika 1st Conditions Hurdle, Le Teste de Buch 2014
L'Es Fremantle 2/2 Duroble Man 8th Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2014
Avel Vor 3/1 Feeling 1st Novices' Selling Hurdle, Uttoxeter 2010
Gimme Five 3/1 Rum Baba 1st NvHcHdl (87), Market Rasen 2000
Rocky Hill Ridge 1/0 Amwell Star 4th Juvenile Hurdle, Leicester 2001
Jazzy Lady 2/2 Tudor Falcon 1st Selling Handicap Hurdle (59), Market Rasen 1997
Goodbye Dancer 2/2 Six Notes 7th Claiming Hurdle, Avignon 2002
Art Of War 3/1 Amilynx Jumps sire (Imjoeking, Burren River)

Sires
Art Of War - Invincible Spirit (3)
No Second Thoughts - Oratorio (1)
Announcement - Proclamation (1)
Ain't No Surprise - Kheleyf (1)
Dream Big - Echo Of Light (1)
Bright Society - Diamond Green (1)
L'Es Fremantle - Orpen (1)
Jazzy Lady - Intikhab (1)
Intermath - Camacho
Masterpaver - Mastercraftsman
Avel Vor - Green Tune
Gimme Five - Champs Elysees
Rocky Hill Ridge - Auction House
Goodbye Dancer - Dragon Dancer

 

[Bachelors Hall]

Very glad to see this board back up and running again. There were a couple of posts I wanted to make during the downtime but thankfully, we missed no fresh races and the relative class (and conspicuous flaws) of Goodbye Dancer were really there for all to see.

The first item is a list of when horses placed in the Triumph made their UK/IRE hurdles debut.

I've also noted their dosage index. To tell you the truth, whilst they may indicate what kind of trip they might do better at in the long run, they appear quite useless when it comes to indicating their aptitude for juvenile hurdles (the winners range from 0.37 to 5.00). But I've collated them so I may as well post them. If someone who knows more about dosage than I do wants to shed whatever light there is to be shed then please do.

2014 Good 15 ran
0.58 Tiger Roll 10th November
1.00 Kentucky Hyden 9th November (17th March FRA)
1.67 Guitar Pete 15th September

2013 Good to Soft 17 ran
1.09 Our Conor 11th November
0.67 Far West 13th October (6th April FRA)
0.50 Sametegal 2nd November (3rd April FRA)

2012 Good 20 ran
1.00 Countrywide Flame 16th July
0.82 Hisaabaat 27th December
0.76 Grumeti 30th December

2011 Good 23 ran
1.18 Zarkandar 26th February
1.50 Unaccompanied 31st December
1.00 Grandouet 29th October (9th March FRA)

2010 Good 17 ran
?.?? Soldatino 27th February (20th September NHF, 2nd Jan hdles FRA)
1.29 Barizan 8th June
0.38 Alaivan 11th December

2009 Good to Soft 18 ran
1.29 Zaynar 17th December
0.78 Walkon 22nd November
1.25 Mourad 31st December

2008 Good to Soft 14 ran
0.65 Celestial Halo 29th December
2.27 Franchoek 29th September
0.79 Won In The Dark 6th October

2007 Good to Soft 23 ran
0.85 Katchit 23rd September
0.94 Liberate 16th November
1.21 Mobaasher 4th February

2006 Good 17 ran
1.32 Detroit City 4th December
3.00 Fair Along 17th July
0.58 Blazing Bailey 17th January

2005 Good 23 ran
0.56 Penzance 10th January
2.24 Faasel 14th January
1.00 Akilak 29th January

2004 Good 23 ran
1.08 Made In Japan 8th January
1.51 Chief Yeoman 25th October
1.06 Top Strategy 16th November

2003 Good 27 ran
1.00 Spectroscope 26th October
1.77 Well Chief 13th February
2.67 Golden Cross 30th November

2002 Good 28 ran
2.00 Scolardy 28th October
0.20 Newhall 29th November
3.80 Diamond Joshua 17th October

2000 Good to Firm 28 ran
5.00 Snow Drop 26th February (15th September FRA)
3.57 Regal Exit 3rd January
0.69 General Cloney 19th February

1999 Good to Soft 23 ran
0.78 Katarino 10th November (4th May FRA)
1.17 Balla Sola 11th February
0.71 Afarad 28th November

1998 Good 25 ran
2.14 Upgrade 19th November
1.15 City Hall 29th November
9.00 Nomadic 26th December

1997 Good 28 ran
0.37 Commanche Court 2nd February
0.79 Circus Star 25th October
0.21 Shooting Light 9th November

1996 Good 29 ran
0.44 Paddys Return 7th November
1.22 Mistinguett 13th January
2.31 Magical Lady 29th October

1995 Soft 26 ran
0.81 Kissair 14th January
1.75 Silver Wedge 15th October
1.57 Dr Leunt 8th August

1994 Good 28 ran
0.60 Mysilv 17th November
1.67 Moorish 30th November
0.91 Shirley's Delight 26th December

1993 Good to Firm 25 ran
0.46 Shawiya 21st November
1.31 Amazon Express 19th October
1.00 Major Bugler 27th November

1992 Good 30 ran
4.60 Duke Of Monmouth 20th December
3.00 Crowded House 26th December
1.17 Al Mutahm 4th January

1991 Good 27 ran
0.67 Oh So Risky 23rd November
0.90 Chirkpar 3rd February
1.21 Boarding School 31st October

1990 Good to Firm 30 ran
0.63 Rare Holiday 26th December
0.63 Ninja 1st November
0.74 Native Friend 12th August

1989 Heavy 27 ran
0.60 Ikdam 2nd November
1.40 Highland Bud 30th December
?.?? Dom Valentino 20th November

Tuesday saw the Ascot "End Of Season" July Mixed Sale which traditionally produces little of note. This year's renewal was no exception. The second and fourth from the opening Hexham contest were on offer and both were sold. Izbushka went for £3,000 whilst Oakley Dancer was knocked down (?) at £1,200

Last weeks events at Tattersalls were a bit more interesting for the Juvenile Hurdler aficionado with exciting price tags and connections involved. Here are the highlights with the following figures;-

Name / Price / colour/sex / Official Rating-Highest RPR / Course, dist, going, race type, date when highest RPR achieved / Former trainer.

New Street GNS 185,000 - grc Jim Best 7-2-3 84-88 Hay 10gf Hcp 21/6/14 (R Fahey)
Acclamation 4/2 Tipperary All Star 14th Supreme Novices' Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2007

Starchitect GNS 110,000 - bg D McCain 4-0-1 84-83 Cur 10s Mdn 25/5/14 (E Lynam)
Sea The Stars 4/2 Vandas Choice 2nd Handicap Chase (Listed,135), Wetherby 2005

Classical Art GNS 60,000 - chc- Highflyer 5-1-2 76-76 Wdr 12gf 23/6/14 (R Varian)
Excellent Art (1) 3/3 Nordance Prince 1st Victor Chandler Chase (G2, 142), Ascot 2000

Libeccio GNS 36,000 - bg - Charlie Mann 8-1-4 75-79 Bri 12f Hcp 1/7/14 (A Balding)
Shirocco (3) 3/1 Poet 1st Maiden Hurdle, Newbury 2012

Glebe Spirit GNS 35,000 - bc - C Swan 8-1-3 73-78 Nby 8g Hcp 24/6/14 (R Hannon)
Invincible Spirit (3) 3/1 Sossus Vlei 3rd Novices' Hurdle, Newbury 2002

Tall Ship GNS 32,000 - bg - G Moore 5-0-1 72-78 Eps 10gf Hcp 10/7/14 (M Stoute)
Sea The Stars 2/1 Washington Irving 4th Premier Kelso Hurdle (G2), Kelso 2010

Alzammaar GNS 18,000 - bc - Highflyer 5-0-3 73-77 San 14gs Hcp 22/5/14 (C Hills)
Birdstone 3/3 Action Master 2nd Winter Festival 3-Y-O Hurdle (G3), Fairyhouse 2009

Pershing GNS 16,500 - grg - Tom Malone 7-0-2 72-75 Yar 10g Hcp 22/4/14 (M Botti)
Mount Nelson .5 Art Broker 1st Novices' Hurdle, Ffos Las 2011

Crown Of Aragon GNS 15,000 - bg T Malone 2-1-0 74 Lin 10st Mdn 28/6/14 (D Coakley)
Archipenko 4/2 Royal Mountbrowne 1st Punchestown Chase (G1), Punchestown 1996

Dry Your Eyes GNS 12,000 - bf D McCain 10-1-0 68-73 Bev 12h Hcp 13/5/14 (M Johnson)
Shamardal (2) .5 Bayan 3rd Coral Cup (G3,138), Cheltenham 2014

Pomme GNS 11,000 - N Hawke - bf Unraced (Juddemonte)
Observatory (1) 3/2 Vox Populi 4th Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdl (G3), Fairyhouse 2006

Off The Cuff GNS 10,000 - D McCain - bc - Unraced (Juddemonte)
Zamindar 2/1 Wemyss Quest 1st Novices' Hurdle, Cheltenham 2001

Also at Tattersalls, the following ten, who sold for less than ten thousand guineas, may also be heading over hurdles;-

Telegraph - GNS 7,500 - Thorner/D Evans
All Reddy - GNS 7,000 - I Williams
Mitcd - GNS 6,500 - M Todhunter
Harry's Summer - GNS 5,500 - G Elliott
Outwit - GNS 5,500 - Katie Walsh
Telex - GNS 4,500 - N Hawke
Mustadrik - GNS 4,000 - G Elliot
Speedbird One - GNS 3,500 - G Elliott
Dream And Search - GNS 3,000 - A Honeyball
Dover The Moon - GNS 800 - G Elliott

That's pretty much everything this board has missed. I will post a "preview" of sorts on Saturday's Market Rasen contest at some point tomorrow.

I liked what I saw of The Saint James in the early three year old hurdles though he has a bit to find with the likes of Bonito Du Berlais who's also exceptionally well bred on form lines through the beaten horses.Martin

Thanks for your input Martin. Bonito de Berlais certainly looks like the standard bearer at this stage and wouldn't have to improve a great deal to match his half sisters. What did you make of the Macaire pair Ibis du Rheu and Top Notch? They both made their debuts in the same Bordeaux contest, filling the first two places ahead of the Chaillé-Chaillé filly Fiestine, well clear of the remainder of the field. Both have won races at Enghien as they liked and haven't been seen since. Ibis du Rheu (half brother to Saphir du Rheu) is the more exciting of the two in my opinion, especially when looking at the Bordeaux video, Top Notch clearly had the run of the race.

 

[Bachelors Hall]

Tomorrow's Juvenile at Market Rasen looks like a fairly poor one, especially in the context of a decent midsummer jumps card. Nevertheless, it is still an open looking contest where any of six or seven runners hold feasible chances.

The natural starting point for those with runs is Hexham scorer Come On Sunshine. His flat form was inconsistent and ordinary at best and his jumping at Hexham was unsightly at times. Nevertheless, he eventually won comfortably enough in the end and whilst there's generally a huge risk factor involved for Juveniles with penalties, the Brian Ellison inmate has since been gelded which, if reducing his youthful tendencies, would offset the six pounds. Another concern for Come On Sunshine is ironically, he has only ever performed when the word "soft" has been included in the going. Intermath represents David Pipe and in each of his races, he has jumped satisfactorily for the most part before falling to pieces as his stamina ran dry. On class alone, he's capable of winning a race over hurdles although one imagines it would have to be a five runner affair ran at a dawdle around Fakenham. Similar comments apply to the ex-Godolphin Istimraar who travelled and jumped well enough over course and distance last month before faltering very tamely. On the other hand, Ain't No Surprise struggles to jump and settle but in an affront to her pedigree, looks like she can stay and it's more a case of her being slow. With question marks hanging over those with hurdles experience one would be inclined to focus on the newcomers. However, these too look like a rather motley bunch. Officer Drivel won a Kempton 1m4f maiden for Luke Dace and ran close in a handicap over the same course and distance but has since put in two below par efforts. He has since joined Jim Best's outfit and with that, has the services of AP with whom Jim Best has a very appealing strike rate as a partnership. Dual flat winner Vosne Romanee has spent the majority of his career in Class 6 contests but he is consistent, he is improving and the form of his latest effort at Carlisle it working out alright. He could have done worse than being matched with Dr Richard Newland and STD and is entitled to respect in this field. On breeding, the Azamour produce Love Tangle is a fascinating proposition coming from the Ballymacoll royalty that includes Spectrum, Conduit, Hard Top, Petrushka etc as well as crack hurdler My Tent Or Yours. His flat form is also quite reasonable in places. Unfortunately, despite being gelded as an unraced two year old, he seems to have a mind of his own about the game and with the greatest respect to his connections, one isn't inspired with confidence for his jumps bow. Trinity Lorraine has won a race and is a half sister to C'Est Ca but she looks hopelessly outclassed even in this company whilst Fast Green and Macnamara can't be given any chance whatsoever.

I'm not a punter and I'm certainly not a tipster. What's more, this isn't the kind of race I'd bet in using stolen money. The above is for me to contextualise the race, but if you want an arbitrary 1-2-3

1. Vosne Romanee
2. Officer Drivel
3. Come On Sunshine

Love Tangle 2/3 My Tent Or Yours 2nd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014
Vosne Romanee 2/1 Sweet Glow 1st Long Distance Hurdle (G2), Ascot 1994
Ain't No Surprise 3/4 Power Elite 1st Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Leopardstown 2004
Istimraar 4/1 Wing And A Prayer Tolworth Hurdle (Listed), Sandown 1985
Trinity Lorraine .5 C'Est Ca 2nd Handicap Hurdle (125 Grade B), Fairyhouse 2010
Macnamara 4/3 Lyfordmix 1st Prix Alain et Gilles de Goulaine (LstdHcp), Auteuil 2006
Come On Sunshine 4/2 Yorkshire 6th Christmas Hurdle (G1), Kempton 2002 (4/3 Red Admiral)
Intermath .5 Viaduct Joey 1st Handicap Hurdle (111), Galway 2013
Fast Green .5 Le Bahamien 2nd Prix de Londres (55), Cagnes-sur-Mer 2013
Officer Drivel 2/1 King Of Oriel 1st Handicap Hurdle (95), Punchestown 2013

Sires
Come On Sunshine - Authorized (5)
Love Tangle - Azamour (4)
Istimraar - Dansili (3)
Macnamara - Dylan Thomas (3)
Officer Drivel - Captain Rio (2)
Ain't No Surprise - Kheleyf (1)
Trinity Lorraine - Dark Angel (1)
Vosne Romanee - Arakan
Intermath - Camacho
Fast Green - Green Tune

 

[Colin Phillips]

Not a bad guide at all, well done, BH.

 

[Irish Stamp]

Very impressed by the pair of them BH - particularly how IDR saw off a couple of nice looking horses at Enghien. We had them rated very highly for a provincial juvenile hurdle - ratings wise it wasn't far off the victory of The Saint James (IDR was 1KG behind TSJ) a couple of days later but still to go over it and update them.

Both were imported to the UK back in May so going on how these things seem to work regarding horse purchases and the like they're probably at either Henderson's or Nicholls' via Bromley.

Martin

 

[Bachelors Hall]

Nice one Colin and thank you for reading. It's always nice when a race works out roughly how one expects it to.

It would appear that the gelding operation (he travelled and jumped much better today than at Hexham) and that thunderstorm really made the difference today. I wouldn't fancy Come On Sunshine's chances with a double penalty though unless it's a particularly weak contest. Vosne Romanee was a bit iffy over the first few but started to get the hang of things later on in the contest. He looks like he stayed perfectly well and might even perform over further. Intermath did better with the extremely slow early pace and looked all over the winner coming up the straight but again, he didn't have enough petrol in the tank. A race over 1m6f would be ideal for him but unfortunately, they don't exist. Istimraar was another eighteen lengths back in fourth. He had to make his own running which clearly didn't suit and whilst he was still battling up front entering the straight, he utterly collapsed into a hole like an utter non stayer. Ain't No Surprise was still in the vicinity rounding the final turn but couldn't quicken at all as they straightened up and at this stage, looks too slow to pick up anything in the near future. Love Tangle was clearly a handful and his jumping was all over the place. Unless he has a complete personality overhaul, he won't be achieving anything any time soon. Macnamara ran best of the non-hopers and did relatively well to stay in touch for as long as she did. All told, her form today amounts to very little but it still represents a career best effort to date. Fast Green, available at 66/1 this morning, was backed in to 14/1 at the off but he was in trouble entering the back straight and finished a tailed off last. Trinity Lorraine never seemed to be going and was pulled up before the last.