Can't remember where I was up to with the profiles for prospective juveniles, but since a few wanted updating in any case, and to keep things a little tidier without any running loose, I may as well pop them in the same post.
One of the updates is that a few of the French recruits have been given
valeurs or official ratings. The BHA generally does a straight translation from kilos to pounds which, invariably results in some horses becoming very badly handicapped. Since the turn of the century, 182 imported juveniles have come with a French rating over jumps. Of these, 131 raced three times during their initial campaigns. The average peak RPRs of these horses was 114.44 mean, 118 median. Their average valeurs translated to pounds was 132.81 mean, 132 median. This leaves a gap of between 14 and 18.38 pounds and of these 131 horses, only nineteen would achieve an RPR exceeding their valeur. As such, while Brainstorm's 136.4 would have him amongst the top weights in most Fred Winters, it is worth remembering that he is an iffy sort who came out of an average claimer...
For the sake of clarity, a guide to the guide;-
Horse, sex, gender, trainer, record, (official rating), RPR, my rating, former trainer
Sire (damsire){thoroughbred family number}{dosage index) horse's x dam is the/x dam of noted horse*, noted horse, noted horse's most pertinent jumps performance
Link to French video form if applicable
*1/0 = dam of, 1/1 = full sibling, 0.5 = half-sibling, 2/1 = second dam is first dam of.../dam is sibling of, 3/2 = third dam is second dam of...
FRENCH JUMPS RECRUITS
Matterhorn bg Paul Nicholls j1-0-1 (-) 116 132 (Gabriel Leenders)
Martaline (Turgeon){1-x}(0.67) 2/1 Turgot 1st Prix La Haye Jousselin (G1), Auteuil 2004
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/matterhorn-3
By Martaline (We Have A Dream, Beaumec de Houelle, Kotkikova, Malaya) Matterhorn is a nephew of top staying chaser Turgot but is also related to useful juveniles. His dam won in the division, uncle Pontvallain finished third in the Prix Cambaceres (the championship contest for three-year-olds) while Sept Verites (2/2) and Dans La Foulee (2/3) made winning debuts in the Prix Wild Monarch. Recent graduates of the contest include Busselton, Footpad, Bivouac, Dolas and Botox Has while top-class animals such as Long Run, Golden Silver, Remember Rose, Hinterland and Le Grand Luce count themselves among the longer term introductions. During this season's renewal, Matterhorn was in the process of running a big race and certainly held a winning chance before going through the top of the last and dramatically losing his hind legs on landing. Conspicuously green on his racecourse debut, Matterhorn was keen early and making minor errors, but was able to settle better once getting a lead. He moved stylishly back into the lead turning for home and looked full of running approaching the final hurdle. The incident gave the initiative to Paradiso, who was representing a David Cottin yard which has been dominant in the division this season, while Matterhorn ran into third place after regaining his bearings. The form of the race is taking a solid shape as Paradiso has firmly established himself as the leading three-year-old of the season to date by taking the Prix Stanley and Prix Aguado in taking style. Sixth placed Gaelic Warrior finished third on two subsequent visits to the venue ahead of a move to Willie Mullins while eighth placed Issam won a Lyon contest next time out by twelve lengths. Former trainer Gabriel Leenders was responsible for five juvenile recruits of which three were winners (Teahupoo, Paros, Samarrive) while Haut En Couleurs placed third in both the Triumph and at Punchestown. Matterhorn's new trainer Paul Nicholls, has taken thirteen juveniles out of the Prix Wild Monarch, twelve of them winning during their first term at Manor Farm stables including Dolos, Hinterland and San Benedeto. The unpolished Matterhorn has considerable scope and potential and is in the right hands to make a strong impact on the sphere in the upcoming season.
Porticello bg Gary Moore j1-1-0 (-) 122 132 (David Cottin)
Sholokhov (Chichicastenango){31}(0.87) 2/1 Worldbest 3rd Grand Prix d'Automne (G1), Auteuil 2009
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/porticello
Francois-Marie Cottin has sent the likes of Sanctuaire, Napolitain and Star de Mohaison across the channel over the years. Cousin David has yet to match those levels as an exporter although Busselton was a creditable sort last term and this season has seen Mr Cottin take the French three-year-old division by storm with a team including leading colt Paradiso, and leading filly Matilda du Berlais. He also saddled the first two home in the Prix Grandak prior to the pair crossing the channel for pastures new. The Prix Grandak is another debutant contest with a rich history, being the launchpad of domestic stars Saint des Saints, Bonito Du Berlais, Beaumec De Houelle, On The Go and Beaumec De Houelle, as well as talented exports in Frodon, Far West, We Have A Dream and Quel Destin. This year's edition was taken by Porticello who having tracked the leaders throughout, made his challenge in a steady rather than explosive fashion and after taking the lead at the last, managed to pull a couple of lengths clear on the run-in. Apart from blundering at the fifth, he jumped well enough for a debutant and his style of racing was in keeping with his pedigree being a Sholokhov nephew of Grand Prix d'Automne third Worldbest. Notwithstanding, there is some precocity in his pedigree as his dam is a half-sister to graded placed juvenile Orcantara and the aunt of Prix Cambaceres runner-up Invicter. Furthermore, while Sholokhov is a Gold Cup winning sire, he is also responsible for Shishkin as well as classy youngsters Msassa, Esmondo and the aforementioned Invicter. The provisional Grandak form is looking reasonable with third placed Imprenable winning next time and fifth placed Coup de Coeur running respectably in decent company, although collateral form does place Porticello behind Matterhorn at this juncture. Notwithstanding, it should still be enough to make him competitive in good races and Gary Moore could have another useful recruit on his hands.
Foxy Girl bf Henry de Bromhead j1-0-1 (-) 120 132 (David Cottin)
Saint des Saints (Sageburg){9-f}(0.50) 2/1 Far West 2nd Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2013
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/foxy-girl-1
The Prix Wild Monarch is an early season listed hurdle for three-year-old debutants held during Auteuil's spring season and is split into divisions according to the horse's sex. The edition for colts and geldings has a richer history of producing horses who fare well in Britain and Ireland and the best graduates of the fillies' contest (Roll On Has, Nikita du Berlais, Whetstone) did their best work in their native France. Since 2008, just eight have come out of the race to contest juvenile hurdles across La Manche and only three of those were able to win during their initial campaigns - the most successful being 2010 eighth Tatispout who won a couple of late season handicaps for Charlie Longsdon, although Salsaretta went on to become a useful chaser for Willie Mullins. This season's renewal saw David Cottin saddle the first three home and the runner-up, Foxy Girl, has since joined Henry de Bromhead to run in the Robcour colours. Foxy Girl, the shortest price of the Cottin troupe, was initially held up in the rear of the field and while she jumped neatly herself, was slightly impeded over the first three flights. Making smooth headway after passing the stands, she was hampered jumping the last in the back but maintained her progress on the turn for home to get within a length of the lead jumping two out. Though she did nothing wrong in her jumping or effort, she was unable to match the winner as she went down by a length and a quarter while putting six lengths between herself and the rest of the field. The winner, Matilda du Berlais, won the Prix d'Iena next time by ten lengths and while she had to settle for second in the Grade Three Prix Sagan, she still stands as France's leading filly of her age group. The form of those who followed Foxy Girl has also stood up thus far, with third placed Saintamarin filling the same position in the d'Iena, and fourth placed La Cheneviere finishing second then first in a pair of useful conditions events at the same track. Along with very credible form, there is also plenty to like about Foxy Girl's pedigree as she is a daughter of Saint des Saints out of a mare who won over hurdles and fences at four. The dam is also a half-sister to three talented young hurdlers in Far West, second in the 2013 Triumph, Fabulously, third in the 2006 Prix Aguado, and Firmini who was third in the 2007 Prix d'Iena. Harry Whittington's useful Fou Et Sage (2/2) and champion four-year-old come top class chaser Feu Follet (2/3) also descend from Foxy Girl's granddam. Though not as prolific as their male counterparts, imported fillies have a respectable 35.42% winners to runners rate and count the likes of Apple's Jade, L'Unique and Gaspara amongst their numbers. While Aspire Tower finished second in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle, Henry de Bromhead's overall record in the sphere is not the best as his winner to runner rate of 10.81% attests. Nevertheless, there will be few fillies this season with stronger profiles than Foxy Girl and it is not unfeasible that she could develop into a threat against the boys come the Spring festivals.
Magistrato bg Paul Nicholls j1-0-1 (-) 119 129 (David Cottin)
Kapgarde (Poliglote){3-d}(1.00) 1/0 Franche Alliance 2nd Prix Beugnot (L,63.0), Enghien 2015
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/magistrato
Runner-up to Porticello in the Prix Grandak, Magistrato is another addition to the Paul Nicholls ranks and is following in the hoofprints of Far West, Frodon, Quel Destin, Qualando and Marracudja who all started in the same contest. Fresh on his racecourse debut, Magistrato soon established a clear lead which he would to the final flight where he was headed by Porticello. Jumping better overall than the winner, he done more by a lack of pace than fatigue and still managed to increase his advantage of the subsequent winner in third. A son of Kapgarde, his dam showed useful form over nineteen furlongs on heavy ground and is herself a half-sister to La Bague Au Roi and Kaysersberg. As such, the 3000 meters at Auteuil was unlikely to suit and while it is to his credit that he performed satisfactorily, it perhaps indicates that he would be a more longer term prospect. Nevertheless, there ought to be races won during his first season in Great Britain and he could be of particular interest with give in the ground.
Tanganyika bg Venetia Williams j3-1-0 (61.5 - 135.3) 120 124 (Francois Nicolle)
Martaline (Kapgarde){4-n}(0.44) 2/1 Notario Has 3rd Prix Congress (G2), Auteuil 2012
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/tanganyika
While Venetia Williams will be more reknowned for her staying chasers, her record in the juvenile hurdling division is still very laudable. Boasting a winner to runner rate of 31.34%, she has also done well with her French recruits including the likes of Houblon des Obeaux, Tango de Juilley and Kapga de Cerisy. Her first known recruit of the season is the Martaline gelding Tanganyika, who went for €40,000 at the Arqana Summer Sale at the start of July. Starting his career with Francois Nicolle, whose previous exports include Quilixios, Monmiral and Allblak des Places, Tanganyika made a winning debut in the Prix du Brevent at Compiegne in mid April. A contest which has been taken by the likes of Adrien du Pont, Bertimont and Ibis du Rheu in the past, with Cristal Bonus, King's Socks and Giorgio Quercus also among past participants. Sent off the shortest price of the newcomers, Tanganyika found himself outpaced early on, and did not help himself by making a series of errors throughout the race. He managed to move into a more competitive position turning for home and after drawing alongside the leader with a furlong to go, he went on to grind out a winning margin of just over a length. Runner up Tkliwy Nihilista has gone on to win the first three-year-old chase of the year, fourth placed Surprising won at the venue next time while the third placed Moulins Clermont since joined Gary Moore for €70,000. That would be Tanganyika's peak performance of his three outings as he twice failed to make an impact on a pair of Auteuil conditions events. Inconsistent jumping plagued his next outing when he was beaten just under twenty lengths at the start of June when, having started prominently, lost his position early on and the headway he made approaching the home turn was negated when the leaders left him behind. In the Prix Frascati towards the end of the month, Tanganyika started the race with a fairly wayward jump, but to his credit, he posted much his cleanest round to date. However, too much use was made of him over the 3500m trip and along the back stretch, he had a good twenty lengths over his pursuers. He was caught by the penultimate obstacle but while fairly spent and dropping back to fifth, he was still within nine lengths of the winner crossing the line. Sire Martaline has a fine record with hurdlers and chasers alike and Tanganyika comes from a good family of French jumpers. More specifically, several on his damline made their marks as young chasers as Notario Has (2/1) was placed in a Prix Congress, Victoire des Borde (3/3) was third in the 2013 Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (Grade 1 for four-year-old chasers) while Utopie Des Bordes (3/3) won the 2012 Prix Maurice Gillois (the four-year-old chasers' championship) ahead of a solid career with Nicky Henderson. Tanganyika's overall profile is that of a medium long term prospect and, though not without merit, his form leaves him with something to find with the more promising recruits. Notwithstanding, when conditions are right, there will be races to be won this term.
Gaelic Warrior bg Willie Mullins j3-0-2 (63,0 - 138.6) 117 122 (Guillaume Macaire)
Maxios (Hernando){1-l}(0.58) 3/1 Bagan 1st 2m4½f Handicap Chase (128), Warwick 2008
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/gaelic-warrior
The first known Rich Ricci recruit, along with Willie Mullins' first import with jumps experience, made his debut in the colts and geldings edition of the Prix Wild Monarch where he finished sixth behind Paradiso and the exciting Paul Nicholls recruit Matterhorn. Held up in the rear, Gaelic Warrior made some headway along the back but never had the pace to land a blow, finishing seventeen lengths behind the winner. Apart from missing the last, he put in a clean round of jumping though one possibly more befitting a future chaser than a quick hurdler. Three weeks later, Gaelic Warrior returned to Auteuil for a conditions race where, ridden more prominently, he put up another decent round of hurdling with his only errors coming when getting close to the fourth and taking off too early at the last. Neither of these errors had any real impact on his performance in finishing a length behind the winner in third. After another three weeks, Gaelic Warrior returned to Auteuil for a similar conditions event where his performance was in keeping with his previous efforts. Jumping cleanly for the most part and making headway through the race without threatening a win, this time finishing just over six lengths behind in third. Gaelic Warrior has produced comparable form on each outing, probably warranting a mark in the early 120s. This would be enough to win ordinary races and while further improvement under Willie Mullins is a reasonable assumption, Gaelic Warrior has been brought with chasing in mind. Maxios already has winning chasers in France and Ireland and along with Bagan appearing at 3/1 on the damline, Gaelic Warrior also has a cousin with wins in cross country events.
Moulins Clermont bg Gary Moore j1-0-1 (-) 117 121 (Bertrand Lefevre)
Free Port Lux (Ungaro){3-o}(0.67) 0.5 Paris Clermont 1st 4300 Conditions Chase, Aix-les-Bains 2016
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/moulins-clermont
It is a sign of the times, probably compounded by events of the past year, that this next entry was purchased not privately or at a public auction, but on an online shop. For €70,000, Moulins Clermont left Bertrand Lefevre to become another recruit to the Gary Moore ranks. Continuing the prototype theme, Moulins Clermont represents the first crop of jumpers by Group Two winner Free Port Lux - a giant of a horse at 1.70m who despite being by Oasis Dream, has a stamina laden pedigree and has already produced an eighteen length winner at Auteuil. Moulins Clermont's sole start came in the Prix du Brevent at Compiegne which is a reasonable conditions race that has been contested by the likes of Adrien Du Pont, Ibis Du Rheu, Cristal Bonus. Held up in midfield, Moulins Clermont had a propensity to get tight at his hurdles but rarely caused alarm. However, despite the race being the slowest held at the venue this term, he still looked short of pace and was doing his best work towards the end of the contest. Though clearly not devoid of ability, Moulins Clermont would, for the immediate future, appear to be better suited to a slog around Fontwell as opposed to something like the Adonis.
Illico des Places bg Tom Symonds j1-1-0 (-) 119 (Francois Nicolle)
Jeu St Eloi (Anabaa Blue){6-e}(2.00) 0.5 Gatsby des Places 1st 3yo Hurdle, Royan 2019
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/illico-des-places
With his sole start coming in a debutants contest at Châteaubriant, on a sleepy Sunday provincial meeting last month, Illico des Places does not yet have a profile page on the racing post site. Nevertheless, despite his rustic introduction to the sport, he could potentially be a useful sort. The field barely came out of a canter during the opening stages during which Illico des Places pulled extremely hard. Jumping himself into the lead at the fourth, he was still fairly headstrong but was not allowed to run away under Gaëtan Masure. Though he went through the top of the seventh, was flat footed at the eighth and got in close to the tenth, his jumping was neat overall and at times, quite taking. Holding a dozen length advantage turning into the straight, one might assume that there was another circuit to be completed given the lack of urgency displayed by the other riders. Nevertheless, this advantage was increased to eighteen lengths at the line which was achieved with the utmost ease. A race of its nature would take little winning, but the form is taking a reasonable shape with the second and the third each finishing runner-up next time in similar company. Former trainer Francois Nicolle has a strong record of producing talented juveniles with last season's Quilixios and Monmiral enhancing the standards previously set by the likes of Botox Has, Allblak des Places and Coko Beach. Sire Jeu St Eloi has yet to have a runner in Britain or Ireland, but his first two crops in France have resulted in seven winners from twenty-one foals thus far. Half-brother Gatsby des Places has won on three of his four completed starts while winners Kentucky Star (2/1), Double Double (3/1) and Happy Reunion (3/1) appear nearby on the damline. In Tom Symonds, he joins a trainer who has yet to win with any of his juveniles recruited from British flat trainers, despite six of them being rated 70 and above. However, his record with French recruits is a different story altogether as five of the six have been winners, including Don Bersy and Song For Someone. Though he was thrown into fairly shallow waters for his debut, Illico des Places fits the "could be anything" category and will warrant definite intrigue wherever he next appears.
Message Personnel bg Dan Skelton j2-1-0 (-) 117 (Jean-Philippe Dubois)
Saint Des Saints (Muhtathir){4-l}(0.50) 2/1 Wonderful Charm 3rd Peterborough Chase (G2), Huntingdon 2014
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/message-personnel-1
Jean-Philippe Dubois has been the source of four juvenile hurdlers in Britain and Ireland, two of whom were winners, and another being last season's useful Saint Sam. His first export this season is the twice raced Message Personnel who joins Dan Skelton under the ownership of John Hales. Making his debut in an ordinary contest at Chateauxbriant in the middle of May, Message Personnel brought up the rear in a steadily ran contest, and was rather caught flat footed when the tempo increased on the second circuit. The winner, Tom Symond's recruit Illico des Places, was long gone by the time he reached the straight and while ground was made on the runner-up, Message Personnel was unable to get the better of his third placed stablemate. Nevertheless, he jumped well apart from getting slightly close to a couple and he was able to make amends next time in a slightly more valuable event at Dieppe on the first of July. Racing again in the rear but keeping tabs on the leaders, Message Personnel travelled well and made smooth headway on the turn for home. He was within a couple of lengths of the leaders at the penultimate hurdle where his task was made easier by the fall of the favourite who in turn, hampered the second favourite. Notwithstanding, he ran on well to beat what was left, quickening on the run-in to emerge the three-and-a-half length winner. Given the incident at two out, it is difficult to get a good grasp of the form but there were two previous winners involved at the time and the runner-up ran to a similar level on her next outing. New trainer Dan Skelton has a strong record in the sphere with a winner to runner rate of 38.96% contributed to by the likes of Allmankind, Bedrock and Nube Negra. His better juveniles have been flat recruits and none of his French recruits won first time, although half of the six would score during their first campaigns for the trainer. Saint des Saints is more given to producing chasing types, but his record with juveniles is still very strong with 29.41% of his British and Irish juveniles being winners including Monmiral, Djakadam and Fusil Raffles. Classy chaser Wonderful Charm (2/1) would be the most esteemed of the relatives on the nearby damline, but his dam and third dam were each able to show good form at three and four years old and Muhtathir's broodmares have a 30% winner runner rate in the sphere. Message Personnel, whose form is denied a measure of credibility, has yet to show enough to suggest he is destined for the highest ranks and may have greater aspirations for the long term. Nevertheless, he is in good hands and not without potential so he could still be competitive in respectable company.
Brainstorm bc Sophie Leech j3-1-1 (62,0 - 136.4) 101 106 (Guillaume Macaire > Francois-Marie Cottin)
No Risk At All (Hawk Wing){12-g}(1.00) 2/1 Top Notch 1st 1965 Chase (G2), Ascot 2017
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/brainstorm-2
Guillaume Macaire has, this century, won the Prix Rush with Robin des Champs, Balko, Esmondo and Choeur du Nord, while Master Dino, Goliath du Berlais and Twist Magic are just a few of the talents also introduced in the contest. His sole representative this season was Brainstorm - a half-brother to Yes Indeed and Never Adapt, and a nephew of the sadly passed Top Notch. Sent off the third favourite, Brainstorm was fairly keen in the early stages, but soon settled into a nice rhythm in the front and jumped and travelled kindly. That is until he got to the seventh. The camera angle was not the best, but he appeared to hit it at an incorrect stride, reach for the hurdle and blunder terribly. This error cost him the lead and most likely any chance in the contest. Reaching again at the next, he faded through the field on the turn for home, jumped big at two out and steady at the last. Sensibly allowed to coast home in his own time from some way out, Brainstorm appeared to be the horse to take out of the contest. However, his next appearance came in a Compiegne claimer in which he was finished a six length third before being sold for €16,777. He was next seen in another claimer at Fontainebleau where, held up, he jumped safely but without any confidence. Nevertheless, he moved easily into the race approaching the last from where, he ran out a fairly comfortable two-and-a-half length winner. Afterwards, he was sold again for €16,777 of James Finch's money. Reportedly exported to Great Britain, it could be presumed that Brainstorm is now with Sophie Leech although this is speculation based on conjecture. Brainstorm's form is better than that of the standard juvenile hurdler and while he would have to improve considerably to match his initial reputation, he is capable of winning average races.
Ramure bf Stuart Edmunds j3-0-0 (57.0 - 125.4) 95.5 (Patrice Lenogue)
Maresca Sorrento (Blue Bresil){9-c}(0.33) 2/1 Ocean's Wind 1st 3900m 4yo Hurdle, Saint Malo 2016
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/ramure
One of the lesser lights of the recent imports is the thrice raced maiden Ramure. She made her racecourse bow on the first of June in Compiegne's Prix du Grand Maitre - a debutant contest won in the past by the likes of Analifet, Triana du Berlais and Cicalina. Sent off the outsider of the field, Ramure jumped reasonably well, but was firmly beaten when getting brought down at the penultimate flight. Nine days later, she reappeared at Dieppe where she jumped well enough in a prominent position, but weakened tamely on leaving the back stretch and ultimately finished tailed off. Taking a step up in class on her return to Compiegne, she put up another mostly sound round of hurdling and was still in a fighting position entering the straight before losing touch on the approach to the last, finishing just over eighteen lengths behind the winner. Patrice Lenogue has been responsible for three juveniles in the UK thus far with a winner coming in the form of David Pipe's €140,000 Hexham winner Great Tempo. Sire Maresca Sorrento has yet to have a winner from six juveniles outside of France, but he has gotten his fair share of juveniles in his native country. The dam failed to win over jumps but is a sibling of a Saint Malo winner and top class sorts in Tamarindo (3/1), Sun Storm (3/1) and Djakadam (3/2) descend from the third dam. The most intriguing part of Ramure's profile is her Stuart Edmunds whose winner to runner rate of 53.33% in the division is bettered only by Henderson, Mullins and Nicholls. Ramure's performances currently warrant a mark not exceeding the high 90s and if her valeur is taken into account when allotting a mark, she could be in trouble. All the same, she will be her underrated trainer's first recruit from the French jumping circuit so it will be interesting to see what he can achieve with this mostly fluent hurdler.
Kotmask chg Gary Moore j1-0-0 (-) 94 (Gabriel Leenders)
Masked Marvel (Martaline){20-a}(0.38) 0.5 Kapkiline 3rd Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (G1), Auteuil 2018
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/kotmask
Something of an unknown quantity, Kotmask has just the one run to his name which in an ordinary contest at Dieppe in mid June. Sent off at 11/1 in an eleven runner contest, he took the early lead and was taking quite a pull, but was able to settle better once getting a lead. His jumping was marked by inexperience as he was often steady on the approach and untidy at numerous obstacles. Kotmask was still in contention turning for home, but ultimately found four of his rivals too strong and was beaten by just under thirteen lengths. The five exports of Gabriel Leenders last term included three winners on top of the Triumph and Punchestown placed Haut En Couleurs. Sire Masked Marvel does respectably with his three-year-old hurdlers in France, among whom is another Leenders export in Teahupoo. With a name like Kotmask, the damline is predictably inundated with talented French jumpers and a brief role call of nearby relatives includes half-sister Kapkiline, Kobrouk (2/1) Katgary (2/1), Kotkieglote (3/1), Katenko (3/1), Kotky West (3/1), with Kotkijet at 5/1. Gary Moore's prowess has already been covered in the profiles of his recruits with more discernible potential. The bare form of Kotmask's sole outing would only be worth a mark in the mid nineties, but he was still very green on that occasion and more can be learned of him in due course.
FLAT RECRUITS
Benaud brg Joseph Patrick O'Brien f7-2-0 (103) 105
Australia (Danehill Dancer){1-e}(0.76) 4/1 General Cloney 3rd Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2000
At an opening price of 25/1, Bernaud is the first ante-post favourite for this season's Triumph Hurdle. This is presumably down to his connections and his official rating of 103 which he earned by finishing fourth in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Since the 2004/05 season, 125 horses have competed in juvenile hurdles having ran to marks of at least 100 on the flat including two Triumph winners (Celestial Halo and Ivanovich Gorbatov), two Anniversary Hurdle victors (Faasel and Binocular), and a pair of Irish Grade One winners in Saldier and Sir Erec. Two of the aforementioned carried the McManus colours out of O'Brien yards as did Punchestown second Landofhopeandglory. However, while strong flat form can indicate success, it does not guarantee same as five of the nine triple-digit O'Brien juveniles failed to win during their juvenile campaigns. Looking at Benaud himself, he raced five times at two, getting off the mark at the fifth time of asking in a Leopardstown nursery off 79. He stepped up considerably on his seasonal reappearance when taking a twelve furlong rated race at Naas, and made further progress when fourth in the Queen's Vase. Doing his best work late on, he was in last position turning for home before making steady progress on the outside to ultimately finish within four lengths of the winner. While the form has yet to be tested extensively, runner-up Wordsworth has twice reached the frame behind Hurricane Lane in Group One company so Benaud's rating of 103 is justifiable. Australia made a promising start to his career as a sire of juveniles getting three winners from nine with his first crop, although none of his five last term was able to win and only one achieved an RPR exceeding 100. Danehill Dancer has a solid record as a damsire in the sphere and although Benaud's half-brother Eighteenhundred achieved little under either code, Italian winner Jar (3/1) and Triumph Hurdle third General Cloney (4/1) do appear further back on the damline. Stamina would appear to be absolutely assured for Benaud and while he still holds plenty of fancy entries on the flat, his being a gelding with Joseph O'Brien makes it likely that he will be seen over hurdles this term. Overall, Benaud certainly has the potential to be a useful addition to the sphere, although if the Triumph was held tomorrow, a couple of the French recruits would have more appealing prospects.
Zinc White grg Oliver Greenall f5-2-0 (87) 92 (Ralph Beckett)
Vadamos (Dalakhani){7-a}(0.37) 3/1 Master Wells 1st 2m1f Novices' Selling Hurdle, Exeter 2009
The highest sum of money paid at public auction for a juvenile hurdler was 440,000 guineas for Purple Moon at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale in 2006. Ten have commanded figures exceeding £300,000, six of whom won during thier first campaigns over hurdles with €380,000 Arqana purchase Zubayr being the most successful when winning the Adonis in 2016. Lethal Steps, whose first win came at his eighth attempt - just shy of the end of season cut-off - was the latest when fetching 300,000 guineas at the 2018 July Sale. This was until the recent Goffs London Sale at Royal Ascot when Ralph Beckett's Zinc White was knocked down for £310,000. Starting his racing career last September, Zinc White failed to reach the frame on his first three outings at Salisbury, Newmarket and Wolverhampton, showing only fair form in the process. Nevertheless, a gelding operation, winter break and considerable step up in trip brought about immediate improvement. Making his first venture into handicap company, his reappearance came at Wetherby off 69 in a five runner contest on the Eleventh of May. Ground conditions were such that the meeting was abandoned afterwards, but Zinc White took to them like a duck to standing water as he belied his keen running nature to keep on strongly having taken the lead just before the distance to win by the best part of four lengths. Nine days later, he defied a six pound penalty to complete his brace at Sandown by seven and a half lengths where he was ridden into the lead within the distance and eased in the final half-furlong. Though the form of neither race has worked out at this juncture, the winning time at Sandown was respectable on a seconds per furlong basis and his topspeed was the highest registered on that card. Furthermore, while he has pulled hard and been incline to edge during his races, these factors are more in keeping with inexperience than any alarming temperament issues. Though there are no immediate pointers to a hurdling career in his pedigree, there are clues which suggest solid potential. Out of the Pretty Polly winner Chinese White, nothing on the damline attempted this discipline until the third dam Eljazzi who along with producing black type fillies Rafha and Chiang Mai, is also the matriarch of a line which includes capable hurdlers Master Wells (3/1), Fnan (3/2), Everything Zain (3/2) and Elysian Flame (3/3). Vadamos has his first crop of jumpers this season and his sole runner to date, Javado, has shown respectable placed form without winning as of yet. Standing at an acceptable 1.65 meters, Vadamos won the Prix du Moulin over a mile but was also able to score over twelve furlongs and is the nephew of handicap hurdler Vadnagar. More pertinently, he is also a son of Monsun which puts him in the company of Maxios, Manduro, Gentlewave and the likes. Fifty horses formerly trained by Ralph Beckett have gone juvenile hurdling, fourteen of which have been winners giving a respectable rate of 28%. Though the improvement rate 27.5% is less encouraging, four of his six former inmates rated 80 and above on the flat were able to win during their initial campaigns. In Oliver Greenall, he joins a trainer going from strength to strength whose latest campaign was his most successful in the division to date with six wins split between three laudable types including Herbiers who capped his season with Class 2 handicap wins at Ascot and Sandown. Zinc White will have to do something quite exceptional to justify the fee paid for him, particularly as he has yet to demonstrate he can perform on anything firmer than a ploughed field. Nevertheless, a solid overall profile and discernible scope and class would still make him a very interesting recruit to the division.
Parmenion bg Willie Mullins f1-1-0 (-) (Edouard Monfort)
Soldier Hollow (Monsun){6-e}(0.41) 2/1 Ayrton Banks 1st 3YO Conditions Hurdle, Lyon-Parilly 2019
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/parmenion
During the past ten years, Willie Mullis has sourced seven juvenile hurdlers from the Arqana Summer Sale. Six of these would win during their juvenile campaigns including Adriana des Mottes, Petite Parisienne and Diakali. The last named, costing €160,000 in 2012, was the most expensive graduate of the sale until yesterday when Parmenion was knocked down for €230,000. Parmenion's sole flat outing came on the 17th of June in a 2,200 meter, fourteen runner maiden contest at Craon. Settled behind the leaders, Parmenion hit the from 300 meters from home, needing only to be pushed out to win by three lengths. Runner-up Laishann, who finished fourth on his debut. has joined Gordon Elliott after fetching €82,000 at the same sale while third placed Ker Welen is a 33 (72.6) rated horse who placed second on his two prior outings, and again off the same mark at Chateaubriant. By Soldier Hollow and out of a Monsun mare, Parmenion is from the same cross as Saldier who was a useful juvenile for the Mullins yard in the 2017/18 campaign. The damline is also condusive to a successful campaign in the sphere as uncle Ayrton Banks won a three-year-old hurdle at Lyon and cousin Swnymor fell in the rescheduled Finale Hurdle when holding every chance. Evening Hush and Wolf Prince, both placed in Grade One juvenile hurdles, also appear on the distaff side at 3/2. Though only so much can be inferred from a sole flat start, Parmenion shaped with plenty of promise and his joining a leading yard along with a likeable pedigree bodes well for the upcoming season.
Tashkhan bg Brian Ellison f9-3-2 (93) 102 (Emmet Mullins)
Born To Sea (Raven's Pass){8-i}(0.87) 2/1 Tarkari 3rd Welsh Champion Hurdle, Ffos Las 2011
Failing to show in three outings as a two-year-old, Tashkhan broke his duck on his reappearance in a ten furlong handicap at Navan in late March. Afterwards, then trainer Emmet Mullins stated that Tashkhan would make a nice three-year-old hurdler down the line. He soon joined a Brian Ellison yard with a good record in the divsion, whose winner to runner rate stands at 31.82%, with the likes Marsh Warbler, Nietzsche and Ultimate performing with credit for the Norton handler. Tashkhan's maiden win came off just 57, but such was the manner of his success that he ran off 70 his British debut at York in May. Denied by a short head, he would double his tally at Haydock at the end of May, running off 75 and scoring by over three lengths. Finishing midfield in the King George V handicap at Royal Ascot, a return to Haydock saw a resumption of winning ways as he landed a valuable fourteen furlong handicap off 86. He was a beaten odd-on favourite last time at Pontefract when failing to land a four runner contest off his new mark of 92. The winner's enterprising ride could be an excuse although it could simply be a case that he has reached the ceiling of his flat ability. Notwithstanding, stamina would not be a concern for the juvenile trip and his rating in the nineties would make him an above average recruit to the sphere should connections opt to go down that route (neither trainer nor owner are not shy about having runners over jumps). Tashkhan's pedigree speaks quite favourably for such a career as Born To Sea's progeny win their fair share of races in the division and include a couple of classy sorts in Aspire Tower and A Wave Of The Sea. Raven's Pass has not had any real success as a damsire, although Tashkhan's dam is a half-sister to three winning hurdlers including the useful Tarkari. It would be too soon to speculate on Tashkhan's potential in the grand scheme, and there may be a reliance on softer ground. Nevertheless, Brian Ellison does well with classy flat recruits (seven from the ten rated 80 and above were able to win in the sphere) and Tashkhan has more positives than negatives in his overall profile.
Champion Green bg Joseph Patrick O'Brien f3-0-2 (-) 87
The Gurkha (Lope De Vega){4-k}(0.83) 2/1 Selective 3rd 2m Maiden Hurdle, Plumpton 2005
This season sees The Gurkha have his first crop of juvenile hurdlers. Lightly raced and having his racing career truncated after winning the 2016 Sussex Stakes, The Gurkha had only one attempt beyond a mile where he was a beaten favourite when runner-up in the Eclipse. Galileo was more than capable of producing sires of winning juveniles with 73.91% of his stallions having winners in the sphere. The Gurkha was described as one of his speedier sons, and his height of 15.3½ hands is perhaps shorter than ideal. Nevertheless, he was not short on class and his granddam was a half-sister to useful hurdlers Prospect Wells and Brooklyn's Gold. The first son of The Gurkha to appear on a Triumph Hurdle list is the J P O'Brien trained, and J P McManus owned, Champion Green. A maiden after three starts, his best effort came on his second outing when fifth in a seven furlong Curragh contest last November where he was beaten no more than a length and a quarter by four subsequent winners all rated at least 100. Making his seasonal reappearance in a Galway maiden over an extended mile at the end of July, he did not match that form, finishing three-quarters of a length behind a 77 rated animal. He did not settle during the contest, although this could be forgiven as it was his first run in nine months and he also ran fairly green in general. Stamina for hurdling can not be guaranteed on breeding as along with being by one of Galileo's faster sons, speedy types Etlaala (2/1) and Battaash (2/2) dominate the nearby damline. Notwithstanding, he was doing his best work at Galway towards the finish so the minimum trip over hurdles could still be within his scope. Champion Green is capable of winning races, but given the patchy nature of his profile, the 50/1 currently on offer for the Triumph Hurdle is more fair than generous.
Champagne Piaff bbg Gary Moore f4-1-0 (83) 86
Le Havre (High Chaparral){8-f}(0.85) 4/1 Kruguyrova 2nd Prix de Chambly (Listed 3yo Fillies' Hurdle), Auteuil 2006
Gary Moore has yet to win a Grade One juvenile hurdle, but has still done well with the likes of Goshen, Pace Shot and Nassalam and has long been a force to be reckoned with in the division. Several of his best were those he trained on the flat himself (Goshen, Chris Pea Green, Sussex Ranger, Altihar, Mister Chow) and his first such horse to appear on the Triumph lists this term is Champagne Piaff. A winner at the second time of asking last Autumn, when taking a Salisbury novice stakes on soft ground, he took his chance in the Horris Hill but found the step up in class beyond him. His return came in an eleven furlong Goodwood handicap at the end of July where he finished sixth of eleven, three and a quarter lengths from the winner. Champagne Piaff travelled well enough, but did not look entirely straightforward under pressure. Sire Le Havre has had one winning juvenile from five in Britain and Ireland, a fairly standard figure which is reflected in his winner/runner rate in France which stands at 18.92%. High Chaparral has a good record in this discipline as a sire, but is not as successful a damsire and the nearest jumps relative on the damline is the talented Kruguyova at 4/1. Nevertheless, there is enough to like about Champagne Piaff's profile and his overall flat form is encouraging when accounting for the fact that of the seven who were rated 75 and above for Gary Moore on the flat before going juvenile hurdling, five were winners who each recorded RPRs of 115 or better. The yard likely has stronger recruits imported from France, but there is enough to suggest that Champagne Piaff should at least be up to winning in the division should he go down that route.
Too Friendly bg Dan Skelton f6-1-2 (85) 91 (George Scott)
Camelot (One Cool Cat){14-c}(0.86) 2/2 Arch Stanton 2nd 3m½f Handicap Hurdle (97), Roscommon 2018
In 2019, the Gredleys sent Allmankind to Dan Skelton for whom he won graded contests at Cheltenham and Chepstow prior to placing third in the Triumph. Last season, Stepney Causeway followed suit and landed a four timer during his first campaign in the sphere. This time around, the first such horse is set to be Too Friendly who left George Scott with a rating of 85. Placed on his first two racecourse appearances at Lingfield over the winter, Too Friendly returned after a break to win the ten furlong maiden at Doncaster's Lincoln meeting, winning under a confident ride with something to spare from dual subsequent winner Dhushan. He then took a step up in class when contesting the Listed Blue Riband Trial at Epsom and while he finished sixth of eight, it still marked a career best. Too Friendly had taken a keen hold at Epsom and though cheekpieces were applied for his two subsequent outings, they failed to negate the issue as he finished closer to last than first in handicaps at Royal Ascot and at Newmarket. In Dan Skelton, Too Friendly joins one of the strongest yards in the division who along with a healthy winners to runners rate of 38.96%, also boasts some talented sorts in Bedrock, Azzuri, Nube Negra and Cabot Cliffs along with the aforementioned Gredley representatives. None of George Scott's six former inmates have won in the division, including Olympic Odyssey, a son of Camelot, who joined Harry Fry for six figures in 2018. Camelot made a strong start to his career as a stallion in the division with his first crop spearheaded by Sir Erec and Gardens Of Babylon. However, his winner/runner rate has flattened down to 22.58% with only one of his nine runners finding the winners enclosure last term. One Cool Cat has a 30% winner/runner rate as a damsire, but while Too Friendly's granddam was the highly talented filly Marling, jumpers are a sparse breed on the damline with moderate Arch Stanton (2/2) being the only nearby relative to show form in the sphere. Overall, Too Friendly's profile is much like the curate's egg as the positives are often negated by negatives. While he would have every right to win in the sphere, one would like to see more consistency in the profile before getting too enthusiastic.
Impulsive One bg Nicky Henderson f8-1-5 (80) 85 (William Haggas)
Union Rags (Lonhro){4-m}(1.77) 2/2 El Picador 1st Juvenile Hurdle, Musselburgh 2019
Impulsive One is not yet featured in the Triumph lists, but given that he is owned by Simon Munir and has recently joined Nicky Henderson, his inclusion might not be too far away. Previously trained by William Haggas, whose former inmates have a healthy 31.82% winner runner rate in the division, Impulsive One won his penultimate outing as a two year old when landing a Bath nursery off 73 last September. Though yet to taste success this term, he placed third in handicaps at Ripon and Redcar over eight and ten furlongs respectively, before finishing second of four back at Ripon over twelve furlongs on his latest outing. Impulsive One travels well in his races, and seemingly has little issue with middle distances. However, there does appear to be a marked preference for firm ground and his pedigree offers little respite in this regard. American bred, he is from a Union Rags x Lonhro cross which, while not alarming where stamina is concerned, does not forebode much success over hurdles. Some horses on the distaff side have performed on soft, and the moderate winning juvenile El Picador appears at 2/2 on the damline. Ground concerns and the lack of jumping credentials from sirelines are obviously detrimental to the overall profile. Nevertheless, he is not without stamina or quality so while sights might have to be kept low and on specific targets, Impulsive One can still be competitive in the sphere.
Laishann chg Gordon Elliott f2-0-1 (-) (Francis-Henri Graffard)
Footstepsinthesand (Teofilo){6-e}(0.57) 3/3 Kyalco 3rd Prix du President de la Republique (G3,62), Auteull 2017
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/laishann
Another graduate of the Arqana Summer sale, Laishaan was picked up by Gordon Elliott for €82,000. However, in contrast to the Mullins roll call, the master of Cullentra has not been so successful with his Arqana recruits as with the exception of Vercingetorix who was bought privately, his three purchases failed to win in fourteen attempts as juveniles (although Cause Of Causes would eventually go on to finish second in the Grand National). Notwithstanding, the yard's overall record with French flat recruits does make for better reading with half of the fourteen said horses winning as juveniles including Farclas, Clarcam and Mitchouka. A twice raced maiden on the flat for Francis-Henri Graffard (whose sole export Farout won a Cork four-year-old maiden for Willie Mullins in May), Laishann finished a staying on fourth at Granville in May prior to finishing second behind Parmenion at Craon. Ridden more prominently on that occasion, he proved no match for the Mullins bound gelding but showed a good deal of tenacity to hold on for second. The form of the race is touched upon in Parmenion's profile and through Ker Welen a rating in the mid seventies seems appropriate for Laishann. The Footstepsinthesand x Teofilo cross is not without promise as while neither have produced any top class juveniles, both produce more than their fair share of individual winners as sire and damsire respectively. Rather unusually for an Aga Khan bred, Laishann's pedigree is not teeming with jumpers as the closest notable relative is the good handicap chaser Kyalco at 3/3. Laishann (for the time being at least) is set to represent a leading yard and he has the potential on paper to be useful, but he would not be an obvious sort for top honours at this juncture.
Ebasari bg Willie Mullins f6-0-1 (72) 77 (Micheael Halford)
Lope de Vega (Azamour){13-c}(1.77) 3/1 Ebaziyan 1st Supreme Novices' Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2007
In 2005, the Aga Khan bred Ebaziyan left John Oxx's yard for €150,000 as a three-year-old. While he would not see a hurdle in public until he was six, he made up for lost time by landing the Supreme Novices' Hurdle for Willie Mullins. Sixteen years later, Ebaziyan's sister's grandson made the move to Closutton after leaving Michael Halford and the Aga Khan colours for €47,000 at the Goffs Online summer sale. Though he has yet to reach the frame in six outings, Ebasari has made progress this term and carries a rating of 72 which would be a fair reflection of his abilities. His best effort came last time out in a ten furlong Roscommon handicap when third of six off the same mark. He came into the race with every chance, although he has given the impression that he is either green or reluctant to put his best foot forward. Apart from the aforementioned Ebaziyan, Ebasari's pedigree is not massively encouraging as both sire Lope de Vega and damsire Azamour have below average winner to runner rates of 13.64% and 7.69% respectively. Both juveniles to have made the switch from Halford to Mullins were able to win during their initial campaigns so an average race could be within Ebasari's scope. Nevertheless, the yard will likely have stronger hands to play during the season.
Brunello bg Henry De Bromhead f2-0-0 (-) 76
Muhtathir (Peintre Celebre){1-l}(1.00) 2/1 Lone Ranger 3rd 1m7½f Maiden Hurdle, Wincanton 2013
Henry de Bromhead boasts an enviable record as a trainer of National Hunt horses which includes fifteen Cheltenham Festival winners, six of whom found glory in the 2021 edition. However, for all he has made an art of his profession, his record with juvenile hurdlers is less exceptional. Of the forty juveniles he has trained since 2004/05, only four (including Triumph winner Quilixios, who was trained by Gordon Elliott during much of the season) have been winners and only the aforementioned and Aspire Tower achieved RPRs exceeding 130. Nevertheless, he already has a charge listed in the Triumph markets in the shape of Brunello. Making his racecourse debut in a Tipperary maiden in April over an extended twelve furlongs, Brunello travelled well enough, if looking somewhat green under pressure, and was not disgraced in finishing midfield. His sights were set higher on his second, and latest, outing when taking in the Yeats Stakes - a listed race at Navan over thirteen furlongs. Starting at 80/1, he was predictably outclassed, finshing eighteen lengths behind the winner and beating just one home - but largely running to the same mid 70s standard of his debut. Sire Muhtathir (Quel Destin, Twinlight, Indietir, Kruguyrova) does very well with young hurdlers wherever they race (36.36% winners to runners in Britain and Ireland, 26.67% in France) and damsire Peintre Celebre is similarly strong in his role. Furthermore, while the average Lone Ranger is the closest jumps relative on the damline, useful types Baguette Magique (3/1) and Lounaos (3/2) are not too far removed. Brunello's inclusion in the Triumph lists is largely speculative at the moment and the yard already has a more substantial prospect in the unquoted Foxy Girl. Notwithstanding, while he and his trainer still have plenty to prove insofar as championship aspirations are concerned, there is enough in the pedigree to make him an interesting recruit.