Looking ahead to the NH season 2015/2016 proper

Diamond Geezer said:
Don Cossack, Roi Du Mee, Texas Jack and Rocky Creek the only four declared for tomorrow's JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal
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How disappointing is that ? It sort of backs up what I was saying earlier in the thread with regards to losing my enthusiasm for National Hunt racing. Heart breaking to see that line up for such a prize.
 
Danny said:
Haha :) Do you not agree that is a **** poor line up for such a contest ?
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Not really. The highest-rated chaser in training runs, the Charlie Hall is in direct opposition and has the best field for that race in years, and the other top-end horses all appear to have other near-term targets. Don't reckon it's a drama myself.
 
the poor is in the field size, the line up is top quality if Don runs and would still be classy without him.

I don't agree with the above 60%, if the pace will be a strong one it'll take more than 90% out of him. I think he should be aimed only at the top races instead. Plus there's also the risk of injury during racing which won't be present if he'll be trained at home. I don't agree with this strategy, you might argue it also went against him last year at Chelt..
 
Couple of tracker horses running so I hope you don't mind me mentioning them....by all means have a look and decide for yourself, these posts are for helping myself and hopefully others make a few beer tokens.

13.10 Ascot - Altior - Must have good ground, has lots of ability and form during spring does not do him justice.

2.00 Wetherby - The Druids Nephew - Was leading the Grand National before coming down at Valentines on the final circuit and I am sure that he will not be far away next time round. His jumping is generally sound and he showed that to good effect by winning the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase Grade 3 at the Cheltenham Festival. He has an entry for the Cheltenham Gold Cup which I think would be difficult for him to win due to the strength in depth in that race. If he were mine I would aim him at the Welsh National and then run him in a hurdle, skip Cheltenham and go for the Grand National. His young trainer is one I really like and I am sure his reputation will grow even more in the coming season Going – Won on all types of going Race Type – Grade 1 Chases – Welsh National and Grand National.

2.10 Down Royal - Clarcam - His record off a break of 31 days or more is now 32F28132 To date he has form figures of 22112113 over 2m1f – 2m4f whilst he has only won one of his nine starts over the 2m or 2m 0.5f trips. Clarcam ran seven times last season and won five of those; however if he had not come up against Vautour and Un de Sceaux he would have won another two. He won the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree staying on well to win his first race over 2 miles and four furlongs. My view is that he should be kept to this distance going forward as I don’t believe he has the speed to challenge the really top horses like Vautour and Un de Sceaux over two miles. He can make mistakes but usually they have come when he is going too quickly for his own comfort. He settled much better over the two and a half miles and can dominate that distance next season Going - Good to Soft or Yielding Race Type - Grade 1 Chases at 2 Miles 4 Furlongs

2.10 Down Royal - Shanahans Turn - Looked a real star in the making judging by his first two starts over fences, beating subsequent RSA third Wounded Warrior by three and three quarter lengths at Punchestown and then Indevan in a Grade 2 at the same course over slightly shorter. I don't think he stayed 3m1f at Leopardstown at Christmas time when fifth of seven to Don Poli,but he was entitled to run much better than he did, leaving connections scratching their heads. He carried on losing his way long into the new year, pulling up at Leopardstown in February, falling three out at Punchestown in May, and then only beating one home at Killarney in the middle of July, which was sad to see considering all the early potential he was showing us. But it was his next and most recent start that we finally got to see the real Shanahan's Turn back on song, when he demolished his field in none other than the Galway Plate, a showpiece race for the jumpers in the summer, and the beam on his trainer Henry De Bromhead's face was unbelievable. I think the key to Shanahan's Turn has finally be found. Give him 2m4f and a sound surface and he will produce the results.

2.15 Ascot - Baby Mix - But for injury he would have ran at the Cheltenham Festival. I think he is a very nice horse and is capable of winning a good prize over fences. Flat track, 2.5m, decent ground is his optimum.

4.00 Ayr - Aristo Du Plesis - 5yo g, Voix Du Nord/J’aime Three words best sum up Aristo Du Plessis; fast, fluent hurdler. By Group 1 winner Voix Du Nord, also sire of the useful Taquin Du Seuil, Aristo Du Plessis was a winner of three of his eight starts during the previous campaign. These successes came on his final three starts at Catterick (Feb 2015), Wetherby (March 2015) and Ayr (April 2015). Each of these races saw Aristo Du Plessis progress further through the ranks; Maiden Hurdle (109), Novice Hurdle (118) and Handicap Hurdle (120). He also handled both soft ground and good ground well. The final success at Ayr came in a fast time at the Scottish Grand National meeting, with Aristo Du Plessis a nose victor in a strong race. This game front running success (Jack Steel third, and the well fancied Turtle Watch fifth) further testimony to the bullet-proof constitution of Aristo Du Plessis. An absolute joy to watch under Dale Irving (three wins and a second from four rides on the horse), Aristo Du Plessis looks a fine convert for minimum distance (2m) Novice and Handicap Chases in the season ahead. His trainer James Ewart said of Aristo Du Plessis at his recent Owners Stables Open Day; “He is still only a five year old and I hope is improving both physically and mentally as he settles better in his races and always travels well. “(He) looks like 2m on a stiff, flat galloping track and better ground would suit him best. “His greatest asset is his jumping ability and on that note we really look forward to seeing him over a fence in the near future although he will probably start out in a Handicap Hurdle this season while we school him up at home over fences. “If he jumps fences as well as hurdles he will be extremely exciting.”

Hope these notes help, good luck whatever you choose to do.
 
While Descartes almost certainly wants further, it's just great to see Guillaume Macaire with a runner at Ascot (1:15) today.
 
Bonjers said:
I'll be disappointed if Clarcam turns over Ptit Zig.
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Was very keen on Clarcam myself but the market seems to be suggesting Ptit Zig. I would have them very evenly rated but Clarcam with the more scope for improvement and the benefit of a run already this season.
 
Really? His fall at in open company at Ascot aside Ptit Zig looked very good at his fences last year and Clarcam was advantaged in a few of his runs by the weight he got.
 
Agree that visually last season Ptit Zig was more impressive over his fences but to be fair to Clarcam, he won 3 from 6 and the three he didn't win were won by Vatour and Un de Seaux, he made a few jumping errors trying to race up with those two over 2m, a more sedate pace over 2m4f will be right down his street IMO, his win in Aintree is the most impressive piece of form between the two, again of course just my opinion!
 
The KG has looked the logical step for a while with this horse. Can see him running well in it.
I mean, it doesn't look the strongest renewal!
Don now confirmed also. Gonna be a cracker.
 
Glingerburn ok but has had 2 stitches in knee cut, trainer will see how he is in morning before making any plans.
 
Toffee said:
Couple of tracker horses running so I hope you don't mind me mentioning them....by all means have a look and decide for yourself, these posts are for helping myself and hopefully others make a few beer tokens.

13.10 Ascot - Altior - Must have good ground, has lots of ability and form during spring does not do him justice. WON :D

2.00 Wetherby - The Druids Nephew - Was leading the Grand National before coming down at Valentines on the final circuit and I am sure that he will not be far away next time round. His jumping is generally sound and he showed that to good effect by winning the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase Grade 3 at the Cheltenham Festival. He has an entry for the Cheltenham Gold Cup which I think would be difficult for him to win due to the strength in depth in that race. If he were mine I would aim him at the Welsh National and then run him in a hurdle, skip Cheltenham and go for the Grand National. His young trainer is one I really like and I am sure his reputation will grow even more in the coming season Going – Won on all types of going Race Type – Grade 1 Chases – Welsh National and Grand National.

2.10 Down Royal - Clarcam - His record off a break of 31 days or more is now 32F28132 To date he has form figures of 22112113 over 2m1f – 2m4f whilst he has only won one of his nine starts over the 2m or 2m 0.5f trips. Clarcam ran seven times last season and won five of those; however if he had not come up against Vautour and Un de Sceaux he would have won another two. He won the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree staying on well to win his first race over 2 miles and four furlongs. My view is that he should be kept to this distance going forward as I don’t believe he has the speed to challenge the really top horses like Vautour and Un de Sceaux over two miles. He can make mistakes but usually they have come when he is going too quickly for his own comfort. He settled much better over the two and a half miles and can dominate that distance next season Going - Good to Soft or Yielding Race Type - Grade 1 Chases at 2 Miles 4 Furlongs. Placed :)

2.10 Down Royal - Shanahans Turn - Looked a real star in the making judging by his first two starts over fences, beating subsequent RSA third Wounded Warrior by three and three quarter lengths at Punchestown and then Indevan in a Grade 2 at the same course over slightly shorter. I don't think he stayed 3m1f at Leopardstown at Christmas time when fifth of seven to Don Poli,but he was entitled to run much better than he did, leaving connections scratching their heads. He carried on losing his way long into the new year, pulling up at Leopardstown in February, falling three out at Punchestown in May, and then only beating one home at Killarney in the middle of July, which was sad to see considering all the early potential he was showing us. But it was his next and most recent start that we finally got to see the real Shanahan's Turn back on song, when he demolished his field in none other than the Galway Plate, a showpiece race for the jumpers in the summer, and the beam on his trainer Henry De Bromhead's face was unbelievable. I think the key to Shanahan's Turn has finally be found. Give him 2m4f and a sound surface and he will produce the results.

2.15 Ascot - Baby Mix - But for injury he would have ran at the Cheltenham Festival. I think he is a very nice horse and is capable of winning a good prize over fences. Flat track, 2.5m, decent ground is his optimum. Placed :)

4.00 Ayr - Aristo Du Plesis - 5yo g, Voix Du Nord/J’aime Three words best sum up Aristo Du Plessis; fast, fluent hurdler. By Group 1 winner Voix Du Nord, also sire of the useful Taquin Du Seuil, Aristo Du Plessis was a winner of three of his eight starts during the previous campaign. These successes came on his final three starts at Catterick (Feb 2015), Wetherby (March 2015) and Ayr (April 2015). Each of these races saw Aristo Du Plessis progress further through the ranks; Maiden Hurdle (109), Novice Hurdle (118) and Handicap Hurdle (120). He also handled both soft ground and good ground well. The final success at Ayr came in a fast time at the Scottish Grand National meeting, with Aristo Du Plessis a nose victor in a strong race. This game front running success (Jack Steel third, and the well fancied Turtle Watch fifth) further testimony to the bullet-proof constitution of Aristo Du Plessis. An absolute joy to watch under Dale Irving (three wins and a second from four rides on the horse), Aristo Du Plessis looks a fine convert for minimum distance (2m) Novice and Handicap Chases in the season ahead. His trainer James Ewart said of Aristo Du Plessis at his recent Owners Stables Open Day; “He is still only a five year old and I hope is improving both physically and mentally as he settles better in his races and always travels well. “(He) looks like 2m on a stiff, flat galloping track and better ground would suit him best. “His greatest asset is his jumping ability and on that note we really look forward to seeing him over a fence in the near future although he will probably start out in a Handicap Hurdle this season while we school him up at home over fences. “If he jumps fences as well as hurdles he will be extremely exciting.” WON :D

Hope these notes help, good luck whatever you choose to do.
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5 Tracker runners, 2 winners and 2 placed.
 
Hopefully I can post some winners, help members with their selections and earn a few beer tokens. I plan to do it each weekend as I have the time, although going through a job restructure and find my fate early December, so may not be able to keep it going.

I love the NH, live not far from Aintree, so if you ever fancy a day out then let me know. Same goes for everyone on here, members with great knowledge of the sport and I always feel it is nice to put a name to a face.
 
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