The NH Season 2013 /2014.........proper

Willie Mullins to significantly increase number of runners in Britain, according to Alan Lee in The Times.
 
Spring Heeled won a very competitive novice chase in Killarney last night from Burn and Turn and co. Kerry National is on the agenda for this Culloty horse. Jim reports Lord Windemere back in training with Hennessy At Newbury as first big target.
 
from Chris Cook:

Chris Cook at Ditcheat theguardian.com, Monday 2 September 2013 13.21 BST
Paul Nicholls paraded 81 horses at his owners' day on Sunday 1 September, an annual gathering that serves to build anticipation for the core of the new jumps season, now around six weeks away. He discussed each horse and what follows is a summary of his comments, supplemented, on occasion, with his notes from his newly published 'Horses in Training' brochure.


It is a strong squad, which would be the envy of any jumps trainer, with two exceptions: Willie Mullins, the champion Irish jumps trainer, who has said he intends to run more of his horses in Britain this season, and Nicky Henderson, who seized the title of British champion last season after Nicholls had held it for seven years. Henderson has Sprinter Sacre and Bobs Worth among his team and is 1-5 with Ladbrokes to retain his crown.


Rocky Creek

A big, scopey chasing horse, he won last season as a novice at Doncaster, Warwick and in the Reynoldstown at Ascot. He ran at Aintree in the spring but it's not a track that really suits him, with the emphasis on speed. He might go straight for the Hennessy Gold Cup, which is a really good race for a second-season novice. There's no point running somewhere else beforehand, winning and picking up a 15lb penalty. He could end up with an entry in the Grand National. He should make a great staying chaser.


Just A Par

This is one for all your 'to follow' lists. We bought him in the middle of last season and he stayed on strongly to be second to At Fishers Cross at Aintree, which has obviously turned out to be really good form. He was very green and backward, we started out with a shell of a horse, really. He's done incredibly well here over the summer and he'll go novice chasing in the autumn at one of the bigger tracks. Hopefully, he can imitate Rocky Creek and win some nice races.


Rolling Aces

Started out two years ago in an Irish point to point in which he was second to Rocky Creek. He won races last season at Newbury and Wincanton that are working out well and then he was second to Opening Batsman in the Racing Post Chase. He didn't run after that, he was big and backward and not quite right. He's a good horse to run in second-season chases. We've won the Grade Two two and a half mile chase at Down Royal in early November for the last five seasons and that's where I'll probably start him off.


Saint Roque

He's dependent on good ground, we ran him once on heavy, which was a total disaster. He's a novice hurdler for the whole season but fences will be the making of him. He could start off in the Persian War at Chepstow in October and then we'll make a decision whether to stay over hurdles or go over fences this season.


Aiteen Thirtythree

He didn't run last season, he had a small injury and we gave him time to get over it. He came back in training on 1 July. He should be ideal for something like the Badger Ales Chase and then some decent staying chases. He's quite high in the ratings, which is not ideal. He might get a tentative entry for the Grand National.


On Blueberry Hill

We bought him at Cheltenham in April. He's a big, strong horse for a four-year-old, but he's also very green and backward. He'd won a bumper before he came to us but you wouldn't have thought he'd had a run. He'll probably turn out for a novice hurdle in early November but we've no plan to rush him. He'll be an awesome horse, hopefully, for novice chases next year.


Unioniste

Joined us as a novice chaser last summer and won the Paul Stewart Ironspine Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December, the first four-year-old to win the race. His form went off a little bit but he'd been in training for a long time, having come over from France, and the break this summer has done him good. He'll be ready from October and we might have a look at the Charlie Hall.


Sire Collonges

Won a novice chase at the first Cheltenham meeting last year but he likes good ground and the wet ground we had for a lot of last winter didn't suit him. He's strengthened up a lot and will be aimed at the three-mile chase at the first Cheltenham meeting. I think this season we'll have a lot of fun with him.


Aldopicgros

Owned by the Million In Mind syndicate, he was green but ran away with a bumper in the French provinces in April. We've had him a month. He looks a really nice type, he's been schooling for about two weeks and he should be ready to make his debut at Chepstow on 12 October.


Al Ferof

He's been a fantastic horse for us, winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup last November before getting a minor leg injury that ended his season. He got the trip well on soft ground in the Cheltenham race, which surprised us a little. He's been back two weeks, he had his first canter on Saturday and I've been very pleased with the way he looks and the way he goes. His first target is the King George on Boxing Day and we might get a run into him beforehand. Ultimately, John [Hales, owner] would like to run him in the Gold Cup.


Caid Du Berlais

A juvenile hurdler last season, when he was second in the Fred Winter. He was a shell of a horse then and he's done well through the summer. I suspect we'll start over hurdles with him this season, though fences are an option. He'll win plenty of races, whatever he does.


Sam Winner

This is a horse that made a fool of Ruby and I last season. He ran well on his reappearance at Sandown, Ruby jumped off and said, don't run him again before the Pertemps and he'll win it. Of course, we listen to Ruby, so we didn't run him over hurdles again, though he won a jumpers bumper at Kempton in January. Then in the Pertemps, he ran an absolute stinker, jumping moderately; we were mystified. Anyway, he's come back fresh and well. He'll have a sharpener over hurdles and then he'll go novice chasing again. [He ran twice over fences two seasons ago but fell both times]


Harry The Viking

He was overfaced in the Grand National, which he didn't really like. He had a breathing operation this summer and he's come in looking the best I've seen him since he's been with us. He'll be ready to run at the end of Ocober and I'm sure he'll be winning again. Wet ground doesn't suit him.


Kauto Stone

A horse who makes me pull my hair out. He always seems to win first time out and then loses his way. He'll go back to Down Royal for the three-mile Grade One he won last year and we'll try to keep him fresh and well after that, he'll spend a lot of time in the field. He's the sort of horse who might be suited by the Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan at the end of the season, which is worth a lot of money.


Provo

Won a novice hurdle at Wincanton last autumn and was second at Exeter. The ground was wrong for him in the spring and he wasn't quite right. He's strengthened up over the summer and will now go novice chasing. We'll find a beginners' chase for him at the end of October when there's a bit of cut in the ground.


Easter Day

He had a fantastic last season, winning three from five and running second in the Challow. He had one run too many when he went to Aintree in the spring. He'll go novice chasing and jumps really well. He'll be ready to run from 1 November, as soon as there's some cut. He was always going to be a chaser.


Saphir Du Rheu

We bought him in September last year and he won at Taunton before disappointing us in the Fred Winter, when he didn't jump as well as he should have done. We put him away after that. I think he's still handicapped to win over hurdles, so he might have one more run before going novice chasing but fences should be the making of him.


Howlongisafoot

A winning pointer in Ireland before we bought him in the spring. He won a bumper for us at Newton Abbot in April and will now go novice hurdling. He jumps nicely.


Urubu D'Irlande

This is a nice horse who's won both his starts, in a point before he came to us and then in a Taunton bumper last year, the form of which is working out. Unfortunately, he then had a bad bout of colic and we decided to leave him to start again this season. He'll be a nice horse to follow and will be in novice hurdles once we get some decent ground.


Very Noble

The ground was too heavy for him when he was seventh at Taunton. There's lots to come from him and he's done very well in the summer. He should be out in a novice hurdle in October.


Hawkes Point

He started off last season by running second to Opening Batsman, which we now know is very good form. Then he won at Exeter. He had a wasted journey to Ayr at the end of last season, when it was heavy, waterlogged in places as he was being loaded into the box down here and good to firm by the time he got up there. Soft ground is ideal for him and he'll definitely have an entry in the Welsh Grand National. He stays forever.


Sea Wall

A lovely, big, scopey horse, he was quite backward last season and was green when fourth in a Wincanton bumper on his only start. There should be huge improvement from him this year. He probably would win a bumper if we wanted but it's more likely that he'll go straight over hurdles and he'll go over fences in time. Whatever he does over hurdles will be a bonus.


Scotch Dry And Ice

Was with Richard Barber to get experience from pointing last year. He took quite a heavy fall, then he won a maiden but he had a small injury, which probably came from the fall. He's been given lots of time and looks great now. He'll be in novice hurdles from mid-November. He's a big, scopey horse who ought to do well.


Merrion Square

Had a break before winning the Grand Military Gold Cup last season. He's done well over the summer but is probably in the grip of the handicapper, though I'm sure he can win another handicap somewhere. He'll run in the three-mile handicap chase at the first Chepstow meeting. He's probably better on decent ground. He's still a novice over hurdles.


Silviniaco Conti

Beat Long Run to win the Betfair Chase last November, which was a special day because Clifford [Baker, head lad] got to parade Kauto Star. We kept Silviniaco fresh for the Gold Cup after that and he won the Denman Chase the month before at Newbury. He was travelling well when he fell at the third-last in the Gold Cup and you have to think he'd have been close, second or third at the very worst. He went to Aintree but didn't jump with his normal fluency. He's ready to go, he's only seven and I think he'll improve enormously as he strengthens up. He'll go straight to the Betfair Chase, probably, though nothing is set in stone. The King George is in the equation and the Gold Cup.


Rebel Rebellion

He won at Exeter and Sandown as a novice chaser last season. He always goes well fresh, he jumps nicely and he's a possible for the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter or Ascot the Saturday before. He's not going to win the Champion Chase but he always gives his all and he loves soft ground.


Dodging Bullets

Won impressively a couple of times at Cheltenham, then was third in the Christmas Hurdle despite being a novice, which was top-class form. But he ran two deplorable races in the spring and we've never put our finger on why. He's had a lovely holiday, he looks great and he'll run over hurdles at Kempton on 20 October if the ground's OK. Then we'll make a plan whether he stays over hurdles or goes chasing.


Ceasar Milan

Came to us from Ian Ferguson in Northern Ireland, who got him to win an Irish point and a couple of bumpers. He's a nice type to start over hurdles from November onwards and he should make a staying chaser in time.


Vesperal Dream

He's a maiden over hurdles and fences, rated 125 over hurdles. He'll be ready to run in mid-October and I suspect we'll start him in a novice handicap chase or novice handicap hurdle, possibly at Newton Abbot on 11 October. He has schooled and I have to say he was electrifying.


Virak

He had two runs at Pau in January, he ran second and then won. We bought him after I was impressed by watching his runs on video. Ruby was really taken with him. He's done well, physically, and I suspect he'll make his debut in Chepstow's Silver Trophy. Then we'll decide whether it's hurdles or fences for him this season.


Valco De Touzaine

I don't think he fully acclimatised last season and I don't think he liked the soft ground he kept meeting but he's done incredibly well in the summer and he really needed a break. He'll go straight over fences. He schooled this week and he was electric. He'll run at Chepstow on 12 October or at Cheltenham the next week.


Ptit Zig

Won first time out for us at Ludlow and then was third in the Fred Winter, when he didn't jump particularly fluently. He really appreciated the better ground at Sandown when he won there in April. Then he ran in a valuable race in France, where he was second to a double Grade One winner of Willie Mullins's. He'll have one run over hurdles to start the season but he's got chaser written all over him and it won't be too long before he goes that way.


Black Thunder

He didn't win last season but he ran some good races and he probably should have won at Haydock, when he got trapped wide and finished strongly but got beaten a neck. He went up in the weights for that and we were always struggling with him after. He doesn't want heavy ground. He'll be early out in a beginner's chase and will hopefully progress. Chasing was always going to be his job.


Lac Fontana

Third behind Forgotten Voice at Kempton in February, he ran as well as could be expected when eighth in the Triumph. He's a maiden for this season, which is ideal. He was inexperienced with his jumping in the Triumph but he's done incredibly well this summer, he's really stregthened up, he's already been schooling and he jumps nicely. He might run at Chepstow in mid-October and hopefully he can progress as Dodging Bullets did last season.


Celestial Halo

Ran a fantastic race at the Festival to be second at 40-1 to Solwhit in the World Hurdle. Aintree came too soon for him but then he won the Prix la Barka in France in May. He's a great horse for a nine-year-old. He'll be out for all the good staying hurdles at Newbury and Ascot, maybe even Wetherby, and I'm sure he'll win more races.


Dildar

He's been quite frustrating to train and he's not done particularly well the last two summers. He ran a blinder when narrowly beaten on his reappearance last season but he was disappointing the next time and we decided to give him a good break after finding out that he wasn't right. For the first time ever, he's come in looking really, really well, so he'll go to Ascot on the first Saturday in November and we'll see how he progresses from there.


Sound Investment

He won a couple of times last season but he was always a bit babyish. He'll possibly progress to novice chasing but I hope he can win his handicap hurdle first time out this season.


Buck's Bond

Won a novice hurdle and a novice chase from five starts last season. I hope he's ready to run in a staying handicap chase at Wincanton. He stays very well.


Wilton Milan

Won twice for us last season after a midwinter breathing operation but he was probably overfaced in a Grade One the last time. He has a lot of growing up to do but I think he can win a handicap hurdle before going over fences.


Southfield Theatre

Won three times from four starts last season and is still eligible for novice hurdles until 1 November. At some stage, we'll make a plan as to whether he goes over fences this season.


Southfield Vic

A year younger half-brother to Southfield Theatre, he won a bumper when he was with Bob Buckler last season. He's just starting over hurdles now and it'll be a long way before he's ready to run in novice hurdles.


Pay The King

Won an Irish bumper before we bought him. He was third in a couple of maiden hurdles on soft ground he didn't like. He's got a nice handicap mark and I'm sure we can be winning with him soon, probably on good ground.


Jump City

He's a tough horse for the smaller West Country tracks, over two miles or two and a half, depending on the course. I'm sure he'll be winning again on some cut.


Fago

He had some good form in France before joining us and duly won first time up at Newbury. He looked like he would have won the Kingmaker at Warwick, but he fell and so we ran him again at Sandown, where he ran moderately. He was probably over the top by the time he ran at Aintree in April. He's done well for a good break over the summer and I think there's plenty still to come from him. Two and a half miles will suit.


Current Event

He's been a good horse for his owners, winning at Kempton in the autumn and Perth in June. He's probably on a very high handicap mark now but he always seems to win at some point and I'm sure he can win again if we place him in the right races.


Black River

A big, scopey four-year-old who won both his novice hurdles in France. The intention was to go novice chasing with him first time and not to rush him but 134 could be an attractive mark. He might have one handicap hurdle before going over fences.


Vicente

We bought him in the spring and we like him. He was placed in a couple of French bumpers and was second over hurdles at Auteuil; the winner has won again and the third, beaten 30 lengths, won next time, so the form looks good. He jumps very, very nicely and he'll be ready to run in some good novice hurdles as soon as there's some cut.


Salubrious

Became our 33rd Cheltenham Festival winner in the Martin Pipe and was possibly a little over the top when fifth at Aintree, though that was also a good run. He's probably on the limit of his handicap mark, so he'll go novice chasing from early October. He likes decent ground. He's been schooling already and I'm sure he'll make a really smart chaser.


Benvolio

Was a winning pointer in Ireland but took a while to find his feet last season. We gave him time and he bounced back to win twice at Wincanton in the spring. He looks fantastic now. He might have one more run over hurdles but it won't be long before he goes chasing. He stays well.


Sametegal

A horse I really like. He won two of his six last year and ran good races in defeat, running third in the Triumph. He's ready to run in the four-year-old hurdle won by Dodging Bullets at Cheltenham in October. Then we'll take a view as to whether he stays over hurdles or goes chasing. He'll be very exciting when he jumps a fence.


Coward's Close

Had a breathing operation last season after a disappointing first run, then won at Exeter and Fakenham in the spring. He's a novice over hurdles to 1 November, so he'll go to the three-mile novice hurdle at Cheltenham's October meeting and then chasing.


Tidal Bay

A fantastic horse to be involved with. He won over hurdles at Wetherby, then he was second in the Hennessy, giving weight to the winner, who went on to win the Gold Cup. He gave me one of the proudest moments of my career when he won the Lexus in Ireland, just getting up on the line. Ruby said he was always going to get there, but it didn't look that way to me! He picked up an injury that day that wiped out the rest of his season but he's fully recovered now. He seems as good and as enthusiastic as ever. We're hopeful there's still another good race in him and we'll probably follow the same sort of route this year as last.


Ulck Du Lin

Won a couple of novice chases at the end of last year but things didn't go to plan in the spring. He made a bad mistake at the third-last in the Grand Annual, then we sent him on a retrieval mission to Newton Abbot and he unseated Ruby at the third. He's only five, he's grown up a bit and he can win some good handicaps this term. He probably wants further than two miles.


Far West

He's done nothing but improve, winning four times over hurdles before running second in the Triumph behind Our Conor, one of the best Triumph winners I've seen. There's a long way to go to get him fit at the moment. I'm confident he'll be exciting when he jumps a fence but he'll start over hurdles.


Tagrita

Made all to win her only point in Ireland, beating a horse who won a beginners chase at Listowel on her first start under Rules. We're pleased with her and she'll be running in mares' novice hurdles.


Tara Point

A big four-year-old mare from the family of Mr Pointment, who won a Becher Chase for us. She looked like winning in her points debut before falling, then won impressively next time. We're very pleased with what she's done and she'll be running in mares' novice hurdles, though her future will be over fences.


Fascino Rustico

Won a bumper in the north before joining us, then ran fourth in a good Cheltenham bumper in November on very soft going. That exposed a breathing problem, so he had an operation but the ground was again less than ideal when he ran in the Champion Bumper in March and he ran too free. He'll go novice hurdling. He hasn't been a natural over hurdles so far but we're doing lots of work with him.


Lumpy's Gold

We bought him at Doncaster sales after he ran in a couple of points in Britain. He would have won on his debut but fell at the last, then won next time. He will make a staying chaser but for now he'll be in novice hurdles over two and three-quarter miles or three miles. He's been schooling, he jumps nicely and stays forever.


V Neck

We sent him to Richard Barber last winter for experience in points and he won his only start very impressively. He's been with us a month and jumps nicely. He'll have one run in a bumper and then novice hurdles.


Varom

We bought him after he won a bumper in France and then he ran third in a Haydock bumper last autumn. He didn't run again because he was never quite right in the spring. He's just started schooling and he'll definitely be winning his novice hurdles but he's got chaser written all over him.


Silsol

Was trained in Germany and won on the Flat in northern France last autumn. We did plenty of schooling with him in the spring but opted not to run him because we thought he might benefit from more time and we didn't want to give up his novice status too cheaply. He's returned looking well, he's been schooling this week and he's a really nice type of horse. He'll be ready for novice hurdles from the end of October.


Sonofvic

A brother to Aiteen Thirtythree, he missed last season with a small bit of leg trouble from his fall at the Cheltenham Festival 18 months ago. The break has probably done him the world of good and he's still a novice over fences. We'll find a beginners chase for him somewhere, possibly at Chepstow at the end of October. He could make a nice chaser.


Broomfield

A big, scopey horse who ran in a couple of bumpers and a maiden hurdle at the end of 2011 but had a small injury and has been given lots of time off. He's back cantering now and should be ready for novice hurdles from November. We like what we see from him. Ultimately, he should make a chaser.


Minellahalfcentury

I liked the look of him and we bought him cheaply at Cheltenham sales after he'd been placed in three Irish points. We sent him to Wincanton for a novice hurdle in February, thinking he'd probably need the run, but he won 10 lengths. He'll start in handicap hurdles this season and will need a couple of runs for experience before making a lovely novice chaser.


Dark Lover

Missed the season before last through injury but did well as a handicap hurdler last term, winning twice at Cheltenham before Christmas and then running fourth in the Betfair behind My Tent Or Yours. He was probably over the top when he was third in the National Spirit. He'll be one of our leading prospects for novice chases over two to two and a half miles this season. He loves soft ground but can act on most surfaces.


Vide Cave

Was an impressive winner of his only hurdles start so far at Lion D'Angers in May, two months before we bought him. He remains a novice for the season and will stay over hurdles but is a chaser in the making. He's a gorgeous, big and strong horse.


There's No Panic

Won a couple of novice chases last October but never really had his ground last winter, it was too soft for him. I'm sure he'll progress and there's a handicap or two to be won with him. He might start off in the three-mile handicap chase at Ascot on the first Saturday in November.


Poungach

He won novice chases last season at Haydock and Kempton, the blinkers seeming to sharpen him up that last time. He needs to improve his jumping but he's an out-and-out stayer who could be ideal for the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton, so we'll try to have him ready to run for his life that day.


Cedre Bleu

Won a couple over fences last season but we struggled to find a suitable race for him later in the spring and he ended up running over three and a quarter miles, which he didn't stay. He might get three miles on a flat track but we'll stick to distances short of that for now.


Merehead

Won a novices handicap hurdle in 2011 but missed a couple of seasons with a few little niggles. He'll go straight over fences, he's got chaser written all over him and hurdles tend to get in the way. He's a ready-made novice chase winner and will be ready to run from November.


For Two

A big, scopey four-year-old who ran well in a couple of starts last season but we felt he was still a bit weak and we've given him plenty of time since. I suspect he'll start off in the hurdle race at Chepstow in October that we won with Hinterland last year but a novice chasing campaign awaits.


Wonderful Charm

Won the Persian War last October on his British debut, even though his breathing wasn't right. He had a breathing op and then went straight to the World Hurdle but he didn't fire on the day and Ruby still wasn't happy with his breathing. He's had corrective surgery in the summer and we'll find him a beginners' chase somewhere. He's a high class horse and I'm very hopeful he'll make a smart chaser.


Pacha Du Polder

He struggled a bit last season but then won a good handicap at Newbury when he got decent ground. He wants three miles on an easy track and he must have good ground but he seems in the grip of the handicapper just now.


Edgardo Sol

A tough horse, he ran consistently well in good company over hurdles and fences last season, starting with a second to Cue Card at Exeter. He's strengthened up again and I think he'll be better at two and a half miles now, rather than the two miles he was running over for most of last season. We'll continue to mix hurdles and chases with him.


Join Together

Was slightly disappointing last season. We thought he'd win on his first start back at Ascot but he was only seventh, then he was beaten just a neck in the Becher Chase. We aimed him at the Grand National but that didn't go well, as he was almost brought down at the third fence in his prep race and he didn't run any race in the National itself. He's a true stayer who wants very soft ground. We'll probably aim at the Welsh National and go from there.


Zarkandar

This is a fantastic horse, who won four of five starts for us last season. I'm convinced the Old Course at Cheltenham doesn't suit him; other than when he fell at Aintree in 2012, the only two times he's been beaten in Britain were both in the Champion Hurdle on the Old Course. We put blinkers on him for Aintree this year, where he beat The New One to win a Grade One. He's done really well this summer. I suspect he'll start off over two and a half miles at Ascot in November. Jared [Sullivan, part-owner] is very keen to try him over three miles.


Mr Mole

Beat Melodic Rendezvous to win a novice hurdle at Exeter last autumn and ran second in the Swinton when last seen. He's been a little bit frustrating in his running style but he's got loads of talent. We'll try him in a hurdle to see if he's progressed and then probably go novice chasing. I'm convinced he'll make a smart novice chaser in time.


Fox Run

Won novice hurdles at Worcester and Taunton last season but he was slightly immature and would have preferred better ground than he got most of the time. He'll be ready to run in a handicap hurdle over two and a half miles at the end of October and then go chasing.


Vibrato Valtat

Joined us from France last season and ran well over hurdles a couple of times without winning, running second on his hurdles debut to L'Unique of Alan King's who won a Grade One at Aintree in April. He's a ready-made novice hurdle winner and seems a lot more relaxed now.


Foggy's Wall

Won a couple of bumpers at Wincanton last season, though the ground was softer than I would have liked for the second of them. He's a decent horse who jumps hurdles nicely and we'll aim him at a novice hurdle at Wincanton on Badger Ales day.


Big Buck's

Won his 18th consecutive hurdles race at Newbury in December but unfortunately a small leg injury came to light soon after and we decided to put him away for the rest of the season. He's been back in a week now, which is really a week earlier than I wanted but he'd got so fat . . . He'll do six weeks of road work and start cantering in October. We'll look to give him one run before he tries for a fifth World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, possibly in the Cleeve Hurdle in January, so long as the ground isn't too bad. There's no reason why he shouldn't be as good as ever but we'll see how we go with him and take our time.
 
Digger said:
from Chris Cook:

Black River

A big, scopey four-year-old who won both his novice hurdles in France. The intention was to go novice chasing with him first time and not to rush him but 134 could be an attractive mark. He might have one handicap hurdle before going over fences.


This is one to follow, he's working up the gallops at Ditcheat like a good 'un lately in the hands of Donna the travelling head girl.
Click to expand...
 
Paul Ferguson writes a Jumpers To Follow book each season and here's his preview, if you want to order his book details at the bottom.

The final Classic of the Flat season may still be ahead of us, but the start of the new National Hunt season ‘proper’ also looms large and, to coincide with the publication of the seventh edition of Jumpers To Follow, Ben (NTF) has asked me to look ahead at what we can expect from the 2013-14 campaign.

To begin with, what has happened since the Punchestown Festival and the end of the 2012-13 season, which was dominated by the imperious Sprinter Sacre? The main talking point over the summer for NH fans was the decision of Ruby Walsh to part company with former champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, with the 34-year-old jockey announcing in May that he would concentrate on riding for his other main employer, Irish champion, Willie Mullins. The reason for the amicable split – Nicholls has been stated as saying that Walsh will still ride for him “when he is needed and when he is available” – is that the travel time was taking its toll on Walsh and his family. Daryl Jacob now takes the hot-seat, rather the hot-saddle, as Nicholls’ number one.

Interestingly, however, literally as I put the finishing touches to this feature, news is emanating that Mullins is intending on sending raiders to the UK “much more regularly with our better horses”. Great news for jumps fans in England, but it will be interesting to see if Walsh regularly travels over with these horses, as this would somewhat contradict the reason for the split with Nicholls. For the time being, a potential satellite yard in England is to be put on hold and only time will tell how regularly these raiders will actually appear on our shores. However, the prospect of a clutch of Mullins’ inmates travelling over for the Open meeting, for example, can only enhance the upcoming season. Given the number of high-class prospects Mullins has at his disposal in both the novice hurdle and novice chase divisions, it would seem a shrewd move to head over and keep some of those youngsters apart for as long as possible.

One horse from the stable that is unlikely to be travelling anywhere this season is the highly-regarded Pont Alexandre, as it was announced in mid-July that the Neptune third, named after a bridge in Paris, had picked up an injury that was likely to keep him out until the 2014-15 season. The five-year-old had promised to make up in to a high-class staying novice chaser this season, so it is very much hoped he returns next term.

Pont Alexnadre aside, Mullins has a hugely strong squad to go war with this season and his string will once again be headed by dual Champion Hurdler, Hurricane Fly. Anyone who has read my columns or publications down the years will testify to the fact that I was a fully paid-up member to The Fly’s fan club from an early stage, and the son of Montjeu is the obvious place to start when looking at the first division, the 2m hurdlers (I thought it easier to break this preview down into sections).

The Hurdlers…

Currently joint-favourite to land a third Champion next March, Hurricane Fly looks sure to find life tougher this season, with there being plenty of strength in depth among the younger up-and-coming hurdlers. He enjoyed a much smoother passage to Cheltenham last winter, though he is notoriously difficult to train and, of course, missed two Festivals (much to my ante-post annoyance, particularly in his novice season) through injury. Given that he will turn 10 this season, at this stage it would take a real die-hard Fly fan to be confident of him retaining his crown and, while I would love to see him strike again, the head rules the heart and it could be time to look elsewhere.

Compatriot Our Conor rounded off his unbeaten juvenile campaign with a bloodless success in the Triumph Hurdle, form that has been boosted since, thanks to Diakali and Blood Cotil, both at Punchestown and over in France, at Auteuil. Dessie Hughes’ four-year-old is set to kick off his campaign in the Tipperary Hurdle on 6th October, after which the intermediate hurdle at Down Royal on 1st November would appeal as a logical target. After this, he will be forced to carry Barry Connell’s silks (bought for an undisclosed, but presumably extremely large, fee after his Triumph romp) in open company and could meet Hurricane Fly for the first time in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. This should give us a strong indication of the pecking order on the other side of the Irish Sea.

Supreme Novices’ third Jezki is also likely to improve this season and could, too, form part of what looks a strong Irish hand in this division. Hugely impressive when reversing form with Champagne Fever at the Punchestown Festival, Jessie Harrington’s five-year-old is another who could head north to Down Royal and, this year, connections will no doubt opt to get a run into him before the Festival (absent from Christmas to the Festival last season, despite appearing to improve and thrive on racing in the first half of the campaign).

As for the British challengers, My Tent Or Yours is without doubt the most obvious contender for me and, granted he learns to settle better this season, he has the engine to win a Champion Hurdle. A high-class novice last season, when his finest hour came when bolting up off a mark of 149 in the Betfair Hurdle, his chance in the Supreme was compromised when Ruby Walsh slowed things up from the front aboard the aforementioned Champagne Fever, which set Nicky Henderson’s charge alight. He still looked all over the winner at the foot of the hill and, despite being outstayed by the previous year’s Champion Bumper winner, he saw the race out well enough to suggest the track is not an issue. Likely to be campaigned along the Binocular lines, the ‘Fighting Fifth’ at Newcastle and Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day appeal as obvious targets in the first half of the season.

Neptune winner The New One is a Cheltenham specialist and will, therefore, presumably be aimed at the International Hurdle in December, though I’m of the opinion that he may need 2m4f to shine this season, so his best chance of big race success in the spring could come at Aintree. The Ascot Hurdle on 23rd November appeals as the most likely starting point for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate, who could dominate over the intermediate trip, with Oscar Whisky set to go chasing and his Aintree conqueror, Zarkandar, likely to step up in trip.

That leads me on nicely to the staying hurdle division. It was nice to read during August that Big Buck’s was back home at Ditcheat and, at this stage, his planned return is likely to materialise in the Cleeve Hurdle in January, before a crack at regaining his World Hurdle crown. At the time of writing, he would, however, have to rate as a risky ante-post proposition, for those looking to place their seasonal ‘life changing Yankees’.

Stable-companion Zarkandar was a horse I was happy to take on last year over 2m, as I was never of the opinion he was quick enough to win a Champion Hurdle, but he showed when winning the Aintree Hurdle he could be a different proposition over further and I expect Paul Nicholls may want to try him over 3m sooner rather than later. Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle (30th November), a race he has won with Big Buck’s for the past four years, seems a logical starting point. If he sees out the trip, the Long Walk at Ascot and Cleeve at Cheltenham would become probable targets en route to a crack at the World Hurdle, for which he is currently a best price 8/1.

Last year’s winner Solwhit is likely to mop up on home soil before travelling over next March, though Charles Byrnes’ stable-star could well be facing stiffer opposition this time around and is another reigning champion who will be 10 by the time of the next Festival (Big Buck’s will be 11 if he makes the race).

Along with Zarkandar, Champion Hurdle third Countrywide Flame would be of huge interest if tried over this sort of trip, given that he stays so well on the Flat. There has been no statement of intent to this point from connections, however, but he looks to lack the pace to win a Champion Hurdle for me, so this route should be considered.

The most obvious heir apparent to the staying hurdle crown from last year’s crop of novices would be Albert Bartlett and Sefton Novices’ Hurdle winner At Fishers Cross. Rebecca Curtis’ six-year-old went from strength-to-strength last term and proved himself on quicker ground at Aintree, having looked thoroughly at home in deeper ground throughout the winter. He has to be considered a player for top honours in this division this season, but looks tight enough in the ante-post market at this stage, for what he has actually achieved to date.

The Chasers…

On to the chasers and the 2m division can be wrapped up pretty quickly, thanks to Sprinter Sacre. There is no need to dwell on this section for too long as, unless something untoward happens to Nicky Henderson’s son of Network, he should remain unbeaten over fences for a third successive season. His campaign maps itself out, with the Tingle Creek, the VC Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase the obvious three targets. If all is well after the Festival, he will presumably bid to land a second Melling Chase at Aintree, with the easy 2m4f trip not posing any problems to him in April.

The King George at Kempton on Boxing Day has been mentioned as another possible mid-season objective for Sprinter Sacre, but at this stage in his career, I don’t envisage Henderson testing the water over 3m. One horse from the Seven Barrows yard that seems much more likely to be tried over further this season is last season’s Arkle winner Simonsig with Henderson sure to want to keep the pair apart.

The grey, of course, won the Neptune over 2m5f the season before and should have little trouble in staying the extra half-mile over fences. With that in mind, he appeals as an obvious contender for top honours over the intermediate trip this season, with the Ryanair the likely end of season aim, before which the Ascot Chase, a race Henderson won in 2011 and 2012 with Riverside Theatre, is likely to have been pencilled in. I’d say, at this stage, the King George is only a possibility for the son of Fair Mix, too, though in time I expect him to be tried over 3m. His ability to last home over that trip will largely depend on how well he settles, as he can be pretty keen at times.

Colin Tizzard’s Cue Card is currently the marker horse over 2m4f and he, too, is likely to be aimed at both the Ascot Chase and the Ryanair at Cheltenham, both contests in which he was successful earlier this year. The former Champion Bumper winner came of age of over fences last season and is the horse that Simonsig must aspire to pass. For me, Simonsig has the raw ability to do so, but must channel his energy in a positive manner in order to fulfil his untapped potential. In Barry Geraghty, he has arguably the best partner to make this happen.

Over in Ireland, Flemenstar should once again dominate over this trip, with Peter Casey stating that he will race over shorter in the first half of the season. The John Durkan at Punchestown in early December is likely to be his first major target, after which he is reportedly going to drop back in distance for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Assuming all goes to plan, the eight-year-old will then take his chance over 3m again in the Hennessy Gold Cup, a race in which he looked a clear non-stayer to me last year. Sadly, nowhere near his best when only third behind Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card at Aintree, it could be that he needs soft ground to show his true colours and he will remain difficult to beat up to 2m4f on home soil.

Of the 3m chasers, Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth is the obvious starting point. Nicky Henderson’s triple Cheltenham Festival winner is now five from five at Cheltenham and is a worthy favourite in the ante-post market for next year’s feature event. A gutsy performer, he looked in trouble when avoiding the fall of Silviniaco Conti three out, but stayed on in determined fashion, eventually outstaying Sir Des Champs. The eight-year-old raced just twice last term and is probably set for another light campaign, given he reportedly takes plenty out of himself nowadays. Given his liking for the track and the timing of the race, the Argento Chase at Cheltenham in late January looks the most likely stop en route to the Festival, whilst it was mentioned over the summer that he could even revert to hurdles at some stage in the first half of the season.

The Irish Gold Cup challenge is likely to be led once again by last year’s runner-up Sir Des Champs who would have appreciated better ground on the final day of the Festival, though so, too, would Bobs Worth to be fair. Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old had also won at the Festival in 2011 (Martin Pipe) and 2012 (Jewson), and it appeared that throughout last year that his whole season revolved around one race. Involved in a battle earlier than ideal, he was legless in the closing stages, so it was a brave effort to come out and subsequently land the Punchestown Gold Cup. I don’t expect there will be much between the pair this year.

The aforementioned Silviniaco Conti failed to bounce back from his Gold Cup fall at Aintree, but can be forgiven that run and, though he doesn’t appeal as an obvious Gold Cup contender, the Charlie Hall and Betfair Chase again appeal as obvious early season targets for Paul Nicholls’ flat track specialist. Along with returning stable-mate Al Ferof, the King George could well come under consideration, though we await an update on the latter’s wellbeing (should hear something any day now, in light of the stable’s Open Day on 1st September). The grey was, of course, last seen winning the Paddy Power off 159 last November and he gives the impression as if 3m around Kempton shouldn’t be a problem.

Last year’s novices didn’t look a vintage crop, with Dynaste probably the pick, leaving his Jewson second behind when winning impressively at Aintree. Again, at this stage, David Pipe’s grey appeals more as a King George candidate than a Gold Cup contender, with Haydock’s Betfair Chase an obvious starting point – he won the valuable fixed brush handicap hurdle on the card a couple of years ago and he clearly has the pace to handle the sharp track. It is also worth noting that he has won first time out in each of the past two seasons, so this could be his best chance of big race success in his first season out of novice company.

The final one I’d like to mention is Venetia Williams’ Katenko who was on a roll when impressively winning handicaps at Sandown and Cheltenham, admittedly off 136 and 147, respectively. Forced to undergo an emergency colic operation and, therefore, miss the Gold Cup, he remains fairly unexposed and a possible improver at the age of seven. Hopefully, he will return with a clean bill of health and will pick up from where he left off.

The ‘Dark Horses’…

Moving on to this season’s novice hurdle prospects and ‘dark’ horses, of which I don’t want to give too much away (unfair to those who have kindly already purchased Jumpers To Follow), I am particularly looking forward to West Wizard and Oscar Rock over hurdles.

The former looked a high-class prospect when winning a Kempton bumper impressively for Nicky Henderson and, given he carries the blue and white silks of Dai Walters, I’d expect to see him at Ffos Las at some point this season. He looks a lovely long-term prospect.

Oscar Rock won two strong Newbury bumpers for Harry Fry last season and is now in the care of Malcolm Jefferson. After beating Gone Too Far and O’Faolains Boy, he returned to the Berkshire venue to see off Vago Collonges and Caledonia, with Killyglass back in fifth. The form of that Listed event could hardly have worked out any better, with Killyglass, Vago Collonges and Caledonia filling the first three places in the Grade 2 at Aintree. Fry’s loss is very much Jefferson’s gain and the five-year-old can be expected to make up in to a high-class staying novice hurdler in the north.

Finally, a couple of un-raced (under rules) horses to look out for are Padge and Clean Sheet. The former beat subsequent Punchestown Festival winner Very Wood in his point-to-point in February, after which he was snapped up for £160,000 by trainer, Evan Williams. The four-year-old will carry the State Of Play and Cappa Bleu silks of the Ruckers’ and should have little trouble in winning a bumper, before going novice hurdling.

Clean Sheet is another ex-Irish points winner, with the four-year-old quickening up stylishly to score by 4 lengths at Dromahane. Trained by Enda Bolger, he has since been purchased by J P McManus and is a full-brother to Nicky Henderson’s Nelson’s Bridge. He is another who will probably start off in a bumper and looks to have a bright future.

Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14 features many more unexposed types and can be bought online at www.cc-publishing.co.uk or by sending a cheque / postal order (£9.95 payable to The Racing Insider) to:

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I don't think Zarkandar will stay three miles. He might not be up to winning a Champion Hurdle (although he wouldn't have that much to find) but he's well capable of winning further good races at two and two and a half.
 
Thanks Digger and DG for taking so much trouble to post such info.
With Rebel Fitz rated 152 ALREADY over fences and the aforementioned Culloty duo already referred to North Cork trainers could have a hand in a few big pots also....
 
Sam Winner going back over fences???? Achtung!! Did not look a natural over the bigger obstacles when tried 1st time around. Super engine on him, but really strange runs last season as PFN mentions. Not a horse i'll be punting ever again, unless he puts at least 3 or 4 good runs back to back.
 
Oliver Brett on C4

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson says his star chaser Sprinter Sacre is “looking absolutely fantastic” as he prepares the gelding for another assault on top prizes this coming winter.

But he warns the seven-year-old gelding’s growing legion of admirers to steer clear of the ante-post King George market, despite Sprinter Sacre being as short as 6-4 favourite for the Kempton Boxing Day feature.

In an exclusive interview with Channel 4 Racing, Henderson said: “They can put him in the betting all they like but it’s daylight robbery if they’re going to convince anyone to back him because he won’t even be entered.”

Instead, Sprinter Sacre, undefeated in 10 races over fences, is likely to take in an identical programme to last season – Tingle Creek, Victor Chandler and Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The horse had his first canter on Tuesday alongside defending Cheltenham Gold Cup champ Bobs Worth – “I call it a canter, but I could run faster myself”, joked Henderson – and he’s well aware how important it is for the sport that Sprinter Sacre remains a racing superstar through the 2013-14 season.

“Good horses are good for racing, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. Nobody enjoyed Frankel or Sea The Stars more than I did. People who love racing love good horses, that’s what it’s all about. For all the great days out for Sprinter last year, the staggering one was Punchestown [when he signed off his imperious season with a win in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase].

“It was the most extraordinary experience. Ireland is a great country and they love their horses there. The welcome and the reception they gave us afterwards was just unbelievable. They said it was one of the greatest days they had ever seen, and it was.”

Henderson is as confident as he can be at this stage of Sprinter Sacre having another outstanding season, but warns: “You know as well as I do that everything hinges on everything going well. They are fickle creatures, and you’ve got to be lucky.”

Bobs Worth only raced twice last year, though he won each time, taking the Hennessy Gold Cup before winning the Cheltenham feature itself. The light campaign was in no way intentional. “It was one bad tracheal wash and some bloody awful weather. He probably never really reached peak fitness last season. We were going to run him and a lot of the other top horses much more but the winter set us back.”

The Arkle winner Simonsig is another who will be primed for major prizes, and Henderson would prefer to avoid any potential clashes between him and Sprinter Sacre. “He’s a very easy horse to train in one sense in that he doesn’t need a lot of work and he’s very good at it. But he’s very susceptible to getting lots of infections at the wrong time. Three weeks before the Cheltenham Festival he was absolutely flying, then the week before he wasn’t quite right and he was very messy on the day itself, but yes, he won because he is that good.

“He started at over 2m 3f last year, and he won the Neptune the year before that. It all tells you he stays and I wouldn’t rule him out of the King George. Otherwise he’s going to have to go straight in and take on Sprinter Sacre which would be quite a pity.

Henderson’s embarrassment of riches includes Long Run, the two-time winner of the King George who will almost certainly defend his title again this Christmas. But Bobs Worth is unlikely to head to Kempton.

“It’s not a good track for Bobs Worth, who loves going left-handed and loves Cheltenham,” says Henderson. The Betfair Chase and the Charlie Hall Chase are the obvious prep races for Long Run and Bobs Worth, though neither horse is likely to tackle both of them.

The winter is still some way off, but right now there is plenty of excitement at Seven Barrows regarding the brilliantly versatile Forgotten Voice, who has already enjoyed a spectacular summer in which he won Royal Ascot’s Wolferton Handicap and a Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood over a mile and a half.

Forgotten Voice has the ability to be a Champion Hurdle horse


“He’s being prepared for a trip to Australia. He’s in the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup,” says Henderson. “I was talking to his jockey Johnny Murtagh and we think there’s nothing left for him much in England this year. He’s in good form, and goes on top of the ground. He used to be a miler but it took Barry Geraghty three races to get him to race our way. We’ve probably slowed him down but we taught him to race differently and Johnny said he’d rather ride him in the Melbourne Cup than a horse that gets two miles.”

That last comment may seem strange given that two miles is the exact distance of the Melbourne Cup, but so far Forgotten Voice has done just about everything asked of him. “We are seriously discussing it at the moment,” adds Henderson. “The paperwork is being prepared and we are intending to travel.”

Fascinatingly, this is a horse who won three novice hurdles as well last season, and his trainer refuses to rule out a possible tilt at a Champion Hurdle at some stage of his career.

“When he won the Dovecote at Kempton last February he was seriously impressive. But on the other hand as soon as they watered Aintree, which they did, My Tent Or Yours [yet another Henderson horse] absolutely hammered him. He wouldn’t have been beaten that easily if they hadn’t watered.

“The chances of him ever getting his ground in the Champion Hurdle are remote but he has the ability to be a Champion Hurdle horse. He jumps fences too, but I don’t think his owners would ever let me go chasing with him!”

In April, after a string of close defeats to Paul Nicholls, Henderson won his first trainers’ title since 1987, and he is determined not to relinquish it.

“I’ve still got the hunger, I want to go and win every bloody race there is and we’ve got a very strong team, both equine and human. It’s just about sorting out who does what and where they go. Oscar Whisky will go over fences. My Tent or Yours will have to come in as a Champion Hurdle horse, and Grandouet is one of those two. There’s an awful lot of good ones for those races and some good youngsters too.

“We just want to have a good year, but I don’t think Paul is going to lie down just like that. He’ll be trying like hell and we’ll also have Willie Mullins to contend with too. Imagine what he’s going to bring over here. It’ll make it difficult for us.”

Difficult yes, but given this latest clean bill of health among his proven stable stars, the Ladbroke’s price of 1-5 about him retaining his champion trainer title seems about right.
 
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