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"ONE
TO JUMP!!" 2000
HUNTER
CHASERS
EVAN'S COLLIER BOY brown gelding Supreme Leader - Little Treat
Trained By - David Brace
Comments - Evan's Collier Boy is an absolute star in my eyes, and on my
regular trips to the Welsh point-to-point circuit (great people who know
how to entertain their audience, regardless of the quality of horses on
show) I try and keep tabs on his progression. He's a tearaway really, who
is almost unbeatable around some of the tighter tracks, but he's genuine
enough, and I think he'd be popular under rules, he does have ability, and
when he matures enough he'll get an opportunity to show it
HORUS bay gelding Teenoso (U.S.A.) - Jennie's First
Trained By - David Pipe
Comments - Very promising youngster who last season improved to Open
Class, a fine achievement in his first year between the flags. Certain to
find more success this season, and there could be an interesting tug of
war going on at present for this horses services
IT'S HIMSELF bay gelding Rakaposhi King - Coole Pilate
Trained By - A J Martin
Comments - What sort of horse would this be if he jumps better? It's
Himself's win at Haydock on his British 'debut' had to be one of the most
extraordinary performances of the season, if you consider that he was all
but down at one of the early fences, and almost got brought down on the
second circuit. Yet from two out he cruised his way past Castle Mane and
co, and galloped up to the line. His jumping let him down in his
subsequent starts and must be Irelands best chance this season of winning
the foxhunters. Wonder if Tony Martin's thought about a National with him?
....
LORD HARRY bay gelding Mister Lord (U.S.A.) - Vickie's Gold
Trained By - Sheila Crow
Comments - Probably should be unbeaten under rules, as Alistair Crow sent
him an impossible task on his first effort at Bangor. He had a good season
between the flags and also when tried in hunter chases, culminating with a
brave win in the John Corbett Chase at Stratford. Could well progress to
warrant his place at Cheltenham this year.
QUARTERSTAFF brown gelding Charmer - Quaranta
Trained By - Mrs J Wilson
Comments - Useful point-to-pointer Quarterstaff has an interesting
pedigree, as he is a brother to Quango, a useful 1m/1m 2f winner and a
half brother to Quinlan Terry, who won the Cambridgeshire. He certainly
started his career the flags well, and is better than he showed at the
backend of last season. He should progress to Open Class between the
flags, and progress to win hunter chases in the north
POINT-TO-POINTERS
BLANVILLE (FR) bay gelding Pot D'Or (FR) - Nordica Iii (FR)
Trained by - Nigel Allen
Comments - Very useful as a youngster in France (Didn't realise Phillip Scouller owned him then). I cant remember him being beaten when he's completed in the last two seasons, and probably gave his rider a big thrill (and punters a coronary) when just getting up in a hunter chase in May. Worth trying again in Hunter Chases
DAWN'S COGNAC bay gelding Glacial Storm (U.S.A.) - Misty Venture
Trained by - David Brace
Comments - Dawn's Cognac developed into one of last season's better Ladies Open horses, winning on five of the seven occasions he completed, and also finished third in probably the best Ladies Open at Weston Park. Isn't the most straightforward of mounts, which may in part explain why he hasn't so far succeeded in Hunters Chases, but is definitely worth another go
EARL'S TOY brown gelding Erdelistan (FR) - Grandolly
Trained by - Richard Barber
Comments - Earl's Toy ran well in two bumpers, against Tribal King and Jameson. Purchased by Richard Barber at the Doncaster Sales, he should be good enough to at least lose his maiden tag this winter
ELLIEWELLIEWOO bay mare Syrtos (FR) - Ruby's Vision
Trained by - Caroline Egalton
Comments - Elliewelliewoo certainly made her presence felt last term, wining on her first three starts easily, by an aggregate of 50 lengths. She was raised to Open Class on her last start and would probably have brought up a four timer, but for a bad mistake four out, which removed her bridle, and caused her to have to be pulled up. That race was won in a decent time, which suggests that if Elliewelliewoo returns if that sort of form she should at the very least win in that company, though a return to rules seems also likely
ENERGIE SUD (FR) bay gelding Missolonghi (USA) - Pales V (FR)
Trained by - David Pipe
Comments - I feel one of the positive aspects of point-to-pointing is that is does give racegoers an opportunity not only to see a young star rising through the ranks, it sometimes does allow racegoers to see a top class animal sadly on the decline, but more often than not, still enjoy his 'retirement'. You do also get horses who, but for injury might have 'made it'. Martin Pipe has had a steady stream of these over the years, as has his son; As du
Trefle, and Slew Man were multi winners that spring to mind (actually they have been so many runners there were housed once at Pond House, that it would be in his interest to make the general public more aware of this, rather than allow them to get away with the charge that he is simply churning them out, and discarding them, once they've serve their purpose). Energie Sud is such an example. He had useful form in France prior to join Martin Pipe four years ago but failed to ever make to a racetrack. Evidently they have got him right, and a win for David Pipe this term would be a great testament to Pond House's skills and tolerance
FANDANGO DE CHASSY (FR) bay gelding
Brezzo (FR) - Laita De Mercurey (FR)
Trained By - Neil King
Comments - Purchased at May's Doncaster Sales, as far as I'm aware the
intention is to campaign this useful ex Irish chaser (a winner of staying
handicaps at Fairyhouse and Naas) in point-to-points. If this is the case
he will be hard to beat in his area.
FASGO bay gelding Montelimar (U.S.A.) - Action Plan
Trained by - Richard Barber
Comments - Although he has only won one race so far (an 18 runner Maiden
at Larkhill) Fasgo has hinted that there is plenty more to come. His
weakness last term was his novicey jumping, which capitulated when he came
under pressure, but for that his form figures of "3134" may have
looked a lot better. This may simply have been because Fasgo was still on
the weak side; therefore he could improve significantly on these effects
GILL'MAR (FR) bay gelding Le Naine Jaune (FR) - Lolomar (FR)
Trained by -
Comments - One of several horses Henry Daly has inherited from the late
great Captain Tim Forster. Never scaled the dizzy heights, but was good on
his day, and provided me with a golden moment when winning at the
rewarding odds of 40/1. That may be his level and it wouldn't surprise me
if he had a really good season.
HESSAC (FR) brown gelding Beyssac (FR) - Chic Lilie (FR)
Trained by - Caroline Bailey
Comments - Hessac may only be pocket-sized, but proved that he possessed
talent when coming second to Union Man (beaten 4lengths) on his debut. He
franked that effort by losing his maiden tag, next time out, although he
disappointed on his final effort. He should continue to improve this term,
although his progression may be restricted because of his build
INDIANA JOHN (FR) bay gelding Gay Minstrel - Boule D´or (FR)
Trained by - David Pipe
Comments - Another purchase from the May Doncaster Sales. Indiana John has
a nice pedigree, and hopefully should be able to find a maiden at the very
least
IRILUT (FR) brown gelding Lute Antique (FR) - Patchourie (FR)
Trained by - Mark Rimell
Comments - An interesting purchase by a sire that is starting to do well
in this country. As yet unraced in points, but again I expect him to lose
his maiden tag
IRISHEYESARESMILIN brown gelding John French - Laugh Away
Trained by - Caroline Bailey
Comments - Irisheyesaresmilin disappointed me a little last term as he
didn't progress as much as I hoped. That said two wins from four starts,
(He finished second on the other two occasions) is still a fair effort,
and he should still be placed to score…. I wonder if he actually is
being stretched by the distance, and I'd be interested to see him run in
one of the shorter hunter chases which occur in the second half of the
season
NOUGHTOSIXTY bay gelding Brevet - Arch Hall
Trained by - Caroline Bailey
Noughtosixty is an imposing individual, who had been off of the track
since winning a maiden at Horseheath in 1999. He began last season in the
Caroline Bailey yard ran with promise, winning a televised Restricted at
Tweseldown in January. Still on the immature side, which to some extent
reflected in his form, he could well improve significantly on that form
with another summer on his back
PHILTRE bay gelding Phardante (FR) - Forest Gale
Trained by - Mrs H L Needham
Comments - Considering he was only six, I thought Philtre did well last
term, winning on his first two efforts, and then lost nothing in being
defeated by Strong Chairman, and Key Debate on his subsequent two efforts.
Slightly disappointing in the John Corbett on his final start, but with a
summer off, and further improvement guaranteed. He should do well, either
between the flags, or eventually in hunter chases
SEE MORE SENSE brown gelding Seymour Hicks (FR) - Flower Of Tintern
Trained by - Richard Barber
Comments - See More Sense is probably a horse we'll see under rules in the
next couple of seasons, however he should make his presence felt between
the flags this time around. It is hard to knock him, having gone against
normal convention and won a restricted on his debut at Milbourne St
Andrew, and then amazingly only failed by 1 1/2 lengths to hold Millyhenry
in a Men's Open. He is, in my view, certain to win, either in Open races,
or in Hunter Chases
SHOEMAKER bay gelding Good Thyne (U.S.A.) - Kalanshoe
Trained by - Bill Warner
Comments - Whilst Union Man was tantalising the taste buds of most point
to point fans, the Warner stable were aware that they had been duly
blessed last season. Shoemaker only ran the twice, but on each occasion at
Guilsborough, and Clifton on Dunsmore hinted that he possessed the
potential to be a smart point to pointer. If that impression were
fulfilled, you would expect him to develop into an Open horse hopefully by
the end of the season.
THE EARTH MOVED bay gelding Brush Aside (U.S.A.) - S T Blue
Trained by - Richard Barber
Comments - The Earth Moved improved on his first season, despite only
appearing three times. His jumping with was his weakness improved, and
although he only won once, he suggested that there was plenty more to come
this time around. He should win again this season
WORKING LUNCH bay gelding Brush Aside (U.S.A.) - Lucy Lorraine
Trained by - Richard Barber
Comments - Another purchase during the summer by Richard Barber, Working
Lunch has had only one effort under rules finishing a promising forth to
Go White Lightning at Hereford. Again I'll be hoping that he wins a race
or two this season
ZAFAN chestnut gelding Zafonic (U.S.A.) - Anjuli
Trained by - Don Cantillon
Comments - There aren't many Zafonic's running over jumps, never mind in
point to points, but although his current record of one win in a Dingley
maiden, suggests nothing. If however you saw his debut at Fakenham, when
he travelled strongly throughout before being eased, coming home in his
own time, then you'd agree that this horse is definitely better than he
was allowed to show. At the very least Zafan should win in Restricted
Company, and hopefully will justify his inclusion in my 'Ten to Follow'
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