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Analysis & Selections by
Ò
rØøk
Whether
it be "th e race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we
will attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight the fancied
horses participating each day and their
characteristics and requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides
you with a winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a
particular may even convince you to back some of those horses which we
feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims.
whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
"ONE TO JUMP '04" - A selections of horses we believe are worth following during the national hunt season.
"Racing
News"
EUROPEAN
TRAINED CHASERS
3-Year-Olds
AALY STAR [FR]
gr, g. Medaaly - Miss Starlett
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Aaly Star is a three-year-old colt by Medaaly by a Village Star mare, who has seven times on the flat, winning once at Mont-De-Marsan in September ´02, as well as finishing second on four other occasions. He is well thought of and appears to be being aimed at some of the better juveniles events, so hopefully he will develop into pone of the better juveniles this winter.
BÎCA [FR]
b, g. Cadoudal [FR] - Libertina [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Bîca is a three-year-old by Cadoudal out of a Balsamo mare, who went straight into the notebook after a highly encouraging second to Nasha La Motte in the Prix Wild Monarch at Auteuil at the beginning of May. He looks like he´ll be much better in a few year over fences, however it´ll be interesting to see how his career develops with Guillaume Macaire.... [will he come to England to race?.. quite possibly]
CYRLIGHT [FR]
ch, g, Saint Cyrien [FR] - Yellow Light [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Cyrlight is am unraced three-year-old son of Saint Cyrien out of Yellow Light, who has produced several winners over obstacles. Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé will no doubt place this horse to good effect and it´ll be a surprise if he doesn´t get his head in front before the end of the season.
POSITIVE THINKING [FR]
b, g. Nikos - Haute Tension [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Positive Thinking is a three-year-old by Nikos out of Haute Tension, which makes him a half-brother to Hautclan, who won for the stable last term. I was hugely impressed with him when he won on his debut at the Prix Grandak Haies at Auteuil at the end of April and as Guillaume Macaire 's runners tend to improve with experience, you wont be too surprised if he were to take high rank in his generation, [probably over the larger obstacles]
4-Year-Olds+
BÅGDAD [POL]
b, g. Neman [POL] - Bogdanka [POL]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Lenka Horáková in the Czech Republic
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Bågdad is a four-year-old by Neman, who showed a bit of promise on the level last term, coming second on his debut over a mile at Karlovy Vary in August ´02, before failing to build on that in two subsequent efforts. He is bred to be better over obstacles, so it´ll be interesting to see how he fears, [he has been entered up].
DOUZE DOUZE [FR]
ch, g. Saint Cyrien [FR] - Kitkelly [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Douze Douze was a little disappointing last term have had such a lofty reputation and despite a good second to Best Mate in the Peterborough Chase, [despite him trying to demolish the last] failed to build on this in the King George IV Chase at Kempton on Boxing day, running far too freely and failing to get home. He gave Benoit Gicquel no chance of staying in the saddle nest time out at Ascot, but did beat El Paradiso to win a confidence booster over hurdles at Auteuil in March. There isn´t much mileage on the clock and he could well still find winning opportunities, however whether he comes back to the UK is open to debate.
DUC DE LA BRUNIE [FR]
b, g. Iris Noir [FR] - Allez Brunie [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Jacques Ortet In France.
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Duc De La Brunie is a five-year-old gelding by Iris Noir, out of a Fayriland Ii mare, who had a great season over fences last term for Jacques Ortet, winning four steeplechases at the beginning of the year at Pau, [three times] and Auteuil, where he won the 42,000 euro Prix Rivoli at the end of February. Hopefully he's done well during his summer break and I'd be hopeful of further improvement from him this winter.
HAUTCLAN [FR]
b, g. Chef De Clan [FR] - Haute Tension [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- It is quite a surprise that despite showing so much promise during the season, Hautclan only managed a sole win over hurdles at Nantes in October ´02. That said, he was placed on numerous occasions and his second in the Prix Rene Couétil Steeple-CH´ on his final start at Auteuil in April was arguably his best.. I´d be quite confident that there was more to come from this four-year-old, and it will be a major disappointment if he fails to make the frame.
IMPACT II [FR]
ch, g. Bad Conduct [U.S.A.] - Sirga [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Emmanuel Chevalier Du Fau In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Impact II is a seven-year-old gelding by Bad Conduct, out of a Polonium mare, who has been very lightly raced, only having run four times, mainly due to injury. He has won one race, the Prix de Penthièvre [Steeple-CH´] at Auteuil in May ´01 where he beat the useful Sardoum by 2½lengths. He hasn´t run since, however Emmanuel Chevalier Du Fau is a master of nursing horses back to health so if this horse retains his ability he could be capable of winning races this term
JACK DE TRAOU LAND [FR]
b, h. Nikos - Belzebuth [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Josef Váña in the Czech Republic
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Jack de Traou Land is a six-year-old gelding by Nikos, who is being brought along slowly by trainer Josef Vána. He´d previously won twice on the level at Bratislava and Slušovice in 2001, before showing promise over obstacles last term, culminating in a win in the Cena T-String Pardubice a.s. at Pardubice in September. He is lightly raced over obstacles and is open to plenty of improvement and hopefully will confirm this impression during the winter.
JAÏR DU COCHET [FR]
b, g. Rahotep [FR] - Dilaure [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- I thought Jaïr Du Cochet was really good over fences last term and it seems unjust to rob the horse of praise because of the xenophobia, which surrounds Jacques Ricou 's riding of the horse. Whatever we may feel Jacques Ricou has won 10 from 16 on the horse and whatever some may feel about his style, this partnership clearly do click together. It was fascinating how little comment was made about the speed that he and Le Sauvignon showed coming up the straight in the Feltham Chase in December, in stark contrast to the that of Best Mate and Marlborough in the King George an hour later... yet it was Jacques Ricou 's hand waving that caught the headlines. Similarly a very clever ride in the Sun Alliance Steeple-CH´ was crabbed because some punters thought he gave the horse too much to do. Looking at the race again it was the furthest Jaïr Du Cochet had ever gone before, and I thought he flattened out when asked to deliver his effort, and its possible that there may be more improvement to come at this sort of trip. I can´t leave him out and hopefully he gets a chance to prove the doubters wrong this term
JAPHET [FR]
b, g, Perrault - Una Volta [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- I don´t believe Japhet ever really got the credit over here he deserved over here, for the form shown as a juvenile. Guillaume Macaire 's six-year-old won ten races in his first season of training including the Prix Maurice Gillois Grand Steeple-Chase des 4 ans [Gr. 1]. Unbeaten records are nice, however Guillaume Macaire is an ambitious man and he sets his sights on a British campaign, a difficult quest for a horse so young and inexperienced [something that was overlooked by pundits]. Japhet is an April foal so wasn´t even actually five when running in the Sun Alliance Chase, and in my view would have gone very close if he hadn't tipped up at the second last. He ran another good race at Aintree , however the effect of his long campaign finally began to tell and has failed to fire since despite winning races last term. Its possible he may have "gone" but I want to give him another season just to be sure.
JÓUNG MAN [POL]
b, g. Juror [POL] - Jóung Girl [POL]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Horák František in the Czech Republic.
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Jóung Man is a five-year-old by Juror, who won two of his eight starts in his first season in the Czech Republic. He won the Cena KoreCar, S.R.O.. Steeple-CH´ on his second start at Pardubice in May ´02. He then won the Cena Fy Mitsubishi Esako Dražkovice H [IV] at Kolesa in September. He´s a nice progressive type who should continue to win races this season
JURRASSIQUÉ [FR]
b, g. Trebrook [FR] - Veves [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- François Doumen In France.
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Jurrassiqué made a return to the racecourse after a long absence [he hadn't raced since finishing sixth in the Prix Ginetta II Steeple ch´ at Auteuil in June ´01], with two pipe-opener at Enghien-Soisy at the end of our season. He was formerly held is some regard by connections so if he can recapture some of his previous form could well do well over the larger obstacles.
KIRK [POL]
b, g. Neman [POL] - Kirke [POL]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Lenka Horáková in the Czech Republic
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Kirk is a five-year-old gelding by , who has only had one run in the Czech republic where he won the Cena Spolecností Mäder Computer steeple ch´ S IV at Pardubice in May. He could do no more than win and therefore could be anything ... we´ll will see!!!.
KRÅCH [FR]
b, g. Lute Antique [FR] - Voilette [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- François Doumen In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Kråch, is a lovely big son of Lute Antique who since his win in the Prix Jacques de Vienne [One of the better bumpers for Non-Thoroughbreds] at Maison Lafitte in November ´01, has always been a favourite of mine. He only ran once last term, finishing a long way behind Ad Hoc at Ascot in November, however its clear we won´t see the best of this horse until he goes over the larger obstacles... be it over here or at home. He´s sure to have been extensively schooled and could leave his hurdles form behind this winter.
L´AMI [FR]
ch, g. Lute Antique [FR] - Voltige De Nievre [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- François Doumen In France.
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- L´Ami is a four-year-old by Lute Antique, out of a Brezzo mare, who goes hurdling after some signs of ability in three A.Q.P.S races. I´m not expecting him to made a huge impact, however it would be nice it he did make it into the frame before the end of the season.
LÅBRADÒR [CZE]
br, g. House Rules [U.S.A.] - Lakonka
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Lubomír Špelda in the Czech Republic
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Låbradòr is a robust four-year-old gelding by House Rules, out of a Wolver Heights mare. He has runs fifteen times on the flat, winning three times; the Cena Prírody a.s. Transgas Rovina III - over 2200 m at Velká Chuchle in June ´02 , the Pohár Nadace FF-Cena Živnobanky a Amati Rovina II- over 2400 m next time out at Karlovy Vary, in July; and the Handicap Spolecností Greensoft Rovina I - over 2220 m at Velká Chuchle this June. Låbradòr would appear to have an abundance of scope for improvement and as he is being entered over obstacles could be interesting in this sphere.
LE PERO [FR]
br, g. Perrault - Nuit d´Ecajeul [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--- Le Pero is a five-year-old by Perrault out of a Matahawk mare, who showed promise in each of his four starts last term, beginning with an encouraging third in a bumper in Sandown Park in February before three efforts over hurdles getting his head in France on the final occasion where putting 8lengths between himself and the field when landing the Prix De Pau Haies at Auteuil in April ´03. Plenty of scope for further improvement and has the potential to do well this winter
MASSÅC [FR]
br, g. Garde Royalé - Mirande [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Massåc is a lovely scopey virtually black four-year-old gelding by Garde Royalé, who has two runs over hurdles at the end of last season managing a second on his debut at Fontainebleau, before finishing sixth at Auteuil in June.... Steeplechasing screams out at you when you see him and whilst he may not be from the top draw does seem to posses the ability to win a race
MAJADAL [FR]
br, g. Cadoudal [FR] - Majathen [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guy Cherel In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Majadal is a five-year-old gelding by Cadoudal out of Majathen, which makes him a full-brother to the precociously talented Majadou. He is being brought along slowly by present connections, however he did manage to win two steeplechases last term at Pau in January, and the € 80,000 Prix Romatì Steeplechase at Enghien-Soisy at the end of April. With another summer on his back, I can see him finding further successes this winter.
MUSTANG [RUS]
b, g. Triple Buck [U.S.A.] - Maska [SU]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Josef Hála in the Czech Republic
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- I know very little about Mustang other than he hails from the Voschod Stud, who are genuinely responsible for producing some of the Russian Federation's best home-breds. I haven´t been able to find anything about his form in Russia, however this seven-year-old son of Triple Buck did run encouragingly on his debut in the Czech Republic, where he finished second in a chase in Bratislava. As we spread the net for jumping prospect it pays to monitor the form of horses like Mustang... lets see how he gets on.
NOM D´UNE PIPE [FR]
gr, g. Linamix [FR] _ Newness [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Jean-Paul Gallorini In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Nom d´Une Pipe is a six-year-old gelding by Linamix, out of Newness, which makes him a half brother to several winners including last season´s leading juvenile Nickname. He himself was a decent juvenile, amongst his successes was the Prix Sageris - Prix de Longchamp [Grade 2] at Auteuil in May ´01, where he beat Bilboa by 2lengths, with Vic Toto another 2lengths back in Third. He disappointed next time out in the Prix Alain du Breil [Hurdle] [Grade 1] on his next start finishing 30lngths behind Vic Toto. He was lightly raced afterwards, disappointing against the better juveniles and in 2002 was tried over fences, winning on his debut at Enghien-Soisy in March ´02, before finishing third to Homme Du Jour, [btn 2lengths], in the € 80,000 Prix Journaliste Steeplechase back at Enghien-Soisy a month later, if he can recapture some of his former ability he could again get his head in front over fences this winter.
PÉPR [CZE]
b, g. Law Soziri - Purple [CZE]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Petr Regnard in the Czech Republic
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Pépr is a five-year-old gelding by Law Soziri who has is very lightly raced having run once at a juvenile on the level before a couple of spins around Pardubice last term. You can´t select world beaters all the time and the fact the trainer is persisting with him suggests that he must have some ability... A couple of wins this term will make his selection all the more worthwhile.
PRINCE DES IFS [FR]
b, g. Sleeping Car [FR] - Miss Brodie [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Prince Des If got my attention last season. This lovely scopey son of Sleeping Car looked very inch an chaser and probably did really well to win the Prix Emilius Haies at Auteuil in October ´02. He was always going to develop into a much better chaser and a win at Machecoul in February was probably an indicator of the better things I hope will come his way this season... We shall see.
RASKO [FR]
gr, g. Kadalko [FR] - Fagaras [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Thierry Doumen In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Rasko is a seven-year-old by Kadalko, out of a Kenmare mare. This formerly useful Juvenile hurdler made a triumphant return after injury winning at a conditions hurdles at Lyon Parilly in October ´02 on his second start, however didn´t add to that tally despite running welling defeat in the Group III Prix L. D´Orsetti Haies at Enghien-Soisy in November ´02. He was tried over fences at Newbury, however didn´t fire and is a lot better than he showed there. He will no doubt aimed again over fences and with that season behind him should be capable of winning over the larger obstacles this winter.. [possibly even in the UK].
REGISTRAR [GER]
b, g. Zinaad - Rose Amore [GER]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Joséf Váña in the Czech Republic
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Registrar is a six-year-old gelding by Zinaad, who is now in Josef Váña 's care having run eleven times in his native Germany, winning once. He has a nice pedigree and has gone to a trainer, renowned for bringing his charges along gradually... I wont be in the least bit surprised if he were to get his head in front this season.
SŽERÝF [POL]
ch, h. In Camera - Sžuaña [POL]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Jaroslav Votava, In The Czech Republic
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Sžerýf is a five-year-old gelding by In Camera, who has a particularly good introduction to jumping last term, winning five of his seven starts in the Czech Republic - including the Cena Novácikov-Cena Biotika Slov. Lupca [S], Cena Karma a.s. [S] III, Prútenky šampiónov [H], and mast recently the Cena Paramo a.s.-Memoriál R. Davise-Stríbrná trofej [S] I, where he beat Almanzor - one of the Czech Republic's best chasers. Almanzor gives us a fair gauge as this ability as he had run well in some of Italy's premier hurdles, so you'd be hopeful that a replication of that level of form will be enough for Sžerýf to get his head in front again this term.
TEMPO D´OR [FR]
b, g. Esprit Du Nord [U.S.A.] - Peau d´Or [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Guillaume Macaire In France
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»-- Former useful juvenile Tempo d´Or makes a return this season to the racecourse having missed last term through injury. British punters know of him because of his exploit over hurdles which saw him because favourite for the 2001 Triumph Hurdle, which he missed because of injury. He had however also shown some fair form over the larger obstacles in France. If Guillaume Macaire has nursed him back to full health, he could well make up for lost time and we could possibly see him over here at some stage during the season.
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