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Analysis & Selections by
Ň
rŘřk
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"
CHASERS ~
HANDICAPPERS
ATLASTABOY
b, g. Phardante [FR] - Corcaigh
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Tom R. George
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Atlastaboy is a seven-year-old by Phardante, out of the mare Corcaigh [a daughter of Town And Country ], who won over fences in Ireland. Atlastaboy has been placed in an Irish point-to-point and seems to need to return to the larger obstacles if judge by his efforts last term, where he ran creditably in five starts, jumping well back lacking a change of gears before landing a 3m2f handicap hurdle at Huntingdon in February. Staying is going to be his strong suit and I could see this gelding winning a long-distance steeplechase at some stage of the season.
CŇBBET [CZE]
b, g. Favoured Nations - Creace [CZE]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Tom R. George
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Cňbbet retains his place, although he had a quiet season. He ran five times, finishing in the frame on each of his five starts as a novice running by far his best race, when landing the Nicholson Holman Cup Handicap Steeple-CH´ at Cheltenham impressively by 12Lengths from Korakor. He is still unexposed over fences, and should be able to add to this tally this season.
COBRÉCČS [FR]
b, g. Environment Friend - Oleada
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Paul F. Nicholls
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Cobrécčs is a five-year-old gelding by Environment Friend, out of a Tirol mare, who joined Paul Nichols last term having won over both codes, the most recent being at Auteuil in May ´02. He won two of his three novice chases in the spring at Warwick and Taunton, however is rather harshly handicapped, however he was going the right way and could find a couple of handicaps during the season
DARK ROOM
b, g. Toulon - Maudlin Bridge
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Jonjo O´Neill
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Dark Room is a six-year-old by Toulon, out of the mare Maudlin Bridge, a daughter of Strong Gale. He showed plenty of promise when trained by Enda Bolger in Ireland before joining Jonjo O´Neill and didn´t do too badly last term, winning once at Market Rasen in February, as well as finishing in the frame on three other occasions. He was allowed to take his chance in the 133rd Year of The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, however made no show. Staying chases is where this horse is going to shine and although the form-figures don´t show it, this horse was clearly thought a lot when in Ireland and may well be capable of plenty of improvement his winter.
EBONY LIGHT
br, g. Buckskin [FR] - Amelioras Daughter
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Ginger McCain
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Ebony Light retains his place in this list after a solid first season over fences. This brown son of Buckskin ran ten times last term and although he initially took a while to get a hang of what was required, he finally got the hang of matters in the spring rattling up a hatrick at Newcastle, [twice] and most recently at Carlisle in March when he out-battled Joly Bey to win by ˝Length. Stamina seems to be his strong suit and if he is campaigned accordingly should add to his tally of wins.
ENZO DE BAUNE [FR]
b, g. En Calcat [FR] - Pure Moon [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Geoff A Harker
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Unlike many horses to follow lists I am not afraid to look at the lesser light for possible winners. I have been keeping an eye on the horses owned by Lord Bolton a couple of season and had Ideal De Guye in this list last term. I´m hoping that Enzo De Baune can get into the winners enclosure this term. Frankly his form in France is average however he hinted on more than one occasion at big odds that there might be a race in him, [his second to Classic Lash at Carlisle was particularly encouraging]. I am taking a real risk however given the right conditions, field, ground he may get that opportunity.. hopefully he´s good enough to take it.
FIRST LOVE
br, g. Bustino - First Romance
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Nicky J. Henderson
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Its a shame that so much attention has been paid to this horse because he is owned by the Queen and therefore has been wrongly hyped-up for that reason and not his actual ability, because there isn´t much doubt that he a big embryonic chaser, who has been crying out for 3miles, however hasn´t been physically strong enough to cope with that distance of ground. He managed to win one race at Folkestone in February, over 2 ˝miles when he galloped around unchallenged to beat Saint Par by 17lengths, however in each of his remaining races, he was unable to quicken over the minimum distance, or slightly further, eventually finishing second [on each occasion] to Claymore, Montalcino and Ibal respectively. He will have strengthen up during the summer and starts the season on an attractive handicap mark... I´ll be disappointed if he doesn´t win races
GUE AU LOUP [FR]
gr, g. Royal Charter [FR] - Arche d´Alliance [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Brian Ellison
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Gue Au Loup retains his place in the list.. however possibly purely on sentiment. He hasn´t been easy to train and returned to Henry Daly ´s yard after a spell point-to-pointing and galloped his rivals into submission under top weight in a novices handicap chase at Bangor in May ´01. He ran one more time failing by ľ length to beat Maxie McDonald back at Bangor two weeks alter but was back on the sidelines before six below par efforts last term, the best being a 6˝Lengths third to Umbrella Man at Ludlow in January. Injury has definitely prevented him fulfilling some of his potential, however I hope there is another success in him... a return to pointing, or hunter chasing may also prove rewarding.
ILNAMAR [FR]
br, g. Officiel [FR] - Quillemare [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Martin C. Pipe
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Ilnamar is amongst my favourite horses in training and although he only ran once last term deserves to stay in the list. This is what I said about him last term;
"Ilnamar fulfilled a lot of my expectations of him [He was one of my ten to follow from the list]... though admittedly I though he could win a Grade 1 chase , rather than over hurdles. He never really settled into Martin Pipe ´s yard after he arrived after hectic year in ´00. He progressed from wins in the French provinces, to being one of the better young chasers of his generation. He beat Whitenzo in the Prix le Hon [Chase] at Auteuil in October ´00, before finishing second to Sleeping Night in the Prix Morgex [Chase] [Gr. 3] over 2m-4˝ f. He was purchased by connections after winning the Prix Vanille [Hurdle] again at Auteuil in December. They couldn´t get him onto the track that spring, so British racegoers didn´t see him until he caught the eye behind stablemate Cyfor Malta in a handicap in December ´01. He seemed to loose his confidence over fences and wisely was put back over hurdles. I rather boldly predicted afterwards that he was a horse to watch out for at the Festival and anyone who saw him sprint up the hill in the Coral Cup will know that that can only be done by a good horse. [I hope some of you were on at 92/1 on the Tote!!]. There was no way he wasn´t going to be the selection for the Martell Aintree Hurdle [Gr. 1] at the National Meeting and again he showed great courage by withholding the challenges of Grimes and stablemate It Takes Time".
His only run last term resulted in a third placing behind Flaming Creek in the Champion Hurdle trail at Haydock in March, and if he makes a return to the track this term, could be worth looking out for over fences, where he´s particularly well handicapped at present, [although he hasn´t as yet shown the same level of form displayed over the smaller obstacles].
ISIO [FR]
b, g. Silver Rainbow - Swifty [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Nicky J. Henderson
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Isio retains his place on the list after a satisfactory first season over fences. He ran four times, winning on his first three starts at Kempton in November, where he beat Shareef by 7Lengths, before facile wins at Doncaster and Huntingdon. He was fancied to run well in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase [gr.1] and ran as well as connections had hoped - matching the winner Azertyuiop fence-by-fence in the back straight in all departments and, only gave best on the final turn for home, eventually finishing 12lengths behind the winner. Isio is relatively lightly raced since coming to the UK and should find further improvement this season, there should be more winning opportunities for him this season.
JAKARI [FR]
b, g. Apeldoorn [FR] - Tartifume Ii [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Henry D. J. Daly
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Jakari ha d a good first season over the larger obstacles, winning twice at Hereford in February, before winning next time out at Stratford in March, under a penalty. He was upped in class at Aintree in the "Happy Shopper" Mildmay Novices´ Chase [Grade 2], but wasn´t physically strong enough to do himself justice and was pulled up after fading out of contention. He is better than this and could leave that form behind him in handicap company this winter.
JASMIN GUICHOIS [FR]
ch, g. Dom Alco [FR] - Lady Belle [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Miss Venetia Williams
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Jasmin Guichois is a six-year-old by Dom Alco, out of a daughter of the sire Or De Chine. He has only won once, since coming from France, when he won a conditional jockeys´ hurdle by a distance, however he showed far potential over fences, where bad fencing probably disguises good efforts behind Jolly Giant at Exeter in January, and Ballybrophy at Ascot a month later. Fortunately the slate is wiped clear and assuming he can improve his technique, Jasmin Guichois has the ability to win races over fences this season.
JURANÇON II [FR]
b, g. Scooter Bleu - Volniste [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Martin C. Pipe
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Jurançon II retain his place in the list. He ran four times last term, winning on his reappearance at Cheltenham in a conditional jockeys´ hurdle at Cheltenham ´s Open Meeting last November, before winning on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter in December ´02, where Rodi Greene used all on his strength to get this horse home virtually on the line. Stamina seems to be his strong suit and he was given one more run, in the John Smith´s Midlands Grand National Chase Showcase Handicap [Listed Race]. He travelled kindly throughout, however a mistake three out ended his winning chance, eventually finishing third, beaten 29˝ Lengths. He is a lightly traced individual, who is still improving and could develop into a decent long-distance chaser this winter.
LE COUDRAY [FR]
b, g. Phantom Breeze - Mos Lie [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Christy Roche in Ireland
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Le Coudray keeps his place in the list. He had a good first season over fences, winning three of his six starts, including the Pierse Group Drinmore Novice Chase [Grade 1] at Fairyhouse at the beginning of December, as well as the Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase [Grade 1] at Leopardstown 's Christmas meeting. He was possibly unlucky in the Dr. P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase [Grade 1] back at Leopardstown in February, when he was just beginning to deliver his challenge when falling in the last, [seemed to just be ahead at the time], and didn´t seem to be at his best when finish fourth the Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He hasn´t run since however having missed the best part of three seasons though injury, you´d like to hope that he come on for being trained for a full season... There should be more winning opportunities for him.
MALEK
b, g. Tremblant - Any Offers
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Mary Reveley
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Malek is a seven-year-old by Tremblant, out of the mare Any Offers, [a daughter of Paddy´s Stream]. He was given a very light campaign last term, having won a novice chase at Southwell in March ´02. He won on his reappearance in a qualifier for the fix-brushed hurdle series at Haydock Park in November, beating Point in 5Lengths, before running in the final of that series finishing 20lengths behind the winner Valleymore. This scopey individual was too weak to go Handicap Chasing last term, however he should have strengthened up considerately, and should be able to make up for lost time this winter.
MAN MURPHY
b, g. Euphemism - Been About
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Mary Reveley
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Man Murphy is a seven-year-old by Euphemism, out of the mare Been About, [a daughter of Remainder Man]. He has been a solid performer for the Reveley yard in previous seasons and added five wins to the tally this term, at Newcastle, [three wins], Ayr and Kelso. His wins came against lesser opposition however connections did try him in the Isle of Skye Blended Whisky-Kelso Novices´ Chase at Haydock Park in February, where didn´t jump well enough to be competitive against It Takes Time, The Bajan Bandit and Claymore, eventually finishing 49lengths behind the winner. He´s better than that, and given that he should have strengthen up during the summer, should be able to find more opportunities in the North and may well be good enough to win a decent prize at some stage this season.
PALARSHÁN [FR]
br, g. Darshaan - Palavera [FR]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Henry D. J. Daly
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Palarshán has had a varied career so far, winning the Cena Spolecností Moravoplast Pardubice over 2800 metre at Pardubice on his racecourse debut, and supplemented that win in the Cena prezidenta republiky dotovaná Mattoni [hurdle] at Velká Chuchle in September ´01. He was ninth in the Budejovický Budvar St. Léger and was similarly placed in a listed race at Maison Lafitte. Since joining Henry Daly, he has won a juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham in April ´02 and last season after three promising efforts against some useful novice chasers, won his last two starts; a novice chase at Leicester in February, before the 131st Year of The Cheltenham Grand Annual Challenge Cup [Handicap Chase] [Listed Race] at the Cheltenham Festival. If the handicapper doesn´t take a dim view of that effort, there will be more opportunities for further success this season.
PILLAGING PICT
ch, g. Primitive Rising [U.S.A.] - Carat Stick
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Jimmy B. Walton
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Pillaging Pict had a good season last term, winning three times at Perth on the first day of the season, as well as at Kelso in November, [where he beat Kimdaloo by 12lengths] and again at Kelso at the beginning of March, where he put 6lengths between himself and his rivals. He appears to have improved for steeping up and in trip and has room for further development therefore it would seem odd to drop him from the list.
RAND [NZ]
gr, g. Omnicorp [NZ] - Foreign Coin [NZ]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Noel Meade in Ireland
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Rand is one of the most fascinating horses in the list. This nine-year-old son of Omnicorp is a "globetrotter", being a top class hurdler, when trained in New Zealand by Mark Oulaghan, amongst his wins there was the New Zealand Grand National. He has also been successful abroad, travelling to Nashville, Tennessee in May ´01 to land the $100,000 Iroquois Steeple-CH´ [Grade I], defeating America's Champion All Gong, as well as to Japan to land the inaugural running of the Pegasus Jump Stakes [Steeple-CH´] at Nakayama. He´s been with present connections for a while having not run last term because he was injured in the U.S.A. on his way to present connections, however he has been pleasing connections at home and is an interesting horse to go to war with this season.
RUNNING ON [AUS]
b, g. Runyon - Political Asylum [AUS]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Francis Flood in Ireland
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Running On is a six-year-old by Runyon, out of the mare Political Assembly, [a daughter of the sire Plush], who won four races in Australia. Running On won three times in Australia, before being purchased at the 2002 Doncaster May Sale. He is still a maiden over obstacles, however he ran well over hurdles last term, running his best race, when finishing a head behind Rosaker at Fairyhouse in December ´02. That level of form would be good enough to win a race and hopefully he will find an opportunity over fences this term, [possibly in Handicap company].
SCHWARTZHALLE
ch, g. Magical Wonder [U.S.A.] - Liam´s Flash
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--D. Harvey in Ireland
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Schwartzhalle is a six-year-old by Magical Wonder, out of a Callernish mare, who had a good first season over fences, winning twice at Fairyhouse in January and in the Sasha Fashions Flyingbolt Novice Chase [Grade 2] at Navan a month later. That effort was worthy of a more detailed mentioned as he looked in trouble when headed three out, after attempting to make all, but was back in the front at the next and stayed on resolutely on the climb from the last, to beat Rathgar Beau and Stage Affair decisively. This form is far superior to that shown over hurdles and if it isn´t a blip could add to the score this winter, if not over-faced
TOULOUSE-LAUTREC
ch, g. Toulon - Bucks Slave
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Tom R. George
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Toulouse-Lautrec looked really promising last season. This seven-year-old by Toulon, [out of a daughter of Buckskin], had shown plenty of promise over hurdle, and built on that, winning two of his three Steeplechases, [both at Uttoxeter], most recently in December, when he outstayed Cresswell Quay to win by 14Lenbgths. He is still unexposed over fences, and with another summer on his back, should be able to add to this tally this season.
VICTOR ARGOSY [NZ]
b, g. Victory Dance - Fair Clip [NZ]
¦¨¨the¨trainer¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Martin Pipe
¦¨¨COMMENTS¨¨¦¨¨¨»--Victor Argosy could be an interesting chase prospect this term. Victor Argosy was having just his seventh steeplechase and ninth race, when winning the Ecolab Waikato Steeplechase at Te Rapa in May ´02 . He was sold to a partnership, which includes Robert Sangster and being lightly tried for a jumper, has scope for improvement... he could be anything.
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