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Hurdlers - Championship Class?
AZERTYUIOP (FR) b, g. Baby Turk - Temara (FR)
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Paul F Nicholls
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Azertyuiop is difficult to evaluate. He is clearly very talented, as he has only been beaten in five starts by Bilboa, in heavy conditions in the Glenlivet Hurdle at the Grand National Meeting, but had previously shot to prominence in this country when beating Hor La Loi III on his British debut at Wincanton. His form in France now looks good as Vic Toto who he beat on his hurdling debut, subsequently took the French equivalent of the Triumph Hurdle. I have no doubt that connections will be on gearing Azertyuoip towards a campaign over hurdles and I can see why that is most likely, however the form with Hor La Loi III is very suspect, and I hope that his long term potential over fences is recognised and he is only given a light campaign this winter
CABALLO RAPTOR (CAN) br, h. Quest For Fame (U.S.A.) - Viator (U.S.A.)
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Bernard Secly in France
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Caballo Raptor could fill the void temporarily made vacant due the injury sustained by Le Sauvignon. he was the champion four-year-old hurdle in 2000. and though he failed to trouble the judge in the second half of their season, showed promise behind Baracouda, and Le Sauvignon. there is further improvement to come and Caballo Raptor can back to winning ways as the season progresses
DIBEA TIMES (FR) b, g. Sheyrann - Cerise Royale (FR)
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Malcolm Jefferson
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Having been pointed out by Christopher Iles on his 'Focus on France' feature, after winning the Prix Wild Monarch, it is restricted to 3 year olds making their first appearance over hurdles, you cant really say that he disappointed, winning three times in England, before disappointing in the Imperial Cup. He has possible one of those difficult transitional years ahead, that juveniles seem to experience between 4 and 5, however he really is a chasing prospect, and could run up a sequence if connections decide to go this route with him.
LANDING LIGHT b, g. In The Wings - Gay Hellene
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Nicky J Henderson
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Landing Light will go down on many a "ten to follow" list this winter. he has improved with each of his six starts over hurdles taking the Tote Gold trophy at Newbury by 3 lengths from Rooster Booster along the way. his season culminated in him taking the Coral Eurobet Championship Hurdle ( Grade 1) at the Whitbread meeting from stablemate Geos. There should still be more improvement to come, so it may be premature to assume he can't bridge the gap between him and Istabraq (will he necessarily need to?) this winter
LISS A PAORAIGH b, m. Husyan (U.S.A.) - Shuil Liss
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> John E Kiely in Ireland
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Liss A Paoraigh was a model of consistency last term, winning three of her four starts at Naas, Gowran park and Fairyhouse, and ran probably one of her best races in defeat behind Colonel Braxton at Leopardstown in February. there is plenty of stamina in her pedigree, and its possible she may improve once she's sent over a distance of ground.
LORD BREX (FR) gr, g. Saint Estephe (FR) - Light Moon (FR)
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Philip J Hobbs
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Lord Brex - one if the best juvenile hurdlers during the 1999/2000 national hunt season, is back in training and could be one to watch out for this winter He progressed throughout that winter to impressively take the Glenlivet Hurdle at Aintree, before a good second place behind Topacio at that season's Punchestown festival. He missed that difficult second season, and had run a lot of times during that season, so the enforce break is probably a blessing … I'll be watching for his return to the track with interest
NED KELLY ch, g. Be My Native (U.S.A.) - Silent Run
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Edward J O'Grady in Ireland
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Ned Kelly was unbeaten in six starts and was particularly impressive in winning his last three. Next season he'll be going for the nice races that Istabraq won't, including the John J McManus Memorial Hurdle at Tipperary, and I wouldn't mind stepping up to two and a half miles in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle here. He is entitled to stay hurdling next season."
NOM D'UNE PIPE (FR) gr, f. Linamix (FR) - Newness
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> John-Paul Gallorini in France
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Nom D'Une Pipe could develop into a useful stayer this season. She was one of the best juveniles in France last term, she started off finishing third behind Dibea Times on her debut, before going on to win three times at Auteuil, the last occasion beating Vic Toto, and Bilboa in the Prix Sageris - Prix de Longchamp (Grade 2) over 2m3f. He finished well behind Vic Toto in the French Triumph hurdle, but she had had eight starts and may have been over the top by then. Her last success really impressed me, giving the impression that the further she goes the better she could be, and if she does improve again this term could develop a serious threat to the best stayers in France
SERRANO (GER) b, g. Par Sillery (U.S.A.) - Et Stiletta (GER)
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Andreus Wohler in Germany
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Serrano breaks new ground for the Furlong to go horses to follow list, as he is the first German trained horse to be placed in the list. He was one of the best of his generation in Germany last term, and may have won the French Triumph hurdle, but for falling two out when upsides Vic Toto, with Bilboa, and Nom D'Une Pipe well beaten behind him. I'm not certain whether connections would be tempted to come over to Britain, but he look potentially to be a decent second season hurdler, who can make his presence felt in France
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