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Steeplechasers -
Point-To-Pointers & Hunter Chasers
Point-To-Pointers
BRYDFERTH DDU b, m. Supreme Leader - Mantas Melody
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> David Brace
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Brydferth Ddu looks an interesting prospect, probably for pointing. She won her second start in that sphere, and then didn't run too badly in a Newton Abbot bumper in August. She probably wants a trip so wouldn't be seen to great effect over hurdle (apart from maybe mare's only races) though would appeal more to me if she went chasing or between the flags where I'm sure she progress to intermediate class in her native Wales.
HESSAC (FR) br, g. Beyssac (FR) - Chic Lilie (FR)
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> 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
IRILUT (FR) br, g. Lute Antique (FR) - Patchourie (FR)
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> 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 br, g. John French - Laugh Away
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Caroline Bailey
[COMMENTS] :-:--> One of the fascinations of point to points is that most races are run over the same trip, usually 3miles. Sometimes this enables some fascinating clashes being horses who subsequently do well either at the minimum trip or staying events, the one race that stays in the mind, was the Irish point in which Ask Tom 'outstayed' a rather immature Suny Bay.
A pointer who I expected great things of is Irisheyesaresmilin, and whilst he didn't run too badly last term, he never really suggested that he could live up to being labelled Caroline Bailey's "best young prospect" at the beginning of last season. This season already hasn't gone off to a good start as he fell when travelling well at Cottenham's first meeting. He pulled up next time after being given a confidence building school
It is interesting that Caroline Bailey intends to run him in hunter chases, as evidently she takes the view that they are opportunities for this horse to race over 2-21/2miles which may be his best trip ... If he does he's good enough to win, and may just pay to follow.
LA VASCO DE GAMA (FR) br g
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> William J Warner
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Whilst last season was a fascinating year so far for pointers, it was equally the same for yours truly. persistent lameness is currently keeping me away from the racetrack. which frustrates me. It means that I have not been able to attend as many points to points as I liked, where watching the whole build up of each race at close hand has its own uniqueness/atmosphere. Cottenham is one of my local track, (I'm spoilt in this respect), and it is a shame that I was unable to make their most recent meeting, as the performance of La Vasco De Gama brightened up an ordinary card. It probably wasn't a fair fight, as La Vasco De Gama went into the race with some useful place form behind him when trained in France, and by winning a 2m4f maiden he achieved nothing. However it was the manner (apparently) by which he undertook the task that was most impressive, the fact that he also easily pulled 30 lengths clear of his rivals, in a time 9 seconds faster than the second division, suggests he is a young horse of great potential. Bill Warner currently trains him, however Judy Wilson has horses with Nicky Henderson, and I'd suggest that this horses future might lay with him. I shall be keeping a close eye on his for the remainder of the season
NOUGHTOSIXTY b, g. Brevet - Arch Hall
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Caroline Bailey
[COMMENTS] :-:--> 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 2000. Foot-and mouth ensured that he didn't race last term, however Noughtosixty could still significantly improve on that form with another summer on his back
PILLAGING PICT ch, g. Primitive Rising (U.S.A.) - Carat Stick
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> John B Walton
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Pillaging Pict is one to note between the flags, but may be worth running under rules this winter. He is being brought along slowly by connection, but has shown promise is a couple of maiden points (winning on his last start. He may his first appearance under rules at Hexham in May, but fell early on. He was well supported that day, and the race has thrown up some useful winners so is worth keeping an eye on.
SEE MORE SENSE br, g. Seymour Hicks (FR) - Flower Of Tintern
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> 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 in 2000. He is, in my view, certain to win, either in Open races, or in Hunter Chases
SHOEMAKER b, g. Good Thyne (U.S.A.) - Kalanshoe
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> William J Warner
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Whilst Union Man was tantalising the taste buds of most point to point fans in 2000, 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. Having proved completely unsuited to the mud at Hexham in May of this year, he looked a different proposition seven days later on a faster surface at Huntingdon and took an admittedly weak contest in grand style. shoemaker has ability and also has age on his side and you would expect him to develop on these efforts this season.
Hunter Chasers
BLACKCHESTERS bl, g. Genuine Gift (CAN) - Newgrove
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Tim Brown
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Blackchesters may make the breakthrough to Open class/hunter chases this term. He started off winning a Restricted at Ampton, and then went on to run respectably in two hunter chases at Bangor, behind Minella Silver at Bangor, at Cheltenham behind Romany Chat. He disappointed at Hereford on his last start but he is better than that, and hopefully will prove it this winter
EVAN'S COLLIER BOY b, g. Supreme Leader - Little Treat
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> D Brace
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Evan's Collier Boy could be interesting under rules this term. He developed into a really decent pointer on the Welsh circuit, and has been the subject of several major punts during the last couples of season (not surprising really with that name). He caused a near stampede at Higham - one of my local Point-to-points last term. When landing a major punt in a common canter. There was talk of him going to Cheltenham as a result, which in my view was a realistic target. He could do well under rules if his head-strongness and sloppy jumping are ironed out. By way of illustration, he was travelling well at he time in the front when taking one of those slithering falls that horses have at Stratford in March. A little patience should reap its reward.
HELL-OF-A-SHINDY b, g. Phardante (FR) - Tonto's Girl
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Edna Bolger in ireland
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Hell-Of-A-Shindy hasn't shown the level of form achieved between the flags, however he has to some extent been thrown in against the best of Ireland's crop. he is improving with experience though, and his victory at Clonmel in June is hopefully signs that there is more to come from this individual this winter
HORUS b, g. Teenoso (U.S.A.) - Jennie's First
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> David Pipe
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Very promising youngster who last season improved to Open Class this winter, winning one of the better Open races at Larkhill with consummate ease. Certain to find more success this season, and is one for the shortlist for the major hunter chases of the season
LITCHANINE (FR) gr, g. Linamix (FR) - Margello
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Martin C Pipe
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Litchanine clearly progressed from out first glimpse of him in a Fontwell novice chase in January 1999. He won two hunter chases at Huntingdon and Stratford, but could possibly won another two [I thought his owner rider gave him too much to do]. he gets three miles and could develop into Blanville's replacement this winter.
MINELLA SILVER gr, g. Roselier (FR) - Mrs. Minella
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> J D Downes
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Minella Silver will be one of the leading fancies for the Foxhunters at Cheltenham this term if he repeats the form shown under rules last season. This Open Class pointer between the flags impressed many a judge in winning at Ascot on his hunter chase debut in March, before doing the same at Bangor in May. Minella Silver is a relentless galloper, and his attacking style of racing gets many of his rivals into trouble trying to keep tabs with him. Further success is almost assured, and he'd be interesting if tried in Novice /handicap chases
WAP b, g. Be My Native (U.S.A.) - Mrs. Hill
[THE TRAINER] :-:--> Enda Bolger in ireland
[COMMENTS] :-:--> Wap could a nice hunter chaser to follow. I only saw two of his races last term, (I believe he has won between the flags). He was thrown into the seep end against Sheltering at Leopardstown in February ... and sunk! He came out again at Cork in April, and showed his potential when beating by Sheppardon 12 lengths. This five-year-old gelding should improve on this last effort, and could develop into one of Ireland's better young hunter chasers
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