Jumpers to follow 2012-13

[mayo]

Donn


Norther Bay

Norther Bay put up a fine display in leading all the way to land a two-mile handicap hurdle at Gowran Park on Sunday, beating the useful and well-supported Rodriguez, with the rest of the field well strung out in behind.

Eddie O’Connell sent Eoin Griffin’s horse straight into the lead and he never saw another horse, setting a good clip and jumping fluently before really pressing on at the top of the hill on the run to the third-last flight. He was still cantering having jumped the second last, and although Rodriguez had come out of the pack and threatened to make a real race if it, Norther Bay had more than enough in reserve to hold him at bay, O’Connell not having to get overly serious with him to record a two-and-a-quarter-length win. The time was good, much faster than the two other hurdle races on the card, won, respectively, by the promising Defence Of Duress and the talented Blazing Tempo.

The nine-year-old had hinted that there was a performance like this in him on his previous run on unsuitable ground at Killarney. That race is working out really well with the second, Domination, landing the Cesarewitch Trial on the flat at Newmarket in grand style on Saturday, and a couple of other beaten horses from the race coming out to win at Listowel last week – Rattan and Run With The Wind.

The handicapper has raised Norther Bay by 9lb, but he was really impressive here, and his new mark of 123 is still 7lb lower than his chase mark. Given the manner in which he jumped here, it is hard not to imagine that he will prove at least as good over hurdles as over fences, and there could well be a big race in him this season. The key to him is good ground, he reportedly comes alive on decent ground, and so he has to be of interest whenever he encounters a sound surface. He may just fly under the radar a little when he steps up in grade now, especially if Griffin were to take him back across to Britain.

[Terry]

Ten to follow time soon enough now ...

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

I think sea of thunder who starts today over fences might be a bit under the radar. Old vics switching from hurdles to fences usually find a good bit of improvement and this lad got to 139 over hurdles. A bit disappointing in the second half of last season and unlucky when falling at the last at Cheltenham December meeting with the race at his mercy.

[Sprinter]

Hi RC..your not the only one with Sea of thunder in a tracker ! Charles Byrnes though so maybe we will let the market be our guide .

Roy Waterhouse who used post on racing forum ( maybe still does) has a good blog at http://www.rwsteeplechasing.co.uk/

He has posted up 10 to follow...Sea of Thunder on of his too:

Bonnie Burnett (IRE)
5 b or br m Hawk Wing (USA) - Chameleon
(Green Desert (USA))
Trainer: Brian Rothwell
Something of a left-field selection for this year's Ten To Follow, there was enough in Bonnie Burnett's run in the Listed Mares' Bumper at Aintree to suggest that there will be more to come from her in the 2012/13 season. In four starts in NH Flat races between December 2011 and March the best she managed was two runner-up finishes, it possibly significant that both of those were on heavy ground. On the strength of those she made the trip to Merseyside, even though she faced a tall order. Held up in rear and niggled half a mile out, she kept on well for the rest of the race and was nearest at the finish, running seventh to Eleven Fifty Nine beaten just less than 20 lengths. Despite a pedigree that suggests she'd be all about speed, Bonnie Burnett - who's already been out over hurdles, only seventh at Uttoxeter in May over 2m - runs as though a test of stamina is what is needed. A 2m4f-or-further novices' handicap hurdle might be just the thing.



Classinaglass
5 b g Grape Tree Road - Sounds Familiar (Orchestra)
Trainer: David Easterby
It's the exception, rather than the rule, when a horse running in hunter chases in Britain is as young as five, but there was the precocious Classinaglass, taking on previous course and distance winner What A Laugh - a 1/3 chance - in the North Western Area Point-To-Point Championship at Bangor on May 19th. In a four-runner contest - a disappointing turnout considering that there was £2,560 to race for (in stark contrast to the £717 that What A Laugh got for winning his previous outing) - the two pulled clear after three out, Classinaglass the first shaken up after the second last, but finding more than his rival despite a high head carriage to win by a length and a half. On his only other Rules start Classinaglass raced for an even bigger first prize - £10,793 - in the Champion Novice Hunter (John Corbet Cup) at Stratford at the end of the month, but it was a bit too much for him and he was fifth behind the progressive Rumbury Grey and the front-running Monkerty Tunkerty. Not to worry, as at his age you'd think there would be a lot more to come from Classinaglass as he matures, even though he looks tall and gangly on TV pictures already. Because of his height he takes a bit of organising at the fences sometimes - it looked like horse and jockey weren't in sync a couple of times during the Bangor race - and perhaps the more galloping the track, the better he'll be. The really good thing is that, when he comes back - assuming connections go for a Rules campaign and don't return to pointing - Classinaglass can run in anything bar a bumper (he can have the full season in novice chases, for one thing) and the form he's shown is good enough to win an ordinary staying novices' hurdle.



Court Minstrel (IRE)
5 b g Court Cave (IRE) - Theatral (Orchestra)
Trainer: Evan Williams
Probably the best horse to run in Ludlow's small-field bumpers last season - these now seemingly now a regular occurrence at the track - was Court Minstrel, who won two of his three outings there in 2011/12. Having shown promise when third at Ffos Las on his debut in March 2011, he visited the Shropshire venue in November and justified even money favouritism when beating The Jugopolist by a length and a half. He wasn't out again until March when runner-up to a promising sort from the Henderson stable, Tistory, but landed the odds back at Ludlow on March 28th. Court Minstrel was then given a tough assignment in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree which rounds off the Grand National meeting and emerged with a great deal of credit, given a lot to do, going comfortably enough five furlongs out, getting into contention in the straight and shaken up entering the last furlong but unable to trouble the first three, beaten just over ten lengths into fourth behind The New One. Court Minstrel should win a novice hurdle this season, most likely at 2m4f or further given the presence of Orchestra in his pedigree.



Daffern Seal (IRE)
8 b g Fruits Of Love (USA) - Miss Tickill (IRE) (Mandalus)
Trainer: Dermot Weld
Daffern Seal hasn't had a lot of racing - only five starts - but has shown plenty of ability and stamina, and is one to note if going for a good staying handicap chase this season. Absent since running fourth in his only bumper, in January 2010, Daffern Seal went for a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in June 2011 and won by 13 lengths from Granaruid: next month he was out over fences, and made a successful chasing debut over 2m6f at the Galway Festival by five lengths from Traffic Article, who won his next two chases including one at Cheltenham. After running fourth to Eagle's Pass at Kilbeggan in August Daffern Seal was given a long break, then raced at Cheltenham himself. Taking his chance in the National Hunt Chase over 4m at the Festival, he was struggling when making an error three out then stayed on strongly once in line for home, really lashing home after the last and finishing sixth beaten just over ten lengths behind Teaforthree. There should be more to come from Daffern Seal in 2012/13.



Kilmacowen (IRE)
6 b g Flemensfirth (USA) - Baunfaun Run (IRE)
(Roselier (FR))
Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
Kept over hurdles, Kilmacowen can win a staying handicap this season: if sent novice chasing though, he's likely to win his share over fences. This maiden Irish pointer started out for his present stable in a novice hurdle at Lingfield over 2m3f110y in November and looked an above-average recruit in running second to Same Difference, beaten just shy of a length and running to a rating of 114. He didn't reproduce that form on his next two outings, but the going was soft and heavy respectively for those, and Kilmacowen had good ground when he showed his best form to date in beating Grand National candidate Shakalakaboomboom in a 3m1f novices' hurdle at Warwick on March 11th. Racing keenly in midfield, he took closer order with five to jump and was ridden clear from two out, eased close home and winning by 11 lengths from the runner-up, who a few weeks later led the field three out in the National. Kilmacowen went to Aintree himself but, for some reason, was dropped in trip for the 2m4f handicap hurdle and looked held four out before keeping on approaching the last, closing on those ahead of him at the post when seventh to Attaglance. He had heavy ground again for his final outing at Fakenham in May and was a poor third to Enter Milan. That run can be ignored - it looks set that Kilmacowen's optimum conditions are around 3m on good to soft or better ground. The Fixed Brush handicap hurdle at Haydock in November is a suitable early target.



.

[Sprinter]

Melodic Rendezvous
6 ch g Where Or When (IRE) - Vic Melody (FR) (Old Vic)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott
This is a well-equipped gelding. He's with a trainer who continues to be upwardly mobile, he's shown plenty of stamina despite only running in two bumpers so far in his career and he's already proven himself on the most desperate ground you can get. A few promising sorts from 'big' stables took on Melodic Rendezvous at Chepstow on March 22nd and he impressed in beating Turanjo Bello by four lengths, that runner-up one of three to be placed next time out - fifth home Forever Present won on her next outing. Melodic Rendezvous also came second on his only other run of the season, but showed colossal improvement in his form. Very highly tried in the Grade 1 Champion INH Flat Race at the Punchestown Festival, and on ground that - to say the least - stretched the definition of raceable due to exceptionally heavy rain, Melodic Rendezvous kept going when first niggled five furlongs out in pursuit of all-the-way winner Champagne Fever and stuck to his task until unable to find more in the last furlong, barely able to raise a leg at the end. On that evidence no trip will be too far for Melodic Rendezvous, whose hurdling debut is much anticipated.



Moscow Mannon (IRE)
6 b g Moscow Society (USA) - Unfaithful Thought
(Mind Games)
Trainer: B.R.Hamilton
If you want to take one horse out of the latest Cheltenham Festival Bumper, you could do worse than the fourth home Moscow Mannon. After a debut-third at Down Royal in the Summer of 2011, this son of Moscow Society won his next three, at the Galway Festival, Fairyhouse in December and Gowran Park in January. It's a measure of the regard he's held in that Moscow Mannon went off at single-figure odds at Cheltenham, and he justified his 8/1 starting price by finishing fourth, The race perhaps didn't go according to plan though, for he pulled hard in a prominent position, but to his credit he kept on once coming off the bridle half a mile out, holding his place despite looking more likely to drop away and beaten just over five lengths. If he learns to settle Moscow Mannon should leave even that form well behind when he goes over hurdles.



Problema Tic (FR)
6 b g Kapgarde (FR) - Atreide (FR) (Son Of Silver)
Trainer: David Pipe
The pink and lilac colours of Sir Robert Ogden are among the most well-known silks over jumps - good horses in his ownership included Marlborough, Squire Silk, General Command and See More Business. However Mr Ogden has switched his interests to the Flat, and Problema Tic, who won at Kempton in March, may well end up the last horse to carry his silks to victory over obstacles. Problema Tic started out over fences in a Fontwell beginners' chase on Boxing Day and impressed in beating Kind Of Easy by just over two lengths, but suffered a reverse at Huntingdon next time when beaten a head by Pentiffic, never on the bridle and making mistakes. The step up to 3m at Kempton suited Problema Tic when he beat Quentin Collonges in workmanlike style, but he still didn't win in a manner that suggested further progress was just round the corner. Before he next ran Problema Tic must have been sold privately, and carried the colours of Jo Tracey in the novices' handicap chase at Ayr on the Scottish National undercard - he also had a new trainer, David Pipe. His win in that race, against stronger opposition than at Kempton, suggested that there may be more to come in 2012/13. Travelling better than before and sent on three out, he was in no danger at the last and had enough in hand to hold off the staying-on Lackamon. A mark of 144 as he starts the new season is a bit on the harsh side, but, having proved himself better at 3m than 2m4f, Problema Tic might find the improvement he needs to when going up to 3m4f.



Sea Of Thunder (IRE)
7 b g Old Vic - Snob's Supreme (IRE) (Supreme Leader)
Trainer: Charles Byrnes
Sea Of Thunder was the moral winner of a Grade 2 novices' hurdle over 3m at Cheltenham in December. Stepped up to the trip that he needs on pedigree, he was travelling best at the second last and had stretched clear when he took off too early at the last, landed on it and turned a somersault. That may well have had an adverse effect on his performances for the rest of the season, for he was nowhere near that level in three subsequent outings. Prior to that Sea Of Thunder had shown himself a promising individual, racing at around 2m. He'd broken his duck at Thurles in October, then ran into a good one in Hazy Tom at Wetherby in November, before showing what he's got at Cheltenham. Expect Sea Of Thunder to be better in all departments when he comes back, possibly over fences - he's a well-made gelding, likely to build on his best hurdles form when sent chasing.



White Star Line (IRE)
8 b g Saddlers' Hall (IRE) - Fairly Deep (Deep Run)
Trainer: Dessie Hughes
White Star Line starts the new season without a chase win to his name, but that will surely be put right in the 2012/13 season. Having shown modest form when winning over hurdles at Naas in January 2011, White Star Line was campaigned over fences last term and immediately showed promise, finishing a close fourth to De Valira in a competitive beginners' at Listowel. After unseating at Downpatrick next time, White Star Line posted a career-best effort to be third, beaten just short of seven lengths, to Hidden Cyclone at Leopardstown over Christmas. After a break he was handed a tough assignment, taking on 19 rivals in the novices' handicap chase over 2m4f110y at the Cheltenham Festival. White Star Line exceeded expectations, getting into a prominent position with four to jump, closing in fourth place turning for home and staying on from between the last two fences, having no chance with Hunt Ball but going second up the hill, beaten eight lengths. White Star Line had a run over hurdles in August - second to Tarla in a conditions hurdle at Roscommon - and that should set him up for a return to chasing, and possibly a win or two in the Autumn

[mayo]

Morning all

I think Back in Focus ( beat White Star Line at Listowel) could be a very serious tool. White Star Line has been second to a few interesting looking ones and might be more to come on good ground.


Date Conditions Race Result Jockey OR
20Sep12 Lis 22H 4y+ NovCh(13K) 11-12[9/4] 2nd of 12 33L behind Back In Focus (IRE) B J Cooper 136
20Aug12 Ros 20S 4y+ H(10K) 11-0[8/1] 2nd of 10 20L behind Tarla (FR) B J Cooper
13Mar12 Che 20G 5y+ HcapCh(50K) 11-7[14/1] 2nd of 20 8L behind Hunt Ball (IRE) Bryan J Cooper 135
29Dec11 Leo 19S 4y+ NovCh(13K) 11-12[20/1] 3rd of 7 6.50L behind Hidden Cyclone (IRE) B J Cooper
25Jan11 Nav 16S 5y+ H(14K) 11-7[7/1] 2nd of 8 2 ½L behind Sir Des Champs (FR) B J Cooper
24Nov10 Naa 19S 5y+ MdnHdl(10K) 11-7[4/1Cf] 2nd of 25 3L behind Medical Card (IRE) B J Cooper
31Oct10 Pun 20G 4y+ MdnHdl(10K) 11-12[4/1] 2nd of 23 2 ½L behind First Lieutenant (IRE) P W Flood

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Back in focus looks like an RSA type but think I saw something about not being risked on good ground.

Back In Focus made the perfect start to his career over fences with a brilliant display from the front in the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase at Listowel.

The seven-year-old graduated from the Irish point-to-point sphere with a big reputation and won a Grade Two novice hurdle at Haydock in February of last year on his debut under Rules for Howard Johnson.

He spent over a year on the sidelines after disappointing at Aintree a couple of months later and was beaten into second on his debut for champion trainer Willie Mullins in a Tipperary hurdle race in July.

But with that sharpener under his belt, he was the 4-5 favourite for his fencing debut and could not have been more impressive.

Given his head by Ruby Walsh and allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs, it was clear a long way from home that his slick and accurate jumping would have his rivals in trouble.

The chestnut gelding rounded the home turn with a huge advantage and safely negotiated the final couple of obstacles to score by 33 lengths from White Star Line, a 136-rated chaser who was second to Hunt Ball at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Mullins said: "He has a huge long stride and I said to Ruby don't be afraid to go on if there isn't much of a pace because he keeps on galloping.

"He took one big breath going out for the last circuit but he just gallops all day and he is one with a future I hope.

"He is such a big horse I told the owners to keep him in training over the summer to stop him from getting heavy. He will need two and a half miles plus.''

[mayo]

Sea Of Thunder jumped superbly to win the Captain Christy Novice Chase at Clonmel on his chasing debut on Sunday, a race which has been won by the likes of Mossbank and Church Island in the past, and he is a high-class chaser in the making.

The Gigginstown House gelding quickened into just about every fence and took lengths out of his rivals at most of them. The only exception was the fence down the far side first time around, the fifth, which he got all wrong and at which Davy Russell did brilliantly to recover, but the rider said afterwards that he was unsighted at the fence as Rockshandy jumped to his right across him. Because of that mistake, people may not generally appreciate the quality of his jumping here, that mistake aside he barely put a foot wrong. He eased clear of the chasers on the run around into the home straight, flew the last two fences and didn’t have to come off the bridle to record a 13-length win.

As chasing debuts go, this was one of the most impressive ones you’ll see. He apparently needs good ground to be at his best, but when he has it he has the potential to be even better over fences than he was over hurdles, and he was a high-class staying novice hurdler last season. Because of his liking for good ground, it is likely that trainer Charles Byrnes will look to get plenty of experience into him before we move into the depths of winter – he mentioned the novices’ chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting as a possible next target – and if he continues to jump as well as this then he will be difficult to beat. Charles Byrnes won the 2010 RSA Chase with another Gigginstown horse in Weapon’s Amnesty, and he has another candidate on his hands for that race now with Sea Of Thunder. It is early days, but quotes of 20/1 about him for the RSA Chase are not unfair.

[JohnC]

Morning all

I think Back in Focus ( beat White Star Line at Listowel) could be a very serious tool. White Star Line has been second to a few interesting looking ones and might be more to come on good ground.


Date Conditions Race Result Jockey OR
20Sep12 Lis 22H 4y+ NovCh(13K) 11-12[9/4] 2nd of 12 33L behind Back In Focus (IRE) B J Cooper 136
20Aug12 Ros 20S 4y+ H(10K) 11-0[8/1] 2nd of 10 20L behind Tarla (FR) B J Cooper
13Mar12 Che 20G 5y+ HcapCh(50K) 11-7[14/1] 2nd of 20 8L behind Hunt Ball (IRE) Bryan J Cooper 135
29Dec11 Leo 19S 4y+ NovCh(13K) 11-12[20/1] 3rd of 7 6.50L behind Hidden Cyclone (IRE) B J Cooper
25Jan11 Nav 16S 5y+ H(14K) 11-7[7/1] 2nd of 8 2 ½L behind Sir Des Champs (FR) B J Cooper
24Nov10 Naa 19S 5y+ MdnHdl(10K) 11-7[4/1Cf] 2nd of 25 3L behind Medical Card (IRE) B J Cooper
31Oct10 Pun 20G 4y+ MdnHdl(10K) 11-12[4/1] 2nd of 23 2 ½L behind First Lieutenant (IRE) P W Flood

White Star line has run into a few right ones !

[Sprinter]

Good to see a bit of life here ...might as well stick up stable tours etc here . Colin Tizzard below

INTRODUCING the Terrific Ten: a selection of Venn Farm horses who can light up the National Hunt season for Colin Tizzard with quotes from the trainer:

Inside Dealer: Tongue tie definitely helped him land two staying handicap chases this season – and a Grand National prospect if he can rise another 10lb in the ratings.

Kings Lad: A King's Theatre gelding shrewdly bought for just £2,000 at Doncaster by budding bloodstock agent Graham Gingell to race in his colours. "Won a Wincanton bumper in March and ran into a good one when second on his hurdling debut there two months later but suffered a horrible fall at Newton Abbot in May."

Masters Hill: A big, old-fashioned type who I can see making a really nice chaser." A six-year-old grey by Tikkanen bought at the Doncaster Sales held at Newbury in March, he was easy winner of an Irish point-to-point in February. Third of 13 when not fully wound up on his British hurdling debut in April and expected to have a run over hurdles in the autumn before being sent chasing.

Mizen Station: Back in training a month ago after missing last season through leg trouble. Needs his palate looking at too but that can now be done while he's in training. Won Newbury maiden hurdle 18 months ago but disappointed in only chasing outing yet should be more the finished article now.

Nampour: Ran a cracker when second of 24 in the Imperial Cup last March. "We had designs on winning a nice race at the Cheltenham Festival but he wasn't quite right. Novice chasing now and he's lost none of his ability."

Ohio Gold: Won two hurdles in the month before Christmas but injured early in the new year and has not run since January. "Will go novice chasing in mid-December – I've always thought he would make a nice chaser over two miles or two miles and a half."

Oiseau De Nuit: Gave Steven Clements the biggest thrill of his racing life when winning the Grand Annual Handicap Chase at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival – and the now-retired Irishman reckons he would have won that race last March but for being brought down at the top of the hill. Didn't win last season but ran good races in defeat and goes for Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup once more – he was third a year ago – before trying veterans' races.

Old Tricks: The trainer's own horse – and is for sale. "I'm not over worried about selling because I think he'll win a nice chase during the winter – he is bred to be a chaser." Won a bumper and maiden hurdle last season when no more than a baby but stronger now and going very well at home.

Pasco: Grand Vision, who ran a blinder when third to the Brindisi Breeze in Cheltenham's Albert Bartlett Hurdle, is out until next autumn but owner Terry Warner has replaced him with another grey in this nine-year-old ex-French Flat racer, winner of two hurdles and two two-mile chases for Paul Nicholls.

Theatre Guide: A gorgeous young horse who will probably go straight over fences. Looked classy when beating our own Old Tricks in a novices' hurdle at Wincanton in February and was not quite right when unplaced in a Grade Two at Aintree – we had a little virus around last season."

[Sprinter]

and one gone to Kieran Burke

HELL'S Bay – winner of the Grade Two Dipper Chase at Cheltenham for Colin Tizzard – is a new face at Keiran Burke's Ash stable near Martock.

The Supreme Leader gelding suffered a setback after that win in January, 2011 and since then he has failed to reproduce the same sparkle, his latest performance being at this year's Cheltenham Festival when he was last of 26 in the County Handicap Hurdle.

The 10-year-old has now been transferred by owners Anthony Norman and Tony Fear to Burke in the hope of rekindling the form that saw him win a Grade Two hurdle at Chepstow for Paul Nicholls in 2008 and later that Dipper success for the Tizzard yard at the expense of subsequent Ryanair Chase third Medermit.

Burke said: "Hell's Bay is a lovely horse. He's jumping out of his skin and I'm very pleased to have him. He's going really well and I can't fault him – we hope a change of scenery will sweeten him up.

"We have a graduation chase at Kempton Park in mind but it could be that his first race will be at the Boyle Sports meeting at Cheltenham in December because we will take our time with him."

Fortification, who gave Burke the first success of his training career at Exeter in November, is lined up for the Desert Orchid Chase at Wincanton over three miles and three furlongs on October 28.

"He's not the easiest to train as you have to keep him sweet and catch him right but he always seems to run well when fresh. He'll be going for long-distance handicap chases."

Of others in the 12 horses on his books Burke says veteran chaser and Taunton specialist Kirbys Glen will be campaigned at his favourite course while Truq Chouet – a promising second in a Newton Abbot bumper in July – will return near Christmas.

"Kirbys Glen, who is owned by Patrick Rodford, is a bit of a legend. He's back in, has been doing roadwork and is ready to start cantering. He'll be running from mid-November – ground is not really an issue."

[Sefton]

Melissa Jones ?

Finian’s Rainbow: Can be backed at around the 10-1 mark for the King George Chase at Christmas time.

Won the fast and furious two-mile championship race at Cheltenham to the delight of this column.

That course is the ultimate test and he beat a solid rival there in Sizing Europe, miles clear of the rest.

Nothing stands out in the three mile division and there is an opportunity to be had here ante-post.

Hidden Cyclone: Raring to go according to his trainer but found the imposing Sir Des Champs too good on his last start.

Lightly raced with just nine outings, the seven-year-old has untapped potential and plenty of it.

Can realistically only get better with the Hennessy Gold Cup an early season target.

Weapon’s Amnesty: Coming back this year after a long spell out through injury.

His first run could be a great pointer as to whether he has retained the ability.

If that is the case, must take high rank in the staying division as the form of his 2010 Sun Alliance Chase victory is strong – with the following year’s Gold Cup winner Long Run well beaten in third.

Our Father: Disappointed somewhat over hurdles last year, but chasing will be his game.

Whether it’s this year or next, should be followed when he takes to the bigger obstacles.

The hustle and bustle of big handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree didn’t seem to suit and he should be much more at home in smaller, quality fields over fences on slower ground.

[mayo]

Tominator ...The grey is now in the ownership of Patsty Byrne and with trainer Jonjo O'Neill following a tremendous career on the Flat for Reg Hollinshead.

I doubt new connections could have been any happier with his effort under Jamie Spencer and he looks like he will make up into a rattling good hurdler.

He is tough, consistent and I see no real reason why he won't transfer that to the winter game where his battle-hardened profile should serve him well.

Chepstow got things under way properly as usual and Fingal Bay's chasing debut went very well indeed.

I liked the accuracy with which he jumped under Richard Johnson and I am sure he will gradually climb the ladder toward Cheltenham in March.

At a lower level on the same card, Victors Serenade was just starting to look dangerous in the three-mile handicap chase when he made an almighty horlicks early in the home straight.

He was pulled up straight away by Aidan Coleman but is worth keeping an eye on next time around three miles on soft ground.

Finally, I will be looking out for Papamoa in a bad race in the north once he goes back up in trip to three miles.

He was making his chasing debut under Lucy Alexander over a mile short of his best trip and could never land a telling blow on his first start since May.

It is fair to say he is no great shakes but is consistent at his level and may be able to find an opening early on following this wet autumn before the better horses start to emerge.

[mayo]

Gareth Bunkhmam blog

So in no particular order let’s take a look at ten to follow for the upcoming jumps season:-

1. Boston Bob – Last season’s Albert Bartlett second Boston Bob is a machine, make no mistake about that. In all honesty he should have won the Albert Bartlett at the festival back in March. I personally wasn’t overly enamoured with the ride Ruby Walsh gave him that day having to come from so far back to try and peg back the sadly no longer with us Brindisi Breeze under a masterful ride from the sadly no longer with us Campbell Gillies; and in the end it was just too big of an ask for him to reel the winner in up the gruelling Cheltenham hill.

Prior to that though he’d looked a beast, winning four in a row, including – most impressively – sluicing up under a penalty in a G2 Leopardstown hurdle. A novice chase career beckons this season and for my money the taller obstacles should bring out further improvement in the lightly-raced seven-year-old. He’s already popular in the betting for the RSA and even now looks a future Gold Cup contender.

Selected Early Odds: RSA 10/1

2. Flemenstar – Flemenstar caught everyone’s attention when running away with the G1 Irish Arkle back in late January; he scored by 19l that day but it could have been as far as he’d liked really. Talk of Cheltenham instantly followed that stunning performance but perhaps wisely given that he’d more than likely have met the incredible Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle, the festival was by-passed.

Instead Flemenstar opted to take in a rather modest G3 at Naas the weekend before the Cheltenham festival began, once again trouncing the opposition and more excitingly doing so over 2m4f this time. He was also kept at the interim distance for his most recent success, another wide margin win in the G1 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.

Distance seemingly being no obstacle to the seven-year-old means that incredibly he’s close to the head of the market for the Champion Chase, the Ryanair and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham; hopefully we’ll see him make his first foray on to English shores this season, but even if we don’t you can all but guarantee that Flemenstar is only just getting started.

Selected Early Odds: Champion Chase 20/1, Ryanair 7/1, Gold Cup 12/1

3. Last Instalment – Staying in Ireland, we have a horse that’s jumping could be an art form. Last Instalment forms part of one of the strongest hands there is at the moment for Gigginstown Stud, who literally have four or five horses that could feasibly win the Gold Cup this year – including this one.

Last Instalment has lost only twice from 9 career starts and began his career in the most impressive of fashions when scoring by 27l. He is unbeaten over fences and was my idea of the RSA winner last year until he unfortunately picked up an injury that ruled him out of a likely Cheltenham run.

The first time he really caught my attention was when winning a G1 Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas last year when easily accounting for his owner’s more fancied horse First Lieutenant by 6l after jumping him silly. Given that his foe that day went on to be a 2½l second in the RSA you’d have to think that had Last Instalment been able to take his chance at Cheltenham this year that he’d have been very hard to beat in the RSA.

Sadly though it wasn’t to be and the last time we saw him was when winning the G1 Dr. Moriarty at Leopardstown in February. Providing he’s back to fitness and retains the abundance of ability we saw in him last year Last Instalment could remain unbeaten over fences for some time to come yet.

Selected Early Odds: King George 50/1, Gold Cup 25/1

4. Gevrey Chambertin – Much like Noble Mission will forever be known as “Frankel’s brother” this horse until now has been known mainly as “Grands Crus’ brother”, but Gevrey Chambertin has shown enough in his fledgling career to date to suggest that he might be stepping out of that grey shadow sooner rather than later.

An astounding 30l winner on his debut in a bumper at Ffos Las in the mud, Gevrey Chambertin more than justified the hype surrounding him. In the aftermath of that performance trainer David Pipe talked about putting him away for the season to allow him time to develop and grow in to himself but he was obviously bouncing at home and thus he made his second start in the big bumper at Newbury on the rearranged Super Saturday card in February.

He led most of the away once again over the extended 2 miles but was caught in the last furlong, he probably wouldn’t have won but in getting hampered badly at the death by the eventual winner he ended up fourth.

Still, he lost nothing in defeat and much like his brother a step up in trip this season over hurdles is likely to bring about further improvement. He’s not quoted in the markets for any of the big ante-post races at present but Gevrey Chambertin should certainly be watched for in novice hurdle races at any distance this coming season.

5. Overturn – Probably my favourite horse in training over either discipline, and that’s possibly because he so effortlessly switches between them. ‘The little horse that could’ enjoyed another fine term over obstacles last winter and didn’t fare too badly on the level either this summer.

There’s not much we don’t know about this horse over hurdles and on the flat but the reason he’s one to watch for this coming season is that a novice chase career beckons.

Last seen fading in to eighth in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot, he’d previously been a game second in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham before posting another gallant bid in the mud in the Chester Cup, also finishing second.

He’s already won some of the biggest races on the flat and over hurdles and reports suggest he’s already schooling fantastically over fences so could soon be adding big chase races to that long list of accolades. One thing is for sure, if he’s able to put up the same sort of front-running displays over the big obstacles that he’s been capable of over hurdles and on the flat then with his never say die attitude he could be extremely difficult to peg back.

Selected Early Odds: Arkle 14/1, Champion Hurdle 40/

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6. Hinterland – Paul Nicholls’ French import looked a novice hurdler to follow last season after a comfortable debut win at Cheltenham, but he then failed to justify long odds on favouritism there when beaten on his second start.

He managed third in a competitive handicap hurdle back at Cheltenham in January before falling in the Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree at the end of the season. In all honesty though his hurdles campaign was a formality as he always looked a chaser and the four-year-old now has the opportunity to strut his stuff over fences.

Nicholls has recently said he may have to start him off over hurdles again this season as he’s not been able to school him quite as much as he’d have liked and having fallen on his last run wouldn’t want to throw him straight out over fences. There have still been some very positive vibes coming out of the yard about Hinterland’s future though and he looks an exciting prospect for the season.

Selected Early Odds: Arkle 16/1, RSA 33/1

7. Simonsig – This one is probably the least original selection on the list but it does feel slightly like in the midst of all the Sprinter Sacre hype that Simonsig has not quite got the attention and recognition he deserves after a near flawless novice season.

Nicky Henderson’s speedy grey would be unbeaten if not for a defeat to the very useful Fingal Bay at Sandown in December, but the manner in which he landed the Neptune at Cheltenham and then destroyed a good field at Aintree more than atoned for that minor blip in what is otherwise a stellar career to date.

There had been talk of him staying hurdling this year – he’s still second favourite for the Champion Hurdle – but at his open day Nicky Henderson seemed to suggest that it would be a novice chase campaign this season over the minimum distance, meaning the Arkle would be his ultimate goal, prompting comparisons with his aforementioned monstrous stable mate and also offering the tantalising thought of a clash between the two of them down the line.

Neither option has been flat out confirmed yet but wherever Simonsig ends up for Cheltenham he looks set to be at the head of the market after what will hopefully have been another impressive season.

Selected Early Odds: Arkle 4/1, Champion Hurdle 15/2, RSA 14/1, World Hurdle 33/1

8. Hunt Ball – No horse enjoyed quite as rapid an ascension through the chasing ranks last year as Hunt Ball did. Going from an official rating of just 68 in November his incredible run saw him finish the season rated 157 after an excellent third in his first attempt at G1 level in the Bowl at Aintree.

His story would be special in any circumstances but eccentric owner Anthony Knott just adds more charm to Hunt Ball’s wonderful tale. After Hunt Ball’s emphatic festival win in the Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase, Knott speculated that it could be the Gold Cup in 2013 for his star horse and if he continues to improve as he did last season who’s to say he can’t be a leading contender for the blue ribbon come this season’s festival.

Hunt Ball is likely to start out in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, for which he is currently challenging for favouritism, and that should give us an idea of where the horse is after a summer break but trainer Kieran Burke has reported the horse to be in good heart coming in to the season which will hopefully mean the great story of Hunt Ball has several more chapters to be written yet.

Selected Early Odds: Paddy Power Gold Cup 7/1, King George 20/1, Ryanair 20/1, Gold Cup 25/1

9. Teaforthree – Last season I nailed my colours to the mast for the Grand National pretty early on with Cappa Bleu and he did me proud running in to fourth on the biggest day of the season. This year it’s still a little early to be picking out a National horse, but one horse that I think looks like a potential National horse in the making is Rebecca Curtis’s Teaforthree.

Tony McCoy does have a link to Rebecca Curtis’s small(ish) yard but the fact that he’s ridden this horse on most of his race course appearances says a great deal about the esteem in which the horse is held.

After a decent enough novice hurdle campaign, the move to the larger obstacles brought even greater improvement out in the eight-year-old last season. He rather fluffed his lines a bit when pulled up in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day but bounced right back at the end of the season landing a low key Chepstow handicap before becoming a Cheltenham Festival winner when winning the amateur riders National Hunt Chase.

As a second season chaser, the real staying tests will surely be right up Teaforthree’s street and at this very early stage he’s my idea of a major Grand National player, to hopefully give the race the great story it so desperately needs this year.

Selected Early Odds: Grand National 33/1

10. Weapon’s Amnesty – Where do you start with Weapon’s Amnesty? A dual festival winner seemingly with the world at his feet before a serious injury kept him off the track for the last two seasons.

Now back in training with Charles Byrnes Weapon’s Amnesty is reportedly pleasing the trainer and connections are crossing their fingers that everything remains okay with the horse.

His RSA win in 2010 reads very impressively when you look at the horses he easily beat that day:- Burton Port, Long Run & Diamond Harry among others. He clearly loves Cheltenham having also won the Albert Bartlett in 2009 and should he remain fit and make it to the festival this year he must be a lively contender for the Gold Cup, not that Gigginstown are short on a contender or two for that race at present.

Whether he contests the Gold Cup or not it’ll be great to have back a very talented horse after such a long lay off, and hopefully he’ll have retained the ability he showed when smashing up a future Gold Cup winner two and a half years ago. He may have had a long lay-off but it’s important to remember he’s still only nine which gives him a good couple of years yet at what are usually consider the peak ages for chasers.

Selected Early Odds: Gold Cup 33/1