The Notable Entries List returns for another week, and Ginger Joe has picked out five more horses of interest for the days ahead.
Last week threw up a few fascinating angles, particularly with King Of Kingsfield trained by Gordon Elliott.
I mentioned at the time that I thought his entry was more about Gordon trying to gauge what mark his gelding might receive from the British handicapper, and that he might not actually take his place in the lineup. As it turned out, he did run, though he was clearly given a tender ride and was pulled up before the home turn.
To my eye, it looked very much like a calculated run possibly with the aim of securing a reduced mark before bringing him back over for the Cheltenham Festival in March, where I still think he’ll be a serious player.
There were plenty of other interesting runners too, including Wendigo, a horse I’m personally part-owner of. He was just caught on the line on debut, but we were delighted with the performance. He jumped and travelled well, only getting picked up late in what turned into a sprint finish.
The trip was a bit shorter than ideal, so we’re confident there’s more to come when he steps up in distance next time and the Brown Advisory remains very much the long-term plan.
This week brings another batch of intriguing entries worth keeping an eye on, with some potential stars emerging on both sides of the Irish Sea. It’s shaping up to be a cracking few days for jumps fans.
Just a quick reminder, these are not betting tips, but rather notable runners highlighted for specific reasons, which I’ll explain in the article below. Enjoy the read!
ROCKY'S DIAMOND
Trainer: David Queally
(5yo) Altruistic x Long Walk Home
Form: 01/51314-01
Wexford, Monday 27th October - Memorial Chase 2m7f
Really looking forward to the 15:30 at Wexford today as Rocky's Diamond steps into his second career start as a chaser. He has opened up at 7/4 tomorrow, and even though he is clearly a horse with a lot of potential.
He is very short considering he comes up against decent horses like Gorgeous Tom, Blizzard Of Oz, Monbeg Park and even Search For Glory. It's very possible that in time, he can turn into the best horse in the race, and he may even win today, but taking 6/4 about him is very risky.
I really like the Declan Queally yard, so I hope he does well over fences this year and he ran really well to finish fourth in the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but I have no interest in punting on him at the same time. He is just a fascinating runner today as a horse with a lot of potential over fences, and he could be a potential star for what is considered one of the smaller yards in Ireland.
Tullyhill at Naas in January 2024 (Getty Images)
TULLYHILL
Trainer: Willie Mullins
(7 yo) Martaline x Ragtime
Chase Form: 22PP-
Wexford, Monday 27th October - Beginners Chase 2m
2024 Supreme Novice Hurdle favourite Tullyhill makes his first start of the season on Monday, but his fifth start over fences.
He has always been a quirky horse and never quite lived up to expectation, but we know he is talented on his day, and it will be interesting to see if he jumps fences better now that he is another year older.
He is a lovely looking horse, even if a bit on the small side, however, it would be great to see him go well this season as a horse that was at one point, destined to become a true Grade 1 animal.
He had a hurdles mark of 145, and if he can jump well, which is the big question he has to answer, and run to that hurdles level today over fences, then he should be able to pick up his first chase win. However, he is a risky proposition with plenty to prove now.
Betfred
- Huge range of regular promotions
- 24/7 live chat service
- PickYourPunt builder for custom bets
ROSSCAHILL
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
(6 yo) Malinas x Miranda's Way
Hurdles Form: 114-
Ffos Las, Tuesday 28th October - Handicap Chase 3m1f
Rosscahill had a big reputation after winning his point and he joined the Twiston-Davies team and won his first two hurdles starts, before finishing 4th at Ffos Las. In fact, all three of his starts to date have come here.
He will be popular on the day due to his attractive profile, but a 3m1f+ handicap chase for his debut, is far from ideal. I prefer these types to run in a beginners chase, or a novice chase, because handicappers have to jump well to get competitive and I am not convinced about this gelding there.
He gets the chance to prove me wrong on Tuesday, and his handicap mark is probably a fair enough starting point at 120. However if you remember this fella, his back left leg swings wide to the outside, it’s really distinctive, and whether it should or shouldn't make a difference, the fact it's a deep handicap first time up where jumping is so important, it's a concern for me.
He will be popular amongst punters no doubt, but he isn’t for me.
Willmount and Nico de Boinville at Newbury. November, 2023. (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
WILLMOUNT
Trainer: Rebecca Curtiis
(7 yo) Blue Bresil x Youngstar
Form: 11/1P/F5-
Ffos Las, Tuesday 28th October - Handicap Chase 2m3f
Willmount was a £400,000 purchase sent to Nicky Henderson after winning a point-to-point back in 2022, and he looked every inch a horse with serious potential.
He confirmed that impression by bolting up in both of his bumper starts, before producing a deeply impressive hurdles debut at Newbury the following season.
Sent off just 9/4 for the Challow Hurdle, expectations were high, but he was quickly pulled up and subsequently missed the rest of the campaign through injury.
When he eventually returned, he fell at Cheltenham before disappointing at Kempton, after which he left Henderson’s yard.
Now under the care of Rebecca Curtis, a trainer very much on the up and one who does particularly well with chasers, Willmount becomes a fascinating runner to watch this week.
He’s not necessarily a betting proposition just yet, but it’ll be intriguing to see if the Curtis team can rekindle the spark in a horse who once looked to have a huge ceiling of potential.
DERRYHASSEN PADDY
Trainers: Lucinda Russell & Peter Scudamore
(6 yo) Arctic Cosmos x Kerrie Girl
Form: 11/113
Newcastle, Thursday 30th October - Beginners Chase 2m7f
Derryhassen Paddy is set to make his chase debut at Newcastle on Thursday, and he’s a fascinating runner here. This is his first start since having run a fine race to finish third in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.
There is plenty of potential here and Derryhassen Paddy begins his chasing career over what appears to be a very suitable distance. That should give us a better indication of his true ability, and he could easily emerge as a Brown Advisory type if everything goes to plan this season.
His opening assignment here looks to be a very winnable race as he is far better than his rivals on ratings, and you would be expecting him to win at the first time of asking against this bunch.
