Andy Holding picks out ten horses who could make a major impact over fences this season.
ACT OF INNOCENCE – Nicky Henderson
Stable mate Old Park Star may have gained the bragging rights over the son of My Dream Boat at Seven Barrows last season, but he is a class act in his own right and should take high rank in novice chases this term.
During the early part of the last campaign, Nicky Henerson’s inmate seemed to be the stable’s number one two-mile novice but a defeat at the hands of juvenile, Minella Yoga, when sent off 2-7 favourite at Newbury in December, coinciding with Old Park Star’s victory at Cheltenham a month later, shifted the picture dramatically.
Victory in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon over 2m3f on his next start saw him to even greater advantage and his appreciation for further than two miles was confirmed when he finished an honourable runner-up in the Turner’s Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Proving he can handle the rough and tumble of a big field back in March should stand him in fine stead going forward and the blend of speed and stamina he possesses are the perfect ingredients for him to become a top-notch novice chaser.
BOSSMAN JACK – Dan Skelton
A creditable sixth in the Turner’s at the festival, Dan Skelton’s inmate would have finished a good deal closer but for a bad mistake at the last and he went on to confirm that view by capturing the Grade 1 over the same trip at Aintree.
Although the race at Liverpool a month later wasn’t as competitive as the one at Cheltenham, the son of Jacks Hobbs still impressed with the way he travelled before staying on powerfully to pull well clear in the final half a mile and the speed figure he posted in victory was his third big number in a row.
Described by his handler as having “a big engine, in a child’s brain” his sometimes-suspect technique over hurdles will hopefully improve when he pays more respect to the larger obstacles and he has all the tools to become one of the best in his division this season.
HARRY LOWES – Dan Skelton
Although not in the class of the likes of stable mates, Bossman Jack, Soldier Reeves and Mydaddypaddy over hurdles, this lightly raced five-year-old is still expected to make his mark over fences this season.
The son of Walk In The Park was good enough to lower the colours of the very smart Mighty Park in an Irish point and while it took him longer than anticipated to realise his potential under rules, his last two performances gave sign of things to come.
Impressive when lowering the colours of two useful sorts at Bangor, he was strongly fancied to land a competitive handicap at Aintree’s Grand National fixture and if it wasn’t for a bad blunder three out, there is every chance he would have ended the season on a high.
Still, it was a display that suggested he remains a very well handicapped horse going forward and with connections no doubt keen to get this fella over fences sooner rather than later, he can make hay in the early part of the campaign and beyond.
HE’S ON FIRE – Willie Mullins
The son of Chanducoq created a huge impression when running away with a maiden hurdle at Carlisle on his first start for new connections and the speed figure he posted hinted he was well worth his place in a better race next time.
True to form, he was sent to Fairyhouse to contest a Grade 2 two months later and despite the race not being the strongest of its kind, it still witnessed a high-class performance from a young novice very much going the right way.
The race took a while to develop but the final circuit time points to the winner running to a very high standard, and he appeared to win with plenty in hand.
Put away for the rest of the season with a view to coming back as a chaser this term, this strapping gelding has the physique to take to his new vocation with aplomb and he could turn out to be one of the most exciting recruits his stable unleashes in the novice ranks.
KLIMT MADRIK – Toby Lawes
Last season’s Turner’s Novice Hurdle was littered with many future chasing prospects, none more so than this guy and it would be a surprise if he didn’t make the grade based on his form over hurdles.
Good enough to push No Drama This End all the way in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury back in December, the son of Choeur Du Nord was sent off one of the outsiders of the 21-strong field at Prestbury Park three months later but despite his 80-1 odds, he ran much better than his market position anticipated.
A bad mistake at the second last came at an untimely juncture, but despite his momentum being checked, he kept his poise to rally to the cause and staying on strongly up the hill, he managed to finish a creditable eighth, only beaten just over six lengths.
Based on that performance and several others high-class runs previously, Toby Lowes’ inmate has been seriously punching above his weight considering his humble beginnings and he has all the requisite attributes to reach even greater heights over fences.
LATOSCA DU HOUX – Willie Mullins
As we know, bumpers are often slowly run, leading to much confusion when it comes to assessing the merits of the participants but every now and then, there is a race that stands out and points towards the form being extremely solid.
The contest won at Ayr by this promising mare was one of those rare birds that supplied a very strong pace, and she ended up winning it in the style of a very smart prospect.
The well backed Goulmichette went off at a searing pace, which led to the field soon becoming strung out, but Nicky Richards’ mare was more than happy waiting in the wings and picking up the running when the pace inevitably collapsed, she powered her way clear to score by an ever-increasing 12 lengths.
Subsequently switched to Willie Mullins, she had one run for her new connection in a useful bumper at Punchestown and despite running off the track on the home turn, she did more than enough up to that juncture to suggest she is going to fulfil her potential.
MYDADDYPADDY – Dan Skelton
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle was pound-for-pound, one of the best races run at the Cheltenham Festival based on the data and Dan Skelton’s inmate proved that he belonged at the very top table.
The Walk In The Park gelding’s bubble had been burst somewhat by Idaho Sun in the Grade 1 Formby Hurdle previously but his high cruising speed was seen to better effect in this strongly run environment and there is a good case to be made he might have won on another day had he not challenged in between rivals on the run-in.
Either way, he still came out of the race with his reputation enhanced and with a horse of his speed, he looks tailor made for novice chases over the minimum trip, with his ultimate target The Arkle back at the festival next March.
POET’S WHISPER – Nicky Richards
The word on the street prior to his debut in a bumper at Kelso suggested Nicky Richards’ inmate was one of the nicest types to run from the Greystoke stable this season and the son of Poet’s Word didn’t disappoint.
Momentarily outpaced rounding the home turn, he soon latched back onto the bridle once straightening up for the judge and he was noticeably strong at the finish.
On the evidence of this display, he will get further in time, and he rates a nice prospect for a yard that does well with this type.
RED ACRES MAX – Jamie Snowden
The Lambourn handler enjoyed his best season both numerically and financially and although this fella only added 3k towards the pot, there is a strong possibility he will be a bigger contributor this term.
Despite being beaten on his rules debut at Fontwell by Minella Premier (he could have easily made the list as well), the speed figure at the Sussex venue suggested he was unlucky to bump into such a useful prospect and the son of Maxios made up for that defeat with a pleasing victory of his own at Carlisle next time out.
Staying on strongly in the latter stages at the Cumbrian venue, the five-year-old left the impression he is going to require further to be seen to best effect over hurdles and although it is always difficult to compare horses like-for-like, he has many similarities to last year’s Albert Bartlett hero, Johnny’s Jury.
RIVER KWAI - Paul Nicholls
There were not that many well-run bumpers away from the big meetings last season, but the one won by this chap at Exeter in March bucked the trend.
The main feature of his performance on debut at the west country venue was how easily he travelled behind the strong pace and once asked for maximum effort, he assumed command despite just drifting to his left close home.
A well-made sort with plenty of size and scope, Paul Nicholls’ inmate should have a bright future ahead, particularly when he is asked to tackle a fence.
