It’s ten to follow time again! A few of these are not on the official Totesport ten to follow list. (TTTF) indicates those that are.
Barrakilla. 4yo, Evan Williams
Won his only point in Ireland before joining Evan Williams this summer. He had a good first run in an Ascot bumper last weekend. Considered to be an exciting prospect.
Berties Dream. 8yo, Henry De Bromhead (Ire) (TTTF)
2010 Albert Bartlett winner when in the care of Paul Gilligan. He was a very sick horse last season and still managed to finish sixth to Big Bucks in the World Hurdle. 4th on his Seasonal reappearance at Thurles. Do not give up on him!
Hidden Cyclone. 6yo, John “Shark” Hanlon (Ire) (TTTF)
Won two Grade Two’s in Ireland last season and won six out of seven races in total. Plans are to go novice chasing with him around Christmas time. His trainer believes he could be a Gold Cup horse for 2014.
Hurricane Fly. 7yo, Willie Mullins (Ire) (TTTF)
Obvious I know but I just couldn’t have a ten to follow without him in it! You know all about him and the road to Cheltenham begins again in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on 20 November. Savour him.
Quito De La Roque. 7yo, Colm Murphy (Ire) (TTTF)
Won at Aintree and Punchestown last year. Was only beaten once in six races last season and that was by RSA winner Bostons Angel. Apparently has a preference to flat tracks so we may not ever see him at jumping’s HQ. Due to run in Saturday’s JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Rocky Creek. 5yo, Paul Nicholls
Bought literally at the track after winning his only point to point in Ireland. Was rumoured to have cost £250,000. Many a good judge considered him to be the best newcomer they had seen all season. Sent off at prohibitive odds for his first start over hurdles at Exeter yesterday and was beaten a neck. There is a lot more to come from him.
Rubi Light. 6yo, Robert Hennessy (Ire) (TTTF)
Would have beaten Sizing Europe had it not been for a last fence fall at Gowran in October. A Grade Two winner at the same track last season. Third in the Ryanair at the Festival. Needs soft ground to be at his very best. Was due to run in this weekend’s JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal but has been found to be suffering from a viral infection.
Thousand Stars. 7yo, Willie Mullins (Ire) (TTTF)
Will he go chasing, will he stay hurdling? He does not know how to run a bad race. 2010 County Hurdle winner, 4th in this year’s Champion Hurdle and winner of the Grade One Grande Course De Haies D’Auteuil in France.
Wishfull Thinking. 8yo, Phillip Hobbs (TTTF)
Won at Aintree and Punchestown. Second to Noble Prince in the Jewson. Currently second favourite for the Paddy Power. Tough as nails and versatile with regards to ground. Further improvement expected.
Wyse Hill Teabags. 6yo, Jim Goldie
Unlucky not win the valuable listed handicap hurdle at Aintree in April. Third the Grade Two premier Hurdle at Kelso. Clearly useful.
