Four of the two hundred horses from my National Hunt Guide 2015/16 to whet the appetite. Details of the guide can be found on grahamrichardsonline.co.uk
Chocca Wocca 5-y-o (27Feb10 b m)
Daughter of the excellent race mare Chomba Womba, formerly trained by Mr Henderson. Won a Bumper at Ludlow before finishing an excellent second in an Aintree Listed race. She has done well for a summer break and will go novice hurdling this season. Connections are hopeful she can prove good enough to contest the new mares’ novice at the Cheltenham Festival. The stud where Chocca Wocca was born sponsors the race.
Ikrapol (FR) 3-y-o (07May12 gr g)
Ikrapol ran twice at Enghein finishing fourth and third. The second home in his final race is now rated 150 in France, while the winner has joined Mr Nicholls. Following a good summer break, Juvenile hurdles over two-miles beckon. He has proved himself able to handle soft and heavy ground.
Matchaway (IRE) 6-y-o (01Jan09 b g)
Following two decent runs in Irish Bumpers, Matchaway was purchase for 39,000 Euros at Tattersalls (Ireland) August sales. The collateral form from his Bumpers suggests he can find a similar race in the UK before going over hurdles. Likely to prove best on good through to soft.
The Saint James (FR) J J O’Neill
Ex-French horse that won over hurdles before placing over fences (Grade Three) at Auteuil. His two best performances came at Cheltenham in the Fred Winter where he was arguably given too much to do, and Aintree where he met trouble in running before clouting the last hurdle. Rated 2lb lower over fences he looks sure to find a valuable handicap over hurdles or fences. His French handicap mark of 154 suggests his UK mark is yet to reach its summit.
