Novice Hurdlers 2012-13
FSF: Graham Richards Form & Speed rating TF: Timeform rating RPR: Racing Post rating
Current entries: SN: Supreme Hurdle; NI: Neptune Investment; AB: Albert Bartlett
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FSF
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TF
RPR
THE NEW ONE
SN & NI
This fellow is improving at a rate of knots. Having racked up two wins in October, including one at Prestbury Park, he then met with a slight setback. Returned to action at Warwick, he demolished his rivals with a powerful display of galloping and jumping. His next run at Cheltenham will tell us more, as his time figure suggests he needs to improve in Grade One company.
154
151
152
DODGING BULLETS
SN
Bolted up at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting. Followed-up by making all in the Grade Two Novice Hurdle, over two-miles, at the Paddy Power meeting. Although something of a non-event pace wise, he beat a decent field including River Maigue to whom he was conceding 7lb. Sent to Kempton Park for the Christmas Hurdle he was far from disgraced in third despite not hurdling with the greatest fluency. He held his head to his left suggesting the right-handed track may not have suited him. Neither did the lack of early pace something that should not be repeated in March. A genuine two-miler with Cheltenham form, he appears to handle most ground conditions. Looks attractively priced at present.
153
152
156
CAUSE OF CAUSES
Fast improving horse set to go for the Betfair Hurdle and the Supreme Novices. He has shown ability in large and small fields on good through to heavy. Ran well at Cheltenham when third to Olofi in November. On the downside, he has had twelve races since February 2012, which may tell, come March.
151
150
152
CONEYGREE
NI, WH & AB
Powerful galloper that has made all to win three hurdles this season. The latest came at Cheltenham in December where he galloped on strongly, having been pressed by the eventual runner-up Aerial (officially rated 154 over fences) on the long run from the second last. Whatever he does over hurdles is likely to be surpassed when he sees a fence.
151
143
150
CHAMPAGNE FEVER
NI & AB
Reappeared to make all at Cork in a novices hurdle. Sent to Fairyhouse for the Royal Bond he found Jezki’s turn of foot too much to handle. It should not be forgotten he was conceding 3lb that day. Champagne Fever then disappointed at Naas where it was reported he had a respiratory tract infection. He had set a near suicidal pace, which would have been hard to maintain under any circumstances. If he returns to his best form, he will have to be seriously considered wherever he turns up. Contrary to many, I believe the Supreme Hurdle would suit him best. His exuberant galloping style may be more suited to that event than the alternatives over longer distances.
150
143
150
PUFFIN BILLY
SN & NI
Dual Bumper winner, who is also two from two over hurdles. He has cruised home on both occasions, jumping better as the pace increased during the race. With plenty of stamina in his breeding, both the Supreme and Neptune have to considered likely targets. He appears at home on soft/heavy ground, suggesting the latter might be his target if the normal good to soft ground starts the meeting. I would like to see him run in a higher-grade race before making a final assessment on his chances.
150
144
150
Rule The World
NI & AB
Rule The World is a fast improving hurdler. His most recent win may have been overshadowed by Champagne Fever’s below-par run and Minsk chasing the pace too hard in the early stages. Nevertheless, there can be no argument with the way he stamped his class on the race. Winning easily, he stayed on strongly all the way to the line. A fine big horse, his physique and breeding suggests he will stay three-miles when required.
150
151
148
TARQUIN DU SEUIL
NI
Having bolted up on his hurdle debut at Uttoxeter, Taquin De Seuil found My Tent Or Yours holding too much pace at Ascot. Upped in distance, he took a Neptune Hurdle Trial at Sandown Park, following up in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury. Rated 88 on the flat in France, he stayed well over there and has a preference for good to soft through to heavy ground. Two and a half-miles appears his right trip. Jumps well and has a likeable attitude.
150
143
149
JEZKI
SN
Recent high-profile purchase for J P McManus. Four hurdle wins have seen him propelled to the top of the Supreme Novices market. His latest effort came at Christmas when easily defeating Waaheb and chums in the Future Champions Hurdle run at Leopardstown. He jumps well, handles good through too soft/heavy, and has a good turn of foot. However, his one run at Cheltenham was a disappointment. In addition, he needs to prove himself in a multi-runner field. If not having another run, Jezki faces a seventy-five day absence. Something not achieved since 1993.
149
145
153
My Tent Or Yours
sn
Started his hurdle career with a smooth success over Taquin Du Seuil at Ascot. That chap has gone on to record a slightly higher rating raised in distance to two and a half-miles. Bogged down in the Newbury mud behind stablechum Chatterbox, he bounced back to form with a facile success at Huntingdon. Acts on good to soft through to heavy and looks a two-miler, pure and simple. Favourite for the Betfair Hurdle, it would be wise to hear connections plans for both that race and the Supreme Novices. Yet to race at Cheltenham.
149
150
149
PONT ALEXANDRE
NI & AB
Having bolted at up at Cholet last May, Pont Alexandre joined Willie Mullins. The trainer has never hidden his admiration for this fellow and was rewarded with an all the way win in Grade One at Navan in late December. To win a race of that description on his Irish debut following just one outing some seven months earlier, was some achievement. At five-years, my feeling is he would be best kept to two and a half-miles as only one horse has won the Albert Bartlett at that age (Moulin Riche 2004) Appears effective on good to soft through to heavy.
149
150
149
Gevrey Chambertin
NI & AB
Improving hurdler that has won over “Fixed Brush” hurdles at Haydock Park as well as Aintree and Wincanton. His most recent success came in a handicap when he remain. An and I HORRIBLE! It out seal this and not was skin had Feb. I.
made a mockery of his allotted mark. A full-brother to Grand Crus it remains to be seen whether he will stay the three-mile test of Albert Bartlett, if indeed he is sent in that direction. Stays two and a half-miles on good though too heavy.
