The Racing Oracle

THIRTY HORSES EXPECTED TO IMPROVE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON



AFRICAN GOLD (IRE) (N. Twiston-Davies) – An exciting recruit to chasing this season is African Gold. An impressive winner of his bumper, he proved a good money earner for connections last season, winning four times over hurdles. All those wins were over two and a half miles, but he stepped up in trip at Cheltenham to take on At Fishers Cross in the Albert Bartlett and ran a fine race to finish second where he possibly did not stay quiet as well as the winner. One thing that is certain though, is that he handles testing ground well. The going was soft at Cheltenham, but it was heavy when he won at Newbury and I believe that two and a half miles on heavy ground are his optimum conditions. He has the build of a chaser and it would not surprise me to see him put up a sequence of wins in novice chases this season.


ANNIE POWER (IRE) (W. Mullins) – Willie Mullins may train the best jumps mare in training in Quevega, but he has another exciting prospect on his hands in Annie Power. The winner of all three starts in bumpers, by an aggregate 67 ½ lengths, she looked just as good over hurdles last season, winning all four starts. First time out she was very impressive on testing ground at Thurles and then she followed up at Clonmel, where she made all the running for another easy win on testing ground. Those victories earned her a step up in grade and it made no difference to her, easily winning a Grade Two, beating the useful pair of Defy Logic and Don Cossack. Her final start of the season was the Grade One mares final at Fairyhouse and again she won easily on testing ground but this time she was held up. It is clear that she is a very exciting horse with a fantastic record (seven wins from seven starts) and that she also excels on soft/heavy ground, and it will be very interesting to see how far she can progress. If she avoids Quevega, she will clearly be hard to beat in mares races, but she may take on the geldings as well during the season. She could stay over hurdles and do very well, but connections may be tempted to go chasing and she could prove top class. Whatever happens, she is one to follow and not one to oppose lightly.


BRIAR HILL (IRE) (W. Mullins) – It is hard to believe that a Mullins-Walsh runner in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper was allowed to go off at 25/1, but it happened and Briar Hill was a very impressive winner. Held up early on, he made good progress throughout the race and then stormed clear up the run-in for a very impressive victory. Apparently he does not show much at home, but he certainly does on the course and he should make an impact over hurdles. He started his career in Irish points and then stayed on well to win his debut under rules in a five runner bumper at Thurles, before making the headlines at Cheltenham. The winner of the Cheltenham bumper is usually a decent horse, so to have won it by seven lengths means he is a must for this list. It could be that stamina came into play at Cheltenham and a trip of two and a half miles over hurdles may be best, but he certainly should be competitive over two miles also.


CAPTAIN CUTTER (IRE) (N. J. Henderson) – One to look out for in novice hurdles this season is Captain Cutter. He made his debut in a listed contest at Ascot and showed a good attitude to get the better of Kings Palace, (who was very impressive when winning his only previous start), with the pair finishing 11 lengths clear of the pack. Next time out he finished third to the promising Red Sherlock, but he was held up off a slow pace that day, so there is every chance that he is better than that run. His final start was in Ireland and he ran a decent race to finish second to the very promising Turnandgo at Punchestown on heavy ground. His trainer has a great record with novice hurdlers and I can see him developing into a useful horse this season and should be followed.


CLONDAW COURT (IRE) (W. Mullins) – One of the most impressive winners of a bumper last season was Clondaw Court. Tackling heavy ground at Punchestown, he made the opposition look ordinary, coming home some 27 lengths clear of his nearest rival. Unfortunately he met a setback and missed the Weatherbys Champion bumper, but connections rate him highly and he could be very exciting this season. He was an easy winner of his sole start in Irish point-to-points and could develop into a top class chaser in time, but for this season he will be going novice hurdling and should be a contender in the top races over the winter. I can certainly see him doing well over hurdles and all being well we will see him at the 2014 Cheltenham festival as one of the leading contenders for one of the novice hurdles.


CONEYGREE (M. Bradstock) – One of the most exciting novice chase prospects for this season is Coneygree. He really impressed when making all to win his debut over hurdles at Uttoxeter on soft ground and then stepped up in class to again make all, this time to win a Grade Two contest at Cheltenham. I was there that day and it looked as if he was really suited to the testing conditions, so he would always be worth looking out for when the ground is very soft. The other significant thing about him on that day was that he stood out from the other runners, in that he had the look of a chaser and was much bigger than the opposition. There were some fair horses behind him that day, but he made them look ordinary. He returned to Cheltenham for his next start and stepped up in trip to three miles, but the result was the same as he again made all to win easily on heavy ground. He ran below form on his final start but it was a top class race with two subsequent Cheltenham festival winners beating him in At Fishers Cross and The New One and now that his attention has been turned towards chasing, he could prove top class on testing ground.


DJAKADAM (FR) (W. Mullins) – Runner up on his sole start in France, Djakadam progressed into a useful hurdler last season for Willie Mullins. Very unlucky on his Irish debut, when unseating Ruby Walsh at the last with the race in control, he made no mistake next time out, when making all to win easily at Gowran Park on heavy ground. He then followed up with another easy win on heavy ground, this time making all at Limerick, before finishing a fair second in a Grade 3 contest at Fairyhouse on yielding ground. On his final start of the season he could not cope with Diakali in the Grade One AES Champion Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown, but that was his fifth run in just three months and he may have been over the top by then. Having had the summer off, he could come back a much stronger horse and looks an exciting prospect for this season, especially if connections decide to send him chasing, as he has the size to do very well at that game and the way he jumps hurdles, indicates that chasing could be the making of him. Two miles on heavy ground could be his optimum conditions and I can see him doing very well over fences this season.


FAUGHEEN (IRE) (W. Mullins) – Having been well supported for his debut in an Irish point-to-point, Faugheen did not let his supporters down, winning easily on good ground in April 2012. He was then sold and joined the powerful Willie Mullins team before making his debut under rules at Punchestown last May in a bumper. On that occasion he faced 21 opponents but always travelled well and then made his move two furlongs from home, before pulling clear to win very easily. It was a very impressive victory and he looks a potential star for the future and should do very well over hurdles. Given his connections, it is easy to see him making a big impression in the top novice hurdle races during the season in Ireland and he looks very exciting.


FINGAL BAY (IRE) (P. J. Hobbs) – A top class hurdler, winning four of his five starts, including beating Simonsig, Fingal Bay promised to be an exciting recruit to chasing last season. Things did not go to plan however as although he won his debut at Chepstow, he did not impress many, but saying that he did jump well and I expected him to progress from there. Next time out he ran a solid race as he finished a good second to Dynaste at Cheltenham, conceding him five pounds. He travelled and jumped well that day, but just could not cope with his classy opponent. Considering what Dynaste went on to achieve (now rated 159), there was no shame in that defeat, especially as back in third was Unioniste who went on to win a competitive handicap at Cheltenham on his next start. He was again conceding five pounds to Unioniste who is now rated 153, so a rating of 146 for Fingal Bay looks fair. He was never going on his final start and I am prepared to forgive him that run. It has been reported that he is still recovering from an injury and should be back in the New Year and he could prove waiting for as off a mark of 146 he could land a big handicap this season over two and a half miles.


GEVREY CHAMBERTIN (FR) (D. Pipe) – A very easy winner of a soft ground bumper at Ffos Las, Gevrey Chamberin did very well over hurdles last season. Despite the ground being too fast and the trip too short, he won his debut at Aintree and then showed a good attitude to follow up at Haydock Park over the brush hurdles. Next time out he looked even better when defying top weight at Wincanton on soft ground to land a handicap. He could never get competitive at Cheltenham or Aintree and it could be that he will just not reach that class, but I expect him to be a much better chaser than hurdler and is worth following over two and a half miles on soft ground.


GOLANTILLA (IRE) (A. J. Martin) – The winner of his sole start in Irish points, Golantilla made a big impression on his debut under rules, easily winning on testing ground at Cork . He was then sold and joined Tony Martin and on the back of that win, was made one of the favourites for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He ran a good race at Cheltenham, finishing third to Briar Hill, but just looked to lack the pace of the winner and could be seen to better affect over two and a half miles this season. He is now set to go novice hurdling and looks a useful recruit for an owner (Barry Connell) who could have an exciting season ahead of him.


JUST A PAR (IRE) (P. F. Nicholls) – An exciting RSA prospect for this season is Just A Par. After winning his second start in Irish points, he made his debut under rules and looked a useful prospect, winning easily on heavy ground for Tom Nagle. He then changed hands and joined Paul Nicholls. Making his British debut at Exeter in heavy ground, he pulled clear with Many Clouds, eventually coming out second best by just under a length. Despite that defeat connections decided to go for the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree and step him up in trip to three miles. Racing on the quickest ground he had so far encountered (good to soft) he stayed on well to finish second to the very decent At Fishers Cross. He has already made his chase debut and ran a fair race to finish second to Shotgun Paddy at Chepstow, jumping very well, but possibly using up too much energy in jumping so well. He will have learned from that experience and should be winning soon and I can see him developing into a top staying novice chaser.


LAST INSTALMENT (IRE) (P. Fenton) – As mentioned last year, Last Instalment made a big impression in his first season over fences, winning easily at Galway on his chase debut before easily beating Four Commanders next time out. He then took on First Lieutenant in the Grade One Fort Leney Chase and despite the ground being faster than ideal, pulled six lengths clear of his opponent where he again put in a good round of jumping. Given what First Lieutenant has gone on to do, that is a cracking piece of form. Unfortunately he missed last season due to injury, but if he can make it back on a racecourse this season, he could do very well, especially as prior to his injury his rating was just 152 (First Lieutenant’s rating is 170+). His record left handed is excellent, being unbeaten in five attempts and he loves heavy ground, so he could still prove to be a serious contender for the Lexus Chase and Irish Hennessy, both at Leopardstown, a track he has a two from two record at.


MINELLA FOR FITNESS (IRE) (N. J. Henderson) – Having won his only start in Irish points there is every reason to believe that the progressive Minella For Fitness will take to chasing this season. Last season he did really well over hurdles, winning three of his five starts and was placed in the other two. His first win was at Doncaster where he travelled well throughout to beat the useful flat performers Zuider Zee and Aaim To Prosper. He then showed a really good attitude to beat Cheltenian over two miles on his return to Doncaster. I feel that two and a half miles suits him better though and on his next start he travelled very well throughout at Aintree to land a competitive handicap over two and a half miles off a mark of 135. He ran another good race on his final start of the season, finishing second off 144 at Sandown and now he is set to go chasing, he could do very well. He has the size for the game and with experience from point to points on his side, he could do very well.


OSCARS WELL (IRE) (Mrs J. Harrington) – A top class hurdler, including winning two Grade One contests, Oscars Well really impressed on his chase debut last season. He jumped well throughout on heavy ground at Punchestown, pulling 12 lengths clear of Darwins Fox and went into the notebook as a serious contender for the Arkle. Unfortunately he fell at the second fence on his next start and although he won well on heavy ground next time out, I feel his confidence was affected by that fall. He was stepped up in class for his next start and took on the very decent Arvika Ligeonniere and ran a decent race to finish a close second to him. The form of that race has worked out really well, as the winner has since gone on to further Grade One glory, the third placed horse, Baily Green went on to finish second to Simonsig in the Arkle and the fourth placed horse, Benefficient went on to beat Dynaste at the Cheltenham Festival. After running below form on his next two starts, he bounced back with a good run in the RyanAir Novice Chase at Punchestown, finishing second again to Arvika Ligeonniere. It was a long season for him and with a summer off, I expect him to come back and prove a serious player in handicap chases at around two and a half miles. He ran a fair race to finish second on his seasonal debut, but should improve for the run and for softer ground. He is rated a stone below his hurdles mark and I feel the handicapper has taken a real chance with him and given how well he copes with heavy ground, a valuable handicap in Ireland could be on the agenda.


POUNGACH (FR) (P. F. Nicholls) – A horse to look out for in handicap chases this season is Poungach. A decent hurdler who was rated 155 at his peak, he made a very disappointing start to his chasing career when falling at the first against Fingal Bay. That may have affected his confidence as he ran in snatches on his next start, when finishing second to Houblon des Obeaux over two miles five furlongs. Next time out he bounced back to form, when staying on strongly to defeat the promising Super Duty who went on to run so well at the Cheltenham Festival. Thought highly enough to go for the Grade One Feltham Chase, I feel that the track did not play to his strengths, so at that level he was found out, although he did finish the season winning a three runner race at Kempton. He starts this season with a handicap mark of just 144 and appeals as a well handicapped second season chaser that could win a big prize this winter. The faster pace that handicaps provide should suit and having proven himself at three miles, the Hennessy could be a good race to go for, but prior to that the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton is a reported target and I can see him running a big race there.


RED SHERLOCK (D. Pipe) – The winner of both his starts in bumpers, Red Sherlock could be very good over hurdles. On his debut he was well supported in the market and absolutely hacked up on heavy ground at Towcester. He was again popular in the market at Ascot and despite flashing his tail, held on well to beat The Skyfarmer, with Captain Cutter back in third. He is now set to go hurdling and is an exciting recruit. He is clearly talented and showing good form at home, so it will be very interesting to see how far he can progress over hurdles.


RIVER MAIGUE (IRE) (N. J. Henderson) – The winner of his sole start in Irish points, River Maigue joined Nicky Henderson’s yard with a decent reputation. Starting favourite for his debut in bumpers, he finished third to Royal Guardsman, before going two better, when winning well at Ayr. He started at a high level over hurdles, taking on the decent Dodging Bullets in a Grade two contest at Cheltenham and he ran a very promising race, travelling and jumping well for most of the race, eventually finishing just a length and a half behind the classy winner. Next time out he was a very impressive winner at Kempton and although he could only finish second to Far West in his prep race for Cheltenham, the lack of pace was against him, so it was another good run. At the festival, he could not get competitive in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, but hurdling is not his game, he looks a cracking chaser in the making. He did not run again after Cheltenham and that patience can be rewarded by with a successful chasing campaign. He has the size to do well over fences and I can see him developing into one of the leading novices of the season – an exciting horse for this season.


ROAD TO RICHES (IRE) (N. Meade) – A very interesting horse for novice chases this season is Road To Riches. The winner of his second start in Irish points, he was very impressive when winning his debut under rules, a bumper at Naas on heavy ground. After making a successful debut over hurdles on heavy ground, he stepped up in trip to impressively win at Cork over three miles on soft ground. He then had a break ahead of coming over to Cheltenham, but despite starting second favourite, he ran below from behind At Fishers Cross and then finished the season poorly at Punchestown. After having a summer off to recover and freshen up, I expect him to show much more of his early season form and feel he will be worth following over fences, especially leading up to Christmas.


ROCKY CREEK (IRE) (P. F. Nicholls) – My main fancy for the Hennessy Gold Cup at this stage is Rocky Creek. On his sole start in Irish points he beat Rolling Aces who has gone on to finish second in the Racing Plus Chase off a mark of 149. He then joined Paul Nicholls with a tall reputation and won a Grade Two hurdle in his first season, but he is improving all the time and last season he won three novice chases in a row. After finishing a close second to the decent Harry Topper at Exeter, he looked like a classy horse at Doncaster, where he easily beat Molotof who went on to frank the form by running a fair race behind Dynaste in the Feltham Chase. Next time out he was very impressive at Warwick, travelling strongly throughout and jumping like a seasoned handicapper, he had too much ability for Fill The Power and Highland Lodge and at that stage he looked an ideal candidate for the RSA Chase. Connections however decided to avoid that race as they believe he will be a much stronger horse this season and that patience can be rewarded. He was sent to Aintree instead but that track did not play to his strengths and a more galloping track should suit. He starts this season on a mark of just 151 and I strongly believe he will be rated in the mid-160s by March, so he should be a serious player in the Hennessy Gold Cup, a race that connections have already mentioned as a target for him. He handles soft ground well, so if the ground was testing at Newbury, my confidence would be even higher.


ROLLING STAR (FR) (N. J. Henderson) – An impressive winner of his sole start in France, Rolling Star made an instant impact in Britain when winning at Cheltenham on heavy ground. That day he was taking on the useful Irish Saint and approaching the last he looked to be going best, but made a mistake which stopped his momentum and it was very impressive how Barry Geraghty was able to get him back in full flow to win a shade comfortably. He then went to Cheltenham for the Triumph Hurdle, but Nicky Henderson was concerned that he did not have enough experience and in the end he never really got into the race, staying on to finish sixth. He then ran a fair race at Aintree, but I believe he is better than that and with it being reported that he has matured a lot over the summer, I can see him improving and winning a big handicap this season off his mark of 143.


SALUBRIOUS (IRE) (P. F. Nicholls) – On his seasonal debut Salubrious ran a fair race to finish fourth in the Silver Trophy Hurdle at Chepstow despite being in need of the run. He then with hindsight faced a tough task, trying to concede At Fishers Cross seven pounds at Newbury, but he ran well to finish second. He got off the mark for the season at Musselburgh where he was an impressive winner under Harry Derham who also rode him at Cheltenham, where he stayed on well to win the very competitive Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. He looked good in the parade ring that day and the other thing that I was taken by was that he had the look of a chaser. I expect him to now go chasing and he could prove a useful recruit and with a festival win already to his name, he could be back in March as a leading fancy for the Jewson Novices’ Chase.


SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE) (P. J. Hobbs) – An impressive winner of his sole start in Irish points, Sausalito Sunrise ran well on his British debut in a bumper at Huntingdon, finishing second to Cabaret Girl. I was there that day and remember thinking that he was one of the most eye-catching horses I have ever seen in the parade ring – he looked a superstar. He was well supported for his next start, which was over hurdles at Ludlow and he ran a very promising race, travelling strongly throughout and was clear approaching the last only to make a mistake and get pipped on the line. He deserved to win that day and was cruelly denied. He took on the talented Up and Go at Ascot on his next start and was outclassed, but he remains a novice for this season and I can see him proving hard to beat at the small tracks. He is definitely one for the future and he should progress further when tackling fences.


SIZING GOLD (IRE) (H. De Bromhead) – The `Sizing’ dynasty continues and Ann & Alan Potts may have another useful horse on their hands with Sizing Gold. He got off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles, winning easily at Leopardstown and then on his next start he returned to that track to finish second to Pont Alexandre in a Grade Two race. Anything he achieved over hurdles though was always going to be a bonus as he is a chaser through and through and I fully expect him to improve significantly for going chasing. He has plenty of size and the way he jumped his hurdles, it is clear to see that he will be much better suited to fences and he should prove competitive in some of the top novice chases this season.


THE DRUID’S NEPHEW (IRE) (A. Turnell) – One of the best handicapped chasers in the country is The Druid’s Nephew. The winner of his second start in Irish points, he proved to be a useful hurdler, winning at Kempton before finishing sixth at the Cheltenham Festival. He has looked even better over fences however, finishing second on his debut at Ascot, in a race that has worked out incredibly well. The winner was Hadrian’s Approach (now rated 146), in third was Rolling Aces (now rated 153) and in fourth was Kapga de Cerisy (now rated 139). He was beaten just a nose into second that day, but jumped well and was up with the pace throughout. It was a very promising debut, but he did show a tendency to jump left, which makes the fact that his next two starts were also on right-handed tracks rather surprising. He did manage to win one of them though, coming home ten lengths clear at Wincanton. For the second year running he finished sixth at the Cheltenham festival, this time in the Rewards4Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase, but he is now 18 pounds better off with the winner and off a mark of just 132 (three pounds lower than his hurdles mark) I feel he should be able to land a decent handicap chase this season.


TURNANDGO (IRE) (W. Mullins) – The winner of his sole start in Irish points, Turnandgo made a big impression in bumpers last season. Having lost out in a close finish on his debut under rules, he made no mistake next time out, winning by 11 lengths at Clonmel on heavy ground. It was his next run however that really stamped him as one to follow. Again on heavy ground, he really impressed me at Punchestown when he pulled clear of a useful field at the Punchestown festival having travelled well throughout. It was the way he put distance between himself and his rivals that made me think I have seen a really good horse and I am confident that he will develop into a top novice hurdler this season and I will certainly be following him.


TWO ROCKERS (IRE) (A. King) – A horse that could have a big season ahead of him is Two Rockers. An impressive winner of his sole start in Irish points, he made his debut for Alan King at Towcester over hurdles and despite running green, stayed on well up the stiff hill to deny Shotgun Paddy, who had won his previous start. Next time out he returned to Towcester and on heavy ground, defied a penalty to win easily. A step up in class was due and his next start was at Haydock in a Grade Two contest over three miles on heavy ground and he won well, staying on strongly. It is clear that stamina is a major strength for him and his ability to handle heavy ground should really help him this winter. Given his form at Towcester, he is worth looking out for there, especially on heavy ground and I can see him developing into a leading RSA Chase candidate.


UN DE SCEAUX (FR) (W. Mullins) – An impressive winner of both starts in France, Un De Sceaux joined the powerful team of Willie Mullins last season. He made his debut at Punchestown in February on heavy ground and made all to win in the style of a good horse. He then returned to Punchestown during their festival in April and took on a decent field that included Moscow Mannon and Waaheb, but he made them look ordinary, cruising home to win by 13 lengths. He is now unbeaten in four starts (aggregate winning distance is 46 lengths) and looks to be getting better with racing, so who know just how good he is. I believe that he could be very good and looks a Grade One winner waiting to happen. It has been reported that he will stay over hurdles this season and he could be the one to replace Hurricane Fly when the time comes, as the leading Champion Hurdle hope in the Mullins camp.


UP AND GO (FR) (D. McCain) – After falling when clear on his debut, Up And Go made no mistake on his second start in Irish points, winning very easily on heavy ground. He then joined the Donald McCain team and was a very impressive winner of an Uttoxeter bumper on soft ground. For his hurdles debut he was highly tried, taking on Grade Two company and he was running a fair race prior to falling, but he made up for that next time, winning in the style of a good horse at Wetherby, having again made all the running on soft ground. Next time out he took on the decent Aaim To Prosper at Ascot and having made all the running and despite conceding weight all round, he cruised home to another impressive win. On the back of that win, he started a hot favourite at Aintree, but ran below form. He is much better than that though and I strongly fancy him to bounce back and now he is set to go chasing, he could dominate in the North, before taking on the top southern novices. On soft ground he could go a long way as he clearly acts very well on that surface and his front running style could get a lot of his opponents in trouble.


WEST WIZARD (FR) (N. J. Henderson) – One of the leading prospects for novice hurdles this season is West Wizard. He has run just the once so far but was well supported in the market, starting odds on for a decent bumper at Kempton Park. Always travelling well on the soft ground, he eventually pulled six lengths clear of The Pirate’s Queen who went on to finish fifth in the Mares bumper at Aintree. Back in third was The Skyfarmer who went on to win easily next time out and then made a successful start over hurdles in October. Nicky Henderson often misses Cheltenham with his top bumper horses and he rates this one very highly. I expect him to start over two miles at one of the top tracks and contest some of the top novice hurdles of the season and there is every chance that he will be at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014 as one of the leading contenders for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

WOW Tracey what a write up...must have taken ages...thanks very much and will refer to it often

pedro