Juvenile Hurdlers 2012/13

[Bachelors Hall]

Well that performance from Far West has catapulted him to the top of the tree. Jumped cleanly throughout and won with plenty in hand. I wouldn’t have him down as a Triumph contender just yet but he can only progress. Handazan looked absolutely fantastic going over the first but after a blunder at the second, his jumping just wasn’t up to scratch. He clearly has the engine and the physique to do better in the future.

[Bachelors Hall]

Anyways, even though it’s way too early to draw conclusions, I have been looking at the success of sires and damsires alike so far.

Looking at individual winners, of which there have been 27, Haafhd, Imperial Dancer and Shirocco are the leading sires with two apiece. Pennekamp and Revoque are the only sires with more than one individual winner, each with a score of two.

Looking at individual horses by their RPR, there are 38 who have achieved a rating of 100 or more before today. Rock Of Gibraltar has emerged as the early leader with 3, followed by Dubai Destination, Imperial Dancer, Jeremy and Shirocco. As for damsires, Alzao, Night Shift, Rainbow Quest and Revoque each have two.

Taking the above into account, something like a Rock Of Gibraltar x Night Shift cross going over hurdles (such as Richard Hannon’s Rockinante) would be very intriguing (although this hasn’t helped Camrock Star but to be fair, she looks very ordinary).

The results at the end of the season should be much more conclusive.

[Tuffers]

Well that performance from Far West has catapulted him to the top of the tree. Jumped cleanly throughout and won with plenty in hand. I wouldn’t have him down as a Triumph contender just yet but he can only progress. Handazan looked absolutely fantastic going over the first but after a blunder at the second, his jumping just wasn’t up to scratch. He clearly has the engine and the physique to do better in the future.

That looked like a high 120s performance. Certainly a good first run over hurdles.

[Tuffers]

Anyways, even though it’s way too early to draw conclusions, I have been looking at the success of sires and damsires alike so far.

Looking at individual winners, of which there have been 27, Haafhd, Imperial Dancer and Shirocco are the leading sires with two apiece. Pennekamp and Revoque are the only sires with more than one individual winner, each with a score of two.

Looking at individual horses by their RPR, there are 38 who have achieved a rating of 100 or more before today. Rock Of Gibraltar has emerged as the early leader with 3, followed by Dubai Destination, Imperial Dancer, Jeremy and Shirocco. As for damsires, Alzao, Night Shift, Rainbow Quest and Revoque each have two.

Taking the above into account, something like a Rock Of Gibraltar x Night Shift cross going over hurdles (such as Richard Hannon’s Rockinante) would be very intriguing (although this hasn’t helped Camrock Star but to be fair, she looks very ordinary).

The results at the end of the season should be much more conclusive.

It looks as though Poetic Power will be Dylan Thomas’ first runner over hurdles as we are intending to run at Kempton a week on Sunday.

[Bachelors Hall]

That looked like a high 120s performance. Certainly a good first run over hurdles.

I agree with this although RPR have only given him a mark of 115 which is very odd. I understand that one should take Gigondas’ level of form into account but Gary Moore’s charge most probably ran a career best and even then, Far West was a great deal more than 15 pounds better on the day. Just goes to show these ratings shouldn’t be taken too literally.

It looks as though Poetic Power will be Dylan Thomas’ first runner over hurdles as we are intending to run at Kempton a week on Sunday.

What happened here? I had a bunch of "Poetic Power, Kempton, 21st October" souvenir mugs, t-shirts, caps, scarfs and cuff-links made up. How am I supposed to shift them now?

Tomorrow, there will be 22 horses that

are

scheduled to line up.

The

Stocktons Wing 1/1

Desert Quest

2nd Elite Handicap Hurdle (G2 160), Wincanton 2006
Everything Zain 2/2

Fnan

3rd Champion Stayers Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2002
Positive Vibes 2/3

Locksmith

7th Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2004
Crouching Harry 2/1

Train Of Thought

1st 4YO Hurdle, Galway 2012
Mad For Road 3/2

Didifon

3rd Handicap Hurdle (listed 110), Galway 2001
Hazariban 2/2

Domino Dancer

2nd Handicap Hurdle (116), Stratford 2011*
Casual Creeper 4/1

Lion Hunter

4th Introductory Novices Hurdle, Newbury 2004
Massimo Donny 1/1 Maxwil 100 2nd 3yo Maiden Hurdle, September 2008

*Hazariban also 2/2 with Handazan

Sires

Mad For Road – Galileo (11)
Everything Zain – Cape Cross (4)
Massimo Donny – Haafhd (4)
Positive Vibes – Nayef (3)
Crouching Harry – Tiger Hill (3)
Hazariban – Kahyasi (1)
Casual Creeper – One Cool Cat (1)

Don’t Take Me Alive 4/2

Royal Gait

1st Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1992*
One Million 2/1

Lethal Weapon

1st Durkan Homes Juvenile Hurdle (G1), Leopardstown 2010
Roll Of Thunder 4/3

Yankeedoodledandy

2nd Finesse Juv’ Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2005
Nurse Dominatrix 3/2

Double Vodka

1st Handicap Hurdle (125), Newcastle 2007
Last Zak 4/3

Saibot

2nd Galway Hurdle (G2), Galway 1995
Byronic Hero 2/2

Bouchard

4th Winning Fair Juvenine Hurlde (G2), Fairyhouse 2008
So Cheeky 2/1

Black Mogul

1st Maiden Hurdle, Hexham 2008
Forster Street 2/1

Easy Wonder

3rd Conditions Hurdle, Dundalk 1995
Asteroid Belt 2/1

Blue Streak

1st Claiming Hurdle, Plumpton 2003
The Ring Is King 2/1

Royal Citizen

2nd handicap Hurdle (98), Sedgefield 1995
Hulwa 3/1

Acropolis

4th Introductory Novices’ Hurdle, Kelso 2006
Kian’s Joy 1/1

Moonfleet

1st Juvenile Hurdle, Stratford 2005
Quiet Route 2/1

Prominent Feature

7th Conditions Hurdle, Leopardstown 2004
Blue Top 3/2

Mannyman

7th 4yo Maiden Hurdle, Limerick 2005

Don’t Take Me Alive also 3/2 with Contraband

Sires

One Million – Dubai Destination (3)
Forster Street – Acclamation (3)
Hulwa – Swain (2)
Roll Of Thunder – Antonius Pius (1)
Nurse Dominatrix – Whipper (1)

[Tuffers]

It looks as though Poetic Power will be Dylan Thomas’ first runner over hurdles as we are intending to run at Kempton a week on Sunday.

What happened here? I had a bunch of "Poetic Power, Kempton, 21st October" souvenir mugs, t-shirts, caps, scarfs and cuff-links made up. How am I supposed to shift them now?

A bit of a sore point actually as we are still none the wiser as to why he wasn’t entered. The general rule of thumb for trainers when it comes to communicating with their owners is ‘Treat them like mushrooms’ ie keep them in the dark and feed them a load of s**t

[Bachelors Hall]

That is a shame. I hope that it’s resolved sooner rather than later, lest Nicky Henderson wind up with a sixth Triumph Hurdle winner!

What’s also a shame is the loss of the Punchestown race but there was still action at Wetherby. The form seems neither exceptional nor paradigm altering. Dont Take Me Alive looked the most likely winner at one point but didn’t seem to stay thus allowing Asteroid Belt and Forster Street to fill the first two spots. The first two also contested the Kelso contest won by Red Tyke. One would still have the Indepub-Hilali formline ahead of that but the Red Tyke’s form is certainly getting a solid look.

Tomorrow’s race at Uttoxeter probably surrounds Right to Rule who is on a redemption mission after somewhat disappointing at Bangor. Alborz, who finished half a length behind Donald McCain’s charge reopposes and Ctappers has his first run over hurdles for 75 days. Sakhee Bob is an unknown quantity although Evan Williams can get decent juveniles (Barizan, Simarian, Zarzal) and his sire has produced Grumeti, Squadron and Hilali.

Right To Rule 1/1

Simenon

3rd Champion Novice Hurdle, Punchestown 2012*
Sakhee Bob 5/3

Prominent Profile

3rd Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Aintree 1999
Alborz 1/1

Hunterview

1st Scottish County Hurdle (130), Musselburgh 2011
Scarborough Rock 2/1

Siberian Tiger

137 2nd bet365.com Hurdle (Listed), Sandown 2010
Ctappers 1/1

Pedro Pete

2nd Finesse 4yo hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2001
Stickleback 2/3

Warrior One

1st Handicap Hurdle (117), Sedgefield 2011

*Right To Rule also 2/2 with Aigle D’Or

Sires

Right To Rule – Rock Of Gibraltar (7)
Sakhee Bob – Sakhee (4)
Alborz – Dubai Destination (3)

[Tuffers]

Timeform has now updated its ‘Top 10’ list for juvenile hurdlers:

136p FAR WEST

128 HILALI

125 GRAND GOLD

119p HANDAZAN

118p SAMETEGAL

118+ HALOGEN

113+ RAPID HEAT LAD

113 KING’S WHARF

112 GIGONDAS

111 FEB THIRTYFIRST

111 TOP MAN MICHAEL

110p FISHER

109 WHIPCRACKAWAY

108p INDEPUB

108 STARLIFE

107 THIRD HALF

105p DONT TAKE ME ALIVE

104 JUNO THE MUFFINMAN

104 MR LANDO

103p HAYMARKET

No surprise to see Far West at the top of the heap and the Timeform rating certainly fits with a high 120s debut performance

[Peruvian Chief]

Among some recent dross, this is a terrific thread. Enjoyable and informative reading.

[befair]

Something sad about seeing the better juveniles appear. Our little lads have had their days in the sun, but it was interesting while it lasted, and food for thought for next year.
Must thank Bachelors hall again.

[Bachelors Hall]

Thanks for those words. I do it for myself really but if it’s appreciated by others then that’s great. It does seem like the juveniles have been split between pre Far West and post, but I’m still looking forward to see where the originals, as it were, end up.

I forgot to add that David Pipe’s Starlife takes in the novices’ handicap hurdle at Wincanton later this afternoon. She tuns of a mark of 113 which based on her Fontwell performance, is beyond her scope. Perhaps there was more to her 20 length win at Auteuil, time will tell…

Starlife 1/1

Netstar

3rd Prix Melanos (Listed), Auteuil 2009

Sire

Starlife – Saint Des Saints (1)

There’s a very open looking juvenile at Fakenham tomorrow. The two previous winners Haymarket and Foster’s Road reoppose after their Plumpton run and whilst the former is better weighted, the latter seems to have more scope. Operation Tracer and Venetian View are another very closely matched pair who finished second and fourth respectively at Huntingdon. Incendiary is a consistent runner for Hugo Palmer on the flat and has as good form as any from the level.

Chankillo 2/2

Rhinestone Cowboy

3rd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2003*
Sleepy Lucy 4/1

Grand Seigneur

1st Summit Junior Hurdle (G2), Lingfield 1999
Incendiary 3/2

The Last Stand

1st Winter Festival 3YO Hurdle (G3), Fairyhouse 2005
Foster’s Road 3/2

Thinking Twice

3rd Lanzarote Hurdle (138), Kempton 1996
Venetian View 2/3

Dancera

3rd Mares Novices’ Hurdle (G3), Down Royal 2008
Haymarket 2/1

Red Wine

9th Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2003
Chendiyr 2/1

Moon Mix

1st Maiden Hurdle, Limerick 2007
It’s A Privilege 2/2

Samurai Warrior

4th Claiming Hurdle, Fontwell 2009
Operation Tracer 2/2

Quilip

9th Junior Bumper, Southwell 2010

*Chankillo also 2/1 with Rare Holiday (1st 1990 Triumph)

Sires

Operation Tracer – Rock Of Gibraltar (7)
Chendiyr – Red Ransom (4)
It’s A Privilege – Verglas (2)
Chankillo – Observatory (1)
Haymarket – Singspiel (1)

[Bachelors Hall]

As difficult as it is to pry myself from the television today, there is still an intriguing contest at Kempton tomorrow despite the omission of Poetic Power. The field is headed by undefeated Irish raider, Fisher although Third Half brings a seemingly similar level of English/Scottish form to the table and was probably better than his Perth run indicated. Whilst Alan King’s McVicar probably isn’t as exciting as Handazan, he’s still an interesting newcomer having won an Epsom handicap for Mick Channon and providing Tobougg with his first juvenile of the season.

McVicar 3/3

Auetaler

2nd Oddbins Handicap Hurdle (154), Aintree 2000
Dalmo 1/1

Pigeon Island

1st Dovecote Novices Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2008
Dollar Bill 3/5

Royal Bonsai

1st Summit Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Doncaster 2011
Eightfold 1/1

Ultimate

3rd Scottish County Hurdle (129), Musselburgh 2011*
My Guardian Angel 4/2

Seasonal Splendour

1st Maiden Hurdle, Newton Abbot 1995
Fisher 2/3

Rathkenny

1st Handicap Hurdle (103), Limerick 2006
Third Half 1/1

Paddy Partridge

2nd Novices’ Hurdle, Newcastle 2011
Naael 2/1

Tarrock

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Chepstow 1996
Oh So Charming dam

Charmatic

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Uttoxeter 2006
Coup De Grace 1/1

Fair Attitude

7th Prix Cambaceres (3yo, G1), Auteuil 2007**

*Eightfold also 2/1 with Demi Beau and Wellbeing
**Coup De Grace also 2/1 Lasting Grace 1st Prix Wild Monarch 1993

Sires

McVicar – Tobougg (7)
Dalmo – Dalakhani (4)
Dollar Bill – Medicean (4)
Third Half – Haafhd (4)
Oh So Charming – Kayf Tara (1)

[Tuffers]

Well another one on the board for Tobougg but if Fisher had jumped the last it would probably have been a different result

[Tuffers]

Well it finally looks as though Poetic Power will make his debut in what might be quite a hot introductory juvenile at Aintree on Sunday. Counsel (85), Deepsand (82) and Moidore (85) all look interesting debutants transferring from the flat. Nicholls and Henderson supply the French connection and Handazan finished closest to Far West last time.

Poetic Power will be anchored at the back of the field in an attempt to settle him. The last two months have been spent trying to stop him pulling the jockey’s arms off and he has worked alone for the whole of that period. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if he gets in a bit close to the first couple of hurdles just to take the edge off him.

Hopefully Robbie McCarth who has done all his schooling at home will take the ride.

If he’s going forward at the finish then it will be a case of ‘job done’.

[Bachelors Hall]

The race at Aintree looks fascinating at this stage although I see he’s also entered in Bangor’s race the following day. Would he be more likely to take up the Sunday engagement?

There are two juveniles either side of the Irish sea, a seller at Ludlow and a maiden at Thurles. The latter looks considerably stronger…

The Young Master 5/2

Scolardy

1st Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2002
Linton Hill 2/2

Star Wood

2nd Grimes Hurdle (G3), Tipperary 2007
Rano Pano 3/3

Quartino

1st Grade C Handicap Hurdle (114), Listowel 2008
Bajan Hero 1/1

Right Step

1st Novice Hurdle, Kempton 2012
Reckless Romeo 2/1

Abstinence

1st Novice Hurdle, Wetherby 2008

Sires

Bajan Hero – Haafhd (4)
Linton Hill – Tiger Hill (3)

Hurricane Sky 3/1

Khayrawani

1st Coral Cup (144 G3), Cheltenham 1999
Up In Flames 4/2

Elusive Dream

1st Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Aintree 2008
Money Spider 2/1

Battle Warning

1st Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (132), Cheltenham 2003
Brog Deas 5/1

First Audition

2nd Imperial Cup (11-2), Sandown 1966
Everything Zain 2/2

Fnan

3rd Champion Stayers Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2002
Spot The Pro 2/1

Nawamees

1st Handicap Hurdle (130), Wetherby 2004
Una Veintena 2/1

Clear Riposte

2nd Prix Alain Du Breil (G1), Auteuil 2006
Glendaars Best 3/2

Zonergem

1st Handicap Hurdle (118), Ludlow 2004
Pepperpot 4/1

Maralinga

3rd Handicap Hurdle (117), Worcester 1998
Vaxalco 5/2

Talathath

1st Handicap Hurdle (120), Worcester 1997
Crouching Tiger 2/1

Train Of Thought

1st 4YO Hurdle, Galway 2012
Mad For Road 3/2

Didifon

3rd Handicap Hurdle (listed 110), Galway 2001
Stay In My Heart 4/3

Cashel Blue

1st Handicap Hurdle (113), Chepstow 2009
The Ring Is King 2/1

Royal Citizen

2nd handicap Hurdle (98), Sedgefield 1995
Casual Creeper 4/1

Lion Hunter

4th Introductory Novices Hurdle, Newbury 2004

Sires

Mad For Road – Galileo (11)
Spot The Pro – Barathea (7)
Everything Zain – Cape Cross (4)
Stay In My Heart – Medicean (4)
Money Spider – Danehill Dancer (3)
Crouching Tiger – Tiger Hill (3)
Glendaars Best – King’s Best (2)
Vaxalco – Dom Alco (1)
Casual Creeper – One Cool Cat (1)

[befair]

I’d forgotten about Scolardy; one of the most impressive Triumph winners. What happened to him?

[Tuffers]

The race at Aintree looks fascinating at this stage although I see he’s also entered in Bangor’s race the following day. Would he be more likely to take up the Sunday engagement?

Aintree is the preferred option. The Bangor race looks potentially even more competitive with Halogen, Juno The Muffinman, Outback and Rapid Heat Lad all holding entries.

[Author]

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