Juvenile Hurdlers 2012/13

[Bachelors Hall]

Thanks for the update on Poetic Power. I saw him entered up a couple of times recently but I assume the ground wasn’t in his favour.

It was disappointing that the Market Rasen race fell victim to the snow and though it was nice to see Crouching Harry get his win, the race was far from a fantastic one. Fatcatinthehat looked rather limited on his last two flat runs and though he probably should have won today, he wouldn’t be one of Willie Mullins’ leading lights.

Tomorrow’s juvenile at Sandown seemingly revolves around the two French imports. Jonjo O’Neill, seeking his first juvenile winner of the season, sends out Another Sensation whose close debut second to Le Grand Luce looks strong following the latter’s rise to prominence amongst the French ranks. Paul Nicholls saddles Valco De Touzaine who ran a decent third in an Auteuil conditions event but will have to carry a double penalty for two wins in the provinces. Juno The Muffinman also shoulders a double penalty for his wins at Plumpton and Warwick whilst Dollar Bill come off the back of a 33 length win at Folkestone in a bizarrely ran race where he was effectively the only fancied horse running to his merits.

Inffiraaj 4/3

Foreman

4th Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2004
Dollar Bill 3/5

Royal Bonsai

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

Aather

2nd Handicap Hurdle (121), Cheltenham 2010
Juno The Muffinman 3/1

Hawkes Run

3rd Finale Junior Hurdle (G1), Chepstow 2001*
Valco De Touzaine 4/4

Oniraloin

9th Prix Leon Olry-Roederer (G2), Auteuil 2008
Shamrocked 2/1

Secret World

2nd Novices’ Hurdle, Taunton 2011
Another Sensation

Zandalee

3rd Prix d’Iena (3yo listed), Auteuil 2009
Here Comes Jeanie 4/1

The Grifter

3rd Summit Junior Hurdle, Lingfield 1987
Superciliary 3/3

Greenbelt

1st Handicap Hurdle (110), Catterick 2009
Coup De Grace 1/1

Fair Attitude

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

*Also 1/1 with Know The Law
**Also 2/1 with Lasting Grace

Sires

Shamrocked – Rock Of Gibraltar (7)
Dollar Bill – Medicean (4)
Here Comes Jeanie – Act One (3)
Another Sensation – Martaline (2)
Superciliary – Dansili (2)
Valco De Touzaine – Dom Alco (1)

[Bachelors Hall]

This afternoon’s juvenile hurdle at Sandown produced a surprising result with Captain Cardington improving significantly on his Market Rasen debut. The money for the horse suggested a good run was expected on his debut for the new yard. Valco De Touzaine found the double penalty too much of a burden but should make a better chaser given his sire. Another Sensation looked to be closing in before unseating at the last although it can’t be said for certain how well he was picking up. The front two finished a good way clear of Dollar Bill in third although Coup De Grace finished much closer than usual to Nick Gifford’s charge. It is difficult to ascertain how string the form is but the initial impression is that there will be stronger contests to come at Sandown.

Aintree hosts the first ever pattern class juvenile fillies hurdle tomorrow. To be honest, I don’t really back this initiative. Overproduction is endemic within the breeding industry so I see no reason to strengthen it, the quality of these races never reflect the grade and it is this very concept which has kept Quevega away from Big Bucks thus negating the means of measuring the true abilities of mares. But it is still a juvenile race so I’ll step off my soapbox. For all intents and purposes, it’s a rerun of the Leicester fillies contest with a bunch of half decent flat performers thrown in. Those with experience are fairly difficult to split whilst the newcomers have all demonstrated reasonable level of form. Alan King’s L’Unique, however, would be the most interesting runner on the back of her Auteuil fourth.

Intent 3/2

Torphichen

1st Fishery Lane Hurdle (Listed), Naas 2009
Ironically 3/2

Bangalore

2nd Finale Juvenile Hurdle (G1), Chepstow 1999
L’Unique 1/1

Sanglote

2nd Handicap Hurdle (112), Listowel 2008*
Boonga Roogeta 3/1

Latalomne

3rd Top Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Aintree 2000
Miss Conduct 5/4

Power Pack

1st Navan Races Hurdle, Navan 1995
Allusive Power 1/1

Font Of Wisdom

1st Maiden Hurdle, Ballinrobe 2012
Cockney Sparrow 3/2

Julius Caesar

1st NH Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (G3), Sandown 2005
Arley Hall 4/3

Capo Di Capi

4th Conditions Hurdle, Killarney 2007
Guiletta 2/1

Bilkie

5th Juvenile Hurdle, Plumpton 2006

*Also 2/1 with Me Voici 139

Sires

Boonga Roogeta – Tobougg (7)
Guiletta – Dalakhani (4)
Allusive Power – Verglas (2)
Miss Conduct – Overbury (1)

In the opener of the same card, Trumpet Voluntary makes his hurdles debut in an all aged maiden for Nicky Vaughan where he looks out of his depth.

Trumpet Voluntary 3/2

Arch Rebel

1st Durkan Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Leopardstown 2004

[Tuffers]

This afternoon’s juvenile hurdle at Sandown produced a surprising result with Captain Cardington improving significantly on his Market Rasen debut. The money for the horse suggested a good run was expected on his debut for the new yard. Valco De Touzaine found the double penalty too much of a burden but should make a better chaser given his sire. Another Sensation looked to be closing in before unseating at the last although it can’t be said for certain how well he was picking up. The front two finished a good way clear of Dollar Bill in third although Coup De Grace finished much closer than usual to Nick Gifford’s charge. It is difficult to ascertain how string the form is but the initial impression is that there will be stronger contests to come at Sandown.

That will have really taken its toll on some of those juveniles today. I’d look to oppose the principles next time out unless they are given plenty of time to recover.

[Bachelors Hall]

L’Unique didn’t look at all bad today although what she beat exactly is open to question.

Tomorrow sees the return of leading Fred Winter contender Poetic Power provided he isn’t taken out on account of the ground! It doesn’t look like a particularly strong contest at this juncture. Bordoni easily boasts the best flat form in the field and both of trainer John Ferguson’s juveniles (Ruacana and Haymarket) have won this season. However, the gorund would be a major concern for this horse until he proves otherwise. Palus San Marco is another interesting newcomer from the flat and although not as classy as Bordoni, he should handle the ground. Dalmo is the only previous winner set to line up after beating the only other finisher at Newton Abbot in the summer. He makes has his first run for Dr Richard Newland. The other three horses with a chance, Poetic Power, In The Crowd and Arte Del Calcio are very tightly matched through Tidal Way.

In The Crowd 4/3

Fingal Bay

1st Challow Hurdle (G1), Newbury 2011
Extremely Alert 2/2

Jack Cool

1st Grade B Handicap Hurdle (136), Fairyhouse 2011
Dalmo 1/1

Pigeon Island

1st Dovecote Novices Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2008
Poetic Power 3/2

Aardwolf

4th Long Distance Hurdle (G2), Ascot 1998*
Palus San Marco 2/1

Father Sky

1st Classic Novices Hurdle (G2), Uttoxeter 1995**
Watt Broderick 2/3

Medicinal

5th Conditions Hurdle, Fairyhouse 2007
Arte Del Calcio 2/2

Magical Memoir

2nd Handicap Hurdle (119), Galway 2011
One For The Girls 2/1

Jafra

1st Maiden Hurdle, Cork 2009
Hector’s Chance 1/1

Cullentry Royal

2nd Maiden Hurdle, Clonmel 2012
Oh So Charming dam

Charmatic

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Uttoxeter 2006
Best In Show 4/2

Welcome Parade

1st 4YO Maiden Hurdle, Naas 1997
Asian Prince 4/1

El Rubio

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Haydock 1996
Bordoni 3/1

Actionnaire

3rd Conditions Hurdle, Compiegne 2002
Dance With Me 3/2

Before Time

4th Juvenile Hurdle, Fontwell 2006
Cash Injection 1/1

Cape Guard

8th Juvenile Hurdle, Fontwell 2006

*Also 1/1 with Jolly Roger
**Also 3/3 with King’s Wharf

Sires

In The Crowd – Haafhd (4)
Dalmo – Dalakhani (4)
Extremely Alert – Nayef (3)
Watt Broderick – Hawk Wing (3)
Oh So Charming – Kayf Tara (1)
Cash Injection – Halling (1)

[Tuffers]

Tomorrow sees the return of leading Fred Winter contender Poetic Power provided he isn’t taken out on account of the ground!

If PP gets a mark that would qualify him for the Fred Winter then something’s gone badly wrong. We’re looking for a mark which qualifies him for a little 0-90 next summer at Stratford!

[Bachelors Hall]

Poetic Power was still pulling even after he had been pulled up I assume that’s the last we’ll see of him until next spring? I hope he comes back a more mature creature as he certainly has plenty of scope.

At the other end of his field, Bordoni made a solid enough debut and with some more consistent jumping, he should make another decent member of the Bloomfields ranks. But it was In The Crowd who came out a convincing winner and paid a handsome compliment to Tidal Way’s win at Ludlow as well as providing his sire with another winner. Haafhd has now produced three individual juveniles this season, drawing him level with Jeremy.

Tomorrow’s race at Fontwell, should it pass the inspection, ought to be an informative spectacle. The admirably consistent Spanish Fork (who holds a win over Tidal Way), ex-Irish Mr Lando, handicap victress Annaluna and the tough Dovils Date all bring winning form to the contest. The last named would appear to be the strongest of the four of them although he gives Whipcrackaway seven pounds. Peter Hedger’s gelding is the highest rated juvenile without a win to his name so far this season although he looked certain to contest the finish before unshipping at the last and has good form over course and distance. Vexillum finally makes his hurdles debut after being entered several times over the summer when with Mick Channon. Harry Fry’s first ever juvenile is the only newcomer in the race but his flat form is decent in the context of this race. Chendiyr needs to improve on his debut run at Fakenham but Sarah Humphrey has indicated in subsequent interviews that he is thought much better than what he has shown.

Mr Lando 2/1

Caracciola

6th County Hurdle (137), Cheltenham 2007*
Annaluna 3/2

Atlaal

2nd Gerry Feilden Hurdle (G2), Newbury 1990
The Young Master 5/2

Scolardy

1st Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2002
Dovils Date 2/1

Hollow Tree

1st Finale Juvenile Hurdle (G1), Chepstow 2012
Spanish Fork 1/1

Ocean Transit

3rd David Nicholson Mares Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2011
Whipcrackaway 1/1

Louisville Lip

3rd Novice’s Handicap Hurdle (116), Fairyhouse 2011
Camrock Star 2/1

Houston Dynimo

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Carlisle 2011
Vexillum 1/1

Letham Island

1st Handicap Hurdle (109), Hereford 2010
Chendiyr 2/1

Moon Mix

1st Maiden Hurdle, Limerick 2007

*Dam, Capitana, decent hurdler for Nicky Henderson

Sires

Camrock Star – Rock Of Gibraltar (7)
Chendiyr – Red Ransom (4)
Annaluna – Whipper (1)
Whipcrackaway – Whipper (1)
Vexillum – Mujadil (1)

And finally. For the benefit of the three or four people who read this thread, weather permitting, I will be going to Sarajevo tomorrow morning and will be there until the 29th. I will endeavour to keep this thread updated as and when is necessary but if for one reason or another, I am unable to, then at least you have my excuse in advance.

[Tuffers]

Poetic Power was still pulling even after he had been pulled up I assume that’s the last we’ll see of him until next spring? I hope he comes back a more mature creature as he certainly has plenty of scope.

Mr Brennan lost his cool and pulled him up out of frustration as he couldn’t control him. He was a bit of a handful but he certainly should have finished.

In a bid to try and break his habit of pulling hard the plan is to run him frequently to try and take the fizz out of him. With that in mind he runs over a mile at Wolverhampton on Saturday. Hopefully the much faster pace will make it easier to settle him.

And finally. For the benefit of the three or four people who read this thread, weather permitting, I will be going to Sarajevo tomorrow morning and will be there until the 29th. I will endeavour to keep this thread updated as and when is necessary but if for one reason or another, I am unable to, then at least you have my excuse in advance.

Have fun!

[Bachelors Hall]

I hope the plan works and thank you. I always do have fun in Sarajevo. Right now, there is snow everywhere. My fiancee loathes the stuff but I think it’s really pretty what with it still being a novelty.

And indeed, I am connected to the internet so I can still catch those fifty pixel replays online and update this thread as and when (yippee).

Gowran Parks hosts a decent and competitive juvenile hurdle tomorrow. South South West is the pick of those with experience based on his reasonable defeat of Eveything Zain and subsequent run into third in the Grade Three Fairyhouse event won by Our Conor. Vedani jumped awfully on his debut behind Diakali so unless there is significant improvement in that department, the most potent danger comes from a newcomer. Dougal Philps represents the Mullins, Ricci, Walsh conglomerate but like last Thursday’s similarly connected newcomer, Fatcatinthehat, he may not be a stable leading light and could be vulnerable. Hartside didn’t achieve a great deal on the flat until a combination of a step up in trip and softer ground induced a handicap hat trick out of the ex-Carmody horse. Long spoken of as a potential hurdler, he fetched 55,000 guineas at the Horse’s In Training sale and now runs for Noel Meade and Gigginstown. Another sold at the same sale was Bayan who was knocked down for 14,000 guineas. Winless after seven starts for Brian Meehan, he was still a consistent performer in middle distance handicaps over the summer. Teofolina is a very rare hurdles runner for Jim Bolger and is the first ever for sire Teofilo. Pacelli Road represents Dermot Weld and JP McManus but his flat form is rather uninspiring and most hope is found in his pedigree.

Pacelli Road 3/2

Deutschland

2nd Handicap Hurdle (Grade B), Punchestown 2010
South South West 3/4

What’s The Verdict

2nd Champion Novice Hurdle (G2), P’town 1997
Hello Humphrey 3/3

Duty

1st Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle (G3), Fairyhouse 2007*
Teofolina 3/2

Ravenswood

4th Pertemps Final (131), Cheltenham 2003
Vedani 3/3

Young Poli

1st Prix La Barka (G2), Auteuil 2010
Glendaars Best 3/2

Zonergem

1st Handicap Hurdle (118), Ludlow 2004
Dougal Philps 4/2

Pharfetched

2nd Handicap Hurdle, Fairyhouse 1993
Hartside 4/4

Jockser

2nd Handicap Hurdle (126 listed), Cheltenham 2006
Bayan 2/1

Burning Impulse

7th Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2002
Valley Queen 1/1

Havanavich

3rd 4yo Maiden Hurdle, Tramore 2009
Faanan Aldaar 1/1

Laish Ya Hajar

4th Handicap Hurdle (104), Huntingdon 2010
Linkup 1/1

Shisha Threesixty

4th Juvenile Hurdle, Ayr 2012

*Also 2/1 with Karasi

Sires

Hartside – Montjeu (12)
Vedani – Dalakhani (4)
Bayan – Danehill Dancer (3)
Glendaars Best – King’s Best (2)
Pacelli Road – Oratorio (1)

[Bachelors Hall]

Two truly fantastic contests tomorrow which are certain to affect the Triumph Hurdle market. One could question the wisdom of hosting a Grade 2 hurdle and a Triumph trial on the same day but they are still races to savour nonetheless.

Dovils Date 2/1

Hollow Tree

1st Finale Juvenile Hurdle (G1), Chepstow 2012
Far West 2/1

Present Bleu

1st Handicap Hurdle (120), Exeter 2001
Handazan 2/2

Domino Dancer

1st Handicap Hurdle (109), Ffos Las 2011
Mr Lando 2/1

Caracciola

6th County Hurdle (137), Cheltenham 2007*
Tidal Way 1/1

Indian Groom

5th Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle (134, G3), Cheltenham 2009

*Dam decent hurdler for Nicky Henderson

Sires

Handazan – Nayef (4)
Far West – Poliglote (3)

Counsel 3/2

Big Moment

5th RSA Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2004*
Kashmir Peak 4/1

Beldale Star

2nd New Year’s Day Hurdle (Listed), Windsor 1990
Lysino 1/1

Lyvius

1st Gerry Fielden Hurdle (127, Listed), Newbury 2012
Mashaari 4/2

Chivalry

3rd Agfa Hurdle (Listed), Sandown 2005**
Outback 2/1

Helensburgh

1st 3YO Hurdle, Punchestown 2004
Sametegal 3/2

Moussu Lescribaa

1st Prix Stanley (3yo Listed), Auteuil 2004
Vasco Du Ronceray 2/1

Nelson Du Ronceray

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Ayr 2007***

*Also 3/3 with Callisto Moon
**Also 1/1 with Raajih
***Also 2/1 with Gloria Victis

Sires

Lysino – Medicean (4)
Kashmir Peak – Tiger Hill (3)
Counsel – Dansili (2)
Vasco Du Ronceray – Al Namix (2) Sametegal – Saint Des Saints (1)

[Bachelors Hall]

Still can’t get over how exciting today’s contests are. With the possible exceptions of Hilali and Ruacana, I don’t see how two stronger fields could have been assembled at this stage of the season.

Still, the show continues tomorrow with a reasonable looking race at Musselburgh. Topweight Asteroid Belt returns after a month off and whilst he’s pretty much exposed, he’s still a fair measuring stick. Ruacana’s Catterick form has its first assessment tomorrow with the second and third facing off again. Totalize and Docs Legacy were squarely beaten by Ruacana but pulled 16 lengths clear of the remainder and have the strongest hurdles form on offer. The most likely looking newcomer is Ruacana’s stablemate, Modernism. Formerly with Mark Johnson, Modernism has the decent flat form typical of the Bloomfields recruits and whilst he was more potent on a firmer surface, the Musselburgh ground doesn’t look like it will be too testing at this juncture.

Totalize 5/2

Her Honour

5th Stayers’ Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1995
Docs Legacy 2/1

Lightning Strike

6th Baring Bingham Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2008
Lysino 1/1

Lyvius

1st Gerry Fielden Hurdle (127, Listed), Newbury 2012
Modernism 2/1

King Of Queens

3rd Durkan Juvenile Hurdle (G1), Leopardstown 2008*
Lone Foot Laddie 3/3

Weather Front

1st Handicap Hurdle (115), Stratford 2009
Cruachan 4/3

Considine

5th Handicap Hurdle (108), Punchestown 2007
Zambezi Tiger 3/1

Bunkers Hill

4th Handicap Hurdle (88), Clonmel 2006
Asteroid Belt 2/1

Blue Streak

1st Claiming Hurdle, Plumpton 2003
Blades Lad 6/3

Qualitair Pride

3rd Juvenile Hurdle, Leicester 1996

*Also 3/2 with Duty

Sires

Lysino – Medicean (4)
Blades Lad – Haafhd (4)
Zambezi Tiger – Tiger Hill (3)
Docs Legacy – Ad Valorem (1)

[Bachelors Hall]

It did look for a very long way that Blades Lad would add to Haafhd’s list of winners this season and was a shade unfortunate to get nabbed on the line. He proved that he could battle though and should find a small race. As for Saturday’s action, it will be interesting to see what Timeform makes of those performances. Far West confirmed superiority over Handazan in no uncertain terms and while the Doncaster race was a more closely knit affair, it certainly didn’t want for strength in depth. Two races that do want for strength in depth are tomorrow’s contests at Plumpton and Ffos Las.

Plumpton seems to have defrosted sufficiently for a luke-warm looking four runner race. Lady Romanza and My Boy Ginger each come off placed runs on the sand albeit in claiming company and the out of form Maccabees has at least won on heavy ground (off a mark of 49). The Folkestone race which saw Sir Fredlot beaten 40 lengths is negligible from a form perspective and provided that run hasn’t bottomed him out, the son of Choisir shouldn’t have any problems getting off the mark at the third attempt.

Lady Romanza 1/1

Kawagino

7th Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2006
Maccabees 4/3

Lyceum

4th Handicap Hurdle (132), Tralee 2008*
My Boy Ginger 5/2

Magic Feeling

2nd Champion 4YO Hurdle (Listed), Punchestown 1994
Sir Fredlot 2/2

Waldvogel

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Musselburgh 2011

*Also 3/3 with Mosstown

Sires

Sir Fredlot – Choisir (3)
Maccabees – Motivator (2)

Over in Wales a quarter of an hour later is effectively a two horse race. Fuzzy Logic has been beaten by 70 lengths in his past three starts whilst Kozmina Bay and King Of Wing also hold entries in Wednesday’s seller at Ludlow. Tim Vaughan’s Alborz seeks to add to his Uttoxeter win where he beat Donald McCain’s subsequent winner Right To Rule whilst Nick Williams’ unraced Rio De Sivola is a full brother to the not-bad Badoudal and rates as the former’s only credible opponent on paper.

Fuzzy Logic 3/3

Steps To Freedom

1st Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2011
Kozmina Bay 3/4

Mariah Rollins

1st Future Champions Novice Hurdle (G1), L’town 2003*
Alborz 1/1

Hunterview

1st Scottish County Hurdle (130), Musselburgh 2011
Rio De Sivola 1/1

Badoudal

9th Prix Alain Du Briel (4yo, G1), Auteuil 2011
King Of Wing 4/3

Secretern

1st Selling Hurdle, Leicester 2000

*Also 2/2 with The Ethiopian and 3/5 with Pendra

Sires

Alborz – Dubai Destination (3)
King Of Wing – Hawk Wing (3)

[Bachelors Hall]

Two juvenile races tomorrow. The opener at Newbury is typically intriguing for the course. Swnymor was a fairly high profile purchase for the Tim Vaughan team at the sales and being a son of Dylan Thomas, will have absolutely no issues with the ground. Amoralist is Nicky Henderson’s second three year old of the season and will bid to provide sire Tobougg with another decent juvenile.

Attwaal 5/4

Irish Wolf

2nd Long Distance Hurdle (G2), Newbury 2006*
Swnymor 3/1

Sayeh

1st Handicap Hurdle (108), Cartmel 1999
Superciliary 3/3

Greenbelt

1st Handicap Hurdle (110), Catterick 2009
Hector’s Chance 1/1

Cullentry Royal

2nd Maiden Hurdle, Clonmel 2012
Copper Falls 2/1

Fly The Wind

1st Handicap Hurdle (99), Newton Abbot 1991
Jambobo dam

Hovering

1st 4YO Hurdle, Galway 2007
Amoralist 2/1

Mac’s Elan

3rd Novices’ Hurdle, Market Rasen 2005

*Also 1/1 with Harry Hunt

Sires

Amoralist – Tobougg (7)
Jambobo – Acclamation (3)
Superciliary – Dansili (2)

The seller at Ludlow will not take much winning. Loyal Master has at least tasted success on the flat, is the least exposed of the protagonists in terms of hurdles form and should make a bold bid to provide Modigliani with his first ever winner over jumps.

Loyal Master 3/3

Rite Of Passage

3rd Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Chelt’m 2010
Isola Bella 1/1

Grumeti

1st Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle (G1), Aintree 2012
Dalmo 1/1

Pigeon Island

1st Dovecote Novices Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2008
Isobella 4/2

Tiananmen Square

2nd Champion Hurdle Trial (G2), Haydock 1994*
Tresabella 3/3

Viaduct Joey

4th Handicap Hurdle (118), Clonmel 2011
One For The Girls 2/1

Jafra

1st Maiden Hurdle, Cork 2009
Khazium 2/2

Fongoli

4th Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle, Wetherby 2009

*Also with 4/2 Oregon Trail and 4/3 with Dusky Warbler

Sires

Dalmo – Dalakhani (4)
Khazium – Kheleyf (1)

[Bachelors Hall]

140p FAR WEST
135p FOR TWO
132p SAMETEGAL
132 VALCO DE TOUZAINE
131 VASCO DU RONCERAY
130p KASHMIR PEAK
129 L’UNIQUE
127p OUR CONOR
127 HILALI
126p RUACANA
124+ ANOTHER SENSATION
124 GRAND GOLD
124 STOCKTONS WING
123p TOTALIZE
122P BLOOD COTIL
122p COUNSEL
121p HANDAZAN
121 FISHER
120p DIAKALI
119p VASCO D’YCY

The above is the latest Timeform top twenty and the top three Irish juveniles, Our Conor, Stocktons Wing and Blood Cotil all line up in tomorrow’s Grade 2 at Leopardstown. Jessica Harrington’s newcomer, One Fine Day, holds classy flat form, runs here instead of the maiden the following day and is presumably thought better of than the decent Hurricane Ridge. However, she will have to be very decent to win this on her debut. The field is completed by a quartet of above average juveniles.

Stocktons Wing 1/1

Desert Quest

2nd Elite Handicap Hurdle (G2 160), Wincanton 2006
Money Spider 2/1

Battle Warning

1st Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (132), Cheltenham 2003
South South West 3/4

What’s The Verdict

2nd Champion Novice Hurdle (G2), Punchestown 1997
Our Conor 1/1

Gidam Gidam

1st Handicap Hurdle (124), Market Rasen 2007
Crouching Harry 2/1

Train Of Thought

1st 4YO Hurdle, Galway 2012
One Fine Day 3/1

Le Comte Est Bon

1st Prix Rohan (Listed), Auteuil 2006
Fisher 2/3

Rathkenny

1st Handicap Hurdle (103), Limerick 2006
Blood Cotil 2/2

Prince Picard

1st Prix Rohan (listed), Auteuil 2011

Sires

Money Spider – Danehill Dancer (3)
Crouching Harry – Tiger Hill (3)
One Fine Day – Choisir (3)
Blood Cotil – Enrique (2)

It should be noted that the trio of Our Conor, Stocktons Wing and Fisher have already done enough to afford sire Jeremy a place on next season’s sires list… Should I choose to do one.

[Bachelors Hall]

Dalasiri 3/2

Strangely Brown

152 1st Handicap Hurdle (Listed, 145), Aintree 2006 (6th Triumph)*
Wot A Shot 2/1

Mistinguett

1st Cleeve Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1998 (2nd Triumph)
Elijah Gardner 2/1

Sadlers Wings

4th Champion Hurdle (G1), Leopardstown 2006**
Welsh Nayber – Nayef (3) 4/1 Clifton Chapel 143 2nd Handicap Hurdle (138), Kempton 1991
Authorization 5/2

Jubail

1st Handicap Hurdle (129), Ascot 1990***
Teofolina 3/2

Ravenswood

4th Pertemps Final (131), Cheltenham 2003
Ibsen 2/1

Magen’s Star

1st Mares Novices’ Hurdle, Clonmel 2011
Overcall 3/3

Junior Citizen

2nd Huzzar Handicap Hurdle (Listed), Fairyhouse 1988
Bayan 2/1

Burning Impulse

7th Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2002
Time To Please dam

Time To Shine

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Ascot 2004
Sujet Ballagio 2/2

Capriccio

1st Juvenile Hurdle, Warwick 2001
Honourable Emperor 2/2

Tamreen

1st Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (103), Stratford 2006
Flaxen Flare 2/2

Gaspar

3rd Handicap Hurdle (96), Gowran Park 2009
Mudaffar 4/3

Crafty Roberto

3rd Free Handicap Hurdle (121), Chepstow 2012
House Limit 3/1

Jura

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Huntingdon 1994
Zambezi Tiger 3/1

Bunkers Hill

4th Handicap Hurdle (88), Clonmel 2006
Diplomat 4/3

Joke Club

3rd Maiden Hurdle, Fontwell 2007
Call Me Bubbles 2/1

Coeur Battant

4th Juvenile Hurdle, Kelso 1993

*Also 3/3 with Sesenta
**Also 3/1 with Atlaal
***Also 5/3 with Honest John

Sires

Time To Please – Kalanisi (5)
Mudaffar – Red Ransom (4)
Welsh Nayber – Nayef (3)
Overcall – Choisir (3)
Bayan – Danehill Dancer (3)
Sujet Ballagio – Acclamation (3)
Zambezi Tiger – Tiger Hill (3)

Choisirez 4/4

Binocular

1st Champion Hurdle G1, Cheltenham 2010
Mcvicar 3/3

Auetaler

2nd Oddbins Handicap Hurdle (154), Aintree 2000
Shadarpour 3/3

Quinmaster

5th Champion Novice Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2008*
Captain Cardington 1/1

Aather

2nd Handicap Hurdle (121), Cheltenham 2010
Allowed 4/1

Noukari

1st Handicap Hurdle (113), Catterick 2000
Irish Saint 3/1

Bonbon Rose

1st Prix Melanos (4YO listed), Auteuil 2005
King Arthur 4/2

Konigsbote

1st Handicap Hurdle (99), Newton Abbot 2008
Asian Prince 4/1

El Rubio

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Haydock 1996

*Also 3/3 with Pippin’s Ford

Sires

Mcvicar – Tobougg (7)
Choisirez – Choisir (3)
Shadarpour – Dr Fong (3)
Irish Saint – Saint Des Saints (1)

Luctor Emergo 4/2

Bootlaces

1st Schweppes Gold Trophy, Newbury 1980
Hallmark Star 2/2

Tarxien

2nd Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Aintree 2002*
Red Seal 1/1

Deep Purple

2nd Tolworth Hurdle (G1), Sandown 2008
Welsh Bard 1/1

Hebridean

1st Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2009**
Unex Canaletto 1/1

Royal Rationale

1st Handicap Hurdle (128), Newton Abbot 2009***
Vizir d’Estruval 4/4

Joueur D’Estruval

1st Conditions Hurdle, Clonmel 2005****
Hidden Justice 2/1

Albany

1st Handicap Hurdle (119), Wetherby 2007*****
Dorry K 3/2

Brief Reunion

3rd Spring Hurdle (G3, 4yo), Leopardstown 1995
Only Orsenfoolsies 1/1

Royal Opera

1st Juvenile Hurdle, Market Rasen 2011
Spider Zagato 2/2

Cima Prince

1st Premio Prime Siepi Hurdle (3yo Listed), Merano 2009
Three Kingdoms Brazilian family, no hurdles relatives

*Also 4/3 with Quick
**Also 3/2 with Beef Or Salmon
***Also 3/1 with Hasty Word
****Also 2/1 with Gris D’Estruval
*****Also 4/3 with Rust Never Sleeps

Sires

Spider Zagato – High Chaparral (13)
Red Seal – Haafhd (4)
Hallmark Star – Nayef (3)

[TomBarkley87]

Interesting one out tomorrow BH in Paul Nicholls’s

Irish Saint

. As ever he’s one brought over from France where he won a listed hurdle at Auteuil. The form of that race has worked out diabolically but the horse has a truly enviable profile and clearly coming from a top yard can’t be sniffed at. He’s completely National Hunt bred which means he’s probably not one for the Triumph, but a very promising addition and one to follow to be sure. Any thoughts?

[Bachelors Hall]

He won one division of a listed hurdle at 54/1 and you’re right about the form of that race being poor (the fourth later won a listed handicap off a low weight) but all he could do was win. And indeed, his sire hasn’t had a single runner in a Triumph, his only juvenile over here, Me Voici, was described as "too big to be a hurdler" and Irish Saint’s pedigree is inundated with chasers although he does have Bonbon Rose and Moss Quito (finished ahead of Jair Du Cochet in a hurdle) in there.

I think he’s very much an embryonic chaser and Nicholls already has Far West and Sametegal for the Triumph. Plus, I’m more inclined to believe Caid Du Berlais (entered at Newbury in a couple of days) will also make a better hurdler. Nevertheless, the trainer seems to like Irish Saint so there’s no reason why he can’t pick up a race or two over hurdles. Captain Cardington and McVicar (probably prefers a sounder surface) are fair yardsticks so we’ll know a lot more after today.

[Bachelors Hall]

Gentle Aussie 3/2

Blythe Knight

2nd Kingwell Hurdle (G2), Wincanton 2008*
Dogora 3/3

Brindisi Breeze

1st Spa Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012**
Tawariyka 4/3

Lyceum

4th Handicap Hurdle (Grade C, 132), Tralee 2008***
Pacelli Road 3/2

Deutschland

2nd Handicap Hurdle (Grade B), Punchestown 2010
Hurricane Jojo 2/1

Saticon

2nd Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2009
Spot The Pro 2/1

Nawamees

1st Handicap Hurdle (130), Wetherby 2004
Vedani 3/3

Young Poli

1st 134 Prix La Barka (G2), Auteuil 2010
Danequest 3/1

Valedictory

1st Handicap Hurdle (122), Kelso 1999
A Little Help 2/1

Al Dafa

3rd Handicap Hurdle (98), Navan 2011
Fred Diamond 2/1

Eymir

2nd Maiden Hurdle, Gowran Park 2000
Casual Creeper 4/1

Lion Hunter

4th Introductory Novices Hurdle, Newbury 2004

*Also 2/2 with Sunny Winner and 4/3 with Nipper Reed
**Also 2/1 with Royal Auclair, 2/2 with Don Mirande and 1/1 with Robo
***Also 3/1 with Tazmana

Sires

Spot The Pro – Barathea (7)
Vedani – Dalakhani (4)
Dogora – Robin Des Pres (1)
Pacelli Road – Oratorio (1)
A Little Help – Librettist (1)
Fred Diamond – Diamond Green (1)
Casual Creeper – One Cool Cat (1)

And as I’ll be flying all day tomorrow and will likely collapse at the door once I finally get home, here are the pedigrees for Friday’s entries…

Glaisdale 2/1

Blue Bajan

3rd Christmas Hurdle (G1), Kempton 2008
Lady Romanza 1/1

Kawagino

7th Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2006
Scarlett Fever – Haafhd (4) 4/2

Dangerus Precedent

4th Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1999
Madiera Girl – Bachelor Duke (2) 3/3

Lounaos

4th Champion Hurdle (G1), Leopardstown 2007&2008
Royal Gig – Val Royal (3) 1/1

Santera

Ladbrokes Mares’ Hurdle (Listed), Kempton 2010
Cufflink 2/1

Ela Agapi Mou

1st Handicap Hurdle (126), Newbury 1998
Emley Moor 3/2

Fiori

1st Handicap Hurdle (127), Warwick 2002
Miss Conduct – Overbury (1) 5/4

Power Pack

1st Navan Races Hurdle, Navan 1995
Nurse Dominatrix – Whipper (1) 3/2

Double Vodka

1st Handicap Hurdle (125), Newcastle 2007
Cockney Sparrow 3/2

Julius Caesar

1st NH Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (116, G3), Sandown 2005
Little Dutch Girl 1/1

Downing Street

4th Handicap Hurdle (122), Uttoxeter 2007
Arley Hall 4/3

Capo Di Capi

4th Conditions Hurdle, Killarney 2007
Liliargh 2/2

Imazulutoo

1st Betfair.com Juvenile Hurdle (G3), Fairyhouse 2004
Copper Falls 2/1

Fly The Wind

1st Handicap Hurdle (99), Newton Abbot 1991
Our Phylli Vera – Motivator (2) American family, no jumps horses

Angelot Du Berlais – Poliglote (3) 1/1

Afsoun

3rd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2007
Dovils Date 2/1

Hollow Tree

1st Finale Juvenile Hurdle (G1), Chepstow 2012
Caid Du Berlais – Westerner (1) 2/1

Enzo Du Berlais

1st Prix Gerald De Rochefort (4YO listed), Auteuil 2004
My Boy Ginger 5/2

Magic Feeling

2nd Champion 4YO Hurdle (Listed), Punchestown 1994
While You Wait – Whipper (1) 2/1

South Leinster

2nd Novices’ Hurdle, Newcastle 2011
Last Shadow 1/1

Fin Vin De Leu

1st Juvenile Hurdle, Warwick 2010
Surrey Dream 2/3

Resounding Glory

1st Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (Listed), Wetherby 2008
Megalypos 2/2

Zazamix

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Bangor 2009
Sash Of Honour – Galileo (11) 3/1

Search And Destroy

1st Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (98), Doncaster 2002
Pistol – High Chaparral (13) 2/2

Herald Angel

1st Handicap Hurdle (88), Fontwell 2010
Vibrato Valtat 2/1

Tango Valtat

3rd 4yo conditions hurdle, Auteuil 2011
Three Kingdoms Brazilian family, no hurdles relatives

[Author]

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