Juvenile Hurdlers 2014/2015

[Bachelors Hall]

As far as I can tell, there were seven or eight horses sold at Arqana today who may well be contesting juvenile hurdles this season. I have not considered unraced horses since they tend to go for bumpers first before being sent over hurdles. Here are the horses in order of price fetched.

Matorico

115,000€ J O’Neill
Mastercraftsman 4/1

Harawi

3rd GCdH de Printemps, Auteuil 1997
Rated 85+, Matorico was placed on four of his six starts before winning a conditions race at Lyon Parilly in March. Subsequently, he has ran with credit in three "Quinte" races (generally handicaps with above standard prize money and larger fields) including two at Longchamp. His latest effort was on the 16th of June.
(In the above clips, Matorico is the grey in the Moratalla colours of Red with the Green Cap)

Annalulu

80,000€ T Malone
Hurricane Run (3) 3/3

Trouble At Bay

1st Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (G2) Kempton 2004
Rated 75+, Annalulu has won two of her last starts including last time out in a Deauville handicap. Given her inflated price tag and gender, I’m not entirely convinced she’ll go hurdling but if she does then I will fill in the gaps.

Souriyan

50,000€ T Malone
Alhaarth (6) 2/1

Serabad

2nd Finesse Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2008
Rated 93+ and standing at 16.1¾ hands, Souriyan finished third on his debut in January before taking minor events at Lyon La Soie in February and Tabres in April. Since then, he’s twice finished fourth at Bordeaux including in a listed contest last time out. The winner of both those Bordeaux contests, Machucambo, has since followed up in a similar listed contest at Toulouse.
(Souriyan ran in the Aga Khan colours)

Gladstone

43,000€ Highflyer
Mizzen Mast 2/2

Wingtips

5th Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2012
Rated 84+, Gladstone got off the mark on his fourth attempt in February at Cagnes Sur Mer. Next time out, he finished a length and a half behind the aforementioned Machucambo when fifth at Toulouse before filling the same position when two lengths behind Souriyan at Bordeaux. Following a two month break, Gladstone was an easy winner of a Maisons Laffitte claimer.
(Gladstone carried the Yellow silks with Green Chevron and Red Cap)

Ashkoun

40,000€ T Vaughan
Sinndar (5) 4/2

Blue Streak

1st Claiming Hurdle, Plumpton 2003
Standing at 16.0 hands and without an official rating, Ashkoun has had only the three starts. Second on his debut at Toulouse and fifth at Tarbes, he won on his third attempt when taking a three year old maiden at Agen at the beginning of June.
(Ashkoun ran in the Aga Khan colours)

Mercoeur

35,000€ Highflyer
Archange d’Or 3/1

Pashto

12th Triumph Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 1991
Mercoeur is the only horse on this list with hurdles experience. Indeed, all four of his runs have been over obstacles. His first two runs were at Auteuil where he was sixteen lengths eighth behind Le Baron Noir and was outclassed further when ninth to Kobrouk. The RPR of 97 earned in these two runs probably wouldn’t be far off what he’d shown. With his sights lowered however, Mercoeur has twice been able to run into third. Penultimately at Nancy behind L’Aigle Royal and at Lyon Parilly last time out behind Fayas. Whilst not abhorrent, his level of form wouldn’t exactly have one rushing for Triumph quotes. Even if he has been leaving plenty back at the stable.
(Mercoeur ran in the Dark Blue with Pink Box and Cap)

Amirli

26,000€ D McCain
Medicean (3) 2/1

Amilynx

Jumps sire (Imjoeking, Burren River)
16.0 hands and still a maiden after five starts, Amirili has yet to earn a rating. Nevertheless, his runs haven’t been completely devoid of promise. After finishing a close fifth and fourth at Longchamp, he came closest to breaking his duck when narrowly touched off at Dieppe. Since then, he was beaten into fifth on the sand at Deauville. Amirli has a Singspiel half brother in Ireland called Aminabad who won a listed Limerick bumper last season for Willie Mullins.
(Amirli is the chestnut in the Aga Khan colours)

Al Musheer

20,000€ D McCain
Verglas (2) 3/1

Alriffa

5th Dovecote Novices Hurdle (G2), Kempton 1996
After twice finishing down the field at Bordeaux, Al Musheer managed to pick up a very small race at Royan La Palmyre. Whilst he and the runner up finished clear of the third, the runner has since been well beaten twice and Al Musheer himself subsequently finished down the field in seventh at Les Sables D’Olonne.
(Al Musheer ran in the Grey "Al Shaqab" silks)

There are a lot of links in this thread so mistakes can happen. If I have managed to mess anything up then please let me know.

Thank you.

[Bachelors Hall]

Sunday is fast approaching and along with the small matter of a World Cup final, it also brings an excruciatingly intriguing Juvenile Hurdle at Stratford which features three winners. Whilst one wouldn’t imagine that the race will be used as a launchpad for a Triumph, Anniversary and Punchestown 4YO treble followed by six consecutive Champion Hurdles, it isn’t so difficult to see the winner emerging as a 130+ type of animal.

The most exciting of the three winners on show is the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Goodbye Dancer. Formerly trained in France, his flat form (around the 70 mark), whilst not spectacular, did see him match the efforts of the aforementioned Karelcytic. On initial impressions, his breeding doesn’t scream jumper, but for all his sire, Dragon Dancer, lacks results at this stage, all three of his hurdlers have at least been placed and being a son of Sadler’s Wells bodes very well for a prospective sire of young hurdlers. Goodbye Dancer’s debut at Market Rasen was quite remarkable for three reasons. He sweated up badly beforehand and pulled like a train throughout the race but, although the race lacked strength in depth, he came effortlessly clear in the closing stages to win with any amount in hand. The other UK winner in the race hails from a yard with consistent and commendable success. Alan King’s Gimme Five was a comfortable winner at Uttoxeter and the second and third are set to re-oppose on Sunday. Whilst the third, David Pipe’s Intermath, was patently a non-stayer, the runner up, Jim Best’s Jazzy Lady was a very consistent sort at her level on the flat and wasn’t slowing down. Nevertheless, Gimme Five jumped quickly for the most part and demonstrated a telling touch of speed to pull seven lengths clear on the flat. The third winner in the field, Avel Vor, is introduced to the UK by Philip Hobbs. After an inauspicious start to his hurdles career where he was beaten 22.25l at Fontainebleau, 32l at Enghien and pulling up in at Auteuil claimer, Avel Vor landed a Compiegne claimer on his final start. Following this race, he was picked up for 12,577€. The form doesn’t amount to a great deal although in fairness, the second and fourth have since finished first and second at Nancy so at least it is solid. He should be up to winning a race or two in the UK but he may be reaching a bit too far on Sunday.

Art Of War will be Tom Dascombe’s first National Hunt runner since 2009 and despite being overfaced at Royal Ascot, would have the strongest flat form on offer following his Ripon win in May. Masterpaver’s flat form reads reasonably well in the context of this race although he looks a good ten pounds better on AW than on turf. Announcement has to prove her stamina given she has yet to race over a mile and although Dream Big has shown nothing since his Kempton debut, he does join a top juvenile trainer in Tim Vaughan.

No Second Thoughts 3/2

Chivalry

3rd Agfa Hurdle (Listed), Sandown 2005
Announcement 3/2

Anusha

1st The Ladbroke (G1 Hcp), Leopardstown 1995
Ain’t No Surprise 3/4

Power Elite

1st Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Leopardstown 2004
Intermath .5

Viaduct Joey

1st Handicap Hurdle (111), Galway 2013
Masterpaver 2/1

Stumped

1st Handicap Hurdle (118), Leicester 2007
Dream Big 4/1

Hypertrophic

1st Carolina Cup (Hcp), Camden 1993
Bright Society .5

Deepika

1st Conditions Hurdle, Le Teste de Buch 2014
L’Es Fremantle 2/2

Duroble Man

8th Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2014
Avel Vor 3/1

Feeling

1st Novices’ Selling Hurdle, Uttoxeter 2010
Gimme Five 3/1

Rum Baba

1st NvHcHdl (87), Market Rasen 2000
Rocky Hill Ridge 1/0

Amwell Star

4th Juvenile Hurdle, Leicester 2001
Jazzy Lady 2/2

Tudor Falcon

1st Selling Handicap Hurdle (59), Market Rasen 1997
Goodbye Dancer 2/2

Six Notes

7th Claiming Hurdle, Avignon 2002
Art Of War 3/1

Amilynx

Jumps sire (Imjoeking, Burren River)

Sires

Art Of War – Invincible Spirit (3)
No Second Thoughts – Oratorio (1)
Announcement – Proclamation (1)
Ain’t No Surprise – Kheleyf (1)
Dream Big – Echo Of Light (1)
Bright Society – Diamond Green (1)
L’Es Fremantle – Orpen (1)
Jazzy Lady – Intikhab (1)
Intermath – Camacho
Masterpaver – Mastercraftsman
Avel Vor – Green Tune
Gimme Five – Champs Elysees
Rocky Hill Ridge – Auction House
Goodbye Dancer – Dragon Dancer

[Denman2008]

Great work on this thread Bachelors Hall. Backed Goodbye Dancer today as I thought after his run at Market Rasen 2/1 was generous enough. Just seen the race, despite getting a bump going over the first hurdle and pulling quite hard again he scored easily by 11 lengths. Heard a few reports that he was warm before the race also. Could be a decent prospect for next spring.

[Singing Detective]

I’m struggling to remember any juvenile hurdlers who ran in "Summer" races being top notch in the NH season proper, can anyone remind me of any ? Maybe there were a few ?

[The Young Fella]

I’m struggling to remember any juvenile hurdlers who ran in "Summer" races being top notch in the NH season proper, can anyone remind me of any ? Maybe there were a few ?

Katchit, Is It Me and Barizan are the best I can think of from recent years.

[apracing]

Also the recent Triumph winner, Countrywide Flame, began his hurdling career at the Market Rasen meeting that comes up this weekend.

Unfortunately this years renewal looks a pretty desperate contest at the entry stage.

[Nenni]

Fair Along made his jumping debut at Stratford on 17th July before going on to finish second in the Triumph.

[Bachelors Hall]

Great work on this thread Bachelors Hall. Backed Goodbye Dancer today as I thought after his run at Market Rasen 2/1 was generous enough. Just seen the race, despite getting a bump going over the first hurdle and pulling quite hard again he scored easily by 11 lengths. Heard a few reports that he was warm before the race also. Could be a decent prospect for next spring.

My pleasure Denman.

I pretty much never tip horses IRL but I put my brother onto Goodbye Dancer and, despite clearly being something of a thinker he won with anything in hand. There tends to be a dearth of genuinely useful sorts this time of the year but Goodbye Dancer has every chance of being an exception.

It was said he could run this weekend at Market Rasen but he’s been left out and as AP says, it’s not looking like a brilliant race at this stage.

Katchit, Is It Me, Barizan, Fair Along and Countrywide Flame would be the ones to spring to my mind also as well as Rupestrian and Quazar. Can’t really think of many others this side of the Millennium. Looking back through the nineties, there was a decent crop in 1990 where Sybillin, Native Friend, Gay Ruffian and Hopscotch all learned the jumping trade with the sun upon their backs. Also, Dr Leunt made his hurdling debut on the 8th of August 1994 where he was beaten into eighth in a Roscommon maiden.

[Bachelors Hall]

Speaking of when "Triumph Horses" emerge, here’s an updated list of when horses placed in the Triumph made their UK/IRE hurdles debut.

I’ve also noted their dosage index. To tell you the truth, whilst they may indicate what kind of trip they might do better at in the long run, they appear quite useless when it comes to indicating their aptitude for juvenile hurdles (the winners range from 0.37 to 5.00). But I’ve collated them so I may as well post them. If someone who knows more about dosage than I do wants to shed whatever light there is to be shed then please do.

2014 Good 15 ran
0.58 Tiger Roll 10th November
1.00 Kentucky Hyden 9th November (17th March FRA)
1.67 Guitar Pete 15th September

2013 Good to Soft 17 ran
1.09 Our Conor 11th November
0.67 Far West 13th October (6th April FRA)
0.50 Sametegal 2nd November (3rd April FRA)

2012 Good 20 ran
1.00 Countrywide Flame 16th July
0.82 Hisaabaat 27th December
0.76 Grumeti 30th December

2011 Good 23 ran
1.18 Zarkandar 26th February
1.50 Unaccompanied 31st December
1.00 Grandouet 29th October (9th March FRA)

2010 Good 17 ran
?.?? Soldatino 27th February (20th September NHF, 2nd Jan hdles FRA)
1.29 Barizan 8th June
0.38 Alaivan 11th December

2009 Good to Soft 18 ran
1.29 Zaynar 17th December
0.78 Walkon 22nd November
1.25 Mourad 31st December

2008 Good to Soft 14 ran
0.65 Celestial Halo 29th December
2.27 Franchoek 29th September
0.79 Won In The Dark 6th October

2007 Good to Soft 23 ran
0.85 Katchit 23rd September
0.94 Liberate 16th November
1.21 Mobaasher 4th February

2006 Good 17 ran
1.32 Detroit City 4th December
3.00 Fair Along 17th July
0.58 Blazing Bailey 17th January

2005 Good 23 ran
0.56 Penzance 10th January
2.24 Faasel 14th January
1.00 Akilak 29th January

2004 Good 23 ran
1.08 Made In Japan 8th January
1.51 Chief Yeoman 25th October
1.06 Top Strategy 16th November

2003 Good 27 ran
1.00 Spectroscope 26th October
1.77 Well Chief 13th February
2.67 Golden Cross 30th November

2002 Good 28 ran
2.00 Scolardy 28th October
0.20 Newhall 29th November
3.80 Diamond Joshua 17th October

2000 Good to Firm 28 ran
5.00 Snow Drop 26th February (15th September FRA)
3.57 Regal Exit 3rd January
0.69 General Cloney 19th February

1999 Good to Soft 23 ran
0.78 Katarino 10th November (4th May FRA)
1.17 Balla Sola 11th February
0.71 Afarad 28th November

1998 Good 25 ran
2.14 Upgrade 19th November
1.15 City Hall 29th November
9.00 Nomadic 26th December

1997 Good 28 ran
0.37 Commanche Court 2nd February
0.79 Circus Star 25th October
0.21 Shooting Light 9th November

1996 Good 29 ran
0.44 Paddys Return 7th November
1.22 Mistinguett 13th January
2.31 Magical Lady 29th October

1995 Soft 26 ran
0.81 Kissair 14th January
1.75 Silver Wedge 15th October
1.57 Dr Leunt 8th August

1994 Good 28 ran
0.60 Mysilv 17th November
1.67 Moorish 30th November
0.91 Shirley’s Delight 26th December

1993 Good to Firm 25 ran
0.46 Shawiya 21st November
1.31 Amazon Express 19th October
1.00 Major Bugler 27th November

1992 Good 30 ran
4.60 Duke Of Monmouth 20th December
3.00 Crowded House 26th December
1.17 Al Mutahm 4th January

1991 Good 27 ran
0.67 Oh So Risky 23rd November
0.90 Chirkpar 3rd February
1.21 Boarding School 31st October

1990 Good to Firm 30 ran
0.63 Rare Holiday 26th December
0.63 Ninja 1st November
0.74 Native Friend 12th August

1989 Heavy 27 ran
0.60 Ikdam 2nd November
1.40 Highland Bud 30th December
?.?? Dom Valentino 20th November

[no idea]

Denman

It was reported on ATR that Goodbye Dancer sweated up badly but apparently STD stated that is normal and he did the same at Market Rasen

Did not jump as well for me as he did at Market Rasen and maybe will be better going right handed but still very smart for this time of year

[Bachelors Hall]

Yesterday saw the Ascot "End Of Season" July Mixed Sale which traditionally produces little of note. This year’s renewal was no exception. The second and fourth from the opening Hexham contest were on offer and both were sold. Izbushka went for £3,000 whilst Oakley Dancer was knocked down (?) at £1,200

Last weeks events at Tattersalls were a bit more interesting for the Juvenile Hurdler aficionado with exciting price tags and connections involved. Here are the highlights with the following figures;-

Name / Price / colour/sex / Official Rating-Highest RPR / Course, dist, going, race type, date when highest RPR achieved / Former trainer.

GNS 185,000 – grc Jim Best 7-2-3 84-88 Hay 10gf Hcp 21/6/14 (R Fahey)
Acclamation 4/2

Tipperary All Star

14th Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2007

GNS 110,000 – bg D McCain 4-0-1 84-83 Cur 10s Mdn 25/5/14 (E Lynam)
Sea The Stars 4/2

Vandas Choice

2nd Handicap Chase (Listed,135), Wetherby 2005

Classical Art

GNS 60,000 – chc- Highflyer 5-1-2 76-76 Wdr 12gf 23/6/14 (R Varian)
Excellent Art (1) 3/3

Nordance Prince

1st Victor Chandler Chase (G2, 142), Ascot 2000

Libeccio

GNS 36,000 – bg – Charlie Mann 8-1-4 75-79 Bri 12f Hcp 1/7/14 (A Balding)
Shirocco (3) 3/1

Poet

1st Maiden Hurdle, Newbury 2012

Glebe Spirit

GNS 35,000 – bc – C Swan 8-1-3 73-78 Nby 8g Hcp 24/6/14 (R Hannon)
Invincible Spirit (3) 3/1

Sossus Vlei

3rd Novices’ Hurdle, Newbury 2002

Tall Ship

GNS 32,000 – bg – G Moore 5-0-1 72-78 Eps 10gf Hcp 10/7/14 (M Stoute)
Sea The Stars 2/1

Washington Irving

4th Premier Kelso Hurdle (G2), Kelso 2010

Alzammaar

GNS 18,000 – bc – Highflyer 5-0-3 73-77 San 14gs Hcp 22/5/14 (C Hills)
Birdstone 3/3

Action Master

2nd Winter Festival 3-Y-O Hurdle (G3), Fairyhouse 2009

Pershing

GNS 16,500 – grg – Tom Malone 7-0-2 72-75 Yar 10g Hcp 22/4/14 (M Botti)
Mount Nelson .5

Art Broker

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Ffos Las 2011

Crown Of Aragon

GNS 15,000 – bg T Malone 2-1-0 74 Lin 10st Mdn 28/6/14 (D Coakley)
Archipenko 4/2

Royal Mountbrowne

1st Punchestown Chase (G1), Punchestown 1996

Dry Your Eyes

GNS 12,000 – bf D McCain 10-1-0 68-73 Bev 12h Hcp 13/5/14 (M Johnson)
Shamardal (2) .5

Bayan

3rd Coral Cup (G3,138), Cheltenham 2014

Pomme

GNS 11,000 – N Hawke – bf Unraced (Juddemonte)
Observatory (1) 3/2

Vox Populi

4th Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdl (G3), Fairyhouse 2006

Off The Cuff

GNS 10,000 – D McCain – bc – Unraced (Juddemonte)
Zamindar 2/1

Wemyss Quest

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Cheltenham 2001

Also at Tattersalls, the following ten, who sold for less than ten thousand guineas, may also be heading over hurdles;-

Telegraph – GNS 7,500 – Thorner/D Evans
All Reddy – GNS 7,000 – I Williams
Mitcd – GNS 6,500 – M Todhunter
Harry’s Summer – GNS 5,500 – G Elliott
Outwit – GNS 5,500 – Katie Walsh
Telex – GNS 4,500 – N Hawke
Mustadrik – GNS 4,000 – G Elliot
Speedbird One – GNS 3,500 – G Elliott
Dream And Search – GNS 3,000 – A Honeyball
Dover The Moon – GNS 800 – G Elliott

[The Young Fella]

Tension Point

was another above average summer juvenile a few years ago. It felt like he was quite good anyway, though it may have been a poor crop. He lumped a triple (or was it quadruple?) penalty to victory over some useful sorts, I seem to remember.

His form tailed off afterwards, but you can’t blame him for going a bit sour after such a full-on introduction to jumping!

[Bachelors Hall]

Tomorrow’s Juvenile at Market Rasen looks like a fairly poor one, especially in the context of a decent midsummer jumps card. Nevertheless, it is still an open looking contest where any of six or seven runners hold feasible chances.

The natural starting point for those with runs is Hexham scorer

Come On Sunshine

. His flat form was inconsistent and ordinary at best and his jumping at Hexham was unsightly at times. Nevertheless, he eventually won comfortably enough in the end and whilst there’s generally a huge risk factor involved for Juveniles with penalties, the Brian Ellison inmate has since been gelded which, if reducing his youthful tendencies, would offset the six pounds. Another concern for Come On Sunshine is ironically, he has only ever performed when the word "soft" has been included in the going.

Intermath

represents David Pipe and in each of his races, he has jumped satisfactorily for the most part before falling to pieces as his stamina ran dry. On class alone, he’s capable of winning a race over hurdles although one imagines it would have to be a five runner affair ran at a dawdle around Fakenham. Similar comments apply to the ex-Godolphin

Istimraar

who travelled and jumped well enough over course and distance last month before faltering very tamely. On the other hand,

Ain’t No Surprise

struggles to jump and settle but in an affront to her pedigree, looks like she can stay and it’s more a case of her being slow. With question marks hanging over those with hurdles experience one would be inclined to focus on the newcomers. However, these too look like a rather motley bunch.

Officer Drivel

won a Kempton 1m4f maiden for Luke Dace and ran close in a handicap over the same course and distance but has since put in two below par efforts. He has since joined Jim Best’s outfit and with that, has the services of AP with whom Jim Best has a very appealing strike rate as a partnership. Dual flat winner

Vosne Romanee

has spent the majority of his career in Class 6 contests but he is consistent, he is improving and the form of his latest effort at Carlisle it working out alright. He could have done worse than being matched with Dr Richard Newland and STD and is entitled to respect in this field. On breeding, the Azamour produce

Love Tangle

is a fascinating proposition coming from the Ballymacoll royalty that includes Spectrum, Conduit, Hard Top, Petrushka etc as well as crack hurdler My Tent Or Yours. His flat form is also quite reasonable in places. Unfortunately, despite being gelded as an unraced two year old, he seems to have a mind of his own about the game and with the greatest respect to his connections, one isn’t inspired with confidence for his jumps bow.

Trinity Lorraine

has won a race and is a half sister to C’Est Ca but she looks hopelessly outclassed even in this company whilst

Fast Green

and

Macnamara

can’t be given any chance whatsoever.

I’m not a punter and I’m certainly not a tipster. What’s more, this isn’t the kind of race I’d bet in using stolen money. The above is for me to contextualise the race, but if you want an arbitrary 1-2-3

1. Vosne Romanee
2. Officer Drivel
3. Come On Sunshine

Love Tangle 2/3

My Tent Or Yours

2nd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014
Vosne Romanee 2/1

Sweet Glow

1st Long Distance Hurdle (G2), Ascot 1994
Ain’t No Surprise 3/4

Power Elite

1st Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Leopardstown 2004
Istimraar 4/1

Wing And A Prayer

Tolworth Hurdle (Listed), Sandown 1985
Trinity Lorraine .5

C’Est Ca

2nd Handicap Hurdle (125 Grade B), Fairyhouse 2010
Macnamara 4/3

Lyfordmix

1st Prix Alain et Gilles de Goulaine (LstdHcp), Auteuil 2006
Come On Sunshine 4/2

Yorkshire

6th Christmas Hurdle (G1), Kempton 2002 (4/3 Red Admiral)
Intermath .5

Viaduct Joey

1st Handicap Hurdle (111), Galway 2013
Fast Green .5

Le Bahamien

2nd Prix de Londres (55), Cagnes-sur-Mer 2013
Officer Drivel 2/1

King Of Oriel

1st Handicap Hurdle (95), Punchestown 2013

Sires

Come On Sunshine – Authorized (5)
Love Tangle – Azamour (4)
Istimraar – Dansili (3)
Macnamara – Dylan Thomas (3)
Officer Drivel – Captain Rio (2)
Ain’t No Surprise – Kheleyf (1)
Trinity Lorraine – Dark Angel (1)
Vosne Romanee – Arakan
Intermath – Camacho
Fast Green – Green Tune

Tension Point

was another above average summer juvenile a few years ago. It felt like he was quite good anyway, though it may have been a poor crop. He lumped a triple (or was it quadruple?) penalty to victory over some useful sorts, I seem to remember.

His form tailed off afterwards, but you can’t blame him for going a bit sour after such a full-on introduction to jumping!

I very faintly remembered him but nothing as out of the ordinary… Looking at his form, it was a double penalty he carried when winning at Fontwell and his form actually improves as his career advances. Although he does retire as a six year old which may say something about his juvenile excursions…

Funny how the memory misleads us at times!

[Bachelors Hall]

It would appear that the gelding operation (he travelled and jumped much better today than at Hexham) and that thunderstorm really made the difference today for

Come On Sunshine

. I wouldn’t fancy Come On Sunshine’s chances with a double penalty though unless it’s a particularly weak contest.

Vosne Romanee

was a bit iffy over the first few but started to get the hang of things later on in the contest. He looks like he stayed perfectly well and might even perform over further (those 2m2f juveniles at Fontwell spring to mind and Arakan can get 2m4f NH horses).

Intermath

did better with the extremely slow early pace and looked all over the winner coming up the straight but again, he didn’t have enough petrol in the tank. A race over 1m6f would be ideal for him but unfortunately, they don’t exist.

Istimraar

was another eighteen lengths back in fourth. He had to make his own running which clearly didn’t suit and whilst he was still battling up front entering the straight, he utterly collapsed into a hole like an utter non stayer.

Ain’t No Surprise

was still in the vicinity rounding the final turn but couldn’t quicken at all as they straightened up and at this stage, looks too slow to pick up anything in the near future.

Love Tangle

was clearly a handful and his jumping was all over the place. Unless he has a complete personality overhaul, he won’t be achieving anything any time soon.

Macnamara

ran best of the no-hopers and did relatively well to stay in touch for as long as she did. All told, her form today amounts to very little but it still represents a career best effort to date.

Fast Green

, available at 66/1 this morning, was backed in to 14/1 at the off but he was in trouble entering the back straight and finished a tailed off last.

Trinity Lorraine

never seemed to be going and was pulled up before the last.

[Bachelors Hall]

I’ve spotted some fourteen horses who may well be jumping UK hurdles this season. Five of whom have joined Paul Nicholls.

Blue Bresil .5

Saphir Du Rheu

1st Welsh Champion Hurdle (158), Ffos Las 2014
Racing for Guillaume Macaire, Ibis du Rheu began his career at Bordeaux where he finished second to stablemate Top Notch. The third that day, Arnaud Chaille-Chaille’s Fiestine hasn’t been out since but 15l back in fourth was Starmix who won a small contest at La Teste Buch next time out. I believe that had Ibis du Rheu followed Top Notch’s run, he would have been victorious on that occasion. However, he made amends in a stronger event at Enghien when comfortably pulling 7l clear of Tomkevi (since runner up over course and distance) whilst giving away four and a half pounds. Described as a chasing type in his strutting video, he will be running for John Hales and is a very exciting prospect.
(runs in red and grey stripes in the linked videos)

Layman 2/1

Ballyhurry

3rd Handicap Hurdle (103), Kelso 2006
San Benedeto had six runs on the flat as a two year old and without winning, he finished placed on five occasions in maidens at the likes of Chantilly and Saint Cloud. His one start over hurdles came in the listed Prix Wild Monarch (a race for hurdling debutants) at Auteuil where he finished second. Whilst this race has yet to produce any winners this season, it’s worth remembering that it has produced the likes of Long Run, Golden Silver, Nickname, Kauto Stone etc. San Benedeto will now run for Paul Nicholls in the colours of Paul Vogt.
(raced in dark blue with light blue diamond)

Martaline (5) .5

Molotof

2nd Pendil Novices’ Chase (G2), Kempton 2013
Marracudja made a highly encouraging start to his career with a solid effort at Auteuil, splitting the ill fated Le Baron Noir and dual listed winner Bonito du Berlais. However, in two subsequent starts at the track, he has been able to build on that promise. Beaten 34l behind over an extended 2m2f behind Kobrouk, he ran a little better when beaten 12l by Saint d’Arcole over 1m7f. Another who’ll be under the care of Paul Nicholls, he was purchased by Potensis after his first outing.
(he ran in orange with white sash and noseband on his debut)

Khalkevi (2) 4/5

The New One

3rd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014 (2/1 Easter Day)
In the season’s curtain raiser at Auteuil Full Blast finished third on his only start to date. Whilst the winner of that race, Sir d’Alma, has not been out since, runner up, The Saint James won both of his subsequent starts at Enghien and Auteuil and would be one of the leading juveniles seen so far. Whilst there wasn’t much in behind Full Blast that day, the field did finish strung out. Full Blast has joined Paul Nicholls and will be carrying Martin Broughton’s colours.
(red, blue sleeves, yellow cap in video link)

Halling (2) .5

Lac Fontana

1st Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Aintree 2014
All Yours hasn’t ran over hurdles and only has the one start to his name when fourth in a newcomers race at Chantilly in late April. Whilst only a few horses from that contest have ran since, the runner up has taken a Maisons Laffitte maiden whilst the fifth has won a Lyon maiden and finished third in a Compiegne listed race. The Halling colt (for now) will be reunited with his half brother at Ditcheat and like Lac Fontana, will also run in the Potensis silks.
(white, brown cap in video link)

Califet (5) 2/1

Saint Are

1st Handicap Chase (Listed, 137), Aintree 2012
Bivouac won his sole start on the flat when narrowly landing an AQPS race at Lignieres

with the field fairly strung out behind the first two. Like San Benedeto, he also made his debut in the Prix Wild Monarch, eased and pulled up when beaten in the straight. Bivouac will also be running in the Potensis colours although he hasn’t joined Paul Nicholls so I suspect he’ll be running for someone like Harry Fry or Nick Williams.

Poliglote (6) 2/1

Kanto

1st Prix Rush, Auteuil 1993
Conquer of Ibis du Rheu at Bordeaux, Top Notch also landed an Enghien contest on his second start giving away four and a half pounds. Whilst he wasn’t beating superstars, the form has a solid enough look about it and seeing as he is still undefeated, is another animal who should be taken very seriously.
(dark blue, grey braces in linked videos)

Leeds 2/1

Chaninbar

2nd Celebration Chase (G2), Sandown 2011 (4/3 Double Car)
Following two uninspiring starts on the flat when seventh then ninth at Mont-de-marsan, Celestino encountered Top Notch in both of his hurdles starts. At Bordeaux, he finished 21l fifth and Enghien, he practically matched that form to the pound when beaten 13l whilst in receipt of six and a half pounds from Top Notch.
(red, yellow stars and cap in linked videos)

Montmartre 2/1

Kotkijet

1st GSdP (G1), Auteuil 2001/2004 (.5 Kotkita 1/2 Katenko)
Grand Prix de Paris winner Montmartre has his first crop of jumpers this season and so far, 66% of his hurdlers have finished placed. Being a paternal grandson of Sadler’s Wells, he ought to make it as a sire of hurdlers and of his first crop, none will be better bred than Kalkir. Running for Guillaume Macaire, Kalkir had his only start in the aforementioned Auteuil race contested by Marracudja, finishing just under two lengths behind leading juvenile Bonito du Berlais.
(Dark blue, white hoop, dark blue cap, white star)

Irish Wells (1) 4/2

Chapoturgeon

4th December Gold Cup (153,G3), Cheltenham 2009
Another former Macaire inmate, Wells de Lune made a winning debut at La Teste-de-Buch. Whilst not a prestigious racecourse, the form is very solid for the level with the second, third and fourth all winning since. His second start was at Lyon where he was beaten by previous course and distance winner Fayas. The third in that race, Mercoeur has been mentioned earlier in this thread and Warren Greatrex’s new charge puts Wells de Lune’s form into some context.
(Red and green quarter, red sleeves, quartered cap)

Enrique (2) 4/2

Silver Top

1st Prix Cambaceres, Auteuil 1998
On the flat, Pain Au Chocolat contested the same Mont-du-Marsan contests as Celestino, faring slightly better when finishing third then sixth. On his sole hurdles start at La Teste-de-Buch, he finished a close second to the aforementioned Starmix and gave seven pounds to the third who subsequently took a Toulouse claimer.
(Green and beige cheques)

Kentucky Dynamite (1) 2/1

Barents

1st Conditions Hurdle, Lyon Parilly 2013
Rated 90+ on the flat, Unanimite is a very consistent sort having never finished outside the first four in nine starts. That said, he has only won the one race and that was as a 2yo when he beat Jonjo O’Neill’s big money purchase Matorico at Lyon La Soie. On his latest start, Unanimate finished fourth in a Cagnes Sur Mer listed contest. The clear winner, Mr Pommeroy, has since finished sixth in the Prix du Jockey Club whereas the runner up, Cockney Bob, finished fifth in a Chantilly claimer (albeit for 34,000€). Unanimite will be running for Simon Munir.
(Carried Mr Munir’s french colours of dark green, brown diamonds)

Archange d’Or 3/3

Smuggler’s Song

5th Juvenile Hurdle (G3), Punchestown 2003
After being beaten out of sight on his two flat runs, Buiseness Sivola found improvement on his debut in a newcomers race, the Prix Rush at Auteuil. Whilst he finished 7l behind the third, the sixth, Maranjou subsequently filled the same position in a listed contest whilst the seventh is a subsequent winner. Buiseness Sivola has been exported to Ireland.
(Red, green sleeves)

Falco 3/1

Princeton

3rd Prix Alain du Briel, Auteuil 1996 (3/1 Pistolet Bleu)
Peace And Co is unbeaten after one start, taking a Clairefontaine contest in late June. Whilst the level of competition isn’t fantastically high during the summer months, it was a reasonably valuable race of its type. Furthermore, the runner up has won a race by 14l at Vittel while the fourth has since finished second in a similar contest over course and distance.
(Blue, pink hoop, yellow cap)

[Bachelors Hall]

There’s actually an interesting race at Clairefontaine today. Whilst it isn’t a classy affair, it is the first steeplechase for 3YOs this season. Ten of the eleven declarations are essentially claiming class although the likeliest favourite, Le Costaud is an interesting type. Not least because he’s a Guillaume Macaire trained half brother to Sametegal, but he was also very impressive when getting off the mark on his third attempt at Aix Les Bains when making all and winning in a canter by fifteen lengths.

The race is due off at 14:55 UK/IRE time and shouldn’t be impossible to find online. Indeed, if you make a deposit with Zeturf, you get to watch all the French racing for free on their online widget.

Racecard with colours and titbits in English.

Racecard with detailed performances

[Bachelors Hall]

Ireland’s juvenile season begins tomorrow with a weak looking maiden at Rosscommon. None of these horses have any public hurdle’s experience and as such, the race can only really be measured by conjecture.

With an official rating of 75,

Lady Clitico

brings the highest figure from the flat and also receives seven pounds due to her filly’s allowance. One of only two winners in the field, she picked up a Bellewstown maiden in game fashion. While that race has subsequently produced eleven unplaced from as many runners, she is overall a consistent sort who can seemingly act on any ground. Lady Clitico comes here fit from a reasonable effort at last week’s Galway Festival and is chosen over Atan by jockey David Casey.

Prussian Eagle

has the best form of the geldings in the field on account of two springtime efforts at Gowran Park and Clonmel. Furthermore, as he’s by the sire of decent juveniles Stockton’s Wing (who was also trained by Charles O’Brien) and Our Conor, Prussian Eagle’s profile is one very much suited to a three-yeal-old campaign over hurdles. Nevertheless, there are concerns over the going (only performed on soft/heavy) and his attitude (doesn’t travel brilliantly and runs with head high when under pressure).

Bay Hill

has had one start this season when running with some promise over a mile at Listowel (albeit off a mark of 55). Considering his connections and the fact he’s a half brother to Grade 1 winning Juvenile Lethal Weapon, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him step up on his flat form. Another refugee from the Galway Festival,

Atan

has reasonable flat form without ever having troubled the judge. His sire is a very capable producer of juveniles (Torpichen, Tharawaat, Sam Bass) however he looks as though he’d be suited by further and is passed over by David Casey.

Impressive Duke

is unraced to date and there is very little to go by. Closely related to Roderic O’Connor, he is bred for a career on the flat and this path appears to be something of an afterthought. Though Danehill has produced sires of juveniles, Duke Of Marmalade has had a poor start with all but one of his eleven hurdlers thus far failing to reach a place. All the same, this is not a strong contest by any stretch of the imagination and Impressive Duke wouldn’t have to be anything out of the ordinary to take this.

Celtic Artisan

has twice ran into the first three in middle distance maidens although he has six and a half "flat" lengths to find with Prussian Eagle on their Clonmel encounter and a lot more to find with Lady Clitico on proxy form through Rayna.

Dresden Green

has finished last on three of his four starts although he did finish seventh of seventeenth in a Naas maiden over a mile and even finished ahead of a couple of subsequent winners. Nevertheless, he still has plenty to prove even in this company. Gordon Elliott has a fantastic record with his juveniles although Harry’s Summer and Speedbird One probably won’t be his stable stars this season.

Harry’s Summer

is the preference of Davy Condon and ran rather consistently on the all weather before disappointing when well backed at Kempton in late April. He fetched 5,500 guineas at the Tattersalls July sale which is where his trainer also purchased

Speedbird One

. The filly sold for the smaller sum of 3,500 guineas and though she can perform on any going, is not very consistent and comes here off the back of a tame effort at Beverley.

Glance Of Doon

is the other winner in the field and that success came in a Tramore handicap off 47. That victory wasn’t utterly unexpected as she had previously ran a fair race at Clonmel from the same mark. This is a very low mark though and even given her not-too-distant relation Copeland, will have to find a great deal of improvement, particularly following a 47 length defeat at Tipperary last time out.

Cabarete

showed a little promise as a two year old but has been 85 lengths in two starts this season.

(Very) Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Lady Clitico
2. Prussian Eagle
3. Bay Hill

Glance Of Doon 2/2

Copeland

1st Tote Gold Trophy (G3, 142), Newbury 2002
Impressive Duke 3/2

Endless Power

1st Grand Sefton (135), Aintree 2008
Celtic Artisan 3/2

Tropical Lake

2nd Downshire Hurdle (G2), Punchestown 1995 (3/3 Megans Joy)
Cabarete 3/2

Emperors Guest

5th Maghull Novices’ Chase (G1), Aintree 2004
Harry’s Summer 4/3

Ruler Of All

1st Novices’ Hurdle, Gowran Park 2011
Lady Clitico 3/2

Jetnova

Fell Spa Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2011 (2/2 Buck Mulligan)
Bay Hill .5

Lethal Weapon

1st Juvenile Hurdle (G1), Leopardstown 2008
Dresden Green 4/1

Scottish Sound

2nd Free Handicap Hurdle (Listed, 10-1), Chepstow 1980
Atan 3/1

West China

1st Maiden Hurdle, Gowran Park 1989
Prussian Eagle 2/1

Absolute Image

2nd Conditions Hurdle, Downpatrick 2008
Speedbird One 2/1

Band Sargeant

1st Novices’ Claiming Hurdle, Leicester 1994

Sires

Prussian Eagle – Jeremy (8)
Atan – Alhaarth (6)
Celtic Artisan – Dylan Thomas (3)
Bay Hill – Verglas (2)
Dresden Green – Diamond Green (1)
Glance Of Doon – Tagula
Impressive Duke – Duke Of Marmalade
Cabarete – Yeats
Harry’s Summer – Roman Ruler
Lady Clitico – Bushranger
Speedbird One – Mount Nelson

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