Juvenile Hurdlers 2014/2015

[stevecaution]

I doubt that the winner will beat Hargam again. Combination of ground, inexperience and idling – and Geraghty keen not to leave him with a sour taste – got him beaten.

Geraghty is often a delight to watch. He switched the horse on and off a few times throughout, with Hargam reacting admirably. He’ll have learned a lot.

My first thought after the race was whether Hargam might have benefited from a more positive ride. Perhaps they wanted to nurse him a bit today on that going but for me he looks a horse that might travel well at the head of affairs and perhaps make life harder for those in behind.

Certainly, with a view to the real deal at Cheltenham next March I would hope to see him at, or near, the head of affairs, with a view to kicking on in the run to the final flight.

I’ll be back into Ladbrokes tomorrow to top up at 16/1, because it makes no sense to me with Hargam proving today that he’s in the ballpark of the leading Juvenile hurdlers seen thus far. He’s shown that he stays and he’s proved he can jump. Coming into today we didn’t

know

any of these things for certain, and it seems odd to me that he’s still the same price he was yesterday for the Triumph Hurdle.

Had he won today he’d probably have been a single figure price on the back of it for the Triumph itself. Henderson will have him cherry ripe for the day it matters most.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Steeplechasing]

Steve, I was very much struck by the gentleness of the introduction. Ground might well have played a part, but it was one of the best educational rides I’ve seen.

The horse looks naturally keen, and yet Geraghty had him under control quite early without any obvious fighting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him count a horse in (over fences too) unless he’s certain it will offer an advantage. He prefers, if anything, a slight shortening up just to get them safely over.

Coming down the hill, he was able to take a slight pull a couple of times to which the still keen running Hargam responded immediately – magic hands.

BG might have been slightly caught out by the delay in Hargam picking up once he went for him, and also by the horse switching off so quickly once in front. I’ll be very surprised if future tactics don’t rely heavily on a very late delivery.

[stevecaution]

Steve, I was very much struck by the gentleness of the introduction. Ground might well have played a part, but it was one of the best educational rides I’ve seen.

The horse looks naturally keen, and yet Geraghty had him under control quite early without any obvious fighting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him count a horse in (over fences too) unless he’s certain it will offer an advantage. He prefers, if anything, a slight shortening up just to get them safely over.

Coming down the hill, he was able to take a slight pull a couple of times to which the still keen running Hargam responded immediately – magic hands.

BG might have been slightly caught out by the delay in Hargam picking up once he went for him, and also by the horse switching off so quickly once in front. I’ll be very surprised if future tactics don’t rely heavily on a very late delivery.

I agree completely with your reading of the race Joe. I just felt that Hargam ended up slightly further back than was ideal when they reached the business end of the race.

I watched him when he won on the Flat at Chantilly and his style of running there was uncannily similar to that which we saw today. On that occasion he came through and looked likely to score well enough but, as I said earlier on in this thread, he seemed to scramble home in the end.

Nicky Henderson said the following about Hargam after the race today:-

"He’s been gelded and spent the summer at Martinstown [owner JP McManus’s Irish estate] and he’ll certainly come on and learn from this. He’s jumped well and travelled well, and done nothing much wrong."

I just hope he can sit close enough on the big day and quicken away decisively. At this early stage I have echoes of

The New One

in my mind.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Steeplechasing]

Aye, Steve, it will be interesting to see what tactics they use next time.

Another masterclass from Geraghty today. Got that Vyta du Roc home despite being badly outpaced and the horse resenting the whip (going by those tail flashes).

Superb too on Uxizandre, even saw a few rare count-ins he was so confident in the jumping. He’s the best all-rounder riding, for my money.

[andyod]

Does a horse learn more from a ride like that of Geraghty or does he learn less? What is the point of all that learning if he is then allowed to be beaten by the other horse when he could be taught to give his best at the finish and not be second whether best or not?

[Steeplechasing]

Does a horse learn more from a ride like that of Geraghty or does he learn less? What is the point of all that learning if he is then allowed to be beaten by the other horse when he could be taught to give his best at the finish and not be second whether best or not?

I’ve never known an idler who could be taught not to idle. It tends to be part of a horse’s character: ‘I’ve got where I need to be, why expend more energy?’

A few desperate whip strokes by Geraghty late on, could have soured the horse. A bad mistake at one of the hurdles could have him thinking ‘I don’t fancy this jumping game much’

BG might well be a bit tougher on him next time, but a first outing is crucial. The objective, certainly for promising horses, is for them to enjoy the experience rather than win. It’s a downpayment on the future.

All, of course, in my opinion

[stevecaution]

Thought I’d give this award nominated thread a bump with an update on the Golden Doyen/Hargam form.

Sadly for both horses, the David Pipe trained third that day, Baraka De Thaix, ran an absolute stinker in the opener at Sandown today.

Sent off 1/2 fav he could finish only 5th of the 6 runners, beaten the best part of thirty lengths in the process, while another Nicky Henderson French import, Bivouac, made a winning start in the UK.

Baraka De Thaix finished 16 lengths behind stable mate and 33/1 outsider Classical Art, who was rated in the 70’s on the Flat and there really needs to be an explanation forthcoming for this sort of crap.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[no idea]

Shame BH has disappeared as his insight was superb and priceless

[Bachelors Hall]

Thought I’d give this award nominated thread a bump with an update on the Golden Doyen/Hargam form.

Sadly for both horses, the David Pipe trained third that day, Baraka De Thaix, ran an absolute stinker in the opener at Sandown today.

Sent off 1/2 fav he could finish only 5th of the 6 runners, beaten the best part of thirty lengths in the process, while another Nicky Henderson French import, Bivouac, made a winning start in the UK.

Baraka De Thaix finished 16 lengths behind stable mate and 33/1 outsider Classical Art, who was rated in the 70’s on the Flat and there really needs to be an explanation forthcoming for this sort of crap.

Thanks for the bump Steve…

The performance in and of itself is very disappointing. Nothing emerged from the vet’s routine inspection and the trainer’s explanation was that he didn’t travel after hitting the last in the back straight. The latter explanation could hold water as it wouldn’t be the first instance of a juvenile losing heart after a bad jump. As Baraka de Thaix made his mistake, he was hurtling head first towards the ground and his ears told a tale of surprise and confusion. He seemed to travel well on the turn but as the next hurdle came in sight, he lost four places in the space of around fifty yards and his race was over before stumbling after that flight too. This is just a theory based around the quackish science of horse psychology but it’s the best I can come up with. As for the Cheltenham form, there remains a solid look about it through proxy exploits. Golden Doyen’s Chepstow conqueror Karezak ran respectably at Newbury giving weight to a Paul Nicholls newcomer (I actually think he was slightly unlucky that day), the horse who beat Karezak on his last flat start, Seamour, made a winning debut at Market Rasen and the horse who was runner up to Golden Doyen at Warwick, Aristocracy, won an all age handicap at Wincanton – the only juvenile to have won a race of its sort this season from the fifteen who have tried. Regarding the price, I though 1/2 was too short given not only the depth of the field but also the fact that the top of the UK scene is rather crowded at the moment with no stand-outs like there are in Ireland (Kalkir) or France (BdB).

Shame BH has disappeared as his insight was superb and priceless

You’re too kind

I can assure you that nobody is more disappointed by my absence than myself. Indeed, I am liable to disappear again a week on Tuesday as Bosnia calls once again. But I will remember to bring my laptop with the appropriate database on it this time so hopefully, not too much will be missed. Also, as I have a bit of spare time between now and next weekend’s double header, hopefully, I will again have caught up on past reviews.

Anyways, today, there is a listed fillies race at Aintree which for the first time this season, brings together UK, French and Irish form.

The key element of the UK form is the fillies’ contest held at Leicester in the middle of last month where, like today’s contest, it featured the leading UK filles with the exception of Full Day.

Announcement

was the winner that day and despite the pre race gamble, the result was still something of a turn up. Whilst she was fairly useful on the flat, on her first three forays on the jumps circuit, she pulled and mis-jumped her way out of any chance at Stratford, was withdrawn at the start at the same track before losing her jockey at the start at Sedgefield. There was a turnaround at Musselburgh where she jumped well for the most part when second to subsequent winner El Beau but even then, it appeared she had no intention of getting her head in front. As such, her performance at Leicester was a departure from her previous behaviour which was all the more bizarre considering her being headed was due to her high head carriage. Perhaps this was an anomaly or perhaps she has turned a page but whatever the case, she is a certain jumper and stayer and is now entitled to respect at this grade.

Nyanza

finished a length second that day giving away seven pounds but given the ease of her debut Huntingdon success, this result was still a disappointment. She did travel wider than the others which was probably ultimately unnecessary since the second and third hugged the rail throughout without detriment consequences. However, a more reasonable explanation would be that the ground at Leicester was by far and away the heaviest encountered by Nyanza and with quicker ground and a seven pound pull, a reversal of the form looks most probable.

Hannah’s Magic

will be introducing Irish form to the UK form for the first time this season so comparing the form will not be easy. Her third at Ballinrobe was behind a very easy winner whose form has rather levelled off and the second was a disappointing favourite next time out. However, she ut up a career best on the flat next time in a Fillies Handicap at Navan when taking the fifteen runner contest by three lengths off 75. She can be forgiven her latest flat run as she effectively lost her chance at the start. Her flat form and the fact she’s travelled over the Irish sea entitles her to respect but she’s by no means a likely good thing on the basis of what we’ve seen so far.

Brise Vendeenne

will be the first UK juvenile of the season for Nick Williams this season although the trainer has already been represented in France this term including by Brise Vendeenne. Third on her debut in an AQPS bumper, she ended up down the field at Auteuil before finishing from the clouds to grab third last time at Fontainebleu (the grey at the back of the field running in today’s colours). The form doesn’t meaure up to a great deal though with the runner up pulling up next time over course and distance and the fourth being beaten further in a similar contest at the same track. Furthermore, given her running style and pedigree, she’s liable to be suited by further in any case.

Hatton Springs

was no better than selling class on the flat but being by Jeremy and out of a High Chaparral mare, the improvement on her hurdles debut wasn’t a gigantic shock. The improvement, however, was found in a truly attritional affair at Hexham which bears no semblance to today’s race neither in terms of class nor conditions. Whilst she has a future in the sphere, it wouldn’t be at this level.

Honeychile Ryder

was well beaten in a junior bumper and although her stablemate, Cooking Fat, took the same route before winning a hurdle at Catterick, his win came on the back of hurdles experience and it is unlikely that lightening will strike twice.

Intense Tango

‘s owners Mr and Mrs Gaffney had the second in this race in 2012 in the shape of the very useful John Quinn trained Cockney Sparrow. What’s more, the profiles of both horses are similar although Intense Tango is coming off a disappointing effort at Doncaster last time and trainer Karl Burke has only had Fair Loch run over jumps this term. Ironically, Cockney Sparrow’s half sister makes her jumps debut in this race for different connections.

Dino Mite

destroyed an all weather Southwell maiden in June which hasn’t worked out too badly but she found the allocated perch of 80 way too tough in two subsequent handicap starts in August. She will be Jamie Snowden’s third juvenile of the season after the placed maidens Zephyr and Ravenous.

Tea In Transvaal

had two fair starts as a two year old on both good to firm and heavy. Her eight starts as a three year old, all of which coming at distances under nine furlongs, hasn’t seen any progression as she was unplaced on each occasion.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Nyanza
2. Hannah’s Magic
3. Announcement

Honeychile Ryder 3/1

Deep Sensation

1st Champion Chase (G1), Cheltenham 1993
Dino Mite .5

Cockney Sparrow

1st Scottish Champion Hurdle (G2, 148), Ayr 2014
Nyanza 2/1

Nobilita

1st Prix de Besancon (listed), Enghien 2008
Brise Vendeenne 2/1

Saint Are

1st Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (G1), Aintree 2011 (.5 Vroum Vroum Mag)
Hatton Springs 3/1

Grecian Dart

2nd Top Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Aintree 1999
Announcement 3/2

Anusha

1st The Ladbroke (G1 Hcp, 10-2), Leopardstown 1995
Tea In Transvaal 2/2 European Dream 134 3rd Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (Listed), Wetherby 2006 (2/3 Sinndar’s Man)
Hannah’s Magic .5

Cool Baranca

1st Handicap Hurdle (120), Perth 2012 (5/2 Jack O’Lantern )
Intense Tango .5

Shipmaster

3rd Novices’ Hurdle, Warwick 2008

Sires

Hatton Springs – Jeremy (8)
Tea In Transvaal – Teofilo (3)
Hannah’s Magic – Lomitas (3)
Honeychile Ryder – Black Sam Bellamy (2)
Brise Vendeenne – Dom Alco (2)
Announcement – Proclamation (1)
Dino Mite – Doctor Dino
Nyanza – Dai Jin
Intense Tango – Mastercraftsman

[apracing]

Just to add regarding that Cheltenham race, the fourth home, Unanimite, runs this evening in a 14F handicap at Wolverhampton, presumably tempted by prize money of £19,000.

Regarding Baraka De Thaix, I thought he looked uncomfortable jumping throughout yesterday, either because he’s not keen on going right handed, or he was unhappy being out in front. He made a bad mistake at Cheltenham two out as soon as he was in front as well.

[stilvi]

Interested in your thoughts on Bivouac?

Normally a Henderson horse is near enough Triumph favourite if it wins a juvenile at a decent track. I presume this one is only 33/1 because he is expected to swerve the Triumph? Personally, I liked him more than any other juvenile (Bonito aside) this season but that might be because he looks as he has the scope to improve significantly with more experience. It was also a plus to see him find something under pressure after the last flight mistake.

[Bachelors Hall]

In your list of leading UK juveniles above I was surprised you didn’t include Chatez. Only rated 1lb behind Hargam on the flat and I thought there was a lot to like about his run at Bangor on Wednesday. Maybe we need to see a bit more of him though.

Hi Nenni

Sorry for delay. I deliberately omitted him as I doubted his ability to stay before his Bangor run and given the shape of the race, I remain unconvinced. I actually like him quite a lot and his class is undeniable at the level but that is only one part of the jigsaw and the ability to stay is vital. As you say, it remains to be seen and if he proves he can stay a truly run hurdles race then I’m happy to have him up there.

Just to add regarding that Cheltenham race, the fourth home, Unanimite, runs this evening in a 14F handicap at Wolverhampton, presumably tempted by prize money of £19,000.

Regarding Baraka De Thaix, I thought he looked uncomfortable jumping throughout yesterday, either because he’s not keen on going right handed, or he was unhappy being out in front. He made a bad mistake at Cheltenham two out as soon as he was in front as well.

Cheers for the Unanimite heads up – I would have been completely unaware otherwise. Turns out he actually ran very respectably.

Not sure I entirely agree with you regarding Baraka de Thaix. To my admittedly untrained eye, any discomfort he had was far from pronounced and, as the jockey said, his attitude changed after his error at the last in the back rather than prior. At Cheltenham, he led before three out and jumped that flight perfectly fine before his error two out. My opinion on this isn’t definitive though and I’m sure time will be a better judge.

Interested in your thoughts on Bivouac?

Normally a Henderson horse is near enough Triumph favourite if it wins a juvenile at a decent track. I presume this one is only 33/1 because he is expected to swerve the Triumph? Personally, I liked him more than any other juvenile (Bonito aside) this season but that might be because he looks as he has the scope to improve significantly with more experience. It was also a plus to see him find something under pressure after the last flight mistake.

I think he’s a beautiful horse and in terms of raw form, he should be shorter than 33/1 as although the weights put Baron Alco ahead, he won with a lot more authority than the margin portrays. I was taken by the manner in which, once asked, he dispatched of the runner up as he is still clearly unaccustomed to what racing actually entails. As a side, he was pulled up on his hurdles debut at Auteuil but it was a very generous and tame pulling up as the clip illustrates and it’s possible the ‘P’ is off putting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK_V-_3DP4I

Although Henderson says he’s going somewhere nice next time, it isn’t set in stone that he’d miss the Triumph but it wouldn’t be an obvious target either. His stablemates Hargam, Top Notch and Peace And Co look like ready made, archetypical hurdlers whereas Bivoauc, with his tall gangly frame and beautifully careful yet efficient method of jumping (and the fact his connections have described him as one for the future) has the unmistakable stamp of a chaser and historically, chasing types don’t fare brilliantly in the Triumph. Furthermore, outside of the Henderson yard, there are still the likes of Karezak, Golden Doyen, Old Guard, Stars Over The Sea etc all of whom look more like hurdlers than Bivouac as well as a host of those not seen yet.

It wouldn’t be a massive shock if he went for the Triumph but I’m not exactly expecting it either. That said, even though it’s still early days, he wouldn’t look out of place in a race at somewhere like Aintree or Punchestown. Overall, I do rate him as a huge prospect for the more distant, rather than the immediate future.

[stevecaution]

Connections of Bonito Du Berlais have said that it is "Highly unlikely" that he will run in the Triumph Hurdle.

The plan is a break before a couple more hurdle races in the Spring and then sending him Chasing next autumn.

The owner is unsure whether the horse will ever come over to the UK and stated that the breeder, who owns 25% of the horse, isn’t keen on the idea.

Seems a shame that this awesome prospect won’t be gracing the Cheltenham Festival some day in the future.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Bachelors Hall]

Connections of Bonito Du Berlais have said that it is "Highly unlikely" that he will run in the Triumph Hurdle.

The plan is a break before a couple more hurdle races in the Spring and then sending him Chasing next autumn.

The owner is unsure whether the horse will ever come over to the UK and stated that the breeder, who owns 25% of the horse, isn’t keen on the idea.

Seems a shame that this awesome prospect won’t be gracing the Cheltenham Festival some day in the future.

To be fair, it’s rare enough these days that any French trained horse graces these shores, let along juveniles. I know Gemix did last season (and ran miles below form) but apart from the very sporadic Macaire runner, I can’t think of any top class juveniles this century beyond Kasbah Bliss, Bilboa and Jair Du Cochet. It used to be we’d bemoan the lack of UK and Ireland trained runners reciprocating the French raids but now it’s the other way round. Yes the programmes are somewhat different but I imagine our risible levels of comparative prize money may be a greater factor.

Anyhoo

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)

Tomorrow’s opener at Fontwell is a belting little contest featuring a previous winner, a junior bumper winner, a Nicholls French import and four winning newcomers from the flat including the above mentioned who I’ve been looking forward to for a while.

Norse Legend

is the only hurdles winner in this field of ten and that victory came at Plumpton. Selling class on the flat, he was an unexpected winner sent off at 25/1 that day, but his jumping improved through the race and he handled the conditions better than his opponents. He didn’t look like a future winner though and this field is deep enough as it is although through a very straight line through Foot Soldier, he does have sixteen lengths on Full Blast.

Full Blast

finished third on his hurdles debut at Enghien where the winner has since failed to build (albeit without regressing) and the runner up has since joined Jonjo O’Neill for €320,000. He started as favourite for his UK debut in the Chepstow race in which Karezak and Golden Doyen filled the first two places. Full Blast finished thrity-two lengths behind the pair and he seemed short on excuses as apart from an early mistake, his jumping was fine and he was able to set his own tempo. Nevertheless, the Paul Nicholls yard wasn’t firing at that stage, they didn’t even have their first juvenile winner until the end of last month and the bloods weren’t 100% after the Chepstow run in any case. Whilst he’s considered to be more of a longer term prospect, a better run here is highly probable.

Little Flo

was fair at best on the flat but her pedigree and stamina gave her hurdling credentials and it was these that got her into second place on her hurdling debut in a poor Fillies’ Juvenile at Fakenham. Her limitations were thoroughly exposed next time in a much stronger contest at Sandown where she finished tailed off.

Liberty Red

brought good form from the flat for his debut in the aforementioned Sandown contest and opened as joint favourite. However, he seemed absolutely ill at ease over hurdles and only vast improvement in that sphere will do if he’s to have a chance here.

Bidourey

made his racecourse debut in an AQPS bumper at Le Lion d’Angers (blue colours racing wide) where he won by a narrow margin. The runner up filled the same position next time in a similar contest whilst the third, Brise Vendeenne, will be more familar to UK fans as she ran a respectable race at Aintree over the weekend finishing third in the Listed Fillies’ race. A month ago, he made his UK debut in another bumper where he carried a penalty to a workmanlike success. There’s not much that can be said about the horses he beat as the second, third and fourth were unraced beforehand and no horse in that race has run since. Described as "raw" and "not the quickest", which is quite evident, he’s clearly one who will improve with time. But he’s undefeated from two starts and the extended Fontwell trip won’t do his chances any harm.

Souriyan

can cound decent hurdlers Serabad, Senanjar and The Kop End amongst his relatives and his sire, Alhaarth, is more than capable of siring juveniles (Iktitaf, Torphichen, Admiral, Tharawaat). His flat form (noted above) is very respectable for this game and has been solidified by Machucambo and Galingari maintaining ratings of 110 and 108 since that post. Furthermore, Jamie Snowden can get his youngsters to jump and the ground and trip shouldn’t be a problem. Although there may be a fitness doubt given his absence since May, he ran well fresh on his debut in January.

Pack Leader

is an admirable sort on the flat winning a maiden at Goodwood and either placing or finishing within a couple of lengths of the winner on six other starts. He should stay, he handles soft ground and his official rating of 88 is fully warranted. He’s not entirely straightforward though as he tends to hang and wander under pressure and has acted up in the stalls. He will be the first jumps runner of the season for Amanda Perrett although she was more prolific in this sphere earlier in her career and after Storm Force Ten’s good run for Andrew Balding last week demonstrated that flat trainers can still be effective in juvenile hurdles. Nevertheless, his temperament issues and the fact he was found out when stepping up from class 3 to class 2 handicaps would be a larger concern.

Ryeolliean

won two from seven starts on the flat for David O’Meara before fetching 78,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Horses In Training sale. After winning his maiden at Newcastle over a mile in soft ground, he wasn’t disgraced in his next four starts but a rating in the mid-high seventies did seem to stretch him. Dropped to 72, he was given a smart ride back at Newcastle to win a good ground handicap over an extended mile and a half. Although the standard of his form is someway behind a couple of these, he did have Chivers and Intense Tango behind him on his latest start, both of whom have since ran respectably over hurdles. What’s more, trainer Gary Moore took this race in 2004 and had a juvenile placed at Fontwell this season.

Last Echo

took a while to find her stride on the flat for Ralph Beckett but with a low handicap mark and the services of Silvestre De Sousa, she landed consecutive soft ground handicaps over a mile and a half at Chepstow and Epsom in August. A revised mark in the seventies found her out in two October starts and she passed through the Tattersalls ring for 30,000 guineas shortly afterwards. She will be Tom Symonds’ first juvenile of in a season where so far, he’s only been able to boast a 6% strike rate. On paper,

Mighty Missile

, being by Majestic Missile and out of a College Chapel mare, ought to be blazing his way though sprints rather than running over hurdles. However, his best form on the flat for Tom Tate (who knows a thing or two about juvenile hurdlers) came over two miles on ground ranging from good to firm to soft. Furthermore, Majestic Missile has already sired a juvenile winner with a sprinter cross in the shape of Red Mercury who beat subsequent Grade 2 winner Royal Bonsai in 2011. Trainer Warren Greatrex has saddled two juvenile winners this season in Blue Atlantic and Relentless Pursuit which further bolsters the claims. Nevertheless, the standard of his flat form is only better than that of Little Flo and Norse Legend and is at least half a stone worse than anything else here.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Souriyan
2. Full Blast
3. Bidourey

Full Blast 4/5

The New One

3rd Champion Hurdle (G1), Cheltenham 2014 (2/1 Easter Day)
Little Flo 5/4

Texas Jack

1st Kinloch Brae Chase (G2), Thurles 2014 (2/1 Big Rob 136)
Liberty Red 4/2

Zamdy Man

1st Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Haydock 2014
Souriyan 2/1

Serabad

2nd Finesse Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2008 (3/1 Senanjar 4/2 The Kop End)
Norse Legend 5/2

Edberg

2nd Melling Chase (G1), Aintree 1992 (1/0 Methodical 5/4 Comanche War Paint)
Pack Leader 4/1

Dark Raven

1st Glenlivet 4YO Hurdle (Listed), Aintree 1986 (4/4 Maoi Chinn Tire)
Bidourey 5/1

Tialman

1st Prix Wild Monarch, Auteuil 1988 (2/1 Unzo du Bara)
Ryeolliean 3/1

Covent Garden

Premier Kelso Hurdle (G2), Kelso 2003 (4/3 Gold Gun)
Last Echo 5/4

Spirit Dancer

2nd Future Champion Novices’ Chase (G2), Ayr 2000 (4/0 Bodelle, 5/3 Teletrader)
Mighty Missile 2/2

Tin Soldier

3rd Prix Aguado (Listed), Auteuil 2014 (4/4 Personal Column)

Sires

Souriyan – Alhaarth (6)
Liberty Red – Dubawi (6)
Ryeolliean – Haafhd (5)
Pack Leader – Hurricane Run (3)
Bidourey – Voix du Nord (2)
Last Echo – Whipper (1)
Full Blast – Khalkevi
Little Flo – Midnight Legend
Norse Legend – Norse Dancer
Mighty Missile – Majestic Missile

[stevecaution]

To be fair, it’s rare enough these days that any French trained horse graces these shores, let along juveniles. I know Gemix did last season (and ran miles below form) but apart from the very sporadic Macaire runner, I can’t think of any top class juveniles this century beyond Kasbah Bliss, Bilboa and Jair Du Cochet. It used to be we’d bemoan the lack of UK and Ireland trained runners reciprocating the French raids but now it’s the other way round. Yes the programmes are somewhat different but I imagine our risible levels of comparative prize money may be a greater factor.

I didn’t mean to sound critical of connections. Unless owners feel the need to prove something by coming to Cheltenham to take on the British and Irish horses, you can’t blame them for staying at home.

It’s actually good news for me that he probably won’t contest the Triumph.

I notice that Stars Over The Sea and Hargam are entered in the JCB Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham on Saturday. Henderson also has Peace and Co entered there and this fellow won a 20,000 Euro hurdle race at Clairefontaine back in June, in the process showing the gulf in prizemoney between another entry on Saturday, Mr Gallivanter, who is 2 for 2 over hurdles winning £3200 and £3900

Starchitect has the same 2 for 2 hurdles record and shares an entry in this race. Representing D McCain Jnr and sharing the same sire as Stars Over The Sea, his rating is lower than the other two mentioned, who are tied in pretty close and not far behind the top rated Karezak who beat Golden Doyen first time before narrowly going down to Old Guard next time.

With Hargam closely matched with Golden Doyen as well, it might be an interesting contest if they all show up and it could be the chance for one of them to stake a claim for the real Triumph Hurdle.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Bachelors Hall]

Today’s juvenile hurdle takes place at Warwick features the return of Triumph hurdle contender Chatez and three newcomers from strong juvenile yards.

With an official rating of 96,

Chatez

is one of the classiest transfers from the flat this season and also brought with him a sizeable reputation to his debut at Bangor. Travelling like a dream, he put that race to bed in a matter of strides with a telling turn of foot one would expect from a son of Dandy Man. The form, whilst not necessarily boosted, has been substantiated by the runner up who has subsequently finished placed twice – albeit to horses not in Chatez’s class. Soft ground is essential for this horse but there were apprehensions regarding stamina before the Bangor run and they weren’t comprehensively quelled given that they went an absolute dawdle. Moreover, the fact that the Adonis hurdle has been touted as a target suggests that he may be vulnerable in a truly run race and a field of thirteen runners promises same.

Celestino

brought a very exciting strand of form to Market Rasen on his debut as it featured a couple of lines through Nicky Henderson’s import Top Notch. In the race, he travelled like a superstar as he had his opponents struggling whilst he was swinging on the bridle turning out of the back straight. However, a distinct lack of fitness told and he faded into third fairly tamely. As with the majority of Paul Nicholls’ juveniles this term, he was disappointing with a promise of improvement. Full Blast, another French import, has been the only Ditcheat juvenile to have two runs this season and his second run was worse than his first. Nevertheless, the yard have at least had a juvenile winner now, the yard is otherwise in outstanding form and Celestino was much more competent on his UK debut than Full Blast. The form of the Market Rasen race has a solid look to it as winner, Blue Atlantic, put in a game effort giving weight to Seamour at Market Rasen and Celestino was nothing if not impressive with his jumping last time out.

Alzammaar

was a five race maiden who handles soft ground on the flat before joining the in form Warren Greatrex and he made his debut over today’s course and distance. He was twenty-two lengths back in third that day but the winner was top-of-the-tree Golden Doyen and the runner up, Aristocracy won an all age handicap next time and Alzammar shaped like there was scope for improvement learning much about jumping in the process. It is a reasonable piece of form which would look good in a lesser contest but he doesn’t have quite the potential as a few of these.

The Cat

also made her jumps debut in the same race but she never travelled, her jumping was attrocious and there was little from the flat giving her much of a chance in any case.

Rathealy

was a reasonable type on the flat in Ireland for Kevin Prendergast, albeit a rather exposed one after eleven starts. Nevertheless, the best of his flat form matches most of what’s on offer here with the exception of Chatez. At the time of his debut run at Plumpton, his effort appeared to be somewhat disappointing as the race was an attritional affair in which the other fancied runners disappointed and Rathealy ultimately lost the battle for first with a 25/1 shot who was practically useless on the flat. However, his conqueror that day, Norse Legend, made great strides in proving that performance wasn’t a fluke by finishing second in a much stronger contest at Fontwell yesterday.

Adrakhan

cost €53,000 at the Deauville Summer Mixed Sale despite never having seen a racetrack. Jumps bred, he made his debut in Chatez’s race at Bangor and on that occasion, whilst not looking too ill at ease with the experience, didn’t look like he’d be making any returns on that investment in the near future. Adrakhan’s stablemate

Sea The Springs

also has just the one run under his belt after being purchased unraced at the sales. Costing €20,000 at Goffs, he’s another jumps bred (half brother to Cristal Bonus) and his debut at Ludlow was even more disappointing finding things happening too quickly and jumping awkwardly at the best of times.

Stream Of Light

is another refugee from the Chatez race but despite being close up two up in the slowly race, in the end there were thirteen lengths between him and Adrakhan and fifty-one between him and the winner. He pulled up on his next start at Market Rasen.

Zarawi

is related to a horde of successful Aga Khan bred hurdlers and was well supported on his debut at Market Rasen. However, a bad blunder early on seemed to sap his enthusiasm and he ultimately finished in his own time a long way behind Celestino. His flat form is at a rough par with a lot of these and improvement is plausible but confidence would be higher in a lower contest.

Haleo

wasn’t utterly devoid of promise on the flat but has found himself over-faced on his two starts at Cheltenham and Newbury being beaten two hundred and sixty-two lengths in total. This is an easier contest but not by much.

John Quinn has had a strong season with his juveniles so far with the likes of Mr Gallivanter, El Beau and L’Aigle Royal and

Scoppio Del Carro

attempts to add his name to those winners. He had ten runs on the flat before leaving Andrew Balding for 30,000 guineas and he developed into a consistent sort who deserved his official rating of 75. He handles soft and his being a Medicean half brother to Daneking bolsters his profile for this discipline. It’s been said that sometimes he can race keenly and not travel brilliantly but he is game in a finish which will be useful in this sphere.

Libeccio

is another former Andrew Balding inmate and after changing hands for 36,000 guineas at Tattersalls, will be Charlie Mann’s first juvenile of the season. Winless in his first seven starts, he finally got off the mark at Brighton when taking at five runner handicap on firm ground off a mark of 69. Prior to that though, he hadn’t looked straightforward as in his prior races, he’d had to be rousted along early and didn’t always seem to put in his all at the finish. Not without talent but with doubts on his ability to handle soft and enough quirks to dismiss him in this class.

Saint Lucy

will be Jonjo O’Neill’s second juvenile of the season and his first since August. Twice raced on the flat for John Gosden, she finished third at Newbury by six and a half lengths before finishing a further length and place behind at Kempton. The form of the Newbury race was fair overall but the Kempton race looks stronger with the winner earning a rating of 86 plus four future winners surrounding the filly. Her sire, the late Selkirk, produced Champion Hurdler Sublimity and Saint Lucy’s overall profile suggests there’s a race in her but there would be a concern over her fitness in this contest.

Arbitrary 1-2-3
1. Celestino
2. Chatez
3. Scoppio Del Carro

Zarawi 3/3

Zarkandar

1st Grand Prix d’Automne (G1), Auteuil 2014*
Chatez 2/1

Ghizao

2nd Maghull Novices’ Chase G1, Aintree 2011
Sea The Springs .5

Cristal Bonus

Graduation Chase (G2), Down Royal 2012
Saint Lucy 5/3

Sadlers Wings

4th Champion Hurdle (G1), Lepardstown 2006
Celestino 2/1

Chaninbar

2nd Celebration Chase (G2), Sandown 2011 (4/3 Double Car)
Haleo 2/1

High Plains

1st Champion Novice Hurdle, Punchestown 1987
Alzammaar 3/2

Coat Of Honour

1st Swinton Hurdle (G3.134), Haydock 2005
Scoppio Del Carro .5

Daneking

1st Handicap Hurdle (128), Fairyhouse 2014
Stream Of Light 4/2

Cheerful Aspect

2nd Handicap Hurdle (135), Chepstow 1998
Rathealy 6/5

Wotsitooya

2nd Galway Plate (115), Galway 2002
Adrakhan 1/2

Kayanoura

2nd Prix Camille Duboscq (Listed), Pau 2012
Libeccio 3/1

Poet

1st Maiden Hurdle, Newbury 2012
The Cat 2/0

Child Star

1st Maiden Hurdle, Stratford 1995

Sires

Adrakhan – Martaline (5)
Scoppio Del Carro – Medicean (3)
Libeccio – Shirocco (3)
Sea The Springs – Slickly (2)
Haleo – Halling (2)
Stream Of Light – Multiplex (1)
Zarawi – Marju
Chatez – Dandy Man
Saint Lucy – Selkirk
Celestino – Leeds
Alzammaar – Birdstone
Rathealy – Baltic King
The Cat – Josr Algarhoud

[stevecaution]

Chatez was a good winner today but Alan King has stated that the owners aren’t keen on the Triumph Hurdle, perhaps explaining why Ladbrokes were 25/1, while others were as low as 14/1 in the aftermath.

It was suggested they might skip Cheltenham and wait for Aintree with Chatez, who could run at Kempton the day after Boxing Day.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[Author]

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