Over the last

Welcome to the 2018-2019 edition of Over The Last Jumpers To Follow. Over the last couple of years this publication has been known as trilby and tweed jumpers to follow.

Moving forward I am pleased to announce we have now joined up with the team at 3 furlongs out. We both share a huge passion for National hunt racing so it was a perfectly logical and easy to decision to make.

Last season was once again a magnificent campaign. Memories that will long live in memory. Going into this season and we have similar questions to ask once again!

Can Altior remain unbeaten? Can Buveur D’air defend his crown for a 3rd Champion hurdle? Will the novices step up to the plate in the Gold Cup division? Plenty of questions and we wont have to wait long to get the answers . Its such an exciting period for National hunt fans and I for one cannot wait for it all to get started.

This years publication is bigger and better and we are hopeful it will provide you with plenty of winners. A thank you must go out to Hannah Ryan, Nicky Henderson, Phillip Hobbs, David Pipe and Oliver Sherwood for taking the time to contribute to the book.

AL BOUM PHOTO 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR W P MULLINS OWNED BY MRS J DONNELLY 2017-2018 FORM 1F2F1RO When the name Al Boum Photo gets mentioned its become second nature to think of that incredible incident at the Punchestown Festival. Its best not to dwell on that very strange 5 seconds of madness and instead look forward to the future which could be very bright indeed for this game 6 year old. In my opinion he is maturing nicely and if Mr Mullins can get this lad to jump with a bit more finesse then the sky really is the limit. His win at Fairyhouse in April 2018 against some very smart opposition was littered with jumping errors but he still managed to grind it out. At Fairyhouse you can maybe get away with those mistakes as oppose to somewhere like Cheltenham. At this point he has had 6 chases. Only completing half of those. He’s not what you would call a bad jumper, he’s just a bit rough and brave. With all the top staying chases now within his compass, he is easily one of the best in the division. He stays all day and arguably 3 mile plus will be his best trip but he isn’t lacking in pace either. Al Boum Photo is what many would call a grinder. Not flashy but digs deep in his races.

Of course a lot will depend on his ability to handle a fence this season but he surely has to be aimed at the Gold Cup. A race that Willie Mullins has never won but this season he could arguably have his best hand that’s for sure.

ARMOUR DU NUIT 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR P F NICHOLLS OWNED BY MR ANDREW WILLIAMS 2017-2018 FORM 2121533F Always held in quite high regard by connections. After a mixed campaign over hurdles he now has his sites set on chasing. It was quite noticeable how slick he was over a hurdle. His technique really stood out in his races.

Perhaps his best performance last season came in the Persian War at Chepstow when he finished a length behind behind Poetic Rhythm with Vision Des Flos a further 5 lengths back in 3rd. Its no secret that this horse does not act on soft ground. He just about gets away with good to soft.

He has made his chase debut already this season. Back in May he won a novice chase by 5 lengths at Kempton.

It was a hugely encouraging display of jumping where he has transferred that slick hurdling technique to the larger obstacles.

He’s obviously no superstar but on his day he is a very smart horse. A lot depends on what kind of winter we have but he could easily take one of the earlier handicap chases at Cheltenham. 2 mile 4 will probably end up being his optimum although it would be dangerous to rule him out over 2 as he isn’t short of a gear or two. Its possible he could turn into this seasons Black Corton. A summer horse that treads a path to glory.

AUVERGNAT 8 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR E BOLGER OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 2BD3F141 A lot of racing fans are a bit unsure of the cross country races being amongst the big festivals. Surely they can only be seen as positives though as they add something different to the day. Auvergnat is now somewhat a cross country specialist.

He has been a tad unlucky at both his Cheltenham Festival runs coming 4th both times with a (ur) and an (f) next to his name from the other two times he has ran at Prestbury Park.

On the opposite side of the coin his form back home at Punchestown reads 3111. So maybe connections may give the Cheltenham Festival a miss this season to have him primed to defend his Punchestown title. He handles the cross country courses with so much efficiency. That comes with experience of these races and now he is entering the prime of his career he will no doubt be very hard to beat in this discipline. Of course if he was lineup at Cheltenham then he would be impossible to rule out in what would be 3 rd time lucky attempt.

BALLYMOY 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR N A DAVIES OWNED BY MR S MUNIR & MR I SOUEDE 2017-2018 FORM 35111 Ballymoy has shown a very good attitude since tasting a very heavy defeat in his first hurdles race back in November. His jumping was very suspect indeed and he was very out of sorts. The runaway winner of that race was none other than Supreme Novices runner up Kalashnikov. Connections then opted to drop him a level to maybe get him some confidence and it really has paid dividends. His next two races were won by 7 lengths and 21 lengths. Very impressive indeed but it was his hurdling which took the eye.

He was now jumping with confidence which allowed Daryl Jacob to put Ballymoy into his races and show the talent they knew he possessed. On his final start of the season we all got to see the talent that he has inside him.

Ballymoy lined up in the Bet 365 Novices hurdle championship final. A huge pot to be taken by the winner. It was a very competitive renewal and Ballymoy wasn’t exactly well in with a weight of 11 stone 7.

Daryl gave him the perfect ride though as the old traits of some slow jumps made their appearance once again. He lost the odd length at his hurdles but when push came to shove at the business end of the race he stayed on gamely up the Sandown hill. He also saved his best leaps for the final two hurdles when going full tilt. He showed great staying qualities here and one would imagine he will be a 3 miler in time. Connections deserve so much credit with the way the they have handled this horse so far in his career. The softly softly approach has worked wonders. He looks like a chaser but the question is whether it will be this season or be patient and wait for next.

Either way Ballymoy is a horse very much on the upgrade.

BALLYOISIN 7 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR E BOLGER OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 31212F8 This horse has been very frustrating to watch over the last two seasons. When he’s in the mood he can very good. He has beaten the likes of Townshend, A Great View, Doctor Phoenix, A Toi Phil and Anibale Fly. He also ran Disko very close in a grade 2 chase.

On the flip side though he has fallen 4 times and lost countless races by jumping erratically and basically sulking.

He must be a nightmare to train as there is no doubting his talent but there certainly is doubts about his attitude. He has spent the majority of his career running over 2 miles. Not ideal for a horse who is known for mistakes.

Now he has already had 2 runs this season. In May he was tried over a trip of 2 miles 4 and he absolutely hacked up under Barry Geraghty. He ran again in June and once again put in a fantastic performance of the same trip and beat a good yardstick in Woodland opera by 8 lengths.

His jumping had a very assured look about it which may have something to do with the pace being that fraction slower.

This has opened up many doors for him now in my opinion. He really could be a threat to all and he could take some lucrative pots in Ireland over the intermediate trips.

BELLSHILL 8 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY W P MULLINS OWNED BY MRS A WYLIE & MR G WYLIE 2017-2018 FORM 151 This smooth travelling Mullins inmate only had 3 runs last season but they reminded us of the talent he has at his disposal. He was kind of the forgotten horse of the yard. He returned in February to win the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. It turned out to be a fairly simple task. In his next start which was in the Irish Grand National he seemingly had the race at his mercy but for reasons unknown he jinked left at the last and pretty much came to a stand still costing him the race in which he eventually finished a close up 5 th place. Many people have questioned his ability to stay and said that he was out on his feet in the national. That theory was put to bed pretty quickly as he now has a Punchestown Gold cup on his roll of honour. It was a beautiful display of jumping at Punchestown and he travelled so well for David Mullins. The key factor with this horse though is course. His form at Punchestown is 111. His record at other Irish tracks has brought 7 wins. His form at Cheltenham however is 003. Whether it’s the course itself at Cheltenham or even the travelling, its no secret that he saves his best form for home turf. Obviously he is to good a horse to write off if he was to lineup in a race like the Cheltenham Gold cup but back in Ireland he would have a massive chance in all the top staying chases. I hold him in very high regard and class him as one of the top three in that division over in the Emerald Isle.

BURROWS EDGE 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR N HENDERSON OWNED BY MR M BUCKLEY 2017-2018 FORM 241126 This inmate from Seven Barrows had quite a busy campaign last year for a young horse as he wasn’t seen until November. He was making his rules debut then in a bumper at Newbury where he finished 2nd . As the season progressed it became quite clear that he lacked the pace for two miles. He ran over that trip 4 times and didn’t taste victory in any of those races. The two times he was victorious however came over 2 miles 3 and 2 miles 4. It was his final start at Sandown though that he really caught my eye. It was in the race won by Ballymoy. Turning for home Burrows Edge only had 2 horses behind him with 17 in front of him. He made an eye catching desire to move through the field to eventually finish a respectable 6th place beaten only 6 lengths. While this run proved once again that 2 mile will not be his trip going forward it gave us a glimpse of what the future has in store. I would love to see him run over 2 and half miles plus.

Again like with many horses, it’s a question of whether they stay hurdling or go chasing. Personally I would love to see him go chasing but that may be a year to soon. Burrows Edge would of learnt an awful lot last season and after a summer grazing and developing he could really turn into a fairly decent prospect.

CALL ME LORD 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR N HENDERSON OWNED BY MR S MUNIR & MR I SOUEDE 2017-2018 FORM 31321 At one point during the last campaign it was thought that Call Me Lord may turn out to be a Champion Hurdle contender. He lined up in the Kingwell hurdle at Wincanton. Had he won this race then the Champion Hurdle would have been a possibility. Instead he ran no race at all eventually finishing 3 rd and looking very one paced. In his defence, the race was a very muddling affair but it still didn’t fill me with confidence in regards to the future for Call Me Lord.

Next up was the Imperial Cup. Call Me Lord was lumbered with top weight. He travelled and jumped once again and looked like a totally different animal to the one we saw in the Kingwell. Although he came 2nd to a horse carrying a stone and a half less, he came away from Sandown with his reputation very much restored. Very much campaigned over the trip of two miles. On the final day of the season Call Me Lord produced visually one of the best performances of the day. Upped in trip to 2 and a half under Nico De Boinville, he absolutely bolted up by 16 lengths. Yes he beat some horses who were coming to the end of long season but he did it with such ease it was hard not to be blown away. The form is quite clear for all to see and with this win, it opens up so many doors for Call Me Lord looking to this season.

Nicky and his team at Seven Barrows may be tempted to go further with him as he such a smooth traveller. I would love to see him in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Although there is a doubt he can act going left handed. If the doubt persists then Im sure we will see him jump a fence. It opens up so many more options being a chaser acting one way. I genuinely believe Call Me Lord is destined for the top and is now a proper grade 1 horse in waiting.

*****TRAINER FOCUS***** CLAIMANTAKINFORGAN 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR N HENDERSON OWNED BY GRECH AND PARKIN 2017-2018 FORM 11352 “Claimantakinforgan was a high class novice hurdler the year before last and we so nearly went novice chasing with him last year. However we thought he would benefit from another season over the smaller obstacles which turned into a difficult season. It was always likely to be that way with his high handicap mark and more crucially the constant soft ground. He has really strengthened and grown up this summer and I hope he will make a high class novice chaser.”

CLAN DES OBEAUX 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR P NICHOLLS OWNED BY MR & MRS BARBER, G MASON, SIR A FERGUSON 2017-2018 FORM 2123 Clan Des Obeaux is horse who has ran some fantastic races without actually winning. He was beaten by Whisper in a thrilling match at Kempton in November. By all accounts Whisper is a very very good horse and proved that when coming second in the Ladbroke Gold cup. He then went on to run another fine second in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. Under top weight it was massive performance on ground he may not of fully enjoyed. It was perhaps another step forward when he came 3 rd in the Aintree Bowl behind Might Bite and Bristol de Mai. He was beaten 10 lengths but it was quite an eye catching run considering he is only 6 years old. Paul Nicholls is taking quite a tentative approach with this lad. We get the feeling that Paul and his team think the world of Clan Des Obeaux.

I would love to see him lineup in the Ladbroke Gold Cup. If he was to run, he would surely take a lot of beating. There could be room for plenty of improvement with Clan Des Obeaux and the future is really exciting for this bay gelding chaser.

DAN MCGRUE 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR P NICHOLLS OWNED BY MR & MRS P BARBER 2017-2018 FORM 4411 Paul Nicholls received this horse from Ireland (J W Nicholson). Over in Ireland this 6 year old had one race and it was a winning one in a national hunt flat race. There was 14 months between that run and his first for Paul, which ended disappointingly. Dan Mcgrue was beaten only 8 lengths but was fancied to do better as evens favourite. If that was disappointing then his next start isn’t worth talking about as he was thrashed nearly 25 lengths as he faded into 4th place once again.

Paul and his team were now having to go back to the drawing board. They thought they had a stayer on their hands and one day that still may be the case.

Dan Mcgrue would have two more races in 2017-2018, both at 2 mile 3 and he showed us all the potential he possesses in both these starts. The second race of the two was particularly worthy under Bryony Frost.

Moving onto the upcoming campaign, I really hope Dan Mcgrue goes novice chasing. He looks to have everything a good chaser needs and knowing Paul and the owners, its surely why they brought this lad. The JLT would be right up his street and would be quite a popular ride for that of rising star Bryony Frost.

DEFI DU SEUIL 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR P HOBBS OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 47 If we can cast our minds back to the 2016-2017 season when Defi Du Seuil finished the season a perfect 7 out of 7. He was so impressive all season and his win in the Triumph hurdle was one to remember with his Aintree victory not that far behind in terms of quality.

The way he travelled through his races was poetry in motion. I for one got caught up in the hype and honestly thought he would buck the juvenile trend and really be a threat in the Champion hurdle.

Defi would make his long awaited seasonal debut in the Coral hurdle at Ascot. The day he would hopefully come of age and throw his name into the big events. Unfortunately he was beaten a very long way. He looked dangerous for all of about 10 whole seconds before fading alarmingly. To the eye he never showed any zip and it just didn’t look like the same horse. The Irish Champion hurdle was next in what was a recovery mission. The less said about this run the better. I can hear many of you say that juveniles just don’t step up to proper grade 1 level and Defi Du Seuil just isn’t as good as we thought.

Im willing to open my hand to him once again and offer hope.

Connections had a tough choice at the end of the 16-17 campaign where they had to choose stay hurdling or chasing. They really thought he could be a Champion hurdle contender and the fact he was only 4 at the time, he had plenty of time to go over a fence.

So expect Defi Du Seuil to be chasing this season and be a real Arkle contender. I really don’t think he was 100% at all last season and maybe paying for the exertions of 7 races the season before. A nice long break and and the sight of fences is enough fo me to include him in this publication as a real star.

DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO 5 YEAR OLD CHESTNUT GELDING TRAINED BY MR N GIFFORD OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 110 Didtheyleaveuoutto was thrust to the head of the Cheltenham champion bumper market on the back of a very taking success at Ascot just before Christmas. The race he won was known to be a very strong field and he couldn’t of done it any easier.

In the immediate aftermath of the race Mr Gifford made it quite clear that his contender would now be put away until the Cheltenham Festival. He doesn’t have many top horses so you can understand the soft approach. As the festival drew closer, Didtheyleaveuoutto’s chances of glory were soaking away. Connections made no secret that he would hate the forecast heavy ground and it was ultimately game over before the race had started. To his credit he ran a decent race. Finishing 10th but he gave up so much ground on the turn for home when out widest of all. He was still travelling ok at this point but just couldn’t pick up on the rain sodden ground. Plus it was last race of the day so the ground by now was very sticky.

Im extremely excited to see Mr Giffords star over hurdles. Obviously it all depends on what winter we have but it surely cannot be as wet as last year. He has shown he has plenty of pace but I would ideally see him follow a similar route to that of Yanworth. Which will hopefully see him line up in the Ballymore rather the Supreme. The bumper form is very muddling as it generally always is but I could easily see Didtheyleaveuoutto emerging better than most from last years crop.

DIEGO DU CHARMIL 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR P NICHOLLS OWNED BY MRS J DE LA HEY 2017-2018 FORM 132F15 In 2016, Diego Du Charmil made his uk debut in the Fred Winter juvenile hurdle. This debut was a winning one. It was a hugely impressive victory to win such a competitive race on your first outing. Since then however things haven’t really kicked on as one would of expected. Amongst his 13 runs in his career there are only 5 victories. It was at the beginning of last season that Mr Nicholls and his team sent Diego chasing.

They felt he had achieved all he could hurdling and was proving very difficult to place. He couldn’t of been given an easier start as he raced against a stablemate of his and beat him by 9 lengths. It proved nothing more than a schooling session really in public.

His next three starts would bring frustrations rather than smiles as he was beaten without looking like ever winning. Perhaps his fall at Ascot may have stopped him getting his head back in front but it was 3 from home so hard to tell.

So it was a shock to many of us when he won the 2 mile novice chase at Aintree in April on National day. Shantou Rock and Petit Mouchoir made sure it was stern test of speed and it was exactly what Diego Du Charmil needed. He thrived on the fast pace and when produced he was electric. Always holding Petit Mouchior who is an notoriously strong finisher and a very good horse in his own right. Now its very hard to gauge how good Diego Du Charmil can be now stepping out of novice company. He would step out of novice company on Sandown Finale day when fading after looking a place contender. That was only a couple of weeks after Aintree so you can possibly forgive that. The Champion chase division is stacked with class and quality so it would be suicide to think he can trouble the top table there but I do think he can win some lucrative handicaps, especially if connections find he goes further. He could easily be a BetVictor Gold cup horse if it was proved he gets further. If they stay 2 miles then the Shloer chase and maybe the Desert Orchid become possibilities as its likely he will avoid the likes of Altior if heading to these.

DREAM BERRY 7 YEAR OLD GREY GELDING TRAINED BY MR J O’NEILL OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 76 Last season didn’t quite go to plan for Jonjos dashing grey charge. After finishing second in two of Aintree’s and Punchestown’s most valuable and competitive handicaps, many suggested he would be warm order for many of the top handicaps in 2017-2018.

Unfortunately we didn’t see him on the track until the Cheltenham Festival.

Which is such a big ask. He ran well and finished 7th . In reality its about as much as we could expect. So it was no surprise to see him once again have his backers at Punchestown. Again he ran well only finishing about 5 lengths off the lead. All in all, a 5th and 6th place in Festival handicaps on seasonal reappearances isn’t at all bad.

So onto this campaign I fully expect Dream Berry to pick up at least one of the big handicaps in the season. He’s a very likeable horse with a fantastic attitude. He has won on soft before but has generally been kept clear of slogs in the mud. With that in mind he may well have an early season pipe opener before hitting a big handicap and then something similar before the festivals. His action appears quite deliberate so he may well act on heavy but its unlikely connections feel the same if his form is anything to go by. In the past he has bled but I would think that issue is firmly behind him. Keep a very close on this lad as its likely that when he does win, he will be quite a tidy price.

ESPOIR D’ALLEN 4 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR G CROMWELL OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 11114 The bubble really did burst last season for Espoir D’allen. He was a perfect 4 out of 4 going into the Leopardstown Juvenile hurdle in February. Not only was he unbeaten, he was winning his races in style. So it was no surprise to see him at the very top of the market for the Triumph hurdle. I for one was on the bandwagon. The Leopardstown feature was supposed to be the final stepping stone towards Triumph glory. At Leopardstown he was very keen. Too keen and his race was over before they hit the home straight and he laboured home in 4th place about 20 lengths behind. It really was one of the disappointments of the season. It was no surprise to hear that after the race he just wasn’t himself and was quickly ruled out of the Triumph Hurdle. In fact he never ran again last season. Farclas would go onto win the Triumph Hurdle. Espoir D’allen beat Farclas giving him weight so Im sure he would have had a huge say in the Triumph.

Connections did the right thing by keeping off the track. He is only 4 and it is all to easy to bottom a juvenile horse out asking him to run and run especially if they think he is special.

So hopefully Espoir D’allen is fully recovered, summers well and comes back this season stronger than before. Obviously he has step out of juvenile level so things wont be easy.

Im sure his campaign will be precisely plotted and he can be a player in those top Grade one hurdles over in Ireland that’s for sure.

FABULOUS SAGA 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR W MULLINS OWNED BY SULLIVAN BLOODSTOCK 2017-2018 FORM 12211231177 Fabulous Saga had an extremely busy season in what was his debut season. Running 12 times he tasted victory 5 times. Starting off in bumpers in the summer before taking on hurdles in the autumn/winter. He seems to be extremely effective on heavy ground although he has a victory on good ground. Stamina truly is this horses forte.

Although he performed with great credit throughout the season it was his lowest placed finish that really caught my eye. That came at the Cheltenham festival in the Albert Bartlett hurdle. Its always a stamina sapping race and this renewal was no different. Danny Mullins had his mount in a prominent position early on and it wasn’t long before he began to pop away in front. Making it a true test of mettle. On the turn for home, every single horse in behind was hard at work as he was now seven lengths clear. Its very very hard to front run at Cheltenham. Even harder to do so at the festival, in a grade one race over 3 miles. Approaching the last the pack were surrounding him and he began to pay for his attempt to slip the field. Eventually finishing 7th by around 10 lengths.

It was a very brave performance and he truly made everyone in the race work incredibly hard so the signs for this season are encouraging. If the weather is set to give us the wet days we had last season then Fabulous Saga is going to revel in those conditions and will pick up victories for sure. The one question is do they see him as a chaser. I would lean to towards the answer being yes. Therefore the options for him are vast over in Ireland. Of course a lot depends on his schooling but in the future this horse has Irish National written all over him. For next season though I would love to see him in the 4 miler at the Cheltenham Festival. It’s a race he could thrive in and the I am intrigued to see what the near future holds for this lad.

GOLD PRESENT 8 YEAR OLD BROWN GELDING TRAINED BY MR N HENDERSON OWNED BY MR & MRS COTTON 2017-2018 FORM 1100 Perhaps one of the best looking horses in training. He is simply magnificent to look at. One that instantly takes your eye in the parade ring. He is not just all style by any means though. He has substance too. While his form so far in his career is very patchy I do think he is a top class individual. He started last season with a bang, winning two competitive handicaps beating some decent horses such as Warriors Tale and Frodon. A couple of setbacks meant that he never quite returned to that level of form at Cheltenham and Ayr in the spring, pulling up both times. I would be happy enough to stick lines through both those races.

Gold Present is currently rated around the 155 mark. A good way short of Gold Cup level.

He’s kind of stuck in no mans land between top weight handicap and top grade 1 level. I would love to see the team at Seven Barrows go bold and test him at that top level over 3 miles. Something like the Many Clouds chase at Aintree or the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham. Or maybe even the Charlie Hall. If he gets totally outclassed then so be it, stick to handicapping but fingers crossed he should hold his own. At least connections know his fate early on in the campaign. His best form has come on good/soft ground. He jumps so well and seems to be very straightforward. I know Nico De Boinville is a massive fan of this horse. It would become as no surprise to me if we saw Gold Present in the winners enclosure more than once this season. *****TRAINER FOCUS***** GOSHEVEN 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR P HOBBS OWNED BY THE GROCER SYNDICATE 2017-2018 FORM 535 “ Gosheven has improved with each of his three runs so far in his career. We were hopeful he will turn into a high class novice hurdler this season. He will be campaigned predominantly over 2 and a half miles.”

LAURINA 5 YEAR OLD BAY FILLY TRAINED BY MR W MULLINS OWNED BY SULLIVAN BLOODSTOCK 2017-2018 FORM 1111 Most of you know what an absolute superstar Laurina already is after a perfect debut campaign last season. Her average winning distance was 13 lengths. Her win in the mares novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival was a total demolition job. She proved time after time that she is the best novice mare around. Now she steps out of the novice hurdle division, bigger things await. Yes the mares division gets stronger every season but surely Laurina’s main aim will be the Champion hurdle against the boys.

When you see Laurina strutting around the parade ring she has the size, scope, definition and the frame of one of the boys.

Of course stepping out of novice company is a step up. Taking on the boys is a step up again but they are steps I think she will fully take in her stride. Willie isn’t one to shy away from such opportunities and Im sure the Champion hurdle is very much in his mind. The fact she would receive the mares allowance as well is a massive factor.

Anything can happen in horse racing. One minute your star horse is fresh and full of health. Next minute your star horse is on the injury list. Im sure after Sullivan Bloodstock sold Buveur D’air who would go on to win 2 Champion hurdles would no doubt love to go there to take on the defending champion. Buveur D’air vs Laurina is already a match up to make the mouth water. Of course it may not happen. She could always stay in the mares division which she absolutely dominates. I really hope she goes to the former as she fully deserves to do so.

THE HORSE WHO DIVIDES OPINIONS! The words ‘Legend’, ‘Hero’, and ‘Icon’ are generally overused in the world of sport and like a lot of things are down to personal opinion.However to be considered such status in our glorious world of horse racing you will have been on a path of triumphs, despair, sometimes adversity and ultimately have that connection to the general public that people can relate their lives to. Now look there are of course those like Frankel who simply didn’t go down the path of adversity and despair. They are simply extraordinary! Then you get others like the modern day Cue Cards, Sprinter Sacres, Kauto Stars, Bobs Worths, Vatours and Denmans. They went down all paths and more giving the racing public tears of joy and also tears of sadness. All were written off in some way or another but they rose from the depths of racing insecurity proving that racing needs its superstars and ‘legends’ but the path isn’t always straightforward and the terms shouldn’t be used solely on the so called unbeaten horses as there is way more to it as I will reveal below.

I know many of you will see the horse I widely push to legend status and think Jesus this lad is talking absolute nonsense. Then there are others, those passionate and emotionally involved in jumps racing who will agree with me. They say a horse isn’t remembered or appreciated until he retires or god forbid visits the stable in the sky. I beg to differ.

Cast your mind back to December 16th 2017 at Cheltenham. The International hurdle is the race and his name goes by ‘My Tent Or Yours”. Those that were in attendance that day like myself witnessed something special and another “I was there moment”. Admittedly it wasn’t a festival race and neither was it a race containing the best of the best but it was so much more in many ways.

A general 5-1 shot, My Tent was written off once again. It was 4 years since his last win and a statistic that was hard to believe was that he had never won at Cheltenham in his 5 attempts. Add into it that he was now 10 years old and the ground was softer than ideal. The price was probably right. The two market rivals were old enemy The New One and the new kid on the block and 5 years younger Melon.

Nicky Henderson spoke beforehand that the ground was a concern but stated that he’s in great form at home, gets a slight weight pull due to the fact he was a sprightly 6 year old when he last crossed the line first so we are optimistic. Now when Nicky talks about this horse his eyes light up! Think back all the way to February 2013 when My Tent tore apart a strong Betfair hurdle field. Everyone at the time was thinking “Who the hell is this strong travelling McManus beast?”. He only has to turn up to win the Supreme novices in March was the percentage call.

Please welcome Groundhog Day!!!! My Tent travelled all over Champagne Fever up the famous Cheltenham hill and the bookies were running for cover. Until that is until My Tent couldn’t find a way past and took the lonely walk back to second place. Fast forward 12 months and another unbeaten campaign and you guessed it. Same scenario but this time in the Champion hurdle and the second place was his again, this time travelling all over Jezki but again losing. Injury struck The Tent soon after and many didn’t think he would return. Nicky and his team worked tirelessly for two years to get him back and his first run for two years was at the 2016 Cheltenham festival in the Champion hurdle. Madness! This time Annie Power was his conqueror but there was no disappointment this time as it was almighty performance taking things into account.

Over the next 12 months and 8 runs he would place at all the big festivals of Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown with his only blips coming at Haydock on atrocious ground and Kempton over Christmas. Another second at the 2017 festival to stablemate Buveur D’air was a bitter pill for Nicky Henderson as he said he felt like he had betrayed a friend. Fast forward to the International once again and you will now see why this victory meant so much to Nicky, his team, The Tent himself and of course jumps racing in general.

Never have I heard a horse before get called so many names. Dog, bridle merchant, finished, weak to name a few. So when Barry produced My Tent over the last in the International along with The New One and Melon , groundhog day was once upon us. What prevailed before our eyes and ears was a sight and sound I for one will never forget. Barry and Tent surged clear up the run in and the Cheltenham victory was his! The noise was incredible and the reception in the winners enclosure was a joy to behold. I was there when Kauto pulled up in the Gold cup and again when Sprinter won the Shloer chase and his second Champion chase. The reception on these days were lump in the throat material and this was no different . Nicky Henderson was once again caught up in the moment and tears flowed. His ‘Friend” had battled, showed great heart and talent to get his head in front. It truly was a remarkable moment from the very point he jumped the last hurdle until he made his way back to his stable. Jumps racing has its own way of writing its own scripts. It remains to be seen if we will ever see him on a racecourse again and if not I will happily and proudly call My Tent or Yours a legend, hero and Icon. Thank you, you have taken me on a path of triumph, despair, adversity and triumph once again. You know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way!

MASTER TOMMYTUCKER 7 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR P NICHOLLS OWNED BY M A G FEAR 2017-2018 FORM 11 Master Tommytucker has arrived into the sport later than the average race horse. He made his debut last season at the age of 7 years old. At this point we don’t know the reasons for that, if there is any at all. One thing for sure though is that he cannot of been any more impressive so far in his short career. Sent off at 101 he tanked through the race, fumbled the last but showed a great attitude to stay on to the line. To make a mistake like that in his first race and then regain his composure to assert once again was fantastic to see. He then backed that up two months later when hacking up. Obviously those races were fairly low grade so it will be interesting to see what Paul Nicholls and his team do with him this season. Both those wins came on soft dead ground so I think we could see him before Christmas. He is definitely one to keep a close eye on as he could be one to arrive from under the radar.

MELON 6 YEAR OLD CHESTNUT GELDING TRAINED BY MR W MULLINS OWNED BY MRS J DONNELLY 2017-2018 FORM 1352F To say that Melon has not achieved the heights to match the hype surrounding him is a understatement. He was once favourite for the supreme novices hurdle and since then he’s been dragging the hype train around like an anchor.

Out of 8 career runs he has only won twice. He does have a 2nd in the Champion hurdle against his name which on paper looks terrific. However you have to question whether Buveur D’air was fully wound up on that day.

At times he has just looked a bit soft and is yet to grow up and into his frame. It was in the International hurdle in December at Cheltenham that I noticed something about Melon that automatically got me excited about this season. After watching the race back slowly and also after ordering a photo of the final hurdle when all 3 contenders jumped it dead in unison it was quite obvious Melon oozed chaser. He was jumping his hurdles like most chasers jump a fence. A lovely shape but not ideal over the smaller obstacles.

With the summer out in the field where I hope he grows into himself and the new focus on fences I am expecting massive things from Melon.

In my opinion the Arkle should be his aim and he deserves to be right at the very top of the market. One would expect him to follow a similar path to what Footpad last season. Taking in some grade 1s in Ireland in December and February before hitting the Arkle in March.

He is undoubtedly one of the most exciting novice chasers to look forward to this season.

MIAS STORM 8 YEAR OLD BAY FILLY TRAINED BY MR A KING OWNED BY THE MAPLE STREET PARTNERSHIP 2017-2018 FORM 11FF Always a very consistent hurdler, Mia’s Storm really seemed to show us her best side when she jumped a fence. Her chase debut was back in October at Chepstow when she came up against a very talented horse in Elegant Escape. Tizzards gelding couldn’t live with Mia’s Storm on this day and it turned out to be a very notable debut on form. Her next start would be against her own sex and she proved a class above. So ultimately connections were thinking big and why not. So she would line up in the Kauto Star novice chase on Boxing Day. Watching Mia’s Storm in her first two runs up until this date she had jumped beautifully. This wasn’t the case at Kempton. She hit one early on and when watching novices you want to see how they react after a bad mistake. Unfortunately she never looked comfortable after this mistake and eventually fell 5 from home. The mistake early on definitely affected her mentally and ruined her race which led to a fall. We wouldn’t see her again until April at Ayr. It was deja vu once again as she made an error at the first which lit her up. After that her race was over and she would eventually fall 4 from home. It seems her confidence has been completely shot to pieces. Im siding to the fact that a summer relaxing away from racing will work wonders and she will come back a different horse. Mentally prepared for the task. No longer a novice it will be crucial to where they place her. Softly softly approach would be best.

Whether the Ladbroke Trophy would be to much of an ask but it’s definitely an option. The easier option however would be to keep her to mares chases. I get the feeling she is slightly better than that and she is worth trying once again at top level racing.

MISTER FISHER 4 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY M N HENDERSON OWNED BY MR & MRS POTTER 2017-2018 FORM 10 Mister Fisher caught my attention on the back of a very pleasing racecourse debut at Kempton in March He travelled into he race nicely and to the eye he was definitely the one to take away from the race. With this race fresh in the mind he was sent to the Aintree festival in what looked like a very strong bumper. Many had it down as a three horse race between Mister Fisher, Pym and Danny Kirwan.

Bumpers are very hard to gauge and this was no different with Pym finishing 9th , Mister Fisher 13th and Danny Kirwan 17th . The big three all beaten out of sight. It was a very messy race and Mister Fisher did get shoved about slightly but no excuses, it was a very disappointing run. Its not the end of the word and I cannot wait for Mister Fisher to jump a hurdle. He looks a very promising type indeed and the future looks bright.

MR ONE MORE 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR H FRY OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 1165 Back in October Mr One More would gain his second career win. It was a maiden hurdle at Stratford and the horse he beat was Summerville Boy. Now we all know that 5 months later, Summerville Boy would go on to win the Supreme Novices at the Cheltenham Festival. While it seemed that Summerville boy would improve time after time. Mr One more soon went the opposite way. He would win his next race after that Stratford victory but his next two starts were to bad to think about. Admittedly the two races he would lose in were ran on soft ground but it was by no means bottomless. Harry Fry didn’t tinker around with the trip much so last season was all a bit of a puzzle.

Mr One More looks quite a bulky horse. He seemed to get bigger as the season progressed. His future is 100% over fences and after the rubix cube of last season I don’t think we will see him over hurdles again. Fences beckon and maybe a longer trip as well.

He could well be Harry Fry’s flagship horse now that Unowhatimeanharrys days at the top seem to of diminished.

NEXT DESTINATION 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR W MULLINS OWNED BY MR M DENMARK 2017-2018 FORM 11131 Next Destination is a horse going places. Last season was very good. 5 starts with 4 wins.

His only loss came at Cheltenham when connections opted to run him in the Ballymore against Samcro when it was possible that he would thrive over the longer trip in the Albert Bartlett. The fact that they really thought he could beat Samcro speaks volumes. In the build up to the festival it became obvious that everyone in the Mullins camp expected Next Destination to serve it up to the festival banker Samcro. Pretty much all of his races had come over the 2 and half mile trip but he always looked a 3 miler despite winning. In the Ballymore he was asked to do an awful lot from a long way back. He did look slightly outpaced between 2 and 3 from home. However once their heads were turned for home he stayed all the way to the line and there was no one in the field who could match his finishing strength. Eventually getting his head up for 3 rd but it was all to late.

So onto Punchestown and the calls were answered. Next Destination over 3 miles. The front 3 of Next Destination, Delta Work and Kilbricken Storm pulled a massive 20 lengths clear. It was Paul Townend on Next Destination that kept pulling out more and would not be past. A very pleasing end to the season.

This season could see him go the same route as Al Boum Photo did last season. I can see a lot of similarities between the two. With Penhill and Faugheen looking likely to be the yards 3 mile hurdlers then chasing is a distinct possibility. However to us he would stand a better chance than both of those in the top 3 mile hurdle races. He’s slick and has bags of stamina. You never know how a horse will jump a fence but if he was to stay hurdling he could well be Irish’s strongest in that division.

NO COMMENT 7 YEAR OLD BROWN GELDING TRAINED BY MR P HOBBS OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 36 After a very promising 2016-2017 season a lot was expected from No Comment but we would not get to see him until February which left him with an uphill task for the spring festivals. He started off over 2 and half around Sandown as a blowout before being thrown in at the deep end.

He lined up in the 4 miler at Cheltenham in which he was fancied by many including myself. Especially with hot amateur Derek O’ Connor in the saddle. For a long way he looked like he may play a part but ultimately it was to big a task after a late start to his campaign. Its hard to say if he handled the trip or not as he didn’t get a fair crack at it.

I would of liked to see him have two or three races beforehand and then judge him but it wasn’t to be. His jumping however was a major plus point in both his starts. So I’m wondering if they may have a go at one of the National trials this season in the early stages. He handled 3 miles as a hurdler so stamina is there. If given a few blowouts then he could easily relish the extreme tests. He jumps and has that touch of class which are both traits you need to be a success in those national trials.

NOBLE ROBIN 7 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR J O’NEILL OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 11PU This lightly raced 7 year old has only had 4 runs in his lifetime. For one reason or another he hasn’t been seen on the track as much as connections would like. He looked fairly promising in mid winter last season when he put together a pair of wins albeit at low level.

He seemed to get found out however when upped in grade for one of the Pertemps hurdle qualifiers. He was sent of favourite so obviously had his admirers but he was very flat and ultimately pulled up. That was the last time we saw him. The fact he wasn’t seen again that season and add into the fact he’s not had 4 runs, it must suggest that he is a very fragile horse.

Im sure Jonjo and his team are working on getting him right if that is the case.

I suppose it’s a bit of a lottery whether we see Noble Robin again but if we do he is one to monitor in this middle grade hurdle events. If he keeps himself fit and healthy there is nothing to suggest he cannot be competitive in one of the many graded handicap hurdle races throughout the season.

In our wonderful world of horse racing there is often a very important role that gets overlooked. The role that involves getting into work at the crack of dawn and even before what ever the weather. The role that involves caring for a horse 16 hours a day, making sure they are healthy and ready to do themselves justice on a race day.Thos people are the stable staff. Racing simply would simply not be able to survive without the lads and lasses up and down the country who put all their time into their pride and joys.

Working in a racing yard must really be an emotional rollercoaster. The buzz and extreme highs of seeing your pride and joy win. The despair, tears and heartache to see your horse fall, break down or worse.

If you ask anyone who cares for a racehorse they just want to see their horse loaded onto the back of the lorry at the end of the day in good health. That’s the winning in their eyes!.

The result of the race is just a bonus.

Its about time the stable staff got more praise and credit from not just owners and trainers but from all of us. We spoke to Hannah Ryan form the yard of Nicky Henderson’s and she kindly gave us a great insight into her racing world and life working in the champion yard.

1. What’s your earliest memory of horse racing?

My earliest memory of racing would be when I was around 10years old on a weekend we’d all go round to my grandmas house and she’d stuff us all with a big roast and we’d sit down and watch the racing, I used to see it as a chore but now my favourite day of the week is a Saturday in the jumps season. Finish riding out at 12pm, get in the house and sit down and watch the racing in the warmth, nothing beats it!

2. How did you end up at Seven Barrows and how long have you worked there?

I worked at Donald McCain’s for one season and then left racing for a few months and went and did some PA work. I soon realised I missed racing and fancied a change from the north so emailed three jumps yards in Lambourn and Nicky Henderson was the first to reply and offer me a job, so I took it. I have been at Seven Barrows four years now, every season I tell myself it will be my last and I’ll move on but I just can’t bring myself to leave, just yet!

3. What does a typical day in the life of Hannah consist of?

Wake up around 5.30am go and muck out my four horses, then we pull out first lot for 7.30am, Each lot is an hour long with good breaks in between to make sure all the horses are cleaned off properly.

We finish at about 12.30pm. Then you have free time to eat, sleep and walk the dogs.

Back to work at 4pm, the four horses you look after have to be brushed, fed, watered, mucked out, bedded up and rugged up, to an extremely high standard. People in Seven Barrows have great pride in there work. Then we finish around 5.30pm-6pm.

4. Can you remember your first winner of a horse under your care?

My first winner at Seven Barrows was Maestro Royal, he won a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon under Peter Carberry in 2015.

5. Worst and best thing about your job?

Worst thing is it’s very addictive once you get into a good yard with lovely people and amazing horses it’s really hard to leave.

The best thing is probably my horses, they each have their own character and make going to work in the morning worth while!

6. Describe 2 time Champion hurdler Buveur D’air in 3 words?

Loving, cheeky and beautiful 7. Would you like to train racehorses yourself one day?

I definitely would not, Mr Henderson is a very intelligent man and unfortunately for me I’m not quite sure I make the grade! Hopefully when I get the courage to leave Seven Barrows I’m hoping to go into a racing Secretary role.

8. One horse from another yard you would love to own?

Probably Fixe Le Kap he was at Seven Barrows before he went to France and he was my baby, I miss him dearly and hopefully one day when he retires I’ll be able to give him his forever home.

Quick fire round 1. Chinese or Indian?

Indian 2. Coffee or Tea? Coffee 3. Pub or Club?

Pub 4. Beach holiday or City Break?

City break 5. Winter or Summer?

Both- Winter for the season but I do love my holidays in the summer!

6. Gold Cup or Grand National?

Grand national all day!

7. Nick Luck or Matt Chapman?

Nick luck (Matt doesn’t like Buveur Dair) 8. Kauto Star or Denman?

Denman

POLITOLOGUE 7 YEAR OLD GREY GELDING TRAINED BY MR P NICHOLLS OWNED BY MR J HALES 2017-2018 FORM 111241 For me this fascinating grey gelding produced two of the best performances of the year last season. His Tingle Creek success was a really festive treat! The atmosphere he and Fox Norton created that day was something to be remembered. Politilogue won the race here with his jumping. He was fluent and always landing running. Once asked by Harry Cobden to go win the race he stuck his neck out all the way to line which was great to see as some suggested he might wilt in a battle. Fox Norton tried to close but just couldn’t match the grey. It was a fine training performance and many thought he would be a contender for the Champion chase. I my opinion however he was never a contender as I just don’t think Cheltenham plays to his strengths. He ran ok at Cheltenham but was a long way behind in 4th place. Paul was quick to make plans and get Politilogue fit and ready to do himself justice in the 2 and half mile Melling chase at Aintree. A trip and track which could see him excel. Excel he did and the 11-1 starting price was a bit of an injustice.

Again he was foot perfect over a fence. Nothing flashy, he just always lands running. It looked as if Min had his number after the last but again like Sandown he stuck his neck out and drilled himself towards the line. It was other monster of a race and performance. He beat the Champion chase 2 nd and 3 rd . He beat the Ryanair winner and 3 rd and also the grand annual winner. On form it was very solid race.

Politilogue isn’t much to look at physique wise.. He’s quite slight in his frame compared to most but he does have those dashing grey looks. They have toyed with his trip every season but I get the feeling he’s a late developer and only now are we seeing his best form. Personally I think we may see him in the King George. They always said he was a 3 miler but he isn’t short of pace as showed at Exeter and Sandown. He travels, battles and jumps so as long as the ground isn’t testing then the King George could be ideal and I wouldn’t totally rule him out. The Melling chase would be the aim towards end of the season but possibly they may look to Ireland for something.

RETURN TICKET 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MRS R JEFFERSON OWNED BY MR R COLLINS 2017-2018 311 We have only scratched the surface with this horse from the north. He has been very impressive in his two victories to date. Looking very green and inexperienced both times but Bryan Hughes rode him with so much confidence that you have to think there is so much more to come from Return Ticket.

His hurdling has suffered solely to the fact he is running so green. Once he matures his technique will improve. Bryan Hughes briefly had to get into him on his final start but once he did the response was instant and he quickly put daylight between himself and the field.

Ruth Jefferson is a very popular up and coming trainer and Return Ticket will win her some big pots up north that’s for sure.

ROCK THE KASBAH 8 YEAR OLD CHESTNUT GELDING TRAINED BY MR P HOBBS OWNED BY MRS D WHATELEY 2017-2018 FORM 1PU2 Always a very likeable individual who to me should of achieved more in his career so far.

He was a mid grade hurdler but his future was always over a fence. I feel a bit for him because when he does perform he always seems to bump into a good one. Politilogue and American have both beaten him and perhaps his best performance to date was on Finale day at Sandown. He was 14 lengths ahead of 3 rd place but also 13 lengths behind the winner. The winner this day was Step Back from the Bradstock yard who was carrying a stone less.

Take the winner out of the equation and Rock The Kasbah was very polished. He jumped beautifully and travelled so well for Richard Johnson. The performance was what we wanted to see. It put his Peter Marsh disappointment behind him. Although the ground was very much to blame for being pulled up as he just doesn’t act on it at all.

We all hope that we get to see a more consistent horse this season. I would say the Peter Marsh would be another early target, ground depending. There is also a chance that he may act further so the Grand National trials may also be on the agenda.

Im certain he is a better horse than his figures suggest and this season as an 8 year old we may see him show us exactly how good.

SCEAU ROYAL 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR A KING OWNED BY MR S MUNIR & MR I SOUEDE 2017-2018 FORM 12111 Daryl Jacob absolutely adores this horse and its hard not to see why. That love is fully justified for a horse he calls “pocket rocket”. It was a novice chase campaign last season and many questioned his ability to handle a fence as he isn’t the biggest horse. Those questions were soon answered with an exclamation mark. Thiis was for me the best jumper of a fence in the novice chase division by a mile. He is so fast and economical.

His only defeat last season came at Cheltenham when he was beaten half a length by North Hill Harvey. The 5lb weight pull maybe sealing the affair. With the fact that his jumping was electric in his first 3 chases it was a massive surprise to see him written off for the Henry Vll novice chase at Sandown on Tingle Creek day. He found himself last in the betting. Of course the race was stacked with quality. BrainPpower, Capitaine, North Hill Harvey and Finians Oscar were his opponents. It was a very good race! Sandown is a proper jumping track, especially when it comes to 2 miles chases. Those railway fences can seal your fate positively or negatively. Meet them wrong and your on the backfoot.

Meet them right and it can be huge in a bid for glory.

Little Sceau jumped his rivals ragged. Daryl just popped him along and turning for home he was hard on the bridle. It really was poetry in motion. It’s a race I can watch over and over again. When Daryl pressed the button up the home straight the response was frightening. He showed fantastic speed to put the race to bed. It was as good as a performance over 2 miles we saw all season. He would race and win one more time in what was a more workmanlike display but that was the last time we saw him. It was gutting to hear the news he would miss the Arkle through injury.

The owners still won the race with Footpad but it might have been interesting. One niggling question I would have is “ Do we see the best of Sceau Royal round Cheltenham?”. It’s a unique track for gallopers rather than speedsters. I would have my reservations about him winning big races at Cheltenham although I wouldn’t completely write him off.

So depending on who is intended to run the Tingle Creek should be his early season aim.

Yes he may find himself against Altior, Douvan, Min, Footpad or Politilogue but the odds suggest only one of those top 2 milers may run.

Some punters and experts still turn their nose up when this horse gets mentioned but I cannot see why. I would love to see him win a big one. It would be fantastic for Daryl and connections. You can guarantee as well that it would be race to savour as he such a joy to watch. Write Sceau Royal off at your peril is my warning. *****TRAINER FOCUS***** SEVARANO 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR O SHERWOOD OWNED BY MR TIM SYDER 2017-2018 FORM 15 “ My horse to follow for the upcoming season is SEVARANO. He won his bumper at Kempton and came a pleasing 5 th in the Aintree bumper. He jumps well at home and in all honesty could be anything.”

SIZING TENNESSEE 10 YEAR OLD CHESTNUT GELDING TRAINED BY MR C TIZZARD OWNED BY POTTS LIMITED 2017-2018 FORM 2FUR1233PU He is now entering the final years of his career and although he has only won 5 races, he has ran some very fine races in defeat. Most notably his 2 nd place behind Yanworth on New Year’s Day and he backed that up with a brave display in the 4 miler at the Cheltenham festival. He led the race pretty much from the start. Watching the race I was thinking there is no way he will last home going at the pace he was out in front. He never did quite last home in front but he battled on bravely when he was eventually headed. Just before the last fence. He was so tired but he doggedly stayed into 3 rd place. He always seems to do a lot of his running early on these days and pays the price in the later stages.

He is never one to give up though.

He finished the season in the Scottish Grand National but was ultimately pulled up. Sizing Tennessee was at the very last threads of a long season and had been through some very hard races so his result should really be brushed under the carpet. The question ahead of connections now is how the campaign this horse. Possibly aim him at the Welsh National early on and go from there. He seems to enjoy himself around Cheltenham so maybe find a race around there but that will be tough. He is not one to give up on just yet. He definitely has another win his locker that’s for sure.

SOMEDAY 6 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MRS J HARRINGTON OWNED BY MR H SPOONER & MR I WEAVER 2017-2018 FORM 2F3 We haven’t seen Jessies Someday on the race track since late December but fingers crossed he makes a return this season. Although he has a record of won 1 in 7 races, I don’t think we have seen the full extent of his talents just yet. I wouldn’t say he is a keen going type but he certainly doesn’t settle as quickly as you would like and probably feels it towards the end of a race. He was beaten a good 13 lengths by Next Destination which is no embarrassment because Next Destination is a very very good horse. Connections of Someday could have some very good days ahead. He is never going to be Grade 1 level but could easily be competitive in some of the lucrative handicaps in the Uk or in in Ireland.

SOUL EMOTION 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR N HENDERSON OWNED BY MR & MRS J COTTON 2017-2018 FORM 11 Soul Emotion is horse we will be hearing and seeing a lot of in the future. He is hugely exciting in my opinion and we cant wait to watch him progress. He arrived from France just before Christmas and made his debut at Sandown in March. He jumped out to the left an awful lot but he proved far to good for is rivals. He was then turned out again on Finale day again at Sandown in the closing handicap. The lineup consisted of some very hardy campaigners. Nico positioned him out wide throughout to compensate for the jump to the left he showed first time out. Always travelling powerfully, when Nico wanted to go win the race he did so quite easily.

It was so impressive. The long stride on him with his head down was equine brilliance.

He is fantastic to look at, a big powerful individual. Anything he achieves over hurdles from now is a bonus but I wouldn’t hesitate to send him chasing straight away. He isn’t short of pace but the way he finishes of his races would suggest he would stay in the future. The options for the this horse are vast. This season I would love to see him be aimed at the JLT. I can I picture him flying around the Cheltenham Fences and its mouthwatering.

There are plenty of novice chases around before then. The Dipper on New Year’s Day would surely come into the equation. Soul Emotion cold be anything in my opinion and I cannot wait to see his return.

TWOBEELUCKY 5 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR H BROMHEAD OWNED BY MR R BROOKHOUSE 2017-2018 FORM 1121 Formally a flat recruit for Mark Johnston, he started his hurdle career in summer 2017. He reeled off 2 quick wins. Both by 7 lengths. He then tasted defeat when he was soundly beaten by a smart Joseph O’Brien horse. In October he was sent to Cheltenham for Masterton holdings hurdle and this was the race where I really noticed that Twobeelucky may actually be a decent horse to follow. Even though it was only a 4 runner affair, he could not have been more impressive. It really was visually a decent performance. I was hoping that he would now kick on and we would see him tried in better grade but it wasn’t to be. He missed all the festivals and wouldn’t be seen again until May this year. It was a fairly competitive handicap hurdle at Killarney and he ran a nice race for a long way before hitting one and weakening badly. It was the first time in in his whole racing career that he had finished outside the top 3. There were plenty of positives from this comeback before his face ended and gives us optimism that he can be back to his best this season and start to kick on and hopefully win some nice races for connections. *****TRAINER FOCUS***** UMBRIGADO 4 YEAR OLD BROWN GELDING TRAINED BY MR D PIPE OWNER UNKNOWN AT THIS POINT UNRACED AT THIS POINT UNDER RULES “ Umbrigado is a four year old by Stowaway. Who is a half brother to Templeross and Wolfsword. We brought him from the Cheltenham sales in March. He finished second on his only run in an Irish point to point. The winner of the race is now with Paul Nicholls. It is early days with him but he is doing everything right at home and is pleasing me with his good attitude to work. He will start off in a bumper sometime in early autumn.”

WE HAVE A DREAM 4 YEAR OLD BAY GELDING TRAINED BY MR N HENDERSON OWNED BY MR S MUNIR & I SOUEDE 2017-2018 FORM 11111 For me We Have a Dream is one of the most exciting horses in training as we speak. He missed the Triumph hurdle but what he did at Aintree and all the races beforehand gives us belief that he may be very smart indeed. In the past we have seen some very smart juveniles have very similar campaigns. Peace & Co and Defi du seuil are two of the latest that spring to mind.

They totally blew the juvenile division apart but couldn’t build on that in open company. So some people may wait on We have a dream before making a decision.

Im willing to stick my neck out however and say We Have A Dream is a threat to all this season. What impressed me last year is his versatility. He had two very easy runs on good to soft ground to get started. He was then asked to run at Chepstow in a grade one on heavy ground. He took that in his stride and won easier than the margin showed. We Have A Dream was sent to Musselburgh after for his Cheltenham festival prep and again won on a day some big scalps were taken from his yard. He wasn’t fully wound up but once again he got the job done. He would then miss Cheltenham but got his reward when he destroyed them at Aintree. He just seems to take everything in his stride.

He settles so easily and is incredibly slick over a hurdle. I really struggle to see any chinks in his armour. The record of juveniles stepping up is very poor but I think We Have A Dream is the one to buck that trend.

YANWORTH 8 YEAR OLD CHESTNUT GELDING TRAINED BY MR A KING OWNED BY MR J P McMANUS 2017-2018 FORM 1F216 Yanworth is perhaps the forgotten horse in the world of horse racing. With so many good young horses coming through and some of the older ones still showing they have ability, Yanworth seems to be in no mans land. He was fancied as a bumper horse but came up short. He was then fancied as a novice hurdler and once again came up short. Next they tested him at Champion hurdle level and although he had some success he ultimately came up short.

I was one of many who couldn’t wait for him to jump a fence. When that day eventually arrived he flattered to deceive. In his second start he would take a tumble. It was just a lack of concentration on his own part. He was then beaten by Willoughby Court who is no slouch but it was his next start at Cheltenham that had my faith restored. He would start the race in his usual careful fashion but as the race developed so did his jumping. The faster they went, the better he jumped. It was brilliant to watch and when Barry threw him at the last he delivered a magnificent leap. He did idle up the hill when looking like a 10 length winner. When his rival came upside him however he put his head down and went again. So it was a real kick in the teeth for me and also for the horse when I heard he would be back over hurdles at Cheltenham for a crack at the stayers hurdle. Obviously I am not a trainer but I thought Yanworth had learnt an awful lot over the 4 months in his novice chase campaign and was showing massive signs of jumping improvement.

I really hope this season he is allowed to develop as a chaser as that is definitely the way forward for him. Start small and let him find his feet. I wold love to see him finish up in the Ryanair and come off a really fast pace. Before that the Old Roan Chase wold be a perfect starting point. With Yanworth he just needs confidence . Once he gets that then we could have a serious horse to watch once again.

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS BETFAIR CHASE-BRISTOL DE MAI Bristol De Mai turned last years Betfair chase into a procession. The heavens opened in the build up to this race and the ground didn’t take long to turn heavy which was music to his ears. He really does seem a totally different horse when he runs on heavy ground. The field this day wasn’t great. They were all good horses but not at the top of their game. This year he could well run into Native River and Might Bite who are sure to have the million pound bonus at the forefront of their minds. Add into the equation the young pretenders Clan Des Obeaux or maybe Nicky Henderson’s Terrefort and suddenly this years renewal has a totally different look about it to last years. Bristol De Mai has it all to do in.

CHANCE OF RETAINING 4/10 TINGLE CREEK CHASE-POLITILOGUE The Tingle creek is always an absolute thriller of a race and last years was no different.

Politilogue announced himself on this cold December afternoon. He had always threatened to win a big race like this. He was so good in all aspects at Sandown. He never skipped a beat jumping, was always traveling sweetly and when asked to dig in he was a willing partner. Im sure connections may want to see him try to retain his crown but I think his days over two miles are over. He surely will play his trade over further ,especially after his victory over 2 and a half at Aintree. Its hard not toi imagine Altior, Footpad, Douvan or Un Des Sceaux turn up on Tingle creek day. You never know we may get a couple of them. Sceau Royal will surely have this on his agenda knowing how well Sandown suits him. So a lot of things will have to turn Politilogues direction to se him retain.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 2/10 CHRISTMAS HURDLE- BUVEUR D’AIR Last years Christmas hurdle was a farce in all honesty if you ask me. There was a distinct lack of opposition to Buveur D’air last season. So to see only 4 runners go to post was no surprise. The New one being the chief threat. No disrespect to The New One but he had absolutely no chance of troubling the Champion. If We Have A Dream or Summerville boy were to step up then we may have a race. However Its hard to see them being thrown in against the Champion hurdler so early though. Buveur D’air may well find himself in another schooling race.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 9/10 KING GEORGE CHASE-MIGHT BITE It was the day that Might Bite put those Kempton Park demons to rest. 12 months earlier he took a hefty fall at the last fence when he had the novice race at his mercy. There was no such dramas his time however. He was brilliant. A proper 3 mile chaser. He just ate up those fences and really did put on a show. Although the margin suggested the race was close. In all honesty he was just doing enough to win the race. Taking into account that Kempton might not suit Native River and the fact that the Irish may not send any of their contenders over it could well be Might Bites race to lose.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 9/10

LEOPARDSTOWN CHASE-ROAD TO RESPECT The grade 1 chases in Ireland always seem to be a lot more competitive than the ones over in UK. Road to respect won an absolute thriller as 3 Gigginstown house horses battled out the finish. No horse has retained the title since beef or salmon in 2004-2005.

Gigginstown have won the last 4 renewals but I think they ave their work cut out this year.

The Irish 3 mile chase division for this season is stacked. Bellshill, Presenting Percy,Sizing John and Al Boum Photo will all be viable candidates for victory.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 1/10 IRISH GOLD CUP-EDWULF We all know the history of Edwulf now. It looked to all on that March afternoon at Cheltenham 2017 that we had lost Edwulf for good. Credit to all involved at the course and the horse himself that he was able to walk away from that episode. So to make it back to the track was a massive achievement. That was back in December where he was pulled up in the Lexus chase. As you can imagine he was a huge underdog in the Irish Gold Cup.The outsider in the field by a long way. So to him see hm pull out all the stops to see off Outlander was completely out of this world and hugely heartwarming. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house that afternoon. It really was a victory to warm the hearts of the racing public.

Unfortunately reality must come back into our vision and his chances of a repeat victory in this seasons edition are very slim. There are so many top level horses now in this division so a repeat is near enough impossible.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 1/10 CHAMPION HURDLE- BUVEUR D’AIR Nicky Henderson’s star hurdler is now a two time Champion hurdler. Last seasons race was an epic finish where Barry had to throw the kitchen sink at Buveur D’air to see off Melon. I think Nicky put a lot of blame on himself for not having Buveur D’air fitter for the showpiece. So we can guarantee he will arrive this season in a better shape which means he will run in more competitive races in the build up. In March Buveur D’air will undoubtedly come up against the toughest field he’s encountered. At this point he is the one to beat as we are in the unknown as what horses will step up and potentially throw down a challenge. However as good as he is I think he is to be opposed. I love him but I think his crown will be relinquished but not without a fight.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 6-10 CHAMPION CHASE-ALTIOR The dilemma people have with the champion chaser is whether he would benefit from a increase in trip. His style and the way he finishes his races suggest he would improve for further. The fact he is unbeaten over fences and the fact he is unbeaten over two miles would suggest to me that we will see Altior line up in next seasons champion chase. With the looming presence of Footpad on the horizon it makes for some mouthwatering clashes. Add into the mix Douvan, Great field and min and once again the race looks stacked with quality. Plus the novices Sceau Royal, Brain power and Altior would have it all to do. For me though he is the best horse in training and wins even when not at his best. I don’t think he can and will be beaten in next years Champion chase and is the most solid of the defending champions.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 10-10

RYANAIR CHASE-BALKO DES FLOS For many Balkos victory in the Ryanair was no surprise but to me it came as a huge shock. Not for one minute did I think he would be able to beat Un Des Sceaux. The Ryanair Is always the hardest race to predict ante post. Mainly down to the fact we haven’t a clue who is going to line up in the race until about one month before the festival. Balko Des Flos in my opinion will run in the Gold Cup this season. So the chances of him retaining are very slim indeed. Even if he was to lineup the field he would likely encounter will make retaining very hard indeed.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 2-10 STAYERS HURDLE- PENHILL Penhill was a very brave winner of last seasons renewal and showed his liking for Cheltenham as he is now a two time festival winner. He has everything you need to be a top staying hurdler and he is one that you count on being back to defend his crown next season. Its one of those races where horses tend to return year after year for another crack. The reemergence of stablemate Faugheen would be a worry but he has to prove that last race wasn’t a one off.

Plus Penhill will be another year older and he has had quite a long career as he was raced on the flat as a 2 year old. If his season was go without injury or alarms I see no reason to see why he wont be there jumping the last without a chance.

CHANCES OF RETAINING 7-10 GOLD CUP-NATIVE RIVER Every year at this point of the season I sit here and think wow this years gold cup is going to be stacked.Then one by one we seem lose a main contender every month. Natives River performance to reign supreme was nothing short of magnificent. He was so game and never missed a beat jumping. He couldn’t afford to with Might Bite in his slipstream.

Take nothing away from Native River and Richard Johnson but was the ground key to victory. I personally think that Might Bite would of won had the ground not been as it was.

Especially that patch after the last fence when Might Bite seemed to be running in glue.

There is no getting away from the fact that Native River is a deserving champion and will be doing everything to retain his crown. It is certainly going to take a very special horse to rip that crown away from him. With my theory on ground and some very talented young pretenders due to enter the division next season Im not sure Native will be going home with his crown CHANCES OF RETAINING 5-10 JOE SMITH ANTEPOST CHELTENHAM LUCKY 15 DEFI DU SEUIL Arkle Trophy ALTIOR Champion Chase AL BOUM PHOTO Gold Cup YANWORTH Ryanair