The blog fell into disuse last year for various reasons but taking the chance to breathe some life back into the outlet. The Covid-19 restrictions have not helped and I've not been racing since early March 2020. I have been putting up successful handicap ratings on The Racing Forum which has been rewarding, the method having been resurrected from a booklet I bought in 1980.
My list of
horses to follow for the 2020-21 National Hunt season is given below. Drawn from Scottish and
Northern stables the list gives one or two that might make a mark at Graded
level, some for a Class 4 or 5 tickle and some middle of the road animals with
promise or proven ability.
ALL HAIL CAESAR 6 g (Rebecca Menzies)
Still a maiden
hurdler but beat Louis Vac’ Pouch to win a jumpers bumper at Newcastle so
clearly has an engine. Didn’t make a mark on seasonal debut at Carlisle in mid-October
but trainer felt run would bring him on and will be seen to greater effect over
further than 2m 4f.
BUSTER VALENTINE 7 g (Ruth Jefferson)
Won a novice
handicap chase at Market Rasen but sustained an injury that kept him off since.
Given time to recover this one is well rated by the stable and will be aimed at
3 mile chases with Peter Marsh at Haydock as a long term goal.
CAVETARA 8 g
(Sandy Thomson)
By Kayf Tara
out of L’Aventure which is as good a recommendation for a staying chaser as you
can get. Was going well when coming down in Sandy’s favourite race, the Borders
National last season and will be targeted at that race this season. Has
relatively few miles on the clock and mark of 115 gives room for manouevre.
CLONDAW CAITLIN
5 m (Ruth Jefferson)
Progressive hurdler
last season culminating in winning the Grade 2 Premier Hurdle at Kelso. Dropped
in at the deep end on chasing debut at Cheltenham, jumped stickily early on but
stayed on nicely up the hill to provide encouragement for staying chases going
forward.
CRACKING
DESTINY 7 g (Alistair Whillans)
Steadily
progressive over fences in the summer and his fifth in the Old Roan Chase reads
well. Might be rested for a while and brought back in the spring, but there is
still room for progression. Stays 2m 4f but has enough speed to be competitive
at the minimum distance. Handles soft ground, though probably wouldn’t want it
too deep.
ELVIS MAIL 6 g
(Nick Alexander)
Considered by
his trainer as possibly the best he has had charge of. A decent handicap hurdler
won twice last term in a truncated campaign. Disappointed at Newbury behind
Epatante but didn’t eat while in Berkshire so the race can be ignored, and
possibly best kept within daily range of home.
Goes novice
chasing this season and would be considered one of the brighter prospects on
the northern novice scene.
FAIRE PART
SIVOLA 5 g (Lucinda Russell)
Fair novice
last season for Nick Williams, winning at Leicester and then tried in Grade 2
company. Pulled up in a Uttoxeter gluepot in March but that form can likely be
set aside. Goes handicap hurdling this year and far enough south of a 140 mark
to give a few opportunities in Scotland and the north.
FOLKS LIKE US 5
g (Alistair Whillans)
Owned by a
fellow Kelso regular who gave me the heads up about this one who will operate
at a relatively low level. Picked up a nasty injury pointing and took some time
to get over that. Carefully handled he came good at Kelso in early October and
remains on a workable mark in handicap hurdles. Probably won’t want the ground
too soft.
HOME FIRE 4 g
(Nicky Richards)
An unraced
bumper prospect owned by the Robinsons (owners of Simply Ned) who provide a
conveyor belt of young horses for the Richards yard. By Frankel out of a Group
1 placed mare who was rated 113 on the flat. I assume this one is late
developer but owner/trainer produce so many decent animals this one has to be
of interest.
KITTY HALL 6 m (Nicky Richards)
Winner of a
mares’ bumper at Carlisle in January and not disgraced at Doncaster
subsequently. Dam won a bumper and a handicap hurdle.
LANTY SLEA 5 g
(Nicky Richards)
Just scrambled
home in a 3-runner bumper at Carlisle in March and the season was halted soon
after. Difficult to learn much from that one outing, but options under a penalty
in bumpers before progressing to hurdles.
LITTLE BRUCE 8
g (Phil Kirby)
Tough staying
chaser who has notched up plenty of miles for an eight-year-old but seems to
thrive on racing. Had a pipe opener over hurdles, at which discipline he remains
well handicapped so may be worth a try over the extended trips at the likes of
Kelso and Sedgefield. Sporting reports he has schooled round the Cross-Country
course at Cheltenham.
MAROWN 6 g
(Nicky Richards)
Won a couple of
novice hurdles last season after a single bumper win in 2019 so currently
unbeaten. Worth following either in handicap hurdles or novice chases.
MAX APPEAL 5 g
(Lucinda Russell)
Clear winner of
a 5-runner bumper at Ayr in March beating a previous winner from the Richards stable.
Expected to pick up a novice hurdle or two this term. Half brother stayed 2m 6f
and won a couple for Tim Vaughan.
NAVAJO PASS 4 g
(Donald McCain)
Grade 2 winner
and fourth in the Triumph Hurdle last season. Campaign likely to be split between the lesser
conditions’ events and handicap hurdles.
RAVENHILL ROAD 9
g (Sue Smith)
Lightly raced
staying chaser. Was in the process of running a decent return when coming down
two out at Market Rasen recently. Mark of 133 doesn’t look over harsh and there
should be opportunities on the northern circuit.
RAYNA’S WORLD 5
m (Phil Kirby)
Placed at the
Cheltenham Festival in March yet went into the autumn a maiden hurdler. Dotted
up in a canter on return in a maiden hurdle at Hexham and should make a mark at
a much higher level with options available in novice and mares’ races. Could be
a very decent hurdling mare.
ROAD WARRIOR 6
g (Rebecca Menzies)
Moderate novice
chase whose form was heading nowhere but has benefitted from wind surgery.
Prominent runner likely to be seen to best advantage on decent ground at a
sharp track and may pop in at a decent price.
SCOTTISH ACCENT
7 g (Rebecca Menzies)
Promise in novice
hurdles last season without winning. Never got in a blow when needing the race
in a novice handicap chase on return and there should be much better to come in
time. Handles soft and heavy ground well enough so a mid-winter campaign likely
to pay dividends.
TUPELO
MISSISSIPPI 5 g (Brian Ellison)
My Kelso
contact turned up at Musselburgh expecting to win a bumper only to run into
this one that he was told was rated by Brian Ellison as ‘potentially the best
jumps horse I’ve trained’. Stamina should be his forte and a very exciting
prospect for staying novice hurdles this term.
WINDSOR AVENUE 8
g (Brian Ellison)
Didn’t fulfil
early promise over fences last season, but had wind surgery after his Haydock
run in January and better now expected. Will start off in the Colin Parker
Chase, which will set his level, and 2m 4f is his optimum trip.
