So we come to the exciting part of the racing year as the NH season finally dawns on us. I’m delighted to report that the Seven Barrows assembled squad looks really strong with several new owners adding to the already powerful team.
As usual I pinpoint several to look out for, some already established stars and some hopefully that will develop as the season progresses.
Hoping you enjoy and thanks for your support.
Between Waters – Somewhat of a talking horse since she arrived last season and we were made to wait until mid Feb to see her where she started hot fav for a competitive Ascot bumper, beaten 9L after running with the choke out was on the face of it disappointing but after a good long summer she has apparently settled down and the team are still very much excited. Trips in excess of 2 miles would appear the objective.
City Chief – Always thought he would make a decent staying chaser and last season was a promising start, winning twice including the G2 Towton at Wetherby where he jumped well and went better the further he went. Having missed the Festival, as it was thought it was too soon for him, he disappointed at Ayr where his jumping fell apart somewhat. I’m happy to draw a line under that and expect him to run well in staying handicap chases.
Constitution Hill – How could I not include the current star of NH racing, not surprisingly he stays Hurdling and as long as he stays in one piece I’m confident he will continue to dominate the division. To those who say they are disappointed with the decision as it will be “boring” I say go and watch another sport, if watching potentially the greatest hurdler we have seen doesn’t grip you to be honest we don’t want you!
Donwave – It’s not often JP pays good money for one and then sends to NJH who doesn’t turn out to be good, only making his debut in June at Auteuil and in the usual very soft conditions, he made a winning debut in impressive style. By all accounts settled in well and despite having to carry a penalty will get going ground permitting in novice hurdles shortly.
Dusart – Some may be surprised to see him included after a pretty quite and unsuccessful season just gone but he was never really right last year, several nagging little issues restricted to him to 3 appearances. The last of those he was in the process of running a mighty race in the Scottish National under top weight when he was brought down at the 19th, this was more than enough to show me there is a big day in him. He has come back from the summer in great form so we hope he can put last year behind him and show us all that potential.
Iberico Lord – Always thought to be a nice horse this French import took his time as many do to show what he was made of but his final two starts were far more like culminating in the runners up spot in the 100K novice hurdle at Sandown on the last day of the season. In truth it’s a race he should have won as he finished making up ground rapidly! Likely to stay hurdling for the time being will probably stay further than 2 miles he remains highly promising.
Immortal – A gorgeous big grey he was a little backward and weak last year but still showed plenty of promise in a couple of runner up spots at Sandown. His future is surely over the bigger obstacles but he remains a novice and i’m sure he will make his presence felt over hurdles this season before the switch.
Jeriko Du Reponet – Despite only arriving recently after winning his p2p in N. Ireland impressively he already appears to have made a big impression on the esteemed trainer who describes him as a stunning individual! Likely to start straight over hurdles, this fine big strong horse would be expected to take high ranking, exciting.
Jet Powered – Having won his p2p in Ireland and then exciting all on his debut for the yard in a Newbury novice hurdle the burble burst in big style again at Newbury at the end of Jan. He obviously has had problems but they are thought to be behind him so he will probably continue over the smaller obstacles but in time he will make a cracking chaser.
Jonbon – Really not sure why some can’t wait to knock him (probably his price tac) because he has already shown us he’s very good! Only ever beaten by Constitution Hill and El Fabiolo in the Arkle where it was felt he wasn’t seen at his best, ground was tacky and he didn’t attack his fences with his usual enthusiasm. He followed that defeat impressively at Aintree and then the acid test in the G1 Celebration chase at Sandown where again despite not everything going to plan he comfortably beat some good older horses. There is no doubt he will stay further but he has earned the right to start in the Tingle Creek, a decision on when and if he goes up in trip will be made after I would have thought. I personally think the Ryanair is absolutely made for him!
Marie’s Rock – What a star she has been and hoping there is more to come this season over 3 miles, all went well on her fist start when she was highly impressive in the G2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham winning by 6L and thereafter the trip discussions started! It was decided she would defend her Mares Hurdle rather than tackling 3 miles for the first time in the Stayers, things never went to plan in the race where the stop start pace never played to her strengths and she was ultimately disappointing. Aintree would be where she showed 3 miles will be her optimum trip moving forward, she looked all over the winner for most of the race until the remarkable Sire Du Berlais collared her late on. With more experience at the trip I’m hoping the Stayers will be a live prospect come March.
Mister Coffey – I have to include him again for two reasons, firstly he is a magnificent animal so typical of the yard and secondly for the thrill he gave me as he had the time of his life jumping from fence to fence in the National, there was a brief moment going to the 2nd last I thought surely not! That will obviously be the plan for the season picking up a maiden chase on the way I hope (not won over fences yet) if Nico can just try and save a bit the dream lives on that he can land the Henderson bogey.
No Ordinary Joe – What a lovely consistent high class handicap hurdler he is, rarely running a bad race, following a Xmas Kempton win he was a valiant 2nd in the Martin Pipe at the Festival only beaten by one of those “Handicap blots” we often see. Likely to be competitive in all the big handicaps his time will finally come somewhere soon.
Russian Ruler – Probably another surprise inclusion but I know there are plenty who have always thought the world of this gelding by Sholokhov. I’m not really sure they know where they are with him as plenty of things have gone wrong including a fall when looking a certain winner, that said he finished the season winning 2 fair novice hurdles at Kempton and Newbury and by all accounts his schooling over fences has gone very well so it may be that the faith will be rewarded this season over the larger obstacles.
Shishkin – Firstly I don’t mind saying I absolutely love this lad, you won’t meet a more friendly individual, always has a kind welcome for everyone at Lambourn Day. I don’t need to go through his well documented history safe to say he is top draw, there is plenty of excitement this season as a new career as a staying chaser begins, Aintree certainly proved this is what he needs as he battled on gamely to land the G1 Bowl. I’m not even sure he was at his best that day as again he was on and off the bridle but there is plenty to look forward to this season. King George is the early target (he is 4 from 4 at Kempton) and they may take in the Betfair on route despite Haydock not being a fav track for the yard. Moving forward if all goes to plan I can see him relishing the hill come March.
Sir Gino – Another exciting new recruit to the team from France who has plenty of size and scope about him I’m told, still qualifies as a juvenile so that is the likely road they will go down. Reportedly settled in well and enjoyed the summer he is one to very much look forward to.
The Carpenter – Lovely scopey Grey who rewarded his very patient owners (who had to endure 2 seasons of waiting while various issues were sorted) with 3 novice hurdle victories at Exeter, Newbury and Uttoxeter, the type who I think will flourish over fences and make up for lost time.
Under Control – Another of the strong bunch of Mares, unlike plenty of the others she isn’t that big but has a wonderful temperament and quality about her. She began by winning a competitive Newbury novice hurdle under a penalty which really led them no alternative but to head for the Mares Novice at the Festival where her inexperience found her out, however she bounced back quickly winning the G3 at Cheltenham in April and then winning the big 100K novice handicap at Sandown on the final day of the season. Another who will surely take high rank in the mares hurdle programme.
Walking On Air – A lovely big walk in the park horse who has just been bidding time before he can jump a fence, that said he has run very well in many staying handicap hurdles, some terrible luck in running in the Pertemps at the Festival meant the high hopes before were dashed, that said he did remarkably well to finish 5th. His future is all in front of him as he now embarks on his chasing career, he has the size and scope to be a high class operator in that sphere, 3miles plus will definitely be his trip.
Simon Sanders - On Nicky Henderson Seven Barrows team 