National Hunt Horses to Follow 20/21

Few more obscure horses 🐎

Butte Montana (5YO) – Fergal O’Brien

When a four-year-old travels around Cheltenham with the same zest that Butte Montana did on his debut in the National Hunt Flat Race last season, it suggests they could just be above average.

The simple fact that he was even entered into a race of that depth by his trainer, who has a host of talented bumper horses every year, is telling enough in itself.

Settled to the rear of the field, he travelled well throughout and made up plenty of ground on what was described as heavy going, only getting caught late on by the wet sail of Time Flies By, who will also win plenty of races.

He then went to Ascot in the Listed bumper – which is always a very hot contest – and, while he was well beaten, I’m inclined to put a line through it.

The fact he wasn’t seen again suggests that something was amiss, and I’d expect him to try his hand at another bumper, potentially back at Cheltenham. He’ll be winning races, for sure.

Daly Tiger (7YO) – Noel Meade

Noel Meade only sends horses to Cheltenham if he thinks they won’t be totally outclassed, so it was interesting that he sent Daly Tiger to run in the now redundant Northern Trust Handicap Chase.

He ran behind some of the best 2m novice chasers in his first season over fences and, while his jumping was novicey at times, I’m sure that will improve as he gets more experience under his belt and steps up in trip.

He’s only gone further than 2m twice in his career and ran very well both times. He finished ninth at the Festival but ran with lots of promise and I’d be surprised if he can’t progress to win a few handicaps this season.

Drift Rock (6YO) – Peter Bowen

It’s been a while since Peter Bowen has had a horse that has taken him to all of the big festivals, but Drift Rock could well do just that in the future.

The son of Malinas was well-supported before his debut at Chepstow last season, but his inexperience showed late on as he ended his debut run in fourth place. He improved from that first run to his second when he was beaten by a smart Paul Nicholls horse back at the same track the following month.

He should be able to win a moderate bumper with ease, though it wouldn’t be unlike his connections to send him over hurdles, where he can certainly win a few novice races, especially if kept to some of the smaller courses on soft ground.

He’ll improve with racing and with age and is one to keep on your side.

Golan Fortune (8YO) – Phil Middleton

I have no doubt that, at some point this season, Phil Middleton will successfully place Golan Fortune to win a valuable handicap in soft or heavy ground, possibly over 3m.

Mr Middleton has had great success over the past few seasons and, in Golan Fortune’s 12 completed career starts (having fallen once and been pulled up on another), he has already been in the top three eight times. That’s a superb record – especially for a horse who is still rated 139 – and includes the scalps of some very good horses.

There is undoubtedly more to come this season and I suspect another crack at the Big Buck’s – the same valuable handicap he won at Cheltenham last November – would be high on the cards.

Honest Vic (7YO) – Henry Daly

Honest Vic won two of four races last season and finished his campaign with a very good fifth in the Coral Cup at the Festival. He was only put up 1lb for that effort and still looks a horse of great potential, especially over his mark of 141.

The only other time he was beaten last season was at Haydock over 2m 3f, when he found the trip a touch too short but kept on strongly to the line to finish fourth.

The son of Kalanisi has always shaped like a stayer and his best work is often done late on in his races. He’s also a half-brother to a horse than has won over a trip as far as 3m 6f.

I think he’ll improve again for going up in trip and a sharp 3m on a track like Market Rasen or Kempton would appear ideal for him.

Numitor (6YO) – Heather Main

Numitor’s true future lies over fences, so I’d be surprised if he doesn’t feature in next year’s version of this list.

Standing at 18 hands tall, he’s a big-framed horse who will no doubt win plenty of races when he goes over larger obstacles. However, the form he showed in his four starts last season suggests he can certainly win over hurdles this season, too.

The grey gelding has run four times for trainer Heather Main and, surprisingly for his size, ran better around the sharper courses. He still showed promise on his other two runs at Newbury and Doncaster, so I don’t think there is a preference bias just yet.

Based on his breeding lines, I’m not sure what his best trip will be as there is plenty of speed running through him but, to my eye, he’ll have no problem at 2½m this season.

Redford Road (7YO) – Nigel Twiston-Davies

There’s a certain novice chase at Perth in September that Nigel Twiston-Davies can almost call his own, having won six of the last 10 renewals with a horse you could consider his best novice chaser of that season.

He ran Redford Road in it this year and, though he was beaten by a horse with chase experience, he ran with promise over a trip that was much too short for him.

He was a winner of a 3m hurdle at Cheltenham in December 2019 and ended his season with a good effort in the Albert Bartlett, where he was slightly outclassed by the best-of-the-best from England and Ireland in what was a stellar renewal.


I expect him to step up to 3m sooner rather than later and think he’ll be able to win plenty of races this season.

Sheshoon Sonny (6YO) – Alan King

Alan King is now seen as a dual-purpose trainer having built up his team of horses on the Flat, but still has more horses in training during the winter.

Sheshoon Sonny might not hit the same heights as some of the yard’s other stars, but there are races to be won off his current mark of 117. He is a big, slow learner who will definitely keep improving with age and I’d be surprised if he’s not left this mark way behind in 12 months’ time.

He seems to do his best work towards the end of his races and I think 2½m will be within his range.

Third Time Lucki (above) 355 pm Wetherby @4/9 Friday ( Dan & Harry Skelton ) multiple 🐎
Third Time Lucki ( Dan Skelton )
Dan Skelton seems to have winner after winner every years but does struggle to land the big race winners and he may have that horse this season with Third Time Lucki.

Having finished second in a point to point he was given to the Skelton yard and he ran in four bumpers last term winning two of them and placing on his final start.

He managed to finish a staying on fourth in the Grade One Champion Bumper behind Ferny Hollow, Appreciate It and Queens Brook, that will all turn out to be stars.

Skelton could have a monster on his hands, especially if taking to hurdles.




HOLD THE NOTE 🐎Mick Channon
Friday 1pm Wetherby @11/8

I’m sure this horse will still be in a number of your trackers from last year, and despite not winning in four attempts last term, it could pay to keep the faith in this lightly-raced chaser.

Having displayed plenty of promise over hurdles in 2018/2019, hopes were high for this son of Jeremy as he made the transition to fences; he looked like a chaser and connections had enjoyed tremendous success in previous seasons with their novice chasers, namely Mister Whittaker and Glen Forsa.

As such, he was well backed upon making his debut over the larger obstacles. Sent off a 13/8 favourite for a Beginners’ Chase at Ludlow, he was keen in the early stages and his jumping was errant at times. Despite that, he loomed up menacingly at the field turned for home, trading at a low of 1.64 in running. However, his jumping wasn’t the slickest at the final four obstacles and he looked a tired horse late on, eventually finishing 3rd. Still, it was an encouraging debut over fences and it was apparent that he would improve plenty for that run.

As such, he was well fancied to win the always competitive Novices’ Handicap Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day from a mark of 133; connections won the race in 2018 with Glen Forsa and Mister Whittaker finished 2nd in 2017. The race had yet to fully develop when Hold the Note was brought to a standstill by a faller. He was swiftly pulled up to be saved for another day.

Despite a lenient looking handicap mark and having never raced over three miles, Hold the Note was thrown into a Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at Warwick. A relative outsider and the 2nd lowest rated horse in the seven-strong field, he defied the odds to run a blinder, finishing a narrow 2nd to the thorough stayer, Two For Gold. He travelled like the best horse in the race, and he traded at a low of 1.16 in running as he headed Two For Gold at the second last while still on the bridle. Ultimately, the three-mile trip was probably a stretch too far for him at this early stage of his career, but he certainly enhanced his reputation in defeat.

The only downside of that run was that he went up 12lbs in the handicap to a mark of 145. Given that connections won the race in 2018 with Mister Whittaker, it was no surprise to see Hold The Note line up in the Northern Trust Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Still well fancied despite somewhat showing is hand on his last start, he ran an admirable race to finish 3rd behind two very well handicapped horses; Galvin and Imperial Aura. The form of that race has yet to be thoroughly tested, but I’m of the opinion that it will work out well.

Still only a 6-year-old with just nine starts under rules, Hold The Note has plenty of scope for progression. Held in high regard by his trainer, I expect him to improve further next season and he’ll have plenty of options. A mark of 146 is workable, while I believe he’ll stay 3 miles as he matures. I can see him developing into a graded performer over the coming seasons. Over & Clear


Drifter in the market ....tracked leaders, ridden before 4 out, soon no impression on winner, went 2nd 3 out, jumped right, not fluent and bumped 2 out, not fluent and lost 2nd last.
Eased well beaten , Obviously needed this much more than I thought 🙌🏻

Great read 👀 John Joe O’Neill yard , horses to follow etc
www.jonjooneillracing.com/meet-the-team.html#

Killer Clown. 🤡 325 Exeter
T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Adam Wedge
Point winner who improved with each of his 3 starts over hurdles last term and unseated through no fault of his own in a handicap at Uttoxeter on chasing debut. Remains of interest. 9/1 - 7/1
Fair Run , luckily Sky Bet paid 6 places , result 6t
👀
Killer Clown ran a very eye-catching race; he jumped well in the middle of the pack, but was a tad too keen for his first start at 3m. He looked a real threat turning in but tired late on, not given a hard time. One for next time



Thursday, 05 November 2020 - 1:30
Soaring Glory💫🐎💫
(Four day) at Newbury Download The tote App Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
Classy Olly Murphy 5year old No Risk Des Flos (tracker2020) both entered ,
Soaring Glory Evs
No Risk Des Flos 12/1ew

Redford Road (7YO) – Nigel Twiston-Davies

There’s a certain novice chase at Perth in September that Nigel Twiston-Davies can almost call his own, having won six of the last 10 renewals with a horse you could consider his best novice chaser of that season.

He ran Redford Road in it this year and, though he was beaten by a horse with chase experience, he ran with promise over a trip that was much too short for him.

He was a winner of a 3m hurdle at Cheltenham in December 2019 and ended his season with a good effort in the Albert Bartlett, where he was slightly outclassed by the best-of-the-best from England and Ireland in what was a stellar renewal.


I expect him to step up to 3m sooner rather than later and think he’ll be able to win plenty of races this season.

15:05 Newbury 05 Nov 2020
Indzine Handicap Chase 2mile 4f
Class 3 | 4YO plus
Winner £7,018 - 13 declared to run
2m 3f 187y
Good to soft-good in places
Priced @11/2 -5/1

JONBON (FR)💰🐎 💨

Jonbon, a full-brother to Douvan who burst on the scene last weekend when winning a point-to-point by 15 lengths, was sold for £570,000 to JP McManus at Goffs November P2P Sale on Thursday.

Most expensive pTp ever sold at auction fair play to the Holden’s 🎉💰💰💰
who also recently sold their €72,000 store horse 🐴💫
Sir Gerhard (Jeremy)(12L winning pointer) for a measly £400,000
new Owners: Cheveley Park Stud

JONBON (FR) by Walk in the park
Derek O'Connor
Ellmarie Holden
Paul Holden
New Trainer ??. ?? 👀
Nicky Henderson %

Jp Mac 💫🐎💫
It was certainly a day to remember for JP McManus on Saturday the 7th of November. The famous Irish owner had six winners spread across three horse racing meetings. The six-fold returned over 300,000-1 👀
Hopefully the bookie paid for BOTH 🤲💰🤲

Appreciate It

6-y-o; bay gelding
Breeding: Jeremy - Sainte Baronne (Saint Des Saints)
Trained by: W P Mullins
Next Race: Cork, 22 Nov 2020 12:55
Form: 31/3112-
Looking forward to seeing this ones progress, could be a monster over hurdles this season , btn Favourite by stablemate in the champion bumper under Patrick Mullins , it’s not often he picks the wrong one 🏇

Next entry : 8th December 1235 Fontwell class 4

Nassalam (FR)
Sex: Chestnut Gelding
Breeding: Dream Well (FR) - Ramina (GER) (Shirocco (GER))
23 days CD
Form 21
3year old

G L Moore
Tracker .this one really took the eye on debut over C&D 15th November. Only a 3year old and looks to have a future at a higher level 💎🏇💎

Datsalrightgino 💎🏇💎

Age4 (Foaled 18th April 2016)
TrainerJamie Snowden
SexGelding
SireIt's Gino
DamDelightful Sofie
OwnerThe GD Partnership

Future Entries
DATE / TIME BHA RACE DETAILS SP
15:45 05/12/20 - Chepstow, 2m 0f 11y, C5
15:35 07/12/20 - Plumpton, 2m 1f 164y, C5

GLENGOULY
5yo B G
COASTAL PATH – ROULMAPOULE (AGENT BLEU)
Hunt: Tipperary (F)

Handler: P.M.J. Doyle
Owner: Mary Doyle
Breeder: M. Patrice Vagne

Switched to WP Mullins (private sale) after 7L Loughrea PTP victory. Gets to run here off it’s original store value.
Run / entry 19th February & will be joining Kilcruit down the champion bumper route . Antepost 40/1 PP & 25/1 Bet365 Patrick Mullins rides him out everyday

5.00Happy Valentines Day (Pro/Am) Flat Race of €10K over 2m

MEETING ABANDONED