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HORSES TO FOLLOW WEEKLY UPDATE

REVIEW

The season started for us on Saturday October 31st when we had our first two runners and both ran promising races. JONCOL (4/1) was never going to be suited by a trip of two miles and was outpaced at a crucial stage but then stayed on very promisingly to finish second to Tranquil Sea at Naas and I expect him to improve a lot for tackling further next time out. SHINING GALE finished third at 8/1 in a very competitive handicap at Ascot and it was reported that he was unsuited by the track. The handicapper has increased his rating by just one pound, so I still expect him to land a decent prize this season.

DUC DE REGNIERE (Evens F) was our first winner when scoring at Kempton on Monday November 2nd. He won by a distance and really pleased his connections. After that confidence booster I expect him to progress and can see him developing into a Racing Post Chase horse and should certainly continue to be followed.

SOMERSBY (11/10F) gave us our second winner when putting in an excellent round of jumping on his chase debut at Warwick and is expected to tackle the Henry VIII Chase at Sandown next time out where he could take on Crack Away Jack amongst several other decent horses.

RED HARBOUR and VALENTINE VIC both finished third on their seasonal debuts and with that experience behind them are expected to progress and win shortly.

WEST END ROCKER tackled the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton and was a big price at 22/1 but ran below form. He is better than that and I still expect him to win this season.

INCHIDALY ROCK (8/13F) made a very impressive debut over fences when simply outclassing the opposition at Exeter to win by fourteen lengths. He is a very exciting prospect and it will be fascinating to see where he goes next. On the same card COPPER BLEU could only finish third on his chasing debut.

WEEKEND PREVIEW

What a weekend we have ahead of us. The Cheltenham Open meeting is always a cracking fixture and when you combine it with Punchestown, we are set to see several of the top names in British and Irish jump racing run over the next few days.

SATURDAY

The big race of the weekend is the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.35 Saturday) and although it was a huge blow that Shining Gale was not confirmed we still have our 10/1 shot CHAPOTURGEON running and I strongly believe he will run a huge race. As mentioned in the Ante-Post preview it is almost essential to have won a chase over at least two and a half miles around Cheltenham and he achieved this in March and not many others in the race have done so. Poquelin was an impressive winner last time out over course and distance and is strongly respected, but needs good ground, so if the going is soft I fear his chance will be gone. The other with seriously good course form is BALLYFITZ who goes very well fresh and has a course win on soft ground to his name. He is arguably better over further, but this is often won by horses that stay three miles and he is well handicapped on 146, so has to have a serious chance.

DUNGUIB looks set to make his second start over hurdles in the Ballymaloe Country Relish Hurdle at Punchestown and should win. He was simply awesome last season and could not be faulted on his debut over hurdles, so I confidently expect him to win, especially as he tackles testing ground so well.

SUNDAY

MASTER MINDED (1.45 Connaught Chase) is the star of the show at Cheltenham on Sunday and whilst it should be an interesting clash with Well Chief, I firmly expect the champion to come out on top despite having to concede ten pounds.

TATANIANO is set to tackle the Cheltenham fences in the 1.10 Independent Newspapers Novices’ Chase and if the ground is not too soft is fancied to win. He put up an impressive performance first time out at Exeter and I expect him to develop into a serious contender for the Arkle in March. Good ground suits best though and testing conditions would be a concern, especially as Dave’s Dream handles those conditions well and looks a serious threat. I expect him to run very well and develop into a seriously good chaser and if the ground is soft, he may come out on top.

In Ireland HURRICANE FLY tackles the Dobbins & Madigans of Punchestown Hurdle and is strongly fancied to win. He was simply awesome last season and was oh so impressive last time out. Testing ground really suits him as he handles it so well compared to his opponents and he should come out on top with Solwhit fancied to follow him home.