Paul Ferguson gives us two more horses to follow for the future as the weather cancels the jumps cards on Wednesday.
Sadly the Wednesday’s cards at Ayr, Catterick, Navan and Plumpton have been claimed by the weather, leaving just Kempton to stage the day’s sole all-weather fixture.
With nothing of great note running, I will continue the series of recent eye-catchers and today’s pair took part in the closing maiden hurdle at Newbury on Friday, shaping with differing degrees of promise behind the impressive Kid Cassidy.
Dixie Bull (C R Egerton)
Runner-up on his sole bumper outing at Market Rasen in March, the Milan gelding was in the process of running a massive race on his hurdles bow and would have been a clear second to Nicky Henderson’s impressive winner, but for falling at the last.
The five-year-old clearly has plenty of ability and he really caught my eye in the parade ring before the race. A chaser in appearance, he should have little trouble wining over hurdles in the near future, but is a name to bear in mind for the long-term.
Merehead (P F Nicholls)
Beaten over 18 lengths into fourth, the grey had finished runner-up to the winner (beaten just 2 lengths on that occasion) on his sole start last term, in a bumper at the Berkshire venue.
After disappointing behind Kartanian and Golden Chieftain (a winner for us last week), he was given a kind introduction to hurdling and he can be rated better than the bare form.
Still rather babyish, the four-year-old should have learnt plenty from this initial experience and can be expected to fare better next time when he will probably be stepped up in trip.
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Last year’s selections included:
Hurricane Fly: 3/1 winner of the G1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle
Copper Bleu: 12/1 winner of the Jewson at Cheltenham
Great Endeavour: 18/1 winner of the Festival Plate
Tranguil Sea: 11/2 winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Sizing Europe: 6/1 winner of the Arkle
Weapon’s Amnesty: 10/1 winner of the RSA Chase
