With a low key jumps card on Tuesday, Paul Ferguson puts up three to follow from the Grand National meeting at Aintree over the weekend.
Josses Hill (1st – Top Novices’ Hurdle, Friday)
For the third year in a row, Nicky Henderson took the opener on Friday with the horse that had finished runner-up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Unlike the ill-fated Darlan and last year’s winner My Tent Or Yours, who headed down the Champion Hurdle route the following season, this year’s winner Josses Hill is almost certain to be switched to fences in the autumn and should develop in to a top-class novice chaser next term.
Despite the track being sharper than ideal, the son of Winged Love found plenty once challenged by Sgt Reckless, confirming Cheltenham form with Mick Channon’s runner. An imposing individual, possibly the nicest on show over the three days, he could easily develop in to a leading contender for the Arkle next March, for which he can be backed at 12/1 at present.
Hannah’s Princess (6th – Listed Mares’ Bumper, Friday)
Warren Greatrex’s five-year-old had looked a smart prospect in winning a couple of bumpers at Market Rasen and on the all-weather at Lingfield, after which she was snapped up by the Swanee River Partnership, owners of Our Kaempfer, who finished 5th in the bumper on Saturday, having earlier taken his chance in the Champion Bumper.
The daughter of Kalanisi travelled well in behind on Friday and, though she came home in sixth, she still shaped with a great deal of promise. This was her first start in almost five months and, given her breeding, Hannah’s Princess looks the type to do well against her own sex in novice hurdles over further next season.
It’s High Time (8th – Grade 2 Bumper, Saturday)
The second off-spring of Kalanisi to shape well in a bumper at the Grand National meeting, It’s High Time had won a Musselburgh bumper on his second start for Lucinda Russell back in December and went well for a long way here.
Sent off 50/1, the six-year-old moved into contention down the side of the course and, despite racing pretty wide turning for home, he remained bang in contention until the field raced through the wings of the penultimate flight, after which he faded slightly.
He had Katachenko (completed back-to-back wins over hurdles yesterday) back in third when winning his bumper, while he got within a head of three-times hurdles winner Indevan when still trained in Ireland. Without being top-class, he should make his mark in northern novice hurdles next season.
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Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow 2013-14
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Fellow Betrescue columnist and Bet Victor’s Charlie McCann says: “it really is a privilege to write the foreword for such an informative and well-researched publication, which continues to go from strength to strength.”
New for 2013-14:
Grade 1 winning jockeys Nick Scholfield and Jane Mangan provide readers with their horses to follow
Last years results included:
* Leading Prospects, Arvika Ligeonniere (x3), Boston Bob, Captain Conan (x3), Champagne Fever (x2 inc Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Glens Melody, Melodic Rendezvous, Simonsig (Arkle) & Un Atout won 13 Grade 1 novice contests between them
* My Tent Or Yours won 4 times including the Betfair Hurdle and the Top Novices’ at Aintree
* Stable Round-Up included Neptune winner The New One, Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Court Minstrel and David Pipe’s Dynaste of whom it read “could follow the Grands Crus path of last year, starting in the Steel Plate And Sections before he is readied for the Feltham” – he won both races and also scored at Aintree in April
* Across The Sea – Mount Benbulben 14/1 winner of the Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown Festival
* Under The Hammer – horses featured in this section included Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill (25/1) and The Liquidator, who won the equivalent Grade 1 at Punchestown – this section has been greatly increased for 2013-14
