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 Kauto Star (7yo Bay Gelding)
He’s hardly a surprising horse to head the list, but you simply couldn’t risk leaving him out. Last year’s Order of Merit winner was unbeaten in six races last season, culminating in victory in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. He won at distances from 2m to 3m+ and on going ranging from soft through to good. His record Order of Merit points total of 110 is unlikely to be surpassed in a hurry and he’s officially rated as being the best chaser to grace the turf since the likes of Desert Orchid. Although he’s not fallen since the 2006 Champion Chase, he sometimes does take a chance at his fences. However, there’s little doubt that he’s the best chaser we’ve seen for some time, and may prove to be a horse in a lifetime. |
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 My Way de Solzen (7yo Bay Gelding)
Although he may eventually end up challenging Kauto Star for the Gold Cup – which is going to be a pretty stern ask for a second season chaser – there are likely to be plenty of opportunities for My Way de Solzen to show why the late David Nicholson referred to him as ‘the best horse currently in training’. That was in the weeks leading up to the 2006 Festival, and his confidence was repaid by the horse’s battling victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. He won over 3m+ as a hurdler and took the Arkle over 2m last season, so he’s very versatile with regard to trip. Itwouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see him push Kauto Star all the way when they meet. |
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 Twist Magic (5yo bay Gelding)
Twist Magic ended his season with a seriously impressive victory at Aintree, where he made light work of Arkle runner-up Fair Along, and he was possibly very unlucky not to land the Arkle itself, taking a novicey fall two out when travelling really strongly in behind. Ruby Walsh’s immediate agonised reaction to that fall would indicate that he thought he had plenty of horse left under him, and he could be the novice to graduate to the senior ranks with honours this season. Normally a sound jumper, and a horse blessed with plenty of speed, he looks to have the hallmarks of a top two mile chaser worth following. |
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 Tidal Bay (6yo Bay Gelding)
Another to put in arguably his best performance of the season at Aintree, when picking up the Citroen C4 Picasso Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) on his latest start, Tidal Bay is a real nice type of horse that should have improved for another summer on his back. Paddy Brennan, who rode him to victory at Aintree was certainly impressed: “Of all the horses I’ve ridden, this fellow has the most potential…” was the post-race quote. Whether he sticks to hurdles or makes the switch to Novice Chasing, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on. |
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 Oscar Park (8yo Bay Gelding)
Very likely to be sent chasing this season, Oscar Park registered his biggest career success to date when landing the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in March 2007. That was a cracking performance, but this particularly striking son of Oscar has always looked like a top class chaser in the making, and he should be a really interesting recruit to the Novice ranks in the coming season. He has some excellent pieces of form – going back to his bumper days he beat the very useful Lennon, and he’s been runner up over hurdles to some smart performers like Be Be King and also Karanja. |
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 Katchit (4yo Bay Gelding)
In Katchit, we have potentially the best 2m hurdler in England, and there are plenty of chances for him to pick up races through the season. The major gamble you’re taking with Katchit is that it’s traditionally very difficult for a 4 year old hurdler to make the step up from Novice to Open company. However, he seems to absolutely thrive on his racing, running no fewer than seven times in the 06/07 season, winning six and only getting beaten when conceding weight to the useful Degas Art. With his level of ability and his proven durability and consistency, he’s hard to leave out of a horses to follow list.
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 Gaspara (4yo Bay Mare)
Leading mare Gaspara will have plenty of opportunities with the addition of three Grade 2 mares’ only races to the schedule for this upcoming season. There probably won’t be much to challenge her in the mares’ only division and she seems to be pretty adaptable with regards to distance, so she could pick up some valuable races without having to work too hard. Her form is excellent – her length and a half defeat at the hands of Al Eile at Aintree in a Grade 1 (where she finished in front of Champion Hurdle third Afsoun) make her arguably the best juvenile hurdler of last season. |
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Pancake (4yo Chestnut Gelding)
If you’re looking to fall in love with a novice chaser, than Pancake could be your horse. His large frame, broad shoulders and big stride are surely more suited to fences than hurdles, even though he often performed with aplomb over the smaller obstacles last season. He’s also got that je ne sais quoi; a big white blaze, four white legs, a slightly stupid name; all which endear him to the racing crowd. You’d be right in saying that doesn’t make him a horse to follow, but last season he captured three victories over hurdles, always looking as if he was a horse for the future over fences, and he could therefore offer a huge amount of improvement. |
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 Aces Four (8yo Chestnut Gelding)
A gorgeous compact chestnut, Aces Four had an outstanding 2006/07 season, illustrating his prowess when matching Denman stride for stride at The Festival in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. A bad mistake ruined his chances, and he did well to run on into fourth place. He followed this with an outstanding victory at Aintree in the John Smith’s Mildmay Novices Chase, and was going to win easily at the Punchestown Festival until a sickening fall at the last. Probably a horse that prefers a faster surface, come spring time, he will be a leading challenger for the top 3 mile races. |
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 Chief Dan George (7yo Bay Gelding)
This horse improved beyond all recognition since joining James Moffatt. He notched four consecutive wins before heading to the Cheltenham Festival, where he finished down the field in the Brit Insurance Novices Hurdle, won by Wichita Lineman. The tables were surprisingly turned at Aintree next time out when he easily got the better of Wichita Lineman, displaying great potential and a great gallop. If you ignore his Cheltenham run, his form is rock solid. Whether he remains over hurdles at the highest level, or turns his talented hand to jumping, he is an exciting prospect for his small yard.
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Racing
Fixtures
