|
|
 |
| |
|  |
Last years Jumps season was one of the most memorable in recent history as a mixture of superstars and surprises competed in some truly outstanding races all season long.
The season runs from October to April and here is our list of ten horses to watch in the coming year.
Don't forget to book your tickets now to see these fantastic horses in action.
Our Ten to Follow:
 |
Denman
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Usual Jockey: Sam Thomas
Owner: Paul K. Barber and Mrs. M. Findlay
The people's favourite, Denman took the Gold Cup crown from his stable mate Kauto Star last March and became a champion in every sense of the word.
In his fourteen races under rules, he has finished in the front 13 times and second once.
Now that the Hennessy has been ruled out, his Cheltenham prep is likely to begin in the New Year with The Gold Cup once again his aim, where a rematch with Kauto Star is predicted.
This big tank of a horse has proved himself one of the most consistent and talented chasers of the moment and a true superstar.
|
 |
Kauto Star
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Usual Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Owner: Clive Smith
Never mentioned out of the same breath as Denman, Kauto Star was second in the Gold Cup to his stablemate at the end of last year after a fantastic season, winning a competitive race at Ascot in February by an impressive eight lengths from Monet's Garden, and destroying a classy field in the King George by 11 lengths in December.
He delighted the crowds with eight runs last season, a testament to the toughness of the classy horse, and was rewarded for his efforts with a second Order of Merit title. His trademark jumping error at the last fence occasionally still reveals itself, although his jumping improved steadily.
The King George is a certainty for him again this year, where he will attempt to make it a third successive victory, a feat only matched by Wayward Lad and Desert Orchid, and he is favourite to retain his Order of Merit title yet again.
|
 |
Voy Por Ustedes
Trainer: Alan King
Usual Jockey: Robert Thornton
Owner: Sir Robert Ogden
Voy Por Ustedes is often described as tough and consistent. His last run of the 2007/2008 season is easier described as spectacular. A change in trip and the good ground saw a resurgence of the horse to his best form, beating top-rated horse of the year Master Minded by 18 lengths in the John Smiths Melling Chase.
Trainer Alan King has suggested that the King George could be a target for him, and 2m4f will be the minimum trip. He is a genuine challenger over this distance, and is set to start the season at Aintree in the Old Roan Chase.
His tenacity and talent combine to make him of the most dependable horses to follow through the season, and the change of trip will give him a chance to shine once again.
|
 |
Master Minded
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Usual Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Owner: Clive Smith
The top rated horse of last season, on a mark of 186, Master Minded is undoubtedly the top two mile chaser in Great Britain. He had his first win in this country in January, and followed it up with two successive wins at Newbury and then at Cheltenham in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, when he won by 19 lengths.
He is on course for the Tingle Creek Chase on the 6th December where Paul Nicholls is hoping that he can emulate his stable companions Twist Magic and Kauto Star with victory.
The suggestion that the best of Master Minded is still yet to come makes him one of the most exciting prospects for the up-coming season.
|
 |
Katchit
Trainer: Alan King
Usual Jockey: Robert Thornton
Owner: D S J P Syndicate
Although small in stature, Katchit makes up for his size in sheer valour, as seen when he won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2008.
His trainer Alan King is positive about his chances of repeating that success, and has a tough campaign mapped out for his little superstar which will include the Christmas Hurdle and a possible trip to Punchestown after Cheltenham.
He is one of the most popular and recognisable stars from last year, and with a consistency and toughness that is matched only by Voy Por Ustedes, his return to the track will be welcomed by his army of adoring followers.
|
 |
Sizing Europe
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Usual Jockey: Andrew McNamara
Owner: Alan Potts
Sizing Europe won the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last season, and set off favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham the next time out. He was not right from the off, and finished down the field.
That was his last performance that season, and connections believe that after his long rest he will come back as strong as ever, with the Champion Hurdle once again his target.
|
 |
Rippling Ring
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Usual Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Owner: The Stewart Family
Rippling Ring finished last year on a rating of 131, and could prove himself a useful performer off such a decent handicap mark.
Previously trained in South Africa, he has had only two runs for the Nicholls stable which culminated in a fifth placed finish at the Cheltenham Festival after which it transpired that he had a pulled muscles. The stable has an enviable success rate with imports- Kauto Star from France, Denman from Ireland- and this season could see him overturn previous form to put himself in the top league.
He is likely to spend this year over hurdles, as his runs last year showed that he was still relatively green with his jumping.
|
 |
Big Buck's
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Usual Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Owner: The Stewart Family
The current favourite for the Hennessey now that Denman's reappearance is postponed, Big Buck's will run off a decent enough handicap mark which he earned when outstaying Battlecry to win at Aintree last April.
Connections declared after that run that he would not be pitted against Denman and Kauto Star in the 2009 Gold Cup. If his stable companions are lightly campaigned, Big Buck's could well prove to be one of the breadwinners of the Nicholls yard, particularly if his jumping improves.
Could he be the superstar that Andy Stewart has been searching for?
|
 |
On Raglan Road
Trainer: Howard Johnson
Usual Jockey: Denis O'Regan
Owner: Andrea and Graham Wylie
An ex point-to-pointer, he was bought at Doncaster in May for 320,000gns by Howard Johnson, and won his first race for the trainer at Hexham by nearly half the track. It was a Novice hurdle, and he went off short price favourite and justified the money on his back by putting in an excellent performance.
Depending on his handicap mark out of this race, he could be one to move swiftly up the ranks.
|
 |
Bakbenscher
Trainer: Alan King
Usual Jockey: Robert Thornton
Owner: Three Line Whip
A very useful bumper horse, he has won 2 National Hunt flat races under Thornton, and finished third on his one other start.
Picked by Alan King as the one to watch for next season, if his jumping is up to scratch there is no reason why he would not make a useful novice.
His dam was useful over hurdles and fences, and so with any luck, Bakbenscher should transfer his flat form to jumps.
|
|
|
|
News & Features
News
