By Harvey Mayson
As the flat turf season draws to a close, attention turns to the National Hunt and compiling a list of horses to follow is very popular at this time of year. There are now several competitions offering big prizes, usually judged on level stakes but not always. If you are thinking of entering any of these, check the small print as some now judge your selections on prize money and/or graded races won. My ten to follow have been chosen in the hope that some of them can go on to big-race success in the months ahead.
BEAT THAT
Much of the media attention at Nicky Henderson’s yard this winter will be on the return of Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig. The Lambourn trainer is responsible for three of my ten horses, all of whom will be heavily favoured by Betfair, but I am side-stepping the big two.
The first of the trio is Beat That who impressed me when cruising to victory at Aintree in April. He had to battle hard to beat Don Poli at Punchestown on his final start and connections are mulling over whether to stick to hurdling or go chasing this season.
I cannot remember the last time a season began with the bookmakers offering 10-1 the field in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Lord Windermere’s shock victory over On His Own and The Giant Bolster really shattered the status quo and it will be fascinating to see what emerges from the early season trials.
One horse that you cannot leave out of the picture is Boston Bob who won at Aintree and Punchestown in the spring. He would arguably have beaten Lord Windermere in the RSA Chase in 2013 but for falling at the last.
GLENS MELODY
One of the highlights of the Cheltenham Festival was Quevega’s remarkable sixth victory in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle. Putting in an eye-catching performance in second place was Glens Melody who looked sure to win when taking up the running approaching the last.
She had won twice at Warwick, beating Mischievous Milly narrowly on both occasions, and had probably had enough for the season when disappointing at Punchestown.
MA FILLEULE
Nicky Henderson’s Ma Filleule was pitched straight into handicap company last season and the bold move was rewarded with victories at Kempton and Aintree. She started off a handicap mark of 134 but the ease of her win in the Topham Chase will probably see her start in Grade 1 chases this season. She was also second to Holywell at Cheltenham and is a very exciting prospect.
ROCKY CREEK
Paul Nicholls quietly fancied his chances of landing a second consecutive Grand National in April with Rocky Creek. His preparation was far from ideal but he ran a fine race to finish fifth behind Pineau De Re.
He was trained for the Hennessy Gold Cup last November and found only the well-handicapped Triolo D’Alene too good. He is set to follow a similar programme this season with both the Hennessy and Aintree on the agenda.
SAPHIR DU RHEU
Paul Nicholls has been itching to put Saphir Du Rheu over a fence for some time but the French-bred went from strength-to-strength over hurdles last season. After winning easily at Sandown in December, the grey followed up off a 15lbs higher mark at Kempton before winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle. It is safe to ignore his final start in desperate ground at Fontwell and he looks certain to make a smart novice chaser this season.
SHOTGUN PADDY
Emma Lavelle’s Shotgun Paddy won the valuable Warwick Classic Chase in January and was desperately unlucky not to win the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. He does tend to clout one or two fences but a big staying prize could come his way this season.
SIRE DE GRUGY
As the easy six-length winner of the Champion Chase, you would normally expect to see Sire De Grugy at short odds to retain his crown. The imminent return of Sprinter Sacre means that bookmakers are quoting the popular chestnut at 4-1. He was faultless in his final five races last season and I feel that he is still worth following.
UN TEMPS POUR TOUT
David Pipe’s Un Temps Pour Tout arrived with a big reputation last season having reportedly cost £450,000. He was beaten by Zamdy Man in heavy ground first time out at Haydock but improved to win easily at Ascot next time. He missed Cheltenham through lameness and reappeared at Punchestown where he ran a fine third under a big weight in a handicap.
WHISPER
I always make a note of horses that defy big weights in the top handicaps and Whisper did exactly that when winning the Coral Cup in March. The gelding had previously come up against the smart Saphir Du Rheu in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and gone down by only a head.
The gelding went on to the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle, beating At Fishers Cross by a length. Clearly handicaps are no longer an option and he, like Beat That, could be seen in either staying hurdles or novice chases this season.
