Early thoughts...

Dear All For those of you who love incisive comment, slightly quirky tipping and selective rather than saturated coverage, I suggest you log into the free content at www.racingexaminer.com. I'm an enormous fan of these guys and you can also access my blog directly from the site. Now we've hit November, a little of the early jumps form is starting to settle and it's time to start to identify some of those that caught the eye in the early weeks; maybe (and hopefully) some that have slipped effortlessly under the radar... I also will highlight a couple of interesting runners from the Flat to keep a weather eye on for 2013 glory... Today's two and a half mile Intermediate Chase at Carlisle always throws up a useful performer. Bold Sir Brian finished distressed when a run of three successive victories ended in the Spring. On this reappearance, he travelled like a dream and won with any amount in hand. The question is will Lucinda head south to Cheltenham for the Paddy Power Gold Cup in two weeks time? Gordon Elliott may have unearthed a new star from the fertile Irish pointing field with Bonisland It takes a useful sort to mark up a post 130 Racing Post Rating on a hurdling debut. Bonisland did this; Gigginstown are the owners so they will have the big festivals in mind; on his one and only bumper outing, he mastered Thunder And Roses, a subsequent winner from a major yard; further encouragement is garnered from having the speed to win over 2-mils but shaping like a stayer. Mix all this together and you're looking at serious horse. I'm sweet on this one... Also from Ireland, if 130+ attracts attention then 146 on a chasing debut (a hurdling career skipped) is awesome. Henry De Bromhead knows a good horse when he has one, especially for his principal patrons, the Sizing people, Mr and Mrs Potts... Buckers Bridge was a well backed 2nd favourite and along with the favourite, he pulled 55 lengths clear of the 3rd home. In the pot for the big novice chases both sides of the Irish Sea - when De Bromhead has a good one, he knows how to plan a campaign... At a much lower level, take note of Coneygree from the under-rated and unfashionable yard of Mark Bradstock. He is a half-brother to the stout stayer and highly tried Carruthers; outscoring his illustrious sibling with a bumper success and then trouncing the opposition in a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter... Finally, I'm expecting Well Regarded to honour his name later on in the season. Emma Lavelle's haven't fired from the blocks quite as quickly as usual, but Well Regarded ran a promising race behind the race-fit and progressive, Hildisvini... will be a 140+ chaser needing a sound surface being beautifully bred by Dr Massini out of a Presenting mare... On the Flat, I've always followed the form of the Zetland at Newmarket; the longest distance contest for juveniles in the calendar. Only three runners but I suspect that both the Zarooni colts will take higher rank next season especially the gorgeous runner-up, Cap O' Lashes, a regally bred son of New Approach out of a Shirley Heights mare so therefore imbued with a touch of class as well as limitless stamina. The Derby and the St Leger are not out of the question if he progresses as I expect during the winter break... Finally, look out for Pallasator, an immature 3-year old, trained by the Master of Heath House, Sir Mark. A tall individual, he has the scope to attract the jumps boys; the Wylies have regularly purged the Prescott jewels. I have noticed he was listed for sale on 30 October but then withdrawn. If stays on the Flat expect him to progress to feature in contests such as the Ebor next season... Speak soon. Rm (Mark)