Dear All

Well, that was a terrific Festival of racing talent at the foot of Cleeve Hill. Four extraordinary days of high drama, tragedy and heroism.

Has jumps racing ever been so blessed? Everywhere one looks, an equine superstar currently resides. Bobs Worth - absent for well in excess of three-figure days - routinely the "experts" pontificate that winning at the Festival requires an outing post-Christmas - Bob stretched the disbelief further by beating some powerful opposition with only one run outside of novice company; that a handicap (a good one, yes! A handicap nevertheless. He devours that hill; has a sense of occasion; causes his trainer to weep the same tears of joy usually reserved only for the new Himself, the God-like two-miler, Sprinter Sacre, imperious, in smashing the resolve of the oh so talented, long-time Cheltenham warrior, Sizing Europe.

With this year's events still as fresh as paint in the memories of the disciples, attention immediately turns to the next one, in 2014. Can we allow ourselves the indulgence of asking fate to permit all of the main protagonists to return fit and well in twelve months time... What a spectacle! Bob versus Sir Des (next time without his sworn enemy, rainfall!), Long Run, Silviniaco, Flight Lieutenant perhaps and this year's crop of novices et al - maybe the new Kauto Star will emerge; maybe he already has...

By the turn of the year's final quartile, our hearts and minds will be absorbed by the anticipation of the 2014 Festival. Every racecourse appearance will be written up with a sub-plot extemporising which contest(s) - these days, very much the plural - note: Gevrey Chambertin - one of many to have multiple entries; making Ante-Post betting a minefield! - will emerge as the targets for almost every beast which achieves a Racing Post Rating of 140+. Occasionally, one hears a pundit question this love affair by suggesting that the Tingle Creek, the Hennessy and the Betfair Gold Trophy (think that's what it's called now (Europe's most valuable two-mile handicap hurdle scheduled for Newbury in February each year) are "important milestones in their own right" and, of course, they are, but, however, we might try to escape this apparent equine myopia, all roads lead to a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire on the edge of the Cotswolds (thank you, Wikipedia!) during the middle ages of March. My work colleagues have got used to my absence for the four days and no longer question me about my whereabouts.

For various reasons, I haven't travelled to the holy shrine of the sport of kings for the past two years; instead ensconcing myself with my good friend, Sideways Glance, in front of the television with the magic machine at my fingertips taking advantage of the myriad of bookmaker offers and up-to-the-minute information. A perfect segue

Sideways had an extraordinary Cheltenham. He backed Flaxen Flare and Carrickboy, Our Conor and Ted Veale, Shakervilz and Double Ross, White Star Line and Milord, Rock On Ruby and Godsmejudge, The New One and Holywell. He also created several good positions on more fancied sorts to ensure he didn't lose! It was a vintage Festival for Sideways.

Mine was fairly disastrous! Apart from Ted Veale and the calamities of Miss Jane Mangan, I inflicted little damage to the bookies' satchels. There was a brief moment when I threatened to exert pressure. I'd selected Ted Veale, Tennis Cap, Manyriverstocross and Princeton Plains for a combination trifecta (my first of the meeting; rarely used). I'd convinced myself that the trifecta, in a 24-runner handicap, was too optimistic;  conservatism should be the watchword and thus, switched to a combination exacta shortly before the off, fatally omitting Tennis Cap from my deliberations. Those of you who know your onions will know this proved to be an expensive decision. The upshot of all this is that Sideways gets to make a regular contribution to the Racehorsing Man blog. He is welcome on board.

Yet again, Cheltenham Festival form begat Cheltenham Festival form. It's the same every year; at every Cheltenham meeting, throughout every year.

Let's review this year's roll call -

Bobs Worth (Albert Bartlett/RSA Chase winner), Sir Des Champs (Martin Pipe Race/Jewson winner) and Long Run (RSA Chase 3rd/Gold Cup winner/3rd)from the Gold Cup.
Hurricane Fly and Rock On Ruby (both former winners of the Champion Hurdle, winner and 2nd this year); Sprinter Sacre (Arkle), QMCC winner; Sizing Europe (QMCC), 2nd.
Simonsig (Neptune), Arkle winner;
Champagne Fever (Bumper), Supreme Novices' winner.
Cue Card (Bumper winner/Arkle 2nd), Ryanair winner.
Alderwood (County Hurdle), Grand Annual winner Salsify (Foxhunters), followed up this year.
First Lieutenant (Neptune winner/RSA Chase 2nd), Ryanair 2nd
Quevega (Mares' Hurdle nap hand) Hunt Ball (handicap winner), placed in the Byrne Group Plate
Our Mick, twice placed in the Festival Handicap Chase
Countrywide Flame (Triumph), 3rd in the Champion Hurdle
Smad Place (World Hurdle placed twice)
Celestial Halo (Triumph) World Hurdle 2nd in the World Hurdle
Alfie Sherrin (Festival Handicap Chase) 4th in the Kim Muir
Oiseau De Nuit (Grand Annual winner and 3rd)

That's just this year's...

So, grab your crystal ball and look forward to Festival 2014. pretty much all of the above have to be considered again but also expect to see,
Any number of the Bumper first 10 competitive in the novice hurdles over 2 miles, 2 and a half miles and 3 miles but especially the first home, Briar Hill. (The New One was 6th last year).
Rule the World/Pont Alexandre in the Arkle/RSA
Our Conor shaped like the best Triumph Hurdle winner we've seen for some time; a likely type to return for the Champion Hurdle/Supreme.
The New One/My Tent Or Yours in the Champion Hurdle.
Simonsig/Beneficient in the QMCC.
At Fishers Cross in the World Hurdle.
Those that were close up in the Festival Handicap Chase repeating the dose next year.

The Kim Muir has a good record, as one might imagine, of producing Grand National aspirants for future years - Donald McCain's Ballabriggs and Cloudy Lane readily spring to mind - Sunnyhillboy, Mon Mome and  Character Building are others.

Same Difference looks a proper stayer with a touch of class. It won't take too much improvement for him to be a proper contender; expect to see his name among the favourites  next year although, aged 8, it will probably be a tad premature. Other big prizes can come his way. He is though already rated 137; that is likely to rise following his Festival exploits. The yard knows how to ready one for the ultimate staying handicap.

What a chasing prospect O'Faolains Boy looked in the the Potato Race (Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle), leading his stablemate (At Fishers Cross) for much of the contest until coming under pressure only when the taps were turned on. A son of Oscar out of a Glacial Storm mare; it's a likely pedigree to produce a top staying chaser of the future.

Most of Willie Mullins' 34-strong raiding party performed creditably (notable exception Abbey Lane, eh Sideways!) and one to be keen on next season is Un Atout who raced prominently in the Supreme until giving way to the classier, speedier types and probably lack of experience. He is top of my Arkle list for next season and will definitely stay further - a key attribute for any Arkle winner.

Another is Briar Hill who was the least heralded of the Mullins trio in the Bumper (see earlier). Many questioned how a Mullins-Walsh combination could possibly have come under starter's orders at the tasty odds of 25/1. Neither trainer nor jockey genuinely appeared confident on the morning line (phrase, not the programme!) and Patrick (Mullins - trainer's son) and Andrew Lynch (owner's retained) had first pick with Union Dues and Sizing Tennessee respectively.
Something told me though that the Master of Bagenalstown has his eye on the future with this one and next year's Neptune (maybe Supreme - mustn't fall into Champagne Fever trap - note to self!) will almost certainly be high on the agenda.

Finally, I'm expecting great things from Chatterbox next season. Nicky Henderson's fine hurdler was constantly spoken of in glowing terms on the Festival Preview circuit but seemed a doubtful runner; the stable spokespersons suggesting he was too much of a baby to handle the hullaballoo of the carnival. A pleasing gallop convinced the team otherwise. He beat My Tent or Yours (admittedly on bad ground!) earlier in the season. Expect this son of Poliglote to improve markedly for the experience.

Regards,

Racehorsing Man

Hennessy thoughts and next batch...

Dear All Check back later - for a two-miler on my wish-list and three horses I am following for success at Newbury tomorrow. Happy horsing (Mark(RM)

Dear All Back today with another batch of horses that have caught the eye or have the right type of profile for winning or running well in races during the coming weeks. Thrilled about Coneygree winning yesterday and he looks a fair tool for future success; have a feeling Mark Bradstock was pretty confident of a good run yesterday having seen the RUK interview... he will win you more money; of that I'm sure... Missed much of the racing this weekend; my lovely niece, Donna having permitted me the honour of giving her away on her wedding day. Backed Walkon to win the Paddy Power and Nadiya De la Vega (profile selection) to place, so decent result but not having Al Ferof in the Ten To Follow competition is a blow. Need to know what is ailing the Pipe-trained Grands Crus; clearly something amiss there - has been blown out like a candle last two starts more than six months apart. Stable had a good meet so unlikely to be a yard issue... Up And Go also won for us at the weekend; though at 1/3 he is not going to make this author filthy rich... As you know, I keep a quite lengthy list of horses to follow on the GG.com Alert list based upon a wide range of qualifying criteria - this comes in really useful on a daily basis when I've little time for various reasons. So, let's delve into the collection and identify a handful of interesting sorts... First up is not especially dark - Tarla; another from the Mullins production line; another racemare; German-bred (love German-breds - haven't done any calculations but I bet a higher proportion of German-breds win than any other breeding ground). She is apparently going chasing; anything to avoid Quevega (she's either so good she might end the female Pegasus's winning run or Willie knows there's no chance...). In any case, she was unbelievably impressive at Clonmel as she was at Punchestown. I have a list of damsires which I use to unearth potential classy chasing prospects when they debut in bumpers - a particular favourite is Buckskin - Deep Run, Pollerton, Over The River, Orchestra, Callernish and Mandalus are others. For my next selection though, the damsire in question is one Glacial Storm. These types usually imbue their stock with plenty of size and scope. Puffin Billy is maybe this year's Oliver Sherwood one to watch - sired by Heron Island, the 4-year old has been impressive in bumpers at Fontwell and, more recently, at Ascot achieving a useful RPR of 128... winners have come from those behind at the quaint Sussex course and the right stables were represented at Ascot (Curtis, Honeyball, Hobbs for instance... Things haven't really gone to plan for the highly touted, Keppols Hill, in two starts since arriving at Ditcheat from the lush Irish pointing fields... always intrigued with anything owned by the Timeform Betfair Racing Club especially when running in Betfair sponsored contests - might be my imagination! Made a horlicks of two out at Ffos Las when victory was assured, then fell at the last when two lengths clear at the last - I suspect that at sometime next season this one will be a household name. Watch this space! The horse to benefit from the Indian Danehill-sired beast, was Grove Pride. I saw this one over hurdles and, to coin a popular racing phrase, (someone needs to write a book about racing phrases - where else do you hear the immortal words ("..stays longer than the mother-in-law...?" here was a chaser in the making..! Henry Daly trains (under-rated, training genius - if Dicky Johnson is booked; he fancies it!). Trevor Hemmings owns (for Hemmings, read stout stayer with a touch of class). 130-rated over hurdles; will be much better over the tall ones... The 17-furlong Maiden Hurdle at Cheltenham's October meeting read like a very good race - won by Court Minstrel - a decent third in a typically informative contest at the Open meeting last weekend - there were any number of potential winners behind. of 3rd placing when chasing home the promising and highly regarded, Valdez. Softsong is the name (remember it); only 4 years old; a son of the mighty Singspiel... trained by the Minehead maestro, Philip Hobbs and ridden by the aforementioned, Dicky... one to follow without a doubt!

Back later...

Dear All Hopefully, you will have seen (and backed) Coneygree, which appeared in my last selection of horses to follow, hose up in the handicap hurdle at Cheltenham... I will be back later this evening, with a fresh selection - watch this space! Happy punting Rm (Mark)

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)

Arc the Longchamp Angels sing..!

Dear All In the immortal lyrics of that great songstress, Joni Mitchell, I looked at the Arc from all sides now, from up and down, and still somehow I can only see one winner and that's Saonois... The key features are: He's from the classic generation - 3-year olds appear to have a distinct advantage... He's a Group 1 winner... He's a Classic winner He's improving He's won over the trip He's French-trained He won the Prix Niel - a significant Arc trial He's drawn perfectly in stall 2 - ages since a high drawn contender was victorious Add to that: Weak opposition generally Those that are not weak have to overcome terrible draws (Orfevre) or, in the case of Camelot, a second-hand plan - very much doubt he'd have run here but for St Leger defeat... How Great Heavens is ahead of a French Derby winner in the betting is a mystery; Nathaniel was connections' first choice for the race; this is clearly plan B and she has never once raced against a colt... no chance! Dangers, if any, are Shareta and Meandre... Happy punting Rm(Mark)

Out with the old and in with the New One...

Dear All Quick tout for the best horse to follow books on the market - One Jump Ahead/Ahead On The Flat by the legend that is Mark Howard... If you love your racing and don't have time to undertake sufficiently in-depth form study, then these little nuggets will point you in the direction of plentiful winners, many at a working man's price... OJA is out now for the 2012/2013 National Hunt season - so far and below are 5 horses, I fancy Mark has high hopes for in the new jumps season... Wonderful Charm - Trained by Paul Nicholls Ile De Re - Donald McCain Simonsig - Nicky Henderson Up And Go - Donald McCain Keppols Hill - Paul Nicholls Put these in your GG-Alerts... --------------------------------------- Post-October 1 - jumps performance of the season so far, The New One at Newton Abbot on Monday; liked him in bumpers last year. In fact, sizeable wager on him in the Cheltenham Festival Bumper; a little lacking in experience for that contest but showed his mettle in the Aintree version one month later beating 19 rivals impressively - one for Cheltenham before Christmas... Follow classy bumper sorts from the top 10 of the Championship Bumpers at Cheltenham, Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown in Novice Hurdle contests all season. Remember also, it's tough to carry a penalty in a bumper - be aware of the opposition before wading in to a first time winner on its next start --------------------------------------- Now back to the book... Happy punting... Rm(Mark)