Jumps Season - Horses to follow.

I did this earlier on (in August) but nobody really read it them and now's a better time to do so, with everyone having at least one eye on the jumping action now.. Only one horse has been added to the to follow list, with 3 new additions to the 'others'

If you have any opinions, tweet me back at twitter.com/KeejayOV - Happy reading.

1. Sizing Europe – Always shown promise and was well on his way to winning Champion Hurdle when breaking down coming to two out, but was a revelation over fences last season, jumping like a stag when winning 5 out of his 6 chase starts, including a strong renewal of the Arkle. Stepped up into open all aged company with credit at the Punchestown Festival, coming third after seeming set to forge clear, having given a big leap at the second last. I thought there were no excuses but apparently he might have liked a stronger gallop and the sky could still be the limit this season. Made a promising enough debut when losing out to China Rock but still being aimed at longer trips. Hopefully he goes back down to 2 miles.

2. Peddlers Cross – Bolted up on all of his hurdling starts last season, looking like an immense prospect when bolting up by 19 lengths in heavy ground. Proved he was top novice hurdler when winning Neptune (strong renewal, form promising) and then being one of few horses to follow up at Aintree festival. Could be anything but looks like a possible champion hurdle contender for now (Fighting Fifth first target).

3. Big Bucks – Only “champion” of 2009 to actually follow up in 2010, winning Long Distance, Long Walk, World and Liverpool Hurdles. Looked even better in those races and set to dominate again, although thougher tests could be around the corner in the shape of Quevga.

4. What A Friend – Always been a quirky type but had talent in abundance, and proved he was up to top table level when winning Lexus Chase at Christmas. Followed that up with Success at Aintree festival, jumping smoothly and actually finding fair bit off the bridle. Wind operation may well have sorted his head carriage out, and that can only help him regarding festival racing. Major player this year.

5. Go Native – Already proven his festival credentials, having won the Supreme Novice’s Hurdle 2 years ago. Showed best form of hurdlers throughout last season, winning Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles before disappointing at Cheltenham. He had a valid excuses however, landing at an awkward angle after the second and stretching a muscle, the reason behind his disappointment. Already had an each/way for the Champion at 20’s in places and many horses have disappointed in Champion only to come back and this horse has a level of form that entitles him to win major hurdles again this season.

6. Pandorama – Was the one time favourite for Neptune Hurdle, before Mikael D’Augenet came onto the scene. Got off to excellent start over fences though, winning beginners chase and making instant step up to Grade 1 company when winning Drinmore Novices Chase. Showed how hard he could battle when challenged win winning Grade 1 Knight Frank Novice Chase at Leopardstown, beating the eventual RSA winner Weapon’s Amnesty. Would have been my bet in the RSA but for him getting injured, but still holds all the potential and great jumper too. Goes for Hennessy with big shout, especially if he can get in under 11-4 with Denman and Neptune running.

7. Mikael D’Augenet - Had looked something special since moving to Ireland from France, winning all of his four races in his first Irish novice hurdling season, three of which had come in Graded company (Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle, Slaney Novice Hurdle, Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle). Looked superstar when bolting up in Ballymore Hurdle and Land Rover Hurdle at Cheltenham and Punchestown, before being injured last season, Wisely saved for this campaign, and has scope, speed, class, and jumping to make it at top level chasing.

8. Zaynar – Looked top class when winning Triumph Hurdle 2 seasons ago, and looked set for big things after winning Ascot and Reelkeel Hurdles. Shocked at 1/18 at Kelso but that run best forgotten, and excellent third in Champion and Aintree Hurdles, looking ready for step up to 3 miles in latter, Wherever he goes, top prospect.

9. Quevga – Pulled off a feat that many great horses would struggle to emulate when winning at Cheltenham on her seasonal reappearance, dominating mare’s hurdle field. Then boloted up in Ladbrokes World Hurdle, making her the main threat to Big Bucks.

10. Tarla - Lightly raced and will be unknown to most, having come through same route as Mikael D'Haguenet from France but made instant winning start in Grade 3 mares hurdle at Punchestown festival, jumping well and winning cosily. With Quevga set to go for the World Hurdle, she looks to have the race at her Mercy.

11. Loosen My Load – Became a fancy of mine for the Supreme Novices when holding the late challenge of Some Present in Grade 2 at Open meeting last year. Failed to build on that again, finding ground too soft and lacking fitness at Fairyhouse in April, before coming a respectable fifth at Punchestown festival. Clear that chasing was his game and his 3 faultless victories have confirmed that, last coming in a Grade 3 at Punchestown. Being talked about going for longer trips, but hopefully he’ll be an Arkle horse.

Others that didn’t make the list that a lot like/mentioned or that I like personally.

Kauto/Denman – What is there we don’t already know??? It would be a brilliant boost for racing if they were back to their best though, but they will have it tough trying to win the Gold Cup at 11 years of age.

Binocular –Amazingly high class on his day, winning the Champion Hurdle in style of possibly great hurdler. Inconsistency is his biggest problem though, and he is very hard to catch at his peak, as was shown by last season’s blowouts. May well become a great hurdler, or a value e/w bet If he blows out again.

Big Zeb – Just like Binocular, very high class on his day and easily up to Champion Chase Class as he showed when romping away with it this year. Jumping may still be an issue though but one very much to be treated like Binocular (back e/w for Champion race at festival if blowing out through season)

Imperial Commander – Another who is very high class in right conditions and it’s not necessarily just at Cheltenham, seeing as he pushed Kauto to a nose at Haydock in the Betfair Chase. Will have it tougher this season though, and trends are against him.

Menorah – Clearly a high class hurdler but lucky to win Supreme (Get Me Out Of Here came very late, Dunguib would have won for slicker hurdling and better trip) and disappointingly beaten with no penalty at Aintree.

Dunguib – I’m still adamant that he would have won the Supreme Novices had he jumped better or not gone so wide. He may have been well over the top at Punchestown (hard race at Festival) and ruined his chances by pulling very hard. Will be very interesting to see how he performs when settled, and I wouldn't be so quick to write him off, with connections planning to keep him fresh for Cheltenham. A good e/w flyer for the Champion.

Cue Card – Hacked up on debut by 6 lengths before smashing his rivals by eight lengths on only his second career start at the Cheltenham Festival in the Champion Bumper. The form looks good enogh at this stage (second Grade 2 winner beforehand, 5th and 6th were 1-2 in Aintree Bumper and 19th had won Grade 1 since with 7th and 13th winning as well). Made an extremely impressive debut on Sunday at Aintree, jumping well and cruising to victory. Could be anything but a lot of hype has been put on him and best left along until further runs against better horses.

Reve De Sivola – Did very well in major novice hurdles all last season and nice win in Challow Hurdle conserving he hit every hurdle but was eventually well beaten in second at the festival behind Peddlers Cross (also well behind Tell Massini) and had the advantage of a previous season’s racing.

Captain Cee Bee – Obviously top class and put together a slick round of jumping when winning Champion Novices Chase at Punchestown. However, blood vessel problems (has blown out twice in past) are major worry, as is his jumping and I don’t think he would have come third in the actual champion chase.

Walkon – For all he looked like a chaser in the making before being injured, he was beaten pretty well by Zaynar and that is going to be no easy division to make waves in this year, so he has it all to do.

Long Run – Looked amazing when romping home with Feltham and Kingmaker Novices Chases, and still ran very well when third in the RSA Chase, having made mistakes at the 6th, 12th, 16th and 18th fences. Looks sure to go well but needs confirmation of assured jumping. Would still have to be a top prospect and personally hoping that he goes for the Paddy Power.

Mad Max – Had always been a chaser in making and anything he achieved in hurdling was going to be a bonus. Made perfect start to fencing at Kempton, so was disappointing when beaten at Doncaster but was giving away 7lbs to winner. Was travelling really well in the Arkle before blundering, and still finished fourth, correcting that by slamming Somersby at Aintree over 2m4f. Looks serious prospect but Somersby was kicked at Start of Manifesto Novices Chase, weakening form a little.

Oscar Whiskey – Made a very good start to his career, winning two national hunt flat races and two hurdle races, nothing coming under pressure in any of the four contests. Travelled very well when stepped up to top level in the Supreme Novice’s, and stuck on gamely for fourth. Still unexposed and would be a very interesting fencing prospect.


Mille Chief - Winner of both his completed starts as a juvenile and well fancied for the Triumph Hurdle before being ruled out by lameness. Made a pleasing comeback and very unexposed but doesn't look as good as some of King's better juveniles yet. Will be interesting.


Merdermit - Came home 88 lengths clear of Alaskan Prince in three-runner race at Aintree but that was farcical race with Rock Noir being a non runner and Wessex King falling. He made many mistakes too, giving the while race a rather unsatisfactory feel. Will improve for schooling and can go long way, although tougher tests by far to come.


Celestial Halo - Notably classy front runner who only just missed out on Champion Hurdle in 2009 and held his form admirably afterwards, winning Grade 2 by 11 lengths. Fell on chasing debut after jumping well for main and while he will do better in future, jumping is already slight worry.

Neptune Collonges – Been out for more than a year but would have to be a threat to all if coming back fit, being a triple Punchestown Gold Cup winner and also winning other multiple Grade 1’s. Goes for the Hennesy, and possibly an each/way bet.