Bachelors Hall

Exciting News bf Dan Skelton f4-0-2 (75) 81 Night Of Thunder (Pivotal){9-f}(1.17) 3/2 Whisper Cool 108 1st 3-Y-O Hurdle, Killarney 2010 Similar to the Bolger-Hawke connection, but probably more famous, is that between the Gredleys and Dan Skelton. While its roots potentially began with Rock Of Leon and The Raven Master, each formerly with Michael Bell prior to winning as juveniles for Skelton, the successful connection was showcased at the highest level when Allmankind won at Cheltenham and Chepstow before finishing third in the Triumph. Since then, Stepney Causeway and Too Friendly (ex-George Scott) would become useful multiple winners with only once-raced Nevendon failing to win. In Exciting News, the trend of Gredley horses joining Dan Skelton from Michael Bell is set to continue this term. Exciting News made her racecourse debut in a ten furlong fillies’ novice stakes at Wetherby in April. Racing keenly towards the rear, she was nearer last than first when asked for her effort at the three furlong marker. Though she hung under pressure, the penny did drop inside the final furlong as she made a couple of places to finish runner-up to Lingfield Oaks trial winner Rogue Millennium by a length and a half. The third also went on to win three of her next five outings and a mark surpassing 80 would not be unreasonable for this performance. However, she failed to build on that promise next time in an Ascot maiden where she folded very tamely inside the final two furlongs having subsequently been found in season. Given a five week break, she returned for a fillies’ maiden at Nottingham over an extended mile for which she halved in price to 5/2 through the day before settling at 3/1 in the ring. Racing keenly once again, she tracked the Godolphin pair throughout and while they pulled five clear of Exciting News, she herself was upwards of three and a half lengths ahead of the remainder; although everything in behind was well beaten on its next outing. Exciting News was last seen at the beginning of August making her handicap debut over an extended mile at Beverley. Racing off 77 and with only one behind her in the market at 18/1, she pulled herself into a clear lead which she held to the furlong pole before fading to finish a four-and-a-half-length fifth. Dan Skelton has a fine record in the division overall, with a winner-to-runner rate of 37.93% and a healthy improvement rate of 54.76%. He has also fared well at this venue, counting three winning juveniles from twelve, although the yard has not been busy as of late with its first runner since the seventh of this month finishing weakly at Worcester. Exciting News does not possess the most substantial pedigree, with her sire, Night Of Thunder being largely untested. A son of Dubawi (who as a grandsire has a fair 16.9% winner-to-runner rate, and a weak improvement rate of 21.28%), Night Of Thunder has yet to have winning juvenile, but has had his first winning hurdler, and being of an average height, his overall profile neither obviously positive nor negative at this juncture. The third dam of Exciting News is the granddam of the winning juvenile Whisper Cool, although all other descendants to have tried hurdling have done so without success. On account of her connections and the promise of her Wetherby debut, the decently sized Exciting News provokes interest as a juvenile recruit. However, while Market Rasen can favour front-runners, her free running nature and likely freshness following her absence will go against her at this stage of her education. Jewel Of Kabeir bf Adrian Paul Keatley f3-0-1 (65) 68 El Kabeir (Lemon Drop Kid){9-e}(2.08) 2/1 Waaheb 146 2nd Future Champions Novice Hurdle (G1), Leopardstown 2012 Adrian Paul Keatley has saddled just one winning juvenile from thirteen, and she would not win until her third outing. His latest runner, Jewel Of Kabeir, has just about the weakest flat form in this field and that is based on a stand out performance last time out. Beaten eighteen lengths on her debut at Wolverhampton last December, she returned towards the end of June to finish a thirteen length eighth of ten in a Thirsk novice stakes over a mile. The latter was not without a modicum of promise, but it was not enough to prevent her going off the 80/1 outsider of five in a similar contest at Pontefract some six weeks ago. Held up in rear, she was still in touch with the field approaching the final furlong and while the winner had bolted clear, Jewel Of Kabeir managed to thread through the pack to grab second in the dying strides, just over five lengths behind the winner. The pace was quite strong but not to the extent that would give a ready explanation for Jewel Of Kabeir’s improvement. While the remainder of the field were all rated in the seventies, it is likely that given how easily the winner scored, most underperformed on the day. First season stallion El Kabeir is from a Scat Daddy/Johannesburg line which has enjoyed little success in the sphere. El Kabir was a graded – rather than top class – miler in America, and while his height of 16.1hh is adequate, his DI of 5.86 is a concern. The damline offers much more encouragement, however, as uncle Waaheb was very useful on his day and the third dam produced three multiple winners in Mutakarrim, Ghaabesh and Daasij as well as the dam of high-class juvenile Power Elite. Jewel Of Kebeir is still unexposed, and if her Pontefract second can be taken at face value then she has the ability to perform at an average level in this division. The distaff side of her pedigree offers further encouragement although with the yard’s record in the division, and its recent form across all racing, Jewel Of Kabeir may be one for the longer term. Strong prospects 1. The Churchill Lad Reasonable prospects 2. Cape Helles Feasible prospects 3. Exciting News Moderate prospects 4. Just Another One 5. Via Serica 6. Jewel Of Kabeir Negligible prospects .

Last year, in the corresponding piece for this corresponding race, I opened with some rather pompous waffle about the subject of tradition. Though the recycling of words can sometimes stunt creativity and make perspectives stale, it is also a useful time saving exercise. Plus, recent events have made it rather apt. So in what will hopefully be a break from some ghastly bickering over whether the ceremonial figurehead of a faded empire ought to be chastised with the same vitriol as explicit human traffickers, or if holding the hand of a grieving loved one is appropriate, here is a gloriously verbose preview essay on the topic of young horses jumping over hurdles on an autumnal Sunday afternoon in East Sussex. Tradition. In and of itself an innocuous work which carries very little meaning without context. However, in the age of tribal polemicism, it is a word which often evokes strong reactions. For some, it is a ghastly impediment to the progress required to save society. For others, it is a value structure to be protected at all costs lest society collapse. As with most subjects of this nature, the truth lies somewhere in between and sometimes, a tradition is a matter of whimsy, largely inconsequential to the fate of humanity. One such tradition is juvenile hurdlers racing at Plumpton in September. Tomorrow’s contest is one which has been held uninterrupted since 1997; an unbroken streak which, due either to abandonments or the racing programme, must stand as one of the longest in the sphere. Furthermore, a glance at the 1965/66 Sporting Chronicle I have to hand shows that Henry Price’s Gliko won Plumpton’s curtain raiser for the season and going back to the 30th of September 1888, Calpurnin and Achilles were taking on older rivals at the same venue. Not all tradition needs to be rich and while Plumpton been graced by juveniles of the calibre of Pentland Hills and Devilment in the past decade, tomorrow’s contest is generally less auspicious. The winner’s average seasonal RPR of 109.61 is considerably lower than standard, with subsequent Summit Hurdle runner-up City Dreamer (2017), and last year’s Scottish triumph winner Impulsive One being the only notable graduate in recent times. This year’s edition looks like a reasonable renewal as it features a couple of above average and well connected flat recruits along with a previous winner. A sharp, undulating, left-handed circuit, Plumpton’s winning DIs of 1.25 median, 1.48 mean, are fairly standard across courses; although they do rise slightly for this particular contest which is generally run on top of the ground. Its clear round rate of 95.23% is in the lowest quarter, but while this can catch out newcomers more so than at other venues, such horses actually have a slightly better strike rate (12.50%) than their more experienced counterparts (8.64%) in this particular contest. As such, a well-schooled debutant would not be ruled out. The going was most recently reported as Good (Good to Firm on the chase course), with watering amidst the dry weather scheduled between now and post time. A couple have made the running in the past and with a free-running newcomer unraced beyond a mile, the pace should be quite solid. Mr Freedom bg Sheena West f7-0-0 (53) 57 j2-1-1 (102) 87 93 Sixties Icon (Sayif){9-c}(0.52) 4/1 Zero 128 1st 2m3½f Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (112), Ascot 2007 Echoing the Bolger-Hawke route covered in I Have A Voice’s profile, juveniles that leave Mick Channon for Sheena West have a better record than those who go elsewhere; and the same can be said for where Sheena West sources her juveniles. Her record for those from outside this connection reads as one winner from fourteen. After Fontwell a fortnight ago, those moving from West Ilsley to Falmer have an impressive winner-to-runner rate of sixteen from forty. Prior to Mr Freedom’s victory, seven of these winners were rated 53 or less, which afforded encouragement for the latest to make that journey. Mr Freedom cost just £800 as a yearling, and after being beaten eleven lengths at Sandown on his debut last June, was beaten nineteen and fifteen lengths at Kempton and Salisbury before being put away for the winter. In May came his return in a Bath mile handicap off 59 for which he attracted outside support; starting at 10/1 having opened at twice the price in the morning. Pulling hard in the early stages, he struggled for room in the final couple of furlongs and though he only managed an eighth place finish, he was not given a vigorous ride in posting a new career best. He failed to build on that degree of promise in a similar contest at Ripon next time and while traffic issues were something of a feature, he had no such excuses when making no show whatsoever at Windsor next time. Given a two month break, a change of scenery, and a step up to a mile-and-a-half, Mr Freedom ran a considerably better race when returning to Windsor at the start of the month. Settling better on the prominent side of midfield, he was unable to accelerate with the principle as the race developed, but still ran on for a three-and-a-quarter length fourth of ten. His breeding offers mixed messages as the immediate damline is bereft of jumps experience until the winning novice handicapper Zero appears at 4/1, although the fourth dam also has another winner in Kristiansand and her next level of descendants includes the useful sorts London Prize and Categorical. The sire, Sixties Icon, has a solid winner-runner rate of 22.45%, his strike-rate before October is a healthy 33.33% and he has had three wins from fourteen at Plumpton. Moreover, Sheena West has had eight winning juveniles at Plumpton, including six rated 54 or below. These factors did not translate into a successful hurdling debut at Fontwell last month, for which he was mercurial in the markets before starting at 6/1. Taking a keen hold while racing at the rear of the field, his jumping, while largely safe, left plenty to be desired as there was not a single hurdle where he was not big, skewed, slow, awkward or any combination of same. It is then to his credit that he was able to make headway into a close enough third, and still look a feasible threat turning for home. This threat was short lived, however, as a lack of pace and fluency saw the leading pair get away just before the last, leaving Mr Freedom to finish a sixteen length third. There was undoubted promise hiding in this performance and the yard’s juvenile strike-rate did jump up from 8.33% to 22.73% between first and second outings. Seventeen days later, or two weeks ago, all of the above led to Mr Freedom belying the relative lack of enthusiasm in the market to comfortably score back at the venue. Taking a firm hold while bringing up the field at a modest tempo, Mr Freedom still showed a tendency to hop and skew at his early flights, but it was much less pronounced than on his debut and he did hurdle quite quickly on occasion. Still bringing up the rear of a tightly bunched field jumping the penultimate flight, he passed a couple of rivals approaching the last where he was within a length of the lead. From there, he had the pace to quickly put the race to bed, winning readily by two, four and seven lengths. Given how the race unfolded, the winning time was far from impressive and little more could be said of the form. The runner-up was an uncompelling debutant and those with experience were below par. This race presents a stronger challenge, and it is probably worth nothing that the comparatively poor record of experienced horses in this contest also extends to previous winners who count just one victory from twelve. Nevertheless, while there is a class deficit to bridge, Mr Freedom did win with something in hand and with the yard still apparently in decent form, there is no reason why he can not continue this upward trajectory. Borntobealeader chg David Pipe f9-1-2 (72) 77 Churchill (Loup Solitaire){1-w}(0.50) 2/1 Sporazene 160 1st Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2003 Pond House has long been associated with horses recruited from flat sellers and claimers. The pater enjoyed considerable success with Make A Stand and Potentate, along with winning machines Allegation, Indian Jockey and Mohana. David has continued the trend with those acquired from the continent in Adagio, who won the Finale before finishing second at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals, and he opened his account this term with Koi Dodville. The latest expedition, Borntobealeader, joined the yard after winning a Goodwood seller at the end of last month. Since taking charge at Pond House, David Pipe has bought twelve juvenile hurdlers out of British sales races, with five scoring during their first campaigns in the sphere; giving a healthy winner-to-runner rate of 41.67%. Though none were able to win first time, the two highest rated (Teaser and Ocean Pride) did finish runner-up and at £21,000 Borntobealeader will be the most expensive of the kind. He would also have one of the more intriguing pedigrees as the classy Churchill is already off the mark with his first crop of jumpers, and the damline has plenty of substance for the sphere. Half-brother Photo Choc won the listed Prix Rohan on his sole start over hurdles, uncle Sporazene was a Grade One winning juvenile, another uncle, Shalako, won three times and placed fifth in a Greatwood while the third dam produced the useful French handicap chaser, Scarlino. Borntobealeader was previously trained by an Amanda Perrett whose alumni have a solid 20.37% winner-to-runner rate in the sphere; headed by Street Entertainer who moved to Pond House for 12,000gns at the 2010 Tattersalls Autumn Sale. The highlight of his four starts at two was a six-length second in a Newbury novice stakes; a performance which only justified his initial BHA mark of 74 by virtue of the long term exploits of his rivals that day. His seasonal reappearance came in a ten furlong Goodwood handicap at the end of April in which he finished a staying on third off 72, beaten by just over three-lengths. He ran to a similar level at Salisbury over a further two furlongs where he was somewhat worried out of the battle inside the final furlong, but had no real excuses in his failing to justify favouritism in fourth. He was beaten twelve and fourteen on his next two outings at Goodwood and Newbury, but following a gelding operation and a drop into selling company, was able to break his duck at Goodwood three weeks ago. Backed from a morning 3/1 into 7/4 second favouritism in the six-runner, eleven furlong affair, Borntobealeader was held up towards the rear and travelled strongest of all entering the straight. Making smooth headway to get to the leader’s quarters at the distance, he was asked for his effort at the furlong marker and though his response was not immediate, he did stay on to pass the line with a comfortable near four-length advantage. The form has not been subsequently tested and the standard brought into the race was what could be expected in such a race. Nevertheless, the winning time was fair for the level, the field finished strung out and the runner-up had won two of her last three starts. David Pipe’s first time clear round rate of 93.51% is a point below standard, but his strike-rate of 18.18%. Though the yard’s ex-sellers are not habitual first-time winners, Borntobealeader has stronger credentials in terms of form and breeding than most of his type as well as in this line-up and he should make a decent showing in a race where the benefit of previous experience is not especially pronounced. Executive Pool bg Gary Moore f6-1-1 (54) 64 j1-0-0 (-) 75 80 Churchill (Fastnet Rock){4-c}(0.80) 2/1 Final Approach 150 1st Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle (G3,139), Cheltenham 2011 Despite being a winner on the flat, Executive Pool’s official rating of 54 puts him upwards of a stone behind three of the newcomers here. Nevertheless, despite failing to land the odds on his hurdling debut at Fontwell a fortnight ago, his pedigree and trainer make him difficult to dismiss at this stage. First-season sire Churchill stands at 16.2hh tall and though never quite proving that his stamina matched his class on the track, his offspring are showing themselves well capable of getting a trip and his career as a jumps stallion got off to a perfect start with The Churchill Lad. Executive Pool is out of a half-sister to the County Hurdle winner Final Approach, and is quite closely related to three other winning jumpers in Genuine Pearl (3/1), King Of Dubai (3/2) and King Red (3/2). Gary Moore has a strong winner-to-runner rate of 36.24% and his record at Plumpton is covered in Starspangledjama’s profile. Executive Pool also spent his career to date at Cisswood, which started off with three unremarkable efforts last Autumn in which he finished well beaten at Sandown, Goodwood and Chelmsford. His seasonal reappearance came in a 0-50 classified stakes at Brighton in early June over a mile and a half on soft ground. With first-time blinkers applied, he started the 10/3 second favourite having opened at 7/1 in the morning, and was sent straight into the lead from the outset. Setting a solid tempo, he was travelling strongest at the distance and although he drifted right and left across the track under pressure, he was always doing enough to hold the runner-up by half-a-length with the pair seven lengths clear of the rest. The runner-up has not been out since, but while the third and seventh subsequently won similarly weak events, a better indication of Executive Pool’s ability came later that month in a Windsor apprentice handicap over an extended eleven furlongs. Running off a revised mark of 55, he once again set a decent tempo and looked the most likely winner at the distance; trading as low as 1.26 in-running. He was caught inside the final furlong and carried his head high in the closing stages before going down by a length-and-a-quarter. Nevertheless, the winner was landing a brace under a penalty and the pair finished six lengths clear of the remainder. He was slightly below par when returning to the all-weather last month at Lingfield where he raced in midfield off a modest gallop before running on in the straight to snatch a five-and-a-half length third. This effort is somewhat excusable due to the lack of pace and a possible lack of fitness. Still considered a largely unexposed improver with some fine attributes for a hurdling career ahead of his Fontwell but a respectable showing would not have been unexpected. Although there was a concern over the yard’s form going into the race, the withdrawal of a Milton Harris runner saw him backed from a morning 8/1 to 6/4 favourite at flagfall. For all that Executive Pool raced keenly off a steady gallop in the early stages, there were no other ominous signs as his hurdling was perfectly sound save for being a little steep at the first and reaching slightly at the fifth. Leaving the back, he appeared to be travelling strongest of all at the leader’s quarters at which point he traded odds-on in running. However, he began to be shaken up turning for home and had no response as he was passed by three rivals on the approach to the last; a flight which he missed completely before being allowed to complete in his own time some thirteen lengths behind Mr Freedom. The form of that race lacks substance and the newcomers here do make this look a stronger contest. Nevertheless, Executive Pool is certainly entitled to come on for that experience and with the sharper nature of Plumpton probably in his favour, his prospects are not without merit. I Have A Voice bg Nigel Hawke f8-1-1 (77) 88 Vocalised (Teofilo){23-b}(1.82) 0.5 Repetitio 124 3rd Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Cheltenham 2019 Nigel Hawke’s record with ex-Jim Bolger horses has been a topic covered on numerous occasions in my writing due to the uniquely impressive results. Outside of this dynamic Hawke’s winner-to-runner rate with juvenile hurdles stands at 9.09% while ex-Bolger juveniles have one of 20%. Nevertheless, of the ten who have moved from Coolcullen to Thorne Farm seven found the winners’ enclosure. What makes this arrangement all the more intriguing is that it constitutes part a journey which ultimately leads to the Keri Brion and the American jumps programme; as trodden by the likes of Historic Heart, Boulette, Theocrat and, the winner of this very contest in 2020, Peat Moss. The latest to embark on this path is the highest rated newcomer in this field; I Have A Voice. His three outings at two came over inadequate trips at Naas, Curragh and Tipperary, leaving him to start his three-year-old campaign with a mark of 69. Sporting cheekpieces on his return in a ten-furlong April Cork handicap, having dispatched of his testicles and changed ownership over the winter, I Have A Voice had been supported from 8/1 to 9/2, but his pulling hard and suffering minor traffic issues would only see him manage a three length fourth. Next time at Roscommon the following month, he received less support in the market, but though he still ran keenly, there were no real excuses for his running to a similar level in finishing a four-length fifth of nine. Ten days later, I Have A Voice reappeared in a ten furlong handicap at Leopardstown, this time racing off 67. He was heavily supported from a morning 11/1 to 4/1 second favourite at the off and vindicated this confidence in emphatic style. Sent straight into the lead before tracking the sound tempo, he moved to dispute with half a mile to run before turning into the straight with a length’s advantage. From there, he was asked to press ahead and though initially ponderous under pressure, he ran on strongly to the line; winning by three-and-a-quarter lengths with ten back to the fifth. No winners have since come out of the race, and the ten pound rise in the weights was sufficient in anchoring him to a battling second place finish at Limerick over an extended eleven furlongs the following week. This would cap his spell in Ireland, and his British debut came a couple of months later in a two-mile Nottingham handicap off 78. He drifted like a barge in the betting, going from 12/1 to 33/1, and he ran like one in the contest itself; racing close up and sent on his way leaving the back before dropping out very tamely to finish a tailed off last. Such a flat performance is not inherently foreboding for this type of horse. Indeed, New Reality was beaten thirty-six lengths on his final flat outing before making a winning debut at Perth last September. However, Nigel Hawke’s first-time strike rate with juveniles is a mere 4.55%, and would have been lower had the aforementioned New Reality not been gifted his Perth victory. Moreover, hurdling bows seemingly count as a schooling module for yard’s juveniles; as per their first-time clear round rate of 89.39%. In terms of breeding, the pedigree of I Have A Voice is very much a curate’s egg. Half-brother and fellow traveller Repetitio was a capable juvenile hurdler, while granddam Six Nations produced four winning jumpers in Canadian Diamond, Casimir Road, Tri Nations and Calcutta Cup. Further back on the damline are the high class Japanese jumper Ken Hovawart (3/4), Souffleur (4/4), His Excellency (4/4) and Ruling (5/3). However, sire Vocalised has yet to cover himself in glory as a producer of young hurdlers, with his twenty-three runners amassing just a solitary win from fifty-five attempts. Overall, I Have A Voice has a compelling profile, bolstered by his background, flat ability and the distaff side of his pedigree. However, given his most recent outing, the sire’s record and his trainer’s M.O., the best of I Have A Voice is unlikely to be seen immediately. Major Gatsby grg Bill Turner f16-4-4 (69) 75 The Grey Gatsby (Dream Ahead){7-a}(0.33) 3/1 Park’s Prodigy 105 1st Juvenile Hurdle, Newcastle 2007 During his estimable stud career, Danehill Dancer established himself as a fine producer of juvenile hurdling sires headed by the likes of Choisir, Jeremy and Mastercraftsman. The next generation are also showing signs of maintaining the standard with Kingston Hill, Starspangledbanner and Olympic Glory already producing winners in the sphere. The latest to join the ranks is the best named of the lot. The Grey Gatsby is not the tallest at 16.0hh, but he won the French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes at three, and is a cousin of winner Bombilla (Mastercraftsman) from the family of Triumph winner Burning Victory (3/3) and jumps influence Nonoalco (5/1). His first runner over hurdles is set to be Major Gatsby; a four-time winner on the flat at seven furlongs. An early-season two-year-old, he initially earned an official rating of 53 which dropped to 48 prior to a short head second placing in a Lingfield nursery last December. Like his father, Major Gatsby improved from two to three, registering his first success on his tenth outing when snatching a Wolverhampton handicap off 52 in January. He was off for six weeks before landing the brace back at the course, and after a length-and-a-quarter second at Kempton, would complete a Black Country hat-trick in April off 61. Given another month’s break, he ran his first good race on turf when second at Lingfield before gaining his first success on the surface at Brighton in June off 65. In each of his successes, he had shown a reluctance to settle into his races. However, this is not to suggest that he is a difficult partner as he has consistently given generously under pressure for his inexperienced riders. Major Gatsby was last seen five weeks ago at Windsor where, dropped down to six furlongs on firm ground following the longest break of his career to date, could only manage fourth of fifth; although he was not disgraced in being outpaced by just over two lengths in a fair race for the grade. His entire career has been spent under the care of Bill Turner, whose 18.64% winner-to-runner rate in the sphere increases to 20% for those who also ran for him on the flat. Turner has also had two winners from ten at Plumpton, although each of these already had at least four hurdles runs to their names beforehand. Furthermore, his charges can often find themselves underestimated in the division with big priced winners A Double Ewe Bee (66/1), Just Mossie (33/1) and Scrappy Jack (22/1) contributing to a £63.95 level stakes profit since 2004/05. The closest jumps relative on Major Gatsby’s damline, Prince Of Cardamom (2/1), was tailed off on both outings. Nevertheless, the third-dam heads a lineage of successful juvenile hurdlers as the dam of Park’s Prodigy, and granddam of Stepney Causeway and Don’t Take Me Alive as well as the prolific Tamarillo Grove. More distant relatives include top class jumpers Contraband (4/2), Royal Gait (5/2), Bold Gait (5/3) and Lieutenant Miller (5/5). The likeable Major Gatsby could make for a fairly capable recruit to the sphere, and while his stamina is currently unproven, breeding suggests he should eventually get the trip. However, “eventually” is the operative word and given that he is a horse who raced enthusiastically over short distances on the flat, it is highly likely that he will need to learn from this experience before he translates his ability to hurdles. Starspangledjama bg Gary Moore f4-0-0 (45) 46 Starspangledbanner (Pour Moi){10-d}(0.23) 3/2 Snap Shots 72 6th 2m Maiden Hurdle, Worcester 2018 Gary Moore’s record in juvenile hurdles, counting seventy-nine individual winners since 2004/05, is one of the strongest in the country. His strike-rate at Plumpton stands at a healthy 23.53% including four in this particular contest. Taking newcomers in isolation, that equates to a 50% success rate and while three were rated 65 and above on the flat, 2013 winner Orla’s Rainbow was rated just 46. Along with Executive Pool, he saddles another newcomer in Starspangledjama. However, while Orla’s Rainbow managed to place in a selling handicap, Starspangledjama has shown the sum total of nothing in four starts on the flat. Gelded before his debut last summer and beaten a combined seventy-two lengths, the only time he finished ahead of a rival was when ninth at Kempton over six furlongs last September in a restricted race which saw him start at 500/1. His sole outing at three came over a mile and a half on heavy ground in an Epsom handicap off 46 ten days ago where he spent the entirety of the race in last position. The only jumper on his damline (which includes Mount Nelson at 3/2, and Reference Point at 5/1), was Snap Shots at 3/2 who achieved very little. Sire Starspangledbanner is a positive and being generous, it can be argued that Starspangledjama is feasibly unexposed in these conditions. However, while Jamie Moore does take the ride, that factor evokes more curiosity than enthusiasm. Boudica Warrior bf Amy Murphy f8-0-1 (59) 67 j2-0-1 (84) 69 74 War Command (Noverre){4-m}(2.67) 2/1 Rayhani 126 1st 2m Maiden Hurdle, Limerick 2010 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/boudica-warrior Beaten eighth of eleven on her racecourse debut at Chelmsford in December, Boudica Warrior was denied by just a length and a quarter the following month in a twelve furlong Wolverhampton maiden. Her second to the useful but quirky Charles St preceded her selling for £8,500 at the ThoroughBid January all-weather sale, although she would stay with Alice Haynes for her next three starts; the latter two seeing her beaten four lengths in handicaps off 62 and 60. From there, Boudica Warrior switched to Amy Murphy’s yard and her next three outings came in French claimers. At Vichy in May, she cut out most of the running over 2000m before being headed a furlong out and dropping to fourth. In early June, she tracked the leader at Saint-Cloud over 2800m before fading rapidly at the distance and three weeks later, on soft ground over a quarter mile shorter at Salon, again made most before struggling from the home turn. She was given a valeur of 27.0 which equates to the BHA mark of 59 brought to her hurdling debut at Uttoxeter nearly a month ago. On breeding, her hurdling credentials were fair-to-middling as sire War Command has had two winning juveniles from thirteen; albeit with a modest improvement rate of 22.22%, and while uncle Rayhani won a Limerick maiden hurdle, his two half-brothers achieved little in ten jumps outings between them. Amy Murphy does have five wins to her name in the sphere, although four of these came during the post-lockdown summer of 2020 where her yard was clearly ahead of the game. Boudica Warrior started the 22/1 outsider of five at Uttoxeter and her early jumping, skewed and trailed her legs through the first, skewing to the right at the third and hopping over the fourth, saw her pass the stands at the tail of the field. Though going left at the fifth, she was better at the next and turned into the straight looking a threat. However, the threat was short lived as she was awkward at three out and a steep and rather tired leap at the penultimate flight gave the initiative to the leading pair. A steady and laboured jump at the last betrayed her fatigue and she eventually trailed in a seventeen length third of four finishers. The form does not amount to much as while the winner was a fair second on his debut, his task was made easier by Free Chakarte’s underperformance and the time suggests nothing beyond the ordinary. Boudica Warrior fared no better for the experience in a Fontwell maiden last month where, jumping clumsily, she disputed the lead for much of the contest before tiring on leaving the back and fading tamely to finish a twenty-five length fifth. She was reported to have finished lame although the vet certificate from Friday’s ThoroughBid sale indicates no lasting effects. Incidentally, she changed hands for £3,000 and while it would be unfair to dismiss the sale as futile, she does have a fair deal to prove at this juncture. Strong prospects 1. Borntobealeader Reasonable prospects 2. Mr Freedom 3. Executive Pool Feasible prospects 4. I Have A Voice 5. Major Gatsby Moderate/Negligible prospects 6. Boudica Warrior 7. Starspangledjama

FONTWELL - 4th SEPTEMBER Seventeen days ago, Fontwell’s juvenile season opened with a maiden hurdle and the three-year-olds are set to return in what is a traditionally stronger contest. Though lacking the star power of Goshen, Blazing Bailey and Mr Thriller, who had all contested later events at the venue, it has been taken by the likes of King’s Wharf (2012), Vosne Romanee (2014), and Talking About You (2020) while Diable de Sivola would finish second in 2016. As such, while the average winners’ seasonal RPR from last month’s maiden was just 99.33, this contest has one of 110.03. The line up here consists of three with experience; amongst them two previous winners, including one from the Fontwell maiden, as well as the third from said contest; two winners from the flat – including the highest rated flat recruit to date – and an racecourse debutant. None of the form brought by the experienced runners exceeds a mark of 100 (though two have been given harsh official marks to that effect), but newcomers can be at something of a disadvantage at Fontwell. In terms of strike-rate, they fare just worse than average, but only Hereford and Taunton are trickier courses for juveniles to negotiate first time. Moreover, in the seventeen runnings of this contest since 2005, five had gone to newcomers, with the remaining twelve having already ran over hurdles; the impact values being 0.58 and 1.43 respectively. In terms of other course characteristics, Fontwell is a flat, left-handed track which invariably hosts its juvenile contests over eighteen furlongs; resulting in winning Dis and completion rates being on the lower side of standard. A couple of these have made the running under either code, and while nothing does so habitually, the pace should be honest without being particularly frenetic. The going has most recently been described as good and with mainly dry weather expected between now and post time, watering will be employed to maintain the good ground. Graffiti bg Gary Brown f7-0-0 (64) 70 j2-1-1 (106) 90 95 Sixties Icon (Excellent Art){A34}(0.82) 1/1 Banksy’s Art 100 3rd Juvenile Hurdle, Market Rasen 2018 The winner of that course and distance maiden covered in the introduction, Graffiti started off over a mile at Goodwood last September for Mick Channon. He then ran twice at Pontefract in the Autumn, finishing no nearer than eight lengths behind the winner in a pair of novice stakes. Following a winter break, he had a couple of spins on the all-weather in handicap company and while he finished last on each occasion, was at least able to finish closer. His initial mark of 71 was quite difficult to justify, and a return to the turf, drop to 67 and switch to Gary Brown’s failed to trigger a change in fortunes as he was tailed off at Pontefract over ten furlongs before looking decidedly slow over a mile when beating just one home at Newbury in June. Graffiti did shape as though he can get the trip over jumps and his full-brother, Banksy’s Art, managed to place third in a juvenile hurdle. His only other jumping relative, Big Kev (3/1), achieved little, although sire Sixties Icon (covered more in Mr Freedom’s profile) does have solid credentials for the sphere, course and time of year. Former inmates of Mick Channon’s have a solid winner-to-runner rate of 24.16%, although this drops to 19.09% when removing those who went to Sheena West; Banksy’s Art amongst them. Gary Brown himself had not enjoyed a winning juvenile from the nine he saddled since Hilali won Stratford in 2012, and the yard’s improvement rate of 16.67% is not encouraging. There was a distinct lack of confidence ahead of his Stratford bow, drifting to 25/1 from a morning show of 8s, and he hardly convinced in his temperament of jumping. Held up towards the rear, Graffiti took a keen hold as he hopped over his early hurdles, was tight and awkward at the fifth and missed the sixth. Though awkward again at the next, he did make headway over the hill and was on the leader’s quarters turning for home. From there, he looked a difficult ride under pressure and did not seem resolute on the run to the line, but while never looking to challenge the winner, Mutara, he did finish five-and-a-half lengths clear of the remainder. The form looks to amount to little as Mutata was a 55 rated flat horse who was well held on his debut, and subsequently a beaten odds-on favourite over course and distance. The remainder were either poor or badly underperformed. Little enthusiasm can be garnered from the clock either with the winning time some seven seconds slower than that posted by a 104 handicapper on the card. Five days prior to the Fontwell contest, Graffiti was given a spin on the flat in a twelve furlong Newbury handicap, but after again pulling in the rear found little when the race unfolded and was ultimately beaten twelve lengths. A recent spin was not particularly noteworthy for the trainer who is zero from twenty with runners returning within nine days. Nevertheless, it may have been a factor which enabled him to justify his being supported from 9/4 into 7/4 favouritism. Graffiti again pulled hard during the first circuit, but jumped somewhat better overall than he had at Stratford; with his wandering on the approach to a couple of early flights, skewing over another pair, and hitting the top of the sixth being the most egregious errors. Having been held up in rear during the first circuit, he moved into third along the back second time around before turning for home within a couple of lengths of the lead, travelling best of all. After the penultimate flight, he loomed alongside the leader while firmly on the bridle and following a jazzy leap at the last, was pushed out to extend a lengths advantage to a comfortable seven at the line. The form of the race was such that he did not have to improve from Stratford to win the contest, and the winning time, along with the fact that nothing jumped all too fluently, supports the notion that the race took little winning. With the benefit of course experience, Graffiti would be quite evenly matched with the reopposing Mutara, although none of the four to have come from that maiden have fared better than second in this race. The standard he sets is largely moderate and though he may not quite warrant a squiggle, there are probably a couple of hardier sorts in opposition should it turn into that kind of contest. Mutara bg Sean Curran f8-0-3 (55) 62 j3-1-2 (107) 87 97 Muhaarar (Lucky Story){3-c}(0.78) 3/2 Ramonex 136 1st 2m3f Handicap Chase (120), Catterick 2018 Making his debut at Kempton in February, Mutara finished no better than midfield on his first three outings. However, in five flat outings since his switch to handicaps in early April, he has yet to finish outside of the first four. It should be noted that these performances came off mark decreasing from 55 and that the winners’ enclosure has thus far eluded him; but by the same token, he has been a consistent animal. He was doing his best work towards the finish when third over eleven furlongs at Windsor in early May and returning to the turf after a Wolverhampton fourth, would twice find only one too good. At Leicester, he was no match for a horse who recently completed a four-timer, and at Chepstow last month, was bested by another subsequent winner. Mutara did little wrong on either occasion and has little to answer for in terms of attitude. Prior to this campaign, Muhaarar had one winner from seven juveniles and the jumpers that appear on the damline prior to Ramonex at 3/2 have been poor. Sean Curran had winners in the division; albeit at a winner to runner rate of 9.09%. None had scored first time out, which afforded lowered expectations for Mutara on his hurdling debut at this track on the tenth of July. Starting at 15/2, having been as short as 9/2 om the ring, Mutara was keen early on, and his being badly balked at the first put paid to his confidence as he was big and ungainly over the remaining obstacles. Never out of the rear, or threatening to get involved in the contest, Mutara was eased on the run-in; finishing over fourteen lengths behind Mucuna. There was ample scope for Mutara to leave that debut performance well behind, and eighteen days later back at Stratford, he found an opportunity which was enhanced by the market leaders disappointing. Donning first time cheekpieces, Mutara’s leap at the first was big, slow and untidy, but though not a model of fluency, his subsequent untidiness was relatively minor and not to the detriment to his performance. He settled quite well and tracked the leader before taking the lead at the hill on the second circuit. While he was being driven all along the final bend, he did not concede the lead and though steep at the last, he got away from the flight quickly enough and forged ahead on the run in to win by a length and a quarter from Graffiti. The form has since been somewhat advertised by the second and fourth filling the first two places at Fontwell, although it should be noted that it was a poor contest where none of the principles jumped well. Nevertheless, it was an improvement on his debut effort in terms of fluency and there was little to fault in his attitude. The withdrawal of Mucuna in a class three event back at Stratford a fortnight ago saw Mutara start the 4/6 favourite in a weak race for its type. However, he had become noticeably sweaty and, having the pace-making duties foisted upon him, was rather sketchy when hopping over the first three flights. Increasing the tempo going over the hill, he rounded the home turn with a three length advantage and appeared to have his main rival, Flintstone, outpaced; although not to the extent that his in-running price of 1.01 might suggest. By the time they reached the last, Flintstone had got to within a length and while Mutara was slightly the quicker away he was worn down at the half-furlong point before going down by a length and a quarter. Furlong for furlong, the winning time was the slowest on the card against the standard, and Flintstone subsequently disappointed when third at Worcester earlier this week. Mutara is quite evenly matched with Graffiti, and trainer Sean Curran did win this race with Talking About You in 2020, although neither set a strong standard for the flat recruits. Cabrakan bc Milton Harris f12-1-4 (76) 83 Divine Prophet (More Than Ready){1-x}(3.00) 3/1 Enqelaab 1st 2m2f Maiden Hurdle, Downpatrick 1993 The renaissance of Milton Harris will be of no mystery to followers of the juvenile hurdling division. Last season was an especially fruitful one with six of his eight representatives managing to land at least one race; headed by his first Grade One winner in Knight Salute. One remarkable aspect of this success is that five of those winners were bought at public auction with none commanding a fee exceeding 21,000 guineas, or bringing a BHA rating in excess of 75. The yard is already off the mark this term with Mucuna, and though changing hands privately, his latest introduction is the 76 rated Cabrakan. Formerly with Richard Hannon, who is also the source of last season’s Wensleydale runner-up for the yard, Genuflex, Cabrakan is the veteran of twelve races on the flat. His career began with a seventh placing in a Newmarket novice stakes last August, finishing just over fourteen lengths behind Coroebus. Later that month, he got to within a neck of shedding his maiden tag at Ffos Las in a race inundated with future winners, before closing his season with a fourth at Kempton. His return came in a mile handicap at Windsor in early April where he was a one paced fourth off 76. Stepped up to ten furlongs, he was within a couple of lengths of the winner when third of nine at Beverley, and last of four at Salisbury. After disappointing in a falsely run race at Doncaster, he found improvement for the application of blinkers and a step up to thirteen furlongs when a staying on third at Bath. In early July, Cabrakan was able to get off the mark on his ninth attempt when landing an eleven furlong Kempton handicap off 74. Settled in midfield and racing off a true galop, he was travelling best of all when turning for home in third on the inner. His response when asked to pick up at the distance was not immediate, but the penny dropped at the furlong marker and he ran through the line to win by a neck twice. The form has yet to be rigorously tested but the second and fifth have each won since. Cabrakan’s stint with Richard Hannon ended with a couple of lesser efforts in slowly ran races behind Caius Chorister, but he was back to something like his best on his stable debut in a racing league contest at Newcastle ten days ago. Racing over an extended twelve furlongs and attracting outside support to start at 14/1, Cabrakan raced in the rear and had yet to pass a rival with two furlongs left to run. He began to pick off rivals going into the final furlong; which he completed fastest of all to finish a two-and-a-half length fifth. He is now switched to the discipline for which he was bought and while statistics suggest that newcomers can find Fontwell to be tricky, Milton Harris has the most substantial 100% clear-round record of all British and Irish trainers, with his tally currently at fifty-six. Pedigree based evidence for hurdling potential is rather thin on the ground. Nothing up to the third dam has been tried over hurdles, although she did produce a maiden winner in Enqelaab, as well as the dam of low grade winning handicapper Mohtarres. The fifth dam has branches which extend to the likes of Turgeon, Lute Antique and Pique Sous from 5/5 onwards. Antipodean sire Divine Prophet raced neither outside of the Southern hemisphere nor beyond a mile. Set to have his first runner over hurdles, the 2016 Caulfield Guineas winner has a largely speed based pedigree, but is a reasonable height for a jumps sire and being a son of Choisir is a positive (Olympic Glory and Starspangledbanner each have 33.33% winner-runner rates while Choisir himself had one of 30%). In any case, Cabrakan has already proven himself a capable stayer and with the best part of a stone in hand of his rivals on recent flat form, he has solid prospects of making an immediate impact for his always dangerous trainer. Executive Pool bg Gary Moore f6-1-1 (54) 64 Churchill (Fastnet Rock){4-c}(0.80) 2/1 Final Approach 150 1st County Handicap Hurdle (G3,139), Cheltenham 2011 Despite being a winner on the flat, Executive Pool’s official rating of 54 is just a pound away from being the lowest in this line-up. Nevertheless, his pedigree and trainer make him difficult to dismiss on his hurdling debut. First-season sire Churchill stands at 16.2hh tall and though never quite proving that his stamina matched his class on the track, his offspring are showing themselves well capable of getting a trip and his career as a jumps stallion got off to a perfect start with The Churchill Lad. Executive Pool is out of a half-sister to the County Hurdle winner Final Approach, and is quite closely related to three other winning jumpers in Genuine Pearl (3/1), King Of Dubai (3/2) and King Red (3/2). Gary Moore has a strong winner-to-runner rate of 36.41% and his strike-rate at Fontwell is an excellent 28.72% which increases to 33.33% with hurdling debutants. He has won this particular contest three times from thirteen runners, with each success being a newcomer; including in 2017 with the 52 rated Lord E which Gary Moore trained himself on the flat. Executive Pool has also spent his career to date at Cisswood, which started off with three unremarkable efforts last Autumn in which he finished well beaten at Sandown, Goodwood and Chelmsford. His seasonal reappearance came in a 0-50 classified stakes at Brighton in early June over a mile and a half on soft ground. With first-time blinkers applied, he started the 10/3 second favourite having opened at 7/1 in the morning, and was sent straight into the lead from the outset. Setting a solid tempo, he was travelling strongest at the distance and although he drifted right and left across the track under pressure, he was always doing enough to hold the runner-up by half-a-length with the pair seven lengths clear of the rest. The runner-up has not been out since, but while the third and seventh subsequently won similarly weak events, a better indication of Executive Pool’s ability came later that month in a Windsor apprentice handicap over an extended eleven furlongs. Running off a revised mark of 55, he once again set a decent tempo and looked the most likely winner at the distance; trading as low as 1.26 in-running. He was caught inside the final furlong and carried his head high in the closing stages before going down by a length-and-a-quarter. Nevertheless, the winner was landing a brace under a penalty and the pair finished six lengths clear of the remainder. He was slightly below par when returning to the all-weather three weeks ago where he raced in midfield off a modest gallop before running on in the straight to snatch a five-and-a-half length third. This effort is somewhat excusable due to the lack of pace and a possible lack of fitness. While there is a class deficit for Executive Pool to overcome, he is still a largely unexposed improver with some fine attributes for a hurdling career. A respectable hurdling debut would not be unexpected, although there is a concern over the yard’s recent form. Mr Freedom bg Sheena West f7-0-0 (53) 57 j1-0-1 (-) 75 77 Sixties Icon (Sayif){9-c}(0.52) 4/1 Zero 128 1st 2m3½f Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (112), Ascot 2007 As mentioned in Graffiti’s profile, juveniles that leave Mick Channon for Sheena West have a better record than those who go elsewhere and the same can be said for where Sheena West sources her juveniles. Her record for those from outside this connection reads as one winner from fourteen whereas those moving from West Ilsley to Falmer have an impressive winner-to-runner rate of 38.46%. Seven of these winners were rated 53 or less, which is encouraging for the latest to make that journey. Mr Freedom cost just £800 as a yearling, and after being beaten eleven lengths at Sandown on his debut last June, was beaten nineteen and fifteen lengths at Kempton and Salisbury before being put away for the winter. In May came his return in a Bath mile handicap off 59 for which he attracted outside support; starting at 10/1 having opened at twice the price in the morning. Pulling hard in the early stages, he struggled for room in the final couple of furlongs and though he only managed an eighth place finish, he was not given a vigorous ride in posting a new career best. He failed to build on that degree of promise in a similar contest at Ripon next time and while traffic issues were something of a feature, he had no such excuses when making no show whatsoever at Windsor next time. Given a two month break, a change of scenery, and a step up to a mile-and-a-half, Mr Freedom ran a considerably better race when returning to Windsor at the start of the month. Settling better on the prominent side of midfield, he was unable to accelerate with the principle as the race developed, but still ran on for a three-and-a-quarter length fourth of ten. His breeding offers mixed messages as the immediate damline is bereft of jumps experience until the winning novice handicapper Zero appears at 4/1, although the fourth dam also has another winner in Kristiansand and her next level of descendants includes the useful sorts London Prize and Categorical. The sire, Sixties Icon, has a fair winner-runner rate of 20.41%, his strike-rate before October is a healthy 32.14% and he has had four wins from twenty at Fontwell. Moreover, Sheena West has had three winning juveniles at Fontwell, including the 46 rated Feb Thirtyfirst, the 53 rated Hi Note, and the 52 rated Whipperway who scored on his hurdling debut. These factors did not translate into a successful hurdling debut at this venue seventeen days ago, for which he was mercurial in the markets before starting at 6/1. Taking a keen hold while racing at the rear of the field, his jumping, while largely safe, left plenty to be desired as there was not a single hurdle where he was not big, skewed, slow, awkward or any combination of same. It is then to his credit that he was able to make headway into a close enough third, and still look a feasible threat turning for home. This threat was short lived, however, as a lack of pace and fluency saw the leading pair get away just before the last, leaving Mr Freedom to finish a sixteen length third behind Graffiti. There was undoubted promise hiding in this performance and the yard’s juvenile strike-rate does jump up from 8.33% to 22.73% between first and second outings. If he has indeed learned from his debut then Mr Freedom would hold a good chance of finishing much closer to Graffiti, although whether he actually has is another matter. Miss Fedora bf Seamus Mullins Unraced Helmet (Shamardal){12-b}(1.32) 3/1 Jurako 56.0 1st 3500m 4yo Claiming Hurdle, Compiegne 2005 The sole racecourse debutant in the line-up, Miss Fedora represents a Seamus Mullins with a fairly modest 11.67% winner-to-runner rate in the sphere, a first-time strike rate of 3.51%, and a zero from twenty-eight record with juveniles at Fontwell. Sire Helmet has a similarly modest winner-to-runner rate of 12.50%, but while two of the third dam’s hurdlers achieved little, a third, Jurako, won a French claimer at four. Channel Baie (3/2) is another winning descendent while the fifth dam produced the mighty Ouija Board as well as four winning jumpers headed by Spectrometer and Star Selection. Since 2004/05, only 25 from 1,038 previously unraced juveniles made winning debuts, and though far from irredeemable, the profile of Miss Fedora warrants little particular interest in this line-up. Strong prospects 1. Cabrakan Reasonable prospects 2. Executive Pool Feasible prospects 3. Graffiti 4. Mutara 5. Mr Freedom Moderate prospects . Negligible prospects 6. Miss Fedora

A couple of days after the south lakes hosted their sole juvenile hurdle of the season at Cartmel, Lake Worcester is set to host its own solitary juvenile hurdle. Though the race is generally contested by ordinary sorts, Cliffs Of Dover and Chief Justice, winners in 2016 and 2018 respectively, went on to make an impact in graded company while 2019 winner, Maria Magdalena, would place second in that season’s Wensleydale. This year's renewal brings together a pair who have already won in the division this term, along with a winner from the flat who has not quite taken to hurdling thus far. A flat, left handed circuit with a long home straight, winning DIs at Worcester are quite inconsistent due to a relatively low sample size. Nevertheless, given the pace that often prevails at the venue, there would appear to be an inclination towards stamina. Furthermore, with the clear round rate of 94.90% being the fifth lowest in Britain, Worcester can catch out inexperienced sorts. The going is currently described as good and with warm and dry weather forecast between now and racing, the ground will be watered as is necessary. Flintstone chg Nigel Twiston-Davies f9-0-5 (63) 71 j1-1-0 (-) 82 92 Starspangledbanner (First Samurai){19-e}(1.00) No jumps relatives A nine race maiden on the flat, Flintstone made it one from one for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ juvenile campaign when winning at Stratford nine days ago. The master of Grange Hill Farm does have a solid record in the division. He has handled the likes of Bristol de Mai, Torpillo and Mahogany Blaze, and his winner-to-runner rate of 33.33% is the strongest in the field. Twiston-Davies also fares well with his flat recruits, six of his twenty-seven won as juveniles, although prior to nine days ago, only one managed to score first time. Ten seasons ago, the yard had a similar type in Golden Jubilee; Hannon trained mid-sixties performer with an American damline completely bereft of jumpers, carrying the same colours. Golden Jubilee got no further than the first in a Bangor juvenile before finishing well beaten at Warwick – although after a prolonged return to the flat, he did eventually manage to win a Sedgefield handicap off 92. The similarities diverge when it comes to their sires as while Golden Jubilee was Zavata’s one and only juvenile, Starspangledbanner had eight prior to Stratford with two finding the winners’ enclosure. Though Flintstone has not managed to win as of yet, he has generally been a fair and consistent sort. His two-year-old career, starting in May, consisted of three runs in as many months; all of which came at Newbury, none of which saw him get closer than twelve lengths to the winner. Following a break of nearly nine months, he returned in a mile handicap at Kempton where he finished a two length second off 64, looking one paced in the closing stages. Over the same trip at Chelmsford, he had to be rousted along for much of the contest before keeping on for a seven length third. The step up to ten furlongs only saw him finish sixth at Goodwood, but the form has worked out quite well for the level. Afterwards, he was given a gelding operation and a two month break and while he could only manage an eight length third at Leicester, the application of blinkers saw him turn in a career best performance at Kempton in early July. Racing over a mile off a mark of 62, he turned for home with all of the field to pass, but was vying for the lead inside the final hundred yards before going down by half a length. The form was boosted by the winner following up in two of his next three starts, but Flintstone did give the impression that he was not entirely committed to the battle. Eight days later, he returned to ten furlongs, racing off the same mark, for a Chepstow handicap in which he was the second favourite of four. Disputing the lead, he appeared to be travelling best in front at the distance but was unable to fend off a couple of rivals and would merely plug on for two and a quarter length third. The runner-up went one better next time, and there was less of a quibble about Flintstone’s resolve. His hurdling bow came in a class three contest, although the defection of Mucuna make it a weak race for the grade and Flintstone would start the 13/8 second favourite behind the penalised Mutara. Racing with enthusiasm, his early jumping was big and cautious and while it became neater after going out onto the second circuit, he maintained a tendency to rather hop his flights. He disputed second for much of the contest and was shaken along passing the hill before looking decidedly outpaced on the home turn; trading as high as 26/1 in-running. Nevertheless, any lingering concerns over his resolve were dispelled as he chased the leader down the straight and, though trailing his hind legs through the last, would dourly wear down the favourite before asserting in the final fifty yards. The winning time was the slowest against standard on the card and there is little to suggest that the runner-up had improved since his course and distance win last time out. Strictly on form, Flintstone has some five pounds to find on Rolypolymoly. Nevertheless, the way his jumping improved throughout the contest suggests that he can leave his debut showing behind and his overall profile suggests that he is the more likely of the pair to make a hurdler. Moreover, there was plenty to like about the way he battled at Stratford which may well be the deciding factor between a pair with identical flat ratings. Rolypolymoly bg Adam West f7-0-1 (63) 69 j2-1-1 (107) 91 97 Heeraat (Monsun){1-k}(0.60) 2/1 Zoffalee 135 1st 2m1f 4yo Handicap Hurdle (112), Ballinrobe 2019 Currently rated 63 on the flat, Rolypolymoly looked a fairly treated animal in that sphere and his two runs in hurdle contests to date show that he is just as good over jumps. After finishing sixth of nine on his debut at Salisbury last September, he rounded off his two year old campaign with midfield finishes at Goodwood and Kempton which earned him a BHA figure of 67. He ran to a similar level when midfield on his return at Pontefract over a mile in April, but shaped better when stepped up ten furlongs at Nottingham and Leicester, despite taking a keen grip at the latter when finishing just over three lengths behind in third. His latest flat appearance came at Salisbury, carrying top weight in a class four handicap over a mile and a half. He was supported into 7/2 second favouritism having been available at 5/1 but while he settled well enough in midfield, found himself with little room once the race picked up off a modest tempo. Whatever chance he held at the furlong marker was extinguished as he was blocked off once again and he was resigned to beating just one home. Though it can not be said that he was definitely an unlucky loser, he should have finished closer than he did in a race where the front two have both scored since. Rolypolymoly‘s damline offered flashes of optimism for his new vocation as he is out of a Monsun (36.11% winner to runner as a damsire) half-sister to capable hurdler Zoffalee. However, sire Heeraat’s five previous juveniles had finished no better than sixth in the sphere. As such, Rolypolymoly has become his sire’s best juvenile in a jumps career that began at Stratford on the tenth of July. Though up against three previous winners, he was backed down from a morning 10/1 to start the race as the 10/3 second favourite. Held up towards the rear, he did not jump with conspicuous fluency as he was awkward when hopping over the second and third, and tight at the fourth and seventh. He made headway towards the end of the back to get within striking distance, but his effort was blighted by his jumping the path on the approach to the last; from which he was slow to get away. The winner was long gone, but Rolypolymoly did rally to gain a couple of places on the run-in to finish a sixth-length second; three lengths clear of the remainder. He reappeared a fortnight later at Uttoxeter where he was supported from 3/1 in the morning to go off the 5/4 favourite. Though he hopped over the first, he jumped much more fluently on this occasion and was slotted in third position in the tightly bunched five strong field. He was within a length of the lead at three out and while he missed the hurdle, rather clambering over it, the mistake cost him little relative momentum and he was a length clear jumping the penultimate flight. From there, he was driven out and after a tidy enough jump at the last, was able to forge seven lengths clear by the line. The winning time was nothing out of the ordinary, but the form was given a boost when the runner-up landed a Killarney maiden next time out; although that horse subsequently flopped at Down Royal and the third was well beaten in a Fontwell maiden next time. Rolypolymoly was due to run at Market Rasen the following week, but was withdrawn on account of a cut leg. Now making his return after five weeks off the track, he has the ability to make a good account of himself here, although he has less scope for improvement than Flintstone and while the conditional’s claim could be handy, Rolypolymoly would not be a steering job. Anger Management bg John Ryan f6-0-0 (44) 43 j1-0-1 (-) 77 80 Ribchester (Nayef){22-a}(1.22) 3/2 Allow Me 129 1st 2m3½f Handicap Hurdle (120), Catterick 2012 Four-time Group One winner and dual Champion Miler Ribchester is having his first jumpers this season. No taller than average, Ribchester is of the speedy Iffraaj-Zafonic sireline and his third dam was the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Mehthaaf. Nevertheless, one uncle, Tactic won over a mile and six while another, Bangkok, is being marketed as a dual-purpose sire. While half-brother Golconda Prince was unable to build on his fifth in a Huntington juvenile, another uncle, Taaresh, landed four low-grade hurdles over the minimum trip at Worcester and Wincanton. The first into the fold for Ribchester’s jumps stallion career was the six race maiden Anger Management, whose official flat rating of 44 exceeds his accomplishments. Beaten a combined seventy-seven lengths in two starts at Newmarket last Autumn, his four runs in 2022, between eight and fourteen furlongs, saw him finish no closer than twelve lengths to the winner. While the fair handicap hurdler, Allow Me, appears at 3/2 on the damline, six others within that proximity have achieved the sum total of nothing over hurdles from a combined twenty-four starts (although Nicholas Bill (Ghofar, Bollin William, Just Jasmine) is out of the fifth dam). Trainer John Ryan does have a decent enough record in the sphere with five winners from twenty-one juveniles, although only one of those would score first-time-out. At the end of last month at Market Rasen, Anger Management did not improve on that tally and was flattered by his second placing. Sent off the unfancied 16/1 outsider of three, Anger Management kept out of trouble at the back of the field as he hopped and skewed over the majority of hurdles. Off the bridle after jumping the last in the back, he managed to pass the patently underperforming second favourite three furlongs from home, but never posed even the remotest of threats to the very easy winner. By sheer virtue of his poor flat form, Anger Management may already be a better hurdler, but he still has a great deal to find if he is to make an impact here. Rogue Mission grg Milton Harris f5-1-1 (67) 70 j2-0-0 (-) 64 70 El Kabeir (Spinning World){2-d}(4.33) 2/1 Primus Inter Pares 107 1st 2m3f Handicap Chase (101), Catterick 2008 At the 2021 Tattersalls July Sale, Milton Harris walked away with four juvenile hurdlers for sums between fourteen and twenty thousand guineas. Three of these, Aliomaana, Genuflex and Knight Salute, would all find the winners’ enclosure with the latter named – incidentally the least expensive of the bunch – capping off a fantastic campaign with success in the Grade One Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. Returning to the well at this year’s sale, Mr Harris brought along a much thicker wallet, and left with five potential juveniles; three costing over fifty-five thousand guineas. The cheapest of the quintet this time around was Rogue Mission, who commanded a comparatively modest sum of fifteen thousand guineas. Gelded before his racecourse debut in early January, Rogue Mission’s five flat outings have all come at Lingfield, the first four under the care of Tom Clover. A steady 25/1 ahead of a ten furlong novice stakes, Rogue Mission dove out of stalls, took keen hold in rear and went nowhere under pressure; finishing a ten length seventh of eight. He reappeared three weeks later in an identical contest where he attracted outside support in the ring, shortening four points to 12/1 at the off. He started better on this occasion, although he did have another horse to bounce off when leaving the stalls. Still keen and held up towards the rear, he moved into a prominent position turning for home and although he took a while to gather himself under pressure, Rogue Mission was able to narrowly get the best of an honest battle inside the final half-furlong with the pair finishing a couple of lengths clear. The runner-up sadly lost his life next time out, although the third and fourth have each given the form a bit of substance in subsequent outings. Four weeks later, Rogue Mission was outclassed in a match race against a horse who had finished a length second to a subsequent listed winner before he made his handicap debut over ten furlongs back in May. Returning after a ten-week break off a mark of 71, Rogue Mission was friendless in the market and ran accordingly. Ridden from the stalls, he made a short lived effort while going wide on the home turn, but ultimately finished a near nine length seventh of eight. Tom Clover has previously supplied only one juvenile hurdler in the form of Appreciate; who incidentally also joined Milton Harris. Based on his four runs in the division, Appreciate looked harshly treated by his mark of 90, although he has gone on to land a four-timer this Summer. Rogue Mission’s damline largely consists of milers and three (at 3/2) who went over jumps fared poorly. Nevertheless, half-brother Rare Groove won over two miles on the flat and uncle Primus Inter Pares was a winning handicap chaser over the intermediate trip. These strands of stamina influence will have to offset the lack of same from first-crop stallion El Kabeir. From the Scat Daddy/Johannesburg line (which has enjoyed little success in the sphere), El Kabir was a graded – rather than top class – miler in America, and while his height of 16.1hh is adequate, his DI of 5.86 is a concern. Moreover, while Rogue Mission has form over ten furlongs, none of his races have been strongly run affairs. Uncharacteristically these days for a Milton Harris juvenile, Rogue Mission was unfancied ahead of his hurdles debut at Stratford, as he went from an opening show of 11/4 in the morning to 13/2 at the off. In the event, he settled well enough but tight jumps at the first couple of flights saw him expend energy getting away and slow, untidy jumps at the fifth and sixth had him struggling along the back. His pecking on landing at the penultimate flight saw that he was tailed off before the home turn from which he completed in his own time. Rogue Mission returned to Lingfield for a racing league contest where he started at 125/1 and never got involved; finishing thirteen lengths behind his much better fancied stablemate Postmark. The best of his flat form sets the standard here, but his latest efforts leave plenty to be desired. While entitled to improve in the long run, it is worth noting that each of the yard’s juveniles to have won on their second outings placed either first or second on their debuts. As it so happened, Rogue Mission made it no further than the first flight when running at Fontwell a fortnight ago where, having approached the hurdle with plenty on his mind, he somehow went over it horizontally; giving Harry Reed no chance of maintaining the partnership. Cailin Saoirse bf Alexandra Dunn f7-0-1 (48) 60 j1-0-0 (-) 0 0 Bated Breath (Bahamian Bounty){14-a}(3.00) 3/2 Future Gold 75 5th 2m 4yo Maiden Hurdle, Cork 2020 Three efforts in Irish two-year-old maidens for Philip Byrne, where she finished no better than eighth or any closer than six lengths to the winner, earned Cailin Saoirse a stiff looking mark of 59. Returning in April at Navan, she was beaten by over ten lengths and the drop to 55 did see her finish in the first half of the field, although still beaten over twelve lengths. A further drop to 50 enabled her to finish a length-and-a-half fourth at Fairyhouse after which she joined Alexandra Dunn. Her UK debut came in a Ffos Lass 0-50 Classified Stakes last month over the longest trip she had encountered to date; an extended seven furlongs. There was enough support to send her off the 3/1 favourite of fourteen but she was unable to justify the gamble as while she travelled well and was in a decent position, she was too slow to challenge, ultimately finishing a three length third. Cailin Saoirse shaped as though a little further would suit and her dam did win over twelve furlongs, but stamina for hurdling is still far from assured. Moreover, there is no evidence of jumping ability on the damline and her new trainer has had just one winning juvenile from twenty-two. There was a period of support for her in the markets ahead of her hurdles bow at Fontwell, opening in the ring at 7/1 having earlier been 16/1, although she eventually drifted out again to 18/1 at the off. In the event, she also dispatched of her rider at the first flight with another flamboyant leap. Milly Molly Mandy grf Bill Turner f4-0-0 (42) 41 Hellvelyn (King Charlemagne){21-a}(2.00) 2/1 Norfolk Sky 119 4th TBA Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (L), Cheltenham 2014 Somerset trainer Bill Turner generally has more runners on the flat than over jumps, but his record with juvenile hurdlers is quite respectable. Though only 29.17% improve for the switch in codes, his winner to runner rate of 18.97% is a fair one and it increases to 27.03% with those he trained himself on the flat. Indeed, five of these would win at the first time of asking, including the 35 rated A Double Ewe Bee who landed a Ludlow juvenile seller at odds of 66/1 in December 2004. Rated half a stone superior is Milly Molly Mandy, who will be the yard’s first juvenile this season. Milly Molly Mandy first saw the racecourse at Southwell last August where she was beat one of her eight rivals home, finishing some thirty lengths behind the winner. Later that month, she beat two home at Chelmsford; getting to within eleven lengths of the winner with her ninth place finish. That was the last seen of her until this July where she returned to Southwell to finish just over fifteen lengths last of seven in a mile maiden. Her last appearance came in a Brighton classified stakes four weeks ago where she again finished last, some twenty-five lengths behind the winner. Milly Molly Mandy now makes the switch to hurdles and while two of her dam’s siblings failed to win over jumps, Norfolk Sky did win twice as a novice and came within seven lengths of picking up some black type at Cheltenham. The third dam produced two more winners in Toskano and Knocktopher, while the 2005 Free Handicap Hurdle winner, Admiral, appears at 4/3 on the damline. However, for all the sparkles of promise found on the distaff side, none of Hellvelyn’s five previous juvenile hurdlers managed to breach the first five in nine starts between them. Strictly on flat form, Milly Molly Mandy can be given no realistic chance and the sire offers no assistance in this regard either. Nevertheless, her trainer and damline offer traces of intrigue for her as a recruit to the division without making her of any serious interest in this company first time around. Strong prospects 1. Flintstone Reasonable prospects 2. Rolypolymoly Feasible prospects 3. Rogue Mission Moderate/Negligible prospects 4. Milly Molly Mandy 5. Anger Management 6. Cailin Saoirse

If one were to look up the word "idiosyncratic" in the dictionary, you will find a dry description of the word "idiosyncratic". Nevertheless, if horse racing were to ever release an illustrated dictionary of the turf, a picture of Cartmel racecourse will likely accompany the definition. Set in the glorious South Lakes and nestled between the woods and the priory, it is essentially a funfair surrounded by a racecourse. While even the child version of this author would lament that those raucous children seemed more interested in the irrelevant festivities than the racing itself - a sentiment which has gotten worse with age and has expanded to encompass a large section of the racegoing public - it is not for nothing that this charming venue is a favourite of all who have made a visit. Good juveniles have graced the Cumbrian carnival with 2011 winner Countrywide Flame being the most notable, 2014 winner Vosne Romanee becoming a useful sort, while Silver Streak rather surprisingly finished fourth here in 2016 on his hurdling debut. However, given its rather novel nature, participants in Cartmel's juvenile hurdles are typically a modest breed with the average winner's seasonal RPR of 107.16 being the lowest in the country. Apart from the home stretch being located on the track's inner, there is not a great deal idiosyncratic about the hurdles course itself. A tight, flat, left handed circuit, the winning juvenile DIs of 1.32 median, 1.84 mean are predictably higher than average - although against those of the average runner, they are still quite low comparatively which ties into the notion that speedy flat breds will not get an easy ride. A point further illustrated by the fact that while the clear round rate of 96.32% is close to bang average, the completion rate of 81.60% is the tenth lowest in the division. All six odds-on favourites in Cartmel's juveniles since 2004/05 have justified their favouritism and with the median winner's SP being the second lowest in the country at 2.63, it is not a course prone to surprise results. This year’s renewal consists entirely of hurdling debutants with three bringing official flat ratings exceeding the average for juvenile hurdles, and two having scored on the level. The going is currently described as good with a moderate chance of overnight rain interrupting the warm and cloudy weather forecast between now and post time. Nevertheless, as three of the field made the running last time out with a few showing a tendency to race keenly, the pace should still be an honest one. Barneys Gift bg Philip Kirby f9-1-3 (74) 79 Johnny Barnes (Mark Of Esteem){14-c}(0.33) 2/3 Furimix 57.0 1st 3yo Claiming Hurdle, Cagnes-sur-Mer 2020 The highest rated and most experienced of these on the flat, Barneys Gift comes into the race with one win from nine, and a BHA mark of 74. He began his career in France with Jo Hughes where he reached the frame twice in four outings over seven furlongs last July; finishing third behind a couple of useful sorts at Compiegne, and a two length second in a Vichy maiden. After finishing midfield back at Vichy over a mile, he made the move to Philip Kirby’s yard where, following a creditable staying on third in a six furlong novice stakes at Pontefract, would get off the mark over an extra furlong at Redcar in early November. Coated in sweat and racing enthusiastically, he made all to justify his being backed from a morning 4/1 to 6/4 favouritism; pressing for home at the distance and holding on by three-quarters of a length at the line. The form was fairly standard for its type, although four subsequent winners have come out of the race and the mark of 78 awarded to Barneys Gift was reasonable. Given a winter break and a gelding operation, he fared poorly on his first two attempts in handicap company, finishing a tailed off last at Ripon on heavy ground, and six lengths behind the remainder at Haydock on good-to-firm. There was more promise when last seen in early June; finishing fifth of nine back at Haydock over seven furlongs on soft ground. However, he may have been flattered by setting the steady tempo and his effort petered out tamely inside the final furlong. Barneys Gift does have a trainer with a solid record in the division. Since his first forays in 2008, Philip Kirby has a good winner-to-runner rate of 27.03% headed by Skycutter; another ex-Jo Hughes animal for the same connections who won his first two starts last term. Skycutter was a good stone superior on the flat, however, and the Kirby yard has been struggling for winners recently. The pedigree offers even less encouragement as first crop sire Johnny Barnes has modest credentials for the sphere. Standing at less than 16 hands, the son of Acclamation peaked at Group Three standard and never raced beyond a mile. His preference for soft ground has been passed on to his early progeny, although that might not be so helpful in this instance. Mark Of Esteem is a fairly useful damsire, although while five descendants of the third dam have tried jumping, only one, Furimix (2/3), would show any form and that came in a claiming hurdle. On his two-year-old ability, Barneys Gift would probably be more interesting, but his credentials are crabbed not only by his and his trainer’s poor recent form, but also his questionable stamina and the lack of obvious redemption in the pedigree. Golden Ticket bg John C McConnell f7-0-0 (57) 63 Galileo Gold (Acclamation){23-b}(1.22) 2/1 Barliffey 91 2nd 2m2f Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (83), Kelso 2011 John McConnell has sent a nine strong team to Cartmel for this meeting, and his winner on Saturday brought his strike rate at the course to 30%. The Meath trainer also has a solid record with juveniles he takes to Britain; amassing four wins from twenty-one starts. Golden Ticket is set to be his first juvenile to run at the Cumbrian venue, who will be making his stable bow having been claimed out of Andrew Oliver’s for €5,000 back in July. Juveniles leaving Andrew Oliver have a fair 18.92% winner-to-runner rate, headed by Mega Fortune and Dodging Bullets, although only Gibson Park would win after fetching less than five figures. Moreover, while McConnell’s first claimed juvenile, Bringbackmemorie, finished a good second at Down Royal last week, he was quadruple the asking price of Golden Ticket. Beating just two home at Punchestown on his racecourse debut last September, Golden Ticket finished midfield at Dundalk prior to a winter break, before returning to finish last at Navan in March. Gelded and switched to handicaps with a hood fitted, his initial mark of 68 looked harsh as he finished no closer than six lengths to the winner at Gowran Park and Leopardstown twice. Better was expected from his dropping into claiming company for a ten furlong contest at Fairyhouse, where he was backed from 10/1 to 6/1 in the morning before starting the 9/2 third favourite of nine. Tracking the leader from the outset, he was called upon for his effort on entering the straight but while he challenged briefly at the distance, he was swamped inside the final furlong; finishing a two-and-a -quarter length fourth. Though it was one of his better performances, the fact that he finished just behind a 47 rated gelding puts the form into perspective. Golden Ticket would be the lowest rated runner in the line-up, and his pedigree is only fair at best. He is set to be the first hurdler for Galileo Gold, a son of Paco Boy whose nine juveniles failed to win between them. The 2,000 Guineas winner does stand at a reasonable 16.1hh and is a half-brother to winning hurdlers Palladium and Petit Palais. His uncle, Barliffey finished second in a weak Kelso handicap and that is the extent of jumps ability on the damline. While any Irish raider would warrant close inspection in a contest such as this, Golden Ticket’s profile is otherwise moderate and it may be telling that connections have opted to come here rather than take in a more competitive event closer to home. Octopus grg Jennie Candlish f7-0-1 (60) 66 Kendargent (Refuse To Bend){8-a}(0.54) 0.5 Mackenberg 144 1st 2m3f Novices’ Chase, Catterick 2022 Starting his career with Joseph Tuite, Octopus was outclassed at York and Newbury on his first two outings last October. A switch to the all weather, under the care of Kevin Philippart de Foy, saw him backed from 22/1 to 15/2 on course and he duly posted a career best at Chelmsford when a four-length third of fifteen in a seven furlong restricted novice stakes. The race produced six individual winners at three, however, four handicap outings this term showed that Octopus had not trained on quite so well as modest efforts at Windsor, Chelmsford, Brighton and Leicester saw his mark drop from 68 to 60; all without finishing closer than sixth or nearer than seven lengths to the winner. His latest outing at Leicester back in May was as good a performance as any this season. Sporting first-time cheekpieces, Octopus broke well and led up to the two-furlong marker before falling through the field to finish seventh by as many lengths. Withdrawn from the Tattersalls Ascot May Sale, he has joined Jennie Candlish for a new career over jumps. Best known in the division for causing a 200/1 upset with Maoi Chinn Tire in the 2010 Wensleydale, Candlish’s overall winner-to-runner rate in the sphere stands at 13.33% with an improvement rate of just 27.78%. Sire Kendargent has a decent enough record with his juveniles, counting three winners from twelve to date. King d’Argent and Silver Shade managed to score first time out while Kenyan won a handicap during his initial campaign despite being rated just 45 on the flat. From the family of Brametot (2/1) and Monsun (3/1), Octopus is also a half-brother to Mackenberg who landed a hat trick of northern novice chases last term. Outside of his Chelmsford third, Octopus will need to improve on his flat form and a couple have more substantial profiles overall. Notwithstanding, his pedigree is not without merit and if the recent gelding has a positive effect, he probably won’t disgrace himself here. The Churchill Lad bg Rebecca Menzies f6-1-0 (67) 72 Churchill (Discreetly Mine){20-a}(0.71) 5/2 Wishlon 158 3rd Christmas Hurdle, Kempton 1988 Representing the first crop of Churchill and coming from the family of Jack Sullivan (2/1) and Seventh Heaven (2/3), The Churchill Lad commanded 105,000 guineas as a foal and 130,000 guineas as a yearling before joining the Joseph O’Brien. Starting his career last December, his first three outings came in successive months wherein he finished sixth in Dundalk maidens on each occasion. He was largely undone by inexperience first time out and his second outing can be forgiven due to a very slow start. Stepping up to ten furlongs for his final Irish engagement, The Churchill Lad raced in close order, but was done by a lack of pace in the closing stages; finishing just over four lengths behind the winner. The Churchill Lad was entered for the Tattersalls Online Sale in March, but was withdrawn beforehand in order to join Rebecca Menzies. There can be a degree of caution when it comes to those let go by Joseph O’Brien as of the eighteen to have left Owning Hill, just two would win as juveniles. That being said, Menzies may be an exception to this trend as the promising Hasty Brook has at least maintained his form, and The Churchill Lad has shown no signs of regression since moving to Howe Hills. He was initially set to take in the season’s curtain raiser at Hexham in June, but was instead redirected to Haydock for a ten furlong handicap off 67. Having his first start on turf, he once again fell asleep in the stalls and racing off a sound pace, was still bringing up the rear turning into the straight. Met with traffic issues three furlongs out, he had to be brought wide to make his effort and though green under pressure, ran on to snatch fourth in the final strides. He started at 33/1 for his next outing at Newcastle later in June, but was still fairly disappointing in a first time hood where, having raced keenly for much of the contest, was unable to quicken in a race which benefited those at the head of affairs. Nevertheless, after missing engagements at Carlisle and Wolverhampton, The Churchill Lad was able to break his duck at the sixth time of asking when returning to Newcastle for a two mile handicap ten days ago. Held up behind the field while taking a keen hold, he was shaken up approaching the distance whereafter he picked off his rivals one-by-one. Under a strong drive, he caught the clear leader at the furlong pole and though the idling rival was spurred on by the new challenge, The Churchill Lad pulled out extra towards the finish to prevail by a decisive neck; the pair finishing nine lengths clear of the strung out remainder. Much of what can be discerned from The Churchill Lad’s pedigree insofar as his hurdling prospects are concerned will be based on conjecture. Churchill has yet to have a runner over jumps and there are no national hunt horses nearby on the predominantly American damline. Notwithstanding, Churchill’s prospects are not without merit for this vocation. Winner of the National and Dewhurst stakes at two before landing the English and Irish Guineas double, Churchill did finish second in the International but was not wholly proven beyond a mile. While he is out of Galileo, the damline is not entirely conducive to stamina, with full-sister Clemmie restricted to eight furlongs, and granddam Airwave being a very fast mare. Nevertheless, Churchill’s full-brother Blenheim Palace stayed at least eleven furlongs, and his height of 16.2hh, and overall class, will be positives in this endeavour. The distaff side provides only one piece of distance evidence regarding jumps potential, although this does come in the form of Wishlon who finished third in the 1988 Christmas Hurdle as a novice. Though not yet granted the most powerful ammunition, the up and coming Rebecca Menzies has done well to date with her picking up black type with the £2,000 Fabianski, getting a win out of the 51 rated Tabou Beach Boy, having only one fall/unseat from thirty-four runs, and boasting an improvement rate of 55.55% (the highest in this field). The Churchill Lad looks as strong a juvenile prospect as any handled by his trainer and with proven stamina and recent form, he comes into this race with intriguing prospects. Eclairant Le Monde bf Donald McCain f4-0-1 (67) 71 Champs Elysees (Halling){4-m}(1.67) 2/1 Elgin 155 1st Kingwell Hurdle (G2), Wincanton 2018 Donald McCain possesses the strongest juvenile hurdling record of the trainers represented in this field with a winner runner rate of 29.82% headed by the likes of Navajo Pass, Hollow Tree and Starchitect. He also has three wins from eight in this particular contest with Gentifan winning in 2006, Ormesher in 2018 and Sacre Pierre last season. Though Never No Trouble has yet to get him off the mark for this season, he will be hoping for better with his intriguingly bred Eclairant Le Monde. Like Navajo Pass and two other winners from ten, she lived in Cholmondeley during her flat career which ended with a mark of 67. A six length fourth of nine on her sole two-year-old outing at Newcastle, she was still green when finishing sixth of twelve on her return in a Ripon maiden towards the end of May. Stepped up to an extended eleven furlongs for a Haydock novice stakes, she took up the running three furlongs out but was unsurprisingly outclassed by the front pair; one winning a handicap off 86 next time, and the other placing second in a listed race. Nevertheless, though she was beaten ten lengths, she did keep on well for third. She was unable to build on this promise when last seen in early July finishing fifth in a Carlisle maiden; weakening late on to finish over six lengths behind the winner, but within a length of subsequent improver Maggie’s Delight. On bare form, Eclairant Le Monde’s mark of 67 is probably as good as she has shown, but it still holds up well on these terms and her pedigree suggests that she should make a juvenile hurdler. Champs Elysees has a solid winner-to-runner rate of 25.42% with half of his progeny matching or surpassing their flat ability over hurdles. Her dam Clemency won twice as a novice hurdler and is a half-sister to the high-class Elgin. Mystique Heights is another winner at 3/2, while Dodging Bullets can be found further back on the damline at 5/2. Moreover, the yard is currently enjoying a grand spell of form, with all but one of their eleven most recent runners placing first or second, including a double on Saturday’s card. Eclairant Le Monde’s profile ticks practically every box and the yard also has a good record when it comes to wind operations performed on their inmates. Whether she is willing to put herself into a driving finish remains to be seen, but she would still be entitled to every respect here. Strong prospects 1. The Churchill Lad 2. Eclairant Le Monde Feasible/ Moderate prospects 3. Octopus 4. Barneys Gift 5. Golden Ticket

Tomorrow's race probably won't be competitive, but it does feature the return of the Queen of the Summer... STRATFORD - 22nd August - Preview Stratford’s juvenile hurdles, the majority of which take place during the summer, are generally less competitive than the standard contest in the division with the average winner’s seasonal RPR of 113.13 being a near half-stone below par. Nevertheless, good juveniles have trod The Bard’s boards and this particular race is generally one of the better at the venue. Held every year between 2007 and 2015, before being resurrected for a two-division renewal last season, it has been taken by the likes of Wensleydale winner and Triumph fifth Leoncavallo in 2015, Prestbury winner and Finesse placed Simarian in 2008, while Architrave (winner in 2010) and Addosh (last year’s runner-up) would each land that decent juvenile contest at Market Rasen’s prelude meeting. This year’s renewal has attracted two previous course and distance winners and a Nigel Twiston-Davies newcomer; although one of those winners could make this contest look very uncompetitive. Though a sharp, left-handed circuit, dosage index figures from Stratford’s juvenile hurdles indicate that stamina is a useful asset at the venue as the mean winning DI of 1.20 is lower only at Cheltenham, Hexham and Chepstow. Jumping can be trickier than usual as the clear round rate of 95.36% is towards the lower quarter of British and Irish racecourses, and that figure drops to 93.47% for hurdling debutants. Experience is also valuable around Stratford as newcomers have an impact value of 0.58 since 2004/05. None of the five runner field are confirmed front-runners and the going was last reported to be Good, Good to Firm in places. The ground will be watered as necessary, although there is also a chance of light rain before racing. Mutara bg Sean Curran f8-0-3 (55) 62 j2-1-0 (-) 87 96 Muhaarar (Lucky Story){3-c}(0.78) 3/2 Ramonex 136 1st 2m3f Handicap Chase (120), Catterick 2018 Making his debut at Kempton in February, Mutara finished no better than midfield on his first three outings. However, in five flat outings since his switch to handicaps in early April, he has yet to finish outside of the first four. It should be noted that these performances came off mark decreasing from 55 and that the winners’ enclosure has thus far eluded him; but by the same token, he has been a consistent animal. He was doing his best work towards the finish when third over eleven furlongs at Windsor in early May and returning to the turf after a Wolverhampton fourth, would twice find only one too good. At Leicester, he was no match for a horse who recently completed a four-timer, and at Chepstow last month, was bested by another subsequent winner. Mutara did little wrong on either occasion and has little to answer for in terms of attitude. Prior to this campaign, Muhaarar had one winner from seven juveniles and the jumpers that appear on the damline prior to Ramonex at 3/2 have been poor. Sean Curran had winners in the division; albeit at a winner to runner rate of 9.09%. None had scored first time out, which afforded lowered expectations for Mutara on his hurdling debut at this track on the tenth of July. Starting at 15/2, having been as short as 9/2 om the ring, Mutara was keen early on, and his being badly balked at the first put paid to his confidence as he was big and ungainly over the remaining obstacles. Never out of the rear, or threatening to get involved in the contest, Mutara was eased on the run-in; finishing over fourteen lengths behind Mucuna. There was ample scope for Mutara to leave that debut performance well behind, and eighteen days later back at Stratford, he found an opportunity which was enhanced by the market leaders disappointing. Donning first time cheekpieces, Mutara’s leap at the first was big, slow and untidy, but though not a model of fluency, his subsequent untidiness was relatively minor and not to the detriment to his performance. He settled quite well and tracked the leader before taking the lead at the hill on the second circuit. While he was being driven all along the final bend, he did not concede the lead and though steep at the last, he got away from the flight quickly enough and forged ahead on the run in to win by a length and a quarter. The form has since been advertised by the second and fourth filling the first two places at Fontwell last week, although it should be noted that it was a poor contest where none of the principles jumped well. Nevertheless, it was an improvement on his debut effort in terms of fluency and there was little to fault in his attitude. Mutara can continue to progress, but he is meeting Mucuna on a pound worse terms than their first encounter and the former will need the latter to underperform placings are to be reversed. Mucuna bf Milton Harris f8-1-0 (49) 55 j5-4-1 (120) 93 111 Guiliani (Gold Away){14-b}(0.89) 2/1 Capellini 98 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (93), Plumpton 2013 Prior to his forced sabbatical, Milton Harris was no slouch when it came to juvenile hurdlers; saddling Modul to win the Grade 2 Summit and Finesse Hurdles in 2003/04 and subsequently guiding Gulf Punch (rated 45 and claimed for £5000), Pseudonym (also claimed for £5000), Rosie’s Glory (rated 60) and Moonfleet (rated 57) to the winners’ enclosure. Nevertheless, since his glorious return to the shores of Hoofiana, Harris has proven himself in no uncertain terms with an excellent winner to runner record of ten from twenty capped by last season’s hugely admirable Knight Salute. He started the current season as he ended the last by winning a juvenile hurdle at Aintree with the 49 rated Mucuna. During her first five outings, commencing last October, her best effort was a midfield finish in a mile Handicap at Kempton off 46. However, the switch to turf and a step up to ten furlongs saw her get off the mark at Salisbury back in April. She was unable to follow up in a couple of Bath handicaps off 50 during May, finishing fourth on both occasions, but it was apparent that the track did not see her to best effect. The switch to hurdling came at Aintree in the second juvenile of the season and while she was backed from 20/1 into 4/1 second favourite, this was not a clandestine move as there was plenty of evidence for a good showing in a weak race. Although her rating is a low one, Milton Harris, since his return, has trained Romeo’s Bond (55) to win, and Global Agreement (56) to place first time. Mucuna’s pedigree was also feasibly conducive as Guiliani (another first-season sire) is a nephew of Getaway and the damline contains winners Capellini (2/1), listed class handicapper Beringneyev (3/1), Mahogany Blaze (4/3) and Petit Mouchoir (5/5). Held up last of four, in a race ran at a galop comparable to the handicap on the card, Mucuna was novicey over the first three flights as she was steady and awkward over one and two and jumped left while leaving her hind legs in the third. Nevertheless, she was more fluent thereafter and though behind her two remaining rivals when turning for home, was close up and ultimately the last to come off the bridle. Despite being squeezed out at the final flight, she took the lead in a matter of strides and with the rail to help, ran out a decisive and enthusiastic three-length winner. All told, she did not have to improve on her flat form to land the spoils, but her willingness and proven hurdling ability did not go unnoticed. Mucuna returned to the track a week later at Market Rasen and, though very well supported ahead of her Aintree bow, the Market Rasen market was rather lukewarm on her chances as she drifted from a morning 6/4 to 11/4 at the off. Finding herself unsuited by how the race unfolded, and showing a tendency to jump across her hurdles, she ultimately disappointed with her four-and-a-half-length second. Mucuna returned to winning ways next time at Newton Abbot and while the habit of jumping across her hurdles was actually more pronounce, she often went markedly to her left which may indicate that she simply likes jumping toward the inner. The Newton Abbot contest was essentially a match between herself and Free Chakarte. Though the longer priced of the pair during the day’s exchanges, they were almost level at the off with Mucuna going off a fraction longer at 6/5. Still racing keenly on her third jumps outing in as many weeks, she was soon tracking the leader having initially raced third of four. Her hurdling was not wholly fluent as along with going to her left, she skewed at the first, was untidy at the second, tight at the fifth, big at the sixth and slow away from the last two. Despite these errors however, she was travelling best once the race was between the two principals within the microcosm of a Newton Abbot battle, Mucuna’s stamina edge (and possibly her rider’s allowance) told over her rival’s speed. Given how the race developed, it is to her credit that she was able to earn the victory and while it probably amounts to little, the race was the strongest in the division this term from a time perspective – at least up to the point of her Stratford outing on the tenth of July. Under a double penalty, she drifted from a morning 7/4 to start 5/2 favourite, but the price underestimated her prospects. Racing fairly keenly just behind the leaders, she was quite badly baulked at the first and third, but while fairly tight at the fifth and sixth, she lost very little momentum in the air. Mucuna was momentarily outpaced on the turn for home, but found a turn of foot which took her to the front approaching the last and although it could have been jumped cleaner, she was ridden out to ensure a decisive six-length victory. It was not the strongest summer juvenile of all time, but the form could hardly have worked out better in the context of this season with the second, third and fifth all winning next time out. Mucuna was last seen at Newton Abbot five weeks ago where she posted her most impressive effort to date. Though reopposing Free Chakarte on worse terms than their previous narrow encounter, and meeting what would have been an easy course and distance winner but for a late fall, Mucuna was backed from a morning 9/4 to start the 11/8 clear favourite. Racing enthusiastically behind her two market rivals, she went to her left at the second but was otherwise sound. Turning for home, as her rivals were hard at work, Mucuna was firmly on the bridle and she turned into the straight with a healthy advantage. While she dived at the penultimate hurdle and gave the last plenty of respect, her lead extended to twenty-two lengths at the line without any prompt from Bradley Harris. The runner-up ran below par next time, but based on her previous form, the ease with which she was beaten and the race’s sectionals, it would not be controversial to describe Mucuna’s performance as the best seen in the division to date. Unless there is a tactical catastrophe or any of her rivals improve significantly on their previous form, defeat for Mucuna should be able to put her superiority to good use in a contest where everything ought to suit. Flintstone chg Nigel Twiston-Davies f9-0-5 (63) 71 Starspangledbanner (First Samurai){19-e}(1.00) No jumps relatives A nine race maiden on the flat, Flintstone is set to be the first juvenile of the campaign for Nigel Twiston-Davies. The master of Grange Hill Farm does have a solid record in the division. He has handled the likes of Bristol de Mai, Torpillo and Mahogany Blaze, and his winner-to-runner rate of 31.82% is the strongest in the field. Twiston-Davies also fares well with his flat recruits, six of his twenty-seven won as juveniles, although only one managed to score first time. Ten seasons ago, the yard had a similar type in Golden Jubilee; Hannon trained mid-sixties performer with an American damline completely bereft of jumpers, carrying the same colours. Golden Jubilee got no further than the first in a Bangor juvenile before finishing well beaten at Warwick – although after a prolonged return to the flat, he did eventually manage to win a Sedgefield handicap off 92. The similarities diverge when it comes to their sires as while Golden Jubilee was Zavata’s one and only juvenile, Starspangledbanner has had eight to date with two finding the winners’ enclosure. Though Flintstone has not managed to win as of yet, he has generally been a fair and consistent sort. His two-year-old career, starting in May, consisted of three runs in as many months; all of which came at Newbury, none of which saw him get closer than twelve lengths to the winner. Following a break of nearly nine months, he returned in a mile handicap at Kempton where he finished a two length second off 64, looking one paced in the closing stages. Over the same trip at Chelmsford, he had to be rousted along for much of the contest before keeping on for a seven length third. The step up to ten furlongs only saw him finish sixth at Goodwood, but the form has worked out quite well for the level. Afterwards, he was given a gelding operation and a two month break and while he could only manage an eight length third at Leicester, the application of blinkers saw him turn in a career best performance at Kempton in early July. Racing over a mile off a mark of 62, he turned for home with all of the field to pass, but was vying for the lead inside the final hundred yards before going down by half a length. The form was boosted by the winner following up in two of his next three starts, but Flintstone did give the impression that he was not entirely committed to the battle. Eight days later, he returned to ten furlongs, racing off the same mark, for a Chepstow handicap in which he was the second favourite of four. Disputing the lead, he appeared to be travelling best in front at the distance but was unable to fend off a couple of rivals and would merely plug on for two and a quarter length third. The runner-up went one better next time, and there was slightly less of a quibble about Flintstone’s resolve. However, on account of his Kempton run, he is now on a BHA mark of 63 which is not obviously generous. Flintstone’s credentials are not without positives as his flat form is the strongest in the line-up, his sire has done respectably with his small legion in the sphere, and while the yard’s first-time record with flat recruits could be better, Twiston-Davies is four from nine with summer juveniles (although three of those wins belong to Goodbye Dancer in 2014). However, despite his fast finish at Kempton, that was in a strongly run contest so stamina is not assured at this point. Moreover, while he has been more or less consistent on the flat, his lesser efforts came on good-to-firm. Flintstone is not a hopeless recruit to the sphere, but there are enough caveats to prevent him from being a serious threat to an in-form Mucuna at the first time of asking. Ickytoo bf Jonathan Portman f6-0-0 (45) 48 Heeraat (Mark Of Esteem){1-g}(0.33) 0.5 Size Matters 78 4th 2m½f Novices’ Hurdle, Market Rasen 2019 Over the course of three outings either side of Christmas, Ickytoo has only once finished within twelve lengths of the winner. This instance came on her handicap debut two runs ago at Lingfield over a mile. Starting at 22/1 and racing off 46, Ickytoo was held up in the rear before making headway down the hill. Racing widest of all cost her a few places, but she managed to pass three beaten horses inside the final furlong to finish a four-length fifth of ten. However, she was unable to build on this promise over an additional two furlongs last week at Chelmsford, seldom threatening to get any closer than midfield. Switched to hurdling, she represents a yard with a 3.53% strike rate in the sphere and while Jonathan Portman saddled Minder to twice finish second at Stratford in the summer of 2009, he is winless from ten at the venue. Heeraat recently had his first winning juvenile in Rolypolymoly, and Mark Of Esteem has a 25.58% winner-to-runner rate as a damsire. However, Heeraat’s other five juveniles have failed to make the frame, and until reaching Master Finch and Ewar Chieftain (both 5/3), Ickytoo’s relatives on the damline have fared poorly over hurdles. Intriguing Lady bf Nigel Hawke f12-0-3 (50) 66 j3-0-2 (81) 61 69 Fascinating Rock (Invincible Spirit){9-e}(1.13) 2/1 Arthurian 87 1st 2m½f Juvenile Selling Hurdle, Stratford 2008 With twelve flat outings and three jumps starts to her name, Intriguing Lady is the most experienced runner set to face the starter. She was formerly trained by Mark Johnston who, since 2005, has been the most prolific supplier of juvenile hurdles with 212 former inmates of Kingsley House taking up the vocation. For context, Mick Channon is next on the list with just three others reaching triple digits. Of those 212, fifty were winners, giving a healthy rate of 23.58%, although less than a third would improve on what they had shown for Johnston. The latter factor would be a matter of concern for Intriguing Lady whose early promise was fleeting and has been supplanted by disappointment. Her debut came at Ayr last August where, sporting a hood, she finished second of four behind a fair and experienced rival and ahead of a pair that have subsequently achieved little. Running green and down the field on her next two starts, she posted her career best on her handicap debut in a seven-furlong Newcastle nursery in October off 65. She was arguably unlucky when sixth in a Chelmsford claimer on her seventh and final start as a two-year-old, but on her first four starts of 2022, finished last in a handicap, last in a claimer, third in a seller won by a 54 rated animal, then eighth of nine in a Southwell handicap. Intriguing Lady was last seen finishing midfield in a Wolverhampton handicap where, sporting her fourth form of headgear, refused to settle before weakening late on. After this final outing, Intriguing Lady went to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale where she commanded just £2,000. Such an appraisal is not inherently damning to a young hurdler’s prospects, however, as five of the thirty-four juveniles to have left Mark Johnston’s at public auction for less than £5,000 would be winners. Her new handler, Nigel Hawke, has a respectable record in the sphere with a 19.70% winner to runner rate that increases to 25.71% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success come from those from Jim Bolger’s with seven of the ten such horses winning. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 8%. Fascinating Rock’s record is below average by general standards with his sole winner from eight being the Joseph O’Brien trained Faron, and his clear round rate of 81.82% being low by any measure. Intriguing Lady’s uncle did win a juvenile hurdle, albeit a weak Stratford seller, and apart from minor winner Manjaam at 3/2, jumping prowess on the damline is negligible before reaching Mengli Khan at 4/2. Drifting from 9/1 to 14/1 at Hexham, all concerns manifested in the contest itself as she raced keenly, made errors at most flights before weakening tamely on leaving the back and finishing well beaten. Next time at Newton Abbot, Intriguing Lady was sent off the 20/1 outsider of the field but there was improvement from her Hexham showing. Held up in the rear, she settled much better and her jumping also saw significant improvement with her skewing over the second being the only error of note. Nevertheless, she was still treading water on the turn for home and but for her remaining rivals pulling themselves up after the penultimate flight mele, she may have finished last. In fairness, she was carried widest of all by the loose horse and though she had no chance with the winner and less chance with the would-be winner, she began to look one that could work with a reasonable mark. This fanciful notion was rather dampened on her return to Newton Abbot on the first of July as her 10/1 odds were made to look miniscule by Mucuna to the tune of fifty-three lengths. Never leaving the rear, her jumping was a mixed bag before a tired and untidy jump three out put an end to her futile pursuit of the leaders; although she did win the battle for third by a length. Intriguing Lady was subsequently given a mark of 81 which might be helpful in the long-run, but would be of no use to her here. tl;dr Mutara – Honest maiden on the flat at a modest level and hurdles debut was forgivable due to early interference. Returned to Stratford with a victory and though form is nothing special, a winner has come out of the race. Likeable sort and entitled to further improvement but has a lot to find with Mucuna. Mucuna – Won a low grade handicap but has been a revelation over hurdles. Has won four from five during the summer and is comfortably the best seen in the division to date. Holds very strong chance on paper and can only be undone by extreme tactics, massive underperformance or unexpected improvement from rivals. Flintstone – Maiden on flat but strongest form from that sphere. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ first juvenile of the season. Yard does well overall but flat recruits improve with experience. Potentials on breeding but may prefer softer ground and faces stiff task first time. Ickytoo – One run from six on the flat was not abysmal but still way short of what is required here. Sire and trainer are capable of getting winners but not habitually so and damline offers little encouragement. Intriguing Lady – Snippets of form for Mark Johnston but sold cheaply to trainer who does better with different type. Modicum of promise over hurdles but nowhere near enough to suggest she can make an impact here. Outstanding prospects 1. Mucuna Reasonable prospects . Feasible prospects 2. Mutara 3. Flintstone Moderate prospects . Negligible prospects 4. Intriguing Lady 5. Ickytoo

From the sublime to whatever this race is... Following a break of eighteen days, the juvenile hurdling division resumes at Fontwell for its first contest of the new campaign. While the West Sussex venue has been graced over the years by quality juveniles such as Goshen, Blazing Bailey and Nassalam, the nicest thing to be said of the immediate batch is that they are all probably lovely and well-loved horses. Those with hurdling experience bring form from moderate races, and the two newcomers are winless in fourteen outings with neither rated above 53. Though a sound representation of the adage “there’s a race for every horse”, said adage signifies that the race should be trappy if nothing else. Juvenile hurdles at Fontwell are typically contested over eighteen furlongs so the stamina demands will be higher than average, although not by any massive degree according to dosage indexes. Notwithstanding, with the clear round rate of 95.18% and completion rate of 83.73% being among the lowest in the country, the ability to jump and stay is still a useful attribute. Graffiti bg Gary Brown f8-0-0 (60) 70 j1-0-1 (-) 86 95 Sixties Icon (Excellent Art){A34}(0.82) 1/1 Banksy’s Art 100 3rd Juvenile Hurdle, Market Rasen 2018 The most accomplished hurdler on account of his Stratford second, Graffiti started off over a mile at Goodwood last September for Mick Channon. He then ran twice at Pontefract in the Autumn, finishing no nearer than eight lengths behind the winner in a pair of novice stakes. Following a winter break, he had a couple of spins on the all-weather in handicap company and while he finished last on each occasion, was at least able to finish closer. His initial mark of 71 was quite difficult to justify, and a return to the turf, drop to 67 and switch to Gary Brown’s failed to trigger a change in fortunes as he was tailed off at Pontefract over ten furlongs before looking decidedly slow over a mile when beating just one home at Newbury in June. Graffiti did shape as though he can get the trip over jumps and his full-brother, Banksy’s Art, managed to place third in a juvenile hurdle. Former inmates of Mick Channon’s have a solid winner-to-runner rate of 24.16%, although this drops to 19.09% when removing those who went to Sheena West; Banksy’s Art amongst them. Gary Brown himself had not enjoyed a winning juvenile from the nine he saddled since Hilali won Stratford in 2012, and the yard’s improvement rate of 16.67% is not encouraging. There was a distinct lack of confidence ahead of his Stratford bow, drifting to 25/1 from a morning show of 8s, and he hardly convinced in his temperament of jumping. Held up towards the rear, Graffiti took a keen hold as he hopped over his early hurdles, was tight and awkward at the fifth and missed the sixth. Though awkward again at the next, he did make headway over the hill and was on the leader’s quarters turning for home. From there, he looked a difficult ride under pressure and did not seem resolute on the run to the line, but while never looking to challenge the winner, he did finish five-and-a-half lengths clear of the remainder. The form looks to amount to little as the winner was a 55 rated flat horse who was well held on his debut, and the remainder were either poor or badly underperformed. Little enthusiasm can be garnered from the clock either with the winning time some seven seconds slower than that posted by a 104 handicapper on the card. Graffiti was given a spin on the flat five days ago in a twelve furlong Newbury handicap, but after again pulling in the rear found little when the race unfolded and was ultimately beaten twelve lengths. A recent spin is not particularly noteworthy for the trainer who is zero from twenty with runners returning within nine days. Graffiti’s performance at Stratford does entitle him to respect in this company by sheer virtue of it being the best on offer, and he is entitled to improve on that showing. Nevertheless, his overall profile in terms of ability, attitude and aptitude would not make him a safe conveyance. Mr Freedom bg Sheena West f7-0-0 (53) 57 Sixties Icon (Sayif){9-c}(0.52) 4/1 Zero 128 1st 2m3½f Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (112), Ascot 2007 As mentioned in Graffiti’s profile, juveniles that leave Mick Channon for Sheena West have a better record than those who go elsewhere and the same can be said for where Sheena West sources her juveniles. Her record for those from outside this connection reads as one winner from fourteen whereas those moving from West Ilsley to Falmer have an impressive winner-to-runner rate of 38.46%. Seven of these winners were rated 53 or less, which is encouraging for the latest to make that journey. Mr Freedom cost just £800 as a yearling, and after being beaten eleven lengths at Sandown on his debut last June, was beaten nineteen and fifteen lengths at Kempton and Salisbury before being put away for the winter. In May came his return in a Bath mile handicap off 59 for which he attracted outside support; starting at 10/1 having opened at twice the price in the morning. Pulling hard in the early stages, he struggled for room in the final couple of furlongs and though he only managed an eighth place finish, he was not given a vigorous ride in posting a new career best. He failed to build on that degree of promise in a similar contest at Ripon next time and while traffic issues were something of a feature, he had no such excuses when making no show whatsoever at Windsor next time. Given a two month break, a change of scenery, and a step up to a mile-and-a-half, Mr Freedom ran a considerably better race when returning to Windsor at the start of the month. Settling better on the prominent side of midfield, he was unable to accelerate with the principle as the race developed, but still ran on for a three-and-a-quarter length fourth of ten. Mr Freedom’s official mark is only the fifth highest in this field, but when taking latest efforts in isolation, his performance is within three pounds of the best on offer. His breeding offers mixed messages as the immediate damline is bereft of jumps experience until the winning novice handicapper Zero appears at 4/1, although the fourth dam also has another winner in Kristiansand and her next level of descendants includes the useful sorts London Prize and Categorical. The sire, Sixties Icon, has a fair winner-runner rate of 18.75%, but his overall record is the strongest in this field and his strike-rate before October is a healthy 33.33% Moreover, Sheena West has had three winning juveniles at Fontwell, including the 46 rated Feb Thirtyfirst, the 53 rated Hi Note, and the 52 rated Whipperway who scored on his hurdling debut. It is difficult to get excited by any 53 rated hurdling newcomer and the yard’s juveniles do generally improve for a run. Nevertheless, in this not particularly exciting race, Mr Freedom’s connections, pedigree and recent flat form affords him prospects that would normally be drowned out by more substantial profiles. Rogue Mission grg Milton Harris f5-1-1 (71) 70 j1-0-0 (-) 64 70 El Kabeir (Spinning World){2-d}(4.33) 2/1 Primus Inter Pares 107 1st 2m3f Handicap Chase (101), Catterick 2008 At the 2021 Tattersalls July Sale, Milton Harris walked away with four juvenile hurdlers for sums between fourteen and twenty thousand guineas. Three of these, Aliomaana, Genuflex and Knight Salute, would all find the winners’ enclosure with the latter named – incidentally the least expensive of the bunch – capping off a fantastic campaign with success in the Grade One Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. Returning to the well at this year’s sale, Mr Harris brought along a much thicker wallet, and left with five potential juveniles; three costing over fifty-five thousand guineas. The cheapest of the quintet this time around was Rogue Mission, who commanded a comparatively modest sum of fifteen thousand guineas. Gelded before his racecourse debut in early January, Rogue Mission’s five flat outings have all come at Lingfield, the first four under the care of Tom Clover. A steady 25/1 ahead of a ten furlong novice stakes, Rogue Mission dove out of stalls, took keen hold in rear and went nowhere under pressure; finishing a ten length seventh of eight. He reappeared three weeks later in an identical contest where he attracted outside support in the ring, shortening four points to 12/1 at the off. He started better on this occasion, although he did have another horse to bounce off when leaving the stalls. Still keen and held up towards the rear, he moved into a prominent position turning for home and although he took a while to gather himself under pressure, Rogue Mission was able to narrowly get the best of an honest battle inside the final half-furlong with the pair finishing a couple of lengths clear. The runner-up sadly lost his life next time out, although the third and fourth have each given the form a bit of substance in subsequent outings. Four weeks later, Rogue Mission was outclassed in a match race against a horse who had finished a length second to a subsequent listed winner before he made his handicap debut over ten furlongs back in May. Returning after a ten-week break off a mark of 71, Rogue Mission was friendless in the market and ran accordingly. Ridden from the stalls, he made a short lived effort while going wide on the home turn, but ultimately finished a near nine length seventh of eight. Tom Clover has previously supplied only one juvenile hurdler in the form of Appreciate; who incidentally also joined Milton Harris. Based on his four runs in the division, Appreciate looked harshly treated by his mark of 90, although he has gone on to land a four-timer this Summer. Rogue Mission’s damline largely consists of milers and three (at 3/2) who went over jumps fared poorly. Nevertheless, half-brother Rare Groove won over two miles on the flat and uncle Primus Inter Pares was a winning handicap chaser over the intermediate trip. These strands of stamina influence will have to offset the lack of same from first-crop stallion El Kabeir. From the Scat Daddy/Johannesburg line (which has enjoyed little success in the sphere), El Kabir was a graded – rather than top class – miler in America, and while his height of 16.1hh is adequate, his DI of 5.86 is a concern. Moreover, while Rogue Mission has form over ten furlongs, none of his races have been strongly run affairs. Uncharacteristically these days for a Milton Harris juvenile, Rogue Mission was unfancied ahead of his hurdles debut at Stratford, as he went from an opening show of 11/4 in the morning to 13/2 at the off. In the event, he settled well enough but tight jumps at the first couple of flights saw him expend energy getting away and slow, untidy jumps at the fifth and sixth had him struggling along the back. His pecking on landing at the penultimate flight saw that he was tailed off before the home turn from which he completed in his own time. Rogue Mission returned to Lingfield for a racing league contest where he started at 125/1 and never got involved; finishing thirteen lengths behind his much better fancied stablemate Postmark. The best of his flat form sets the standard here, but his latest efforts leave plenty to be desired. While entitled to improve in the long run, it is worth noting that each of the yard’s juveniles to have won on their second outings placed either first or second on their debuts. Boudica Warrior bf Amy Murphy f8-0-1 (59) 67 j1-0-1 (-) 69 74 War Command (Noverre){4-m}(2.67) 2/1 Rayhani 126 1st 2m Maiden Hurdle, Limerick 2010 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/boudica-warrior Beaten eighth of eleven on her racecourse debut at Chelmsford in December, Boudica Warrior was denied by just a length and a quarter the following month in a twelve furlong Wolverhampton maiden. Her second to the useful but quirky Charles St preceded her selling for £8,500 at the ThoroughBid January all-weather sale, although she would stay with Alice Haynes for her next three starts; the latter two seeing her beaten four lengths in handicaps off 62 and 60. From there, Boudica Warrior switched to Amy Murphy’s yard and her next three outings came in French claimers. At Vichy in May, she cut out most of the running over 2000m before being headed a furlong out and dropping to fourth. In early June, she tracked the leader at Saint-Cloud over 2800m before fading rapidly at the distance and three weeks later, on soft ground over a quarter mile shorter at Salon, again made most before struggling from the home turn. She was given a valeur of 27.0 which equates to the BHA mark of 59 brought to her hurdling debut at Uttoxeter nearly a month ago. On breeding, her hurdling credentials were fair-to-middling as sire War Command has had two winning juveniles from thirteen; albeit with a modest improvement rate of 22.22%, and while uncle Rayhani won a Limerick maiden hurdle, his two half-brothers achieved little in ten jumps outings between them. Amy Murphy does have five wins to her name in the sphere, although four of these came during the post-lockdown summer of 2020 where her yard was clearly ahead of the game. Boudica Warrior started the 22/1 outsider of five at Uttoxeter and her early jumping, skewed and trailed her legs through the first, skewing to the right at the third and hopping over the fourth, saw her pass the stands at the tail of the field. Though going left at the fifth, she was better at the next and turned into the straight looking a threat. However, the threat was short lived as she was awkward at three out and a steep and rather tired leap at the penultimate flight gave the initiative to the leading pair. A steady and laboured jump at the last betrayed her fatigue and she eventually trailed in a seventeen length third of four finishers. The form does not amount to much as while the winner was a fair second on his debut, his task was made easier by Free Chakarte’s underperformance and the time suggests nothing beyond the ordinary. Improvement can be expected but Boudica Warrior’s profile is not outstanding and her stamina is becoming increasingly dubious. Cailin Saoirse bf Alexandra Dunn f7-0-1 (48) 60 Bated Breath (Bahamian Bounty){14-a}(3.00) 3/2 Future Gold 75 5th 2m 4yo Maiden Hurdle, Cork 2020 Three efforts in Irish two-year-old maidens for Philip Byrne, where she finished no better than eighth or any closer than six lengths to the winner, earned Cailin Saoirse a stiff looking mark of 59. Returning in April at Navan, she was beaten by over ten lengths and the drop to 55 did see her finish in the first half of the field, although still beaten over twelve lengths. A further drop to 50 enabled her to finish a length-and-a-half fourth at Fairyhouse after which she joined Alexandra Dunn. Her UK debut came in a Ffos Lass 0-50 Classified Stakes last month over the longest trip she had encountered to date; an extended seven furlongs. There was enough support to send her off the 3/1 favourite of fourteen but she was unable to justify the gamble as while she travelled well and was in a decent position, she was too slow to challenge, ultimately finishing a three length third. Cailin Saoirse shaped as though a little further would suit and her dam did win over twelve furlongs, but stamina for hurdling is still far from assured. Moreover, there is no evidence of jumping ability on the damline and her new trainer has had just one winning juvenile from twenty-two. Lanfear bf Seamus Mullins f4-0-0 (46) 45 j1-0-0 (-) 11 Wings Of Eagles (Halling){9-f}(1.25) 2/1 Song Light 138 3rd Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (G3,130), Cheltenham 2016 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/lanfear There are elements within Lanfear’s profile which make her an interesting recruit to the division, although there are others which dispel enthusiasm. Her first trainer, Stéphane Wattel, was responsible for Burning Victory, although his other six exported juveniles failed to win. Wings Of Eagles has already had a winning hurdler in France and Lanfear herself is a niece of two capable hurdlers in Song Light and Jarlath. Seamus Mullins has had seven winning juveniles, although the winner-runner rate of 11.67% is below average. However, the biggest negative on Lanfear’s profile is everything she has done on the racecourse to date. Beaten twenty-nine and twenty-one lengths in a couple of appearances at Deauville last December, Lanfear would finish an eight length eighth on her UK debut at Kempton in March before making her opening mark of 48 look stiff to the tune of eleven lengths at Wolverhampton. Her starting price of 28/1 ahead of her jumps bow at Newton Abbot last month looked skinny beforehand, and while in fairness to her, she got over the first four flights alright, her hurdling deteriorated on the second circuit and she finished a tired ninety-five lengths behind the winner. Never No Trouble bf Donald McCain f9-0-3 (56) 62 j1-0-0 (-) 73 Time Test (New Approach){2-f}(0.82) 2/2 Perceus 115 1st Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, Uttoxeter 2015 The most experienced of these on the flat, Never No Trouble comes into this contest with nine runs from that sphere to her name. Five came as a two-year-old with the highlight being a half-length second in a Thirsk novice stakes over a mile in late August. This effort resulted in a mark of 67 which tumbled over her subsequent outings, the latest coming six weeks ago in a ten-furlong selling handicap at Ripon off 56. Attracting market interest for the first time in her career, she was sent off the 11/8 favourite having opened at 5/2 in the morning. Quick out of the traps, she was restrained to track the leader after a furlong before travelling smoothly into contention three furlongs from home. However, she did not find as much as she promised, ultimately splitting two older rivals of questionable professionalism. Nevertheless, this was just about Never No Trouble’s best performance since her Thirsk second and it was enough to see move from Adrian Nicholls’ to Donald McCain’s for £6,000. The two former Nicholls’ inmates to run in the sphere achieved very little in six outings between them, although five of the nine that McCain has bought out of a race have been winners. Most scored at a modest level although Collingham, who came out of a French claimer, was a decent horse last term. Donald McCain also has a strong overall record in the sphere with a healthy winner-to-runner rate of 30.09% and the yard has been in very decent form as of late. However, he is not as successful with those lowly rated on the flat with none of the nineteen rated 60 or lower scoring first time out, and just one from fifteen scoring on their second outing. Never No Trouble is one of three representing a first-crop sire; namely Dubawi’s son, Time Test. Winner of the York, Joel and Manhattan Stakes, Time Test is not the tallest and was untried over further than ten furlongs, but he is a nephew with the modest winning handicapper, Codeshare, with his third dam producing fair winners in Hue and Political Intrigue. From the family of Nashwan, Never No Trouble is herself a cousin of two winning jumpers in Perceus and Noble Behest, with the useful Seventh Sign appearing at 3/2. Stamina should not be an issue for Never No Trouble, and her feasible pedigree and capable handler afforded her some respect on her hurdling debut at Stratford three weeks ago. So much so that she was backed into 7/4 favouritism at the off having started the day at 4/1. However, having initially attempted to track the leaders, she skewed badly over the first three flights and passed the stands in midfield. Never No Trouble was slightly better at the next two and got to within a couple of lengths of the leaders before close jumps at the sixth and seventh saw her scrubbed along going over the hill. Though not quite detached, she was a beaten horse turning for home and a steep jump at the last proved decisive in the battle for a half-dozen length third placed finish. Never No Trouble should have learned from that outing and her overall profile is still one of the better ones in this contest. That her trainer has had a winner and a second in three juveniles at this venue is also encouraging. However, her travelling companion appears to have a strong chance on the same card and similar to Milton Harris, most of McCain’s second-time-out winners did so having ran well on their first outings – largely better than what Never No Trouble showed at Stratford when taking quality of form into account. Strong prospects 1. Mr Freedom Reasonable prospects 2. Never No Trouble 3. Graffiti Feasible prospects 4. Rogue Mission Moderate prospects 5. Boudica Warrior Negligible prospects 6. Lanfear 7. Cailin Saoirse

The first edition of my "Juvenile Prospects for 2022/23" is now in effect If you are on Twitter, you can bookmark it here;- https://twitter.com/HarchibaldS/status/1558501766873882627 But if you are not into that new fangled guff, here it is in full. Daddy Long Legs, Havaila, Kitesurfer, Losange Bleu (unlikely to be exported IMO), Jaitroplaclasse and Jourdefete will appear in the next update as will several others. If you have any other suggestions then let me know and I will try to include them. Thank you and enjoy Afadil bg Paul Nicholls f3-1-1 (37.5/82.5) 67 (Francis-Henri Graffard) Camelot (Invincible Spirit){11-g}(0.47) 2/1 Ashkazar 158 2nd Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle (L,135), Cheltenham 2008 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/afadil Since 2004/05, Paul Nicholls has enjoyed success aplenty with juvenile hurdlers acquired from the flat in France. Twenty-four of the forty-one such imports were winners during their first campaigns including the likes of Zarkandar, Pearl Swan and Pierrot Lunaire. There were also a couple of expensive purchases from the Arqana Summer Sale in the €200,000 Ranjaan, and the €380,000 Zubayr. The latter named would run in the Paul Vogt colours, as will the latest recruit Afadil, who fetched €255,000 at this year’s edition. He was formerly trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, whose four previous exports failed to win as juveniles, but do include Farout (a useful hurdler who won shortly after the end of his first season) and Teddy Blue (second in the Adonis Hurdle). Afadil’s racecourse debut came in a newcomers race at Chantilly in May over a mile on good-to-soft ground for which he started the 2.7 favourite of nine. Slowly away and looking conspicuously raw, he was soon racing prominently on the outside and still travelling well when asked for his effort at the distance. His response was not immediate and the winner was gone before the penny dropped, but he kept on to hold the remainder by a neck. Nothing of substance has emerged from the race thus far and the time was not as good as that posted in the fillies’ edition – albeit one won by a subsequent Group Three winner. Afadil was next seen in early June for a 1800m maiden at Compiegne where started second favourite. However, while looking a real threat in the straight having again raced prominently, found little in the final two furlongs and folded tamely to finish a nine length sixth. Ten days later, his sights were lowered as he stepped up in trip for a 2200m Craon maiden on good ground where he was able to justify 3.8 favouritism. Racing keenly while tracking the leaders, he made his move turning into the short straight and though he took his time working through the gears, he got to the front inside the final furlong to win going away by a length. He was given a valeur of 37.5 (82.5) on the back of these performances and shapes very much as one who can only improve. Without being the highest rated French import from the flat, plenty with similar ratings have reached the top in the division. Nevertheless, along with his size, scope and ability, the real intrigue lies in Afadil’s pedigree (which includes Ashkalani at 3/1). Aga Khan breds have a strong record as hurdlers and this damline is no exception, with one uncle Ashkazar finishing second in the 2008 Fred Winter, another, Ashkoul, finishing third in the Swinton, and the 1993 Triumph Hurdle heroine Shawiya appearing at 4/2. Sire Camelot is also capable of producing good juveniles as per Sir Erec, Gardens Of Babylon, and multiple winners Too Friendly and Volkovka. Justifying any six figure price tag is a tall order in juvenile hurdling, particularly in what may well be a strong season. All the same, Afadil’s profile is one which ticks all the right boxes and it would be no surprise to see him recoup a fair chunk of the outlay. Aviles bg Gary Moore j1-0-0 ? 103 (David Cottin) Saint des Saints (Kamsin){9-h}(0.45) 2/1 Adjali 139 2nd Finale Juvenile Hurdle (G1), Chepstow 2018 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/aviles In the same deal brokered by Nicolas Bertran de Balanda, Aviles kept Bo Zenith company when leaving David Cottin for Gary Moore. Like his travelling companion, Aviles also has a likeable pedigree. A son of that magnificent stallion Saint des Saints (Monmiral, Le Rocher, Fusil Raffles and many others), Aviles is the son of a fairly useful juvenile in Ava; herself a full sister to the talented juvenile Adjali. The rest of the damline is not quite as fleshed out as Bo Zenith’s, with a claiming class cousin being the other nearby winner. Nevertheless, the fourth dam did produce the Prix Leon Olry-Roederer winner Atamane as well as Acamani who finished third in Samum’s German Derby before placing over hurdles. His sole racecourse outing came at Bordeaux in the Prix de Bacalan on the first of April. The race carried less than half the purse of Auteuil’s similar contests, although it was taken last season by the champion three-year-old Kyrov. Starting the 5/2 favourite of seven, Aviles was sent on to make the running but, as per his rider’s comments, seemed rather ill at ease around Bordeaux. He was steady over his early flights and while he was better over the next four, was joined when making a mistake three out and headed shortly afterwards. Slightly short of room on the home turn, he hopped and reached over two out before leaving his hind legs in the last before finishing just over five and a half lengths behind in fourth. Aviles was not given the sternest of rides once the writing was on the wall and is probably better than the bare performance. There should be more to come and an ordinary race ought to be within his scope, although whether he plays a part in the better contests remains to be seen for now. Blueking d’Oroux bg Paul Nicholls j3-1-1 (68.5) 119 130 (Arnaud Chaille-Chaille) Jeu St Eloi (Blue Bresil){14-b}(1.00) 1/0 Belle du Bresil 58.0 4th Prix Wild Monarch (L,3yHF), Auteuil 2015 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/blueking-doroux Ex-French hurdlers who join Paul Nicholls as juveniles have a terrific winner to runner rate of 62.5%, with the likes of Far West, Sanctuaire and Monmiral among the many who moved to Ditcheat before the Summer. Thus far, the one horse who matches this description this season is the thrice raced Blueking d’Oroux. Sire Jeu St Eloi, a six race maiden over jumps, is now onto his third crop of jumpers and while he has yet to produce any superstars, his winner to runner rate of 33.33% is respectable. Blueking d’Oroux’s dam finished fourth in the Prix Wild Monarch (a listed contest for unraced hurdlers), although the remaining distaff side of the pedigree is rather threadbare as the next winning jumper, classy juvenile Petite Parisienne, appears at 4/2. Blueking d’Oroux was initially under the care of Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé, whose exported juveniles six winners from ten, including Djakadam, Charli Parcs, Dicosimo and, Diego du Charmil; the only previous Chaillé-Chaillé juvenile to join Paul Nicholls – incidentally for the same owner. Blueking d’Oroux began his career at Fontainebleau in mid-March, starting the race at 9/1. Prominent in the early stages before tucking in behind the leaders, he jumped well enough in the main save for steadying slightly at a couple. He was briefly outpaced after two out, but after being ridden into the last, where he reached for the flight, he landed in the lead and was ridden out to win by three-and-a-half lengths. The subsequent form of those in behind has been much of a muchness although the seventh did win a claimer easily next time out and fourth placed Castellet eventually ran second in a listed race. Taking a step up in class for the Prix Champaubert, he was sent off at just under 5/1 while receiving three kilos from Losange Bleu, and four from Whymper. Settled midfield and in touch, he posted another respectable round of hurdling, only slightly steadying at a couple along the back. He was close up and travelling well turning into the straight, but as much as he was in contention during the battle to the line and managed to get the better of Whymper in the final strides, he never looked like landing the decisive blow on the winner. The final of Blueking d’Oroux’s French outings came in the Prix Go Ahead, the first listed race of the season for experienced colts/geldings, and a contest from which Paul Nicholls sourced Sam Winner (2nd in 2010), Keltus (6th in 2013), Qualando (3rd in 2014), and Pic d’Orhy (1st in 2018). Though he was the only runner in the field introduced in a contest worth less than €20,000 to the winner, Blueking d’Oroux started the 2.8/1 second favourite of six. Tracking the leaders off a steady tempo, his early jumping was sound with only minor blemishes up to getting in close to the last in the back. He was outpaced on the turn for home and dropped to last when landing steeply at two out. Like the remainder of the tightly packed field, he had yet to be asked any serious questions approaching the last. However, an awkward, reaching jump put him at a distinct disadvantage on the sprint to the line, and he probably did well to go into fourth, three and a half lengths clear of the last pair. The form of the race has worked out well with the first and second confirming their places at the top of the division in the Prix Aguado, and the fourth an easy winner next time at Clairefontaine. Being bred to make a juvenile and having twice already met with defeat, Blueking d’Oroux could not be readily described as unexposed or scopey. Nevertheless, he mixed it with established, quality performers and given how the Prix Go Ahead unraveled, he may yet prove better than his bare form. As with in France, Blueking d’Oroux will likely find a few ahead of him by the end of the season, but he would still be the type to make an impact during the Autumn and early Winter. Blood Destiny chg Willie Mullins j1-0-1 118 130 (Gabriel Leenders) No Risk At All (High Yield){19-b}(0.33) 3/2 Blood Cotil 154 2nd Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2013 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/blood-destiny Willie Mullins has already amassed a sizable squadron for the upcoming juvenile division, although Blood Destiny is the only gelding with hurdles experience at this juncture. Second to Bo Zenith in the Prix Grandak, Blood Destiny represented a Gabriel Leenders yard that has exported Teahupoo and Kotmask in recent seasons, as well as Haut En Couleurs, Instit and Dandy Mag who all ended up at Closutton. A son of No Risk At All (Gumball, Risk and Roll, Grivetana), one half-sibling, Tadoussac, failed to build on a debut second at Dax while another was pulled up on his sole jumps outing. Cousin Reel Blood landed a weak claimer at Hyeres, but the damline does pick up afterwards. Blood Cotil, one of the stronger juveniles of 2012/13, appears at 3/2 alongside listed winning novices Cap Soleil and Prince Picard, Summary (3/3) and Astadame (3/4) were useful three-year-old jumpers while talented youngsters We Have A Dream and Saint Sam appear at 4/4. Starting the Prix Grandak at 18/1, Blood Destiny was held up and made trifling errors throughout; somewhat hopping over the first two, steep over the third, slightly steady at the fourth, hopping over the fifth and getting close at the last in the back. He was still towards the rear turning in but after an untidy jump two out, was able to make headway approaching the last before running on without threatening the winner. While Bo Zenith looked a class ahead first time out, Blood Destiny shaped as though he should find improvement for the experience. Bo Zenith bg Gary Moore j1-1-0 123 133 (David Cottin) Zarak (Presenting){1-n}(0.75) 1/0 Boreale du Berlais 68.0 2nd Prix d’Iena (L), Auteuil 2014 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/bo-zenith The fourth foal of the undefeated Arc winner Zarkava, and the first to see the racecourse, Zarak’s lofty expectations on breeding were exacerbated by his being a son of Dubawi. While Zarak failed to match the accomplishments of his parents, he was still a talented and versatile racehorse in his own right; finishing second in the Prix du Jockey Club ahead of landing a ten furlong Group Three at Meydan and the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud over a mile and a half. His stud career has gotten off to a healthy start, earning the mantle of Europe’s leading first crop sire by winners to runners. Accordingly, few of his first crop are bred for the jumps as they predominantly find themselves under the care of flat handlers. This is not to discount Zarak’s potential as a sire of jumpers, however. Although sons of Dubawi have a fairly modest record overall, Waldpark has begun to emerge as an exception and the credentials of Zarak are promising. Standing at a respectable 16h 1″, he had proven ability on soft ground over middle distances and, unlike many active sires, is related to several top class jumpers including Zarkandar (2/1) and Zarkali (3/1) as well as having Zaiyad (5/2) and Zanahiyr (5/4) showing further back on the damline. Zarak’s first winner over hurdles, Bo Zenith, is also bred in the purple, albeit of a more jumps oriented noble cloth. He is the first foal out of Boreale du Berlais, who closed a short career by twice finishing runner-up in a pair of listed three-year-old hurdles. Two of her half-sisters also had pattern form at three with Byzance du Berlais winning a listed handicap ahead of placing third in a Groupe I for four-year-olds, and Baronne du Berlais placing third in the listed Wild Monarch on her debut. Zarak’s granddam, Bonita du Berlais, won the listed Prix de Chambly at three and is a half-sister to that outstanding French juvenile, Bonito du Berlais, along with three other pattern class winners. The extended damline also includes Caid du Berlais, Mr Mole and Walk In The Park. Fetching €110,000 at Arqana last summer, Bo Zenith’s exalted pedigree saw him introduced in a debutants’ race with a an exalted history. The Prix Grandak has been the launchpad of domestic stars Saint des Saints, Bonito Du Berlais, Beaumec De Houelle, On The Go and Beaumec De Houelle, as well as talented exports in Frodon, Far West, We Have A Dream and Quel Destin. Last year’s edition saw David Cottin land a one-two with Porticello leading home Magistrato. He was singly represented this year by Bo Zenith who was sent off the 11/2 third favourite of eleven. Settling prominently, he led the pursuit of the runaway leader and was clear of the remainder turning into the straight. Shaken up after the penultimate flight, he moved smoothly into the lead before the last and was driven out to confirm his dominance by a comprehensive three and a half lengths. There was plenty to like about the way Bo Zenith went about things as he travelled comfortably throughout, responded well to pressure and posted a clean round of jumping with the only semblance of an error coming when he got in tight to the seventh. The winning time was some six seconds faster than the fillies’ equivalent of the contest, although it should be noted that the early pace was more substantial. Bo Zenith answered all that was posed to him in pleasing fashion and the form is taking a decent shape. With the runner-up joining Willie Mullins afterwards, only the third, fourth and fifth have been out since. Nevertheless, third placed David du Berlais won at Clairefontaine after the Prix Go Ahead and fourth placed Jolicouer du Gouet filled the same position in a solid Auteuil conditions event won by fifth placed Eden Bleu. Like last year’s winner Porticello, Bo Zenith has graduated David Cottin’s to join Gary Moore’s habitually strong juvenile squad and will run in the same colours. It is not difficult to envisage him keeping good company in the upcoming season. Cinsa bf Willie Mullins j1-0-0 106 114 (Jean Luc Pelletan) Tirwanako (Sholokhov){16-a}(1.22) 0.5 Dans Le Mil 57.0 2nd 3500m 3yo Conditions Hurdle, Cagnes-sur-Mer 2016 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/cinsa One of several ex-French fillies to join Willie Mullins, the pedigree of Cinsa is not something one would expect to find in an early season Auteuil debutant contest. Tirwanako has sired just one winning juvenile from ten in Britain and France in the shape of Aldopicgros; who collected his first win in a heavy ground handicap and his next two over intermediate distances. The dam was placed at four prior to producing a runner-up in a three-year-old contest at Cagnes-sur-Mer. She is also a sibling of minor winners Petrovski and Pantherus. Though far from an abhorrent pedigree, her starting at 105/1 for the Prix Geographie was understandable. Nevertheless, she was able to outrun her odds in finishing a twelve length fourth despite hopping over the fourth and ninth, and getting tight to the third and eighth. Racing quite keenly while tracking the leader, she was caught for toe on the home turn, but kept on at the one pace to finish within the bunch behind Lossiemouth. Cinsa was initially trained by Jean Luc Pelletan; whose twelve exports (from both codes) count amongst themselves eight winning juveniles including Blood Cotil, Chiaro, Pain au Chocolat and the aforementioned Aldopicgros. While perhaps not one for top honours even in her own yard, and probably more of a long term prospect, Cinsa has enough about her to be at least competitive in ordinary company. Gala Marceau bf Willie Mullins f4-0-2 (36.0/79.2) 74 j2-2-0 127 130 (Sylvain Dehez) Galiway (Kendargent){16-b}(0.67) 2/0 Avenue Marceau 70.0 3rd Prix Alain du Breil (G1,4yH), Auteuil 2009 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/gala-marceau Since 2004/05, Willie Mullins has taken care of forty juvenile hurdlers who started their hurdling careers in France. Half of these would win during their initial campaigns at Closutton; including Apple’s Jade, Footpad, Abbyssial and Bapaume, who did so at the highest level, and future Grade One chasers Djakadam, Twinlight and J’y Vole. Though the first leaf is still some way from turning, Mullins has taken charge of five ex-French three-year-old hurdlers but while three are still undefeated over jumps, it is Gala Marcaeu who looks just about the strongest and most forward at this juncture. Starting her career with Sylvain Dehez (whose sole exported juvenile was the talented but ill-fated Houx Gris), Gala Marceau first saw the racecourse last September in a 1400m Compiegne maiden. As per her starting price of 36/1, little was expected first time in a race won by the eventual French Guineas seventh and Prix de Sandringham third Sicilian Defence. Nevertheless, she emerged with more credit than her eighth place finish suggests as she was beaten just over two lengths despite conspicuous greenness and traffic issues. A month later at Nancy, she was beaten a similar margin when second to Godolphin’s Before Dawn prior to a lacklustre outing on the sand at Chantilly. Her two-year-old career concluded in November with her emphatically breaking her duck in a Le Croise-Laroche maiden on over 1800m on testing ground. The valeur of 36.0 alone would make her a fairly interesting recruit to hurdling as her pedigree affords healthy credentials for the sphere. Sire Galiway’s first two crops of juveniles saw five domestic winners from fifteen, and this is eclipsed by the accomplishments of last season’s top juvenile in Vauban. Gala Marceau’s damline is also thriving with capable young jumpers, starting with the dam herself, Alma Marceau, who landed Clairefontaine’s useful debutants contest, the Prix les Ouvres, Granddam, Avenue Marceau, won the listed Prix Sagan at three before finishing third in the Grade One Prix Alain du Breil. After placing third in the Grand Steeple-Chase d;Enghein, Avenue Marceau then produced Square Marceau (second in a 4yo Listed Chase), Villa Marceau (won a 3yo hurdle at Lyon) and Via Marceau (second in such a contest at Cagnes-sur-Mer). Gala Marceau’s introduction to hurdling came in the season’s first fillies’ juvenile; Compiegne’s Prix d’Essai des Pouliches. Not as prolific as the males’ counterpart when it comes to exports, Never Adapt and Madie du Ma being the most notable in recent years, A Mi Manera, Dallidas, Kada Rique and Caresse d’Estruval are some of the race’s stronger graduates. The yards of Nicolle, Macaire and Chaille-Chaille were represented in this year’s renewal, but the strength of Gala Marceau’s profile saw her start the race a respectable 6.2/1 shot. Held up towards the rear, Gala Marceau was travelling and jumping very comfortably from the outset, making smooth headway along the far side to leave the back just behind the leaders, and turn for home with a narrow lead. She was shaken up after the penultimate flight, and after reaching at the last – her only semblance of an error throughout, was driven to hold Macaire’s well-bred Panther du Berlais by a length and a quarter; the pair upwards of eighteen lengths clear of the remainder. The form immediately took a solid shape with the second and third winning valuable races next time, the fifth going on to be the leading early season filly by earnings, and seventh also scoring next at Nantes. Six weeks later, Gala Marceau took in the Listed Prix Girofla at Auteuil. The first pattern race of the season open to experienced juveniles, the Girofla was unsuccessfully contested by two future winning Mullins juveniles in Tarla and Adriana des Mottes, while Cambaceres heroine Chimere du Berlais finished third in the 2015 running, and the aforementioned Avenue Marceau landed the race in 2008. In her bid to emulate her grandmother, Gala Marceau would make the starting price of 3.9/1 third favourite of six look massive. Using near identical tactics from Compiegne, she was held up before making smooth progress along the back before entering the home turn with a narrow lead. By the time they reached the straight, she had effortlessly moved several lengths clear and after being ridden briefly after the last, would power home for a large looking eleven length success. Once again, save for trailing her hind legs a couple of times, Gala Marceau jumped extremely well and, through collateral form lines, posted the strongest performance from a filly during the Spring season. Given that Willie Mullins can invariably eke out further improvement from his French jumps recruits would make Gala Marceau a most intriguing recruit to the sphere. The only concern at this stage would be her unproven ability on good ground and there is insufficient evidence on breeding to dispel same. Nevertheless, an inability to race on top of the ground is equally unproven and there should be ample opportunity for Gala Marceau to make a real impact on the division this term. High Fibre bg Harry Fry f6-1-2 (89) 95 (Ralph Beckett) Vadamos (Sir Percy){14-a}(0.45) 2/1 Zanjabeel 142 1st Iroquois Stakes (G1), Percy Warner Park 2018 Last term, Vadamos, a 1.65 meter son of Monsun, made a promising start to his career as a jumps stallion with Black Sirius and Vadaly in France, and Calvados in Ireland. However, at the end of the season, his winner-to-runner rate was a less than inspiring 11.76%. With him now residing at Grange Stud, the hope is that his second crop can be one of redemption and many of those hope may hinge on the useful flat recruit, High Fibre. Formerly with Ralph Beckett, whose graduates’ winner rate of 28.57% is contrasted by an improvement rate of 24.44%, High Fibre’s official mark of 89 is in the 97th percentile of juvenile hurdlers. His career began in a six furlong Leicester maiden last June with a lacklustre effort. There was improvement in novice stakes at Newbury and Redcar and his form went to a new level following a near three month break and a switch to nurseries. Racing at York over a mile off 75, he was decidedly outpaced in the early stages, but finished strongest of them all despite traffic issues inside the final two furlongs to finish a near four length sixth of fourteen. High Fibre made good on this eyecatching performance at Newmarket in late October in a nine furlong nursery off the same mark. The 16/5 second favourite of nine, he travelled much more comfortably in midfield and after mounting his challenge at the distance, powered ahead of a strung out field to win by an emphatic five lengths. The subsequent form of the race has been much of a muchness but there was little denying his supremacy and he confirmed his ability on his seasonal reappearance back at Newmarket in April. Running off a revised mark of 85 in a ten-furlong handicap during the Craven meeting, he started the 4/1 joint second favourite. Racing prominently and travelling strongly, he pressed ahead at the distance and looked all over the winner at the furlong pole. However, he wandered under pressure and was ultimately caught by the narrowest margin in the final stride. The winner has not been out since but the third, two lengths behind, won next time at Newbury before finishing third in the King George V handicap at Royal Ascot. While he looked sure to progress had he stayed on the flat, that was his last race for Ralph Beckett. Three months after Newmarket, he was gelded and changed hands privately to join Harry Fry. The new trainer’s record in the sphere of three winners from sixteen juveniles is no better than fair, although he has handled useful sorts in Activial and Forever Blessed and High Fibre will be his highest rated flat recruit. In terms of breeding, the dam finished fourth in a Catterick fillies’ juvenile, but her half-brother Zanjabeel did win a three-year-old maiden hurdle at Punchestown before going on to land the Iroquois Stakes (a Grade One hurdle in America) and the fourth dam produced the decent hurdler Cotton Mill. Furthermore, Sir Percy is one of the finest sires of juveniles around and he is starting to get winners as a damsire. There are trifling concerns over the lack of motivation for keeping High Fibre on the flat a little longer but there are more positives than negatives overall and he would be another to keep an eye on over the coming months. Lossiemouth grf Willie Mullins j1-1-0 123 126 (Yannick Fouin) Great Pretender (Gentlewave){8-a}(0.44) 0.5 Springcroft 1st 3800m Mares’ Conditions Hurdle, Vitre 2019 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/lossiemouth Thirty-five minutes after the Prix Grandak field was sent on their way, the fillies equivilant took place. The Prix Geographie is less prolific than its counterpart for exporting juvenile hurdlers with only Adriana des Mottes (8th in 2013) and Missy Tata (5th in 2015) scoring abroad during their subsequent campaigns. Baie des Iles (6th in 2014) would eventually become a useful sort over fences while Chimere du Berlais, Carlita du Berlais and Ambroise did well domestically. This season’s renewal was taken by Lossiemouth, whose ten length margin is the widest seen in the contest since 2010. A daughter of Great Pretender (Ptit Zig, Box Office, Hacker des Places), Lossiemouth is out of a mare who won her sole hurdles outing in a minor Vitre event at the age of five. Her uncle, Lord Glitters, won the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, but real jumping form on the pedigree starts with the third dam who produced a fair handicapper in Glamour Glitters, and the dam of another useful type in Elenika. Prince Ali, winner of the 2017 Prix Alain du Briel, can be found back at 4/4. Sent off the near 6/1 third favourite, Lossiemouth led from the outset and travelled well throughout. Though ponderous approaching the second, her hurdling was also fluent until she veered left and reached at the last, leaving her hind legs in the flight and stumbling slightly. Lossiemouth was full of running with a few lengths in hand before her error, and after being regathered, was kept up to her work to run out by a cosy ten lengths. The winning time was some six seconds slower than the Grandak, although that race did have the benefit of a stronger tempo. As for the form, third placed South Lodge would finish second next time to Risk Belle (also joined Mullins), Cinsa in fourth is with Mullins, and fifth placed Rose Secrete was an eleven length second to Gala Marceau (with Mullins) in the Girofla. Lossiemouth herself has since joined Willie Mullins, becoming the fourth juvenile to move to Closutton having started with Yannick Fouin; after Koshari, Ria d’Etel and Gorgeous Sixty. Willie Mullins is no stranger to success with imported three-year-old jumping fillies, winning pattern class juveniles with Analifet, Gitane du Berlais and, most notably, Apple’s Jade. Lossiemouth still heads the primordial Triumph betting, although it is probably unknown where she stands in the pecking order of the undefeated Mullins imports, let alone those entering the sphere from other quarters. Nevertheless, she was still impressive in her sole outing to date, and her return will be something to look forward to in the Autumn. Mombasa grg Phillip Hobbs j2-2-0 (-) 121 123 (Francois Nicolle) Martaline (Coastal Path){4-i}(0.44) 1/0 Molly Has 59.0 1st 3400m 4yo Hurdle, Pompadour 2017 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/mombasa-225866 The Corinthian spirit which drives the exploits of David Maxwell is one which raises eyebrows in the modern game, although those with an appreciation of the sport’s heritage would probably be more inclined to wish him well. While he his time is more often spent around the hunter chase circuit, he is not a total stranger to the juvenile hurdling division. In February 2020 he guided Stratagem, a horse who accounted for Solo back in France, to victory in an uncompetitive Kelso juvenile. Stratagem made his debut in October whereas his latest recruit, Mombasa, started in May and in little over a fortnight, established himself as one of the most promising juveniles of the Spring season. He initially did his racing with his rider donning the dark blue and white of Genetique Obstacle; colours also carried by exported juveniles Magistrato, Hell Red, Nassalam and Tanganyika. The first three named all won on their British debuts whereas the latter was beaten on his sole outing at Haydock. Coincidentally, Tanganyika was the only one sold by public auction rather than through a private sale, fetching €40,000 at the same auction Mombasa pass a year later. Mombasa certainly has the genetics to make a strong juvenile hurdler, starting with his sire Martaline who produced We Have A Dream and Riviere d’Etel as exported talent as well as Chimere du Berlais, Beaumec de Houelle, Latino des Isles and, this seasons leading three-year-old, Losange Bleu. The damline is also rich in young jumping talent and though an exhaustive list would belabour the point, a sample of relatives includes her dam Molly Has (winner), granddam Monika (3rd Prix Sytaj), uncles Moises Has (1st Prix Renaud du Vivier), Mocalacato Has (3rd Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy), Mourinho has (1st Prix Paul’s Cray) auntie Momita Has (1st Prix Wild Monarch) and champion juvenile Theleme (5/5). Mombasa was introduced in a Class 2 conditions hurdle at La Teste de Buch on good to soft ground, where he started 4.9 second favourite behind another Francois Nicolle newcomer. Tracking the leader for the opening stages of the contest, he went into the lead after the eighth which he kept at least a share of into the straight. The race was taking a competitive shape on the run to the last, but Mombasa still travelled well within himself and after a neat jump at the last, went clear for a moment before a couple of rivals got to within a head at the line. His fast finishing stablemate probably would have won with a clearer passage, but the winning time compared favourably against the four-year-old hurdle on the card and the fifth placed finisher won a minor event next time out. Apart from being big and slow at the first and getting in close to the fourth, Mombasa jumped well for a debutant and was allowed to take his place in the listed Prix Stanley at Auteuil seventeen days later. The last pattern race of the Spring season, the Prix Stanley and has been won by the likes of exports Long Run, Twinlight and Temple Lord along with domestic stars in On The Go, Device, Le Grand Luce, Bonito du Berlais and Hippomene. Storm of Saintly, Master Dino, Hammersly Lake, Bertimont, Qualando and Adjali also count themselves amongst the former participants. Save for the Prix Go Ahead runner-up, Carlton du Berlais, this year’s renewal did not look the strongest beforehand with Mombasa being the only previous winner in the line-up, and only three of the field starting at single digit prices. Nevertheless, Mombasa could do little more than win and he did so in decisive style. Tucked in behind the leaders early on, he was restrained to the rear passing the stands first time. Making headway halfway along the back, he turned for home within a length of the leaders and jumped into the lead at the penultimate flight. Market rival Carlton du Berlais was travelling marginally better approaching the last, but a tremendous blunder gave Mombasa the clear initiative and though green under pressure, ran on strongly to beat Castellet by two-and-a-half lengths. The winning time was a second slower than the Prix d’Iena – the fillies’ equivalent of the race, but the comparative early paces and closing sectionals do give Mombasa the nod. Nevertheless, good as it looks on paper to win a listed hurdle on ones’ second outing, there are caveats to the form. The proven Carlton du Berlais patently ran below his best, racing unenthusiastically in the early stages and making a final flight blunder which drained all resolve. Moreover, runner-up Castellet (who was giving a kilo to Mombasa) certainly anchors the form as he had yet to run close to a mark of 120 in his four previous starts over hurdles. In fairness to Mombasa, he did jump well throughout and shaped as though further improvement is a given. Shortly afterwards, rather than go down the route of private sale, he was given a wild card entry to the Arqana Summer sale, at which he commanded a sum of €250,000. Ex-Francois Nicolle juveniles have a strong record in Britain and Ireland, with their 35.71% winner-to-runner rate spearheaded by Quilixios and Monmiral. However, these were also private purchases and while the Genetique Obstacle coincidence is easy to dismiss, the fact that none of those winners, including those knocked down for €320,000 (The Saint James), €185,000 (Box Office) and €90,000 (Dogon) found the winners’ enclosure. Moreover, new trainer Philip Hobbs has acquired five six-figure juveniles over the years and while three managed to win, none achieved an RPR exceeding 114. Three of his seven recruits from French hurdles, Chiaro, Pancake and Gumball, did score and his overall record in the sphere; namely a winner-to-runner rate of 45.78% and top talents in Detroit City and Defi du Seuil; is certainly commendable. Mombasa is a good jumper who can act on any ground and has further improvement in him . However, while definitely a welcome addition to the British rank, his being a lucky winner on each outing, including a moderate listed race, and the connections’ presumed reluctance to find a private buyer, does make him look rather expensive at this juncture. Postmark bg Milton Harris f8-2-1 (81+) 93 (Ralph Beckett) Postponed (Oasis Dream){4-r}(1.13) 0.5 Swordbill 107 3rd Introductory Juvenile Hurdle, Newcastle 2018 Since Milton Harris’ mandated sabbatical, his record in the sales ring has been nothing short of impressive. During the previous two seasons, six of his nine juvenile hurdlers bought at public auction would be winners during their first campaigns, accumulating fifteen wins between themselves. Moreover, none of these cost more than 27,000 guineas and the most accomplished of the bunch, Knight Salute, went for just 14,000 guineas. This remarkable eye has instilled confidence and this summer has seen a more expensive type of animal make their way to Sutton Veny. Along with those bought at the July Sale, there was also a £50,000 purchase from the weird and wonderful world of online auctions. Postmark was posted at the Thoroughbid Midsummer sale and it is an investment that has already paid dividends with success in a racing league contest on his stable debut. Previously with Ralph Beckett, he left a yard whose graduates have a healthy 28.57% winner-to-runner rate in the sphere. The improvement rate of 24.44% is less impressive, as per only two of the sixteen winners achieving an RPR exceeding 120. Nevertheless, there will be encouragement from the fact that Postmark has already improved since leaving Beckett, and that the sole previous juvenile to move between these yards was winning fully Galah; who will be sharing an owner with Postmark. A nephew of Leger runner-up Quiff and grandson of 1,000 Guineas winner Wince, Postmark was well backed ahead of his debut at Newbury in a mile novice stakes last October, but was too green to do himself justice and beat only two home. He was better when sixth next time in a similar race at Kempton and was a neck from reaching the frame in a Lingfield maiden on his final start at two. Gelded over the winter, his return came in a ten furlong Salisbury handicap off 76 where he started joint favourite, but was green under pressure in a muddling race where the field was covered by less than two lengths at the line. A bunched finish in a muddling affair was also the order of the day when fourth at Leicester over twelve furlongs next time, although there was no real excuse when filling the same position at Doncaster. A drop to a mile into a novice race, with the first-time application of blinkers, saw Postmark get off the mark at Ffos Las in early July on his final start for Ralph Beckett. Backed down from 11/1 to 17/2, he closely tracked the leader before moving alongside at the three marker. Though the first of the leading pair to come off the bridle and wandering slightly under pressure, Postmark did enough to win the battle with a bit more to spare than the length margin suggested. Shortly after moving to the West Country, Postmark put up much his best performance in a racing league handicap over ten furlongs at Lingfield. The blinkers eschewed for hood and tongue-tie, Postmark raced on the leader’s quarters and moved alongside on the turn for home before being pushed into the lead entering the straight. The race was soon put to bed, and Postmark needed only hands and heels to extend his lead to two-and-a-quarter lengths at the line. What makes this performance more impressive is that despite racing prominently, he still completed each of the final three furlongs faster than anything else in the field. There is probably more to come on the flat but he has been bought for juvenile hurdling and his breeding is not discouraging for that discipline. He will be a first-crop representative of Postponed; winner of the King George, Coronation Cup, International and Sheema Classic. His stallion, Dubawi has a solid record in the division with mixed success as a sire of juvenile sires. Postponed is a good size at 16.1½hh and has four cousins who won over hurdles. Postmark’s half-brother Swordbill placed third in an introductory juvenile at Newcastle, his uncle Total Command won a maiden hurdle in America, and further back on the damline are last season’s useful juvenile, Forever Blessed (2/3), Scottish Champion Hurdle winner Ulundi (3/1) and the classy but ill-fated master Dino (4/3). Not yet the finished article, Postmark has already shown a blend of speed and stamina that will serve him well in the division. With plenty of evidence in the pedigree to suggest that recent improvement can be carried over hurdles, Postmark will be an intriguing case study of what his astute trainer can accomplish with a pricier acquisition. Risk Belle bf Willie Mullins j2-2-0 113 124 (Jerome Delaunay) No Risk At All (Network){4-n}(0.23) 1/0 Belle du Berry 65.0 1st 4100m Grand Steeple Chase de Lyon (L,61.0), Lyon 2016 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/risk-belle Willie Mullins is putting together an intimidating array of juvenile fillies for the upcoming season, although for all that she won on both hurdles starts during the spring, Risk Belle is most likely to make a chaser on breeding. Sire No Risk At All is no slouch when it comes to juveniles (Gumball, Risk And Roll in Britain, Aterisk and La Manigance in France), although his stock are not precocious as a rule. Risk Belle’s dam, Grand Steeple Chase de Lyon winner Belle du Berry, is a half-sister to Utopie des Bordes, Darling des Bordes, Victoire des Borde and Quenta des Bordes; all winners over fences. Nevertheless, these all performed well at a young age in keeping with the legacy of third dam Gamine Royale, who won the Prix Sagan in 1997. In late March, Risk Belle made her debut in the first running of a thirteen runner newcomers race at Nantes for which she was roughly a 13/2 chance. Setting off in a prominent position before dropping nearer to midfield, she put in a good round of jumping and rejoined the vanguard when leaving the back. Travelling strongly, she jumped the last half-a-length behind the leader, but was the more straightforward under pressure on the run-in; ultimately prevailing by a length. Though not the most fashionable newcomers’ race of the early season, the winning time was strong compared to that set by the four-year-olds half an hour later and the form has taken a solid shape for the level; with the runner-up filling the same position at Nantes and Compiegne, and the third winning next time at Moulins. Risk Belle’s second appearance came six weeks later in the Prix du Nivernais at Auteuil on very soft ground. A conditions hurdles for fillies ran over 3000m, it was won by subsequent Mullins chasers in Gitane du Berlais (2013) and Elimay (2017), while other future chasing exports Salsaretta, Baie des Iles and Pepite Rose have been participants. Carrying top weight and sent off the 5.1 second favourite of eight, she was kept towards the rear off a steady gallop before making headway on the turn for home. Travelling smoothly into the lead approaching the last, she was asked to assert leaving the flight and responded in the affirmative, pulling away to win by three and a half lengths. Apart from stumbling slightly after the seventh and skewing over the last, she gave another fluent round of jumping and there was plenty to like about the way she travelled and responded to pressure. The subsequent form has not been tested, and a strict reading of the Prix Geographie form places Risk Belle behind Lossiemouth. There is also the impression that Risk Belle will find her best successes on soft ground and/or over fences, but she would still be one to look forward to during her initial campaign. Scriptwriter bg Milton Harris f4-1-0 (102) 101 (Aiden O’Brien) Churchill (Pivotal){6-e}(0.86) 2/1 Persian Warrior 121 1st 2m Novice Hurdle, Stratford 2009 At the 2021 Tattersalls July Sale, Milton Harris walked away with four juvenile hurdlers for sums between fourteen and twenty thousand guineas. Three of these, Aliomaana, Genuflex and Knight Salute, would all find the winners’ enclosure with the latter named – incidentally the least expensive of the bunch – capping off a fantastic campaign with success in the Grade One Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. Returning to the well at this year’s sale, Mr Harris brought along a much thicker wallet, and left with five potential juveniles; three costing over fifty-five thousand guineas which far exceeds the previous high of twenty-seven thousand guineas exchanged for Pyramid Place in 2020. Since returning from his hiatus, Milton Harris has had tremendous success with relatively inexpensive auction buys, as per their 60% winner-to-runner rate, so it is highly intriguing to see how he fares with pricier types. Scriptwriter, the most expensive of his July sale recruits, came from an Aiden O’Brien whose stock seldom carry their flat ability over hurdles. Since 2004, only two of the sixteen ex-Ballydoyle juveniles (Sardinia and HMS Seahorse – both joining Paul Nolan) would win in the division, with six of the winless juveniles rated 83 or above – including Table Mountain who cost 200,000 guineas in 2010. Scriptwriter’s debut came in a Curragh maiden last August, the same event used to introduce Wichita and Circus Maximus. He was the mount of Ryan Moore and started the shorter price of two Ballydoyle newcomers at 4/1. He raced prominently before fading into a three length sixth inside the final furlong. No classic horses finished ahead of him, but he did split a pair of next time out winners, with the one behind subsequently finishing second in a Listed race at Dundalk. He got off the mark in a mid-September Gowran maiden when the 11/8 favourite. Tracking the leaders, he was outpaced distance and ran green under pressure before running on strongly to lead close home. The form has not been strong with only two winners in behind; the fourth landing a Dundalk maiden, and the sixth taking a Limerick handicap off 73. His two-year-old season ended with a fifth in Newmarket’s Autumn Stakes for which he was sent off at 14/1. Racing in mid division he was green in dip, but kept on for a six length fifth of ten. Winner Coroebus was a class apart from his rivals, but Scriptwriter was able to get within a length and a quarter of Aikjal (won Group Three International), while finishing a neck ahead of Alflaila (won Listed Pomfret Stakes) and another head in front of Lingfield Derby Trial winner, United Nations. Scriptwriter returned in the Ballysax in which he was the Ballydoyle second string. Held up, he made some headway home turn and kept on in the straight without ever looking a threat. The front pair, headed by Piz Badile, were well clear, but Scriptwriter was only a neck behind Dante third Bluegrass and upwards of five lengths ahead of useful handicap sorts. Overall, the level of form shown on the flat by Scriptwriter is perhaps marginally better than his official rating of 102, which itself would put Scriptwriter within the 99.65% percentile of rated juvenile hurdlers. Scriptwriter will be representing first-season jumps sire Churchill who is, as of yet, completely untested over hurdles. Winner of the National and Dewhurst stakes at two before landing the English and Irish Guineas double, Churchill did finish second in the International but was not wholly proven beyond a mile. While he is out of Galileo, the damline is not entirely conducive to stamina, with full-sister Clemmie restricted to eight furlongs, and granddam Airwave being a very fast mare. Nevertheless, Churchill’s full-brother Blenheim Palace stayed at least eleven furlongs, and his height of 16.2hh and overall class will be positives in this endeavour. Scriptwriter’s damline is not outstanding insofar as jumps prospects go, but there is evidence of ability as half-brother Saeer has placed over hurdles, uncle Persian Warrior won a Stratford novice, and the talented Grumeti appears at 4/3. Given the patchy record of those that Coolmore do not keep within the family for hurdling campaigns, enthusiasm for Scriptwriter is somewhat tempered. Nevertheless, with his highly credible flat ability, feasible pedigree and the tutelage of a trainer who has done wonders with less fashionable types, Scriptwriter would undoubtedly be an intriguing prospect for the upcoming season. Soleil de Cannes chg Iain Jardine f1-0-0 38 j2-0-1 89 92 (David Windrif) Quick Martin (Alhaarth){1-l}(0.60) 0.5 Carlain 67.0 3rd Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (G1,4yC), Auteuil 2012 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/soleil-de-cannes Making his racecourse bow on the all-weather at Chantilly in February, Soleil de Cannes was slow away and lacked the pace to pass any rival before finishing tailed off. Three weeks later, he took in the division’s curtain raiser, the Prix d’Essai des Poulains, at Compiegne. His starting price of 77/1 reflected his form and profile, although his pedigree is more befitting of a jumper. First crop sire Quick Martin’s career highlight was a second in a four-year-old conditions hurdle at Auteuil, although he is a half-brother to smart sorts Oklahoma Seven and Sierra Nevada. In one of breeding’s oddities, the distaff side is actually more compelling as Soleil de Cannes’ half-brother, Carlain, finished third in the Champion Chase for four-year-olds while uncle Honneur Au Roi won listed chase for four-year-olds at Enghien. In his Compiegne bow, Soleil de Cannes finishing a near forty length eleventh was in keeping with his starting price. Racing just behind the leaders, he was slow and awkward at times and while he was still in contention leaving the back, was badly outpaced when the race developed before being allowed to come home in his own time. Gelded afterwards, he returned to Compiegne at the end of March in calmer waters for a claiming hurdle. A 14/1 shot in a field of seven, he was held up in touch but still given to big and slow jumps throughout his round. He found himself outpaced once again but managed to improve from sixth to second between the final two flights before finishing four lengths clear of the remainder without posing the remotest threat to the winner. After the race, Soleil de Cannes was claimed for €23,506 by Tobias Jones to join an as yet unnamed British trainer. Those brought out of French jumps claimers have a perfectly respectable winner to runner rate of 25.64%, and former trainer David Windrif has been responsible for four exported juveniles including the winner Un Guet Apens. Soleil de Cannes’ form is difficult to rate much higher than 90 at this juncture, although the claimer was given something of a boost when the fourth placed Jeu Tentant won a Fontainebleau claimer next time. There may be a moderate enough race for him during the early season, although he shapes as though likely to eventually do better in handicaps over further. Spartan Army bc Alan King f3-1-1 (87) 91 (Joseph O’Brien) Highland Reel (Nayef){1-l}(0.82) 2/1 Gold Award 128 1st 2m4f Handicap Hurdle (117), Ffos Las 2010 When it comes to British trainers and juvenile hurdlers, Alan King is right at the very top. Since 2004/05, he leads the charge by winners alone, standing at 111, and despite the sheer numbers, his improvement rate of 50.60% is stronger than that of Nicholls, Henderson, Moore, Pipe, Hobbs and McCain. His aptitude at every level does not dissipate on the biggest stages as the likes of Katchit, Walkon, Grumeti, Penzance, Blazing Bailey and many others will attest. Indeed, Alan King’s skillset is such that he is also enjoying success on the flat. As such, while it was once a given that the three-year-olds under his care were juvenile hurdlers in waiting, the winter plans of Barbury Castle youngsters is less clear-cut nowadays. Notwithstanding, recent acquisition Spartan Army is now the second highest rated three-year-old in the yard and he ls looking likely to head over hurdles this term. Intriguingly, he is only the fourth Alan King recruit to fetch six figures at auction (after Duroble Man, Pur de Sivola and Grumeti) and his commanding 170,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July sale will make him the most expensive juvenile to join the team. Previously with Joseph O’Brien, Spartan Army was introduced in a nine furlong backend maiden at the Curragh where he started the shorter than his two stablemates but was not forward enough to do himself justice. That was the last seen of him until he reappeared at Sligo in mid-May for a ten furlong maiden. Held up towards the rear off a sedate tempo, he still had plenty to do leaving the back and while he made good headway racing wide along the sweeping turn, was unable to catch the winner but only missed second by a neck having fared best of those who came from behind. This promise was confirmed a month later at Down Royal where he wore a first-time tongue tie and started the 6/4 favourite of eight. Helping to force a solid gallop, he was ridden at the distance but kept on strongly to avenge the Sligo runner-up and pull upwards of three-and-a-half lengths clear of a strung out field. While the second was denied by a head at Dundalk next time, then a neck in a Down Royal handicap off 72, it is difficult to make too much of the form. Nevertheless, a mark in the high eighties would still be a fair evaluation and given his inexperience, it can be assumed that more is to come. There can be a degree of caution when it comes to those let go by Joseph O’Brien as of the eighteen to have left Owning Hill, just two would win as juveniles. Nevertheless, the most expensive of those prior to Spartan Army, Needs To Be Seen, did manage to win, and with his price removed, the average fee was approximately £16,000. As such, Spartan Army might be regarded more as something sold with prospects in an alternative environment, rather than “surplus stock”; particularly as he was running for Qatar as opposed to Coolmore and its relative bodies. Sales theories aside, there will be few concerns regarding the pedigree. First-crop sire Highland Reel is not the tallest stallion, but his stamina and class give him solid credentials and his early juveniles could hardly have started better; winning the first race of the British season at Hexham, and filling the first three places in Ireland’s curtain raiser at Tipperary. Half-brother Leopolds Rock got off the mark this summer, uncle Gold Award was a useful hurdler and among his cousins are Scottish Champion Hurdler Border Castle, multiple winner Moidore, the fairly useful Hunting Tower and the dam of one of last season’s best juveniles, Pied Piper. The third dam also has jumps winners in Versatile and Tissisat, while Chief Yeoman (4/4) and Sky Khan (4/5) appear further back on the damline. Very little is predictable at this stage of the season, but it can reasonably assumed that Alan King will have several decent juveniles and while more might find their way to Barbury Castle over the coming months, Spartan Army’s class, pedigree and physical build make him a lively contender to be the stable’s flag bearer. Zarak The Brave bc Willie Mullins f5-1-3 (40.0/88) 99 (Stéphane Wattel) Zarak (Boris de Deauville){4-i}(1.55) 1/0 Tempo Royale 57.0 1st 3600m 3yo Fillies’ Hurdle, Saint-Brieuc 2014 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/zarak-the-brave Willie Mullins is clearly taking the upcoming juvenile season seriously, as per his triumvirate of undefeated hurdling fillies, although he also does exceptionally well with French recruits from the flat. Since 2011, he has had fifteen winners from twenty-five with such recruits, including Triumph winners Vauban and Burning Victory, along with other Grade One winners Diakali and Petite Parisienne to go with emerging talents in Saldier, Ivan Grozny and Echoes In Rain. The Arqana Sales have been a fruitful foraging ground for the master of Closutton with the aforementioned Diakali and Petite Parisienne emerging from that ring along with four additional winners. At the Grand Steeple edition of the sale in late May, €200,000 was ceded in exchange for Zarak The Brave – making him the join most expensive purchase for Mullins alongside Tax For Max. Initially with Stéphane Wattel, whose only other sale to the yard Burning Victory, Zarak The Brave has amassed a win and three placings from five starts. His first outing came in a 1900m newcomers race at Deauville last November where he was the 6.9 second favourite of twelve. Held up towards the rear off a steady early gallop, he made headway on the outside turning for home and while too green to catch the front pair, was not given a harsh ride as he led the remainder home by upwards of a length. Three months later, he appeared in a Chantilly maiden over the same trip and was again given a kind ride to finish a one paced fourth, some eight lengths behind subsequent Group Three winner Junko. The following month, Zarak The Brave made his turf debut at Le Croise Laroche for a 2500m maiden for which he started 2.4 favourite of eleven. This time, he was ridden with more purpose and was leading the field going into the first turn. The pace was a sound one and he was the last one on the bridle rounding the final bend whereafter he was shaken up to quickly pull half-a-dozen lengths clear before cruising home seven lengths clear of his rivals. The form of a maiden worth €9,500 to the winner would not amount to much but it was the fastest of the five races held at the distance on the card and the runner-up did score at Nantes next time. Furthermore, the manner of the victory was enough to see him in a Class 2 conditions race over 2400m at Chantilly four weeks later, for which he started the 2.7 favourite. Initially tracking the leader, he dropped back after a few furlongs and was still bringing up the rear turning into the three furlong straight. Shaken up, he made headway to get himself into contention at the distance and had a narrow lead a furlong from home, but would lose two positions in the closing stages without appearing to give his best. Gameness notwithstanding, the form is difficult to crab as the front pair maintained their efforts in similar company while finishing eight lengths clear of the rest. Zarak The Brave was last seen at Angers in early May in a valuable 2300m contest for the venue and he went off favourite at 2.6. Last out of the stalls, he pulled himself to the front by the time they passed the stands first time although he did not tear himself away from the pack. He was challenged at the distance and once again, his head carriage was not entirely pleasing; going down by three quarters of a length in a bunch finish. Nevertheless, the form still measures up as the winner (receiving some three pounds) was third off 40 (88) next time and the third (also receiving three pounds) subsequently finished second in a Quinte handicap off 37.5 (82.5). Accordingly, while the RPR of 99 for the Chantilly third looks flattering, Zarak The Brave’s official valeur of 40 is in keeping with his ability and is enough for a decent juvenile recruit. Insofar as breeding is concerned, the credentials of Zarak, have been covered in Bo Zenith’s profile, appear to lend themselves well for the division. There are no stars on the immediate damline, but the dam herself did win as a juvenile filly and his half-sister, Syncopation, won over hurdles at four. Two uncles were placed over hurdles in modest company and the fourth dam produced Tilleul who won the Prix Finot in 1992. Overall, Zarak The Brave has plenty going for him in terms of stamina, ability, how he was sourced, the trainer he has joined and his pedigree so a good campaign would come as no surprise whatsoever. However, his questionable attitude does temper confidence and even if a gelding operation might rectify things, Vauban (the horse he will attempt to emulate) did have a stronger profile at this juncture.

Strap yourselves in... To mark an eighteen day break for the juvenile hurdlers, we are in for a real treat tomorrow. Guaranteed to be best three-runner summer juvenile held for at least twenty years! Market Rasen - 30th July - Preview Since the 2004/05 season, there have been twenty instances of three-runner juvenile hurdles held in Britain and Ireland. Amongst the sixty participants who constitute such novel events are the Grade One winners Footpad and Balder Succes, Grade Two winners Navajo Pass and Far West, and Grade Three winner Gewncily Berbas who, incidentally, also beat his two other rivals in the Grade Two Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse in 2015. With the withdrawal of Rolypolymoly, Market Rasen is set to host the first three-runner juvenile hurdle to have been held in the summer during this time period. On paper, the race looks like a match although with the two principals demonstrating questionable attitudes, it could also be of interest to those who subscribe to that wives tale about the outsider of three. A sharp, largely flat and right-handed track the course’s winning DIs of 1.28 median, 1.69 mean, are amongst the ten highest in the country although the completion rate of 84% is in the lower third. Notwithstanding, the ground is currently described as good and while rain is forecast overnight, that none of the three runners are known to set the pace means stamina demands should not be too exacting. Captain Square chg Tom Lacey f6-0-2 (69) 74 j2-1-1 (103) 85 97 Sir Percy (Duke Of Marmalade){1-m}(0.33) 3/1 Overturn 167 2nd Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham 2012 By Sir Percy (Knight Salute, Parliament Hill, winner-to-runner rate of 33.33%) and from the family of Chocala (2/1), Fisher Bridge (3/1) and Overturn (3/1), Captain Square probably has the most interesting and complete pedigree seen in the division this season. Moreover, while he was a six-race maiden on the flat for Andrew Balding, his official rating 69 is the highest brought into the race. His first three outings all came over seven furlongs last July where he followed a midfield finish at Sandown (behind recent Thoroughbred Stakes third Sonny Liston) with third (behind 1000 Guineas runner-up Prosperous Voyage) and fourth (behind Royal Lodge winner Royal Patronage) place finishes at Epsom. Captain Square got no closer five lengths to the aforementioned, but he did shape as though further would suit and his allotted mark of 72 was not unduly harsh. However, following an eight month break and a gelding operation, this potential did not play out in practice as Captain Square failed to make any real impression in a pair of twelve furlong handicaps in April. At Southwell, he failed to settle in a falsely run contest, but had no such excuse next time at Lingfield where he beat only one home. Captain Sqaure’s sights were lowered for his return to turf at Leicester and while all but one of his rivals were rated higher, his receiving weight all round and being much the least exposed saw him sent off the even money favourite. However, he failed to settle once again and although he led momentarily at the distance, was clear second best on the day. Following the race, Captain Square was claimed for £12,000 to join a Tom Lacey yard which, prior to Newton Abbot, was two winners from ten in the sphere; both scoring at the first time of asking. Andrew Balding has supplied 108 juveniles to the division since 2004/05 and twenty of those were winners; including the likes of Knight Salute, Hollow Tree and Flaxen Flare. The improvement rare of 22.78% is a low one and of the six previous juveniles who were bought out of selling and claiming races, not one win was achieved from their twenty-eight runs combined. This dire record was ended by Captain Square when he made a successful start to his new career at Newton Abbot nearly three weeks ago; albeit in most fortuitous circumstances. Not without supporters, he started the day as 6/5 favourite and while a plunge horse forced him out, he was still solid in the market; starting the race as 2/1 second favourite. Taking a keen hold just behind the vanguard, there was room for improvement in his jumping as he was low at the first, went left at the third, hopped over the fourth and skewed over the next. As the field left the back second time, Captain Square was the only one to just about keep tabs on the near-certain winner who led him by around four lengths when leaving him in a clear lead at the penultimate flight. Ponderous in his own company, he had to be chivvied along on the run to the last where he was ponderous. Nevertheless, he was so far clear that nothing more was asked of him as he coasted home by fifteen lengths. Given how the contest developed and how Captain Square closed out the race, it is improbable that he would have fared better than second had the leader maintained verticality. The winning time was modest and the would-be-winner was well beaten next time out. Captain Square’s second jumps outing came three weeks ago in a much more competitive contest at Stratford where he was sent off the 7/2 joint third-favourite. Tucking in behind the leaders and racing with enthusiasm, his hurdling was cleaner and more assured than on his debut. Going over the hill on the far side, he moved into a share of the lead although he was caught flat footed turning for home. Moreover, though he traded at less than his starting price in-running, he did not finish with any particular potency as he was relegated to fourth on the run-in before recapturing third from a beaten rival at the line; a finish which could have indicated a lack of pace, a lack of resolve, or both. Given that this is a three-runner contest for inexperienced riders that could be ran in a muddling fashion on a speed favouring track, neither possibility would bode well in these conditions. Nevertheless, the race has since produced three wins and a third (behind one of the winners) from the four subsequent runs which is difficult to ignore – even if this Summer’s juveniles have been a moderate bunch. In terms of breeding, experience and form under both codes, Captain Square has the strongest chance and the yard is enjoying a decent spell of form. Lack of pace and possible resolve are matters of obvious concerns in these circumstances, but perhaps if young Finn Lambert is able to take the initiative and not get into a dogfight (although he has won in close finishes during his short career), then Captain Square could be the master of his own destiny. Anger Management bg John Ryan f6-0-0 (44) 43 Ribchester (Nayef){22-a}(1.22) 3/2 Allow Me 129 1st 2m3½f Handicap Hurdle (120), Catterick 2012 Four-time Group One winner and dual Champion Miler Ribchester is set to have his first jumpers this season. No taller than average, Ribchester is of the speedy Iffraaj-Zafonic sireline and his third dam was the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Mehthaaf. Nevertheless, one uncle, Tactic won over a mile and six while another, Bangkok, is being marketed as a dual-purpose sire. While half-brother Golconda Prince was unable to build on his fifth in a Huntington juvenile, another uncle, Taaresh, landed four low-grade hurdles over the minimum trip at Worcester and Wincanton. The first into the fold for Ribchester’s jumps stallion career is the six race maiden Anger Management, whose official flat rating of 44 exceeds his accomplishments. Beaten a combined seventy-seven lengths in two starts at Newmarket last Autumn, his four runs in 2022, between eight and fourteen furlongs, have seen him finish no closer than twelve lengths to the winner. While the fair handicap hurdler, Allow Me, appears at 3/2 on the damline, six others within that proximity have achieved the sum total of nothing over hurdles from a combined twenty-four starts (although Nicholas Bill (Ghofar, Bollin William, Just Jasmine) is out of the fifth dam). Trainer John Ryan does have a decent enough record in the sphere with five winners from twenty-one juveniles, although only one of those would score first-time-out. Via Serica bg Stuart Edmunds f6-0-2 (63) 68 Golden Horn (Nayef){14-a}(1.50) 2/2 Douglas Dc 126 1st Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, Tramore 2022 Since 2004/2005, three-hundred-and-eight British and Irish trainers have saddled ten or more juvenile hurdlers. Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins have the strongest winner-to-runner rates, while in third place on 55.56% is Paul Nicholls. Prior to Thursday’s juvenile hurdle at Stratford, Stuart Edmunds held a share of third place with Paul Nicholls although Rendition’s poor debut showing has seen his rate drop to 52.63%. Attempting to arrest this deterioration is the yard’s second juvenile of the season, Via Serica. Starting his career with Brian Meehan, the entirety of Winter separated Via Serica’s first two outings which came in maidens at Nottingham in October over an extended mile, and Newbury in April over eleven furlongs. He was green on each occasion, finishing nearer last than first with upwards of thirteen lengths between himself and the winner. Thirteen lengths was also the margin of defeat in a ten-furlong Windsor maiden, although being a well stung out field where he was within a couple of lengths of two subsequent winners, it did mark a career best. Stepping up in trip and into handicap company in mid-May, Via Serica was a three length third over a mile and a half at Bath off 64; looking green under pressure but, incidentally, finishing ahead of the season’s leading juvenile to date in Mucuna. Sporting first-time cheekpieces, he filled the same position at Windsor five days later where he led briefly at the distance but while plugging on, did not appear to throw himself into every stride. This would be his last run out of Manton Lodge Stables; a yard whose graduates have a fair winner-to-runner rate of 19.05% in juvenile hurdles, and a lesser 33.33% improvement rate. He was withdrawn prior to passing through Tattersalls at Ascot – the twelve such juveniles leaving Brian Meehan in this fashion won one race from forty-four starts. Via Serica’s debut for Stuart Edmunds (winless on the flat since December 2016) came at Sandown over a mile and six where he never left the rear, drifted when making his challenge at the distance before weakening late on to finish six lengths behind the runner-up (the well-handicapped winner in a different league). Making the switch to hurdling, Via Serica has a feasible pedigree for the sphere with Golden Horn showing a 28.57% winner-to-runner rate, cousin Douglas Dc winning a maiden juvenile, and four relatives at 3/2 on the damline (Mikado, Bombyx, National Trust and Freedom Now) all successful over jumps. On official flat ratings, Via Serica is the best treated in the field and jockey James Davies is by far the most experienced of the three. He is in good hands for his introduction although the lack of jumping experience and questionable resolve will count against him, as does the Edmunds yard having another runner completely tail off on Friday. Strong prospects 1. Captain Square Reasonable prospects 2. Via Serica Feasible prospects . Moderate prospects 3. Anger Management Negligible prospects .

Stratford - 28th July - Preview Stratford is set to host the first maiden juvenile hurdle of the season and, as per its title, probably won’t be the classiest affair. Quality form, either on the flat or over jumps, is thin on the ground with the six runners achieving just one win from a combined thirty-nine starts. Nevertheless, it is not a race entirely devoid of intrigue. The two runners with experience reoppose having finished fourth and fifth over course and distance eighteen days ago behind a pair of subsequent winners. Meanwhile, the four hurdling debutants, two of whom graduated the Tattersalls Sale early this month, represent capable trainers in the sphere and all bring ratings above the absolute average of 55 for juvenile hurdlers. That three of these are set to be their sires’ first runners over hurdles adds another dimension to the contest. Despite being a sharp and generally flat track which seldom sees winter ground, Stratford still presents one of the sternest stamina tests for juvenile hurdlers. The winning Dis of 0.93 median, 1.21 mean, are lower only at Cheltenham, Chepstow, Hexham and Worcester with only Hexham having the largest discrepancy between the DIs of winners and beaten horses. The completion rate of 81.20% is also in the bottom ten, although it is somewhat fairer as a jumping test with a clear round rate of 95.41% falling fractionally below average. It is not a venue which is particularly kind to debutants with the comparative strike-rate for newcomers being worse at just two British courses. The ground is currently described as good, good to firm in places, with moderate weather and some watering set to ease somewhat conditions. With there are no habitual front-runners among the six starters, Stratford’s stamina demands may not be as pronounced as usual. Dicktate bg Roger Teal f5-0-0 (62) 64 j2-0-1 (96) 80 90 Lawman (Pivotal){3-d}(1.20) 2/2 Catherine Chroi 46 12th 3yo Maiden Hurdle , Fairyhouse 2021 After finishing well beaten on his debut at Kempton last August, Dicktate was not disgraced during the Autumn over ten furlongs at Bath and Goodwood; for all that he was beaten a combined fifteen lengths. However, his season ended with a tailed off eighth of nine at Newmarket and the revised mark of 64 still looked beyond him on his sole flat start this year when he was beaten twelve lengths at Salisbury with no apparent excuses to be made. Insofar as a switch to hurdling is concerned, the credentials of his sire, Lawman, are better as while his offspring are seldom better than ordinary, their winner-to-runner rate of 20% is solid enough. However, the damline is more patchy as the closest winning jumper, First Man’s success coming in a three-mile Catterick Handicap, appears at 4/3. Roger Teal’s jumps strike rate of 6.7% drops to 0% when isolating juvenile hurdlers with nine horses contributing to his zero from eighteen strike rate. Dicktate was the latest to add to this record when making his jumps bow behind Captain Square at Newton Abbot last month. Drifting from 17/2 to 18/1 in the ring, Dicktate was prominent in the opening stages but his being hampered at the first foreshadowed a round of mostly slow and cautious jumping which saw him fall back to midfield. Already ridden along going out into the second lap, he was disputing a distant third when the leader fell at two out. Having to avoid the faller, Dicktate attempted to pull himself up shortly afterwards and while he consented to continue, it was without enthusiasm, ultimately finishing a twenty length third behind the winner. Dicktate’s latest outing came at Stratford eighteen days ago where there was little market confidence beforehand in his improving for the experience; starting at 25/1. Disputing the lead in an evenly ran contest, he was close and untidy at the second, and steady when getting the fourth wrong. Dicktate was off the bridle from half a mile out and driven entering the straight. He still held a narrow advantage but was headed approaching the last where an awkward jump cost him any momentum that remained as he was relegated to a nine-and-a-quarter length fourth on the run-in. Despite his errors, there was an upturn in his enthusiasm and aptitude and further improvement can probably be expected. However, the standard he sets for the potentially capable newcomers is not a high one so the first-time application of the tongue-tie needs to have a telling effect. Graffiti bg Gary Brown f7-0-0 (64) 70 Sixties Icon (Excellent Art){A34}(0.82) 1/1 Banksy’s Art 100 3rd Juvenile Hurdle, Market Rasen 2018 Starting off over a mile at Goodwood last September for Mick Channon, Graffiti ran twice at Pontefract in the Autumn, finishing no nearer than eight lengths behind the winner in a pair of novice stakes. Following a winter break, he had a couple of spins on the all-weather in handicap company and while he finished last on each occasion, was at least able to finish closer. His initial mark of 71 was quite difficult to justify, and a return to the turf, drop to 67 and switch to Gary Brown’s failed to trigger a change in fortunes. He was last seen looking decidedly slow over a mile when beating just one home at Newbury three weeks ago. Graffiti shapes as though he can get the trip over jumps and his full-brother, Banksy’s Art, managed to place third in a juvenile hurdle. Former inmates of Mick Channon’s have a solid winner-to-runner rate of 24.16%, although this drops to 19.09% when removing those who went to Sheena West; Banksy’s Art amongst them. Gary Brown himself has not had a winning juvenile from the nine he has saddled since Hilali won at this venue in 2012, and the yard’s improvement rate of 16.67% is not sufficient to grant encouragement to Graffiti’s patchy, if not lamentable, profile. Mutara bg Sean Curran f8-0-3 (55) 62 j1-0-0 (-) 75 85 Muhaarar (Lucky Story){3-c}(0.78) 3/2 Ramonex 136 1st 2m3f Handicap Chase (120), Catterick 2018 Making his debut at Kempton in February, Mutara finished no better than midfield on his first three outings. However, in five flat outings since his switch to handicaps in early April, he has yet to finish outside of the first four. It should be noted that these performances came off mark decreasing from 55 and that the winners’ enclosure has thus far eluded him; but by the same token, he has been a consistent animal. He was doing his best work towards the finish when third over eleven furlongs at Windsor in early May and returning to the turf after a Wolverhampton fourth, would twice find only one too good. At Leicester, he was no match for a horse who recently completed a four-timer, and at Chepstow last month, was bested by another subsequent winner. Mutara did little wrong on either occasion and has little to answer for in terms of attitude. For all of his honesty, his stamina is not entirely assured and the pedigree is not wholly encouraging. Muhaarar has had one winner from seven juveniles and the jumpers that appear on the damline prior to Ramonex at 3/2 have been poor. Sean Curran has had winners in the division; albeit at a winner to runner rate of 9.09%. None had scored first time out, which afforded lowered expectations for Mutara on his hurdling debut at this track earlier in the month. Starting at 15/2, having been as short as 9/2 om the ring, Mutara was keen early on, and his being badly balked at the first put paid to his confidence as he was big and ungainly over the remaining obstacles. Never out of the rear, or threatening to get involved in the contest, Mutara was eased on the run-in; finishing five lengths behind Dicktate. There is ample scope for Mutara to leave that debut performance well behind, although his prospects hinge considerably more on potential than substance without accounting for the fact that, for all his consistency and decent attitude on the flat, his rating is still the lowest from that sphere. Rogue Mission grg Milton Harris f4-1-1 (71) 70 El Kabeir (Spinning World){2-d}(4.33) 2/1 Primus Inter Pares 107 1st 2m3f Handicap Chase (101), Catterick 2008 At the 2021 Tattersalls July Sale, Milton Harris walked away with four juvenile hurdlers for sums between fourteen and twenty thousand guineas. Three of these, Aliomaana, Genuflex and Knight Salute, would all find the winners’ enclosure with the latter named – incidentally the least expensive of the bunch – capping off a fantastic campaign with success in the Grade One Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree. Returning to the well at this year’s sale, Mr Harris brought along a much thicker wallet, and left with five potential juveniles; three costing over fifty-five thousand guineas. The cheapest of the quintet this time around was Rogue Mission, who commanded a comparatively modest sum of fifteen thousand guineas. Gelded before his racecourse debut in early January, Rogue Mission’s four flat outings have all come at Lingfield under the care of Tom Clover. A steady 25/1 ahead of a ten furlong novice stakes, Rogue Mission dove out of stalls, took keen hold in rear and went nowhere under pressure; finishing a ten length seventh of eight. He reappeared three weeks later in an identical contest where he attracted outside support in the ring, shortening four points to 12/1 at the off. He started better on this occasion, although he did have another horse to bounce off when leaving the stalls. Still keen and held up towards the rear, he moved into a prominent position turning for home and although he took a while to gather himself under pressure, Rogue Mission was able to narrowly get the best of an honest battle inside the final half-furlong with the pair finishing a couple of lengths clear. The runner-up sadly lost his life next time out, although the third and fourth have each given the form a bit of substance in subsequent outings. Four weeks later, Rogue Mission was outclassed in a match race against a horse who had finished a length second to a subsequent listed winner before he made his handicap debut over ten furlongs back in May. Returning after a ten-week break off a mark of 71, Rogue Mission was friendless in the market and ran accordingly. Ridden from the stalls, he made a short lived effort while going wide on the home turn, but ultimately finished a near nine length seventh of eight. Tom Clover has previously supplied only one juvenile hurdler in the form of Appreciate; who incidentally also joined Milton Harris. Based on his four runs in the division, Appreciate looked harshly treated by his mark of 90, although he has gone on to land a four-timer this Summer. Rogue Mission’s damline largely consists of milers and three (at 3/2) who went over jumps fared poorly. Nevertheless, half-brother Rare Groove won over two miles on the flat and uncle Primus Inter Pares was a winning handicap chaser over the intermediate trip. These strands of stamina influence will have to offset the lack of same from first-crop stallion El Kabeir. From the Scat Daddy/Johannesburg line (which has enjoyed little success in the sphere), El Kabir was a graded – rather than top class – miler in America, and while his height of 16.1hh is adequate, his DI of 5.86 is a concern. Moreover, while Rogue Mission has form over ten furlongs, none of his races have been strongly run affairs. Rogue Mission has the class to make an impact first-time; particularly for a yard with a 26.67% strike-rate at Stratford. However, even if this is not the most testing juvenile hurdle held at Stratford, Rogue Mission may be one to come on with time if stamina concerns manifest. Never No Trouble bf Donald McCain f9-0-3 (56) 62 Time Test (New Approach){2-f}(0.82) 2/2 Perceus 115 1st Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, Uttoxeter 2015 The most experienced of these on the flat, Never No Trouble comes into this contest with nine runs to her name. Five came as a two-year-old with the highlight being a half-length second in a Thirsk novice stakes over a mile in late August. This effort resulted in a mark of 67 which tumbled over her subsequent outings, the latest coming six weeks ago in a ten-furlong selling handicap at Ripon off 56. Attracting market interest for the first time in her career, she was sent off the 11/8 favourite having opened at 5/2 in the morning. Quick out of the traps, she was restrained to track the leader after a furlong before travelling smoothly into contention three furlongs from home. However, she did not find as much as she promised, ultimately splitting two older rivals of questionable professionalism. Nevertheless, this was just about Never No Trouble’s best performance since her Thirsk second and it was enough to see move from Adrian Nicholls’ to Donald McCain’s for £6,000. The two former Nicholls’ inmates to run in the sphere achieved very little in six outings between them, although five of the nine that McCain has bought out of a race have been winners. Most scored at a modest level although Collingham, who came out of a French claimer, was a decent horse last term. Donald McCain also has a strong overall record in the sphere with a healthy winner-to-runner rate of 30.09% and the yard has been in decent form as of late. However, he is not as successful with those lowly rated on the flat with none of the nineteen rated 60 or lower scoring first time out. Never No Trouble is one of three representing a first-crop sire; namely Dubawi’s son, Time Test. Winner of the York, Joel and Manhattan Stakes, Time Test is not the tallest and was untried over further than ten furlongs, but he is a nephew with the modest winning handicapper, Codeshare, with his third dam producing fair winners in Hue and Political Intrigue. From the family of Nashwan, Never No Trouble is herself a cousin of two winning jumpers in Perceus and Noble Behest, with the useful Seventh Sign appearing at 3/2. Stamina should not be an issue for Never No Trouble here, and her feasible pedigree and capable handler afford her some respect. Nevertheless, there is a class deficit to overcome and while she can match and surpass her flat form, she may benefit from an easier opening. Rendition chf Stuart Edmunds f5-0-1 (68) 73 Ulysses (Pivotal){13-e}(0.85) 3/1 Poet 127 1st 2m½f Maiden Hurdle, Newbury 2012 Since 2004/2005, three-hundred-and-eight British and Irish trainers have saddled ten or more juvenile hurdlers. Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins have the strongest winner-to-runner rates, while in joint-third place on 55.56% are Paul Nicholls and Stuart Edmunds. The two juveniles previously bought by Stuart Edmund at the Tattersalls July Sale, Wolf Of Windlesham and Addosh would each earn black type during their first campaigns over hurdles having only cost 15,000 guineas. This year, Stuart Edmunds parted with 24,000 guineas in order to secure the 68 rated maiden, Rendition. Initially with Andrew Balding, Rendition made her debut when midfield in a Wolverhampton novice last December before returning in a similar contest at Chepstow in late April where she still looked green and was not strenuously encouraged to better her midfield finish. A few weeks later, Rendition went to Redcar for a ten furlong fillies’ race on good to soft where she lacked the pace of the two short-priced market principals, but was able to finish four lengths clear of the remainder. A twenty-one length midfield finish at Newbury can probably be dismissed as the race rather fell apart, and she posted what was probably her best effort to date early this month in a ten-furlong fillies’ handicap at Ffos Las off 72. Unable to quicken off a modestly-run contest, she ultimately finished a six-length sixth of ten in a race which is working out quite well. Of the untested jumps stallions in this contest, Rendition’s sire, Ulysses, is the most interesting of the three. The winner of an International Stakes and an Eclipse, and third in the 2017 Arc, Ulysses is not only the classiest but also has the most well-rounded profile. Out of Galileo and Oaks winner Light Shift, he comfortably has the stamina for the minimum trip over jumps and is also an adequate 16.1hh. His pedigree credentials are further supplemented by damline appearances of Champion Chaser Dodging Bullets (3/2) and Kingwell Hurdle winner Elgin (2/3). Rendition has a couple of pertinent uncles in Ace Ventura, who finished third in a juvenile hurdle on his debut, and Alessandro Volta, who won the Lingfield Derby Trial, while the third dam produced winning hurdlers Poet and High Stratos. Even with her BHA mark now down to 68, Rendition would still be the best treated on these terms and with her representing an interesting new jumps sire, brings with her a solid profile for an interesting trainer who introduced Addosh at this venue last summer. Strong prospects 1. Rendition Reasonable prospects 2. Rogue Mission Feasible prospects 3. Never No Trouble 4. Dicktate 5. Mutara Moderate prospects 6. Graffiti Negligible prospects .

Stratford – 10th July – Preview Since 2005, nine juveniles competed at Stratford during the summer before running in the Triumph. While most finished well beaten at the festival, Fair Along and Barizan would find only one too good during the 2005/06 and 2009/10 campaigns respectively. Ironically, the aforementioned failed to score at Stratford before going on to better things. Those that have won corresponding runnings of Sunday’s contest include Callisto Moon and Leoncavallo, who won in 2007 and 2015 before following up in the Wensleydale, and Simarian who in 2008 would land the Grade 2 Prestbury Hurdle. Nevertheless, as is often the case with these events, such horses are outliers and the typical standard of this contest is modest with the average winner’s seasonal RPR being 107.53. This year’s renewal features three previous winners, although their Cheltenham aspirations are quite slim as the standard of the nineteen juveniles seen to date this term has been modest. Neither is there a great deal to be said of the three maidens introduced to the fold from the flat. Notwithstanding, the field is set to be the joint largest seen thus far and the race ought to be competitive if nothing else so it should be an intriguing contest for what it is. Despite being a sharp and generally flat track which seldom sees winter ground, Stratford still presents one of the sternest stamina tests for juvenile hurdlers. The winning Dis of 0.97 median, 1.21 mean, are lower only at Cheltenham, Chepstow, Hexham and Worcester with only Hexham having the largest discrepancy between the DIs of winners and beaten horses. The completion rate of 81.26% is also in the bottom ten, although it is somewhat fairer as a jumping test with a clear round rate of 95.41% falling fractionally below average. It is not a venue which is particularly kind to debutants with the comparative strike-rate for newcomers being worse at just two British courses. The ground is currently good and, with warm weather anticipated, will be watered to maintain. Shipton Moyne made all to make a winning debut at Market Rasen last time and with several of these happy to race prominently, the pace should be an honest one. Captain Square chg Tom Lacey f6-0-2 (69) 74 j1-1-0 (-) 82 88 Sir Percy (Duke Of Marmalade){1-m}(0.33) 3/1 Overturn 167 2nd Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham 2012 By Sir Percy (Knight Salute, Parliament Hill, winner-to-runner rate of 33.33%) and from the family of Chocala (2/1), Fisher Bridge (3/1) and Overturn (3/1), Captain Square probably has the most interesting and complete pedigree seen in the division this season. Moreover, while he was a six-race maiden on the flat for Andrew Balding, his official rating 69 is a pound off the highest brought into the race. His first three outings all came over seven furlongs last July where he followed a midfield finish at Sandown (behind Derby also-ran Sonny Liston) with third (behind 1000 Guineas runner-up Prosperous Voyage) and fourth (behind Royal Lodge winner Royal Patronage) place finishes at Epsom. Captain Square got no closer five lengths to the aforementioned, but he did shape as though further would suit and his allotted mark of 72 was not unduly harsh. However, following an eight month break and a gelding operation, this potential did not play out in practice as Captain Square failed to make any real impression in a pair of twelve furlong handicaps in April. At Southwell, he failed to settle in a falsely run contest, but had no such excuse next time at Lingfield where he beat only one home. Captain Sqaure’s sights were lowered for his return to turf at Leicester and while all but one of his rivals were rated higher, his receiving weight all round and being much the least exposed saw him sent off the even money favourite. However, he failed to settle once again and although he led momentarily at the distance, was clear second best on the day. Following the race, Captain Square was claimed for £12,000 to join a Tom Lacey yard which, prior to Newton Abbot, was two winners from ten in the sphere; both scoring at the first time of asking. Andrew Balding has supplied 108 juveniles to the division since 2004/05 and twenty of those were winners; including the likes of Knight Salute, Hollow Tree and Flaxen Flare. The improvement rare of 22.78% is a low one and of the six previous juveniles who were bought out of selling and claiming races, not one win was achieved from their twenty-eight runs combined. This dire record was ended by Captain Square when he made a successful start to his new career at Newton Abbot nearly three weeks ago; albeit in most fortuitous circumstances. Not without supporters, he started the day as 6/5 favourite and while a plunge horse forced him out, he was still solid in the market; starting the race as 2/1 second favourite. Taking a keen hold just behind the vanguard, there was room for improvement in his jumping as he was low at the first, went left at the third, hopped over the fourth and skewed over the next. As the field left the back second time, Captain Square was the only one to just about keep tabs on the near-certain winner who led him by around four lengths when leaving him in a clear lead at the penultimate flight. Ponderous in his own company, he had to be chivvied along on the run to the last where he was ponderous. Nevertheless, he was so far clear that nothing more was asked of him as he coasted home by fifteen lengths. Given how the contest developed and how Captain Square closed out the race, it is improbable that he would have fared better than second had the leader maintained verticality. The winning time was modest and the form in behind is modest with the second and fourth running a nothing race next time out. Moreover, this is a much more competitive race and he is effectively carrying a penalty for finishing second. Moreover, his pulling in the early stages and laziness in the closing stages at Newton Abbot are causes for concern. Notwithstanding, Captain Square has the best flat form of 2022, shaped as though he should improve for hurdling experience and is bred to appreciate the test afforded by Stratford so he would not be readily discounted. Mucuna bf Milton Harris f8-1-0 (49) 55 j3-2-1 (-) 91 98 Guiliani (Gold Away){14-b}(0.89) 2/1 Capellini 98 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (93), Plumpton 2013 Prior to his forced sabbatical, Milton Harris was no slouch when it came to juvenile hurdlers; saddling Modul to win the Grade 2 Summit and Finesse Hurdles in 2003/04 and subsequently guiding Gulf Punch (rated 45 and claimed for £5000), Pseudonym (also claimed for £5000), Rosie’s Glory (rated 60) and Moonfleet (rated 57) to the winners’ enclosure. Nevertheless, since his glorious return to the shores of Hoofiana, Harris has proven himself in no uncertain terms with an excellent winner to runner record of ten from twenty capped by last season’s hugely admirable Knight Salute. He has started the current season as he ended the last by winning a juvenile hurdle at Aintree with the 49 rated Mucuna. Her first five outings, commencing last October, came on the all-weather; starting at triple digit prices on each occasion with her best effort coming with a midfield finish in a mile Handicap at Kempton off 46. However, the switch to turf and a step up to ten furlongs saw her get off the mark at Salisbury back in April. Held up in midfield and racing widest of all, she was asked for her effort half a mile from home. It took a while for her to move through the gears, but she did run on strongest of all; taking it up in the final hundred yards and winning by three quarters of a length. The field finished in a heap but while the form amounts to little, Mucuna was clearly the best on the day. She was unable to follow up in a couple of Bath handicaps off 50 during May, finishing fourth on both occasions, but it was apparent that the track did not see her to best effect. The switch to hurdling came a month ago at Aintree and while she was backed from 20/1 into 4/1 second favourite, this was not a clandestine move as there was plenty of evidence for a good showing in a weak race. Although her rating is a low one, Milton Harris, since his return, has trained Romeo’s Bond (55) to win, and Global Agreement (56) to place first time. Mucuna’s pedigree was also feasibly conducive as Guiliani (another first-season sire) is a nephew of Getaway and the damline contains winners Capellini (2/1), listed class handicapper Beringneyev (3/1), Mahogany Blaze (4/3) and Petit Mouchoir (5/5). Held up last of four, in a race ran at a galop comparable to the handicap on the card, Mucuna was novicey over the first three flights as she was steady and awkward over one and two and jumped left while leaving her hind legs in the third. Nevertheless, she was more fluent thereafter and though behind her two remaining rivals when turning for home, was close up and ultimately the last to come off the bridle. Despite being squeezed out at the final flight, she took the lead in a matter of strides and with the rail to help, ran out a decisive and enthusiastic three-length winner. All told, she did not have to improve on her flat form to land the spoils, but her willingness and proven hurdling ability did not go unnoticed. Mucuna returned to the track a week later at Market Rasen and, though very well supported ahead of her Aintree bow, the Market Rasen market was rather lukewarm on her chances as she drifted from a morning 6/4 to 11/4 at the off. Held up off the pace, by some distance at stages, Mucuna’s standard of jumping was just below that of her debut. Having made headway into a threatening position rounding the turn for home, she was caught for toe as the race developed and a pair of awkward jumps over the last two flights did her no favours. The run-in at Market Rasen is the best part of two furlongs so she had plenty of time to put a strong finishing burst together. However, while she managed to eventually grab second in front of the stands, there was still over four lengths between herself and winner Shipton Moyne at the line. The contest looked hotter than at Aintree but the prize went to the rank outsider and as few of her rivals really took to hurdles, the performance can only be regarded as a downgrade. Furthermore, Mucuna also hinted at a preference to jumping to her right, and while this was not a problem at Aintree, it could have been one at Newton Abbot nine days ago if symptomatic of an ingrained physiological issue. Fortunately for her followers, this proved not to be the case; at least not in a way that was entirely detrimental to her winning chances. While the habit of jumping across her hurdles was actually more pronounced on her latest effort, she often went markedly to her left on this occasion which may indicate that she simply likes jumping toward the inner. The Newton Abbot contest was essentially a match between herself and Free Chakarte. Though the longer priced of the pair during the day’s exchanges, they were almost level at the off with Mucuna going off a fraction longer at 6/5. Still racing keenly on her third jumps outing in as many weeks, she was soon tracking the leader having initially raced third of four. Her hurdling was not wholly fluent as along with going to her left, she skewed at the first, was untidy at the second, tight at the fifth, big at the sixth and slow away from the last two. Despite these errors however, she was travelling best once the race was between the two principals within the microcosm of a Newton Abbot battle, Mucuna’s stamina edge (and possibly her rider’s allowance) told over her rival’s speed. Indeed, given how the race developed, it is to her credit that she was able to earn the victory and while it probably amounts to little, the race was the strongest in the division this term from a time perspective. There is a Market Rasen beating to overturn with Shipton Moyne and this being her fourth run within a month will be a concern. Nevertheless, Mucuna does meet Shipton Moyne on better terms (even discounting the conditional allowance), the race should be ran at a more even gallop, her form is the strongest in the line-up and Stratford does have the potential to bring out further improvement. Moreover, as demonstrated by Appreciate in the previous race, Milton Harris is adept at running in-form horses multiple times within a short window of time. Dicktate bg Roger Teal f5-0-0 (62) 64 j1-0-0 (-) 63 66 Lawman (Pivotal){3-d}(1.20) 2/2 Catherine Chroi 46 12th 3yo Maiden Hurdle , Fairyhouse 2021 After finishing well beaten on his debut at Kempton last August, Dicktate was not disgraced during the Autumn over ten furlongs at Bath and Goodwood; for all that he was beaten a combined fifteen lengths. However, his season ended with a tailed off eighth of nine at Newmarket and the revised mark of 64 still looked beyond him on his sole flat start this year when he was beaten twelve lengths at Salisbury with no apparent excuses to be made. Insofar as a switch to hurdling is concerned, the credentials of his sire, Lawman, are better as while his offspring are seldom better than ordinary, their winner-to-runner rate of 20% is solid enough. However, the damline is more patchy as the closest winning jumper, First Man’s success coming in a three-mile Catterick Handicap, appears at 4/3. Roger Teal’s jumps strike rate of 6.7% drops to 0% when isolating juvenile hurdlers with nine horses contributing to his zero from eighteen strike rate. Dicktate was the latest to add to this record when making his jumps bow behind Captain Square at Newton Abbot. Drifting from 17/2 to 18/1 in the ring, Dicktate was prominent in the opening stages but his being hampered at the first foreshadowed a round of mostly slow and cautious jumping which saw him fall back to midfield. Already ridden along going out into the second lap, he was disputing a distant third when the leader fell at two out. Having to avoid the faller, Dicktate attempted to pull himself up shortly afterwards and while he consented to continue, it was without enthusiasm, ultimately finishing a twenty length third behind the winner. Those he split were over fifty lengths behind Mucuna next time out, and though experience entitles him to a modicum of improvement, there would have to be a dramatic upturn in enthusiasm and aptitude. Fast Style bg Sam Allwood f5-1-2 (70) 70 j1-0-0 (-) 0 0 Camacho (Dalakhani){3-d}(1.00) 3/1 Colenso 111 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (110), Tramore 2019 Though twelve ex-Roger Charlton juveniles have won since 2004/05, their overall record is ordinary with their winner-runner rate being 18.46%, and improvement rate a modest 20.93%. While Fast Style’s official rating of 70 is the highest in this race, his price tag of 15,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale is low for a successful prospective juvenile from the yard. The rating came courtesy of his getting off the mark at the fifth time of asking in an October Kempton nursery over a mile from a perch of 66. His rating that day of 66 was fair based on his two previous efforts at the venue, but the performance was not enough to keep him at Beckhampton. He joined a Sam Allwood yard which is starting to get its jump winners, although none of the six juveniles to date have obliged in thirteen runs. Fast Style’s breeding is little more encouraging as while Camacho has had three winning juveniles, it is at a below average rate of 11.54% . Grandam Pearl Dance finished third in a Moyglare Stud Stakes, and the first jumpers appear from the third dam; who produced winning handicapper Colenso, as well as the dam of fair French jumper Ejo Pritchard. Despite making his hurdles bow in a weak looking four-runner event at Aintree last month, these factors did not prevent Fast Style’s drifting from a 7/1 morning show to 25/1 at post time. In the race itself, he failed to settle fully behind the leaders, jumped moderately and was detached after jumping the last in the back whereafter he was pulled up. Mutara bg Sean Curran f8-0-3 (55) 62 Muhaarar (Lucky Story){3-c}(0.78) 3/2 Ramonex 136 1st 2m3f Handicap Chase (120), Catterick 2018 Making his debut at Kempton in February, Mutara finished no better than midfield on his first three outings. However, in five outings since his switch to handicaps in early April, he has yet to finish outside of the first four. It should be noted that these performances came off mark decreasing from 55 and that the winners’ enclosure has thus far eluded him; but by the same token, he has been a consistent animal. He was doing his best work towards the finish when third over eleven furlongs at Windsor in early May (Shipton Moyne was seven and half lengths behind) and returning to the turf after a Wolverhampton fourth, would twice find only one too good. At Leicester, he was no match for a horse who recently completed a four-timer, and at Chepstow three weeks ago, was bested by another subsequent winner. Mutara did little wrong on either occasion and has little to answer for in terms of attitude. For all of his honesty, his stamina is not entirely assured and the pedigree is not wholly encouraging. Muhaarar has had one winner from seven juveniles and the jumpers that appear on the damline prior to Ramonex at 3/2 have been poor. Sean Curran has had winners in the division; albeit at a winner to runner rate of 9.52% with zero from twenty scoring first time out. Though of modest ability on the flat, there are elements within his profile to suggest he can at least match his flat form although it is not obviously likely that he can do so at the first time of asking. Rolypolymoly bg Adam West f7-0-1 (63) 69 Heeraat (Monsun){1-k}(0.60) 2/1 Zoffalee 135 1st 2m1f 4yo Handicap Hurdle (112), Ballinrobe 2019 Currently rated 63 on the flat, Rolypolymoly has the highest mark of the three newcomers and could also be the most fairly treated animal in that sphere. After finishing sixth of nine on his debut at Salisbury last September, he round off his two year old campaign with midfield finishes at Goodwood and Kempton which earned him a BHA figure of 67. He ran to a similar level when midfield on his return at Pontefract over a mile in April, but shaped better when stepped up ten furlongs at Nottingham and Leicester, despite taking a keen grip at the latter when finishing just over three lengths behind in third. His last appearance came four weeks ago at Salisbury, carrying top weight in a class four handicap over a mile and a half. He was supported into 7/2 second favouritism having been available at 5/1 but while he settled well enough in midfield, found himself with little room once the race picked up off a modest tempo. Whatever chance he held at the furlong marker was extinguished as he was blocked off once again and he was resigned to beating just one home. Though it can not be said that he was definitely an unlucky loser, he should have finished closer than he did in a race where the front two have both scored since. Rolypolymoly‘s damline offers flashes of optimism for his new vocation as he is out of a Monsun (34.29% winner to runner as a damsire) half-sister to capable hurdler Zoffalee. However, sire Heeraat was a sprint bred sprinter and none of his five juveniles to date have finished better than sixth in the sphere. As such, while he has form over ten and twelve furlongs, these came in falsely run contests so he will be relying on his damline for stamina here. Moreover, trainer Adam West has failed to saddle a winning juvenile from seven in sixteen starts, with the only respite being that two did improve on their flat form without reaching the frame. A generous assessment of Rolypolymoly’s flat profile suggests that there is the ability and potential stamina to make an impact here. However, the record of his sire and trainer, along with the poor record of newcomers in this contest, conspire to temper enthusiasm. Shipton Moyne bf Richard J Bandey f5-0-0 (45) 51 j1-1-0 (-) 82 90 Coach House (Kyllachy){4-n}(3.00) 2/2 Mongolia 58.0/111 1st 3800m 4yo Fillies’ Conditions Hurdle. Angers 2020 Since finishing a ten length sixth on her racecourse bow at Kempton in December, Shipton Moyne was unable to match that effort in four subsequent flat outings. Having ran over a mile at Kempton (beaten twenty-eight lengths) and seven furlongs at Chelmsford (beaten fifteen lengths) prior to a break, her latest flat spin came at Windsor in early May over an extended eleven furlongs where she finished weakly some twelve lengths behind Alan King’s Fast Forward. Prior to switching to jumps at Market Rasen, sire Coach House had a winner from three juveniles, and cousin Mongolia won in the French provinces at four. However, the remainder of the damline (which includes Treve and Triptych) is weak as far as jumpers are concerned until reaching the fair Balkeo at 4/4. Moreover, Kyllachy is an underwhelming influence in the sphere with one winner from twenty-nine as a sire, and zero from three as a damsire. On paper, there was little reason to suspect that Shipton Moyne would be able to reverse the significant gap between herself and Fast Forward, or match the standard set by Mucuna. Trainer Richard Bandey’s previous juvenile had failed to win, although his record at Market Rasen is three winners from six and Shipton Moyne had not gone unbacked; starting the day at 40/1, going as low as 14/1 in the ring before starting at 20/1. Leading or disputing from the outset, the front pair were about a dozen lengths clear passing the post first time although the pace was not overly strong. Her hurdling was not entirely neat as she was given to skewing slightly and landing somewhat steeply. Nevertheless, it was certainly proficient enough to quickly get from one side to the other and as her rival faded on leaving the back, she took full advantage of getting first run on the remainder; maintaining a steady advantage that amounted to four and a half lengths at the line. The performance was something of a revelation although the winning time was weak and if one assumes that the second and third underperformed (there are feasible reasons for both being true) then she did not have to improve a great deal on her flat form to win that contest. There was plenty to like about the way Shipton Moyne went about things at Market Rasen and being unexposed, she is very much open to further improvement; although the suspicion is that improvement will probably be vital in these circumstances. My Rosa’s Gold chf Nigel Hawke f10-0-0 42 (48) Havana Gold (Verglas){16-e}(1.18) 3/1 Pigeon Island 146 1st Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2008 Nigel Hawke, can claim a respectable record in the sphere with a 19.40% winner to runner rate that increases to 25.71% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success comes from those who started with Jim Bolger; seven of the ten such horses winning as juveniles. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 8% and neither that were trained for the flat in Stoodleigh were successful. Furthermore, Nigel Hawke’s juveniles invariable improve for experience with his first-time strike rate being a mere 4.62%, and second time rate just 5.77%. The latest to attempt breaking this trend is the ten race maiden My Rosa’s Gold. During her career, only twice has she been beaten less than four lengths; when she was eighth off 45 in a Lingfield nursery, and three outings ago at Bath off 46. She weakened on her only try at nine furlongs or beyond, and her latest two appearances saw her beaten eleven and eighteen lengths off 46. Sire Havana Gold has a strike-rate of 5.41% in the division, although the improvement rate of 42.86% is reasonable, albeit from a small sample. The damline is quite encouraging as Verglas has three winners from twelve as a damsire, the dam is a half-sister to two winning hurdlers in Telemachus and Nakoma while the third dam produced the talented Pigeon Island along with winning juvenile Dalmo along with On Alert who won at four. Without the distaff side to the pedigree and her trainer’s overall ability, My Rosa’s Gold would be easily overlooked as a prospective hurdler. Trepidation still persists on the basis of her flat ability and the yard’s slow burning approach, but there may be a longer term future when handicaps become an option. Strong prospects 1. Mucuna Reasonable prospects 2. Shipton Moyne 3. Captain Square Feasible/Moderate prospects 4. Mutara 5. Rolypolymoly 6. My Rosa’s Gold 7. Fast Style Negligible prospects 8. Dicktate tl;dr Captain Square – Flat form amongst the better in this field and is bred to do well over hurdles. Won on hurdling debut but was fortunate in doing so and aspects of his performance give cause for concern. Nevertheless, is entitled to improve and should benefit from conditions. Mucuna – Winner on flat at modest level and with trainer who knows how to train juveniles. Already two wins from three in new vocation and latest effort was best yet despite unfavourable test. Every chance for better here and rider offsets double penalty. Dicktate – Profile not most conducive to game and showed questionable attitude when well beaten on Newton Abbot debut. Fast Style – Highest official rating in line-up but unraced in 2022 prior to Aintree where big drifter and pulled up before leaving back. Mutara – Modest maiden but has shown himself to be consistent at his level since handicapping. Pedigree and trainer not negligible for new career but will probably benefit from experience. Rolypolymoly – Comparatively decent on flat and attitude is improving. Nephew of faily capable sort but records of sire and trainer are not encouraging here. Shipton Moyne – Surprise winner on hurdles bow at Market Rasen but perhaps did not accomplish a great deal. Likeable performance first time and scope for improvement but not certain to confirm placings with Mucuna due to weight and conditions. My Rosa’s Gold – Shown very little on flat but interesting damline. Trainer is capable but usually starts slowly

I think the echoes caused by the sound of my soul being utterly obliterated have just finished reverberating. Tomorrow's race offers no potential of the glory that comes with highlighting a horse right before a huge plunge and a day ahead of it winning how it likes... But it's still a race I guess... NEWTON ABBOT - 1st July - Preview Four runners are set to face the starter in the latest instalment of the juvenile hurdles; the second consecutive one to take place at Newton Abbot. Given that the bulk of what could be written about these participants has already been written in previous previews, and that my energy levels are quite minimal, I am going to be quite lazy on this one. Essentially, I will post their titles, most recent profiles, and add onto them an overview of subsequent performances and anything that may be useful in the context of this contest. Hopefully, this will not become a habit but, out of necessity, it will have to be utilised today. Good juveniles such as Cracker Factory, Leoncavallo and Hiconic, along with eventually useful sorts in Vosne Romanee, Fire Dragon and Olofi, have graced the Westernmost track in the country during the summer. However, as a rule, such events are typically modest affairs with the average winner’s seasonal RPR being just short of 110. This particular juvenile was first held when opening the delayed 2020 season and was taken by Hiconic who ruled that particular summer. Last year’s renewal produced four subsequent winners, although only fourth placed Koi Dodville could be considered above average. Connections of Koi Dodville are represented here by Free Chakarte; one of two previous winners in the line-up. The remaining half of the field has shown little to date. A tight, left-handed track, Newton Abbot’s average winning DIs of 1.40 median, 1.51 mean make it one of the least demanding in the country insofar as stamina is concerned. Jumping is a slightly different matter as its clear round rate of 94.03% is lower than average. Newton Abbot is also one of the less predictable racecourses with the mean ISP of 8.10 also the ninth lowest. The going is currently good, all intended watering has been completed, and no further rain is expected before post time. Beerenberg bg Brian Barr f9-0-2 (56) 61 j1-0-0 (-) 54 68 National Defense (Evasive){14-b}(1.40) 3/1 Tsar Noir 57.0 2nd 4500m Grand Steeple-Chase Ville de Deauville (L,52.0), Clairefontaine 2019 Preview for Newton Abbot 21st June Initially with Joseph O’Brien, Beerenberg finished tenth at Cork last May, and eleventh at Naas in August before fetching 2,500 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn sale. There was a hint of promise on his British debut when fourth in a Kempton maiden before rounding off the year with a tepid performance on his handicap debut at Southwell. 2022 began with a second placing in a Wolverhampton seller over an extended mile where, along with finishing a length and a half ahead of Intriguing Lady, was arguably (but not decidedly) unlucky not to finish closer. Beerenberg’s four subsequent outings all came in handicap company and while his rating dropped to 55, he was never worse than midfield and his third at Chelmsford over ten furlongs saw his mark increase by a pound. Brian Barr has yet to have a winning juvenile from five and none of the four with more than one jumps race to their name was able to match their flat form. National Defense is a first-season sire and his credentials are not outstanding. Less than half of Invincible Spirit’s stallions have produced winners in the sphere, and National Defense is not the tallest at 16.0hh. Nevertheless, he did win over a mile at two and along with being a cousin of Adayar, is from the family of Aachen and Aalim. Beerenberg’s damline also affords distant glimmers of encouragement as the granddam is a half-sister to multiple winner Bright Sparky, and capable French handicap chaser Tsar Noir. Beerenberg is improving at his own rate, although he is still around a stone short of the best flat form and his head carriage could count against him along with his trainer’s negligible form in the sphere. Supplement Available at 12/1 in the morning, Beerenberg was steady in the ring and started the 8/1 fourth favourite of six. Held up towards the rear, he was not a complete natural to jumping as he was given to hopping, skewing and steadying at numerous hurdles. While the leading pair were out of reach by the time he made some headway on the turn for home, he did jump the penultimate flight in third position. However, it is concerning that he attempted to pull himself up when hampered by a faller and his twenty-three length last of four finishers is reflective of his ability and aptitude. Free Chakarte bf David Pipe f6-2-1 (32.0) 63 j2-1-1 (-) 90 98 Highland Reel (Pivotal){13-e}(0.82) 2/1 Libeccio 126 1st 2m4½f Handicap Hurdle, Plumpton 2016 https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/free-chakarte Preview for Hexham 4th June David Pipe won this race in 2010 with Lucky Quay, and last year with Koi Dodville; who had been bought out of a French claimer on his previous start. While Koi Dodville cost the same connections €14,506 after finishing second at Saint-Cloud, French Chakarte was slightly pricier at €17,001 following her win at Fontainebleau thirty-eight days ago. The road to Fontainebleau began last June with a staying-on third in a 1400m newcomers race at La Teste de Buch under the care of Simone Brogi. Disappointing on her return to the venue the following month, Free Chakarte was switched to Christophe Ferland’s yard and was next seen at Toulouse in March over 2100m where she finished in midfield; fading having led to the furlong marker. Later that month, a switch to handicapping (off a valeur of 33 (72.6) and more patient tactics back over a mile at La Teste failed to pay off as she got very warm and finished well beaten. Free Chakarte was then dropped to claiming company which saw her finally get off the mark at Royan in a 1600m contest on souple ground worth €8,000. Initially setting the pace, she slotted behind the leaders going into the back before regaining the lead turning for home and fending off a better travelling rival to win by three-quarters of a length. She conceded five-and-a-half kilos to the 29.0 rated runner-up and was nearly nine pounds better than the fifty-six rated third. The form has not been well advertised since, but it would still be worth a rating in the mid-high sixties. Later in April, Free Chakarte completed the double at Fontainebleau in a 2000m claimer worth more than twice the Royan contest. Stalking the leader from the outset, she was asked for her effort at the distance and though her immediate response was to wander under pressure, she straightened out inside the final furlong and had the measure of her rivals to the tune of a decisive length at the finish. She was getting weight from the first three to follow her home, but with them all rated between 30.0 (66) and 34.0 (74.8), another mark in the mid-high sixties would not be wide of the mark. Two of the nine juveniles formerly trained by Christophe Ferland were winners with each also able to score on their first runs in Britain. David Pipe is not shy about buying juveniles from French claimers and five of the twelve sourced in this fashion were winners; giving a winner runner rate of 41.67% which compares favourably to the 20.45% for all other trainers. While three of these would take a few runs to find their mark, the most recent pair – Adagio and Koi Dodville – did score at the first time of asking. Free Chakarte’s sire, Highland Reel, is one of two in this contest having their first forays in National Hunt racing and is also a globetrotting son of Galileo. However, while Mondialiste leaned towards the mile end of middle-distances, Highland Reel won five times over a mile and a half including a King George and a Coronation Cup. Highland Reel is the shorter of the two, measuring at 16.0¼hh, but despite his Antipodean flat heritage, is a 3/3 relative of Starspangledbanner; a sire emerging as rather adept with juvenile hurdlers. While preferring livelier ground as a racehorse, Highland Reel is getting winners on soft. All the same, as a probable source of stamina with good ground ability, Highland Reel has the attributes to enjoy success with summer jumpers. The distaff side of Free Chakarte’s pedigree also has some potential for the sphere as evidenced by uncle Libeccio who finished second in the juvenile handicap at Sandown before winning fairly useful hurdles over middle distances. Though unlikely to set the scene alight, Free Chakarte has less questions to answer than her opponents here and comes into the race with a solid chance. Supplement Free Chakarte shortened from 13/8 to 6/5 in the Hexham ring and was ultimately the only horse in the race. Sent to the front from flagfall, she posted a decent round of jumping with her only errors coming when skewing over the fifth, clipping the sixth and being untidy over the last when a very long way clear of her rivals. There is little to say about the form, particularly as the only seemingly feasible threat fell at the penultimate flight, and the time compared to the other races over the distance on the card was modest. Nevertheless, she was eased inside the final furlong and needed to do little more than required of her on the day. She made a quick reappearance at Aintree six days later and, in what looked no stronger a contest than at Hexham, was sent off the 2/5 favourite. However, while securing the lead was done quite easily, she did not settle quite so well as her first outing and her jumping also declined by a degree or two. Free Chakarte did trade as low as 1.29 in-running and was still leading on the bridle jumping two out, but an untidy jump at the last saw her concede the lead and she was relegated to third inside the final hundred yards. The most obvious explanation – that the race came too soon after Hexham – is probably the most plausible one and having enjoyed a three-week break, she will be the freshest coming into this contest. Moreover, she is weighted to reverse placing with her Aintree victor, Mucuna, and with the sharper Newton Abbot looking to suit her better than the aforementioned, not to mention her being the most apparent pace angle and her win over a mile in France, her prospects look solid. Mucuna bf Milton Harris f8-1-0 (49) 55 j1-1-0 (-) 86 94 Guiliani (Gold Away){14-b}(0.89) 2/1 Capellini 98 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (93), Plumpton 2013 Preview for Market Rasen 17th June Prior to his forced sabbatical, Milton Harris was no slouch when it came to juvenile hurdlers; saddling Modul to win the Grade 2 Summit and Finesse Hurdles in 2003/04 and subsequently guiding Gulf Punch (rated 45 and claimed for £5000), Pseudonym (also claimed for £5000), Rosie’s Glory (rated 60) and Moonfleet (rated 57) to the winners’ enclosure. Nevertheless, since his glorious return to the shores of Hoofiana, Harris has proven himself in no uncertain terms with an excellent winner to runner record of ten from twenty capped by last season’s hugely admirable Knight Salute. He has started the current season as he ended the last by winning a juvenile hurdle at Aintree with the 49 rated Mucuna. Her first five outings, commencing last October, came on the all-weather; starting at triple digit prices on each occasion with her best effort coming with a midfield finish in a mile Handicap at Kempton off 46. However, the switch to turf and a step up to ten furlongs saw her get off the mark at Salisbury back in April. Held up in midfield and racing widest of all, she was asked for her effort half a mile from home. It took a while for her to move through the gears, but she did run on strongest of all; taking it up in the final hundred yards and winning by three quarters of a length. The field finished in a heap but while the form amounts to little, Mucuna was clearly the best on the day. She was unable to follow up in a couple of Bath handicaps off 50 during May, finishing fourth on both occasions, but it was apparent that the track did not see her to best effect. The switch to hurdling came last week at Aintree and while she was backed from 20/1 into 4/1 second favourite, this was not a clandestine move as there was plenty of evidence for a good showing in a weak race. Although her rating is a low one, Milton Harris, since his return, has trained Romeo’s Bond (55) to win, and Global Agreement (56) to place first time. Mucuna’s pedigree was also feasibly conducive as Guiliani (another first-season sire) is a nephew of Getaway and the damline contains winners Capellini (2/1), listed class handicapper Beringneyev (3/1), Mahogany Blaze (4/3) and Petit Mouchoir (5/5). Held up last of four, in a race ran at a galop comparable to the handicap on the card, Mucuna was novicey over the first three flights as she was steady and awkward over one and two and jumped left while leaving her hind legs in the third. Nevertheless, she was more fluent thereafter and though behind her two remaining rivals when turning for home, was close up and ultimately the last to come off the bridle. Despite being squeezed out at the final flight, she took the lead in a matter of strides and with the rail to help, ran out a decisive and enthusiastic three-length winner. All told, she did not have to improve on her flat form to land the spoils and she is in deeper waters here if her opponents run to scratch. Notwithstanding, her willingness and proven hurdling ability still count for something and with the yard in decent form, Mucuna should put up a respectable showing. Supplement Though very well supported ahead of her Aintree bow, the market was rather lukewarm on her chances as she drifted from a morning 6/4 to 11/4 at the off. Held up off the pace, by some distance at stages, Mucuna’s standard of jumping was just below that of her debut. Having made headway into a threatening position rounding the turn for home, she was caught for toe as the race developed and a pair of awkward jumps over the last two flights did her no favours. The run-in at Market Rasen is the best part of two furlongs so she had plenty of time to put a strong finishing burst together. However, while she managed to eventually grab second in front of the stands, there was still over four lengths between herself and the winner at the line. The contest looked hotter than at Aintree but the prize went to the rank outsider and as few of her rivals really took to hurdles, the performance can only be regarded as a downgrade. Furthermore, Mucuna also hinted at a preference to jumping to her right, and while this was not a problem at Aintree, it could be one at Newton Abbot if symptomatic of an ingrained physiological issue. Mucuna has already beaten Free Chakarte and although the latter is better weighted, this could be offset by her rider’s claim. Notwithstanding, the characteristics of Newton Abbot do give weight to the argument that the Aintree placings can be reversed. Intriguing Lady bf Nigel Hawke f12-0-3 (50) 66 j2-0-1 (-) 61 69 Fascinating Rock (Invincible Spirit){9-e}(1.13) 2/1 Arthurian 87 1st 2m½f Juvenile Selling Hurdle, Stratford 2008 Preview for Newton Abbot 21st June Along with twelve flat outings to her name, Intriguing Lady is the most experienced hurdler set to face the starter by virtue of her running at Hexham early this month. She was formerly trained by Mark Johnston who, since 2005, has been the most prolific supplier of juvenile hurdles with 212 former inmates of Kingsley House taking up the vocation. For context, Mick Channon is next on the list with just three others reaching triple digits. Of those 212, fifty were winners, giving a healthy rate of 23.58%, although less than a third would improve on what they had shown for Johnston. The latter factor would be a matter of concern for Intriguing Lady whose early promise was fleeting and has been supplanted by disappointment. Her debut came at Ayr last August where, sporting a hood, she finished second of four behind a fair and experienced rival and ahead of a pair that have subsequently achieved little. Running green and down the field on her next two starts, she posted her career best on her handicap debut in a seven-furlong Newcastle nursery in October off 65. She was arguably unlucky when sixth in a Chelmsford claimer on her seventh and final start as a two-year-old, but on her first four starts of 2022, finished last in a handicap, last in a claimer, third in a seller won by a 54 rated animal, then eighth of nine in a Southwell handicap. Intriguing Lady was last seen finishing midfield in a Wolverhampton handicap where, sporting her fourth form of headgear, refused to settle before weakening late on. After this final outing, Intriguing Lady went to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale where she commanded just £2,000. Such an appraisal is not inherently damning to a young hurdler’s prospects, however, as five of the thirty-four juveniles to have left Mark Johnston’s at public auction for less than £5,000 would be winners. Her new handler, Nigel Hawke, has a respectable record in the sphere with a 19.70% winner to runner rate that increases to 25.71% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success come from those from Jim Bolger’s with seven of the ten such horses winning. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 8%. Furthermore, Nigel Hawke’s juveniles invariable improve for experience with his first-time strike rate being a mere 4.62%, and second time rate just 5.88%. Fascinating Rock’s record is below average by general standards with his sole winner from eight being the Joseph O’Brien trained Faron, and his clear round rate of 81.82% being low by any measure. Intriguing Lady’s uncle did win a juvenile hurdle, albeit a weak Stratford seller, and apart from minor winner Manjaam at 3/2, jumping prowess on the damline is negligible before reaching Mengli Khan at 4/2. Drifting from 9/1 to 14/1 at Hexham, all concerns manifested in the contest itself as she raced keenly, made errors at most flights before weakening tamely on leaving the back and finishing well beaten. Some experience is better than none, the sharper test might suit and the yard came close to breaking its dry run with a neck second last week. However, considerable improvement would still be required for her to feature strongly here. Supplement Intriguing Lady was sent off the 20/1 outsider of the field but there was improvement from her Hexham showing. Held up in the rear, she settled much better and her jumping also saw significant improvement with her skewing over the second being the only error of note. Nevertheless, she was still treading water on the turn for home and but for her remaining rivals pulling themselves up after the penultimate flight mele, she may have finished last. In fairness, she was carried widest of all by the loose horse and though she had no chance with the winner and less chance with the would-be winner, she is beginning to look one that could work with a reasonable mark. Strong prospects 1. Free Chakarte Reasonable prospects 2. Mucuna Feasible prospects . Moderate prospects 3. Intriguing Lady Negligible prospects 4. Beerenberg

Newton Abbot – 21st June – Preview The first three juvenile hurdles this season have all gone to the fillies. This is more a statistical cluster than systematic trend which plays out in the long term and at Newton Abbot, Intriguing Lady will be the sole vanguard for her sex against Dicktate and four other geldings. Held for the first time last season, the only other juvenile contest held at Newton Abbot during June was won by the classy Barizan in 2009. Otherwise, while good juveniles such as Cracker Factory, Leoncavallo and Hiconic, along with eventually useful sorts in Vosne Romanee, Fire Dragon and Olofi, have graced the Westernmost track in the country during the summer, such events are typically modest affairs with the average winner’s seasonal RPR being just short of 110. This maiden juvenile is rather par for the course as the sole participant with experience failed to impress first time, and although a couple of the newcomers have fair flat form for the time of year, neither have substantial profiles. A tight, left-handed track, Newton Abbot’s average winning DIs of 1.40 median, 1.51 mean make it one of the least demanding in the country insofar as stamina is concerned. Jumping is a slightly different matter as its clear round rate of 94.31% is lower than average, and this drops to 91.32% for newcomers which ranks it the ninth lowest in Britain and Ireland. Newton Abbot is also one of the less predictable racecourses with the mean ISP of 8.10 also the ninth lowest. The going is currently good with the ground being regularly watered to maintain. Alphonse Le Grande bg Ed Dunlop f14-1-3 (68) 75 Sea The Stars (Zoffany){1-n}(1.15) 3/1 Darley Sun 130 1st 2m6f Novices’ Hurdle, Stratford 2013 The Dunlop name is synonymous with flat racing with Harry and Ed following in their father’s footsteps by landing numerous top races at home and abroad. However, while the pater John was responsible for introducing Wahiba Sands to the jumps world, his sons have had such an impact on the game. Harry made it one from sixty-six at Uttoxeter last December, while Ed has yet to score in three attempts dating back to May 1989. The latter has had a fair spell on the flat recently and will be hoping Alphonse Le Grande can help him to draw level with his brother. One pound shy of bringing the highest flat rating into the race, Alphonse Le Grande is also the most experienced, and most accomplished runner in this field. A veteran of fourteen starts, he made his debut last July at Newmarket, finishing no closer than nine lengths to the winner in three outings. Switching to handicaps and stepping up to a mile, he was beaten less than four lengths off 67 at Wolverhampton and following a gelding operation and two month break, got to within half-a-length of breaking his duck at Kempton. The maiden victory finally came his way at the ninth attempt, just before Christmas in a Wolverhampton nursery over an extended nine furlongs off 67. Since then, his tally has not been doubled, nor has he has reached the frame in five subsequent outings; one on New Year’s Eve and four this spring at distances up to a mile and a half. Nevertheless, despite looking ponderous on occasion, he had been running to a consistent level while shaping as though he would thrive over further (Being such an anomaly, his last appearance, which saw him finish tailed off at Beverley having never settled, may well be forgiven). While damsire Zoffany was never tried beyond a mile, and dam Dolce Strega won a Group 3 over seven furlongs, stamina is still a key feature in Alphonse Le Grande’s pedigree. Sea The Stars has a fine winner to runner rate of 32.26% in the sphere while granddam is a half-sister to three winning jumpers over twenty furlongs and further; including the 2009 Cesarewitch winner, Darley Sun. Neither ability nor stamina are matters for concern, although even forgiving the latest outing, the trainer’s non-existent record in the division and the possibility that this race may be too sharp are not readily ignored. Beerenberg bg Brian Barr f9-0-2 (56) 61 National Defense (Evasive){14-b}(1.40) 3/1 Tsar Noir 57.0 2nd 4500m Grand Steeple-Chase Ville de Deauville (L,52.0), Clairefontaine 2019 Initially with Joseph O’Brien, Beerenberg finished tenth at Cork last May, and eleventh at Naas in August before fetching 2,500 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn sale. There was a hint of promise on his British debut when fourth in a Kempton maiden before rounding off the year with a tepid performance on his handicap debut at Southwell. 2022 began with a second placing in a Wolverhampton seller over an extended mile where, along with finishing a length and a half ahead of Intriguing Lady, was arguably (but not decidedly) unlucky not to finish closer. Beerenberg’s four subsequent outings all came in handicap company and while his rating dropped to 55, he was never worse than midfield and his third at Chelmsford over ten furlongs saw his mark increase by a pound. Brian Barr has yet to have a winning juvenile from five and none of the four with more than one jumps race to their name was able to match their flat form. National Defense is a first-season sire and his credentials are not outstanding. Less than half of Invincible Spirit’s stallions have produced winners in the sphere, and National Defense is not the tallest at 16.0hh. Nevertheless, he did win over a mile at two and along with being a cousin of Adayar, is from the family of Aachen and Aalim. Beerenberg’s damline also affords distant glimmers of encouragement as the granddam is a half-sister to multiple winner Bright Sparky, and capable French handicap chaser Tsar Noir. Beerenberg is improving at his own rate, although he is still around a stone short of the best flat form and his head carriage could count against him along with his trainer’s negligible form in the sphere. Captain Square chg Tom Lacey f6-0-2 (69) 74 Sir Percy (Duke Of Marmalade){1-m}(0.33) 3/1 Overturn 167 2nd Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham 2012 By Sir Percy (Knight Salute, winner-to-runner rate of 31.82%) and from the family of Chocala (2/1), Fisher Bridge (3/1) and Overturn (3/1), Captain Square has the most interesting pedigree in this line-up. Moreover, while he was a six-race maiden on the flat for Andrew Balding, his official rating 69 is the highest brought into the race. His first three outings all came over seven furlongs last July where he followed a midfield finish at Sandown (behind Derby also-ran Sonny Liston) with third (behind 1000 Guineas runner-up Prosperous Voyage) and fourth (behind Royal Lodge winner Royal Patronage) place finishes at Epsom. Captain Square got no closer five lengths to the aforementioned, but he did shape as though further would suit and his allotted mark of 72 was not unduly harsh. However, following an eight month break and a gelding operation, this potential did not play out in practice as Captain Square failed to make any real impression in a pair of twelve furlong handicaps in April. At Southwell, he failed to settle in a falsely run contest, but had no such excuse next time at Lingfield where he beat only one home. Captain Sqaure’s sights were lowered for his return to turf at Leicester and while all but one of his rivals were rated higher, his receiving weight all round and being much the least exposed saw him sent off the even money favourite. However, he failed to settle once again and although he led momentarily at the distance, was clear second best on the day. Following the race, Captain Square was claimed for £12,000 to join a Tom Lacey yard with two winners from ten in the sphere; both scoring at the first time of asking. Andrew Balding has supplied 108 juveniles to the division since 2004/05 and twenty of those were winners; including the likes of Knight Salute, Hollow Tree and Flaxen Flare. However, the improvement rare of 22.78% is a low one and of the six who were bought out of selling and claiming races, not one win was achieved from their twenty-eight runs combined. Captain Square has plenty going for him on his flat ability, pedigree and trainer’s respectable first time record. However, he is another who may find this contest on the sharp side and that he found himself in a seller while under the care Andrew Balding could be ominous. Dicktate bg Roger Teal f5-0-0 (62) 64 Lawman (Pivotal){3-d}(1.20) 2/2 Catherine Chroi 46 12th 3yo Maiden Hurdle , Fairyhouse 2021 After finishing well beaten on his debut at Kempton last August, Dicktate was not disgraced during the Autumn over ten furlongs at Bath and Goodwood; for all that he was beaten a combined fifteen lengths. However, his season ended with a tailed off eighth of nine at Newmarket and the revised mark of 64 still looked beyond him on his sole start this year when he was beaten twelve lengths at Salisbury with no apparent excuses to be made. Roger Teal’s jumps strike rate of 4% drops to 0% when isolating juvenile hurdlers with eight horses contributing to his zero from seventeen strike rate. The credentials of his sire, Lawman, are better as while his offspring are seldom better than ordinary, their winner-to-runner rate of 20.37% is solid. The damline is more patchy as the closest winning jumper, First Man, appears at 4/3. Hill Station bg Gary Moore f4-0-0 (56) 59 Born To Sea (Tobougg){11-d}(1.00) 1/0 Fulani’s 10th 3200m 3yo Conditions Hurdle, Compiegne 2011 On BHA ratings, Hill Station is the worst treated on these terms with his mark of 56 a fair reflection of a lacklustre four-race career. Three outings last year saw him finish no closer than eighth to the winner and his handicap debut on his seasonal reappearance at Wolverhampton five weeks ago resulted in an eleven length eighth. Unfancied in the market, he was not sharp enough to get involved in the mile and a half contest and was allowed to coast home in the straight as he passed beaten horses. There is little encouragement on the distaff side either as his dam, the only relative with hurdles experience, finished well beaten as a three-year-old in France. Nevertheless, there are elements of encouragement in Hill Station’s profile. His sire, Born To Sea (Aspire Tower, A Wave Of The Sea) has a solid winner to runner rate of 23.33% and his improvement rate of 50% is the strongest of the sires represented here. Gary Moore’s winner-to-runner rate of 36.57%, is much the strongest in this field and his record in Newton Abbot juveniles stands at 40%. Moreover, his first-time strike-rate of 19.25% is well above average and interestingly, when isolating those he trained on the flat himself, his first-time record at the track is four winners from four; the horses in question carrying BHA ratings of 68, 62, 59 and 59 again. Hill Station has to leave his flat form well behind, even though he was tenderly ridden on his reappearance during a time when the yard was coming out of a cold spell. In a contest where the leading contenders have shadows hanging over their profiles, Gary Moore’s record with his sort could be telling. Intriguing Lady bf Nigel Hawke f12-0-3 (50) 66 j1-0-0 (-) 58 72 Fascinating Rock (Invincible Spirit){9-e}(1.13) 2/1 Arthurian 87 1st 2m½f Juvenile Selling Hurdle, Stratford 2008 Along with twelve flat outings to her name, Intriguing Lady is the most experienced hurdler set to face the starter by virtue of her running at Hexham early this month. She was formerly trained by Mark Johnston who, since 2005, has been the most prolific supplier of juvenile hurdles with 212 former inmates of Kingsley House taking up the vocation. For context, Mick Channon is next on the list with just three others reaching triple digits. Of those 212, fifty were winners, giving a healthy rate of 23.58%, although less than a third would improve on what they had shown for Johnston. The latter factor would be a matter of concern for Intriguing Lady whose early promise was fleeting and has been supplanted by disappointment. Her debut came at Ayr last August where, sporting a hood, she finished second of four behind a fair and experienced rival and ahead of a pair that have subsequently achieved little. Running green and down the field on her next two starts, she posted her career best on her handicap debut in a seven-furlong Newcastle nursery in October off 65. She was arguably unlucky when sixth in a Chelmsford claimer on her seventh and final start as a two-year-old, but on her first four starts of 2022, finished last in a handicap, last in a claimer, third in a seller won by a 54 rated animal, then eighth of nine in a Southwell handicap. Intriguing Lady was last seen finishing midfield in a Wolverhampton handicap where, sporting her fourth form of headgear, refused to settle before weakening late on. After this final outing, Intriguing Lady went to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale where she commanded just £2,000. Such an appraisal is not inherently damning to a young hurdler’s prospects, however, as five of the thirty-four juveniles to have left Mark Johnston’s at public auction for less than £5,000 would be winners. Her new handler, Nigel Hawke, has a respectable record in the sphere with a 19.70% winner to runner rate that increases to 25.71% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success come from those from Jim Bolger’s with seven of the ten such horses winning. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 8%. Furthermore, Nigel Hawke’s juveniles invariable improve for experience with his first-time strike rate being a mere 4.62%, and second time rate just 5.88%. Fascinating Rock’s record is below average by general standards with his sole winner from eight being the Joseph O’Brien trained Faron, and his clear round rate of 81.82% being low by any measure. Intriguing Lady’s uncle did win a juvenile hurdle, albeit a weak Stratford seller, and apart from minor winner Manjaam at 3/2, jumping prowess on the damline is negligible before reaching Mengli Khan at 4/2. Drifting from 9/1 to 14/1 at Hexham, all concerns manifested in the contest itself as she raced keenly, made errors at most flights before weakening tamely on leaving the back and finishing well beaten. Some experience is better than none, the sharper test might suit and the yard came close to breaking its dry run with a neck second last week. However, considerable improvement would still be required for her to feature strongly here. Strong prospects 1. Hill Station Reasonable prospects 2. Captain Square 3. Alphonse Le Grande Feasible Prospects . Moderate prospects 4. Beerenberg 5. Intriguing Lady 6. Dicktate Negligible prospects .

Apologies for missing the Aintree race - would have been 1.Free Chakarte 2. Mucuna 3. Fast Style 4. All In Peder so probably for the best I was too tired from work to preview a four runner race. Luckily, I was able to get away a few hours early today so here is the preview for a five runner juvenile Market Rasen – 17th June – PreviewThe third juvenile hurdle of the season is set to take place at Market Rasen. While the Lincolnshire track has been the first step towards Triumph glory for the likes of Katchit, Countrywide Flame and Tiger Roll, this particular contest has been fairly typical for the course and the time of year. Exceptions include Orsippus (fourth in 2009), Chic Name (fifth in 2015) and the eventually useful King’s Wharf (second in 2012), but the average winners’ seasonal RPR of 106 is moderate. This year’s line-up is par for the course as while there is a winner and a strong travelling penultimate flight faller taking on a couple of flat winners with interesting pedigrees, the two juvenile hurdles to date have been modest and the flat form is not much better. A sharp, largely flat and right-handed track the course’s winning DIs of 1.27 median, 1.68 mean, are amongst the ten highest in the country although the figures are lower for this race and the completion rate of 83.94% is in the lower third. Notwithstanding, with the ground being described as good (watering to maintain) and none of the five participants being frontrunners, stamina demands are unlikely to be exacting.Bukela bg Brian Ellison f5-0-0 (54) 63 j1-0-0 (-) 75 ?Mondialiste (Val Royal){1-x}(0.92) 2/2 Bentons Lad 102 1st 2m4½f Handicap Hurdle (97), Southwell 2018From 2009, Brian Ellison saddled eight runners without success in this contest before Whiskey And Water won in 2019. This year’s representative, Bukela was initially under the care of Stef Keniry, for whom he was beaten no less than fifteen lengths on each of his three outings last year. Switched to Brian Ellison’s and armed with a basement mark of 55, Bukela showed his first piece of worthwhile form when reappearing in a sixteen-furlong Wetherby Handicap in April. Sent off at 22/1, having drifted from 16/1 to 33/1 in the morning, Bukela was outpaced in the early stages. However, despite showing greenness in the straight, was able to keep on in what was an honestly run contest for a three length fifth of thirteen. The form is taking a fair shape with the winner finishing second at Sandown, and the fourth winning next time out. Bukela’s second appearance of the season came at Redcar over a furlong shorter where he drifted from a morning 3/1 to 5/1. Never getting involved and finishing an eleven length eighth, his being hampered at the start did light him up although it was still a disappointing effort. Switched to hurdles at Hexham a fortnight ago, Bukela became the first of Mondialiste’s offspring to race over hurdles. Standing at a decent 16.1hh, the globetrotting Mondialiste won his first race at four before landing the Woodbine Mile and Arlington Million as well as finishing third in the Prix Jean Prat. Though a son of Galileo, whose winner to runner rate as a grandsire is a decent 27.74%, Mondialiste’s nephew Intello has had one winning juvenile from eight with none improving on their flat form. The damline’s clues to Bukela’s potential hurdling ability are similarly fair at best. Cousin Bentons Lad won three moderate handicap hurdles over intermediate distances, but remaining evidence is sparse until one reaches Lil Rockerfeller at 5/5. Sporting a first-time tongue strap, Bukela attracted strong support in the market, starting the 7/2 second favourite having been available at 10/1 in the morning. Held up towards the rear off an even gallop, he gave plenty of air over the first three flights but was tidier over the next three. Making headway along the back, he was at the quarters of the leaders and yet to be asked any serious question coming down at the penultimate flight; again, jumping big and clipping the flight with his forelegs before stumbling on landing and taking a clattering fall. Bukela did appear to be travelling in accordance with the market confidence but there was still plenty of the race to be run and with the winner disappointing next time, anything other than travelling strongly would have been a negative in what looks a poor race from a form perspective. Moreover, there would also be a concern that the fall might have left a psychological mark as those who fell on their hurdling debut have a 6.83% strike-rate second-time-out (compared to 9.33% for all other second time out runners). Hurdling experience is typically a positive and the market confidence at Hexham would not be dismissed at this stage. However, his flat form is not the strongest in this line-up and there are currently questions to answer.Fast Forward bg Alan King f10-2-2 (58) 64Recorder (One Cool Cat){14-c}(0.80) 2/1 Early Doors 153 1st Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (145), Cheltenham 2019Trainer Alan King’s record in the juvenile hurdling division is intimidating at all levels. As well as winning Grade Ones with the likes of Katchit, Franchoek, Walkon, Grumeti, and l’Unique, (the first two named introduced at Market Rasen) he also boasts a winner to runner rate of 47.84%, an improvement rate of 50.91%, and of those trained at Barbury Castle during their flat careers, 51.72% would win during their initial campaigns over jumps. Alan King is also adept at readying them first time out as per their 26.14% strike-rate. Even with those rated less than 62 on the flat, three of the eighteen won first-time at a rate of 16.67% (3.37% across all yards). This factor is pertinent to Fast Forward who, after fetching 30,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Guineas Sale as a two-year-old, ended a ten-race spell on the flat with a BHA mark of 58. Starting his career at Sandown last July, Fast Forward finished no better than midfield on his first five outings, but the application of cheekpieces coincided with his reaching the frame in a mile nursery at Newcastle in late November off 46. Following a lacklustre return from a winter break at Southwell in mid-March, Fast Forward broke his duck at Windsor at the beginning of May in a Windsor handicap over an extended eleven furlongs. Weak in the market, sent off at 20/1 having started the day at half that price, Fast Forward settled behind the leaders before being asked for his effort turning into the straight. From there, he was engaged in a protracted battle for the lead in which he ultimately prevailed by a head; the front pair finishing five lengths clear of the remainder. He failed to follow up when next seen towards the end of May in a similar contest at Yarmouth. Ridden more conservatively, he met with an unclear passage at the distance before finishing strongly inside the final furlong; denied a half-length by a subsequent winner. Nevertheless, Fast Forward regained the winning thread when returning to Yarmouth last week, his mark of 55 giving him top-weight. Ridden more prominently in a steadily run contest, he was travelling much the best as the race developed and after hitting the front at the distance, was always doing enough to win by a neck and a head with the fourth a further three lengths behind. There is still room to maneuver in his rating of 58 so it is interesting that connections have opted to switch to hurdling rather than take advantage of his seemingly generous mark. Notwithstanding, there are grounds in his pedigree for doing so as his uncle, Early Doors, won on his hurdling debut as a four-year-old after a brief but fruitful bumper career before going on to win the Martin Pipe Hurdle and the Galway Plate over the next two years. His auntie Yauthym placed in the listed juvenile hurdle at Doncaster, other useful winners, Smaoineamh Alainn and Conclave were produced by the third dam while Scolardy (5/3) and The Young Master (5/6) appear further back. Recorder is one of three first-season jumps stallions represented here and although he retired after winning the Acomb Stakes, his prospects for the sphere are not negligible. As per Bukala’s profile, sons of Galileo can produce juvenile hurdlers and though a little on the short side at 16.0hh, was bred to be a stayer with his being a full-brother to a couple of useful sorts with wins over the Leger trip and beyond (one being Call To Mind), and DI of 0.77. Fast Forward has a progressive profile with his best flat form bettered by only one rival and as he is the only runner to have been ridden prominently with success, he could be the pace angle in a contest won by his strong and in-form trainer with another newcomer, Red Mercury, in 2011.Ha Long Bay chg Adrian Paul Keatley f9-2-0 (70) 74Mastercraftsman (Bushranger){8}(3.00) 3/1 Arch Rebel 145 1st Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Leopardstown 2004Following a nine race spell on the flat, Ha Long Bay comes into this contest with a mark of 70, which gives him the best part of a stone in hand over his rivals. First seeing the racecourse at Beverley last September, Ha Long Bay ran largely with credit on five occasions in novices and nurserys without reaching the frame. Following his winter break, he returned in a seven furlong handicap at Catterick where, racing off 61, was the subject of a plunge; starting the 11/4 favourite having opened at 8/1 in the morning. Caught for toe in the early stages and seemingly making heavy weather of things at the distance with more than half the field still ahead of him, Ha Long Bay was able to finish strongly once the penny dropped, passing five rivals inside the final furlong to win in the final strides by a neck. Reappearing under a penalty at Redcar eight days later over an extra furlong, Ha Long Bay justified favouritism to land a brace. Settled in midfield but making steadier headway, he was battling for the lead at the furlong marker before winning by a neck from a previous winner. The revised mark of 72 put an end to his winning streak but he still ran with credit when a one-paced fourth in a Class 3 at York, before struggling to make an impression at Beverley last time when stepped up to twelve furlongs. Subsequently dropped to 70, the impression is that Ha Long Bay has reached his ceiling on the flat. However, a switch in codes is not an unreasonable move based on his breeding. Mastercraftsman is firmly established as one of the stronger stallions in the division with only Galileo and Montjeu producing more winning juveniles since 2004/05. While the distaff side is primarily based in the States, talented juvenile Arch Rebel is out of the third dam while useful US jumps winners Call Me Sonny and Old Timer appear at 4/2 and 5/3 on the damline. Trainer Adrian Paul Keatley has had a winning juvenile, but that came when Champagne Terri (trained by Keatley on the flat and of a similar ability to Ha Long Bay) scored at the third time of asking; making his overall record one win from thirty-two starts. That Keatley has also gone the best part of a month without a winner with his last ten runners failing to reach the frame, the enthusiasm created by Ha Long Bay’s pedigree and flat superiority is tempered.Mucuna bf Milton Harris f8-1-0 (49) 55 j1-1-0 (-) 86 94Guiliani (Gold Away){14-b}(0.89) 2/1 Capellini 98 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (93), Plumpton 2013Prior to his forced sabbatical, Milton Harris was no slouch when it came to juvenile hurdlers; saddling Modul to win the Grade 2 Summit and Finesse Hurdles in 2003/04 and subsequently guiding Gulf Punch (rated 45 and claimed for £5000), Pseudonym (also claimed for £5000), Rosie’s Glory (rated 60) and Moonfleet (rated 57) to the winners’ enclosure. Nevertheless, since his glorious return to the shores of Hoofiana, Harris has proven himself in no uncertain terms with an excellent winner to runner record of ten from twenty capped by last season’s hugely admirable Knight Salute. He has started the current season as he ended the last by winning a juvenile hurdle at Aintree with the 49 rated Mucuna. Her first five outings, commencing last October, came on the all-weather; starting at triple digit prices on each occasion with her best effort coming with a midfield finish in a mile Handicap at Kempton off 46. However, the switch to turf and a step up to ten furlongs saw her get off the mark at Salisbury back in April. Held up in midfield and racing widest of all, she was asked for her effort half a mile from home. It took a while for her to move through the gears, but she did run on strongest of all; taking it up in the final hundred yards and winning by three quarters of a length. The field finished in a heap but while the form amounts to little, Mucuna was clearly the best on the day. She was unable to follow up in a couple of Bath handicaps off 50 during May, finishing fourth on both occasions, but it was apparent that the track did not see her to best effect. The switch to hurdling came last week at Aintree and while she was backed from 20/1 into 4/1 second favourite, this was not a clandestine move as there was plenty of evidence for a good showing in a weak race. Although her rating is a low one, Milton Harris, since his return, has trained Romeo’s Bond (55) to win, and Global Agreement (56) to place first time. Mucuna’s pedigree was also feasibly conducive as Guiliani (another first-season sire) is a nephew of Getaway and the damline contains winners Capellini (2/1), listed class handicapper Beringneyev (3/1), Mahogany Blaze (4/3) and Petit Mouchoir (5/5). Held up last of four, in a race ran at a galop comparable to the handicap on the card, Mucuna was novicey over the first three flights as she was steady and awkward over one and two and jumped left while leaving her hind legs in the third. Nevertheless, she was more fluent thereafter and though behind her two remaining rivals when turning for home, was close up and ultimately the last to come off the bridle. Despite being squeezed out at the final flight, she took the lead in a matter of strides and with the rail to help, ran out a decisive and enthusiastic three-length winner. All told, she did not have to improve on her flat form to land the spoils and she is in deeper waters here if her opponents run to scratch. Notwithstanding, her willingness and proven hurdling ability still count for something and with the yard in decent form, Mucuna should put up a respectable showing.Shipton Moyne bf Richard J Bandey f5-0-0 (45) 51Coach House (Kyllachy){4-n}(3.00) 2/2 Mongolia 58.0/111 1st 3800m 4yo Fillies’ Conditions Hurdle. Angers 2020Finishing a ten length sixth on her racecourse bow at Kempton in December, Shipton Moyne has been unable to match that effort in four subsequent outings. Having ran over seven furlongs and a mile prior to a break, she was last seen at Windsor in early May over an extended eleven furlongs where she finished weakly some twelve lengths behind Fast Forward. Sire Coach House has had a winner from three juveniles, and cousin Mongolia won in the French provinces at four. However, the remainder of the damline (which includes Treve and Triptych) is weak as far as jumpers are concerned, Kyllachy is an underwhelming influence in the sphere and is zero from one with his juveniles.tl:drBukela – Modest maiden on flat but not without ability and trainer is capable in sphere. Well backed when falling two-out at Hexham. Too early to confidently ascertain where he might have finished but potential effect on his psyche adds to ponderous profileFast Forward – Progressive on flat, showing good attitude when winning two of last three starts at low level. With outstanding trainer, has interesting pedigree and could be suited by pace composition.Ha Long Bay – Highest rated on flat by best part of a stone and is bred for the game. Switch to hurdling may be due to lack of options on flat and trainer not well established in field.Mucuna – Winning handicapper on flat at low grade. Trainer is highly skilled with juveniles and suitable pedigree saw her make a winning hurdles bow at Aintree. Form probably amounts to little but experience should have her in good stead.Shipton Moyne – Very little on flat and trainer not proven in discipline. Hints of promise in patchy pedigree but still plenty to find.Strong prospects1. Fast ForwardReasonable prospects2. Mucuna3. Ha Long BayFeasible prospects4. BukelaModerate prospects.Negligible prospects5. Shipton Moyne

Hello all... Haven't had time to do a proper opening post with stats, explanations and so forth. Will be nice to do one before long but for now, I am just going to jump in with the first preview essay of the season. Enjoy Hexham - 4th June - PreviewAt the beginning of this century, the season’s opening juvenile hurdle took place at Market Rasen during mid-late July. In 2004, Stratford supplanted Market Rasen by a week before the latter reclaimed its position in 2006 by hosting the first juvenile hurdle to be held in June since summer jumping became a whole thing. Not to be outdone, Stratford raised the curtain on the tenth of June in 2007 before Hexham stepped in to give those competing in the 2008 Epsom Derby an insight into what awaited them if they did not fancy retiring to the breeding sheds. The following year, Stratford hosted the first three-year-old hurdle to be held in May. Everybody agreed that this was silly and apart from Ffos Las going four days ahead of Hexham in 2012, and Newton Abbot getting things underway during “the uncertain times”, British juvenile hurdlers have been making their first forays at the country’s most beautiful racecourse.Titled “Most Important 3-Year-Old Race Today”, Saturday’s juvenile hurdle at Hexham is certainly the most anticipated three-year-old contest of the Summer; in this quarter at least. This season will see the interesting initiative of “Junior National Hunt Development Hurdle Races”, in a bid to catch up with the French (although the French do allow those with flat form to contest three-year-old hurdles). As such, it is fitting to compare the Hexham contest with the equivalent Prix d'Essai des Poulains held at Compiegne in March. The former has been a launchpad for the likes of Roi Mage, Buddy Banks, Quilixios, Sceau Royal and Grandouet; the latter three contesting the Triumph Hurdle with Quilixios winning in 2021, and Grandouet placing in 2011. However, in terms of participants, Hexham’s less heralded curtain-raiser can claim four during the same period; albeit with Simarian’s seventh in 2009 being the best placing – Lindenhurst and (last year’s winner) Koi Dodville finishing ninth and eleventh respectively, and Rupestrian pulling up in 2010.Amusing quirks aside, Hexham’s race historically takes little winning with the first-past-the-post achieving a seasonal best RPR of 103 median, 105.46 mean, while those winners with flat ratings brought an average BHA mark of just 58.08. Notwithstanding, the contest is not without its occasional useful participants as alongside the aforementioned Triumph horses, City Dreamer, Come On Sunshine and Maria Magdalena also went on to reach the frame in the Wensleydale Hurdle. This year’s renewal has the potential to be quite handy as for all that their profiles are akin to the curate’s egg, several represent strong yards in the division while some pedigrees and flat ratings are above average for the time of year. As far as the track itself is concerned, Hexham, with its left-handed, galloping and very undulating circuit, is probably the most demanding in Britain and Ireland for juvenile hurdlers. Their average winning DIs of 1.135 mean and 0.92 median are lower only at Cheltenham and Chepstow with the gap between winners and beaten horses being the most pronounced in the country. Time of year is immaterial to these figures, reading at 1.16 and 0.90 for this particular contest. While not providing a particularly difficult jumping test, its clear round rate of 97.4% being ninth highest in the UK, only Southwell has a lower completion rate than Hexham’s 77.27%. Consequently, stamina is a crucial attribute for the young horses going into battle on Saturday. A couple of these have made the running during the course of their short careers and as a few have also shown a propensity to become lit up, the pace should be an honest one. The going currently reads as good to soft and while watering was planned earlier this week, that would no longer be the case.Bukela bg Brian Ellison f5-0-0 (54) 63Mondialiste (Val Royal){1-x}(0.92) 2/2 Bentons Lad 102 1st 2m4½f Handicap Hurdle (97), Southwell 2018Since this race’s inception, Brian Ellison has had two winners from five in this contest; with Dilizan landing the 2012 edition, and Come On Sunshine scoring two years later. Each of these were trained by Ellison on the flat, which is also partially true of this year’s representative, Bukela. Initially under the care of Stef Keniry, whose graduates to the division consist of two winners from three, Bukela was beaten no less than fifteen lengths on each of his three outings last year. Switched to Brian Ellison’s and armed with a basement mark of 55, Bukela showed his first piece of worthwhile form when reappearing in a sixteen-furlong Wetherby Handicap in April. Sent off at 22/1, having drifted from 16/1 to 33/1 in the morning, Bukela was outpaced in the early stages. However, despite showing greenness in the straight, was able to keep on in what was an honestly run contest for a three length fifth of thirteen. The form is taking a fair shape with the winner finishing second at Sandown, and the fourth winning next time out. However, he does emerge some fourteen pounds wrong with the reopposing National Charter who finished in third. Bukela’s second appearance of the season came three weeks ago at Redcar over a furlong shorter where he drifted from a morning 3/1 to 5/1. Never getting involved and finishing an eleven length eighth, his being hampered at the start did light him up although it was still a disappointing effort. Quite locally bred, Bukela is set to become the first of Mondialiste’s offspring to race over hurdles. Standing at a decent 16.1hh, the globetrotting Mondialiste won his first race at four before landing the Woodbine Mile and Arlington Million as well as finishing third in the Prix Jean Prat. Though a son of Galileo, whose winner to runner rate as a grandsire is a decent 27.6%, Mondialiste’s nephew Intello has had one winning juvenile from eight with none improving on their flat form. The damline’s clues to Bukela’s potential hurdling ability are similarly fair at best. Cousin Bentons Lad won three moderate handicap hurdles over intermediate distances, but remaining evidence is sparse until one reaches Lil Rockerfeller at 5/5. Brian Hughes was initially booked for the ride, but while he has other bookings on the card, he has neglected to take this mount. Not that Henry Brooke, who is two from eleven in Hexham juveniles, is not an able deputy.Exceed All Limits bg Andrew Crook f2-0-0 (-) 56Excelebration (Tomba){9-c}(11.00) 2/1 Chief Scout 101 2nd 2m Novices' Hurdle, Kelso 2007Gelded prior to making his racecourse debut at in a twelve furlong April novice stakes at Ripon, Exceed All Limits started at 100/1 and ran accordingly, never leaving the rear to finish a thirteen length fifth of five. Though he beat two of his thirteen rivals home over ten furlongs at Newcastle eleven days ago, he was beaten thirty-seven lengths. Andrew Crook has had three winning juveniles from sixteen, although none scored first time nor were they handled by Crook on the flat. Furthermore, only a third improved for the switch to hurdles which is crucial to Exceed All Limits’ chances. Sire Excelebration has had two winners from twenty in the sphere, but one was out of a Montjeu mare and Tomba has had no success either as a sire or damsire.Jad Mahal bg Alan King f4-0-1 (68) 72Dabirsim (Shamardal){4-m}(2.25) 0.5 Selma 119 3rd 3600m 3yo Handicap Hurdle (62.0), Auteuil 2021The profile of Jad Mahal is very much one of contrasts. Trainer Alan King’s record in the juvenile hurdling division is intimidating at all levels. As well as winning Grade Ones with the likes of Katchit, Walkon, Grumeti, Franchoek and l’Unique, he also boasts a winner to runner rate of 48.05%, an improvement rate of 50.91%, and of those trained at Barbury Castle during their flat careers, 52.33% would win during their initial campaigns over jumps. Alan King is also adept at readying them first time out as per his 25.76% strike-rate. Conversely, Dabirsim’s record as a stallion of juvenile hurdlers is lamentable. A precocious and speedy racehorse with precocious and speedy offspring, his four juveniles have amassed a mere £350 from seven outings and his sole winning jumper in Britain did so in a two-mile Warwick handicap off 92. Such trepidation about the breeding is somewhat offset by his half-sister being a fairly useful juvenile hurdler in France last term, although her being by Camelot certainly did no harm. Indeed, being a nephew of Threading, out of a niece of Dubai Millennium, Jad Mahal’s greatest chance to shine would have been on the flat. Since fetching £34,000 at the Goresbridge Breeze-Up last June, Jad Mahal’s racing career has also been one of contrast. After finishing midfield on his debut at Leicester last October, given a relatively easy ride having shown greenness, he posted his career best at Wolverhampton the following month in a seven-furlong maiden. Sent off the 18/5 favourite, Jad Mahal tracked the leaders and though ridden turning into the straight, was close enough if good enough. Though he hung under pressure and was unable to find an extra gear, his keeping-on third – just over a length behind a dual subsequent winner and seven lengths ahead of another – would be the strongest on offer in this contest. However, following his winter break, he failed to build on that effort as he was beaten thirteen lengths when dropping away in a ten-furlong Lingfield maiden at the end of March, and finished last of seven on his handicap debut at Goodwood over a mile which may have been too sharp. The equine embodiment of the curate’s egg, Jad Mahal is an interesting recruit based on his powerful and in-form yard, his useful half-sister, and his sole decent flat performance. However, while connections won this contest in 2019 with Green Etoile, his unaccountably poor form at three, subsequent gelding operation and the dubious record of his sire definitely temper enthusiasm.Moonlight Dawn chg Adrian Paul Keatley f1-0-0 (-) 26Dawn Approach (Danehill Dancer){13-c}(1.18) 3/1 Cape Express 137 1st 2m1f Handicap Hurdle (125), Aintree 2012Represented in last season’s renewal by Space Kid, who finished a well beaten fourth, Adrian Paul Keatley will be hoping for better from the aforementioned’s half-brother, Moonlight Dawn. However, while Space Kid was able to win at two, Moonlight Dawn showed very little promise on his sole outing at Doncaster last October in finishing a twenty-length fourteenth of fifteen. Moreover, while Space Kid’s sire, Tamayuz, is a capable sire in the division, the same cannot be said of Dawn Approach whose fourteen juveniles have collected no wins from thirty-one attempts. The damline offers some respite as the useful Cape Express appears at 3/1 alongside another winner in Leo McGarry, while useful French hurdler Lalezari is out of the fifth dam. However, that would be the sum of Moonlight Dawn’s prospects.Quickdrawmcgraw bg Evan Williams f5-0-0 (52) 52Kodi Bear (Barathea){16-c}(0.68) 1/0 Silk Affair 131 1st Fred Winter Juv HcH (G3,125), Cheltenham 2009Despite having the second lowest official rating in this line-up, Quickdrawmcgraw attracted the highest bid at auction for an experienced participant when going to 17,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Guineas Sale (to stay in the same yard). His rating is one fully justified by his five performances spanning from last June to mid-January. Out with the washing when beaten by fourteen lengths on his debut over five furlongs at Bath, he was beaten the same distance at Chepstow over seven. Given three months off the track, he stepped up marginally in a couple of outings at Leicester; first in a novice stakes where he weakened to finish just over ten lengths behind the winner in sixth having raced keenly (half a length behind Jad Mahal who was making his debut); and in a nursery off 57 where he led briefly at the distance but ultimately filled the same slot, albeit two lengths closer. Quickdrawmcgraw’s sole outing this side of Christmas came in a ten-furlong Lingfield handicap off 54 in which he never left the rear and was beaten just over eight lengths in seventh; although his final furlong time was the fourth fastest in the field. On form, his price tag is difficult to justify, but there are some clues in his pedigree to suggest he may do better as a juvenile hurdler. Kodi Bear has had only one winner from seven in the sphere, but that was Fred Bear (incidentally, Quickdrawmcgraw’s cousin) who won at Stratford last August before finishing second in middle distance handicaps at Fontwell and Plumpton. The dam, Silk Affair, won the 2009 Fred Winter Hurdle and is herself a half-sister to five other winning jumpers including the useful Arthur’s Gift and Direct Bearing. Other useful performers on the damline include Ecco (2/3), Ski Sunday (4/4) and the likes of Silsol, Saglawy, Salden Licht and Sweet Wake at 4/5. The care of Evan Williams is also a positive as, along with boasting a healthy winner-to-runner rate of 28.45% in the sphere, has a 16.25% first-time strike rate with flat recruits and a 31.25% strike rate in the months of June and July; which includes Simarian who won this race in 2008. Moreover, the two juveniles that Evan Williams trained on the flat – the 69 rated Torba and the 52 rated Nick The Silver - were both winners. Quickdrawmcgraw will need to improve markedly on his flat form, but everything else in his profile suggests that, while not an outstanding candidate in this field, should find his level over hurdles in the coming months.Free Chakarte bf David Pipe f6-2-1 (32.0) 63Highland Reel (Pivotal){13-e}(0.82) 2/1 Libeccio 126 1st 2m4½f Handicap Hurdle, Plumpton 2016https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/free-chakarteDavid Pipe won this race in 2010 with Lucky Quay, and last year with Koi Dodville; who had been bought out of a French claimer on his previous start. While Koi Dodville cost the same connections €14,506 after finishing second at Saint-Cloud, French Chakarte was slightly pricier at €17,001 following her win at Fontainebleau thirty-eight days ago. The road to Fontainebleau began last June with a staying-on third in a 1400m newcomers race at La Teste de Buch under the care of Simone Brogi. Disappointing on her return to the venue the following month, Free Chakarte was switched to Christophe Ferland’s yard and was next seen at Toulouse in March over 2100m where she finished in midfield; fading having led to the furlong marker. Later that month, a switch to handicapping (off a valeur of 33 (72.6) and more patient tactics back over a mile at La Teste failed to pay off as she got very warm and finished well beaten. Free Chakarte was then dropped to claiming company which saw her finally get off the mark at Royan in a 1600m contest on souple ground worth €8,000. Initially setting the pace, she slotted behind the leaders going into the back before regaining the lead turning for home and fending off a better travelling rival to win by three-quarters of a length. She conceded five-and-a-half kilos to the 29.0 rated runner-up and was nearly nine pounds better than the fifty-six rated third. The form has not been well advertised since, but it would still be worth a rating in the mid-high sixties. Later in April, Free Chakarte completed the double at Fontainebleau in a 2000m claimer worth more than twice the Royan contest. Stalking the leader from the outset, she was asked for her effort at the distance and though her immediate response was to wander under pressure, she straightened out inside the final furlong and had the measure of her rivals to the tune of a decisive length at the finish. She was getting weight from the first three to follow her home, but with them all rated between 30.0 (66) and 34.0 (74.8), another mark in the mid-high sixties would not be wide of the mark. Two of the nine juveniles formerly trained by Christophe Ferland were winners with each also able to score on their first runs in Britain. David Pipe is not shy about buying juveniles from French claimers and five of the twelve sourced in this fashion were winners; giving a winner runner rate of 41.67% which compares favourably to the 20.45% for all other trainers. While three of these would take a few runs to find their mark, the most recent pair – Adagio and Koi Dodville – did score at the first time of asking. Free Chakarte’s sire, Highland Reel, is one of two in this contest having their first forays in National Hunt racing and is also a globetrotting son of Galileo. However, while Mondialiste leaned towards the mile end of middle-distances, Highland Reel won five times over a mile and a half including a King George and a Coronation Cup. Highland Reel is the shorter of the two, measuring at 16.0¼hh, but despite his Antipodean flat heritage, is a 3/3 relative of Starspangledbanner; a sire emerging as rather adept with juvenile hurdlers. While preferring livelier ground as a racehorse, Highland Reel is getting winners on soft. All the same, as a probable source of stamina with good ground ability, Highland Reel has the attributes to enjoy success with summer jumpers. The distaff side of Free Chakarte’s pedigree also has some potential for the sphere as evidenced by uncle Libeccio who finished second in the juvenile handicap at Sandown before winning fairly useful hurdles over middle distances. Though unlikely to set the scene alight, Free Chakarte has less questions to answer than her opponents here and comes into the race with a solid chance.Intriguing Lady bf Nigel Hawke f12-0-3 (50) 66Fascinating Rock (Invincible Spirit){9-e}(1.13) 2/1 Arthurian 87 1st 2m½f Juvenile Selling Hurdle, Stratford 2008The veteran of twelve outings, Intriguing Lady is the most experienced participant set to face the starter. She was formerly trained by Mark Johnston who, since 2005, has been the most prolific supplier of juvenile hurdles with 211 former inmates of Kingsley House(?) taking up the vocation. For context, Mick Channon is next on the list with just three others reaching triple digits. Of those 211, fifty were winners, giving a healthy rate of 26.47%, although less than a third would improve on what they had shown for Johnston. The latter factor would be a matter of concern for Intriguing Lady whose early promise was fleeting and has been supplanted by disappointment. Her debut came at Ayr last August where, sporting a hood, she finished second of four behind a fair and experienced rival and ahead of a pair that have subsequently achieved little. Running green and down the field on her next two starts, she posted her career best on her handicap debut in a seven-furlong Newcastle nursery in October off 65. She was arguably unlucky when sixth in a Chelmsford claimer on her seventh and final start as a two-year-old, but on her first four starts of 2022, finished last in a handicap, last in a claimer, third in a seller won by a 54 rated animal, then eighth of nine in a Southwell handicap. Intriguing Lady was last seen finishing midfield in a Wolverhampton handicap where, sporting her fourth form of headgear, refused to settle before weakening late on. After this final outing, Intriguing Lady went to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale where she commanded just £2,000. Such an appraisal is not inherently damning to a young hurdler’s prospects, however, as five of the thirty-four juveniles to have left Mark Johnston’s at public auction for less than £5,000 would be winners; including Rupestrian who won this very contest in 2009 for Tim Vaughan after fetching £4,000 at the DBS Lincoln Sale. Her new handler, Nigel Hawke, has a respectable record in the sphere with a 20% winner to runner rate that increases to 26.47% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success come from those from Jim Bolger’s with seven of the ten such horses winning. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 9.38%. Furthermore, Nigel Hawke’s juveniles invariable improve for experience with his first-time strike rate being a mere 4.69%. Fascinating Rock has one of the better records of the sires represented in this field but is still below average by general standards with his sole winner from seven being the Joseph O’Brien trained Faron, and his clear round rate of 80.95% being low by any measure. Intriguing Lady’s uncle did win a juvenile hurdle, albeit a weak Stratford seller, and apart from minor winner Manjaam at 3/2, jumping prowess on the damline is negligible before reaching Mengli Khan at 4/2. Even if Intriguing Lady has somehow learned to settle better over the past ten weeks, there were already concerns over her stamina and given her likely freshness and trainer’s modus operandi, the challenge posed by Hexham is unlikely to see her to best effect.National Charter bf Chris Grant f5-0-1 (62) 70Lawman (Big Shuffle){1-h}(1.40) 0.5 Tiki Fire 90 2nd 2m Fillies' Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, Hereford 2022Like her half-sister Tiki Fire, National Charter commanded a price tag of 140,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Also like Tiki Fire, she returned to Tattersalls before embarking on a juvenile hurdling career. While Tiki Fire ran on the flat for Karl Burke, National Charter started off with William Haggas whose seventy-one graduates count twenty-three winning juveniles amongst them. While many ex-Haggas horses were above-average on the flat, those rated seventy and lower still have a solid winner-to-runner rate of 20.75%. National Charter raced just once at two, finishing just over four lengths fourth in a seven-furlong Lingfield novice and shaping as though she would come on for the experience. Nothing went right when tailed off at Newcastle in January, but there was improvement in her next couple of outings when just the wrong side of midfield at Southwell over a mile, and Wolverhampton over a mile and four on her handicap debut in March. Her best effort came last time out, running off 61, over a mile and six at Wetherby where she doubled in price from 6/1 in the morning, before being trimmed into 8/1 in the ring. Held up towards the rear, she made headway along the turn for home and travelling well at the three pole, looked to make a strong challenge after getting the hang of things at the distance. Though she was unable to see out the race as well as the front pair, she held on for third by a neck from a next time out winner while emerging a stone to the good on these terms against the reopposing Bukela. Her sire, Lawman, is the most established of those represented in this line-up while also boasting a solid winner to runner rate of 20.75%. As well as being a half-sister to Tiki Fire, who managed to place in a pair of fillies’ maiden juveniles last term before moving to Germany for £4,800, National Charter is related to several winning jumpers (incidentally of Teutonic stock) in Dollar Star (3/1), Dictum (3/2), Don Cossack (4/3) and Dubai Star (4/4). Local-ish trainer Chris Grant has a fair record in the sphere with his winner-to-runner rate of 18.75% improving to 20% when isolating flat recruits purchased at public auction; including three-time winner Lazy Darren who also fetched 16,000 guineas back in 2007. However, less can be said of his improvement rate of 23.81% and his only first-time winner from thirty-three came courtesy of an ex-French import who won in February 2011 and had upwards of ten pounds over his rivals on flat form. While National Charter is an improving sort with a fairly interesting profile, her trainer’s lack of recent winner and dearth of first-time winners in the sphere are not encouraging.Strong prospects1.Free ChakarteReasonable prospects2.Quickdrawmcgraw3.Jad MahalFeasible prospects4.National Charter5.BukelaModerate prospects6.Intriguing LadyNegligible prospects7.Exceed All Limits8.Moonlight Dawn