Back by popular demand just in time for the proper racing, here are a few names I think will progress over the coming months. 1. Limini This 4 yo daughter of Peintre Celebre made her debut for the Mullins yard in a Punchestown maiden hurdle in May which the yard had previously won with a certain Hurricane Fly. Big hooves to follow but she certainly looked a cut above when winning this 23 runner with bundles in hand, simply nudged out near the line to beat subsequent 4-time winner Sandymount Duke. This was a proper maiden, strongly run, with a very good prospect also back in third it was the ease she moved through it left an impression on me. Blessed with a good cruise and gears, I'd be surprised it she doesn't pick up a Grade 3 or Grade 2 on the way to the new mares novice race at Cheltenham. 2. Yorkhill Twice bumper winner for Mr Wylie trained at Closutton by Willie Mullins, this horse signed off by winning one of the best bumpers of the year in imperious fashion at Punchestown. Ridden with complete confidence by Patrick, he simply looked to toy with a very good field including a pair of fancied Nicky Henderson runners. Already a point winner, jumping will be his game and he seems versatile regards ground conditions. I think 2m4 is his trip so the Neptune looks a likely target but as usual with the stable, the owner has other horses to be considered especially Bellshill so he could become a Supreme contender in March. He's certainly got an abundance of class and trained by the master, this horse will go very close wherever he ends up at Cheltenham. 3. Rathnure Rebel One of the most impressive point to point winners I've seen, this horse now with Noel Meade absolutely destroyed his field having pulled uncontrollably from flag fall. He sped off into an unassailable lead and just went further and further clear, devouring his fences almost reminiscent of a certain horse known as 'The Tank'. Have a look for yourself at it. http://www.p2ptv.ie/?tube=737 This horse missed last season and I'm having a guess he'll be running this season as he's certainly one who could rout some good bumpers, especially if he could be taught to settle. 4. No More Heroes I think I may very well have included the above animal in last years list, but there's no doubt I definitely had Gordon Elliott's Albert Bartlett third in it, No More Heroes. However I make no apologies for nominating this lad as my staying novice chaser to follow. A big, strong specimen who made a lovely shape over his hurdles, he's the cliché of being 'a chaser in the making'. Went off the boil a bit in the later part of last season, he was still slightly unfortunate in the Cotswolds (cost me 6 grand for a tenner four-timer) but with a summer under his belt hopefully he can rule the roost in a hugely exciting looking staying novice division. He can win another RSA for Gigginstown House Stud. 5. Shantou Village In the hands of good, young trainer Neil Mulholland, this former winning Irish pointer made a winning debut in a modest Wetherby bumper in March. What put him on my radar was the horse who was second in his point also ended up at Mulhollands yard and he sluiced up in a bumper before this horse raced under rules. The suspicion is this horse will like a trip so he could end up in the Albert Bartlett whilst paying his way through the English intermediate or staying Grade 3 or Grade 2 races. Please feel free to add comment or opinion to the above selections, and of course you can always add your own selections
As per the daily thread on GC day...No need for anyone to ask 'the lads on chat box' here guys And for clarity, do ppl citing losing bets qualify as an alert...
cheers for telling us after the first 3 won been goin on about st johnstone price for a couple of days before the game, posted the score 4 different times before the game, its impossible to be an aftertime
Come on lads FFS I spent half an hour doing that write up, I don't want to have to get all precious about my horses to follow thread here
Willie spoke about a few of his upcoming runners during the week but this one caught my attention-'There is a nice horse catching my eye every morning called Admiral Chief'.Definitely one to keep an eye on.
Excellent piece, Beefy. And I’m sure the ‘county set’ will be absolutely delighted to see that you have included one from Wiltshire as well. Top Notch. However, did the steward forget to put the T in your lunchtime GnT, on Wednesday, and you, as a result, forget to include the Mr Henderson trained beasts?!? Or will these animals be numbers 6-10 in part 2 of your horses to follow???
Barney, Beat That was very, very close to making the list but I'm near certain he was on last years list, and I'd already 2 from last years list on this one! I'm expecting him to scale the heights over the big uns, just hope the old magic hands can get the lad back onto the racetrack in top fettle.
