John Ferguson's Prospects This Winter

[OddDog]

After watching Leoncavallo rack up a 4-timer at Market Rasen today I began thinking about John Ferguson's prospects as a trainer this winter. Clearly he has plenty of blue-bloods at his disposal and I seem to think that with each season that passes his operation is becoming more adept at schooling, particularly in getting young horses to hurdle fluently (Leoncavallo a perfect example today). I particularly liked his Parlour Games last season and felt things just didn't quite go right for this horse at Cheltenham and Aintree - could he perhaps have the Fighting Fifth as an early season target?

What do we think Ferguson can realistically achieve this season? Another Grade 1 winner? A first Cheltenham Festival winner?

 

[SaveTheHumans]

What is Parlour Games plan this year? He is kind of caught in that awkward middle distance hurdler bracket with no championship race for him at HQ, a bit like Oscar Whiskey. Don't have him as 2 miler at all Oddy so wouldn't imagine the Fighting Fifth would be a target.

Ferguson seems to churn out the exact same type of horse year after year, all look flashy types, strong travellers who when it comes to big races seem to struggle to step up to the level, mainly because they tend to be so ground dependent (good to soft) any worst than that and his string struggle and it is mainly a winter sport which is partly why they struggle.

He is cleaning up at the moment but that's before the big guns start to emerge and his lot can mop up a fair few lesser events very early in the season on nice ground.

 

[TopClass]

Always a very interesting yard to keep tabs on. The natural ability at the hands of some of these horses is very exciting. My issue and doubts are always the same- do they have the heart and toughness of a proper National Hunt horse? Theres a reason there aren't many Hurricane Flys!

Would always favour a good NH bred one over a good flat convert.

Still have to do a quick double-take when I see Dubai Prince is a chaser

You touch an important point Oddy with regards to UK top table hurdle races this season. New One may never be the same after kissing spines, the Supreme Novice looked a one horse show in Douvan, so we are kind of awaiting the Nicky Henderson yard to give us guidance with his Triumph trio. Cant recall any nice Paul Nicholls novice hurdlers last season off the top of my head?

Parlour Games would therefore have a shot at some right prize money.

We could do with compiling a list of possible improvers from last years novice hurdling division but I suspect we may be short of names!

 

[SaveTheHumans]

Dubai Prince will surely be sent back hurdling? He smashed every fence at NA last week and still only went down 4 lengths to a useful Dormello Mo of Nicholls. If he did learn to jump a fence, he would be a force but he will need a confidence booster and some serious schooling.

Oddy is wanting Jack Hobbs to join the ranks TC...you will need to do some pinching then

 

[beeforsalmon]

STH has basically hit the nail on the head, Ferguson makes hay before the big guns come out. His horses aren't ones, I personally, would consider for the Cheltenham Festival as they usually dodge it up the hill. He has had some seconds there, but overall you'd have hoped for a better return with his ammo imo.

Really hope Peace and Co develops as a real contender, we need something to keep Faugheen honest! I'm also sure Willie wouldn't be frightened to send Arctic Fire over for a few English G1 2mile races either, especially in search of nice ground. Throw in Nichols Canyon, maybe Windsor Pk and Hargam there are a number who should naturally progress to be Champion Hurdle contenders.

 

[SaveTheHumans]

Really hope Peace and Co develops as a real contender, we need something to keep Faugheen at a back able price to make a few bob

Fixed it beefy

 

[beeforsalmon]

Fixed it beefy

The Slow One was always perfect for that, about the only thing he could manage