Just going through the new 'One Jump Ahead' book by Mark Howard. It's got interviews from all the top yards and owners Graham Wylie and Rich Ricci. If anyone wants to know about any horse, give us a shout and i'll type out what they say.
Not in there i'm afraid. Trainers are - H Fry, Greatrex, Henderson, Hobbs, King, Longsdon, Mccain, Nicholls, Pipe, John Quinn, L Russell.
Not going to well this..But.. Charlie Longsden has about 40 horses in it, but doesn't mention Sticks. Hopefully that means he is keeping it in the dark. His one to follow is Battle Born. Sure we'll get some proper info on it in due time. Greatrex - Boudry, 3 parts brother to none other than Sprinter Sacre. Going for Gold - Thinks he'll win another bumper before going hurdling. Horsted Valley - Same as above. Ma du Fu - This is the one to look out for. His one to follow and thinks its his best. Summered exceptionally well and probably kept for the better bumpers second part of season. Few others he gives favorable mentions to are - Knight Bachelor, Mercoeur, Missed approach, Virtuose du chenet. Ricci one to watch is Allez Colombieres.
As it's you stick i'll type it all for you. - He is a smart horse who, despite being very green on his debut at Fontwell, won his bumper easily. We were beginning to run out of time but i was keen to run him and he was very impressive. We have always liked him and i know Gary Moore's (Puisque Tu Pars) was well fancied but he picked him up very easily and won going away. Even though he is bred for jumping, we may give him another couple of runs in bumpers with the listed event at Cheltenhams Paddy power meeting(16th nov) the obvious target. Still only 4, he is more than capable of winning under a penalty so i may even run him again in October beforehand. Richard Johnson rode him at Fontwell and he too was impressed.
Cheers Hawkeye, if he was mine i would aim him at the Champion Bumper but i guess you could second guess that lol. You wont have to wait long for Trendy Bob, Oct 8th at Towcester.
It's an excellent reference source Hawkeye isn't it? I've just had a quick browse there after tea and its well worth picking up. Most relevant to me (and my ridiculously early ante post punts) concerns Rich Riccis interview. I'll give the key quotes direct from the book. Vautour- 'The plan is to send him over fences....the Arkle is his main target this season'. Faugheen- 'We are strongly considering going down the Champion Hurdle route...I think he deserves a crack at the Champion Hurdle'. Music to my ears Mr Ricci as I've been throwing drips and drabs onto this double since May! Of course this isn't definitive but it's the first hint from connections where each is going. May interest a few on the forum! The one horse out of all of his which seems very uncertain is Annie Power, where he says the camp is divided as to keeping her over hurdles or send novice chasing. (I heard that Ruby would like another crack at the World Hurdle which may explain the 'split'.) Despite this the interview goes into great detail on most of his horses with surprising openness. I was pleasantly surprised (or put away possibly ). Definitely worth buying, I've never got it before but certainly shall in future
I seem to recall that Ruby followed the wrong horse last year which is maybe why he would like another crack. Maybe he genuinely feels that, had he been more focused on the eventual winner, he could have won.
Beefy, remember Rich Ricci is a banker. Hardly the most trustworthy of people. Few other things iv picked out so far. Author really likes Djakadam. Tipped it at 50/1 fot the CGC. And thinks it will go for the Hennessey at Newbury. Certainly ticks a lot of boxes for that race. Back in Focus is being aimed at the Grand national. Briar Hill being aimed at the world hurdle. Rocky Creek, for some reason a firm favorite of mine despite costing me money 3 times last year is going the Hennessey/ Grand National route again. One that really sticks in my mind is Southfield Theatre. PN thinks he's going to be an awesome chaser. Being aimed at the RSA.
Does Mr Nicholls mention the 3YO that he now trains which had formerly been with Roger Charlton??? Apparently, this is regarded as a top notch prospect. However, I’ve forgotten the horses name!
Surely the book can't tell you anything about Harristown Don. Anyway - Bought for £15000 in August last year, he proved a good buy winning at Newton Abbot and Huntingdon. He loves soft ground and i think there is a decent handicap hurdle to be won with him this season. He has had his first proper break and has benefited from it. We will be looking to step him up in trip at some stage. Un De Sceaux only has a few comments in the appendix from the author, so no clues i'm afraid.
Been bought by Mr Brookhouse and sent back to same yard. A nice prospect for mares novice hurdles. Has good attitude. Will want a trip over jumps.
