One Jump Ahead author Mark Howard has five under-the-radar French-bred horses to follow this upcoming National Hunt season - add them to your free My Stable tracker.
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CARIBEAN BOY was purchased for €180,000 at the Arqana Sale in May and the four year old is all set to embark on a novice chase career this winter. A four year old by Myboycharlie, he won over hurdles at Auteuil last October and was runner-up in a Listed contest at the Parisian track in April. Nicky Henderson’s new recruit looks another exciting prospect for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
Rookie trainer Olly Murphy sent out 47 winners during his first season with a licence and he has taken charge of three horses owned by Jared Sullivan during the summer. They include DONCESAR DE PRETOT, who is a five year old by Saddler Maker. Third on his hurdles debut in June last year, he subsequently finished runner-up twice at Vichy. Novice hurdles will be on his agenda and he has shown all the right signs since arriving from France. He is a dark horse to keep an eye on for his burgeoning yard.
Paul Nicholls has a terrific record with his French imports and the former champion trainer is understandably looking forward to seeing how MY WAY performs this year and beyond. Previously handled by Francois Nicolle, the Martaline gelding is a maiden over hurdles and fences having been placed in all six outings at Auteuil. Runner-up twice in Graded chases, the four year old has only raced twice over the smaller obstacles and that is the route he is expected to follow this term. Yet to race beyond two and a quarter miles, he is likely to develop into a high-class novice this season.
Willie Mullins has enjoyed plenty of success courtesy of horses purchased from Guillaume Macaire, including Cheltenham Festival winners Laurina and the ill-fated Vautour. Ireland’s champion trainer returned to the same source during the summer to acquire the once raced NEVER ADAPT. A daughter of Anabaa Blue, she was a ten lengths winner of a newcomers event at Compiegne in March. Needless to say, the Closutton yard have invested heavily in the French market in the last twelve months and they may have unearthed a Triumph Hurdle prospect.
Gigginstown House Stud topped the owners’ list at the Cheltenham Festival in March with seven winners and they haven’t rested on their laurels since. Michael O’Leary’s outfit shelled out €350,000 in May for the unbeaten VISION D’HONNEUR. A three and a half lengths winner of his only start at Fontainebleu in April for Robert Collet, the gelded son of Vision D’Etat will go hurdling for his new connections and Gordon Elliott may have another potential top notcher on his hands.
Mark Howard, author of One Jump Ahead & Racing UK.
One Jump Ahead, which includes interviews with Kim Bailey, Harry Fry, Philip Hobbs, Anthony Honeyball, Alan King, Tom Lacey, Donald McCain, Olly Murphy, Paul Nicholls, Fergal O’Brien, David Pipe, can be purchased for £9.99 (including postage) from www.mhpublications.co.uk
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