Supreme Novices Update: The Liquidator

Over a period of about 15 minutes on Friday afternoon, two exceptional looking novices made their hurdling debuts. Oscar Rock (Wetherby) and Carraig Mor (Uttoxeter) took their respective fields apart, winning hard held in both cases by nineteen and twenty-five lengths respectively. Each came into their races with great expectations, Oscar Rock having lit up the bumper scene and Carraig Mor having impressed onlookers in his sole point to point as well as his trainer in that sphere, Adrian Maguire. Carraig Mor’s jumping was the more accomplished but neither set of connections could be blamed for already having at least one eye on the Cheltenham Festival. The Neptune and Albert Bartlett novices’ hurdles will inevitably come under consideration having begun their hurdling careers over two-and-a-half miles, and they are a pair every National Hunt fan can look forward to.

The Liquidator, having begun his hurdling career last week over two miles and one furlong, does have Supreme prospects despite being thought of as a stayer in some quarters. Bought out of Shark Hanlon’s yard, following a placed effort in a hot Fairyhouse bumper, The Liquidator started his career for David Pipe in the Listed National Hunt flat race at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting. On this occasion, on an afternoon where it appeared particularly difficult to make up ground, he travelled sweetly in midfield, only moving into a share of the lead as they turned for home. The effort to make up this ground in the holding conditions took its toll, as he was outstayed by the long-time leader, Anonis. He followed up this promising effort with, essentially, a trot around Exeter against three vastly inferior rivals. Little was learnt from that exercise and he returned to Cheltenham for the Champion Bumper still, somewhat, as an unknown quantity. For whatever reason The Liquidator didn’t seem comfortable for much of the contest, possibly struggling with the pace, despite its lack of ferocity, but he never completely lost his position and he stayed on encouragingly after being left behind by the first three, almost snatching third on the line. Finishing so well in a race notoriously tough on horses could have spelt the end of a successful season for David Pipe’s recruit but given his admirable consistency and progression from run to run he was handed the opportunity to finish on a high.

In Punchestown’s equivalent bumper to Cheltenham’s Champion version, won the previous season by Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Champagne Fever, rising star Jane Mangan was offered the ride. Ridden handily on the outside of runners, the pace was no issue this time as he travelled like the Grade 1 animal he would soon prove to be. Produced to lead entering the straight, the son of Overbury quickened clear at the furlong pole and saw the race out gamely as challengers plugged on at the one pace. It was a textbook ride and a textbook performance from this five-year-old, one that must not be underestimated as the next three all won on their hurdling debuts, with the second, Gilt Shadow, looking particularly impressive in doing so on Saturday.

Purely in form terms such success could have been predicted, but having seen him in the flesh on each English start last season it did surprise me. The Liquidator was a scrawny, lightly framed, essentially unimposing individual last season and as a result I convinced myself he could not achieve what one might have hoped, particularly over hurdles. If I was going to be against one exciting bumper performer from last season over hurdles it was going to be him yet reports were that he had filled his inconsiderable frame over the summer and developed well. From what I could see of him on television before his introduction to hurdles at Carlisle it was hard to get away from the sense that he had grown and, in relation to his rivals, become a more imposing specimen. He then put in a display that forced me to reconsider and, even at this early stage, I have to see him as a realistic contender for the Supreme, if that is the route they choose to go down.

David Pipe enjoys starting his talented novices in weak events in order to build confidence. For The Liquidator he certainly found a field that lacked any serious dangers. Consequently, it is easy to write this off as a race that The Liquidator should be winning easily and think little more of it however I am keen to be very positive. Unsurprisingly, he cruised through the race and quickened clear in effortless fashion, outclassing his floundering rivals, confirming the impression he left last season. Here it was his jumping that grabbed my attention. While he may lack the scope for a chaser he does not lack the athleticism and it is understandable if that is the ultimate aim. The Liquidator showed a natural aptitude for jumping at Carlisle, making the right shape over each hurdle, treating them with the right mix of respect and attack. His technique is such that it should stand up to the pressure of a stronger pace, in a higher quality field. Very few hurdling debutants will jump with such authority, therefore, while it might feel natural to step him up in distance the greatest advantage to be gained, from this asset, will be over the minimum trip.

I hope The Liquidator will have a campaign geared around the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He may lack the raw speed and quality of some but the ability to see out the trip strongly is crucial. There could be a niggling doubt about his suitability for Cheltenham given his two defeats last season came at the venue however one was on ground that played against him while the other was the toughest race of its kind hence it would be remiss of anyone to be too critical of that run and he has improved since.

If you already fancy The Liquidator for the Festival’s traditional curtain raiser the real concern is the prospect of him running instead in the Neptune over two miles and five furlongs. Soft ground round Carlisle would have been a stamina test in and of itself and The Liquidator powered clear up the run-in, with the margin of victory increasing the further he went. This run gave every indication that he would be just as effective, if not more so over further and when one looks back again at the Champion Bumper, he stormed up the Cheltenham hill in a race that traditionally suits stayers. Finally, David Pipe’s strength in the last season’s bumper division may prove significant as he could have an even more exciting prospect for the Supreme, potentially more exciting than any British trained hopeful, in the shape of Red Sherlock. He has a huge amount more to prove than The Liquidator, not least in the jumping department, but he showed an element of brilliance last season that his stablemate just lacks. With such a long way to go I am perhaps getting ahead of myself and I am arguably doing The Liquidator a disservice since even as the season progresses it will be difficult to find a more solid proposition for the top novice hurdle prizes.   

Supreme Novices Update: Un Atout

Arguably, the horse to take from this weekend with the Supreme in mind didn’t even run. The form of My Tent Or Yours’ commanding win at Ascot was comprehensively boosted by Taquin Du Seuil on Friday when he took the Grade 2 novices’ hurdle at Sandown with consummate ease. The price of My Tent Or Yours for the Supreme collapsed after the event and considering how poorly he jumped against Taquin Du Seuil, one could be forgiven for holding sky high expectations for Nicky Henderson’s charge once he gets his act together. Taquin Du Seuil won on Friday over two-and-a-half miles, he appreciated the soft ground and must be thought of more as a Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle horse. His trainer, Jonjo O’Neil, was not ruling the Supreme out, however, and he may have a difficult decision to make come March.

Another trainer likely to have some tough decisions to make in March is Willie Mullins. He has a host of novice hurdlers capable of running over trips between two and three miles and this weekend we saw another one join the ranks at Navan in the shape of Un Atout.

Un Atout arrived at Willie Mullins’ yard with a tall reputation and he was sent off at 2/7 on his racecourse debut in a bumper at Naas. With Patrick Mullins in the saddle he settled comfortably in front with just the outsider of seven, Foxland, for company. Unsurprisingly, Foxland dropped away relatively early and it was then left to main market rival, Directors Forum, to challenge, but while Mullins sat motionless, content with his mount cruising along, the rider on Directors Forum was hard at work on the final bend and eventually dropped away too, leaving Emily O to give chase. She may have got within four lengths but then at the two furlong pole Mullins nudged him forward and Un Atout stretched clear in a dominant, destructive manner, finishing 24 lengths ahead of the runner-up. This performance in early January was, to my eyes, the most impressive bumper display of last season. Willie Mullins had hoped to run him in one more bumper but he suffered muscle problems and was sensibly put away with a campaign over obstacles in mind.

For anyone who had seen his bumper, Un Atout’s hurdling debut at Navan on Saturday was highly anticipated. Over two miles, like his bumper, he was again happy to settle in front. This time, with Davy Russell on board to dictate the pace, nothing in the race was willing to challenge him for the lead, and he managed to grab a four length advantage. The pace was steady and a number in behind fought for their heads, while Un Atout was left alone able to have a clear sight of his hurdles. He jumped the first quickly but then skied the second and at the fifth he just clipped the top yet he was still sharp over it. He cleared the fourth last in style, making the ideal shape while once again being swift through the air. Russell let the field close up on the approach to the straight with the horse in second moving onto his tail. Then at the third last Un Atout got in too close and as Davy Russell shook him up to just get away from the flight after the sticky jump, Un Atout accelerated, quickly re-extending the lead. Russell sat straight back up and barely moved again as he was able to maintain the four length advantage right to the line with Fickle Fortune finishing well for second.

The most striking thing about this run was the ease with which Un Atout did it. There appeared to be so little effort involved for the horse, seemingly cantering from start to finish. While he does have room for improvement in his jumping Davy Russell’s mount was actually quite nimble over his hurdles, picking his legs up quickly when in close. He may not have put in the exuberant leaps stablemate Champagne Fever is capable of but he didn’t cede ground to his pursuers and was in fact deceptively fast from one side of the hurdle to another. I am sure as he gains experience his jumping will become an asset, or as they say in French; ‘un atout’.

Often when a heavily odds-on shot readily wins a maiden hurdle there is little of note in behind, only once upped in class can we really see how good he or she is. At Navan, Un Atout did what was expected of him, cruising to victory from an inferior field with a rise in class, no doubt, imminent. On this occasion, though, there were at least two very useful bumper performers with potential to be high class novice hurdlers in against him and they were dismissed with contempt. Noel Meade's Fickle Fortune, in receipt of 7lbs from Un Atout, had looked so exciting when winning her bumper and has been unlucky not to win since. Her problem has always been her inability to settle, but she is a pacey individual who will make her mark over hurdles and she finished a very decent second here. Some Article, purchased by J.P. McManus after convincingly winning the Goffs Land Rover Bumper at the Punchestown Festival, is also expected to make a very useful novice hurdler. While he was keen through the race, Some Article was essentially outclassed by Willie Mullins’ charge, unable to pick up as the leader sauntered away on the bridle. Un Atout was a level above this opposition on Saturday, he is already an exceptional prospect.

Whether he will win the Supreme is another matter as immediately after Saturday’s race Mullins described Un Atout as a stayer. This suggests a preference for stepping up in trip meaning that the Neptune could be the long term target. Nothing he has shown so far indicates a lack of speed for two miles, he has barely come off the bridle in two starts over the trip, conversely he will clearly have no issue over further having finished full of running each time and he is closely related to Sir Des Champs, who is out of Un Atout’s half-sister (both are by Robin Des Champs). He is very likely to be just as effective at both trips, the more important factor might be the other potential runners for the owners and the trainer. Willie Mullins’ main hope for the Neptune at this stage is Champagne Fever, he surely had his final run at two miles over hurdles last time, so unless he goes all the way up to three miles Mullins will have to aim Un Atout at the Supreme to avoid a clash. He did run both Sous Les Cieux and Make Your Mark in the Neptune last year so maybe he won’t mind having more than one runner, the real complication is the owners. They did have two runners in the Supreme last season thus it could be irrelevant but with Don Cossack they have another serious Neptune candidate and I would be very surprised if Gigginstown Stud were not keen to keep him and Un Atout apart. There has been talk of Don Cossack missing Cheltenham altogether with connections’ eyes firmly on chasing next season, leaving the path open for a Un Atout to have a tilt at the Neptune, but I find it hard to believe that Gordon Elliot would skip the meeting with his very best unless the ground was fast.

With such an inexperienced horse, like Un Atout, there will of course be doubts and there are certainly question marks over his suitability for the Cheltenham Festival. For instance, a minor concern is that we don’t know how he’ll cope being in and around horses during a race yet or whether he needs to be in front. I suspect connections have a huge amount of confidence in the horse and they have merely kept things simple in races they expect to win, such is his ability tactics should be immaterial. Another concern is that Un Atout has so far only run in testing conditions apparently relishing them each time, but as a close relative of Sir Des Champs one would expect him to handle the prevailing ground in March and he isn’t a heavy topped horse in the mould of Bog Warrior or Don Cossack. He will probably improve for the quicker ground and if his season turns out how I anticipate then he will head to Cheltenham as Ireland’s best novice hurdler.

Supreme Novices Update: Clondaw Kaempfer

With the rain softened ground ruling out Overturn for his second start over fences and a lack of fitness ruling out Peddlers Cross for his seasonal reappearance in the Ascot Hurdle, Donald McCain was left without his two biggest guns for a weekend he likes to target with the cream of his crop. He did, however, unleash some of his exciting younger prospects, including Baltimoar and Super Duty, and none were more exciting than Clondaw Kaempfer on Friday in Haydock’s two mile Listed Novices’ Hurdle.

This attractive four-year-old son of Oscar began his life in the point-to-point fields where he was placed twice, finishing third to another exciting Supreme prospect in Sizing Rio on the first occasion at Bennettsbridge, and he was narrowly beaten on the second at Maralin where he apparently struggled in the testing conditions. He was then sent, by his trainer at the time Colin Bowe, to Fairyhouse for their valuable Tattersalls Ireland Sales Bumper. Held up in rear from the off, he travelled strongly thorough race and tracked Snake Eyes, a disappointing second on hurdling debut today, on the outside. Snake Eyes, ridden more prominently, got first run and it took Clondaw Kaempfer a while to get on terms but eventually he stayed on past Henderson’s inmate and comfortably held off The Liquidator, subsequently bought by David Pipe, who ran well in unsuitable conditions in the listed bumper during Cheltenham’s Open Meeting. This understandably left the impression that Clondaw Kaempfer would be suited by longer trips over hurdles, while the way he travelled and picked up smartly to circle the field and follow Snake Eyes into the straight also indicated abundant pace. This was a highly appealing combination and there was no shortage of interest at Cheltenham’s April sale, eventually being knocked down to Donald McCain for £130,000.

At the start of the season McCain suggested that Clondaw Kaempfer would be a strong stayer and consequently headed to Aintree for his hurdling debut over 2½ miles. It was very soft ground that day and after the race it was revealed that McCain had almost pulled his horse out as he believed this bay gelding might struggle in the conditions, in fact the opposite was true.

It was only a four runner event at Aintree but there did seem to be a major rival in the shape of Funny Star, for Paul Nicholls, who had won a big field hurdle race at Auteuil on his only previous start. They were taken along at an appropriately slow pace given the conditions and the two main protagonists sat together, tracking the front pair. Clondaw Kaempfer was a little fresh and keen early, but this was of little concern and he was soon travelling with ease. His jumping slick throughout, with a couple of notably exuberant leaps, and his jockey, Jason Maguire, looked full of confidence rounding the home turn, even prepared to let the field slightly get away from him. Then after the second last he gently nudged his mount and the response was immediate as he smoothly loomed up alongside the leader before stretching clear after the last in striking fashion, marking him out as a high class animal. He was barely tested in this race but it did at least prove that he handled bad ground which was important as McCain had no qualms about stepping him up in class for his next run in similarly testing conditions.

                                                                                                                                                            

Donald McCain had entered Clondaw Kaempfer in the fixed brush novices’ hurdle on Friday as well as the two mile listed event over the standard obstacles and prior to this weekend there was little talk of him being a potential Supreme horse. The ground, as it was at Haydock, persuaded connections to take in the two mile event and it paid off, with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle now looking a distinct possibility.

Again a small field but this time, over a shorter trip, the pace was noticeably quicker and Clondaw Kaempfer quickly settled into a nice rhythm on the inside. Once more his hurdling was fluid and quick, looking the likeliest winner from some way out with perhaps the most impressive part of the race coming on entry to the final straight. He was briefly asked by Maguire to move through a gap into a share of the lead and he responded instantly, before coming quickly back, hard on the bridle. Finally asked to go and win the race at the second last, he quickened up well putting a gap between him and the second Lienosus. A slow jump out to the right at the last cost him most of the ground he had taken out of the second between the last two hurdles, and the strong staying Lienosus looked a threat as Clondaw Kaempfer drifted right. He seemed to be tiring in the soft to heavy ground, however, Donald McCain’s charge picked up smartly again, in the end winning emphatically by 3¾ lengths from a well regarded and well backed second, who was also receiving 6lbs. Lienosus had shown smart form over further at Chepstow, on his first run for Evan Williams, in the Persian War where he finished behind the hugely exciting French import Wonderful Charm. He is a prospect worth following, particularly back over further as he lacked the speed of Clondaw Kaempfer, and crucially pulled 22 lengths clear of the third, impressive Exeter scorer, Landscape who seemingly had his ideal conditions.

The significant distance back to Landscape is the first point to note when considering Clondaw Kaempfer for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as, prior to his impressive win at Exeter, he had finished 14½ lengths behind another contender for Cheltenham’s curtain raiser, Court Minstrel. Yet on Friday he was some 26 lengths behind Clondaw Kaempfer and while testing ground can accentuate winning distances, those conditions were supposed to favour Landscape more than the quicker ground he faced at Cheltenham. His trainer, Paul Nicholls, was also keen to point out that his jumping had improved since then. As a result, this performance from Clondaw Kaempfer must be thought of as a significant Supreme trial.

He beat, what looks, a useful field comfortably and demonstrated, once again, his ability to quicken twice in a race while at the same time proving his tenacity in battle. The Neptune, at this stage, does look the obvious race having finished full of running over 2m4f on soft ground at Aintree and the Neptune, despite being run over 2m5f, is a race for speed horses at the moment with likes of Simonsig and Peddlers Cross winning it in recent years. The presence of Peddlers Cross in its history may well sway McCain that direction, especially with Clondaw Kaempfer possessing so much speed alongside his unquestionable stamina. It is this speed, though, which could encourage Donald McCain to go down the two mile route and if the ground came up soft in March, not unthinkable anymore with the incessant rain in this country, I am confident the Supreme is the race he would chose. His current odds of 16/1 for the race are not unreasonable if one is willing to take a chance and, who knows, as Donald McCain has more time with him Clondaw Kaempfer might become a faster horse. This son of Oscar will likely be even better on good/good to soft ground and under these conditions the longer trip will appeal to connections but the Neptune may also be the tougher race with last season’s top bumper performers, Champagne Fever, Don Cossack, The New One etc. all targeting that race. There are so many factors to consider when making this decision, including his other novices, such as Corrin Wood who ran so well in the aforementioned fixed brush race over the longer trip, and Donald McCain will probably make the right one. Even if he made the wrong decision it might not matter as Clondaw Kaempfer has already indicated that he could have the potential to win either race.

Supreme Novices Update: Jezki and Sizing Rio

It is back to Ireland for this update as in Britain the one novice hurdler who had looked capable of developing into a Supreme Novices’ horse was beaten, showing signs of immaturity and waywardness in the process. Mr Mole has significant potential but the fierce hold he took and his tendency to hang left late in races leave him with questions to answer. Far more amenable this weekend was Jezki, who ran out an ultra-impressive winner of the Grade 3 hurdle for four-year-olds at Naas.

Jezki ended last season as one of Ireland’s best bumper horses, winning twice and only beaten in the notably competitive Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Jessica Harrington’s four-year-old son of Milan started his career in January in a warm looking bumper where he faced an odds shot trained by Dermot Weld, Silver Concorde, and a well regarded newcomer trained by Noel Meade, Ned Buntline. Jezki, understandably, took a while to settle on his race debut, eventually dropping back to the rear with his rider in search of cover. As the runners entered the home straight, he circled the field, finding himself in a battle with Ned Buntline. The race was in doubt for a moment but a useful looking turn of foot saw him home, winning cosily in the end. Ned Buntline ran again for the first time in another bumper on Saturday, on the same card as Jezki, and he slaughtered his field thereby adding further merit to the debut performance of Jessica Harrington’s charge.

This run promised much for the future and on his next start in March, Jezki proved he had learnt from his initial experience, winning very easily, looking a high class animal in the process. Here he displayed his inherent speed, travelling smoothly through the race before cruising to victory from his stablemate The Big Easy, a gelding destined for chasing. There was little of note behind but this style of victory put him into the picture for the Cheltenham bumper and whilst it was just ten days later, Jezki had hardly had a race so there was every reason to go.

Jezki was very keen as the tapes went up at Cheltenham but he was soon settled in rear of mid-division. He maintained his position well through the race, moving comfortably into contention coming down the hill before his effort flattened out. Whether this was down to a lack of stamina, having looked a speed horse up until then, or a lack of experience, having only had the two races, this was still an encouraging run, eventually finishing eighth. The loss of his unbeaten tag may have been disappointing but it did not take away from his promising first season and a successful career over hurdles was in prospect.

After a pipe-opener on the flat, where Jezki finished fifth behind the likes of Go Native and Glam Gerry, Jessica Harrington’s charge began his hurdling career over two miles at Naas (29th October). There looked to be one serious rival beforehand and so it proved with impressive bumper scorer Ally Cascade, another for Noel Meade, fighting out the finish with Jezki, leaving the rest a distance behind. The race was run at a steady gallop with Jezki always travelling sweetly. His jockey, Barry Geraghty decided to track Ally Cascade until the two were clear and Jezki’s turn of speed saw him swoop by while the runner up merely plugged on. On the evidence of this run the front two look high class recruits, with Jezki’s pace proving the difference, and Ally Cascade may well become high achieving novice hurdler once upped in trip.

On his first start over hurdles, Jezki travelled well, jumped neatly and displayed his potent turn of foot. This was all again on display at the weekend on his first foray into graded company. In this early season test for four-year-olds, Jezki moved smartly through the race before pulling away after the last for an emphatic eight length win. Even when messed about at the final two flights by the runner up, Un Beau Matin, Jezki jumped quickly, displaying a sure-footedness that can only hold him in good stead for the future. The form in behind Jezki though is very questionable as his main market-rivals ran no race at all and he was getting nearly a stone from the fourth placed runner, favourite, Hisaabaat. Un Beau Matin had also not shown a great deal in his two starts since arriving from France. It was almost certainly a career best from Gordon Elliott’s son of Sagamix and it may be unwise to underestimate him in similar events for such a talented trainer, while at the same time, I wouldn’t be overly keen to back him to confirm the form with those in behind.

There are significant doubts over the strength of this race and Jezki will have to show significant improvement to be considered as a potential Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner, but what is so appealing about Jezki is that, in all likelihood, he will do. For a horse with so much natural speed he has been excelling on ground that would surely not see him to best effect and in winning a graded race by eight lengths on the bridle he has performed in the style of a high class hurdler. The real test will come when he makes the leap into Grade 1 company in the Royal Bond. If he shows up well there, and there is no reason to think he is not capable, then he becomes a real contender for the top honours come March. Even if he is beaten, Jezki is not necessarily one to give up on as the prevailing ground in Ireland will always blunt his speed to an extent, a situation which he is unlikely to face at Cheltenham.

I have already discussed Sizing Rio here on the back of his debut over hurdles, in which he looked an exciting prospect. A rise in class was expected for Henry De Bromhead’s charge and on Sunday at Navan he took this rise firmly in his stride. Sent off the 4/5 favourite, Sizing Rio, who may require a decent pace to run at, took up the running from the third flight. He again showed his enthusiasm for jumping with one particularly special, race sealing leap at the last. He jumps in the style of a chaser and his trainer suggested that is where his future lies. 

This was not the saunter to victory that his hurdling debut was and, jockey, Andrew Lynch had to shake him up to see off the attentions of Ted Veale but as soon as it was needed he found what was required on the run-in. Ted Veale was a very useful horse in bumpers and his victories in a maiden flat race and two subsequent hurdle races marked him out as a classy individual for Tony Martin. Just the heavy ground over an inadequate trip next time saw him disappoint. Some may be concerned that Sizing Rio only narrowly defeated Ted Veale but he is an underrated novice hurdler and the winner’s superiority over the runner-up and the rest of the field is probably far greater than it seemed here and he is still in the Supreme picture.

It is a slight worry however, in terms of Supreme Novice aspirations, that Sizing Rio’s trainer sees him as a “big raw four-year-old” as he may be willing to skip the punishing test of the Cheltenham Festival at this stage with the ultimate aim of returning there for tests over fences. There is still plenty of time for connections to decide which direction to go in and the intention now is to take a break until a Christmas. A much bigger worry is Sizing Rio’s dislike for travelling around left-handed bends. It was plain to see during Sunday’s race that Andrew Lynch was struggling to manoeuvre this scopey gelding around the turns and with Cheltenham in mind, it is hard to envisage a scenario where a horse with these problems could compete. Sizing Rio appears to be an extremely talented novice who jumps fluently, consistently making ground at his hurdles, but until there are signs that he is over his dislike for left-handed turns or they make Cheltenham right-handed, he has to be viewed with a considerable degree of caution.

Supreme Novices Update: My Tent Or Yours

Normal service was resumed this weekend, as Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson dominated the jumping scene on both sides of the Irish Sea. The most visually impressive performance of the weekend was Silviniaco Conti’s rout in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby. He may have beaten overrated and unfit rivals but the style of this performance along with his rock solid novices’ chase form marks him out as a key player in all the major staying chases this season for Paul Nicholls. At Ascot, we saw a performance significantly less impressive but from a horse with arguably just as much potential in his division, the Nicky Henderson trained, My Tent Or Yours.

If pressed for my 2013 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner, at the start of this jumps season, I would probably have said My Tent Or Yours. Now, having witnessed his first run over hurdles, I am reluctant to switch allegiances just yet.

As a bumper horse he was always highly regarded, he even started odds-on for his first two starts and second favourite for the Aintree Champion Bumper. In the run-up to Aintree Nicky Henderson made it clear that he felt this son of Desert Prince was his best in that sphere.

For his first start under rules, Henderson sent My Tent Or Yours to Ludlow, a venue where he often likes to test his talented youngsters. Over 1m6f he settled well, surprisingly well considering how keen he has been in all his subsequent starts. This was quite a well run bumper and that surely aided his cause, as did the trip as it put the emphasis far more on speed. As a result, he ran out a supremely comfortable nine length winner displaying his undoubted class (with, the since unbeaten in four, Vegas Cash back in fourth). After a performance worthy of a step up in class, My Tent Or Yours was set the considerably stiffer task of the DBS Sales Bumper at Newbury. On this occasion Nicky Henderson’s charge pulled hard almost throughout and his rider, Barry Geraghty, said “he didn’t drop the bit until we were turning in for home”. It was, therefore, extremely creditable to finish second to Up To Something (a winner on his hurdling debut this season), beaten barely more than a length. Already a dual bumper winner, Up To Something had the run of the race up front and his trainer Charlie Longsdon sees him as novice hurdler for races over 2m4f+, consequently it was no disgrace for My Tent Or Yours to just be outstayed over an extended two miles. Inexperience also looked to play a part in this defeat as it was only his second ever race and his first ‘battle’.

Connections of My Tent Or Yours, understandably, felt he was unlucky at Newbury and headed to Aintree full of confidence. His abundance of speed, shown at Ludlow and Newbury, suggested Aintree would suit. Again, he pulled hard through early stages, although not to the same extent as at Newbury, but this time Geraghty managed to settle him. Due to his strikingly high cruising speed My Tent Or Yours inevitably took himself to the front earlier than ideal and although the rest of the field were under pressure and he was seemingly tanking along, he just couldn’t find enough off the bridle to repel the late charge of The New One. Ostensibly a stayer, The New One was always a possible danger if stamina was brought into play. The Aintree race was also over 2m1f and at the moment it looks as if two miles is My Tent Or Yours’ limit. As such, he did well to finish where he did, ahead of many useful performers and the form of the race has worked out exceptionally well. The New One has already won impressively twice over hurdles, while My Tent Or Yours in second, Court Minstrel (fourth), Ifyousayso (fifth) and Kaysersberg (14th) have all won on their hurdling debuts this season. This, coupled with the way he moved through race, left the impression that My Tent Or Yours would be an exciting prospect for novice hurdles.

J P McManus evidently agreed and he purchased Barry Geraghty’s usual mount thereby leaving the responsibility of guiding this promising novice through his first season over hurdles to A P McCoy. McCoy had in fact ridden My Tent Or Yours on his racecourse debut so he wasn’t unfamiliar with the strong travelling bay gelding.

At Ascot, My Tent Or Yours was sent off a heavily fancied 4/7 favourite. He had plainly been showing the right signs at home and his bumper form entitled him to be where he was in the market. There were however murmurings of support for the opposition he faced, primarily the French import Taquin Du Seuil, a winner at Uttoxeter on his hurdling debut (for McCoy), and the listed class flat performer Chiberta King.

It was clear from the outset that McCoy was in for a battle with My Tent Or Yours as his free going, hard pulling tendencies resurfaced and appeared worse than ever. He was anchored in last place but the race was run at an extremely slow pace which was never likely to suit and after jumping the first well he was by no means foot perfect over his obstacles, making a hash of the fourth, knocking the hurdle flat, and the last, where he was particularly slow. The pace remained steady until My Tent Or Yours, in effect, pulled his way into second just alongside Taquin Du Seuil rounding the final bend. Together they quickly managed to put distance between them and the field. While there were two horses left in with a chance there seemed little doubt that McCoy would come out on top as he approached the last yet to move on My Tent Or Yours while Geraghty, coincidentally replacing McCoy on Taquin Du Seuil, was all out in an attempt to remain alongside. With the mistake at the last and his history of failing to find as much as expected off the bridle, there was a moment’s worry and My Tent Or Yours had to be pushed out until he found the extra gear which he seems to posses. One crack of the whip was all but unnecessary and while he was in receipt of 5lbs from the runner-up and the winning distance was only a length-and-three-quarters, there was no hiding his superiority.

The way he has shaped on each of his four starts, particularly his most recent, suggests he will be at his best when faced with a strong pace in a big field. One cannot fail to be impressed by the way My Tent Or Yours travels so menacingly through a race, very few horses can match his ability to catch the eye, and for a hurdler he looks to be all about speed. Once he gets the strong pace he needs over two miles, he will be a major force to be reckoned with and I will not entertain any doubts over his class.

                                                                                                                                    

While his speed will get him so far, he will need to show that he finds for pressure once he comes off the bridle. I am sure that in previews to his future races people will be desperate to suggest laying him short in running as he has travelled strongly without delivering the anticipated finishing kick on three occasions. Excuses can be found however, and I believe he will have to come across something really smart to be beaten in the near future. At Newbury, the clearest case of him not finding off the bridle, My Tent Or Yours came up against a horse who had controlled the race from the front while Nicky Henderson’s charge showed signs of inexperience. At Aintree, he came across a top class horse in The New One who stays well and it was over a trip that just stretched his stamina to. Whilst, this weekend he came up against a small field with no pace and had to fight out the finish with, a not to be underestimated opponent in Taquin Du Seuil. Having previously shown a decent level of form on the flat in France, Taquin Du Seuil could not have been more impressive at Uttoxeter on his hurdling debut, beating the odds on favourite by fifteen lengths eased down. He has jumped well on both runs over hurdles and is surely one to look out for in future, while it is possible that he lacks the class to challenge in a Supreme Novices’.

It is also possible that he just came across a seriously talented horse in My Tent Or Yours, potentially the best two-mile novice hurdler in the country. Were this to be the case, the 20/1 available now for the Supreme would look very generous but it is so early that I would have to see the whole package to get involved now. He has the speed, the class and there are no doubts over him stepping up in trip. But, the fact remains My Tent Or Yours has had only one run over hurdles and he jumped poorly. If on his next start he jumps well and shows that he has learned from this experience, then the prospect of a double figure price, even months in advance, may become too tempting to resist.