Supreme Novices Update: Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (grade 1) review

On Sunday we witnessed the strongest race meeting of the season so far at Fairyhouse. Three grade 1s, a grade 3 juvenile hurdle, two intriguing handicaps and a highly competitive bumper; this was a day where the emphasis was firmly on quality over quantity. Unfortunately, due to the injudicious carving up of Newbury’s, once great, showpiece card, the same could not be said for Hennessy Gold Cup day.

To no one’s surprise, Willie Mullins dominated the racing at Fairyhouse winning two of the grade 1s and the bumper with an exciting recruit, Outlander. The only grade 1 that eluded him was the first, the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, a race he took last year with the ill-fated Sous Les Cieux. After Ruby Walsh had ridden his second grade 1 winner, on Zaidpour, he was interviewed about his successful day and, notably, he suggested that prior to the racing he felt his best chance of a winner was Champagne Fever. This was understandable as he was the shortest price of Walsh’s three rides (the only favourite amongst them) and he had been last season’s best bumper horse in Britain and Ireland. When he won the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, under Patrick Mullins, he had also comfortably accounted for Sunday’s main rival, Jezki. The only real concern for Ruby Walsh and the connections of Champagne Fever was the trip. This gangly grey son of Stowaway was never going to be a Supreme Novices Hurdle horse, he won his Champion bumper through stamina and guts, and nothing about him suggested he would be at his best at two miles over hurdles. What he had shown was class and a high cruising speed, so it was hoped that on the soft ground he could get away with it. Champagne Fever is a relentless galloper but he lacks a turn of foot and that proved crucial in Sunday’s outcome.

Ruby Walsh set off in front on Champagne Fever, the same tactics had been employed on each of his four previous (winning) starts including his hurdling debut over two miles at Cork, and he took the small field along at a reasonable pace, clearly intent on avoiding a sprint to the line. Champagne travelled comfortably in front for much of the way, jumping with exuberance, looking every inch the chaser he promises to be. As Ruby Walsh tried to increase the pace, however, his jumping started to falter, Mullins had suggested he might be ‘a bit novicey’ having only had one run over obstacles, and while he was trying to stretch the field he was hampered by slow leaps at the last three hurdles. Walsh kept asking his mount for more and more effort and Champagne Fever kept finding as he always had done in the past, but at the second last Jezki was still, seemingly, cruising on the bridle with Geraghty just biding his time. As the pair crossed the last in front, Geraghty played his hand, drawing clear of Champagne Fever who had no answer to the change of pace. To his credit he kept battling to the line and was giving the winner three pounds but on this evidence it is difficult to envisage a scenario where Champagne Fever could reverse the form with Jezki at two miles over hurdles, barring heavy ground bordering on unraceable.

There were excuses for Champagne Fever’s defeat put up by Willie Mullins, including the track at Fairyhouse being difficult for front-runners and this was relatively close to his hurdling debut, yet it is hard to watch the race and draw any conclusion other than he needs further to be seen at his best (preferably over fences but that will have to wait, sadly). As someone who holds Champagne Fever in the highest regard, I was disappointed to see him beaten at Fairyhouse. Immediately after the race I struggled to believe that was as good as he is, I felt it was possibly a flat performance and the presence of Zuzka just a length behind confirmed this for me. On reflection this theory was short-sighted and underestimates Jezki who had looked so impressive over hurdles up to this point. Champagne Fever had his own way in front and he wasn’t pressed for the lead, but as the pace quickened his jumping suffered suggesting at a two mile pace his hurdling is not quite quick enough. He did manage to see off almost the entire field before the last but as he maintained his impressive, if not spectacular pace, Jezki, who had looked a speed horse his entire career, accelerated in the fashion of a real Supreme Novice.

Jezki, for trainer Jessica Harrington, had looked a high class novice hurdler already this season. There was a doubt about the worth of the form of his last run, where powered to victory on the bridle, until the second, Un Beau Matin, beat a decent field, including dual Royal Ascot winner Simenon, comfortably on his next start. That in isolation, then, was quite a performance from this four-year-old son of Milan, but he received a further boost when Ally Cascade, second to Jezki on their hurdling debuts, came out and beat a well touted Mullins runner in a maiden hurdle on Friday. Ally Cascade succumbed to Jezki’s turn of foot, much in the way Champagne Fever did.

Barry Geraghty settled Jezki on the inside from the off on Sunday. There was no sign of him being keen with Geraghty happy to be left in fourth upon jumping the first, no more than four lengths off the primary target Champagne Fever. There was, though, cause for concern at the second flight as Geraghty pulled his mount out to get a better view of the hurdle and Jezki jumped left over it losing ground on those ahead. He did the same at the third, this time looking even more awkward before a mistake at the fourth. His natural pace was enough to maintain the desired position but once again he jumped left at the fifth and he even jumped the last two flights slightly left. His jumping, therefore, was far from accomplished. Had Champagne Fever taken the last three flights fluently Jezki may have been in trouble, but while this display leaves a doubt in the back of one’s mind, I would not be overly concerned as this was his first run right-handed. Back on a left-handed course we will surely see significant improvement and this must make his performance more meritorious as he was able to win a grade 1, defeating a strong field in the process, despite jumping left nearly throughout.

Connections of Jezki have made clear their expectation that he would be even more impressive on better ground despite three convincing victories in testing conditions. Thus, his ideal race would be on a left-handed course on good or good to soft ground, the circumstances he would likely face in the Supreme. His form was already solid enough to be considered a top novice prospect, but in defeating Champagne Fever he has shown form that will be hard to match in the two mile novice hurdling division, especially as Willie Mullins’ charge will no doubt run over further from now on. After the race most bookmakers cut Jezki into 10/1 favourite for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, Ladbrokes were on their own in offering 14/1 which was a crazy price on the back of that performance. I would have him no bigger than 8/1 favourite for the Festival curtain raiser and any bookmaker offering double figures, most of them still are, is being generous. There will have to be some special performances in the next few months, from the likes of Waaheb and My Tent Or Yours, to shift him from his position at the head of the market.

For those against Jezki there is one run to cling to from his career so far, his only run at Cheltenham. He finished eighth in the Champion Bumper, nearly twelve lengths behind Champagne Fever, but he shaped well there, just lacking for stamina. He is also improving with experience and as a four-year-old he must be strengthening up all the time. That run would be of little concern to me, particularly as he did seem to handle the track and it was a very similar run in the race to that of last season’s Supreme winner Cinders And Ashes. Winners of that Champion Bumper have a poor record in the Supreme as it generally requires a different type of horse to win each race, the bumper is often a test of stamina where as the Supreme is more a test of speed, a test Jezki will excel at.

Of those in behind Jezki and Champagne Fever on Sunday, Zuzka evidently shaped the best finishing just a length behind her stablemate in third. She stayed on well at the finish, having travelled up to the leaders two out, just lacking the class of the front two. She can only find weaker races than this and will take some beating next time out, and there is no reason to think that she won’t handle a step up in trip. A horse who needs a step up in trip is Minsk who finished a respectable fourth. Very useful on the flat, he was a talking horse last year, but on his hurdling debut failed to deliver and then missed the rest of the season. He came back over hurdles last month with a dominant display over two-and-a-half-miles and it was assumed a drop back in trip would not bother him. In fact, he simply lacked the speed to stay in the race from two out and his trainer, Dessie Hughes, has already stated that his next target will be back over further. Some distance adrift of the first four was Clonbanan Lad. He does not appear up to this level and it may be the case that he needs the heavy ground. 

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 2013 update: Waaheb, Sizing Rio & Pique Sous

The last week has seen a number of prospective Cheltenham bound novice hurdlers deliver credible performances. While in this country we’ve been light on potential Supreme Novice Hurdlers, Ireland has thrown up a few.

The highly anticipated hurdling debut of the top class bumper horse Waaheb came last Tuesday and he displayed all the attributes which made him such a potent force in National Hunt flat races. In January 2011 he won his first bumper, in February his second and in April his third. On each occasion he won easily marking him out as Ireland’s best prospect in that sphere and it was almost inevitable that, having previously been owned by trainer Dermot Weld’s son, he would be purchased by JP McManus. In his colours he stepped up in class, skipping the likely stamina test of the Cheltenham’s Champion Bumper, and took in in the Punchestown Festival’s Champion I.N.H Flat Race. Waaheb was sent off the 15/8 favourite and up until that point he had been vastly superior to those he had faced, but this time he met his match in Lovethehigherlaw, who was Willie Mullins’s best bumper horse that season. At the end of an epic battle up Punchestown’s home straight Willie Mullins son of Presenting ultimately outstayed Dermot Weld’s charge. The untimely demise of Lovethehigherlaw robbed him of a bright future over obstacles and it was left to Waaheb give us a sense of what might have been.

Almost immediately after the race Waaheb was made favourite, in most antepost lists, for the 2012 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, remaining in that position until it was sadly confirmed that injury had ruled him out for the season. Seemingly unconcerned by his injury bookmakers once again put him in as antepost favourite, before he jumped a hurdle in public, for the 2013 version. Waaheb’s latent talent was there for all to see in bumpers, the question was whether he could carry over this talent to the hurdling game. The signs from his seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse are generally good.

Having settled well in last place for Mark Walsh he took on the first flight and, almost certainly due to his inexperience, he dived at it. This was, in reality, of little concern and somewhat in response to that he ballooned the second. After these early sighters he jumped efficiently, only jumping left when forced to by Coldstonesober, never losing ground on the leaders. Unsurprisingly for a horse that showed so much class in bumpers, Waaheb travelled strongly throughout and as he picked off his opponents one by one there was never a question who the winner would be. As he approached the last, upsides a couple of others, it seemed a comfortable victory was on the cards. Following a decent final jump, he was shaken up and put in a burst of acceleration taking him away from the field posting an even more impressive performance than looked likely, winning by six-and-a-half lengths. This performance showed that his injury and time off has not dented his pace, pace that many of his subsequent rivals will lack. He jumped well enough for a debut and there is little doubt that he will improve significantly from this race. Whether he will show his true ability when stepped up in grade later in the season on heavy ground is up for debate. What is not up for debate is that he is a novice hurdler with abundant promise, and with the anticipated progress from his debut he is one to be feared by all.

Just one race before Waaheb’s hurdling debut was a maiden hurdle restricted to four-year-olds and it is possible we saw another Supreme contender in that contest. This was a performance that has gone under the radar due to its proximity to Waaheb’s comeback, but it was no less impressive.

Sizing Rio began his career winning a point-to-point at Bennettsbridge by three lengths. It is difficult to know what he achieved there but, interestingly, in third that day was Clondaw Kaempfer who went on to win a valuable and competitive Fairyhouse bumper before moving to Donald McCain, for whom he won a novices’ hurdle impressively on Sunday.

On his first run under rules for Henry De Bromhead and the Potts Family, Sizing Rio disappointed. He was fancied to run well in a good four-year-old bumper at the Punchestown festival but he weakened tamely. It was assumed that back over obstacles he would be a different proposition and this was the case. He started second favourite behind Noel Meade’s Cops And Robbers. Cops And Robbers had been useful on the flat for Sir Michael Stoute (sold for £125,000) and had shaped well on his hurdling debut in Grade 3 so this was no easy task.

Positioned in second for most of the race, Sizing Rio jumped quickly and accurately, his technique improving as the race progressed. He was tracked throughout by major market rival Cops And Robbers and once tearaway leader Strategic Bid fell by the wayside it looked as if this son of Heron Island might have severe competition from Noel Meade’s charge. However, it soon became apparent that Sizing Rio was maintaining his advantage over Cops And Robbers and the race was put beyond doubt as he quickened around the home turn while the runner-up was struggling to keep him in sight. The final winning distance was eighteen lengths and there was a further eighteen back to the third. It may be argued that the form is weak but before the race Cops And Robbers was thought of as good hurdling prospect and I have no reason to doubt that, especially when one considers the fact that he has already won since, at Wexford on Sunday. There are few better in Ireland at producing Cheltenham horses than Henry De Bromhead and in Sizing Rio, who barely came off the bridle to achieve this demolition, jumping with alacrity and showing no lack of pace, he could have another one.

At the end of the last National Hunt season Pique Sous would have been at the forefront of many people’s minds when considering candidates for next (now this) season’s Supreme Novices. After a promising run on debut, in the valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse, in April 2011 he was not seen out again until February of this year at Leopardstown. At Leopardstown he won impressively, displaying a turn of foot rarely seen in Irish bumpers. He then went to the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, supposedly, as Mullins’ best chance in the race. While he cantered all over his stablemate and resulting winner Champagne Fever, he was just outstayed and could manage only third. Mullins was keen to get more experience into him and therefore ran him three more times in National Hunt flat races during the summer, winning twice, before commencing his hurdling campaign at Cork in late August.

There was little doubt beforehand that Pique Sous would win on his hurdling debut and he was sent off at 1/3 but racing is, of course, never that simple and he failed to hold off Ted Dolly losing out by 2¾ lengths. He was far too free on that day pulling hard, giving himself little chance to finish strongly. Some suggested it was his jumping that let him down on this occasion and to a small extent I agree. It was deliberate at times, early on, but it was not causing him to lose ground. The crucial error came at the fourth last, where he severely pecked on landing, but this was mainly due to a horse in front jumping across him leaving unsighted. This clearly worried the son of Martaline as he ploughed through the next hurdle before his jockey, Emmet Mullins, finally let him stride on and he jumped the last beautifully. Unfortunately for connections, he just had nothing left to fend off the fast finishing winner.

On Wednesday, Pique Sous came out again at Thurles and connections were hoping he could redeem himself. The major concern from his hurdling debut was his keenness and to counter this, a change of tactics was employed by Ruby Walsh. Willie Mullins’ five-year-old was always likely to benefit from his hurdling bow, but setting off in front definitely made a difference. Pique Sous largely had an uncontested lead at Thurles and until a mistake at the fourth last he held a 3 or length cushion allowing him to settle in front. He was still keen enough through the race, although not to the extent of his previous racecourse experience, but despite the one aforementioned blunder he jumped noticeably well, thereby forcing his opposition to put in the extra effort which ultimately told. Rounding the final bend the field were closer than at any point during the race yet this time Pique Sous was able to pull away from his pursuers, posting a five length victory in the process.

Willie Mullins pointed out after the race that his is a horse that needs decent ground and he may be aimed at the Open Meeting at Cheltenham in November. This will be a real test for him as he will find it tougher to make all, if these are the tactics they employ again, and if he runs too free again the higher class of opposition, along with the stiff Cheltenham finish, could find him out. If Pique Sous does learn to settle though, and allows himself to be dropped in and ridden for the speed he showed in bumpers, he will be a force to be reckoned with. I do not share the concerns of many about his jumping, as it looks to me like the faster they go the better he jumps, and there aren’t too many slow Supremes.

Supreme Novices Update 2012/13: Court Minstrel and Dodging Bullets

With the first Cheltenham meeting already done with, I felt it appropriate to begin this season’s quest to identify the premier two-mile novice hurdler of the season. Sadly, for many like-minded individuals including myself, last season’s version, Simonsig, ended up running over 2m5f in The Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle. Again, this season I would prefer to see Simonsig displaying his undoubted prowess at two miles over hurdles but once again it seems I will be, to some extent, disappointed as Nicky Henderson is apparently leaning towards a chasing campaign. While I fully expect the former point-to-pointer to be ultra-successful over fences it is a shame that he is unlikely to be aimed at the Champion Hurdle, a race that looks his for the taking.

Unsurprisingly, Nicky Henderson has yet another strong team of prospective novice hurdlers this term but it was Evan Williams and Paul Nicholls who supplied this weekend’s early (very early) Supreme Novices contenders.

Lemington Maiden Hurdle

At Cheltenham on Friday twelve horses went to post in what appeared to be a competitive novices’ hurdle. The favourite was Population who had twice won bumpers impressively at Ascot before finishing sixth in the Aintree Champion bumper. However, it was a horse that finished two places in front of Population at Aintree that took the race and he won it impressively.

Court Minstrel had shown progressive form in bumpers prior to his Aintree fourth. Following a convincing victory at Ludlow, he finished a close second (also at Ludlow) to Tistory. Tistory will surely be one of Nicky Henderson’s most exciting novice hurdlers this season and Court Minstrel was arguably an unlucky loser in a contest where the front pair pulled well clear of the third. This was the first indication of the significant ability he possessed. Another return to Ludlow saw him pull off an eleven length demolition of his rivals and connections of this attractive son of Court Cave were understandably tempted by Aintree.

At Aintree Evan Williams’ charge was held up early in nineteenth of nineteen before gradually making his way through the pack to look threatening before not quite seeing out the 2m1f trip. In the end it turned into a stamina test with The New One, a potentially exceptional staying hurdler, coming out on top.

On that form Court Minstrel had every right to win Friday’s race and he did so in a manner which suggested he could be in contention for the big prize come March. As is his style, Court Minstrel was again dropped out in last place by Paul Moloney. Jumping neatly throughout, Court Minstrel travelled noticeably strongly, even on occasion pulling for his head, and soon after jumping the fourth last his rider let out an inch of rein to move through a swiftly closing gap. This was potentially the most impressive part of the race as he had passed four horses in just a couple of strides. From then on Paul Moloney kept having to pull him back in order to contain his effort for the finish and he remained firmly on the bridle until shaken up just after the last at which point he stormed up the Cheltenham hill pulling nearly 4 lengths clear of The Romford Pele.

This was as encouraging a hurdling debut as one could expect. He looks to have plenty of scope and there must be significant improvement in him as he is still struggling to completely settle. A large field and fast pace are likely to be his optimum conditions but as he gains experience he should become more amenable. There is the danger of overrating this performance as on face value it looks to be more about style than substance. His main rival in the race was supposed to be Population but his rider, Denis O’Regan, was unhappy some way out and he had to be pulled up with something clearly amiss. The Romford Pele had marked himself out as a good prospect with a seventh place finish in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper, just one place behind the winner of Aintree’s equivalent The New One, but he had been beaten at odds-on at Market Rasen on hurdling debut and at Cheltenham he handed any advantage he had over to Court Minstrel with a sloppy jump at the last. In third was Titan De Sarti, who has largely been disappointing in his career to date and merely stayed on here suggesting a step up in trip is the next logical step.

Despite the lack of substance, the style of Court Minstrel’s win was particularly exciting and the strength of his bumper form suggests he is certainly a novice hurdler worth bearing in mind for the Supreme as the season progresses.

Masterson Holdings Hurdle

In contrast to the jumps bred Court Minstrel, who had learnt his trade in bumpers, Dodging Bullets was bred by Frankie Dettori for the flat. By Dubawi, he was in training with Andrew Oliver where he managed to win twice on the level before being bought to go juvenile hurdling. Placed in the care of champion trainer Paul Nicholls he had three runs last season, showing distinct promise in two of them, and his trainer had described him as the best maiden hurdler in training.

On his hurdling debut in the Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton Dodging Bullets came up against Grumeti, a leading Triumph Hurdle fancy at the time he had already won twice and fallen once when victory was certain. Dodging Bullets finished only 1½ lengths behind Grumeti in the end having shown signs of his evident inexperience. His second start was at the Cheltenham Festival in the Triumph Hurdle where he showed the benefit of his first race over hurdles by finishing fourth, only a head behind Grumeti this time. He travelled well before only failing for lack of stamina in the gruelling test that last season’s Triumph became. It is sensible to ignore his final start of last season at Aintree as he was badly hampered and was possibly feeling the effects of a long flat season in 2011 followed by three relatively quick hard races over hurdles.

He has been leading fancy for the 2013 Supreme Novices ever since and his seasonal debut was highly anticipated. He was heavily backed on his first start over hurdles out of graded company, and in a sense he delivered what he promised with an emphatic 8 length win but there are niggling doubts left over him.

During the first part of the race Dodging Bullets pulled hard but that is understandable as he is still lightly raced over hurdles and this was a small field which was taken along at a slow pace. As the race developed and the pace quickened he eventually settled ok in behind the leading pair of Hi Note and second favourite Baby Mix. On the whole he jumped fluently but at the fourth last he was slow and suddenly there appeared to be a significant gap between him and the leaders. For a brief moment he looked in trouble but Ruby Walsh asked for extra effort and Dodging Bullets responded well. From then on each time Ruby asked Dodging Bullets to make ground he did so quickly. He reached the last upsides Hi Note, took it well, and powered clear up the hill. Paul Nicholls was keen to point out after the race that this four-year-old Dubawi gelding had had a breathing operation over the summer and would improve for the run.

The principle danger to Dodging Bullets beforehand looked to be Baby Mix but he again finished tamely into third having travelled well. He was giving Dodging Bullets 8lbs and may have needed the run but there must be serious concerns over his temperament and or soundness now. The second placed Hi Note is a tough, improving filly over hurdles and the form of her recent Stratford romp was boosted at Kempton on Sunday but one would hope that in future Dodging Bullets would be capable of brushing her aside more easily if he is to take high rank amongst the novice hurdlers. He had to be pushed by Ruby Walsh to make ground a number of times during the race and for him to be thought of as a really strong Supreme contender I would prefer to see him make these moves on the bridle. He may have hit a flat spot on Saturday, such a characteristic could be terminal in higher quality contests, but this may also just be a fitness issue, as Nicholls pointed out he should “be better for the experience”, in which case it is important not to judge him too harshly on the somewhat laboured style of this victory. Dodging Bullets may look a completely different proposition on his next start.

Supreme Novices Update: Newbury, Ascot, Fairyhouse and Kelso

It was an important week for Supreme Novices candidates and it was probably the last time we were likely to see those with real chances running before the festival. There is still the chance that one or two of the very good four year olds could target the race following the Adonis on Saturday but the Triumph hurdle is naturally the more obvious target.

Newbury

On free-day Friday at Newbury we saw Darlan in the Betfair Hurdle and Montbazon, Vulcanite and Colour Squadron in a particularly competitive Novices event. Darlan had been around 9/1 second favourite behind Zarkandar for a while going into the Betfair Hurdle but he was weak on the day and drifted to 12/1. There were doubts over the strength of his form, for all that he was unbeaten, as he had not yet been properly tested. Following his last victory on the bridle at Taunton, where he beat Jump City by half a length, Barry Geraghty was keen to play down the amount he was likely to find once asked a question. As a result it was quite surprising to see the handicapper bump him up 9lbs afterwards; this was reduced by 3lbs later on after Jump City ran so poorly next time out, but it was too late for Friday’s (rearranged) race as the weights were already published.  

Darlan

We didn’t know how good Darlan actually was in the run up to last week’s run and after the race we are still none the wiser. Held up in the last third of the field for most of the way, McCoy kept Darlan wide presumably to give him a good view of his hurdles and ironically he jumped well. Often gaining ground at his obstacles, he travelled strongly and was not inconvenienced as the pace quickened. He moved sweetly through the field on the approach to the home turn and despite his inexperience he squeezed through a gap on the bend, putting him in third as they straightened up for the run-in. Travelling best of all, he reached two out just sharing the lead looking the most likely winner, before he failed to pick his legs up at the hurdle and took a crunching fall.

There is no way of knowing, until he runs again, what he would have found off the bridle. He may have found a great deal and still lost considering the race was won by a top Champion Hurdle prospect. Whatever happens, this performance will have enhanced Darlan’s reputation and at least his price for the Supreme no longer looks ridiculously short. This son of Milan is evidently a live contender for the traditional opener to the festival and if one knew that he had suffered no ill-effects from his fall then it would be folly to rule him out. It is quite a large ‘if’, however, as it was quite a major incident for a horse with so few miles on the clock and he may well remember such an unpleasant experience next time. It is also notable that he has made a mistake late on in every hurdle race he has run in. The least severe of these was at Cheltenham but he did lose momentum and he came slowly away from the flight, only managing to beat the vastly inferior High Storm by a nose. Whether he makes these mistakes because his jumping suffers as the pace quickens, or whether everything comes so easily to him that he loses concentration, is difficult to decide but it will be a nagging doubt in my mind particularly as he will face a number of fluent hurdlers at the festival. Had Darlan jumped the last two at Newbury fluently and won the Betfair Hurdle he would no doubt be favourite for the Supreme and the 12/1 available now would look massive. Sadly for connections he didn’t and still, for me, Darlan is too much of an unknown quantity to get involved with. Yet, at the same time, it would come as no shock were he to win handsomely in March.  

The very next race on Newbury’s card was a 2m Novices’ Hurdle involving three well regarded sorts all with great expectations. Montbazon came out comfortably on top but the race had a rather unsatisfactory feel to it. They went a slow pace early and when the three market principals drew alongside each other at the second last flight, the horse going best, Colour Squadron, fell.

Montbazon

I was huge fan of Montbazon as a bumper horse last season and I fully expected win the bumper at Cheltenham on his first start back but he was in need of the race and failed to impress in the paddock. Alan King’s charge clearly benefitted from the experience and his first run over hurdles came at Newbury where he was beaten into second on ground that didn’t suit by, the aforementioned, Colour Squadron. His next run came at Plumpton where he was sent off at 1/10 and won as expected but his jumping throughout was sloppy. This was concerning and, wrongly, I was worried that these frailties might find him out against a far better class of opposition but he looked an extremely competent hurdler on Friday. He travelled well through the race and when sent on to reach the leaders before two out he responded, before moving decisively clear of Vulcanite from the last.

Montbazon was rightly shortened significantly in the market for the Supreme and he looks to hold a sound each way chance. Beforehand on Friday he was the clear paddock pick, he was fit and imposing and looked a different horse to when I had last seen him at Cheltenham. If he stands out like this in March then he is worthy of consideration at least, especially as he appears to have the requisite stamina to win a Supreme Novices, but I am not convinced he is quite as classy as a number of other runners. The way he pulled away at Newbury was pleasing but he doesn’t have the burst acceleration that a few at the head of the Supreme market seem to. He looks more of a strong galloper and may be better suited to further in the long term. Finishing 7l clear of the well regarded Vulcanite is strong form on paper but Montbazon hasn’t excited me this year like he did last and I feel Vulcanite probably didn’t run best race either.

Vulcanite

Vulcanite was a little keen at Newbury and making his own pace is unlikely to have suited him. He was tiring from the last and without the departure of Colour Squadron he would have finished third. With a lead and a fast pace at Cheltenham I am sure he will be seen in a better light. I couldn’t be sure that he would reverse the form with Montbazon but I doubt there would be 7l in it. What he did show at Newbury, which bodes well for Cheltenham, was his exceptional jumping. He never broke stride, so quick and nimble, I would be surprised if anything could match him in this department in the Supreme having seen this display. The marked improvement from his first start where he ploughed through the first two hurdles is astonishing. Also worth noting is that since I last wrote about Vulcanite’s Supreme prospects his form has taken a notable boost. It was clear that his run behind Tetlami was strong form but when he thrashed a field at Southwell it was widely reported that he beat very little. In fact, 7l down in second was Spiekeroog who won his next start defeating Bourne in the process. Bourne then came out at Ascot on Saturday and was impressive in winning a competitive handicap hurdle. If Vulcanite’s run at Newbury can be forgiven then he looks a solid outsider for Cheltenham.

Colour Squadron

The second last had an impact on all the hurdle races at Newbury. Colour Squadron’s fall there was a major disappointment as he looked to be tanking along in between Montbazon and Vulcanite. Richard Johnson reined him back in an attempt to stop him hitting the front too soon on account of his antics at Sandown but before he could let him go the Old Vic gelding slithered on landing ejecting his rider. Much like Darlan you cannot be sure if Colour Squadron would have won but you have a much better idea as he had defeated Montbazon on the course previously so he would surely have been thereabouts. Of course, that is to forget the quirks he seems to have developed and with his violent hanging in the Grade 1 Tolworth he is surely one to avoid in any race of note, particularly the Supreme Novices Hurdle.

Ascot

At Ascot on Saturday a horse leapt into the reckoning for the Supreme with an emphatic display. Following two impressive wins, in a minor novice hurdle at Plumpton and a three runner juvenile hurdle at Ascot, Balder Succes was thought of as a possible Fred Winter or Aintree juvenile hurdle horse. He was running on Saturday against his elders, in a better race than he had previously faced, with the aim of discovering if he could be worthy of a place in the Triumph hurdle. He was so impressive on Saturday in beating the useful Captain Sunshine that he is now under consideration for the Supreme Novices against older horses. He jumped with real enthusiasm on Saturday and he again displayed an easy way of going which suggests a fast pace should suit. He showed how much class he’s got by quickening clear from the second last and at his age he should keep improving. I would have him ahead of Montbazon in terms of his chance in the Supreme and the four year old allowance can only be a benefit.

I must temper my enthusiasm by saying that the race somewhat fell apart at Ascot. His main rival Hazy Tom, whose form had worked out so well earlier in the season, was far too keen and in the end ran a horrible race. Similarly the second, Captain Sunshine was outpaced at an alarmingly early stage before staying on. It was a race that didn’t take much winning but he could do no more than win in the manner he did. Very few novice hurdlers have created such a good impression this season and at this stage the Supreme Novices looks the right race but as a juvenile hurdler there is the always chance he could run in the Triumph. This may well be an easier race and he now looks right among the best of his age group. I just believe Alan King would rather run him in the Supreme as Grumeti looks to have a better chance in the Triumph than Montbazon does in the Supreme and he has already proved himself against older horses. As a consequence, the 20/1 widely available (25/1 in a place) looks generous.  

Fairyhouse

On Wednesday two horses at the head of the Supreme Novices market ran and won impressively without coming off the bridle. The first was Galileo’s Choice at Fairyhouse, the second was Simonsig at Kelso. Galileo’s Choice won as he was entitled to, never coming off the bridle in defeating Becauseicouldntsee by 4 ½ lengths. As novice hurdle form that is nothing special seeing as the second is more a 4 mile chaser than a 2 mile hurdler but this son of Galileo travelled and quickened like the smart horse he had already shown to be. He is a Group 3 winner on the flat, looks to have plenty of speed and he clearly stays well as he showed when chasing home Sous Les Cieux in the Grade 1 Royal Bond. He should really have won that race however and he lacks the scope for improvement that a number of others in the Supreme have, including Midnight Game who finished well behind him that day. There probably won’t be many in the festival curtain raiser with as much class as him but he still hasn’t done or shown enough for me over hurdles to consider him as a likely winner and with his trainer’s record at the festival he is one at a short price that I am willing to strike a line through.

Kelso

In the Morebattle Hurdle we saw Simonsig win hard held from another staying chaser Knockara Beau. Run over 2m 2f this race told us very little about Simonsig that we didn’t already know. As my antepost selection for the Supreme I had been hoping for Nicky Henderson to drop him back in trip to 2m to really test his speed. Instead he ran over a trip in between that of the Neptune and the Supreme. Nicky Henderson still insists he has not decided which race to go for with this imposing grey but Barry Geraghty has already voiced a preference for the longer race as it will give a bit more time at his hurdles. Simonsig made mistakes at the final two hurdles at Kelso but there was an excuse for those as the sun was very low and he probably had trouble seeing the flights. Aside from those I have seen no issues with his jumping and in fact I see it as an asset. Geraghty clearly has his own interests in that he already has a strong ride in the Supreme, Tetlami, where as in the Neptune he has nothing outside of Simonsig that could challenge those at the head of the market. I can therefore forgive him this oversight but from all the evidence I have seen he must go for the Supreme. The major point is that in the Neptune he has to take on Fingal Bay again who comprehensively beat him at Sandown. While Simonsig may not have been at his very best that day I still don’t see him reversing the form over the longer trip. Furthermore, in the Neptune he will face Boston Bob and Monksland, two other outstanding candidates where as the Supreme has a far more open feel to it, for which he is favourite (as short as 6/1). In the Neptune, Simonsig will be one of the best, in the Supreme he will be THE best. This is a point trainer Nicky Henderson has already alluded to and for that reason I would still be inclined to think he will run in the shorter race. Hopefully this is not just wishful thinking.....