Horses to Follow

28th September 2023

With the new season almost upon us I thought it would be a good idea to put down a few horses that I think will be worth following. Many of them will have been mentioned on this site last season and it will be interesting to see how they have progressed

Constitution Hill is obviously one who will be everyone's banker in the Ten To Follow competitions. However he may have only two or three races before Cheltenham, The Fighting Fifth, The Christmas Hurdle and/or the Unibet Hurdle which has been moved to the end of January. 

Ballyburn; Willie Mullins will once again be spoilt for choice in the Novice Hurdle department and this Flemensfirth 5yo could take high ranking in the stayers races. A winner of his point and two Bumpers, his only starts, He's a full brother to the useful Noble Endeavour.

Bo Zenith; He beat Blood Destiny in Auteuil before current connections bough him privately and in his four starts for them he was third, won twice and was beaten a short head in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree by Zenta. He's rated 138.

Captain Teague; Won his point over 2m4f by 8l before joining Paul Nicholls for whom he won first time out over 2m1f on Soft at Plumpton before running a smashing race to be third beaten over 2l in the Cheltenham Bumper. He's a half brother to the useful Sky Pirate and could be a horse for the Challow Hurdle in December.

Hermes Allen; Last year's Challow winner looked the real deal when competing the hat trick in that race. However the ground that day was desperate and only 6 of the 12 runners finished. It may have left it's mark as he disappointed next time in the Ballymore before finishing just over 6l back in third to Irish Point in Aintree. The latter will figure in a few horses we are going to highlight.

Irish Point; Beaten three parts of a length by Inneston in  aFrench Bumper he won next time beating Il Est Francais in a Grade 1 Bumper at Marseilles after which he was bough privately bu current connections. He won his maiden at Cork then went down by a head to Marine Nationale in the G1 Royal Bond and filling the same runner up spot by justv over 2l to Champ Kiely in the G1 Lalors at Naas. he finished the season winning a G3 at Naas and the G1 at Aintree. He was a very immature horse at the start of the season but has definitely improved with racing.

Il Est Francais; Following his defeat to Irish Point he changed hands to Tom George for whom he won three on the bounce including an Auteuil G1 and then to Noel George  for whom he won first time out before a poor run in  agrade 3 last March. He was rested until September and reappeared over the larger obstacles winning comfortably at Auteuil. Word is he is going to be campaigned in the UK with his target being the Kauto Star.

Inneston; This Doctor Dino 5yo is now with the same connections as Bo Zenith. He's won twice and been placed in four, all his starts in the UK.  He can race freely at times but when he settles he could be useful in some Graded handicaps off his current mark of 127.

Willmount; Won his only point as a 4yo in February 2022 after which he was bought for €340k for Owner Olly Harris. Trained by Neil Mulholland he wasn't seen until January this year when winning his Bumper by 13l. He went to Doncaster in March and won again. These were his only starts and his Owner has since transferred him to Nicky Henderson.

Marine Nationale; Connections aren't sticking around to take on Constitution Hill this season with last year's top novice. He's reported to be a good jumper and the Arkle could be his target.

Good Land; Connections of Marine Nationale also have Good Land who can be forgiven his run in the Ballymore as he came home a sick horse. He's reported to be electric over a fence and he is of interest in Intermediate and staying chases. He won the 2m6f Novice at the DRF and the third Sandor Legane ran a huge race to finish a close third in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

Affordable Fury; was second in the Albert Bartlett and is only a 5yo. He went on to be second to Gaelic Warrior at the Punchestown Festival. He won over 2m6f as a 4yo so Staying races should be his forte when he goes Chasing.

A Dream To Share has won al his five Bumper starts including the DR, Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. By a Sprinter out of a Gallileo Mare if he takes to hurdles he could be anything.

Facile Vega; has to be in everyone's notebook. Son of the great Quevaga won two G1's, Leopardstown and Punchestown, either side of second place behind Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novice last season. He can be forgiven his defeat at the DRF where nothing went right for him. I expect he'll go chasing.

Aurora Vega; Full sister to Facile Vega she was an impressive winner of his only tow starts, both Bumpers. She's got her season off today as I write with a comfortable win in a Mares Listed Bumper at Gowran beating numerous previous winner in the process and apparently will be aimed at the big Spring Bumpers.