NH

I had a great last season. Based on the trials a lot of trainers have caught up and I won't be as dominate at some distances like 2 miles for example. My stable strength is in the races at 3 miles plus and hoping GI Joe can do the impossible and win 2 gold cups.
It should be a more competive season with some top trainers returning which will makes things very exciting.

Open Horses
I always used to put my best in this section but over 2m4 hurdles and 2m5 chase the best ones may be in the novice section


Hurdlers

2m
No star over 2 miles and there is no way I will dominate like last season will be happy if I get one group 1 win
Enjoy the Silence, 16-18f, 8yo mare, GreyFrairs Plessis-Mit Dem Wind, Soft,
The intention was to breed a monster sprinter from a monster game sprinter and my best 6f horse. But 2 firm ground horses produced a top quality 2 mile soft ground hurdler. She may be able to sprint but like the dam showed nothing until 6 and just kept improving peaking at 8. If the ground is soft she will be right there but Hemz has monsters. Newly bred and the 8yo is from my final season before the league.

Great Debate, 16-18f, 7yo stallion, Dragon Prince-Winter Rose, Good
The horse that resurrected my 2 mile hurdler lines and due to him have started improving again after hitting a wall for a few seasons. Bred by finding UG deep in both the dam and sire lines. Until recently my best but has been passed by a few now. Consistent and a fast jumper.

2m4-2m5
Stable Star
Elevation, 7yo mare, 20-21f, Wish Twister-Shot Down, Good
Top class are who will be contensting the big group 1s. Have high hopes for her. Very consistent

Stop Messing Around, 8yo stallion, 20-21f, The Gathering-Checkmate, Good
Multiple grade 1 winner from last season. Unfortunately was a disaster at stud and produced nothing of note. Won his trial race to show he still has what it takes. A monster at Punchestown and will take an exceptional horse to beat him there. Will lead if there is no pace and dangerous when he does this as is almost impossoble to catch. Probably has the battling quality ability as well.

3m
Stable Star
Time Capsule, 7yo stallion, 24-25f, Windfall-God of the Mind, Good
It says something about my hurdlers abilities that my impressive trial winner Black Magic Womand doesn't make the team. But it is a distance I keep improving in. He is my best at Cheltenham and is ultra consistent.

Scorched Earth, 7yo mare, 24-25f, Thuder Road-Heartbreaker, Soft
Has the beating of Time Capsule on very testing ground. A recent horse and is way better than trial winner Black Magic Woman

Chasers

2m
Not a good division for me
Chess, 7yo mare, 16-18f, Walden Instrument-Phase Nord, Good
Returning horse bred in game season 19. I have not improved past her although I am getting closer now. So she comes back after running well in the trials and performing well last season. Will be lucky to win a race but will be thereabouts as is a good jumper.

Rythym Divine, 6yo mare, 16-21f, Great Debate-Toulouse Streets, Good
In because she sometimes wins my trials but is a 2m5 chaser at 7 and probably can get 2m5 at 6 but I just don't have any decent 2 mile chasers. Will probably be handicapping.

2m4-2m6
Stable Star
Sastanaqqam, 8yo stallion, 20-22f, Roman Ghost-Again and Again, Firm
Sire ( In flat team ) was a brilliant flat in game horse has become a monster sire of front running chasers. Don't be fooled by the firm ground as he wins my trials on heavy ground. I'm hoping he is my next UG. A monster front runner who is extremely hard to pass

Vintage Trader, 6yo mare, 19-22f, Flashpoint-Again and Again, Good
Sire has produced a large number of brilliant chasers and this is one of teh latest. Exported from my final season. Finshes strongly and if Sastanaqqam doesn't keep rolling she will be there to take advatantage. Probably needs a fats pace but she will get it.

3m
Stable Star
Up on the Catwalk, 7yo mare 24-26f, Circus Lights-Horst du die Trommein, soft
Last season mine got a bit outpaced over 3 miles on good ground. Have rectified that with this monster. Won the King George multiple time in game and is practilly unbeatable at Kempton in my trials. Will be a huge runner in all 3 mile chasers

Beat Your Wings, 7yo stallion, 21-24f, Espresso-Pressure, Soft
Has a made a huge impression at stud and I find this is normally a good indication for a horse being good in the league. Can get furtehr but no match for my best 2 league horses so will stick to 3 miles.

Ragtopskodacarchase, 7yo mare, 21-25f, Half Share-Footprints, Soft
Bit of an overkill going for three 3 mile chasers but it is where I'm strongest. Dam placed 2nd in a number of league group 1's last season. Can get 2m5 with a strong pace so gives me options

3m2-3m5
Stable Star
GI Joe, 7yo stallion, 26-29f, Vaguely Knights-Pillow Talk,Soft
Bred from a moderate jumper who trialed very well and a decent dam. Both sires were not that spectacular but he is. One of the best I have bred, my Gold Cup horse and a true monster. Cantered up in his trial. The only horse I have ever had that has won the Gold cup and Grand National in the same year in game. Picture is in monster thread. Will probably come back next season. Monster sire of a number of stars

That waas the write up from last season and he lived up to the hype. Has come back in fine form winning both trials. A better jumper at 8 and can get further. 3 mile is too short though. Hoping he can do the gold cup double. If the ground is soft he will be favourite.

Stable Star
Flashpoint, 7yo stallion, 24-29f, Cry me A River-Fall at your Feet, Soft
GI Joe is his grandad and has the same characteristics. He is better than Gi Joe especially on good ground. Will be interesting to see how they go in week 1 as they running against each other. Gives me strong hand in the gold cup

French Vacation, 7yo mare, 24-28f, Mephisto-Ragstopskodacarchase, Soft
A remarkable mare who can beat my big 2 but as they can both cover 3m5 have opted for a another 3m2 chaser to try go for the big handicaps. She is good though and may run too well to have a releastic chance in races like teh Henessey but that is the path she will take.

4m-4m4
Stable Star
In Der Nacht, 8yo mare, 29-35f, Money Back Guarantee-Avatar, Soft
Too good to be well rated for the Grand National but that is her route. Can get 3m5 and is very good jumper. Best stayer I have bred.

Eyes of the World , 8yo stallion, Solstice-Avatar, Soft
Even 4 miles is too short. Will have 3 runs and then wait for the grand national. Will get a nice rating as gets very outpaced over 4 miles but is brilliant over another 3f

Novices
My novice team is very strong this season except 2 miles chase with horses that can set the pace if there is none. Had some issues with lack of pace in novice races last season.


Hurdlers

2m
No standout 2m novice
Du Hast, 16-17f, 6yo mare, Marsh Kings-Dinnys Alyasmeen, Good
Flat bred miler out of game mare and a stallion bred from mine but bought at auction. Has taken well to hurdles. Best on the Irish courses but not a big fan of Cheltenham. Will be running on strongly at the finish.

Red Flag Day, 16-18f, 7yo mare, Voodoo Idol-Mit Dem Wind, Soft
Mudlark. The softer the better. She is in my team as is practially unbeatable on heavy ground. Very good on soft. Not so good on better ground though so will be looking for races hit by rain

Good Advice, 16-17f, 6yo mare, Understory Rebel-Forest Mage, Soft
Being around a long time but stil wins trials. Likes Cheltenham and is my best bumper horse.

2m4-2m5
Novice Star
Almost Prayed, 20-24f, 7yo Stallion, Circus Lights-Shooting Star, Good
Extremely versatile well bred stallion as he can get 2m4 to 3 miles. Best over 2m5 and should be a force in the league this season. Finishes fast, handles all ground and the league should suit

God of the Mind, 20-21f, Barrel Blaster-Stones Fall, Firm
Don't be fooled by the firm ground as I trial on soft and he wins a lot of trials. If there is no pace he will set it and then will be extremely dangerous. Doesn't have to lead though. He ran in the trials but 2m6 on heavy ground was to far.

3m
Break Out, 7yo mare, 24f, The Impulse-Mis Argentinia, Soft
Only one 3 mile hurdler as Almost Prayed can get 3 miles. She is a newly bred horse still racing in my game and is dominant over 3 miles. Expecting some huge performances.


Chasers

2m
My 2 mile chasers are dire so only went with one
Close to the Heart, 16-19f, 6yo mare, Gwanako Kutuzov-Revolver, Soft
My 2 mile chasers are not group class so will plot a handicap route with her. Out of a game horse I bought who has started to improve my 2 mile chasers.

2m4-2m5
Best novice
Modern Way, 20-21f, 7yo Mare, Touch Down-Dynamite, Soft
Made a mistake last season of not having a 2m5 chaser. Best over 2m4 but can get 2m5. Should give her running in the group races

Snow King, 21-22f, No Need to Argue-Strangelands, Soft
Unfashionable breeding as sire and dam produced nothing else of note. Auteil specialist and the softer the better.

3m
Best novice
Gates of Dawn, 7yo stallion, 24f, Coast to Coast-Out of this World, Good
I have a lot of quality over this distance and should be a real force. Won't mind if there is no pace as will happily lead if that is the case.

Nuclear, 7yo mare, 21-24f, Flashpoint-Autumn Carnival, Soft
Out of my new monster chaser Flashpoint. Multiple G1s in game and is a very good jumper. Should give her running during season. Hoping she wins the race named after me in week 1. Still haven't won that race

Juvenile

2m
Stable Star
Jailbreak, 16-17f, 4yo mare, Windfall-Shotdown, Good
An amazing horse who is actually one of my best 2m4 hirdlers and my best 3yo 12f horse. But she is way ahead of the rest of mine in the juvenle section and so comes in as a juvenile. A good jumper and should be thereabouts in all the top juvenile races

I've only been able to breed a few jumpers since wales went back into lockdown and so my horses has only moved on one generation, my G1 winner from last year Another Schedule is the dad of 5 of my team. These should be my best horses.

Bridgewell Leader - Aim will be the group1 4m4 chase at the festival

Magic of Life - Another who will be aimed at the 4m4 chase.

Avro Anson- Looked special in my 2m good ground races but not sure if my good ground chasers are that good.

Desert Orchid - Followed Avro in my trials and will hopefully be good enough for the Arkle.

Central House - Looked good in my 2m soft ground trial races

High Edge Grey- Needs good ground but es, can run in the 4 miles plus races so will be better in later season races.

Supreme Ciara- Is my best 3m chaser , hopefully be good enough to run well in group races.

Kerry Girl - Will probably be my gold cup hope, i doubt she will be good enough though.

I only play one chase jumps game now and if i can find some time to play i think i can improve my horses , still love playing my jumps game

I've definitely lost focus with my NH horses over the last few months and sadly concentrated too much on my flat horses and the improvements I've seen.

Still struggling to figure out who's my best at what age due to the GENERROR and not being able to enter them at different ages at full potential.

Looking back at the trails it seems I have some potentially good ones for the season ahead. Just not happy with the progress I could have made in some areas.

4yo Juvenile

Crusading Baranca 4yoH (2m/2m1f) - My only 4yo in my NH team this season. Some at home are better on certain courses but overall she is probably my most consistent. Nearly maxed out 100% potential at 4 she was 97%. Looking forward to seeing how she gets on. I've some new ones just hitting 4yo now and I could change her out if she doesn't perform well. Loves Cheltenham and the Triumph Hurdle would be the main target for the season.

2m Novice Hurdlers

Galante Zara 7yoM (2m/2m2f & NHF) - This distance is probably my best division so it's been hard to decide on which ones to choose in novices and open class company. That being said, she is very talented on any ground type and can even perform well on the NHF. Occasionally she beats Crafty Customer and Rule Of Maze and her main targets for the season will be the Supreme Novices and all the top Grade 1s at the festivals.

Shesallcluedup (7yoM 2m/2m2f) - She was once in my top 3 2mH and her form in the game was quite special. She will be my 2nd 2mH novice horse and I'm looking forward to seeing how she performs. Having two for the Supreme is a luxury this season compared to the one last season. I've a strong chance of winning the opening race again this season.

2m Hurdlers

Crafty Customer 6yoH (2m/2m1f) - Love this little fellow. Got so much speed and is a slick jumper as shown in trials day 1. All roads lead to Cheltenham and a tilt at the Champion Hurdle. Will be contesting all the top 2mH races this season.

Rule Of Maze 7yoM (2m/2m2f) - Very classy and talented mare as shown in the last trail day. She won that quite easily in the end coming from behind. Very similar to Crafty Customer she will be entered in all the top 2mH throughout the season with a tilt at the Champion Hurdle. Hopefully she can produce some fine offspring and be another one of my Wondermares who can pass on her abilities.

Marshs Zouz 7yoH (2m/2m3f) - Adding a 3rd 2mH horse. He can beat the other 2 above at times and is a classy horse on his day. He seems to stay a little bit further than the other 2 which gives me more options. Will do some more trails just to be certain he is in my team for the season ahead.

2m Novice Chasers

Making Memories 7yoM (2m/2m2f) - She makes the team ahead of Merovigian. Performed well in the trail day race over a course I didn't trial for and just put her in to see how she'd race. In terms of last season novices I've much better coming into this season and the Arkle will be the target for the season and all the graded races beforehand.

Aaly Savannah 7yoH (2m/2m4f) - Late addition to my team and i thought he was a 2m4 chaser, turns out he has the speed for the minimum trip. His performances in my trials have been very good and he could be a major dark horse for me this season. I've 2 solid 2mC novices for this season which I should have plenty of fun with over 13 weeks.

2m Chasers

Distanced Up 7yoH (2m/2m2f) - Superstar on the flat and then transferred that form to hurdles and was even better at that discipline. I didn't get the chance to race him much over the larger obstacles and only had the one race in the Queen Mother Chase and he blew them away that day. My trails I thought he was going to be a 2mH star, turns out he's a ultra classy 2mC with bags of speed. All the top 2mC races are his targets for the season. Be nice to win the Queen Mother Chase again.

Goldenyev System (2m/2m2f) - Used to be one of my best 2mC and thought I'd give him a crack in open company instead of going the novices route. He still performs at a high level in my trials and can be awesome at times. Will be interesting to see how he gets on. He has a lot of his bloodline in my new horses over this distance and will continue to develop this types of speedster over jumps.

2m4f Novice Hurdlers

Shameful Junkie 7yoG (2m4/2m6f) - Did well in trials and should give a good account of himself this season. An area which needs work and I'm not sure what to expect. He's talented and hopeful can perform well this season.

Caranthir 7yoM (2m3/2m6f) - Quite an old mare from months ago but shows up well in my trials and deserves a chance to see what she can do. Not sure which level she will be at this season. I've a lot of unknown quantities of horses which I hope will turn out to be Graded level jumpers.

2m4f Hurdlers

Rafaella Mylette 7yoM (2m4/2m7f) - Won her trial race very well on heavy ground. She is a very soft ground type of horse but very effective on dryer conditions as well. Looking forward to the season ahead with her. Definitely one of my best over this distance and if it becomes very testing she's a class act.

Enchanted Spirit 7yoM (2m4/3m) - Another old CK horse but on her day is very good. I'm not expecting her to be Grade 1 level but should be competitive in lesser company.

2m4 Novice Chasers

Bilbo Bagginz 7yoH (2m3/2m6f) - Only recently came into the CK for trialing and turns out he's not too bad. Could turn out to be graded class in time.

Sceilin Fortunata 7yoM (2m5/2m7f) - Another recent addition to the CK and like Bilbo has performed well. Stays further than BB and likes the more flat courses.

2m4f Chasers

Cheekz Gold 7yoM (2m5/3m) - Very good on her day and the target for the season is the Ryanair Chase. Loves Cheltenham and that hill. Battled on well in the trial race and should hold her own this season.

Dayia Breda 7yoM (2m3/2m5f) - She's by some of my good performing league horses from last season. Has plenty of talent and could surprise in top company this season.

Kasable Knock 7yoH (2m3/2m5f) - I thought he was a 2mC horse from my game form but turns out he was getting out paced in my trials. Stepped him up and he's much better. Another who likes flat courses having a more flat pedigree than the others.

3m Novice Hurdlers

Been About Luck 7yoM (2m7/3m1f) - My only novice over this discipline. I think my 3mH are weak so anything will be a bonus this season until I work on them more over the coming months.

3m Hurdlers

Cloud Mambo 7yoM (3m) - New recruit to my CK over this trip and been very consistent which is a pleasant surprise. I've a good feeling she could be very good indeed. This bloodline has so much league class and I'm looking forward to breeding with her. Yeomanry is in her bloodline along with Honors Robbers. Two proven Grade 1 league horses with speed and stamina on either side.

Initiale Legacy 7yoM (2m7/3m1f) - Didn't perform too well in trial day 2 and I'm expecting better for the season ahead. Still believe I have weak 3mH for this season. But the one above could prove me wrong.

3m Novice Chasers

Babacora Mittens 7yoM (2m6/3m2f) - Very rare I breed a good front running horse. Just don't like them to be honest, this mare shows up very well in my trials and jumps and stays on. Not sure what to expect with all the other trainers proven FR's.

Renvyle Prospect 7yoM (2m7/3m1f) - Needs soft ground to be at her best. Trials very well at the main NH courses, so interesting to see how she gets on in the interim.

3m/3m3f Chasers

Plague Runner 9yoH (3m1/3m3f) - Never had a 9yo peak 100% potential at this age before in my game. Not sure we have seen the best of him just yet from the trials. He will be heading for the Gold Cup no matter what happens. Will be tough to beat Leon's 3mC horses but I'm slowly getting better over this distance and in time I will have horses to challenge.

Placebo Park 7yoH (3m1/3m3f) - Little hit and miss sort. On his day he's capable of great things but the others he's average. This is a distance I'm looking forward to advancing a lot which I intend to do for the next upload and the season after this. In the past I've had some really outstanding 3mC+ horses, just taken more time and effort to get them going.

Yorkshire Cent 7yoH (2m7/3m1f) - Another new recruit from a nice bloodline. He's showed up very well in my trials and looking forward to his offspring in time. Loves Kempton and will contest the King George and other Grade 1s.

3m5f/4m4f Stayers

Sensitive Jules 8yoM (3m7/4m4f) - I only had 1 stayer last season and he was a game breed horse. Looking at the trail race it seems I come a long way in my improvements over these extreme distances. For a marker I have nothing to gauge from last season. This mare as talent and staying ability, looking forward to seeing how she gets on. Her offspring could be a springboard to improving my stayers more.

Elevated Splore 9yoM (3m6/4m4f) - Only had 1 previous horse who has done the gold Cup/ Grand National double. She nearly could have done the triple if not for getting injured after the Gold Cup win for the 3rd time. Didn't see anything in the CK until she aged more. Showing up consistently well in my trials. if she gets a nice weight after 3 races over 4m+ will be a lively Grand National horse.

Caring Emma 9yoM (3m5/4m2f) - Very capable 7yo over 3m4/4m but I feel she is a little better with age. Gutted she fell in the trial race, would have been nice to know if she is any good for the league. Stays well and curious to see how she performs this season.

Welcome to the NH tour. To be honest we usually do a little better on the jumps side of things here and have managed to bad at least one G1 and one Cheltenham Festival winner each season. During SO6 we managed to get a 1-2 in the SO6 Chase Final one season and last year in the first SO7 we landed the first King Of The Hunter title on the final day of the season. We have far more exciting prospects in the NH team so hoping for another good season


4yos

Coolbeg About (4 bl c Eurobus-Hard To Follow) Top performer on flat winning numerous G1s around the 7-10f mark. Was destined for flat team until accidentally entered in hurdles trials and winning by a street every time. Ran in trials day 2 and won the 4yo hurdle with all top stables represented. Ran in trials day 3 as a 5yo but didn’t fare as well so in at 4. Could also contest the NH flat races despite stable not being a fan of them. Blistering turn of foot and great battling qualities. 100% potential, speed and 95 acceleration. Hadn’t run over hurdles in game prior to trial but now in as a novice at 6 and is unbeaten so could come back for a champion hurdle tilt if things go to plan. Spending the off season in the breeding barn and has already produced G1 winners at 2yo who may get into the team after week 6. Prefers it soft. Exciting prospect. Win chance 10/10


Bold Highlander (4 b c Highland River-Sassy Beret) Another flat horse who has never jumped a hurdle in game but only one who gets close to Coolbeg in trials especially on firmer ground. Won Derby, Arc, two Breeders Cup turfs and two Dubai Sheema classics. Still racing in game now at 5 with a rating of 138 but flopped in flat trials. Another interesting prospect by Highland River so may go jumping in game now. Goes on any ground. 8/10

Novices

Pearly King (6 bl h Around Regal-Grey Pearl) Sire is also in team and dam was in flat team last season. Half brother to Funk to Funky who is in flat team so family go well in racekit. Only tried over hurdles. Goes on soft and firm 6/10

Mataaleb Strider (7 b h Illawalla-Jaarayah Lotte) Full brother to Evil Winfd who was in last years flat team and half brother to Lotte Verbeek who is in this seasons flat team. Effective over hurdles and fences from 2m4f up to 3m. Goes on soft and firm but excels in the latter. Ran well in a trials race 7/10

Sirk (5 b h Possol-Capstick) half brother to Bucko who is also in team, Bad Habits who is in flat team and Huma Degas who was a winner on the flat last season. Still only 5 in current game so good indication of where I am at moment. Goes on good and soft. Untried over fences. Best at 3m 6/10

Admiral Ascoli (6 g h Carrick Admiral-Ascoli) Dam was in NH team last season. Half brother to Black Ascoli who is also in team, Robin Faze who ran last season and Sun Goes Down who was placed in Group company on the level last season and returns this. Best at 2m over fences but stays up to 3m. Goes on all ground 7/10

Royal Optic (7 b m Around Regal-Polly Holder) Sire in NH team and half sister Polly Black is in flat team for second season. Solid 2 and a half miler over hurdles and fences. Best on good and softer ground 6/10

Barolo Viking (6 b h Red Merlin-High Kickin) Interesting horse who has excellent bars but only really performs on bottomless ground. Flat career aborted at 3 and sent hurdling where he was also a dismal flop. Loathed to auction due to bars I gave him a spin over fences and it transformed him temporarily winning a string of novice chases over 2m to 2m5f. Didn’t really progress much after first season but is only 7 in game now. Surprisingly performed above himself in the CK and won out in the 3m novice finals. Needs very soft ground and is an excitable sort. Probably should have gelded him and may do for next season. Bit of a punt 3/10


Open Horses

Mandrake Root (7 b m David Copperfield-Executive Karinga) Excelled in the trials at all distances from 2m to 2m4f. In primarily as a hurdler but also has good game form over fences and stays up to 3m. Sire in NH team last season. Prefers softer ground. 7/10

Wordismybond Super (8 bl s Wedger Pardy-Miss Beat) Returns from last season and should be competitive again over both hurdles and fences at around the 2m mark. Goes on soft and firm. 7/10

Ring A Ring Of Roses (7 b m Getcarter-Atishoo) Good 2 miler over fences and hurdles. Can stay 2.2. Best on firmer ground but has won on soft 5/10

Beauty Queen (7 b m Illawalla-Starminda Bunny) Top class race mare winning from 2m to 3m over hurdles and fences. Currently in game at 8 so still could improve. Prefers it soft or good but has won on good to firm. One of only a few horses I have with 100% potential. 8/10

Waiting On You (7 b m David Copperfield-Hollywood Biche) Another with 100% potential who is currently in game at this age so could be back next season. Sire was in last seasons NH team running well without winning. Unbeaten in game over hurdles. Best at 2m4f. Shaky start to chase career with a win and two falls. Will probably concentrate on hurdling this season. Softer ground the better 8/10

Achain Burn (5 bl m Highland River-Aljafliyah) Daughter of last seasons stable star Aljafliyah and therefore half sister to Romana. Currently in game at this age and is unbeaten over hurdles at 2m4f winning G1 David Nicolson at Cheltenham as a novice on only her third start over timber. Had already won Oaks and Irish Oaks on flat and very nearly made the flat team. Stays 2m6f and will make up into a good 3m chaser in time. Hopefully one that will be back for a few seasons as family seem to go well in racekit. Prefers a bit of give but can go on firmer ground. 8/10

Westwire Rush (9 b h Highland River-Avian Eden) Returns from last season. Best at 3m+ over hurdles but stays 4 well over fences. Won a long distance hurdle race last season. Goes on any ground. 7/10

Eleanor Rigby (8 bl m Getcarter-Tammany Hall) Another returner from last season who won over fences. Best at 2m4f/2m5f on good ground but acts on soft and firm. Slightly inconsistent which helps handicap mark. Doesn’t like hurdling. 7/10

Sarka (7 b m Blackmore Instrument-Rehey Larkin) Sire was in NH team last season. Solid 2m chaser who goes well on firmer ground. Not effective over hurdles 5/10

Black Ascoli (7 bl m Milwr Black-Ascoli) Both parents were in NH team last season and is half sister to other team members Admiral Ascoli and Sun Goes Down (flat) as well as Robin Faze who ran well last season so should act in racekit. Top notch 2m chase form in game winning on soft and firm. Decent hurdler too 7/10

Around Regal (7 b g Getcarter-Classic Millennium) Multiple G1 winner on the flat and spent a lot of time in breeding barn whilst racing before being gelded by accident and then sent chasing as an experiment. Turned into solid 2m5f chaser who gets an easy 3m. Has won all the top chases in game and is reasonable over hurdles. Half brother to broodmare Capstick who is represented in team also. Goes on any ground 7/10

Romana (8 bl m Honest-Aljafliyah) Returning daughter of stables G1 winner from last season who also returns. Best at 2m4f-3m over fences on softer ground. Doesn’t seem quite up to her mothers standard but given another chance after coming in as mid season substitute last season. Not effective over hurdles 5/10

Alive And Kicking (8 g h Septeme Ciel-Sheba) Curious entrant who was bought at auction at 7 and ran for a couple of seasons before being sold on. In CK at 8 and 9 and trialled far better than in game form (I really must remember to trial every season !) Now a 13yo standing art stud for another trainer so I have no idea of its bars or snything and can only go on what I can remember or see in form book or from trials. Best in game win was Punchestown Gold Cup over 3m1f on good to firm going and best form seems to be on firmer ground. Ran in one of the trials day races and was going well in the lead until falling. Won place at 3m, real shot in the dark 2/10

Gallagher Origin (9 b h Highland River-Lady Brompton) Returning horse, good winner last season including at Cheltenham Festival. Solid 3 miler over both fences and timber. Best on soft but acts on firm. Has turned into a decent stallion siring winners in last seasons league team and has representatives in the flat team again this 7/10

Bucko (6 b h Plein Lukey-Capstick) Came into team in widow last season as a 5yo and returns this. Sire is also in team and won last season. Half brother to Sirk who is in as a novice. Could turn into the stable star this season despite only being 6. Already stays up to 4m so could be a National horse next season. This season will be aimed at the big staying handicaps around the 3m2f to 3m5f mark. Could go well in MM series. Hoping to retain Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury for the stable after White Rum won it last season. Goes on all ground. 9/10

Niobe Ranova (9 b m Camerooney-Winkle) Horse bought at auction and not home bred. Been raced in game by previous trainer at 2m to 4m. Solid around the 3m to 3m5f mark and performed well in trials. Potential around 95%. Will be interesting contender as I know little about her yet. Parents produced nothing else of note. Low grade handicapper on flat. Never run over hurdles. Has won on heavy and hard ground over fences. 4/10

Plein Lukey (8 b g Dolllar Deal-Mambolonga) Won in league last season and ran well in some top chases. Had 4 off seasons in breeding barn before being gelded for 8 year old season. Landed 3 Gold Cups, 3 Irish Nationals, 3 Grande Steeplechase de Paris, 2 Prix Haye-Jousselin and a Welsh National so operation seems to have paid off. Goes really well on firmer ground but has also won plenty on heavy and soft. Hopeful of a big season 9/10

Plainly Dangerous (8 b m Plein Lukey-Present Danger) Surprise returner from last season. Ran well on occasions but seems better at 8 performing exceptionally in trials. Possible she doesn’t like the racekit but worth the risk considering the way she trialled. Likely candidate for week 6 transfer if not performing. Returns on a decent mark so may pick up an early season handicap. £m to 3m5f horse who goes on any going 4/10

Aljafliyah (8 bl m Eurobus-Magic Flo) Stable star last season winning novice chase at Warwick and . Best at 3m+ likes to front run and is solid battler. Bit of a sentimental entry as she didn’t win trials. May be retired in window if not as good as last season as is very high in handicap due to group wins. Already produced some solid offspring and has 2 daughters in the team. Prefers softer ground 5/10

Dictate Ross (8 g g Dubawi Gold-Altymon Lil) Another horse bought at auction who went on to great things in gsme winning Gold Cup and Grand National. Sadly was already gelded when purchased so no breeding opportunity. Prefers soft or heavy ground. Won trials at 4m but doesn’t seem to stay GN trip in CK. Probably an MM or long distance handicap type. Has a tendency to whack the odd fence 4/10

Blue Penny (7 b m Bertie Blu Boy-Bogus Penny) By a Grand National winner out of a Grand National winner so target is obvious. Dam ran well in National last season. Has won GN in game at 8 and 9, missed race at 7 and is currently in training to run again at 10. Also won Scottish National, Welsh National and the Eider over fences and the Ascot Gold Cup and Prix Du Cadran twice on the level. Doesn’t seem to mind about ground conditions. Exciting prospect and big hopes of a major win 9/10

Panzer (10 b h Royal Box-Tymismoni) Bought at auction. Top staying chaser placed in three Nationals and all the other long distance chasers. Clear second to Blue Penny in National trials beating out last years team members Lady Senk and Bogus Penny. Likes it heavy but has won on firm. Has just below 100% potential and good acc bar. Now at stud and already producing some interesting staying types. Sadly is in my second game so can’t breed with Blue Penny. 7/10

As you can see from the ratings I fancy my chances a little bit more on the NH side. Time to dust of the mic and start week one comms. Good luck everyone.

Well that took a while, please forgive any typos, and feel from to take a nap along the way..........

Jump Team

Last season my team were excellent, 72 total wins and 11 G1’s is a return anyone would be happy with and up until friday I was quite excited about the up and coming league season, ok I am still quite excited about the league season, but my confidence in my team was somewhat dented when after I exported my files and went to store them, I found my export files for last years team.

Curiosity got the better of me, and abusing my privilligde as a race runner I did a quick round of races, old vs new. I was convinced I would be a fair way ahead of last season, all these horses had long since fallen off my trial sheets and many others have come and gone over the 30 seasons I have played, churning out on average 350 horses a season. And I was flat wrong, my 2m hurdlers did look slightly better, maybe 1L, but the old guard were hardly put down, my 2.4m hurdlers looked exactly the same, Lana Del Rey, would still make the team. There was even less to split my 3m hurdlers, though some front running types will probably make better league horses. My 2m chasers, like the hurdlers maybe had 1L, 2.4m chasers were actually worse which came as a huge shock, and when failed 3m chaser ‘Test of Faith’ romped home on my first 3m chase I slowly started to weep........

And so it seems to me, I have basically been going round in circles, there has not been an injection of new blood from the game for some time and recycling my own lines appears to be like walking in quick sand, even with my hundreds and hundreds of mares. So why then had my trials convinced me I was making progress, and I really was convinced since there have likely been hundreds of new names landing on my sheets trial after trial. My theory right now, aside from the racekit being about as reliable as Network rail, is that I was looking for progression, often leaning towards the new over the old where results were close.

From all this, I still think I have a very decent team, the exhibitions showed me that, and I expect to be in the top tier on the NH, but if I have flatlined, despite trying just about every breeding trick I can think of, then others must have too, and there is likely a ceiling for all of us based on what the game stock average is, and since we cannot see the bars, we cannot refine the small details by slowly filtering in advancements over many generations. What this probably means for the league is a much more level playing field, where season to season we will see folks moving in and out of the top tier, that’s all good and healthy for the league, but feels quite frustrating too when you cannot get past the wall.

2m Hurdlers

Not an area of strength for me last season, with just the one G1 win and that only came as I avoided Leon’s wonder horse on that week. So I have been doing a lot of work with my 2m hurdlers, I did make some initial progress and reintroduced my ‘Kingdom’ line, but that got bogged down for several seasons before I decided I needed to go backwards to go forwards again and took the hit on potential. As of right now the line is still in transition, with three of these being what I consider stepping stone breeds, from three different experimental lines, the last is from the original development from last seasons stock. They are better I think, but not by much and I am not sure I have much confidence in them generally. I am hoping the finished product will be ready for the window.

More of The Same

Sire Doughnuts for Frank – In last seasons flat team no wins.
Dam Macie Diamonds – Gamebred breeding mare

Yet again my NH horses cannot compete at 4yo with my flat cast offs, so this is another hard ground loving bad jumping aussie sprinter. Consistently tops my trials, but likely to find the ground and better jumpers have his measure. Will likely target the Fred Winter at Cheltenham

The Godess

Sire The Ninja – In the league team 2m chaser
Dam Roll Pond – Gamebred Breeding mare

This one is an interesting sort, since her breeding looks at face value to be from my chase lines, rates 6th on my 2m hurdle trials but leads the way on the NHF where she will likely see most of her action. Potential cut horse if she does not measure up. Sire is one of my top 2m chasers and has been for some time, it is Dam where this gets interesting. She was picked up in auction as she was by a horse called ‘Molko Isit’ a gamebred 2m chaser who did a lot to uplift my 2m and 2.4m chase lines, so I assumed she would be a chase breeder and on this her first pairing she was lined up with one of my best. I now know she actually turns out hurdlers, there have been a few since and I am interested to see what some of these look like next set of trials. NHF type and a handicapper.

Kingdom of Man

Sire Kingdom of Trouble – No league form
Dam The White Time – No league form

The pick of the transition line of new 2m hurdlers, still has not quite got back to full potential since I downgraded it in an effort to find something new. The sire side is the potential uplift, and has connections to the best of my 2m hurdlers right back to the start of my game, ‘Kingdom of Trouble’ ran 3rd in one of the exhibitions. The dam is a mix of a gamebred ‘Fireitfromye Alaih’ who took the line forward and backwards and there is a sprinkling of 2.4m hurdlers in there too with 6 time winner ‘Lana Del Rey’ and her Aintree and David Nicholson G1 wins to add some pedigree. Could be interesting but I think it will be his offspring that set the new bar. Group Challenger, will look to the champion hurdle

The Lady Champion

Sire House of The Angels – No league form, Uber breeder
Dam Quandary Cigale – No league form

Part of the original breeding lines and for a long time the pick of the litter, at this stage I was merging my 2m and 2.4m hurdle lines. Very little to choose between her and the new range, though it is really her run style that keeps her in contention. Front running sort when she has too but does her best work when just sitting off the pace. Sire is a 2.4m breeding wonder horse, who has had a hand in a lot of my best horses and I was sad to see him finally pass away in the barn. G3 winner Archangel from last season is in that line along with my original wonder gamebred stallion ‘Nick Sommerville’. The Dam is one of my breeding mares from a now closed down breeding line. Group challenger, will look to the champion hurdle.

Kingdom or Ireland

Sire Kingdom of Wine – In the league team as a 2m hurdler
Dam The Irish Connection – No league form

Another stepping stone breed, this line is even further off the pace and took a higher initial potential hit when the gamebred stock was introduced, his 92% realised potential does not seem to hinder him in trial though and again it will likely be his offspring who set the new level. Sire is part of an older experimental breeding line that has a sprinkle of everything, 2m chase, 3m hurdle but more recently it was about speed from my 2.4m hurdler range. The Dam is the project side where gamebred ‘Quanttrocento Irish’ is the backwards to go forwards link, and she has produced a few other interesting sorts. Group Challenger will be looking to the supreme if not replaced by his offspring.

Kingdom of Wine

Sire Kingdom of Grace – No league form
Dam Silky Susi – No league form

Last of the two mile novice hurdlers, though there is very little to split them in trial. His breeding line has now been closed down and was the least successful of my 2m hurdle uplift project. Sire is from my traditional 2m hurdler line from last season and can be traced back to various league horses without any stars. The Dam is a 2.4m hurdler connected to ‘Archangel’ Angel on my Shoulder’ and 3m hurdler ‘Return of the Royal’ who have about 7 league wins between them up to G2. Group Challenger. Will look to the supreme.

2.4m Hurdlers

Most of my work on this set of lines happened before last season had even finished and is more closely connected to last years team than the 2m hurdlers above. Though that is no bad thing since they produced multiple G1’s including the Aintree Hurdler and David Nicholson Mares hurdle. Since then I have flatlined a little and have yet to find anything I like enough in game to run a backwards to go forwards programme. Still likely to be a very solid unit here based on the exhibitions, but overdue an overhaul.

Angel or Demon

Sire House of The Angels – No league form
Dam Queen of The Web Pits – No league form

Has been my top 2.4m hurdler for ages now and has a very old breeding line connected to the various angels in my league team last season. Sire ‘House of The Angels’ was a very consistent breeding stud and has turned out lots of very good CK horses. His extended lineage features ‘Archangel’ again in addition to the original wonder stud ‘Nick Sommerville’. Dam is a little more mixed, and there is maybe a little too much inbreeding going on since ‘House of the Angels’ again features along with a horse called ‘Top Of The Morning To Ya’ who was one of those rare duel purpose sorts, equally good over hurdles and fences. Group challenger, will look too the Aintree Hurdle and Haton Grace.

House of The Wolf

Sire House of The Angels – No league form
Dam Where is My Mind – No league form

Even older breed this girl and she has also been ever present on my trial sheets for ages. Sire side is the same as ‘Angel or Demon’ above. The Dam is more interesting and it lends to my 3m hurdlers ‘Full Court Press’ and ‘Return of the Royal’ who have 6 league wins between them up to G2. I also tried to sprinkle in some front running from ‘Floats Likes A Sommerfly’ a league chase star last season who has 6 wins alone up to G1. Group Challenger, Aintree Hurdle, David Nicholson and Haton Grace in mind.

Return of The Angels

Sire Angel or Demon – In the league team as a 2.4m hurdler
Dam Bona Relic – No league form

This chap in new, breed in only the last few seasons, Sired by a now rather aged ‘Angel or Demon’ who is written up above, and one of the very few horses he has turned out to survive at trial. He is basically just a copy/clone and offers no real progression. Dam is a 3m hurdle breeding mare, but whose lineage is packed with quality and includes current team member ‘By Royal Decree’ and last years league team horses ‘Return of the Royal’ and ‘Sins of the Angles’ both of whom pegged up wins. Low level group challenger and handicapper.

The Red Baron

Sire Put Your Haton – No league form
Dam Wrath of God – No league form

Back to the old guard, indeed this is likely the one who has been kicking about in the export bin for the longest. Breeding line here is now closed down and on the sires side you can find ‘House of The Angels’ ‘Sins of the Angels’ and ‘Archangel’, who also features on the side of the Dam. Another who is basically from a line being recycled. Front running when he decides to behave which can make him a handful but not the most consistent performer. Low group level to handicapper.

Rosey

Sire Top Of The Morning To Ya – No league form
Dam Rosebud – No league form

Another who is right at the top of my export bin in terms of age, though she did get up to win one of the early exhibitions and whilst she has never been a star she remains a consistent performer at trial. Sire was a hybrid chase/hurdler, one of the few I have had who has produced horses in both codes, but the extended lineage is more traditional and includes ‘House of the Angels’ and ‘Archangel’ again. The Dam is basically more of the same, with a sprinkle of 3m hurdlers in for good measure, she has the same two horses prominent in her lineage, along with league horse ‘Full Court Press’ from last season. Handicapper.

3m Hurdlers

Like my 2.4m hurdlers this line of horses has largely stood still and the best of them are very closely connected to last years league team, though there has been a steady stream of new blood and some minor improvements along the way and I have been working on smoothing out the edges here, since my 3m hurdlers have never really enjoyed full potential, most flatly refuse to develop beyond 98/99%. There is a range now that I have just bred who look like they could steal the show in the upload window, least on paper. I expect to challenge the group races.

World on Fire

Sire Its the End Of The World – No league form
Dam The Game is Won – No league form

This mud loving girl is a late entrant and was only recently bred, she narrowly held off a couple of other contenders for the team slow, but only really shows her best side on heavy going. Sire ‘Its the End Od The World’ could have easily made the team himself is one generation removed from ‘By Royal Decree’ who is the pick of my team and in the novice division, and one further generation away from league team member last term ‘Return of The Royal’. The Dam draws more from my 2.4m hurdlers who I have been uplifting in terms of distance. 2x G1 winner ‘Lana Del Rey’ is in the extended lineage. Group challenger when heavy.

Splish Splash

Sire Now The End Is Near – No league form
Dam Gloria – League team last year, one handicap win.

Shares the top spot on my trial sheets with ‘By Royal Decree’ below and has done for a while now. But for reasons I can no longer recall I closed down this breeding line (we all make mistakes) some time ago. When he front runs, and he usually does he can be a real handful. Breeding is a odd mix, the sire is basically from the familiar ‘Angel’ line, ‘House of the Angels’ being the main name of note, mixed with a very old 3m hurdle line going back about 40 seasons to a gamebred. The Dam as a failed 3m hurdle/chase hybrid from last season who had a single win, but it from her the front running style comes from. Stays beyond 3m also. Will be looking to the World Hurdle.

By Royal Decree

Sire Return of The Royal – 4 league wins last year to G2
Dam The White Angel – No league form

Likely my best and most consistent 3m hurdler who seems to hold form until he is 9yo so will tackle the novices this season on the basis I may be able to bring him back. Still my main breeding stud for 3m hurdles and has spawned his own lines, but he is 21yo now and it is only a matter of time before to hangs up his loins, I am hoping I can smooth out his just less than full potential before he goes. Sire won league races last year to G2 and it from his sire this horse draws his hold up style and blistering acceleration in the closing stages. Dam is another who draws from my 2.4m hurdlers, ‘House of The Angels’ is there along with league horse ‘Reap What You Sow’ who also had 4 wins to G2. Group level will be hunting the Albert Bartlett.

Return Of The Ghost

Sire By Royal Decree – In the league team as a 3m hurdler
Dam Hellfire – No league form

Fairly new mare, who is basically a lesser version of her sire ‘By Royal Decree’ whose lineage is mentioned above. The Dam is yet another from a 2.4m hurdle line who was slotted in here to bring more speed, but true to form if you go back 4 and 5 generations you find the usual suspects ‘Archangel’ ‘Sins of The Angel’ ‘Return of The Royal’ ‘House of The Angels’ etc. Low group level and handicapper.

Chasers

2m Chasers

There be monsters here. Without doubt, ok there is always doubt, but in my mind this is the strongest area of my team. They were high quality last year and brought home the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and in the interim the one uber game stud my game threw up ‘Molko Isit’ was a 2m chaser and he has spawned his own series of lines in my breeding. I have stacks of these coming through every breeding year, stacks in the barn, most of which are punishing front runners and I have been slowly drawing them out into my longer distance chase lines.

The Count

Sire The Wise Master – No league form
Dam The Vampire – No league form

Top of the pile in my 2m chase trials, but not by a great deal such is the depth of talent I have here. Can be a really punishing and hard staying front runner, but runs well just off the leaders, is usually also a fluid and fast jumper. Will be a handful for anyone. Breeding is a long line of class and on both sides is a split of the old and the new. Sire ‘The Wise Master’ is an out an out front runner who features Champion Chase winner ‘Word to The Wise’ 2 generations back on the other side of his lineage ‘Molko Isit’ brings full potential from 7yo. The Dam is a similar story, though for her ‘Molko’ is only one generation removed, the old side four generations back is another league G1 winner ‘Floats Like A Sommerfly. Group level, will be all over the Queen Mother.

The Special Connection

Sire The Special One – No league form
Dam The Irish Connection – No league form

Recently bred cross bred this horse as I have been experimenting with my 2m hurdlers and at some point I have tried to filter my front running 2m chasers into my hurdle lines. This bred did not take and he is all chase. Tends to sit just off the leading horses and challenges late. Likes good ground and I expect he will be a top class novice from good to soft. Sire ‘The Special One’ held a lower spot on the trial sheets for a period, but breeds full potential at 7yo, ‘The Ninja’ is one generation behind that, ‘Molko’ is 4 generations removed too. The Dam is the same experimental 2m hurdler who is part of the Irish line and produced ‘Kingdom or Ireland’. Will look to the Arkle and should be a group challenger. The only 2m chaser who I have some doubt about though.

The Ninja

Sire The Samurai – No league form
Dam Isit And Prod Line – No league form

Was king of my trials for a while, but has recently lost his crown to ‘The Count’ above, and as such comes in as my top Novice chaser. Breeding oozes class and is again something of a mix of old and new. Sire ‘The Samurai’ lead my 2.4m chase trials for a very long time and only recently fell away but is himself another product of ‘Molko Isit’. The Dam has more traditional breeding, ‘Molko Isit’ again features 2 generations back, beyond him are a host of successful league horses from last term including G1 winners ‘The Monster’, Champion Chase winner ‘Word To The Wise’ and G1 winner ‘Floats Like A Sommerfly’. Group level challenger will be targeting the Arkle.

The Magician

Sire The Predator – No league form, won his exhibition
Dam The Magic of Words – No league form

The weakest of my 2m chase team, but that is hardly likely to be a problem. Sire ‘The Predator’ won in the last set of exhibitions and was again himself sired by ‘Molko Isit’. The Dam is more leaning towards my longer distance chasers and nearly made the team as a 2.4m type and as a result she will probably see time at around the 2.2m range, three and four generations back are ‘Great White Hope’ and ‘When The Demon Comes’ who won 8 league races between them up to G1. Group class, lesser of my Queen Mother contenders.

2.4m Chasers

Up until quite recently I had considered this to be an area of strength, especially since I had multiple wins up to G1 last season. Now having runs them against the season one team I have doubts that I have not in actual fact lost ground. I have already started a backwards to go forwards project with a number of gamebred candidates to address this, and will also be drawing stock from my 2m chasers, but there will not likely be anything much I can do in time for the window.

The Killer Queen

Sire The Clown – In the league team as a 2.4m chaser
Dam The Assassin – In the league team as a 2.4m chaser

Recently bred mare, who looks the part at trial and is currently holding the top spot, more a hold up type than out and out front runner, but has been known to do both. Breeding looks excellent with top trialing team members on both sides. Sire ‘The Clown’ has ‘The Predator’ ‘Molko Isit’ and last years team member ‘The Machine’ in his extended lineage, though he is more proficient at breeding 3m chasers now. Dam is another by ‘The Samurai’ and ‘Molko Isit’ but has an extended lineage back to G1 winner ‘Floats Like A Sommerfly’. Group level challenger but holding the Ryanair for the stable feels exposed right now.

The Clown

Sire The Predator – No league form, won his exhibition
Dam Mrs Machine – No league form

Another bred recently, but from older generation horses, so his lineage defies his age in game terms, very little to split him and his daughter above, and I had him down as a real contender at G1 level. Doubts now linger though. Nothing wrong with the breeding on paper, Sire ‘The Predator’ is from my 2m lines and has been mentioned frequently above, recently seen winning in the exhibitions. The Dam ‘Mrs Machine’ is a direct descendant from last years 2.4m league horse ‘The Machine’ who won 2 races to G2, placed 2nd in 3 G1’s and never finished lower than 3rd. I might be wrong, but right now I am thinking only a group challenger, but will still look to the Ryanair.

Who is The More Foolish

Sire The Clown – In the league team as a 2.4m chaser
Dam Go To The Next Level – No league form

Even more recently bred and one of a generation of horses that switched out my more familiar 2.4m chase results. Looks slightly better than his sire ‘The Clown’ who is written up above. The Dam is more interesting and entirely experimental the only ex league horse of note is ‘The National Awaits’ from my 4m chase line, but you have to go back 4 generations to find him. The pick of my novices, will look to the Golden Miller, but I am not sure this lot are as good as I previously thought.

The Assassin

Sire The Samurai – No league form
Dam Karingabay Ofan – No league form

I am quite angry with myself for recently deleting this mares sire ‘The Samurai’ from my export bin, I may even hunt around in the back ups to see if I can find him, but it softens the blow slightly since she is a virtual replica of him, albeit with a less dominate front running style (which is why I may try and track him down). She was actually one of the horses that started to move him down and off my trial sheets, but I think the CK is lying too me. His line is part of the ‘Molko Isit’ revolution. The Dam is a brood mare, but whose lineage again goes back to ‘Floats Like A Sommerfly’ so there is quality still in the breeding. The weaker of my novices, but not much between. Golden Miller again unless my doubts about my 2.4m types are proven.

3m Chasers

Had a mixed set of results with my 3m chasers last season, only really ‘When The Demon Comes’ stood out with 6 wins and one G1, but I largely failed where it mattered. So this area has been subject to the same sort of overhaul as my 2m hurdlers, I did think this was going to be one of my most improved areas, until ‘Test of Faith’ won the quick 3m racekit trial, though I did only do the one. So there could be some good sorts lurking, the CK certainly led me to believe so and generally they all lend themselves well to 3.2m – 3.3m, and that’s the business end for the most part.

Lost On The Way

Sire The Task Master – No league form
Dam Lost In The Night – No league form

Another horse I bred recently, but again comes from aging breeding stock on both sides, so she looks out of step with others in the team. She trials well at 2.4m, but she shines at 3m and anything much inbetween, not sure where I will go with her, but expect she will have no shortage of options, could be a star. Breeding on her sires side, who was a top 2.4m CK horse for a time, includes a number successful chasers from my 2m and 3m lines, including ‘Word To The Wise’ and ‘When the Demon Comes’. The Dam evolved from my National line with a sprinkle of 2.4m chase, but the lineage would only mean something to me. Group contender, targets not clear right now.

Master of Time

Sire The Wise Master – No league form
Dam Farscape – No league form

The result of a bit of a punt this horse, albeit an educated one, that has resulted in the best looking 3m chaser I have ever had, least until recently I thought so. And he is a total step change from my normal chasers in that he is a real hold up type, and will quite often look half asleep holding up the rear whilst admiring the scenery. The business end for him tends to see a real change of gears and he does everything at the last second, something I am usually worried about in a league horse, but he tops the pile in the CK. Breeding is straight forward enough on the sires side, a 2.4m chaser from ‘Molko Isit’ ‘The Samarai’ and G1 league winner ‘Word to The Wise’. The Dam is actually from a 3m hurdle line, but a few generation removed is a old league 3.4m chaser ‘Nickerboker Glory’ it just took me a while to work out that was the dominate breeding quality in her. Group class, and I slight deflated high hopes.

Amazing Grace

Sire The Clown – In the league team as a 2.4m chaser
Dam Lost The Plot – No league form

Around the same time that I produced ‘Master of Time’ I also produced this mare, and she is also highly successful at trial, but with a style more suited to the league, just off the leaders with an early challenge. She is in as a novice and she might be my best chance in the 3m novice races. Sire is a 2.4m team chaser detailed above. The Dam is another who evolved from my national line, mixed in with my 3m chasers from last term including ‘Test of Faith’ but little else of note. Will target the RSA amongst others. Group class.

Horror Of The Clowns

Sire The Clown – In the league team as a 2.4m chaser.
Dam Undertone – No league form

My second novice chaser in the team and a slightly lesser version of ‘Amazing Grace’ above, same running style and the same sire. The Dam is a heady mix of National lines, ‘Test of Faith’ line and league horse this year ‘Lord of The North’ and marks mostly early failed attempts or ‘stepping stones’ breeds to the best 3m horses I have now. Group challenger more likely to go for the bigger handicaps.

Lord of The North

Sire Lord of War – No league form
Dam Aint No Tree – No league form

The original success of my first attempts to improve my national and 3m chase lines in tandem by mixing the two. As mentioned above in later generations this has worked out nicely coming down to 3m, but this guy fell away at 3m some time ago and really does his best work over 3.4m range. Sire features all of my 3m chaser from last term ‘Test of Faith’ ‘When The Demon Comes’ and ‘Great White Hope’ whilst the Dam is a pure National line and includes ‘The National Awaits’. I think he is group class and may range as low as 3.2m up to about 3.5m. Group level. No specific aims right now.

4m Chasers

As suggested in my Cheltenham interview last season with Martin, I was making plans to develop a ‘Large Build’ line of 4m chasers, that plan actually happen quite quickly and I was able to produce decent horses in only a few generations that I have painstakingly enhanced over a few more. I am not sure they are light years ahead of my last team, nor are they the finished product, but they could be good enough at group level and the big handicaps. No party politics just yet.

Largely For The National

Sire Lost In The National – No league form
Dam Go Large – No league form

5 or 6 generations now progressed from the original ‘Large Build’ seeding, tends to run just off the pace and usually makes an early challenge, the lineage on both sides is really only going to be off interest to me, but go far enough back there are a few league chasers including ‘When The Demon Comes’. Group level, maybe more likely to go for the big 4m chase at Cheltenham, could end up too heavy for the National.

Big Girl Of Aintree

Sire Oceana First – Gamebred, No league form
Dam Shes A Big Girl – No league form

Out and out big fence Aintree specialist, and the more likely of my two to have a decent shout at the big one. Seems to really relish the big fences. Sire is a gamebred who won the national in game twice, but this is the only decent horse he produced. The Dam is only two generations from the ‘Large Build’ seeder horse, and also includes national team horse from last year ‘The National Awaits’ Big handicapper, literally.