The Jumpers are Coming 2017/2018

BumperD

It's September and in line with the timing of last year time to kick off this thread with only 4 weeks until the National Hunt season ramps up. The col. used to open this each year in bygone years so I'm stepping in again in his absence.

Last year we lead with an article on Thistlecrack who went on to dominate discussion for the season, unfortunately picking up an injury before the Gold Cup. Recent news is positive for him and no doubt more articles will begin appearing on our old favorites appearing after the summer break, stronger and fitter after a summer at grass.

The one standout for this season looks like Altior though I have not seen news on him.

Let's look forward to a great season ahead.


https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/hopes-high-for-supreme-hopeful/101781

Massimo Tara

The arkle looks a bit of a minefield at the moment. With defi staying over hurdles looking at antepost now nothing really stands out apart from finians Oscar.

BumperD

I missed this yesterday.

https://www.racingpost.com/news/winter-heroes/altior-has-douvan-in-his-sights-with-tingle-creek-the-first-stop/298989

Racing Post

Altior
1 of 1
By Keith Melrose UPDATED 1:29PM, SEP 1 2017

Some would argue Arkle winner Altior was the real champion chaser of 2016-17, with his unbeaten novice campaign including victories in open company in the Game Spirit at Newbury and Celebration Chase at Sandown. Here, trainer Nicky Henderson provides an update on the ante-post favourite for the Champion Chase

Where did he spend his summer?
He was at Charlie and Tracy Vigors' place at Hillwood Stud. We have about 40 there over the summer and it's only ten minutes away, so we see quite a lot of the horses. He was in a field with about ten others, the same field that Bobs Worth and Sprinter used to spend their summers in. He's quite a relaxed horse, a good athlete, but he also knows how to unwind.

Did he summer well?
He did, as did all of our horses. He had a good eight weeks up there and, because he's not in as much of a rush to come back as others, he was one of those who came back a bit later. He looks grand but we won't be doing much with him in September.

Where will we see him next?
I'd imagine we'd go straight to the Tingle Creek. He's a big horse, but he's not impossible to get fit at home so we think we'll be able to get him to the track ready to run as well as he can. We could go to the Shloer, but it's quite close to the Tingle Creek and, having discussed it with the owners Christopher and Pat Pugh, that's one of the two major targets this year


What's his long-term objective?
It would be the Champion Chase, I see no reason to go up in trip at the moment. He's beaten most of the two-milers around, with the exception of Douvan. Without knowing the plans for him, the only meeting between them before Cheltenham I could possibly imagine would be in the Tingle Creek. Altior's owners are very good, they take a real interest and understand how we me might try to get the best from the horse. The Pattern's the Pattern; before Cheltenham it's just a case of plotting your way around the same races and keeping the horses in good form. Then there's so much in the spring. He could go to Aintree, like Sprinter did, and there's also the Celebration Chase at Sandown, which is a very good prize now.

What excites you most about him?
Probably his speed. People have talked about moving him up in trip, but I thought his best run last year was in the Celebration Chase, where some very quick horses couldn't go fast enough for him. He might need a little niggle into the bridle, but he's always been very talented and that's what gets you wondering how much more there is to come. There's also his jumping. It was really good in places and he has a lot of scope, but I did feel he was learning all the way through last season and, although we stepped him up a couple of times, novices really helped him come on.

jant2

My first Antepost bet is Red Jack for the supreme, trained by N Meade and owned by JP. Beat Debuchet and Le Richebourg well in a bumper and won a valuable bumper LTO. Looks an exciting prospect. 25/1 still available

krustydoyle

Theres so many horses i can't wait to see, a list the length of my arm.
I've been keeping an eye on the sales too to see whos buying what?

Can't wait for the season to be back in full flow

madmoose

Apples Jade surely wins the mares again....

supremenovice

My wishlist for the new season:
Douvan v Might Bite v Thistlecrack v Sizing John in the King George.
Killultagh Vic returns and wins the Ryanair.
Faugheen wins the Champion doing hand stands.
Our Duke wins the Gold Cup after winning the Hennessy at Leopardstown and Give Harrington back to back gold cups with different horses.

Black_Ninja

madmoose wrote: »

Apples Jade surely wins the mares again....

I'm nearly positive I seen something about Apples Jade going novice chasing!

jj mac

Really liked the look of samcro last season and think he will be one of the top novice hurdlers this coming season. Looks like a Neptune horse to me.

madmoose

Black_Ninja wrote: »

madmoose wrote: »

Apples Jade surely wins the mares again....

I'm nearly positive I seen something about Apples Jade going novice chasing!

Saw Elliotts article on Sporting Life and it said own sex again and the mares the obvious long term plan, didn't see chasing mentioned unless Gigg said it?

jimjamcos

supremenovice wrote:

My wishlist for the new season: Douvan v Might Bite v Thistlecrack v Sizing John in the King George. Killultagh Vic returns and wins the Ryanair. Faugheen wins the Champion doing hand stands. Our Duke wins the Gold Cup after winning the Hennessy at Leopardstown and Give Harrington back to back gold cups with different horses.

Killultagh Vic unlikely to be seen on a racecourse again sadly. Has left Mullins and gone back to original trainer up north. May run in a p2p if right at some stage but has two bad days for every good one by sounds of it which is a shame.

SlipTheField

supremenovice wrote: »

My wishlist for the new season:
Douvan v Might Bite v Thistlecrack v Sizing John in the King George.
Killultagh Vic returns and wins the Ryanair.
Faugheen wins the Champion doing hand stands.
Our Duke wins the Gold Cup after winning the Hennessy at Leopardstown and Give Harrington back to back gold cups with different horses.

Killultagh Vic has left Mullins yard. Is away back to C McBratney (original trainer). Unfortunately the horse is more or less done now because of injuries

danganabu

Considering how well he was travelling when he came down in the Arkle, the 25/1 on Charbel for the QM is particularly tempting and may well be my first delve into the antepost market.

madmoose

danganabu wrote: »

Considering how well he was travelling when he came down in the Arkle, the 25/1 on Charbel for the QM is particularly tempting and may well be my first delve into the antepost market.

Think he will be seen over further myself and his Aintree run.

madmoose

Messed the above up

posturingpat

No Coneygree for the Kerry National. Plenty of interesting ones in there still.

longshotvalue

Just watched Vautour's win in the JLT, followed by UDS pulling Ruby around the Ryanair. Now have absolutely no interest in flat racing. Roll on Hennessy

jimjamcos

aidankkk wrote:

Just watched Vautour's win in the JLT, followed by UDS pulling Ruby around the Ryanair. Now have absolutely no interest in flat racing. Roll on Hennessy

Mullins biggest regret running him in Ryanair? I think so. Surely would have went close in the big one.

theaceofspies

Mistake made in not running Coneygree - he would have sluiced through that ground today.

Copper_pipe

https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/908765154849857536

krustydoyle

James Bowen has joined Hendersons yard as conditional.. Surprised he didn't stay at Elliotts

Lt Dan

On a different note, look where Willie Mullins old Simenon has gone to
https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/258/belmont-park/2017-09-21/684971

Far cry from the days a Royal Ascot Doubles, agonizing 2nd in the Ascot Gold Cup and equally agonizing Lonsdale Cup 2nd and the brilliant run in the Melbourne Cup. There is another old jumper on this card too, a Group 1 winner even.

RivetingRoger

jimjamcos wrote: »

Mullins biggest regret running him in Ryanair? I think so. Surely would have went close in the big one.

Has to be, has proven a monumental mistake. Is it a year now since he died? My favourite horse of them all
Class

Massimo Tara

How did everyone rate ballyandy over fences today? Solid win over Fagan who isn't no pushover

krustydoyle

The horse jumped very well.. Only got close to one fence.. Decent start for me and he's not a slow animal so I'd say they'll go back to 2m with it.

posturingpat

I'd step him up. Had to battle on heavy ground to beat Fagan who i think is an out and out stayer and could have a race like the Kim Muir on the radar.

Custom Cut

Needed every one of the 6 pounds he got from Fagan, I'll be very surprised if he's one of the top novices this season. Very entertaining race though.

The Mig

Fagan for the 4 miler

RivetingRoger

Jezki V Jers Girl Sunday

Hard to gague where Jezki is at this stage in its career

was a bit of superstar for 2/3 years but possibly past it now
Will BG ride it? Never been beaten on it, which is some stat

hawkeyethenoo

geraghty is on jers girl. jezkis last 3 runs have been pretty poor

RivetingRoger

Jezki was a better horse than Jers Girls will ever be, but I fear they will pass each other on the way down now.
BG choosing JG tells us that, altho with weight allowances Jezki will go off Fav
I love Jezki but could'nt be backing it anymore

BumperD

Is Fayonah staying in training? Was watching replays of the festival, her last to first win was one of the highlights

krustydoyle

BumperD wrote:

Is Fayonah staying in training? Was watching replays of the festival, her last to first win was one of the highlights

Plan is to run in a maiden hurdle in a few weeks

jimjamcos

BumperD wrote:

Is Fayonah staying in training? Was watching replays of the festival, her last to first win was one of the highlights

Elliot says Mares novive hurdle is the long term plan.

Massimo Tara

Didn't think jezki would handle that ground. Is he back?

RivetingRoger

Massimo Tara wrote: »

Didn't think jezki would handle that ground. Is he back?

Seriously impressive from Jezki. Far better race than his return win last year. Class horse. Class. Easy horse to love

BumperD

Massimo Tara wrote: »

Didn't think jezki would handle that ground. Is he back?

Likely primed to pick up early season prize money before the big guns come out. A good strategy that is replicated every year for older horses coming back

Earendil

BumperD wrote: »

Likely primed to pick up early season prize money before the big guns come out. A good strategy that is replicated every year for older horses coming back

That's a cracking point BD, I'll try and watch for that in future.
Will be interesting to see how Jezki does this year though, while I'm intrigued by your observation...he was a special horse who If gets back to 80% of his former glory would still be a magnificent animal.

BumperD

The wraps come off Death Duty today. Starts his chasing career. Head carriage reminds be of dedigout so hope he's better than he was over the bigger ones

madmoose

Seeing people backing him for the festival is silly, just don't think he will ever appreciate good ground but will do well in Ireland building up to the spring.

krustydoyle

BumperD wrote:

Is Fayonah staying in training? Was watching replays of the festival, her last to first win was one of the highlights

Entered in a Maiden Hurdle in Fairyhouse on Saturday

RivetingRoger

Lost me short on DD last year on the back of Gordon saying he was his best horse in training....
Also lost me other shirt on Harry tho!

Jezki out over the weekend, DD out today, Tombstone and Fayonagh out this week....its coming lads, its coming!!

Proper racing is back!!!

RivetingRoger

Has Cue Card another charlie chase in him?
Surely not....

surely....................

krustydoyle

You'd want balls on ye like a bengali tiger to ride Death Duty over fences

Better to be brave over a few i suppose

akelly02

krustydoyle wrote: »

You'd want balls on ye like a bengali tiger to ride Death Duty over fences

Better to be brave over a few i suppose

that lad will not be winning at cheltenham anyway, why is he so hyped when he has delivered nothing so far in his career. Elliot has been creaming over him for 2 years now. Looks as slow as a boat to me

krustydoyle

akelly02 wrote: »

that lad will not be winning at cheltenham anyway, why is he so hyped when he has delivered nothing so far in his career. Elliot has been creaming over him for 2 years now. Looks as slow as a boat to me

Yeah the horse does look really really slow.. Russell was at fault for the mishap at the last too.. Slowed the horse right down and gave him a right look at it

akelly02

krustydoyle wrote: »

Yeah the horse does look really really slow.. Russell was at fault for the mishap at the last too.. Slowed the horse right down and gave him a right look at it

decent horse but not top drawer for me. Augusta Kate had his measure last year over hurdles and shes no world beater.

BumperD

krustydoyle wrote: »

Entered in a Maiden Hurdle in Fairyhouse on Saturday

I can see it now, wins on the bridle, then again in novice company, then graded, made 5/4 fav for mares novice in March and on the Sunday before festival gets declared for the supreme novice backed at 100's on exchanges. Q chaos.

RivetingRoger

akelly02 wrote: »

that lad will not be winning at cheltenham anyway, why is he so hyped when he has delivered nothing so far in his career. Elliot has been creaming over him for 2 years now. Looks as slow as a boat to me

Agreed
Looked more Don Poli than Don Cossack to me anyways

posturingpat

Lads try think back to Don't Cossacks earlier Novice hurdle and chase campaigns. Gordon was right then and I suspect he will be again.

akelly02

posturingpat wrote: »

Lads try think back to Don't Cossacks earlier Novice hurdle and chase campaigns. Gordon was right then and I suspect he will be again.

He might win the 4 miler not quick enough on good ground for anything else