Winless Ones To Watch: 20 Jumps horses to follow

Trainer: Olly Murphy.

Ideal races: Novice Hurdles over two to two-and-a-half miles.

Olly Murphy operates at an impressive 23 per cent strike-rate in bumpers, with the likes of Indeevar Bleu and Little Miss Dante representing some of the best of last season. Given his strike-rate, he must be wondering how Act Of Authority didn’t manage to win one, based upon the regard he seems to be held, although he did bump into some smart rivals.

A winner of a point-to-point, he was subsequently sold to Olly Murphy for £200,000. The third, Fortunate Soldier, beat the useful American Sniper on his next point-to-point start, and he was sold to Olly Murphy for €200,000.

Subject to glowing pre-season reports, he was understandably well-backed when he made his debut in a bumper at Musselburgh. But this was no ordinary Musselburgh bumper. Having battled his way to the front, he was run down late by a Florida Dreams, who was also making his debut, and won the Grade Two Bumper at Aintree on his next start.

After a promising debut, he was sent off the 2-1 favourite to win a Taunton bumper two months later on quicker ground. Just like on debut, he travelled sweetly but found one to good, this time in the form of the Hughie Morrison-trained Secret Squirrel (watch above). Act Of Authority had to give the winner 10lb, and he has won his only other start since. He's also a flashy type, and is out of a half-sister to Hughie Morrison’s Champion Hurdle runner-up, Marble Arch, so is one to watch in his own right.

By Authorized, his dam was placed at Listed level on the Flat over trips ranging from a mile-and-a-half, to two-miles, while also being a useful hurdler. Both of his runs have come on sharp tracks, but he shapes like he’d appreciate a stiffer test of stamina. He should also have the pace to win over two miles, although a galloping track may see him to best effect. He should have little problem staying further, and rates a good prospect for novice hurdles this season.

Trainer: Sam Thomas.

Ideal races: Novice Hurdles over two-miles and further.

A winner of her sole point-to-point, she received a beautifully patient ride from Derek O’Connor to beat a decent field. The second has since won a bumper, while the third and fourth won a point on their next start.

Subsequently sold for £220,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival sales, her new connections were not shy in expressing the regard in which they held her; so much so that she made her rules debut in the Listed Henrietta Knight Mares’ Bumper at Huntingdon. Sent off the well-backed 11-8 favourite, she raced with enthusiasm and looked like justifying the market confidence with a sweeping move around the outside. In the end, she couldn’t quite repel the more experienced Lilting Verse, and while this was far from the strongest renewal of this race, it was a highly encouraging first run under rules.

We didn't see her for over four months after that and, as explained on the Potter Group blog, she experienced several niggly issues throughout the season (primarily coughing/spluttering) which had limited her appearances on course.

With the season drawing to a close, connections let her take her chance at Aintree in the Grade Two Mares’ Bumper. In a race where it paid to be ridden with patience, Alfie’s Princess found herself up with pace throughout and was still disputing the lead as they turned for home. She eventually weakened into eight, but was far from disgraced.

With a season over hurdles on the horizon, and with a clearer run than she had last season, I would not be surprised if Alfie’s Princess progressed into a mare capable of competing at graded level. A half-sister to the useful Glamorgan Duke, her dam is also a half-sister to the high-class Harbour Pilot, so she should have no problem staying much further than two miles.

Trainer: Sue Gardner.

Ideal races: Novice/Handicap Hurdles on soft/heavy ground over two-and-a-half miles plus.

Sue Gardner wouldn’t be known for her performance in bumpers; since 2003, she has operated a 3 per cent strike-rate and since 2016, her 86 runners have produced just the one winner.

The aforementioned winner was Astronomic View, who won on heavy ground on New Year’s Day 2022, beating the useful Knowsley Road. He followed that up with a respectable effort under a penalty before a fair eighth-place finish in the Grade Two Aintree bumper. For context, the previous bumper winner that Sue Gardner had was Coeur Blimey, who ran in the Grade One bumpers at Cheltenham and Punchestown before reaching a mark of 134.

Last season, we only saw Astronomic View twice; and while he’s yet to reach Coeur Blimey’s level over hurdles, I suspect we haven’t seen the best of him just yet.

His hurdling debut came at Ffos Las, where he finished third behind a subsequent winner and L’Astroboy, who finished second in the Tolworth next time out. The front two began to pull clear, but Astronomic View kept finding and finished off his race strongly.

We wouldn’t see him again for the better part of six-months after that, alluding to him having a setback of some kind. This next, and most recent run, came on good ground at Newton Abbot in a slowly run race. He found himself outpaced and made a couple of errors late on, but I think this run can be easily excused.

He hasn’t been given a rating yet, so will need run once more in novice company. While he could pick up a novice hurdle, I suspect he will be campaigned with a view to handicaps down the line. At his best on soft ground, his dam was a prolific pointer and is from the family of Gold Cup winner, Cool Ground. With that in mind, he should benefit from stepping up in trip.

Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill.

Ideal races: Handicap Hurdles/Chases over staying trips.

It’s great to see the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings still gracing the track – and even better to see exciting young prospects racing in the green & white quarters; the likes of Favour and Fortune & Bowenspark spring to mind.

Big Ambitions hasn’t displayed the promise of those just mentioned, but he’s shown enough to suggest he’s more than up to winning races.

Bought for €90,000 as a three-year-old, he made his racecourse debut in a Chepstow bumper in December. After some early signs of greenness, he made an eye-catching mid-race move on the outside, moving from the rear to almost disputing the lead. He couldn’t sustain that effort, eventually finishing a well-beaten eight, but it wasn’t without hope. He would improve for that run, finishing a respectable fourth in his second and final bumper start.

Switched to hurdles thereafter, he ran well to finish second to subsequent EBF Final fourth, Etalon over two-miles; a trip that was never going to suit. Upped in trip next time out, he finished a distant third to a couple of useful types, but it was still a fair effort under the circumstances.

Given a two-month break, he made his final appearance of the season in a two-and-a-half-mile handicap on quick ground. It was a decent race for the grade and he wasn’t unfancied; eventually finishing third, he may well have finished closer but saw a gap close on him on the approach to the second last hurdle. He stayed on strongly, leaving the impression that he can win races from his mark of 106.

As a raw, four/five-year-old last season, I suspect there is plenty more to come. His pedigree is all stamina; by Shantou, his dam won over three-miles and he is a full brother to the very smart Death Duty, while his half-brothers include an additional two three-mile winners. Big Ambitions looks sure to improve once he steps up in trip, and while in time he will make a chaser, I imagine he will stay over hurdles for now.

Trainer: Harry Fry.

Ideal races: Handicap hurdles over two-and-a-half miles plus.

He wouldn’t jump out at you based on his accomplishments thus far, but I suspect Danton is a slow burner who will improve for handicapping once stepped up in trip.

Danton made his debut in a bumper at Exeter, and attracted some market support, despite seemingly being the Harry Fry-trained second string.

In rear for much of the race, he made some headway on the outside as the field began to sprint for home, and while never in with a winning chance, he stayed on well to finish a respectable fifth.

This may seem irrelevant, but I recall watching the race at the time and as the camera panned to the winner after the line, Danton could be seen going past him as Bryan Carver struggled to pull him up.

Not a bumper type, his attention was quickly switched to hurdling, although it was a far from pleasing introduction. Never jumping with fluency, his debut over obstacles ended up with him being pulled up at an early stage.

His second attempt was much more pleasing when he finished third to the useful Afadil. Much like his bumper, this was a slowly run race (7.2 seconds slower than the other maiden hurdle on the card) and this wouldn’t have suited, especially as he was held up.

His final start of the season came in another two-mile maiden hurdle where he, yet again, finished a staying-on third to a Paul Nicholls-trained rival.

Allocated a rating of 95, which can only be described as fair based upon what he’s achieved, it’s hoped he can improve once stepped up in trip.

There is an abundance of stamina in his pedigree, and some of his notable relations (Ravished & Caheronaun) also started on lowly handicap marks before improving notably for a trip, and with time.

Trainer: Gary Moore.

Ideal races: Handicap Hurdles over two miles.

Gary Moore introduced a number of promising horses last season in the colours of Olly Harris, including: Bo Zenith, Inneston & Perseus Way.

The former is one I’m particularly keen on, and I can envisage him winning a big handicap this season, but Moore and Harris have another young horse in the shape of Diyaken who we only saw once last term, but there are reasons to expect a big season for the lightly-raced five-year-old.

An emphatic nine-length winner of his hurdles debut at Compiegne, where the runner-up filled the same spot next time out and the third won before placing in a Listed race, he was purchased privately and arrived at Gary Moore’s in July.

While I’m sure they were happy to acquire a talented horse, his Compiegne success meant that he was only eligible for novice hurdles until the end of November, and his late arrival to the yard meant it was going to be tight to run him before his novice status expired.

His only start in the UK thus far came in an Introductory Hurdle at Ascot in mid-November. Given a patient ride, he found himself last of a bunched field jumping the third from home before making good progress as they headed into the straight. Briefly left in the lead after the fall of Master Chewy, he couldn’t repel Persian Time who swept by to win by two-lengths. The form looks solid; the winner is now rated 129 (and was getting five pounds from Diyaken) while the third, Kandoo Kid, is now rated 125.

While he lacks experience, he looks to have a lot of potential and has seemingly been allocated a workable mark of 125. It would be no surprise if he were to progress far beyond that.

Gary Moore says: “Diyaken suffered bone bruising after his first run but seems fine now. He looks fantastic and I am very, very happy with him.”

Trainer: Christian Williams.

Ideal races: Handicap Chases over two-and-a-half miles plus.

Christian Williams has risen to prominence in recent seasons, primarily due to his extraordinary success in staying handicap chases.

One of his stars is Kitty’s Light – owned by Richard Bedford (and All Star Sports Racing) - wasn’t always the beloved top-level handicapper he is today. His first three starts over hurdles resulted in defeats of 29, 27 and 12 lengths respectively. All three runs over hurdles came in quick succession, and were primarily over two miles. He quickly left that form behind once sent over fences and stepped up in trip, though, and while it would be extremely premature to make comparisons, Fever Dream represents another Christian Williams-trained/Richard Bedford-owned horse that has taken a very similar path to Kitty’s Light thus far.

Second in a point-to-point to the exciting Down Memory Lane, Fever Dream made his hurdling debut at Sandown where he finished a distant third to the useful Authorised Speed. While never in contention, he did stay on well from off the pace. 13 days later, he finished sixth at Taunton before finishing fifth at the same venue ten days later. All three runs over hurdles came over two miles, but he is clearly crying out for further. By Sholokhov and closely related to a winner over two-and-a-half miles, there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree, so a step up in trip promises to bring out plenty of improvement.

An opening mark of 92 is open to interpretation but, given the yard's previous exploits, there is every chance for Fever Dream to progress well beyond that once sent over fences and stepped up in trip.

Trainer: Charlie Longsdon.

Ideal races: Novice/Handicap Hurdles over two miles and further.

Not one that would leap off the page based purely on form figures, but there were definite signs of promise from this youngster last season, and certainly more than enough to suggest that Gentleman Jacques has a future over jumps.

Charlie Longsdon notes on his website that he “thought (Gentleman Jacques) would be too backwards to get to the racecourse last season”. With that in mind, plus the fact that the four-year-old is a scopey individual, there are reasons to mark up his performances last season.

Making his debut at Warwick in February, plenty of runners had winning form next to their names. The first, third, fifth and seventh had all won before, while the second and sixth had both run to a good standard. As a newcomer, this was always going to be a tough task, and yet there was a significant amount of market support for him.

Green in the early stages, the initial pace was slow, and Gentleman Jacques had to be ridden as the field began to quicken. While never threatening to win, he kept finding under pressure to finish a very respectable fourth.

His next and final start last season came at Newbury in the Goffs UK Spring Sale Bumper – a race that connections of most of the runners would have targeted since the start of the season.

This renewal was run on testing ground, and many were struggling at an early stage, but not Gentleman Jacques who travelled powerfully and looked like mounting a very strong challenge as they turned into the straight. He couldn’t sustain that effort, though, and eventually faded into ninth, but he shaped considerably better than his finishing position suggests.

I suspect Gentleman Jacques will improve considerably for his bumper experiences, and with another summer now on his back. By Mount Nelson, there is an abundance of stamina on his dam’s side and I would imagine he’d thrive as a staying chaser in time.

In the meantime, though, he can win over hurdles, and could pop up at a decent price early in the season. It is also worth noting that the Charlie Longsdon stable tend to start quickly; they have a 21 per cent strike-rate in maiden/novice hurdles in September and October.

*Charlie Longsdon says: “He is a fine big horse who we like very much. He was eye catching first time out at Warwick and then he ran a really strong race at Newbury. Obviously the winner looked very good, but we went with him for a long way and just paid the price in the final furlong on soft ground. He was still raw and weak last season so should be a lot stronger for the summer in the field. And as you say I never thought he’d get to the racecourse last season - he just thrived on his work.

Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill.

Ideal races: Novice Hurdles over two to two-and-a-half miles.

__ Hasthing wasn't beaten far at Grade Two level in April

An impressive winner of two AQPS races in 2021, connections have evidently had to be patient with Hasthing, but he could well repay their perseverance over the coming months.

Over 500 days after his second victory in France, Hasthing made his British debut at Uttoxeter on Midlands National day, and while there were only seven runners, top bumper yards were represented, and it looked to be a good race on paper.

The winner had finished second to Better Days Ahead in a point-to-point, the third was a last-time-out winner, while the fourth was making his debut for the Skelton’s having chased home a useful type on his racecourse debut.

Hasthing had to carry a double penalty and was relatively unfancied having been sent off at 17-2. Ridden with restraint, he was sixth of seven as they turned for home, but he kept responding to Jonjo O'Neill Jr’s urgings to finish a never-nearer second.

Allowed to take his chance in the Grade Two bumper at Aintree, a contest which traditionally throws up plenty of winners, he ran another impressive race to finish third, running on strongly from off the pace. Considering this race turned into a relative sprint, it makes his effort all the more impressive, given his earlier position.

The future looks bright for this six-year-old, who is bred to appreciate further in time and, given he only made his British debut in March of last year, I suspect he will improve significantly with better preparation. He should be at his best on softer ground than he experienced at Aintree, too.

Trainer: Dan Skelton.

Ideal races: Novice hurdles and/or handicap hurdles/chases over two-and-a-half miles.

Well backed to win his point-to-point in March 2022, he was subsequently sold for £75,000, and the form of that race has worked out well; the second, Mount Bonete, won a bumper first time out for Chris Gordon, while Fascinating Rhythm, who unseated when in with a chance, went on to win three of his next six starts in point-to-points.

Hoe Joly Smoke made his debut for Dan Skelton in a competitive maiden hurdle at Chepstow, and with Mount Bonete winning 19 days earlier, he went off the 11/4 favourite. He found the now 133-rated Makin’yourmindup too strong, but he ran a race full of promise, and perhaps would’ve finished closer had he not made a fiddling error at the final hurdle. The winner has franked the form, while the three in behind Hoe Joly Smoke in third to fifth give the race a solid look as they are now rated 117, 124 and 116 respectively.

Dropped back in trip for his next start, which came 101 days after Chepstow, his notable market weakness implied that he may not have been seen to best effect here. Despite this, he again shaped with promise in coming from off the pace to finish third in what was a steadily run affair. The runner-up, Crebilly, was a model of consistency last season and ended up on a rating of 134, while the winner is unbeaten in points and under rules.

I’m prepared to put a line through his final run, which came in the Grade Two Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso – a tough task. While you will see a P against his form figures, I encourage you to watch the race; he was getting into contention, tracking the eventual winner, when he stumbled after the second last and was quickly pulled-up by Harry Skelton after a glance down. Harry reported that he lost his action, but no abnormalities were discovered post-race, thankfully.

Hoe Joly Smoke will begin the season with a plethora of options. A rating of 119 makes plenty of appeal, should he go down the handicap route, while he could begin in maiden/novice company. I’d be surprised if connections opt to go over fences straight away, but he would make appeal in that sphere if they do. I suspect he will be at his best over intermediate trips for now before stepping up to three miles in time.

Trainer: Harry Fry.

Ideal races: Novice Hurdle or Novice/Handicap Chases over two-and-a-half miles.

Second to a couple of useful types (Git Maker & Gaelic Park) in point-to-points, Hymac was subsequently sold in December 2021 for £52,000. He made his debut for Harry Fry in a bumper a few months later, and was very well backed to make a winning rules debut, which he duly did in comfortable style.

Regarded as one of the yard’s more exciting prospects for novice hurdles last season, he failed to get his head in front but still showed plenty of promise; connections always appeared to have one eye on next season, with one of the quotes from a stable tour reading “he’ll be lightly raced this season as I can’t wait to see him over a fence next year”.

That likely explains why we only saw him twice last term, with the first of those coming at Ffos Las where he finished third. The form isn’t exceptional, but he impressed with the way he travelled and jumped, looking the most likely winner three out before reportedly taking a blow.

His final start of the season came at Chepstow, in a race he was desperately unlucky to lose. He and Saint Davy, who is held in high regard by the Jonjo O’Neill team, pulled 20 lengths clear of the rest, battling all the way to the line in a head-bobbing finish. Hymac looked to be winning the battle, but Saint Davy was game and had his head down at the right time to prevail by a nose.

While disappointing for connections, it leaves them with an abundance of options this season. He is still a maiden over hurdles, so could easily go down that route, and should have little problem finding a maiden/novice should they do so. However, there appears to have been a long-standing belief that we won’t see the best of Hymac until he goes over fences, so I suspect we will see him over the larger obstacles sooner rather than later. With a mark of 124, novice handicaps will be of interest, and Harry Fry has an impressive 21 per cent strike-rate with chase debutants in handicap company. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him line up at Uttoxeter in mid-October for a novice handicap over an extended two-miles-and-six-furlongs, as Harry Fry has won this race a couple of times in recent years with Sir Ivan & Just A Sting.

Trainer: Nicky Henderson.

Ideal races: Novice/Handicap Hurdles between two and two-and-a-half miles.

There were plenty of whispers about this beautiful grey in the build-up to last season, and while he hasn’t quite delivered as of yet, it is early days for the lightly-raced five-year-old.

He made his racecourse debut at Sandown in a race that Nicky Henderson had won six times in the past ten years, with notable names such Vaniteux, O O Seven and a certain Constitution Hill on the roll of honour.

In opposition was Authorised Speed, who had to give Immortal 5lb but had a clear experience edge. Those two pulled well clear, and Gary Moore’s useful novice was too strong on the day, but it was an encouraging debut nonetheless from Immortal. The third, Gadot, who was 13 lengths behind Immortal, is now rated 111.

Only seen once thereafter, his most recent start came two-and-a-half months after his debut. In the interim, he underwent wind surgery and sported a tongue-tie for his last run, which is a slight concern given he’s only at the start of his career. Nevertheless, he ran another promising race behind another useful Gary Moore inmate, Givega. A notable error at the second-last hurdle hindered his winning chance, but it wasn’t the difference between winning and losing. He again pulled well clear of the third, too.

Given an opening mark of 110, that looks lenient based upon the calibre of horse he has chased home, and the clear upside he has. While he lacks experience, he’ll be difficult to ignore running in handicaps from that rating. He should have no problem stepping up in trip in time, too, but I suspect he will begin the season over two miles.

Trainer: E J O’Grady.

Ideal races: Novice Hurdles over two-miles and further.

Irish Panther went into plenty of Racing TV Trackers when he made his debut over the festive period; and while he has yet to reward those that have supported him, he still rates as an exciting prospect for novice hurdles.

His aforementioned debut came in a two-and-a-half-mile bumper at Punchestown, which has been won by the likes of Appreciate It and Carefully Selected in recent years. This renewal went the way of Fact To File, who would go on to finish second to A Dream To Share at the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham; but many thought Irish Panther was the horse to take out of the race. Travelling keenly, he was still going best as they approached the final furlong, trading at 1.04 in-running before the strong staying Fact To File went past late on. They pulled several lengths clear of Will Do, who has since won a bumper and finished close up to the likes of Western Diego and Tullyhill.

Given the promise of that run, he was unsurprisingly sent off the 11/8 favourite for his next start, where he bumped into Ballyburn & Quantum Storm. Held up on this occasion, he again travelled stylishly to mount a challenge but could never get to the front, although this looked a good race. He would reverse the form with Quantum Storm at Punchestown when finishing second to Walk Away Harry, trading at 1.03 only to be run down in the final 100 yards.

While he’s been frustrating to follow so far, and some will feel he’s just a “bridle merchant”, I think it’s too soon to write him off. On his final start, he hit the front a long way from home and successfully fended off the challenge of Quantum Storm before the closers swarmed, and he appeared to be outstayed by ante-post favourite for the Albert Bartlett in Fact To File. I still believe he can be a graded performer over hurdles, and it would be great to see Eddie O’Grady with a top-class horse again.

Trainer: Dan Skelton.

Ideal races: Novice/Handicap hurdles over two-miles (and further).

The 11th most expensive point-to-point recruit heading into last season (according to my figures), hopes were sky high for Ittack Blue following his emphatic 16-length success in his sole point start.

And yet, from the outset, Dan Skelton was quick to urge caution, and noted “I am not going to be overly hard on him this year as, physically, there is a lot of development to come from this horse”. It’s also worth bearing in mind that he won his point in mid-May, so didn’t go out into the field until much later than normal."

Despite this, he attracted support ahead of his debut which came at Newbury in a Maiden Hurdle won by the likes of Jonbon, My Drogo, Lostintranslation and Buveur D’Air in recent years.

This year’s renewal hasn’t, as of yet, produced a horse of comparable quality, with the winner (Jet Powered) disappointing on his only subsequent start. Ittack Blue finished eleven-lengths adrift in second, but shaped very encouragingly, and Harry Skelton did not give him a hard time once his winning chance had gone.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given Dan’s pre-season comments, Ittack Blue only had one more start last term, which came in a Listed race at Exeter which was the better part of three months after his first run. This was always going to be a tough task and, following a drift in the market, he finished a well-beaten fourth, 27 lengths behind Luccia. Again, before the race, Dan stressed that “I have both eyes on the future for this horse as he is maturing all the time”.

Allocated a mark of 118, the third and fourth, who he finished comfortably clear of at Newbury, are now rated 117 and 112 respectively, so his opening mark looks workable. However, he clearly has potential to improve significantly given natural development, and his trainer’s comments. Given he remains a maiden, he should have little problem in winning a race before his sights are raised.

Trainer: Paul Nicholls.

Ideal races: Novice/Handicap Chases over two to two-and-a-half miles.

Kandoo Kid has evidently been frustrating to train given he’s had two wind surgeries, and just six starts, in three seasons.

And while that is obviously a concern, if he can stay sound, then there should be plenty of races to win with him over fences; and in Paul Nicholls, he’s certainly trained by the right man to do just that.

A bumper winner in the Spring of 2021, he made a successful hurdling debut at Ascot in October, and that came as somewhat of a surprise, too, given it looked a deep race plus he was sent off at 11-1.

He stayed on strongly that day over two miles, getting up inside the final 100 yards to deny the ill-fated Shallwehaveonemore, who went on to fill the same position in the Dovecote before his untimely passing, while those further back have also gone on to plenty of success; the third to seventh are now rated 131, 129, 128, 126 & 129 respectively.

That was all we saw of Kandoo Kid that season, as he reportedly injured himself getting off a lorry which, while unfortunate, does give a viable reason for his absence.

He made his reappearance in an Introductory Hurdle at Ascot in November last year where he finished a respectable third under a penalty having raced too keenly, which you can excuse given it was his first start for over a year.

He was slightly disappointing on his handicap debut afterwards off a rating of 132, although the handicapper seems to have dropped him a rather generous 7lb for that run.

As with the 2021-22 season, his 2022-23 season was cut short – this time, due to a splint injury he picked up in the spring which has been described as “little”, so hopefully there will be no adverse effects.

If you peruse previous stable tours and post-race interviews, you will see that Kandoo Kid has always been considered a long-term chasing prospect and, being by Kapgarde out of a half-sister to Politologue, you can understand why.

While he has undoubtedly caused connections plenty of headaches, he’s still only a seven-year-old, and from a generous looking mark, he could repay their patience this season, starting in novice/handicap chases.

Trainer: Dan Skelton.

Ideal races:: Novice/Handicap chases over two miles (and further).

The first of three Dan Skelton-trained horses that will feature in the Winless Ones To Watch list. L’Eau Du Sud arrived from France with a big reputation and while he hasn’t quite lived up to it as of yet, there are plenty of reasons to expect improvement this season.

Winner of a Listed race over hurdles on his final start in France (which has worked out quite well), he was purchased privately thereafter and the French handicapper allocated him a rating of 66kg, which is equivalent to 145 in the UK.

As is common practice for the British handicapper these days, L’Eau Du Sud was given a lenient-looking mark of 132 ahead of his British debut, which came on soft ground at Haydock over 2m3f. Having opened at 11-10, he was a notable drifter in the market (SP 3/1) but he shaped with considerable promise under a patient ride.

After moving stylishly into second on the turn for home, he was the only one to threaten the tearaway front-runner before fading into fourth on the run in.

Given he was only a four-year-old having his first run in this country in tiring conditions, this was an encouraging effort.

Third at Kempton on his next start, which came over two miles, he again travelled well (trading at 2.04 in-running) in a race that contained the subsequent County Hurdle winner, and Martin Pipe runner-up (Faivoir and No Ordinary Joe).

Interestingly, the tongue tie that he always wore in France was reapplied for this run, but he still appeared slightly weak in the finish.

Third in the Morebattle Hurdle on his final start of the season, it was another encouraging effort, and he did look to find under pressure, which bodes well for his future. I am of the opinion that he was still a weak horse last season and, if improving for the summer break, he could take a big step forward this term.

A rating of 131 is more than workable, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he were to compete in graded novice chases this season.

Trainer: Nicky Martin.

Ideal races: Handicap Hurdles over two-and-a-half miles and further.

Nicky Martin wouldn’t have too many runners in bumpers – 30 since 2017, to be precise – but she does have a reasonable 13 per cent strike-rate. The winners include Colonel Custard and Bear Ghylls, two of the stables leading lights in recent years.

Their most recent bumper winner was Leading Choice, who won his bumper in October 2021 before finishing fifth in a listed race at Cheltenham, behind the likes of Timeforatune and Aucunrisque (watch above).

Last season, he made his hurdling debut at Chepstow in what is traditionally a strong race. Paul Nicholls won it, as he often does, with Makin’yourmind up who is now rated 133, with another 'winless one to watch', Hoe Joly Smoke, back in second. Leading Choice finished a respectable third, staying on strongly having put in a couple of slow jumps at a crucial stage. The fourth is now rated 124 while the fifth is now rated 116.

His second and final start of the season came at Uttoxeter, where he finished second to 126-rated Supreme Gift. Having looked outpaced at times, he kept on well under pressure, making Supreme Gift work hard for his win. The third, Saladam, has been a consistent type and is now rated 115.

While his breeding wouldn’t scream “stayer”, two-and-a-half miles has looked about right so far, and he could potentially get further in time. Her dam won on good ground while Leading Light’s progeny seem to prefer a sounder surface, so that could be important to him. He should have ample opportunities in handicaps.

Trainer: Alan King.

Ideal races: Novice Hurdles over two to two-and-a-half miles.

Not many horses run in five bumpers, but Masaccio has, displaying a high level of form on all of his starts.

A winner on his racecourse debut, which came all the way back in November 2020, he went on to finish second to the useful Vina Ardanza in the bumper on Scottish National day, conceding four pounds to him.

The future looked bright for Masaccio, but he missed the entirety of the 2021/2022 season, making his belated reappearance in December 2022, 622-days after his run at Ayr; this prolonged absence was apparently due to a growing pain related injury.

With the long absence to overcome and as the season was already well under way, connections elected to run him in a bumper – and it looked like a strong one. Masaccio finished third, but the front three pulled well clear; the second, Katate Dori, looks a nice prospect for Sam Thomas and won his next start, while the winner, Bowenspark, was a previous winner and would cross paths with Masaccio again on his next two starts.

He went one place better on his next start, which came in a traditionally strong Listed bumper at Newbury, reversing the form with Bowenspark who finished fourth. The front four would all contest the Aintree bumper, while the fifth won next time out.

Speaking of the Aintree race, Masaccio endured a troubled passage throughout; initially on the outside, he switched to the inside but that meant he was penned in and facing a wall of horses in front of him. It wasn’t until approximately a furlong out that he had a clear path, and he stayed on admirably to finish a never-nearer seventh.

While he didn’t get his head in front last season, all three of his runs were very encouraging, and you can feasibly mark up each run for a variety of reasons. By Mastercraftsman, the majority of his siblings are flat based but Masaccio does shape like he’d appreciate a trip, although I suspect he will start over two miles. I can certainly envisage him running in Graded novice hurdles, and potentially some of the deeper handicaps later in the season.

Trainer: Kerry Lee.

Ideal races: Handicap Chases over two-and-a-half miles plus.

New Found Fame made a strong impression on his debut when bolting up against experienced rivals with winning form in March last year.

While that was his only run of the season, hopes were high heading into the 2022-23 campaign, but it began inauspiciously, as he pulled up sharply in a novice hurdle at Ffos Las in October. With his novice status set to expire at the end of November, Kerry Lee decided to give him one more start prior to the deadline which, thankfully, was a much-improved effort. Under a penalty, he stayed on nicely behind the now 132-rated Theatre Man, finishing well from off the pace.

From an opening rating of 120, his first start in handicap company was a tough task. At Kempton on Boxing Day, he finished a respectable 12-length seventh behind Grey Dawning. He failed to build on that effort next time out, but there were slightly more encouraging signs on his final start of the season.

Down to a rating of 113, you’d need to be a forgiving type, but I think it’s too soon to write him off. Connections have always thought of him as a chaser, and his pedigree certainly backs that up; by Fame and Glory, he is a half-brother to Fortria Chase winner Arctic Skipper, as well as the useful handicapper, Castle Robin. There is every chance that New Found Fame will make a better chaser, and Kerry Lee’s strike-rate over fences (17.8%, A/E 1.05) is superior to her strike-rate over hurdles (12.9%, A/E 0.85). Her record with chase debutants in handicap company is 23.3% and they have been profitable to back blind, so don’t be put off when he makes his debut over the larger obstacles.

Trainer: Gordon Elliott.

Ideal races: Novice Hurdles over intermediate trips.

A rare journey to Ireland for the next “winless one to watch”, which comes in the form of the Gordon Elliott-trained Quantum Storm.

Second in a point-to-point in November 2022, that race clearly created a good impression as Elloitt purchased both Quantum Storm (£165,000) and the third, Find A Fortune (£47,000). The winner, Giovinco, moved to Lucinda Russell and looks an exciting prospect in his own right; winning all three of his starts over hurdles thus far, including a Listed race, and ended the season on a rating of 143.

Quantum Storm actually led on the approach to the final fence, but a slight mistake handed the initiative to the smooth-travelling Giovinco, although Quantum Storm did rally gamely after being headed.

He made his rules debut at Punchestown in a bumper that looked strong on paper, and subsequent results have suggested that all of the front three are very useful. In opposition was Irish Panther, who looked smart when finishing second to Fact To File on his previous start, and Ballyburn, a point winner making his debut for Willie Mullins. Always prominent, Quantum Storm took up the running early while racing a tad keenly (although not as keen as Ballyburn), only to be headed in the final 150 yards by the aforementioned Willie Mullins-trained recruit.

Irish Panther finished third, with this trio finishing well clear of the remainder.

Quantum Storm did hold an entry at Cheltenham, but we would next see him at Punchestown where he took on Irish Panther again. Ballyburn won impressively the day before, so big efforts were expected from the pair, and Quantum Storm was given the difficult task of making all the running to eventually finish fourth, with Irish Panther in second. Champion Bumper fourth, Lecky Watson, finished fifth, while next time out winner Dr Eggman finished third.

By Fame and Glory, his dam won over an intermediate trip while she is a half-sister to some useful types that won over trips ranging from two-and-a-half miles, to three miles. That, in combination with his run style, suggests that Quantum Storm will relish a trip over hurdles. He should have little problem winning a maiden before stepping up to Graded company, although it wouldn’t surprise me if he emerges as more of a Martin Pipe type in time.