NATIONAL HUNT 40 TO FOLLOW 2018/2019 - JPW …...At last year's Cheltenham Festival we had 300 full-time members and 500 members who had signed up to the Festival Special - almost

NATIONAL HUNT

40 TO FOLLOW

2018/2019 WWW.JPWRACINGTIPSTER.COM

James Walsh JPW RACING TIPSTER LIMITED

JPW RACING TIPSTER - NATIONAL HUNT 40 TO FOLLOW 2018/2019

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Contents

Foreword .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................................ 4

Recap of 2017/2018 National Hunt Season ..................................................................................... 5

The highs of last season for JPW and Members .............................................................................. 7

JPW 40 to Follow for the National Hunt Season 2018/2019 ............................................................ 9

Five to follow from our Tipsters at Tipsters Empire ........................................................................ 26

Resources ...................................................................................................................................... 34

Horse Racing Glossary .................................................................................................................. 35

Index of JPW’s 40 to Follow ........................................................................................................... 46

Our other National Hunt packages

If you purchased our other National Hunt packages, here is what will follow over the coming months…

One ante-post selection for the Cheltenham Festival every week starting Thursday 15th November. This will continue every Thursday until 7th March - that is a total of 17 ante-post bets before we get to the Cheltenham Festival.

One Cheltenham Festival Lucky 15 each month. These will start on the 29th November and will be sent with our ante-post selection on the last Thursday of each month. That is five Lucky 15 bets leading up to the Cheltenham Festival as we will be providing a ‘Festival Lucky 15’ in our last ante-post Selection.



Foreword This year will be the fourth year of the JPW 40 To Follow ebook. It has grown in popularity over those four years, and I would like to thank everyone for purchasing a copy. I hope you enjoy the read.

Last year was the best year to date, and it was easily the most profitable 'Horses to Follow' book in the business.

In total the book produced 60 winners throughout the season. If you backed every horse blindly - backing each horse every time it ran - it would have produced 16.3 points profit and a 10.73% return on investment. I am sure as the season went on you would get a feel for which horses were underperforming and make them a non-bet, therefore increasing your profits and return on investment.

Those stats are pretty incredible, seeing as £10 stakes would have yielded £163 profit and the book was priced at only £7.99. It was definitely a sound investment.

Over the summer, and into the autumn, I have been compiling my 40 to follow for the National Hunt Season. I will be sharing my knowledge and findings with everyone to ensure you are ahead of the game this National Hunt Season.

As always, I go that extra mile to ensure the 40 to Follow includes some real dark horses that will not make many people's lists. Some have exchanged hands for big money, so I have had a keen eye on what has gone on in the sales ring. This, among other angles, will ensure that we will stay ahead of the traders.

The ebook also includes some horses from last season - horses who I feel have plenty of improvement and scope to make a real impact this season.



Acknowledgement

Before moving on, I would like to thank all the Tipsters from www.tipstersempire.co.uk, some of whom have provided five horses to follow, on top of my 40 to follow.

I would also like to thank Ben Jenkins (Website Developer) and Liz Woodall (Administrator) who keep everything running smoothly each and every day. They allow me to concentrate on producing content of the highest quality and keeping pushing JPW Racing Tipster and Tipsters Empire to the top of the game.

As some of you may know, Tipsters Empire is our sister website which has (at the time of writing) five tipsters who go by the names of Architect Tips, Rhodium Racing, CD Racing, The Wizard of Big Odds and Ultimate Golf Tips.

If you haven't heard of them before head on over and read more about them.



Recap of 2017/2018 National Hunt Season

The 2017/2018 season was an exhilarating season. Regarding profit, it was not my best but one of my most enjoyable.

We are going to run through the biggest races in the calendar, and it all started at Cheltenham in November for the BetVictor Gold Cup.

BetVictor Gold Cup 18th November 2017 - Winner - SPLASH OF GINGE

I don’t think many people thought Splash of Ginge would be winning this race. A look across the course on the day saw a few redheads jumping up and down, but it was undoubtedly a result for the bookies. He was given a great ride by Tom Bellamy who tracked the leaders and then closed to lead three fences out. He was hard-pressed but kept finding and just held on from the challenging Starchitect. I am sure the celebrations went well into Sunday morning for owner John Nield and all connected to the horse.

Hennessy Gold Cup 2nd December 2017 - Winner - TOTAL RECALL

It was Willie Mullins working his magic as Total Recall won the race by a neck, fending off the Nicky Henderson trained Whisper. Paul Townend was in the saddle and gave the winner a peach of a ride. He sat midfield throughout the race and just let the horse ping the fences. He was half a length down coming to the last, but Townend got a bit extra out of the horse to prevail by a neck. The runner-up, Whisper, gave the winner a stone in weight so to go down by a neck was also a gallant effort.

King George Chase 26th December 2017 - Winner - MIGHT BITE

Might Bite was the short-priced horse of the race, going off 6/4 favourite. This was not a great renewal of the race, but the favourite duly obliged by a length. It was not the most eye-catching performance you will see from the horse, but he got the job done, doing what he had to do. The Gold Cup awaited Might Bite, and he would have to put in a much better performance if he was going to win such a prestigious event.

Leopardstown Xmas Chase 28th December 2017 - Winner - ROAD TO RESPECT

Road to Respect was a bit of a surprise winner here but credit where it is due, Sean Flanagan gave this horse a great ride to win by a length. In 2nd was Balko Des Flos at enormous odds of 66/1 and back in 3rd was the 2016 winner, Outlander. All eyes were on 2016 Gold Cup winner Sizing John, who could only manage 7th. He was clinically abnormal after the race, and unfortunately, that was the last we saw of the 2017 Gold Cup hero. Road to Respect was heading to Cheltenham with a lively chance after this performance.

Champion Hurdle 13th March 2018 - Winner - BUVEUR D’AIR

Buveur D’Air won this race for the 2nd year running, but it was not a great performance to the eye. He was sent off 4/6 and came home a neck ahead of Melon, chasing him home in 2nd. This horse was talked up as the next coming pre-race, but it was far from the performance which was talked about. Credit where it is due though, the horse dug deep and managed to get his head in front where it matters.



Champion Chase 14th March 2018 - Winner - ALTIOR

The clash everyone talked about all season. Altior against Douvan. We were robbed of the finish we wanted as Douvan fell four fences out, still seemingly travelling well. A lot of talks took place after the race about who would have won, but the bottom line is Altior stayed on his feet and got the job done to win by seven lengths. At one stage he looked beat as Min was still travelling, but as soon as Altior hit the bottom of the hill, he flew home like the superstar that he is.

World Hurdle 15th March 2018 - Winner - PENHILL

What a training performance this was by Willie Mullins. The horse who had not been seen since the 2017 Punchestown Festival, having his first start of the season in the World Hurdle. I, for one, certainly couldn’t have him but what a performance to win by two lengths. Another masterclass ride from Paul Townend who was last the whole way around before making his move two hurdles out. Last off the bridle, and he flew up the hill for the 2nd season running, after winning the Albert Bartlett in 2016. He looks a to be a Cheltenham specialist, and Willie Mullins may go straight for the Festival with him again this season.

Gold Cup 16th March 2018 - Winner - NATIVE RIVER

This was my favourite race of the festival. A proper gutsy performance from Native River who dictated the race from the off. He made it a gruelling test, and the only one who could go with him was Might Bite who looked all over the winner two fences out. Native River stays all day long and was as game as they come. He was not going to be passed, no matter what. A great ride from Richard Johnson. The soft ground helped a lot and we are, once again, in for a treat this season, should they both make it to Cheltenham in one piece.

Grand National 14th April 2018 - Winner - TIGER ROLL

What a performance from Tiger Roll. Not your average Grand National winner. He is a small horse and is flat bred yet defied the odds to win the greatest steeplechase prize. We all knew he would stay after winning the Cross Country, but the big question was would he jump the fences. Davy Russell didn’t move a muscle and just let the horse jump from fence to fence. He held off Pleasant Company by a head, and Tiger Roll has a great chance of doing the double this year. For a Grand National winner, everything seemed so effortless. Fantastic training performance by Gordon Elliott to do the Cross Country and the Grand National double.



The highs of last season for JPW and Members

I have handpicked three highlights from last season that have stuck with me. We had plenty of memorable moments, but these are the three which I enjoyed the most.

The highlights were a bet from the Cheltenham Festival, a bet from the Aintree Festival and a bet from the Punchestown Festival.

I know my personal favourite may be a bit bias towards the Cheltenham Festival but for me, it is the pinnacle of the season, and that is when the most pressure is on me to deliver.

At last year's Cheltenham Festival we had 300 full-time members and 500 members who had signed up to the Festival Special - almost 800 people were riding on my tips.

A lot of pressure is on me, but it is when I am at my best. We have made a profit at the Cheltenham Festival for the last ten years.

BLEU BERRY - CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL WINNER

After a few losers on day one, we were going into day two at a loss, and the pressure was certainly on to deliver. Another tough day looked on the cards, meaning that days three and four were going to give me a headache.

The thoughts of a bad day were quickly put to bed as BLEU BERRY won the third race of the day at advised odds of 28/1. Willie Mullins is a master in the handicaps, and given the fact the horse only had one prep run, I was convinced they had been looking after his handicap mark. I also took the angle that Paul Townend is an excellent jockey in handicaps at Cheltenham, so when Mark Walsh replaced him before the race, I wasn’t too pleased. Credit where it is due, Mark Walsh gave him a peach of a ride. One winner at 28/1 pretty much sealed a successful festival for us.

Below is the write up sent out to subscribers:

2:50 Cheltenham – BLEU BERRY 28/1 generally – 0.5 POINTS E/W

Next up is BLEU BERRY who will be ridden by Paul Townend, another master in these handicaps. You only have to go back to his ride last year on Arctic Fire to see how good he is at decision making and then in 2015 when Wicklow Brave won the County Hurdle. Two fantastic rides and I am sure the horses may have lost the race had other jockeys been on board. BLEU BERRY ran up three consecutive wins last year including a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse. He was then sent to the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival finishing 5th the likes of Bacardys, Finians Oscar, Death Duty and Let’s Dance. That is four high-class horses, so Willie Mullins obviously thinks this horse is talented. I think he could turn out to be better than his handicap mark of 142 and he has only been seen once this season when finishing down the field in a handicap at Leopardstown when travelling well before blowing up. He needed that run and the cobwebs will be blown off and I expect a big run here. Willie Mullins is a master at getting horses spot on for one race, and again I think this has been the plan for some time. Massive value at the prices. E/W.



WE STRUCK ULTRAGOLD AT AINTREE

The Topham Chase, this is akin to a mini Grand National over 2m 5f. The night before I could not believe ULTRAGOLD was 20/1, especially considering the fact that he won the race in 2017. Once a horse takes to those big fences, they often come back and do it again. He was sent off 14/1, so we found the value the night before, and Harry Cobden gave him a terrific ride.

Below is the write up sent out subscribers:

16:05 Aintree – Topham Handicap Chase – ULTRAGOLD 20/1 – 0.375 POINTS E/W

First up we have ULTRAGOLD who won this race last year. He is 5lb higher in the weights this year but has since come back in December to finish 2nd in the Sefton Handicap Chase over these fences, on the same mark as today. He finished 2nd to Gas Line Boy who has a great chance in the National itself, so it is top class form. Harry Cobden retakes the ride, and ULTRAGOLD comes alive over these fences, and I would much rather have a horse you know jumps these fences at 20/1, than trying to find a well-handicapped horse. That is 20/1 for a horse who won the race last year and easily beat today’s favourite O O Seven that day. Why there is such a price difference, I couldn’t tell you, but I am over the moon with the price. E/W.

FAUGHEEN ROLLS BACK THE YEARS AT PUNCHESTOWN

I have always loved Faugheen and what a horse he has been for the sport. He had not been the same horse all season, and many were calling for him to be retired. He had lost his speed for two miles, but I have always thought he was a stayer after winning the Neptune Novice Hurdle as a novice. I thought the horse would go chasing after coming from the point to point field so credit where it is due to Willie Mullins, who turned him into a Champion Hurdle winner.

After not firing all season Willie Mullins was stepping him up to 3 miles for the first time in his career. I had no doubt he would stay the trip so it was all about whether the slower pace of the race would be appreciated.

What a performance it was; he absolutely pulverised the field to win by 13 lengths and beating the World Hurdle winner with ease.

Below is the write up sent out to subscribers:

17:30 Punchestown – FAUGHEEN 10/1 – 0.5 POINTS E/W

Is FAUGHEEN the same horse he used to be? No, he is not after his run in the Champion Hurdle. Can he win this race? Who knows what this 3 miles will do to him? He looked more like a stayer when winning the Neptune Novice Hurdle as a novice and he won’t need to use the finishing kick you have to use to win over 2 miles. We have seen over the years how 3 miles rejuvenates a horse and Jezki, Solwhit and Hurricane Fly all came back to win over 3 miles. I am not standing here saying he is going to win the race, but I am happy to take the chance at a massive price of 10/1.



JPW 40 to Follow for the National Hunt Season 2018/2019 I have been working on this list for three months, and these are my horses to follow for the National Hunt Season. You can add all of these to a horse tracker to receive notifications whenever they are due to run. A great free resource to use for this is NagMe, which you can read more about in our Resources section.

ALNADAM

Trainer: Dan Skelton

Form Figures 1

I always look to include a horse by Poliglote each year to go in my book, and this year the horse I have opted to follow is ALNADAM who is trained by Dan Skelton. He won his only point to point by an impressive eight lengths and showed a smart turn of foot to put the race to bed. He was purchased for £130,000, and I think they may have got a bargain compared to some of the prices paid for horses on the point to point circuit last season. He will start over hurdles, and I would like to think he will make the grade before embarking on a chasing career next season.

Likely target: Not sure what heights this horse could reach but one worth following under the guidance of Dan Skelton.

ANNAMIX

Trainer: Willie Mullins

Form Figures 2

As you all know when it comes to the Supreme Novice Hurdle, Willie Mullins usually teams up with Rich Ricci. Over the years they have had winners with Vautour, Douvan and Champagne Fever. They have also finished 2nd with Min and had last year's favourite, Getabird. This season ANNAMIX looks to be the horse. He was favourite for the supreme novice hurdle at this time last year, but an injury kept him out for the season. He will be back this season, and I have heard quite a few times, from Rich Ricci interviews, that they really like this one. Rich Ricci has even put this horse up to follow for the season in a few places. ANNAMIX came from France a couple of seasons ago after finishing 2nd in his only race. This horse has had so long to develop, and with the Willie Mullins touch, I expect him to make the Supreme Novice Hurdle in March and if all goes to plan over the winter, the likely favourite.

Likely target: Supreme Novice Hurdle where he is available at 16/1. I know we don’t know a lot about the horse, but that price could look big come the day with Willie Mullins track record in the race with Rich Ricci.



APPLE’S SHAKIRA

Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Form Figures 111143

We included APPLE’S SHAKIRA in last years book, and at the time the book was released she was 25/1 for the Triumph Hurdle. She was sent off 6/5 fav, so we found terrific value, despite her finishing 4th. The season did not end on a high, but I saw enough from the horse beforehand which suggests with a season behind her, she would’ve progressed nicely. She is a full sister to Apple’s Jade who improved in her second season, and I think APPLE’S SHAKIRA can do the same. Last season she was very green and still had so much learning to do. She also took on the boys all season, so I expect her to be running against her own sex this season and hopefully she will flourish. She is only a four-year-old, and I am sure under the direction of Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson, she will progress nicely.

Likely target: The Mare's Hurdle has to be the long-term target.

BEAKSTOWN

Trainer: Dan Skelton

Form Figures 12

I am always keen to see what owner Bryan Drew has been up to as he is always a big spender, and I noticed he paid a whopping £440,000 for BEAKSTOWN after winning a point to point last November. After doing a bit of digging around on this horse, it is reported that he jumped fantastically in the point the point which tells me that, once he jumps, he will come into his own. He had one start for Dan Skelton last February when finishing 2nd in a bumper at Kempton, and although he was beaten five lengths, he shaped well - clearly crying out for jumps. He was put away for the remainder of the season and will now embark on a hurdling campaign. I am sure that he will be a stand-out horse this season, given how well he reportedly jumps.

Likely target: Hard to say how far he can go but with a hefty price tag the owners will want big things from this horse.



BLACK OP

Trainer: Tom George

Form Figures 1/19/41221

This is my number one horse to follow for the season over fences. I love this horse, and he is built to jump fences. He is a massive horse with a huge frame and he comes from the point to point field. Before joining Tom George, he won a point to point by 25 lengths. His jumping over hurdles last season was not great but, for me, it is all down to his size and the fact he gave hurdles no respect - in spite of this his form last season was excellent. I am confident that you will see a fantastic jumper of a fence this season.

He was 2nd to Santini in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle trial on trials day. He was then 2nd to Samcro in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle at the Festival with his season ending with a win in the Grade 1 Mersey Novice Hurdle at Aintree. I have no doubt this horse will stay three miles, and if I were his trainer, I would be targeting the RSA. He is a tank of a horse who will also battle for you. I can’t wait to see this horse over fences.

Likely target: It will either be the JLT Novice Chase or the RSA Chase. He is currently 12/1 for the JLT and 16/1 for the RSA.

BULLIONAIRE

Trainer: Harry Fry

Form Figures 1/2

I have had a soft spot for this horse since he made a winning debut at Newbury in a decent bumper back in 2017. He looked to have raw ability, and although he won in style, still had a lot of things to work on. His next start came at Ascot in December 2017 for another bumper where he came home 2nd to Didtheyleaveuoutto. He pulled quite hard that day but still ran well in defeat. He was not seen for the rest of the season, although to my knowledge he had no injuries. You can only assume that trainer Harry Fry wanted to teach him the game and that patience could certainly pay off this season.

Likely target: Supreme Novice Hurdle looks the likeliest route



CHANTE NIEGE


Form Figures 3

This filly is owned by Jared Sullivan - the owner of Laurina who was easily the best filly around last season. I am not saying this horse will reach those heights, but she looks sure to follow the same route as Laurina. She missed the whole of last season due to injury, but that could be a blessing in disguise as she had an extra year to mature. She was purchased last year after finishing 3rd in a valuable hurdle race at Auteuil. In that same race was a horse called Stormy Ireland; also trained by Willie Mullins and had a decent season. The form looks good, and if Willie Mullins can find huge improvement, as he so often does with fillies, she could achieve pretty much anything. The route will undoubtedly be the Mare’s Novice Hurdle - a race which Willie wins year after year.

Likely target: Mare’s Novice Hurdle

COMMANDER OF FLEET

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Form Figures 11

I always look for a novice hurdler trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Gigginstown. Over the last couple of seasons, they have brought through Samcro and Death Duty. Surely the novice for this season looks to be COMMANDER OF FLEET. He was an impressive winner of his point to point back in March and then sent to the Punchestown Festival for the Land Rover Bumper. He won by an easy nine lengths and kept upping the tempo as he went along. As soon as the button was pressed, he responded, and the race was over in a matter of strides. What I liked about this performance was the way he kept galloping all the way to the line despite being in front for a long way, running to the line. Some may have idled in front but this horse knew his game. He clearly has a smart turn of foot; combine this with a horse who can keep galloping, and he could be a dangerous horse for the future.

Likely target: He looks a stayer but is not short of speed. I think this horse could follow the same route Samcro took last season and end up in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle.



DAPHNE DU CLOS


Form Figures 121

DAPHNE DU CLOS was in my 40 to Follow last season, but she did not run. She is back this season, and I think she will still be outstanding, despite the injury. She has raw ability and was so impressive when winning pretty much on the bridle, at Newbury in February 2017. It was the way she travelled through the race and oozed class. DAPHNE DU CLOS was still immature so to win in that fashion tells you she is a serious horse. She had Western Ryder back in 2nd who went and finished 5th in the Champion Bumper and then 3rd in the Bumper at Aintree a month later. Western Ryder then had a fantastic season over hurdles last season. If DAPHNE DU CLOS is beating a horse like that on the bridle, it is even more evidence of how good she could be. She will embark on a hurdling career this season and has plenty of options available to her. She is owned by Jared Sullivan who won the Mare’s Novice Hurdle with Laurina last season so I see no reason why she won’t go down that route. One I am very much looking forward to.

Likely target: She should go down the Mares Novice Hurdle route, but she could also go down the Supreme Novice Hurdle route and get mare's weight allowance from the field.

DEBECE

Trainer: Tim Vaughan

Form Figures 441/123313/4-F2

I have had a soft spot for this horse since he won a handicap hurdle at Newbury by 19 lengths. He then went to Aintree and finished 3rd behind The World’s End in the Grade 1 Sefton Novice Hurdle. Unfortunately, he had an injury last season so was not seen until Aintree in a Grade 3 handicap hurdle, finishing 4th to Mr Big Shot - it was an excellent effort considering it was his first start of the season. DEBECE is built like a chaser and was always going to come into his own over fences. He is closely related to Grade 1 winner Don Poli and has already made his debut over fences, at Chepstow on the 14th October. He came home 2nd in that race but jumped well and looked like a working project. The jockey was never hard on him and was obviously told to look after him and let the horse learn. I wouldn’t say this horse will reach the top of the game, but I do believe he has a big race in him which could lead to a decent price winner this season. The four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival could be an option depending on how he progresses through the season.

Likely target: Hard to say what the aim will be but could be a horse who stays very well. With that in mind, I wouldn’t rule out the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival.



DELTA WORK


I like the way DELTA WORK progressed through last season, which ended with a win in the Pertemps Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and then a 2nd - by a neck - to Next Destination, at the Punchestown Festival in the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle. This horse is built like a chaser and is only a five-year-old, so has so much more improvement to come. It is worth pointing out that Presenting Percy won the Pertemps Hurdle in 2017 but could only finish 6th in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle and look what that horse did last season. Just like so many Gigginstown horses over the years, they come into their own when they jump a fence and I expect this to be the same for DELTA WORK especially with a trainer like Gordon Elliott bringing him along.

Likely target: RSA Chase has to be the Long Term Target.

DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO

Trainer: Nick Gifford

Form Figures 110

DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO is from the same family as Denman. They are both sired by Presenting while the dams are closely related. I am not comparing this horse to Denman in any way, but the very close bloodlines bode very well. He was a winner of two races last season with his debut being a very impressive win at Lingfield. This was followed by another remarkable win in a listed bumper at Ascot. DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO then went to Cheltenham for the Champion Bumper and had an excellent chance. Unfortunately, the ground went against him as he needs a sound surface to been seen at his best. He still travelled well throughout the race, despite the ground, but faded up the hill coming home in 10th place. I think this horse will have a lot to offer this season and will come into his own on the decent ground come springtime. He showed a lot of speed, so I imagine they will start in two-mile novice hurdles, but the breeding suggests he will also get further, given his heritage.

Likely target: Supreme Novice Hurdle or Ballymore Novice Hurdle.



ECLAT DES MOTTES


Form Figures 3-1

Another Rich Ricci horse trained by Willie Mullins and another horse sired by Poliglote. This is a horse purchased from France after finishing 3rd in a bumper, being beaten by a short neck. He made his debut for Willie Mullins at Downpatrick in August and came away an easy winner, beating a horse called Present In Court who has since won twice, by three lengths. ECLAT DES MOTTES made his debut for Willie Mullins over 2m 6f; so straight away the trainer has identified he wants a decent trip. That can only help as he will be trained with one thing in mind, to travel and stay out the distance.

Likely target: Given he has gone over 2m 6f straight away, you would have to be optimistic that he will be targeted at the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle.

ELEGANT ESCAPE

Trainer: Colin Tizzard

Form Figures 2/114577/2212133

Each year I try to include a horse who I think will be aimed at the Grand National, and ELEGANT ESCAPE is that horse this season. He had seven starts over fences last season and did not finish outside the first three on all starts. He finished 3rd in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, although I think Colin Tizzard should have sent him to the four-mile chase where I am sure he would’ve gone close. He then went to Aintree, and again, finished 3rd to Terrefort. ELEGANT ESCAPE is only a six-year-old who will be even better when stepped up in trip. The more the stamina test, the better he will be. The Grand National has to be the long-term target, and he is currently 40/1 for that race.

Likely target: The Ladbrokes Gold Cup and the Grand National.

EPATANTE

Trainer: JP McManus

Form Figures 1

I always look at JP McManus to see what he has purchased from France. The last two seasons we have unearthed Defi Du Seuil and Apple’s Shakira into our 40 to Follow. The horse who fits the bill perfectly this season is EPATANTE, who has been sent to Nicky Henderson. She was a Grade 1 winner in France before joining Henderson, and as he always does, he will get even more improvement out of this horse. The way she won her race in France was the sign of a magnificent horse - not once did the jockey have to use his whip, and that takes some doing in a Grade 1. It will be interesting to see which route she goes. The obvious route would be the Mares Novice Hurdle but Nicky Henderson may be up to the idea of using her mares weight allowance.

Likely target: Mares Novice Hurdle looks the likeliest option where she is available at 16/1.



FEEL MY PULSE


Those who have purchased my book in the past will know that each year, I look for a horse by Stowaway from the point to point field. Unfortunately, this year seems like the last time I will be doing that, as Stowaway sadly died as a 21-year-old in 2015. The one horse I have found this season is FEEL MY PULSE who won her sole point to point back in March, impressively from the front by 15 lengths. She was then snapped up by Gigginstown for a whopping £330k at the Cheltenham March Sales and sent to Gordon Elliott. I was at the Cheltenham Sales in March, and he is a huge horse who could be anything. When he jumps a fence, it will be a sight to see put it that way. Stowaway to one side the breeding looks good from the Dam side (Zenaide) who has had three other horses and all three have won under rules, two of which were trained by Willie Mullins. Wherever this horse goes, he is one to follow for years to come.

Likely target: He will either run in bumpers this season or given his size could go straight over hurdles.

INTERCONNECTED


Form Figures 1

For the last few seasons, I have kept an eye on owners Grech and Parkin. They have supported the game well in recent seasons, and to me, are owners looking to find the next best thing with the money have spent. I am particularly interested in the horses they send to Nicky Henderson. In the past they have had decent horses who have not quite made the top like Claimantakinforgan, River Wylde and Lough Derg Spirit. I believe it won’t be long before they find a real superstar and INTERCONNECTED could be that horse, who they paid £220,000 for after he won a point to point. He was impressive that day, and you can see why this horse brought a lot of attention. He is by Network (same sire as Sprinter Sacre), and the dam is an ex-Paul Nicholls horse, R De Rien Sivola. She is the dam to one other horse who is already a Class 3 winner for Philip Hobbs. R De Rien Sivola is sired by Robin Des Champs (sire of Vautour and Quevega). I think these bloodlines will come together and INTERCONNECTED is a horse we will hear a lot about this coming season.

Likely target: Not sure where this horse will go, but one thing for sure is he will be well placed and looked after by Nicky Henderson.



JARVEYS PLATE

Trainer: Fergal O’Brien

Form Figures 231

I wanted to include a horse trained by Fergal O’Brien as I think he is on the up, in a big way, and will have a great season. The one who I would like to follow this season is JARVEYS PLATE. He is owned by the same owners as Poetic Rhythm, who went and won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last season. JARVEYS PLATE was purchased from the point to point field after running two decent races in defeat, when 2nd and 3rd. He made his debut for his new owners under rules at Perth, in a bumper, and travelled well throughout the race, winning quite easily by three lengths. He had some decent horses in behind, and with the possible progression, this horse could be a horse who goes under the radar for many this season.

Likely target: Not sure which route they will go with this one but one to keep a close eye on.

KNOW THE SCORE

Trainer: David Pipe

Form Figures 110

KNOW THE SCORE was a costly purchase which cost a whopping £380,000 at the Cheltenham November Sales, following his stylish win in a point to point by six lengths. He was a very impressive winner of a bumper on his debut for Pipe by a huge 13 lengths in February and was then chucked in the deep for the Cheltenham Bumper on only his 2nd start. He travelled well for much of the race before fading up the hill, most likely outpaced. He is by Flemensfirth so is likely to prefer soft ground, and a trip of 2m 4f would be a good starting point. He will come into his own when he starts jumping and is a horse who has the potential to go to the top.

Likely target: I can see this horse ending up in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle as he strikes me as a horse who wants a decent trip.

LA BAGUE AU ROI Trainer: Warren Greatrex

Form Figures 1/117/111761/11177

LA BAGUE AU ROI made my 40 to Follow last season and won her first three starts, which gave us a profit for the year. I mentioned last season that she was a huge horse who, if sent chasing, would do very well. She didn’t jump a fence last season but the plan is to go chasing this year, and I expect her to take to the job like a duck to water. Her mare weight allowance will be very handy, and I think she will surprise a few this season. She clearly has a lot of ability as she won a Grade 2 by 16 lengths over hurdles in the past.

Likely target: Hard to predict the heights she can reach but I am sure the weight allowance will be used to her advantage.



LAURINA


Form Figures F2/1111

The sky is the limit for this horse, as she is an absolute superstar. She won all four starts last season by a combined 53 lengths, which included the Mares Novice Hurdle by a huge 18 lengths. She, quite literally, has the world at her feet. She could jump a fence, she could run over 3 miles, and she has so much speed for two miles. I think wherever she runs, she will win. If she were my own, I would have no problem sending her to the Champion Hurdle; although they will more than likely take the easier option of the Mare’s Hurdle.

Likely target: I’d love to see her go for the Champion Hurdle but I think she will sent for the Mares Hurdle.

MR BIG SHOT

Trainer: David Pipe


Another horse by Flemensfirth and I have a lot of time for MR BIG SHOT. He ran at the Cheltenham Festival where he finished down the field, 10th of 23, which was understandable given the fact it was his first start of the season. He then went to Aintree for the Grade 3 Gaskells Handicap Hurdle and ran all the way to the line to win by a quarter of a length. The 3rd was a further ten lengths back, so the front two destroyed the field. That was his first start over three miles, and he looked to relish the test. He will now embark on a chasing career, although I would not be surprised if he ran in the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock beforehand; this race is one that trainer David Pipe has won with Grand Crus, Dynaste and Gevrey Chambertin in the past.

Likely target: If he goes chasing he looks the perfect type for the four-mile Novice Chase on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.

MY WAY

Trainer: Paul Nicholls

Form Figures 32/2322

My Way is my leading horse to follow as a new recruit this season. He was purchased by Chris Giles and will be trained by Paul Nicholls. This horse is only a four-year-old but comes to Paul Nicholls with some excellent form over in France - he finished 2nd in two Grade 3 races and has not finished outside the frame in six starts. He has been 2nd to two horses who have gone on to win Grade 1s and has already jumped fences. Now that Paul Nicholls is in charge of the training, I think we will see a huge deal of improvement from of this horse, with the potential to go right to the top. Long Run came over to this country after lots of runs over hurdles and fences, and although I am not comparing the two horses in ability, it shows what can happen when you have a forward four-year-old. I am excited to see this horse and how far he can go in the game.

Likely target: Neptune Novice Hurdle has to be on the radar or, if he goes chasing, the JLT Novice Chase.



NO COMMENT

Trainer: Philip Hobbs

Form Figures 22/1U2111722/36

I have included NO COMMENT in my 40 to Follow as he still holds his novice status, which will bode well for him this season. He will have a head start on all of the novices which, early season, is a big advantage. He ran twice last season, making his debut in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novice Chase, followed by the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival on only his 2nd chasing start. A lot of money came for him in the four-miler, and although he came home 6th of 16, he did travel well for the first three miles. He comes back this season, and as mentioned above, still has his novice status. I am sure he will be aimed at the four-miler once again and is one to follow as, no doubt, he will be getting his head in front this season, with a season behind him.

Likely target: The four-mile chase must once again be the target.

NORTHERN BOUND

Trainer: Ben Pauling

Form Figures 2

This horse finished 2nd on his only point to point. Although he finished 2nd, he travelled well and finished like a horse who will be suited to racing under rules. He has been sent to Ben Pauling who is a very shrewd operator, and the horse could not be in better hands. When looking at these point to point horses I like to see how much they were sold for, but I also like to do a background check on the dam and what she has produced. The dam of NORTHERN BOUND (Noble Choice) looks very good at producing horses as she has already produced Lord Scoundrel, who won the Galway Plate in 2016. She has also produced Balnaslow who won the Foxhunters Chase at Aintree in April. Noble Choice is the dam of seven horses who, between them, have won 25 races which include the races quoted above. Given the trainer and the breeding, you would expect this horse to be quite decent and could pick up some decent races at a decent price.

Likely target: Couldn’t put a target for the horse but one to keep a close eye on.



POLITOLOGUE


Form Figures 21U210/1121F/111241

POLITOLOGUE has made the book for the past three seasons and has made us some enormous profits. Why desert the horse now when he has been so good to us in the past? He was a four-time winner for us last season and ended the season with a win in the Melling Chase at 11/1. He has won eight times over the last few seasons for us so owes us nothing. I still think this horse is special, although only around flat tracks. I believe they are stepping him up in trip to three miles and I have always seen him as a three-miler. He is an excellent jumper, and once he gets into a routine, he is incredibly difficult to stay with. He is only a seven-year-old so could still be improving and who is to say he won’t be even better over three miles this coming season?

Likely target: I imagine they will target the King George with him as it looks a perfect track for him over three miles.

PRESENTING PERCY

Trainer: Patrick Kelly

Form Figures 21/741154116/131121

The performance of the Cheltenham Festival last season was PRESENTING PERCY when winning the RSA Chase. The way he jumped, the way he travelled, the way he quickened up around the bend - all were just breathtaking. Trainer Patrick Kelly has done the right thing by not running him after his Cheltenham success. He had a fantastic season with four wins and two places and is a serious horse with a huge engine. He has to go down as a Cheltenham specialist after winning the Pertemps Hurdle in 2017 followed by RSA Chase last season and will be aimed at the Gold Cup this season. He is still only a seven-year-old so expect him to improve further again this season.

Likely target: Cheltenham Gold Cup.

RAYA TIME

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead

Form Figures 1

I always look to see what big spender Roger Brookhouse has been up to and the standout was RAYA TIME. Roger Brookhouse is the owner of Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Summerville Boy, and it is fascinating that he has bought RAYA TIME. Before Summerville Boy was purchased, he ran a race at Killarney for Sam Curling. RAYA TIME won the same race for the same trainer, and Roger Brookhouse snapped him up for £150,000. The manner of the victory was of a very strong horse as he won by 14 lengths. It remains to be seen if he will reach the same heights as Summerville Boy, but he is certainly a horse to have on your side throughout the season.

Likely target: One to follow but unsure where he will end up.



SANTINI Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Form Figures 1/1131

A colossal horse who is very much still a project. Anything he achieved over hurdles was a bonus as he is a chaser through and through. This horse has so much scope, and Nicky Henderson has never hidden how much he thinks of this horse. He won the Ballymore Hurdle trial and the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle at Aintree last season. His only career defeat was in the Albert Bartlett when third on the terrible ground. The horse is still quite raw but the potential is enormous, and he really could be a superstar in the making. Although his primary target will be the RSA Chase, if things don’t pan out you could see this horse in the four-miler as he stays forever. A horse you will want on your side throughout the season and another horse I am very excited to see.

Likely target: RSA Chase

SCEAU ROYAL

Trainer: Alan King

Form Figures 71/2211106/114369/1211

Another horse who made my 40 To Follow last season and made some excellent profits for us. He was a Grade 1 winner at Sandown when winning the Henry VIII Novices Chase at 11/1, then went and won a Grade 2 at Doncaster. He had five starts over fences and won four of them. Unfortunately, he didn’t make Cheltenham as he had a small problem, and although he could have made Aintree, it was decided they would keep him for this season. That patience could pay off massively as I believe he is seriously talented. It is hard to believe he is a six-year-old as he made his debut over hurdles as a three-year-old and seems like he has been around forever. He is not your typical chaser, but like over hurdles, he is so fast and slick when jumping and takes lengths out of his opposition at fences. I still think SCEAU ROYAL can improve and can win plenty of races this season.

Likely target: I imagine they will look at the early two mile races at Cheltenham like the Sholer Chase in November. He should progress and line up in the Champion Chase.



SLATE HOUSE


Form Figures 5/1/1145F8

I remember seeing this horse when he made his debut for Colin Tizzard over hurdles, at Cheltenham last October. My first impressions were ‘what a huge horse’ and ‘he would make some chaser’. He won that day easily enough and also won his next race at Cheltenham when defeating Supreme Novice Hurdle winner, Summerville Boy. He went off the boil afterwards, although he was running a big race in the Supreme Novice Hurdle before falling heavily at the last fence. He ran at Aintree but was way down the field, and looking back, he possibly should not have run at Aintree following such a fall. With a season behind him, I expect him to have matured mentally and physically and I am sure this horse will be magnificent over fences, given his size. He was an expensive purchase after winning his point to point in impressive style, so we know he will jump a fence. I really think he could be a dark horse this season and may surprise a few.

Likely target: I would like to think he could go to the JLT Chase but if he doesn’t quite reach the top he could be aimed at one of the handicaps on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

TERREFORT


Form Figures 28/5226/13131121

TERREFORT is a horse who I have a lot of time, and the sky is the limit with the son of Martaline. Some people forget that this horse is still only a five-year-old. To do what he did to the field at Aintree in April when winning the Grade 1 Mildmay Novice Chase was a marvellous performance for a horse of his age. That was his first try at three miles or over, and he relished it. TERREFORT had four runs for Nicky Henderson last season, winning three and finishing 2nd in the JLT Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He is a super jumper and is still a horse who is not the finished article. I am expecting the horse to have grown over the summer and be bigger and stronger. This horse could go right to the top and I believe could be good enough to end up in the Gold Cup. Whether or not Nicky Henderson will send him to the Gold Cup, as he will only be six if he did run in it, remains to be seen. He may just be aimed at Aintree for this season but, either way, he is a horse I am very excited about this season.

Likely target: Cheltenham Gold Cup or saved for Aintree and the Grade 1 Betway Bowl Chase.



THE BIG GETAWAY


Form Figures 1

This horse was a 30 length winner of a point to point and cost £230,000 after winning the race. He could not have won any easier. Although the win was very eye-catching, the breeding is just as eye-catching. He is from the same family as the great Dawn Run and by Getaway, who is making a name for himself as a jumps sire these days, with horses such as Getabird, Verdana Blue and Getaway Katie Mai. Now in the hands of the magician Willie Mullins, I expect this horse to flourish. He will more than likely start off in bumpers and will surely be one of many who ends up in the Champion Bumper for the Champion Trainer.

Likely target: Neptune Champion Bumper

THE WORLDS END

Trainer: Tom George Form Figures F1/3111F1/84474

Some will look at THE WORLDS END and write him off after his form last season. I will not be writing him off as, all season, he ran on soft or heavy ground which is ground he hates. I imagine they will go chasing with this horse now, and if he gets his good ground, he will still be a force to be reckoned with. They will surely aim high with him and is one who may have gone under the radar for some people.

Likely target: RSA if he goes chasing but the World Hurdle if he stays over hurdles.

TOPOFTHEGAME


Form Figures 1/142/F412

An absolutely huge horse and a horse Paul Nicholls describes as the tallest horse he has ever had - considering he has trained Denman that is some statement. He was born to jump fences; it is as simple as that. He is only a six-year-old, and I think this is the season that he will come into his own. He was sent chasing last season but was a faller when still travelling well on his debut. Paul Nicholls then sent him back over hurdles, and that is where he stayed all season. The move back to hurdles was a genius move by Paul Nicholls, and it saw the horse win a Grade 3 hurdle at Sandown and then saw him beaten by a neck in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival into 2nd. I think this horse could go to the top over fences, given his size, and is one I am very much looking forward to seeing.

Likely target: RSA Chase or 4 Mile Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.



TREVELYN’S CORN

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Form Figures 1

Owner Chris Giles paid a whopping £400,000 for this horse and sent it to Paul Nicholls after winning his only point to point by seven lengths. The manner of the win was of a superstar, hence the silly money involved in the purchase. TREVELYN’S CORN is by Oscar, and although the dam has no history with progeny, you cannot help but think this horse will go to the top. I am sure he will start over novice hurdles and fully expect him to make the grade and end up at Cheltenham at the end of the season.

Likely target: Likely to go straight over hurdles and I expect Paul Nicholls will let the horse tell him where to go by his performances.

VISION DES FLOS



VISION DES FLOS got better as the season went on and showed that he is a proper Grade 1 horse with two 2nds at the Aintree Festival and Punchestown Festival. For me, it was always the case that whatever he did over hurdles was a bonus, as he looks to be a proper chaser. In the early part of last season he had breathing issues which led to a wind operation in January 2018. Since the operation he has not run a bad race. Colin Tizzard will be looking for his next star to come over fences, and he is a trainer who often gets so much improvement out of a horse over fences. VISION DES FLOS has a big future ahead of him.

Likely target: He could go down the Arkle Chase route or JLT Chase.

WAITING PATIENTLY

Trainer: Ruth Jefferson


I love this horse, and he remains unbeaten over fences. I was surprised they skipped Cheltenham last season as the ground was soft. Trainer Ruth Jefferson was saving him for Aintree but, unfortunately, he picked up an injury which ruled him out. His last start was at Ascot in the Ascot Chase when beating Cue Card by three lengths. The way he won the race and the way he went about his business was a joy to watch. He will surely now be aimed at King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. I have no doubt he will stay the three miles as most horses by Flemensifrth do. Soft ground is a must for this horse, so given the fact Cheltenham and Aintree usually are run on good ground, I expect him to be trained specifically for the King George. He will have to improve again to beat Might Bite, but he is a horse of the highest quality and will undoubtedly give Might Bite a run for his money.

Likely target: King George on Boxing Day.



WE HAVE A DREAM



This is a horse who remains unbeaten since joining Nicky Henderson from France last season. He was impressive on every single, these including wins in the Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster and the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree. He missed the Cheltenham Festival due to sickness, but that could be a blessing as the ground was pretty bad for the Triumph Hurdle. WE HAVE A DREAM is a very slick jumper and gets over them without spending much time in the air. The way he jumped and travelled in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree, was a sign of an exceptional horse. Daryl Jacob could hardly contain his excitement of the prospects of this horse. He will surely be aimed at the Champion Hurdle, and if he has progressed like I would expect him to, the 20/1 on offer at the moment looks excellent value.

Likely target: The Champion Hurdle will undoubtedly be the long-term target.

YOUNG LIEUTENANT

Trainer: Warren Greatrex

Form Figures 2

I was looking for a horse by Robin Des Champs from the point to point field, and after doing some digging around, I think YOUNG LIEUTENANT fits the bill perfectly. He was second to a horse called Easyrun De Vassy, beaten by a head; that horse has since joined Paul Nicholls. Not a massive purchase at £60,000 but, given the fact the winner was purchased for £105,000, it is a clever bit of business. What I like more about this horse is his breeding. His dam is Be My Gesture, and if we go back to the dam of Be My Gesture and back once more, you will find that Young Lieutenant is from the same family as Rhinestone Cowboy. With bloodlines like that, you would expect this horse to be quite decent and improve as the season goes on under the care of Warren Greatrex.

Likely target: Could not put a target on this horse but I am keen to see how he gets on under rules

So, that is the 40 to Follow from JPW Racing Tipster. Now on to the five horses to follow from Architect Tips, CD Racing and Rhodium Racing from our sister site, www.tipstersempire.co.uk

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Five to follow from our Tipsters at Tipsters Empire

Architect Tips

CALL ME LORD


Form: 1131321

I absolutely love this horse, and he’s been so consistent already for Nicky Henderson, never finishing worse than third in all seven career starts. He showed excellent form over two miles between 2017/18, mainly off top-weight where he beat a good field under 11-12 at Sandown on heavy ground with such ease. He was then well supported for the grade two Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, but the race wasn’t run to suit, and he could only manage third. However, Call Me Lord was then a neck 2nd of 17 in the Imperial Cup two starts ago back at Sandown off top-weight. He travelled well throughout but gave the eventual winner nearly two stone and was hampered multiple times in the process. Despite being beaten there, it was the performance of a serious racehorse. The yard then stepped him up to 2m5f in a Grade 2 back at the same track, and he absolutely bolted up 16 lengths, beating high-class proven stayers such as Lil Rockerfeller, Wholestone and Old Guard in the process. He was only a five-year-old when beating outstanding horses, so I am confident this campaign he will be a severe threat over staying distances. I know all of his best form has been at Sandown so far but he looks sure to relish three miles over hurdles, and I can see connections aiming him at the Stayers Hurdle at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, and I think he will have an excellent each-way chance.

Likely target: Stayers Hurdle MENGLI KHAN

Trainer: Gordon Elliot Form: 24111R233

Mengli Khan was a very good horse on the flat and took his time to get the hang of things over hurdles, but once he did just that, he developed into a high-class two-mile novice, which included a five-length easy success in the Royal Bond Grade 1 at Fairyhouse. He then looked set to collect another Grade 1 prize at Leopardstown when travelling strongly, before running out at the second last hurdle. Despite being turned over next time, when favourite against Getabird, his primary target was the Supreme Novice Hurdle, in which he ran a smashing race to finish 3rd of 19. Trainer Gordon Elliot had previously said he would be a better horse on better ground so this, considering the way he travelled and kept on well to be beaten just two lengths behind Kalashnikov and Summerville Boy on ground far from ideal, was the performance of a high-class horse. Also, Mengli Khan fared best of the Irish in the race and then ran another sound race to finish 3rd in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. Connections already stated he would be better over fences and whatever he did over hurdles was a bonus. Mengli Khan is a big, strapping sort who looks built to make a decent chaser, and despite him being ground versatile, I think he has a tremendous season ahead for him, especially over two miles on good ground. I am pretty sure Gordon Elliot will gear him up for a crack at the 2019 Arkle Chase. I wouldn’t like to advise ante-post betting at this moment in time, but there is no way he will be 20/1 (current price) if connections get him to Cheltenham again in March for the Arkle, as I see him winning quite a few Grade 1 novice chase races throughout the season.

Likely target: Arkle Novice Chase



SANTINI Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Form: 1131

I loved this horse last season. Connections ignored running Santini in bumper races and went straight over hurdles for a hot 2m4f contest at Newbury where he bolted up by four lengths on debut, denting a few reputations in behind. He then stepped up to Grade 2 level at Cheltenham where he showed great battling qualities to catch longtime leader Black Op who got first run on him. Considering it was just his second run over hurdles, that was a brave performance on heavy ground, and the runner-up had since chased home Samcro at Cheltenham and then went on to win a Grade 1 at the Aintree festival. Santini was sent off 11/4 favourite for the Albert Bartlett over 2m7f at Cheltenham, and he finally showed his inexperience, as he never really travelled with any fluency and was on and off the bridle a long way out. To his credit though, he never gave up and was keeping on so willingly to only get beaten by four lengths, finishing a gutsy 3rd of 20 runners. Even though he lost his unbeaten record, Santini learnt a lot from that experience, and he put matters right when winning much more comfortable than the margin suggested in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle at Aintree over three miles. He jumped well, travelled well and kept on well under hands and heels to beat a decent field. Nicky Henderson had previously said he’s a three-mile chaser in the making, and in my opinion, he has ‘RSA Chase’ written all over him. Santini has stamina in abundance, and with him not being the quickest in the world, he looks like a proper staying plodder who will keep going no matter what and that’s the race I see connections aiming him at. An early target might be the Reynoldstown Novices Chase at Ascot over three miles which will set him up nicely for the RSA in March. He’s only six years old, and the best is yet to come from him, and I know connections rate him very highly. Watch out for Santini in the 2018/19 season.

Likely target: RSA Novices Chase

GREAT FIELD Trainer: Willie Mullins Form: 1P11111

I had this lad in last year’s horses to follow, and I was adamant he would have a lively chance in the Champion Chase at last season’s Cheltenham Festival. However, I was devastated to see him pick up a minor injury which ruled him out of having the chance to show us what he is capable of doing. He’s still only seven years old and is unbeaten in five starts over fences, which includes a dominant 11 length success in a Grade 1 and is rated 161 which is quite remarkable for a horse who hasn’t had that much racing. Great Field is all about speed and loves to dominate from the front, and in every start over fences, nothing has been able to keep up with him because of his huge natural cruising speed and talent. He still managed to beat opposition easily in 2018 despite throwing in the odd crazy jump because he can be a lunatic at times. However, he returned from a long absence to win on his only start last season, showing everyone he retains all of his 2017 ability. His masterful trainer, Willie Mullins, has been so patient with him since that victory. He is still a young horse with much more improvement to come, and if everything goes to plan this season, I think he has a massive chance of dominating the champion chase from the front at the Cheltenham Festival. It will take a monster performance to lower his colours in the two-mile division over fences, and I can’t wait to see him back on the track. I believe he is the real deal, mark my words.

Likely target: Champion Chase



ELEGANT ESCAPE

Trainer: Colin Tizzard Form: 2212133

Elegant Escape was a decent hurdler but developed into a high-class staying chaser in 2017/18 season, winning twice and placing five times. He won a Grade 2 over 2m7f at Newbury before finishing a second, by one length, in the Kauto Star Novices Chase on Boxing Day over three miles, despite not handling the track all that well. He continued his consistent run of form to finish a solid third in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, despite connections having a second thought about going for the four-miler; a race that I think was tailor-made for him as he looks an out-and-out stayer. Elegant Escape then filled the same position in another Grade 1 in the three mile Mildmay at the Aintree Festival. His form over fences is rock solid, and he’s only just short of top-class Grade 1 form over three miles, and I mentioned ages ago that I think I have next year’s Grand National winner in mind, that was Elegant Escape. I think this because he looks like he needs extreme distances to be seen to at his best, and I presume now connections will run him over longer distances this year to use his stamina to good effect. I think he’s just short of the class to win a Gold Cup but he is tailor-made for the Grand National, and his 40/1 price tag looks juicy.

Likely target: Grand National



CD Racing

LA BAGUE AU ROI Trainer: Warren Greatrex

Form: 11761/11177

La Bague Au Roi is unbeaten when racing outside of Graded racing. She has won 10 times from 15 races and has the pace for two miles but stays three miles. She has had two seasons over hurdles and has won, whether the ground was good or soft. She's not quite been able to cut it at the highest level over hurdles, but she's a big mare, and she switches to fences this season. That looks sure to suit, and it's possible that she can be really competitive at the highest level in chases.

La Bague Au Roi is yet to win at the Spring festivals, but there are plenty of valuable options for mares over fences throughout the season, and I would be stunned if she didn't win a couple of times before Christmas. She'll need to be even better as a chaser than a hurdler if she's to be a contender at Cheltenham, but there's every chance of that.

SEBASTOPOL

Trainer: Tom Lacey

Form: 1

Won the bumper at the Scottish National meeting that has been won by some excellent horses such as William Henry in 2015, and the superstar that is Sprinter Scare a few years earlier. Sebastopol was sent off as the joint-favourite in a field of fifteen even though he was up against proven winners, and he had only won a maiden point to point. Sebastopol cruised through the race and was moving noticeably well at the top of the home straight. He quickly put the race to bed when asked and put daylight between himself and the useful Black Pirate in second place who, in turn, came clear of the rest of the field.

For a horse making its debut under rules, this was as impressive as you could wish for. Sebastopol heads novice hurdling this year, and I imagine he'll start over two miles as he's clearly got plenty of pace but he's bred to stay well too. Sebastopol could be heading right to the very top of the jumps game.



COLREEVY


Form: F/1371

Colreevy won an ordinary bumper in decent style at Fairyhouse in December last year. She was sent off as the odds-on favourite when up in grade next time, but found her stable-mate Relegate too strong in the finish, despite Colreevy travelling the better of the pair. A similar story played out at Cheltenham with Relegate battling to the win and Colreevy looking to be going the better, but not finishing her race as strongly. It was still an outstanding run at Cheltenham by Colreevy when running on for seventh place.

The Cheltenham run was the making of Colreevy as, when she next appeared, it was in a bumper confined to her own sex. Colreevy again travelled well, but this time found plenty as soon as she was asked to, and won the race easily. Colreevy will be sent novice hurdling this season and is a half-sister to three horses who have won 10 races over obstacles between them. Colreevy was a much better bumper horse than her three close relatives and looks likely to win novice hurdles in Ireland before a trip to Cheltenham for the festival next March.

SUMMERVILLE BOY

Trainer: Tom George

Form: 122311

Summerville Boy was far more superior than the winning margin of a neck suggested, when beating Kalashnikov in the Supreme Novice Hurdle at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival. When he sprawled on landing two out, I thought that his chance had gone. He had just moved through to a handy third place when he was squeezed, made a mistake, and that would have been the end of the race for most horses. He dropped back to seventh place and was five lengths off the leader turning in. Summerville Boy picked up incredibly well and was in third place and closing when a less serious mistake occurred at the final hurdle.

That final hurdle error cost a little momentum, but Summerville Boy was soon making headway again and picked off Kalashnikov in the dying strides, with plenty of gaps in behind suggesting the form was strong. The two errors cost Summerville Boy upwards of 5 lengths, and he would have been a very unfortunate loser. If he had won this by a wide margin, then he would be getting hyped up as a much better horse than people are giving him credit for.

Last year's Champion Hurdle winner, Buveur D'air, didn't look as good last year as he had done in the previous year even though he won all four of his races! He was laboured on the big day when only winning narrowly from Melon and missed Aintree afterwards when reportedly he had not quite recovered. He could be vulnerable to this very strong traveller, who has already proven himself at the Cheltenham festival.

Summerville Boy won't be seen to best effect in muddling pace races early in the season, and I wouldn't be too concerned if he pulled a little hard and was beaten in a trial on the way to Cheltenham. It will help with the price for the big day!



A GREAT VIEW

Trainer: D Cullen

Form: 5518P/42561

A Great View took his form to a new level in handicap hurdles when upped to three miles in the second half of last season. He ran with credit twice at Leopardstown before staying on and finishing 6th of 23 at the Cheltenham Festival. He would have finished even closer, but for blundering two out that day, and avoided mistakes when getting up on the line to win at the Punchestown festival the following month.

That was another solid staying performance, and he only led on the final stride. He won that race off a mark of 131 and is now rated 136 over hurdles. A Great View ran six times over fences in the 2016/2017 season, each time over a trip short of his best. After three heavy defeats, when behind Min and Yorkhill over two miles, he won an average two mile Down Royal novice chase before stepping up to 2m4f. He never jumped well enough to compete, but I'm hoping that he gets a chance over three miles plus in a handicap chase this season. He'll be thrown in off a mark of 121 as he clearly stays very well.



Rhodium Racing

KILDISART Trainer: Ben Pauling

Form: 2/2/212519-

Not the classiest horse in my list, but I loved this horse last season, and he just seemed to improve with every run. He won a Class 3 handicap and a Class 2 handicap last year, and could be up to making the step up to graded company this coming season.

He is a very strong traveller in his races and is surely going to win more races this year.

LAURINA

Trainer: Willie Mullins Form: 1111

This horse can go onto being a superstar this season as, since November 2017, and the day she came over from France to join the Willie Mullins yard; she has maintained a 100% strike rate with an impressive four out of four wins. These included a demolition job at the Cheltenham Festival last season with an 18 length easy victory in the Grade 2 Mares Novices Hurdle. I'm sure she is going to assert herself as a top hurdler this season, and as long as she stays fit, she will be running (and winning!) at all the big festivals this season.

NATIVE RIVER Trainer: Colin Tizzard

Form: U/3116F19/3113321/21113/11-

Last year's Gold Cup hero spent most of last season on the sidelines, and was only given a short campaign with only one objective, which was to win the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. This year connections are reporting that the horse is fit and well, and I'm confident we will see a lot more of him in all the big Grade 1 staying races. He is ground versatile and excels at distances over three miles. He is a natural choice for a horse to follow and will be bringing home a win or two as long as he stays injury free. His closest rival will more than likely be Might Bite, and it's going to take something extraordinary from another horse or an improver to catch up with the quality Native River has.

TOPOFTHEGAME


Form: 1/142/F412-

A consistent handicapper, and ended up running well in many of the big field handicaps last season. This horse is very well built and is generally a big horse, so I'm excited that Paul Nicholls is sending him out chasing this year. He looks sure to make a better chaser, and his career seems like it can only get better. I'm sure after a few runs he can turn himself into a graded winner this year.



PRESENTING PERCY

Trainer: Patrick Kelly

Form: 21/741154116/131121-

This horse has won many times for me over the past couple of seasons and is another horse that doesn't look to have hit his ceiling yet. He is a real stayer, and I'm confident that the Cheltenham Gold Cup will be on the cards this year. He will be one to follow all season whichever path connections decide to take. With clean rounds of jumping, he will be tough to beat this year!



Resources

JPW Scoop 6

Have you ever thought about betting as a group? Over at JPW Scoop 6, we pool our shares

together to play the Jackpot, Scoop 6, and more recently Yankees. We’ve won the Scoop 6 and

Jackpot several times, as well as winning over £2,000 nine times in the first two months of the

Yankee Syndicate’s inception.

www.jpwscoop6.com

NagMe

This is a free horse tracker that will send alerts whenever your chosen horses are racing. Some of

our newcomers are so far under the radar that they may not be available straight away, but rest

assured they will become available at some point in the near future. Some websites may have

them on, but not all are free, as NagMe is.

www.nagme.com

Tipsters Empire betting guide

We’ve created a Betting Guide over at Tipsters Empire that will be added to and expanded over

the coming months. This guide covers commonly used betting terms, examples of different bet

types, odds conversion techniques and more.

www.tipstersempire.co.uk/betting-guide/

Where to watch Horse Racing

There are multiple places to watch racing these days, AtTheRaces, RacingUK and ITV4, to name

but a few. These generally cover almost all racing between them.

www.attheraces.com / www.racinguk.com / www.itv.com/racing

SportingLife has the ability to watch race replays for free, which is a great tool. All you need to do

is register a free account, then head over to their results page.

www.sportinglife.com/racing/results

https://jpwscoop6.com/

http://nagme.com/

https://tipstersempire.co.uk/betting-guide/

http://www.attheraces.com/

https://www.racinguk.com/

https://www.itv.com/racing

https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results



Horse Racing Glossary

Below we have a list of commonly used terms in horse racing that may not be known to all.

A Agent

An agent is a person who handles a jockey’s riding assignments. The top jockeys have the best

agents to provide them with the best rides.

All Action in the Saddle

This term is used for jockeys who are throwing everything at their horse to get them home in the

best possible position.

All Out

Means a horse is hanging on to the lead with the winning post looming up thick and fast.

All Weather Racing

Commonly known as the British dirt racing such as running on the tapeta. Other synthetic surfaces

are known as the AW, which are mostly run at Wolverhampton, Kempton, Chelmsford and

Lingfield.

Also Ran

When the rest of the field haven’t finished in the first trio.

Apprentice

A jockey who has been riding for less than one year or hasn’t won at least 45 races. Horses who

are ridden by apprentices are allowed to carry five pounds less, sometimes a bit more.

At the Post

A term meaning all horses are secure in the starting gate or at the starting point, ready for the race

to begin.



B Bolted Up

Won with clear dominance.

Boxed / Boxed in

Surrounded by horses with no clear run and suffering trouble in-running.

Blinkers

Fitted to the horse’s head to keep their concentration on track with no visual distractions during a

race.

Bay

A horse colour varying from tan to bright auburn.

Blanket Finish

Horses who finish so closely, they could be covered by a blanket.

Brought Down

When a horse has been brought to the floor by another runner who has fallen or made a very bad

mistake.

Broke Down

A horse who has suffered a serious injury in the race and is unable to continue.



C Cheekpieces

Partially obscure a horse’s rear vision and to help them concentrate more in a race.

Class

The quality of competition the horse competes in.

Condition

Condition on how the horse looks before it takes to the race (mainly during the paddock).

Course

Specific section of the track used for racing as some racecourses use more than one. As an

example, Cheltenham uses the “old course” and the “new course” at different fixtures.

Chestnut

A horse colour that can vary from red-yellow to deep red.

Chasing in Vein

When the horse in second place is chasing down the winner all the way to the finishing line.

Change of Gear

A horse that is able to quicken up smartly off a slow pace or a truly run race.

Colt

An ungelded male horse aged four or younger.

Closer

Horses that do their best running in the closing stages of a race.



D Dead Heat

A tie.

Dark Horse

When a horse is flying under the radar and could be one to spring a surprise when people least

expect it to happen.

Dwelt

Remained in the starting gate long after the jockey, starter and prudence suggested leaving.

Derby

Commonly known as races such as the “Epsom Derby” and “Kentucky Derby” and all others in

different countries.

Declarations

Horses that have been entered for a race.

Dying Strides

As close as you can get to the winning post in a race.

Digging Deep

When a racehorse won’t give up lightly and is pulling out more.

Dam

The female parent.

Disqualification

A change in the order of finish, by the stewards ruling often following an objection or inquiry.

E Entry

A horse is an owner’s entry in to the race.

Entry Fee

Money paid to enter a horse in a race.

Ear Plugs

Used to muffle background noises during racing.

Eased

Having surrendered, the horse is slowed down during a race.



F False Start

An invalid start to the race, mainly when a horse tries to grab a lead before the rest of the field.

Filly

Female horse that is four-years-old or younger.

Foal

A horse in its first year of life.

Flags are Raised

When the starter is happy to let the race begin.

G Gelding

A castrated male horse.

Going Away

To win with an increasing margin.

Graded / Group Races

Jump racing is Grade 1, 2, 3 and Flat racing is Group 1, 2, 3 – both equal to the best horses

contesting them.

Gamble

A horse that is heavily backed in betting means a horse is being gambled.

Game Gorse

A horse that is extremely tough to get past, a runner that tries very hard.



H Handicap

To analyse the past performances and rate the horses in a race. Also designed to give the best

horses more weight to carry to make the field more competitive.

Hands and Heels

Jockeys who don’t use the whip and have the race in safe keeping use just their hands and heels

to get their horse across the line without being given a hard time.

Head Bob

Usually when two horses are neck to neck and cross the line together is often called by the

commentators as a “head bob”.

Held Up

Horses who are at the back of the field and like to be played late on the scene is known as being

“held up”.

Held On

When a horse has just held to beat the horse behind them.

I In Form / Out of Form

A horse said to be in-form can mean that they are performing at their peak level or the horse has

been running well lately. Out of form is the complete opposite and has been running poorly.

J Juvenile

A two-year-old.

Jet Propelled

When jockeys ask their horse for a big jump towards the end of the race.

K Keen

Horses that are running too freely in a race and are wanting to go quicker than the jockey wants

them to which often wastes energy.

Keeping On

Horses that are keeping on well in a race when pressure is applied from their rider.



L Lame

Describes an inability to walk, gallop or run properly because of a pain or injury.

Listed

A race that is better than a Class 2 race but just short of group/graded company.

M Missed the Break

Broke slowly from the starting gate, and didn’t break with the rest of the runners.

Mount

A horse that a jockey is booked to ride.

N Nose Band

Keeps the horse’s mouth closed so they can breathe through the nose, and it can also help a

horse settle throughout a race instead of pulling hard.

Nag

A slang for a racehorse, mostly a bad one.

Neck

Measurement for beaten horses, approximately equal to a horse’s “neck”.

Nod

Lowering the head so it’s fully extended, as in to win in the nod.



O Off the Bridle

When a horse is ‘off the bridle’ the bit in its mouth is loose. This indicates that the horse is tiring so

the jockey has to lower their stance and really push the horse for more effort.

On the Bridle

When a horse is ‘on the bridle’ the bit is comfortable in its mouth and allows the jockey to be in

contact with the horse through the reins; which then allows the jockey to remain almost stood. This

occurs when the horse is travelling well.

Oaks

Races such as the Kentucky Oaks and the English version, Epsom Oaks.

Odds-on

Odds less than even money; staking £10 with a chance to make £8 profit for example.

Outsider

A horse with high odds, given little chance of winning by the public. They do occasionally spring a

surprise which is always great to see.

P Pacemaker

Trainers who have more than one in the race usually use one of them as a pacemaker to set it up

for the Closer, ensuring the race is run at a true gallop.

Plodder

A horse that keeps the same pace all the way. A slow, methodical gainer.

Plater

A claiming horse, who is cheap.

Photo Finish

A finish that is so close that a photograph is necessary to determine the precise outcome.

Paddock

The enclosure where horses are saddled before a race, or an enclosure near a stable where

horses can be exercised.

Pulled Up

To slow and stop a horse from further competition.

Post Time

Time for a race to start.

Prominent

Horses who are racing towards the front.



Q Quickened Up

Jockeys who ask their horse for a little more and the response is immediate.

R Ran Out

Horses who have decided to not continue and run off the track.

Rating

A horse that has been given a rating based on their previous performance.

Refuse

Refused to either break from the starting gate or refused to jump a hurdler or a fence.

Ruled Off

Suspended.

Ridden Out

Having finished under mild urging.

Reverse Forecast

A bet that involves two horses, in which you try and get the 1-2 in the race in any order.

Rallying

When a horse has been headed by another or has been outpaced, they have the ability to come

back for more which is known as “rallying”.



S Sire

Male parent.

Shed the Maiden Tag

When a horse has finally won their first race.

Sex Allowance

The weight allowance fillies and mares receive when running against males.

Shut Off

Blocked in traffic or by another horse.

Sprint

A race of a mile or less.

Stallion

A male horse used for breeding.

Stick

A jockey’s whip.

Stretch

The straightaway that leads to the wire, also known as homestretch.

Standing Start

When horses have approached the starting tape too quickly, they all have to line-up and start

together off a standing start.

Stewards

Officials responsible for enforcing the rules of racing.

Stayer

A horse with stamina, who loves to run all day and excels in long distance races.

Switched Off

A patient ride from the jockey (held-up) means they have switched the horse off so they settle and

can be lightened up when the pace of the race picks up.

Stood Down

Jockeys who have been injured or something else means they are stood down for the day and will

no longer be riding on the rest of the card or day.

Set Sail

When a horse kicks clear to try and seal the race early.



T Triple Crown

The American Triple Crown is the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

The English Triple Crown is the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St Leger stakes.

The Canadian Triple Crown is the Queens Plate, Prince of Wales and Breeders Stakes.

Turn of Foot

A horse with a turn of foot can accelerate quickly and put distance between themselves and others

in a matter of strides.

Tricast

A bet that involves three horses, in order to try and get the 1-2-3 in the race.

Tailed Off

When horses are not enjoying themselves in the race or are out of their depth, they are tailed off

and out of the race.

Turning Up the Heat

Horses that are quickening and are applying pressure to the rest of the field from the front.

U Under Pressure

Horses that need full assistance from their rider, with use of either the whip or being pushed along.

Unseated

Jockeys who have departed from their horse mid-race, mainly due to a bad mistake from the horse

over a hurdle or fence.

W Wind Operation

Designed to help a horse’s breathing which can improve a horse to see out the distance of a race.

Weight

The jockey’s riding weight on a horse.

Winning Post

The end of a race.

Winged

When a horse has jumped a fence to perfection.



Index of JPW’s 40 to Follow

Alnadam ........................................................ 9 Annamix ........................................................ 9 Apple's Shakira ........................................... 10 Beakstown .................................................. 10 Black Op ..................................................... 11 Bullionaire ................................................... 11 Chante Niege .............................................. 12 Commander of Fleet ................................... 12 Daphne Du Clos .......................................... 13 Debece ....................................................... 13 Delta Work .................................................. 14 Didtheyleaveuoutto ..................................... 14 Eclat Des Mottes ......................................... 15 Elegant Escape ........................................... 15 Epatante...................................................... 15 Feel My Pulse ............................................. 16 Interconnected ............................................ 16 Jarveys Plate .............................................. 17 Know the Score ........................................... 17 La Bague Au Roi ......................................... 17

Laurina ........................................................ 18 Mr Big Shot ................................................. 18 My Way ....................................................... 18 No Comments ............................................. 19 Northern Bound .......................................... 19 Politologue .................................................. 20 Presenting Percy ........................................ 20 Raya Time .................................................. 20 Santini ......................................................... 21 Sceau Royal ............................................... 21 Slate House ................................................ 22 Terrefort ...................................................... 22 The Big Getaway ........................................ 23 The Worlds End .......................................... 23 Topofthegame ............................................. 23 Tevelyn’s Corn ............................................ 24 Vision Des Flos ........................................... 24 Waiting Patiently ......................................... 24 We Have a Dream ...................................... 25 Young Lieutenant ........................................ 25

Documents

NATIONAL HUNT 40 TO FOLLOW 2018/2019 - JPW …...At last year's Cheltenham Festival we had 300 full-time members and 500 members who had signed up to the Festival Special - almost