Monday 12 October 2015 10:52, UK
One Jump Ahead author and Racing UK analyst Mark Howard offers up six jumpers to follow this season.
It was announced in September that dual Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly had been retired following a magnificent career, which included 22 Grade 1 victories. His familiar blue and green silks will, however, still be seen on Irish racecourses and, hopefully English ones, too, this winter. They are set to be carried by new French recruit ALLBLAK DES PLACES. Previously handled by Francois Nicolle, the son of Full of Gold was placed in both his races over hurdles at Bordeaux and Enghien. Willie Mullins has purchased a whole host of fresh talent from across The English Channel and the three year old is one to keep a close eye on in juvenile hurdles this winter.
Talking of Ireland's champion trainer, Mullins has already captured the Cheltenham Festival bumper on no less than eight occasions. In all likelihood, he will hold a strong hand in the 2016 renewal next March, too, and his challenge may be spearheaded by impressive point winner INVITATION ONLY. A four year old by Flemensfirth, he was an easy seven lengths scorer at Ballynoe in March under the tutelage of Sean Doyle. Purchased soon afterwards on behalf of Andrea and Graham Wylie, he is an exciting prospect who could be a household name in years to come.
England's multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls is blessed with an 'awesome' team of novice chasers for the 2015/16 season. ARPEGE D'ALENE is bred to come into his own over the larger obstacles being a half-brother to Hennessy winner Triolo D'Alene and was purposely minded last winter by the Ditcheat team. The Dom Alco gelding won twice at Ascot, including when lowering the colours of Lanzarote Hurdle winner Tea For Two in February, and was officially rated 140. Only five, there is a strong belief he can aspire to an even higher mark over fences, especially when stepped up to three miles for the first time.
Brian Ellison sent out three winners at Hexham on Saturday and the Malton based handler believes he has his strongest ever team of jumpers for the winter ahead. His burgeoning squad was swelled still further during the summer with a couple of new additions from France, including FOREST BIHAN. A four year old, he has only raced four times over hurdles winning at Enghien in November and being placed on another couple of occasions. A scopey gelding by Forestier, he is considered well treated by his astute handler.
LISHEEN PRINCE is an unbeaten former Irish pointer who joined Philip Hobbs during the summer. A three lengths winner at Oldcastle in April, he justified a lofty reputation with a smooth victory and was purchased by the Diana and Grahame Whateley as a result. Touted as Denis Murphy's best pointer last season, he comes from the family of useful staying chasers Miss Orchestra and Hey Big Spender. His point win was gained on good ground and it would be no surprise to see him contest a bumper before turning his attentions to jumping. He is an interesting prospect.
Dan Skelton has made a huge impression in a short space of time accumulating 73 winners in only his second season last term. Paul Nicholls' former assistant is already responsible for 27 winners this campaign and he looks particularly strong in the novice chase division. THREE MUSKETEERS won two of his three races over timber earning an official rating of 143. A Grade 2 winner, he found ex-Flat racers Nichols Canyon and Parlour Games too speedy in the highest company at Aintree's Grand National meeting but wasn't disgraced in third. Everything has been geared towards his chasing career though and his connections' patience is expected to be rewarded this season. The five year old shouldn't have too much trouble winning a beginners' chase before heading to Newbury's Hennessy meeting at the end of next month.
One Jump Ahead, which includes an exclusive interview with leading owner Rich Ricci, plus David Dennis, Gordon Elliott, Brian Ellison, Harry Fry, Warren Greatrex, Philip Hobbs, Alan King, Donald McCain, Paul Nicholls, David Pipe and Dan Skelton, can be purchased for £8.99 (including postage) from www.mhpublications.co.uk
