The jumps season will be in top gear after this weekend. The deadline for the Totesport Ten to Follow is imminent and here are a few you may want to look out for over the course of the season.
Reve de Sivola
6-y-o. Trainer: Nick Williams
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| Reve De Sivola: could be a Welsh National type Photo: Martin Lynch (racingpost.com) |
This dour stayer, a former dual Grade1 winner looks due to bag a good handicap chase this season. I think he is an ideal type for the Welsh national. Jumps soundly, handles heavy going, stays as long as he is asked and has ran well at the track on a number of occasions.
He was placed at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals before being the beaten in the Grade1 novice chase at Punchestown.
Captain Chris
7-y-o. Trainer: P Hobbs
He progressed all the way through the season to win two Grade 1s, the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham and the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown. He was unlucky not to win on his seasonal reappearance after unseating after the last when holding every chance.
He is versatile regarding trip and ground conditions. His trainer believes he will be better over longer distances. However the record of Arkle winners in the following seasons Champion Chase is remarkable and with that division not as competitive as it has been in recent years he could well collect a few prizes at shorter trips.
Until he runs in the King George, his reported target we will not know where his season may turn. Yet to be out of the first two home in 10 completed starts over obstacles so must be respected wherever he turns up.
Accordingtojodie
5-y-o. Trainer: N Henderson
Destroyed a decent bumper field at Galway on debut and was later sold. Now races with Nicky Henderson and got lost in the fog at Newbury last December on his first run for the new trainer. Has reportedly had a breathing operation since.
If the five year old shows a level of form like that easy Galway win he will be an exciting prospect over hurdles for the coming season.
Silviniaco Conti
5-y-o. Trainer: P Nicholls
Won his second chase start at Wincanton last time. He jumped well before fading late on his debut against Cue Card. He takes his place in an extremely competitive division this year but connections will hold no fear.
When Paul Nicholls first acquired him he stated he could be a future Gold Cup horse and that should not be taken lightly from the four time winning trainer. Nicholls thinks he may be better going right handed so the Feltham at Kempton on 26th December could be a port of call for the son Dom Alco.
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| Silviniaco Conti: highly regarded Photo: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos) |
Texas Jack
5-y-o. Trainer: Noel Meade
Has earned a late inclusion to the list after an impressive win at Clonmel on Thursday. He sluiced past the useful Make a Track under a cheeky Paul Carberry.
He has previously won the valuable Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown in May.
He has Grade1 aims after that win and Noel Meade has no doubts about his ability. Has won three from as many runs and looked very composed for a novice. He will be tough to beat and having looked more mature than many of his fellow novices who have turned out this season already.
He could be one to catch early in the season as a betting prospect given his current form.
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