-
Paul Nicholls talks us through his leading hurdlers
-
Captain Teague makes hurdles debut at Chepstow
-
Blueking D'Oroux returns in Welsh Champion Hurdle
Hurdlers
Rubaud - He is a lovely prospect
I did briefly flirt with the idea of sending him chasing but he is a lovely prospect, a big strong, type, only five, and he will stay over hurdles for the time being. He will start off at Kempton on October 22 ahead of a tilt at the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. After that we will review whether he stays over hurdles or goes chasing.
Blueking D'Oroux - Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on Sunday a perfect starting point
He took time to acclimatise after arriving from France and ran two forgettable races for us. But he turned inside out after we gave him a wind op and hacked up at 50-1 at Ascot in the spring before running another fine race when second at Aintree. We do like Blueking D'Oroux who hopefully has more improvement and returns in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on Sunday. He could be an ideal type for the valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot just before Xmas.
Afadil - He will improve for Saturday's run
He developed into a classy juvenile, won the Scottish Triumph Hurdle and was then beaten by Blueking D'Oroux at Ascot. He has done well over the summer, has had a little wind op to cauterise his palate, and runs at Chepstow on Saturday. Whatever he does there he will improve for the outing before a crack at the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Watch Paul in our Racing...Only Bettor jumps season preview
Quite a few are ready to run
Novice Hurdlers
Captain Teague - Primed for hurdles debut on Friday at Chepstow
One of a number of very exciting prospects now starting over hurdles, he was our leading bumper horse who won tidily on his debut before finishing third in the Champion bumper at Cheltenham.
Given that he was not wound up to run for his life that day he ran a race full of promise for the future. He goes to Chepstow on Friday.
Hours of schooling practise at home should pay off with novice hurdlers
It's a bonus that nearly all of our novices going hurdling in the weeks and months ahead have been schooling regularly at home for the best part of two years. They enjoy jumping hurdles and definitely benefit from regular sessions on our all weather loop and in our outdoor school.
Given that we had 18 individual winners of bumpers last season we hope and believe we have a decent team for novice hurdles this winter when all those hours of practice at home should pay off.
Names to note include Wrappedupinmay, Tarras Wood, Inthewaterside and Fire Flyer while Larchmont Lass looks a classy filly.
Juvenile hurdlers look stronger than ever
We have also sourced some likely three-year-olds for juvenile hurdles.
They include Liari, by Cracksman, who won on the Flat for the Aga Khan, Kabral Du Mathan, successful on his only start over hurdles at Clairefontaine, and Tutti Quanti, who finished second on his hurdles debut in France to a highly regarded horse of Simon Munir's.
In addition we recently bought an attractive three year old Fasol, by Galileo, at the sale over Arc weekend in Paris.
We have also bought an experienced five year old Panjari who won on the Flat in Listed company in Germany and Italy for Andreas Wohler.