Novice Chasers:
VALUE AT RISK is held in the highest regard by his trainer, Dan Skelton and judged on his three starts for him last season you can see why. A demolition job on debut was followed up by a serious effort in what turned out to be a very strong race before his solid run in the Albert Bartlett where he was bang in contention before weakening after the last. He has always been seen as a chaser and is one to eagerly anticipate over fences this season, with the RSA his likely main aim, of which he can be backed at 20/1 at this early stage with most firms.
FOX NORTON dotted up on his first start over fences earlier in the year on debut for the rising Neil Mulholland yard. He already has graded form to his name from his days with Nick Williams and already looks a high class prospect for the season ahead. Something like the JLT may be on the agenda if he makes it to the festival but he'll win races this season for sure.
EMERGING TALENT like many Nicholls horses, was bought with chasing in mind. Whilst frustrating last season (three seconds and a fall when every chance) he can really make an impact over the bigger obstacles this time around for the champion trainer who excels with exactly this type of animal. He has had a good break and a wind op over the summer (who hasn't from his yard?!) and has been nominated by all sorts of people as one to follow from the yard this year. His Cheltenham target would either be the Arkle if he shows himself to be an out and out two miler, or the more likely step up to 2m4f in the JLT.
Coral Cup winner AUX PTITS SOINS is one of the more obvious and exciting contenders on the list. To win a Cheltenham Festival race on stable debut like he did suggests this horse is something very special, especially considering he was still babyish and made a few pretty bad blunders throughout the race. He is likely to have one hurdles run at Ascot at the end of November before going novice chasing and is already as short as 10/1 for the 2016 RSA. He'll be in everyone's notebook, but for good reason.
MINELLA ROCCO has only had the two starts over hurdles but was bought with chasing in mind and connections are wasting no time in sending this one over the bigger obstacles. He hasn't beaten an awful lot in his two starts to date but has done so with consummate ease and rates a really exciting prospect for the relentless JP McManus/Jonjo O'Neill partnership. Another who is likely RSA bound and could make up to a Gold Cup horse in a few seasons time. Big horse who will stay all day, the novice chasing division over 3m+ looks mouthwatering this season.
Cue Card may be past his best but the very exciting ROBINSFIRTH may be ready to take over stable star status this coming season. The form of his most recent start is extremely strong, with the likes of Thistlecrack, Value At Risk, Ordo Ab Chao, Present View and Vago Collonges making up the numbers that day. He was only beaten a couple of lengths before being put away - he has very much always been seen as a chaser and is the horse I am probably most looking forward to this year of any on this list. As I've just mentioned, the staying Novice Chasing division looks the strongest it has been for some time this season and this lad may end up being the top of the pile if he stays sound. His aforementioned stablemate Thistlecrack has been nominated by many but this lad is the one with more potential for me. A must follow this year.
Novice Hurdlers:
MA DU FOU can be forgiven his two starts at the back end of 2014 when still babyish and weak. He looked in trouble on debut when very well backed - green as grass before the penny finally dropped and he stormed clear, before two lesser efforts, after which he was put away for a long break. He would have matured mentally and physically over the sping and summer and three miles might end up being his trip. At this early stage, a target such as the Albert Bartlett may not be too far fetched if he makes the progress his trainer thinks he can. One to keep an eye out for as he progresses through the handicap this season.
WILLIAM HENRY confirmed the promise of his debut run on boxing day 2014 when winning a couple of bumpers as he liked in the spring. He had a short break and is now back in work and could be anything over hurdles this year. Two miles may end up being a bit sharp for him as the season goes on, but if he makes some serious progress over obstacles, a race like the Neptune could be where he ends up. Still early days but subject of very favourable recent reports from Nicky Henderson's open day.
PENGLAI PAVILION will probably be the only horse to ever run in an Arc at Longchamps and a novice hurdle round Hexham but it's his touch of class and raw flat speed that have seen him barely come off the bit in his two starts over timber to date. John Ferguson has had many similar types before and he's been waiting for the one horse that can give him a Festival winner and this lad may just be the best chance he will get this year. He'll probably line up in the Supreme on the opening day of which he can be backed at 33/1 antepost. Interesting to see how he progresses through the year.
BARTERS HILL may have his first big test in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury but is likely to make his seasonal reappearance at Huntingdon on November 1st before that. He was a big shell of a horse last year but remained unbeaten winning his four starts in bumpers. Ben Pauling's stable star has reportedly beefed up over the summer and has come back in a lot bigger and stronger for this campaign. He signed off by winning a Grade 2 at Aintree and could be the horse to fire his up and coming trainer into the spotlight this year.
MEET THE LEGEND is a bit of a wildcard addition to the list but a few people connected to the horse weren't surprised to see him win as he did on debut last month for Keith Dalgeish. The way he won (despite the probable lack of class in opposition) was very striking and it will be interesting to see where he goes next. He may pave his way in bumpers but I think he may want some obstacles and a step up in trip sooner rather than later and he could be sent novice hurdling in the New Year. May not be a superstar, but should improve upon debut when very keen and displaying signs of greenness before putting the race to bed very readily. Surefire winner again this season, could turn into a nice prospect for predominantly flat yard.
SEE THE WORLD ran the race of the season last year and needs no introduction. If you somehow missed his run on debut, I strongly urge you to watch it. For him to win going away as he did after what happened mid race was truly unbelievable. He was quickly nominated for the Champion Bumper but admirably connections decided to put him away and that decision may pay dividends this season as he embarks on a novice hurdle campaign. 2m 4f may end up being his trip this year and the Neptune is probably where he'll end up, can't wait to see this one out again.
CAPTAIN CHAOS landed a proper plunge at Newcastle in January of this year when heavily backed into around 4/1 from 20/1+ before dotting up as he liked. He has since been sold for six figures and is now in the care of Dan Skelton. The form hasn't had a chance to mount up to much yet but the way he was backed and the way he won suggests this horse should be winning his fair share of races this year and could turn out to be a very useful animal. One of the more intriguing ones on the list.
Summary:
Novice Chasers:
Value at Risk - FF921
Fox Norton - 123331
Emerging Talent - 41211
Aux Ptits Soins - 5
Minella Rocco - 3P621
Robinsfirth - Out for Season
Novice Hurdlers:
Ma Du Fou - 111P6
William Henry - Out for Season
Penglai Pavilion - 130
Barters Hill - 1114
Meet The Legend - 2513
See The World - 3P
Captain Chaos - 12712
Form and LSP:
31121131234F2P151716F923321211P13130411115P62
Final total: +2.37pts
Overall I think they are a really exciting but select few packed with potential and quality. A few obvious ones, a few dark horses and a few wild cards, I am really happy with this list, especially the Novice Chasers and I'll be pretty surprised if every horse mentioned above doesn't win at least one race this season. Get these in your trackers and let me know what you think on twitter @THTRacing. Feel free to tell me if you think I have missed one and please offer your own suggestions.
THT
