I’VE begun to see horses to follow lists for the 2017/18 National Hunt season. That’s fine but although a huge fan of the jumping game there is so much quality Flat fare to come: the Arc, Champions Day and the late season juvenile jousting among it. So here’s a few horses for the notebook who will hopefully pay their way on the level over the next eight weeks or so…
Tangled: Has won his last two races impressively and is improving. Richard Hannon has always rated him although he fluffed his lines on his first couple of runs. After winning a valuable sales race at York he has been raised 14lb to a mark of 102. He is entered in the £300,000 sales race at Doncaster on Thursday and the weights of the contest will suit him. He will be hard to beat.
Ballyfarsoon: No world beater and slightly quirky but ran better than his finishing position suggests at Kempton last week and looks on a winnable mark of 55. Watch next time.
William Hunter: Another on a feasible mark and who has been knocking on the door in his last two races. A nice staying handicap could come his way this autumn and I would not be surprised if he then goes jumping.
Six Strings: Richard Fahey likes this one and he is fairly unexposed. Looked all over the winner over 7f at Donny last time where he edged left late on before being chinned by Bertiewhittle. Entered at Doncaster on Wednesday and has strong claims.
Aguerooo: Has plunged in the handicap to a low of 71 (turf) and looks capable of winning off that mark. He is better on the sand (has won off 90) and his all weather mark of 81 is also workable.
And here’s five more…
Narjes: Went very close to getting off the mark at Kempton last week. It is only a matter of time before she gets her head in front.
Astute Boy: A progressive sort who ran an excellent second at Haydock over 1m 6f on Friday. A tough horse, he looks the type to do well in wet autumn ground on the flat and will stay further.
Nathan: Won really well at Newbury over 1m 2f on soft ground, coming away nicely in the final half furlong. He will stay further and is another primed for a good autumn campaign.
Castleacre: Disappointing filly so far after failing to live up to Hugo Palmer’s high expectations. Now with James Tate, she ran okay on the sand last time out and has slipped a few pounds in the ratings. Very speedy but needs to learn to settle. Don’t give up on her just yet.
Glacier Fox: Finished his race off really well on debut at Redcar behind a likeable Mark Johnston juvenile and looks up to winning a maiden at the very least.
Have you got one to follow on the flat for the autumn? Feel free to share below…
