Ones To Watch - The Jumps Season

SIR DES CHAMPS

The 2013 Gold Cup Winner?

This Willie Mullins trained chaser went some way in 2011/12 to prove he is going to be one of the best around this term. The unbeaten 6 year old won in handicap company at the Cheltenham festival in 2011, but his credentials as a top prospect took a huge boost when he landed the Jewson at the festival earlier this year. The french bred gelding improved again following that win to slam the field by 36 lengths in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown, staying 3 miles in the process. The Hennessy looks to be an easy target for Mullins with Sir Des Champs, with the overall goal being a crack at the big one, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He is currently trading in the ante-post markets at around 6/1 for the Gold Cup, and heads the market with Bobs Worth and 2011 winner Long Run. Sir Des Champs will be a tough nut to crack this term, and may be the key to Gold Cup market. 





HUNT BALL

Charismatic owner Anthony Knott celebrates on Hunt Ball

The fairytale from last season was undoubtedly the story of Hunt Ball, and his often laughing, always sobbing owner, Anthony Knott. If ever an owner was overwhelmed by a series of events surrounding their racehorse it was Knott. He immersed himself into Hunt Ball's year, and vested his heart, and many tears into his campaign. This talented chaser rose a massive 85 lbs in the weights over the season, culminating in a win at the Cheltenham festival, and a respectable third place finish in the Betfed Bowl at Aintree in April. This year's prospects for Hunt Ball are somewhat unknown, but having proven himself against some top sorts, nothing is being ruled out this time around. At the end of last season, Anthony Knott touted is ambitions to take a spin at the Gold Cup, and on the balance of form, it is not an impossibility. Currently a 20/1 shot for the Cheltenham showpiece, expect to see the odds shorten when Hunt Ball returns to the track. Expect big wins, big crowds, and a lot of tears when Hunt Ball is around. 





FLEMENSTAR

Flemenstar wins with ease at Fairyhouse

If Anthony Knott was the owner of last year, Peter Casey was by all means the trainer. His post interview antics kept us all entertained in the winner's enclosure, and the horse that kept him there was the wonderful novice chaser, Flemenstar. Arguably the most exciting novice chaser from 2011/12, and by all accounts the main danger to the obvious leading lights for the main event at Cheltenham in 2013. Peter Casey remarked, "we hope he's a gold cup horse", when Flemenstar returned to training in August. In my opinion, he will take a place in the line when March swings around, and he may be in a stronger place in the market than his current ante-post price of 12/1. No doubt between now and then both Peter, and his enigmatic chaser will keep us thoroughly entertained. It is likely Flemenstar will make his seasonal reappearance on November 11, in the Fortria Chase at Navan, where he will be red hot favourite. 




HURRICANE FLY

Aiming to bounce back in 2013

When the runners approached the second last flight in the 2012 Champion Hurdle, I expected to see Ruby Walsh motionless in the saddle on board Hurricane Fly, cruising by the field to what became his customary 3 or 4 length victory. Sadly, it soon became clear the fly was floundering, and going down in defeat to the aptly named winner, Rock On Ruby. The fact that the Willie Mullins trained is still the ante-post favourite for the 2013 renewal of the Champion Hurdle proves that his best days may yet be ahead. He is currently trading at a generous 11/2, and I wouldn't expect those odds to survive long when Mullins sends one of his best ever hurdlers back to the track. It would be foolish to right off such a talented sort, and I feel 2013 will be the year the fly cements his place as a legend among the very best hurdlers like Istabraq.




SIMONSIG

The immortal grey?

Many experts vision of the 2013 Champion Hurdler is Nicky Henderson Neptune hero from 2012, Simonsig. If looks won horse races, this beautiful grey would be already written into history with the greats. His only defeat came at the hands of the super talented, Fingal Bay, and that loss does not diminish this gelding's prospects one fraction. It is not confirmed that Henderson will steer Simonsig toward the Champion Hurdle, but given the fact that former champions, Istabraq and Hardy Eustace found their way to the big one via the Neptune, his ambition and vision as a trainer may decide as such. Although I think Hurricane Fly will take all the beating if coming back to his best, the element of the relatively unknown plants seeds of doubt in the form of Simonsig. An Arkle bid is not out of the question, and in fact is perhaps a more likely route for this one.