TAQUIN DU SEUIL
7yo b/br g (113211-)
Voix Du Nord - Sweet Lady
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill
This seven-year-old was classy over hurdles, winning at Grade 1 level, and he enjoyed a prosperous first season over fences, winning four of his six starts.
The French-bred began last season with a straightforward debut success over fences in horrible conditions at Ffos Las and turned in arguably his most impressive display at Haydock in heavy going, where he ran out a 17-length winner of a decent Grade 2.
He followed that effort by rounding off his campaign with a battling performance in the JLT Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. Not only did the runner-up Uxizandre frank the form in good style with his Grade 1 victory at Aintree, but the Cheltenham success also showed his ability to deliver on a decent surface.
This season a step up to three miles looks like it will suit and the Betfair Chase back at Haydock looks an ideal target.
FAUGHEEN
6yo b g (1-11111-)
Germany - Miss Pickering
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Unbeaten in six starts under rules, this son of Germany has confirmed the unforgettable impression he created on his bumper debut.
A 22-length victory over the capable Josses Hill at Punchestown in May 2013 was just the beginning for this former point-to-pointer and he has been exciting in his five starts over hurdles since then.
The sequence began with a facile maiden hurdle win back at Punchestown, followed by an easy success in a novice hurdle at Navan, prior to another effortless victory in a three-mile Grade 3 event at Limerick. An all-the-way rout in the Neptune at Cheltenham in March showcased his ability on the biggest stage, as he ran out an emphatic four and a half length winner from Ballyalton.
Much was maded of his mistake at the third last at Cheltenham but there was no repeat of that error when Faugheen was dropped back to the two-mile trip for the Grade 1 Future Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. Here he jumped proficiently before effortlessly drawing 12 lengths clear of stablemate Valseur Lido. He looks an obvious one to follow, whether he stays over hurdles or goes novice chasing.
DON POLI
5yo b g (21112-)
Poliglote - Dalamine
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Despite racing lazily and showing signs of inexperience on a number of occasions last season, Don Poli secured three wins from five starts.
On his Irish debut he was beaten by half a length at Navan but he followed up with three successive victories. A hard-fought maiden hurdle win at Thurles did not suggest he was a star but the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding put up with a more impressive display when stepped up to three miles at Clonmel for a Grade 3 event in February.
The hat-trick was sealed in impressive style when, ridden for the first time by Mikey Fogarty, Don Poli finished fast to win the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
His season culminated in a gutsy second placing at Punchestown behind Aintree Grade 1 winner Beat That. Presuming he is now switched to fences, Don Poli looks certain to enjoy a good season and expect him to thrive when the emphasis is on stamina.
FORGOTTEN RULES
4yo b g (1-)
Nayef - Utterly Heaven
Trainer: Dermot Weld
Dermot Weld is best-known for his exploits on the flat but he did win the Cheltenham Bumper with Silver Concorde last season and, in Forgotten Rules, he looks to have another horse capable of holding his own in the novice hurdle division this season.
A rare National Hunt starter for owner-breeders Moyglare Stud (they enjoyed hurdling success with Unaccompanied in recent seasons), Forgotten Rules won a Punchestown Festival bumper last April with ridiculous ease.
The gelding reappeared at the Galway Festival on August 1st when, on rain-softened ground, he beat the 100-rated Shu Lewis comprehensively. There was talk of a bid for the Irish St Leger after that success but the prospect of fast ground at the Curragh forced connections into a change of plan. At time of writing Forgotten Rules was among the six-day entries for The Irish Field Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
Not the biggest horse in training, Forgotten Rules might not be risked over hurdles at all this season but if his shrewd trainer decides to go down that route then it would be no surprise if the horse emerged as one of the best of his generation.
TELL US MORE
5yo b g (11-)
Scorpion - Zara’s Victory
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Another promising recruit for the Mullins team, Tell Us More had just one start under Rules last season, winning a two-mile, two-furlong point-to-point bumper at Gowran Park in March. It wasn’t a hot race but he won it in the style of a top horse.
Bought by Gigginstown House Stud for £290,000 at auction last December just a week after winning his point-to-point for Willie and Jamie Codd, Tell Us More could be a future Gold Cup winner and may not be overfaced in novice hurdles but there is no telling how good he is and he must not be underestimated in any company.