Dark Horses Half Term Report

Back on 12th October 2012 I made up a list of 10 dark horses to follow throughout the jumps season, and they have done very well. They have recorded six victories between them, including a Grade 1. The tracks they have won at are Chepstow, Cheltenham, Fakenham, Sandown, Newbury and Wincanton. I am going to do a brief summary on each horse, and where I think we may be seeing them to best effect in the remainder of the season.

1) Go All The Way (J Dreaper) - FORM POST 12th Oct: F

He has only ran once since 12th October, and that was a fall at Cheltenham when beginning to fade in a novice chase. He started favourite that day, but ran a bit flat. Quite rightly he has been put away for a spring/summer campaign, where a race like the Galway Plate would be an ideal target for him. He still has a big future over fences that's for sure.

2) According To Trev (N Twiston-Davies) - FORM POST 12th Oct: 135

According To Trev scoring at Cheltenham

This big, long-striding son of Accordion won at Cheltenham back in October in good style, before returning to the same course again twice since, both times disliking the deep ground behind Coneygree. I would imagine he will go back to Cheltenham for the Festival, historically run on better ground in the Albert Bartlett. A very likeable horse who I can't wait to see jump a fence.

3) Regal Encore (A Honeyball) - FORM POST 12th Oct: 1

Regal Encore at Chepstow

I think this is a special horse we will be hearing much more about in the coming weeks and months. He has now scooted clear twice in bumpers, the second giving weight away at Chepstow, and he looks to have a serious engine. He is being given a break, to return for the big Spring bumpers at Cheltenham (18/1 with SkyBet), Newbury and Aintree. I can't wait to see him again.

4) Taquin Du Seuil (JJ O'Neill) - FORM POST 12th Oct: 211

A mud splattered Grade 1 winner at Newbury!

Another hugely exciting horse, and now a Grade 1 winner after scoring in the Challow Hurdle. I agree with his trainer that his jumping will improve on better ground. He is second favourite for the Neptune Novice Hurdle at the Festival, and I think he has a big chance if he gets there in one piece.

5) Tilly Ann (Lydia Pearce) - No Run Since

Tilly Ann is yet to appear this season which is a shame as I think she is well handicappped. She seems flexible in terms of trip and ground, but two miles on good ground seem what the yard think will suit her best.

6) Makari (N Henderson) - FORM POST 12th Oct: 12

Makari (No. 5) winning at Fakenham

Makari won for us at Fakenham, before going down narrowly to Robbie at Southwell, a horse who has won again since so the form is good. Robbie beat him one and a half lengths, but is now rated 19lbs above him, making Makari look well handicapped. He is entered at Ludlow on the 9th of January, and could go well if he got in. He could develop into an Imperial Cup/County Hurdle horse, but that may be a bit too bold at this precise moment.

7) Gleann Na Ndochais (A Whillans) - FORM POST 12th Oct: U62U

Gleann Na Ndochais is becoming a tad frustrating, unseating when running a big race on chase debut, before going back hurdling when a shade disappointing. At Ayr in the New Year he ran in a 4 runner handicap chase, and made his own running as he was dropped to two miles. He looked the winner for a long way, before getting tired and overhauled by Sergeant Pink. Then on the 13th, unseated again early at Kelso. He is much better than that I'm sure, and with a bigger field and longer trip, I feel he will surely be able to exploit his mark of 104.

8) Headly's Bridge (S Earle) - FORM POST 12th Oct: P52

Headly's Bridge at his home

Headly's Bridge bumped into a very well handicapped rival last time at Leicester, and is going to enjoy better ground this Spring. His three best runs in this country are on good to soft ground, and he is only 7 so should have plenty of scope to improve on his mark of 113. Right handed track preferable but not essential.

9) The Druids Nephew (A Turnell) - FORM POST 12th Oct: 231

Druids at Kempton under Tom Scudamore

The Druids Nephew was chinned a nose at Ascot on chase debut, before not quite staying the trip at Kempton. He bounced back in a three runner event at Wincanton a few days ago with a ten length success under James Banks. He jumps well and I think two miles five furlongs is his perfect trip, so the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival would be my target, he does jump well enough for Cheltenham.

10) Water Wagtail (Emma Lavelle) - FORM POST 12th Oct: 52

I think Water Wagtail has plenty of ability, and a change of tactics may bring about improvement. He doesn't have many gears, so front running would combat that, and also improve his jumping which was scratchy at Plumpton. He ran in terrible conditions at Ffos Las over two miles six furlongs, and again stayed on at the same pace to be second. He needs three miles minimum now to act his best. Certainly still one to watch, but is still a project.

I hope you have enjoyed the round-up, and if your interested, to a £1 level stake, you would see a very small loss of 88p!!

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Be lucky,
Will