The Foxhunter Chase winner at Cheltenham was not that easy to predict beforehand. The winner Last Option had run well in this race before and had surpassed that effort in doing a 120 when fourth, for Fiona Needham, in last season's Scottish Grand National on fast ground. Though it could be described as having place claims it was hard to imagine that it could beat established stars in Gunner Welburn and Sheltering and potential stars in the shape of Horus and Joe Blake but win it did.

In the race itself Sheltering managed to get rid of its jockey at the seventh and Horus made mistakes at the 9th and 11th, could never get into a challenging position, eventually being pulled up when well behind after further mistakes. Both Gunner Welburn and Joe Blake make mistakes at the last two. Fiona Needham kept Last Option running to the line to win from Gunner Welburn, whose rider only woke up to the fact that he needed to push in the last 75yds, too late to recover the ground lost by mistakes. In my opinion it should have won. Torduff Express was a close third from Joe Blake in a thrilling if not an outstanding Foxhunters.

Sheltering, leading Hunter for the last two seasons, easily disposed of its rivals at Punchestown on January 19. The story was totally different at Leopardstown on Feb 10 as Joe Blake looked to be in control when falling in the lead at the last, seemingly to gift the race to Sheltering. It tied up badly on the run-in and was passed by Ten Poundsworth who won going away. Have rated the race on the assumption that Joe Blake would have won. It had already beaten the "fortunate" winner in a point in the autumn. Compared to last season on going that was also testing, this was a below par effort from Sheltering. The ground has been blamed but it is possible that something was amiss or that it is not as forward. At seven, Joe Blake looks a good prospect, capable of further improvement, the same could be said about his rider Mr L Lennon (5).

Sheltering put up its best rating of the season when winning the Champion Hunter Chase from Ten Poundsworth and Viaduct at Punchestown on April 24. It could have been a fortunate winner though, as Joe Blake was going best when that one departed four out.

Horus who has put up decent times in its last two Point victories was always travelling well and beat the front running Torduff Express with plenty in hand when winning a decent Hunter Chase at Wincanton on February 7. No telling how good the winner is but it is safe to assume that 120 is the minimum estimate. Torduff Express soon bagged a decent prize when getting up to win the Foxhunter Trial from Real Value at Fontwell on Feb 18.

Horus who had pulled up in the Cheltenham Foxhunters went back there to win the main event of the night on the Hunter chase evening on May 1. It did not jump well towards the end of the race and was fortunate to hold on thanks to a less than positive ride on the second Fair Wind. It went from there to contest the Land Rover final at Towcester on May 13. It may not have fully recovered from it's exertions at Cheltenham but probably did go off too quickly there on ground that was riding soft after rain throughout the day. Towcester is a very stiff track when the going is testing and Horus was tired when left for dead by County Derry on the final gallop up the hill. The winner is a very decent animal in any case but does ruin its chances by making mistakes, particularly on faster ground. The win does highlight what a huge difference the going can make to a contest.

Gunner Welburn got off the mark for the season with an easy win over Mighty Moss in the Walrus Hunter Chase at Haydock on Feb 9. Running over arguably its best distance of 22f it jumped well and handled the heavy ground without fuss. It is yet to convince at Cheltenham where the ground can be too fast for it. Its best target would appear to be a repeat victory in the Aintree Foxhunters where its jumping will be a huge asset. The runner-up would have preferred better ground and should have no trouble in picking up a race soon in the right company.

Mr Dow Jones won a good contest to just hold off General Wolfe at Cheltenham on April 18. As the runner-up had made a crunching mistake four out it was a little bit unlucky. It can't have it always though because rain on top of watering gave it its chance. Hard to explain why the winner has run so poorly at Ludlow this year. Easier to explain why County Derry was beaten a long way back in third, too many mistakes.

Mr Dow Jones never travelled and was a long way behind when pulling up at Exeter on May 15, quite simply the ground was much too quick for it. The winner Look in The Mirror has steadily got better this season and was always going well for an easy victory.

General Wolfe gained compensation for its unlucky defeat at Cheltenham with a made virtually win over 31f at Perth on April 25. The second Dancetillyoudrop ran its best race for a long time and was not disgraced to be beaten 10L by the winner.

Sparky Gale (Ire) easily won a Hunter chase at Kelso on April 8 putting last season's disappointing efforts behind it.

Christian Williams gave Noyan a well judged ride as it bounced back to its best when making all for a comfortable win at Exeter on April 23. Team Captain kept on for second with Charlie Strong and Badger Beer 94 (who like the winner needs fast ground), close up.

Wap, got off the mark for the season when making all to win with plenty in hand over 20f at Tramore on Mar 7. Definitely one to keep on the right side of when there is give in the ground.

Fanfaron who had proved expensive under rules won the Mens Open at Buckfastleigh, in a good time, on Feb 16. It did not take long to show that it may ("may" proving very hopeful as this one has regressed since then) be a reformed character with a long margin win in a Hunter Chase at Taunton on Feb 28. At Newbury on Mar 22 against much tougher opposition Fanfaron was not able to dictate in front resulting in a below par performance. That said the winner Tubber Roads is definitely on the up. Always prominent it looked beaten when Hastate (95) was driven up to head it before the last. It rallied under pressure on the flat, however, and regained the lead. Holding off Country Derry who kept on well to finish second, having ruined its chance by making a number of niggling mistakes. Both these two are still improving. The latter a winner over nearly 4 miles last season will almost certainly improve again for a step up in trip.

Rightsaidfred may be a 14yo but is still capable, as it showed when winning a Mens Open at Aldington on April 1. It got beaten in a hunter chase at Stratford on April 20 but was not disgraced in going down by 6L to former useful fast ground handicapper, Ozzie Jones on ground that would have suited the winner more.

Despite showers the ground was still riding on the fast side of good at Folkestone on May 21. Despite the ground

Rightsaidfred did not need to be at its best as its main rival Noyan was almost in need of a passport, so wide was it taken around the circuit (in search of better ground?) before pulling up when well beaten, why did it run?.

On much faster ground at Huntingdon on May 30 Noyan outran a field of modest hunters to win by a distance, putting up a good time in the process.

On the same night Dancetillyoudrop confirmed the quality of its Perth second to General Wolfe, with an all the way win in the main event of the evening.

Ozzie Jones appeared to let the form down badly at Hereford on May 4th. In a race where the ground was against its main opponents or they were just not good enough the ride given on this occasion would have got a 0/10 for effort had I been asked to mark it. Incidentally there seemed plenty of opposition for this one on betfair, at a course that it has performed well at in the past, we all know though that life is full of coincidences. It was a strange (and slow) race, with the weak in the market, leader, Wise Prince, virtually running out when jumping the last, when seemingly having the race in safe keeping. It will be interesting to see if Ozzie Jones bounces back from this "poor effort".

Well Ozzie Jones did bounce back to win a Ladies Hunter Chase on the final day June 1. An excuse was given for the last performance which makes me ask why did it run? Here at Stratford the runner-up was Noyan. There was controversy about the rider momentarily not pushing it out on the flat when holding every chance. There was also opposition to this on Betfair in this race. There had also been opposition when it took the scenic route before pulling up at Folkestone. The rain softened ground, understandably, was blamed for the poor effort, why did it run?

Mulkev Prince, who has been hugely disappointing since coming over from Ireland a few years ago. Made all and comfortably won a 20f Hunter Chase at Leicester on Mar 5. This must go down as a feather in the cap for owner/trainer Mr David Pearson.

Quetal was a game winner of the Martell Reserve Novices' Hunter Chase at Aintree on April 6. Pushing it all the way to the line in a close finish were Barryscourt Lad (much improved performance from owner/rider Miss Joanna Holmes by the way) and Garryspillane. The first two are young enough to keep improving.

Swincombe, who had been progressive in points put a disappointing effort at Cheltenham behind it with a comfortable win in a Novices' Hunters Chase at Chepstow on May 8. Bearing in mind that this improving horse is only a 7yo, the manner of this victory suggests that this will not be the last. It ran a few pounds below this form at Uttoxter on May 22. The slower ground there was probably against it. Also it highlights the quality of the ride it was given by Mr Geoffrey Barfoot-Saunt at Chepstow. Incidently he should have won the Uttoxeter race on Ross Cottage, who threw away its chance with a mistake and almost unseating its rider four out. It will be interesting to see if this one goes handicapping during the summer as it would have a good chance of picking up a prize.

In winning its eighth race of the season so far Upham Lord put up a very decent time allowing for how much it was eased down when winning a Ladies Open at Clifton-on-Dunsmore on April 21.

Following a good win at Cheltenham in a Maiden Hunter Chase, Primaticcio getting another fine ride from Christian Williams made most to win a Novice event at Wincanton. A trip short of 3m on fast ground seems to suit best. The runner-up Team Captain would have preferred a stiffer test.

Primaticcio followed this with effort up with an even better one when making all to win at Folkestone on May 22.

To round off a good season Primaticcio put up a good staying performance from the the front to win the Intrum Justitia Cup (formerly the Horse and Hound) at Stratford on June 1. It was bravely chased home by another novice in Jabiru with Last Option and County Derry well beaten in third and fourth. Hopefully the first two will go on to compete at Cheltenham next season. For the others it was probably one race to many at the end of a hard season.

Divet Hil was not disgraced in failing to concede 14lb to Pharmistice 96 at Kels on May 29.

Thirteen year old Father Rector has followed up a fast time win in a Mens at Garthorpe on April 28 with comfortable victories in Hunter Chases at both Wetherby on May 8 and Market Rasen on June 1. Would not want to bet against it coming back and winning again next season.