Timeking's Leading Juvenile Hurdlers 2004-05| Timeking's Leading Juvenile Hurdlers 2004-05 |
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| Horse | Rtg | Dst | Going | Comment |
| FAASEL (IRE) | 149 + | S | gfm/hvy | Easy winner of three modest novices at Kelso (twice) and Ayr. Jumping improving with every run. Then set a difficult task in a Gd2 back at Kelso. Where it emerged with real credit losing out by only a head to more than useful Mephisto. Just failed to overhaul useful winner Penzance in the Triumph Hurdle after being tactically outmatched before the last. Despite having two hard races in a short period of time, bounced back to winning form in the Gd1 John Smith's Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices. Slowish ground was in its favour. Pulling away from the last for a comfortable victory over Phar Bleu and Strangely Brown. An above average juvenile hurdler it will need to improve by more |
| DABIROUN (IRE) | 146 + | S | gfm/gd | Totally unexposed on fast ground this horse was a revelation in winning the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices H'cap with plenty in hand by eight lengths. Previous hurdles form on heavy does not compare. It is safe to assume that the winners of those races are flattered to have beaten this exciting prospect. The question to consider now is. How will it fare on fast ground racing against horses of similar ability and it has to battle in order to win? Here it was a matter of coming off a strong pace. Back on slower ground for the 4yo Gd1 at Aintree, April 7, it could only manage a distant fifth. No doubt in my mind that it needs fast ground. Another ordinary effort when only third at Punchestown, April 27 on |
| PENZANCE | 145 | S | gfm/gsf | Winner of novices at Taunton and Huntingdon in Jan with a fair bit in hand. Stepped up with an easy victory in a Gd2 Juvenile novice at Kempton, Feb 26. The going was soft and the early pace moderate. It was always travelling conspicuously well, however, quickening away from its rivals in the straight. Jumps and settles well. Never having been extended over hurdles. Penzance took the step up to Gd1 company in the JCB Triumph Hurdle in its stride. Under a good ride from Robert Thornton it quickened away from Faasel coming to the last and had just enough to hold off that rival's challenge at the line. Just holding on by a fast diminshing head. An above average winner of the race, blessed with speed and |
| STRANGELY BROWN (IRE) | 143 + | ML | gsf/sft | Winner 3yo maiden at Limerick, Dec 28. Winner Gd3 juvenile from Dabiroun at Punchestown, Jan 15. Winner, lead near the finish, beating Barati and Arch Rebel, Gd2 Cashmans Juvenile at Leopardstown, Feb 6. A staying on sixth in the Triumph, Mar 18. Unless the ground is very soft will probably need to step up in trip now. Despite slower going the easier track at Aintree did not suit when a onepaced third in the Juvenile Gd1 behind Faasel. Done for pace by good winner United when second in the Gd1 at Punchestown, April 28. Will probably have to step up in trip next season. Stepped up in trip to win the Gd1 Prix Alain Du Breil at Auteuil, June 18. Ridden by Ruby Walsh, it |
| DON'T BE SHY (FR) | 140 + | M | gd/hvy | Has been knocking on the door in various top juvenile events without actually winning. Best effort so far when second in a Gd3 at Auteuil, Mar 13. Finally achioeved a decent prize with victory over Kiko in a slowly run Gd3 at Auteuil, April 2. Again beat that rival in a moderately Gd2 at Auteuil, May 8. |
| AKILAK (IRE) | 140 + | S | gd/sft | Impressive winner of Gd2 Juvenile Novice at Cheltenham from Yankeedoodledandy, who was giving 7lb, Jan 29. The race was run at a furious gallop from the off. Graham Lee allowed the horse to gradually creep closer from the rear. Leading before the last, it pulled away up the hill for a fine debut victory. Winner of slowly run Victor Ludorum at Haydock, Feb 19. Likely to be a major player in the Triumph if riddenly patiently again. Is frightening to think that it was coughing a week before Haydock. Kept on at the one pace to finish third in the Triumph behind two very decent animals in Penzance and Faasel. Likely to benefit from the experience. Reportedly gone over the top when only |
| UNITED (GER) | 137 + | S | gd/sft | Comf winner Mares only maiden at Huntingdon, Feb 24. Followed with a fast time win against Pay Attention 124 and Voy Por Ustedes at Stratford, Mar 14. To confirm that was no fluke shw was even better when comfortably winning the Gd1 Colm McEvoy Auctioneers Champion 4yo from a useful field at Punchestown, April 28. Akilak may have run poorly in third place but would have struggled to win at its best. |
| BUENA VISTA (IRE) | 136 | S | gfm/gd | Winner of a slowly run NHF at Doncaster, Jan 29. Put up a much improved effort when staying on for a respectable sixth in the Cheltenham Bumper. A decent flat pedigree meant this animal was an expensive yearling. Bought cheaply by connections after being unraced. Having gained some experience of racing, it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to give it a try on the flat this summer. Confirmed Cheltenham was no fluke with an easy novice hurdle win at Hereford, May 22, in good time. Very easy winner at Stratford, June 5. |
| CERIUM (FR) | 136 | S | gd/sft | Easy winner of an ordinary juvenile maiden at Kempton, Oct 23. Comf winner from Phar Bleu of a slowly run Gd2 Juvenile novice at Cheltenham, Nov 13. Poor run in the Gd1 Finale at Chepstow, Dec 28. Winner of a strongly run novice at Wincanton, Feb 19. Made a move to lead two out in the Triumph. Could not get away from the pack and was quickly reeled in before the last by winner Penzance, eventually finishing fourth. A decent juvenile but just not good enough. Will probably go the novice chase route next season. Poor run in the 4yo Gd1 at Aintree on slowish ground suggests the horse was either ready for a summer break or is happier on good ground. |
| YANKEEDOODLEDANDY (IRE) | 136 | S | gfm/gsf | Easy winner of juvenile novice at Sandown, Nov 6. Kept on when headed to just previal in a very tight finish over New Entic and Patrixprial in a useful novice at Huntingdon, Nov 20. It probably found this track too sharp. It went on to win a slow novice at Cheltenham on Dec 11. Good six length second in strongly run Gd2 conceding 7lb to Akilak at Cheltenham, Jan 29. A disappointing eighth in the Triumph. To early to write off as it may just be in need of some time off. |
| PHAR BLEU (FR) | 135 | S | gd/hvy | Winner of a slow juvenile at Newbury, Nov 28. Winner on testing ground of the Gd1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow, Dec 28. Put up best effort to date when a staying on fifth in the Triumph. The improvement surprised me, ground slowing watering certainly helped here. A credit to the trainer. May take the novice chase route next season. Surpassed Triumph Hurdle effort with a creditable second in the Gd1 juvenile contest at Aintree, April 7. Slow ground certainly helped. If connections decide against chasing next season will need to step up in trip over hurdles. |
| VOY POR USTEDES (FR) | 134 + | S | gd/gsf | Has joined the Alan King stable from France with two wins and a 3l third to Danaw to its credit. Notched a win over a useful older novice at Huntingdon, Jan 26. Basically outclassed against older rivals in a strongly run Gd2 at Wincanton, Feb 19. Could only manage third behind two useful juvenile fillies in strongly run race at Stratford, Mar 14. Better effort when a five length third to Admiral at Ayr, April 16. |
| ROYALE ATHENIA (FR) | 134 + | M | gsf/hvy | Winner of a Gd3 4yo hurdle at Auteuil in late May it stepped up on that when a brave second in a Gd1 at the Same track on June 18. In that race it made most of the running until being collared by Irish trained challenger Strangely Brown on the flat. The rest of the field were well beaten. |
| SOL ROC (FR) | 134 | M | sft | Winner of a decently run 3yo Hcap hurdle at Auteuil, Sept 30. A six length second to Kiko in a Gd1 juvenile at Auteuil, Nov 1. Winner of a Gd3 from Don't Be Shy at the same track, Mar 13. Well beaten behind Strangely Brown at Auteuil, June 18. Possibly finding the trip of 19½f too far. |
| ADMIRAL (IRE) | 133 + | S | gfm/gsf | Has been brought along steadily this season improving with every run. Picked up minor novice wins at Musselburgh in Feb and at Market Rasen in early April. In between put in a show in the Triumph Hurdle. Headed two out there but had lost chance of making the frame when the course was excessively watered overnight. Back on the winning trail on quicker ground with a much improved effort, in line with its flat ability, when making all to beat some useful rivals in Afrad and Voy Por Ustedes in a decent novice at Ayr, April 16. Room for improvement with its jumping. Should stay further next season. Chances will depend on getting decent ground. |
| KIKO (FR) | 132 + | SM | gsf/sft | Two Auteuil wins in 3yo hurdles in September. Followed by a fourth in a slowish Gd2 to Balko at Auteuil, October 10. Had that rival behind when winning a stronger run Gd1 at the same track on Nov 1. It stayed on strongly in that race, probably could have notched a higher rating such as 140. Unseated in Gd3 when seemingly having every chance at Auteuil, Mar 13. Beaten by Don't Be Shy in a slowly run Gd3 at Auteuil, April 2. Not perfect over the obstacles with a tendency to go left. Onepcd third behind Royal Athenia 120+ in a slow time Gd3 at Auteuil, May 29. Found little under pressure when a well beaten fourth to Strangely Brown at Auteuil, June 18. Has been on the go a long while |
| IRON MAN (FR) | 132 + | S | gsf/hvy | Very easy winner juvenile at Ayr, Nov 6. Second to Carte Diamond Newc, Nov 27. Made all winner Juvenile at Sandown, Feb 5. Not knocked about at Market Rasen behind Admiral at Market Rasen, April 3. |
| CARTE DIAMOND (USA) | 132 + | S | gd/sft | Comf winner of a juvenile beating Iron Man (giving 6lb) at Newcastle, Nov 27. May have gone over the top in muddling Gd2 at Lingfield in Dec. Made all, winner of slow juvenile hurdle at Musselburgh, Feb 6. Despite winning the track looked too sharp for it. Lost all chance in the Triumph at the start where it was slow away. Run best ignored. |
| MISS ACADEMY (FR) | 132 | S | gd | Having had too much use made of it in its previous races. This filly faced an impossible task at the weights in the juvenile h'cap at Cheltenham, Mar 15. Ridden with more restraint she kept on for a commendable fourth. The quicker ground at Cheltenham maybe what she requires to be at her best as she ran below that effort on slowish ground when fourth in the juvenile Gd1 behind Faasel. As she appears to handle slower ground it is possibly a stamina issue. Certainly a race too many when only third at Worcester, April 20. |
| DARRIAS (GER) | 131 + | M | gd/gsf | Not knocked about at either Wincanton, Feb 19 or Chepstow, Mar 23 on first two starts but hinting at more than a fair amount of ability. Winner of an ordinary juvenile contest at Taunton, April 15. Duly obliged on first race in handicap company at Stratford, May 21. Did not need to improve to win a slowly run novice back at that track on June 12. |
| DONT CALL ME DEREK | 131 + | S | gsf/hvy | Easy winner of a juvenile at Catterick, Feb 4. Also Very easy winner of a slow novice at Newcastle, Feb 15. Creditable second conceding weight to a well handicapped older rival in a h'cap on testing ground at Newcastle, Mar 19. Should stay further. |
| NATION STATE | 129 + | S | gd/gsf | Stayed on for third behind Dabiroun and At Your Request in the juvenile h'cap at Cheltenham, Mar 15. Could be further improvement when stepped up in trip. |
| URSIS (FR) | 128 + | S | gsf/sft | Very easy winner of a juvenile novice at Wetherby, Nov 24. Stable has been badly affected by a virus and closed down for two months, so has not run since, as of end Feb. |
| SI SOL (FR) | 128 + | M | gd/gsf | Winner of two 4yo listed hurdles at Auteuil in June 2005. On the latter occasion beating Risko 123 by a neck. |
| AT YOUR REQUEST | 128 + | S | gd/gsf | In the end beaten comfortably by Dabiroun in the juvenile h'cap at Cheltenham, Mar 15. It ran a great race nevertheless and was unfortunate to come up against such such a unexposed and very useful rival. Not knocked about in a moderately run juvenile at Cheltenham, April 13. Capable of better. |
| PAPINI (IRE) | 128 + | S | gd/gsf | Two useful winning performances at Newbury in Nov and Jan were sandwiched with an ordinary effort when second at Sandown, Dec 3. This was a slower run affair. Trainer says that it is not good enough for the Triumph. Tailed off in the Fred Winter, only seems to perform at Newbury. Fortunately the owners are, Newbury Racehorse Owners Group. Finished second at Cheltenham, leading at a moderate pace, April 13. Could not match the pace of Openide when challenged on the flat. |
| THECAULOFESKER (IRE) | 127 + | S | gsf | Followed a win in a 3yo maiden at Thurles, with an impressive all the way victory in a juvenile event at Gowran, Dec 16. Folded quickly and beaten a long way in Gd2 at Leopardstown won by Arch Rebel, Dec 26. It may not have recovered from Gowran race. Also the going at Leopardstown was very testing. Sure to improve for run at Naas, Mar 13. |
| L'OUDON (FR) | 127 + | S | gfm/gsf | Stayed on behind useful winner Danaw with Voy Por Ustedes just behind in third at Enghien Soissy, Nov 5. Badly hampered three out, given an easy race after, at Sandown, Jan 8. Cosy winner over Daryal and Wild Is The Wind, after been held up early in strongly run juvenile at Newbury, Mar 4. Looks capable of more improvement. Pulled up in the 4yo Gd1 at Aintree, April 7. Faced a stiff task. Market drifter and never seen with a chance at Ayr, April 16. Run best ignored as it is much better than this. |
| ARCH REBEL (USA) | 127 + | S | gsf/hvy | Cosy winner beating Don't Be Bitin Gd2 Juvenile, Leopardstown Dec 26. Third not jump well in Gd2 at same track behind Strangely Brown, Feb 5. Something may have bee n amiss or it just could be that its wants better ground. |
| DIEGO CAO (IRE) | 126 + | S | gd/gsf | Winner of juveniles at Huntingdon, Nov 9 and Sandown, Jan 8. Best effort to date was a respectable seventh in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, Mar 18. |
| NORMA HILL | 126 + | S | gfm/gd | Front running wins in ordinary juvenile company in the autumn at Ludlow and Hereford. Much improved at Doncaster when caught on the flat by the older mare Dancing Pearl, Mar 4. Stepped up even further when ridden with more than usual restraint on fast ground at Hereford, April 9. In this open (to all) handicap she led three out and quickly sealed the contest in a fast time. Decent flat winners in the pedigree which suggest that she would be fairly useful if attentions were turned to the flat. Unfortunately for conections she has yet to run on the flat. So unable to make hay by winning off a low mark. Definitely wants decent or quicker ground. |
| DANAW (FR) | 126 + | M | gd/gsf | Three wins during the autumn in juvenile company in France. Including an easy Gd3 win at Enghien, Nov 19. Not knocked about, mistake 3 out, in hot Gd2 at Cheltenham, Jan 29, behind Akilak. Never seen with a chance in the Triumph Hurdle, Cheltenham, Mar 18. On what it had shown in the Autumn it was not good enough to win but should have done better. A respectable third in a listed 4yo hurdle at Auteuil, June 28. |
| NAPOLITAIN (FR) | 126 + | S | gd/gsf | Has run with credit in a number of juvenile contests including the juvenile h'cap at Cheltenham, Mar 15. Likely to take the novice chasing route next season. Signed off with a comfortable win in a novices up at Perth, April 21. |
| AFRAD (FR) | 126 + | M | gd/gsf | Winner of a slowly run juvenile at Newbury, Dec 8. Better effort when chasing home Admiral at Ayr, April 16. Kept on onepaced for second after being headed by shock winner Strides Of Fire 114, at Punchestown, April 27. |
| SALUT SAINT CLOUD | 126 | SM | gfm/sft | In an out performer this season. Won a slowish Gd2 at Lingfield, Dec 11. Disappointed in the Chepstow mud in the Finale Dec 28. Stayed on well but beaten 13l conceding 7lb to impressive winner Akilak in Gd2 at Cheltenham, Jan 29. Its best effort on the clock so far. Excuses at Auteuil, Mar 13, was in a tough race. Did not have the toe to peg back useful Rhapsody Rose in a slowly run juvenile at Towcester, Mar 27. |
| MAJLIS (JPN) | 125 + | S | gsf/hvy | Easy winner 4yo Maiden Naas, Jan 2. Headed close home by Loyal Focus in a 4yo Hurdle at Fairyhouse, Jan 29. Game winner of Gd3 Tattsalls (Ireland) Juvenile at Fairyhouse, Feb 19. Here it battled on to beat Don't Be Bitin in a photo with Loyal Focus 3l away in third. Raced too close to the pace in the Triumph, fading at the business end of the race, Mar 18. |
| WALTZING BEAU | 125 + | SM | gsf/sft | Easy winner, on slowish ground, of a maiden at Fontwell, Oct 12. Poor effort on much faster ground at Cheltenham, Oct 26. It was not knocked about here. Went back to Fontwell for a staying on well wide margin win on soft ground, Jan 24. Obviously useful when there is plenty of cut underfoot. Given an easy race when beaten behind very decent older novices Gold Medallist and Pole Star Huntingdon, Feb 24. |
| ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) | 125 + | ML | gd/hvy | After a couple of quiet introductory races over hurdles. This horse has notched up a quick hat-trick of novice wins at Uttox (twice) and Market Rasen. The best effort being the last at Uttoxter, Feb 19. Where it was left clear by the fall of a tired rival at the last. Definitely suited by some give, would possibly have a squeak in the new juvenile h'cap. |
| BONBON ROSE (FR) | 125 | S | gd/hvy | Unbeaten in four modest 3yo hurdles in France in 2004. Before contesting Gd2 at Cheltenham, Jan 29. Almost certainly challenged too early in what was a strongly run affair. Meaning it was a spent force before the last hurdle. Probably much better than the bare form there. Ridden with more restraint in the Triumph but ran a stinker. Something must have been amiss. Has since had attentions turned to chasing. Easy made all winner (112+) of a moderately run 4yo chase at Auteuil, May 8. Put in a better time when winning a 4yo Gd1 Chase at the same venue, May 29. Back over hurdles in Gd1 company on June 18. On previous times would not have beaten the first two home but appeared to be there for the day out. Likely |
| WOODY VALENTINE (USA) | 125 | S | gd/gsf | Stepped up on the clock when racing on quickish ground at Southwell, May 22, comfortably winning an Intermediate hurdle. |
| DARYAL (IRE) | 125 | S | gd/sft | Winner of novice at Taun, Jan 20. Kept on onepaced for second behind comf winner Iron Man, Juvenile at Sandown, Feb 5. Stayed on under pressure but was never going to catch winner L'Oudon in decent juvenile at Newbury, Mar 4. Did look well handicapped for the new juvenile h'cap at Cheltenham but as it transpired so were a fair number of other contenders. The ground on the day was possibly too lively. |
| Distance Codes | Going Abbreviations | Hurdlers 2004-05 | Chasers 2004-05 | Other Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S = 2m (or thereabouts). M = 2m 4f. L = 3m. E = 3m 4f+. |
fm = firm, gfm = good to firm, gd = gd, gsf = good to soft, sft = soft, hvy = heavy. |
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