In the Know for 2008

These are my own personal choices of horses to follow for the 2008 season. If you have any horses which have taken your eye from last season or during the new season then please send them to info@southmidlandp2p.co.uk or join our discussion forum here.

Hopefully we can find a few winners to pay for our day out racing.

Bon Accord



Bon Accord winning at the Oxford University meeting at Kingston Blount. James Tudor giving the low down to the owner Rodney Mann and trainer Alan Hill on what a exciting prospect this young horse will be for the future. A very lightly raced individual who has looked mighty impressive in points and rounded off the season with a gutsy fine battling display over the bigger fences at Cheltenham. Hopefully we will see more of him next season, but I feel he is destined for bigger and better things. So we will probably see him running in Hunter Chases or even Professional races. Depending on the guidance of the trainer.


Danaeve



Looked a progressive individual and lowered the colours of Carryonharry at the Atherstone in May. Certain to mount up many more Ladies point-to-point victories this season and should be aimed at the Ladies Hunter Chase race at Stratford at the end of the season.


Dante's Storm



Phillip York and Dante's Storm return from the mud and rain in the Confined Maiden at Kingston Blount in May,this was a very poor contest but the manner in which this 5 year old battled through the appauling conditions on his very first start over fences has to be admired. Was punted strongly in the market so was obviously showing some decent form on the gallops at home. This could be an above average youngster who should be monitored closely when making his seasonal reappearance. I just hope this first start over fences has not put him off his racing for the future.


Oscar Royal



Oscar Royal on his toes on the way to the start before winning the Restricted race at Mollington's final meeting of the season in May. Recording an excellent time in the process. This horse was a good thing for this race after seeming very unlucky when travelling easily for Fred Hutsby and looked to slip on landing after jumping the fence in the back straight at Ashorne's evening meeting in April. Looks set for another excellent season this time around and should be very hard to beat in a Intermediate race. Only being 7 has plenty of time on his side and I would not be surprised if he gained a sequence of victories as probably has loads more improvement to come. Could maybe even contest a small hunter chase at the end of the season if all goes to plan.

Home By Midnight



A smiling Maxine Filby returns to the winners enclosure after victory at Kingston Blount on Home By Midnight. Who looks a useful proposition on good or good to soft conditions and will inevitably win many more races, ran badly on both starts on very soft conditions. But could run up a sequence if the going is to its liking.


Long Courier



Long Courier and a mud splattered Jodie Sole survive a bad blunder at the last fence, but did not stop them from getting up on the line to take the Hunt Members race at Kingston Blount in May. This horse has the capability to go far in points and could well run up a sequence of victories, especially if his owner can place him to good effect in the forthcoming season.


Persian Hero



Persian Hero and a happy James Russell return to the winners enclosure after landing the Mens Open at Mollington last season. Persian Hero is a progressive individual and won nicely on his Hunter Chase debut. Would of followed up at Towcester, as was still going easily when unseating James Russell at the final fence. Did not run so well in a better race at the course next time out, but will probably still be campaigned at Hunter chases this season and as he should still be improving, could be worth following to gain many more Hunter chase successes.


Something Small



Above Something Small (Brown and Orange) puts in a good leap over the water jump at Tweseldown's opening meeting in December. This horse looks to have loads of potential at the age of 7 and although this might be jumping the gun rather soon. I would not be surprised to see this horse contesting Hunter chases in the near future. This opening victory of the season was extremely impressive and looks sure to be a formidable opponent in Mens Open races for the remainder of the season. Should be aimed at Cheltenham for the Foxhunters in March. I would also not be surprised to see this horse be transfered to Nicky Henderson's professional stable to contest some decent races next season. Something Small has a very bright future and looks a star for the South Midland Area.

Tallow Bridge



An above average pointer who looks destined to go to the top, obviously had early season problems having to be pulled up on 2 occasions but looked to have lots of ability and if he can brush up on his jumping and keep these problems under control then will surely be another superstar for Bill Warner and Mrs Judy Wilson.


The Hookie Bookie



This is a young but very progressive horse who started the season as a maiden and would of followed up in restricted company when falling at the 2nd last fence when clear and going to win easily at Mollington earlier in the season. Has not looked back from then and will be making many more visits to the winners enclosure in his current mood. This horse definitely has a lot of ability, but can be very headstrong and needs two handlers in the paddock. If he could settle better I am sure he could make it to the top. Let's hope one day they find the key to keeping him relaxed. Will always be remembered for giving Jimmy Tarry his long awaited 200th Point-to-Point success.


All pictures very kindly supplied by Neale Blackburn of Chasdog.