Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’ve look back at some interesting racing across the Irish Sea last week. Plus, there’s a couple of future winners for the tracker.
From Fairyhouse to Limestone: Mullins’ Rising Stars
Willie Mullins showcased a couple of intriguing hurdlers over the weekend in Ireland.
At Fairyhouse on Saturday, Kawaboomga, a promising runner-up at Leopardstown on his debut for Mullins, secured a cosy win in the two-mile novice hurdle. Despite demonstrating plenty of pace, Mullins hinted that a step up to 2m 4f is likely in the future. Open to further improvement, Kawaboomga looks like a genuine contender for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle. If you want to play Willie Mullins bingo, he’s 14/1 with bet365 for the Turners and those odds appeal to me.
On Sunday, my Champion Hurdle ante-post pick Anzadam (backed at 33/1 and now as short as 8/1) proved he’s very much alive and kicking. He comfortably saw off two rivals in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle. Sure, the field wasn’t the strongest, with 11-year-old Beacon Edge (better suited to further trips) his closest challenger, but Beacon Edge is rated 146, and Anzadam thumped him by 11 lengths. It could easily have been double that margin if the jockey had wanted. You can watch his win here.
Espoir D'Allen won this very race in 2019 before going on to land the Champion Hurdle later that season. Could history repeat itself with Anzadam?
Anzadam is no longer the ‘dark horse’ for the Champion Hurdle, given his current odds. He firmly belongs in the “could be special” category, and I’m convinced he’s the one most likely to give Constitution Hill a real race at Cheltenham. Now, it’s a waiting game to see if his connections let him take his chance in March or aim for Aintree instead.
My plea to his team: don’t rely on State Man to topple Constitution Hill—he won’t. But Anzadam just might.
Future Winners
There was some exciting action on Thursday at Gowran Park, as it played host to Goffs Thyestes Day. Here are a few standouts who caught the eye and could be worth following:
Rocky’s Diamond: Stamina Confirmed
Rocky’s Diamond, an improving staying hurdler, continued his upward trajectory with a strong performance to win the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle. He proved his stamina over three miles and, while he still has plenty to find with reigning Stayers' Hurdle champion Teahupoo (19lb on ratings, even after this win), he’s clearly going the right way. With further improvement, he might sneak into the places in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Nick Rockett: A Grand National Prospect?
Nick Rockett lived up to expectations by landing the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase in style. This victory had been coming, as he’d long been threatening to secure a valuable handicap chase. Given his performance, he looks like a potential Aintree Grand National contender, though his tendency to jump slightly to the right is worth noting.
Velvet Elvis: Irish Grand National Appeal
First-time cheekpieces worked wonders for Velvet Elvis, who was prominent throughout and jumped fluently. Although he was no match for the classy Nick Rockett, it was a strong effort. Previously, he seemed like a non-stayer when finishing sixth in the 2022 Irish Grand National while with his former yard. Now older and a dual Fairyhouse winner, he looks well-suited to another crack at the Irish Grand National.
Cheltenham Trials Day Tracker Horses
They went quick in Saturday’s Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase. In the circumstances, the prominently ridden Grandeur d'Ame’s effort can be marked up. He did best of those ridden up with the pace and just lost out by a short head to the patiently ridden Moon D’Orange. His jumping was, for the most part, neat, and according to Racing Post Ratings, this was a career-best effort from the 9-year-old. Connections will surely be looking at aiming him at the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase at the festival after this effort. He’s 20/1 with William Hill for the race, which look more than fair.
Earlier on the card, I wouldn’t give up on Whistle Stop Tour, who was a never-nearer 15½-length 5th of 7 to the improving Jagwar in the opening Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase. I was a bit surprised after a couple of wins over around three miles to see him dropped back to an extended 2m 4f here. When he won at Ayr on his previous start, he looked like a staying handicap chaser in the making. I can only think connections wanted to give him a sighter of the Cheltenham fences before a tilt at a festival handicap chase. Otherwise, it looks like poor race planning to me. He’s one to be interested in when racing beyond three miles again, as he’s open to further progress.
Wrapping Up January: A Profitable Start to 2025!
January delivered over 30pts of profit for Victor Value subscribers and myself—a fantastic turnaround compared to last January’s 6pt loss. Personally I’m done for month so here’s to keeping the momentum rolling in February!
The new month kicks off with the two-day Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown, showcasing some of the finest horses in Ireland. Meanwhile, this side of the Irish Sea, we’ve got plenty of top-class action lined up including:
The Grade 1 Ascot Chase
The William Hill Newbury Handicap Hurdle (formerly the Betfair Hurdle)
The Grand National Trial at Haydock
The Eider Chase at Newcastle and plenty more.
Fingers crossed for kind weather and another profitable month! If you’d like my Victor Value previews and picks for February, you can get them here.
In Wednesday's column I'll be looking ahead to the Dublin Racing Festival.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John
Sorry, but Anzadam is just a guess. Shown nothing like Champion Hurdle form and unless you have been on the gallops, it is guessing to know how good he is, especially to be CONVINCED he is better than the current Champ and Lossiemouth. Silly words from a normally shrewd fella