I’ve had a very good summer in terms of winners and I’m really pleased with where I am heading into the thick of the jumps season.
Donald [McCain] is doing brilliantly and fully maximising his success with what he’s got at his disposal at the moment. He’s got some nice horses to follow this season, and though I really don’t want to jinx them, I’ve had to put one of his, and one of Charlie’s [Longsdon] in my five to follow for 2022/23.
I’m always wary of putting up horses at the start of the season, as it always seems like the ones I like never seem to do well! So, instead of jinxing too many horses, I’m going to throw a couple in there that I’m just excited to see as a racing fan, and also two top conditional riders who could prove valuable to follow…
Constitution Hill
Everyone in racing is excited to see him stepping out of novice company, and hopefully the clash with Honeysuckle.
Nicky’s [Henderson] is a very, very exciting horse, and hopefully he can live up to it this season, but would I pick him over Honeysuckle at the moment, I’m not so sure. She’s been there, done it and got the t-shirt. She may not look quite as impressive as Constitution Hill in some of her runs, but she’s at the age now where she just does what she needs to do.
Although it’s obvious as he won the Supreme, I do think Constitution Hill is the second-season hurdler to follow, though. We didn’t see anything to suggest there’s a horse on either side of the Irish Sea that could put it up to him, so he’s exciting that’s for sure.
Shishkin
I know he bombed out at Cheltenham, but I think we could see Shishkin return to his best this season.
For whatever reason, his run in the Champion Chase just wasn’t him, and I think you can always for forgive a horse a bad run, particularly when you’ve seen what they’re capable.
The two-mile chasing division will be an interesting one to follow, and at this stage of the year I’m sure a lot of people would rather be with Energumene. But if Shishkin can return to full health, then I don’t see why he can’t turn the tables again.
Rare Edition
I won on him back in April, and then again on his reappearance at Worcester earlier this month (October). He’s progressing nicely and he couldn’t have been any more impressive than he was the last day.
He’s a half-brother to the Gordon Elliott-trained Pencilfulloflead, who was a Grade 2 winner and placed in Grade 1 company, and though I’m not promising he’ll live up to that just yet, he feels like a very nice type.
Maximillian
He had a nice introduction over hurdles at Carlisle, showing a great attitude to fend off a few late challengers. He’s a point-to-point winner over three miles, a dual bumper winner over two, and now a hurdles winner over 2m4f, so he’s shown he can do it all.
He’ll go well in winter ground so is definitely one to follow through the thick of the jumps season, and I think he could take quite high order if he continues to progress.
Theo Gillard & Peter Kavanagh
Not a horse for my final five to follow entry, but two very good conditional jockeys at Donald’s [McCain] who are learning all the time.
Peter’s got a little way to go to ride out his 5lbs, but I’m sure he’ll chip away at it nicely, and Theo is certain to lose his claim this season. They are both great lads, who work really well, are willing to learn and take advice on board if they make a mistake, and obviously they’re going to get a lot of chances at a big yard like Donald’s.
We’ve got a lot of nice horses, and I can’t be in two places at once, so there will be plenty of opportunities throughout the season for both of them.
If we feel there’s one who might be in the grips of the handicapper, then those boys are great options and good value for their claims.
