With the National Hunt season quickly approaching James Stevens has unearthed some dark horses who are worth following for the season.
Ami Desbois 7-y-o novice chaser, T: Graeme McPherson, O: EPDS Racing Partnership
Owned by our friends at EPDS Racing, Ami Desbois showed plenty of promise for Graeme McPherson last season and could be set for a big season over fences. He ran well when fifth at the Cheltenham Festival, and was only a length off Grade Two honours when second to Wholestone. He finished his hurdling career with a victory at Newcastle.
Graeme McPherson, trainer: “He was fifth in the Albert Bartlett last year and won four times over hurdles. He seems like a very exciting novice chaser to have in the yard probably to race around three miles on soft ground. He should be much better over fences than hurdles. We are really looking forward to running him this season.”
Brainstorm 5-y-o bumper, T: Warren Greatrex, O: Unknown
Brianstorm is set to make his racecourse debut in the coming months, but looks to have a strong profile following his impressive win on his point-to-point debut. He won easily, and his jockey asked very little of him that day. That form has taken a boost with the third horse Cinema De Quartier since being snapped up by Gigginstown and winning over hurdles. His trainer has enjoyed plenty of success with his bumper horses in recent years, and this one could be the latest star.
Warren Greatrex, trainer: “He won a point-to-point in Ireland not last season, but the year before. He had been with Rebecca Curtis but never ran for her, and been with me since July. He will run in a bumper towards the end of the month. He will probably run in one bumper then go hurdling, where he could be even better. He looks like he is going to do well. He’s a nice type, and he’s quite forward going. He’s done everything right at home.”
Debece 6-y-o novice chaser, T: Tim Vaughan O: Robert Kirkland
A horse that has been gradually improving throughout last season was Debece for Tim Vaughan. He ran creditably in top handicap level through the winter, but looked a classy individual when winning by a huge 19 lengths in a novice handicap at Newbury. This prompted connections to test him at the top level, and he ran excellently when a half-a-length third in the G1 Sefton at Aintree. He’s a horse that’s built to be a chaser rather than a hurdler, and a strong season awaits.
Tim Vaughan, trainer: “Debece has always been a really good horse for us. He won so well at Newbury, and almost won a Grade One at Aintree so we couldn’t be more pleased with him. He’s going to crack on with novice chasing this season, and I am excited to try him over the longer staying trips.”
“He probably won’t run until mid-November, with the reason being we want him in his best shape for the Spring. He seems to go on most ground, but I wouldn’t try him on any extremes, he’s versatile. I think he will be a proper staying novice chaser, and I think he will improve a ton going over fences and a longer trip. With a little bit of luck he could be the type that ends up in the RSA at Cheltenham.”