It’s been a particularly fruitful first part of the National Hunt season for both Potter Group and James and Jean Potter Ltd with plenty of success up and down the country.
Stolen Silver and Alfie’s Princess were very good at Chepstow in October, and while Stolen Silver ran slightly below par in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, he still performed with great credit under a big weight. The good news is that he’s come of out that race in fine shape, but, after getting such a hike in the ratings following his Native River Chase victory we’re now in the position of walking a tightrope (although the handicapper dropped him 2lbs after Newbury) because he’s still plenty high enough in the ratings, so his trainer, Sam Thomas, will be scowering the programme book to find the most suitable opportunity.
Alfie’s Princess was particularly good at Exeter when scoring in style, under a penalty, and we have high hopes for the daughter of Shirocco who holds an entry in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. Obviously, it’s another step up, but she jumps for fun and the stiff track will play to her strengths.
While much of the focus on Saturday was at Sandown, our attention was fully focussed on Chepstow where Range had his second start over hurdles and duly obliged under a bold ride from Adam Wedge. He is an improving type who will no doubt get further and hopefully develop into a smart performer.
There’s also some good news where Patroclus is concerned. We haven’t seen him since April 2022 owing to injury, but he’s been back in training with Sam Thomas for a while and is, fingers, toes and everything else crossed, coming along nicely. Sam is in no rush to get him to the track, but things are ticking away nicely and we’re touching plenty of wood that he makes it back to the course after the New Year.
Moon Shining Bright
Guard The Moon, a half brother to Potterman, made mincemeat of rivals when bolting up by ten lengths in the Bumper at Bangor earlier this month, and Nigel Twiston-Davies is particularly excited about the son of Pether’s Moon who is another talented youngster coming through the ranks for James and Jean Potter Ltd.
Moonlit Potter created an extremely favourable impression when fourth on her debut at Wetherby last month, and the James and Jean Potter homebred, by Yorton sire Pether’s Moon out of Susie Potter, is set to make her hurdles debut very shortly. Ideally another run in a Bumper would bring her on, but a new rule implemented by the BHA means, from January 1st, any horse over six years old cannot run in a National Hunt Flat Race, so it’s over timber we go!
Spring Gale is all set to go hurdling and has schooled particularly well at Henry Daly’s. She is the most gorgeous daughter of Blue Bresil and another exciting prospect for the future.
Alan King has his team in great shape, and we were delighted to see Egbert, yet another winning son of Pether’s Moon, score easily on his Chase debut at Kempton. He holds several entries at the weekend, and we think he could make into a high-class chaser.
All The Right Moves
Dancing In Brazil did nothing wrong on his second run over hurdles (having unseated on debut at Wincanton) apart from bumping into a smart one in the shape of Secret Squirrel, but getting his head in front should be a formality. He has the most gorgeous pedigree and remains a colt, therefore it would be wonderful if he proved good enough to stand as a stallion at Yorton when his racing days are over.
We have a few babies set to make their respective racecourse debuts in the near future, including a daughter of Sea The Moon out of Hora (half-sister to Dancing In Brazil) who has been showing up particularly well on the Barbury Castle gallops. She’s been named Dance The Moon and is coming to a racecourse near you soon!
Nicky Henderson is responsible for our Ludlow winner Choccabloc, the form of which was franked at Market Rasen last week, and the son of Blue Bresil will be back in action shortly along with Call The Dance.
The master of Seven Barrows also has an unraced four-year-old son by Califet out of Mystic Maisie, meaning he’s a half-brother to the talented Angel’s Breath, and he’ll make his debut in the new year.
