WHO’S THE NEXT HERO FOR YOU?…IN THE ORANGE & BLUE?.

One’s To Watch

INTRODUCTION:

Looking back from last season, National Hunt. There were good results throughout the season. Even if it was placed in graded races or handicap races or wins. A couple I will highlight. Marie’s Rock won impressive, winning the Relkeel hurdle (Grade II) winning by 6 lengths at Cheltenham. But after her defeat, she did not regain her crown in the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle. But she bounced back, finishing second place at Aintree in a Grade I Liverpool Hurdle stepping up to three miles.

Herewegohoney won and placed going over fences like at Market Rasen and Catterick. Plus, there were others like Go Chique, Stepney Causeway, and others. I’m looking forward to this season 2023 National Hunt season. Here are my One’s To Watch.

BY THE GRACE 4yr Old Trained By Nicky Henderson. Form: Bumper 2

By The Grace

By The Grace at Seven Barrows

By The Grace racing in a Bumper finishing 2nd place

This 4-year-old filly is from the famous Blue Bresil who is the sire of Constitution Hill. She has only run once so far in a bumper race where she finished second place. She stands at just over 16.1 hands high, but she is gentle and easy to watch at Seven Barrows’ stable visit. I won’t be surprised that she will go straight over hurdles this season. On the ground, I think she could run on good ground and also good to soft conditions. Nicky Henderson likes the way she is progressing on the gallops, especially against other 4yr old geldings and fillies. Here are a few quotes.

Nico De Boinville After the Southwell bumper race

“She wants a bit of dig in the ground.”Very nice horse going forward for the winter.”

Nicky Henderson trainer.

“Needs a bit of dig in the ground, everyone likes her a lot, she goes very very well, we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Ian Byers syndicate owner with By The Grace

“Undoubted pedigree, wonderful temperament, she’s going to be a lot of fun.”

DENEMETHY 5yr Old Trained By Fegal O’Brien Form: –

Denemethy

Denemethy was bought from the Irish point to point scene. He has won over 3 miles at Knockanard point to point. The previous owner and trainer said 🗣” He’s a thorough stayer, and he will improve physically too as he matures.” He was purchased from Tattershalls Cheltenham sale for £48,000. Fergal O’Brien has him at his stable, and he has quoted saying

“He’s a fine horse. He’s 16.2 hands high. He will be a lovely chaser. ” He could go and run one bumper, then after go straight over hurdles. But his future will be going over fences. “

NORDIC STORM 4yr Old Trained By Joe Tizzard Form: –

Nordic Storm

Nordic Storm in the open schooling

Nordic Storis from the sire of Norse Dancer. He’s from the Aga Kan pedigree. He was bought in the sales for £45,000 in the Goffs Sales. He is a chaser in the making as he has size about him standing at 16.3 hands high. Joe Tizzard has been quoted saying

“He has pleased me. He’s not put a foot wrong so far since joining the stable. He has grown and physically deloped.”

Joe Tizzard thinks he could start in the autumn in a bumper or two and onto novice hurdling. Also, he has a nice future, especially over fences.

I NEED YOU 5yr Old Trained By Donald McCain Form: –

I Need You

I Need You at Donald McCain stable

I Need You is the half-sister to 4 time winner Go Chique and by the sire of Grade I winner Grganeteen. She is a strapping 16.2 hands high mare. Also, she is a half-sister to the Sussex and Devon National winner Christmas In April. I’m sure it will run in distance in 3 mile plus races like Go Chique. Hopefully jumping fences in the future of her career.

FIERCE WARRIOR 4yr Old Trained By Nicky Henderson Form: Bumper 51

Fierce Warrior at Seven Barrows and with Nicky Henderson

Purchased from Goffs Land Rover Sale for €50,000. Fierce Warrior is by the sire of Sholokhov. He has already run in May 2023. He won by three and a quarter lengths at Worcester. He has been schooled over hurdles getting ready his novice hurdle campaign. I would say 2 mile 1 furlong or further will suit him and would also run on Good or Good to Soft conditions. Softer ground I think he won’t coupe with it in my opinion.

SPECIAL MENTION

EL KALDOUN 9yr Old Trained By Nicky Henderson Form: Bumper 14 Hurdles 765260 Chase 1F17 Jumper Bumper Race 2

El Kaldoun jumping a fence

El Kaldoun on the gallops

El Kaldoun was cut short in his prime when he suffered a tendon injury. He’s been off since for a fair while. But now looks set coming back to the racetrack. He can mix both chasing and hurdling. He’s been off over a year.

My Thoughts: I’m hoping to see another successful National Hunt season in the famous Light Blue and Orange Silks. Definitely, I would like to see By The Grace successful. She took my eye at the stable visit at Seven Barrows. As in her temperament and taking things in her stride. But also, the main flag bearer in the National Hunt roster for MPR is Marie’s Rock once again. As she will go up in distance to three miles. But I’m looking forward to the others this season as well.

Thank you to Ian Byers for pictures (By The Grace)

Many thanks for reading the blog. I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to follow me on Twitter @brownlowj74 or would you like to follow Middleham Park Racing @MprUpdates for news or information. The website is http://www.middlehamparkracing.net . Also, I’m involved with Money Rider Racing Twitter account to follow @money_rider for horse racing fans who follow Flat racing or National Hunt racing or Both. Money Rider are on YouTube channel. Just search Money Rider Racing.