Winners flow from National Hunt Season Guide

A National Hunt season guide published last week is already rewarding its readers with winners as the new season gathers pace with three days of top-quality action at the Open Meeting at Cheltenham at the weekend.

The guide is written by Graham Richards, who is familiar to readers of our betting section and contains brief essays on the leading hopes from major yards around the country, including those of Nicky Henderson, Philip Hobbs, Alan King, Charlie Mann, Ferdy Murphy, Paul Nicholls and David Pipe.

Winners from last weekend include Paddy Power Gold Cup winner L’Antartique, who received the following comment: “when he is on song he is very good. He has shown winning form on good, right through to heavy, ground. His best form has come over two mile five furlongs, though Ferdy may try him over further this season. Having won at Cheltenham, the Paddy Power and Boylesports Gold Cup appear viable pre- Christmas targets and he goes well fresh.”

Sunday saw Charlie Mann win with Moon Over Miami and readers will have taken a close look at the 10-1 shot in the light of the following entry: “Made a miserable start to the season at Kempton Park. He made a couple of mistakes and pulled to hard for his own good. Nevertheless, he started last season in similar fashion only to come good at Cheltenham on his third run. His profile suggests he is best on good ground, and a good pace is essential for him. He has run well at Ascot and Uttoxeter, as well as Cheltenham; he will be putting his recent disappointment behind him sooner rather than later.“

Voy Por Ustedes just failed to give 26lb to Kalca Mome on Sunday, but Sandown looks to be the target: “Alan feels he has improved again over the summer. Despite his trainer believing he will stay further, he will be campaigned, as a two-mile champion should be. He will be extremely hard to beat in the Tingle Creek and all being well, the Champion Chase. Good to soft or soft ground suit him admirably.”

Alan King was also on the mark with the admirable Franchoek, who was flagged up as a juvenile hurdler to follow.

Backers of Snap Tie, who was mugged on the line by I’msingingtheblues on Friday, should not despair, as the guide counsels: “Bumper and hurdle winner Snap Tie is one of Philip’s favourite horses. He will not be rushed as Philip feels he is still developing and strengthening. Jumps well and has a good turn of foot; patience will, I feel, be rewarded in the long-term.”

There are many more such profiles in the guide, which will surely assist in the coming months.

Cheltenham Festival and Grand National previewed in detail

The second section of the guide previews the major races at the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National with summaries of all the major contenders, which will prove an immensely useful tool in following the form of the profiled horses as the season develops.

The guide concludes with a detailed table of ratings based on form to the end of last season and a table of interesting new recruits to the winter game at the recent Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale.

The guide costs only £10 and is available direct from Graham Richards. Buy your copy now.