Our new Irish columnist for the 2024/25 National Hunt season is Donal Murphy, who will be talking all things Irish Jumps throughout the campaign in ‘The Irish Angle’. Before he kicks off that weekly column, Donal has put together his 10 To Follow for the new season and there’s some eye-catching runners to etch into your notebook.
FLEUR IN THE PARK – Andy Slattery
Highly tried in bumpers last season, this Walk In The Park five-year-old looks set for a fruitful campaign. He hardly came off the bridle when making virtually all on his debut over flights at Wexford, easily seeing off the effort of the well-regarded Taponthego. His trainer Andy Slattery believes he’ll be even better over further and mentioned the Albert Bartlett as a long-term target.
AMEN KATE – Tom Cooper
Bred by retired Irish international footballer Kevin Doyle, this daughter of Flemensfirth followed in the hoofprints of her Grade 1 winning dam, Augusta Kate, by scoring on debut at the Listowel Harvest Festival. She easily accounted for 12 rivals at the Co. Kerry venue, with subsequent winner Amboyna back in third. Set to be campaigned solely in bumpers this season, she is an exciting prospect going forward.
GG 10 To Follow – Joe Napier Gives His 10 Horses to Look Out for this Jumps Season
The National Hunt season is already in full flow, and at GG, all of our writers and tipsters will be giving their “10 To Follow” for the season in the coming weeks. Here, Joe Napier gives his from across Great Britain and Ireland. Jeroboam Machin – Emmet Mullins There would have to be a few…
Tue 22 Oct 2024HE CAN’T DANCE – Gordon Elliott
The subject of strong market support prior to his debut at Monksgrange point-to-point in March, this well-bred grey created a favourable impression, with his then trainer Rob James aboard. Coming from off the pace, he ultimately won going away and since changed hands for a massive £300,000. Out of a half-sister to dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded, a bright future beckons for this Jukebox Jury youngster who will carry the colours of Gigginstown House Stud going forward.
WORLD OF FORTUNES – Liam Kenny
From an outfit mostly associated with training point-to-pointers, this chestnut mare has done remarkably well since switching to flights. Unbeaten in three starts over the smaller obstacles, she appears to be progressing with every run and was particularly impressive when winning a Listed contest at Limerick on her latest start. Versatile in terms of trip, but probably best over two and a half to three miles, she is set to be kept against her own sex this season and it’ll be interesting to see how high up the ranks she can go.
FINAL DEMAND – Willie Mullins
Closely related to a whole host of winners, this well-bred five-year-old has yet to appear on the racecourse proper. Bought for €230,000 at the Tattersalls Derby Sale, he impressed on his sole start to date in a Lingstown point-to-point when in the care of Matthew Flynn O’Connor. Out of dual Grade 3 winner Zuzka, the Walk In The Park bay has since joined the all-conquering yard of Willie Mullins and is sure to have a bright future ahead.
THE JUKEBOX KID – Ben Pauling
While he probably didn’t beat much on debut in a Tinahely point-to-point when in the care of Cormac Doyle, he galloped up the hill in relentless fashion, easing to a 16-length success. A half-brother to Grand National Trial winner Yeah Man, he was subsequently sold to current connections for £130,000 and it’ll be fascinating to see how his career develops.
SOLDIER IN MILAN – Emmet Mullins
Another Cormac Doyle graduate, this Soldier Of Fortune bay really put his rivals to the sword on debut at Monksgrange point-to-point in March, easily dismissing 10 rivals by 16-lengths. Out of a half-sister to 2011 Grand National runner-up Oscar Time, he has since been snapped up by top connections and could well end up following in the footsteps of his aforementioned relative.
SORRENTINO – Willie Mullins
While he has met with some ‘niggly issues’ in training, this Ballylinch Stud-owned six-year-old has undoubted ability. Sent off a warm order favourite on debut at the Punchestown Festival of 2023, he jinked and unseated Jody Townend approaching halfway. Out of action for over a year, he returned at Ballinrobe on the first day of the current season, winning a bumper in convincing fashion. Patrick Mullins was aboard on that occasion and later enthused ‘he has a big engine.
ECHOING SILENCE – Henry de Bromhead
This Doyen bay topped the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale in March, realising a massive £410,000. Bought by Peter Molony on behalf of a client, the Rathmore Stud-owner described her as ‘absolutely stunning’. The winner of a point-to-point at Ballycahane when in the care of Sam Curling, she is a half-sister to Deafening Silence, a Grade 2 winner over flights for Dan Skelton. Now in the care of Henry de Bromhead, this attractive four-year-old could go right to the top.
KORKORAN – Harry Derham
Colin Bowe, who is Ireland’s leading point-to-point handler, trained this French bred to win the four-year-old maiden at Ballinaboola point-to-point in February. While he only won narrowly at the Co Wexford venue, he was sent off favourite and is clearly open to plenty of improvement. Notably, Bowe won this race in previous years with subsequent Cheltenham Festival winners Envoi Allen and Telmesomethinggirl. Bought by Ed Bailey and Harry Derham for £240,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale, Korkoran is an exciting acquisition for his ambitious young trainer.
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