Front running grey who had a progressive year over hurdles last year with the highlight being a runaway 8 length victory in the valuable 3m fixed brush hurdle at Haydock in November. A step up in class meant that the 6 year old was now standing toe to toe with the highest class staying hurdlers around, more accurately against the greatest staying hurdler of all time Bug Bucks. The former was his conqueror in his next 3 starts in the Longwalk, Cleeve and World hurdles respectively. However, it is Longwalk hurdle at Ascot which interests me most. Since Big Bucks reverted to hurdles I can only think of one occasion when a horse seemed to get Big Bucks off the bridle and in trouble, this horse was Dynaste in the Longwalk hurdle where Tom Scudamore kicked for home when leaving the back straight looking to steal a march. For a few strides Ruby Walsh became increasingly animated on Big Bucks but as the result shows Big Bucks was an easy winner in the end after getting on terms with Dynaste. As a result of kicking for home early Dynaste had little in tank and he tired into 4th beaten 19 lengths. I thought this was an unfair reflection of his efforts, he probably deserved 2nd at least. As with many David Pipe horses he if often sent on to bowl along in front, his high natural cruising speed could bring out any flaws in his competitors jumping. His front-running style may also be beneficial in keeping him out of trouble in novice chases where an increased amount of mistakes and fallers can create traffic problems for horses racing further back in the field. If he takes to fences like he has attacked his hurdles you can expect this horse to be a prominent figure in 3m novice chases this year without quite having the class to beat the top draw horses. You would expect to see him in the RSA and may target the 3m novice chase at the open meeting as a pre-christmas target.
Get Me Out Of Here: http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=734779#topHorseTabs=horse_race_record&bottomHorseTabs=horse_form
Widely recognised as the most unlucky horse in training having finished runner-up at 3 consecutive Festivals. Having finished second last year in 2 of the most competitive handicap hurdles in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February and then behind Son Of Flicka in the Coral Cup at the Festival, he finally get his head in front at the Fairyhouse festival in April. Unfortunately, this string of brilliant efforts have come at a cost. His rating has headed skywards to 158 meaning he will almost certainly carry top weight in every handicap he runs in and as a result he may have to step up to championship class. An alternative option is to head novice chasing. This idea was on the table last year but the decision not to can be supported by the amount of prize money he has picked up in the handicap hurdles. Finally, this year may be the year and Jonjo has made it public that Get Me Out Of Here is a fine jumper of fences when schooling at home. Having been stepped up to 2m 4f at the end of last year at the Festival and at Fairyhouse, this would suggest that 2m 4f novice chases would be his target. Although, Jonjo may consider 2m novice chases bearing in mind his 2nd place finishes in the Supreme Novice Hurdle and County Hurdle at the festival were over 2miles. The Arkle could possibly be the long-term target this year but I would expect him to prefer the extra stamina test of the Jewson over 2m 5f. We know that he has high class form at the Festival and has appeared to run better in the spring. All things considered expect to see him in the shake up at the Festival again this year and fingers crossed he gets his head in front this time!
Smad Place: http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=764650#topHorseTabs=horse_race_record&bottomHorseTabs=horse_form
Smad Place is another advert for he strength in depth of the juveniles who ran in the 2011 triumph hurdle. Quality animals such as Zarkandar, Grandouet, Unaccompanied, Sailors Warn and Brampour are all graduates of the race that year. Bearing in mind Smad Place finished 10th that day he was only beaten 11 lengths. 2011/2012 saw massive progression in this grey culminating in a superb 3rd place finish in the World Hurdle, this was with a distinct lack of experience compared to his rivals in only his 1st attempt outside of handicap company (as a second season hurdler). Before the spring he had won a very competitive grade 2 handicap hurdle at Ascot in January by 7 lengths in ultra impressive style after an extended spell on the sidelines, beating home decent yard sticks such as Pateese. More eye catching perhaps was his next run on a return to Ascot in February. He conceded more than a stone to some seasoned campaigners such as Aimigayle and the progressive Lanzarote hurdle winner Swincombe Flame, although he was runner up it was it was a memorable weight carrying performance. Particularly as he gave 29 pounds to subsequent unexposed Cheltenham Festival fancy Bourne. Putting a line through his only blip last year when unseating at Aintree, Smad Place has the potential to improve again this year due to being so young. However, at the tender age if 5, it could be his age that is the main counter-argument to novice chasing this year. Another years experience over hurdles is likely beneficial as it is expected he may still have some degree of immaturity. Also bearing in mind he is a 3 miler, the obvious target would be the RSA but in such a grueling race would it be appropriate to put him through such an experience at such a young age? Probably not. Also at 14-1 for the RSA I'm not sure this represents any value at this time with such a young horse going novice chasing. My track of thought is persuaded by Sam Winner's novice chase campaign last year. Although, if you do see Smad Place's name entered in a novice chase anywhere this year expect a run for your money.
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