National Hunt Horses to Follow – Ireland, Part II

By James Condron

Loosen My Load (H De Bromhead)

While it was only a five runner field, the manner of Loosen My Load’s victory in the Southampton Goodwill Chase at the Listowel festival last month, in making all and jumping boldly (despite a slight hiccup at the second last) was most impressive. While parallels will undoubtedly be drawn with last year’s Arkle hero, Sizing Europe, also in the ownership of Alan Potts and trained by Henry De Bromhead, if continuing in the same vein of form, his fast and accurate jumping will put many novice opponents to the sword before an Arkle challenge is seriously contemplated. It would not come as a surprise to see the strapping son of Dushyantor put together a sequence of victories in novice chases, beginning in the Grade 3 Buck House Chase at Punchestown, said to be his likely next run by his trainer in the aftermath of his Listowel win.

Luska Lad (JJ Hanlon)

Luska Lad has the potential to take high rank amongst novice chasers in Ireland this year. Out of a dam who is a half sister to Fota Island and closely related to decent staying hurdlers, Black Jack Ketchum and Castlekelly Leader, the Fleminsfirth gelding scooped three Grade 2 novice hurdles in Ireland last season, displaying admirable toughness and an iron constitution. ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s charge does seem best on soft ground, as a career record of eight wins, two seconds and one third placing from 14 starts on going described as soft or heavy indicates and has recorded all his victories going right handed, signifying that Cheltenham or Aintree will not be on the agenda this season. Notwithstanding this, it would not be surprising to see Luska Lad take high rank amongst novice chasers this season in Ireland under his preferred conditions.

Mount Helicon (T Hogan)

Once trained by Andre Fabre in France and listed placed on the flat, the son of Montjeu and half brother to smart flat performers Regal Parade and Hot Prospect, seems to have appreciated the change of scenery from his move from the yard of Alan King to Tom Hogan. An effortless victory at Sligo in a maiden hurdle over 2 miles in August was proceeded by two excellent performances on the flat behind the useful dual purpose performer Alpine Eagle at Killarney before running the progressive Admiral Barry to 1¼ lengths in the big amateurs handicap at the Galway Festival under top weight. Although he disappointed on his only run over 2½ miles over hurdles when trained by King, Mount Helicon seems to be on better terms with himself these days, and his recent efforts over 2 miles would indicate that 2½ miles is well within his range over hurdles. A rating of 109 looks very exploitable for connections although good ground appears to be prerequisite for Mount Helicon to produce his best, indicating that we probably will not see him until the ground starts to quicken next Spring. In the meantime, Tom Hogan’s charge holds an intriguing entry in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in a fortnight’s time.

One Cool Tornado (P Gilligan)

Surely lightning cannot strike twice for Paul Gilligan, or can it? The similarities between One Cool Tornado and last season’s Albert Bartlett victor Berties Dream are striking, both are sons of Golden Tornado and are tough, resolute gallopers. One Cool Tornado is likely to follow the path that Berties Dream took last season, familiarising himself with Cheltenham in November before returning in March for the Albert Bartlett. I am prepared to ignore One Cool Tornados most recent run at Tipperary in the Grade 2 Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle over 2 miles and on ground officially described as yielding (yielding and soft in places) as his record suggests that good ground and a trip of 2½ miles are prerequisites in order for the gelding to be most effective.

I have no doubt horses from more fashionable quarters will shorten in the betting for the Albert Bartlett throughout the winter, but if making the line up for the race, One Cool Tornado could reward astute punters at generous odds.

Zaarito (CA Murphy)

As stated in a previous article, Zaarito underwent a wind operation during the summer, indicating that trainer; Colm Murphy feels that Zaarito’s costly late mistakes in both the Powers Gold Cup and the Dr Moriarity Novice Chase were due to fatigue resulting from breathing problems and not just jumping frailties.

Should the operation have the desired effect, the son of Tiraaz, noted for how powerfully he travels in his races, remains a horse to follow in top races ranging from 2 miles to 2½ miles this season.

Interestingly, it is noted from Zaarito’s race record that jockey Matt O’Conner seems to get on particularly well with the gelding, boasting three wins and one second from six rides upon him.

Said by his trainer to be quite slight and not over big, not the usual traits that one would look for in a chaser, Zaarito may be suited by a break between his races to allow him fully recover from his race exertions.

By James Condron