National Hunt season 2014/15 Updates from The Hit&Miss Sports Blog annalist Chris Day

National Hunt season 2014/15 Updates from The Hit&Miss Sports Blog

Update report from our ten to follow analyst  Chris Day @Chrisday100 click to follow 

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Since our last update, the season has got into full swing, big meetings including the tremendous 3 days at Cheltenham for the Paddy Power providing the first insight into how the season’s better races may pan out.

The good news is that both our Ten To Follow selections won at nice prices.

First up was Brother Brian, who led for most of the way in a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier round Kempton over 2 miles 5 furlongs and held off a strong challenge from the Nicky Henderson trained mare, Utopie Des Bordes, who was running from the same mark as when runner up in Haydock’s big Fixed Brush Hurdle last November. In third was a well backed Phillip Hobbs trained handicapper and the form looks very solid. All options, including chasing, remain open but my best guess is that he’ll turn up over 3 miles at Newbury next weekend in another Pertemps qualifier in view of his already proven affinity with the track. He looks a horse still open to plenty of improvement and should not b opposed until beaten.

On Friday, Champagne West won a traditionally strong novice chase run over the extended 2 ½ mile trip round Cheltenham in soft ground. His jumping was good, he travelled strongly and the result was never in doubt as he beat his stablemate, Colour Squadron, a proven top class handicapper who goes very well at the track, comfortably without Richard Johnson having to give him the full treatment. Beforehand the race looked to contain some horse with big aspirations and the sky really is the limit for him. The talk after was of RSA Chases but I’m not sure he’s an out and out stayer, as you really need to be for that contest and I’d hold fire on Ante Post bets until we’ve seen more of him as I believe he could have enough class for a JLT.

Talking of Ante Post, unfortunately our tip for the Greatwood Hurdle, Goodwood Mirage, was withdrawn yesterday morning presumably due to the deteriorating ground conditions. Apologies to anyone who lost out but, from what I hear, losses are only lent and he’s considered a very bright prospect by the stable, certainly some way ahead of his current mark of 142 and he’s well worth looking out for in the coming weeks.