THE jumps season is up and running — and I’ve picked out a deadly dozen to put the bookies on the floor.
While the likes of Constitution Hill, Galopin Des Champs, Shishkin, Honeysuckle, Allaho and Energumene will be great to watch you won’t get rich backing them — so I’ve plumped for a few under the radar who can pay their way.
What weapons does champion trainer Nicholls have in his arsenal this season?
Courtland is a chaser who looks a nice prospect for the canny Bowens and I fancy a breakout season for Mellificent.
Matterhorn is another who can peak this year for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. And there are a few others in here who can help us bash the bookies.
BANBRIDGE
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Age: 6 Form: 8/11147110-1
He won the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last year but will come into his own chasing.
He looked classy when winning on his chasing debut at Gowran, jumping well.
He’s 20-1 for the Brown Advisory and the Turners at the Festival and both look realistic.
BANBRIDGE wins the Martin Pipe in the final race of the 2022 #CheltenhamFestival…
7/7 for Ireland on the day for another another dominant Prestbury Cup victory.@RacingTV pic.twitter.com/25PPwUmaJH
— oddschecker Racing (@oddsRacing) March 18, 2022
SENIOR CITIZEN
Trainer: Alan King
Age: 9 Form: 12743/41238-
He was eighth in the Topham in April when jumping around the big fences well, as he did when second in the Grand Sefton.
He will be aimed at that again by Alan King and has every chance from what is a fair mark.
He hit the frame in the Greatwood Gold Cup in 2021 and races like that should be sensible targets.
TIM PAT
Trainer Donald McCain
Age: 6 Form: 95322111-
He is rising through the ranks and peaked with a smooth handicap win at Haydock in March.
He jumps really well and has a decent engine which means he stays 3m4f and further.
He’s only six so has a lot more to offer and handles any ground. He may not be top-level but can win more races in the north.
BRANDY LOVE
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Age: 6 Form: 1/13/121-
She missed out on the mares’ novice at Cheltenham with a knock but showed her class when taking the equivalent race at Fairyhouse in April.
She was impressive, scoring by eight lengths and saw out the 2m4f strongly. It’s hard to see many mares laying a glove on her.
MELLIFICENT
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill
Age: 5 Form: 2-1
She was second in an Irish bumper before moving across to Jonjo O’Neill and won on debut for the yard in a Uttoxeter bumper earlier this month.
She tanked along there over two miles and can transfer that promise to hurdling.
COURTLAND
Trainer: Peter Bowen
Age: 7 Form: 76/213315/711-5
He looked a nice prospect as a novice chaser when winning both starts at Newton Abbot and Ffos Las with loads in hand.
He was rustier than an old gate on return from 15 months off when fifth at Worcester a couple of weeks ago.
He was fully entitled to need that and can be nursed back to form.
THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Age: 7 Form: 11161/211116-
He impressed with his jumping when winning a Warwick Grade 2 in January on the back of wins at Doncaster, Cheltenham and Exeter.
He was thrown into the deep end of the Brown Advisory at the Festival by Paul Nicholls which proved too much.
He’s only been over fences six times and looks capable of improvement to figure at a decent level over three miles.
