Eye Catchers November 2024

You Proof – 5th in 3.40 Fairyhouse 30/11/24

You Proof looked like he has a high Knee action and would prefer softer ground. He was green and over-exuberant throughout the early parts of this race and was a spent force during the final furlong. However I would be willing to forgive this run and if he settles better as he is entitled to do with that experience under his belt he can go close in one of these. The winter soft ground will suit him as he has won on soft/ heavy ground over 2m 4f in an Irish point.

Phils Choice – 10th in 2.50 Punchestown 23/11/24

Trainer Philip Rothwell had the first and second finishers in this race but I was drawn to his horse that finished tenth. He might be a price the next day and this was his first run back for 333 days. He won a handicap last December at Limerick over 2m 4f on heavy ground off a mark of 97.

He was raised 9 lbs for that win and I think that was deserved. The second Millstream Lady and himself were 9 lengths clear of the third. The second looked like a McNamara plot job and it took a well handicapped horse to beat her. With the Rothwell stable in such form it wouldn’t surprise me if he won one on his next few starts. 

Shade Of Winter – 3rd in 1.40 Chepstow 22/11/24

I had a small Interest in Shade Of Winter when he was point to pointing with Cormac Doyle. He was second in Comea that day on Heavy ground. He was sold to William Rucker and went into training with Evan Williams. He ran in one Bumper race last April finishing second again at Chepstow. He finished third on his hurdling debut again over 2 miles on good to soft ground.

The key to this lad will be a step up in trip and he will handle winter soft ground fine. He might not have a turn of foot but he can jump and gallop and is a staying chaser down the line. Don’t be surprised to see him improve with a step up in trip and pick up a race of similar nature.

Go Dante – 9th in 3.30 Cheltenham 17/11/24

Go Dante is another horse who would have preferred softer under foot conditions. He jumped and travelled and just blew up a bit after the second last hurdle. That was his first run after a wind operation and if the handicapper drops him another few pounds and the ground turns winter soft he could pick up one of these big handicaps. There are no secrets with this horse and he hasn’t got a stone up his sleeve but he is capable on his day especially with soft in the going.

Surrey Quest – 2nd in 2.55 Cheltenham 17/11/24

Surrey Quest stayed on from a mile back to finish second behind the ill fated Abuffalosoldier. You wouldn’t have been blamed for throwing away your ticket at half way but he stayed on really well to close the whole way to the line. A combination of softer ground and further distance looks likely to see this horse go close in a big handicap Chase again. He is 4 lbs higher than when finishing second in the Scottish National on his penultimate start, as a 7 year old he could be still improving.

Strong Run – 3rd in 4.00 Cheltenham 16/11/24

Strong Run looks like a winner in waiting having finished third on her second racecourse start in a Listed Mares Bumper at Cheltenham. She was caught wide throughout and had to come three wide around the final bend. Although not good enough to get to the winner Seo Linn, she did stay on well to finish a close third, a neck behind her stronger fancied stablemate Siog Geal. She will improve with a hurdle and I’m sure her owners will be keen to get more black type when she goes hurdling.

Gaoth Chuil – 5th in 2.00 Naas 10/11/24

Gaoth Chuil was back over hurdles last Sundayafter a spin on the flat. She finished fifth of eleven in the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4f at Naas on good to yielding ground. She travelled strongly to the last hurdle where she just got tired up that stiff hill at Naas. She can still be competitive off a mark of 133 especially when stepped up in trip on softer ground. It would be no surprise to see a good claimer onboard at some stage to take some weight off her back.

Gaboriot – 3rd in 2.40 Aintree 09/11/24

Gaboriot stayed on nicely to claim third in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree last Saturday. 2m 5f is as short as he would want now on good ground and he made up some good ground from the rear before running on for third. He will probably go back to competing in Hunter Chases throughout the season and he is well up to winning a few of those over the coming months. He is a hardy, versatile horse who is a good jumper. At the age of 8 he is still relatively young for Hunter Chases. 

Fiercely Proud – Fell in 3.15 Ascot 02/11/24

Fiercely Proud has had no luck so far this season having got loose going to the start at Cheltenham last month and just about to challenge the leaders last Saturday when coming to grief jumping the second last hurdle. He may have needed that run just to help him run the freshness off him as he can be quite enthusiastic in his racing. The handicapper has left him unchanged on a mark of 129 and he should go close in one of these valuable handicaps over the coming months. The Greatwood hurdle on the 17th of November would be on his agenda if quickly recovering from that soft looking fall. He is currently 20/1 for that race.

Helvic Dream – 2nd in 1.35 Down Royal 02/11/24

Helvic Dream finished second of eighteen in the 2m 1f 4 year old plus handicap hurdle at Down Royal last Saturday. The Noel Meade trained seven year old was beaten by the classy filly Kala Conti who herself was a Grade 2 winner last year beating the likes of Kargese and Nurburgring in the process. Mistakes at the first and last hurdle was the undoing of Helvic Dream but he definitely has the ability to be competitive off his current mark of 128.