The three I am very keen on are in the novice chases: Marine Nationale, Inthepocket, and Giovinco. I also like Indeevar Bleu and You Oughta Know for the Supreme.
Barry has all but confirmed that the Arkle is the target for MN and he looks a real weapon. He'll have a likely rival in Facile Vega, and there is a risk that FV takes to fences better, but MN looks a real specimen. I think CH being in the market is propping up MN's price a touch (as well as FV's actually). Realistically, they look to be ahead of the rest of those likely targeted here. Arkle 7/2
Inthepocket was a strange one last year. Looked perfectly suited for the midtrip but Henry persevered with him over 2m and ended up a very creditable 4th in a hot Supreme and winning at Aintree. I am still convinced he'd want to step up in trip and he jumped his hurdles like he wouldn't mind a fence. I am not sure he's going to be a superstar, but the mid-division does look like it might cut up a bit. Of the top 10 in the betting, I'd suggest at least 8 if not 9 are more likely might be headed elsewhere. Only ITP, and maybe Corbett's Cross would seem likely to be aimed here. That being said, this is a division which tends to fall into place as the season progresses rather than having obvious candidates from the outset. Of the others, Irish Point and Strong Leader would look to be credible challengers. Turners 14/1
Giovinco looks an excellent prospect with a trainer who knows how to get them right for the staying chases. He might be one who trots around UK courses without much competition - albeit his stable mate in Apples Away looks a prospect too - .and gets cut to single figures following an uncompetitive win on debut over fences. The Brits have tender to prosper in the RSA recently too. RSA 25/1
Over hurdles, I do really like the obvious ones this year so am not hugely keen to take them on yet; A Dream to Share, Fact To File, Tullyhill, Ballyburn and to a lesser extent, Mirazur West. There are two that are flying under the radar a little bit (despite one being second fav) that I was impressed with in bumpers at the end of last year; Indeevar Bleu and You Oughta Know.
Visually the former looked superb in a bumper that Olly Murphy likes to fire his best at. Chasing Fire won the race year before. Hillcrest won the race the year before that as well, so it does tend to throw up a good one. Notably, IB's RPR was 125, some 10 points greater than Chasing Fire's. We know Olly Murphy likes to keep his novice hurdlers to the shorter trip so can be fairly certain that, if he makes the grade, IB will be aimed at the Supreme. Supreme 50/1
You Oughta Know was immediately found in the market following an impressive bumper win over the much touted Croke Park amongst others. The right horse finished a comfortable second that day with the experienced Joshua Des Flos in third too. It's hard to know where Willie will aim him, but given his plethora of staying talent (three listed above) and the high cruising speed on show in his bumper, I think he might be aimed towards the Supreme. That being said, we know Willie has numerous French 4/5 year olds either in the stables or on a boat so it's hardly a strong line of thought. I really like Ballyburn, Tullyhill looks to be a good one too, whilst Fact To File seems battle hardened and ready to slog, but this chap was probably my favourite of Willie's bumper horses last year. Supreme 12/1
