out in sticks

Jeremy Grayson with his latest list of jumpers to keep an eye on

Jeremy Grayson with his latest list of jumpers he likes

WORCESTER, 14 JUNE (GOOD, GOOD TO FIRM PLACES) 2m4f Claiming Hurdle (class 5)

No fewer than four of the ten-strong line-up in this event changed hands before or after the race, with MR CAFFREY one of two horses claimed by Dr Richard Newland and all the more curious for that having not won any of his 21 career starts, 13 of those over hurdles. The good doctor has performed works of alchemy on similar cases in the past,however,and part of the appeal in the former denizen of Robert Stephens’ and John Flint’s yards may well be a mark currently 13lb below that off which he’d gone close at Towcester a year earlier;ability does clearly lurk.See what he could yet prove capable of for these new connections, especially if returned to the combination of 2m5f-2m6f handicaps and sound surfaces of his better efforts of the past 12 months.

UTTOXETER, 15 JUNE (GOOD) 0-100 2m7f70yds Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (class 5)

Mick Appleby would be thought of more as one to get wins and improvement out of other people’s Flat cast-offs than the jumps equivalents, but VODKA ISLAND showed easily enough on this stable debut following a 14-month absence to mark herself up as one capable of landing something for the now Rutland-based handler. A 12l defeat in third does her a disservice as she palpably blew up at the final flight, and it shouldn’t serve as reason to drop her in trip next time considering both her propensity to stay extra well (Lean Ar Aghaidh and Old Benny feature on the damside) and the fact her one previous career success came over 3m on easier ground.As a Turtle Island mare she probably won’t want it any faster than good, but assuming suitable surfaces can continue to be found she can start to make up for lost time whilst still appearing to sit at the right end of the handicap.

0-120 2m4f Novices’ Handicap Chase (class 4)

TRAFALGAR ROCK has already looked a wise acquisition for jumping by owners Value Racing Club,making use of the stamina and substance which secured him Flat wins at up to 2m for Mark Johnston to bag a trio of hurdles successes in the past twelve months. A 1.25l second on this chasing debut laid down an excellent marker despite him being a beaten favourite, as winner No Such Number was completing a four-timer and counted as an 11lb inferiorrated rival in name only.By no means bred for fences but proficient here apart from an error at the final ditch,the Mount Nelson six-year-old’s range of prior wins on everything from soft to good to firm should assist Dr Richard Newland in placing him to advantage.

0-100 1m7f168yds Handicap Hurdle (class 5)

STATE THE OBVIOUS ran in snatches throughout on this first start since Christmas and on this evidence,at least,looks like the familiar sort of indolent low-grade JP McManus/Jonjo O'Neill representative that would have required the AP McCoy magic to bully into achieving successes throughout successive summer jumping campaigns. He also happens to be a nephew of top-class hurdling mare Quevega, however,and it defies credibility that he won't possess even the small enough por- tion of that one's ability required to find a poor race at this time of year. A step up to the 2m4f of many of his aunt's greatest achievements doesn't yet look in order,but the application of headgear, coupled with the benefit derived from this reappearance run,might yet see him step up appreciably.

AINTREE, 16 JUNE (GOOD) 2m4f Novices’ Hurdle (class 4)

BERE HAVEN may not have been an easy horse to train up to now, with this hurdling/stable debut comprising just a second ever racecourse outing for the seven-year-old and coming just over a year since the first in a winning cause in a Tralee point-to-point (3m, good to firm). The temptation to make up for lost time and be pitched over fences sooner rather than later must be there, but both the dam and her sister managed hurdles wins over 2m or 2m4f, and an enthusiastic effort here before a lack of race-fitness told suggests Jennie Candlish’s son of Papal Bull is worth persevering with in run-of-the-mill summer novice hurdles a little longer yet. Should chasing already be on the cards, however, keep an eye out on any trip to Perth with Bere Haven or his stablemates,as Candlish’s five-year record with chasers at Scone Palace stands at a very impressive 45 (80%).

0-135 2m103yds Handicap Hurdle (class 3)

CURIOUS CARLOS will be a horse James Bowen remembers forever, as this year’s sensation from the novice point-to-point riders’ranks had gained his first Rules success three weeks earlier at Cartmel in partnership with the Overbury gelding. It was the combination of a pedestrian gallop