With the new year upon us, many horses will be heading towards their prep races for upcoming festivals including the Dublin Racing Festival in February and of course Cheltenham in March. In the piece below, I have selected a number of individual runners who will likely be engaged in these future meetings and who showed potential going forward into 2024.
Waterford Whispers came with a rattling late run to claim the Rated Novice Hurdle, at Fairyhouse in early December. Seventh on debut in April, the Westerner gelding made the breakthrough on his next start at Galway and was sent off a well-supported 4/1 chance over this near twoand-a-half mile trip. Given a patient ride, the Henry de Bromhead-trained victor was pushed along in fifth before two out but jumped the last in third and really powered home from there, hitting the front inside the final 150 yards before going on to score by a length-and-three-quarters.
The Terence O'Brien-trained Answer To Kayf looked set to score on clearing the last but he ultimately couldn't hold off the winner and had to settle for second under John Shinnick. The front pair were five lengths in front of Luminous Light while the well fancied Redstone could only manage a disappointing sixth.
"It was hard to weigh him up after Galway," Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, commented. Mark said it was a messy old race but he jumped quite well and picked up well going to the last. He looked in a bit of trouble early, in the straight and is still learning on the job. It was a good performance and he quickened up well at the back of the last. He is a big lad that will jump a fence in time.
You'd be very pleased with him." Conor Stone Walsh continued his excellent start to life as a National Hunt jockey, claiming the subsequent Handicap Chase aboard Solness over an extended two miles.
This story is from the January 2024 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2024 edition of Racing Ahead.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SHARK'S GOT A BIT BETWEEN HIS TEETH
Alex Gifford reckons Hewick will be ready and refreshed for the National after his Gold Cup absence
THEY'RE BACKING LOSERS AND WE'LL PAY THE PRICE
Rolf Johnson blasts unelected officials meddling with gambling regulations while the 'impotent' BHA stand aside
THERE'S BOUNTI IN IT FOR BOUGHEY
Dave Youngman does the rounds on the gallops at headquarters and spotlights a promising new crop
SUMMER DAYS FOR ALL WEATHER TRIO
It's cash bonuses all round for the stars of rubber and sand, writes Ian Heitman
FOLLOW THE VAN
Paul Jacobs is keeping faith with Gavin Cromwell and last year's Grand National runner-up
IT'S SAFETY FIRST BUT NOBLE'S MY WINNER
Sky Racing frontman Robert Cooper casts a wistful eye back on old-school Nationals - but he's fixed on Yeats
GET SET FOR AN EASTER CRACKER!
Karl Hedley picks out runners and riders who can shine in the aftermath of Cheltenham
COR BLIMEY! WHAT A CRACKING CLIMAX
Ben Morgan looks to Cheltenham stars Slade Steel and Corach Rambler to star on Aintree's biggest day
BANBOU TAKES A BOW
Frero can top 'em in the Topham for Venetia Williams
DAWNING TO OPEN FOR IN-FORM DAN
Ben Morgan sees the Skelton brothers getting off to a winning start on Day 1