Following on from a brilliant few months on the service, with a 58% ROI for November with highlights including Greaneteen, Morning Vicar, Flirtatious Girl, Project Mars, Those Tiger Feet, Lydford, Imperial Aura and Isola Rossa (13/2 into 11/4), there are a further three horses that caught the eye over the course of the week which are well worth putting in your notebooks/trackers.
Alto Volante (William Haggas) – As is so often the case with the William Haggas trained newcomers, this well-bred colt by Kingman’s first run was one focused on education. Following some excellent work at home he was far too green on the 25th of November when making his debut at Lingfield at a track that was sharp enough for this scopey colt. Following a tardy start he was incredibly green under Tom Marquand who allowed the horse to come home in his own time and although only able to manage 7th, I am told that considerable improvement can be expected on his next start, especially if at a more suitable track such as Newcastle or Kempton with a longer straight.
Fashion Nova(Fergal O’Brien) – A mare held in high-regard by the Fergal O’Brien stable this five-year old daughter of Flemensfirth found herself caught further back than ideal on debut at Wetherby and having travelled powerfully into contention she was simply unable to make up the ground needed on the run-in to get to the front pair, both of which had the benefit of experience with the winner having had a prominent position throughout. Based on the standard to which this mare has continued to work she should have no issues in winning a bumper if that’s where connections decide to send her for her next outing.
Imperial Storm(Feral O’Brien) – Another horse from the Fergal O’Brien stable, and although bred to make up into a far better jumper than a bumper horse, this four-year old gelding by Shantou shaped with plenty of promise on his debut in a Southwell bumper on the 24th of November. Having finished with running left when short of room at one stage on the run-in, he would have finished 3rd with a clearer passage and although very much a horse for further once sent hurdling, the stable feel the ability is there to see Imperial Storm land a bumper before being sent jumping.
