As the dust begins to settle on the 2023 Cheltenham Festival a lot of talking continues for the winners with “where will they go next” on the tip of everyone’s tongues. But here we will be looking at some encouraging performances that might have gone unnoticed, and who may well be worth staying on the right side of if not for the rest of the season, but for the 2023/2024 National Hunt season.
Inthepocket – 4th Supreme Novices Hurdle
For me, this was a massive run over a trip short of his best in my opinion.
Traveled great throughout the race as he did when winning the Grade 2 Tote Navan Novice Hurdle at Nass, yes, Naas. Inthepocket was going very well up to the 2nd last where he got short of room at a crucial stage in the race, but, to his credit, he stuck his head down and rallied well to take 4th place.
I like the way he was able to travel well up to a point and then battled all the way to the line, and to me, he is one that has a bright future over further and a fence next season for a yard that excels with their chasers.
Sandor Clegane – 3rd Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
A horse who promised to become a decent staying Novice Hurdler based on his bumper performance last season, put it all together to run a massive race in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
The type that reminds me of a former Grade 1 winner that Paul Nolan used to train, Latest Exhibition with the size and scope he has to jump a fence. Throw in the bit of class that Sandor Clegane possesses that might well be enough to take him to the next level over fences
There is talk about the 2024 National Hunt Chase as a possible long-term target, but I can see him having too much class for that, and I see his future in all the main staying Novice Chases in Ireland next season with the likes of the Drinmore at Fairyhouse, Neviles Hotel Novices Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and so on.
Really excited to see what he may be able to produce over the larger obstacles.
Champ Kiely – 3rd Ballymore Novices Hurdle
A name that many will forget even with him finishing 3rd in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle, and that comes down to him winning his maiden hurdle at Galway back in July, which 99% of the time you wouldn’t take any notice of that form when it comes to Grade 1s let alone the Cheltenham Festival.
But just like Marine Nationale, the summer form this season with these two is something that has been proven very valuable and I for one stood up and took notice when both won over the summer.
I will be following him again because, for one that races with the choke-out, and he still manages to put in top performances.
The only time that it worked against him was in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novices Hurdle where he was sent off a warm 10/11f, only for the now Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Marine Nationale to take the prize.
There is just something about him that when he learns how to relax he could take another forward step, be the over hurdles in open company, our novice chasing.
