BLAST OF KOEMAN (Robert Tyner)
This well bred son of Shantou is a half-brother Theatre Guide. He ran an eye catching race to finish sixth in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper last season. He was held up in the rear of the field and always travelling well. When asked for his effort two furlongs out he was making stready headway before caught in traffic and finding no way through. He eventually finished sixth behind Petit Mouchoir (beaten 10 lengths). On the basis of that run he will have no trouble in winning a bumper and should be competing in the better novice hurdles this season.
ADMIRAL CHIEF (Willie Mullins)
A son of Presenting out of Supreme Serenade (Supreme Leader) who was also the dam of Irish Buccaneer. Despite being unraced he has plenty of experience as he spent last season in training with Irish point to point trainer Pat Doyle last season, but didn’t make the track. Despite his failure to make the track he clearly showed plenty of ability as he was bought by the Willie Mullins yard. He is well regarded at Closeutton and can be expected to win his bumper before heading over hurdles.
MIGHT BITE (Nicky Henderson
By Scorpion a sire we like a lot. He was a real eye catcher in the paddock, although looking as if he still had some strengthening to do to fill his frame. He travelled through the race on the bridle, but became unbalanced in heavy ground when asked for his effort and finished third behind West Approach and King Kayf. He returned to Newbury the next month and made short work of winning a novice hurdle by 15 lengths from subsequent winner Royalraise. He completed his season winning at Cheltenham beating Souriyan by a length. He looked set to win at a canter, but idled badly up the hill, only responding when the runner-up came alongside. He was obviously value for a much wider margin of victory and looks a candidate for the big handicap hurdles with a bigger field and a truly run race. His mark of 138 looks to be an early Christmas present and I would expect him to be targeted at a decent pot first time out.
DRUIDS FOLLY (Rebecca Curtis)
Maybe an unusual inclusion given his one appearance at the track resulted in a 19 length defeat when trailing home in a Chepstow bumper. He was sent off a warm 9/4 favourite that day which reflected the ability he had shown at home. It was clear before the race he was on edge, and once the tape went back he took a keen hold and refused to settle at any point in the race. As a result his chance had gone long before they turned for home. He is capable of much better and as the stable proved with Aurilliac (made his debut two days later and won at Cheltenham in November) is well worth a second chance.
THEATRE TERRITORY (Nicky Henderson)
Was backed as if defeat was out of the question when unseating at the second fence on her debut in an Irish point at Liscarroll in May. Those who took the 4/5 on offer got their fingers burned on that occasion, but she made no mistake on her next outing sent off a 6/4 and demolishing a 19 runner field at Ballindesk. She looked a picture at the Brightwells sales when Robert Waley-Cohen paid £200,000 to add her to his string. She looks to be a black type performer and should be competing in the top mares events this season.