Hi Reader

The new jumps season is starting to pick up steam!

We had Chepstow action last weekend as well as good races at Punchestown on Tuesday.

I've enjoyed the summer break and now it's time to get the weekly eye catchers service back up and running on a regular basis. Cheltenham returns with their showcase meeting tomorrow week.

An exciting time of the season when last seasons top hurdlers go novice chasing .

Check out my two eye catchers from the past few days below:

​View Eye Catchers List Here​

​

Farland

Farland - 3rd in 1.35 Chepstow 11/10/24

Farland is a bit of a monkey however he is a monkey with ability, and a big engine. He was formerly owned and trained by Irish point to point handler, Sean Doyle. Farland was fancied to win the Goffs Bumper at Punchestown. He finished fourth in that bumper and was sold to Neil and Alfie Smith to be trained with Paul Nicholls. He was second on his British debut at Aintree and followed that by winning at Fakenham on his next run. He showed enough at Chepstow last Friday to suggest he can jump and travel but ideally, he would be better suited by a strong pace to help him settle. He is a work in progress, I think he will pick up a race or two over hurdles throughout the season.
​

Sundial

Sundial - 2nd in 4.50 Punchestown 15/10/24

Sundial was an encouraging second when unfancied for the William Hill Handicap hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday. He was fourth in the Boodles Handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham festival in 2023 off a handicap mark of 120. He has only won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan since and has a handicap mark of 114. Sundial looks capable of targeting a big handicap this season at one of the festivals and may need to win a handicap in the process. He stayed on from well off the pace in this race to finish second. He had no chance with the winner who had kicked well clear and won comfortably. At the age of five there is more to come from Sundial.

​

​

Happy Punting,

Hugh

​www.kingofthepicks.com​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​