French invasion

The French Revolution section in One Jump Ahead has highlighted subsequent Grade 1 winners A Plus Tard, Burning Victory, Defi Du Seuil, El Fabiolo, Espoir D'Allen, Klassical Dream, Quilixios and Saint Roi in previous years. Twelve months ago, the 2022/23 edition unearthed Impaire Et Passe, Gala Marceau and Irish Point - the trio all scored at the highest level last winter/spring. 

The latest offering in the 2023/2024 edition includes over 40 new recruits from across the English Channel, including 23 who have joined Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins. Four of them are now handled by Gordon Elliott, three with Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls and a couple are now under the guidance of Henry De Bromhead. 

In addition to the French Revolution feature, there are 10 new ex-French horses included in the Top 40 Prospects. The majority of these are juvenile hurdlers - French breds have won 6 of the last 7 renewals of the Triumph Hurdle - and they promise to light up the three year old hurdling scene this winter. The write ups have been accompanied by comments from triple French champion jockey James Reveley, who has either partnered or ridden against most of those included.

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On the track, last year's Imperial Cup winner Iceo made a successful start to his chasing career when winning by a dozen lengths at Newton Abbot on Monday. The French bred, who is rated 138 over timber, made all the running and, having jumped and raced with plenty of enthusiasm, wasn't hard pressed to see off his two rivals. Very much at home in testing conditions, Paul Nicholls' five year old will face tougher assignments but it was a pleasing start to his new vocation.

The Top 40 Prospects in Ahead On The Flat have been in good form and Vaguely Royal (11/8) provided the section with another winner at Newcastle on Monday evening. The gelded son of Galileo scored at Doncaster in June but reportedly didn't enjoy the soft ground at the same track last month. Held up in a steadily run event, Kieran Shoemark's mount challenged on the stands rail before staying on well to beat La Pulga by three parts of a length.