One Jump Ahead

Following the sad passing of HM The Queen on Thursday afternoon, the racing in the UK on Friday and Saturday has been postponed as a mark of respect. The St Leger at Doncaster has been rescheduled for Sunday with Town Moor now staging a bumper nine race card which gets underway at 12.30. There is still some action to look forward to on Saturday though with Leopardstown hosting a terrific card including the Irish Champion Stakes and Matron Stakes. Things won't seem the same without the Queen at the helm - she has been a tremendous monarch and symbol for the country over such a long period of time and the UK will sorely miss her. Unfortunately, like so many things in the Britain nowadays, it is not like it used to be. 

I spent most of Friday continuing to process orders for One Jump Ahead and the Updates. For the last 30 years, the purpose of OJA has been an attempt to spot the future stars before they become household names. In recent seasons, the Top 40 Prospects has included subsequent Grade 1 winners Energumene, Envoi Allen, Ferny Hollow, Galopin Des Champs, Gentleman De Mee, Sir Gerhard, State Man and Vauban. I therefore make no apology the fact that 19 of this year's 40 comprise of ex-French, Irish pointers and Flat racers who have yet to either run in the UK, Ireland or under Rules. With the assistance of Irish expert Declan Phelan, there will hopefully be a few Grade 1 winners and spring Festival winners amongst them. 

Rich Ricci and his exciting string of youngsters feature heavily in the Top 40. The exclusive interview with Rich consists of 25 horses and have been categorised under chasers, hurdlers, novice chasers and novice hurdlers / bumper horses. Don't forget last year's interview unearthed Triumph Hurdle winner Vauban - won 3 Grade 1 hurdles in four starts over timber last season. The novice hurdle / bumper section includes 16 horses, including seven new purchases from France yet to wear his famous pink and green silks, two expensive recruits from the Irish pointing field and a couple of well regarded unraced bumper horses. It is also interesting to note that dual Peter Marsh Chase winner Royale Pagaille isn't the only horse Rich and Susannah have in training now with Venetia Williams having bought a lightly raced six year old from France who has won twice over hurdles but remains a novice over fences.

Eight times Broadcaster of the Year Nick Luck has written the Foreword once again, saying: "As always, Mark is superbly informed, both on the money and ahead of the games."

If you haven't ordered a copy of One Jump Ahead or the Updates, please head to the Publications section. OJA is due to be published the week beginning Monday 19th September.