Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers

One of, if not the most, popular sections in One Jump Ahead is the Irish Pointers article which is written by Declan Phelan. Having written OJA for nearly 30 years, there isn't a better judge of the Irish pointing scene and Declan has provided clients with the winner of the Cheltenham Festival bumper on four occasions during the last eleven years - Champagne Fever (2012), Envoi Allen (2019), Ferny Hollow (2020) and Sir Gerhard (2021), plus American Mike finished runner-up last spring. 

Declan's article unearthed Grade 1 winners Constitution Hill, Ginto and Minella Cocooner last season and the good news is that he has sent me this year's edition. Below are a few quotes from his piece and it is certain to include some more top notchers. 

"He could be moulded into a contender for one of the novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2023 and longer term he will be a talented graded class chaser."

"He could be one of the star 4yos to emerge from the spring pointing session of 2022. Assessed on the style of the triumph, the horse oozes class and backed up by substantial form, natural progression may lead to him having realistic claims for future Cheltenham Festival glory."

"A smart individual with bags of scope and potential, a private six figure sale has resulted in a transfer to ?? and with this sort of raw material, it would come as no surprise were she to take high rank within her own sex in the novice hurdle division, and by spring time she may be a genuine contender for the mares novice hurdle at Cheltenham."

"He is blessed with natural speed and, although successful over three miles, I would predict his optimum trip could be in the 2m to 2m 4f range. Parts of the performance stirred memories of Ferny Hollow when he won his point."

"He is a straightforward profession racehorse blessed with bags of class and ability. He looks like a steering job for a bumper and ought to develop into a proper graded hurdler/chaser. A real candidate for Grade 1 prizes in the future."

"Could be a force in the premier bumpers if that is the chosen route this season."

"One race which may suit him perfectly in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury."

"One of the most exciting additions to Ditcheat. Aspirations to advance to become a graded hurdler and chaser are realistic and he will be a classy middle distance novice hurdler this season. He relaxes and is blessed with natural speed and he has a prosperous future awaiting him."

"He should be an exciting novice hurdler this winter and ought to be in a position to book a place at the Cheltenham Festival. In fact, he is liable to be a regular fixture at many upcoming March Festivals as long as he can remain healthy. His touch of class could lead to lucrative returns."