Outlook bright for Many Clouds

Racing correspondent Keith McHugh’s 20 horses to follow over jumps this winter. First 10 tonight, major prospects; another helping - of horses from smaller stables - next week
AURORE D’ESTRUVAL (trained by John Quinn): Won one of her four races as a juvenile hurdler, but gave the strong impression there was plenty more to come. She looked sure to win, only to be run out of it on heavy ground at Haydock, and then ran with credit when fifth to Guitar Pete in the big four-year-old hurdle race at Aintree in April. Entered at Wetherby on Saturday, this filly can more than pay her way this season.

CARRAIG MOR (Alan King): Looked a world-beater when sluicing up in a novice hurdle on his first start at Uttoxeter last season. A fall next time may have dented his

confidence, but he has been given plenty of time to recover and now embarks on a novice chasing career which could well see him go a long way.

CLARET CLOAK (Emma Lavelle): Patience is the name of the game for followers of this talented horse. He has to have decent ground to perform to his best and that may mean him sitting out much of the winter. Might well have won the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham last March but for clouting the

second-last fence and a return there, followed by some tilts at other races in the spring festivals, should see Claret Cloak pick up one or two nice prizes.

DELL’ ARCA (David Pipe): I really took to this horse last season as he was super

consistent and tried so hard. This is a slick jumper who is versatile trip-wise so his astute trainer will surely find him some decent opportunities, starting with next month’s Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle at Haydock, a race Pipe has dominated in recent seasons.

DIAMOND KING (Donald McCain): Although he has been successful in bumpers and novice hurdles, this son of Kings Theatre has not reached anything like his full

potential. Has been trained like a good horse by McCain and this is the season when he should be challenging the top horses over fences.

IRISH SAINT (Paul Nicholls): Has been with the Nicholls team since he was a juvenile hurdler and has probably needed time to grow and strengthen. This big, chasing type looked the business when sluicing up by 11 lengths in a decent handicap hurdle on heavy ground at Ascot last term and similar underfoot conditions can only help when he embarks on the chasing career he was purchased for.

MANY CLOUDS (Oliver Sherwood): Enjoyed an

excellent season as a novice chaser, but it could have been even better had he not been brought down at the 14th fence when travelling well in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. That may prove a blessing in

disguise for, had he finished in a prominent position in that prestigious race, he would not have started this season on such a lenient handicap mark. Connections are eyeing up the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and they are probably right to do so.

ROYAL REGATTA (Philip Hobbs): Looked a potential star when winning novice hurdles at Aintree and Leicester on his first two starts last season, but was never the same after racing on desperate ground at Cheltenham next time. Freshened up and likely to be campaigned on flat tracks this term, Royal Regatta starts out on a workable handicap mark and has been earmarked to return in a valuable race at Huntingdon next month.

TAQUIN DU SEUIL (Jonjo O’Neill): A leading novice

hurdler and chaser for the last two seasons, Taquin Du Seuil will bid to reach the very top this season. Won at the Cheltenham Festival in March and has clear Cheltenham Gold Cup potential providing he stays further than he has been allowed to race so far. Goes for the Charlie Hall Chase over three miles at Wetherby on Saturday and should go close there before being aimed at the big staying prizes.

WEST WIZARD (Nicky Henderson): Rated in the very highest class at home, he impressed when winning a bumper at Kempton on his racecourse debut two seasons ago. Ran just once, when finishing second to Sgt Reckless at Kempton, on his only start as a novice hurdler, and was put away by his patient trainer as he continued to fill his large frame. Likely to return soon and show just how good he is.