Chasers – ‘Nicky’s quirky Gold Cup contender’
Shishkin Age: 9 Sex: Gelding Trainer: Nicky Henderson Owner: Mrs J Donnelly
Let’s start off the final category with who I think is a real Gold Cup contender now he’s been stepped up in trip, finally some may argue.
Shishkin for me is such a character, yet so talented, winning his first 11 completed starts under rules, landing the Supreme at Cheltenham in 2020, the Arkle in 2021, then beating Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot in a battle for the ages in 2022.
BATTLING HARD: Shishkin digs deep to win the 2022 Clarence House Chase at Ascot. Credit: At The Races YouTube
That battle though clearly left a massive mark in him, he never went a yard in that year’s running of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, pulling up, then failing to bounce back in the Tingle Creek.
A return to Ascot though in February brought out improvement when he was upped to 2m 5f in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, before still looking as though he was crying out for an even longer trip when second in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival.
His win at Aintree in the Bowl was a first attempt at 3m 1f, and it was an impressive one, winning by eight lengths, Ahoy Senor back in second.
Finally I think that means that the Gold Cup is on the cards this season if he can keep himself right and out of any injury trouble, he’ll be an interesting contender.
‘Gordon’s gem’
Gerri Colombe Age: 7 Sex: Gelding Trainer: Gordon Elliott Owner: Robcour
Gerri Colombe is what I would call a really progressive chaser who still has a lot more to come I feel this season.
After opening his chasing account at Fairyhouse in November, he then went on to win back-to-back Grade 1’s, the latter being in the Scilly Isles around Sandown where he beat Balco Coastal, all over 2m 4f.
PROGRESSIVE: Gerri Colombe lands the Scilly Isles at Sandown. Credit: Racing TV YouTube
The he was stepped up to three mile at Cheltenham in the Browns, and despite staying on really well to the line you always felt he was given a little too much to do possibly by his rider, eventually finishing second behind The Real Whacker.
He got back on track in the Mildmay at Aintree though and gained some compensation, and all being well he’ll be turning up at Haydock next month for the Betfair Chase to possibly take on last year’s winner Protektorat and Bravemansgame to name a few.
‘Skelton’s star who’s back in action’
My Drogo Age: 8 Sex: Gelding Trainer: Dan Skelton Owner: Mr & Mrs Kelvin Hughes
I feel luck is something you definitely can’t associate with My Drogo over the last two seasons.
Slipping on his chasing debut after jumping the fence too well in a two horse race, before suffering a serious injury which has kept him out since he managed to make amends for that mistake back at Cheltenham the next time.
But he has shown too much class just to ignore now we know he’s back, it’s just going to be a case of him hopefully retaining all that ability.
He caught the eye on bumper debut in a hot Cheltenham one in 2020, out running his odds of 50/1 with a close second to this season’s Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximus.
Soon switched to hurdles, he won his first two starts over two mile around Newbury then Ascot, before being moved up to 2m 2f for Grade 2 success at Kelso.
Despite bypassing Cheltenham, he headed to Aintree to land Grade 1 glory in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, winning by 9 ½ lengths, before then switching to fences.
BACK ON TRACK: My Drogo returns after a long lay-off. Credit: Racing TV YouTube
It’ll just be great to see him back out on track, but his owners always felt that one day he could be a King George horse or even one for the Gold Cup, for now though it’s all about seeing what he retains when he steps back over fences, but I fully believe he should be none the worse.
‘El Fabulous’
El Fabiolo Age: 6 Sex: Gelding Trainer: Willie Mullins Owner: Munir and Souede
He’s tried a little bit of everything has El Fabiolo, but chasing is definitely his game.
Starting out in France, he had one run on the flat over 1m 6f, before quickly switching to hurdles in September 2020, where he finished third in a listed race at Auteuil at 40/1.
It took until 2022 for us to see him again, this time though he was being trained by Willie Mullins, and on hurdles debut at Tramore he won by 13 lengths to set out a clear marker.
Missing Cheltenham to take on Aintree almost paid off for him, going down a neck in the Grade 1 to lose to Jonbon, but his chasing debut at Fairyhouse was sparkling over 2m, and he quickly wrapped up the Irish Arkle in February before heading to Cheltenham.
Jonbon couldn’t stop him this time, and he got his revenge on his old adversary, now he looks set to follow in the footsteps of Energumene and take on the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
REVENGE: El Fabiolo gets the better of Jonbon in the Arkle. Credit: ITV Racing
‘One Grand Ramble’
Corach Rambler Age: 9 Sex: Gelding Trainer: Lucinda Russell Owners: The Ramblers
Your final selection from my horses to follow this season comes in the form of none other than the 2023 Grand National winner Corach Rambler.
LANDED: Corach Rambler takes the 2023 Grand National. Credit: Racing TV YouTube
Staying was always the name of the game for this horse, starting out his hurdling career by springing a 14/1 surprise at Ayr in 2021.
He picked up one more hurdles win before switching to what was always going to be his bread and butter in chasing, though he didn’t exactly set the world alight on debut at Perth.
Managing to put that behind him though, he soon hit top gear, winning his next two starts before taking the 2022 Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival off a mark of 140 with a strong staying performance to say the least.
That was backed up with his fourth in the Newbury Gold Cup, before he went on to land the spoils in the Ultima once more, this time off 146.
With the National well and truly in his sights, he stepped up and delivered again, powering clear with a typical strong staying performance to win at odds of 8/1.
It’s quite simple for him this year really, just do the same again, let’s hope he can.