My Timeform: Large P horses for Christmas

Claimantakinforgan – Sky Bet Supreme Trial, Ascot 22^nd December

Claimantakinforgan's sales price rose from £18,000 as a three-year-old to £110,000 a year later after winning a point in Ireland, and it looked money well spent when he made a winning bumper debut at Haydock. He went on to be third to Fayonagh in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and it would be no surprise to see him back at Prestbury Park in March judging by his hurdling bow at Newbury last month.

Sent off at 100/300-on, he was held up in the last trio but jumped impeccably and made good progress going powerfully three out, led soon after the last, and was well on top at the finish as the first two pulled 16 lengths clear. The form has been franked by the runner-up Lostintranslation, who is well-fancied for Saturday’s Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle over this C&D, and Claimantakinforgan is undoubtedly an exciting prospect.

Friday’s Sky Bet Supreme Trial at Ascot looks a hot race, with a host of exciting entries, including Claimantakinforgan’s stablemate Diese des Bieffes, fellow ‘large P’ horse If The Cap Fits and impressive Cheltenham winner Slate House.

Champion Bumper third Claimantakinforgan makes a winning debut over hurdles in the opener @NewburyRacing.
Results ▶️ https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/70qclyvb0H

— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) November 9, 2017

Espoir d’Allen – Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle, Leopardstown 26^th December

Espoir d’Allen won a 1½m bumper in the French provinces in April and was subsequently purchased by J.P. McManus, making an immediate impression when well-backed and barely needing to come out of first gear to run out a most decisive winner at Punchestown in October.

He then won a race at Down Royal under a penalty, and though not needing to run to the same level as the Triumph Hurdle runner-up Mega Fortune had in the same contest a year earlier, it was a performance that reinforced Espoir d’Allen’s own credentials for the Cheltenham race in March.

Those claims were then rubber-stamped when he brushed aside the promising Mitchouka at Fairyhouse earlier this month, making light of the rise in grade, and maintaining his unbeaten record in impressive fashion. Espoir d’Allen is very much the one to beat in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day.

"A grand horse and a nice one going forward" - Espoir D'Allen looks like a fair type for the @gavincromwell1 team... @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/k6JjzekjBb

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2017

Real Steel – Paddy Power Future Champions Novices’ Hurdle, Leopardstown 27^th December

Real Steel failed to win in three starts in French maidens on the Flat in 2016, however he made a very promising start to his hurdling career when a nose runner-up to subsequent Grade 3 winner Izzo on his sole outing over jumps in France.

He was subsequently purchased by Sullivan Bloodstock and sent into training with Willie Mullins, and duly looked something out of the ordinary on his return from nine months off when winning at Thurles last month. Close up throughout, he jumped fluently, led on the bridle before the home turn, and despite running green approaching two out, asserted before the last.

Paul Townend only had to give Real Steel a hands-and-heels ride that day and, with any amount of improvement to come, he looks one to follow. He’s entered in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novices’ Hurdle which looks a hot race, but Mullins has won the last two renewals and it’s worth taking note if Real Steel turns up and is prominent in the betting.

Two smart prospects - Real Steel is a winner on Irish debut at @thurlesraces, pulling clear of previous winner Daly Tiger for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend: pic.twitter.com/fotYemtIlq

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 30, 2017

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