A COUPLE of weeks ago saw the end of yet another season of flat racing and, although there will be all weather racing on the flat during the winter, many followers of the sport will welcome the spotlight once again falling on the National Hunt scene (writes Beacon Editor and racing follower, Robert Williams). Followers of racing in South Wales and the West are somewhat spoiled, with Chepstow, Hereford and Cheltenham all being within a short distance. With the Welsh Grand National at Christmas and the National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham in March, we will have an abundance of riches, with some of the top horses in Europe competing for the ever- increasing prize money. In recent years the Irish have literally farmed some of our top prizes - the Grand National, the Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle and the Champion Two Mile Chase, not to mention other races such as the King George on Boxing Day and the Bula Hurdle and the Christmas Hurdle. Perhaps, the next four or five months will see that domination being ended, with British horses taking some of the top prizes. Certainly, the likes of Paul Nicholls and Philip Hobbs, both West Country trainers, will be looking to carry off races such as the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup. Kauto Star and Detroit City, trained respectively by the two aforementioned trainers, at this stage look a most attractive double for the two big events at Cheltenham. But, what other horses are worth following during the long winter campaign? Well, it must be emphasised that in drawing up any list of horses to follow, it is hardly worth including the familiar names. So, in drawing up my list, I have attempted to look for horses which will prove profitable to follow. 1. AFSOUN Trained by Nickie Henderson, Afsoun was among the top juvenile hurdlers last season and the plan is to send him chasing this season. He has already made a winning start and could be capable of running up a sequence. 2. BRIAREUS Andrew Balding, like his father Ian before him, loves to have a couple of jumpers in his stable. Briareus was quietly fancied for the Champion Hurdle last season and did well to finish sixth. However, it was always the intention to put the horse over fences and a successful season is forecast. 3. IKITAF If the Irish are to defend the Champion Hurdle, which has gone back across the Irish Sea for the past three seasons, then it could well be Noel Meade will be responsible with Ikitaf. Meade certainly thinks very highly of the horse, which is saying something as he is also responsible for former champion Harchibald. Ikitaf numbered Straw Bear among his victims last season and that animal is regarded as a potential champion by trainer Nick Gifford and jockey A.P.McCoy. 4. MAURICE When your father is the legendary Ginger McCain, who won the Grand National four times, you have something to live up to when you take over his stable. However, Donald McCain has already shown himself to be avery capable trainer in his own right. He has some highly promising horses in his yard, including Maurice, who is seen as a long term Grand National prospect. The horse will be going hurdling to start with, but should be followed when it switches to the bigger obstacles. 5. TIDAL BAY One of the most successful owners in recent seasons has been Graham Wylie, who acquired Tidal Bay for a reputed £300,000. The horse is set to be sent hurdling and, if maintaining his form, could run up a sequence of wins at some of the smaller tracks in the North.
