The following horses have been identified as horses who could well be sent chasing and if so they should statistically improve. With a few of these this could make them very smart horses.

Vaniteux: Vaniteux won 2 of his first 3 races in the UK before running in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival. He ran really well to finish 3rd behind Vautour and Josses Hill. Unlike stablemate Josses Hill he was kept to hurdling last year and after finishing 2nd on his first 3 starts he was comfortably beaten in both the Champion Hurdle behind Faugheen and then behind Jezki in the Doom Bar hurdle at Aintree. Having been campaigned in these high class races his handicap mark is really high and these don’t look an option and he clearly isn’t good enough for Grade 1 events. This could force his trainer to send him chasing and this would be a real positive. His sire Voix Du Nord has a very good record with his progeny in chases with a 31.05% strike rate compared to hurdle strike rate of 17.30%. Vaniteux has always looked a big strong horse and fences would be a good idea for this talented horse. He could be an Arkle or JLT horse.

Vago Collognes: Vago Collognes is another who looks a promising sort over hurdles but just falling short as well as possibly being frustrating with 6 2nd’s from his 8 runs. He does have a win to his name at Taunton. He is a really smooth travelling horse but fails to pick up over the smaller obstacles. Again a Voix Du Nord horse chasing should really suit this strong travelling sort and he could be a dark horse of the season if sent chasing. He’s a brother to Nenuphar Collonges who was a talented chaser.

Batavir: Batavir made a lacklustre British debut when 3rd at Leicester before winning his next 2 starts including a Pertemps Qualifier at Wincanton. He was then sent to Ascot for a handicap hurdle when sent off favourite but he was very disappointing finishing 6th and was then put away for this season. The winner of that race went on to win the Pertemps Final before a 2nd in a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree. It would be no surprise to see this one come back Novice chasing. Chasing would suit statistically. His sire is Muhtahir and they have a 13.8% strike rate over hurdles compared to a much better 28.15% strike rate over fences. He could be one for the 2m5f Novices Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Keppols Queen: Keppols Queen is a smart hurdler for Jessica Harrington winning twice last season including a Grade 3 event beating Lyrical Theatre and ended with a 6th place finish in a Grade 1 event at Fairyhouse however was well beaten. Keppols Queen could well be sent chasing now particularly as there are plenty of Mares Chases in Ireland. Indian River progeny generally improve for going chasing and one such to do so this season is Native River who won impressively at Exeter recently. Indian River progeny have a strike rate over hurdles of 7% and this increases to 16.4% over fences. We hope she will be seen over fences this season.

Arpege D’Alene: Arpege D’Alene has only had 3 runs to date in Britain with a win on debut before finishing 2nd to Parlour Games and then going and beating the Lanzarote Hurdle winner Tea for Two off level weights. He was made to work for his victory at Ascot over 2m3f but jumped really well and fences are sure to bring out more improvement as his sire stats indicate. Dom Alco progeny have a 12.7% strike rate over hurdles and an even better 23.5% strike rate over fences. He should still be improving anyway as he has only had 4 runs and we expect this one to be a big player this season over fences. He has been declared in a Novice chase tomorrow at Wincanton which has been won in the past by Silviniaco Conti, Houblon Des Obeaux, Wonderful Charm and Southfield Theatre. In fact Paul Nicholls has won 6 of the last 9 runnings so he should know what it takes to win this race.

Jollys Cracked It: Jollys Cracked It has already had a spin over hurdles this season when finishing 3rd to Nabucco at Ascot. He is a huge horse and sometimes takes a little while to get going over hurdles but always finishes his races off well. He is currently entered in the Greatwood Hurdle however connections may decide to go Novice chasing this season afterwards and being out of Astarabad this would be a good idea. Astarabad progeny have a hurdling strike rate of 13.15% compared to a chasing strike rate of 18.25%. Being such a big horse as well chasing looks ready made for him.

Maximiser: Maximiser is a horse who could be anything. Having finished 8th on debut in a bumper behind Faugheen he was sent to Mr West who had 2 runs with him in hurdles and he won both by 36 and 11 lengths. The 11 length win was over Vago Collognes who is a decent horse. Having won at Haydock in a Fixed Brush Hurdle he is likely to be sent chasing if he is still in training as he hasn’t been seen since November 13. Maximiser is out of Helissio who have a strike rate over hurdles of 8.25% and a better 15.05% strike rate over fences. If he comes back and is sent Novice chasing then he is certainly one to look out for.

Ulzanas Raid: Ulzana’s Raid won 4 consecutive hurdle races last year rising to a handicap mark of 147 where he appeared to have been caught up with by the handicapper. He finished 5th at Cheltenham to Rolling Maul before a disappointing 14th at Aintree. He is another horse who looks big and strong and like a fence should suit him and this is backed up again by the numbers. Bach progeny have a poor 5.55% strike rate over hurdles but a much better 13.35% strike rate over fences and we really think this would only be enhanced should Ulzana’s Raid go chasing.