6
trainer Jamie Snowden has been in
fine form since the beginning of the
current National Hunt season in May.
At the time of writing (Sunday 14th
July), his record for the season stands
at 15 wins from 42 runners (36% strike-
rate) with his latest winner coming
courtesy of classy ex-Flat performer
Pacify.
The seven-year-old made it two-
from-two over hurdles at Uttoxeter
and is now likely to be given a short
break, before being brought back for a
Listed novices’ hurdle at Kempton in
early-October.
Snowden looks to have a nice bunch
of horses to go to war with for the
new-season proper once that gets
underway in a couple of months and a
couple who could be out fairly early
are Minella Beat and Kiltealy Briggs.
Firstly, apologies for talking jumps at
this point, but the early-closing races
during August are either difficult to
assess at this stage (with horses
having various options) or aren’t of
particular interest from an ante-post
betting perspective.
And, secondly, it is worth noting this
pair – neither of which have run for the
Snowden stable at this stage – nice
and early, should they be unleashed
during September.Minella Beat was last seen finishing
runner-up to Battleoverdoyen in a
bumper at Punchestown last Novem-
ber, where he had subsequent winners
Active Force and Ash Hill directly in
behind.
He was ready to run in the second
half of last season, before Equine Flu
hit and then the ground became too
quick, so I wouldn’t be at all surprised
if Snowden wanted to crack on as
soon as possible with him.
Likewise, Kiltealy Briggs – who will
carry the silks of the McNeill Family
(whilst Minella Beat is owned by Sir
Chips Keswick) – could well be out
early, having missed the whole of last
season.
Runner-up in an Irish Point in March
2018, he travelled beautifully and fin-
ished in front of Shishkin (won next
time and also won a Kempton bumper
for Nicky Henderson) showing plenty
of pace.
I suspect Snowden will want to
maintain his current momentum when
he begins to send out his ‘winter
horses’ and this pair could certainly
help start that.
I’ll try my best to keep it to the Flat
next month (honestly) before I can
switch codes in full – guilt-free – from
October.AUGUST BIG RACES
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