Pattern Race Focus: Volume 1

With 174 pattern contests throughout the season in the UK, there isn't a week from mid-October to the end of April without a feature hurdle or chase, the culmination coming at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. I'm looking to build a profile of the major equine players within the jumping scene by focusing on the entries for those races each week.

We start with three races this Saturday: the totetentofollow Old Roan Chase at Aintree, the totepool Persian War Novices' Hurdle and the totetentofollow.com Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle, both at Chepstow. In the Old Roan, the last two winners, Knowhere and Monet's Garden look set to reoppose, but neither look likely to vie for honours when the big prizes are being dished out and the most interesting contenders come from Tom George's Slad yard, those being Tartak and Nacarat. Both seem in similar mould, showing their best form on speed tracks which place an emphasis on slick jumping. Expect one or both to be entered in the Ryanair Chase, but it may be that both are better suited by the demands of Aintree and the Melling Chase (where Nacarat was second last season) is their most likely spring target. Races like the Peterborough Chase and Ascot Chase may also feature for Tartak while it's expected that Nacarat will step up to the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The standout performer in the Persian War is undoubtedly Reve de Sivola who has retained his novice status this season due to shrewd placement by trainer Nick Williams. He looks set to follow roughly in the footsteps of stablemate Diamond Harry with the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle on his agenda should he win here. Long term, he seems sure to be aimed at the Baring Bingham Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival itself and is very much one to follow.

The Silver Trophy is more likely to be won by an improving young chaser if recent results are any guide and if that remains the case, then Bakbenscher fits the bill ideally. Alan King's Bob Back gelding is out of winning chaser Jessolle and looks a likely type for novice chases in time. It may be that he will be aimed at one of the Cheltenham Festival handicaps (either the Jewson or Racing Post Plate) and he could prove a money spinner for his astute handler.