The Flat season starts now – five horses to follow in 2013
Published:The start of the Flat season is finally upon us and among the big questions will be whether Aidan O’Brien can dominate the Classic scene in the way he did in 2012 and whether a horse can step into the limelight that has been left open by Frankel?
Below are five horses, competing at different levels and over different distances that it may pay to keep a close eye on this season.
Kingsbarns
Dawn Approach may have been the champion two-year-old of last year, but Kingsbarns looks the one to watch in the Epsom Derby at 5/1. His galloping nature should suit Epsom and he could follow in the footsteps of High Chaparral, Motivator, Authorized and Camelot in taking the Derby in the season after landing the Racing Post Trophy.
Hydrogen
The two-year-old Galileo colt is a half brother to 2007 Epsom Derby winner Authorized and was the most expensive yearling bought at auction in the world in 2012, costing Qatar Racing £2.5m. Based on his pedigree, he must be considered a Classic prospect for 2014 and a potential Group One winner this season.
Certify
Four from four last season, with the latter in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. Potentially overpriced at 6/1 to win the 1,000 Guineas, although may bloom later in the season given that connections have taken her to Dubai for the winter rather than leaving her in the UK.
Pearl Secret
There should be more to come after a productive three-year-old campaign which started with four straight victories and ended in a Group One appearance in the Nunthorpe against more experienced elders. One to watch in the sprints.
Noble Bacchus
It seemed worth throwing a totally unknown horse into the pot and this horse did absolutely nothing in three starts last season. However, this has meant he has been given an extremely low official rating and the fact he is related to an Irish Oaks winner suggests he may be no forlorn hope. Tom Dascombe may well be the trainer to watch in 2013 too.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
