Posted: 14th November 2006

With the Paddy Power Open meeting out of the way the jumps season is well and truly up and running and below are a number of horses who may be worth following in the months to come.

Far From Trouble: 7-y-o gelding trained by Christie Roche. Second guessing the Irish challenge for the John Smiths Grand National is an art in itself but, assuming the 2005 hero Hedgehunter stands his ground, this JP McManus owned animal could go to post with the best chance yet of giving the great AP McCoy his first Grand National winner. McCoy injured himself in the race prior to Far From Trouble's Galway Plate success, and it was left to Roger Loughran to steer the 8/1 chance to glory back in July.

Previously the gelding was running away when coming down seven out in the Irish National at Fairyhouse. It would be no surprise, following previous winners of the great race from across the Irish Sea, if we saw little of the horse, especially over fences, before the announcement of the weights in February. Current odds of 16/1 with BetDirect may look generous come April as he looks to have the ideal Aintree profile.

Launde: 7-y-o gelding trained by Ben Pollock. This progressive sort jumped well when making all over the Mildmay course at Aintree last month. Ridden by Tony McCoy he was 4 lengths too good for a couple of reliable but exposed sorts in Glengarra and Torrid Kentavr. That was over the minimum trip, but he ought to be at least as effective over an additional half a mile, although he palpably failed to stay 2m 6f at Haydock on his previous start back in April. Having won off a mark of 120 at Aintree, he ought to remain competitive off his new mark. A sound paddock judge suggested to me that he ought to come on for his seasonal reappearance, and the stable have yet to really fire this term.

Montgermont: 6-y-o gelding trained by Charlie Egerton. Following the retirement of owner/trainer Lavinia Taylor this talented French bred has recently moved to Charlie Egerton. He first came to my attention at Bangor-On-Dee in a decent Novice Chase last November. Despite not jumping with any fluency the horse chased home Iris's Gift (gave 10lbs) on his Chase debut, giving the impression there was an awful lot more to offer. He improved steadily throughout his Novice season the highlight of which was success in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase at Lingfield on bottomless ground in February.

Despite success in Pattern company jumping errors have blighted his Chase career to date, including his final effort at Aintree's Grand National meeting. If his astute new handler can iron out his fencing errors, he is potentially well treated off a mark of 143 and the Hennessey Gold Cup (12/1 with BetDirect) at Newbury is the obvious early season target.

Stan: 7-y-o gelding trained by Venetia Williams. At the time of writing the Venetia Williams yard has yet to hit top form, but when they do leading owner Paul Beck has many potential decent sorts including the above mentioned New Zealand bred. Formerly trained by Richard Guest the gelding has not seen the track since injuring himself in the same Novice Chase at Bangor which Montgermont performed with such credit.

Stan had previously won a modest race on his Chase debut at Hereford and his reappearance is eagerly awaited. He is due to race off a mark of 122 and it will be disappointing if his excellent handler cannot coax a couple of wins out of this talented but, seemingly, fragile individual. All wins on good or faster ground, and can pull hard. Optimum conditions 2m 4f on good ground.

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