Who are the best P2P graduates in training as we enter the 2022/23 National Hunt season?
Join us as we look at some of the best point-to-point stars to keep onside in horse racing betting this year…
An Tobar
I cannot wait to see how AN TOBAR fares when he goes novice hurdling. For me, he is the most exciting point-to-point graduate on this list.
Five of the eight horses that finished behind him at Ballyvodock have won since, including the second, third and fourth – and that bodes well for this son of Gentlewave.
An Tobar didn’t just beat his rivals, he demolished them by 20 lengths and was barely asked a question by rider Luke Murphy.
He is five turning six and trainer Henry de Bromhead is unlikely to waste a year in bumpers. Hopefully we’ll see An Tobar entered in a mid-distance novice hurdle in late autumn.
🔥 An Tobar PTP form:
— Road To Cheltenham (@RoadCheltenham) August 4, 2022
2nd - Good For Scope. Won since.
3rd - Castleward. Won since.
4th - Present Fair. Won twice since.
6th - Coilrock. Won since.
7th - Future Benefits. Won since.
👀 An Tobar finished 20 lengths clear of the second...
Barry The Butcher
In one of the hottest point-to-point races of the season, BARRY THE BUTCHER turned out to be a class above the opposition – beating a decent field by 10 lengths.
It looked a strong PTP on paper and the form has worked out well, with Croke Park, Ballybeg Boss and Look To The West all winning next time out.
In addition, Man At Work – who has comfortably third before falling at the last – fetched a cool £155,000 and will go into training with David Pipe.
Barry The Butcher was bought by Sean Mulryan and will likely head to Henry de Bromhead or Willie Mullins. He is undoubtedly one of the top P2P prospects to look forward to.
✅ Barry The Butcher, one of the most exciting Point-to-Point winners this year, has been bought privately by Sean & Bernardine Mulryan (owners of City Island, Longhouse Poet, James’s Gate) and I believe the plan for him is to go into training with Henry de Bromhead. pic.twitter.com/5DMrStoKpB
— Joshua Stacey (@TheRacingJosh) May 20, 2022
Better Days Ahead
Bought by Bective Stud for £350,000, BETTER DAYS AHEAD was one of the most expensive horses sold at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale in March.
He is related to several winners and recorded an excellent time when winning his point-to-point at Lisronagh in assertive fashion. Gordon Elliott could have a star on his hands.
Warren Ewing did a fantastic job with Constitution Hill for his point and he will be hoping that Bernice Stables has moulded another star in Better Days Ahead.
When asked if his latest graduate could be as talented as Constitution Hill, Ewing replied: “It wouldn’t surprise me. He’s very, very good.” Let’s hope he lives up to the hype.
Ittack Blue
Another four-year-old maiden winner, ITTACK BLUE has joined the Dan Skelton team after one of the most impressive point-to-point performances of the season.
He made a mockery of a fair field at Punchestown in May, pulling 16 lengths clear of Waspy – who has now finished in the places on three separate occasions.
There was a bidding war at the sales but Ryan Mahon got him for £310,000 and he heads to the other side of the Irish Sea to join Skelton ahead of the new campaign.
Given his age, it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see Skelton take things slowly with him. Ittack Blue has the world at his feet and he should be going into every horse tracker.
A superb result for @BallycrystalS at the @Tattersalls1766 May NH Sale when selling Ittack Blue for 310,000gns.
— Tattersalls Ireland (@tatts_ireland) May 26, 2022
The son of Coastal Path is a graduate of the May Store Sale and was sold by @BleahenBrothers for €30,000 in 2021✨ pic.twitter.com/uzUI5rdkBt
Kudasheva
A half-sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack, KUDASHEVA comes with a lofty reputation and that was clear at the Festival Tattersalls Sales in March.
She was the most expensive purchase on Day 3, fetching £370,000 and connections will be hoping that she can follow in the footsteps of her half-brother.
Kudasheva showed her class on debut at Ballycahane, sprinting away from her rivals late on to extend ahead of the last to win comfortably.
The fourth that day, Bop Bop Bobbin, won next time out and it could be an exciting journey for followers of Kudasheva throughout the 2022/23 jumps season and beyond.
🌟 KUDASHEVA 🌟
— Tattersalls Cheltenham (@tattscheltenham) March 11, 2022
Hugely impressive 4yo debut win having made all it's worth taking into account that it took her rider a long time to pull her up once he had asked for maximum effort such was the acceleration she showed.#CheltenhamFestival Sale
View Lotshttps://t.co/REBII29dxa pic.twitter.com/bt0VmPTmKn
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 15th August 2022
