Five things we learnt on Sunday - Ricci reveals two novices to look out for

There was a strong seven-race card at Sandown on Sunday, as well as some high-quality racing in Ireland, and an impressive line-up on Racing UK’s breakfast show Luck On Sunday. Harry Allwood kept a close eye on the action throughout the day and tells us five things we learnt, including two potential stars to add to your Racing UK tracker.

Two new Rich Ricci recruits to add to your trackers:

Flamboyant owner Rich Ricci told Nick Luck on Racing UK’s breakfast show Luck On Sunday that Kesselring and Winter Soldier “could be anything” as they prepare to make their debuts over hurdles.

Four-year-old Kesselring was trained by Richard Hannon on the flat and was rated as high as 80 in that sphere. He was slightly disappointing at Chepstow when last seen but shaped as though he would stay two miles.

Winter Soldier was runner-up on his only start at Nantes in April 2016 and was purchased by Ricci afterwards. Both youngsters have the potential to take high rank in the novice hurdle division this season.

Irish Prophecy impresses despite farcical start:

Irish Prophecy made it three wins from three starts when he scored on his hurdling debut in the 2m Maiden Hurdle at Sandown.

The four-year-old enjoyed an easy lead under Leighton Aspell, with his eight rivals all keen to sit off the pace from the start, which Racing UK pundit Jonathan Neesom described as “absolutely farcical” afterwards.

The Emma Lavelle-trained gelding was still impressive, however, and earned quotes of 25-1 with BetVictor for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Festival.

Lavelle told Racing UK after his win that she, "thinks the world of the horse” and he “schools brilliantly at home” despite making a few mistakes during the race.

The Marlborough-based trainer also confirmed he will run in a similar race next under a penalty and has high hopes that he will turn into a Graded performer.

Houblon Des Obeaux shows his enthusiasm in the Veterans Chase:

Ten-year-old Houblon Des Obeaux gained his first victory since April 2016 when he battled bravely to fend off Third Intention in the 188Bet.co.uk Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Sandown under Charlie Deutsch.

It was a close-run thing because Double Ross unseated his rider early on and provided a distraction for both horses during the closing stages.

Deutsch said afterwards on Racing UK that the gelding “never loses his enthusiasm” as he praised the admirable performer.

The two-time Grade Two Winner, who has now won nine of his 51 starts, achieved a rating of 162 in 2015, and has won over £340,000 in prize money.

He has run twice in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and finished tenth on his first attempt in the Grand National last season. The famous staying chase at Aintree is likely to be his target again this season.

O’Brien continues in flying form:

Fergal O’Brien trained his fifth bumper winner of the season when Mercy Mercy Me made a winning debut in 2m National Hunt Flat Race at Sandown.

O’Brien, who has been operating at a strike rate of 38 per cent in the past fortnight, trained 60 winners from 327 runners last season, which was a personal best.

The Gloucestershire-based trainer has trained 33 winners so far this season, and with a plethora of young talent in his yard, he is likely to break that record over the coming months.

Apple’s Jade will prove hard to beat this season:

Five-time Grade One Winner Apples Jade was successful on her seasonal debut in the Grade Two Lismullen Hurdle at Navan under Jack Kennedy.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned mare regularly jumped out to her right, but that did not stop her quickening up nicely between the last two flights to beat Jer’s Girl, who the 8-15 favourite was conceding 7lb to.

Apples Jade improved with racing during last season and she is likely to prove hard to beat in Mares’ races throughout this season.

The five-year-old, who won the Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival last season, is now a general 5-2 chance to record back-to-back wins in that Grade One contest.