Exciting Tom one to note for Wednesday With Chepstow coming up on Saturday you can be sure the National Hunt season will soon be in full swing cross-channel. There are a couple of signs tomorrow too, that the stars of the winter game will shortly be out again to strut their stuff. Two sons of the now deceased Heron Island, formerly of Arctic Tack Stud in County Wexford, catch the eye at Towcester on Wednesday. Firstly Hazy Tom starts off over fences in the Linden Homes Greens Norton Beginners' Chase. This fellow could well be a sight to behold in full flow around Towcester as his trainer Charlie Longsdon explained in Mark Howard's excellent One Jump Ahead publication, featuring the top NH horses to follow for 2012/2013. Longsdon said: "He started off last season very well winning three times but he didn't learn to settle and got found out when we stepped him up in grade later on. "However, I was pleased with his run at Aintree in April when we dropped him out and he came home well. The plan is to go novice chasing and I think he is an exciting prospect. "He handles good ground very well but I don't feel it is a necessity because it was soft when he won at Wetherby. Although he possesses the speed for two miles, he stays two and a half." Whilst Barry Geraghty might have to settle for a minor role behind Hazy Tom when he rides Thanks For Coming, he'll no doubt fancy his chances of a winner on Looking Hopeful in the 5.20. Another Heron Island gelding, Looking Hopeful has plenty of experience on his side now and dropping back in trip he should be a big player in division one of the Racing Forum At gg.com Maiden Open NH Flat Race. (EM)
