October Eyecatchers - Romain De SenamPosted on Friday 6th November 2015 @ 09.23

Paul Nicholls looks to have a classy juvenile hurdler on his hands judged on his British debut.

The National Hunt season now feels like it's in full swing and there have been several horses to have caught our eye over the past few weeks. This week, we will bring you our list of horses to watch out for in the months ahead following their runs in October.

It's been all systems go for Paul Nicholls, who's bidding for yet another trainers' championship.

ROMAIN DE SENAM is another French import that has found himself at Ditcheat and he looks a smart prospect.

He's stoutly bred, sired by Saint Des Saints, with his dam a daughter of 1995 Prix Niel winner Housamix and he is closely related to leading chasers Simonsig and Dynaste.

Staying chasing is where Romain De Senam will probably find himself down the line, but there are some big juvenile pots that can be pocketed in the interim, especially for a horse who had the experience of running three times over hurdles in France in the spring.

Romain De Senam made his British debut in a Wincanton juvenile hurdle on 25th October. Despite Wincanton traditionally being a track that suits speed horses, the gelding showed no signs of weakness throughout on good ground. His jumping was flawless, especially down the back straight, and he won at a canter under Sam Twiston-Davies.

Following that Wincanton win, Nicholls suggested he didn't think Romain De Senam was a Triumph Hurdle type, but there's plenty of water to pass under the bridge before Cheltenham in March. Nicholls last won the Triumph Hurdle in 2011 with Zarkandar, who also started his career in France.

He probably won't want the ground too deep but, based on pedigree, shouldn't mind a bit of cut in the surface and he did win on soft on his final start in France.

[Will Rooney]

Article Posted on Friday 6th November 2015 @ 09.23