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The Jumpers are Coming 2020/2021
Comments
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Yes more likely but not invariably as you stated before and again in this post.
Since you corrected yourself you didn't really need to give me a history lesson but since you did you forgot the mention the ones that were placed in a CH and one of my old favorites Detroit City who went on again to win at Aintree. GLTU
I think we can safely add Our Connor to the list of 2 milers as well.0 -
GO ON THE PERCY0
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Doctors room ghost wrote: »GO ON THE PERCY
today will finally prove he cannot win a gold cup
race fit over the other two
plus kemboy wont like the ground
lets hear the excuses afterwards0 -
Last chance Saloon for the Presenting Percy.
Needs to beat these handy, both Kemboy and Monalee out for a spin and Mouse's needs a stone or 2.
I don't want to hear any malarky about getting his mark dropped for the Grand National either.
I would advise everyone to have a saver on Darosso, it looks nailed on tbh. Hacks up all things considered.:p0 -
I dont know who either of them are, but they can go fúck themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFNv6fLAgac&ab_channel=RacingPost0 -
Goshen now not declared for Saturday, will we see him take on Epatante, is their a problem with Goshen or is Moore making it up as he goes along and has no clue?
I'm very much on the latter camp I am afraid.0 -
Paul Nicholls is on fire. Races big and small are being mopped up by Team Ditcheat, yet the 11-time champion trainer is also embracing patience and restraint perhaps more than ever before.
Read what he says and it's obvious that, despite his sizzling form, it really is not all about now, nor indeed the Cheltenham Festival.
Nicholls is building for the future with a nursery class of exciting young four-year-olds, most of whom will race only in bumpers this season.
They are the future. In the present he has a host of stars, including the sport's highest-rated performer, Cyrname, who underlined his coach's genius when showing himself to be potent over three miles and on a left-handed track in the Charlie Hall Chase.
Cyrname now heads to the King George, as does the race's hat-trick-seeker Clan Des Obeaux. They will attempt to give Nicholls an astonishing 12th victory in the Christmas showpiece and form part of a mighty chasing squad that also includes Champion Chase hero Politologue, public favourite Frodon and Real Steel, one of a sizeable group to have been transferred from the yard of Willie Mullins.
With exciting young hurdlers like McFabulous also on his side, Nicholls is set to stay hot as the weather gets cold.
Race in focus
The Cheltenham Gold Cup. It's a race I've been lucky enough to win four times and I would love to make that five. Cyrname and Frodon are obvious candidates but Real Steel could also end up in the mix.
Rival to watch
Envoi Allen will end up unbeaten. He's different class.
Stable* *profile* *
Yard* *Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, Somerset
Second yard Highbridge Farm, Alhampton, Somerset
Started* *training* *October 19, 1991 *
Horses* *in* *yard* *150 *
Members* *of* *staff* *52 *
Head lad Clifford Baker
Assistant trainer Harry Derham
Ass*istant head lad David Rochester
Pupil assistant trainers Natalie Parker, Charlie Davies
Assistant head lass Kate McCormack
Travelling head girl Kate Nutt
Assistant travelling head girl Trudie Smith
Jockeys Harry Cobden, Sam Twiston-Davies, Bryony Frost, Sean Bowen, Brendan Powell, Harry Skelton
Conditionals Lorcan Williams, Bryan Carver
Amateurs Will Biddick, Natalie Parker, Angus Cheleda, Keagan Kirkby, Charlotte Summersby
Personal assistants Hannah Roche, Sarah West
Finance Lina Chadburn
Stable sponsor Morson Group
Website paulnichollsracing.com
Twitter @PFNicholls * *
Winners in Britain
2019-20* *96 *
2018-19* *135 *
2017-18* *127 *
2016-17* *171 *
2015-16* *122 *
Profit/loss* *to* *£1* *stake* *
2019-20* *-£90.17
2018-19* *-£52.21 *
2017-18* *-£132.84
2016-17* *-£78.39
2015-16* *-£73.23 *
Prize-money* *2019-20*
£2,341,313
Alcala
Ten-year-old gelding by Turgeon (sire) - Pail Mel (dam)
Owner: Owners Group 016
Form figures: 26/F129-
Racing Post Rating: 159c; Official rating: 139c
A fun horse for his owners and he delivered them a winning day in a hunter chase at Haydock in February. That sort of race has given him a second life and he'll continue down that road.
Amour De Nuit
8g Azamour - Umthoulah
Andrew Williams
51242/1
RPR 147c 144h OR 139c 140h
He'd been off for quite some time with a leg injury before winning at Plumpton. The idea was simply to give him a run over hurdles before he went back chasing but he won quite nicely and surprised us a bit, so he'll now have another run over hurdles in a 2m4½f handicap hurdle at Newbury next Saturday before reverting to fences.
Ashutor
6g Redoute's Choice - Ashalanda
The Stewart Family
312113
RPR 144c OR 139c
We kept him on the go through the summer and he did well. After enjoying eight weeks at grass he has come back in with a view to running after Christmas. He took well to fences and I could see him improving enough to run in the Grand Annual.
Ask For Glory
6g Fame And Glory - Ask Helen
Colm Donlon & Mrs P K Barber
119/41-5
RPR 139h OR 138h
This is an interesting horse. His wins in a point-to-point, bumper and novice hurdle all came on soft ground but on quicker ground at Cheltenham last month he was flat out and choked. As a result of that we've given him another wind operation. He'll be back after Christmas and the likelihood is we'll send him novice chasing.
Atholl Street
5g Jeremy - Allthewhile
Trevor Hemmings
6-1
RPR 117h
He was big and weak last season but had a wind op in the summer and has matured nicely. He'll improve loads for his Taunton win last week and I'll now try to find a similar race. He wouldn't want the ground too soft but one day he'll make an awesome chaser.
Barbados Buck's
5g Getaway - Buck's Blue
The Stewart Family
275-21
RPR 125h
He just shows you how much horses need time because he hosed up at Southwell on Friday. Bryony [Frost] said there's huge improvement to come from him. He should win some more nice staying hurdles this season and he'll be a super 3m chaser in time.
Black Corton
9g Laverock - Pour Le Meilleur
The Brooks Family & J Kyle
23242-4
RPR 166c OR 160c
His wind has always troubled him slightly, so we sorted that out before he ran a nice race on his return at Ascot. He'd missed work and showed he might just have been a bit behind some of ours who have been winning. He'll improve for that. I'm not sure where he goes next but his main goal will probably be Sandown's Oaksey Chase – it's a race that's made for him and he won it in 2019. He isn't the biggest horse but he jumps brilliantly and would be the same size as Seagram, so I wouldn't rule out a tilt at the National and before that the Becher Chase.
Blackjack Kentucky
7g Oscar - My Name's Not Bin
Owners Group 026
3/2212-4
RPR 116c OR 130c
The ground wasn't soft enough when he started out over fences at Chepstow last month. He was made favourite but as well as the conditions not being right he also needed the run, which is generally the case with him. He'll continue in beginners' chases.
Bob And Co
9g Dom Alco - Outre Mer
David Maxwell Racing Limited
5P3/P11-
RPR 150c OR 146c
He could take high rank in this season's hunter chase division. He's had a wind op since winning a couple of races in the spring.
Bravemansgame
5g Brave Mansonnien - Genifique
John Dance and Bryan Drew
1/36-21
RPR 132h OR 131h
A winning point-to-pointer who was bought to be a chaser. Last season he was big and backward but after we sorted out his wind he shaped with promise at Chepstow before winning nicely at Exeter. Next week's 2m4f novice hurdle at Newbury is the plan and there will then hopefully be a return visit for the Challow. He's going to be awesome over fences next season.
Brelan D'As
9g Crillon - Las De La Croix
John P McManus
35/U28-P
RPR 147c OR 143c
A minor problem in the spring caused him to miss the festival but he was back for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, in which he ran okay until getting tired. He'll be out again in three weeks.
Brewers Project
6g Aizavoski - Shaylee Wilde
The Hon Mrs Townshend
1/4F-4
RPR 115h
He'd been going beautifully at home, so I thought he would win at Chepstow last week, but he was a bit keen and probably wants better ground. I'm sure he's better than that.
Cap Du Mathan
5g Kapgarde - Nounjya Du Mathan
The Stewart Family
42/6331-
RPR 124h OR 128h
He's had a few niggly problems and hasn't run since he bolted up in a Plumpton maiden hurdle in January. Given he has a nice mark of 128, I want to give him one handicap hurdle outing over Christmas and then he'll be novice chasing. I really like him and feel there's a lot to come from him.
Capeland
8g Poliglote - Neiland
Mrs Kathy Stuart
D1450-U
RPR 162c OR 150c
He tipped up on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot but may well go back there on Saturday for the race he won last year.
Cat Tiger
6g Diamond Boy - Miss Canon
David Maxwell Racing Limited
21211P-
RPR 147c OR 145c
Another horse who should do really well in hunter chases. He won a couple of nice races over hurdles under his owner, David Maxwell, and before that he had winning form over fences at Auteuil. We haven't yet run him over fences here but we're looking forward to that happening.
Chavez
4g Yeats - Rock The Baby
Malcolm C Denmark
1
RPR 110b
This Chepstow winner is one of a really nice bunch of four-year-olds who went through our pre-training set-up managed by Will Biddick, who now has a similar group of three-year-olds. I've learned it's best not to run that sort of horse until the autumn as a four-year-old. My intention is to give them two or three runs in bumpers and then put them away again before they go novice hurdling next season and then chasing the following season. It's great to have a production line of such lovely horses who have time to mature and grow into their physiques.
Christopher Wood
5g Fast Company - Surf The Web
Ms Sharon Kinsella
04910-3
RPR 145h OR 143h
He won a decent handicap hurdle at Musselburgh in February and had the pace to win on the Flat under Megan [Nicholls]. He's a big horse and needed the run at Bangor last week. Ideally he wants a flattish track but he should continue to win plenty of races.
Cill Anna
5m Imperial Monarch - Technohead
The Stewart Family
73111-0
RPR 135h OR 134h
She always needs a run or two to sharpen her up but the ground was also quicker than she likes at Wincanton, where she had a good blow. She'll go for either the 3m handicap hurdle at Haydock on Saturday or the Listed mares' hurdle at Kempton the following Monday. After that we'll discuss whether she stays over hurdles or goes chasing. There's still a lot of improvement in her. She wants a trip and soft ground.
Star quality
Clan Des Obeaux
8g Kapgarde - Nausicaa Des Obeaux
Mr & Mrs P K Barber, G Mason & Sir A Ferguson
152/218-
RPR 178c OR 171c
He looks like he's improved physically and at eight years old he's entitled to be at his best now – I do think he's a better, stronger horse. As you'd expect, he goes for the Betfair Chase on Saturday –unless the Haydock ground is desperate, in which case we could reroute to Ascot – and then on to the King George. Sam Twiston-Davies will ride him at Haydock as I suspect Harry will partner Cyrname at Kempton, with Sam on Clan again. He definitely won't go back to Cheltenham and he won't even have an entry in the Gold Cup. It would be a waste of a run as he doesn't like the place. After Christmas I think he'd have the boot to go for the Ascot Chase, although his big target in the second half of the season will be the Punchestown Gold Cup. I think that would suit him down to the ground.
Confirmation Bias
5g Presenting - Bonnie Parker
Colm Donlon
12-4
RPR 118b
After winning on his debut at Wincanton last November he finished second at the same track on Boxing Day. We sent him up to Ayr for his hurdles debut in October but he didn't enjoy ground that was really soft. He's a lovely chasing prospect but he'll win novice hurdles first.
Cut The Mustard
8m Al Namix - Tadorna
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
61212F-
RPR 144c OR 137c
A nice mare who has only been with us for a month. She fell on her last start in Ireland, so we've been doing plenty of work on her jumping. She could possibly be ready to run in the middle of next month and we may consider the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham. She'll be perfect for mares' chases.
Star quality
Cyrname
8g Nickname - Narquille
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
11/12F-1
RPR* *181c *OR* *176c *
You never know if the sort of fall he suffered at Ascot will leave a mark, but his schooling was great and we couldn't have been more pleased with him at Wetherby. To see him win on the bridle was very rewarding. Funnily enough, although he's looked like a quick horse, he isn't really that fast and at home all he's ever done is suggest he wants a trip. In his Ascot wins he's stayed on strongly at the finish, so I felt sure he'd stay three miles, but until we saw him do it we couldn't be sure. The left-handed thing was just something in his head when he was a young lunatic. He'll now go to Kempton, where he wasn't at his best last year, perhaps partly because of the hard race he had at Ascot and partly because he just wasn't right. After the King George I suspect we'll train him for the Gold Cup. For that race you need a horse who can travel and doesn't mind going up and down hills. He won't be flat out around Cheltenham and he should be able to fill his lungs running down the hill – just like Kauto used to do – before coming up the straight.
Danny Kirwan
7g Scorpion - Sainte Baronne
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
10/22/6-3
RPR 127h OR 134h
I know he's still a maiden over hurdles but this is a nice horse. He had some good bumper form but he's been fragile, which has meant I've never really had the sort of clear run with him I'd have liked. He needed the outing at Aintree last month, but he'll have come on for it and will hopefully lose his maiden tag over hurdles next time out before he jumps fences.
Danny Whizzbang
7g Getaway - Lakil Princess
Mrs Angela Tincknell
11/133-7
RPR 148c OR 145c
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I shouldn't have run him in the Badger Beers. I was keen to give him a run before the Ladbrokes Trophy but they went flat out at Wincanton and it wasn't his day. He bled but it was only minor and out of one nostril. I think he'll still be fine to go to Newbury, which is his sort of place as he wants a big, galloping track with cut in the ground.
Diego Du Charmil
8g Ballingarry - Daramour
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
5/122-33
RPR 164c 150h OR 156c 148h
A tough horse and one of the favourites in the yard. He isn't the easiest to place because of his rating but he ran another good race in the Elite Hurdle. The Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas could be a target.
Diese Des Bieffes
7g Martaline - Chanel Du Berlais
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
112551/
RPR 141h OR 141h
He's coming back from a few problems and is still around a month off a run. He'll go novice chasing.
Dolcita
5m Saint Des Saints - Orcantara
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
32/132-2
RPR 135h OR 136h
She finished second in the mares' novice hurdle at last season's festival, so she was understandably a short price for a three-runner race at Hereford last week. Unfortunately she bled that day, so she's going to have a breathing operation this week and then we'll change her training routine and look to get her back on the track after Christmas.
Dolos
7g Kapgarde - Redowa
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
12714-4
RPR 166c OR 160c
In my opinion he wasn't far off a personal best at Cheltenham in October. I want to try him in the Peterborough Chase because I think going up in trip on a fast track will suit him.
Dr Sanderson
6g Jeremy - Guydus
John P McManus
5/P525-1
RPR 140c OR 139c
He isn't the biggest horse in the world and doesn't want the ground to be too soft, which is why we took him out of a race at Ascot a few weeks ago. He's a good, fun horse but not one who'll end up in Grade 1 company.
Duc Des Genievres
7g Buck's Boum - Lobelie
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
482F5-2
RPR 166c OR 160c
The 2019 Arkle winner is another horse sent to us by Jared Sullivan. He had a wind op in the summer and has been keen at home, which made me think he'd need the run at Cheltenham on Sunday, mainly to take the freshness off him, so I was pleasantly surprised. He ran a fantastic race and there will be lots of improvement to come. The Desert Orchid Chase should suit him but he'll have to be entered in all the top 2m chases.
Ecco
5g Maxios - Enjoy The Life
Colm Donlon
13200-8
RPR 140h OR 133h
He needs to pull his finger out a bit. In his defence, he did win two races last season, one of them at Ascot, where he'll hopefully return this week. He's become a bit lazy and may need blinkers but is definitely capable of winning off 133. He wants good ground.
Eglantine Du Seuil
6m Saddler Maker - Rixia Du Seuil
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
33540-5
RPR 150h OR 146h
A lot of Jared's horses had some time in pre-training with Noel Fehily, so they came to us a bit later than some others in the yard. She ran a nice race on her first start for us at Wincanton and she'll come on a lot for that. I do think she needs to come down a few pounds but if she does she could win a nice handicap.
Enrilo
6g Buck's Boum - Rock Treasure
Martin Broughton & Friends 4
1513-21
RPR 143c OR 140c
Kempton's flat track will play to his strengths and I'm looking forward to running him in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, which will be his next run. He didn't have too many outings over hurdles, but he did well, and he's really taken to jumping fences. He's going to continue making physical improvement and could certainly be a horse for what used to be the RSA Chase, but it's worth stressing not every good horse has to go to Cheltenham.
Eritage
6g Martaline - Sauves La Reine
Mrs Angela Tincknell
/F5126-1
RPR 139c OR 136c
He was left in front when a winner at Ludlow but he was staying on at the time. Ideally he needs a more galloping track, so we're looking at the novice handicap chase at Newbury's Ladbrokes Trophy meeting. He'll get further than two miles once he learns to relax and I think he'll win plenty of races over fences.
Estelle Ma Belle
6m Air Chief Marshal - Ozalid
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
2-1
RPR 120h OR 120h
She hasn't been the easiest to train but won easily at Ffos Las on her first start for us and is now being aimed at the Listed mares' novice hurdle at Newbury next week. Her jumping wasn't really up to scratch but Lorcan Williams has done loads of schooling on her, which is why he was in the saddle at Ffos Las. She's fragile and has to go left-handed but she has a huge engine.
Fabulous Saga
8g Saint Des Saints - Fabalina
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
231177/
RPR 147h OR 145h
We're going to send him novice chasing. He's obviously had problems and we need to get him fit but he's a big, strong horse. He's six weeks off a run.
Famoso
4g Fame And Glory - Mucho Macabi
P K Barber and P J Vogt
4
RPR 87b
He started 8-11 favourite for a Chepstow bumper but disappointed us. I think he'll leave that form well behind and I'm now going to get him going over hurdles because I think he wants a trip.
Fast Buck
6g Kendargent - Juvenil Delinquent
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
3/11258-
RPR 140h OR 142h
Another horse who's had issues and, once again, it's just a case of getting him fit. We may give him one run over hurdles – although I don't think he's particularly well treated off 142 – before he goes chasing.
Fidelio Vallis
5g Saint Des Saints - Quora Vallis
J Hales
7F11-24
RPR 136h OR 138h
He's quite a keen horse who loves to bowl along. I was mortified he got beaten in the Listed race at Kempton but the mare he was trying to give 7lb to, Mrs Hyde, went on to defeat Verdana Blue, which means the form now looks much stronger. He hated the track and ground at Cheltenham on Sunday and will now go novice chasing on flat tracks.
Flash Collonges
5g Saddler Maker - Prouesse Collonges
The Gi Gi Syndicate
1
RPR 119h
Last season he was a big, backward horse and always too heavy to run. He's needed all the time in the world and when he ran at Exeter I knew he'd be green, so we were pleasantly surprised not just that he won but travelled so well. There's enormous improvement to come from him and whatever he does over hurdles this season will be a bonus. He really is a chaser.
Flemenstide
5g Flemensfirth - Keep Face
P K Barber and P J Vogt
2
RPR 118b
He was so backward we could hardly train him last season and when he went to Sandown it was his first time away from here and his first time on grass. I was absolutely thrilled he ran so well, running green but staying on strongly. I'd like to give him one more bumper run but as he's going on six I think it will then be novice hurdles. He'll want two and a half miles over hurdles and will ultimately be a staying chaser.
Flic Ou Voyou
6g Kapgarde - Hillflower
Colm Donlon
222-111
RPR 137h OR 137h
We can pat ourselves on the back for placing him well to win three on the bounce. The Listed novice hurdle at Haydock on Betfair Chase day will be his next race. He could win a few more nice races over hurdles this season, but I'm definitely not saying he's going to be winning a Supreme, so we've not ruled out switching him to fences sooner rather than later. *
Star quality
Frodon
8g Nickname*-* *Miss Coun*try
P J Vogt
1/3314-1
RPR* *177c OR 169c *
I truthfully didn't expect such a wonderful performance at Cheltenham in October but he just loves that track and is so game. You can be sure he'll be heading towards the Gold Cup. I'm not shouting out that I think he'll win the Gold Cup but I do think he'll run a solid race and I could easily see him being in the frame. He gets into a rhythm around Cheltenham, which Clan Des Obeaux and before him Silviniaco Conti were never able to do. His next race will be the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree but he could also go to the King George, which I'm sure Paul Vogt would love to see. Once we get past Christmas we'll work back from the Gold Cup and maybe look at the Cotswold Chase along the way.
Gala De Corton
4g Secret Singer - Pour Le Meilleur
Gordon & Su Hall
3
RPR 102b
A backward half-brother to Black Corton who finished an encouraging third at Ludlow. Lorcan Williams said he had a job pulling him up, so he'll appreciate a stiffer track and softer ground.
Getareason
7g Getaway - Simple Reason
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
370/07-3
RPR 139c OR 137c
We were thrilled with his run at Sandown and he'll improve for it. I think he'll have no trouble winning a novice handicap chase.
Getaway Trump
7g Getaway - Acinorev
Owners Group 023
33P-314
RPR 150c OR 144c
I think after his disappointing run at Cheltenham he wants two and a half miles and a flat track. He'll now go to Fakenham this week and at some point he'll win a nice race, although he could be braver when jumping, so I may try him in cheekpieces.
Get The Appeal
6m Getaway - Lady Appeal
Middleham Park Racing IX
D/176-0F
RPR 116h OR 111h
She'd have won at Exeter but for falling two out. There's a mares' handicap hurdle at Market Rasen this week that could be right for her.
Give Me A Copper
10g Presenting - Copper Supreme
Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood
1/4F4/17-
RPR 150c OR 146c
We think he got cast in his box a week before the Badger Beers, which meant we had to miss that, although the ground would have been too quick for him anyway. I'll give him an entry for the Becher Chase and he can head there fresh, which is when he tends to be at his best. He could obviously be a National horse.
Glajou
4g Network - Toscane
Middleham Park Racing & Peter Lamb
5337-24
RPR 120c OR 125c
He has me scratching my head. He jumped brilliantly at Chepstow and looked sure to win but then started to look about a bit. I may try him on a flatter track at Southwell for a novice handicap chase. I think at some point he'll click and win plenty of races.
Gold Bullion
4g Fame And Glory - Tornade D'Ainay
Malcolm C Denmark
Unraced
He's out of a half-sister to the very good staying hurdler Crystal D'Ainay and should be ready to run at Christmas.
Golden Gift
6g Gold Well - Five Star Present
Mr & Mrs P K Barber, G Mason & Sir A Ferguson
22/3-U
RPR 118h
He'd have won at Wincanton last month but for coming down at the final flight. He's a decent sort who should win races over hurdles before developing into a nice staying chaser.
Grand Sancy
6g Diamond Boy - La Courtille
Martin Broughton Racing Partners
3341-13
RPR 157c OR 149c
He made a mistake down the far side in the Rising Stars and immediately started choking. I'd put a line through that. Next time we may run him left-handed, which I think suits him better over fences, and that could be in the Grade 2 novice chase over two and a half miles at the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting. After that he'll have to run in open company.
Great Gable
4g Fame And Glory - Mistress Mole
Owners Group 050
Unraced
He's ready to make his debut in a bumper. He's out of a half-sister to Mr Mole, who won some nice races for us.
Star quality
Greaneteen
6g Great Pretender - Manson Teene
Chris Giles
01114-1
RPR 158c OR 158c
He does everything so well at home and ended up winning the Haldon Gold Cup nicely, even though I thought he might be in trouble two out. He'll improve for that and now goes for the Tingle Creek. Unlike some in the 2m chase division, he's come through the handicap ranks, but he could keep progressing. I have a feeling he'll run a massive race at Sandown because he's a real staying two-miler and the faster they go the better it is for him.
Hacker Des Places
3g Great Pretender - Plaisance
Owners Group 068
3-12
RPR 117h OR 132h
He won in France over the summer but then on his first start for us he was beaten by one of ours, Viroflay, something I really couldn't see happening beforehand. He ended up getting a mark of 132 but I've absolutely no idea why – in my opinion it should have been more like 120. I think with time he should be okay.
Dark horse
Hell Red
3g Martaline - Queen Margot
Sir Martin Broughton & Friends 6
2-1P
RPR 118h
At this stage I have no idea what happened on Saturday. It's a mystery. He had done nothing wrong since he won at Chepstow and had worked brilliantly on Tuesday. He wasn't distressed after the race and scoped 100 per cent clean. I've told the owners to put a line through the run.
Highland Hunter
7g Subtle Power - Loughine Sparkle
Thomas Barr
135/81-2
RPR 136h OR 133h
He struggled with his breathing last season, so I thought the wind op would help him, but I still expected him to need the run at Ayr, where he ran very well. He could go chasing straight away or we could be tempted by the 3m handicap hurdle at Haydock on Saturday. He loves soft ground and stays forever.
Dark horse
Hitman
4g Falco - Tercah Girl
Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done
2O1-1
RPR 153c OR 141c
We gave him lots of time after he came over from France and expected him to go very well on his chasing debut at Ffos Las, even though it looked a very good race. I was a bit nervous because he'd run only three times over hurdles at Pau and lacked experience, but aside from galloping into the second-last he jumped beautifully. I believe he's a very nice horse and I'm thinking now of going for the Henry VIII at Sandown. He's still only four and I don't want to give him too hard a season, so he'd need to be one of the favourites for the Arkle for me to think about running him in it.
Jeremy Pass
5g Jeremy - Toulon Pass
John Dance
F/35-
RPR 105b
He'd have won a point-to-point but for falling at the final fence and then ran well in a couple of bumpers for us. Having had a wind op, he's now ready to go in novice hurdles.
Kandoo Kid
4g Kapgarde - Scarlett Du Mesnil
Michael Geoghegan
Unraced
I'm planning to give him his bumper debut at Ascot on Saturday. He's out of a half-sister to Politologue and we like him.
Kapcorse
7g Kapgarde - Angesse
John P McManus
61/7117/
RPR 146c OR 138c
He hasn't run for a long time but should make his comeback at Newbury later this month. We have him in the Ladbrokes Trophy but I suspect we'll run him in the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase, which he won two years ago. He has plenty of ability and should win a nice race somewhere.
Knappers Hill
4g Valirann - Brogella
P K Barber and P J Vogt
1
RPR 110b
Who knows what he beat at Chepstow but Harry Cobden couldn't pull him up afterwards. He may head to Wincanton on Boxing Day before one more bumper run in the spring and then we'll put him away as he needs to develop.
Kumara Plough
4g Milan - Back To Loughabera
The Stewart Family
Unraced
He's a big, strong chasing sort who's ready to make his debut.
Laurina
7m Spanish Moon - Lamboghina
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
14/1PP3-
RPR 158h 150c OR 157h
Our system is completely different to the system she knew when trained by Willie [Mullins], so part of the job with the horses who have joined us is getting them used to how we do things. She's a bit of a challenge but the most important thing is she looks fantastic. She beat Minella Indo over fences on her chasing debut but I believe she then bled twice. We gave her a wind op over the summer and in the last few weeks she's been coming along beautifully in her training alongside Politologue and Next Destination. We've had no problems with her and she's in a happy place after enjoying some schooling over hurdles and fences. The Ascot Hurdle on Saturday will be her first run for us. That's just a starting point and should guide us as to whether she then runs over hurdles or fences. The new mares' chase at the Cheltenham Festival could obviously be perfect for her.
Lucky One
5g Authorized - Lady Anouchka
Sullivan Bloodstock & Hughes Crowley
22/4-72
RPR 121h OR 124h
He could be all right and just needs to settle. There's plenty to come from him and he may go back in distance.
Magic Saint
6g Saint Des Saints - Magic Poline
Mr and Mrs J D Cotton
2/517-61
RPR 160c OR 152c
As was the case last season, he needed his first run but he travelled well and bolted up at Cheltenham on Friday. He's going to be hard to place but I'm going to enter him for an open handicap at Ascot on Saturday. After that we'll probably have to look at conditions races.
Malaya
6m Martaline - Clarte D'Or
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
0/3602-2
RPR 142h OR 139h
She ran nicely at Ascot but is handicapped up to her best. I'd be keen to run her in a Listed race over two miles and one day she may go chasing again, although probably not this season.
Manorbank
Arcadio - Kind Word
Owners Group 065
1-
RPR 105b
He should be ready to have his first run for us around Christmas. There was lots to like about his Kelso bumper success in January and we're looking forward to running him in novice hurdles on soft ground.
Master Tommytucker
9g Kayf Tara - No Need For Alarm
A G Fear
F/1FF-21
RPR 157c OR 147c
He's been frustrating because he has so much talent, so it was great to see him put in a clear round and win easily at Huntingdon last week. Before I put him back into a proper race I'd like to give him one more run in a graduation chase, possibly at Haydock on Saturday, although there's a similar race at Ascot next month.
Star quality
Mcfabulous
6g Milan - Rossavon
Giraffa Racing
1/2411-1
RPR 154h OR 153h
A lovely horse who just took a bit of time last season, when he wasn't always the bravest jumping at home or on the racecourse. He ended up handicapping himself very well and won the EBF Final before hosing up in the Persian War. He'll now go to Newbury for the Long Distance Hurdle. If it looked like he wasn't going to be good enough for the Stayers' Hurdle he could go chasing – but I have a sneaking feeling he'll be right in the mix in the Stayers'. We'll know more by next weekend.
Mick Pastor
4g Meshaheer - Mick Oceane
John P McManus
1610-F
RPR 132c 138h OR 137c 137h
He was a bit unfortunate to come down at the final fence at Fakenham, but for which he'd probably have won. We have to get some experience into him and he needs to learn to settle.
Miranda
5m Camelot - Great Artist
Owners Group 034
11P/813-
RPR 135h OR 136h
I think she's just about ready to win again over hurdles. She twice ran well on the Flat last month but she was also good enough to win a handicap hurdle at last year's Kempton Christmas meeting.
Modus
10g Motivator - Alessandra
John P McManus
0370/6-1
RPR 158c OR 150c
To see him win at Aintree after so long off the track was thrilling. Jonjo O'Neill gave him a brilliant ride. I told him he wouldn't blow up and he rode him accordingly. I'm now thinking about the Grand Sefton.
Mon Frere
4g Pour Moi - Sistine
Elite Racing Club
7/54112- (Flat)
RPR 80f OR 75f
Some of the horses who went jumping having raced on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott have done incredibly well and we're hoping this lad can shine over hurdles in the new year. He hasn't run for a while but he had a progressive profile in staying handicaps when last on the track.
Monmiral
3g Saint Des Saints - Achere
Sir A Ferguson, G Mason, J Hales & L Hales
1-
RPR 120h
This is a lovely horse and one I think we're entitled to be excited about because on his only start in France he beat Hell Red. The plan is to give him his first run in Britain at Exeter a week on Sunday before a run in one of the two big juvenile hurdles at Cheltenham or Doncaster in mid-December.
Mondora
3f Montmartre - Clarte D'Or
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
Unraced
We bought her from France, where she never raced. If I don't run her in a three-year-olds' bumper I'll give her a first start in the Listed juvenile mares' hurdle they stage at Aintree on Becher Chase day. She's a half-sister to Malaya.
Mr Glass
4g Sholokhov - Maryota
John Dance
3
RPR 103b
We probably should have made more use of him first time out as all he did was gallop. He's a beautiful horse who should be a lovely prospect for novice hurdles this time next year. It's good to have John Dance as an owner in the yard.
My Way
6g Martaline - Royale Majesty
Chris Giles
4266-14
RPR 141c OR 127c
It wasn't the plan to make the running in the Badger Beers but he jumped off a bit free and was always doing too much out front. When he turned into the straight I thought it was going to be a long way home and he didn't quite finish after the final fence. I'll look for a beginners' chase now and I'm sure there's a nice race in him.
Next Destination
8g Dubai Destination - Liss Alainn
Malcolm C Denmark
11131/2
RPR 152h OR 149h
We've had to treat him with kid gloves as he's had problems. He came into the yard in the middle of June and did lots of steady work before his comeback at Wetherby. I thought it would have been amazing if he finished fourth or fifth but he surprised both Harry and me, running a blinder to finish second. Given he'd been off for a long time, we won't rush to run him but he could possibly go to Newbury for the 3m Grade 2 novice chase on November 28. He could be a really smart novice chaser over a trip if he stays sound. We just need to mind him and not be greedy.
Oscars Moonshine
5g Oscar - Scrapper Jack
Mrs Elizabeth Lane
70-6111
RPR 124h OR 122h
He joined us from Colin Tizzard last season and wasn't really going anywhere in his first few runs for us. Harry was sure he would win races after the horse finished sixth in September and he was right because he won his next three starts. We'll give him a bit of a rest now but I'm sure he can win more races over hurdles before he ends up making a lovely chaser.
Paso Doble
3c Dawn Approach - Baila Me
Graeme & Yvonne Brooks
7-11333 (Flat)
RPR 90f OR 84f
A dual Flat winner for Godolphin in Ireland. He's a big, strong horse, measuring 16.3 hands, and very much the type we hope will make a nice jumper. We need to geld him and teach him his job. I could see him following a path we've trodden before and turning up in the Adonis at Kempton in February.
Dark horse
Petrossian
4g Sageburg - Innisfree Dawn
Malcolm C Denmark
1
RPR 115b
He was very impressive when winning without coming off the bridle at Newbury, making him the best of our young bumper crop at this stage. There's a valuable bumper at Ascot's Christmas meeting but that's not a definite plan. This time next year he'll be awesome.
Pic D'Orhy
5g Turgeon - Rose Candy
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
20/F61-2
RPR 142c 150h OR 150c 150h
Last season was tough for him but if every five-year-old won the Betfair Hurdle, as he did, we'd be happy. He's never been the most natural jumper and his jumping was only ordinary when he finished second first time out over fences at Market Rasen. It looks like he wants two and a half miles – Turgeon's progeny are all stayers in my book. He needs to learn to relax and jump before we drop him into the deep end. By the spring he could be very interesting.
Star quality
Politologue
9g Poliglote - Scarlet Row
J Hales
422/251-
RPR 173c OR 169c
After he disappointed in the Tingle Creek last season we changed his routine. I said to John [Hales] I didn't want to run him before Cheltenham, where I'd have him absolutely right. That's what we did and we're training him the same way for this season's Tingle Creek, after which we'll go straight to Cheltenham. The Champion Chase did fall into his lap a bit but you'll never see a horse jump around Cheltenham better than he did. The plan is for Harry Skelton to stay on him at Sandown, where Harry Cobden will ride Greaneteen.
Pozo Emery
5g Le Havre - Chic Et Zen
The Stewart Family
2-3
RPR 99b
We bought him after he finished second in an Irish point-to-point. I'm certain he's better than he showed when coming home third in a Newton Abbot bumper. He wants a bit of time but he'll make up into a nice horse.
Present Man
10g Presenting - Glen's Gale
Mr & Mrs Mark Woodhouse
84P/P-16
RPR 155c OR 146c
He went from winning a veterans' race at Chepstow to running another good race in the Badger Beers. We'll try to find something similar before the deep winter ground arrives and then he'll come back in the spring.
Quel Destin
5g Muhtathir - High Destiny
Martin Broughton & Friends
18512-2
RPR 142c OR 155c
Megan rode him to win a Flat race last month as a tune-up for his first outing over fences. I've always thought he wants 2m4f and he showed that at Cheltenham on Saturday. We'll find a beginners' chase over that trip next.
Rainyday Woman
5m Kayf Tara - Wistow
S White
32-1
RPR 110b
A lovely, strong mare who surprised me by winning at Stratford so easily. She'll run next in a Listed mares' bumper at Huntingdon on Peterborough Chase day before she goes novice hurdling.
Star quality
Real steele
7g Loup Breton - Kalimina
Mrs Kathy Stuart & Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd
1141P6-
RPR 168c OR 166c
I really like this horse. It looked as though he might win the Gold Cup going to the final fence. I don't know whether he got the trip, but in my opinion he leaps out as a potential Ryanair Chase winner. We'll start him back in the Grade 2 at Ascot on Saturday but I've also made an entry for the King George because Ruby Walsh tells me he thinks the horse is good right-handed. He's a lovely horse and a pleasure to have in the yard.
Red Risk
5g No Risk At All - Rolie De Vindecy
Middleham Park Racing XLIV & A&J Ryan
4/9131-3
RPR 147c OR 144c
He hadn't been back in training for as long as some of mine and that maybe showed on his reappearance when he got a bit tired at Market Rasen. The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham could be interesting for him as I don't think 144 is an impossible mark.
Roque It
6g Presenting - Roque De Cyborg
Gordon & Su Hall
31/3
RPR 110h
He runs for the owners of Truckers Lodge and is already the winner of a bumper for Olly Murphy. He'll improve tons for his run on Saturday and I'd be surprised if he doesn't finish this season having done well in novice hurdles. Chasing will be his job in time.
Sabrina
5m Yeats - En Vedette
Owners Group 030
218-
RPR 110b
She won an Ascot bumper by a wide margin in February and will be competing this season in mares' novice hurdles. She's needed a bit of time but has plenty of ability.
Saint Sonnet
5g Saint Des Saints - Leprechaun Lady
Colm Donlon
56317-F
RPR 152c OR 147c
With hindsight, I think he probably needed the run a bit on Saturday. He travelled sweetly but got tired from the back of the third-last fence and had a good blow afterwards. We were going to run him at Chepstow in October but the ground was a bit quick and we hadn't been able to take him anywhere for a gallop. I also wonder if, like Magic Saint, we got his trip completely wrong and that perhaps, like him, he needs to drop back to 2m.
Sametegal
11g Saint Des Saints - Loya Lescribaa
Mr and Mrs J D Cotton
8/243-33
RPR 153c OR 141c
He ran a super race at Sandown, where he travelled really well. He's been over the Grand National fences before, so I may give him an entry for the Grand Sefton, but his longer-term aim is the veterans' final back at Sandown in January.
San Benedeto
9g Layman - Cinco Baidy
P J Vogt
173/64-8
RPR 164c OR 147c
A standing dish in the yard and the sort of horse who always has a chance of picking up a nice race somewhere. He's been to Aintree before, so he could run in the Grand Sefton, but before that we may take him to Newbury at the end of this month. He's another fun horse.
Secret Investor
8g Kayf Tara - Silver Charmer
Hills of Ledbury Ltd
11/202-1
RPR 165c OR 162c
If we get a dry fortnight he'll run in the Ladbrokes Trophy. He keeps improving, as he showed when he won at Chepstow, but it wouldn't be worth taking him out of his box for a race on soft ground. He could well get an entry for the Grand National.
Seelotmorebusiness
5g Sholokhov - Land Of Pride
The Stewart Family
11
RPR 114h
It was a bit of a rush to run him at Chepstow last week but Andy Stewart was generously sponsoring the race and understandably keen to have a runner. This was the only suitable horse but it was too soon after his bumper, so I'm pleased he still won. You now won't see him until Christmas. He wants two and a half miles and he'll progress as he matures.
Sending Love
7g Scorpion - Dato Vic
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
1/3P-1
RPR 134h
I don't know why but he completely fell apart and ran an awful race at Wincanton in March. We've done things differently with him this season and I did think he might need the run at Ffos Las the other day but he won easily. I wouldn't be afraid to step him up in class on soft ground and the Winter Hurdle at Sandown next month could be an option. Ultimately he'll make up into a smashing staying chaser.
Shearer
4g Flemensfirth - The Crown Jewel
McNeill Family
2
RPR 110b
He was a bit unlucky not to win at Hereford. Harry Skelton sat on our tail and got a run on us before Shearer jumped the path. That was a very encouraging run. He'll be a lovely novice hurdler in a year and eventually a staying chaser.
Silent Revolution
4g Sholokhov - Watson River
Colm Donlon
2
RPR 108b
The ground would have been quick enough for him when he made his debut at Wincanton but he ran a super race. He'll follow the same route as our other young bumper horses.
Siroco Jo
3g Hurricane Cat - Diana Vertica
P J Vogt
2
He was just beaten on his only start in a French juvenile hurdle. He's a nice, big horse and I expect we'll give him a first run here just after Christmas.
Sir Psycho
4g Zoffany - Open Book
Martin Broughton & Friends 3
4115-59
RPR 141h OR 145h
He was always going to need the run at Chepstow's opening meeting but he ran a nice race. It could be a tough season for him – as we saw at Cheltenham on Sunday – but the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell should be made for him. He'll be chasing next season.
Soldier Of Love
7g Yeats - Monsignorita
Malcolm C Denmark
11112P
RPR 152c OR 144c
What an amazing horse. He joined us rated 113 and is now on 144. After we sorted out his wind he won four times between July and September, and but for Gordon Elliott's horse Galvin he would have made that five wins at Cheltenham last month. His run on Sunday showed he needs a break, so we'll aim to bring him back in the spring and enter him for the National Hunt Chase.
Solo
4g Kapgarde - Flameche
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
2118-4
RPR 145h OR 147h
His impressive win in the Adonis Hurdle caused us all to overreact a little, particularly as last season's juveniles might not have been a vintage bunch. He got a bit lost in the Triumph and was then flat out all the way in the Elite, but after being gelded he was like a tank at Wincanton and probably needed the run. He could face a tough season but he'll win a nice race somewhere if he comes down the handicap a few pounds. He wants a trip and soft ground but he also wants fences, which he'll be jumping next season.
Sonny Crockett
5g Robin Des Champs - Onewayortheother
Malcolm C Denmark
6
RPR 101h
He wasn't ready to run in a bumper last season but now has an outing under his belt having shaped really well on his Chepstow debut. He'll improve loads for that run and, given he's a half-brother to Birchdale, we've got good reason to be hopeful.
Southfield Harvest
6g Kayf Tara - Chamoss Royale
Mrs Angela Yeoman & Paul K Barber
31/21-
RPR 123h OR 127h
He finished third and first in two bumpers and then second and first in two novice hurdles. He's rated 127, which looks a very winnable mark. I could take him to Ascot or Wincanton over hurdles this week but it won't be long before we send him over fences – and he'll definitely end up rated much higher than 127 when he does that. He's a lovely prospect and I like him a lot.
Southfield Stone
7g Fair Mix - Laureldean Belle
Mrs Angela Hart & Mrs Angela Yeoman
2312-12
RPR 152c OR 146c
His time in novice chases is about to run out but he should fare well in handicaps, while he also remains eligible for graduation chases. He was simply beaten by a better horse on the day at Cheltenham last week. He's a lovely long-term prospect.
Stage Star
4g Fame And Glory- Sparky May
Owners Group 044
1
RPR 118b
Another member of our exciting four-year-old team who could hardly have been more impressive at Chepstow. He's already jumping hurdles at home but, like the others, we won't run him over hurdles until next season.
Storm Arising
6g Yeats - Ceol Rua
Barry Fulton & Mrs Angela Hart
3/4430-1
RPR 135h OR 131h
A smashing horse for his owners and it was great to see him win at Lingfield last week. I told Bryony [Frost] not to get there too soon and she gave him a beautiful ride. We may look at one more run over hurdles but he'll be chasing sooner rather than later.
Stormy Ireland
6m Motivator - Like A Storm
Sullivan Bloodstock Limited
1115-22
RPR 139c 150h OR 148c 148h
She's tiny, a pocket rocket pony, but she's certainly tough. The problem at Bangor last week was she was too cautious at the fences – had she jumped the two ditches properly she'd have won. Harry felt jumping those ditches was too much of an effort for her in the ground, so we need to decide if it would be best to stay over fences or go back over hurdles.
Stratagem
4g Sunday Break - Our Ziga
David Maxwell Racing Limited
131-6
RPR 133h OR 140h
I thought he'd put up a big performance at Cheltenham in October but he was run off his feet. He's only a four-year-old but I think he's now ready for fences, so he's due to run in a novice chase over 2m3f or 2m4f. I'm sure he's a nice horse.
Switch Hitter
5g Scorpion - Country Time
Hills of Ledbury Ltd
1/5-21
RPR 125b
He won his point-to-point on good ground, so similar conditions suited him when he won at Kempton last Monday. He'll win another race like that somewhere before going novice chasing next year. He's a good, fun horse.
Take Your Time
5g Dubai Destination - Don't Be Bleu
Owners Group 060
1-31
RPR 114h
He won a point-to-point before joining us and then followed up a third over hurdles at Lingfield by winning at the same track last week. He'll stay three miles over hurdles before he goes chasing.
Tamaroc Du Mathan
5g Poliglote - Thisbee Du Mathan
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
1/2057-
RPR 133h OR 131h
My plan is to run him in a novice handicap chase over the coming days. He was good enough to finish fifth behind Pic D'Orhy, not beaten far, in the Betfair Hurdle. I've been really pleased with the way he jumps fences and would say he's a novice chase winner waiting to happen.
Dark horse
Threeunderthrufive
5g Shantou - Didinas
McNeill Family
21-11
RPR 132h
A lovely horse. He went through our bumper system last season and is now novice hurdling, following up his Lingfield win at Ludlow, where he had to make the running, which wasn't ideal as he's still quite green. I don't think he wants the ground too deep. He's a smart 3m chaser in the making.
Thyme White
4g Anodin - Jane
The Stewart Family
2210-1
RPR 138h OR 141h
He was very buzzy and keen when he first came over from France but he really thrived over the summer and improved physically, as he showed when winning at Chepstow last month. I'm confident he's going to win some nice races over hurdles this season but he's very much a future chaser and that will be his job in a year. We took him out of the Greatwood because of the ground but he may now run in the novice hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.
Tomorrow Mystery
6m Nathaniel - Retake
John P McManus
22/11-13
RPR 137h OR 138h
She's always struggled with her breathing. On good ground at Newbury she made no noise whatsoever, but on ground that had been rained on overnight she choked all the way at Taunton. That just shows you the fine line horses with breathing problems have between being okay and not okay. We may recauterise her palate and then get her back in six to eight weeks. She'll jump a fence.
Truckers lodge
8g Westerner - Galeacord
Gordon & Su Hall
24121-U
RPR 158c OR 155c
It was lovely to see him improve so much last season. He parted company with Lorcan up at Kelso, when he was travelling well on ground that wasn't really soft enough for him as he loves the mud. He's hard to place off 155 but we'll have him ready for the Ladbrokes Trophy just in case we get testing ground. If not, we'll wait for the Welsh National and then something at Haydock in the new year, but his main objective is the Grand National. He's already won a Midlands National and just been beaten in a Welsh National, so we know he stays and gallops, but he also has a touch of class.
Tulin
3g Gleneagles - Talawat
Elite Racing 001
51 (Flat)
He showed a great attitude to win on the Flat in France during the summer and he's taken well to jumping since joining us. With horses such as this it's hard to say much with any certainty until they've run, but we like what we've seen so far.
Viroflay
3g Air Chief Marshal - Red Vixen
The Stewart Family
41
RPR 105h
We took him to Kempton in October for a race in which he started favourite but he was really disappointing, leaving me to think we'd end up running him in some novice handicaps at the smaller tracks. Seven days after Kempton we tried again, this time at Wincanton, where I said to Bryony that based on his previous week's run he would have no chance, but he hosed up. After Kempton Andy texted me and said: "He's useless." After Wincanton he texted me and said: "He'll win the Triumph!" He isn't going to be a Triumph horse but he could possibly be one for the Fred Winter. I've got a feeling he'll keep improving.
Whiskey Lullaby
5m Stowaway - Joie De Cotte
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Whiskey
22-2
RPR 106h
She was second last season to Nicky Henderson's good horse Gran Luna and when we took her to Ayr for her first run over hurdles on really soft ground she ran a race full of promise. She'll be winning mares' novice hurdles for fun.
Wild Max
5g Maxios - Wildfahrte
Owners Group 036
114-41
RPR 133h OR 132h
He built on a promising return at Cheltenham to win a handicap at Huntingdon last week. I think he wants a flat track, so we may consider the Gerry Feilden next week.
Wise Glory
3g Muhaarar - Bint Almukhtar
Arron Banks
211302 (Flat)
RPR 91f 86f
Megan has always liked this horse and bought him for us at the sales. He's already been flying up the hill here and seems to enjoy it. We need to get him schooled and into our system. After we've done that we can think about a juvenile hurdle over Christmas or in the spring.
Worthy Farm
7g Beneficial - Muckle Flugga
Yolo
76112-3
RPR 138c OR 135c
He ran okay at Wincanton but pulled some muscles and came back a bit sore. We'll give him an entry in the Welsh National but before that there's a trial race at Chepstow on December 5, which should tell us if he's good enough to run in it. If he isn't, we'll go back to Wincanton for the race he won on Boxing Day last year. He really wants soft ground.
Yala Enki
10g Nickname - Cadiane
Hills of Ledbury Ltd
7/0313-2
RPR 164c OR 156c
He's a legend, a tough, genuine horse who stays forever. Had the Grand National been staged this year he would have run in it and he'll be entered again. He has been grafting since July 1 because it takes an awful lot of work to get him fit. He ran an awesome race at Cheltenham on Sunday and I'm now thinking of going for the Becher Chase. If he goes well there I'll take him to the Grand National as a fresh horse, maybe via the Taunton race he won last season.
Young Buck
6g Yeats - Pepsi Starlet
The Stewart Family
1/3-1
RPR 134h OR 133h
Andy Stewart has some lovely horses this season and this is another one. He's very much in the mould of Truckers Lodge, in that he gallops, stays and jumps. Following his win at Hereford I'll try to find another 3m novice hurdle and then decide if we should step him up in grade.
Zoran
3c Invincible Spirit - Filia Regina
Owners Group
2-42214 (Flat)
RPR 85f OR 81f
A scopey, athletic colt who did well on the Flat, improving throughout the year. We'll geld him and then get him over hurdles after Christmas.
Two for the tracker
I love Bravemansgame and think he's got huge potential. He won really well last time and should be a nice horse to follow. I'd say exactly the same about Threeunderthrufive.
Expert view
Has there ever been a better trainer of a chaser than Paul Nicholls? After 11 King George wins, six Champion Chases, four Gold Cups and a Grand National, if he isn't top of the tree then I don't know who is.
For the past few years he hasn't been quite as dominant in that sphere as he once was, but that didn't stop him winning the King George and Champion Chase last season and it would take a brave man to bet against him winning the big one at Kempton on Boxing Day again.
The dual winner Clan Des Obeaux is back for more but Cyrname is going to be a tougher nut to crack this year as he clearly wasn't himself after he'd beaten Altior at Ascot prior to Kempton.
Don't rule out Nicholls having the 1-2-3 because in Real Steel he has inherited a horse who looks tailormade for three miles around Kempton. Stop the video of last year's Gold Cup at two out and Real Steel looked sure to be involved in the finish.
The hugely admirable Politologue seemed to love the forcing ride Harry Skelton gave him in the Champion Chase and he will once again be underestimated, while it wouldn't be a huge surprise if recent Haldon Gold Cup winner Greaneteen improved into a legitimate candidate for that race too.
It's hard to know where to start when trying to pinpoint the next potential star among the young horses, although McFabulous is an obvious starting point. He looks to have real star quality about him.
Then there's Hitman, who couldn't have been more impressive when running away with a good novice chase on his debut for Nicholls recently, while Saint Sonnet ran a good deal better than the form book would suggest in the Paddy Power on Saturday. He will leave that form miles behind.
Don't for one minute underestimate the importance that Harry Cobden has had on the yard. He's the the nearest thing I've seen to Ruby Walsh in Britain for many years and the stable's conditional Bryan Carver isn't half bad too.0 -
Dan Skelton has rapidly climbed the training ladder, to the point where he is now spoken of as a champion in waiting, and even if 2020 has been a strange time in racing, he's stayed focused on his route to the top.
"It's been a weird year," he concedes. "I had to turn a lot of horses out in the field in April and we didn't have the number of horses in for the summer that we had in the season when we got to 200 winners, but we've reshaped the team in favour of quality over quantity and I think our recent results have shown the benefit of that.
"It's vital to have the youngsters – bumper horses, novice hurdlers and novice chasers – coming through to keep pushing from the bottom up, and if you keep those drawers full of quality you'll be all right.
"You'd have to say Roksana, a horse we made from the beginning, is at the top now and we have horses like Third Time Lucki, Midnight River and Ashtown Lad, who we got out of a point-to-point the same as Shan Blue, so we've got greater strength than ever, including some smart National Hunt-bred three-year-olds, and we're looking forward to a good year."
Below he discusses a selection of horses picked out by our reporter.
Race in focus
Roksana is on her way to the top and the Long Walk Hurdle looks the perfect race for her.
Rival to watch
Envoi Allen looks a flying machine over fences.
Stable profile
Yard Lodge Hill Farm
Where Shelfield Green, Warwickshire
Started training 2013
Horses in yard 130
Members of staff 50
Assistant trainer Tom Messenger
Head staff Tolley Dean, Joe Knox, Nick Pearce, Ed Austin, Amber Blythe
Travelling head staff Phil Haywood, Hannah Haywood, Andy Gardner
Jockeys Harry Skelton, Bridget Andrews
Conditional William Marshall
Amateurs George Cowley, Murray Dodd, Tristan Durrell, Saul Woods
Racing secretary Ella Mahon
Communications Lucinda Gould
Finance director Grace Skelton
Stable sponsor Ladbrokes
Website danskeltonracing.com
Twitter @DSkeltonRacing
Winners in Britain
2019-20 119
2018-19 205
2017-18 156
2016-17 118
2015-16 104
Profit/loss to £1 stake
2019-20 -£281.28
2018-19 -£88.19
2017-18 -£153.35
2016-17 -£259.57
2015-16 -£156.34
Prize-money 2019-20
£1,486,254
Horses
Across The Line
Five-year-old gelding
Fame And Glory (sire) - La Protagonista (dam)
Owner: Craig and Laura Buckingham
Form figures: 3-413
Racing Post Rating RPR 120h Official rating -
A horse I've always liked, he hacked up in a maiden hurdle over two miles at Hereford this month and I was a little frustrated with his third at Uttoxeter on Saturday, when we followed the favourite rather than doing our own thing. Next time we'll use his stride and open up a bit, because I know he's a lot better than that.
Aggy With It
6m Presenting - Agathe Du Berlais
Andy and Sharon Measham
1/F7-211
RPR 122h OR 122h
She had a fall at the start of last year that put us on the back foot, but she's getting her act together and I think she'll be progressive now that we've stepped her up in trip. She comfortably won a novice hurdle at Taunton last time and I think there's plenty more to come.
Allmankind
4g Sea The Moon - Wemyss Bay
WJ and TCO Gredley
1113-31
RPR 150c OR 151c
He enjoyed some real highlights last year and I went to Cheltenham for his reappearance over hurdles thinking I'd done a lot of work with him, but this year he's more relaxed than last and maybe he lulled us into thinking he was fitter than he really was. He then made a remarkable chasing debut at Warwick, having the confidence to stand off and get stuck into the fences. Now we'll keep him fresh and go for the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on December 5.
Alnadam
7g Poliglote - Rosadame
Bryan Drew
81441-2
RPR 139c OR 129c
I was very pleased with him on his novice chase debut over two and a half miles on heavy ground at Carlisle, where he ran into a good horse and they pulled well clear of the rest. He jumped well and there's plenty of improvement to come.
Amoola Gold
7g Mamool - Aughamore Beauty
Mr and Mrs Gordon Pink
3725-11
RPR 142c OR 138c
I was very happy with him winning a Listed handicap chase last month because he's taken a long time to mature mentally and we've had to be very patient. He's clearly got big performances in him from two to two and a half miles and I think slightly better ground than at Ascot would suit him even better. He'll either go to Ascot again this weekend or to Newbury a week later, and while I'm delighted with how he's progressing over fences, he's still a novice over hurdles so we could have a go at that one day.
Antunes
6g Nathaniel - Aigrette Garzette
Mark Adams
32/1P7-2
RPR 139c OR 132c
He bumped into a good one at Bangor first time out this season and already looks better as a chaser than as a hurdler. As a very big horse I think he should come on for that and win plenty of decent races.
Ardlethen
7g Arakan - Itsafamilyaffair
Mike and Eileen Newbould
23520-5
RPR 145c OR 138c
He ran a really nice race at Carlisle last time, when he couldn't win at the weights. I always felt last year there was a bit of unfinished business with him in a lot of good novice chases and I think he can land a big pot.
Ashtown Lad
6g Flemensfirth - Blossom Trix
Darren and Annaley Yates
3/217-21
RPR 119h OR 123h
He stepped forward from his first run of the season to win a soft-ground novice hurdle at Wetherby last month. He's a massive horse, a chaser in the making, but we'll make a nice hurdler of him in the meantime.
Aux Ptits Soins
10g Saint Des Saints - Reflexion Faites
John Hales
8/5171/5-
RPR 155h OR 157h
He won a Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Aintree for us in April 2019 and was beaten only four lengths on his last run, in a Grade 1 at Punchestown. I'll run him in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury at the end of the month and we'll make a plan from there, but there are still good races to be won with him.
Bennys King
9g Beneficial - Hellofafaithful
Mezzone Family
1/6152-5
RPR 154c OR 147c
He had a good year last year and just needed the run when fifth in a handicap chase at Aintree over two and a half miles. Anything up to two miles and six on slow ground is his cup of tea, and he could be getting better.
Blaklion
11g Kayf Tara - Franciscaine
Darren and Annaley Yates
BP/085/0
RPR 166c OR 145c
He ran a bit of a stop-start race on his first run for us at Ascot last month [after a 623-day break], jumped a bit left-handed and showed a bit of ring-rust. It was good to get him started, though, and now he'll go to the Becher Chase at Aintree on December 5. With the handicapper having dropped him 4lb, I think he can still be a competitor.
Cadzand
5g Stowaway - Queens Mark
Chelsea Thoroughbreds - Cadzand
1/32-2
RPR 117h OR -
The ground went too soft for him in a race that wasn't run to suit him at Ayr last time and I'd say he's a winner without a penalty. He runs at Warwick on Wednesday and it'll take a fair one to beat him.
Ch'tibello
9g Sageburg - Neicha
The Can’t Say No Partnership
13/353-2
RPR 158h OR 154h
He ran a really good race when runner-up on his reappearance at Aintree, coming there very strongly but not staying on quite as well as the winner from the last. Now we'll regroup and keep it simple, go to the International at Cheltenham, a race he was third in last year.
Destrier
7g Voix Du Nord - Razia
Three Celts
113/365-
RPR 157c OR 149c
He was third in a Grade 1 novice chase at Aintree and in the Haldon Gold Cup last year but he's had a niggle and won't be out until the new year. He'll definitely win a good race.
Don Poli
11g Poliglote - Dalamine
Darren and Annaley Yates
0/P110-4
RPR 168c OR 130c
He's a big, heavy horse who takes a bundle of getting fit, and I was encouraged by his reappearance fourth on soft ground at Aintree, where he just got tired late on. He'll go to Haydock next time over three and a half miles and I think there's still a fire burning in him.
Elle Est Belle
4f Fame And Glory - Katalina
Mrs Suzanne Lawrence
11
RPR 120b OR -
She'd worked well but you still don't expect to see anything quite as special as she showed in winning on her debut in a bumper at Aintree, a run she followed up when dead-heating at Cheltenham at the weekend. We ended up getting there a bit soon, but the first two pulled well clear from the last and I was very pleased. You won't see her again until the new year.
Emmas Joy
7m Gold Well - Emma Jane
Julian Howl and Ian Tyrrell
152117-
RPR 135h OR 135h
She was a very good hurdler and as a chaser she could be even better. She had a little setback in the autumn but now she looks fantastic and will probably start around Christmas. She has size and heart and will love a fence.
Faivoir
5g Coastal Path - Qape Noir
Mrs Suzanne Lawrence
211-214
RPR 129h OR 128h
I was astounded when he got beat at Uttoxeter on his seasonal debut in a novice hurdle, but I'd say he's one of those light, lean horses you assume are fit at home because of the way they look. The Cheltenham race he won after that may not have been the most competitive, and he didn't pick up quite as well as I hoped at Sandown last time, but that was real soft ground. I still hope he can start to climb the ladder as a hurdler.
Flash The Steel
8g Craigsteel - Anna’s Melody
John J Reilly
15/1090-2
RPR 141h OR 141h
He won the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow over two and a half miles last October and I then made a bit of a mess of things by running him over three at Haydock, but then who wouldn't have done that given the way he was shaping? He ran well when hampered at the last in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival and came back this season with a good run in second back in the Silver Trophy, where two and a half looked the limit of his stamina. We'll probably go to a handicap at Newbury's Ladbrokes meeting with him, with a view to going chasing at some stage. He's a solid handicapper at the top level and jumps a fence well at home.
Flegmatik
5g Fuisse - Crack D'Emble
N W Lake
3/203-15
RPR 131c OR 130c
He wasn't all that productive over hurdles, which I suppose shouldn't have come as a surprise given his size, but I was impressed with him when he won on his chasing debut at Carlisle on good ground. Everything went wrong for him at Sandown next time, where he was twice nearly brought down by fallers. There's a nice race for him at Ascot over Christmas.
Hatcher
7g Doyen - African Keys
P H Betts
1601-17
RPR 150c OR 143c
I was a bit disappointed with him at Cheltenham on his reappearance but it was the first time he'd been on a track like that and maybe the undulations didn't suit him. He's been a wonderful horse for us already but we need to get him back sparkling, maybe on a flat track, in the better races at Doncaster or Aintree. He wouldn't want the ground too soft.
I'd Better Go Now
7g Alkaadhem - Pohutakawa
Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates
7/161-10
RPR 125 OR 125
He won well in a 3m handicap hurdle at Perth first time up but didn't handle the undulations at Cheltenham next time. We'll get him back on a flat track and start thinking about novice chases before too long. He'll win plenty of races.
Interconnected
6g Network - R De Rien Sivola
Darren and Annaley Yates
F1/2/
RPR 135h OR -
He came to us with a big price tag and a lot of publicity, but he had a little injury in training last year and we've given him plenty of time because he's a gorgeous big horse. He's just started back and he'll be out in the new year in a couple of hurdles, but he's going to be a lovely chaser when the right time comes.
Lakota Warrior
4g Valirann - Talkin Madam
2- (point-to-point form)
RPR 89p
A lovely horse who came to us from the Irish point-to-point field. He'll be ready to go in a couple of weeks and will do well as a hurdler at two and a half miles upwards, but you'll really see the best of him as a chaser.
Midnight River
5g Midnight Legend - Well Connected
Frank McAleavy
33-12
RPR 134h OR 135h
We looked after him last year but he kept on well to win at Uttoxeter on his seasonal debut and I thought he jumped beautifully next time at Cheltenham for a horse with so little experience, only getting outgunned late on by a horse with an extra gear. I wouldn't mind taking on anybody on slightly slower ground and I think he can take high rank as a hurdler, but you'll see him at his best as a chaser next year.
Mohaayed
8g Intikhab - Reyaada
Mrs June Watts
0990-42
RPR 151h OR 141h
A real pleasure to have around the yard, he's a County Hurdle winner who has won some very good two-mile contests for us but ran well in a 2m4f handicap on soft ground at Aintree on his reappearance, staying on well, then backed that up with a good run in second over just beyond three miles at the same track. He retains his enthusiasm and he looks the perfect horse for the Pertemps Final, which the owners sponsor. He'll go to Cheltenham on December 11 for a 3m handicap hurdle and then we'll plot a course for the festival.
Dark horse
My Drogo
5g Milan - My Petra
Mr and Mrs R Kelvin-Hughes
2
RPR 122b OR -
He looked promising when second in a Cheltenham bumper on his only run and looks the real deal. He's a beautiful, imposing horse, relaxed well and came home strongly, and he'll start his hurdling career at the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting at Newbury next week.
No Getaway
7g Getaway - Nonnetia
Dick, Keenan, Sawer and Stevenson
842/192-
RPR 127h OR 126h
He's a half-brother to Grand National winner One For Arthur and will go chasing this year. We were very and patient with him as a hurdler, because he's been a slow learner, but I hope his owner will be rewarded for that in time.
Northofthewall
6g Mahler - Sherchanceit
Winter Gold Racing
1611-4F
RPR 147c OR 133c
A very smart horse in the making, he was in the process of running a big race at Aintree last time when he came down two out, jumping the fence well but not quite getting his landing gear down. Luckily he's been fine since and we'll just take our time getting him back on to the track, because there's a nice race to be won with him. A step up to three miles in time wouldn't frighten him and he'd be fine on most ground, although he wouldn't want it heavy.
Nube Negra
6g Dink - Manly Dream
T Spraggett
36/1122-
RPR 153c OR 152c
He'll have a slightly later start to the season this year and go fresh to the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas. He was a very good novice chaser last year but he never got the chance to run in a good race under his best conditions, over two miles on good or good to soft ground on a speed track. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the spring when he's got everything in his favour.
Oldgrangewood
9g Central Park - Top Of The Class
Chris Giles and Sandra Giles
33114-4
RPR 151c OR 147c
We wanted a good pace in the Old Roan Chase but didn't get it, so we had to kick on and that made us the target for the others. I'm encouraged by his consistency though, so he'll go to Newbury at the end of the month, where he'll have a decent chance, after which we'll look at all the races he ran in last year. I'm sure he'll win when things are right for him.
Percy's Word
6g Sir Percy - Laverre
Mezzone Family
2/230
RPR 121h OR 123h
He looked progressive going into his last outing at Bangor, but that run was a backward step on very bad going. I was a bit disappointed with him at Cheltenham last week as well, but I don't think we've seen him even half at his best yet. Maybe he hadn't quite got over his Bangor run, so we'll give him a month off, find him some slightly better ground and he'll go very close next time.
Proschema
5g Declaration Of War - Notable
Empire State Racing Partnership
314-2P
RPR 135 OR 131
He ran really well at Wetherby first time up but at Cheltenham at the weekend he told us that he doesn't like really soft ground. I believe there's a big day in him on a better surface.
Protektorat
5g Saint Des Saints - Protektion
Sir A Ferguson, G Mason, J Hales and L Hales
2130-11
RPR 160c OR 149c
He still had an awful lot to learn and was always a bit keen, so he needed his second season as a hurdler, but the benefit of that was obvious on his chasing debut over two miles at Carlisle, where he really pleased me in winning comfortably, and I was super happy with the way he won at Cheltenham last week. He jumped really nicely on the good to soft ground and we can draw on that ability whenever we want – we don't have to go straight back there. Although he'll get three miles in time, I'll stick at two and a half for the moment. We'll have a good think about where to send him next because on that evidence he could be a star in the making.
Real Stone
5g Arvico - Stoney Path
Mrs S C Welch
7-1
RPR 128h OR -
He went off at 50-1 for a maiden hurdle on soft ground at Aintree on his return, but although he'd been a slow learner at home he'd shown a bit of ability, so his win wasn't a complete surprise. Harry [Skelton] said he was holding his hand through the race because he was so green and babyish, but then he turned up at the last with plenty left. He's still unfurnished and has plenty of improvement in him physically.
Riggs
5g Mahler - Cousin Kizzy
Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates
642-6
RPR 114h OR 115h
He went well in a competitive Ascot novice handicap on only his third run over hurdles and there will be a lot of improvement to come. He'll go for a middle-distance handicap in about three weeks, with ground no worry, but he'll really come into his own over fences.
Roksana
8m Dubai Destination - Talktothetail
Mrs Sarah Faulks
2/2524-1
RPR 156h OR 153h
She'd had her doubters so it was nice to get a good victory under her belt at Wetherby last month, with what was an impressive performance to the eye, even if perhaps others in the race will improve a fair bit. Last year she was carrying a Class 1 penalty and was the best horse at the weights a couple of times without winning, but she's always been a high-quality mare. I think you'd have to say that her best performances have been over three miles and she's got improvement in her over that trip, so that's the route we'll go down. She went back to her owner for a short break to freshen her up for the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 19, although I'll enter her at Leopardstown over Christmas just in case travel restrictions ease. The Long Walk is the main target, though, and if she runs well there, then maybe we'll be drawn down the Cheltenham route, but the owner isn't all about the festival and if we felt it was right to go fresh to Aintree then that's what we'd do.
Star quality
Shan Blue
6g Shantou - Lady Roberta
Colm Donlon
1326-11
RPR 156c OR 152c
I always believed he'd be a really good chaser but his two runs over fences this season have been a revelation. He's looked a natural in winning twice at Wetherby, first over two and a half miles and then over three, so at the moment we're looking to go to the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, and with that in mind he'll probably go to Huntingdon on December 6 to get him spot on for Kempton on Boxing Day. It's a tough route to go down but from what we've seen so far, there will be plenty of people who won't be all that keen to take him on.
Shannon Bridge
7g Flemensfirth - Bridgequarter Lady
M Boothright, G Lovett and P Deffains
3P1F-0P
RPR 138c OR 132c
He's a lazy character who takes a bit of stoking, but although his pulled-up effort over three miles at Bangor last time was disappointing, I think that may have been down to the trip, so we'll drop him back in distance and I still think he's got a nice race in him.
Spiritofthegames
8g Darsi - Lucy Walters
N W Lake
P0226-2
RPR 154c OR 148c
He's a fixture in a lot of the good 2m4f handicap chases and he produced another brilliant run off his high mark in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the weekend. He'll miss the December meeting at Cheltenham and go back there on New Year's Day, when I hope he can finally get the big win he deserves.
Third Time Lucky
5g Arcadio - Definite Valley
Mike and Eileen Newbould
114-112
RPR 131h OR 129h
A very good bumper horse who really pleased me in winning his first two races over hurdles. He kind of handled the soft ground when runner-up at Cheltenham on Sunday – when he had was unsuited by having to go and chase the all-the-way winner – but he'd be a lot happier on a better surface. He's learned a lot from his three quick runs and he hurdles well, but he's very much a chaser.
West To The Bridge
7g Flemensfirth - Godlylady
J Tierney
P175-21
RPR 142h OR 140h
I was amazed I never won a bumper with him, but he's always been free-going, he still sweats a bit at the start, and maybe he's just taken time to get the hang of things. I was pleased with his Uttoxeter second over three miles on good to soft ground, which I thought was a very good start to the season, and it was no surprise to me that he won at Carlisle over two and a half on heavy, so now he'll go to the Grade 3 stayers' handicap hurdle at Haydock on Friday. Hopefully this is the start of what he's really capable of.
Wilde About Oscar
5g Oscar - Baie Barbara
Mike and Eileen Newbould
214-11
RPR 132 OR 115
He's very talented and likes to get his sleeves rolled up. He was very green over the first few hurdles at Uttoxeter on his reappearance but got the job done well, and it was no surprise to me the way he won at Aintree next time, pulling clear by 16 lengths. I think he'd have no problem dropping back to two miles on proper soft ground and we'll look at the Challow or the Tolworth and then pick his race for the spring. I think there's plenty of potential there.
Wild Romance
5m Kalanisi - Aboo Lala
Masomo
2-12
RPR 128h OR -
She got on top late in a decent mares' hurdle at Warwick and ran a lovely race in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham last week. She was a bit green coming down the hill but then flew up it and I was delighted with the way she finished her race off. The form looks strong and I think she's got a big future. I'm not sure where we go next but she can easily make her mark in novice mares' Graded company and she'll be a real prospect when she goes over fences.
Juveniles
We've got ten or so juveniles and we've already had one winner in Cabot Cliffs (3g Gleneagles - Hallouella), who went on to be third in a Wetherby Listed race, then a good fourth under a front-running ride at Cheltenham on Saturday, and is open to a lot of improvement on a flat track, especially on really soft ground. Among the unraced ones are Ambassador, a decent stayer on the Flat; and two new recruits, John Locke (3g Mastercraftsman - Sacred Shield) and Shake A Leg (3g Excelebration - Sos Brilliante), who both look tailormade for hurdling.
Bumper horses
I've been very encouraged with how our bumper horses have been going. Quid Pro Quo's (4g Beat Hollow - Thieving Gypsy) success from a good horse of Paul Nicholls' at Hereford delighted me, as did Cousu Main (4g Buck's Boum - Just Pegasus) with his second at Uttoxeter, and Global Famenglory (4f Fame And Glory - Noble Pearl) who has improved a lot at home since her debut fourth at Uttoxeter. Greatest Star's (4g Lord Du Sud - Sacree Mome) Warwick bumper is working out well; Jay Jay Reilly (4g Fame And Glory - Garden City) went nicely at Wincanton last time although he looks a 2m4f to 3m chaser in the long term; and Jersey (4g Presenting - Synthe Davis) is a beautiful big horse who is going to be a chaser but has already run well in an Ascot bumper.
Two for the tracker
Northofthewall should make huge strides as he gains experience and goes up in trip, while Wild Romance is a classy mare who will thrive as the season goes on.
Expert view
For so long, the trainers' championship was dominated by Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson. Although their rivalry has been exciting and exhilarating over the years, the division has been crying out for a young gun to come and challenge at the top of the standings. Step forward Dan Skelton.
Skelton began his training career in 2013 and rapidly progressed into a leading light in jump racing, so much so that he broke the 200-winner barrier two years ago.
It was more quantity over quality that campaign with much of that total amassed during the summer months, but Skelton has since worked tirelessly to build a team of horses capable of striking on the big stage and bridge the prize-money gap with his aforementioned foes for top spot.
His team is headed by Roksana, one of just two Grade 1 winners for the yard. That came in the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2019, albeit after clear leader Benie Des Dieux capsized at the last flight.
Nevertheless, she has proved on multiple occasions that she can compete at the top level and sauntered through the soft ground at Wetherby on her return. Aintree might be the best target for her in April.
Other promising hurdlers in the yard include Aggy With It, Ashdown Lad, Midnight River and Wilde About Oscar, all of whom could easily make up into bona fide Grade 1 performers.
One horse who may already be at that level is Protektorat, who has romped home on his first two chasing starts at Carlisle and Cheltenham and jumps with unlimited exuberance, which is always great to see from a young prospect.
He achieved a Racing Post Rating of 160 when bolting up on Friday and surely it's just a matter of time before he gets his chance at the top level.
Similar plans may be in the offing for Northofthewall, who is yet to achieve anything like the same level of form at Protektorat but jumped beautifully before diving at the second-last at Aintree recently and is open to plenty of improvement when upped to three miles.0 -
David Pipe spent a week in hospital recently with rib and spleen injuries after being kicked by a horse, but he's on the mend now and very much looking forward to the November meeting at Cheltenham this weekend, which has been targeted successfully by the family for decades.
Pipe, in good form with seven winners in the last fortnight, hopes to be well represented at the meeting once again, including with new recruit Siruh Du Lac in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
He also has plenty to look forward to in the months beyond, although almost inevitably one or two of the stable's big names are sidelined, among them unfortunately Israel Champ.
While he hasn't topped the 100-winner mark since doing so for the sixth time in 2014-15, there were encouraging signs last season, when the stable's 64 winners before Covid-19 prematurely stopped play was a big step back in the right direction.
Race in focus
Haydock's Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Stayers' Handicap Hurdle – the Fixed Brush Hurdle as it will always be to us here – is a race I've always liked, having won it with Dynaste, Grands Crus and Gevrey Chambertin. I've entered five this time, including Duc De Beauchene, Kepagge and Main Fact.
Rival to watch
An obvious one, but Envoi Allen was tremendously impressive the other day at Down Royal on his chasing debut and he looks the real deal.
Stable profile
Yard Pond House Stables, Nicholashayne, Wellington, Somerset
Started training 2006
Horses in yard 85
Members of staff 35
Assistant trainers Martin Pipe, Gerry Supple
Head lad Oliver Defew
Barn leaders Martin Ayliffe, Ali Galliers-Pratt
Travelling head lads Craig Wylie, Bob Hodge
Jockeys Tom Scudamore, David Noonan
Conditional Fergus Gillard
Amateurs Martin McIntyre, Sean O’Connor
PAs Gail Harrison, Gemma Edwards, James Smith
Lab Esther Salter (technician), Barry Allen (advisor)
Gallops team Mike Broom
Stable sponsor W & S Recycling
Website davidpipe.com
Twitter @DavidPipeRacing
Winners in Britain
2019-20 64
2018-19 44
2017-18 33
2016-17 59
2015-16 80
Profit/loss to £1 stake
2019-20 +0.60
2018-19 -66.42
2017-18 -113.51
2016-17 -194.09
2015-16 -111.92
Total prize-money 2019-20
£734,090
Adagio
Three-year-old gelding
Wiener Walzer (sire) - Aspidistra (dam)
Owner: Bryan Drew And Friends / Prof C Tisdall
Form figures: 1
Racing Post Rating 114h Official Rating -
There were a lot of claims in for him after he won very easily at Clairefontaine in August, so we were lucky to get him. We gelded him and he schooled nicely before his hurdles debut at Warwick on Friday, when he travelled well and picked up to beat the right horses. He's entered at Cheltenham at the weekend.
Brinkley
5g Martaline - Royale Majesty
Brocade Racing
731-
RPR 131h OR 130h
He ran only once for us last season, putting up a lovely performance at Newbury in February. He's had a wind op since and will probably be out in December. He's a real strong galloper and three miles ought to be fine for him.
Bumpy Johnson
4g Imperial Monarch - Country Flora
Brocade Racing
F-1
RPR 109b
He'd gone nicely at home before running in a bumper at Fontwell last month and won impressively there. He looks a nice youngster and he'll probably go hurdling.
Dell' Arca
11g Sholokov - Daisy Belle
Prof Caroline Tisdall
3-73611
RPR 154h OR 131h
He's an absolute star and has won both starts this season under Fergus Gillard. He'd obviously dropped down the handicap and life will get tougher now. He probably finds hurdles a bit easier than fences and I don't think he wants it too soft as he finds it hard work nowadays.
Duc De Beauchene
7g Saddler Maker - Quatia D'Angron
JP McManus
12/0174-
RPR 131h OR 128h
He was very impressive at Cheltenham last November. He never built on it for some reason, but he's a big, strong, powerful horse who is looking very well and seems in good form. I'd imagine he'll stick to hurdles for now and he's not far off a run.
Eden Du Houx
6g Irish Wells - Maralypha
Prof Caroline Tisdall
24134-0
RPR 133h OR 130h RPR 119c OR 130c
He did very well in bumpers but didn't do quite as well as we hoped in novice hurdles. He started over fences at Uttoxeter and jumped very nicely before finishing tired. Scu [Tom Scudamore] thought he was very professional.
First Lord De Cuet
6g Lord Du Sud - Alyce
Potter, Pipe and Pete
/4120-32
RPR 128h OR 126
It looked like he came to win his race at Sandown on Sunday but he knuckled on landing two out and the winner maybe got first run on him. We may try cheekpieces next time. I hope there's a nice race in him.
Dark horse
Gericault Roque
4g Montmartre - Nijinska Delaroque
Prof Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew
4-2
RPR 102b
He ran with a lot of promise when second on his first run for us in a bumper at Newton Abbot last month, staying on strongly. He's had a wind op since then and could go hurdling now.
Induno
6g Flemensfirth - Vast Consumption
RA Bartlett
2/113-
RPR 121h OR 115h
He's had a nice long break since Boxing Day, when he wasn't right, and he's entered at Cheltenham this weekend. He's a good work horse and I think he's on a workable mark. He's quite versatile ground-wise.
Kepagge
6 g Getaway - Miracle Lady
Mrs Sarah Ling
F/111-
RPR 135h OR 137h
He won a bumper and his two novice hurdles last season, although he did his best to get himself beaten at Leicester at 2-9 when he lost his confidence. He's a lovely big, strong horse and may go chasing before long, but he'll start over hurdles at Cheltenham or Haydock.
Ladykiller
4g Kamsin - Lady Jacamira
Prof Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew
3
RPR 106h
He had decent form on the Flat in Germany and he jumped well and travelled well at Southwell on his hurdling debut before finding little. He works very nicely, so hopefully it was just his wind, which has since been attended to.
Leoncavallo
8g Cape Cross - Nafura
ValueRacingClub.co.uk
05/824-1
RPR 147h 147c OR 143h 142c
A really tough and versatile character who is effective on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences. He ran another terrific race in the Cesarewitch last time. He's having a break now but will be ready to run again in February or March.
Maggies Mogul
4f Valirann - Grangeclare Gold
The Angove Family
1-4
RPR 94b
She won her only point-to-point in Ireland and made her bumper debut at Ffos Las, where we were probably too forceful on her. She's a nice mare with a good attitude and better than she showed there.
Star quality
Main Fact
7g Blame - Reflections
Munrowd's Partnership
/311111-
RPR 150h OR 147h
He did fantastically well over hurdles last season and when he came back from a break he was potentially very well treated on the Flat, although it doesn't always work out. We got lucky with the weather, as soft ground is very important to him because of the way he races, and he won three times in 12 days to make it eight straight wins overall since January. He'll now go hurdling again and it will obviously be harder now. He does take a lot of getting cherry-ripe as he's quite a burly horse. He's entered in the Greatwood but it would need to be soft over two miles. He's also in at Haydock next week over three miles, which is unknown territory, but it's an easy track and he runs as though he'll stay.
Make Me A Believer
5g Presenting - Kiltiernan Robin
Prof C Tidsall & Jane Gerard-Pearse
F/1-2
RPR 113b RPR 113h
He put up a good effort in winning a bumper at Chepstow last October but picked up an injury and then Covid intervened. He ran a very nice race over hurdles at Lingfield on his return when he was only beaten by a very good horse in Bear Ghylls and he's had a wind op since then. He's got loads of ability and will make a lovely three-mile chaser one day.
Martinhal
5g Westerner - Gweedara
Mrs Lynne Maclennan
F1-44
RPR 123b RPR 109h
He put up a nice performance when winning a bumper at Huntingdon last season but hasn't finished off either of his races over hurdles this season, which is frustrating. He'll probably go for a wind op now. I'm sure there's more to come from him.
Meep Meep Mag
6m Getaway - Deadly Pursuit
M Lambert & Mrs R White
31321-
RPR 108b
She picked up an injury when winning her bumper at Sedgefield and hasn't run since, but she's getting there now and will be going novice hurdling. She's got a great attitude.
New Age Dawning
6g Stowaway - Captain Supreme
Brocade Racing
2/121/
RPR 130h OR 133h
He won a bumper and a novice hurdle two seasons ago but suffered a leg injury and missed last season. He's probably a month or so off a run but if he stays in one piece he'll make a lovely three-mile chaser.
Night Edition
4g Authorized - Night Serenade
Stuart & Simon Mercer & John Gent
4212-
RPR 132h OR 135h
He did well as a juvenile and ended with a good second at Cheltenham in the Boodles. He's not overbig, but he's grown a bit during his break so hopefully there's more to come. He'll be aimed at some of the big handicap hurdles and could start at Ascot before Christmas.
Panic Attack
4f Canford Cliffs - Toto Corde Meo
Bryan Drew
10-21
RPR 115h OR 119h
She ran well against a good mare until tiring at Huntingdon on her hurdling debut, and then we dropped her back in trip and rode her more forcefully when she won at Uttoxeter. She's hopefully on a workable mark and is entered for the novice handicap at Cheltenham on Friday.
Ramses De Teillee
8 g Martaline - Princesse D'Orton
John White & Anne Underhill
/14110-5
RPR 150h OR 149h RPR 158c OR 149c
He's been a great horse for us and it's hard to believe he's only eight. He's going to be harder to place this season but he ran a decent race at Auteuil last month and could go to Cheltenham at the weekend if it's soft enough. After that it will be the Becher and the Welsh National, and he has options over hurdles again.
Remastered
7g Network - Cathodine Cayras
Brocade Racing
52P33-1
RPR 134h OR 132h RPR 137c OR 132c
He's a real galloper who was always going to be a better chaser than a hurdler. He made a great start over fences in what looked a tricky little novice at Carlisle on Monday as he jumped extremely well and battled back when headed. He goes well fresh, but he'll hopefully back it up and is the sort who might end up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. He needs the cheekpieces just to help him out in the later stages.
Siruh Du Lac
7g Turgeon - Margerie
/1111/PF-
John White & Anne Underhill
RPR 154c OR 150c
His form is all in the book and anyone can see he's a very good horse and a lovely addition to the stable. He had a horrible fall at Cheltenham and came to us not long afterwards, so he's had a long summer break. He's got to improve to win off his mark, but he's working like a nice horse and we're leaning towards the Paddy Power. I'm sure he'll be trying three miles at some stage this season as he gives the impression he's an out-and-out galloper.
Thinking
5g So You Think - Laetoli
Nick Shutts
1/
OR 132h
He won his only hurdle race in France two years ago but hasn't run since, although he was ready just before lockdown started. He's a big, strong individual and a real galloper who will get two and a half miles. He's in the Greatwood but would need soft ground.
Umbrigado
6g Stowaway - Dame O'Neill
John White & Anne Underhill
116/560-
RPR 141h OR 139h
He had a slightly frustrating time last season, but he ran well at Haydock, then wasn't quick enough for two miles next time, and finally wasn't beaten far in my dad's race at Cheltenham. He's a strong traveller who has plenty of ability. He'll probably be sticking to hurdles.
Vieux Lion Rouge
11g Sabiango - Indecise
Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent
0/1997-5
RPR 141h OR132h RPR 160c OR 140c
He's been a great horse for the yard, running in four Nationals and four Becher Chases. He's had a blowout in a veterans' chase and he's now going back to Aintree again for the Becher, which he won in 2016. He's not getting any younger, but he looks a million dollars and is back down to a workable mark again.
Bumper horses
We did well with our bumper horses last season and we've had a nice winner already in Bumpy Johnson. Hopefully there are some more winners to come and worth mentioning at this stage are the four-year-olds Astigar, who is by No Risk at All and came to us from Colin Bowe, and Barrier Peaks, who came from Sam Curling and is a little further away from a run. I also like a nice unnamed Shirocco four-year-old, who came from Tony Costello and is a bit backward still, and a three-year-old by Kapgarde who was bought privately by Tom Malone and looks promising.
Two for the tracker
Gericault Roque should pay his way this season, probably over hurdles. New Age Dawning picked up a leg injury but is doing lots of work and should be worth following over hurdles or fences.
Expert view
The yard has some very interesting horses entered at Cheltenham this week, including Kepagge and Thinking.
Kepagge looks set to go handicapping after just two small-field novice successes so is a complete unknown. His entries include the 3m and 2m5f handicap hurdles on Saturday and the former is a race Pipe won with Grands Crus, who went on to land the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock before running second to Big Buck's in the Stayers' Hurdle.
He is definitely one to keep an eye on, as is Thinking, who thrashed the now 124-rated chaser Yccs Portocervo in a hurdle in France in 2018 and has not been seen since. He's entered in the Greatwood, a race Pipe took with stable stalwart Dell' Arca seven years ago on his first run in Britain.
Two chasers to definitely keep an eye out for are Remastered and
Eden Du Houx.
Remastered may need the cheekpieces to keep him up to his work, but he looked very professional when off the mark at Carlisle on Monday and he was beating a pair who were rated considerably higher than him over hurdles. There is a decent staying pot in him sometime in the future.
Eden Du Houx is a horse I've always liked so it is pleasing to hear that it was just a case of getting tired first time out when he was well beaten at Uttoxeter last month.
He ran a couple of excellent races in big-field handicap hurdles in open company as a novice last season, finishing third at Ascot and fourth to McFabulous at Kempton, and I'm sure at some point he will leave a mark of 130 well behind.0 -
There may be more quantity in Jessica Harrington's Flat artillery, but don't underestimate the quality that rests in her jumping battalion.
The 2020-21 campaign promises to be a fruitful one for the Commonstown team as they go to war with a squad of roughly 50 National Hunt performers, boasting a mix of proven Graded operators and up-and-coming youngsters.
The prolific Magic Of Light is back and apparently better than ever as she builds towards her bid to go one better than her second in the 2019 Randox Health Grand National.
Three-time Grade 1 winner Supasundae also returns to the fray and will aim to collect another top-level hurdling prize this term, while the fellow Potts-owned Sizing Pottsie and promising hurdler Jungle Junction have the potential to make their presence felt in high-quality events.
The impressive victories for Crosshill and Ever Present, who provided Harrington with a Punchestown double last Wednesday, could be a sign of things to come with the younger brigade of potential stars coming through.
Stable facts
Yard Commonstown Stud
Where Moone, County Kildare
Started training 1989
National Hunt horses in yard 50
Assistant trainer/head groom Eamonn Leigh
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington
Travelling head groom Niall Amond
Assistant travelling head Esme Cooke
Yard managers Nigel Byrne, Matt Crosse, Adrien Bolger, Martina Kearns, Rory Nolan
Jockeys Robbie Power, Paddy Kennedy, Sean O'Keeffe, Finny Maguire, Cian Cullinan, Mikey McGuane
Secretaries Sue Wilson, Sean Crowe, Ally Couchman
Office managers Emma Galway, Richie Galway
Twitter @Jessica_Racing
Winners over jumps in Ireland
2019-20 25
2018-19 47
2017-18 38
2016-17 48
Profit/loss to €1 stake
2019-20 -€131.08
2018-19 -€24.39
2017-18 -€211.75
2016-17 -€121.84
Total prize-money 2019-20
€491,073
Ashdale Bob
Five-year-old gelding
Shantou (sire) - Ceol Rua (dam)
Owner: Diarmuid Horgan
Form figures: 435-
Racing Post Rating: 129 (hurdles); Official rating -
He's a lovely horse who had a couple of very good runs on his first two starts before things went against him. I think he's got a lot stronger this year.
Crosshill
5g Sholokhov - Rathvawn Belle
R A Bartlett
9-1
RPR 133h
He won really nicely at Punchestown on his first start over hurdles, which was great to see. I know it was a very strong bumper that he ran in on his debut at Fairyhouse but I was disappointed because I thought he'd win that day. Hopefully he'll end up in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham come the end of the season.
Star quality
Discordantly
6g Salutino - Collinstown Queen
The Oddfellows Partnership
F5F14-1
RPR 146c OR 142c
He went up 10lb for winning at Galway the other day and his aim is the Irish Grand National. The softer the ground the better for him – he's a brilliant jumper and keeps galloping. We'll look towards races like the Troytown and the Paddy Power.
Emily Moon
6m Beneficial - Wood Lily
Mrs P Myerscough
56413-3
RPR 134h 134c OR 129h
It was great for her to some black type over hurdles last time, having got some over fences at Thurles last season. The plan is for her to go to Bangor for a Listed mares' chase [on November 11] and Robbie [Power] will be able to ride her.
Ever Present
4g Elusive Pimpernel - Persian Memories
Anamoine Limited
1
RPR 107b
I was delighted with how he won at Punchestown last week. He's bred by Mrs Patino and could have run on the Flat last year but we can look towards a winners' bumper for him. He's an exciting horse who we've always loved.
Exit Polll
Star quality
Discordantly
6g Salutino - Collinstown Queen
The Oddfellows Partnership
F5F14-1
RPR 146c OR 142c
He went up 10lb for winning at Galway the other day and his aim is the Irish Grand National. The softer the ground the better for him – he's a brilliant jumper and keeps galloping. We'll look towards races like the Troytown and the Paddy Power.
Emily Moon
6m Beneficial - Wood Lily
Mrs P Myerscough
56413-3
RPR 134h 134c OR 129h
It was great for her to some black type over hurdles last time, having got some over fences at Thurles last season. The plan is for her to go to Bangor for a Listed mares' chase [on November 11] and Robbie [Power] will be able to ride her.
Ever Present
4g Elusive Pimpernel - Persian Memories
Anamoine Limited
1
RPR 107b
I was delighted with how he won at Punchestown last week. He's bred by Mrs Patino and could have run on the Flat last year but we can look towards a winners' bumper for him. He's an exciting horse who we've always loved.
Impact Factor
8g Flemensfirth - Hello Kitty
Robcour
22251/2-
RPR 144c OR 143c
He's a very exciting chaser. He didn't run at all last year but he's got some smart form. Running over two miles on soft ground, or two and a half on better ground, suits him well.
Instant Return
4g Elzaam - Instant Memories
Brian Miller
432112-
RPR 122h OR 126h
He's hardy and will be back on soft ground in handicap company this season. He's by Elzaam but I think he'll be able to step up to two and a half miles, maybe even three.
Jett
9g Flemensfirth - La Noire
Robert Waley-Cohen
1264-P7
RPR 163 OR 154
I was really happy with his comeback at Punchestown in the race he won last year. He was giving away plenty of weight and got passed but he came again, to his credit. He'll go for the Becher Chase next and Sam Waley-Cohen will ride him.
Jungle Junction
5g Elusive Pimpernel - Consignia
Mrs A Frost
222214-
RPR 135h OR 133h
His form from last season looks strong and he's only a five-year-old so we'll stay over hurdles this season. He's done very well over the summer and I'd imagine his aim could be the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. He's a very nice horse.
Dark horse
Lifetime Ambition
5g Kapgarde - Jeanquiri
Linda Mulcahy & Mary Wolridge
2144-
RPR 103b
I think this is a lovely horse. He goes hurdling and jumps very well. I'm very happy with how he's done over the summer.
Lynwood Gold
5g Mastercraftsman - Witch Of Fife
C Acheson
421-2
RPR 134h
We're going to look towards a Pertemps qualifier with him in England in January. He stays well and the Pertemps Final or Coral Cup will be his aim. He had a very good run in the Cesarewitch last time and has gone well over hurdles already.
Magic Of Light
9m Flemensfirth - Quest Of Passion
Ann & Alan Potts Limited
72/3118-
RPR 162c 150h OR 158c 149h
She seems to be better than ever at the moment. We'll probably go for her usual routine of the Lismullen Hurdle, then over to Newbury for the Listed mares' chase in December and on to Ascot again for the Grade 2 hurdle in January, with her aim being the Grand National. Naturally, it was disappointing not to be able to go to Aintree with her last year but she's come back in great form.
Morosini
5g Martaline - Iris Du Berlais
John P McManus
35217-P
RPR 144h OR 137h
He's a grand horse who ran over fences last time at Punchestown but may stay over hurdles. I think he'll go over two and a half miles and this year he looks stronger and better than before – he could even go three miles. He enjoys soft ground.
Mr Hendricks
6g Milan - Coming Home
Exors of the Late David Reid Scott
1/061F7-
RPR 127h
We're looking forward to seeing him over fences. I think he'll enjoy going a trip. He won his maiden hurdle nicely last season and is a very nice horse.
Neverushacon
9g Echo Of Light - Lily Beth
Exors of the Late David Reid Scott
825318-
RPR 146c OR 138c
He'll go for all the banks races again after having a great time of things last year. I think he could run a very big race in the Cross Country at Cheltenham if it came up good – he needs good ground.
Not Many Left
7g Oscar - Lasado
Robcour
2/4132/F-
RPR 153h OR 148h
He missed the whole of last season. We're going to keep him over hurdles. He's a very smart horse and stays three miles so hopefully he can have a good season.
Only Human
7g Invincible Spirit - Liscune
Michael Cooke
3-2
RPR 123h
He's on a break at the moment after running on the Flat during the summer. He'll be back in the spring and will go hurdling.
Polished Steel
6g Jeremy - Chaperoned
J P O'Flaherty
3-1142P
RPR 145c OR 137c
He's been brilliant for us this season and has really improved for going over fences. The ground was too soft for him on Sunday at Cork and we'll give him a mini-break with a view to running him at Leopardstown over Christmas. Hopefully the ground won't be too soft for him then.
Port Stanley
6g Papal Bull - Prairie Moonlight
Linda Mulcahy & Mary Wolridge
2/53321-
RPR 127h OR 125h
He's got some good form over hurdles and I can't wait for him to go chasing. He schooled really well at the Curragh the other day.
Rapid response
6m Network - La Grande Villez
Ann & Alan Potts Limited
221225
RPR 136c OR 133c
She's a lovely mare who's been very consistent. I think she's improving all the time and could make into a lovely staying chaser. She ran a nice race on Sunday at Cork but the ground was a little too testing for her. We'll give her a bit of a mini-break now and hopefully pick up some black type later in the season.
Silver Sheen
6g Sulamani - Silver Gypsy
J Turner
P64111-
RPR 138h OR 133h
He has the option of either going for the Pertemps or heading over fences. We were really disappointed he picked up a setback that meant he missed Cheltenham last season because he looked to have a real chance but we're happy with him now.
Sizing Pottsie
6g Kapgarde - Line Salsa
Ann & Alan Potts Limited
3U11F-5
RPR 154c OR 149c
We stepped him up to 2m3½f at the weekend but he didn't quite see it out. Robert [Power] says he's an out and out two-miler on soft ground. He'll go for the Poplar Square Chase at Naas at the end of the month. He's an exciting horse.
Still Standing
5g Mastercraftsman - Il Palazzo
The Three D Partnership
04-26
RPR 116h
He had a good run back over hurdles at Gowran the other day when he was just touched off before running too keen at Down Royal when he didn't see out the trip. It was the wrong way to ride him and we'll look for a handicap with him now. He doesn't want extremes in terms of ground and two miles is fine for him.
Supasundae
10g Galileo - Distinctive Look
Ann & Alan Potts Limited
271/247-
RPR 165h OR 154h
He's in great form and we're looking at the Lismullen Hurdle for him. He's also entered in the Morgiana Hurdle and will probably run in all those good Graded hurdles this season. If he's no good I'll threaten him with going chasing to do a Faugheen!
Wingin A Prayer
5g Winged Love - Toubliss
Rainbow Gems Syndicate
3F371-F
RPR 127h OR 122h
It was disappointing that he fell last time at Punchestown because I was expecting a very big run from him, but he just picked up too far away due to a shadow. He's a nice horse going forward and will jump a fence in time but there's no hurry.
Young talent
We've got some lovely young horses to look forward to over the coming months. Autumn Evening (3g Tamayuz - Martagon Lily) had a good run on the Flat at Navan and will go hurdling, having schooled well. Boola Boola (3g Invincible Spirit - We Can Say It Now) is an enormous horse who'll wait for a four-year-old bumper. There's also a lovely Martaline three-year-old out of Beau Bridget bred by the Potts family who will run in a bumper next year. We have a nice homebred filly by Shantou out of Madam Des Champs.
Fame and Joy 4f Fame And Glory - Coonagh Cross) has been running well in bumpers and hopefully she should be up to winning one this season. She's been a bit green, as was What Next (5m Scorpion - Espresso Lady), who's a half-sister to Sensulano and made her debut at Galway recently. Daisy Dufresne (4f Doyen - Daytona Lily), a sister to Andy Dufresne, is very nice too. She isn't overly big and will go for a bumper.
Mighty Meggsie (4f Arakan - Angel Lopez) was second on her first two bumper starts before getting bogged down on soft ground at Galway and she could go hurdling. California Breeze (4f Shirocco - Taraval) is a lovely big filly who looks like a three-mile chaser. Edison Kent (4g Leading Light - Kentish Town) hasn't run yet but is a nice unraced four-year-old we're looking forward to and Annie Kate (5m Califet - Spartan Girl) is also looking much stronger this year.
Two for the tracker
Daisy Dufresne is a filly we're looking forward to running in a bumper and I think Ilmig is a smart horse who hopefully can do well over hurdles.
Expert view
Almost every top prize in jump racing has been won by Jessica Harrington over the years, with the Grand National being one of the few races missing from her CV.
I get the feeling that no stone will be left unturned in a bid to enable Magic Of Light to go one better this time after her narrow defeat by Tiger Roll in 2019. The early vibes are good.
Multiple Grade 1-winning veteran Supasundae returns for another Grade 1 campaign which looks likely to start off in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.
Discordantly is certainly one to watch. Impressive at Galway last month, he looks likely to be a factor in the good staying handicap chases, beginning with the Troytown at Navan.
The trainer has never been shy in her opinion of Sizing Pottsie. He was too free and possibly needed the run at Down Royal on Saturday and there should be much better to come.
Among the younger brigade, there are high hopes that impressive Punchestown maiden hurdle winner Crosshill could make the grade as a staying novice hurdler, with the Albert Bartlett as a long-term target.
Potentially, no horse in the yard is more exciting than Ever Present, who delivered nicely for an inexperienced young rider in a Punchestown bumper.
Flat racing may be king at Commonstown at the moment and the string of jumpers may be smaller than in recent years, but they will hold their own.0 -
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Pogue eile wrote: »Goshen now not declared for Saturday, will we see him take on Epatante, is their a problem with Goshen or is Moore making it up as he goes along and has no clue?
I'm very much on the latter camp I am afraid.
Not a hope they take on epatante , more bs from moores0 -
Surely Percy should be 5s today?0
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Pogue eile wrote: »Goshen now not declared for Saturday, will we see him take on Epatante, is their a problem with Goshen or is Moore making it up as he goes along and has no clue?
I'm very much on the latter camp I am afraid.
I would say the horse is regressive. Flopped twice already on the flat and they are not happy with his progress.
Triumph hurdlers rarely follow up the following season. If they do they are done after. Katchit never won a race again after winning the CH.
The horses have been in training since they were 2 yr olds, they get no break over their 3 yr old wintering and by the time the following NH season arrives they spit the dummy and say phuck that. A plucky one like Katchit you can squeeze , but this is the exception.
Where you see triumph winners proceed after winning, ie Tiger Roll, they are given a few seasons off by their trainers. They go on the doss and then you can get them trained up again when they are 6 or 7. Carlito Brigante is another example of this.0 -
I see there's a Pertemps qualifier in Market Rasen today.......0
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think the trip will suit percy more than the other 2 , none of them are gold cup horses mind0
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Darosso into 8's
It really is an ugly game.0 -
I think Kemboy is a model for this. Far above the other three if Willie has him ready, though I doubt any of them are ready today.0
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He's back0
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Gwan da Percy!!!! Jumped like a buck0
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GO ON THE PERCY0
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I'm more surprised Elliott let him win so easy, considering he's being aimed at the Grand National. Handicapper will lump on the pounds after that0
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HE'S BACK BABY0
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ryanair was all he was ever good for madness not sending him0
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We'll never hear the end of this now, you're all going on ignore!0
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Come Akelly Man
Come out and take it like a man
Tell your wife how you thought Percy was all over
Tell her how the mighty buck
Mad ye all go "Holy f*ck"
In the green and white silks, winning drunk or sober!!0 -
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Elliot has him shining lads.
Jumping out of himself.
Old twinkle toes is back.
GO ON THE PERCY0 -
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Doctors room ghost wrote: »Stand and take yere beating kelly
GO ON THE PERCY
Beating took .
fair play to whoever backed him . couldnt see it.0 -
RivetingRoger wrote: »Come Akelly Man
Come out and take it like a man
Tell your wife how you thought Percy was all over
Tell her how the mighty buck
Mad ye all go "Holy f*ck"
In the green and white silks, winning drunk or sober!!
christ almighty
is this the second coming of jesus christ !!!
what chance has he in a gold cup?? id say 25/1 shout roughly0 -
Go on the Percy0
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I think Darrosso is the one to take out of the race.0
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RivetingRoger wrote: »Will you relax you innocent boy lol
lostintranslation for the gold cup anyway0 -
christ almighty
is this the second coming of jesus christ !!!
what chance has he in a gold cup?? id say 25/1 shout roughlyRivetingRoger wrote: »Will you relax you innocent boy lol
Best price 16's.
https://www.oddschecker.com/cheltenham-festival/cheltenham-gold-cup/winner
I can here the Rocky theme tune in the background...
De de de de de de de de de de de de de de de.... de de de de de de dd de de de de.. de de de de de, de.0 -
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That was unexpected and fairly impressive from Percy.
The Ryanair would be a very interesting path to take but there's just 0 chance Reynolds goes anywhere but the Gold Cup, right?0 -
Colm Murphy sending relegate over for haydocks hanicap hurdle on Saturday, well handicapped I think 10-6 on her back on at 6s
Also backing real steel, drumconner lad in the handicap chase and lost in translation unless there is a deluge0 -
Colm Murphy sending relegate over for haydocks hanicap hurdle on Saturday, well handicapped I think 10-6 on her back on at 6s
Also backing real steel, drumconner lad in the handicap chase and lost in translation unless there is a deluge
I hope it jumps better than the hound that phucked Fogarty off it this afternoon, was going to win by a mile.0 -
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Don’t no if he’s a great trainer, don’t really agree with that part but,, up Wexford
He is a savage trainer, how many trainers can say they have won A Queen Mother and a Champion Hurdle with the ammo he had. Won several Grade 1's also. Empire of Dirt was another Cheltenham winner, Murphy is a class act.0 -
Puppy is on Relegate on Saturday lads0
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I wouldn't be getting to crazy about 5/1 either. Haydock in November will be boggy enough, they are all looking to scoop the money. Gets a nice weight but the price is tight enough.0
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It’s been a bit of a quiet midweek on the racing front – just some average meetings to keep us ticking over, but don’t worry as things ramp-up a few notches today with top jumping cards from Haydock and Ascot.
We’ve EIGHT LIVE ITV races to look forward to – four at each venue – and plenty to get excited about too, with the feature race of the day the Grade One Betfair Chase (3.00) from Haydock.
This 3m Chase is an early-season pointer ahead of races like the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and although we’ve a select field it’s still set up to be a fascinating affair. We’ve last year’s winner – Lostintranslation, the 2017 & 2018 hero Bristol De Mai, plus the two-time King George winner – Clan Des Obeaux – all having their seasonal reappearances – who’s your money on?
The trio are separated by only 2lbs in the official ratings, so a case can certainly be made for all three – we’ll be looking at the race in more details below, plus we’ve got all the main trends for this ‘must-see’ race.
Did you know? Saturday: Haydock (3.00) Betfair Chase – 12 of the last 15 winners had run in the last 4 weeks, while 11 of the last 15 winners had raced at Haydock before.
Then, dovetailing with Haydock, we’ve a decent card down at Ascot, with four more LIVE races that include the Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (2.05) and the Coral Hurdle (2.40) – the last-named contest looks another intriguing race with Laurina, who is now housed with Paul Nicholls, amongst the entries of a small but select field – can her new stable get her back to winning ways?
Did you know? Saturday: Ascot (2.40) Coral Hurdle – ALL of the last 18 winners returned 7/2 or shorter, plus 10 of the last 18 favourites have won the race.
So, there’s bundles to look forward to and as always, we’ve got it all covered with free tips and all the key trends for ALL today’s EIGHT LIVE ITV races!
Enjoy!
Have a Great Weekend
TRAINERS QUOTES: HORSES TO NOTE
NASSALAM – Trainer Gary Moore and owner John Stone have had a lot of success over the years – most notably with Baron Alco – but they could have another useful one on their hands with this 3 year-old. Bought from France, he made his UK debut at Fontwell last Sunday and even though it probably wasn’t the best of races, he bolted-up by an incredible 59 lengths! He’s sure to be upped in grade after this but it was a nice pipe-opener for the horse. Plus, it was great to see jockey Jamie Moore steering him home on his first ride back after a serious injury – top marks all round, and this is certainly a horse we’ll be looking out for in the coming months.
VADREAM – The Charlie Fellowes yard told us that they liked this horse and that was certainly justified when she won well on debut up at Newcastle on Tuesday – winning by just under 2 lengths. She’s sure to improve for that run and experience and after speaking to Charlie the next day he told us that they really, really like this 2 year-old and are very excited for next season. One for the notebook, guys and gals!
GARY FIRES IN 'MOORE' WINNERS
The Gary Moore yard suffered a blow earlier in the week when their chaser Bad Boy Du Pouldu broke down in its race at Plumpton and had to be put down and we know the team were understandably gutted.
However, either side of that terrible news the Moore stable did have a lot to cheer about with their good form continuing. They introduced a nice sort in Nassalam to win at Fontwell on Sunday, and also sent out Waikiki Waves (1st 10/1) and Gleno (1st 9/5) to win, plus their Gorhams Cave (2nd 40/1) also ran well and looks a horse to note next time. This spell takes their jumps winners tally to 19 (as 18th Oct) already so will be heading for another top season.
USE THE TQ INFO TO BACK OR LAY - Also, a lot of our members use the TRAINERS-QUOTES info to lay horses as well as back them – there are plenty of angles these days with the betting exchanges!! Or even back other horses in certain races with the trainers also taking about other horses in races they’ve heard good words about!
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TQ has some leading jumps yards – like Gary Moore, Tim Vaughan, Oliver Sherwood, Jamie Snowden, Robin Dickin, Henry Oliver, Michael Scudamore, Suzy Smith and James Evans – keep things ticking over for jump fans.
While the likes of Gary Moore, Scott Dixon, Charlie Fellowes, Harry Dunlop, Gay Kelleway, Julia Feilden, Ed Dunlop, Simon Dow, Daniel Kubler and Lee Carter continue to supply members with top-class info on the flat.
You can meet all the TQ trainers here and also find out a bit more about them.
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SATURDAY LIVE ITV RACING FREE TIPS AND TRENDS
HAYDOCK: It’s Betfair Chase Day
Haydock Horse Racing Trends (ITV/RacingTV)
1.15 Back And Lay On Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase Cl2 (4 yo+) 2m 5 1/2f RTV
9/9 – 0-2 wins over fences
8/9 – Returned 7/2 or shorter
8/9 – Raced in the last 4 weeks
7/9 – Placed in the top 2 last time out
7/9 – Rated between 144-148
6/9 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
6/9 – Aged 5 or 6 years-old
6/9 – 0-2 runs over fences before
4/9 – Won last time out
4/9- - Winning favourites
2/9 – Ridden by Harry Cobden
2/9 – Ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies
Keeper Hill won the race 12 months ago
TQ VERDICT: A tight-looking renewal of this Graduation Chase. Ravenhill Road and Dashel Drasher are both proven CD winners at the track so have that as a plus, but it’s hard to get away from the record of trainer Paul Nicholls in the race – he’s won the prize 6 times in the last 9 years. He pins his hopes on MASTER TOMMYTUCKER this year and after a smooth win at Huntingdon last time out heads here in tip-top order. He’s a horse that likes to get on with things from the front and his jumping has not always been the best, but he’s still very lightly-raced (8 runs) for his age so could still getting to grips with chasing. The signs in his last two runs are that his jumping is improving and the form of his second behind Al Dancer last month is solid with that horse running well in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last weekend. Of the rest, the Twiston-Davies runner – Good Boy Bobby – might be the one to give the pick most to think about after a nice return win at Banger, while Deyrann De Carjac and Commanche Red make up the field, with the former interesting on the pick of his form last season.
1.50 – Betfair Racing Only Bettor Handicap Hurdle Cl2 (4yo+) 2m3f ITV
8/9 – Had raced in the last 6 weeks
8/9 – Had won between 1-2 times before
7/9 – Irish bred
7/9 – Carried 10-12 or more in weight
7/9 – Had won over at least 2m2f before
7/9 – Aged 5 or 6 years-old
6/9 – Finished 1st or 2nd last time out
3/9 – Ridden by a conditional claiming jockey
3/9 – Winning favourites
Bold Plan won the race in 2019
Black Mischief won the race in 2018
Limited Reserve won the race in 2017
TQ VERDICT: 17 runners head to post here in a very tricky race to unravel. It’s a contest, however, that’s seen a 5 or 6 year-old win in 7 of the last 9 years and that should help narrow down the runners – of the 17 entries 10 fit the bill – KAIZER, ENDLESSLY, EBONY JEWEL, SHAKEM UP’ARRY, WAR LORD, OUR POWER, ARRIVECERCI, FIX SUN, UMBRIGADO and KID COMMANDO. With 7 of the last 9 winners also carrying 11st 10lbs or more in weight then of those 10 runners we are left with six – WAR LORD, OUR POWER, ARRIVECERCI, FIX SUN, UMBRIGADO and KID COMMANDO. Of that bunch, the Anthony Honeyball runner – Kid Commando – was a nice winner at Ascot last time out and should go well, but it’s worth noting he’s up 7lbs for that and also up 3 furlongs in trip here so does have slightly different conditions. With that in mind, I’d prefer to stick with the Jonjo O’Neill runner – ARRIVECERCI to say ‘goodbye’ to his rivals. This 5 year-old was a nice winner at Wetherby last time out over this trip and also had War Lord back in second that day. He’s expected to confirm that running despite being up 8lbs this time as I feel there should be a bit more improvement to come still with that last run coming off a 301-day break – the yard also won this race in 2013 with their classy More Of That. Of the rest, the Pipe runner UMBRIGADO (e/w) is also worth chancing. He was last seen running down the field in the Martin Pipe race at the Cheltenham Festival, but is a pound lower but also has a 7lb claimer on here. He ran well at Haydock on this day 12 months ago off a break too and looks the sort to have benefitted from the summer off and hails from a yard that have been doing well this month.
2.25 - Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Cl1 3m ½f ITV
14/15– Aged between 5 and 7 years-old
14/15 – Had won between 1-3 times (hurdles UK) before
13/15 – Carried 10-9 or more
12/15 – Rated between 132 and 143
10/15 – Went onto run at the Cheltenham Festival that season (1 winner, Paisley Park 2019)
9/15 – Had raced within the last 4 weeks
8/15 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
8/15 – Returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting
8/15 – Placed favourites
7/15 – Won last time out
6/15 – French bred
6/15 – Had raced at Haydock before
3/15 – Winning favourites (1 joint)
3/15 – Trained by David Pipe
2/15 – Trained by Nick Williams
Stoney Mountain won the race in 2019
Paisley Park won the race in 2018
Sam Spinner won the race in 2017
TQ VERDICT: Some good winners of this race in recent years so it will be interesting to see how this year’s winner progresses. It’s a competitive renewal though but the key will be getting home in what is likely to be testing conditions. With that in mind the Irish raider – THE JAM MAN – who won well over 3m at Navan last time out gets the nod. This improving horse won by an easy 18 lengths the last day and prior to that came over to win a nice staying handicap at York so travelling isn’t an issue. Connections also have a claiming jockey on (5lbs) and that will be an added bonus. With a lot of the others having potential but also questions to answer over this trip then I’d prefer to stick with a horse we know will get home. Pipe’s Main Fact has won his last 8 races (flat and hurdles) so is another that punters will latch onto and he’s run like this 3m trip is within range. The likely favourite will be the Fergal O’Brien runner – Imperial Alcazar – who has won two of his four hurdles runs and should have more to come, but he’s another that will be trying this trip for the first time. Third Wind and Collooney are others to consider, while the former Cheltenham bumper winner (2018) – Relegate would be interesting on his best form. But the other one I’ll take a chance on is the Amy Murphy runner – KALASHNIKOV (e/w). This useful hurdler didn’t quite go on over fences despite winning three times so it could be a good move to run him back over hurdles. He was a close second in the 2018 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and is worth a try over this longer trip. He’s still only 7 and we know he loves the soft ground, while a recent wind op could spark some further improvement.
3.00 - Betfair Chase (Registered as The Lancashire Chase) (Grade 1) Cl1 3m 1 1/2f ITV
15 Previous runnings
13/15 - Won over at least 3m (fences) previously
12/15 - Raced within the last 4 weeks
12/15 – Won by and Irish (4) or French (8) bred horse
12/15 - Placed in the top three in their last race
12/15 - Won a Grade One chase previously
11/15 - Raced at Haydock previously
10/15 - Officially rating of 168 or higher
10/15 – Favourites placed
8/15 – Aged 8 or older
8/15 - Winning distance - 2 ½ lengths or less
7/15 - Raced at Wetherby in the Charlie Hall last time out
7/15 – Won by a previous winner of the race
7/15 – Winning favourites
6/15 – Won their latest race
4/15 - Raced at Aintree last time out
Lostintranslation won this in 2019
Bristol De Mai won this in 2017 and 2018
The average winning price in the last 15 runnings is 5/1
The Paul Nicholls yard has won the prize in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2014
The Nigel Twiston-Davies yard has won the prize in 2010, 2017 and 2018
The Colin Tizzard yard has won the race in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019
TQ VERDICT: Just the five runners, but a stellar cast with last year’s winner Lostintranslation, the 2017 and 2018 hero, Bristol De Mai and the two-time King George winner – Clan Des Obeaux – in attendance – it will be a big shock if the winner isn’t coming from one of these three, with Keeper Hill and Bellshill, useful on their day, making up the five runners. For me, we all know Bristol De Mai loves it here at Haydock – he’s won here four times over fences! But it would be a worry that his last win was in this race in 2018 and that’s a while ago now, while he was well behind Lostintranslation in the Gold Cup last time out in March. I think that if this race was at Kempton then Clan Des Obeaux would certainly be getting my pick. Yes, he’s won here at Haydock, but he seems a much better horse at Kempton and this really should get him spot-on for a tilt at winning a third King George on Boxing Day. So that leaves me with LOSTINTRANSLATION. This Colin Tizzard runner is rated 171 (the same as Clan Des Obeaux) and relishes soft/heavy ground. The yard have won four of the last 7 runnings and the form of his close third in the Gold Cup last time is the best on offer. He beat Bristol De Mai by 1 ½ lengths last year but you feel it could have been more and always looked in control. The only niggle was that he’d had a run before winning this last season but his record fresh is a good one and with recent winners of this race having a good record of following up, then I’ll take him to continue that trend.
3.35 – My Odds Boost On Betair Stayers’ Handicap Chase Cl3 (4yo+ 0-135) 3m 4 1/2f ITV
8/9 – Aged 8 or younger
8/9 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting
7/9 – Aged between 7-8 years-old
7/9 – Didn’t win last time out
7/9 – Won over at least 3m (fences) before
7/9 – Rated between 129-135
6/9 – Unplaced last time out
6/9 – Carried 11st 9lbs or more
6/9 – Won between 1-2 times fences
2/9 – Ridden by Richard Johnson
1/9 – Winning favourites
TQ VERDICT: A competitive staying chase here so stamina and getting home will be key in this soft ground. Oldtimers, Perfect Candidate and Pobbles Bay are the two proven distance winners in the field, while the 11 year-old Don Poli, who ran well last time (4th) at Aintree should love this test. But with 8 of the last 9 winners aged 8 or younger then we’ve only a few that fit the bill – KINGS MONARCH, FINANCIAL OUTCOME (e/w) and FORTIFIED BAY (e/w), so a the prices there might not be any harm in having an interest in all three. The first-named looks to have the best chance having won well at Ffos Las last time out and a 5lb rise might not be enough to stop this Kerry Lee runner. He has another of the picks – Financial Outcome – just 2 ½ lengths back that day so on slightly better terms there shouldn’t be a lot between them. Fortified Bay will need to run better than last time but that was his first run back since February and he’s normally a horse that takes a race or two to blow away the cobwebs – we can expect better this time.
ASCOT: Four LIVE ITV Races From The Berkshire Track
Ascot Horse Racing Trends (ITV/ATR)
2.05 – Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (Grade 2) Cl1 2m5f8y ITV
16/17 – Aged 8 or younger
14/17 – Returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting
13/17 – Had between 1-4 previous chase wins
13/17 – Finished in the top 4 last time out
12/17 – Winning distance – 4 lengths or less
12/17 – Favourites placed
12/17 – Won by a French-bred horse
12/17 – Had won over this trip (fences) 2m5f or further before
11/17 – Ran at Aintree (4) or Cheltenham (6) last time out
10/17 – Went onto run at the Cheltenham Festival that season
9/17 – Had raced within the last 5 weeks
9/17 – Winning favourites (3 joint)
8/17 – Won by trainer Paul Nicholls
8/17 – Won last time out
4/17 – Aged 5 years-old
3/17 – Won by trainer Nicky Henderson
2/17 – Won by trainer Alan King
2/17 – Won by trainer Philip Hobbs
2/17 – Went onto win at the Cheltenham Festival that season (Albertas Run & Vautour, RyanAir Chase 2009 & 2016)
Cyrname won the race in 2019
Politologue won the race in 2018
Top Notch won the race in 2017
Note: The 2002 running was at Wincanton and the 2004 renewal at Windsor
TQ VERDICT: Just the four runners here, but a cracking little race with all the runners sure to have their supporters. Imperial Aura is a fast-improving chaser that was a Cheltenham Festival winner last season and returned earlier his month with a top win at Carlisle. From the in-form Kim Bailey yard and a chaser that is clearly going the right way but is up again in grade here so will need another step forward being rated 9lbs lower than REAL STEEL. This last-named horse is another that the Paul Nicholls yard have got from the Willie Mullins yard and his sixth in the Gold Cup last season would make him the one to beat here. Yes, he returns from an 8-month break, but he won first time out last season and his overall record when fresh is a good one. The ratings suggest he’s the one to beat and with 5 chase wins from 11 starts is a horse that knows how to get his head in front. Nicholls also has the consistent Black Corton in the race and he’s sure to have his backers too – especially getting 6lbs off his stablemate. He ran well for much of the way in the Sodexo Gold Cup here last time over 3m so the drop in trip is a plus and should be better for that too. He’s the only course winner in the field and should go well – the only niggle for me is that he just doesn’t win enough. He’s now won just one of his last 15. Itchy Feet makes up the four and he’d had a squeak too – if finding a bit of improvement. A good Novice last season and he returned to run well in the Old Roan Chase (3rd) at Aintree last month. The step up slightly in trip will suit and he’ll be fine on the soft ground. He should have more to come, but being rated 11lbs inferior to Real Steel (does receive 3lbs), does have a bit still to find at this stage of his career.
2.40 - Coral Hurdle (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle Race) (Grade 2) Cl1 2m3f58y ITV
18/18 – Priced 7/2 or less
16/18 – Won over at least 2m 1/2f (hurdles) previously
15/18 – Won a Grade 2 (or better) hurdle race previously
15/18 – Won by and Irish (12) or French (3) bred horse
14/18 – Favourites placed
11/18 – Won their latest race
11/18 – Won by a horse aged 7 or older
11/18 – Won a Grade 1 hurdle race previously
11/18 – Had their last race 3 months or longer ago
10/18 – Favourites that won (2 joint)
11/18 – Won between 3-5 times over hurdles previously
6/18 – Went onto run in that season’s World Hurdle after winning this (1 won)
5/18 – Went onto race in the Champion Hurdle that same season (4 of 5 finished 4th or better, Faugheen won both renewals in 2014-15
6/18 – Won a hurdles race at Ascot previously
4/18 – Raced at Cheltenham last time out
3/18 – Won by the Nicky Henderson stable
2/18 – Won by the Willie Mullins stable
4 of the last 14 winners were Irish-trained
If The Cap Fits won the race in 2018 & 2019
Lil Rockerfeller won the race in 2017
Note: the 2004 & 2005 renewals were at Windsor
TQ VERDICT: Another small but select field here with just three runners, but all eyes will be on another Paul Nicholls runner – LAURINA, who is yet another ex-Willie Mullins runner that is now housed at Dicheat. This talented mare does, however, have a bit to prove at present after being a beaten favourite the last three times. But the change of scenery and having had a recent wind op give hope she can recapture that old er form and being a mare, she also gets a handy weight allowance – 13lbs! Trip and ground are fine and she’s another that’s gone well fresh, so the long break doesn’t worry me too much. Call Me Lord and Song For Someone make up the trio and are certainly no back-numbers. Both are more than capable of mixing it up and are sure to give Laurina a race if the Nicholls mare turns up in-form. Call Me Lord returned recently with a fair fourth in a good race at Aintree but he’s a funny horse for me. Clearly talented, but a hard one to catch right and is not the most consistent. He’s rated 154 – the same as Laurina – but having to give the Nicholls runner 13lbs swings things in the favour of Laurina. Song For Someone was last seen winning the Kingwell Hurdle at Kempton back in February and is an improving hurdler – for sure. He’s another that’s gone well off a break in the past and the soft ground is fine. He would have to prove himself over this slightly longer trip though and even though he’s certainly a hurdler to note this season, that might be the only concern this time – all his wins to date have been over 2m1f or less.
3.17 – Coral Hurst Handicap Chase Cl2 2m192y ITV
13/14 – Aged between 6 and 9 years-old
13/14 – Had won over fences over this trip (or further) before
12/14 – Priced 8/1 or shorter in the betting
11/14 – Had raced within the last 5 weeks
10/14 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
9/14 – Carried 11-0 or more
9/14 – Rated 142 or higher
8/14 – Ran at either Ascot (4) or Cheltenham (4) last time out
8/14 – Had raced at Ascot before
7/14 – Won by an Irish-bred horse
7/14 – Placed favourites
6/14 – Placed horses from the Paul Nicholls yard
4/14 – Won last time out
4/14 – Aged 6 years-old
4/14 – Winning favourites
3/14 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
2/14 – Trained by Gary Moore
Capeland won the race in 2019
Caid du Lin won the race in 2018
TQ VERDICT: The 13 year-old – Gino Trial – is still going at his grand old age, and should make a bold bid from the front, but he’s likely to find some of the younger legs too good here. The Skelton runner – Amoola Gold was a good winner over this CD last time out and can go well, but a 6lb rise here makes life harder. First Flow is another that likes to race up with the pace and he represents the in-form Kim Bailey yard, so if getting into a rhythm might be hard to peg back and is certainly one for the shortlist. We’ve a couple of decent Irish raiders in the race too – Drumconnor Lad and Abbey Magic – and you can be sure these two are not just coming over for a day trip. Both are fit and well from recent wins and of the pair the De Bromhead runner – ABBEY MAGIC – is one to support. She’s won four of her 5 chase starts and acts on all ground. She also stays further than this trip and that proven stamina will be a big asset in what’s likely to be testing ground – she’s normally ridden by Rachael Blackmore and connections are keeping the ‘girl power’ connection with Bryony Frost booked to ride. But it’s also a race the Paul Nicholls yard do well in, and they’ve got a strong hand again here with recent Cheltenham winner – Magic Saint and the winner of this race last year – Capeland. The former is up 7lbs from that last win though and jockey Bryan Carver can only claim 3lbs here and not the 5lbs he could last week. So, I’d prefer to stick with CAPELAND, who does need to bounce back from unseating last time out at Ascot, but will be better for the run and despite being rated 7lbs higher this year, did win this race by an easy 12 lengths last season. The first-time cheekpieces are an interesting addition too and Harry Cobden returns to the saddle.
3.50 – Coral Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 1m7 1/2f ITV
10/10 – Aged 4 or 5 years-old
8/10 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting
7/10 – Aged 4 years-old
6/10 – Had had a run before
6/10 – Irish bred
5/10 – Had run in the last 4 weeks
4/10 – Winning favourites
3/10 – Won last time out
2/10 – Ran at Bangor last time out
2/10 – Trained by Nicky Henderson
Trainer Paul Nicholls has a 25% record with his NH Flat runners at the track
TQ VERDICT: Not a race to get too heavily involved in as many are lightly-raced, plus those that have run it will be hard to know how much they’ve improved. It goes without saying the market will be a good guide too and with big yards like Henderson, Tizzard and Nicholls having entries. Henderson has two runners – one of which is one for the Queen – Hamilton’s Fantasy, but jockey bookings suggest the Nico de Boinville runner – Wraysford – is their more fancied – we’ll see. But I’ll take a chance on the Paul Nicholls runner – KANDOO KID. The yard have a decent 25% record with their NH Flat runners at the track and Harry Cobden also has a good strike-rate in these races. This 4 year-old is yet to run but you can expect Nicholls to have had a few options here so this one must be showing up well enough at home.0
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