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Thread: Stable Tours 2014

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    Stable Tours 2014

    These will soon start appearing in the post

    First one I have come across is a Paul Nicholls one from the Guardian

    Rocky Creek

    He was second in the Hennessy and looked like winning when he led over the last but just faded on the run-in. He did something similar in the Argento and then ran a really tidy race in the Grand National, travelled with plenty of exuberance and led over the second-last. He tired from then but he was giving weight to the four horses that finished in front of him. He was big and weak last season and we’re trying to get him to finish his races better. He’s had a soft palate operation during the summer. He’ll start in the Hennessy with the Grand National as his big target. He looks stronger this year and he’ll be winning races.

    Just A Par

    He was slightly disappointing last season. He won a Grade Two novice chase at Newbury in November and after that he was consistent without setting the world alight. He jumps well. He’ll definitely get an entry in the Welsh National and he’s a possible for the Grand National. He’ll start in a decent three-mile handicap or a graduation chase. He might just be one of those horses who need a year to acclimatise after coming over from Ireland.

    Rolling Aces

    He’s been a little bit in and out. We had him just right first time out last season to win the Grade Two 2m 4f chase at Down Royal in November. He didn’t fire as we’d hoped in mid-season but then he was second in a Grade One at Aintree in April. I haven’t really made a plan for him but he seems to like Aintree and he likes a flat track so it’s quite possible he’ll go for the Old Roan Chase at Aintree early in the season. We might give him an entry in the three-miler at Down Royal if the ground is good or faster but 2m 4f to 2m 6f looks ideal for him.

    Emerging Talent

    This is a well-named, gorgeous, big five-year-old. He won a bumper at Naas in March on his only visit to a racecourse and the second has run well again since. He’s a chasing type and he’s really pleased us since we’ve had him in. He’ll be a novice hurdler this season before going over fences next year. He might start off in the novice hurdle at Wincanton in which Denman made his debut. He’s one for the future.

    Present Man

    Ran a blinding race in his point to point, travelling well and being beaten about three lengths, with the third horse 20 lengths back. He possibly didn’t get three miles as a four-year-old. We’ll start him in a bumper and go on to novice hurdles. He’s a horse we really like and he’s got chaser written all over him.

    On Blueberry Hill

    18 months ago, he won a valuable bumper at Fairyhouse. He had a leg injury last season, so we put him away. He’s been in since 1 July. It might have been a blessing in disguise that we gave him time because he’s matured physically. He’ll be a novice hurdler this season and should make a very nice chaser over a trip in the future.

    Irish Saint

    We’ve got some serious horses to go novice chasing with this season and I’m really looking forward to this one. He’s a lovely five-year-old, he looks really well, he’s done really well in the summer. Last year he made a slow start to the season but won a Grade Two handicap at Ascot in January by 11 lengths and was a two-length third in the Betfair at Newbury. He looks as well as I’ve ever seen him and he’ll be ready to run at the end of October.

    Saphir Du Rheu

    This is a gorgeous horse who started at the bottom last year and ended up winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle beating Whisper, who then won at the Cheltenham Festival and at Aintree. He might have one more run over hurdles but he’s got chaser written all over him and I can’t wait for the day he starts over fences. He’s only five and he looks stronger after the summer.

    Keppols Hill

    Won a beginners chase at Chepstow in early 2013. He missed last season, he had a touch of a leg, so we fired it and gave him some time off. He’ll be a staying chaser but we might run him in a three-mile novice hurdle at the end of October first. He’s sure to be up to winning.

    Ibis Du Rheu

    This is a three-year-old, a big, green baby. We’ve had him about a month and he’s not quite as forward as the others. He’ll run in December in a juvenile hurdle. We got him from Guillaume Macaire’s yard in France. His first run over there, he was tenderly ridden, you could say, in a race that his stablemate happened to win. Then next time he bolted in by seven lengths at Enghien. He’s an embryo chaser, so we’ll look after him as we did with Saphir Du Rheu, his half-brother. He probably won’t take in the Triumph Hurdle.

    Onwiththeparty

    A grand, big, chasing type that won a Sligo bumper for Charlie Swan last October and then ran twice more the same month. When he joined us, he was light and lean, so we decided to leave him as a novice for this season and he’s turned himself inside out physically [meaning he has matured well]. I’d say he wants good ground and he’ll be ready to run in October.

    More Buck’s

    His dam is a half-sister to Big Buck’s. Ran in a bumper at Exeter and was very green but managed to win by a neck. He jumps well at home but will probably have one more run in a bumper before going over hurdles. He’s got his whole future in front of him.

    Earthmoves

    A half-brother to Ptit Zig. He was very green but won nicely on his debut in a Wincanton bumper in March and then ran well to be third at Taunton the next month. He jumps hurdles well. He’ll be in National Hunt novice hurdles from the end of October and will be ready to run at Wincanton. He looks to have strengthened up over the summer.

    Celestino

    Joined us from France, where he showed plenty of ability behind the unbeaten Top Notch in a couple of three-year-old hurdles in the spring. The form of those races now looks strong. He looks well, he jumps well and he’ll be ready to run in juvenile hurdles from early November.

    Alcala

    A big, strong, scopey horse, he won a bumper in France despite having got loose before the race. He was then just beaten at Auteuil. He ran a tidy race to be fourth in the Adonis. We decided to keep him as a novice for this season and he’s definitely a horse to follow. We like him a lot.

    Le Mercurey

    He showed some smart form as a three-year-old in France last November and got a juvenile rating of 149, which was one of the highest anywhere last year. We’ll send him back to Auteuil for the very valuable four-year-old race we won with Ptiz Zig in November last year. After that, I doubt whether he’ll go chasing this year but what a prospect he’ll be for chasing next year. It’s not the easiest season for four-year-old staying hurdlers.

    Easter Day

    He was a bit green on his chasing debut at Chepstow in October but he won his next two and beat the RSA Chase winner at Ascot in December. Then he had a bad bout of colic that needed surgery and ended his season. He’s ready to go to war with now. He could start in a graduation chase. He’ll definitely get a Hennessy entry.

    Amanto

    He was running on the Flat in Germany before we got him and he ran for us at Newbury last month, when he was just beaten a neck under Megan [Nicholls, daughter]. I think the trainer wanted shooting that day because I might have given Megan the wrong instructions and we were in front too soon. The more he strengthens up, the more he’ll improve. He’ll be a 2m 4f hurdler and he’ll want some time.

    Dormello Mo

    Made his hurdles debut for us at Exeter in February and wasn’t the best jumper you’ve ever seen. So we did plenty of work on his jumping and then he absolutely hosed in the next month at Sandown. He was over the top when he ran the next time at Newbury. I suspect he’ll be ready to run at Chepstow on 11 October in the four-year-old handicap hurdle.

    As De Mee

    A gorgeous, big horse who jumps nicely. He’ll be running in National Hunt novice hurdles and is definitely capable of winning some races. He’ll make a lovely chaser one day. He was only fourth in a Kempton bumper when he made his British debut in February but he’s benefited hugely for a summer break.

    Howlongisafoot

    When he won his point in Ireland last year, one of the horses he beat was Shaneshill, who went on to win the Grade One bumper at Punchestown in April. He took a while to acclimatise last season but he came good in the spring and won at Newton Abbot when he last ran. He can still run in novice hurdles until November, so I suspect he’ll have one more run in those and then go chasing. He’s strengthened up.

    Katgary

    We fancied him for the Fred Winter but unfortunately the horse that fell and injured Bryan Cooper probably cost him the race, falling right in front of him. So he was unlucky but he’s still got a decent handicap mark. He was possibly a little over the top when he ran in April. He could start in a four-year-old race at Chepstow or Cheltenham. He’s got a future and he’ll make a nice chaser one day.

    Anatol

    A big, chasing four-year-old. He won twice over hurdles in France, most recently at Toulouse in March, when Geluroni was 16 lengths back in third. That one has won four at Auteuil since then, including a Listed and a Grade Three. I haven’t decided yet whether he’ll go hurdling or chasing. He’s got quite a nice mark and he’s got chaser written all over him.

    All Yours

    This is a half-brother to Lac Fontana. He’s had one run on the Flat in France, when he was fourth at Chantilly in April. He’s been gelded since he joined us, has just started schooling and should be ready to run in some nice juvenile hurdles from November. If he’s half as good as Lac Fontana, we’ll be happy.

    All Set To Go

    Had some smart form on the Flat in Ireland. We bought him, gelded him, he’s had a nice summer here and we’re really pleased with him. We just need plenty of rain so we can get him schooling on grass.

    Silviniaco Conti

    He’s the highest-rated chaser in training, having won the King George and the Betfred Bowl at Aintree, though the Gold Cup was a bit disappointing, when he led over the last but got overhauled on the run-in. He needed the run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last autumn, so we’re going to give him a run first in the Charlie Hall this time, a race that he won two years ago.

    After the King George, he’ll have a break before the Gold Cup. I still don’t think I had him at his best last year. Even though he won at Aintree, he didn’t finish off his race, to my eyes. If we can just improve him a few pounds this time, maybe he can win the Gold Cup.

    Rebel Rebellion

    Won the Grand Sefton for us in December and that will be the aim again this season. He’ll then go back to Aintree for the Topham in April, although he might possibly have a Grand National entry as well. He’s a good, tough horse.

    Dodging Bullets

    We always thought of him as a chaser and he won his first three starts over fences, including the Wayward Lad at Kempton’s Christmas meeting. He’s tough and genuine but his form can tail off a bit in the spring. We might start him off in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter or the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham’s Paddy Power meeting.

    Sire Collonges

    Found his niche last season when he won a handicap over Cheltenham’s cross-country course in December, having run well in a conditions race there the month before. He might turn out in a three-mile chase at the first Cheltenham meeting in October and go back there for the cross-country race at the November meeting. Then we’ll take a view whether to go back again in December or to go to Aintree that month. We’ll train him for the Grand National in the spring.

    Caid Du Berlais

    Had a go at the Galway Plate in the summer but didn’t quite see out the trip and will now drop back to 2m 4f. His last season was filled with solid form, starting with a second to Jezki in Down Royal, and he ran two cracking races in handicap hurdles at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring. He’ll probably go back over fences and there’s a graduation chase for him at Kempton on the first Monday in November.

    Arpege D’Alene

    Comes from a real good chasing family [he’s a Dom Alco half-brother to Triolo D’Alene]. He ran third in a bumper on his only start in France and the form of that race looks good. He wants a trip over hurdles and he’ll be out some time in November.

    Virak

    He’s a good, consistent horse who got better and better all season, winning two handicap hurdles at Taunton and running another solid race at the Cheltenham Festival. He jumps very nicely, should make a good novice chaser and will be running in early November.

    Valco De Touzaine

    Won twice in novice chases in November and was very consistent but his handicap mark was high enough and he struggled a bit when the ground was soft. He’s only five and entitled to improve as he matures physically. He should be a good two-mile chaser and he’ll probably run at Cheltenham in November.

    Ptit Zig

    This horse was a sensation for us last season. He started by winning a Grade One at Auteuil in November and then he went to Ascot for the Ladbroke Hurdle and was a really game second to Willow’s Saviour, giving him 21lb. Then he was second to Melodic Rendezvous, sixth in the Champion Hurdle and fourth in a Grade One at Aintree, so he’s run some really solid races. We’ll run him in a beginner’s chase somewhere when we can find him some decent ground. He’s got chaser written all over him.

    Black Thunder

    This is a horse we really like. He won three times over fences at the start of last season. He’ll have an entry in the Hennessy but we really like going to Down Royal early in the season and he’ll probably run in the three-mile Grade One there. He goes really well fresh.

    Lac Fontana

    One of the great success stories of last season, he won four times, including the County Hurdle and a Grade One at Aintree. I’ve got a bit of dilemma just now about whether to go chasing with him. He has the size and scope to make into a smart chaser in time but I think there’s a bit more to come over hurdles from him, so we’ll start in the 2m 4f race at Ascot in November and then make a plan.

    Celestial Halo

    Won the Prix La Barka at Auteuil in May and also won Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle after his summer break. He wasn’t the easiest to train after that but he looks as well as he ever does now and, touch wood, all his problems have gone away. If he keeps sound, he’s capable of competing in the top stayers’ hurdles. He’s been an absolute legend for us and whatever happens, we’ll look after him.

    Polisky

    He’s really consistent at his level and I can’t believe we haven’t won a novice chase with him. A summer out should have served him well. He’s done plenty of work and may run at the end of this month before going to Ascot in November.

    The Eaglehaslanded

    A half-brother to Pepe Simo, he was an impressive point to point winner at Stafford Cross despite greenness. We’ll find a nice bumper for him some time in November.

    Marracudja

    Had his first run at Auteuil in April and was second. The third, Bonito Du Berlais, has won twice since and is probably the best juvenile hurdler in France. Marracudja then ran moderately a couple of times but we’ve sorted out a few issues with him and he looks really nice now. He’ll probably go to one of the better meetings in November.

    Wilton Milan

    Should have won on his chasing debut at Chepstow in December but he made a mistake and all but fell. He lost his confidence after that but we got him jumping good by the end of the season. He’s capable of winning a novice handicap chase from his present mark and he’ll be ready to run by the end of the month.

    Buck’s Bond

    Won a decent chase at Wincanton in December. He’s big and strong and he stays well but he doesn’t want the ground too soft. There’s a race for him on the last Sunday in October at Wincanton. He’s capable of winning a good handicap chase over a trip from his current mark.

    Southfield Vic

    A half-brother to Southfield Theatre, he ran some good races in bumpers last season and made a very encouraging start over hurdles at Wincanton in March. He was quite big and backward and we minded him after that to save his novice status for this season. He jumps nicely.

    There’s No Panic

    Won what they call the London National at Sandown in December but was never travelling in the Kim Muir at the Festival and unseated at Fontwell in May. He stays well but he’s probably handicapped to the hilt now. He might start at Chepstow or Cheltenham in October. He’s a good, fun horse who always pays his way.

    Mcllhatton

    He won a novice hurdle at Huntingdon on the first day of last season but then picked up an injury at Newton Abbot and we didn’t have him quite right until the new year. Since then, he’s been first or second in all five starts and he’s been first past the post in both chases [though he was disqualified for interference at Stratford]. After he won at Newton Abbot in June, we decided not to risk him again on summer ground and he might run at the first Cheltenham meeting in October. He loves good ground.

    Rainy City

    Is not the sort to reveal his potential in bumpers but we gave him a couple of runs for experience in the spring. He travelled really well in his second race at Newbury. He’s done well in the summer, he looks a different horse now and he might have one more bumper run before going over hurdles.

    Vibrato Valtat

    Won novice hurdles at Exeter and Ayr and was third in the Imperial Cup and the Swinton, though he went up 7lb for that last run. He always looks a bit disappointing. He travels but finds nothing off the bridle. I’m hoping we can help him to finish off his races a bit better and he should be one to follow in two-mile novice chases.
    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

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    strange he hasn't mentioned Irving or Calipto
    Last edited by JamesRB; 26th September 2014 at 12:31 PM.

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    Senior Member granger's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JamesRB View Post
    strange he hasn't mentioned Irving or Calipto
    It's a two part piece James. I'll post the second when it becomes available
    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

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    Senior Member Euronymous's Avatar
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    Good feature on Jonjo's chasers on Channel 4. Completely mental that Taquin is double Holywell's price for the Gold Cup.

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    Think it's fair enough myself, Euro.

    Holywell is two-from-two at the track, has form at over 3m on the chase course (albeit Old rather than New).....and if everything goes to plan with him, Jonjo might split his chances, and not run TDS in the Gold Cup at all. Prices look about right to me, all things considered.
    "Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".

    SlimChance, March 2018

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    Senior Member granger's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euronymous View Post
    Good feature on Jonjo's chasers on Channel 4. Completely mental that Taquin is double Holywell's price for the Gold Cup.
    Is the piece available online Euro?
    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

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    Quote Originally Posted by JamesRB View Post
    strange he hasn't mentioned Irving or Calipto
    Irving will run in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton

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    Quote Originally Posted by Singing Detective View Post
    Irving will run in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton
    Calipto - "We have a choice of engagements for him this autumn. He might go back to France to contest the race won last season by Ptit Zig or he might run in The Elite Hurdle. I think he will be suited by a step up in trip. There will be some good prizes to be won with him in the coming months."
    Pluralism of Ideas and the prosperity of any land are intertwined. Freedom of minds and skill of intellect to 'think the unthinkable' is how humanity has progressed; when minds are incarcerated nothing endures.

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    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

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    Quote Originally Posted by granger View Post
    It's a two part piece James. I'll post the second when it becomes available
    The second part is now online, but I've been unable to copy the link.

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    Irving

    Won his first four starts over hurdles last season but didn’t fire at the Cheltenham Festival. He was only beaten about 11 lengths but he never travelled and he came back coughing. He still wasn’t right for Aintree, so we didn’t run him there and decided to give him a nice, long holiday. It’s done him the world of good and he could start in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. He looks more a hurdler than a chaser.

    Salubrious

    I don’t know how we managed not to win with him last season, when he was second twice at Cheltenham and again at Ascot. He had a fall schooling, which put him off fences and then his form tailed off a bit in the spring. He’s schooled well now and the plan is to go novice chasing. We’ll get some experience into him and, if he jumps well, he’ll do very well.

    Calipto

    Was running a great race in the Triumph when the stirrup leather broke before two-out. He was still fourth but you can’t be winning at Cheltenham without stirrups. Physically, he’s done well. Along with Le Mercurey, he’s a possible for the French race we won with Ptit Zig last year. There are loads of races for a horse like this. He’ll be a chaser next year.

    Benvolio

    Progressive over the last two years, winning four of his last seven. He fell at the first on his chasing debut at Fontwell but he won at Newbury and Haydock on his next two starts. He goes really well fresh and we’ll aim to have him fit to run for his life for Wincanton’s Badger Ales Chase in November, a race which is sponsored by some of his owners. That’ll be his Gold Cup.

    Vago Collonges

    He missed last season after we found he had a little niggle, a leg injury, and decided to give him time. He was second in two good bumpers the season before after joining us from France. He jumps hurdles really well and he’ll go novice hurdling this season. It might take a little time to get him fit and I expect he’ll start at some point in November.

    Hinterland

    Won twice last season, including his most high profile win to date, in the Henry VIII at Sandown, a Grade One novice chase. After that, we decided to keep him fresh for the Champion Chase but he got brought down when travelling really well four-out. He was probably over the top at Aintree in April. He always goes well fresh and he loves Sandown, so the question is whether I’m brave enough to go straight to the Tingle Creek or run him first in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

    Black River

    He’s been a bit frustrating so far. On his last start before joining us from France, he beat Vautour over hurdles at Auteuil. He was travelling well when he fell on his first start for us over fences at Newbury and then he was fourth in a couple of handicap hurdles. Basically, he’s been disappointing but I think he might have needed all this time to acclimatise. He looks bigger and stronger now, he’ll go chasing and I hope he can leave last season’s form behind.

    Art Mauresque

    Won three times over hurdles in France before joining us in autumn last year. He was disappointing at Cheltenham in November but we later found him to be suffering from gastric ulcers and, following a course of treatment, he put in a vastly improved performance at Ascot in February, being beaten half a length in a novice hurdle. We gave him a big, long holiday and he’s done very well, I’m very pleased with him. He’ll start in a handicap hurdle in November before possibly going novice chasing.

    Brother Du Berlais

    Won a conditions hurdle at Auteuil before joining us last autumn and then qualified for Sandown’s EBF Final on his British debut but had to miss the final after getting a cut in that run at Wincanton, which kept him off games for a while. Then he dotted up in a handicap hurdle at Ayr in April. I’m really looking forward to him jumping fences and he’ll be running from the end of November.

    Vicente

    Got quite lit up when disappointing on his British debut at Wincanton in October but improved to be second at Taunton when wearing a hood. He improved again to win a handicap hurdle at Wincanton by 10 lengths in March and was over the top at Ayr the next month. He’ll have a run in an early novice hurdle and then go chasing, which should suit him better. He’s more rangy than some sons of Dom Alco.

    Arenice Et Pictons

    A tall, scopey horse that looks the type to improve as he strengthens up. He ran once in France and was an eye-catching third of 14 behind the very smart Geluroni at Auteuil in April. I loved the way he travelled that day. He’ll be running in National Hunt novice hurdles when we get some cut in the ground and he’ll make a lovely chaser one day.

    Vivaldi Collonges

    A half-brother to Nenuphar Collonges that won at the Cheltenham Festival for Alan King. He was unraced at the start of last season but ended up on a mark of 135 after just four starts over hurdles. He’s still a novice over hurdles until 1 November, having won at Ayr in April, so we could start him in the Persian War Novice Hurdle at Chepstow and then go chasing.

    Far West

    Did really well as a novice hurdler the season before last but was a little bit disappointing last season, when he didn’t seem to train on. I don’t think I ever had him right. He scoped with gastric ulcers after a disappointing run at Haydock in November and was travelling well when he fell in the Betfair at Newbury. He’s been given lots of time and he’ll go novice chasing this season, though I still think he’s capable of winning off his mark over hurdles. You might see him at the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham in November.

    Sam Winner

    Improved for his first run back over fences at the start of last season to win a good novice chase at Cheltenham in December. He ran well again at Newbury before running fifth in the RSA. He stays really well. He’ll have an entry in the Hennessy and he’s eligible for graduation chases, so we’ll try and find one of those.

    Minellahalfcentury

    Had an in and out season but won a handicap hurdle at Wincanton in February. He’s schooled well and goes chasing now. He’ll be one of our earlier novice chasers and wouldn’t want it too soft.

    San Benedeto

    Ran some tidy races without winning on the Flat in France and was second in a Listed race for debutant three-year-old hurdlers at Auteuil in April when giving the field 5lb. He’s had a nice summer and he’ll be running in juvenile hurdles at some of the better meetings.

    Albahar

    Had some nice form on the Flat in France and won a conditions race on Deauville’s Polytrack in July. He was quite light when we got him after that. He’s been back in training for a while and he really likes his jumping. He’ll be ready for a juvenile hurdle in November.

    Full Blast

    This will be my first three-year-old runner of the season, at Chepstow on 11 October. He was third of 14 at Enghien on his only start so far, staying on well. He jumps very nicely.

    Keltus

    Won easily at Chepstow on his British debut last October and ran nice races all season. He ran a blinder to finish three-lengths fourth in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival. His future is over fences and he could be the type to take advantage of the weight-for-age allowance he gets as a four-year-old. We’ll have him ready for Newton Abbot on 29 September, get him some experience and work our way up. [Keltus was second of four at Newton Abbot]

    Solar Impulse

    Was a bit disappointing in a Grade One juvenile hurdle race on his British debut in December but ran well in the Adonis [third] and the Fred Winter [seventh] before winning easily at Chepstow in April. He could go to Cheltenham in October, or we could go further north for a beginners’ chase. He’ll do very well, I’m sure.

    Silsol

    Suffered from seconditis for most of last season but really flourished in two starts in April, winning a handicap at Ayr by 14 lengths and finishing the season on a mark of 144. He’s still a novice over hurdles until 1 November, so he’s one of those who could begin in the Persian War at Chepstow in October. He also has an attractive handicap mark on the Flat, so he could try that before hurdling.

    Old Guard

    A recent purchase from the Roger Charlton yard, having won a maiden at the third attempt in July the last time he ran. He loves his jumping. I think it’ll take about six weeks to get him ready.

    Ballycoe

    This is a five-year-old by Norse Dancer who won an Irish point at the second attempt. He’s still quite unfurnished and looks a big staying chaser for the future. He jumps nicely and will be in staying novice hurdles from early November.

    Southfield Theatre

    Had a very good season, starting with a win in a novice hurdle at Wincanton in October and ending with a Listed hurdle win at Sandown in April. In between, he was beaten a very small nose in the Pertemps Final at the Festival. I’ve never seen him looking as well as he does now and I’m really excited about running him in novice chases. He could start at Chepstow on 11 October and go on to the Rising Stars at Wincanton next month. He jumps well at home and doesn’t want it too soft.

    Urubu D’Irlande

    A points winner before he won a Taunton bumper in 2012, we had him ready for a second bumper in May, when he was quite free in the early stages and eventually finished second to a fast-finishing debutant from the Alan King yard, with the third horse 28 lengths back. I’m hopeful that he can put his problems behind him and win plenty of novice hurdles before going chasing.

    Great Try

    This is a lovely big horse who took a long time to come to himself but hosed up in a bumper at Southwell when he eventually made his debut in February. The second, sixth and seventh all won bumpers next time out. It’s exciting for a backward horse to win as he did. He might have another bumper run, possibly at Aintree in October, and then go hurdling.

    Rothman

    Won over hurdles at Pau at the second attempt in January, on very testing ground. He was very light when he joined us and had not acclimatised when he was beaten at Newton Abbot in April. He looks well after his summer break and could have a nice handicap mark.

    Cowards Close

    A winning pointer, hurdler and chaser. He prefers good ground and had it when he won at Taunton in April. He’s still a novice over fences until 1 November and is sure to win a novice handicap chase off his current mark. He’ll be ready to run in the second or third week of October and could go to Cheltenham.

    Zarkandar

    He’s been a legend for us, though he had a disappointing season last year. He didn’t win but he was second on a number of occasions and he came up against Annie Power a couple of times. We’ll stick to running him over a trip and he could start at Wetherby on Charlie Hall day or go to Auteuil in November.

    Mr Mole

    He has plenty of ability, as he showed when he won novice chases at Warwick and Newton Abbot, but he didn’t perform with the same consistency in midseason. He was staying on when he fell at the last in the Grand Annual. He might be better over 2m4f or 2m6f this season and could go to Newton Abbot for an intermediate chase.

    Aldopicgros

    He wasn’t finishing off his races in the first half of last season but strengthened up and won three in a row. He was a Million In Mind horse, so he went to the sales in May, where JP McManus bought him and sent him back to us. He could start in a handicap hurdle but is a ready-made novice chaser.

    Pearl Swan

    A top-class performer in 2012 but he struggled with an injury after that. He’s been given plenty of time to recover, having not raced since February 2013. He’s been back in since 1 July and could be well handicapped if he retains all his old ability. He could start in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November.

    The Outlaw

    He got quite light by the spring but we had to keep riding him because he can be quite naughty. We gave him a run in a Taunton bumper in April and he finished second and then took about half a circuit to pull up. I was really pleased with him. He’s matured a lot over the summer and could go to the Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November before going over hurdles. He’s a horse to follow.
    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

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    Thanks Granger.

  13. #13
    marbler
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    What he said about Black Thunder may be interesting in relation to tomorrows race at Newton Abbot.

    "This is a horse we really like. He won three times over fences at the start of last season. He’ll have an entry in the Hennessy but we really like going to Down Royal early in the season and he’ll probably run in the three-mile Grade One there. He goes really well fresh."

    Some E/W value in that race tomorrow?
    Last edited by marbler; 9th October 2014 at 7:24 PM.

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    Senior Member G-G's Avatar
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    Is NTD doing one does anyone know? Thanks
    Vote Alfie!!!!

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    Quote Originally Posted by G-G View Post
    Is NTD doing one does anyone know? Thanks
    He is the only one of the top trainers not to have done one in the RP in the last few seasons. I don't know why that is though.

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    Quote Originally Posted by chroniclandlord View Post
    He is the only one of the top trainers not to have done one in the RP in the last few seasons. I don't know why that is though.
    Thank you. Selfish reasons partly has he has the half sister to my mare and was wondering if she would get a mention? I don't read the racing papers too much but one of the last things I remember reading was him bemoaning the drop in numbers and he was struggling? So maybe why he thinks not worth doing a feature?
    Vote Alfie!!!!

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    When do the Stable Tours start in the RP?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Perpetual View Post
    When do the Stable Tours start in the RP?

    David Pipe's is in next Monday's paper.

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    Cheers - will be one of the few occasions I actually buy the paper!

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    Next week, David Pipe Monday, Donald McCain Tuesday, Alan King Wed, Gordon Elliott Thurs & Gary Moore Friday

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