Wandering Eyes

A brand new baby in the morning and a winner in the evening – October 31, 2018 is a date Matthew Chadwick won’t ever forget. It started off in wonderful fashion, with the 28-year-old’s wife Christine giving birth to a boy before heading to Sha Tin where he guided $24 shot Golden Effort to victory to cap a life-changing day. The typically understated rider never gives much away, but a fist pump as he crossed the line was enough to show the win meant plenty. Chadwick confirmed... View the full article

With just Sunday’s G1 Premio Lydia Tesio to follow, Munich celebrates Allerheiligen with Thursday’s G1 Bayerische Hausbau-Grosser Preis von Bayern, Europe’s penultimate top-level contest of the season. Britain has annexed nine incarnations since John Dunlop trainee Almaarad (GB) (Ela-Mana-Mou {Ire}) led the way in 1988 and this year’s raiders are headed by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s G2 Jockey Club S. victor and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup third Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}). Likely to encounter favourable ground conditions, the grey lines up returning off a second in the Sept. 8 G1 Grosser Preis von Baden and a 15th in last month’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, compromised by an outer gate in the latter. “Defoe was a dealt a difficult draw in the Arc and he also found the ground lively enough in a race of that calibre,” explained trainer Roger Varian. “He has come out of the contest okay and will enjoy getting back on an easier surface. He sets the standard on the pick of his form and deserves to win a race in top-flight company.” Godolphin’s lightly raced 6-year-old Racing History (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) makes a belated start to 2018 having hit the board in last year’s G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in his only start since posting a second in the 2016 edition of this. Saeed bin Suroor has two previous renewals to his name, scoring with Cherry Mix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) in 2006 and Campanologist (Kingmambo) in 2010, and is hopeful of a good performance after a stop-start three years with the homebred bay. “Racing History has had his problems and was unsound for a long time, but he has being going well at home recently,” the trainer said. “He will come on for this first start of the year, but I have been happy with his work and I am looking for a good run.” Britain’s trio also includes Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris placegetter Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who goes postward for Mark Johnston–who trained 2002 hero Yavana’s Pace (Ire) (Accordion {Ire})–coming back off a fourth in the Sept. 15 G1 St Leger at Doncaster. Last term’s G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Preis von Europa hero Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) leads domestic hopes and, although winless since that latter success, has hit the board in this year’s G1 Coronation Cup and when defending Cologne’s Sept. 23 renewal of the Europa. He is joined by Iquitos (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), whose resume includes wins in the 2016 G1 Grosser Preis von Baden and last term’s G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis. The Hans-Jurgen Groschel trainee was a half-length adrift of Defoe when third in this year’s Baden-Baden highlight and ran second last time when odds-on for Hoppegarten’s Oct. 3 G3 Preis der Deutschen Einheit. Jaber Abdullah’s Royal Youmzain (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}) completes the home defence and, having run third in July’s G1 Deutsches Derby and the following month’s G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin, seeks a fourth win for conditioner Andreas Wohler backing up a fourth in ParisLongchamp’s Sept. 16 G2 Prix Niel. France’s tricolore has yet to be hoisted and the trend should continue, although last term’s G2 Grand Prix de Deauville victor and likely outsider Tiberian (Fr) (Tiberius Caeser {Fr}) was under seven lengths behind Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), and ahead of Defoe, when 12th contesting last month’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. View the full article

Acquired by Team Valor International after registering a three-length debut score at Craon June 14, Devant (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) stepped up to run second in Deauville’s July 27 G3 Prix Six Perfections, but slipped to eighth tackling one mile in the Sept. 9 G3 Prix d’Aumale at ParisLongchamp last time. The chestnut was let go at a generous 51-10 for Wednesday’s G3 Prix Miesque at Maisons-Laffitte, in the face of a stern overseas challenge, and obliged in a bunch finish for a career high. Settled off the tempo until making headway into contention passing the quarter-mile marker, she was one of six abreast on the front end inside the eighth pole and was ridden out to prevail in game fashion. At the line, she was a short neck ahead of Stay Classy (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) with So Unique (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) a half length adrift in third. “She pulled very hard in the Prix d’Aumale last time and didn’t see out the mile,” explained winning trainer Alex Pantall. “At this stage she doesn’t stay much more than seven furlongs. She pulled again today, but Pierre-Charles Boudot did a good job getting her relaxed. He saved her turn of foot and she was able to show her true quality. We’ll now put her away for the winter and will wait before making any plans for next year.” Devant, half-sister to a yearling colt by Le Havre (Ire), is the first foal produced by a winning half-sister to G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning sire Blue Canari (Fr) (Acatenango {Ger}), MGSP sire Blue Ksar (Fr) (Anabaa) and G3 Prix du Lys placegetter Crabapple (Fr) (Unfuwain). Her third dam, G3 Prix Fille de l’Air Savoureuse Lady (GB) (Caerleon) is a half-sister to MG1SW sire Mtoto (GB) (Busted {GB}) and her descendants are headed by G2 Prix Greffulhe victor Quest For Honor (GB) (Highest Honor {Fr}). Wednesday, Maisons-Laffitte, France PRIX MIESQUE-G3, €80,000, Maisons-Laffitte, 10-31, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.51, vsf. 1–DEVANT (FR), 123, f, 2, by Showcasing (GB) 1st Dam: Davantage (Fr), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Delicieuse Lady (GB), by Trempolino 3rd Dam: Savoureuse Lady (GB), by Caerleon 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Team Valor International; B-Ecurie des Monceaux (FR); T-Henri-Alex Pantall; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, €65,000. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Stay Classy (Ire), 123, f, 2, Camacho (GB)–Hollow Green (Ire), by Beat Hollow (GB). (€10,500 Ylg ’17 TIRSEP). O-Balasuriya, Cook, Cunningham, Gowing & Spencer; B-Northern Bloodstock Agency Ltd (IRE); T-Richard Spencer. €16,000. 3–So Unique (Fr), 123, f, 2, Siyouni (Fr)–Trully Blessed (Fr), by Street Sense. (€70,000 Ylg ’17 ARAUG). O-Mme James Norton; B-Thierry de la Heronniere & Mlle Emmanuelle Morin (FR); T-Nicolas Clement. €12,000. Margins: SNK, HF, 3/4. Odds: 5.10, 4.40, 8.00. Also Ran: Hold True (GB), Miss Flawless (Fr), Epistrophy (Fr), Primela (Fr), Happy Odyssey (Ire), Amber Spark (Ire). Scratched: Healy’s Double (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. View the full article

With next to no dabbling in summer jumping this year it was a quiet few months down Ditcheat way. “I even heard some of the press muttering something must be wrong,” laughs Paul Nicholls. But during that time he told anyone within earshot he planned to roar back into action come the two-day meeting at Chepstow in October and the ten-time champion was true to his word. He sent out four winners at what used to be regarded as the start of the winter season. A healthy flow of winners since then points to another golden November, which is traditionally the stable’s strongest time of year. His winning tally for that month in the last five seasons reads: 17-24-19-28-20. That averages out at two winners every three days during each November day since 2013, and the trainer is hopeful of maintaining the sequence “provided we get plenty of rain soon”. The yard was dealt a “massive blow” last week with the news that Master Tommytucker, rated by his trainer “one of the most talented horses we’ve had here since the days of Kauto Star”, is out for the season after sustaining a couple of hairline fractures to his off-fore knee in a fall at Chepstow. Nicholls still looks strong in the novice chase department, with the likes of Captain Cattistock, Djingle, Dynamite Dollars, Envoye Special, Mont Des Avaloirs, Movewiththetimes, Topofthegame and Secret Investor all possessing the potential to be competitive at Graded level. Stable profile Yard Manor Farm Stables Where Ditcheat, Somerset Second yard Highbridge Farm, Alhampton, Somerset Started training October 19, 1991 Horses in yard 128 Members of staff 50 Head lad Clifford Baker Assistant trainer Harry Derham Assistant head lad David Rochestera Pupil assistant trainer Natalie Parker Assistant head lass Rose Loxton Travelling head lass Kate Nutt Assistant travelling head lass Trudie Smith Jockeys Harry Cobden, Sam Twiston-Davies, Sean Bowen, Nick Scholfield Conditionals Bryony Frost, Lorcan Williams, Alex Thorne Amateurs Will Biddick, Bryan Carver, Matt Hampton, Natalie Parker, Harriet Tucker PA Hannah Roche, Sarah West Finance Lina Chadburn Stable sponsor Morson Group Website paulnichollsracing.com Twitter @PFNicholls Paul Nicholls with his jockeys from left: conditional, Lorcan Williams, Sam Twiston-Davies, Megan Nicholls, the trainer, conditional Alex Thorne, Bryony Frost and Harry Cobden at the annual owners day Ditcheat 2.9.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerWINNERS IN BRITAIN 2017-18 127 2016-17 171 2015-16 122 2014-15 124 PROFIT/LOSS TO £1 STAKE 2017-18 -£132.84 2016-17 -£78.39 2015-16 -£73.23 2014-15 +£59.40 PRIZE-MONEY 2017-18 £2,513,233 Adrien Du Pont Pedigree: six-year-old gelding Califet (sire) – Santariyka (dam) Owner: Mrs Johnny de la Hey Form figures: 13232F- Racing Post Rating: 148 chase; Official rating 144 chase Ran to a consistent level of form last season without adding to his Fontwell win, but the small-field novice chases he was contesting didn’t play to his strengths, as he can be quite keen in his races and wasn’t getting enough cover. I hope he’ll be better suited by fast-run handicaps where they go a good gallop, you can drop him in and then creep into the race. He’ll be entered for all the decent handicaps from 2m4f upwards, starting at Ascot next month when we’ll try him over 3m. Probably doesn’t want the ground too soft. Amour De Nuit 6g Azamour – Umthoulah Andrew Williams 533F-11 RPR 139c OR 137c Decent fun horse. Had a busy old time of it last season but held his form well over hurdles before switching to fences in May, when he was a bit nervous early on at Kempton but did the job nicely in the end. Returned from a well-earned break in a novices’ handicap at Ludlow last week and jumped well before coming home alone. He should win more of that type of race. Art Mauresque 8g Policy Maker – Modeva Mrs Johnny de la Hey P/F242-7 RPR 159c OR 148c Being handicapped right up to his best has left him increasingly hard to place in the last two seasons, but he showed he’s a smart chaser with cracking runs behind Waiting Patiently at Kempton and Top Notch at Sandown. He disappointed me at Chepstow the other day when I thought he’d go well, after which we made a plea to the handicapper, asking him to give the horse a chance as he hasn’t won for two years. And what happened? They dropped him one pound! I was bitterly disappointed, to put it mildly. What good will that do? Horses should be handicapped to allow them the opportunity to win races. He’s best fresh, wants quick ground, is better on a flat track and when he gets the right conditions deserves to win a nice prize. If I could sum up last season in one word . . . Good Ashutor 4g Redoute’s Choice – Ashalanda Stewart family 0/51-325 (Flat form) RPR 99 Flat A recent arrival, he was a winner on the Flat in France for the Aga Khan. I hope he’s a decent prospect for novice hurdles later in the season. Ask For Glory 4g Fame And Glory – Ask Helen Colm Donlon & Paul Barber 1 (point-to-point form) RPR 94 (point) Exciting prospect but very much a chaser of the future. The impressive winner of his only start in a maiden point-to-point in Ireland, he was very lean and light – quite sick actually – when he arrived here. But after a summer in Mr Barber’s field in front of his house he looks fantastic and is doing nothing but please me. We’re not rushing him, so he won’t be out in novice hurdles until after Christmas. Bathsheba Bay 3g Footstepsinthesand – Valamareha Michael Geoghegan 935135 (Flat form) RPR 93 (Flat) Consistent on the Flat for Richard Hannon. We started schooling him and found he was making a noise, so he’s been off for a wind op and been gelded. He’ll be juvenile hurdling after Christmas. Bathsheba Bay – Ryan Moore wins The British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Div II) Sandown Park 1/9/2017Birds Of Prey 4g Sir Prancealot – Cute Kathy Stuart 211-442 (Flat) RPR 99 Flat Potentially a very interesting novice hurdler. We got him from John Oxx a year ago and he has since run three good races on the Flat. Likes a bit of cut and the ground was plenty quick enough when he was beaten at Haydock last time. We recently had his palate re-cauterised and he’s the type to go well in a big handicap on the Flat, so we’re aiming him at the November Handicap before going jumping. He’s a great work horse and I can’t wait to see him go hurdling. Black Corton 7g Laverock – Pour Le Meilleur The Brooks, Stewart families & Jeremy Kyle 121154- RPR 160c OR 153c How can I describe him? He was amazing last season, a revelation. I wonder how many horses win eight times in their first season over fences. Arguably he was a bit unlucky not to have made it ten. When it came to the festival he made the running in the RSA and all that did was set things up for the others. So we deliberately changed tactics at Aintree and, although that was one run too many, it showed he can be ridden from off the pace. That’s just as well, because his first big target is the Ladbrokes Trophy, or the old Hennessy, and it would be no good thinking you could win there from the front. For his first run we have three options: the Charlie Hall Chase on Saturday if it’s on the quick side, the Champion Chase at Down Royal or the Future Stars Intermediate Chase at Sandown. We are under no illusions he has to improve, as it’s going to be tougher this season, but he’s in great shape. Blackjack Kentucky 5g Oscar – My Name’s Not Bin Owners Group 026 6/1- (pointing form) RPR 91 (point) Joined us in December having won an Irish point-to-point in impressive style. He was in training in the spring before we turned him away for the summer. Goes novice hurdling and looks as if he’ll stay well. Blu Cavalier 8g Kayf Tara – Blue Ride Angela & Bill Tincknell 44111-2 RPR 142h OR 143h Came good over hurdles in the spring before having one run too many at the backend. Goes chasing now but needs cut in the ground, so is waiting for rain. Should provide his owners with plenty of fun round the smaller tracks. Braqueur D’Or 7g Epalo – Hot D’Or Corsellis & Seyfried 213420-9 RPR 144c OR 135c Tough and consistent handicap chaser who has officially improved the best part of 30lb in the first year he’s been with us. We upped him in grade in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury and he ran a blinder off a feather weight, after which he suffered a setback that kept him off four months. Since having a wind op over the summer he’s been hard to get fit, as per usual, and I knew he’d need the run at Cheltenham on Saturday. On decent ground he should do okay in staying handicaps at his own level. Brelan D’As 7g Crillon – Las De La Croix JP McManus 1/33500- RPR 145h, 124c OR 132h, 130c Bit frustrating as he should have won over fences by now but things didn’t happen for him last season. His work suggests he wants 3m but his form says he wants shorter. Ought to be winning novice chases. Brio Conti 7g Dom Alco – Cadoulie Wood The Gi Gi Syndicate 28115/1- RPR 128c OR 145c I was really looking forward to seeing how far he could go as a novice chaser but he suffered a tendon injury after making a winning debut at Carlisle. Has just started cantering and will be ready after Christmas, when we’ll find a graduation chase somewhere for a bit more experience. Hopefully he can progress from there. Isn’t the easiest to get fit. Capeland 6g Poliglote – Neiland Kathy Stuart /242-222 RPR 129c OR 127c Went chasing over the summer and is up to winning over fences before having a winter break. Capitaine 6g Montmartre – Patte De Velour Martin Broughton & Friends 2 1/11F5-0 RPR 156c, 142h OR 149c, 134h He looked such an exciting prospect at Market Rasen last autumn, but after a fall in the Henry VIII he completely lost his confidence. Back problems plagued him from then on and he had surgery a few months ago for kissing spines. We’ve done plenty of dressage to build up his strength again and he’s definitely on the way back. I’ve got my eye on a fifty-grand 2m graduation chase at Carlisle next month. His chase handicap mark looks stiff but he’s attractively weighted over hurdles. Captain Buck’s 6g Buck’s Boum – Ombre Jaune Donlon & Doyle 2203-43 RPR 132c OR 124c His race record tells the story – he’s been frustrating. A couple of times he has looked like winning but he’s gone and idled in front. Although we’ve run him on soft I think he wants better ground. Was a bit unlucky in running at Wincanton the other day and should win small races. Captain Cattistock 5g Black Sam Bellamy – Pearl Buttons Peter Hart 11414-6 RPR 143h OR 138h Lovely prospect for novice chases. He’s won three times over hurdles – unlucky not to make it four – and ran a tidy race at Chepstow this month on ground that was too lively; the rain came a day too late for him. Jumps fences well – he won a point-to-point for Jack Barber in his younger days – but before going chasing I want to run him in the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock. Those brushes obstacles and the likely soft ground will suit him. Race in focus I’m in a dilemma whether to stay over hurdles a bit longer with Captain Cattistock or go over fences. The Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock on November 24 offers the ideal solution. He’ll love those brush obstacles and the likely soft ground, so that’s where we’ll head with him. Dark horse Casko D’Airy 6g Voix Du Nord – Quaska D’Airy Ged Mason & Sir Alex Ferguson 12/ RPR 112h OR – The story so far has been one of frustration and heartbreak for his connections. He came over from France two years ago having shown a lot of promise, but twice succumbed to the same tendon injury and has missed two seasons. He’s obviously very fragile, but if we can keep him right and get him on the track – the signs are looking good at the moment – he’s well up to winning races over hurdles on soft ground. He has bags of ability. Chameron 5g Laveron – Chamanka Done, Ferguson, Fogg & Mason 11/2-F RPR 135c OR 145c Bit of a dark horse, but don’t write him off. Came from France with an impossibly high handicap mark two years ago and as he’s been so big and backward we have just bided our time with him. A few niggling problems restricted him to one run last season and so we left off him. Has done well physically for the break and would have been second at Chepstow this month but for falling. He’ll be okay. Star quality Clan Des Obeaux 6g Kapgarde – Nausicaa Des Obeaux Mr & Mrs Paul Barber, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson 14/2123- RPR 164c OR 157c I hope he’ll be a star for us this season. Provided there’s cut in the ground, it has always been our plan to start off in the Charlie Hall on Saturday, as he hasn’t won a Grade 1 so gets in with no penalties. Alternatively, he’s in the Champion Chase at Down Royal the same day, or we could go straight to the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Last season he’d thrown a splint after Christmas, causing him to miss Cheltenham, and considering he went to Aintree off the back of a rushed preparation he ran a blinder to be third to Might Bite in the Grade 1 Bowl. On that form he has 10lb to make up on Might Bite, but that’s not so much when you consider he wasn’t as fit as we would have liked. It’s easy to forget he’s still only six, with few miles on the clock, and he remains an exciting prospect. Doing very well physically. Clan Des Obeaux is paraded at Paul Nicholls annual owners day Ditcheat 2.9.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerCliffs Of Dover 5g Canford Cliffs – Basanti Mr & Mrs John Cotton 11111/P- RPR 138h OR 140h He’s been a legend for us, over hurdles and on the Flat. Came back late last season when returning from injury and in hindsight it was a waste of time running in the Kingwell Hurdle as the ground was much too soft. So we kept him for the Flat and he’s won three times. His mark shot up after he bolted in by 12 lengths at Haydock, but he has continued to run well since. We’ll switch back to jumping now and start by looking at the Greatwood, but he must have decent ground. Off 140 he looks attractively handicapped. Copain De Classe 6g Enrique – Toque Rouge Kyle, Stewart, Vogt & Wylie 1/3154-1 RPR 145c OR 130c I’ve always thought a lot of him but he was frustrating last season, when he’d travel well but not find a great deal. We found he had an entrapped epiglottis, which basically meant he couldn’t breathe, so he’s had surgery and delighted me at Kempton eight days ago, where he jumped brilliant and galloped all the way to the line. Could reappear in the Listed 2m4f handicap at Wetherby on Friday, after which we’ll consider the BetVictor Gold Cup. His promising career is now firmly back on track. Coup De Pinceau 6g Buck’s Boum – Castagnette Colm Donlon 2/26216- RPR 133h OR 134h Likes good ground and showed winning form over hurdles when we took him up to Musselburgh in search of livelier conditions. Had a minor setback three weeks ago but is fine now and goes chasing round the smaller tracks, where distances around 2m4f should suit. Star quality Cyrname 6g Nickname – Narquille Mrs Johnny de la Hey 121214- RPR 162c OR 150c I love him and he’s one of my favourites. This time last year I was tearing my hair out as he was so keen, both at home and on the track. He was almost unrideable. But I kept on saying to the owner, “I promise you he’s potentially a smart horse”. And then we put him over fences and the penny finally dropped. He bolted up on his debut, having settled nicely, and hasn’t looked back. He won two Grade 2s, wasn’t beaten far in a Grade 1 and is a different animal – a proper horse now. He’s slightly better right-handed and could reappear on Saturday in the intermediate chase at Down Royal that we won about seven years on the trot, or the Colin Parker Chase at Carlisle. After that, those Graded chases at Ascot and Huntingdon might suit. Dan McGrue 6g Dansant – Aahsaypasty Mr & Mrs Paul Barber, D Bennett & D Martin 11/4411- RPR 126h OR 132h Picked up a small injury in January, which was a pity as he was just starting to get the hang of things in the jumping department. He’d been a slow learner but two Taunton novice hurdle wins showed he was going the right way. Only came back into training in September and won’t be out until after Christmas, when we’ll go chasing. He won three point-to-points despite some novicey jumping. Danny Kirwan 5g Scorpion – Sainte Baronne Mrs Johnny de la Hey 110- RPR 108 bumper Was impressive on his first two starts, in an Irish point and a bumper at Kempton. Clifford [Baker] and I were in two minds whether to run him again and I’m still kicking myself for taking him up to Aintree. He looked so light when I saw him in the paddock I knew it was a big mistake and he ran no sort of race. We have to put a line through that and he remains a high-class prospect for novice hurdles. Did really well for a summer break – he must have come back 50kg heavier – but he’s a big individual who still needs to fill into his frame, so we need to mind him. Should be ready in about a month’s time. Danny Whizzbang 5g Getaway – Lakil Princess Angela Tincknell P1- (point form) RPR 89 (point) Old-fashioned chasing type, bought by Tom Malone at the Punchestown sales in April having won a point-to-point days earlier. Has a tough and athletic way about him and is up to winning a 3m maiden hurdle before coming into his own over fences in a year’s time. Danse Idol 5m Dansant – Screen Idol Highclere Thoroughbred Racing – Danse Idol 12- RPR 95b Another exciting mare for Highclere, she hasn’t done much wrong and looks a smart novice hurdle prospect. After winning her maiden point she had the misfortune to run up against the subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Relegate in a Punchestown bumper. Deadline Diva 3f Frankel – Hurry Home Hillary Mrs Johnny de la Hey 1 RPR – Won twice on the Flat in France before making a successful hurdling debut at Bordeaux in September for Guillaume Macaire. Hasn’t been here long but looks a nice filly. Deniliquin 3g Mastercraftsman – Bernie’s Moon McNeill family 1 RPR – We bought him after he’d made a winning hurdling debut at Vichy in France in September. He looks a big, chasing type but will be juvenile hurdling this season. Densfirth 5g Flemensfirth – Denwoman Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson & Mr & Mrs Paul Barber 45- RPR 111b As his name suggests he’s from the family of Denman and patience is the name of the game with this one. Since day one he’s been a big, backward individual who has needed plenty of time. We hadn’t been hard on him at home before he got a bit tired on his first run in a bumper. I should probably have put him away after that but we ran him again when he was too free. Goes novice hurdling and will improve for his first run. Rival to watch Simple, it has to be Nicky Henderson, because he has the best team of horses. Diego Du Charmil 6g Ballingarry – Daramour Mrs Johnny de la Hey 132F15- RPR 164c OR 157c Smart chaser who possesses loads of pace. He suffered a career-threatening injury in the autumn but made it back and put up easily his best performance when winning the Grade 1 2m novice chase at Aintree. The Haldon Gold Cup a week tomorrow has always been our first target and then he’ll hopefully work his way up through the top handicaps. Loves to be fresh. Diego Du Charmil (Harry Cobden) jumps the last fence and wins the Maghull novices chase Aintree 14.4.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerDivin Bere 5g Della Francesca – Mofa Bere Chris Giles 122/0PP- RPR 146h OR 138h Was struggling with his breathing last season, so had a soft-palate operation and showed the benefit when winning on the Flat this month. Although not the biggest in the world we’re going over fences with him; before that I’ll look for a decent handicap hurdle somewhere. Needs good ground. Djingle 5g Voix Du Nord – Jourie McNeill family 4114- RPR 136h OR – Came from France with decent form at Auteuil but he arrived looking lean and light and when we took him to Exeter for a Listed novice hurdle I said to the owner, “He’ll either win or be pulled up”. I wasn’t far wrong, as he beat one home. That so often happens with horses who come from France later in the season; they simply don’t acclimatise and you might just as well leave them alone. Looks a different animal now, though is still a bit fresh and keen in his work, and we’ll look for a novice chase in a week or so. I like him. Dolos 5g Kapgarde – Redowa Mrs Johnny de la Hey 13272-2 RPR 155c OR 152c Struggled a bit on the soft ground last winter, but showed good placed form in decent company. As he’s won just the once over fences he’s eligible for graduation/intermediate chases and went for one at Newton Abbot this month, where he ran close to a career-best on ground that turned against him, behind a winner who received a brilliant tactical ride. He’s tough and genuine and will definitely pay his way. Dr Sanderson 4g Jeremy – Guydus Million In Mind Racing Partnership 1-1 RPR 117h Landed his bumper for Stuart Crawford in gutsy fashion. Didn’t beat a great deal when making a winning debut over hurdles last week but got the job done nicely and should give the Million In Mind syndicate plenty of fun through the season. Dynamite Dollars 5g Buck’s Boum – Macadoun Michael Geoghegan 13554-1 RPR 146c OR 146c I always rated him a lovely prospect for novice chases and he was awesome on his debut at Market Rasen this month – I was thrilled with him. He’d held his form well in his novice hurdle season despite racing on unsuitably soft ground, as ideally he wants it decent, but always looked the sort to leave his rating well behind once going over fences. Although he’ll get further than 2m, we might now have a look at the Grade 2 Arkle trial at Cheltenham’s November meeting. Earth Prince 4g Al Namix – Quarline De L’Ecu Roger Penny 2 RPR 101b A lot of our youngsters failed to make it to the track for one reason or another in the spring; this one did and he showed promise in a bumper despite running too free. The winner has since boosted the form. Goes novice hurdling in the next month. Easyrun De Vassy 4g Muhtathir – Royale The Best The Brooks, Stewart families & Jeremy Kyle P-11 RPR 91 (point) By the same sire as Pacha Du Polder, he won a couple of Irish maiden point-to-points in May before we bought him at the Tatts Ireland Cheltenham May sale. He’s done everything nicely and is ready to run, but we need some rain first. Like a lot of the youngsters, he’ll improve for a run. Ecco 3g Maxios – Enjoy The Life Colm Donlon 46160 (Flat form) RPR 98 Flat I find it harder and harder nowadays to get hold of potentially decent juvenile hurdlers but I hope we might have found one here. He arrived at the end of August, having shown decent form on the Flat in Germany. After running away with his maiden, he ran well in a Group 2, on the back of which he started fourth favourite for their Derby, where he ran down the field. He’s just been gelded and we’re still learning about him, but he’s clearly an exciting prospect for juvenile hurdles in the new year. El Bandit 7g Milan – Bonnie Parker Colm Donlon, Barry Fulton, Chris Giles 11710/1- RPR 143c OR 141c I really like this one. Won his only start over fences the May before last but came back a bit jarred up and had the rest of the season off. Obviously lacks experience but I think he could be quite nicely handicapped, so the plan is to start off in the Badger Ales Chase, although we desperately need rain. I think really highly of this horse and he’ll be entered for good staying chases like the Ladbrokes Trophy. Enrilo 4g Buck’s Boum – Rock Treasure Martin Broughton & Friends 4 1 RPR 111b Cost a fair bit but has a nice pedigree. Overcame greenness when making a winning debut in a Worcester bumper last week. He’s still a big baby who will improve a lot from that, but we’ll mind him this season. Envoye Special 4g Coastal Path – Santa Bamba Stewart, Brooks, Kyle & Mason 1/622- RPR 127c OR – Came over from France in the spring and we’re really beginning to like him. He’d been second on both chase starts in France, after running too free each time and being the best part of 20 lengths clear at one stage. Keen and light when he first arrived, he looks twice the size now. He has a great pedigree, being a half-brother to French champion hurdler De Bon Coeur, and is a lovely prospect. Still needs to settle a bit better to fulfil his potential and, having recently had his palate re-cauterised, he won’t be ready for another month or so. Eritage 4g Martaline – Sauves La Reine Angela Tincknell 1 RPR – We bought him after he won an all-weather bumper in the west of France in July. He had six weeks out in the field after he arrived and came back in a bit later than the others. Looks a fine future chasing prospect but will be novice hurdling this season. Favorito Buck’s 6g Buck’s Boum – Sangrilla Mrs Johnny de la Hey 3P181-4 RPR 135c OR 131c Has been frustrating in that he’s never really translated his smart French form to this country, but at long last he seems to be getting there. For whatever reason it hasn’t happened for him, it may be that he’s been just slow to mature. Wins at Kempton and Fontwell suggest the penny is starting to drop and I hope he can continue to improve at his own level. He wants decent ground and a trip and doesn’t want to be running round the big tracks. Working very nicely at present. Flic Ou Voyou 4g Kapgarde – Hillflower Colm Donlon 4- RPR 85b I’ve always liked him but I was disappointed by his only bumper run as he’d been working well at home. I’d been struggling to put my finger on why he ran so moderately and then he made a noise at home, so he’s had a breathing operation over the summer. I hope he can now show his ability in novice hurdles. Friend Or Foe 3g Walk In The Park – Mandchou Gordon and Su Hall 44 RPR – Showed ability in both his outings over hurdles in the French provinces this summer and joins our juvenile squad. He’s just started cantering after a month out in the field and still looks quite big and backward, so I’m in no rush with him. Frodon 6g Nickname – Miss Country Paul Vogt 21350-1 RPR 173c OR 158c For winning a whole heap of races two seasons ago, this tough individual found himself handicapped to the hilt last winter. He’s not quite Grade 1 standard but still showed he’s very smart on his day and returned to put up a career-best effort when winning the Old Roan at Aintree yesterday. I was thrilled with that and despite all the racing he’s had he’s clearly still improving. FRODON Ridden by Bryony Frost wins the Old Roan Chase at Aintree 28/10/18 Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Getaway Trump 5g Getaway – Acinorev Owners Group 023 34/146- RPR 103b Joined us midway through last season after winning an Irish point. He pulled much too hard on his first run for us at Kempton, getting a bit tired having looked like winning turning in, and then it was a waste of time running him on the heavy ground at Wincanton. Goes novice hurdling. Give Me A Copper 8g Presenting – Copper Supreme Done, Ferguson, Kyle, Mason & Wood 1/161/U1- RPR 144c OR 146c I love this horse to bits. He came back a bit jarred up after his win over fences at Kempton last autumn, so we were forced to draw stumps. We’ve played a patient game with him all along but I hope it will be rewarded as he’s a huge talent who can win a big one somewhere down the line. Will be ready sometime after Christmas, when the Cotswold Chase would be a possibility. Despite his lack of chasing experience he’ll probably get a Grand National entry. Grand Sancy 4g Diamond Boy – La Courtille Martin Broughton Racing Partners 224P-12 RPR 129h OR 130h Travelled well in his races last season but didn’t get home. As so often happens in those circumstances we discovered he had a breathing problem, so we got that sorted. Has looked much more relaxed this season and after winning at Chepstow I may have run him again a bit quick at Kempton, although time may tell he ran into a good one. Should definitely win again. Dark horse Greaneteen 4g Great Pretender – Manson Teene Chris Giles 3- RPR – Came over from France more than a year ago having shown a lot of promise in a race that worked out well. He suffered a small tendon injury, so we put him away for a year. He’s on the way back and I’m looking forward to seeing him in a maiden hurdle. Hugos Horse 5g Turgeon – Bella Eria The Stewart family P3F2-14 RPR 103h Won a point-to-point for Rose Loxton in April, although the form was probably nothing to write home about. Following a run at Kempton the other day we need to get him handicapped and then go chasing. Ibis Du Rheu 7g Blue Bresil – Dona Du Rheu John and Lisa Hales 23P/455- RPR 150c OR 139c It’s amazing to think he’s been chasing for two years but has yet to win over fences. He’s been placed stacks of times and it’s just a matter of time before he clicks. He came back in late and then had various little problems last season, so we never got a clear run with him and things didn’t go to plan. This time he’s come back earlier and as per usual he’s proving quite hard to get fit. We’ll find a beginners’ chase somewhere and work our way up from there, and I’m confident there’s more to come from him. If You Say Run 6m Mahler – De Lissa Highclere Thoroughbred Racing If You Say Run 12122P- RPR 132h OR 131h Another exciting mare for Highclere. She held her form well as a novice hurdler and you can forget her last run as she was over the top. We’ve recently had her palate re-cauterised and I’m looking at two options: a mares’ novice chase at Fontwell a week on Friday or a valuable mares’ handicap hurdle at Wincanton the following day. Kapcorse 5g Kapgarde – Angesse JP McManus 4/6761- RPR 131c, 110h OR 128c, 123h Was big and backward when joining us from France, and although I liked him from day one he ran just okay over hurdles, still too green to do himself justice. We switched him to fences at Bangor in April just for a bit of experience and his victory took us by surprise. He’ll be ready any day now and we have the option of switching back to hurdles. Le Prezien 7g Blue Bresil – Abu Dhabi JP McManus /2381P-2 RPR 161c, 152h OR 156c, 152h Following a couple of near-misses in the autumn he came good in the Grand Annual, where a fast-run race over 2m obviously suited him. I still think he’s every bit as effective over 2m4f. He starts the season on a career-high and life won’t be so easy from now on, so we went back over hurdles for his first run and he ran a tidy race at Ffos Las. He’ll get entries in all the big handicap chases. Lisa De Vassy 3f Cokoriko – Mona Vassy Mrs Johnny de la Hey 1-13 (Flat) RPR 88 Flat She’d won her first two starts on the Flat in the south of France before finishing third in a Listed fillies’ event at Saint-Cloud. As she’s not the biggest in the world we wanted to make sure she could jump, so Harry Cobden went over to France one morning to school her before we bought her. She’s really quick at her obstacles and ready to roll. Magic Saint 4g Saint Des Saints – Magic Poline Mr and Mrs John Cotton 111135- RPR 134c OR 145c Very interesting arrival from France. Only four, he’s already won four times at Auteuil, twice over hurdles and twice over fences, and we’re lucky to have him. He reminds me of Unioniste, who had very good form over fences as a four-year-old. Chasers of that age still have a useful allowance in handicaps this side of Christmas and we’ll do our best to take advantage of that. I’ll enter him for the BetVictor Gold Cup and hope we might sneak in off a low weight. I’m still getting to know him but everything I’ve seen suggests he’s a really nice prospect. I suspect he’ll want some cut and he should stay well. Magoo 6g Martaline – Noche Brooks, Felton, Stewart & Vogt 1/1- RPR 126h, OR 126h Patience has been the name of the game with this one. He’d been off the track the best part of two years before winning a handicap hurdle at Fontwell in March, and then he got injured again. The frustrating thing is they’ve all been niggling problems, nothing major. After the latest setback he had surgery on his off-hind hock in the summer; now we have to keep him in one piece and hope he has a clear run when going novice chasing once there’s cut in the ground. Malaya 4f Martaline – Clarte D’Or Mrs Johnny de la Hey 212218- RPR 131h OR 141h Tough individual with loads of ability. As a three-time juvenile winner over hurdles she had quite a hard season but has come back having done really well for a break. We plan to take her to Auteuil on November 11 for the Prix Renaud du Vivier, worth an awful lot of money and a race we won five years ago with Ptit Zig. Then she’ll go chasing. Being a four-year-old filly she’ll get all the allowances over fences and we hope to put them to good use. McFabulous 4g Milan – Rossavon Giraffa Racing 1 RPR 116b Comes from a good family, as he’s a half-brother to Waiting Patiently. I’ve always liked him and he could be smart. Ran a bit green on his bumper debut at Chepstow this month but when Harry [Cobden] gave him a couple of smacks he took off. We haven’t decided yet as a team where to go next. We might look at the bumper at Cheltenham’s three-day November meeting, and depending on what happened there he could stay down that route all season, or we could go novice hurdling. Meagher’s Flag 3g Teofilo – Gearanai Stephen White 0-31026 (Flat form) RPR 84 Flat A winner on the Flat for Jim Bolger, we bought him at Goffs in September and he’ll be a dual-purpose horse for us. He’s just been gelded, so he’ll be out after Christmas. Moabit 6g Azamour – Moonlight Danceuse Owners Group 014 234113- RPR 140h, 118c OR 134h, 125c So tough and versatile, he’s now won nine times for us on the Flat and over hurdles. When he returns sometime next month we have the option of going hurdling or chasing and he’s likely to mix and match. Must have soft ground nowadays. Modus 8g Motivator – Alessandra JP McManus 1F185-1 RPR 156c OR 146c Smart chaser, for whom decent ground is pretty much essential. Won three chases in his first season over fences but struggled in the conditions at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. Back on a livelier surface I knew there would be a nice prize in him and he duly bagged one on Saturday. He’ll be entered in all the valuable handicaps but there are no specific targets. MODUS ridden by Barry Geraghty wins at Cheltenham 27/10/18 Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Mont Des Avaloirs 5g Blue Bresil – Abu Dhabi Mrs Johnny de la Hey 13414-2 RPR 140c OR – Brother to Le Prezien but has much more physical scope than him. Did well as a novice hurdler considering we had babyish issues with him and he’s still got a lot of growing up to do. Bumped into an impressive winner on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot, a track that didn’t suit him, but didn’t jump with fluency and we need to work on that. We also need to nurture him and give him time to fulfil his undoubted potential. Movewiththetimes 7g Presenting – Dare To Venture JP McManus 12/423P- RPR 145c OR 140c I still don’t quite understand why he failed to win over fences last winter, although he was placed in smart company and is at least a novice for this season. We aimed him at one of the handicaps at the festival but he didn’t jump particularly well. We’ll start low down in a beginners’ chase somewhere and gradually build up his confidence. He’s working very well and I can see him progressing through the season. My Way 4g Martaline – Royale Majesty McNeill family and Chris Giles 32/2322- RPR 122h 141c OR – Really exciting newcomer from France. Although still a maiden after six starts, all at Auteuil, he has some smart form over hurdles and fences. On his last two starts he was racing against the best chasers of his age group in France and his five-length second to the brilliant Whetstone, conceding the winner 9lb, was made to look even better when Whetsone went on to become the champion four-year-old chaser. He reminds me very much of Noland and Al Ferof, not electric at home but a real galloper who jumps great. He’ll stick to hurdling this season, starting low down, but I’d like to think we could end up at Cheltenham come the spring. Old Guard 7g Notnowcato – Dolma The Brooks, Stewart families & Jeremy Kyle 54174-2 RPR 159h OR 153h Has been an amazing servant over the years and we love him to bits. Has been slower than usual to come to hand this autumn and his decent run at Kempton the other day will have sharpened him up nicely for his first real target, the 3m Grade 2 hurdle at Wetherby on Saturday. Later on he’ll go for similar races to last season, although we could try chasing. He didn’t seem to enjoy the experience two years ago but we might explore that option again. Old Guard (Harry Cobden) leads San Benedeto (Sam Twiston-Davies) over the final flight in the listed 2m hurdle Kempton 22.10.17 Pic: Edward WhitakerOverland Flyer 7g Westerner – Love Train Colm Donlon /14/P-22P RPR 133c OR 126c Sustained a minor fracture the season before last, so he came back in late this time last year and we only got two runs into him over fences. Caught us unawares when running too free and enthusiastically at Newton Abbot and Wincanton. A horse who takes a lot of getting fit, he’s back in earlier this time and we took him to Worcester last week where he pulled himself up. Should win round the smaller tracks. Pacha Du Polder 11g Muhtathir – Ambri Piotta The Stewart family 4114/31- RPR 154c OR 139c Our team of hunter chasers comprises Binge Drinker, Southfield Vic, Unioniste, Wonderful Charm, Emerging Talent, Silsol and the star of the show, Pacha Du Polder. He’s been a real legend and is such a favourite with everyone in the yard. His victory under Harriet Tucker in the Foxhunter was a special day for all of us, and after a nice long holiday he’s in work again and all roads will lead back to Cheltenham to see if he can win it for a third time, on the back of one prep run beforehand. After the festival he’ll be retired. Harriet hopes to be fit again to ride, having had surgery on her shoulder over the summer. Peak To Peak 6g Authorized – Bayourida Mr & Mrs Mark Woodhouse 73511/3- RPR 129h OR 130h It was a shame he sustained a small injury last autumn after his huge effort in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, a race that worked out amazingly well. He’s on the way back but won’t be ready until around Christmas, so it might be sensible to stick to hurdling this winter and follow the sort of route Topofthegame took last season. He’s definitely handicapped to win races. Pilansberg 6g Rail Link – Posteritas Martin Broughton & Friends 3 193219/ RPR 133h OR 132h We were getting him ready for a crack at the Cesarewitch 12 months ago when a warning light started flashing, so we left off him for the winter. He’d been busy for a couple of seasons, on the Flat and over hurdles, so the break will have done him good. He’s ready to run and will have one or two outings over hurdles and then go novice chasing. I don’t suppose too many Rail Links have jumped fences, so let’s hope that’s not an issue. Star quality Politologue 7g Poliglote – Scarlet Row John and Lisa Hales 111241- RPR 173c OR 168c Undoubtedly our star of last season, when his four victories included two Grade 1s. When he gave us our tenth victory in the Tingle Creek, that was a very special day. He ran a bit below his best in the Champion Chase, travelling so well before fading. For some reason Cheltenham doesn’t bring out the best in him and he has yet to win there. So we stepped him up in trip to 2m4f in the Melling, put the tongue-tie on and bingo! We’ve always thought of him as a stayer and I’m dying to up him further in trip. We’re open-minded as to his first run; he could step up to 3m in the Betfair Chase, but if all the top chasers ended up at Haydock and the ground was heavy, we might be better off going to Ascot the same day for their valuable 2m5f chase. We’ll then take a view about the King George. I think he’ll get 3m but if he doesn’t there are stacks of good middle-distance chases he can go for. He had a slight setback soon after returning when having to have a fractured tooth removed, but he’s fine now and couldn’t be in better order. Harry Cobden and Politologue at Paul Nicholls annual owners day Ditcheat 2.9.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerPosh Trish 5m Stowaway – Moscow Demon Highclere Thoroughbred Racing – Posh Trish /11030-1 RPR 119h OR 122h Lovely filly who got her hurdling career off to a perfect start at Chepstow this month. She’ll now go for a valuable mares’ novice hurdle at Newbury on November 8 and if she were to win there I wouldn’t be afraid to take on the boys in something like the Challow Hurdle. Present Man 8g Presenting – Glen’s Gale Mr and Mrs Mark Woodhouse P/11043- RPR 152c OR 144c He was bought by Mark and Tessa Woodhouse specifically to win the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton last November and the dream came true. Job done! Most of the rest of the season was a waste of time on unsuitable soft ground, but he was close to his best when third in the big chase at Sandown on the last day. He’ll start by trying to win the Badger again, and then I’d love to run him over the big fences at Aintree, in either the Becher or the Grand Sefton. Quel Destin 3g Muhtathir – High Destiny Martin Broughton & Friends 54-F121 RPR 132h OR – Successful in a juvenile hurdle at Auteuil in May, he improved from his first run for us to his second, jumping more slickly and mentally sharper at Kempton. We’ll now step up in grade in the Listed Wensleydale Hurdle at Wetherby on Friday and see where we stand. Somewhere down the line we may look to exploit an attractive Flat rating of 66. Red Force One 3g Lethal Force – Dusty Red Done, Ferguson, Mason 331119 (Flat form) RPR 92 Flat Won three on the Flat for Tom Dascombe this summer. Has taken to jumping straight away and as he doesn’t need gelding he should be out in around a month’s time. Rhythm Is A Dancer 5g Norse Dancer – Fascinatin Rhythm W Harrison-Allan 24-12 RPR 112b In all the years I’ve been training I’ve never known a season like the last one. The ground was heavy for much of the time, and then within the space of a week it turned firm. Soft ground didn’t suit this one at all, but when conditions came right in the spring he made all in a bumper. Ran as green as anything on his hurdling debut at Wincanton on Sunday and we can put a line through that effort. Ridgeway Flyer 7g Tobougg – Running For Annie Anthony Norman 11/118-2 RPR 139c OR 137c Started well over fences before sustaining a minor pelvic injury when disappointing at Newbury in December; that was enough to keep him off the rest of the season. He’s quite fragile and not the easiest to train, but he’s in good order at the moment and ran a tidy race at Wincanton on Sunday. Should win a race or two. Risk And Roll 4g No Risk At All – Rolie De Vindecy Mrs Johnny de la Hey /51315-2 RPR 119c OR 129c Decent fun horse. Didn’t appreciate the quick ground on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot. Clearly not top class but will win over fences, on softer ground round the smaller tracks. Romain De Senam 6g Saint Des Saints – Salvatrixe Chris Giles & Dan McDonald 15507-4 RPR 150c OR 138c Decent chaser but the key to this horse is he must have decent ground and it was frustrating that we took him three times to Cheltenham last season and on each occasion it came up soft. Possibly better going left-handed on a flat track and should get 3m this season. Had his palate re-cauterised over the summer and ran okay on his return when he might have needed the run more than I thought. There’s a decent race in him somewhere. Saint De Reve 4g Saint Des Saints – Ty Mat Mrs Johnny de la Hey 9- RPR 93b Something of a dark one, he was very green when making his bumper debut at Wincanton in April. Like with a lot of the youngsters, I’m expecting a lot of improvement from him when he goes novice hurdling. Saintemilion 5g Diamond Green – Matakana Kathy Stuart & Terry Warner 241F43/ RPR 123h OR 127h Had a bit of heat in his leg after his one and only run for us nearly two years ago and has been off since. Formerly big and backward, he’s done well physically for the time out and looks the part now, so we’ll see how he gets on novice chasing. Ready to run and may start in a handicap hurdle first. San Benedeto 7g Layman – Cinco Baidy Paul Vogt 4542-36 RPR 165c OR 155c After his amazing season the year before last, he was always going to be harder to place last winter and so it proved, although second places in the Haldon Gold Cup and Sandown’s Grade 1 on the final day meant he more than paid for his training fees. Once again he starts on a career-high mark, so we’ll have to place him carefully, bearing in mind bad winter ground doesn’t suit him. Jumped the hurdles like fences when disappointing in the Listed hurdle at Kempton the other day, but that was just a prep for the Haldon Gold Cup in eight days’ time. He’s a bit unpredictable and may have his own ideas about the game nowadays. San Satiro 7g Milan – Longueville Quest The Manor Syndicate 4111/P-U RPR 129h OR 125h He’s had nothing but bad luck in the last 18 months. First he injured a hind fetlock joint at Haydock in May last year, then when he came back from a year off he suffered another setback when making his chasing debut in May. Not being rushed back and when he’s ready he’ll have a run in a handicap hurdle to sharpen him up and then go chasing. Sao 4g Great Pretender – Miss Country Mrs Johnny de la Hey F/1242- RPR 126h OR 124h I was never completely happy with Frodon’s half-brother last season and he probably wants better ground. He’s been a nightmare as he’s too keen. He’s not unlike Cyrname, who used to pull far too hard, and we’re training him in the same way. He only ever works up our hill; if you let him loose on the flat gallop, you wouldn’t stop him. Scott [Sainsbury], who played a big part in getting Cyrname to settle, now rides Sao every day. One day the penny will drop, and when it does he should step up considerably. He’ll start in a handicap hurdle and then switch to fences. Secret Investor 6g Kayf Tara – Silver Charmer Hills of Ledbury (Aga) 2721-11 RPR 146h OR 143h Having had his palate re-cauterised in the summer, I thought he’d just need the run in the Persian War at Chepstow but he cruised in. I was thrilled with that, and now I can’t wait to see him over fences. He doesn’t want it too soft and performed below par over hurdles a couple of times on unsuitable ground last winter, but when it dried out, bingo – he came good in the spring. I’m sure chasing will be the making of him and we’ll look at the Rising Stars Novice Chase at Wincanton. Silver Forever 4f Jeremy – Silver Prayer Colm Donlon 1 (pointing form) RPR 85 (point) Lovely prospect and I’m thrilled with her. She couldn’t have landed her mares’ maiden point-to-point in Ireland any easier; you’d have to go a long way to find a more impressive winner. She has really thrived since she came into work and we have the option of going for a mares’ bumper or going straight novice hurdling. She’ll want some cut in the ground. Some Man 5g Beat Hollow – Miss Denman Grech & Parkin 1/45- RPR 123h Bit too keen on his debut and then although only fifth at Cheltenham it turned out to be one of the hottest maiden hurdles of the season, as in front of him were Lalor, who went on to win the 2m Grade 1 at Aintree, and Summerville Boy, subsequent winner of the Supreme Novices’. A slight injury kept him off afterwards, but that might be the best thing that could have happened as a nice break has seen him mature physically. Has just had a wind op, so won’t be ready to run in a novice hurdle until around Christmas. Southfield Harvest 4g Kayf Tara – Chamoss Royale Angela Yeoman Unraced He’s a half-brother to Southfield Theatre, Southfield Vic and others, and as a physical model Clifford [Baker] and I both agree this one is the nicest of the lot. Did his pre-training in the spring and we really like him, but he’s going to want time to fulfil his potential. His aim is the Wincanton bumper on Boxing Day. Southfield Stone 5g Fair Mix – Laureldean Belle Angela Hart & Angela Yeoman 3- RPR 106b We took him to Exeter for a bumper in February as part of his education and he showed definite signs of ability. Has done lots of schooling as part of his preparation for a novice hurdle campaign, but he needs rain first. Storm Arising 4g Yeats – Cool Rua Barry Fulton & Peter Hart 3- (pointing form) RPR 86 (point) Really caught my eye when finishing third in an Irish point-to-point. The form was probably nothing to write home about and he didn’t jump at all well but I thought if we could improve him in that department he’d be interesting. When we first schooled him he was novicey to begin with, but in no time he was much better and that augurs well. He’s ready to start in novice hurdles. Stradivarius Davis 5g Turgeon – Trumpet Davis D & M McDonald & M & M McPherson 155-134 RPR 113h OR 125h He’s a typical Turgeon in that he’s taking an age to mature. Surprised us when winning a novice hurdle at Wincanton in May, and I was even more surprised when he was given a handicap mark of 130. The form was ordinary and his rating was so ludicrous I complained to the handicapper and got his mark reduced 5lb to 125. He should have been assessed strictly on an eight-length beating of Ringa Ding Ding, who is rated 115, at level weights. How he got an original mark of 130 I’ll never know. He’ll need to drop a few more pounds before he can even begin to be competitive in handicaps, and after Sunday’s effort at Wincanton I hope the handicapper will do something. The Dellercheckout 5g Getaway – Loreley John and Lisa Hales 1/6254- RPR 124h OR 122h He wasn’t quite finishing his races last season and has since had a breathing operation. Capable of winning handicap hurdles off his mark before going chasing. We haven’t seen the best of him yet. Tommy Silver 6g Silver Cross – Sainte Mante Done, Ferguson, Mason & Wood 32P3-05 RPR 150c OR 136c After running consistently well in the first half of last season his form went downhill quite badly and I could never put my finger on the reason why. He tends to back off his fences a bit and what I worry about is whether he truly has the bottle for chasing, whether he’s tough enough to cope with fences in a bigger field. After running just okay at Cheltenham on Saturday, a graduation chase might give him more experience and help build his confidence up because for the moment there is a question mark. Tomorrow Mystery 4f Nathaniel – Retake JP McManus 2 RPR 95h Showed useful Flat form for Jamie Osborne at up to 1m4f. Was ready to run for us last season, but the ground was a bit soft and then she got a small problem, so we drew stumps and sent her home. Came up against a good mare on her hurdling debut and should soon go one better. Topofthegame 6g Flemensfirth – Derry Vale Chris Giles and Mr & Mrs Paul Barber 42/F412- RPR 155h OR 154h Went chasing last autumn but fell at Newbury’s cross fence on his debut and sustained a slight injury, so we decided to keep him as a novice for this season. Back over hurdles, he showed high-class form, winning a hundred-grand handicap at Sandown and just pipped in the Coral Cup. Provided he gets his jumping together second time round, he should be a smart novice chaser. As big a horse as you’ll see, he’ll go into a fence long, but when he needs to use his brain and shorten up he can get in too tight. With the ground here at home still like a road I can’t school him on grass yet, but I’ve got it in mind to take him back to Newbury for a novice chase at the end of November. Topofthegame (Sam Twiston-Davies,4) wins the 3m handicap hurdle Sandown 3.2.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerTouch Kick 7g Presenting – Bay Pearl Trevor Hemmings 716/713- RPR 131c OR 127c Has been a slow maturer, but just when the penny finally seemed have dropped last winter he suffered a season-ending injury at Kempton over Christmas. He was always too keen over hurdles, but the signs are that fences are helping him settle better, so I hope there’s more to come from him. Should be ready in about a month’s time. Trevelyn’s Corn 5g Oscar – Present Venture Chris Giles 1- (pointing form) RPR – An expensive purchase at the Cheltenham sales, having created a very good impression in his maiden point-to-point in Ireland. All these winning Irish pointers seem to be expensive nowadays, but you’ve little idea what the the form amounts to. We haven’t started pressing too many buttons with him yet, and until we do so we’re in the dark. But just remember when Denman came here from the Irish pointing field no-one knew he would turn out to be a superstar. With these winning pointers you just hope one will develop into a gem. We could have run this one in the spring but he was big and backward, the sort to need time. Anything he achieves this season over hurdles will be a bonus, as he’s a lovely long-term chasing prospect. He’ll start as soon as we get some rain. Truckers Lodge 6g Westerner – Galeacord Gordon & Su Hall 1/42-144 RPR 125h OR 122h Has come from Tom George. I gather he had a few niggly problems before coming good in the spring. As he din’t win before May he’s a novice for the entire season which is a big plus. Bit disappointing on his first outing for us but I had to get a run into him to qualify for a valuable handicap at Worcester last week. Ran a lot better there, shaping as if 3m will suit. Vicente 9g Dom Alco – Ireland Trevor Hemmings F1/2UP5- RPR 159c OR 149c His brave attempt to win an amazing third Scottish National ended with a blunder four out; even then he was only beaten 13 lengths. He’s never been successful off a mark higher than 146 – that was 18 months ago when he won his second Scottish National – so he’s obviously handicapped to the hilt nowadays and won’t be easy to place. I had it in mind to take him to Kelso on Saturday, but he wasn’t quite ready, so we’ll probably wait for the long-distance handicap chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting, in which he finished a really good second 12 months ago. After that, the Becher Chase would be a possibility. Warriors Tale 9g Midnight Legend – Samandara Trevor Hemmings 15/U22P- RPR 154c OR 149c It was so frustrating he didn’t win last season; twice he was denied a valuable pot by a whisker. Despite the fact 3m2f is just about as far as he wants to go, especially on soft ground, we had a crack at the National, which Trevor Hemmings likes to go for, but the ground conditions were all against him. Still, he jumped the big fences well and so after a prep run somewhere I’d love to take him back to Aintree this autumn for one of the shorter races, either the Grand Sefton or the Becher. Hopefully the ground will be a bit better. Wonderful Charm 10g Poliglote – Victoria Royale Robin Geffen, Sir J Ritblat & Robert Waley-Cohen 31P0-13 RPR 165c OR 128c Didn’t quite match the form of his 2017 Foxhunter second but still ran well in hunter chases last season. Happiest on decent ground and runs his best races fresh. Worthy Farm 5g Beneficial – Muckle Flugga Yolo 13- RPR 118h OR – I’m looking forward to the day this one goes chasing. For now he should be up to winning a staying novice hurdle judged on his third at Bangor in April. Zubayr 6g Authorized – Zaziyra Paul Vogt 2208-47 RPR 147h OR 133h Since falling in the Elite Hurdle two years ago he hasn’t really enjoyed jumping. It’s fair to say he is probably more of a Flat horse than a hurdler nowadays and I know he’s on a long losing sequence over hurdles but I’m still adamant he can win again – he’s definitely on an attractive mark. We had his palate re-cauterised over the summer. Zyon 4g Martaline – Temptation Mrs Johnny de la Hey 0- RPR 87b He was one of a number of our bumper horses who weren’t as well forward as we wanted them to be in the spring. The ground was so heavy all the time, they weren’t able to do much on grass and I wasn’t able to take them for a racecourse gallop like I normally do. This one did nothing great on his debut but is sure to improve massively. The post Paul Nicholls Stable Tour appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The red hot Picks From The Paddock are back with their best bet of day and tip for every race. After 7 winners yesterday including returns at 12/1 and 10/1, can their form continue today? Best Bet Of The Day 13:40 Nottingham A fascinating 1m handicap contest here with a number of trainers having representatives here being very familiar with the winner’s enclosure. The enigmatic Bravery trained by David O’Meara comes here off the back of two recent disappointments where he was backed as if defeat was out of the question. He will be of interest again If similar money comes again, but he has a shocking win conversion rate and cant be recommended on that basis. Preference instead is for the Dean Ivory trained Blaze of Hearts. The gelding caught the eye when an impressive three and ¼ length winner at Brighton last time out and granted the first time visor worn that day has the same desired effect again, he will take a lot of stopping here today. The main danger is likely to come from James Doyle’s mount in form of Bobby K, but the Ivory team once again have the assistance of regular rider Robert Winston on Blaze of Hearts and so he is the confident selection. BLAZE OF HEARTS (WIN) Dundalk: 14:50 – Sky Moon (WIN) 15:20 – Excelsius (WIN) 15:50 – Cracking Name (E/W) 16:25 – Wisdom Mind (E/W) 16:55 – Ancestral (WIN) 17:30 – Laajidaal (WIN) 18:00 – Sleepy Head (E/W) Taunton – Abandoned Kempton: 16:40 – Cobweb Catcher (WIN) 17:15 – Ticklish (WIN) 17:45 – Ideological (WIN) 18:15 – Sajanjl (E/W) 18:45 – Ballyquin (WIN) 19:15 – Seinesational (E/W) 19:45 – Yaa Mous (WIN) 20:15 – Katabatika (E/W) Fakenham: 13:00 – Didtheyleaveuoutto (WIN) 13:30 – Ezanek (WIN) 14:00 – Lisa De Vassy (E/W) 14:30 – Movewiththetimes (WIN) 15:00 – Mamoo (WIN) 15:30 – Hepijeu (E/W) 16:00 – Skandiburg (WIN) Nottingham: 12:40 – Asian Angel (WIN) 13:10 – Wedding Blue (E/W) 13:40 – Blaze of Hearts (WIN)* 14:10 – Moyassar (WIN) 14:40 – Dr Doro (WIN) 15:10 – Lucky Deal (E/W) 15:40 – Just Wait (WIN) 16:10 – Nevada (E/W) The post Picks From The Paddock Best Bet – Wednesday 31st October appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Already the queen of her regal barn, already a star on a global scale, Enable will now take aim at a barrier that has endured throughout Breeders' Cup's history when she attempts to become the first Arc winner to win the Turf in the same season. View the full article

Thai runners to honour memory of late billionaire owner on Friday View the full article

Woodworth gets gilt-edged chance on Elite Invincible View the full article

Poon, Clark to ride at Dester Singapore Gold Cup meeting View the full article

Debt Collector heads 27 entries in Dester Singapore Gold Cup View the full article

Day two of Equestricon started much like the first with a large variety of activities taking place around the Convention Centre, from panels to Justify’s connections signing autographs. While the first day’s focus for this piece was on aftercare and racing personalities, the second day’s focus was on racing itself. That started in the Guardians At the Gate panel when Steve Koch, the executive director of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety & Integrity Alliance, and New York Racing Association Chief Examining Veterinarian Jennifer Durenberger shined some light on the regulatory and state veterinary side of racing. Much of Koch’s talk was based around the track accreditation process and various rules that have to be followed to get accredited. Talking about the process and the run-down of what tracks have to provide in their report for the application, he said it is one of the most interesting reports the public never sees. While only 24 tracks are currently accredited, Koch said that there are other tracks that are working toward getting accredited, but they just have a few small things that need to be solved. “One of the things a lot of folks don’t understand is that it’s not just the racetrack that has to get this done,” he said. “Each track has to have all of the stakeholders in on this. If your jockey colony isn’t working with you, if your regulators aren’t on the ball, if your horsemen and owners and trainers aren’t on the ball, it’s going to be difficult to get over the hump.” During Durenberger’s part of the panel, she shared some interesting stats from a variety of topics, both as what she sees as a vet and from the regulation side. One such thing was that NYRA runs between 1,200 1,500 Out of Competition test samples every year, in addition to daily TCO2 testing on horses in selected races. When asked how many horses she scratches on a weekly basis, Durenberger said that gate scratches vary, but no matter where she goes in the world, the number of morning scratches seem to stay the same. “That is remarkably consistent at every racetrack I’ve ever worked at, every international jurisdiction I’ve visited. If I’m looking at 30 horses, I’m going to expect to have to make a decision about two or three and I’m going to have to scratch about half a horse a day, so I’ll scratch three or four a day,” she said. Both panelists fielded multiple questions from the crowd and it was near the end of the panel when Koch threw out some more information about accredited tracks that shows how powerful those 24 tracks are in the industry. “Seventy-five percent of North American wagering, 90% of graded stakes, and 96% of Grade Is [are run at accredited tracks],” he said. Shortly after the panel ended, next door international racing took the spotlight in the International Perspectives on Racing panel. With four panelists from around the world moderated by Nick Luck taking the stage, the panel could have filled a full day. Among the many points talked about in the 90-minute panel were providing more information for gamblers, aftercare, how shuttle stallions are making it easier to follow racing abroad, and the need for racing seasons. When talking about the topic often discussed in how North America should find ways to be as popular as other countries, TDN’s Kelsey Riley threw out a point that isn’t often considered when talking about Australia versus the United States. “One thing I think about the Australians, I feel like racing appeals on so many levels there because it’s embedded into the culture in so many levels there,” she said. “Speaking on the higher end, you see people all dressed up out at the races having a drink, being seen. I just feel like that’s a big part of the Australian culture, that’s something that they just inherently enjoy doing. But at the same time, you also have the country racing where you can even go to the pub and watch it and have a bet. I think it’s dangerous to say that you can take these experiences, these certain ways of doing things and transfer them over to America because I think there’s big inherent cultural differences there.” Full of good information from beginning to end, one point talked about later in the panel was the need for consistent disqualification rules around the world. With a more international audience wagering on races, figuring out why a horse was disqualified is a challenge that could be changed to help bring in more money. “I think internationally it makes it smoother if we have a similar perspective,” Fanny Salmon said. “That’s also what the International Federation of Horse Racing Authority is trying to achieve, is that we follow the same rules.” The final panel attended was one on how to find the next big horse, a fitting panel with the passing of the legendary Cot Campbell over the weekend. His involvement in finding previous big horses and ownership groups was talked about by West Point Thoroughbred’s Terry Finley. “Cot is really the king of partnerships, he originated the concept in the late 1960s. Every time you dealt with Cot, you dealt with a person who always had a smile on his face and a good word to put in and a good word to say. He just did it with so much class and he was so genuine,” Finley said. “I challenge any of us to look at anyone in our industry who had as big of an impact on our great game in the last 50 years as Cot Campbell. I’ll say to Cot up in heaven, ‘Thank you very much.'” During his talk, Finley also made it clear that, just because you find a ‘big horse’ once, doesn’t mean your search is over. West Point placing second in the 2014 GI Kentucky Derby and winning the 2017 Derby just fed the urge to find another big runner, Finley said. “You think about the fact that you got to the mountain top when you win the Derby,” he said. “And all those things, you’re thankful for the people who assisted you, you think about going to the races with your father, but the things that also comes into your mind is ‘I’ve got to figure out how to get back here’ and to get the next big horse. So the search and the quest and the journey to get your next big horse, it never stops and that’s a good thing.” While Finley talked about the constant search for the big horse, for Fasig-Tipton’s Terence Collier, searching is only a part of the journey. “The panel is about the next big horse and I’m going to tell you now, you cannot find the next big horse. The next big horse is going to find you because you don’t know where they’re going to come from,” Collier said. From stallion acquisition with Bill Farish to buying yearlings with David Ingordo, all four speakers acknowledged that luck played a part in finding their big horses. Ingordo summarized it best at the end of his panel when telling the story about how he privately purchased Stellar Wind after his phone calls had been ignored, but a friend’s phone call was answered. “I could have called this man 100 times and never got a response and yet fate brings somebody in to the office that was able to help me get it done and it ended up being Stellar Wind. You can have all the plans you want and everything else, but sometimes there’s this element of luck,” he said. While the majority of Equestricon ended today, a few final events wrap up Wednesday with Equestricon’s final event passing the baton to Churchill Downs with a day of racing at the track for those who bought the add-on experience with their tickets. View the full article

Retired jockey Larry Snyder, a longtime steward at Oaklawn Park, passed away Monday. He was 76 and had been battling cancer. During his 35-year riding career, Snyder won eight titles at Oaklawn. Among his most notable Oaklawn wins were the 1983 Rebel S. aboard that year’s GI Kentucky Derby winner Sunny’s Halo, as well as the 1989 GII Arkansas Derby on Dansil, whom he would ride to a fourth-place finish in both the Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. “Larry was a very beloved member of the Oaklawn family,” track president Louis Cella said. “We were all happy that we were able to honor him with the new Winner’s Circle before he passed. It was a very proud moment in Oaklawn’s history. We are able to recognize someone who played an important part of our past with something that will begin a wonderful new tradition at Oaklawn. Please join the Oaklawn Family in sending our thoughts and prayers to the Snyder family.” Oaklawn dedicated its winner’s circle to Snyder in a ceremony held last Thursday. Snyder became only the sixth rider in U.S. racing history to reach 6,000 career wins at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 24, 1989. He was honored by his peers that year with the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. Snyder retired in 1994 with career earnings of $47,207,289 and 6,388 recorded victories, which still ranks him 14th among all North American jockeys 24 years after his retirement. “In my 40 years at Oaklawn, I don’t know if I worked with anyone with more integrity than Larry Snyder,” Senior Vice President Eric Jackson said. “He lived his life the same way on the track as he did off of it. Larry will be greatly missed.” While still an active rider in 1988, Larry Snyder was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and during retirement, in 2001, he was honored as part of the Arkansas Walk of Fame in Hot Springs. He was nominated for induction in 2006 into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In 1999, he was inducted into the Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame. Snyder was a steward at Oaklawn from 1995-2017. A longtime resident of Hot Springs, Snyder is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Jeanette, who is renowned for her jockey silks, and son, Larry, Jr. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lynette. View the full article

XBTV has unveiled “A Candid Conversation with Victor Espinoza,” a three-part series of video interviews with the injured jockey. Espinoza discusses his success, the accident that left him initially paralyzed and his future with XBTV’s Zoe Cadman. Part One of “A Candid Conversation with Victor Espinoza” can be viewed at www.xbtv.com or by clicking here. Part Two will be released Wednesday and Part Three will be available Thursday. View the full article

Middle-Eastern interest proved telling again at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale as prices rose beyond the 400,000gns mark for the first time in two days of trade. Monday’s 335,000gns top lot Archetype (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire} had been bought on behalf of Saudi Arabian connections and that price was exceeded in substantial fashion once Corrosive (Uncle Mo) entered the ring in the early evening as lot 709 Auctioneers always have to work earnestly to drum up interest in many of the more prosaic offerings here but the price quickly jumped up exponentially to reach 450,000gns to Saudi-based agent Ibrahim Rachid on behalf of owner Abdulrahman Fahad M Albawardi. In his career with Hugo Palmer the colt had reached a perfectly reasonable rating of 95 to date but the prized credentials of not only the US pedigree but wins on quick ground at Ascot and on the all-weather at Chelmsford undoubtedly fuelled the demand. The flamboyant Rachid explained that the 3-year-old colt would be trained in Saudi Arabia, where there are major events at the start of next year. “He is a good-moving horse and he vetted well,” he said. “He was bought for the King’s Cup and the Crown Prince’s Cup but he could also go for the Dubai Carnival.” The result was quite a windfall for Corrosive’s previous owner, the Turkish industrialist Ibrahim Araci. His bloodstock manager Rob Speers had secured him from last year’s Craven Breeze-up for 150,000gns. “He came from Con Marnane and he’s had a decent career, but he had some truly global appeal and we had interest from America and many other places,” Speers said. Meanwhile Ted Voute, who signed for Archetype for HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled, was in action again for the same visiting party when claiming lot 586, Mjjack (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) for 240,000gns. A durable sort for Karl Burke, the grey signed off with third in the Balmoral H. on British Champions Day. “They have more races in the Saudi Arabian programme for those seven-furlong to a mile type horses now and hopefully he’ll have a good career there,” said Voute. At the conclusion of Day 2, 238 lots sold from 270 offered (88%) and grossed 8,250,100gns. The median ticked down three points to 17,500gns, but the average rose by 4% to 34,664gns. Nass Retreads Familiar Path Fawzi Nass used last year’s sale to source what proved to be a thoroughly successful Dubai World Cup Carnival campaign and the Bahraini businessman and trainer delivered another statement of intent by securing Euginio (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who had looked one of the star attractions. His recent Stakes victory was worth its weight in gold as he reached the sum of 400,000gns. Listed as lot 486, the winner of the G3 Darley S. at Newmarket just over a fortnight ago will join Nass’s Dubai satellite yard after his agent Oliver St Lawrence resisted a determined challenge from Anthony Stroud. St Lawrence and Nass have teamed up to fine effect in the past, most notably with the purchase of Krypton Factor (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) eight years ago. He remained the stable’s flagship horse until the most recent Carnival through an enduring career which included a win in the G1 Golden Shaheen S. Nass looks to have found a replacement for the popular old stager in the shape of Jordan Sport (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), bought for 90,000gns at last year’s sale and already a Carnival winner as part of a streamlined team. El Chapo (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}) also contributed to the stable’s five victories in the UAE season by taking one of the 2000 Guineas Trials. “We were looking for a horse of his calibre for quite some time and he’s going to have a task to accomplish hopefully back in the Middle East, in Dubai and possibly Bahrain as well,” Nass said. “We’ll concentrate on the Carnival and hopefully get to World Cup night.” St Lawrence added, “He’s a good, strong horse who goes on good to firm ground. We were very keen to get him and I’m sure he’ll do very well out there.” Euginio was second at Royal Ascot in the green colours of Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar and also obliged in a conditions event at Doncaster. There had been some eyebrows raised at his presence in the sale for the Kuwaiti owner-breeders, who run Blue Diamond Stud near Newmarket, but their representative Tony Nerses explained that there was no need for concern. “I’m delighted–they got a good price as he’s a very genuine, very good horse,” he said. “I bought him for 155,000gns at Book 1 and it just shows that everything’s for sale at the right price. It’s not a dispersal, we are just shedding the excess. We had a lot of horses, so it’s a case of culling down and getting back to sensible numbers.” Al Homaizi and Al Sagar were also offering a couple of regally-bred fillies and the one to attract plenty of attention was their homebred lot 574 Lady Rasha (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Unraced and consigned by Roger Charlton’s Beckhampton House Stables, she is a half-sister to the G2 Gimcrack S. winner Ajaya (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). John Butler signed the docket for 320,000gns but it later emerged that she had been bought under the Blue Diamond banner. The filly is likely to return to Charlton’s care and might well be one to note for next season. Similar rules applied to her half-brother Extra Elusive (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) (lot 703), who hit 300,000gns after recording three from five so far. “He has bags of ability and hopefully he’ll realise his potential and be a proper black-type horse,” Nerses said. Stroud Bounces Back Anthony Stroud had been underbidder on a handful including Corrosive but any disappointment was eased by the acquisition of Lucius Tiberius (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) (lot 731) for 320,000gns. Much the most popular of the Aidan O’Brien draft, he had ironically finished fourth behind Euginio at Newmarket when signing off for Ballydoyle. “He was bought for one of my clients and is going for the Dubai Carnival,” Stroud said. “The programme should suit him well.” He could not reveal much more about two other Stroud Coleman Bloodstock purchases which came in quick succession from William Haggas’ Somerville Lodge consignment. Mubtasim (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) (lot 651) was picked up for 140,000gns and Completion (Ire) (Arch) (lot 658) cost 120,000gns. Dilemma for Noel Meade In days gone by this fixture would have been chock-full of National Hunt figures looking for middle-distance Flat horses with the scope to go jumping. Whilst a few were still on the ground, the Australian and Middle-Eastern buyers and even the domestic all-weather programme has made it ever harder to get hold of such specimens, so it made a pleasant change to see the well-liked multiple Irish champion jumps Noel Meade successfully bid 110,000gns for lot 607. Davy’s Dilemma (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}) was a decent handicapper at two miles on the level for Michael Dods, who did well with his consignment from Denton Hall Stables with lot 606 Mister Belvedere (GB) (Archipenko) also hitting six figures. “I spoke to Michael and he said he wasn’t going to give him away,” said Meade. “He’s for an existing owner and will make a novice hurdler as he’s been gelded, he’s strong and ready to go. I’m looking forward to getting going with him.” Reverend Jacobs (GB) will break relatively new ground for his sire Nathaniel (Ire) in switching codes. Lot 655, another offering from the Haggas stable and a three-time winner for owner Bernard Kantor, also left the ring for exactly 100,000gns to Anthony Bromley’s Highflyer Bloodstock. “He’s going to go jumping with Alan King,” Bromley said. “The 3-year-olds aren’t easy to buy and he’s one of Nathaniel’s first crop–we haven’t had one before. He came highly recommended.” Hurdling could also emerge as an option for the ex Charlie Hills Porth Swtan (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 525), who will form part of former trainer Garry Moss’s ambitious new venture in a yard near Jedburgh in Scotland. He was bought for 100,000gns by Jeremy Glover on behalf of owner Hal McGhie. “He’ll have a break and will be a dual-purpose type,” said Moss. The final piece of theatre during the evening from came with lot 757 Feel Glorious (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), who had caused a 125-1 upset for Surrey trainer George Baker at Glorious Goodwood and had a valuable update when second in the Listed Grosser Soldier Hollow Preis S. in Germany on Sunday. Picked up for 52,000gns at Book 2, she changed hands for 130,000gns with successful bidder Stephen Hillen announcing that she would be heading for Christophe Clement’s stable in America. The third of four days of this sale commences at 9:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday. View the full article

Breeders’ Cup will introduce new video camera technologies for its coverage of this weekend’s World Championships. Through new virtual reality and 360-degree video capabilities, the introduction of the overhead and mobile BatCam and increased usage of the innovative Jockey Cam presented by Aston Martin, Breeders’ Cup hopes to provide fans with new and enhanced ways to engage with their favorite jockeys, horses and races throughout the weekend. “Modern horse racing fans are consuming content in completely new ways, and it is important for Breeders’ Cup to stay on the apex of the technological curve,” said Craig Fravel, CEO and President of Breeders’ Cup. “As a result, we will be implementing revolutionary video camera technologies in this year’s championship event, which will bring an unparalleled level of immersion to the fan experience. Whether our fans are cheering at Churchill Downs or in their homes, they will be able to experience the races in entirely new ways.” Breeders’ Cup’s first virtual reality/360-degree broadcast, called Breeders’ Cup VR, will feature three VR cameras placed in the backstretch, paddock and Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs and will provide fans with never-before-seen views of the jockeys, horses and venue. Fans will be able to experience Breeders’ Cup VR through most VR headsets via the Breeders’ Cup YouTube channel, including Oculus Go, Google Daydream and Cardboard. For those without a VR headset the broadcast can be viewed in 360-degrees via the Breeders’ Cup website, mobile application and YouTube channel. Breeders’ Cup and NBC Sports Group have joined forces on Breeders’ Cup Live! presented America’s Best Racing, a live, commercial-free program of select races and behind-the scenes action during championship weekend. Breeders’ Cup Live! will showcase the Filly & Mare Sprint and the Turf Sprint, the first two Breeders’ Cup races Saturday, and will be live streamed on Breeders’ Cup’s and NBC Sports’ Facebook pages, and NBCSports.com from 11:55 a.m.-12:55 p.m. ET. View the full article

Hot City Girl (City Zip) will star in the second season of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Foal Patrol, which provides live cameras following the daily activities of in-foal mares. The season begins in December and can be viewed at www.foalpatrol.com. The inaugural season, which ran from December 2017 through September 2018 attracted 1.6 million views. Racing for Lady Sheila Stable and trainer Linda Rice, Hot City Girl won four stakes, including the 2015 GIII Charles Town Oaks. The 6-year-old mare, who resides at Edition Farm in Hyde Park, NY, is in foal to Bernardini. View the full article

Tale of Verve (Tale of Ekati–Verve, by Unbridled), second in the 2015 GI Preakness S., has been retired from racing and will begin his stud career next season at owner/breeder Charles Fipke’s C.F. Farms near Paris, Kentucky. On the board in six of 20 starts, the 6-year-old retires with two wins and earnings of $500,245. He will stand for $2,000, live foal. View the full article

Multiple graded stakes winner War Dancer (War Front–Deed I Do, by Alydeed) will stand the 2019 season as part of the Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions roster at Irish Hill Century Farm in Saratoga. The 8-year-old stallion, who won the 2013 GII Virginia Derby and 2014 GIII Louisville H., will stand for $7,500 LFSN. “We’re pleased to have the opportunity to stand War Dancer. He checks all the boxes for breeders looking to get their mare to a top son of War Front,” said Michael Lischin, managing member of Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions LLC. View the full article

A pair of stallions have been added to the roster at Glenn and Becky Brok’s Diamond B Farm near Mohrsville, Pennsylvania for the 2019 breeding season. Social Inclusion (Pioneeof the Nile–Saint Bernadette, by Saint Ballado), relocating to Diamond B from Woodford Thoroughbreds in Florida, will also stand for $5,000. The 7-year-old was third in the 2014 runnings of the GI Preakness S., GI Wood Memorial and GII Woody Stephens S. “He was a super impressive racehorse… we are always trying to get good sire power in Pennsylvania and I think we’ve succeeded in identifying a horse like him,” Glenn Brok said. “He’s got a great disposition. He’s a big horse, standing 16.3 hands; he’s got a lot of bone, with a big hip and shoulder. He’s built like a horse that can get you both speed and distance.” Eastwood (Speightstown–Fifth Avenue Ball, by Deputy Minister), second in last year’s GIII Los Angeles S., will begin his stud career at a fee of $2,500. “Speightstown is revealing himself as a sire of sires,” said Brok. “We’re excited about bringing this son of Speightstown to Pennsylvania.” View the full article

The Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Bayern takes centre stage at Munich on Thursday and gives racing fans a rare opportunity to see top quality racing during the week. The race has been farmed by Jean-Pierre Carvalho in recent years with him taking the last four renewals, Ivanhowe (2014), Ito (2015), Guignol (2016 & 2017). The prize is destined to go elsewhere this season as Carvalho has no runner. Defoe heads the market and raiding party for this Group 1, he won his first two starts of the season including the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. Roger Varian raised his sights for a brace of Group One’s contests at the Curragh and Baden-Baden where he was placed on both occasions. On his last start, he finished a well-beaten 15th in the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe behind the all-conquering Enable. This was a disappointing run but would still give him a chance in this contest. Defoe beat one of today’s rivals Iquitos in the Preis Von Baden Group 1 Stakes two starts back and that rival will be looking to keep the prize in Germany. Iquitos has only won once this season but has run respectably in top races all season and he was second in this twelve months ago behind Guignol. I think he lacks the class to win but showed still run his race. Royal Youmzain represents the classic generation and is held in high regard by leading trainer Andreas Wohler, so much so that he has jumped off well fancied on all of his starts. Since stepping up in the class he has been met with defeat including the German Derby and the Group 1 Preis Von Berlin. On a line through Best Solution, it would appear that Iquitos has the beating of Royal Youmzain. The next Brittish raider is Dee Ex Bee, who boasts a runners-up medal in the Epsom Derby earlier in the year behind Massar.. Mark Johnston’s inmate has looked slightly regressive since that run and although he ran well to finish fourth in the St Leger when last seen, he was still beaten nine lengths. This drop down in trip looks sure to suit the son Farhh and if he recaptures his Derby form then he must go close. The rest of the field is made of Tiberian, Racing History and Windstoss. Selection: Defoe The post Grosser Preis Von Bayern Preview appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

Grade I winner Free Drop Billy (Union Rags–Trensa, by Giant’s Causeway) has been retired from racing and will begin his stud career at B. Wayne Hughes’s Spendthrift Farm as part of the nursery’s “Share the Upside” program in 2019. “Free Drop Billy is a great-looking horse with a proven sire’s pedigree, and he was a dominant Grade I winner and leading 2-year-old of his crop,” said Ned Toffey, general manager at Spendthrift. “He ticks a lot of significant boxes, especially for a stallion prospect in his spot in the market. We believe he’s a terrific value that breeders are really going to like, and we’re excited to stand him.” The Share The Upside fee for Free Drop Billy will be $10,000 for one year, however, breeders must also breed a mare in 2020 on a complimentary basis. After the breeder has a live foal in 2020, pays the stud fee, and breeds a mare back, he or she will earn a lifetime breeding right beginning in 2021. For breeders not interested in the Share The Upside program, Free Drop Billy will be offered for $10,000 on a standard stands and nurses contract. Racing for Albaugh Family Stables and trainer Dale Romans, Free Drop Billy was second in the GIII Sanford S. and GI Hopeful S. before an emphatic four-length victory in the GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity. He was second in this year’s GII Holy Bull S. and third in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. and GIII Gotham S. On the board in seven of 11 starts, Free Drop Billy retires with two wins and earnings of $662,470. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday’s Insights features a $1.1-million KEESEP yearling. 1.10 Nottingham, Mdn, £10,000, 2yo, c/g, 8f 75yT CADRE DU NOIR (War Front) was another major purchase by Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited, this time for $1.1 million at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale which put him in the top 10 at last year’s auction. Entrusted to Martyn Meade, the March-foaled bay is a half-brother to the GII Royal Heroine S. winner and multiple grade I-placed Parranda (English Channel). View the full article

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities has created a steering committee to study the future governance of the IFHA, IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet announced on Tuesday. The committee was created on the request of Romanet to evaluate the IFHA’s statues and structure and was approved by the Executive Council. IFHA Vice-Chairman Brian Kavanagh will lead the committee, which is composed of participants from the four regional areas representing: the Asian Racing Federation (Frances Nelson, QC, Chair of Racing Australia), European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (Nick Rust, Chief Executive British Horseracing Authority), North America (Jim Lawson, Chief Executive Officer, Woodbine Entertainment Group), and South America’s OSAF (Horacio Esposito, Advisor in International Affairs, OSAF). “Any global organization must consistently assess its mechanisms to ensure the structure can realize its missions for a continually evolving world, and horse racing is no different,” said Romanet. “I look forward to receiving the recommendations from this newly formed governance steering committee as it is critical that the IFHA measures itself for the future challenges of our global sport, and to ensure our sustained ability to promote good regulation and best practices.” In other IFHA news, the Iran Equestrian Federation (IEF) was approved by the IFHA Executive Council as an affiliate member. “We were honored to host the Iran Equestrian Federation at the 52nd IFHA Conference and to learn about the distinguished history of Iranian racing and breeding,” Romanet said. “On behalf of the IFHA, I wish them continued success and look forward to working with the IEF as an affiliate member of our federation.” Several changes to various IFHA technical committees were also approved. For the full details, click here. View the full article

A trial of a new transparent entry and declaration process will take place at all-weather fixtures this winter following approval from the BHA Racing Group and the sport’s Executive Committee, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Tuesday. The trial is designed to investigate whether making the current entry and declaration process fully transparent and removing the re-opening and re-offering of races can improve efficiency and benefit participants. The trial of open entries and declarations will run from Dec. 1, 2018 to Feb. 28, 2019 and cover all flat races barring the Winter Derby. Trainers will be surveyed following completion of the trial, with their views combined with quantitative information as part of a full review which will inform whether the process could be rolled out beyond the scope of the trial. “Anecdotal evidence has, for a number of years, suggested that a transparent system of entries and declarations could bring benefits for both horsemen and racing’s customers,” said Jack Connor, Racing Development Manager at the BHA. “This trial, which has been approved by the BHA Racing Group, gives us a chance to monitor whether such a system works for trainers and their teams. It will also allow us to measure the impact of such changes on field sizes and non-runners, enabling an evidence based comparison of the two systems.” View the full article

It’s not the least bit uncommon for European jockeys to win a Breeders’ Cup race, but the names are usually familiar ones like Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore. But this year it could be that the star among the European jockeys in the Breeders’ Cup is a 23 year-old baby-faced jockey from Ireland who you may not even have heard of. His name is Oisin Murphy, and on the other side of the Atlantic, there is no hotter rider. Murphy will have four rides in the Breeders’ Cup: Soldier’s Call (GB) Showcasing {GB}) in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint; The Mackem Bullet (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filles Turf; Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the GI Breeders Cup Mile and Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. Murphy was a recent guest on the TDN podcast, brought to you by Taylor Made. Excerpts from that podcast are below. TDN: We’ve read that your uncle, Jim Culloty who is a legendary steeplechase trainer and jockey, was your mentor. That he, more so than anybody else, brought you along, and taught you the craft. Could you talk about him, and what he meant for you as a young boy growing up? OM: I moved in with Jim when I was about 14 years of age, and he was an up and coming jump jockey at the time and would become a top jump trainer. He achieved plenty as a rider. He won a Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cups. He basically won all the big national hunt races in Ireland and England. As a trainer, he won another Cheltenham Gold Cup, and he had four Cheltenham winners in total. I had plenty to live up to when I started my own riding career. But he pointed me in the right direction. It was his decision to send me to England, to Andrew Balding, to be an apprentice. I owe him a lot. He’s been my mentor for, since–well–since day one. TDN: Being someone from Ireland, and with Ireland having great racing of its own, is that why you became a UK-based jockey? Just because of the whole connection, and your beginnings with the Balding stable? OM: There are more opportunities in Britain. Really, in Britain, we race every day. We may not race in England, but there’s racing in Scotland or Wales, or wherever. There’s a variety of tracks. People aren’t afraid to travel, also, so as a rider, I had a better chance to get going, compared to Ireland. I’m very grateful to my uncle Jim for making that decision, because had I stayed in Ireland, I may not be in the position I’m in now. TDN: The 2013 Scottish Gold Cup at Ayr was the first major win of your career. At the time, did you ever think this is as good as it gets? Or, did you imagine that four or five years later, you’d regularly be winning Group 1 races? OM: I’ll be honest–I always thought it was a very difficult game, and I was fully aware that as a jockey, you’re only as good as your last race, or your last winner. You have a little bit of grace, in essence, but you have to keep achieving and keep finding the fast horses. I was fully aware of that, from a very young age. I grew up watching my uncle Jim, as a jockey, with my granddad at home, and his races would be criticized. He depended on success to keep things going. TDN: You did get one big break. A few years ago, you were signed on to be the stable rider for Qatar Racing. How much has that meant to your career? That is exactly what you’re talking about. You need those big outfits behind you. What have they meant to you, and what have they meant for your success? OM: It was my ambition to be part of the Qatar Racing team when I was an apprentice, because of their horses at Andrew Balding’s stable. Obviously, it never dawned on me that that would be possible. But I worked hard, and one of my first rides for Qatar was probably Champions Day 2014 and everything went well. Sheikh Fahad and his brothers are very supportive of flat racing in Europe, and actually across the world. He wanted me to do well. TDN: You actually made your debut in the Breeders’ Cup last year, but it was a quiet one. You had one mount, a big long shot who finished ninth. I don’t imagine you got much attention, or any acclaim like you’re going to get this year. What did you take away from the experience of riding in your first Breeders’ Cup last year at Del Mar? OM: It’s a fantastic event. Obviously, frankly, I’ve always wanted to do very well there, both for European trainers and American trainers. I want to get to the very top level, and I’m 23 years of age–but I’m hungrier than ever. I want to succeed. Hopefully, this year, I’ve got some live chances, and I can get my first Breeders’ Cup win. TDN: Here in the U.S., we have a saying–and I don’t know if you have the same saying in Ireland or England–but we say that an athlete is “in the zone.” Basically, that means they’re focused, they’re hot, they’re doing everything right, and when you look at what you’ve accomplished since August, six Group 1s, including the Juddmonte International, the Sussex Stakes, the Irish Championship Stakes. Are you “in the zone,” and if so, why? What’s going on right now in particular that you just seem to be doing everything right, and winning so many big races? OM: I’d love to say I’ve been “in the zone” for a few years, but now, I’m getting the opportunities. I don’t have anything obstructing me as such. I live, breathe, and dream racing. I know how important it is to keep the people I’m riding for happy, and to do my job as best I can. But now, I’m really getting chances, and obviously Qatar Racing is growing all the time. With time, they’re buying better and better horses, and I’m connected to Andrew Balding and also Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who’ve done very well in the U.S. this year. I ride for all these great people, and they’re putting me up, and I want to do as well as I can for them. That’s my complete focus. I don’t have anything else. TDN: What do you think that a Breeders’ Cup win might do for your career, and your reputation? OM: It would mean a lot, because I haven’t had many opportunities to ride in the U.S. Some of the absolute top horses in the world over the last few years are American horses, like American Pharaoh, Justify. I followed their career paths. As European riders, we don’t get many opportunities to visit the U.S. We’ve got a very busy schedule here. But Ryan Moore talks about these sort of races–the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup–all the time. Your Triple Crown is something he really would like to be part of. It’s rubbed off on me. I’d love to get the opportunity to ride a little bit more on dirt. I’m low on experience, but I’m very hungry, and that is the dream for me. The beauty of being a flat jockey is you can ride all over the world. I remember watching the Dubai World Cup, and the Preakness, when I was about 10 or 11 years of age, and hoping one day, I might be part of them. It’s a possibility now, and that’s a great position to be in. View the full article