Wandering Eyes

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. Today’s Observations features a colt out of an Oaks winner. 6.00 Newcastle, Novice, £8,550, 2yo, 8f 5y (AWT) MUTASAAMY (IRE) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is a son of the G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain) who debuts in the same Shadwell silks for the Roger Varian stable on the Tapeta. He encounters Khalid Abdullah’s Headman (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a Roger Charlton-trained half-brother to the operation’s GII Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup winner Projected (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) from the family of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). View the full article

Purses for the New York Stallion Stakes series will jump from $1.15 million to $2.3 million for 2019. View the full article

Godolphin’s Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its third year, handed out total prize money of $128,000 and six award statuettes to some of the unsung heroes behind the scenes of racing Wednesday at Churchill Downs. Hosted once again by Jill Byrne, Senior Director of Industry Relations at the Breeders’ Cup, the ceremony also had Bob Baffert on hand to present the awards. Sandy Hatfield, Stallion Manager at Three Chimneys Farm, won the Leadership Award for Farms, Cesar Aguilar, the foreman for John Sadler Racing, took home the same award for Racing, Therese Reese of Stoneway Farm earned the Dedication to Breeding Award, Lisa See, groom/assistant for Pecoraro Racing Stable captured the Dedication to Racing Award, Devon Dougherty, assistant trainer for Roy Houghton, took the Newcomer Award and Angie Carmona, Deputy Executive Director and Secretary, California Thoroughbred Trainers, won the Thoroughbred Community Award. “We were thrilled that Churchill Downs and the Breeders’ Cup welcomed us to be part of Championship Week this year and we sincerely thank them both for their support,” said Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin America. “We also want to express our gratitude to the nominators for providing such an outstanding group of worthy nominees and sincere thanks as well to the judges, our corporate partners and our media partners. As they say, ‘it takes a village’ and it’s very heartwarming to see how the entire industry has embraced these important awards now in their third year.” Jim Gagliano, President of The Jockey Club, added, “There are very special people in our industry who spend countless hours of their lives taking care of our industry’s horses and humans. These awards enable us to honor them and share their wonderful stories. We are grateful to Godolphin for bringing these awards to the United States and for including The Jockey Club, TOBA, and the HBPA as their corporate partners in this important endeavor.” View the full article

Grade I-winning sire Jersey Town (Speightstown–Jersey Girl, by Belong to Me) will stand the 2019 breeding season at Daehling Ranch Throughbreds, near Elk Grove, California as the property of Charles Fipke, for a fee of $3,000, live foal guaranteed. The announcement comes on the same day that Jersey Town’s most successful son, GI Metropolitan H. winner Bee Jersey, was retired to stand at Darby Dan Farm. “Mr. Fipke has foals by Jersey Town from some top mares still to come and will be supporting the horse in California as well, so Jersey Town represents a great opportunity for breeders to participate in a stallion with a lot of future upside,” said Sid Fernando, president of Werk Thoroughbred Consultants, Inc., and an advisor to Fipke. The 12-year-old chestnut, who captured the GI Cigar Mile H. in 2010, stood at Darby Dan in Kentucky before moving to Road’s End Farm in British Columbia for the 2018 breeding season. View the full article

The New York Racing Association (NYRA), in conjunction with the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) and New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund (The Fund), will initiate a dramatic increase in purse values for the New York Stallion Stakes (NYSSS) in 2019, it was announced Wednesday. In 2019, purses for the 10-race series restricted to the progeny of nominated New York stallions and contested on NYRA racetracks will double from $1,150,000 to $2,300,000. Purses for all 10 races will see increases, with the Great White Way S. for juvenile males and the Fifth Avenue S. for juvenile fillies, to be run at Aqueduct in December 2019, becoming the richest sire stakes races in the country with purses of $500,000 each. “This purse enhancement is the result of a diligent process with our partners in New York racing and I appreciate the leadership of John Poklemba of The Fund and Jeff Cannizzo from the NYTB to get this over the finish line,” said Martin Panza, NYRA’s Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “Continuing to find new and innovative ways to incentivize the owners and breeders who fill our races is paramount to the ongoing success of New York racing.” Jeffrey Cannizzo, Executive Director of the NYTB which administers the NYSSS series, said, “I sincerely want to thank The Fund and NYRA for agreeing to this proposal which dramatically enhances the Stallion Stakes Series and creates the most lucrative sire stakes for 2-year-olds in the country. Directing The Fund’s ‘Purse Enrichment’ to New York-sired horses will, I believe, have both immediate and long-term positive effects on the state’s breeding and racing industries.” In addition to the purse increase for the juvenile races from $150,000 to $500,000, purses for the other eight races will increase as follows in 2019: The Times Square and Park Avenue divisions for 3-year-olds to be run at Aqueduct will be worth $200,000 (up from $100,000); four turf races for 3-year-olds, which are run in pairs at Belmont and at Saratoga (Spectacular Bid and Cab Calloway for males and Cupecoy’s Joy and Statue of Liberty for fillies) will be worth $150,000 (up from $100,000); a pair of sprints for older horses run at Aqueduct (the Thunder Rumble for males and Staten Island for fillies and mares) will be worth $150,000 (up from $125,000). Breeders of New York-sired New York-breds and stallion owners will also benefit from the opportunity to earn increased fund awards. New York-sired New York-breds earn 30%, 15% and 15% in “Breeders Awards” for respective first, second and third-place finishes, which is 50% more than the breeders awards for out-of-state-sired New York-breds. “Stallion Owners Awards” are allotted at 10% each for progeny that finish first through third. “Doubling the purse value of the New York Stallion Stakes Series through The Fund’s ‘Purse Enrichment’ money will benefit owners, breeders and the bloodstock market, starting immediately,” said Cannizzo. “Having an additional $1,150,000 in quality black-type earnings on the table could also have a wide-ranging effect on the landscape of the stallion business in New York. New York-bred juveniles will have a greater built-in added value when they enter the sales ring in the first few months of 2019. My additional hope is that the enhanced NYSSS program will incentivize stallion owners to consider bringing stallions to the state.” View the full article

NYRA Bets, the New York Racing Association’s advance deposit wagering platform, has expanded to allow Pennsylvania residents to sign up and wager on its website, NYRA announced Wednesday. “NYRA Bets is proud to expand into Pennsylvania, where NYRA has a strong and loyal fan base,” said Tony Allevato, President of NYRA Bets and Executive Producer for NYRA TV. “Pennsylvania residents have voiced their enthusiasm to join NYRA Bets and we are happy to now open our services to them.” View the full article

Whether the new Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint will be popular among horsemen got a resounding answer when pre-entries were released for the 5 1/2 furlong $1 million race. View the full article

In the first year of operations under a newly modernized U.S. Treasury and Internal Revenue Service regulations, there was a $307-million reduction in the amount of winning parimutuel wagers reported to the IRS using form W-2G, according to statistics released Wednesday by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, who pushed for over a decade to have the rules changed on Capitol Hill. This decrease was the result of a dramatic 89% drop in the number of winning tickets flagged for IRS reporting, and led to a $35-million reduction in the amount withheld from bettors’ winnings. The new regulations, which took effect Sept. 28, 2017, recast the Treasury’s definition of the “amount of the wager” to include the entire amount wagered into a specific parimutuel pool by an individual, rather than the prior IRS standard of using only the base amount of the winning wager. “The drastic reduction in the number of winning tickets requiring reporting and withholding is consequential in several ways,” said NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer, Alex Waldrop. “Under the old regulations, it was not uncommon for horseplayers to feel the thrill of ‘winning’ only to have their proceeds reported and/or withheld by the IRS. The old regulations were both unfair and a burden to all involved. A significant overreach by the IRS has been corrected thanks to fair-minded officials at the U.S. Treasury.” Through September of this year, U.S. wagering has increased 3.95%, or $336,724,709, overall, while average wagering per race day has increase 7.67%, or $180,231, according to Equibase statistics. View the full article

Breeders’ Cup, which announced last week several new additions to its wagering menu for both Friday and Saturday of this week’s World Championships at Churchill Downs, has released the Head2Head wagering matchups that will be available for bettors at a 10% takeout rate and $10 minimum wager. All told, seven Head2Head wagers, with three offered Friday and four Saturday, provide bettors the opportunity to handicap intrarace matchups in a format more similar to sports betting. The pairings will be both for groups of horses and individual interests, with bettors able to take the USA or European side in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, Juvenile Turf and Mile. There is also a head-to-head matchup between the two favorites in the Juvenile, Complexity (Maclean’s Music) and Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}), between Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and the Field in the Turf and Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) vs. Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in the Classic. View the full article

Multiple graded stakes winner and 2016 GI Belmont S. runner-up Destin (Giant’s Causeway–Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer) has been retired and will stand at Sequel Stallions New York for a partnership of Gainesway Thoroughbreds, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Farm and Sequel, it was announced Wednesday. The gray, owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stables and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners during his racing career, retires with five wins, two seconds and two third in 15 starts with earnings of $947,800. He will stand for a fee of $6,500 LFSN and will be available for inspection at Sequel New York beginning Dec. 1. “Having participated in the New York Program for a while now, and having learned what works, I believe Destin is the perfect fit,” said Twin Creek Farm’s Randy Gullatt. “I am very excited about this horse. Destin’s beautiful body, great bone and ability to go a distance of ground will be an easy match for much of the mare population.” Originally bought for $400,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, Destin is a full-brother to Grade I winner and successful third-crop sire Creative Cause. Trained by Todd Pletcher, he set a new track record when capturing the GII Tampa Bay Derby to follow up his victory in the Oldsmar oval’s GIII Sam F. Davis S. Missing by a nose to Creator (Tapit) in the Belmont, he returned to annex the GII Marathon S. on the Breeders’ Cup undercard last November at Del Mar. “Unlucky not to be an American Classic winner, Destin showed off plenty of talent and class,” said Pletcher. “He is a deserving stallion prospect. New York should feel lucky to get him.” View the full article

The winter jumping season is creeping up on us as we said goodbye to the speedsters last Saturday on Champions Day and we say hello to the exciting jumpers for the upcoming season. There were some great performances last season from the likes of Native River in the Gold Cup, Raz De Maree in the Welsh Grand National and Tiger Roll doing the Cheltenham – Aintree double when winning the cross-country race and the Grand National. Everyone is out looking for the next big star to follow and here are our ten to watch out for… If The Cap Fits#10 If The Cap Fits Age: 6 Sex: Bay Gelding Breeding: Milan (GB)-Derravaragh Sayra (IRE) (Sayarshan (FR) Trainer: Harry Fry Owner: Paul & Clare Rooney Fry named If The Cap Fits as his horse to watch last season, following two wins in three runs in bumpers the season previously. In fact, his only victory came at the hands of Lalor in the Aintree bumper, where other quality horses such as Black Op, Claimantakinforgan and Western Ryder also suffered defeat. If The Cap Fits had an immaculate start to life over hurdles with victories at Exter, Bangor and finally Kempton, on his only three runs last season. He wasn’t ever asked a serious question on any of these starts and was one of the talking horses of the season. However, injury ruled him out for the remained of the season following his victory in that novice hurdle on Boxing Day at Kempton. Following that victory he had been a general 11/2 shot to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham and who knows, if he had lined up he just might have. It’s worrying that we haven’t seen the son of Milan since Kempton but if Harry Fry can get him back on track, then he can keep progressing into a proper graded performer either over hurdles or fences. Although I’d imagine he’s future will be over fences, perhaps the Arkle will be a season target. Santini#9 Santini Age: 6 Sex: Bay Gelding Breeding: Milan (GB) -Tinagoodnight (FR) (Sleeping Car (FR) Trainer: Nicky Henderson Owner: Mr & Mrs R Kelvin-hughes Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old has only graced the racecourse on four occasions and has won on three of these starts, with his only defeat coming in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices´ Hurdle. Santini is a big horse and the up and down nature of Cheltenham didn’t play to his strengths but it was still a huge run considering how competitive the race was and it was only his third career start. He showed his true quality when winning at Aintree and given normal progression, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with over fences this season. Nicky Henderson is obviously looking forward to seeing him over the large obstacles with him saying: “He is a three-miler and he was very good over hurdles and only got beaten the once in the Albert Bartlett and the won a Grade 1 at Aintree. He is a very big horse and he has already been schooled over fences and is very good” Either the JLT Chase or RSA Chase would be his likely season targets, where would be a big player on both! Sizing Pottsie#8 Sizing Pottsie Age: 4 Sex: Bay or Brown Gelding Breeding: Kapgarde (FR)-Line Salsa (FR) (Kingsalsa (USA) Trainer: Jessica Harrington Owner: Ann and Alan Potts Limited Sizing Pottsie came with a big reputation when making his racecourse debut at Leopardstown at Leopardstown last May. If this was due to hi burning up the gallop or punters just grasping on to his name. One way or the other he was well fancied and duly obliged under a fine ride from Kate Harrington. The runner-up that day was Eagle Roque who gave the form a strong look as he had finished in behind the ill-fated Balliniska Band(Also won a listed bumper) on debut. Jessica Harrington’s charge then went to Punchestown for a valuable sales bumper, where he was sent off hot favourite but having raced in midfield throughout he just got outpointed to finish an honourable fourth behind some smart looking rivals. Sizing Pottsie looks made to jump and with a race like the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle an obvious season target, he’s a horse to keep a close eye on. Jessica said of her promising youngster: “He’s in great form. The plan is to go straight over hurdles with him. I think I’ll start him at two miles, as he doesn’t seem to be slow, but he should stay two-and-a-half miles. He’s a very nice horse and I’d be hopeful he could make up into a Graded-class novice hurdle.” Shattered Love#7 Shattered Love Age: 7 Sex: Bay Mare Breeding: Yeats (IRE) -Tracker (GB) (Bustino) Trainer: Gordon Elliott Owner: Gigginstown House Stud Shattered Love had a dream first season over fences last season, winning two Grade Ones, with the highlight coming in the JLT Novices Chase at the Cheltenham festival by a very impressive seven lengths. She probably paid the price for a busy period when running disappointingly at the Punchestown festival but she is a mare on the upgrade and if Gordon can work his magic, she may develop into a Gold Cup contender, for which is currently a tempting 25/1 shot. She could start the campaign at Down Royal for the JN Wine Champion Chase, which will help Gordon map out the season ahead and she could be a lot shorter for the Gold Cup afterwards. Gordon said in his stable tour: “We knew she would do better over fences than she did over hurdles but I suppose we never thought she would win two Grade 1s and be a Cheltenham Festival winner. In saying that, I did really fancy her for the JLT and I actually put her up at a few Cheltenham preview nights I was on. We’ll start her off in the chase for second-season novices at Down Royal next month and what she does there will probably decide what path we take with her. She probably needs to improve a bit to be a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender but it’s not out of the question.” Getabird#6 Getabird Age: 6 Sex: Bay Gelding Breeding: Getaway (GER) – Fern Bird (IRE) (Revoque (IRE) Trainer: Willie Mullins Owner: Mrs S Ricci As quick as Patrick Mullins crossed the line aboard Getabird at Fairyhouse in December, he was top of all the ante-post lists for the Cheltenham Bumper. He made it two wins in as many runs when beating Hardline at Gowran Park in January 2017 but injury ruled him out of the festival. In fact, we didn’t see him again until December where he made a winning debut over hurdles and followed this up in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer hurdle at Punchestown. Such was the manner of this performance and confidence behind Getabitd, that he went off a very prohibitive 7/4 to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Unfortunately for supporters of the opening day “banker” having raced prominently throughout under Ruby Getabird had nothing left turning for home and trailed in a very disappointing eleventh beaten over forty lengths. This run was followed by a poor run in the Champion Novice Hurdle where it transpired he has struck into himself in the early stages of the race. Willie had confidence in his imposing son of Getaway as he turned him out quickly to run in another Grade 1 at Punchestown three days later. Alas, luck was not on his side as he ran into the stricken Debuchet 2 out and was brought to a standstill. I think this will be a breakthrough season as the former point to point winner tackles fences for the first time on the racecourse proper. Although Cheltenham may not be his track, I’m sure Willie will be tempted to run him in one of the novice chases, perhaps the Arkle as I expect him to be unbeaten come that time of the year. Willie said of his novice chaser: “He will go novice chasing. We’ll start him off when he’s ready and I won’t worry too much about what trip that is over. We’ll assess him once he’s out and running, but I suspect he’ll end up in the mid-range or staying divisions. He seemed to show a preference for racing right-handed so we might try to lean him that way if we can.” Footpad#5 Footpad Age: 6 Sex: Bay Gelding Breeding: Creachadoir (IRE) – Willamina (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells (USA) Trainer: Willie Mullins Owner: Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Footpad was one of the most exciting if not the most exciting chaser last season, with four Grade 1 victories from five runs. He was simply electric to jump and was able to transfer the speed he showed to finished fourth in a Champion Hurdle to the bigger obstacles. His win at Cheltenham in the Arkle Chase where he proved fourteen lengths too good for the well-regarded Brain Power. This was a very impressive performance but it was also disappointing that he only faced four rivals. I suppose such was the manner of his previous victories, he scared off some potential rivals. Footpad is still only a six year old, with many options given he had the speed for a champion hurdle but was also placed in the stayers’ hurdle at the Punchestown festival. He also jumps so well, it gives him a great chance of staying over longer distances. Willie has got such a versatile that he could aim him at the Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase or the Gold Cup. Footpad would have a live chance in any of these races and it’s a nice decision that Willie has to make with him saying recently: “He has come back in from grass looking very well. In terms of his trip, much will depend on what his owners want to do. It is easier to keep chasers sounder over shorter trips than longer trips, but he is bred to stay, has form over further and is a very efficient jumper of a fence, so he has the option of running over longer trips too. I’ll have to have a good discussion with his owners before we make any firm decisions on him.” Presenting Percy#4 Presenting Percy Age: 7 Sex: Bay Gelding Breeding: Sir Percy (GB) – Hunca Munca (IRE) (Presenting (GB) Trainer: Patrick Kelly Owner: Philip J Reynolds Presenting Percy has won at the last two festivals when landing the Pertemps and the RSA Chase. This is quite a training feat for any trainer but for Pat Kelly, it’s amazing given the size of his yard. Kelly only had 48 runners last years and still managed seven winners. In fact, he has won two of the last three renewals of the Pertemps with Mall Dini (2016) and Presenting Percy (2017). Kelly will be aiming his stable star at the race which defines many trainers careers, the Cheltenham Gold Cup this season. Given how impressive he was in the RSA when beating the well-fancied Monalee, he must have a big chance in jumps racings blue ribbon event. We haven’t seen him since that RSA victory, with Kelly patiently minding his stable star. Everything will be geared around the Gold Cup for which he holds leading claims. Samcro#3 Samcro Age: 6 Sex: Chestnut Gelding Breeding: Germany (USA) – Dun Dun (IRE) (Saddlers’ Hall (IRE) Trainer: Gordon Elliott Owner: Gigginstown House Stud Gordon confirmed on Monday that last season’s talking horse will stay over hurdles this with the Champion Hurdle the main target. Elliott said that: “He’s in great form and the plan is for him to start off in the Grade 2 WKD at Down Royal on Friday” It has been the talk of the summer, whether last season’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner would stay over hurdles or embark on a campaign over the larger obstacles. Gordon is very keen to win the Champion Hurdle and one would assume this has had a factor in the decision. The imposing son of Germany has only been beaten once and that was as the Punchestown festival where he fell while travelling well in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. It will take a very special horse to beat Samcro as he possesses all the attributes you look for in a horse; speed, size, quality and his effortless jumper. Nicky Henderson will have to make sure Buveur d’Air is on his “A Game” in a bid to land the Champion Hurdle hat-trick. Samcro will definitely prove his biggest test and it’s already a duel I can’t wait to see. Gordon added: “I’m under no illusions about the challenge that he faces but he was a top-class novice hurdler last season and the race he won at Cheltenham has produced a number of previous champion hurdlers in Faugheen, Hardy Eustace and Istabraq. Samcro has a long way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as them but he’s done absolutely everything that we have asked of him so far and I’m hoping that there’s more to come” Carefully Selected#2 Carefully Selected Age: 6 Sex: Bay Gelding Breeding: Well Chosen (GB) – Knockamullen Girl (IRE) (Alderbrook (GB) Trainer: Willie Mullins Owner: Miss M A Masterson Carefully Selected was one of the most likeable bumper hoses last season and went into lots of notebooks when just getting chinned on the line after making most of the running in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. On that day he was just chinned on the line by stablemate Relegate. Punchestown was the next port of call for Willie’s son of Well Chosen and he again ran with credit to finish third behind another pair of stablemates. Carefully Selected looks made to go jumping and anything he did in bumpers would only be a bonus and given that he’s already a point to point winner, he looks like a horse to follow over hurdles this season. The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle looks like one of the possible Cheltenham targets and given his physique, he may appreciate the step up in trip. After making a winning debut Mullins said: “He could be an Albert Bartlett horse for next year. That’s the sort of road I’d be aiming at. There were a lot of fancied horses there and he made them look ordinary. He gallops all day and he’s not the slowest horse either. I was very pleased with him” Donald McCain trainer of Uppertown Prince#1 Uppertown Prince Age: 6 Sex: Bay Gelding Breeding: Strategic Prince (GB) -Tarrawarra (IRE) (Kayf Tara (GB) Trainer: Donald McCain Owner: T G Leslie This lightly raced six-year-old started off life like so many others by running in an Irish point-to-point, where he finished midfield. Such is the strength of these races it subsequently transpired how good this run was as winner On The Blin Side went on to win his next three races, two of which were Grade 2 events. Uppertown Prince himself scored impressively on his second start in a five-year-old maiden at Belharbour where he jumped well throughout and scored by a comfortable ten length victory. A move across the pond to Bank house lay ahead for the son of Strategic Prince and he quickly repaid connections by winning twice. His final start of the season came in the Grade 1 Sefton Novice Hurdle where he belied his 40/1 starting price to finish a mere ten lengths behind Santini. Whatever he did last season was always going to be a bonus, as his future has always been over fences and he looks like a very exciting addition to the novice chasing ranks. In a recent stable tour, McCain said: “I’m very fond of this horse, and he’s arguably my best prospect. I bought him because of the way he jumped throughout when winning his point-to-point and I’m really looking forward to sending him chasing this winter. He ran a really nice race when fourth to Santini in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, and also finished runner-up in a Haydock Grade 2 on heavy ground before winning as he liked at Ayr. He’s one to be excited about.” Betting With RaceBets We hope you have enjoyed reading this article and we are sure that you will be eagerly anticipating the forthcoming jumps campaign as much as we are. You’ll find many more Cheltenham ante-post markets appearing, as the big festival gets closer. Join RaceBets today and claim your welcome bonus! The post 10 NH Horses To Follow 2018/2019 appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article

The last time Audible raced, he finished third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). View the full article

Courtesy The Press Association Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is set to line up as the hot favourite for the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs on Saturday, but the dual G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victor has the weight of history against her. The last seven Arc winners to subsequently pitch up at the Breeders’ Cup have met with defeat, and here we look at the fortunes of the last five horses to attempt the same-year double. FOUND (2016) Despite having won the Breeders’ Cup Turf the previous year, Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had to settle for third behind stablemate Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2016 when she tried to double up. A length-and-three-quarters winner at Chantilly, Found was well-tested by Aidan O’Brien with a Champion S. second punctuating her Arc-Breeders’ Cup double-header. Ultimately well beaten at Santa Anita, a stumble when leaving the stalls hardly helped her chances. GOLDEN HORN (2015) John Gosden’s runner lined up at Keeneland not only as an Arc winner, but also that year’s Derby, Eclipse and Irish Champion S. victor. The 3-year-old was all the rage in the Turf, but the ground was unexpectedly good in Kentucky that year and after a tardy start, he just could not fend off the late thrust of Found, going down by half a length. DYLAN THOMAS (2007) Having his ninth start of the year for Aidan O’Brien on unsuitably soft ground at Monmouth Park, Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill) never looked like following up his famous Arc success in the Turf. Having shown his very best on a sound surface, Dylan Thomas was all at sea on the testing New Jersey terrain and quickly ran out of gas before finishing fifth to English Channel (Smart Strike). SAKHEE (2001) A stunning six-length victory in the Arc prompted the Godolphin team to take the brave route and tackle the Americans at their own game on the dirt in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. Frankie Dettori had the colt in the firing line at the top of the straight and he looked to have stolen the advantage with a furlong to run. However, Tiznow (Cee’s Tizzy) was relentless in his pursuit and eventually edged in front on the line, snatching a heartbreaking nose verdict in a photo. SUBOTICA (1992) Having held dual Classic winner User Friendly (GB) (Slip Anchor {GB}) at bay by a neck in the Arc, Andre Fabre sent his 4-year-old to Gulfstream Park with high hopes, but Thierry Jarnet was already starting to get to work on the turn for home. While Subotica kept on gamely, he had no reply as Pat Valenzuela manoeuvred Fraise (Strawberry Road {Aus}) up the inside to claim a narrow verdict, with Subotica only fifth. View the full article

Linda Gorton and Ronnie Bastin are the two Lexington mayoral candidates squaring off in the Nov. 6 election. The race is non-partisan, meaning that the candidate’s political affiliations are not listed on the ballot. However, it is well known that Gorton is a Republican while Bastin is a Democrat. The TDN profiled Bastin last week. Now it’s Gorton’s turn. Gorton graduated from the University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing in 1971. In addition to working as a nurse and serving on numerous community boards over the decades, she served 16 years on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council: Four terms representing the 4th District, one as a council member at-large and one as vice mayor. The TDN spoke with Gorton via phone on Wednesday. An edited transcript follows. TDN: You grew up in grew up in the heart of farm country in central Ohio. Do you have a background or interest in horses? LG: I of course have an interest. My growing up was cattle, sheep, hogs, orchards–those were my grandparents’ farms. The only horses they had were work horses who were really important to their farm operations. TDN: In Lexington, major decisions that affect the Thoroughbred industry usually happen at the state level. How can the next mayor of Lexington shape or contribute to positive outcomes? LG: Here in Lexington we have a tight Urban Service Boundary [USB]. All of our farm land and equine land is outside the boundary. When I was a council member, I supported the rural land management plan that actually delineates how the rural area can be used and what kind of development can go on there. So I’ve been working on policy locally for 20 years to support our equine industry. That’s an important fact here because we’re really different from other places with our tight urban growth boundary. I also was a proponent and a leader in passing our Purchase of Development Rights [PDR] program where a farm can apply for development rights purchase. What that means is, for example, if a Thoroughbred farm applies for the money for development rights, they give up their right to develop forever. And so this protects the farm and equine industries. It’s a voluntary program. And [if you apply] your farm is rated and ranked. It’s based on the soils and the historic amenities and viewsheds. [Criteria] are not about the person who owns it or anything about them–it’s about the land. So we are protecting these industries on the local level through the PDR program. And then at the state level, what the mayor can do is work with the state for things like incentives, [because] from what I understand, a lot of other places have some incentives in place that might be to their advantage. TDN: As you’ve been campaigning, what are you hearing from people in the horse community that are important issues they’d like addressed? LG: Many people in the horse industry, they’re very supportive of maintaining policy here in Fayette County that will uplift and support the Thoroughbred industry. Because if the farms are gone, then the industry goes. I’m quite proud of my work on that here in terms of local policy. A lot of places, [elected officials] don’t feel they can do local policy that has an effect, but we are doing it here. So I just think that the mayor has got to be a person like myself who is strong on collaboration. Locally, I would of course be a partner with the Thoroughbred associations and the different groups here that are supportive of the Thoroughbred industry. TDN: If we were having a debate right now strictly in front of an audience of Lexington’s equine community, what specific question would you ask of your competitor, Ronnie Bastin? LG: I can tell you exactly what that question would be: Mr. Bastin, in February you told our local TV station anchor, Bill Bryant, that you support our USB, but we need to “identify farms that can be developed.” That is a quote. What did you mean by that? Because everybody here who cares about the horse industry, the Thoroughbred industry, the farmland, wants to know the answer. We all know no one’s making any more land, and once it’s developed, we can’t get it back for farm or equine land. So that’s my question, because he was on the record as saying that. TDN: You get the last word. Anything that we didn’t cover that you’d like to add? LG: I have a long history of working with the equine industry here. I know many of the horse farm owners and managers. I understand their concerns. And you layer on top of that my broad, long-term leadership in our community, and I get this. Fayette County, our signature industry is the equine industry. It’s why people come here to visit, to see these wonderful Thoroughbreds. So we cannot ignore this industry that is so important, not only in our county, but worldwide. That’s important for me, to have people understand that I have worked with this industry for many, many years, and have great experience in doing that. View the full article

Shadwell has released its 2019 stud fees, and newcomers Poet’s Word (GB) and Tasleet (GB) will stand for £7,000 and £6,000, respectively. “Tasleet was a high-class sprinter, winning stakes races at two, three and four,” said Shadwell’s Stud Director Richard Lancaster. “He was also second in three Group 1s, so a fee of £6,000 represents outstanding value for a son of redhot sire Showcasing who is from the immediate family of star sprinter Battaash. Showcasing continues to thrive at stud, a point emphasised by 2-year-old Mohaather, who landed the Horris Hill S. at Newbury on Saturday for Sheikh Hamdan. He’s a neat, good-moving horse, who is a perfect fit for the commercial market.” “Poet’s Word also represents great value. He was arguably Europe’s leading middle-distance performer this year, especially when you consider he was the only horse to defeat Cracksman in 2018. He followed that emphatic win in the Prince of Wales’s S. with an equally impressive performance in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S.” Leading the Shadwell roster by price is Muhaarar (GB), whose first yearlings were so well received at the yearling sales and whose fee remains unchanged at £30,000. “We could have easily adjusted his fee on the back of this year’s sales, but we’ll reassess at the end of next season,” Lancaster said. “However, while the results at the sales give everyone tremendous satisfaction, it means nothing if his 2-year-olds don’t deliver on the racecourse next year. If they do deliver, it could well be the last time he’s available at this price.” That trio are joined by Mukhadram (GB) (£6,000) and Nayef (GB) (£5,000). View the full article

Whitmore, who has enjoyed a long and bountiful career, brings his $2 million bankroll into the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint to do battle with more fancied-runners View the full article

Jockey John Davila Jr. secured the 4,000th victory of his career Oct. 29 when he guided Pretty Wild Posie to victory in the first race at Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack. View the full article

After being pre-entered but not cracking the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) field, Al Shaqab Racing's Toast of New York will start in the $200,000 Marathon Stakes (G2) Friday, Nov. 2 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

Charles Fipke’s Bee Jersey (Jersey Town–Bees, by Rahy), winner of this year’s GI Metropolitan H., has been retired and will stand the 2019 breeding season at Darby Dan for a fee of $5,000 S&N. After beginning his career in Dubai and registering a runner-up finish in the G3 U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas, Bee Jersey joined the Steve Asmussen barn in the States and went on to capture five of his six starts, including graded stakes tallies in the May 6 GIII Steve Sexton Mile S. and the June 9 Met Mile. Bee Jersey’s Met Mile was won in wire-to-wire fashion as the favorite–an effort that earned him a career-high 109 Beyer Speed Figure. “Bee Jersey was one of the fastest horses of the year, evidenced by the Beyer Speed Figures he ran,” said Ryan Norton, stallion director at Darby Dan Farm. “He possessed raw speed, was an excellent miler, and put together tremendous back-to-back winning performances in the Steve Sexton Mile and the Metropolitan Handicap.” Bee Jersey retires with an overall record of 5-3-1 from 10 starts and earnings of $976,293. “He’s just a gorgeous, absolutely brilliantly fast horse with a great temperament,” said Asmussen. Bee Jersey is the most accomplished son of Jersey Town, who stood at Darby Dan Farm before relocating to British Columbia. A $250,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, Bee Jersey was produced by the stakes-placed Rahy mare Bees, from the family of Weekend Surprise, dam of Classic winners A.P. Indy and Summer Squall. View the full article

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky–What started as a chance encounter one year at the GI Kentucky Derby has blossomed into a very successful partnership between Brad Stephens of Six Column Stables, Randy Bloch and a rotating group of other enthusiastic owners. They’ll return to Churchill Downs on Saturday with Champagne Anyone (Ghostzapper), who goes in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff before being offered Sunday at Fasig-Tipton November through Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency as hip 172. “One of my first trips to the Kentucky Derby was the year Street Sense won,” recalled Stephens, a Dallas, TX-based financier who first caught the racing bug attending the harness races in Illinois while his father was in the livestock feed business. “I had walk around tickets, and Randy happens to have a pretty nice place to stand next to his box if you happen to be walking around. So, being a congenial guy, Randy was always very friendly, so I went back the next year and stood in the same place, and so on and so forth. Eventually, I told him I wanted to do it and get into horses. He didn’t have anything at the time, so he sent me in some other directions. That didn’t work out so well, but later I came in on some of their homebreds and we went to the sale and bought some together and it just kind of grew over time. It was just complete dumb luck, starting at the Kentucky Derby.” Bloch added, “We would sneak up to the turf club and get drinks, and we’d let Brad watch the box and we’d sneak him a beer back down as a thank you. We just became friends over the years.” Bloch, a Louisville native, grew up on a farm and is a partner in and executive vice president at Horsemen’s Track and Equipment. Prior to meeting Stephens, he co-campaigned MGSW My Boston Gal (Boston Harbor), who was trained by Street Sense’s conditioner Carl Nafzger and who competed in the 2003 GI Kentucky Oaks. When Hall of Famer Nafzger handed the reins over to longtime assistant Ian Wilkes, so did Bloch, et al. Stephens and Bloch had a particularly good run of fortune in 2015-2016 when they campaigned MGSW Island Town (Hard Spun), Grade III winner Thatcher Street (Street Sense) and MGSP Sweetgrass (Street Sense)–all homebreds. There are five partners (and their wives) in on Champagne Problems–Stephens, Bloch, Dave Hall from Louisville, Atlanta-based Dr. John Seiler, and Fred Merritt, who’s based in Indianapolis–plus another dozen or so who rotate in and out of partnerships with the group. Champagne Problems was a $270,000 pick-up at the 2015 Keeneland September sale and has really blossomed this year at age four. She broke through at the graded level in August’s GIII Groupie Doll S. at Ellis before finishing close seconds to fellow Distaff entrant Blue Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize) in both the GIII Locust Grove S. Sept. 15 and GI Juddmonte Spinster S. Oct. 7. “Ian [Wilkes] had said all along that she was just going to take a little time, and she was going to be better with age like a fine wine,” said Bloch of Champagne Anyone’s progressive recent form. While Stephens and Bloch both acknowledge that it’s a tough Distaff field, they say their charge is doing well and they remain hopeful. Either way, they’re going to enjoy the ride with their first Breeders’ Cup starter. “Being a Louisville guy, it’s like Christmas morning,” Bloch said Wednesday morning. “I went out and watched her gallop this morning with Ian, picked up some of the Champagne Anyone hats and garb for all the partners. It’s getting pretty exciting.” “She’s definitely improving at the right time,” Stephens said. “She was not 100% to run in the Spinster until four or five days beforehand, so it’s not like she was pointing to that race and this was an afterthought–it was kind of the other way around. She’s improving and if the cards fall the right way, we’ll be happy, but we’ll be happy either way. She’s taken us on a great ride.” After the Distaff, Champagne Anyone will head to Lexington to be offered as a racing or broodmare prospect Sunday night during Fasig’s blockbuster auction. “We might’ve learned a lesson with Sweetgrass,” Bloch said of the decision to sell Champagne Anyone now. “We were debating with her whether to sell her as a 4-year-old or 5-year-old. I was probably pushing for five and Brad was pushing for four, and we kind of learned a lesson–when you’ve got a little momentum and things going right for you, you need to put them in the sale.” Sweetgrass sold at last year last year’s FTKNOV sale as a 5-year-old for $250,000. Champagne Anyone is by Ghostzapper–the broodmare sire of this year’s Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy)–and she hails from the female family of Grade I winners and sires Southern Image (Halo’s Image), Turbo Compressor (Halo’s Image) and Jolie’s Halo (Halo). “If money was no object, we would just hold on to her and maybe run her a little more and then have a homebred, but for an operation like ours, we have to take money off the table.” Bloch quipped: “In other words, we bought too many at the [yearling] sales.” With the help of Wilkes and Nazfger, Stephens, Bloch and company were very active during this year’s yearling sales–they picked up 10 as a group and Stephens bought another two outright. They’ve never spent more on one than they did to secure Champagne Problems at $270,000. “We prefer to call ourselves value shoppers, but when we bought Champagne Problems, Carl Nafzger kind of had us drinking the Kool-Aid, so we spent a little bit more than we usually do,” Bloch said. Between members of the group in on Champagne Problems, they estimate that they own about a dozen in training together. Given recent efforts by a pair of their juvenile fillies, they might have a reason to head back to Churchill come next May. Champagne Anyone (Street Sense), a $70,000 pick-up, overcame a troubled trip to break her maiden second out at Ellis Aug. 31, and followed up with a very impressive last-to-first rally at Keeneland’s tricky one-mile distance Oct. 10. Molto Bella (Violence), meanwhile, belied 26-1 odds to complete the exacta in Sunday’s Rags to Riches S. under the Twin Spires. She was acquired for $100,000 at KEESEP. Both fillies are under consideration for the GII Golden Rod S. Nov. 24, but either or both could wait for a return down in Florida to gear up for a Kentucky Oaks push. “You know how conservative Ian Wilkes can be–he’s not going to run them if they’re not ready,” Bloch said. “We’re looking to have good 3-year-old campaigns for both of those girls, so we don’t want to push them.” Until then, they’ll be savoring the rest of the journey with Champagne Problems. “There’s so much excitement this weekend, and you go through so many hard times throughout the year with horses getting hurt or not developing the way you want,” said Stephens. “Weekends like this kind of keep you going. The excitement is kind of indescribable.” Bloch added, “We’re just thrilled to be here and want her to run well. You’ll see us having a great time whether we run fifth or sixth or hit the board. Hit the board and you might see us doing cartwheels.” View the full article

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