Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted November 17, 2018 Journalists Share Posted November 17, 2018 Following three Grade 1 victories last term, Tom George has high hopes for this campaign, particularly given those victories came with novice hurdlers who are likely to be around for a few years. Recent wins for The Worlds End, Seddon and The Big Bite underline that promise and signal the trainer’s fine form, while stable stalwart God’s Own showed he is still a force to be reckoned with in Tuesday’s Haldon Gold Cup, providing George with one of the proudest moments of his career. Stable profile Yard Down Farm Where Slad, Gloucestershire Started training 1993 Horses in yard 80 Members of staff 20 Assistant trainers John Cullinan, Ciaran McKee Travelling head person Sarah Peacock Jockeys Adrian Heskin, Noel Fehily, Ciaran Gethings, Jonathan Burke, Paddy Brennan Conditional Nathan Howe Amateur Noel George Secretary Lauren Thompson Stable sponsor Tom George Racing Website tomgeorgeracing.co.uk Twitter @TomGeorgeRacing WINNERS IN BRITAIN 2017-18 47 2016-17 71 2015-16 38 2014-15 36 PROFIT/LOSS TO A £1 STAKE 2017-18 -135.81 2016-17 +49.84 2015-16 -30.06 2014-15 -48.05 TOTAL PRIZE-MONEY 2017-18 £964,237 HORSES Activial Pedigree: eight-year-old gelding Lord Du Sud (sire) – Kissmirial (dam) Owner: RS Brookhouse Form figures: U5/0-832 Racing Post Rating 154 chase; official rating 145 chase Made his debut for us at Stratford last week and I was delighted with his second. The track was a bit sharp, but he stayed on nicely. He’s in the BetVictor and will stay further, but I don’t know what route we’ll go. Either way, that was a good start. Air Navigator 7g Yeats – Lox Lane Lady Cobham & Doone Hulse 21U453- RPR 117h OR 117h Dual bumper winner whose jumping let him down over hurdles. He’s enormous, though, and fences will see him in a better light. He wants 2m4f on softish ground. Baby King 9g Ivan Denisovich – Burn Baby Burn About Two Weeks 1825P1- RPR 142c OR 136c Loves a flat track and 2m on good to soft, he won a nice race at Aintree last year and he’ll be heading back to that sort of track for Saturday handicaps. Battle Of Shiloh 9g Shantou – Realt Na Ruise Paul & Clare Rooney 11F0/3P- RPR 143c OR 137c Won four in a row two years ago, but suffered aches and pains since. Back now and qualified for veterans’ races, which opens up a new avenue. Black Op 7g Sandmason – Afar Story RS Brookhouse 9/41221- RPR 155h OR 152h Put it up to Samcro in the Ballymore before really knuckling down at Aintree in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, when he wouldn’t have been in the same form as he was at Cheltenham. He schooled over fences at the end of last season and loved that, so should come into his own as a chaser. He’s ready to go as soon as the ground comes and is versatile. He’s got speed and will get 3m, but will probably start at 2m4f. He’s a Grade 1 novice hurdle winner not far behind Samcro; you’re not going to get much better. Could go to Exeter on Wednesday if the ground is suitable. BLACK OP Ridden by Noel Fehily wins at the Grand National Meeting at Aintree 14/4/18Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Boyhood 7g Oscar – Glen Dubh H Stephen Smith & The Gabbertas Family 214/141- RPR 143h OR 143h Progressed well last season, but suffered a problem after winning at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. He’s a lofty mark over hurdles, but we could go for a Pertemps qualifier and can go chasing. Dark horse Bun Doran 7g Shantou – Village Queen Crossed Fingers Partnership 63/2335- RPR 146c OR 138c Has promised to win a big race and there’s no reason he won’t. He’s still maturing and a strongly run 2m on good to soft would be ideal. I’m sure there’s a good day in him. BUN DORAN Ridden by Paddy Brennan wins at CHELTENHAM 16/11/18Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Casa Tall 4g No Risk At All – Gribouille Parcs Racing Ventures, Sharon, Dermot & David 631104- RPR 116h OR 130h A French import, he ran respectably in the Fred Winter, which was a baptism of fire, and was probably in front a bit long at Perth next time out. He goes chasing and is a very good jumper, who’ll get the useful four-year-old allowance. Champagne City 5g Tobougg – City Of Angels RS Brookhouse 733-414 RPR 134h OR 134h Won at Newton Abbot in the summer, but didn’t like the fast ground at Market Rasen last time. Prefers a bit of cut and he’ll go for nice 2m handicap hurdles from the middle of November. Clondaw Castle 6g Oscar – Lohort Castle J French, D McDermott, S Nelson, T Syder 18/1317- RPR 135h OR 132h A dual hurdle winner last term, he was being readied for big handicaps in the spring, but had a setback. However, he’s had a nice summer and will go chasing. He’ll be exciting. Come On Teddy 4g Fame And Glory – Theatre View NT Griffith & HM Haddock 2- RPR 103b OR – New to us, he was a solid second in his only bumper at Exeter last season and has schooled well over hurdles. He’s a tough, hardy stayer. Cruiseaweigh 7g Oscar – Triptoshan Simon W Clarke 2/1P73/ RPR 119h OR 121 Potentially one of the best I’ve got, but he’s been a nightmare. He beat Elgin in an Aintree bumper and had the world at his feet, but we’ve had setbacks since. Very talented and just needs a clear run. Darling Du Large 5m Kapgarde – Dissidente Simon W Clarke 20- RPR 106b OR – Second before finishing in midfield in the Aintree Grade 2 bumper for mares. She ought to win a bumper and has been keen, but has grown up and has ability. Doctor Dex 5g Oscar – Larnalee Crossed Finger Partnership 252-2 RPR 111b OR – Amazing he hasn’t won and I’ve never run a horse in a bumper four times, but he’s been babyish although he is talented. I think he bumped into one again at Chepstow last week and his form’s solid. He’s a good jumper and will come into his own over hurdles. Double Shuffle 8g Milan – Fiddlers Bar Crossed Fingers Partnership 22274-F RPR 170c OR 162c Was a bit sore after his Charlie Hall fall, but is fine. It was uncharacteristic as he’s never fallen and probably won’t again; it was just a shame it happened in a big race, but he’ll fight another day. The King George, which he was a fine second in last year, will be on the agenda as he loves Kempton and on his day he’s a very good horse. Espoir De Teillee 6g Martaline – Belle De Lyphard RS Brookhouse 61/1- RPR 130h OR – New to us, he won his only hurdle by a furlong at Catterick, so might have to go for an introductory hurdle at Ascot at the end of November. He’s an impressive looker. Fanfan Du Seuil 3g Racinger – Nina Du Seuil Crossed Fingers Partnership 1-F RPR 119h OR – Won a hurdle in France, but fell at Chepstow last month when he had plenty left. Greener than we thought, he’s a horse for the future, but will make his mark in juveniles. He’s schooled well since and prefers nicer ground. Faro De Kerser 3g Ungaro – Nuit De Kerser 1 The Twenty One Club RPR – OR – Impressive in his sole hurdle start in France. He’s quite immature so we’ll give him time. Fontley House 6g Getaway – Down Town Cork Colin Perry, Alan Waller & John Lawson 3-8 RPR 116b OR – A staying-on third in a bumper at Punchestown over 2m2f before joining us, he found 2m at Chepstow too sharp last time. He’s a dour stayer for novice hurdles. Forgot To Ask 6g Ask – Lady Transcend Miss Julie Hoskins 9544-31 RPR 118h OR 120h Won a maiden hurdle in May, but is a chaser, so more than likely will go over fences and will improve over 2m4f. God’s Own 10g Oscar – Dantes Term Crossed Fingers Partnership 3/6333-1 RPR 170c OR 156c An old favourite who has won three Grade 1s, but last season was a nightmare because of the testing ground; his third in the Champion Chase was testament to him. He’s in great form, so enthusiastic and he behaves like a four-year-old. He loves life and I don’t think I’ve been prouder on a racecourse than I was on Tuesday when he landed the Haldon Gold Cup four years after winning it for the first time. If the ground was okay, the Peterborough Chase might be next. God’s Own (Paddy Brennan) after the Haldon Gold CupExeter 6.11.18 Pic: Edward WhitakerGood Man Jim 5g Martaline – Precious Lucy RS Brookhouse 0- RPR 74b OR – Came over from Ireland with a big reputation, but his bumper run at Warwick was too bad to be true. Since then he’s worked well and looks good and we should see him in a better light in a 2m maiden hurdle. Kk Lexion 7g Flemensfirth – Kiloradante Perry, Lawson, Waller, Rea, McDermott 3830-45 RPR 135h OR 126h Competitive last term, he was a solid fifth over fences at Stratford and, while he’s not over-big, there could be a decent handicap in him in a nice midweek race. Miss Night Owl 8m Midnight Legend – Moyliscar Capt & Mrs John George 1/174-32 RPR 119c OR 125c A bumper and hurdle winner, she likes 2m, rattling along at the front, but it takes a lot out of her so we don’t see her often. We’ll aim for black type and there’s a race at Bangor coming up. If I could sum up last season in one word . . . Wet. Net De Treve 5g Network – Dame De Treve O’Donohoe, Cavanagh, Robinson, Nelson 3-517 RPR 118h OR – He won a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter recently but then went to Cheltenham and was at sea with everything. I think we can put a line through that and build him back up at a smaller track. Better ground suits. Otter Moon 6g Midnight Legend – Highland Dawn Somerset Racing 331-836 RPR 113c OR 125c Won a reasonable handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in the spring and is a stuffy horse who normally needs a run or two. Wouldn’t want conditions too soft and I was pleased with him at Chepstow on Wednesday on his second start over fences in a competitive affair. Rocklander 9g Oscar – Rua Lass D O’Donohoe, J Cavanagh, S Nelson U13F-P5 RPR 149c OR 142c Won twice over fences last season before finishing third in the novice handicap chase at the festival. He’s a gross horse who needs a run to put him right. He’s entered in the Badger Ales as I don’t think he’s got the speed for 2m4f in those top handicaps. He’s in the Ladbrokes Trophy too. Seddon 5g Stowaway – Andreas Benefit McNeill Family 10-1 RPR 127h OR – Backed up his bumper form by winning at Stratford last week and an introductory hurdle at Ascot this month could be a nice stepping stone. I think he’ll step up in grade sooner rather than later because a strong gallop will suit him. He’s a fast horse and looks a good one. SEDDON Ridden by A. P. Heskin wins at Musselburgh 4/1/18Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Singlefarmpayment 8g Milan – Crevamoy NT Griffith & HM Haddock 2F5P52- RPR 152c OR 146c A credit to us, he seems to bump into one at Cheltenham, but he loves the track and I think we’ll keep going back there and start at the BetVictor meeting. I’m sure one day all the cards will fall his way. Stamp Your Feet 6g Galileo – Nausicaa JP McManus P124P-0 RPR 138h OR 132h Stacked up a bit of prize-money at the lesser tracks over hurdles and goes chasing. He’s not very big and is a son of Galileo, so it’s not the obvious route, but he loves jumping and wouldn’t want deep ground. Stop The World 5g Oscar – Coolsilver McNeill Family 43- RPR 109b OR – He had some good form in bumpers and wants 2m4f over hurdles, but not heavy ground. He’s not far off. Sumkindofking 7g King’s Theatre – Shannon Rose DW Fox 231513 RPR 133c OR 131c Tiny, but he’s had a good time winning at Market Rasen and Ludlow and there’s no reason he can’t improve, especially over 3m. There’s a nice handicap in him and he’s entered in the Badger Ales. Star quality Summerville Boy 6g Sandmason – Suny House RS Brookhouse 122311- RPR 156h OR 156h The Fighting Fifth is the plan for our Supreme winner, who also landed the Tolworth, and he looks to have improved physically. He’s been schooling well and is a very sharp, alert horse. He’s a good jumper and I’d run him in a novice chase tomorrow, but he does spot things going on around him. If he sees something fall he’ll look at that, but that’s just babyness and I think he’s grown up. Newcastle won’t be an easy start – he was beaten at Stratford first time out last year – but he’s progressed enormously. He’s a very fast horse, who stays well and can cope with most things. SUMMERVILLE BOY Ridden by Noel Fehily wins at CHELTENHAM 13/3/18Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723The Big Bite 5g Scorpion – Thanks Noel N T Griffith & H M Haddock 1/10-1 RPR 128b OR – Won twice before a respectable effort in the Champion Bumper, he did everything he needed when winning over hurdles at Chepstow on Wednesday. Wouldn’t want ground any softer than it was and he’ll learn a lot. I’d like to think he’ll be featuring among the better novice hurdlers on the bigger days. The Worlds End 7g Stowaway – Bright Sprite McNeill Family 84474-1 RPR 151c OR – Last season was a nightmare, but I thought he ran with credit on ground he hated. He had only five races to run in, having won a Grade 1 novice hurdle the year before. He will go on soft, but doesn’t want heavy. We saw him over fences at Chepstow last week and he jumped well, looked very safe and had scope when he needed to. We haven’t firmed up his next target, but he’s a true, classy stayer and there’s no reason why he can’t reach the top over fences. THE WORLDS END (A.P. Heskin) Wins The Grade 1 Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree 7/4/17Grossick PhotographyWild West Wind 9g Westerner – Mhuire Na Gale Simon W Clarke 3/1FRUP- RPR 149c OR 142c He was running a big race in the Welsh National, having won its trial, but had a bad fall. It looked like he’d win Haydock’s Grand National Trial, but he pulled himself up and there was nothing wrong with him – we never got to the bottom of it. He’s had a nice summer and will be out in the mud in Welsh Nationals etc. UNRACED HORSES I’ve got some promising youngsters and they include Enemy Coast Ahead, who shows the right signs, while Easy Wood is lovely and has had time to mature. He’ll also go for a bumper soon, while Now Look At Me is another nice type who has grown and works well. Zoutoise is a three-year-old half-sister to Whisper who should do well in juvenile bumpers. The post Tom George Stable Tour appeared first on RaceBets Blog EN. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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