We took him all the way to Musselburgh and thought he’d run better than he did; in hindsight maybe the track was a bit tight for him. He’s jumped well at home and we wouldn’t be trying him in this type of race if we didn’t think he’d be able to float in them. It’s a very good race but I’m sure we’ll see improvement from him. From a win point of view this assignment looks borderline impossible but I think he’ll run respectably. He’s a nice horse, and is probably next year’s novice.
This looks quite a strong race but our horse definitely has a chance. It’s the first time we have tried him on much better ground which I don’t think will inconvenience him. He is in great form. Our horses weren’t in great form when he ran last time and he never got going that day. There are no excuses this time and I’m looking forward to running him. His second to Yanworth at Exeter looks very strong form now. If you ignore his last run, he’s been beaten by Yanworth and won a Listed novice nicely. He’s entered at Cheltenham so this will tell us where to go next.
Sulamani The Late is very well bred but a real baby. This is a very deep bumper but I would prefer to run him on decent ground. He will improve mentally for the run and I’ll then give him another run in a month’s time. He’s definitely got ability but he’s been childish at home. He’s a typical youngster, and will be very green and improve a lot for the outing.
Abricot De l’Oasis hasn’t got a lot of weight, but there are plenty of runners and it looks a very competitive race. His form last time was solid and he stayed on well, but this is a tough test for him.
We like Starlight Court a lot. He’s next season’s novice really as it’s too late in the season to go hurdling. He’s going to be a really nice horse next year.
Thinger Licht runs in the second race on the card at Fontwell. I think he has a great chance. He bumped into a good horse at Market Rasen last time out and the ground was a bit dead for him that day. The days are now drawing out and the ground’s getting a bit better which will suit him. Take the winner out of the race last time and we’ve won very easily. I do think there’s still some room for manoeuvre in his handicap mark, this looks like a good opportunity and I think he’ll go very close.
Tipperairy is a real baby but has been getting better with each run. He was still beaten a fair way at Towcester last time but was definitely getting the hang of things. Realistically though I think he will be even better over fences in time.
Herons Heir won last time but there is definitely still room in his handicap mark for another win. Whether this will be the one it’s hard to say but we think he’ll go well. He’s been ready for about ten days waiting for the right opportunity, and this race has cut up quite nicely.
Free Stone Hill is a really nice horse but he’s very much next year’s jumper though. Having said that, the form of his Irish bumper second reads quite nicely in the context of this race. He’ll stay well, he’s got experience and he’s got age on most of the runners. He will definitely go close.
Arthamint was a bit keen last time at Plumpton early on, and that run will have taken the freshness out of him. This race doesn’t look too tough so if he settles in the first mile he should have a chance to put another one by his name. He’s a horse who has been placed many times and won a couple, and it would be great to get another win, but if he doesn’t I’m sure he’ll run well anyway.
We run a nice mare in the bumper called Bella Girino. She carries no weight in this race as she’s a four year old, a filly and Bridget Andrews rides and takes 5lbs off her back too. She’s well-bred being by Yeats out of Dancingwithbubbles. Whereas with most bumpers you will face horses with experience, this is a newcomers’ bumper so they are running for the first time. We are all on a level playing field and I think that, coupled with the fact that she has no weight, gives us a reasonable chance. She’s certainly going nicely at home.
Cheltenham
In terms of Cheltenham plans, everything is shaping up nicely. It looks like we’ll run Mister Miyagi and North Hill Harvey in the Supreme. Stephanie Frances will run in the Mares Hurdle and Willow’s Saviour will go in the novices’ handicap chase.
On the Wednesday we have Its’afreebee in the Neptune and possibly Welsh Shadow depending on how he gets on at Kempton. Long House Hall goes for the Coral Cup, Kasakh Noir is on target for the Fred Winter and Ashoka could go too. This has been the plan for Kasakh Noir since he got beat at Newbury. Work In Progress is in the Coral Cup, the Neptune Hurdle and the Conditional Hurdle on Friday but we haven’t decided where he goes yet.
Thursday is a big day with Al Ferof in the Ryanair, and Sir Mangan and Three Musketeers both running in the Pertemps and the JLT respectively.
On Friday Superby Story goes in the County Hurdle, with Workbench and Savello in the Grand Annual, and a few options in the Martin Pipe Conditional Hurdle.
