Straight From The Trainers Mouth 12/1/13
Straight
From The Trainers Mouth
 |
| Oscara Dara |
Aidan
Coleman (jockey)
Warwick
3:35
– Flying Award 12/1
I’ve
never ridden Flying Award but I have seen him run. He stays and will handle the
ground. It is a big step up in class for him but the Classic is a specialists’ race
that is perfect for him so it is a matter simply of whether he is up to this
class or not.
I am fine
doing the weight of 10st 3lbs and although he likes to be held up, in a race
like this it should be easy enough to keep out of trouble. It’s not like there’s
a few first timers in there. Of course there will be a few that won’t jump that
well, but I’ll try to not follow them.
He’s
lightly raced for a nine-year-old and he has improved a lot over the past few
months or so. I’m told I have a good record with inexperienced chasers but I
wouldn’t read too much into that – I’m as good at riding novices as the next
jockey and it is all about being on the best horses.
1:15 - Kapga De Cerisy 5/1
Kapga De
Cerisy’s first
round over fences was very good at Ascot. He fell last time there, but that was
just one of those things. He got in a bit deep and was flat out at the time. I
know I’m gaining a reputation for hanging on but there is not much that can be
done with a fall like that!
All in
all he is a good jumper, is relatively progressive as a five-year-old and has a
chance.
2:25 Hada Man 16/1
I’m
also on Hada Men in the Pertemps Qualifier. He’d have a chance on last year’s form
and that Chepstow run in October looked like he needed a step up in trip. He
disappointed last time at Cheltenham but hopefully he will put his best foot
forward and Venetia’s (Williams) horses are running so well.
Nigel Twiston Davies
Warwick
3:00 The New One 11/10
We're
very pleased with him and hopefully he will win it. He's done nothing wrong so
far and everything should suit him, the distance, the conditions and the track.
Hopefully all goes well and then we will see where we are
3:35 Major Malarky 11/1
It
was a good performance at Sandown, but I think it looks a good race. He ran
well enough in this race last year and he's in good form again. He's been
trained for this race and one or two of the others haven't and they've had
races over long distances on soft ground, so they might not be quite as fresh
as our horse
Venetia Williams
3:35 Warwick -
Rigadin De Beauchene 6/1
Robbie
(Dunne, jockey) did a heroic job to stay put with him after he tried to
demolish the fourth-last at Newbury. He's run very well without winning this
season. He's been second a couple of times and third, but this is his first
time in this sort of a distance race, so we are taking that on trust. He's in
good form and will have a chance. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. Robbie
takes off 3lb as well, so we're hopeful
Henry Daly
3:00
Warwick – Mickie 9/1
If the handicapper is right, she should run well. We
will see
3:35
Warwick - Quentin Collonges 10/1
Three-miles-five around Warwick should suit, but the
ground is not ideal. It's going to be soft there and I would rather the ground
was a bit better.
Evan
Williams
3:00
Warwick – Hold Court 8/1
I like the horse a lot, I think the world of him and
that's why he's running in a race of this quality. I might have run him in a
handicap, but it's hard to find a race he's qualified for and I think he
deserves a place in this Graded race. The New One is obviously a nice horse but
I like JP McManus's horse (Dursey Sound) a lot as well and I think there's a
lot more to come from that one. Those top two stand out and they will be the
ones to beat.
Fergal
O'Brien
3:35
Warwick – Bradley 13/2
His form with Monbeg Dude does look good now, and he
has been solid all season apart from his last run, which we just want to put
behind us. I don't think he was himself that day, what with one or two niggles,
but if he puts his best foot forward he can run a big race. He goes on any sort
of ground and ran well at the course last year when he was second in a hunter
chase to a good horse in Monkerty Tunkerty. Paddy (Brennan) came and schooled
him on Tuesday and we've all been very happy with him.
Robin
Dickin
3:35
Restless Harry 6/1
He's in cracking order at present - the win last
time did him the world of good - and I couldn't be happier with him. We know
he'll have no problem with the distance and unless some lunatic wants to take
him on up front, he should get into a nice rhythm. It's a left-handed track so
there's plenty in his favour.
Charlie
Longsdon
3:35
Warwick – Pete The Feat 7/2
He's on a right roll at the moment. He's been a
great, fun horse this year. He's gone up 40lb in the ratings and people have
been comparing him to Hunt Ball (who improved over 70lb last term) but he's got
a long way to go to merit those kind of comparisons. He's definitely on an
upward curve and seems in good form. It is only two weeks after his last run,
but he seems well so we will take our chance. It's a massive step up in trip
and class for him but the jockey has always said he wanted this kind of
distance, so the trip is not so much of a worry. He's had a great season
already and achieved more than we thought possible so to be going there with a
favourite's chance is just a bonus. He has gone up in the weights but that is the
price you pay for winning five races. We think he seems well and hopefully he
should be in the mix.
Dan
Skelton (Paul Nicholls Assistant)
2:40
Kempton – Black Thunder 11/2
Black Thunder finished quite quickly at Haydock last
time and this race has been the intention for a while. I think he has possibly
been treated more harshly than (five-time-winning stablemate) Pete The Feat as
he's gone up 20lb for winning two races. He's now off a higher mark in a very
competitive handicap so it will be a tough task for him, but you've got to run
in these better races. He's in good form and on a roll at the moment.
Neil
Mulholland
2:40
Kempton – Buck Magic 9/1
The horse absolutely hated the ground at Cheltenham
and didn't jump that great, either, but he still won. Hopefully this good,
drying weather will continue as he'll be a better horse on better ground. He
did very well to win at Cheltenham, all things considered, and he's a horse
that should have a big future as a chaser.
Warren
Greatrex
2:40
Kempton - Oscar Prairie 16/1
We rode him with different tactics at Wincanton, he
has been prominent but he was ridden with more restraint and it seemed to work.
The handicapper hasn't put him up, and I'm claiming off him again as the jockey
has won on him and rode him last time. He's capable of running a hell of a
race, and I hope he does as I also own him,
Barry
Geraghty
Kempton
12:20
Alexandre Six SP
He’s
fallen on his last two starts in France but in fairness to him, he’d quite
likely have won on the last of them at Auteuil in October and was travelling
like a winner the run before that at Compiegne in September when he tipped up
at the last.
He’d won
his previous start on good ground and I’m certain that he’d have had some
comprehensive work done on him since he came over.
He’s got
the one 7lb penalty for winning and it could have been two more so I’ve got
good expectations of him against some interesting opposition, not least L’Unique
who beat the subsequent winner Cockney Sparrow very easily at Aintree last time
and as a filly gets 7lb off my lad.
But the
one which interests me in the newcomer Deia Sunrise who was decent on
the flat for John Gosden and beat the subsequently smart hurdler Swnymor a
short head when they met on the flat on heavy at Chester in
September, giving him 9lb. I’m well aware that you can’t take that
form literally but it’s food for thought – and the noises I’m hearing are
pretty encouraging.
12:55
Tetlami 4/9
Over
hurdles Tetlami was around 10lb superior and although Kie has the benefit of
that public experience over fences, I’m really looking forward to getting a
feel of my horse in a chase.
It’s just
transpired that I haven’t been on him when he’s schooled but I’m getting a lot
of positive feedback about how he’s been going at Seven Barrows so I’m keen to
see what he can do.
This is a
track that takes a bit of jumping but I’m very optimistic that he will be more
than up to the job.
2:05
Triangular 8/1
The last
time I rode TRIANGULAR for Tom George was in the same two and a half mile
handicap chase a year ago at this meeting when we finished second.
Although
he won in a tongue tie on his next start a couple of months later he’s been
disappointing since so I’ve got an open mind about him – although I’m aware
that Tom’s horses are in great form right now.
2:40
Oscara Dara 11/2
Bear’s
Affair won well at Aintree last time when Jerry McGrath rode him and won by ten
lengths claiming 5lb. The horse has been upped 12lb and not using his claim again
would have left him 17lb higher.
In any
case, Oscara Dara is quite handy himself and he did pretty well for me when I
rode him for the first time at Punchestown in April and he beat Malt Master
three and a half lengths on heavy.
Although
he was a close second to Cantlow on his only run since in a two mile
novice chase at Plumpton in December, he’s given the impression that he’ll
probably fulfil himself over hurdles this season.
A move up
in trip should suit too and I’ll be surprised if he’s not competitive off a
debut mark of 140.
Paul
Nicholls
12:20 Kempton - Vibrato Valtat
Won one
of his two good-ground National Hunt Flat races in the Provinces in France and
delighted me when second at Exeter on his debut for us in a bumper last month.
He looked like winning for a long way over 1m5f in heavy ground there, before
just being denied in the closing stages by a newcomer of Nick Williams. That
was decent enough bumper form - he carried a 7lb penalty there - and it
will be good to see what he can do over hurdles.
He has
been working and schooling well in preparation for this. But this could be a
very hot race. L'Unique sets a high form standard on his Aintree win,
even if the runner-up got beaten at odds-on at Catterick on Thursday, and
Nicky's French import looks very interesting, too. And newcomer Deia Sunrise
was a near 100-rated 1m2f winner on the Flat. This will take some winning.
13:30 Kempton - Buck's Bond
Always
showed a lot of potential in the point field but, to be honest, I wasn't
expecting him to win on his hurdling debut at Taunton last time as he is still
relatively raw and inexperienced. But he proved me wrong there,
travelling well throughout and holding on well close home having been in front
a shade too soon.
This is a
clear step up in class but the runner-up followed up at Chepstow on Tuesday and
I would like to hope that the 7yo, whose dam is a half-sister to a certain Big
Buck's, can build on that victory here.
13:50 Warwick - Rocky Creek
We left a
bit to work on before his reappearance, so I was more than happy with his
second to Harry Topper. And, anyway, the winner went to win a Grade 2 at
Newbury next time, so the form was clearly very smart. So he probably
didn't have to improve to win at Doncaster last time, even though he was pretty
impressive in beating Molotof by an easy four lengths.
Although
he won his point on soft ground, this is probably the most testing ground he
has experienced under Rules - his Grade 2 hurdle win at Doncaster last season
came on good to soft - and this looks a pretty competitive novice chase. So
they are concerns. But we think a fair bit of him, and we hope he can underline
his potential with a win here. Highland Lodge looks the one to beat.
14:40 Kempton - Black Thunder
Clearly
showed a lot of promise when coming from off the pace to finish second at
Haydock in November, and I think Ruby will probably admit he probably should
have won there. Unfortunately, the handicapper thought so too and saw fit to
raise him 6lb, even though the form of that race hasn't worked out that well.
But that run clearly showed we have a horse on the upgrade, and
conditions should suit here. I think he will go well, even if the handicapper
hasn't made life easy. But Harry takes a very handy 5lb off.
Donald
McCain
Kie
He's
obviously got Tetlami to beat but he's a smart little horse himself and he won
well at Musselburgh on his chasing debut. His jumping got better as the race
wore on there and he has done well at home since. This is a step up for him but
it's a valuable three-runner race and it looks the right place to come.
Son Of
Flicka
He's
slowly starting to show a bit more at home and he will be a bit happier back on
this better ground. He's not been settling this year, though, and he's got a
bit to prove at the moment.
Switched
Off
He should
have won at Market Rasen last time but I don't blame Adrian as he was only
doing what I told him - he ended up getting mugged having thought he had Peaks
Of Fire covered. Look, he's obviously tricky to win with but we just think that
running him in a better race might give him something to chase all the way up
the straight and then if he goes by, he goes by. He might not be quite good
enough but we'll try and give him every chance.
Up And Go
I
probably overfaced him when I ran him in a Grade 2 at Sandown on his hurdling
debut last month but I do think a fair bit of him and that form looks pretty
good. He's shown no ill effects from that tumble and this should be a more
realistic assignment for him. It doesn't look a bad race - there's plenty of
them and a few have won over hurdles already - but he should be well up to
making a big impact in this company.
Ballybriggan
I was
really pleased with him at Haydock on his first run for us as he kept on really
well on ground I thought might be a bit slow for him. Going chasing was always
the plan and he has done plenty of schooling at home. It's always important to
get them to enjoy their first taste of fences and a clear round is the priority
- that said , he hasn't got much to find in a race like this if he transfers
his hurdling form and the slightly better ground won't be a problem.
Dunowen
Point
I was
pleasantly surprised when he won at Sedgefield as all his form in his early
days was on a sounder surface. He's got a higher chase mark to contend with but
he's fit and well and is probably a better chaser in any case - or he certainly
looked like he would be back in 2012. This doesn't look a particularly strong
race for the money on offer and he's got to have a very solid chance.
Ubaltique
He's
probably been a bit unlucky on his last two starts and is well up to winning
races like this now he has found his level. Again, it doesn't look a
particularly competitive handicap, he should enjoy the conditions and it would
be disappointing if he weren't involved at the finish.
Gulfport
She
hasn't shown much at home and although she might turn out okay in the long
term, I would be surprised if she were good enough here.
Hollow
Tree
I thought
he kept on really well at Haydock in the end - it looked like he was going to
drop away at one stage but he stuck to the task. He's obviously got plenty of
weight due to his efforts last year but if he stays this longer trip, it will
open up a few more options for him. It also qualifies him for the Pertemps
Final at Cheltenham and that could be on his agenda with a good run. It's a
competitive race and there will probably be something better handicapped but
he's as tough as they come and won't fail for lack of effort.
Gordon
Elliot
13.35 Punchestown - Karinga Queen, Dont Back Down
Karinga
Queen was a good fourth of 11 runners in a handicap chase won by Tarquinius at
Fairyhouse last time out and I'm pretty pleased with that performance as she
had been a bit behind in training. She'll probably come on for the run here but
Davy (O'Leary) claims 7lbs which should be useful and she has reasonable each-way
claims. Dont Back Down looks badly handicapped with topweight but he's in good
form at home so we'll let him take his chances. The trip should suit and I hope
he runs a nice race but as I say, he looks badly handicapped so he won't have
it all his own way.
14.10 Punchestown - Flaxen Flare
I was
delighted with his win at Leopardstown in his first run for our yard recently
and he looks promising enough having won a flat handicap for Andrew Balding
back in October. Willie Mullins has a very strong hand here with Diakali
and Dogora but our lad is open to improvement and he definitely won't be too
far off.
15.20 Punchestown - Torn Asunder
He's a
nice big horse and has been going well over hurdles lately with a good win last
time out in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal. This is his first handicap so we'll
have to see how he handles it but I think his mark is ok at the moment and I'm
expecting another big run. It's competitive enough and we are taking
nothing for granted but he's entitled to his place at the top of the market.
15.50 Punchestown - Shrapnel
He's a
quirky enough horse but he's been going very well for us and has now won two
out of two since coming over to our yard so I've certainly no complaints. He
found plenty at Fairyhouse last time which was great and he seems to be improving
all the time so I'm expecting him to run a nice race here. Again, Willie
Mullins holds a strong hand but our lad will like the trip and we are in with a
solid chance.
Oliver
Sherwood
12:30
Wetherby - Many Clouds 7/4
makes the trip up to Wetherby for the EBF qualifier.
Lots of runners but a lot of dead wood in the race and there only looks to be a
handful to beat. We like Many Clouds a lot and we hope that he will take all
the beating today.
Comments
Post a Comment