Chaldean none the worse for Newbury and on course for Newmarket

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Chaldean is still on course for the Qipco 2000 Guineas despite his unfortunate mishap when unseating Frankie Dettori coming out of the stalls at Newbury on Saturday.

The Frankel colt was a warm favourite to emulate his sire, who won the Greenham Stakes in 2011 on his way to success in the first Classic of the season at Newmarket.

However, he received a bump from Streets Of Gold when leaving the starting gates. Dettori lost an iron as a result and as Chaldean veered left, his rider was left on the turf.

The riderless Chaldean, who had won his four previous starts, enjoyed himself out in front in the seven-furlong contest, which was eventually won by Isaac Shelby.

Bookmakers kept the Juddmonte-owned Chaldean at a general 5-1 for the Guineas on May 6, and trainer Andrew Balding reported he has taken his unfortunate mishap well.

“He’s fine,” said the Kingsclere handler. “None the worse for his little saunter down the track. He had a great time, hardly lost any weight.

“It was an unconventional dress rehearsal, but there we are – it is what it is.”

Classic contender Epictetus goes on trial at Epsom

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Epictetus bids to stamp himself as a live Derby prospect when he tackles five opponents in the Weatherbys Digital Solutions Blue Riband Trial at Epsom.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Kingman colt was last seen chasing home Classic favourite Auguste Rodin in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October.

Though beaten three and a half lengths on heavy ground over the mile trip, Thady Gosden feels both the step up to 10 furlongs and better ground on the Downs will play to his strengths.

“He ran well to be second in the Vertem Futurity at the back end of last year,” he said of the George Strawbridge-owned colt, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori.

“Obviously, he is a well-bred colt and I don’t think the step up to a mile and two (furlongs) should be a problem for him.

“He won his maiden on the July course at Newmarket nicely and then was a little unlucky not to win the Autumn Stakes on the Rowley Mile, when he was beaten a neck (to subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Silver Knott), and the deep ground was not in his favour at Doncaster.

“While Epsom is a totally different track to Doncaster, he is a well-balanced colt.

“He has been pleasing at home, but obviously this is his first run of the year, so he will come on for it.”

Jeff Smith’s famous purple silks will be carried by Oisin Murphy aboard Stormbuster, who beat Godolphin’s Highbank by five lengths at Newbury, before racing alone and finishing last of eight in the Futurity.

Trainer Andrew Balding was not about to make any excuses for the Dubawi colt’s surprising reverse.

He said: “I don’t know whether it was the ground. It was a funny race. We were over the far side racing on our own and obviously it was a disappointing run and he was beaten a long way.

“He has got to step up on that to get back to his best, but he is a horse we have always liked and the extra distance should be to his liking, hopefully.

“He’s been working nicely and looks a nice horse for the year. Obviously, the horse that was second that day (Epictetus), looks potentially a very smart horse, so sets a high level to aim at, but we are fit and well, and hopefully he’ll run well.

“He ran well at Newbury previously and he’s an able horse. If you can forget the last run, we’d be hoping he’d go close.

“He seems well balanced. You never know how he will handle the track until you try.”

Intricacy, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, was declared a non-runner on Tuesday morning on account of the testing ground.

Bravemansgame given go-ahead for Punchestown on Wednesday

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Bravemansgame has been given clearance to run in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday with Bryan Drew confirmed as the sole owner.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding, most recently seen finishing second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup to Galopin Des Champs, who he is due to meet again, was previously under the joint-ownership of Drew and John Dance.

Dance founded Vertem Asset Management, a prominent sponsor within racing, but that firm is one of three trading names of WealthTek LLP, which was ordered to cease trading by the Financial Conduct Authority due to “serious regulatory and operational issues coming to light”.

As a result Bravemansgame was prevented via a court order from running at Aintree, but Dance’s share has now been sold to Drew and he is able to run again.

A statement from the British Horseracing Authority read: “The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today informed the British Horseracing Authority that it has agreed to the sale, following an independent valuation, of Mr Dance’s 50 per cent share of Bravemansgame. The gelding was previously owned in partnership by John Dance and Bryan Drew, and has now been sold into the sole ownership of Bryan Drew.

“As a result Bravemansgame is now able to be declared for races, including the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at Punchestown on Wednesday.

“The BHA remains in dialogue with the FCA and Mr Dance regarding the status of Mr Dance’s other horses.”

Nicholls can now look forward to getting Bravemansgame back in action, with the extra time from Cheltenham seen as a positive.

“We schooled Bravemansgame this morning and he was good. He’s fresh and well and we’re looking forward to travelling,” said the champion trainer.

Harry Cobden celebrates with Bravemansgame
Harry Cobden celebrates with Bravemansgame (John Walton/PA)

“He appeared to recover quickly from Cheltenham, but I think the extra 12 days will have done him good from when we had planned to run at Aintree. A lot of our horses are in really good form at the moment so it will have done him good.

“As long as you have the right horses, Punchestown is worth going to and it’s been good for us since Sporazene and Le Roi Miguel.

“Bravemansgame has never been away overnight before. It’s his first time travelling to run so hopefully he takes to that OK. Shantou Flyer is travelling to keep him company. They will stay at Punchestown and hopefully they settle down well. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Galopin Des Champs, meanwhile, is reported in top shape by Willie Mullins – who remains full of praise for Paul Townend’s ride at Cheltenham.

“Over the third-last, Paul had him back, collected and balanced in about three strides and I said ‘wow, he’s confident’.

Galopin Des Champs (left) and Bravemansgame clash again
Galopin Des Champs (left) and Bravemansgame clash again (Steve Paston/PA)

“He just pulled him together, you see him waiting to get around the bend and find a clear path. I hoped we had enough in the tank and the way it worked, he was very cool when he needed to be.

“He’s come out of Cheltenham well, we’re very happy with him.

Ryanair Chase hero Envoi Allen takes his chance for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, with Shark Hanlon’s Gold Cup faller Hewick also in the mix after side-stepping the Grand National.

Gordon Elliott’s Fury Road parted ways with rider Jonjo O’Neill jr at the second in the Grand National and has been rerouted to Punchestown as a result, with Martin Brassil’s Ultima runner-up Fastorslow completing the field of six.

In the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle there are a host of horses who finished the runner-up last time out, with Noel Meade’s Albert Bartlett second Affordale Fury and Mullins’ Ballymore second Gaelic Warrior both entered.

Donald McCain’s Maximilian brings Aintree form to the table as he was most recently seen coming home second to Apple Away in the Sefton at the Grand National meeting.

The Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero is back in action in A Dream To Share, for John Kiely in the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race.

It’s For Me, fifth in the Cheltenham race, is down to run for Mullins, as are unbeaten prospects Ballyburn and Tullyhill – with each horse having won a bumper and a point-to-point to date.

Harrington readying Flat team as season kicks into gear

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Jessica Harrington is readying a team of Flat horses for the turf season that is just beginning to gain pace.

Nearing the end of treatment for breast cancer, Harrington is very much looking forward as plans are made for her 2023 cohort.

Harrington had a successful 2022, with Magical Lagoon winning both the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Irish Oaks.

Trevaunance was a continental success story and landed both the Prix de Psyche and Prix de la Nonette at Deauville before finishing eighth in the Prix de l’Opera at ParisLongchamp.

More Group One outings are planned for this season, as Harrington said: “She was a great servant last year in Deauville, she won a Group Three and a Group Two and wasn’t disgraced in the Group One Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp.

“She is going to start off in the Mooresbridge at the Curragh on May 1, but her main aim for the first half of the season is going to be the Pretty Polly.”

Harrington is known to be one of the best producers of fillies in the sport and she has a promising string of three-year-olds who had good juvenile seasons and now have high aims for the year ahead.

Sounds Of Heaven was a maiden winner and is on the Guineas trail, as is Group One third Eternal Silence.

Of the former, Harrington said: “She was impressive when winning her maiden at Leopardstown last season. She has got very strong, we had a tiny setback with her in January time but she is 100 per cent now and heads to the Guineas trial at the beginning of May.”

Of Eternal Silence, she added: “She is still maiden but she was third in the Moyglare last year.

“She is working very nicely and we are just waiting for some nice ground with her to hopefully break her maiden tag en route to the Guineas.

“However, if the ground does not come right for her she will go straight to the Guineas.”

Harrington has two entries in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in Quar Shamar and Bold Discovery, the latter of whom was second to Aidan O’Brien’s Hans Andersen in the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown earlier this month.

The trainer said: “He had a very nice run in the Guineas trial at Leopardstown. He will go to the Curragh for the Tetrarch on May Bank Holiday weekend.”

Murphy pencilled in for Polly Pott Guineas ride

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Oisin Murphy looks set to partner Polly Pott in his bid for a first Qipco 1000 Guineas victory after putting the filly through her paces in a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Sunday morning.

The three-year-old was trained by Harry Dunlop last year and saw her stock rise drastically from the beginning to the end of her juvenile season.

In July she began a steep upward climb that saw her land four successive races, culminating in a Group Two victory in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.

The daughter of Muhaarar was then fourth in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October, finishing the campaign on a mark of 106 having been given an opening rating of 68.

Dunlop ceased training at the end of the season and Polly Pott’s owners, the Megsons, transferred her to the stable of Ben Pauling to continue her career.

Jockey Daniel Tudhope after winning the May Hill Stakes with Polly Pott
Jockey Daniel Tudhope after winning the May Hill Stakes with Polly Pott (Tim Goode/PA)

Pauling has been preparing her for a tilt at the 1000 Guineas and has three-times champion jockey Murphy pencilled in to take the ride in the first fillies’ Classic of the season.

“She had a racecourse gallop at Kempton a fortnight ago and that all went rather well,” the trainer said.

“Then she went to Newbury this morning and worked over seven (furlongs) with Oisin on, all went to plan and she seems on track and in good order for a fortnight away.

“She left Harry’s and then wintered with Georgie Nicholls, then she came to me at the beginning of January.

“She’s been very straightforward to train, she’s a lovely little filly who enjoys her job and seems to have strengthened up over the winter. She looks great and is in a good position to take her place in the Guineas.

Polly Pott at Doncaster
Polly Pott at Doncaster (Tim Goode/PA)

“Harry is very much still part of the team, he did a fabulous job with her last year and it’s important that he’s credited with the success that she’s had.”

Of riding plans, Pauling added: “At the moment he’s (Oisin) very much planning on riding, so it’s great to have him on board. He seems to really like her and was pleased with the work she’s done.”

The Guineas may be the initial target for the filly, but there is a long season beyond and hopefully plenty for connections to look forward to.

Pauling said: “We truly think she might possibly be more suited to the Oaks and there are various options. There’s no two ways about it, we’re well aware that we’re shooting for the stars but some of her form from last year was very good.

“There are plenty of others in behind her in the May Hill that are in the Guineas, we go there with our heads held high and look forward to seeing how she can perform.”

Kirby outlines Royal Ascot aim for Farhan

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Phil Kirby is eyeing an appearance at Royal Ascot for Farhan after performing above expectations at Newbury on Saturday.

The five-year-old won the 2021 November Handicap and a valuable prize at York last season for John Butler before changing hands for 150,000 guineas in October.

Following a slow start, Farhan failed to make an impact when defending his November Handicap crown on his debut for new connections, but fared far better in filling the runner-up spot as a 40-1 shot in Saturday’s Group Three Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes – better known as the John Porter.

Kirby said: “I was delighted – I thought he ran really well and hopefully he’ll come on for it.

“The plan is to go for the mile-and-a-half handicap on the Friday of Royal Ascot (Duke of Edinburgh Stakes), so I couldn’t really afford to come down in the handicap, but I might go the wrong way now!

“I was trying to find something competitive for him, as mad as it sounds, but he put up a really good show and probably didn’t need the run as much as I thought he would.”

Farhan was beaten just over two lengths by the Charlie Fellowes-trained Grand Alliance, with Max Vega a neck behind him in third.

With hot favourite Hurricane Lane failing to fire and the top-class Mojo Star suffering an injury that could be career-ending, Kirby is hoping the handicapper does not take the form too literally.

Trainer Phil Kirby
Trainer Phil Kirby (Phil Kirby Racing)

“He travelled and stayed on nicely, but I suppose we rode him to run well. We sort of took our time and tried to pick up the pieces if we could and it ended up better than we expected,” the trainer added.

“I thought it was a hot enough Group Three, but the favourite has run badly and the other horse got injured, so I don’t know what they’ll do.

“We’ll look towards Royal Ascot and I think there’s room for another run before then. There’s another Group Three back at Newbury (Al Rayyan Stakes, May 20) and there’s also a race at York for him around the same time, so he’ll probably go for one of the two.

“I don’t think he’s desperate for it soft, but I don’t think he wants quick ground – easy side of good or softer is fine.”

Matilda Picotte to take Classic chance at Newmarket

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Connections of Matilda Picotte are preparing to “roll the dice”, with Kieran Cotter’s filly set to take her chance in the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

The daughter of Sioux Nation was a consistent operator over six furlongs as a two-year-old, beaten less than two lengths behind Aidan O’Brien’s 1000 Guineas market leader Meditate and Ballydoyle stablemate Statuette in Group contests, placing in the Lowther Stakes at York and then finishing her campaign by winning the Bosra Sham at Newmarket.

She had a first try at seven furlongs on her return in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown and her performance at the Dublin track when attempting to make most in heavy ground – only to be reeled in late by O’Brien’s Never Ending Story – was enough to convince both Cotter and owners the Matilda & Kilmichael Racing Partnership to return to Newmarket on May 7.

Matilda Picotte had to settle for second behind Aidan O'Brien's Never Ending Story in the Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown
Matilda Picotte had to settle for second behind Aidan O’Brien’s Never Ending Story in the Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

“We were delighted with her run at Leopardstown and we said we would let her take her chance in the 1000 Guineas,” said Cotter.

“She has proven form on the track and I would say better ground will help her get home, so we’re going to roll the dice.

“She ran with the choke out a bit and she was taken on early at Leopardstown. But she didn’t fold up and she stuck to her guns and would have been a clear winner without Aidan’s filly in there.

“Obviously Aidan’s is a very good filly who will stay further than a mile, but we thought it was a really solid effort from Matilda Picotte and she earned the right to have a go at the Guineas.”

Although a general 40-1 shot for the opening fillies’ Classic of the season, Cotter believes the Rowley Mile suits his charge, with her vast number of travelling fans already booked in for what could be an exciting Bank Holiday weekend in Cambridgeshire.

“When Declan (McDonogh, jockey) won on her in the Bosra Sham, he said the track was tailor-made designed for her. She handles it well and that is a huge plus in her favour,” continued Cotter.

“We are all booked up and there will be a big contingent of owners and supporters coming over. Realistically to even have a runner in the Guineas and take on the superpowers is fantastic and we are really looking forward to it.”

Vaughan eager for National return with Eva’s Oskar

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Tim Vaughan is keen for Eva’s Oskar to have another crack at the Randox Grand National after Alan Johns was unseated when going well in the big race at Aintree.

The nine-year-old carried 10st 2lb and was going well when the partnership came to grief when hampered by Delta Work, who had similarly unseated at the 21st fence in the four-and-a-quarter-mile showpiece.

Vaughan is now keen to return to Aintree with Sally and Richard Prince’s gelding after the bold showing.

He said: “It was sickening really that he was off a low weight, we know he stays, we had him in the form of his life.

“I thought Alan had done a tremendous job to navigate his way to that point and done all the donkey work, then we get brought down or hampered by one of the favourites in the race – of all the horses in all the world, having come to Cheltenham here and won here twice (over the cross country course), you wouldn’t have thought would fall.

“It is just an unfortunate set of circumstances.”

The Vale of Glamorgan handler will now ponder options which include the Grand Sefton at Aintree, though he is keen to protect his official mark of 141.

Vaughan added: “Would you have finished in the first eight or 10? I thought it was a no-brainer he would have, because staying is his strength and off that weight and on that ground.

“What I do know is he took the fences brilliantly well and whether we aim now for the Sefton in December or try to keep him especially for the National, I don’t know yet – we’ll have to speak to the owners.

“But we are thrilled with him. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is nice to be back on the right tracks with the right horses and in the thick of it.

“He still looks a progressive horse. Make no mistake about it – I will try to protect his mark. That’s my job.

“Hopefully we will have another crack in it. We have a few others in the background that might blossom.”

Lezoo and Juliet Sierra set to enhance Beckett’s Guineas bid

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Saturday’s Newbury heroine Remarquee is set to be joined by stablemates Lezoo and Juliet Sierra in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket next month.

Successful in a Salisbury novice event on her sole start at two, Remarquee confirmed herself a major contender for the first fillies’ Classic of the season with an impressive comeback victory in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Stakes – better known as the Fred Darling.

And while trainer Ralph Beckett is looking forward to seeing the daughter of Kingman line up on the Rowley Mile, he also feels it would be dangerous to overlook two other fillies trained at Kimpton Down Stables who will also line up at Newmarket in a fortnight’s time.

Winning connections with Remarquee
Winning connections with Remarquee (PA)

“We’ve still got five in it (1000 Guineas). Bluestocking won’t run, she’ll go for an Oaks trial, but Juliet Sierra will go straight for the Guineas and Lezoo will go straight there as well. Lose Yourself won’t as she’s not quite ready,” Beckett told Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday programme.

Lezoo is set for a step up in trip after striking Group One gold over six furlongs in last season’s Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Her stablemate Juliet Sierra, previously successful in the Dick Poole at Salisbury, could finish only fifth in the Cheveley Park, but Beckett feels she is overpriced for the Guineas.

He added: “It’s a leap of faith on pedigree whether Lezoo will get a mile, but she’s a very relaxed filly, does nothing at home and she loves the Rowley Mile. It’s a shot to nothing. If she doesn’t stay, we’ll just go back sprinting.

“I never felt Juliet Sierra was a six-furlong filly – I always felt she won the Dick Poole against the curve in that sense.

“She was quite a free-running filly and we were always trying to get her to settle, which is why I didn’t step her up in trip, and I felt she got a bit lost two down in the Cheveley Park and then galloped out really well.

“I think she’s a big price for the Guineas at 50-1.”

While hopeful for his two bigger-priced runners, Remarquee has undoubtedly established herself as the trainer’s chief contender for Guineas glory, with Beckett anticipating further improvement.

He said: “I think she’ll have learnt a lot yesterday and I’ll probably put a sheepskin noseband on her next time, just to help her rider out.”

Energumene headlines day one at Punchestown

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Energumene looks set to be the star attraction on day one of the Punchestown Festival with the champion two-miler heading a six-strong field for the William Hill Champion Chase.

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was sensational in successfully defending his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month and will be cramped odds to do the same in County Kildare on Tuesday under Paul Townend.

Mullins also saddles the 2021 winner of this Grade One contest in Chacun Pour Soi, as well as Gentleman De Mee and Blue Lord.

Henry de Bromhead’s Magic Daze and Rebel Gold from Patrick Foley’s yard complete the line-up.

It looks set to be another dominant day for Mullins, with the champion trainer also appears to hold all the aces in the other two Grade Ones on the card.

The KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle appears to present Facile Vega with a good opportunity to get back on the winning trail after finding Marine Nationale too strong in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last month.

Diverge was third in the same race for Mullins and takes on Facile Vega again, as does his fifth-placed stablemate Il Etait Temps. Found A Fifty (Gordon Elliott) and No Looking Back (Oliver McKiernan) are the other hopefuls.

Appreciate It returns to the Naas winner's enclosure
Appreciate It returns to the Naas winner’s enclosure (Gary Carson/PA)

Five of the six runners declared for the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase hail from Closutton, with Willie Mullins saddling four and his nephew Emmet running one.

Townend has seemingly sided with Appreciate It over the Cheveley Park Stud-owned pair of Classic Getaway (Danny Mullins) and Sir Gerhard (Patrick Mullins), while Daryl Jacob partners the apparent fourth string James Du Berlais for his retaining owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Feronily represents Emmet Mullins, while Journey With Me looks a major contender for De Bromhead having been kept fresh since winning a Grade Three prize at Naas the weekend before the Cheltenham Festival.