Connell backing Bello for bold Thyestes showing

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Owner-trainer Barry Connell believes “all the boxes are ticked” for Espanito Bello ahead of his bid for glory in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.

The nine-year-old has mixed it between fences and hurdles over the past couple of years, but it is over the larger obstacles where he has shown his best form – notably finishing second to Coko Beach in a Grade Two novice chase in 2021 before finishing down the field in the Irish Grand National.

Last time out he was fifth in a two-mile-six-furlong hurdle race, meaning Thursday’s contest represents a return to fences as well as a step back up in trip to three miles and a furlong.

Espanito Bello is likely to be suited by the soft going at Gowran and with confidence seemingly high, he has attracted significant support ahead of Thursday’s €100,000 feature.

“He’s in good form. He had a very good novice season and was second in a Grade Two, but he’s been lightly raced since so he’s come down the handicap ratings,” said Connell.

“He’s in good form and we expect a big run from him on Thursday.

“Soft ground is what he wants, he needs heavy ground, even. He has a nice weight and I think all of the boxes are ticked there, so we’re looking forward to a big run.”

Owner-trainer-breeder Robert Murphy has a leading contender in Darrens Hope – a nine-year-old last seen landing the Grade Two Florida Pearl Novice Chase by a head from Minella Crooner.

With that victory registered in November, Murphy’s mare has enjoyed a freshening-up period ahead of her Thyestes bid off a weight of 10st 6lb, with Danny Mullins retaining the ride.

Darrens Hope after winning the Florida Pearl
Darrens Hope after winning the Florida Pearl (Brian Lawless/PA)

“She’s good, we jumped her on Tuesday and she jumped grand. She’s in good form, I can say that,” said Murphy.

“She’s had a good gap, we don’t run her too often because she’s getting on a small bit. We wouldn’t want to run her too often and she needed her break, but she’s grand now.

“She’s back up to three miles and the soft ground should suit her as well.

“We’ve a good jockey on board, we’d like to see her get her nose in front and we’re hopeful.”

Gordon Elliott’s nine-strong team includes two of the market principals in Pencilfulloflead and Escaria Ten – the latter a good quality stayer owned by the McNeill Family.

Escaria Ten during the Grand National
Escaria Ten during the Grand National (Mike Egerton/PA)

The nine-year-old finished eighth in last year’s Thyestes Chase on what was his seasonal reappearance before missing out in the Bobbyjo Chase by just a nose, after which he came home ninth in the Grand National at Aintree.

He got the current campaign under way in a Listed Thurles Chase on December 1 and was far from disgraced in finishing a two-length second to Joseph O’Brien’s Darasso.

The Welsh Grand National was vetoed in favour of another Thyestes tilt, despite the fact Escaria Ten will carry top weight of 11st 12lb in the hands of Adrian Heskin.

“He hopefully has a nice chance, he’s had his prep race this year,” said Iain Turner, racing manager to the owners.

“He ran well at Thurles and everything has gone fine, it’s just going to be very difficult carrying top weight. It’s not often you wish Willie (Mullins) had one in the race, but I really wish he had Franco De Port in there as it would have kept the weights down 6lb!

“He goes there with a good chance. It will be difficult carrying that weight but there’s not much we can do about it.

“With him the softer the ground, the better. Last year we went for his first run of the season and he needed it, he’s had his run this time and then it was a choice between the Welsh National and the Thyestes. We’ve made the decision and fingers crossed it all goes well.

“Max (McNeill, owner) is in the final few days of his winter holiday and is flying straight to Ireland from sunnier climes for his first ever trip to Gowran, let’s hope it isn’t an unwarranted extension to his holiday!”

Elliott Is also represented by Braeside, Coko Beach, Defi Bleu, Dunboyne, Fakiera, Frontal Assault and Punitive.

Willie Mullins could saddle up to five runners, with Captain Kangaroo, Carefully Selected, Egality Mans all guaranteed a run in the top 18, while Rambranlt’jac and Stones And Roses are on the reserve list.

Altior ‘stable but critical’ after colic surgery

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Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Altior is reported to be in a stable but critical condition after suffering a severe bout of colic.

A true jump racing great, Altior won 19 races in a row for Nicky Henderson, including the 2018 and 2019 Champion Chase, on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.

He was retired in 2021 aged 11, bowing out having won 21 of his 26 career starts, including 10 Grade One races and four victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior has since spent his retirement with former jockey Mick Fitzgerald, but Henderson has revealed his one-time stable star is now fighting for his life in hospital.

Nicky Henderson with Altior at Seven Barrows
Nicky Henderson with Altior at Seven Barrows (David Davies/PA)

“Unfortunately we have a problem with Altior after it was discovered on Saturday morning that he was suffering from a severe bout of colic,” the Seven Barrows handler said in his Unibet blog.

“As a consequence, he was taken to the equine hospital very, very quickly where he had to undergo a four-hour operation to remove a considerable amount of his intestine. It was a big operation and not straightforward

“On Sunday morning, he was still extremely uncomfortable so had to undergo further surgery due to complications. There is some reasonably positive news in the fact that this morning he is stable, but still critical.

“Pat Pugh (owner) has been to see him on several occasions and he is currently in extremely good hands with all of the team at Donnington Valley. It’s a terrible shame because he deserves a long and happy retirement and was really enjoying life at Chloe and Mick Fitzgerald’s.

“It’s been extremely tough, and no horse deserves this, especially dear Altior who gave so much pleasure to everyone on the track.

“In an ironic twist, we welcomed his gorgeous four-year-old old brother to Seven Barrows last week. He is the most handsome son of Camelot and is really pleasing us all.

“We are all praying and doing everything humanely possible to ensure he can pull through and continue living life as he should.”

Princess Zoe closing in on hurdling debut

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Group One-winning mare Princess Zoe could make her hurdling debut as soon as next week following a satisfactory schooling session on Tuesday.

Trained by Tony Mullins, the popular eight-year-old proved to be a consistent and versatile performer on the Flat, with highlights including a top-level success in the 2020 running of the Prix du Cadran, a Sagaro Stakes victory last year and a silver medal behind Subjectivist in the 2021 Ascot Gold Cup.

Retired from duties on the level following a fourth placed finish in the Prix Royal-Oak in October, Princess Zoe was sent to the Tattersalls Mares Sale in December – but having failed to raise what connections were expecting, Patrick Kehoe and Philomena Crampton’s high-class mare returned to Mullins, with a possible switch to the jumping game mooted.

That tentative plan is now set to become a reality, with Punchestown’s Join The Punchestown Members Club Mares Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles on January 30 a possible starting point as connections bid to discover whether a trip to the Cheltenham Festival is a realistic target.

Princess Zoe ridden by Joey Sheridan (right) winning the Longines Sagaro Stakes on Royal Ascot Trials Day
Princess Zoe ridden by Joey Sheridan (right) winning the Longines Sagaro Stakes on Royal Ascot Trials Day (John Walton/PA)

“She schooled well and we were quite happy with her,” said Mullins.

“We will see how she is and we’re considering Punchestown next Monday and we’re also looking at options at Fairyhouse (February 8) and Thurles (February 9) as well. But she schooled adequately and we’re quite happy that she is well able to jump.

“She will be out sooner rather than later because the only reason she is going hurdling is with a view to Cheltenham.”

He went on: “I think we’re leaning towards going there (Cheltenham) with just the one run.

2020 Galway Summer Festival – Day Six – Galway Racecourse
Trainer Tony Mullins after Princess Zoe wins the Galway Shopping Centre Handicap during day six of the 2020 Galway Festival (PA)

“The Johnstown Hurdle (at Naas) is an option on February 26, but it’s quite tight for Cheltenham. It’s different for those in England, but we have to travel as well, so having a run within 21 days of her prime target is not ideal I don’t think.”

Although handed an entry for the Albert Bartlett over three miles at the Festival, Mullins believes Princess Zoe’s class will see her prove versatile over obstacles and he would have no hesitation running over an extended two miles in the Mares’ Novices Hurdle – a race for which she is a best price of 25-1 with Unibet.

He added: “There’s nothing dyed in the wool, but having won a Prix du Cadran over two-and-a-half the three miles of the Albert Bartlett wouldn’t be a worry – and having won a Listed race over a mile and a half, I’m not worried about the Mares’ Novice either.

“Early on the Albert Bartlett looked the weaker of the three novice hurdles and I just wasn’t against it, so we gave her an entry. We’re keeping our options open.”

Following her ultra-successful Flat career, Princess Zoe is finally getting the chance to do what she was originally bought for by her National Hunt loving owners – despite some trepidation from the trainer.

“The owners are staunch National Hunt fans and I’ve gone along with it, but I’m quite worried about a Group One winner jumping hurdles,” said Mullins.

“I’m not against it but it wasn’t my call, I wouldn’t do it myself.

“That’s what she was originally bought for (jumping), but she’s a Group One, Group Three and Listed winner on the Flat. The owners would like to go jumping if there was a chance she would make Cheltenham, so we will give it a go.”

Filey Bay tops Betfair Hurdle market with Gaelic Warrior scratched

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Filey Bay is the new 3-1 favourite for the Betfair Hurdle with the sponsors  after Gaelic Warrior was taken out of the Newbury showpiece at the latest confirmation stage.

Bought by JP McManus having won at Doncaster and Wincanton so far this season, the seven-year-old was promoted to favouritism in the absence of the Willie Mullins-trained Gaelic Warrior.

Filey Bay is trained by Mullins’ nephew, Emmet, already a Grand National-winning trainer through Noble Yeats and he will be looking to add another notable race to his CV on February 11.

Emmet Mullins is no stranger to big-race glory
Emmet Mullins is no stranger to big-race glory (Brian Lawless/PA)

“The plan is to run him. He had a tough week with two runs in five days, but he looks good at the moment and I’m very happy with him,” said Emmet Mullins.

“He’s versatile ground wise and I would not be worried about the going.”

In Gaelic Warrior’s absence Willie Mullins could rely on Icare Allen, also owned by McManus.

The leading owner could be well represented as Jonjo O’Neill’s Petit Tonnerre and Nicky Henderson’s No Ordinary Joe could also carry his famous green and gold colours.

Paul Nicholls has won the race twice before with Zarkandar in 2012 and Pic D’Orhy in 2020 and looks like being well represented too.

He said: “Iceo could run. If the ground is good, I could run Rubaud and Hacker Des Places, who may have a race at the weekend, could also make it to Newbury.

“Timeforatune is another possibility at this stage. It’s a bit early to say which will run but I will definitely have a couple of runners.”

Harry Fry’s Gin Coco and last year’s winner Glory And Fortune are others among the 42 left in.

Sandy Thomson on weather watch with War Soldier

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Sandy Thomson does not want to suffer a case of Deja Vu as he bids to get a run into promising hurdler War Soldier this weekend.

A late abandonment at Haydock forced the Berwickshire handler to do an about-turn last weekend with Empire Steel and he has therefore made a double engagement for War Soldier on Saturday.

War Soldier will run in  either the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster or the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, both Grade Twos, following wins at Newcastle and Haydock this season.

Thomson said: “I’m slightly concerned about the ground at Doncaster, which might get pretty quick and horrible.

“So, we may end up going to Cheltenham, and then I hear they are not out of the woods with the weather. It is ridiculous. I was speaking to someone today and they were minus-7C – and we’re plus 10C.”

Though War Soldier holds an entry in the Grade One Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival meeting on March 15, that is not his prime target, according to his handler.

Thomson added: “He is a nice horse and the problem is, what do you do with these horses who win a couple?

“We want to run him this weekend, because the Premier Hurdle at Kelso is obviously where we want to be.

“That will be next, I presume. I know he he has an entry at Cheltenham, but that’s unlikely to happen unless he was to skate up on Saturday. We need to run him.”

Empire Steel, who missed the chance to run in the Peter Marsh Chase on Saturday, will now head to Sandown for the Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase on Saturday week.

“We hummed and hawed about putting him in at Cheltenham, but he’ll have to go to Sandown the following week for that £50,000 handicap chase.”

Doctor Bravo stars in Down Royal double for Elliott

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Doctor Bravo paid a handsome compliment to his Leopardstown conqueror Dark Raven when beating The Big Doyen in the Molson Coors Beverage Company Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal.

Peter Fahey’s The Big Doyen was sent off the 10-11 favourite to open his account over timber having finished second at both Punchestown and Fairyhouse already this season.

Having travelled sweetly throughout for Kevin Sexton, he ended up needing to pull wide in the straight to make his challenge while Davy Russell stayed on the rail on Doctor Bravo (11-10), who eventually pulled two and three-quarter lengths clear.

Gordon Elliott has entered the winner in both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Ballymore at Cheltenham but intimated afterwards the latter would be more likely.

Willie Mullins’ Dark Raven, who was having his first run for 631 days when beating Doctor Bravo on St Stephen’s Day, is a possible for the Dublin Racing Festival.

“He’s a nice horse but probably wants a bit further,” said Elliott.

“Davy said he did well because it was a messy race and he kind of got stuck in a pocket. He showed a good attitude and he said the best of him was from the last to the line.”

Elliott also took the concluding bumper with the impressive 15-length winner No Time To Wait (6-4) who previously had finished third to Mullins’ Ile Atlantique at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

The winner was given a 10-1 quote by Paddy Power for the Champion Bumper in March but whether he runs there sounds debateable at present.

Elliott said: “He’s a big galloping horse. A horse for next year, a fine big horse. Look he is a horse to go jumping in the future to be honest. He won’t jump a hurdle this year, he jumps well at home but is a horse for next year.”

Gavin Cromwell has had an excellent start to 2023 – barring the news that dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter has met with a setback – and registered another winner through Limerick Lace in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase.

The JP McManus-owned mare was sent off the 8-11 favourite and had little trouble in seeing off Irish Blaze by eight lengths.

“I’m pleased with that and it is grand to get her to win one,” said Cromwell.

“I’m not sure where we go from here to be honest. I suppose you would love to pick up a bit of black-type along the way.

“Yes, potentially (there is a nice handicap in her) and she will stay further.”

The Gradual Slope (7-2) set up a trip to the Dublin Racing Festival with a narrow win over Marelly in the Franciscan Well Rated Novice Hurdle.

Winning trainer Sean O’Brien said: “I was down on the track and Gordon (Elliott) said that the outside horse (Marelly) had got up! Cian (Quirke) was very confident he got up.

“He will go for the three-mile handicap at Leopardstown (Dublin Racing Festival). He’ll obviously get in just right. Three miles is a bit of an unknown for him, but it is definitely worth a crack.”

Also on the card, the 14-year-old Wee Small Hours (6-1) won for the first time over fences and for the first time since January 2018 in the Aspall Handicap Chase.

Henry Daly happy to bypass Festival options with Blenkinsop

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Henry Daly will not send Blenkinsop to the Cheltenham Festival, even if he completes a five-timer at the track on Saturday.

The six-year-old has rattled up a sequence of four victories this season since stepping up in distance and his handicap mark has rocketed 27lb since his winning spree started at Ludlow in November.

Following his latest success at Newbury, he tackles Grade Two company for the first time in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on a bumper nine-race card.

“We keep trying to run him and they keep saying ridiculous things like ‘Ascot is off’ and things like that!” quipped the Stanton Lacy-based trainer. “It has been very frustrating.”

Now on a mark of 131, the son of Westerner will tackle Graded company for the first time.

Daly said: “We could wait and go to Ascot, where there is a handicap at their next meeting, but actually he’s fit and well and I’ve always believed if they are fit and well, it is perhaps better to run them on a racecourse than have them charging up and down my gallop. Generally, you only win a Mars Bar here.”

Plans for Blenkinsop are fluid, although a return to Prestbury Park for the March Festival have been shelved, as the handler believes there are other avenues to explore.

“We will see how we go, but I’ve not entered him at Cheltenham,” he added. “The track is not a problem. I just don’t think we need to be doing that.

“It is the Cheltenham thing, it doesn’t really grab me much. The trouble with Cheltenham, it has become less about the prize money and more about Cheltenham.

“Horses can have a very hard time there, as well.”

Lingfield cancellation leaves Bailey to puzzle out Gold run

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Kim Bailey is facing a puzzle over what to do next with Two For Gold following the abandonment of Lingfield’s Fleur De Lys Chase.

The 10-year-old was all set to defend his crown in the Winter Million weekend feature before the race was lost to the recent cold snap, but Bailey now finds himself short of options.

Two For Gold followed up last year’s victory at Lingfield by giving Fakir D’oudairies a fright when second in the Betfair Ascot Chase and that contest is in Bailey’s mind once again.

However, the Grade One event on February 18 is also the intended target of stablemate First Flow, with the Thorndale Farm handler unsure whether to let both of his star chasers take their chances.

David Bass riding Two For Gold (left) on their way to winning the Fleur De Lys Chase during day three of The Winter Million Festival at Lingfield Park last year
David Bass riding Two For Gold (left) on their way to winning the Fleur De Lys Chase during day three of The Winter Million Festival at Lingfield Park last year (Steven Paston/PA)

“Ascot is definitely in the equation, but the trouble is I have also got First Flow in the race,” said Bailey.

“In a perfect world they wouldn’t be meeting, but it’s not a perfect world unfortunately.

“This has been First Flow’s intention since the Peterborough Chase so it is a tricky one really, but we can’t do anything about it.

“It’s quite difficult because Two For Gold wants soft ground, three miles is his max and he’s quite high in the handicap. There is a handicap at Ascot the same day, but whether that is where he wants to be going, I don’t know. There are few and far between races for him.”

Bailey is also pondering his options for crack novice hurdler Chianti Classico, who has racked up three victories on the bounce since tackling obstacles this term.

He has been given an entry for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, but an appearance at Prestbury Park looks unlikely with his handler stating a preference to stick to handicaps off his current mark of 133.

“He is having a bit of a break at the moment and comes back into training this weekend.” continued Bailey.

“He has an entry at Cheltenham (Albert Bartlett), but I don’t think he’ll take it.

“I think he falls in the category of not quite being good enough for Cheltenham and having a rating of 133. It’s a prime case of these early closing races where you make the entry on behalf the owners and it ends up probably being a complete waste of money.

“For a horse like him, he probably has to be in there and given the entry, but I don’t think we’ll be going there and he will end up running in a handicap off 133 somewhere instead.

“He will run at some point in February, but if he does that he won’t be going to Cheltenham as it takes him around six weeks to get over his races.”

He went on: “Now they have brought in the qualification rule where novices have to have four runs, races like the Coral Cup which would have been a potential option are now out of the question.

“This year with the dry autumn and then losing so much racing, it has been very hard to try to get four runs into a novice with the view of going to Cheltenham.”

McConnell mapping Cheltenham Mission for Mahler

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John McConnell’s Mahler Mission has the Cheltenham Festival in his sights after an impressive Navan success.

The seven-year-old was a high-quality hurdler and made the transition to chasing this season, starting off at Cheltenham before finishing third in a Punchestown contest on New Year’s Eve.

At Navan on Saturday he lined up for a three-mile beginners’ chase and demonstrated his potential when jumping fluently and sauntering to an unchallenged 10-length victory under Ben Harvey.

“We were delighted but we weren’t surprised. We thought he’d come forward from his run at Punchestown last time and we rode him a bit more confidently this time and it paid off,” said McConnell.

“I suppose it was only a beginners’ chase at the end of the day, so we can’t get too excited or carried away, but it was a good performance.

“He jumped very well, he picked up from the back of the third last and he won well. He didn’t have a hard race and we were really happy with him.”

The National Hunt Chase, a three-mile-six-furlong affair at the Cheltenham Festival in March, is the likely target now, with McConnell undecided as to whether the gelding will have another outing in the meantime.

“I would say we’ll go for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, I think he’s entitled to go,” he said.

“I don’t know what mark he’s got yet in the UK, but I’m sure it’ll be high enough. Whether he’ll have a run beforehand, I’m not sure, I’d say that’s it’s probably less than a 50 per cent chance.

“He stays very well, the trip won’t be an issue at all. He jumps well, he’s jumped around Cheltenham before so that box is ticked there. He could go for a Grade Two in a couple of weeks here but we’ll see, we’ll bask in the victory a bit longer!”

Noble Yeats team anticipating ‘proper race’ in Cotswold heat

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Sean Bowen believes the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase will inform connections of exactly where they stand with Noble Yeats.

Bowen, second in the championship standings behind Brian Hughes, picked up the ride one Emmet Mullins’ stable star after Sam Waley-Cohen quit in fairytale circumstances following his Grand National last April.

Unbeaten in two races together, a Listed event at Wexford and the Grade Two Many Clouds at Aintree, Noble Yeats and Bowen face genuine Gold Cup quality opposition this weekend with Betfair Chase winner Protektorat and a previous King George winner in Frodon in opposition.

“It will be the first time I’ve sat on him since Aintree and I’m looking forward to it,” said Bowen.

“I’ve not heard too much from Emmet as he likes to keep himself to himself, but if he is going for a race like this, I put full faith in Emmet getting him right for the day.

“I think he is one of those horses that never overdoes anything. I suppose at Wexford he did what he needed to, and with a horse like that, you never really know how much they have got left in the locker until they have a proper fight on their hands.

“I suppose Saturday will show us how good he really is as he will be having a proper race there. To be honest he probably does need to take another step forward, but again I think he is capable of that given how he never overdoes things.

“He is a very straightforward ride and he doesn’t do much until you ask him. Hopefully there is plenty left in the locker when I need it on Saturday.”

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen (left), his father Robert Waley-Cohen (right) and trainer Emmet Mullins
Ex-Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen (left), his father Robert Waley-Cohen (right) and trainer Emmet Mullins (Brian Lawless/PA)

Speaking of the circumstances regarding getting the ride, Bowen added: “I’m in a very lucky position. It’s hard when you are freelance to find a horse that takes you to the next level.

“I’m very grateful to Robert (Waley-Cohen, owner), Sam and Emmet for giving me this chance.”