It’s For Me states Cheltenham claims with Navan romp

/by

It’s For Me shot to the head of the betting for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham with an impressive victory at Navan on Saturday.

Making his debut for trainer Willie Mullins, It’s For Me was sent off the 4-9 favourite for the Racing Again February 12th (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race after winning his only point-to-point start last year.

Ridden by the handler’s son Patrick, the five-year-old travelled supremely well throughout and was cantering in behind before taking control around two furlongs out.

Mullins only had to push him out to come home 10 lengths clear of Suttons Hill and Paddy Power installed him as the 5-1 favourite for the Cheltenham bumper, before further cutting him to 4s.

Patrick Mullins said: “He’s much better on the track than he is at home, at home he doesn’t flash.

“Looking at the price he went off in his point-to-point, it was obviously a similar story there. He’s much better on grass.

“That was very impressive. He was a bit keen all the way but he quickened up very well.

“That was as good as anything that has been seen this year.

“When you don’t have one of Gordon Elliott’s in there to maybe have a measure, it’s a bit easier.

“The bumper horses seem to be hitting top gear now, they were a bit hit and miss before Christmas.”

When asked if the Champion Bumper was tomorrow, would he ride him, Mullins added: “I don’t know what I’m going to ride there.”

Shanbally Kid initiated a Mullins double
Shanbally Kid initiated a Mullins double (Gary Carson/PA)

The Closutton team had earlier been on the mark with Shanbally Kid (11-10 favourite) in the Buy Your Navan 2023 Membership Maiden Hurdle.

He let down his supporters when only fourth on his hurdles bow but made amends with a length-and-three-quarter verdict over Monty’s Star in the hands of Paul Townend.

“It took me a while to get him jumping to be honest,” said the winning rider.

“I was probably there a bit soon on him as he didn’t do a whole lot when he hit the front, but I was always holding them behind me.

“He’s still quite a raw individual. I kind of settled the race really quickly and then he was just doing enough. I’d say there is a bit more in the tank.

“The further he went, the better he jumped, he’ll be fine and should progress again. You’d be going out in trip with him rather than back, I’d think.”

Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue were also in double form via Path D’Oroux and Pure Sirloin.

Path D’Oroux (3-1) ran out a cosy winner of the Welcome Back To Navan Racecourse Rated Novice Hurdle, in which three of the key players failed to finish.

“I know there were fallers but he won the race in a nice manner,” said Cromwell.

“He travels lovely every day, even in the Royal Bond he travelled very well but he cut out in a matter of 50 yards.

“He ran a lot better in Leopardstown the last day and hopefully he’s on the way back.

“The ground is no bother to him as he’s a big strong horse and he has plenty of gears too.

“I suppose the owners would like to go to Cheltenham for something, so we might look at one of the handicaps.”

Pure Sirloin completed the Cromwell-Donoghue double
Pure Sirloin completed the Cromwell-Donoghue double (Gary Carson/PA)

Pure Sirloin (7-1) has less lofty targets after his win in the Ardmulchan Handicap Hurdle.

Cromwell added: “He would want to learn to jump better but he was good over the last two which got him out of jail.”

“He made plenty of mistakes and Keith gave him a smashing ride to land him there. He’s a work in progress and we’ll look for something similar again.”

Mahler Mission (100-30) was cut from 33-1 to 12s by Betfair for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham after coasting home by 10 lengths in the Wilkinstown Beginners Chase.

Mahler Mission returns to the winner's enclosure
Mahler Mission returns to the winner’s enclosure (Gary Carson/PA)

Winning trainer John McConnell said: “We put him in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham this week and we’ll certainly look at it, you wouldn’t be averse to going after that.

“He’s going to get a big enough mark, so we’re going to be restricted where we can go but in a good way.

“I was bottling it last night, thinking of taking him out, and looking at other alternatives. There is nothing in Ireland though bar a couple of Grade Twos. We could do that or could go straight to Cheltenham.

“All the big handicap chases are on the agenda as well, there are a lot in the UK worth a lot of money. There are loads of options with him, he’s only a young horse.”

Al Agaila edges victory in Winter Oaks thriller

/by

Al Agaila brought up a hat-trick when shading a thrilling finish to the talkSPORT Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield.

The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly made a successful step up to 10 furlongs in the Winter Oaks Trial in December and was sent off the 10-11 favourite to land the feature on the Saturday of the track’s Winter Million weekend.

Settled in fourth by James Doyle, the Classic-winning rider was in no rush to make any significant move in the early stages and then began to squeeze his mount forward as the eight-strong field approached the home turn.

Angled wide, the daughter of Lope De Vega soon breezed into a position to strike, but as the runners straightened for the closing stages, Al Agaila was joined by the William Haggas-trained Morgan Fairy and Harry Eustace’s Makinmedoit – with the three fillies soon locked in a titanic battle to the line.

The trio matched strides all the way up the Lingfield home straight, but it was Doyle who conjured up extra from his mount in the shadow of the post to land the £51,540 first prize.

“We are really delighted with her,” said Simon Crisford. “It was a slowly-run race and she would have benefitted from a stronger pace.

“James Doyle always thought he was going to win and the filly was very tough and courageous. She is improving the whole time – she had to defy an 11lb rise in the weights today and has acquitted herself with great credit.”

The €240,000 buy has now earnt a crack at the Betuk Winter Derby over the same track and trip on February 25 – where opposition could include King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Pyledriver.

“She’s a possibility for the Winter Derby back at Lingfield and we’ll just have to see where the filly takes us,” continued Crisford.

Lingfield Park Races – Saturday January 21, 2023
Al Agaila and jockey James Doyle in the parade ring after winning the talkSPORT Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield Park Racecourse (Steven Paston/PA)

“You never know with these fillies where they will take you when they start improving. Right now she’s doing exceptionally well and improving. She has a good attitude and is going the right way. It was a very strong effort and she ran with great credit.

“The Winter Derby, if she goes there, will be a completely different proposition – she’ll be running against Pyledriver and Lord North.

“Let’s see how she copes in a race like that before we start making any summer plans or anything like that.”

No anchoring HMS Seahorse at Navan

/by

HMS Seahorse made a stylish return to action in the Navan Handicap Hurdle, putting himself in the frame for the Cheltenham Festival in the process.

The five-year-old finished fourth in the Fred Winter at Prestbury Park last term before claiming a distant third upped to Grade One level at the Punchestown Festival, but he had been off the track since finishing down the field in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh in September, having been gelded in the interim.

Sent off a 15-2 shot in the hands of Sean O’Keeffe, HMS Seahorse was settled on the heels of the leaders on the rail in the two-and-half-mile heat as 11-4 favourite Lucky Max set out to make all.

The market leader gave a bold sight and was still in front jumping the last, but HMS Seahorse was travelling well in behind and swept through to grab the lead on the run to the line.

Paul Nolan’s runner went on to score by two and a quarter lengths from Felix Desjy, with Rebel Ivy a further neck back in third.

Paddy Power make HMS Seahorse a 12-1 shot for the Coral Cup, while also offering 20-1 about his chances in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and the County Hurdle – although the first event listed could be the preferred choice for connections.

“He gave him a brilliant ride. Sean said he came for him every time he asked him,” said Nolan.

“He needed to jump the last and he was long at it. He seems to be jumping far better since he was gelded.

“In Galway he jumped poorly when he was odds-on favourite and the jumping just didn’t work.

“He’s a bit more clinical now, he’d never go long before and he was very good today.

“We might look at the Coral Cup with him. That’s where the lads would love to go.

“We’d have to look at a Pertemps qualifier as well, it would be great to have more options, but that might be tight enough.”

Haydock calls off Peter Marsh Chase card

/by

Saturday’s meeting at Haydock has been called off due to a frozen track.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright had planned to hold a precautionary inspection at 8am on raceday to assess conditions ahead of the card, which was set to feature four Grade Two contests including the Peter Marsh Chase.

However, he brought that check forward after temperatures dropped to minus 3c overnight, leaving the course unraceable.

Lingfield hosts the feature all-weather meeting
Lingfield hosts the feature all-weather meeting (Julian Herbert/PA)

Haydock’s cancellation means it will be a fifth day in Britain with no jumps action as Ascot and Taunton had already abandoned, with Lingfield, Southwell and Wolverhampton flying the flag on the all-weather.

Lingfield are also scheduled to hold a classy National Hunt card on Sunday, but that meeting hinges on a 4pm inspection on Saturday.

There will be a jumps meeting in Ireland though, as Navan’s Saturday fixture will go ahead as planned after the chase track was declared fit for action following a morning check.

Epatante has chance to get back to winning ways at Haydock

/by

With stablemate Constitution Hill safely tucked away in his box, Epatante appears to have been found an excellent opportunity to get back to winning ways in The New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.

The JP McManus-owned mare is clearly no slouch, with a Champion Hurdle, an Aintree Hurdle, two Christmas Hurdles and two Fighting Fifth Hurdles already in her satchel.

She has proved no match for the magnificent Constitution Hill in either the Fighting Fifth or the Christmas Hurdle so far this season, beaten 12 lengths at Newcastle and 17 at Kempton. But she was comfortably best of the rest on both occasions and is odds-on for this weekend’s Grade Two assignment.

Henderson told Unibet: “I think for all of us the ground is a bit of a worry but there’s nothing we can do about it and at the moment we just have to take what we can.

“She isn’t a gigantic mare but has won on soft ground before so you’d like to think she’ll at least get through it and she’s been in good form at home. She’s been ticking over nicely and this is a good opportunity to give her the chance of winning a race after bumping into Constitution Hill all season.

“It would just be lovely to get her head back in front again and give her some confidence.”

He added: “She had a terrific season last year, winning three Grade Ones, so owes us absolutely nothing, but she still retains all her ability and (for her) it’s a shame a certain horse owned by Michael Buckley has come on the scene because she would’ve already won two Grade Ones this season and likely be favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle!”

The highest-rated horse in the field is Jason The Militant, who makes his debut for Phil Kirby after being bought out of Henry de Bromhead’s yard.

The nine-year-old, who won at Grade Three and Grade Two level over hurdles, has also been declared for Lingfield on Sunday – but looks set to head for Merseyside provided the meeting goes ahead.

Kirby said: “He’s settled in grand and he’s been very straightforward. He’s done everything he’s been asked to do and we were hoping for some soft ground this weekend. It looks like we’ve got it, so we just need the racing to be on somewhere.

“We’ve had him around a month or so. He’s an older horse so he was perhaps ready for a change of scenery. We’re going to try and freshen him back up and try and get him somewhere back to where he was.

“He hasn’t been running badly though and he’s almost exclusively been running in top-level races. He’s a lovely horse and he’s got a nice rating, so these are the races he’s got to run in really.”

I Like To Move It won Greatwood Hurdle in November for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies, but needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Relkeel on New Year’s Day.

I Like To Move It won the Greatwood Hurdle earlier this season
I Like To Move It won the Greatwood Hurdle earlier this season (Tim Goode/PA)

High-class chaser Minella Drama is an interesting contender – switching back to hurdles for the first time since finishing second in a Grade One novice race at Aintree in the spring of 2021.

“I had him in the Peter Marsh and I was tempted, but it’s three-mile-two, and I had him the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield on Sunday, but with his Grade Two penalty he was giving weight to horses rated higher than him,” said trainer Donald McCain.

“It’s always kind of been in my head, is he a better chaser than a hurdler? I know this is a Champion Hurdle trial, but he goes on the ground and he likes the track and he’s in good nick.

“On his last run over hurdles he was second in a Grade One and we’ve done it before in this race (with Navajo Pass in 2021), so we thought we’d give it another go.”

Nells Son (Nicky Richards) and For Pleasure (Alex Hales) complete the line-up.

Master Of The Seas sails to comeback victory at Meydan

/by

Master Of The Seas, who came within a short head of winning the 2000 Guineas two years ago, made a successful return from nine months off the track in the Zabeel Mile at Meydan.

Charlie Appleby’s charge was touched off by Poetic Verse in the Rowley Mile Classic and has only made it to the track three times since – winning last year’s Earl of Sefton Stakes on his only start in 2022.

Despite his lengthy absence, the Dubawi gelding was a hot favourite to make a winning comeback and ultimately did so in good style in the hands of William Buick.

After initially tracking a couple of fellow Godolphin runners, Master Of The Seas quickened up to grab the lead in the straight and was always doing enough to hold David O’Meara’s Shelir at bay.

Appleby said: “I’m very pleased. Well done to all the team – they’ve done a great job getting him back.

“He’s obviously not been seen since the spring. He had a setback after Newmarket and it’s taken a lot of patience and time to get him to where he is now.

“The race couldn’t have gone any better really. The pace was there, William got a nice box seat and if anything it would have been handy if the pace had lasted a little bit longer because the one thing this horse does is travel well. He put the race to bed and is entitled to come forward from the run.

“He’s a challenge to himself sometimes, but the engine is there and if everything goes right, as you saw tonight, he’s a good horse.”

Charlie Appleby was delighted with Master Of The Seas on his return to action
Charlie Appleby was delighted with Master Of The Seas on his return to action (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Moulton Paddocks handler confirmed Master Of The Seas will remain in Dubai up until World Cup night, while an appearance at Royal Ascot is already at the back of his mind.

He added: “We’ll get him back and hopefully get a clear run through to Super Saturday and the Jebel Hatta and then all being well he can book his ticket for the Dubai Turf on World Cup night.

“He’s had a bit of a stop-start career so far, but if we can get a clear run Royal Ascot is something we’ll definitely be working back from.”

Buick was similarly pleased with his mount’s performance, saying: “It was lovely. The race set up for him nicely and it’s lovely for him to come back like he did.

“He’s always been a very exciting horse – he has been since he was a two-year-old. His class and quality has never been in question and let’s hope he can build on that today.

“He’s taken on some horses there that have had recent runs, which counts for a lot, but he’s certainly that class of horses that deserves to be aimed at Super Saturday and World Cup night all being well.”

Harry Eustace saddled Brighton and Beverley winner Cite d’Or in the UAE 1000 Guineas, but she struggled on her dirt debut and finished last of six behind the impressive Mimi Kakushi.

The latter, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, won the trial for the Listed contest four weeks ago and took her game to another level as she stretched readily clear of of her rivals.

“I was happy to sit just behind the pace, the extra furlong helped and she’s an improving filly. Hopefully we see her great race from her again in the UAE Oaks,” said Barzalona.

Energumene and Edwardstone handed rearranged Clarence House opportunity

/by

The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed the Clarence House Chase will take place at Cheltenham next Saturday.

It is the third time since 2013 that Ascot, the race’s home, has been abandoned due to the weather and Cheltenham a week later has stepped into the breach to stage the race.

The BHA were keen to thank the Horserace Betting Levy Board for its contribution to the prize-money, with £90,000 up for grabs.

Entries will revert to the early-closing stage, with confirmations made on Monday morning followed by declarations on Thursday.

Punters were looking forward to a clash between last year’s Champion Chase winner Energumene and the Arkle hero Edwardstone – and after connections of the former confirmed earlier in the week they were keen to run if the race was rearranged, Alan King joined suit.

He said: “We’ll go there, that’s the plan.

“If it hadn’t been rescheduled and then Newbury was off (Game Spirit Chase) then we really are in trouble.

“I’m very grateful they’ve put it back on and that will be the plan.”

Winter Derby-bound Pyledriver still Dwyer’s ride when he returns from injury

/by

William Muir insists Martin Dwyer will keep the ride on King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Pyledriver once he returns from a knee injury.

A son of Harbour Watch, both the La Pyle Partnership-owned six-year-old and his jockey have been sidelined.

While Dwyer is still undergoing treatment for a torn ACL and has spent the last year out of action, Pyledriver is now nearing his first start since last summer’s victory at Ascot and is being primed to make his comeback in the BetUK Winter Derby at Lingfield next month.

Trained by Muir in partnership with Chris Grassick, Pyledriver was was being prepared for October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but suffered a setback that also ruled him out of the Breeders’ Cup.

The February 25 all-weather contest will be a stepping stone for a trip to Meydan for the Dubai Sheema Classic at the end of March.

Muir said: “The timing is perfect for Dubai. That is where we are hoping to go. We are turning the wheel to get there.

“We did the same when we went to Hong Kong in 2021, we went to Lingfield first.

“Yes, the trip is not ideal over a mile and a quarter, but so what? It is a prep race to try and put the finishing touches on. I don’t want to get to Dubai and have to really crank him up there.

“So he will go there and it is a race where he will run well, but you may get some match-fit horses against him.

“But what does it matter? There are going to be other targets throughout the summer and this is the starting point.”

He added: “He is doing everything we are asking of him and we are starting to turn the wheel faster and faster. We will hopefully be in good shape when we get there. Everything seems to be rock and roll.”

Martin Dwyer will resume his partnership once he returns from injury
Martin Dwyer will resume his partnership once he returns from injury (Mike Egerton/PA)

The homebred, who also won the 2021 Coronation Cup and was fourth in last year’s Sheema Classic for the Linkslade yard, will again be partnered by PJ McDonald, who continues to deputise for Muir’s son-in-law.

Muir added: “When Martin is back, Martin will get back on him. PJ understands and Martin understands.

“But there is no question, as long as PJ is around and safe and sound, PJ is keeping the ride on him if Martin is not available.

“Martin needs to have something to look forward to. He has never been out for this length of time, and it’s a tough thing for him.”

Moore eyeing Sidney Banks redemption for Givega

/by

Gary Moore is backing Givega to bounce back from his disappointing run in the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle – and he could be given the opportunity to put things right in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon next month.

A winner in the pointing field for Colin Bowe in early 2021, the son of Authorized, who is out of a sister to the great six-time Cheltenham Festival winner Quevega, had done nothing but create a deep impression in his early outings under Rules.

He recorded a runaway 13-length victory at Lingfield on debut and soon followed that up with an easy win at Fontwell on Boxing Day, which saw him sent off the 3-1 favourite when stepping up in both trip and class at Warwick.

Givega (left) was one of the runners in action during The Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick
Givega (left) was one of the runners in action during The Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick (Nigel French/PA)

However, he raced far too keenly in the hands of Jamie Moore in the two-mile-five-furlong Grade Two contest and was beating a retreat when pulled up before two out.

“He was far too keen, but I learnt quite a lot that day and there’s things we won’t be doing again,” said Moore.

“Jamie went the way he did because he felt the ground was fresher that side, but it lit the horse up too much and he overraced and you just don’t finish off then.

“We would just give him plenty of daylight in his races in future, he’s either got to be up the front or out the back, one or the other.”

The seven-year-old could now be given the opportunity to make amends in what is shaping up to be a competitive running of the Urban Logistics Reit Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon on February 9, with the Listed event also a possibility for well-regarded stablemate Authorised Speed.

“We’ll see how he is and see what the ground is like and he could go to the Sidney Banks,” continued Moore.

“The other horse who could also go for that is Authorised Speed. They both need soft ground though, which you don’t often get at Huntingdon.”

Bristol De Mai raring to go for weekend action, weather permitting

/by

Connections of ever-popular Bristol De Mai are hoping that Haydock’s Saturday card gets the green light but will switch to Lingfield if the meeting falls to the weather.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained 12-year-old, who has won 10 of his 34 chase starts and finished second on another 10 occasions, relishes Haydock, especially when the ground is deep.

The consistent grey was runner-up in the Grand National Trial at the Merseyside track in February last year and was awarded the race six months later following The Galloping Bear’s disqualification.

His enthusiasm was evident on his return, as he showed up well for a long way in the Betfair Chase before tiring from four out.

Now he drops into handicap company for the Peter Marsh Chase, his first preference over Lingfield’s Fleur De Lys Chase on Sunday.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: “Basically we were planning to run him this weekend in either of the two races and he is declared for both.

“We will run in the first one that’s actually on and I’m pretty doubtful that either will be.

“If that is the case, we will wait for the Grand National Trial at Haydock at the next meeting for him, which he ran well in last year.

“With the inspection moved to 8am at Haydock, we are planning to be there. If that’s off, then we will look at Lingfield and we will redirect there.

“He has been a wonderful servant to the owners. He won a Grade One Hurdle as a three-year-old at Chepstow on his first run for the owners nine years ago and he’s still got the spark in him. They are they are happy with him at home.”

Though a precautionary inspection is planned for 8am, Sandy Thomson, who trains Empire Steel, one of six in the line-up, hopes a decision is made early, as he will be setting off at 6.30am from Berwickshire.

Empire Steel was pulled up behind Royale Pagaille in the race last year but bounced back to score at Kelso, and ran well for a long way when seventh to Brave Seasca at Aintree on his return in December.

“I was delighted with his run at Aintree,” said Thomson. “He didn’t run well in the race last year but he ran well at Haydock before that, so we are hoping for a big run.

“He has won on heavy, but I don’t think any horse will like the ground it is going to be, but for the money it is not the most competitive race.”

Stage Star had a confidence-boosting outing at Plumpton last time
Stage Star had a confidence-boosting outing at Plumpton last time (Mike Egerton/PA)

Elsewhere on the card, the Paul Nicholls-trained Stage Star looks to take another progressive step when he lines up against Grand Voyage and Lac De Constance in the Grade Two Patrick Coyne Memorial Altcar Novices’ Chase.

Winner of the Challow Hurdle at Newbury last season, he opened his chasing account when scoring at Warwick and put behind him a sub-par effort next time when winning as he liked in a minor Plumpton event.

“He is a smart young chaser and bounced back to form in style last time at Plumpton where his jumping was brilliant” Nicholls reported on his Betfair blog.

“I think you can put a line through his previous defeat at Newbury where he was hanging quite badly left in the closing stages.

“He wasn’t quite right that day but looked in top order at Plumpton and continues to please at home.”

Chasing Fire could be chasing bigger prizes shortly as he step up into Grade Two company for the first time in the Sky Bet Supreme Trail Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle.

Olly Murphy says he would not swap Chasing Fire
Olly Murphy says he would not swap Chasing Fire (David Davies/PA)

Having won his bumper, he is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, both victories coming at Market Rasen.

“We are taking a step up in class and that will hopefully tell us where we are moving forward,” said Murphy.

“We were delighted with his run last time and while it looks a decent race – I know Dan (Skelton) likes his horse (Pembroke) and Paul’s (Nicholls) horse (Toothless) won well at Fakenham last time – I wouldn’t swap my fellow for anything.

“If he comes out of this well, we will likely head for the Supreme, but this will tell us where we are with him.”

Nicholls saddles the ex-French Toothless in the seven-strong line-up, the son of Authorized having produced a facile success on his British debut.

“He made an eyecatching debut for us by winning a maiden hurdle at Fakenham by 35 lengths on New Year’s Day and Bryony Frost was so enthusiastic about him afterwards,” added Nicholls.

“His form in three starts in France last spring was ordinary so we gave him plenty of time and felt he had improved massively in his home work before Fakenham.

“This is a big step up in grade for Toothless who I’d say is a smart horse. He is certainly bred in the purple and is a half-brother to the classy dual-purpose horse Sceau Royal.”