Under Control has Newbury covered in stylish winning debut

/by

Bigger things can be expected from Under Control having made a winning debut for Nicky Henderson at Newbury.

A winner at Fontainebleau in her only previous start, the four-year-old was sent off 5-4 favourite for her UK bow in the BetVictor Proud Sponsors Of Newbury Juvenile Hurdle.

Her victory was one half of a double on the day for Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville – who also landed the concluding Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle with Spring Note (5-2).

Owned by JP McManus, Under Control travelled with real enthusiasm throughout before putting the race to bed with minimal fuss, De Boinville motionless in the saddle as she delivered a four-and-a-half-length verdict.

The master of Seven Barrows was quick to to rule out an appearance in the Ryanair Mares’ Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but admitted Aintree’s Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle is a possibility.

“I was delighted with her, it was an impressive performance,” said Henderson.

“She’s only had one run in her life and I didn’t know what to expect. She’s not a great big filly and we haven’t had her very long. Her jumping needed a bit of educating, but she’s very straight and I thought she was good today. It was a very nice debut.

“She jumped beautifully. We actually schooled her this morning before we went to the races – Nico came and gave her a pop in the indoor school because it has taken her a bit of time to get the hang of it and it did her good actually.

Under Control ridden by jockey Nico de Boinville wins the BetVictor Proud Sponsors Of Newbury Juvenile Hurdle at Newbury Racecourse
Under Control ridden by jockey Nico de Boinville wins the BetVictor Proud Sponsors Of Newbury Juvenile Hurdle at Newbury Racecourse (John Walton/PA)

“She’s not going to go to Cheltenham, but it’s not to say we won’t think about Aintree – mainly because hopefully all the good Irish horses will stay at home and go to Punchestown!

“I’m not saying she’s a superstar because she has got a very long way to go, but it was a very pleasing debut.”

A trip to Merseyside is also on the cards for Ben Pauling’s Twig (4-9 favourite) who dropped back in both grade and trip to record victory in the BetVictor Proud Sponsors Of Newbury Juvenile Hurdle.

“In my eyes he is definitely a three-miler, but the River Don was a really rough race – he was among the thick of it the whole way,” explained Pauling.

“He’s a horse that doesn’t overly love the hustle and bustle of a race like that and he needs to be treated with kid gloves a little bit.

“I was delighted to see him back on track and also see Doncaster hadn’t left a mark. He did it nicely, American Sniper set us a good target and there was going to be no hiding place – I thought Beau (Morgan, jockey) gave him a lovely ride and produced him to win nicely.

“He will probably go to Aintree – whether he runs in the three-mile handicap or the three mile novice (Sefton Novices’ Hurdle) I don’t know yet, but Aintree will probably be his target.”

Emitom made a successful start to life in the care of Alan King in the Play Pick 6 At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle.

Emitom ridden by jockey Tom Cannon on their way to winning the Play Pick 6 at Betvictor Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) at Newbury Racecourse
Emitom ridden by jockey Tom Cannon on their way to winning the Play Pick 6 at Betvictor Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) at Newbury Racecourse (John Walton/PA)

Runner-up in the Sefton and winner of the Rendlesham Hurdle when trained by Warren Greatrex, he had somewhat lost his way of late. But a change of scenery appears to have worked the oracle and the nine-year-old rolled back the years in style to oblige at 100-30 in the hands of Tom Cannon.

“I was delighted today,” said King. “All we have done is give him a change of scenery and freshen him up.

“I thought coming to the races today he would either win or pull up and nothing in between, but he seems to have enjoyed himself.

“There’s no plans, all we’re going to do is go home and regroup – I’m not going to get excited or overface him. It’s great today, but let’s not get carried away.”

There was also a double on the card for jockey Ben Ffrench Davis who took the opening A-Plan Insurance Supporting West Berkshire Mencap Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle aboard Sashenka (4-1) before adding the West Berkshire Mencap Handicap Chase on William de Best-Turner’s Calgary Tiger (13-8 joint favourite).

Twoshotsoftequila hits the spot at Doncaster

/by

Rebecca Menzies was thrilled to see Twoshotsoftequila come good over fences with an impressive victory at Doncaster.

The six-year-old won a maiden hurdle at the trainer’s local track of Sedgefield on Boxing Day of last season – and while he had failed to add to his tally in seven subsequent starts, he has finished second on three occasions, including on his most recent outing at Sedgefield in late January.

Stepping up to three miles for the first time on Town Moor, Twoshotsoftequila was settled at the rear of the field for much of the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices’ Handicap Chase, but was always travelling strongly in the hands of Nathan Moscrop.

The 4-1 shot arrived on the scene travelling powerfully early in the home straight and once given his head, he picked up smartly to put the race to bed – eventually passing the post with five lengths in hand over 3-1 favourite Everyday Champagne.

Menzies is enjoying her best ever season, with this her 34th winner of the campaign, and the 33-year-old believes Twoshotsoftequila is capable of adding further victories to his CV now he has matured.

“He’s a horse who has been brought along very slowly as he always been very keen at home and on the racecourse and it’s taken a while for him to become settled,” said the Howe Hills handler.

“He’s a lot more relaxed this season, which is enabling him to stay better, and I think the further he’s going the better he’s going. Three miles should be his minimum trip from now on I would imagine.

“I’d imagine we’ll try to stick to novice handicaps for the rest of this season, although he jumps well enough to run in a proper handicap as well.

“That will have done a load of confidence today, getting his head in front, and now he’s switching off further down the line you could see him running in races like the Durham National.”

Flying Verse in the clear at Doncaster
Flying Verse in the clear at Doncaster (Mike Egerton/PA)

The most valuable race of the afternoon was the £20,000 Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys’ Veterans’ Handicap Chase, in which top honours went to the David Dennis-trained Flying Verse (11-1).

The 11-year-old won at Stratford and Musselburgh earlier in the season and gained his first victory of 2023 with a four-and-a-quarter-length Doncaster success under 3lb claimer Ned Fox.

“I’m absolutely thrilled. He’s been remarkable really. That’s his 10th career win and he’s earned just shy of £98,000 in win and place prize-money,” said Dennis.

“He’s a very good little jumper considering he’s quite small for a chaser, but he’s tough and genuine and stays very well, which is what you need in long-distance chasers.

“He’s a very tough horse who takes his races very well, so I’ll keep him on the go while the ground is good.”

Thomas Dowson after winning on Ravenscar
Thomas Dowson after winning on Ravenscar (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ballygeary (11-10) provided Donald McCain and Brian Hughes with success in the opening Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices’ Hurdle, while Phil Kirby’s Ravenscar was a clear-cut 17-2 winner of the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Mares’ Handicap Hurdle under Tommy Dowson.

The latter has now scored seven times on the Flat and over jumps combined and while she did not travel much with zest early on, she was ultimately was good value for her latest winning margin of just over three lengths.

Kirby said: “She was really good. I don’t know what the not travelling was all about early on as the last twice she’s travelled really strongly, but anyway no harm done.

“She’ll probably go for the mares’ series final at Musselburgh. It’s named after Lady Buttons and I have Lone Star going for that this year as well, so we might run the two of them.”

Premier prize in Colonel Harry’s sights

/by

Colonel Harry will bid to give the Tolworth Hurdle form a boost when he lines up in the Grade Two bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso on Saturday.

Jamie Snowden’s six-year-old won a heavy-ground Sandown maiden hurdle in November before finishing fourth in the Grade One Tolworth over the same course and distance.

Though he jumped left on occasions, finishing six and a quarter lengths behind Tahmuras, he backed up that promising run with an eight-length success in a Newcastle novice.

Back up in class, he again takes on Nemean Lion, who was two and three-quarter lengths ahead of him in third at Sandown.

Snowden said: “It is a competitive race, but obviously our lad has won two novice hurdles and he ran very well at Sandown, when he jumped slightly out to his left, in the Tolworth.

“That probably looks the best form coming into this and Nemean Lion was only just in front of us that day, so hopefully a reproduction of that form on a left-handed track might see him to better effect.

“He is a nice horse, but I hope the ground is what they say it is. He definitely wants softer ground – he wouldn’t want good ground.”

Accidental Rebel goes in search of a fifth win in six and will carry top weight, shouldering a penalty for landing Chepstow’s Grade Two Persian War Novices’ Hurdle when equipped with first-time cheekpieces on his previous start.

The headgear remains and trainer Fergal O’Brien is hopeful he will be fresh for his first run in 148 days.

He said: “He has done very well and we gave him a break after he won the Persian War.

“We had him back in for the Challow, but the ground went bottomless, so we have been waiting ever since to get a bit of decent ground.

“Hopefully he will run well. I see the ground has gone soft up there, but hopefully it won’t get too soft for him.”

Dan Skelton is looking to the future with Hoe Joly Smoke, who has finished placed on both starts over hurdles at Chepstow, latterly when third to the unbeaten Doyen Star.

“He ran a nice race at Chepstow,” said Skelton. “He’s in at the deep end, but if he finished nicely in this, he’s had three good runs over hurdles without losing his novice status and he’d be a maiden for next year.

“Then he’ll be one of the higher-rated, more experienced ones of that pack.”

Lookaway has schooled well under Jack Quinlan
Lookaway has schooled well under Jack Quinlan (David Davies/PA)

Lookaway was unbeaten in two bumpers for Neil King, including a Grade Two contest at Aintree in April last year.

He has had two subsequent starts over hurdles and has yet to deliver on last season’s promise, but King retains plenty of confidence in his charge as he returns from a three-month break.

He said: “I’m looking forward to see him running – it has been a long time.

“On his bumper form he’s over-priced, but on what he has achieved over hurdles on his first two starts, he isn’t.

“But we had a rotten middle part of the season. My horses were badly out of form, so we have just given them all the time needed to come right. They now seem back in good order.

“Two-miles-two on what sounds like beautiful jumping ground around Kelso should be ideal for him. We’re looking forward to seeing him getting back to his best.

“Jack (Quinlan) came and schooled him the other day and he jumped electrically, so we are very much looking forward to it.”

Cooper’s Cross chasing Grimthorpe gold

/by

Stuart Coltherd’s Cooper’s Cross will bid for back-to-back Doncaster successes when he lines up for the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase on Saturday.

The eight-year-old landed the Sky Bet Chase at Town Moor at the end of January, defeating Christian Williams’ Cap Du Nord by a length at 16-1.

Cap Du Nord went on to land the Swinley Chase at Ascot on his next start, meanwhile Cooper’s Cross was given an increased rating of 133 for his victory – a rise of 5lb.

Even with that rise the gelding is still well-handicapped and will carry only 10st 4lb when he takes on seven rivals.

“I couldn’t be happier with him, really,” the trainer said.

Cooper’s Cross winning the Sky Bet Chase
Cooper’s Cross winning the Sky Bet Chase (Richard Sellers/PA)

“He seems in really good heart and we’re all looking forward to Saturday.”

The Grimthorpe is run over three miles and two furlongs, an extension on the three-mile trip Cooper’s Cross prevailed over last time.

Coltherd felt his horse was staying on in the Sky Bet, however, and is not expecting the added distance to cause any problems on ground that is largely unchanged since his last run.

“I don’t think two extra furlongs will bother him, he was staying on well the last day, so I think he should handle it fine,” he said.

“The ground can’t be that much different from the last day, so it should be OK. It’s going to be the same ground.

“He’s under 10st 4lb and we couldn’t be happier with that, we’re looking forward to it – hopefully it’ll be a big run.”

Charlie Longsdon saddles Castle Robin, winner of the Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase at Sandown on his latest start in early February.

The chestnut produced a good round of jumping to land the race and was raised 4lb as a result, meaning he carries 10t 9lb this time.

“This has been the plan since he won at Sandown, he seemed to come out of the race really well so we’re hoping he’ll run a really good race,” Longsdon said.

“I was very pleased at Sandown, I couldn’t have been happier. Everything went according to plan that day and, touching wood, he’s had a nice preparation and will go there with a very nice chance.

Castle Robin winning at Sandown
Castle Robin winning at Sandown (Steven Paston/PA)

“He’s on a really nice weight and we’re looking forward to it.”

Kim Bailey’s Does He Know carries top-weight of 12st, with the gelding a Grade Two winner over both hurdles and fences.

The eight-year-old was a Cheltenham Grade Three winner in November, after which he headed to Newbury in February and placed third in the Grade Two Denman Chase when beaten eight and half lengths by Zanza.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Undersupervision, the reigning Grimthorpe champion, returns to defend his title, while Brian Ellison’s Windsor Avenue also has Doncaster form as he won the 2022 Sky Bet Chase and was fourth in the same event when last seen.

Sporting John will represent Philip Hobbs having last been seen finishing 11th of 14 in the Swinley Chase in mid-February, with Tom Lacey’s Neville’s Cross and Seamus Mullins’ Moroder completing the field of eight.

Hobbs anticipating Great test for Zanza at Newbury

/by

Philip Hobbs feels his “staggering” stable stalwart Zanza has plenty on his plate in his bid for a sixth victory at Newbury in Saturday’s BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old has been beaten only once in six previous appearances at the Berkshire circuit and that was when sixth in the 2020 Betfair Hurdle.

He ran away with a handicap chase at Newbury in November, but few gave him much of a chance in last month’s Grade Two Denman Chase, in which he powered seven lengths clear of the high-class Hitman.

Hobbs said: “That win was obviously fantastic and we were very lucky in a way that it happened in an ITV race, with Tom O’Brien riding as well. It was all great.”

The Minehead handler is looking forward to sending Zanza back to his favourite track this weekend, but feels a 15lb hike in the weights, coupled with a drop in distance, will make life difficult.

“He is also in the Premier Chase at Kelso on Saturday, but Newbury is his first preference and that was always the plan,” Hobbs added.

“He is a staggering horse, in that his form at Newbury is so much better than elsewhere.

“Unfortunately now, though, for winning the Denman, which obviously the handicapper didn’t think he would, he has paid the penalty and gone up a hell of a lot, and actually two and a half (miles) is on the short side as well. I think this time, it might be a little less easy than it has been before.

“They have altered the ground to good and have taken out the good to firm in places. As far as Zanza is concerned, fast ground is not an issue anyway. The biggest issue now is his new handicap mark.”

Paint The Dream in action at Newbury
Paint The Dream in action at Newbury (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Zanza is one two horses set to carry the welter burden of 12st along with last year’s winner Paint The Dream.

Fergal O’Brien’s charge reverts to handicap company after finishing a well-beaten third behind Pic D’Orhy in the Grade Two Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January.

O’Brien said of his three-time course winner: “He’s in great form and we’re very happy with him. Fingers crossed he can do it again.

“It’s a slighter harder task than last year, but he’ll be doing his best.

“He loves the place and he’ll love the ground, so we’re looking forward to it.”

The Tom Lacey-trained Sebastopol makes his first appearance since springing a surprise in a Grade Two novice event at Newbury in November, while Chris Gordon’s Lord Baddesley – another previous Newbury winner – bids to follow up an impressive recent verdict at Plumpton.

Gordon said: “He jumped beautifully at Plumpton and has grown up a lot this year. He’s got a few more races under his belt and I was really thrilled with him at Plumpton.

“If we can just progress a little bit more, hopefully we’ve got a great chance.

“He’s got a good racing weight (10st 2lb), although I’m not sure the jockey (Tom Cannon) would agree as I think it’s the lightest he’s done for a while – he could be pretty hungry on Saturday!”

Espoir De Guye (Paul Nicholls), The Big Bite (Henry Oliver) and Gemirande (Venetia Williams) complete the septet.

‘Livid’ Nicholls hits out at BHA over whip regulations

/by

The British Horseracing Authority “need a bit of backbone” with regard to whip regulations, according to Paul Nicholls – who has described himself as “livid” with the timing of the new rules ahead of Cheltenham.

New rules and a tougher penalty structure for misuse of the whip were introduced on February 13, with 19 jockeys – including one of Nicholls’ stable riders Lorcan Williams – committing offences in the first week of implementation.

Williams was banned for 18 days for a winning ride at Haydock, with the suspension ruling him out of the Cheltenham Festival in its entirety.

Nicholls has voiced his concern about the timing of the new rules previously, but he described himself as “livid” and accused the BHA of “appeasing” critics of the sport rather standing up for participants.

Lorcan Williams was banned for 18 days
Lorcan Williams was banned for 18 days (John Walton/PA)

Speaking during an exclusive Betfair Cheltenham Festival preview podcast aired on Friday evening, he said: “I’m actually disappointed with the way BHA have handled it – talk about shooting the industry in the foot.

“There are people in the BHA (who) need to take a real look at themselves. Are they doing the right thing for the industry? Because I think they are letting us down and I think this whole thing is wrong.

“We don’t want to appease people who don’t understand the game. We’ve got to stand up for ourselves and say ‘look, this is where we are’, it’s not a welfare issue. We need a bit of backbone – the BHA need a bit of backbone to stand up for us all the time instead of appeasing the wrong people.

“There’s a lot of us trainers who have kept quiet really and are very, very annoyed with the way it’s been handled and that’s not just trainers, a lot of owners (are) upset about the whole thing and it will drive people away if they are not careful.

“I’ve been livid all along with the timing of it.

“Nothing seems to be simple with the BHA these days, which is sad because they’ve got a tough job to do. But I think honestly they do need to take a look at themselves and see what they are doing towards the industry and they need to be a little more proactive at getting things right.”

While a total of 20 bans were handed out in the first week, the number of referred rides during the second week under the new structure reduced to 12, with nine suspensions issued, two results pending and one ride found not in breach.

They have also been two disqualifications, the first being the James Moffatt-trained Lunar Discovery, with her rider Charlotte Jones banned for 14 days after striking the horse 11 times.

The whip review committee, which now assesses offences, disqualified a second horse earlier this week, as amateur rider James Turner was found to have used his whip five times above the permitted level of seven strikes when riding the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Mavis Pike to finish second at Newcastle last Saturday.

The changes to the whip regulations were the product of a consultation process, with the steering group including a variety of industry figures, including trainer John Gosden, broadcaster Nick Luck and jockeys Tom Scudamore and PJ McDonald.

The whip has been a hot topic since revised rules were announced
The whip has been a hot topic since revised rules were announced (David Davies/PA)

Initial proposed changes included prohibiting using the whip in the forehand position, but that measure was rescinded in January following rider outcry, with harsher penalties and further a cut in permitted use of the whip instigated instead.

David Jones, chair of the Whip Consultation Steering Group, said: “The changes to the whip rules were the result of an exhaustive consultation process. The new rules are based on recommendations which were put to the BHA Board by a Steering Group which consisted of expertise drawn from across the racing industry and beyond, including prominent jockeys and trainers.

“They were unanimous in agreement that changes must be made to ensure more judicious use of the whip for encouragement, and improve the perception of whip use.

“The changes include a reduction of one in the permitted number of uses of the whip to six in a flat race and seven in a jumps race, and increased penalties for offences. Jockeys consulted were in agreement that increased penalties were necessary.

“Similar changes were recently announced in France, where the thresholds for acceptable use are already lower than in British racing.

“This is not about appeasing those who wish to see the sport banned, or attempting to convert them. It is instead about ensuring that racing takes control of its own destiny, and ensuring that we safeguard the sport against changing perceptions amongst its future audiences.

“Racing has so much to be proud about. We all look forward to celebrating the magnificent horses and people and the wonderful stories that our sport produces in the coming weeks.”

Aucunrisque back on track for Cheltenham – and return to fences

/by

Chris Gordon is “90 per cent sure” his Betfair Hurdle hero Aucunrisque will revert to fences at the Cheltenham Festival for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup.

After filling the runner-up spot in successive novice chases the nine-year-old was switched back to hurdles at Newbury last month and provided his trainer with one of the biggest victories of his career.

Gordon contemplated a swift return in the following weekend’s Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, but a bout of colic put paid to that potential plan and he is now being readied for the Festival.

Aucunrisque has the option of stick to the smaller obstacles in the County Hurdle, but his trainer is leaning towards a return to chasing.

Gordon said: “He’s really good, in great form and hopefully on course for Cheltenham.

“We’d probably be looking at the Grand Annual. We’ll do a bit more schooling with him, but the way he’s been jumping fences at home, I’m 90 per cent sure it will be all systems go for the Grand Annual.

“Only a fool could go into a race like that confident, but we’re fresh and we’re well and he’s a horse who has always progressed a little bit each time we’ve run.

“It’s lovely to have a fancied runner, so fingers crossed.”

Aucunrisque will spearhead a small but select team of Gordon-trained runners at Cheltenham.

Annual Invictus will be ridden by Freddie Gordon at the Cheltenham Festival
Annual Invictus will be ridden by Freddie Gordon at the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies/PA)

Coolvalla, who is four from four over fences, appears unlikely to take up his engagement in the National Hunt Chase, but Gordon is hoping to saddle Annual Invictus in the Kim Muir while Highway One O Two could attempt to win the Imperial Cup at Sandown before being considered for Cheltenham.

“Coolvalla is the only one that really needs rain and the way the forecast is I can’t see him running,” he said.

“We’ll probably have Annual Invictus in the Kim Muir and we could have Highway One O Two in the County Hurdle, but I will also have him in the Imperial Cup at Sandown the previous Saturday and if it stays dry I’d be very tempted to run in that.

“He’s a tough, hardy horse who likes good ground, so he could even run in the two.”

As the Kim Muir is restricted to amateur riders, Annual Invictus is set to be partnered by the trainer’s son Freddie Gordon, which would undoubtedly make victory extra special.

Gordon added: “To be quite honest Fred has only got into the racing in the last couple of years. If I’d said to him three years ago you’re going to ride at the Cheltenham Festival I think he’d have said he’d rather I took him to Glastonbury or something!

“He’s switched on to it now though and I’m sure he’ll be very excited about it.”

Colonel Mustard heads to Kelso to set out Cheltenham case

/by

Colonel Mustard will aim to snaffle the huge carrot of a £100,000 bonus for any horse who wins the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Saturday and follows up at the Cheltenham Festival.

Third in last year’s County Hurdle, the Lorna Fowler-trained eight-year-old is one of two Irish raiders who line up for the competitive two-mile handicap.

He returns to hurdling, having had two runs over fences, the last of which saw him finish runner-up to Arkle favourite El Fabiolo over two miles at Fairyhouse.

County Meath-based Fowler said: “We were going to go for the Betfair Hurdle. That was very much the big plan, but the ground was no good at Newbury.

“We thought we could go straight for the County Hurdle, but with the bonus on offer, it made sense to have a go. It is a great carrot. It is a very hard carrot to get your hands on, but it has to be worth a go.

“He is very lightly-raced this year, so is a really fresh horse. He has travelled before, so every box was ticked to have a go. The plan is to go to the County afterwards, if all is well.

“The ground is perfect for him, but it will be perfect for everybody else. At the moment, everything is positive.”

Emmet Mullins won this race two years ago with The Shunter, who went on to secure the bonus when taking the Paddy Power Plate at the Festival.

He saddles Mctigue, who has won two of his four starts over hurdles, including a Grade Two contest at Auteuil, since joining the yard from Jim Bolger.

“We are not the only ones after the bonus,” said Mullins. “He is in good form and we’ll get that race out of the way before thinking about the Festival.

“We have different options there. In England, you run off the weight you are allotted, so that is against us for the Festival. That might narrow our options.

“Even if he wins the Morebattle, he won’t carry a penalty in the Boodles, so he can’t go above 11st 12lb, so that’s another angle for him.

“He has a hardiness and experience for a young horse. He was a two-year-old Flat winner and a very precocious horse and has taken to the jumps very well.”

The British challenge is spearheaded by L’Eau Du Sud, who threw down a strong challenge in the latter stages of a two-mile Kempton handicap over Christmas, only to make a blunder at the last and finish third to No Ordinary Joe.

Dan Skelton is not eyeing the Morebattle Hurdle bonus
Dan Skelton is not eyeing the Morebattle Hurdle bonus (Jacob King/PA)

Trainer Dan Skelton is not eyeing the bonus, however.

He said: “He ran nicely. He’s next year’s chaser. It is obviously a highly competitive race, but I’m very happy with him and I’d give him a little chance.

“He’s not in anything at Cheltenham. The Morebattle is the right race for him. He is a young horse. I don’t want go again that quickly. A bonus is only a bonus if you can win it – and I don’t think we can.

“If we can win the Morebattle, I’ll be very happy. I don’t have to follow up at Cheltenham for it to be worthwhile.”

Gary Moore’s Teddy Blue will make an 800-mile round trip from his West Sussex yard in search of a second win over hurdles.

Joshua Moore hopes Teddy Blue will handle the travelling
Joshua Moore hopes Teddy Blue will handle the travelling (Julian Herbert/PA Wire)

Placed on his last two attempts in Grade Three company, including when third to Aucunrisque in the Betfair Hurdle, assistant trainer Joshua Moore is hopeful he will handle the long journey.

He said: “He ran well last time. He seems well at home. It is a long way to travel, but it just depends on how he travels up there.

“He is in the County and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as well. Which one he will run in, I’m not sure.

“It is a big prize and well worth going up there for.”

Last year’s winner Cormier returns for Brian Ellison, having had two unsuccessful chase starts this term.

Ellison said: “We will go back chasing next year. He would have finished closer in the County last year (when seventh), but for being squeezed out coming up the rail.

“He’s in good form, in fine fettle and always runs his race – he’s tough. He was only a cheap horse and he’s done well.

“He won’t be going to the County. We will probably go to the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock.

“He finished second in the Swinton a couple of years ago and got brought down in it last year. He has run well in it and there are other races to run in as well. ”

Theatre Glory poised to take on Epatante and Honeysuckle

/by

Nicky Henderson’s Theatre Glory is likely to take her chance in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Just like Seven Barrows’ stablemate Epatante, Theatre Glory was not among the initial entries for the Grade One event and would need to be supplemented at a cost of £4,599 for a race which is shaping up to be one of the hottest of the week – and also the likely destination for the swansong of two-time Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle.

However, she put herself in the picture for the two-and-a-half-mile contest with a commanding 11-length success in the Listed Warwick Mares’ Hurdle last month, a race won previously by Henderson’s defending champion Marie’s Rock on her way to Prestbury Park glory last year.

The Canter Banter Racing-owned six-year-old does hold an entry for the Coral Cup on day two and is as short as 10-1 with the bookmakers for handicap success. But rated 5lb higher than Marie’s Rock was when triumphing 12 months ago, connections feel Theatre Glory has earned her shot at the big time.

“I think she deserves her chance in the Mares’ Hurdle,” said Katie Croft, co-founder of Canter Banter Racing alongside David Fehily.

“It might cut up a little bit at the top – Telmesomethinggirl might go for the Mares’ Chase and Marie’s Rock is a possible for the Stayers’ and if you ran into the top four you would be delighted. We’re under no illusion we’ll beat two Champion Hurdlers, but we’ll probably go for the Mares’.

A winner of six of her nine starts under rules, five of those victories have come on good ground and the prospect of slick spring ground at the Festival only adds to the dream of Theatre Glory springing an upset in her trip to the top table.

Croft continued: “She just loves to be able to flick along, she’s got a bit more toe on that good ground, she just finds it so easy. It’s very exciting, just to have a live chance is very exciting.”

Horse named in honour of late Queen finds friend in a corgi

/by

A promising horse named in honour of the Queen has won the approval of a four-legged animal forever associated with the late monarch – a corgi.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is behind the four-year-old named Thank You Ma’am, who took a break from training to meet pet dog Sam from a breed loved by the Queen.

The corgi, a rescue dog, and the gelding hit it off during their time together at the Berkshire home of the pet’s owner, who has ties with the racing world.

Nicholls is hoping to add a fifth Cheltenham Gold Cup victory to his name later this month with Bravemansgame.

Thank You Ma’am the racehorse and Sam the Corgi meet in Berkshire
Thank You Ma’am the racehorse and Sam the Corgi meet in Berkshire (David Morgan/PA)

He said about Thank You Ma’am: “He’s got a cracking pedigree, so looks the part on paper and I hope we can have plenty of fun with him.

“I’m looking forward to Cheltenham and to Bravemansgame’s outing and, you never know, in a couple of years Thank You Ma’am could be at Cheltenham.”

Racegoers will be gearing up for the Cheltenham Festival, the highlight of the jump season, which begins later this month and in recent years has been attended by the Queen Consort, a passionate racegoer.

There has been speculation in the racing world the King will take up his mother’s interest in the sport and also become a leading figure at Royal Ascot.

Paul Nicholls with Bravemansgame
Paul Nicholls with Bravemansgame (Adam Davy/PA)

Thank You Ma’am is destined to compete over jumps but his introduction to the sport will be a flat race, at point-to-point fixture at Bangor on March 12.

Would-be horse owners can buy a share in the thoroughbred, for £50 plus VAT, through the website www.theposhpundit.co.uk a racing club managed by Rupert Adams, a well-known figure in the horseracing and betting industries.

Adams said: “The kind of syndicate we’re putting together will hopefully bring racing to the masses, it’s giving people the opportunity to be a racehorse owner for £50, whereas there are horses out there that cost millions.”