Confidence growing ahead of Roi Mage’s Grand National challenge

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Connections of Roi Mage are growing increasingly bullish over his Randox Grand National chances after he chased home Longhouse Poet at Down Royal.

A best-priced 50-1 chance for the world-famous steeplechase, he represents the same owners who landed the race with Auroras Encore in 2013.

Like Auroras Encore, who was trained by Sue Smith, Roi Mage is an 11-year-old towards the bottom of the handicap and he narrowly missed the cut for the big race last year.

Trainer Patrick Griffin set his sights on Aintree at an early stage this term, but his participation was left on a knife-edge following an injury sustained at Cheltenham in January.

The trainer’s son and assistant, James Griffin, explained: “After Cheltenham, we didn’t think we would have a horse for the rest of the season, because he cut himself very badly in the Cross Country and genuinely we thought he would be gone for the season.

“Thanks to the Cheltenham veterinary team, specifically Ian Camm, who spent two hours on his hands and knees under the horse, with his finger tip, cleaning the wound meticulously, the dream is still alive.

“The horse cut himself very badly, we were a bit touch and go. But the horse was back being ridden out after three weeks and then it was on to Down Royal, where he ran a hell of a race.”

Roi Mage will carry the same colours as 2013 National winner Auroras Encore, who was partnered by ridden by Ryan Mania
Roi Mage will carry the same colours as 2013 National winner Auroras Encore, who was partnered by ridden by Ryan Mania (David Davies/PA)

Roi Mage was conceding weight to Longhouse Poet at Down Royal when beaten a length and a quarter, but the roles will be reversed at Aintree with Roi Mage allotted 10st 8lb while Longhouse Poet is on 11st.

“We were chuffed,” added Griffin. “I thought he’d run well and we think that would put him spot on. It is all systems go for Aintree now.

“He missed the cut by one last year but because he won at Down Royal last year, he went up 9lb to a mark of 149.”

He went on: “So, the plan all season was the Grand National. The plan always was to start in France, which we did. He finished third at Compiegne, giving both the winner and runner-up weight, and was only beaten just over two lengths.

“We were always working back from April 15 and he has come out of Down Royal bouncing. He has no weight on his back over that trip. We genuinely can’t wait.

“He’ll handle soft ground. If this (unsettled) weather holds up, then happy days. He’ll stay, we think he will. He has jumped round Auteuil, so Aintree shouldn’t be a problem.”

Connections are still hoping that three-time French champion jump jockey James Reveley will be fit enough to ride following a broken tibia sustained in a fall at Pau on February 19.

Griffin added: “We are hoping James will be back in time to ride him.

Connections hope French champion James Reveley will be fit for Aintree
Connections hope French champion James Reveley will be fit for Aintree (Daniel Hambury/PA)

“There are a mass of trials over the big Easter weekend at Auteuil and that is what he is aiming to be back for.

“We want James to ride him, but if he can’t, then we have two other riders in our heads.”

Winner of eight of his 38 starts over fences, Roi Mage has had just five runs over fences for Griffin since arriving from France, winning once and been placed on three other occasions for the yard, who are increasingly optimistic of a good showing at the Liverpool track.

“You can’t fancy a horse in the National, but realistically we know we have a horse who is capable of a big performance,” said Griffin.

“He has form in the book, he has a bit of speed – he won over two-miles-three 18 months ago – and he is relatively fresh. All season we have worked round the National and genuinely, we can’t wait.”

Williams on weather watch for National hope Royale Pagaille

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Venetia Williams will keep an eye on the weather before deciding whether or not Royale Pagaille will run in the Randox Grand National.

The Rich Ricci-owned nine-year-old had chased home Bravemansgame in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and was then held back for a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

However, the mud-loving gelding did not get the ground connections had hoped for and he finished sixth to Galopin Des Champs.

Williams became only the second woman to train a Grand National winner after Jenny Pitman following Mon Mome’s 100-1 shock victory in 2009.

She has Royale Pagaille and both Haydock’s National Trial winner and third, Quick Wave and Cloudy Glen, in consideration for the Aintree spectacular on April 15.

The Kings Caple-based handler is now waiting on the weather forecasts before making any decisions, in particular where Royale Pagaille will run next, with both the Grand National and the Irish edition of the race – where he would shoulder top-weight – under consideration.

She said: “They are all fine. Royale Pagaille ran well.

“A week before, I thought he would get the ground he liked, with all the rain that was promised, yet it didn’t really come.

“But he still ran a super race. He will have have another run. He is in both the Irish and the English Nationals and there is no decision yet as to where he goes. Likewise, we will see how the others are before making any plans.”

Williams gained Grade One glory with L’Homme Presse in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and Chambard took the Kim Muir at last year’s Festival, while Funambule Silvola was a gallant runner-up in the Champion Chase and Pink Legend finished runner-up in the Mares’ Chase.

Following that was always going to be a big ask and she did not have the same fortune at the National Hunt highlight this time round.

Reflecting on the meeting, she said: “We had such an amazing Cheltenham last year, we ended up running everything that got a run in it this year, which was probably a bit more gung-ho than we should have been.

“We still had some good runs. Pink Legend was third in the Mares’ Chase, and that was a fantastic run in a much deeper race than last year. She reversed placings with the horse that beat her last year (Elimay).

“Green Book finished fourth in the Pertemps, only beaten three lengths, and Royale Pagaille we were delighted with.

“Funambule Sivola was fine after his fall in the Champion Chase. That was a real disappointment, as I thought he had a really good chance of running into a place again.

“He has been such a brilliant jumper that it caught him by surprise, as it did everyone else. He is fine, though.”

Three Card Brag team looking forward to chasing campaign

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Connections are keen to take the positives from Three Card Brag’s fifth-placed finish in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.

Stepped up to three miles for the first time, the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old was sent off 4-1 second-favourite for the Grade One event on Gold Cup day.

However, despite travelling kindly throughout for Adrian Heskin and finding himself in a prime position to challenge as the protagonists rounded the home turn, Three Card Brag was unable to go on as the lung-busting scramble up the Cheltenham hill ensued and finished five and a half lengths adrift of the winner Stay Away Fay.

What might have been if the race had been run on any other day of the Festival will never be known – with drying conditions on the final day going against their charge. However, hopes are high he can return to Prestbury Park and make his mark at the big meeting in the future.

“He ran well and it was perhaps slightly frustrating he wasn’t in the first four,” said Iain Turner, racing manager for the McNeill family – who own Three Card Brag along with Patrick and Scott Bryceland.

“We were happy with Three Card and we probably couldn’t have done anything different with him.

“If there was a slight frustration it is you forget how quickly Cheltenham dries and we could have done with some of that ground they were going through on the Thursday. Some of that rain they were talking about for Thursday evening and Friday morning never really arrived.

Three Card Brag at Cheltenham
Three Card Brag at Cheltenham (Steven Paston/PA)

“He ran very well and with credit. Adrian was very happy with him over the three miles and said he felt an easier ride.

“Also promising, with the future in mind, is that he took the journey over and the travel well and then handled the track – everything which goes with a Festival race – which is all a positive for if we are to return in future seasons.”

Thoughts are already turning to next season and hopes are high Three Card Brag will rank high amongst the next cohort of novice chasers.

However, with both Aintree and Punchestown still to come, there is the possibility his novice hurdling endeavours are not fully finished, with a drop back to two and a half miles for the valuable Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final a tempting proposition during the Kildare venue’s five-day Festival next month.

“I don’t think you would be writing off going to either Punchestown or Aintree and he does have the option of dropping back in trip for the Red Mills Final which he qualified for at Galway right back at the beginning of the season,” said Turner.

“He still has the option of running in that race and there isn’t much difference in prize money between that and one of the graded races. But we will leave it up to Gordon. He came out of the race at Cheltenham fine and we’ll just see how he gets on over the next few weeks.

“If he doesn’t run again, he doesn’t owe us anything – he’s won a couple, placed in a couple of graded races then finished fifth at the Festival.

“He’s had a good season and we’re looking forward to novice chasing with him. He looks an exciting one for chasing next year, so fingers crossed he stays sound and then we’ve something to look forward to over fences.”

Ascot next for Dubai Gold Cup hero Broome

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Broome will take a direct route to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, with trainer Aidan O’Brien setting his sights on a trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup at the end of the year.

The seven-year-old has shown his best over middle distances over the last four seasons, with a previous foray over two miles ending in a distant last to Trueshan in the 2020 Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

However, Broome roared back to winning form over the staying trip on Saturday, seeing off Siskany by a neck in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan – his first victory since last year’s Hardwicke Stakes.

With stablemate Kyprios now a possible doubt for Ascot, Broome could end up being his main contender, with O’Brien also believing he is an ideal candidate to head in Flemington in November.

He said: “We were very happy. Obviously he’s going to go the Cup route and we’ll look at all those races on the way down to the Melbourne Cup. That’s probably what we’re going to do with him.

“He won’t have to run in the two Irish trials, he can go straight to Ascot. After that he can do Goodwood and all those types of races and then finish off down in Australia.

“He’s seven now and he’s the perfect age to be doing all those races, travelling as an older horse.

“He’s an amazing horse, he was very genuine at Meydan. Looking at him, you’d say we should have stepped him up in trip a lot earlier.”

Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear on track for Newmarket

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Derby favourite Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear pleased Aidan O’Brien as the Ballydoyle trainer took a strong team of horses to gallop after racing at the Curragh on Saturday.

Auguste Rodin, a three-year-old son of Deep Impact, was seen four times in his juvenile season, finishing second on debut but then ending his campaign with success in both the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes and the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes.

Little Big Bear was also beaten on debut then landed his next four races, taking the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot before stepping up in grade to claim the Anglesey Stakes and the Phoenix Stakes.

Both horses are headed in the direction of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and worked behind The Antarctic, a horse bound for a sprint campaign alongside stablemate Aesop’s Fables.

O’Brien said: “Little Big Bear, you’d have to be very happy with him as he hasn’t seen a track since the Phoenix Stakes. Seamus (Heffernan) said he was a bit on the bridle, a bit fresh, but travelled and finished very well.

“Wayne (Lordan) was very happy with Auguste Rodin. He was relaxed and did everything right. You couldn’t be happier with him.

“Obviously he’ll be looking at the Guineas. He’ll definitely go there without a run.

Classic hopeful Little Big Bear at the Curragh
Classic hopeful Little Big Bear at the Curragh (Healy Racing)

“When you are following up the likes of The Antarctic there, there are very few races you’d get as strong as that piece of work. They are highly-rated horses.

“Little Big Bear finished out very easy and Seamus seemed very happy. That was seven and a half furlongs today and he’ll go straight to the Guineas as well.

“We’ll take them home now and see how they are.”

He added: “We were very happy with The Antarctic. He’s probably going to go sprinting. Aesop’s Fables is the same, he’ll go sprinting. The Antarctic seems very versatile ground-wise.”

Tenebrism is another horse bound for a season of sprinting, whereas Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Meditate has a 1000 Guineas bid as her immediate early-season target.

Tenebrism, Thoughts Of June, Point Lonsdale, Irish Champion Stakes winner Luxembourg and Emily Dickinson all worked also and have pencilled-in plans for the earlier and latter stages of the campaign.

Luxembourg enjoyed a workout at the Curragh
Luxembourg enjoyed a workout at the Curragh (Healy Racing)

O’Brien said: “Tenebrism is going to go sprinting this year. Thoughts Of June will go for a mile-and-a-half fillies’ Group Three. Meditate will go straight to the Guineas.

“We haven’t seen Point Lonsdale out since the Guineas and Seamus was very happy with him. He might go to the Mooresbridge.

“Wayne was very happy with Luxembourg. He’ll probably start in the Ganay in France and then come here for the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Physically he’s done very well.

“Emily Dickinson will probably go the Gold Cup route and she’ll start in Navan in the Vintage Crop Stakes. She was very good over two miles here and when she stepped up in trip was by far her best.”

Tower Of London, beaten by Auguste Rodin on Irish Champions Weekend but a winner on debut, also worked and his trainer is sure he has more to offer.

He said: “Dylan (Browne McMonagle) rode Tower Of London and he was very happy with him. We thought he was a very good horse, he won his maiden in Leopardstown and then ran very keen in the race that Auguste Rodin won.

“He didn’t run after that and obviously that wasn’t his run. He looked very impressive the day he won.”

Ilovethenightlife sparkles for Tizzard at Newbury

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Ilovethenightlife defied top-weight to come home an impressive winner of the Grade Two British EBF BetVictor ‘National Hunt’ Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

The Joe Tizzard-trained five-year-old has been making a success of her early hurdling career, winning by seven and a half lengths on debut at Ffos Las then landing a Doncaster contest last time out.

She was burdened by 11st 12lb on soft ground at Newbury, but under Brendan Powell and at a price of 9-1 she showed her ability when coming home two and a half lengths ahead of Mel Rowley’s Blue Beach.

Tizzard said: “I was absolutely delighted with her, I always held her in high regard and thought she was a lovely filly but I thought today, under top-weight, on that ground and with a strong head wind – it might be asking enough.

“She travelled and jumped better than ever, she did it well, really well.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to bits with her and I think she’ll grow again, she’s only a five-year-old.

“I don’t know where she’s going to end up, she could end up anywhere. I’m delighted with today, there was loads to like.”

Anthony Honeyball’s Crest Of Glory was a facile winner of the valuable Goffs UK Spring Sale Bumper.

The race was open only to four-year-olds purchased via the Spring Store Sale at Doncaster last year, where the winner went through the ring for £48,000.

The race was Crest Of Glory’s debut and he was a 17-2 chance in the hands of Aidan Coleman, with a field of 19 competing for £100,000 in prize-money.

None were a match for Honeyball’s gelding, who sauntered home acres ahead of the field to cross the line an easy 15 lengths ahead.

“It was very straightforward. I sat on him at Kempton a few weeks ago and Anthony was really keen that I came and did that gallop as he really liked him,” Coleman told Racing TV.

“Usually when Anthony likes one it does the business. To train a horse for a race like that was an exceptional training performance, he was telling me about this horse in September!

“He’s been filling me in the whole way through the winter and here we are.

“He’s a very easy, straightforward horse that’s going places.

“He’s going to be a horse to go over further, to win a staying bumper like that on that ground at a track like Newbury, his future is going to be up in trip.”

Last-gasp Lattam lifts Irish Lincolnshire for Haggas

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A British-trained horse landed the Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire for the first time as William Haggas’ Lattam pulled off a last-gasp lunge for the line.

Starting at 8-1 under Chris Hayes, the chestnut was not close to the action in the early stages of the Curragh feature and only began to make progress two furlongs from home.

He did not have a clear passage from the rear of the field to the line and Hayes had to edge left to find some room, eventually pushing through a gap to mount a late challenge in the final half-furlong.

Saltonstall was leading on the rail as Lattam appeared on the scene, with the two horses crossing the line almost in unison and the judge called in to split them.

Haggas’ horse had prevailed by a short head, with Saltonstall the runner-up at 25-1 and his Ado McGuinness-trained stablemate Casanova third at 40-1.

“He told me to leave it very late and I did what I was told!” said Hayes.

“He travelled lovely, relished the ground. After Mr Haggas had finished giving me the instructions I said ‘so basically aim to be getting there inside the furlong pole’ and he said ‘Oh God an awful lot later if you can, but see how you’re travelling’.

“I thought I was going to get there too soon and I sat, then the gap was closing and I had to switch. It was a short-head away from a shocker, but we won so I gave it a great ride!

Kevin Stott made the journey to Ireland worthwhile as 3-1 favourite Bucanero Fuerte landed the Alkumait Standing At Capital Stallions Irish EBF Maiden on debut for Adrian Murray.

The Wootton Bassett two-year-old crossed the line two and a three-quarter lengths ahead of Sturlasson, potentially taking the first step on the path to Royal Ascot for owners Amo Racing.

“He went through the motions really nicely and was very professional,” said Stott.

“He pricked his ears when I was in front and hasn’t actually had much of a blow.

“That was the first time I’ve sat on this horse, he gave me a really nice feel. We’ve got some nice two-year-olds in.”

When asked if he could be a Royal Ascot horse he added: “We’ll have to see how he comes out of the race and what happens going forward but of course he’ll be a contender, I’d say.”

On Irish rides for Amo Racing, to whom he is retained, Stott said: “Obviously I’ll come over when the boss wants me to come over. I love coming here, the people are really nice and the racing is very competitive.”

Ushba Tesoro rules the world for Japan

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Ushba Tesoro produced a remarkable run, coming from the back of the field under Yuga Kawada, to take the Dubai World Cup for Japan.

The early pace in the 10-furlong showpiece, worth $12million, was strong and it set up for closers.

Bendoog looked comfortable under Christophe Soumillon with Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa, who had been drawn wide, in company early on.

Yet when they turned for home, James Doyle aboard the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Algiers looked the likely winner and went a length clear with a furlong and a half to run.

But the imposing Ushba Tesoro (9-1), who had won five of his six starts since being switched to the dirt, ignored the kick-back as he circled the field and with a blistering turn of foot, ran down Doyle’s mount to win going away by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

After recording Japan’s second success in the race, following Victoire Pisa in 2011, winning trainer Noboru Takagi said: “I thought he would be in with a chance at the 100-metre mark.

“Yuga is one of the best riders in Japan, so it was a no-brainer to go with him today.

“It is an amazing feeling to have won a race like this. We will talk to the owners and decide on his future going forward.

“After his last race the Dubai World Cup was always in our sights.”

Kawada, having his first ride aboard the six-year-old son of Orfevre, said: “I am so very happy.

“It is an honour to be here. He won and I am so happy. I am so proud of him.

“He’d trained very well and it was a matter of how he adapted.

“I’m very proud of my horse and myself for winning the greatest race in the world.”

An owner representative for Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings said: “This was a complete team effort and the victory is for the effort of every individual in this team.

“This was the first win abroad for our syndicate and now we’ve opened our doors to the global stage we will look again.

The owners expressed an interest in going for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe if we won this today.”

Last year’s winner Country Grammer never looked like giving Frankie Dettori another famous victory in his last season, on what was the final Dubai ride of his career.

“I think it was just a bridge too far,” said Dettori. “He had a hard race in Saudi and left it there.

“When I pulled him out there wasn’t the usual spark, but what a horse he’s been to me.

“At least I got one on the night and can go and have a nice cold beer now.”

Of Algiers, Ed Crisford said: “He ran with great credit. James gave him a beautiful ride. He jumped well and turning in I thought we had it in the bag, but the last furlong he was just treading water a bit.

“Probably he just got outstayed with the tempo of the race, but huge credit to the horse and my team at home and we should be proud. He ran his race there if not better.”

Insinuendo motors to Park Express success at the Curragh

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Willie McCreery’s Insinuendo went one better than last year to claim the Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes at the Curragh.

The six-year-old was second to Mother Earth 12 months ago and placed in further Group races throughout the season before heading off to Bahrain for what was intended to be her last run.

She was not retired to stud after her seventh-placed performance in the Middle East, however, with her owners instead deciding to keep her in training for another year.

That decision was justified at the Curragh when she set off as the evens favourite under Billy Lee and returned a one-and-a-half-length victor.

“We’re delighted to win that. She was second in it last year, probably to a better mare,” said McCreery.

“You’re on a hiding to nothing if you get beat, Michael (Deegan, of owners Deegan Racing Syndicate) was brave enough to hold on to her for another year so it’s great to get started.

“I wouldn’t say any horse loves that ground but she got her way through it.

“Billy said she did everything wrong, she was a bit strong under him and didn’t settle. He clipped heels trying to get her to settle about a furlong-and-a-half down and she still was pulling.

“She got there and then she got a bit lazy in front, she’s getting a bit cute. Onwards and upwards now.”

Of the Bahrain disappointment the trainer added: “Things just didn’t work out for her in Bahrain, she got shuffled back. William Buick rode a great race in front on his horse, he slowed it all down.

Insinuendo crossing the line
Insinuendo crossing the line (Healy Racing/PA)

“She was coming and coming but everything happened too quickly. She had loads of room today and she’s a proper mare.

“She’s been Group One-placed and we’ll aim for all the Group Ones for the year and that will be it.

“The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a possible. We’ll see what way the ground is, but I can’t see why not. It’s only driving down the road as opposed to going foreign.”

Meydan magic from Equinox in Sheema Classic

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Equinox justified his status as the best turf horse in the world, smashing the Meydan mile-and-a-half track record in landing the $6million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

Christophe Lemaire’s mount did it the hard way, his white face leading all the way and stretching to a scintillating three-and-a-half-length victory.

The Tetsuya Kimura-trained colt, a son of Japanese sire Kitasan Black, had won the Tenno Sho in Tokyo in October and was having his first run since landing the Arima Kinen on Christmas Day.

But that pair of Group One successes paled into insignificance as Lemaire’s charge cruised on the front end, tracked by the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mostahdaf under Jim Crowley.

Lemaire always had any move covered, though, and he kicked clear with two furlongs to run and, eased down, lowered the track record by over a second.

Ralph Beckett’s Irish Derby winner Westover, who had got warm beforehand, made up some ground and finished with a flourish, but the bird had long since flown. Zagrey stayed on to pip Mostahdaf for third, but this was all about the brilliance of the winner.

Kimura said: “I have never seen such a strong horse and I am surprised as well.

“I really appreciated it that the Dubai Racing Club have invited us and I really appreciate it.

“I didn’t think about the tactics. My concern was just to get my horse in the best condition.

“He was just brilliant when he came into my yard as a two-year-old. I am not sure where he will run next.”

Lemaire first won the Sheema Classic in 2006 aboard Heart’s Cry at Nad Al Sheeba and his latest success proved poignant.

He said: “He is a fantastic horse. He is getting better race after race. Today he was a little bit fresh and keen, but OK, I rode the best horse and I had no fear to make the pace.

“I am so happy for connections. It has been a long time since I won the Sheema Classic. The last time was with Heart’s Cry and he passed away two weeks ago, so I am very grateful to this horse. Today, it is a nice tribute to him.

“Race after race he is going up on my ranking and today was a great performance against these kind of horses at the top level. I’m really glad.”

He added: “There was no strategy, I rode him by myself.

“He was fresh and quite keen, so I decided to let him go, then I slowed it down.

“He was running good and so relaxed, then when I let him go he just stretched away. He’s a fantastic horse.”

Beckett was thrilled with Westover, and can look forward to a big season ahead.

He said: “We just got beaten by a very, very good horse. He appears to be the best around, so to finish second to him is everything we could have hoped for.

“The Coronation Cup is a possible target, but I wouldn’t rule out dropping him back to 10 furlongs for an Eclipse or a Tattersalls Gold Cup.”