Tag Archive for: Aintree

Flooring Porter aiming for Aintree redemption

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Flooring Porter is being prepared for a return to Aintree next month after coming up short in his bid for a Stayers’ Hurdle hat-trick at the Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant winner at Prestbury Park in both 2021 and 2022 but endured an interrupted preparation ahead of his return due to a post-Christmas setback.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell stated in mid-January that his Cheltenham hopes were “hanging in the balance” and he was no better than “50-50” to make the trip to the Cotswolds.

Flooring Porter was ultimately deemed fit enough to defend his Stayers’ Hurdle crown, but after adopting his customary pacesetting role for much of the three-mile contest, he weakened in the home straight and had to make do with a gallant fourth.

Gavin Cromwell was pleased with Flooring Porter's performance in defeat at Cheltenham
Gavin Cromwell was pleased with Flooring Porter’s performance in defeat at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

Cromwell was proud of his stable star’s performance in defeat, though, and is now targeting a second tilt at Aintree’s Grade One Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day – a race in which he finished second to this year’s surprise Stayers’ Hurdle winner Sire Du Berlais last April.

“All is good with Flooring Porter – he came out of Cheltenham fine, which is obviously the main thing,” said the trainer.

“I suppose, considering he missed a bit of work, he ran well (at Cheltenham). He was beaten three and a half lengths, hopefully he’ll come on for it and we’ll take the positives out of it.

“We’ve a bit of extra time between Cheltenham and Aintree this year, which is also a help – we’ve a week more than last year.

“Hopefully we can build on Cheltenham – we might be on an upward curve.”

While Cromwell failed to add to his tally at this Festival, Flooring Porter was one of a number of horses to perform creditably.

Stumptown was beaten just a neck after being sent off favourite for the Kim Muir, while Final Orders finished fifth in his bid for a sixth successive win in the Grand Annual.

Letsbeclearaboutit was another Cromwell inmate to shape with promise, passing the post a close-up fourth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Cromwell added: “Final Orders didn’t really handle the ground and, all things considered, he ran a good enough race. We have him entered in the Topham at Aintree and that’s definitely a possibility.

“Stumptown ran a cracker and there were no excuses or hard-luck stories, he just bumped into one on the day and that’s it.

“I think we’ll probably look at the Irish Grand National with him. I know Easter comes quite soon, which is not ideal, but he has come out of Cheltenham well and it’s certainly a big possibility.

“Letsbeclearaboutit was too keen all the way in the Albert Bartlett and ran very well considering. If he had of settled, I think he would have finished closer.

“There’s two-and-a-half and three-mile novice hurdles for him in Aintree and there is also a race for him in Fairyhouse. I’m not sure where we’re going to go yet, but hopefully he’ll be running at some of the spring Festivals.”

Longhouse Poet primed for repeat of National service

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After two near-misses at Cheltenham last week, trainer Martin Brassil could do with a change of luck as he prepares Longhouse Poet for another run in the Randox Grand National next month.

Having his first try over the unique spruce-topped fences in last year’s renewal, he travelled strongly and was still in with a chance two out before fading to sixth under Darragh O’Keeffe.

A general 20-1 chance for the race this time, he is on an unchanged rating of 155 and is currently due to carry 4lb less than last year’s 11st for his return in the Liverpool spectacular.

The nine-year-old has had his chase mark protected by running over hurdles this term and he was quick enough to land a two-and-a-half-mile handicap at Limerick on Boxing Day.

Though he unseated JJ Slevin at the first obstacle on his return to fences in the Bobbjo Chase at Fairyhouse, he showed his well-being with victory over Roi Mage over three and a quarter miles at Down Royal last Friday.

Brassil feels that prep run will bring him on and said: “He came out of the race great and we are really looking forward to Aintree with him.

“He just did a bit too much in the race last year. He over-raced a bit.

“It was his first time there and he was very exuberant. He is such a good jumper, he was making ground over the fences and Darragh (O’Keeffe) was inclined to let him enjoy it.

“He needed to have a little quiet time at some stage in the race, to slot in behind a few. He did all the donkey work, really.”

Brassil is hopeful Slevin will be able to take the ride this time, but is anxiously awaiting the outcome of a possible totting-up suspension for the rider.

He explained: “JJ Slevin will ride hopefully. He is not sure yet because he got an eight-day ban for An Epic Song and he got three the other day for something else.

“So he is having a look at that and hasn’t yet come back to me to tell me what’s the story. I haven’t got anyone else in mind, though.”

Though hopeful of another big run, dangers abound and Brassil, who won the National with Numbersixvalverde 17 years ago, thinks there are some well-handicapped horses in opposition.

He added: “You can never be confident in the National. The horse who beat Fastorslow at Cheltenham (Corach Rambler) seems to be fired in on his form and has no weight.

“Roi Mage has a nice weight too and that grey horse of Gavin Cromwell’s (Vanillier), he is nicely-in, too – he’s a nice staying type of horse.”

Martin Brassil hoping for another big Aintree run
Martin Brassil hoping for another big Aintree run (Julien Behal/PA)

For the Kildare handler it was a case of so near but yet so far at Cheltenham, with Fastorslow beaten a neck in the Ultima and An Epic Song downed by Langer Dan in the Coral Cup, a head separating the pair.

“Even if one of them won it would have been great,” said Brassil. “It was a great meeting, but I felt a bit sorry for Fastorslow, as the winner got the ride of the meeting, I’d say.

“It happened right for that horse in particular, but if we’d have got to the front a bit sooner, we might have beaten him.

“He’s come home great from it and we are very happy with him.

“There are no plans for Aintree, but Punchestown maybe. There will be something for him anyway, although I haven’t looked at it yet.”

An Epic Song, who was equipped with cheekpieces for the first time, may be held back for a novice chasing campaign next season, should the ground firm up.

Brassil added: “We were thrilled with his run, but I think the winner was laid out for the race, because he had a bit of bad luck the last couple of years. He ran into a machine the first time (in Galopin Des Champs) and then he was brought down the following year. I’d say they had the plan for that.

“The cheekpieces seemed to work, but the ground on the slow side helped him more than anything, He is very ground dependent.

“We have to wait and see what the ground is, but he will probably go chasing in the autumn.”

Haydock hero Richmond Lake stakes Aintree claim

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Richmond Lake may have earned himself a place on Donald McCain’s squad for Aintree next month following a dominant front-running display at Haydock.

The seven-year-old carried the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings to a couple of victories over hurdles last season and was runner-up to the top-class Jonbon in a Grade Two at Haydock in January.

His chasing career got off to a fairly inauspicious start at Carlisle in the autumn, but he had since won at Wetherby and finished second at Ayr and he was a 5-2 shot for his return to Merseyside in the Bob ‘Few Scoops’ Kerslake’s 70th Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Ridden by Theo Gillard, deputising for suspended champion jockey Brian Hughes, Richmond Lake was sent to the lead from the start of the two-and-a-half-mile contest – and while he showed a marked tendency to jump left, he was accurate enough at his obstacles to keep the pressure on the chasing pack.

Ned Tanner attempted to make a race of it in the straight, but McCain’s charge ultimately had far too many guns and was good value for the winning margin of four lengths.

“That is just him (jumping left). We went to Carlisle for his first run over fences and it was a bit of a horror show to be honest because he does go that way, but he is a talented horse,” said the Grand National-winning trainer.

“I know he went that way again today, but he jumped like a buck and picked up really well.

“He’s got an engine and it’ll be Aintree or Ayr for him now. We’ll get him home and see, but I would have thought it’ll be one or the other.”

Fourofakind provided fledgling trainer Harry Derham with the 10th winner of his debut season in the Haydock Park Welcomes Racing To School Maiden Hurdle.

Fourofakind with connections after winning at Haydock
Fourofakind with connections after winning at Haydock (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Previously placed at Taunton and Newbury, the four-year-old was the 4-5 favourite to make it third time lucky on Merseyside and readily pulled 12 lengths clear of his rivals in the hands of Paul O’Brien.

Derham said: “I’m very pleased with how the season is going and I’m extremely pleased for this horse and the group of owners.

“There’s a few professional golfers in there, headed up by Ken Comboy, who is Graeme McDowell’s caddy. I met him at a Pro-Am 10 years ago, we’ve kept him in touch, he said he’d support me when I set up and he did.

“I’m going to take this horse to Ascot on April 2 now if I can. There’s a juvenile handicap hurdle worth a few quid and I feel like a competitive handicap can improve him a bit.”

The Molson Coors Juvenile Hurdle ended up being a match, with Alan King’s Tuddenham Green (evens) readily accounting for the Venetia Williams-trained Jolly Nellerie (4-5 favourite).

Winning jockey Daryl Jacob said: “He’s not a horse for making the running really and he just had a look at the first because of the nature of the race.

“We didn’t know how good Venetia’s horse was, but our horse is a nice stayer and I thought he was good over the last four hurdles.”

Dan Skelton and conditional jockey Tristan Durrell combined to land the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle with 13-2 chance Alnadam.

Rated as high as 145 over fences at his peak, the 10-year-old made the most of a more lenient hurdles mark of 121 with a two-and-three-quarter-length success over the well-backed Hasty Brook.

Skelton’s assistant, Tom Messenger, said of the winner: “He had a bad fall last season at Perth and took a while to get going this season.

“We’ve gone back over hurdles and he ran much better last time and has done better again. He’s taken a bit of rebuilding this season and it’s nice to see it pay off. He’ll stick over hurdles.”

Equus Dreamer (6-1) galloped his rivals into submission in the Tim Molony Handicap Chase, making much of the running under David Bass and saving just enough to see off 13-8 favourite Your Own Story by half a length.

Equus Dreamer won the three-and-a-half-mile handicap chase
Equus Dreamer won the three-and-a-half-mile handicap chase (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Kim Bailey’s assistant, Mat Nicholls, said: “He’s never run over three and a half miles before and we said to David ‘make sure he gets the trip’. He was obviously confident!

“He’s always raced behind the bridle and when the second horse came to him, you just suspected he had something up his sleeve.

“He jumps really well and ought to improve, but he does want soft ground.”

Bailey and Bass doubled up with the visored Broomfield Present (8-1) in the Old Boston Handicap Hurdle, while the concluding Haydock Park Racecourse Handicap Chase went the way of Grey Diamond (100-30).

Reveley in race against time to be fit for Roi Mage National ride

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James Reveley is still holding out faint hopes that he will be fit to ride Randox Grand National outsider Roi Mage at Aintree.

Reveley, who was crowned French champion jockey for a third time in December, adding to his previous titles in 2016 and 2021, has been sidelined after breaking a leg in a fall at Pau on February 19.

Now he is facing a race against time to be fit for a rare opportunity to ride in the world’s most famous steeplechase.

“I’ve got a fractured tibia and I’m on the mend, but it could be touch and go for the National, to be honest,” said Reveley.

“I’m looking to get back around Easter. My target is April 8 to be back riding.

“I’m actually getting operated on to remove a screw, as it has come a bit loose and we will see how things go over the next week to 10 days.

“You can’t rush bone injuries and I have the leg to build back up. I’m slowly getting there but it takes a bit of time and work.”

The Patrick Griffin-trained Roi Mage is a general 50-1 shot for the April 15 National, having chased home Longhouse Poet at Down Royal on Friday.

The 11-year-old carries just 10st 8lb at Aintree, having missed the cut for the big race by one last year.

Reveley has won on Roi Mage before and partnered him when a close-up third tn a Listed event at Compiegne in November.

Though keen to renew the partnership, he fears he may be fighting a losing battle.

He added: “It is up in the air, but I spoke to James (Griffin, assistant trainer) and we said we’d make a decision over the first couple of days in April as to whether I would be fit to ride.

“I said I’d love to ride him and I know the horse quite well. I think he’ll suit the track.

“It is in the balance. I would say it is more unlikely than likely, but you never know. We’ll see.

“I was looking forward to it. It is a shame really, because most of the years I can never ride in the National because it falls on the same day as the big trials in Auteuil.

“This is the first year it has been separate weekends, so if I can’t make it, I’ll be gutted.”

Maximilian all set for Stay Away Fay rematch at Aintree

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Donald McCain will relish the challenge of taking on Stay Away Fay again at Aintree as Maximilian bids to frank the form of his Doncaster victory.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Stay Away Fay impressed when taking the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last week, having previously been beaten a length by McCain’s charge in the River Don Novices’ Hurdle on Town Moor.

Winner of three of his four stats over hurdles for the Owners Group 099 syndicate, the seven-year-old bypassed Cheltenham in favour of the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle on day two of the Aintree Grand National Festival.

“It’s a great form boost,” McCain said of Stay Away Fay’s success.

“Obviously Paul and everybody thought they should have won on the day (at Doncaster) – we’ll see if he’s right.

“We are running at Aintree. I don’t care who’s running against us!

“Paul’s horse won well. It was nice to see. He was good and Harry (Cobden) gave him a good ride and he won very well.”

McCain is happy for Maximilian to play the underdog again at Aintree and he goes there a fresh horse, having last run in January.

He added: “We didn’t want to go to Cheltenham as we always wanted to go to Aintree.

“Touch wood at the moment he gets there in once piece and everything is good at the moment. I’m very happy with him.

“I don’t think Maximilian will ever be impressive in anything he does, but he keeps winning and that’s very important.

“He saves a bit for himself and those kind of horses go under the radar a bit, but that’s fine – that suits us.”

No obvious reason for Thyme Hill’s Festival disappointment

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Connections of Thyme Hill are scratching their heads to find a reason for his lacklustre run in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last week.

The nine-year-old, who had finished runner-up to Flooring Porter in last season’s Stayers’ Hurdle, went into the Grade One chase on the back of victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Having his first run since, the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained gelding finished a laboured eighth to The Real Whacker, coming home under Micheal Nolan some 35 lengths behind the winner in the extended three-mile contest.

“He was disappointing,” admitted White. “He jumped a little bit slowly and at Cheltenham that obviously puts you on the back foot between the fences.

“It just never really panned out for him. We scoped him afterwards and there was a little bit of muck there, but probably not enough to suggest that was any excuse for his below-par performance.”

The Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree opens day two of the Aintree Grand National Festival and has been pencilled in for Thyme Hill’s next run.

However, he must show he has overcome his exertions before representing the Somerset yard at the Liverpool track.

“He has come back and seems in great form and looks well,” added White. “He just didn’t travel and jump as you need to to win races at Cheltenham.

“Hopefully we can move on and get him back on a winning thread.

“It’s early days to make plans, but we will have a look at Aintree and see. Most importantly it is to ensure he’s OK.

“He’s back cantering and seems well, and a decision will be made within the next week or 10 days, but that is certainly the plan at the moment. We will discuss it with his owners and see how his well-being is and go from there.”

No National tilt for Conflated this year, with Bowl the plan at Aintree

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Conflated will attempt to go one place better than last year’s second in the Aintree Bowl following his fine performance to finish third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Taking part in the blue riband for the first time, Gordon Elliott’s Irish Gold Cup and Savills Chase hero ran a stormer in the hands of Sam Ewing – still well in the mix at two out and only giving way to the high-class front two of Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame in the closing stages.

The nine-year-old holds an entry for the Randox Grand National on April 15 with his Cullentra House handler stating he would love to have a crack at the £500,000 contest with what he believes is “one of the best-handicapped horses in the race.”

However, owners Gigginstown House Stud are preferring to hold fire on a National tilt for this year in favour of another attempt at the opening day three-mile Grade One in which Conflated finished a length second to Clan Des Obeaux 12 months ago.

“It was a fantastic run (in the Gold Cup), we were thrilled with the performance and it was a great ride,” said Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O’Leary.

“He’s a very nice horse and two very good horses beat us. But we know we have a nice horse and we’ll enjoy him while he’s around.”

When asked about the possibility of running in the National, he added: “I would say maybe next year and this year all being well he will go back to Aintree for the Bowl.

“I know Gordon says he’s well handicapped and he may well be, but if he goes back to the Bowl, hopefully we won’t meet the Gold cup first or second there. He’s better going left-handed so we would rather go to Aintree than Punchestown.”

Conflated may have to bide his time to represent the leading owners in the world’s most famous steeplechase, but one assured of his place on the teamsheet is last year’s third Delta Work.

Cheltenham Festival 2023 – Festival Wednesday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Delta Work ridden by jockey Keith Donoghue on their way to winning the Glenfarclas Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA)

He was sent off at 10-1 in last year’s race and despite being slowly away, took well to the challenge and was smuggled into the race under a patient ride from Jack Kennedy to stay on for a place on the podium.

The 10-year-old will now return to Merseyside off a 1lb lower mark and with one of his spring targets already secured, having defended his Glenfarclas Chase title at the Cheltenham Festival.

“The plan all year was the cross-country and then Grand National,” continued O’Leary.

“They were his two main targets and he’s got one in the bank. Now we’ll have a go at the second one all going well and as long as Gordon is happy.

“He missed the start last year which is really important for him as he doesn’t like horses around him. He had a ruck of horses around him, but ran a fantastic race to be third and hopefully he will get away better this year and give himself a chance.”

Any Second Now firmly on course for third crack at the National

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Any Second Now tuned up for this third attempt at the Randox Grand National by winning Navan’s Webster Cup for a second time.

Ted Walsh’s 11-year-old won the race by 10 lengths in 2021 before finishing third in his first crack at the Aintree marathon and having skipped Navan in favour of the Bobbyjo Chase 12 months ago, returned to the County Meath venue in top form – pulling seven lengths clear of fellow National candidate Velvet Elvis in the closing stages.

The Grade Two contest – which was originally scheduled for March 11 before being lost to the elements – is a well-used route to Liverpool by Walsh, who also won the Navan feature with Rince Ri 20 years ago and the Kill-based handler was full of praise for his stable stalwart who obliged as the 5-4 favourite.

He said: “He did it nicely, he didn’t do any more than he had to do. Denis (O’Regan) was happy with him.

“He popped away well. Got under the last a bit, the ground is very testing. When he grabbed a hold of him at the back of the last, he quickened up well.

“Each time he has gone to Aintree, his last run has been a win. It has been great to have him and he has been a model of consistency.”

Any Second Now is set to carry the top-weight of 11st 12lb in Merseyside on April 15, but despite his advancing years and that hefty weight burden off a mark 7lb higher than his current Irish figure, Walsh is happy for his veteran to take a third swing at the race having placed in the past two seasons.

He continued: “He has a month from last Saturday (until Aintree) which is grand.

“As long as he stays sound and healthy, he will go there. He has a big task with the top weight on his back.

“He wasn’t unlucky last year, a better horse on the day beat him – a horse (Noble Yeats) on the improve. He was unlucky the year before and he’ll go back and run a good race again, but everything would want to fall right for you.

“It is seven years since he won his maiden hurdle here as a four-year-old.

“He’s grand and a straightforward horse, he’s a bus of a ride.”

Any Second Now (right) ridden by Mark Walsh before going on to win the Tote Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in 2022
Any Second Now (right) ridden by Mark Walsh before going on to win the Tote Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in 2022 (Brian Lawless/PA)

Any Second Now was shortened to 16-1 from 20s for the Grand National by William Hill, while Paddy Power went 12s from 16-1.

Earlier on the card, Henry de Bromhead’s Senior Chief got the better of Gordon Elliott’s Landrake to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle.

A winner over two and a half miles at Punchestown previously, the 6-4 favourite relished the extra two furlongs in testing conditions to set up a return to the Kildare venue for the Festival next month.

“I’m delighted with that, he’s a lovely horse,” said De Bromhead.

“I like the way he ground it out there. He’s still a baby, but he is improving all the time.

Senior Chief after winning at Navan
Senior Chief after winning at Navan (PA)

“He only needs to land there, you wouldn’t want to be getting there too soon.

“It does look like that (stay all day), but yet he has a gear as well, funny enough. He was only just beaten in a two mile maiden hurdle in Clonmel.

“He’s qualified for the Red Mills auction final at Punchestown, so he’s entitled to go there. We wanted to get him a bit more experience.”

Banbridge booked for Aintree after missing Cheltenham

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Banbridge and Nusret will both be heading to Aintree as Joseph O’Brien shuffles his pack following the Cheltenham Festival.

The former was a staying on second in the Irish Arkle when last sighted and was declared to run in the Turners Novices’ Chase won by Stage Star before the ground at Prestbury Park went against him on the day of the race.

He will now be redirected to Liverpool where both the opening day Manifesto Novices’ Chase (April 13) over two and a half miles and the shorter Eft Systems Maghull Novices’ Chase on Grand National Day are possible options.

Meanwhile, Nusret – who was among the favourites for the Boodles before swerving the Festival – will be set a Grade One assignment in the Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle having picked up the Adonis at Kempton on his last raiding mission to the UK.

“Banbridge will go to Aintree all being well,” said O’Brien. “He will have entries in the two-mile race and the two-and-a-half and he’ll run in one of those.”

“Nusret is going to Aintree as well. It will be a lovely race to run him in.

“I think he’s right in the mix with the UK runners and I think he’s right in the mix with his Irish form as well.”

Home By The Lee is another who could make O’Brien’s teamsheet for the Grand National Festival following his brave effort in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

The eight-year-old rallied with great credit after making a juddering mid-race error and was a staying-on fifth at the line – beaten just shy of four lengths behind the victorious Sire Du Berlais.

The Liverpool Hurdle (April 15) is now a possibility along with the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival (April 27) and an enterprising Channel-hopping trip to Auteuil for the Grande Course De Hures D’Auteuil (May 20).

“He didn’t get the rub of the green and was lucky to stand up with the mistake he made, but he has come out of the race well,” continued O’Brien.

“He has options in Aintree, Punchestown and in France – the French Champion Hurdle.”

Staying closer to home, however, is one-time Derby favourite High Definition who got somewhat bogged down in the soft ground in the Festival-opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

High Definition could step up in trip after getting stuck in the soft ground at the Cheltenham Festival
High Definition could step up in trip after getting stuck in the soft ground at the Cheltenham Festival (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Owning Hill handler is yet to decide whether he steps the classy son of Galileo up in trip for his next outing or persists over the minimum distance – but he is on course to be seen at either Fairyhouse for their April Easter Festival or Punchestown later in the month.

“He just got stuck in the tacky ground a bit,” O’Brien added.

“He jumped well all the way, but JJ (Slevin, jockey) said he knew after he had jumped two hurdles he was struggling a bit in the sticky going.

“We’re looking at both options (in terms of trip) and he has options in Fairyhouse and Punchestown.”

Tzarmix and Shomen Uchi make it a good day for Sam Thomas

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Sam Thomas has plenty to look forward to having enjoyed a fruitful time at Chepstow on Sunday, saddling a double at his local course.

Based at The Hollies on the outskirts of Cardiff, the Gold Cup-winning jockey has sent more of his string to Chepstow than any other track since joining the training ranks – a move that paid dividend when Tzarmix took the opening Cazoo Novices’ Hurdle.

Sent off at 16-5 against Tolworth Hurdle second L’Astroboy, Tzarmix was smuggled into the race by Harry Cobden before taking dead aim and running down his rival when Evan Williams’ odds-on favourite – who had traded at the minimum 1.01 on Betfair – tired after the last.

“We are thrilled with him, he’s a work in progress,” said Thomas.

“I don’t want to get too carried away, the second horse was out in front a long time and in those conditions it probably didn’t suit him. It’s nice to go and beat a well-touted horse, but I just hope the handicapper doesn’t take it literally. It’s a lonely old place up in front at Chepstow and it’s nice we had something to aim at rather than the other way round really.

“Harry has ridden him to run well basically and I think if he had ridden him to win he wouldn’t have won so it’s funny how it worked out.”

The winner will be left to swim in calm waters for the time being – given plenty of time to continue his racing education.

“He’s got so much still to learn,” Thomas continued. “He doesn’t jump the most fluently and show his hurdles respect at the minute so he has got a lot of practice to do at home. He has always been the same, he doesn’t have much regard for a hurdle.

“Hopefully as he picks up more runs he will learn on the job alongside his practice at home. But he’s clearly got an engine and is very much a work in progress.”

Another of the Thomas string held in high regard is Shomen Uchi, who sailed to to an easy 11-length victory in Cazoo Maiden Hurdle – Charlie Deutsch simply having to point the 11-10 favourite in the right direction.

After running with credit at Aintree in the Grade Two bumper last term, Shomen Uchi could return to the Merseyside track during the Grand National Festival next month.

“It’s only a maiden at the back-end of march so I don’t want to get too carried away, but he’s a horse I’m very fond of,” said Thomas.

“For whatever reason we haven’t been able to get him out as much as I would have wanted this season, but he’s very talented and loves soft ground. He will be a lovely staying chaser in time.

“I’ve always thought a lot of him and it just goes to show, if you are not over-racing them, what they can achieve – the more time we give this horse the better he will be.

“We’ll see if the handicapper gives us a mark now and if it is a rating that would warrant us going to one of the handicaps we will consider Aintree, but it is not the be-all and end-all if we don’t go there.”