Tag Archive for: Ben Pauling

Luca Morgan hoping to continue momentum after picking up conditional title

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Luca Morgan has the support of Ben Pauling and his parents to thank as he prepares to lift the 2023 champion conditional trophy at Sandown on Saturday.

Based with Pauling in Naunton Downs, near Cheltenham, the 22-year-old has finished comfortably clear of Harry Kimber – but at 5 foot 11, he never expected to be a jockey taking the quantity of rides he has, as his height prevents him from making the lighter weight required to partner lower-ranked horses.

“It (championship) feels great, it’s not something I ever thought I’d do so it’s a nice surprise and I’m pleased I’ve done it,” he said.

“We had a good summer and managed to keep it up through the winter.

Global Citizen and Luca Morgan in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham
Global Citizen and Luca Morgan in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham (Tim Goode/PA)

“I didn’t have any targets or ambitions as such. I’ve always been one of the taller lads and at the same time heavier, so having loads of rides and loads of winners numerically wasn’t going to be my bag.

“I’ve had so much support from Ben that it balanced out. I’ve managed to ride plenty of winners for Ben and for Michael Scudamore and a couple of other trainers.”

Morgan does not come from an equestrian background – but that did not prevent him and his brother Beau, also employed by Pauling, from pursuing a career in racing after early experiences at riding schools and in the hunting field.

He said: “From a young age I was interested in going to have riding lessons, I was quite small then but I kept going and my mum and dad were really supportive and ended up getting me my first pony.

“Then I went into pony racing and that was that. Beau started riding a lot later than me at about 14. He used to take the mick out of me for riding horses but we had a little hunter at home and he had a little spin on her one day and learnt to ride in about 10 minutes. Next thing you know, he wanted to come and ride out and now he’s up at Ben’s doing what I did a few years ago.

Luca Morgan at Worcester
Luca Morgan at Worcester (David Davies/PA)

“Me and Beau are quite competitive, but we haven’t ridden against each other that much yet. We both rode a couple of days ago at Kempton, he was second and I was fourth so he’s winning at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll ride against him soon and put the record straight!”

Morgan considers winners ridden at Cheltenham, his local track, to be the peak of the season so far, but also particularly enjoys the chance to ride any horses owned by his mother, Georgia Morgan.

“There have been some highlights, I’ve ridden three Cheltenham winners and they’re pretty special at the time. I get a real buzz out of riding good horses on good days and I’ve been lucky enough as a conditional that Ben’s put me up on good horses on good days,” he said.

“Mum owns a few horses, she’d always have one or two. we’ve got Twig who has done quite well and I won on at the start of the season. I always like riding a winner for mum in her colours. My mum and dad were so good and helped me out so much when I was young.”

Luca Morgan's brother Beau aboard Twig, who is owned by their mother
Luca Morgan’s brother Beau aboard Twig, who is owned by their mother (John Walton/PA)

Morgan has been riding without a claim since January and has not found it to be too much of a hindrance, something he hopes will continue into the new season and he looks to reach the ultimate goal of riding a Cheltenham Festival winner after coming close aboard Martin Pipe runner-up No Ordinary Joe at the meeting this year.

Morgan added: “I think it could be positive, I lost my claim in January and it gets harder after that, but I’d been riding for a few seasons and it took me a while to lose it. Now I’ve fully lost it I think I’m experienced enough to ride without it, things haven’t gone too badly since January so if I can keep that up I’ll be pleased.

“To ride a Cheltenham winner any time of the year is brilliant but with a Festival winner, I’ve hit the crossbar a couple of times – I’ve been in the winner’s enclosure but never at the number one. That would be a dream come true if one day we could do that.”

Murphy pencilled in for Polly Pott Guineas ride

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Oisin Murphy looks set to partner Polly Pott in his bid for a first Qipco 1000 Guineas victory after putting the filly through her paces in a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Sunday morning.

The three-year-old was trained by Harry Dunlop last year and saw her stock rise drastically from the beginning to the end of her juvenile season.

In July she began a steep upward climb that saw her land four successive races, culminating in a Group Two victory in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.

The daughter of Muhaarar was then fourth in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October, finishing the campaign on a mark of 106 having been given an opening rating of 68.

Dunlop ceased training at the end of the season and Polly Pott’s owners, the Megsons, transferred her to the stable of Ben Pauling to continue her career.

Jockey Daniel Tudhope after winning the May Hill Stakes with Polly Pott
Jockey Daniel Tudhope after winning the May Hill Stakes with Polly Pott (Tim Goode/PA)

Pauling has been preparing her for a tilt at the 1000 Guineas and has three-times champion jockey Murphy pencilled in to take the ride in the first fillies’ Classic of the season.

“She had a racecourse gallop at Kempton a fortnight ago and that all went rather well,” the trainer said.

“Then she went to Newbury this morning and worked over seven (furlongs) with Oisin on, all went to plan and she seems on track and in good order for a fortnight away.

“She left Harry’s and then wintered with Georgie Nicholls, then she came to me at the beginning of January.

“She’s been very straightforward to train, she’s a lovely little filly who enjoys her job and seems to have strengthened up over the winter. She looks great and is in a good position to take her place in the Guineas.

Polly Pott at Doncaster
Polly Pott at Doncaster (Tim Goode/PA)

“Harry is very much still part of the team, he did a fabulous job with her last year and it’s important that he’s credited with the success that she’s had.”

Of riding plans, Pauling added: “At the moment he’s (Oisin) very much planning on riding, so it’s great to have him on board. He seems to really like her and was pleased with the work she’s done.”

The Guineas may be the initial target for the filly, but there is a long season beyond and hopefully plenty for connections to look forward to.

Pauling said: “We truly think she might possibly be more suited to the Oaks and there are various options. There’s no two ways about it, we’re well aware that we’re shooting for the stars but some of her form from last year was very good.

“There are plenty of others in behind her in the May Hill that are in the Guineas, we go there with our heads held high and look forward to seeing how she can perform.”

Blackmore booked for Bad in Boodles

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Ben Pauling has booked Rachael Blackmore to ride his new recruit Bad in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

A winner last time out in France, Pauling took over his training in December but decided to keep his powder dry having been allotted an opening mark of 126.

With Kielan Woods currently sidelined and Luca Morgan pencilled in partner stablemate Samuel Spade, Pauling wasted no time in snapping up the services of Blackmore, who is of course no stranger to success at the meeting in the past couple of seasons.

“I’ve had Bad since December and he is a horse who I thought was going to get a higher mark than he possibly did coming over from France, so I decided that we would keep him under wraps until this point,” said Pauling.

Ben Pauling has moved to book Rachael Blackmore
Ben Pauling has moved to book Rachael Blackmore (Mike Egerton/PA)

“There’s no two ways about it, a 22-runner handicap on likely soft ground is no easy first assignment – but he seems a very straightforward horse with a good attitude and he jumps well, I’m looking forward to it.

“We’ve booked Rachael as I think Nico (De Boinville) will end up riding the (Nicky) Henderson horse (Arclight) so I thought we’d better try and get somebody to replace him because Kielan Woods is injured and Luca Morgan is going to ride Samuel Spade.

“Samuel Spade has done absolutely nothing wrong. The only time he got beat he was trying to give Perseus Way 8lb and he’s now rated 132 and we’re off 126 so he’s got to give us 6lb this time. We only got beat three lengths so it’s quite a big swing.

“I think he’ll be well suited by the track and he handles soft ground so he goes there with just as good a chance as anything I think.”

Samuel Spade key part of small but select Cheltenham squad for Pauling

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Ben Pauling has highlighted the claims of Samuel Spade in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, as he prepares to go in search of a fourth Cheltenham Festival winner.

Willoughby Court got the Naunton Downs handler off the mark at Prestbury Park when winning the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle in 2017, while Le Breuil in the 2019 National Hunt Chase and, most recently, Global Citizen in the Grand Annual 12 months ago have added to his tally at National Hunt’s showpiece meeting.

Pauling took a selection of his Cheltenham contenders to Kempton for a racecourse gallop as he puts the finishing touches to his squad’s Festival preparations, and believes he has “a fairly strong hand” in the Boodles and that Samuel Spade is “probably one of our best chances of the week.”

The four-year-old – who runs in the colours of Emma Palmer carried to victory at Cheltenham by Le Breuil – has won two of his three starts, impressing with a wide-margin success at Huntingdon most recently having chased home Perseus Way in the Chatteris Fen at the track on his penultimate run.

He said: “He’s done it the hard way. He was only bought in October and we’ve got three runs into him. His form has worked out superbly well – even the horse that finished second in his Kempton race (Chaos Control) won at Market Rasen by 20-plus lengths.

“He gave 8lb to Perseus Way at Huntingdon and was only beaten three lengths, and Perseus Way has gone on to be touched off in the Adonis since and is now rated 132.

Samuel Spade, who could dig punters out of a hole when he lines up in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival
Samuel Spade, who could dig punters out of a hole when he lines up in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival (Nigel French/PA)

“He is probably one of our best chances of the week and I’m looking forward to seeing him out again on the Tuesday of Cheltenham.”

Although he could be light of runners in the graded contests throughout the week, Pauling will be looking to make his mark in the handicaps and last year’s hero Global Citizen will lead the charge.

He added: “Global Citizen had a lovely prep race for the Johnny Henderson (Grand Annual) at Wincanton and he goes back there for that in the same form as last year.

“We’ve got a nice few to look forward to. Fingers crossed we are competitive and with a bit of luck we can pick one up.

“I think we’ve got a fairly strong hand in the Boodles, we’ve also got a strong hand in the Kim Muir and Shakem Up’Arry will be fine over two and a half in this ground in the Plate.”

It is set to be a family affair in both the National Hunt Chase and the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir where Jack and Gina Andrews will both partner a Pauling runner in each race.

Malinello and Harper’s Brook are likely to put their stamina to the test in the longer of the two contests which leaves Southern National winner Slipway and Anightinlambourn – last seen winning at the track in the hands of Jack Andrews at the November Meeting – to take aim at the Kim Muir.

“Gina and Jack Andrews will both have one in the three-mile-six for me and one in the Kim Muir,” Pauling continued.

“Slipway didn’t get into any sort of rhythm up at Musselburgh (in the Edinburgh National). He was an improving sort of horse previous to that and I think we just have to draw a line through Musselburgh. He seems well at home and has to school once more before he goes but I think he’ll have a very good shout in that race.

“Anightinlambourn likes the track and possesses plenty of tactical speed and could also run a big race”

Pauling also feels his Champion Bumper hope Fiercely Proud may have slipped under the radar following his Listed win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

Fiercely Proud ridden by Luca Morgan (right) wins The JCB “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race at Cheltenham Racecourse
Fiercely Proud ridden by Luca Morgan (right) wins The JCB “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race at Cheltenham Racecourse (David Davies/PA)

He said: “He has course form which counts for a lot. That race doesn’t appear to have worked out brilliantly yet, but I think there are reasons why a couple of the well-fancied horses that finished second and third in that race haven’t quite performed to the same level.

“He’s only four, but he’s improving all the time and his work at Kempton was superb.

“He will be dropped in on the day because that is how he likes to be ridden and with a view to picking our way through if they go a good gallop early which will suit us. I do think he will run well.”

Under Control has Newbury covered in stylish winning debut

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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).

Slipway handed Edinburgh National task

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Slipway is set to head to Musselburgh for the Edinburgh National in February, where victory could signal a tilt at the Randox Grand National in April.

The eight-year-old struck a decisive verdict in the Southern National at Fontwell earlier in the season and was due to contest the Somerset National at Wincanton last week before the meeting was lost to the recent cold snap.

He will now be rerouted north of the border where he will have the chance to put his unique blend of speed and stamina to good use around the tight turns of Musselburgh.

Victory in that contest would put him on a mark that could secure one of the 40 slots in the Grand National on April 15, with Pauling admitting he would have to give him an entry if he continues on his upwards curve.

“He will go up to Musselburgh for their nearly four-mile race – the Edinburgh National,” he said.

Slipway in action at Southwell
Slipway in action at Southwell (Tim Goode/PA)

“He’s a lovely horse and he’s not slow as well – I’m determined to run him over three miles again at some point because he’s got lots of gears. He just stays really well and it just seems to fit that those races are the ones that are available for him.

“We are looking forward to getting him out again because it has been a long time between races now.

“If he won the Edinburgh National and got a mark that would get him in then I’m sure he would have an entry (for the Grand National), but everything would have to be right on the day because he’s still a young horse and Aintree is not the be all and end all this year.”

Endless Escape continues winning run for Ben Clarke

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Endless Escape has earned herself a rise in class next month by bringing up a hat-trick at Ffos Las as jump racing returned on Monday following the big freeze.

A winner of both starts since joining Ben Clarke, the 5-2 shot had to concede 5lb to the 8-15 favourite Vicki Vale in the Download The Vickers.Bet App Novices’ Hurdle and it was the market principles who fought out the finish with the winner keeping on well to strike by two lengths.

She will now be stepped up in trip for a Sandown Grade Two on February 16, with her handler believing there will be plenty more improvement to be seen at two and a half miles.

“We were delighted with her,” said Clarke. “We were hoping she would run nicely today to earn herself a crack at the Sandown Grade Two (Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) next month.

“The Skelton horse (Vicki Vale) in the race was clearly a smart horse judged on her Hereford run and we’re absolutely delighted, especially giving the runner-up 5lb as well.

“She will only ever do as much as she has to, she’s quite workmanlike. There is certainly more to come and she will be better for a step up in trip as well.”

He went on: “She has proven herself on three very different tracks the last three times and in different ground as well.

“She’s a proper staying two-miler in stiff conditions, but really she wants two and a half and I think that’ll bring out more improvement which will obviously be needed stepping up in Grade. She’s a smart mare going in the right direction.”

Hercules Morse (100-30) opened his account at the third attempt to win division one of the Best Odds Guaranteed At Vickers.Bet Everyday Maiden Hurdle with Ben Pauling tentatively highlighting Sandown’s EBF Final as an option for his strapping five-year-old.

“He’s a lovely, great big individual who will want plenty of time,” said the winning trainer.

Trainer Ben Pauling was in the winner's enclosure at Ffos Las on Monday
Trainer Ben Pauling was in the winner’s enclosure at Ffos Las on Monday (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I’m not saying he doesn’t have ability because he clearly has. He lugged slightly right there today and won despite that, but he’s a lovely horse for next year and beyond really.

“He’s a classy horse, he moves well and he’s got everything is in the right place, but he’s doing well to be doing what he’s doing at the moment considering his size.

“We might look at something like the EBF Final with him, but he’s not going to be thrown in at the real deep end anytime soon.”

Nick Schofield registered his first winner since returning from injury when partnering Jonjo O’Neill’s Regal Blue (4-1) to victory in the second division, while Dan Skelton’s Real Stone (8-1) won the Vickers.Bet Independent Family Owned Bookmaker Handicap Chase.

The most valuable race of the day went the way of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Equinus (5-2) who built on some smart novice form to take the Vickers.Bet Handicap Hurdle when stepping up in trip on his handicap bow.

“I was very pleased with him and he’s improved with every run. He’s done it really nicely and it’s great to be back racing again,” said Twiston-Davies.

“We may try to get EBF qualified and go for the Final at Sandown, that seems the sensible thing to do if we have enough time.”