Tag Archive for: Gary Moore

Goshen back for second try over the larger obstacles at Lingfield

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The multi-dimensional Goshen has another chance to tackle the larger obstacles when he lines up at Gary Moore’s local track Lingfield on Tuesday.

Already proven on the Flat and over hurdles, the seven-year-old made an eagerly-awaited chasing debut at Ascot on his seasonal bow – but struggled on ground quicker than ideal to trail home well beaten in third.

Since then he has thrived over hurdles in his two most recent outings, winning the Ascot Hurdle before finishing a brave second on a first try at three miles in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle on Boxing Day.

But with an engagement during Lingfield’s Winter Million weekend lost to the weather and Moore searching for suitable options before Wincanton’s Kingwell Hurdle on February 18, Goshen has a second bite of the chasing cherry in the At The Races App Market Movers Beginners’ Chase that only has a maximum field of three.

“It will be a bit of fun won’t it,” said Moore.

“It’s such a great track for a novice and is just down the road – we thought why not? The next race over hurdles he can run in is at Wincanton, otherwise it is the stayers’ route and he isn’t going to win a Stayers’ Hurdle.”

Goshen is rated 18lb higher than both Christopher Wood and Quel Destin that stand in opposition, and Moore hopes the race will give a good indication of whether the seven-time hurdles winner has a future over fences.

“We shouldn’t really be trying to win a novice chase this year should we,” he continued. “But it will tell me if he’s good enough to go back over fences next year or not.

“We could have done with some rain really for him, it’s not really soft enough for him. But listen, if he can’t jump round there (Lingfield), he won’t jump round anywhere.

Goshen ridden by jockey Jamie Moore goes onto win the Virgin Bet Contenders Hurdle at Sandown Park racecourse last year
Goshen ridden by jockey Jamie Moore goes onto win the Virgin Bet Contenders Hurdle at Sandown Park racecourse last year (Steven Paston/PA)

“It’s not the way round he likes going but with only three runners he has to take his chance. The cheekpieces are on just to keep him a bit more focussed.

“If it was the other way round he would take a lot of beating, but left-handed and the ground being on the good to soft side might not be a help to him, he would be better on softer going.”

Editeur Du Gite edges Edwardstone in Clarence House classic

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Editeur Du Gite announced himself as a Champion Chase contender with a heroic performance in the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase.

Gary Moore’s nine-year-old was not in the original line-up for the Grade One contest when it was due to be run at Ascot seven days ago and was only added into the mix when connections stumped up £2,250 to supplement him for the rearranged race on Monday.

The contest was seen as star-studded clash between Willie Mullins’ Champion Chase hero Energumene and Alan King’s Arkle champion Edwardstone in the build up and although the headline acts failed to land the spoils, the race more than lived up to its billing.

Editeur Du Gite (right) ridden by Niall Houlihan clears a fence before going on to win the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse
Editeur Du Gite (right) ridden by Niall Houlihan clears a fence before going on to win the Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse (David Davies/PA)

The 14-1 winner took up his customary front-running role in the hands of Niall Houlihan and led the field along with the market principals willing to bide their time, Tom Cannon anchoring Edwardstone in rear with a target on Paul Townend and Energumene’s back.

But as was the case at Kempton at Christmas when Editeur Du Gite snatched the Desert Orchid Chase from the front, he was still striding on strongly when the field turned for home and alarm bells started to ring for the major players.

Townend required a big leap from Energumene to have any chance of victory at the last and when the Tony Bloom-owned nine-year-old put down, it left only Edwardstone to chase Houlihan and his willing mount up the Cheltenham hill.

Although Cannon edged his way to a narrow advantage with the line looming, Editeur Du Gite fought back just in time to secure a gutsy head success.

It was an emotional win for connections who tasted Champion Chase success with Sire De Grugy in 2014 and their latest two-mile chasing star was cut to 5-1 with both Paddy Power and Betfair for that Cheltenham Festival championship race.

Representing his father, Josh Moore was asked to compare Sire De Grugy to the winner.

“They are quite different sort of horses. To have a horse work as Sire De Grugy at home – I remember we used to have to get milers of the Flat to lead him in his work, because he was such a good work horse,” he said.

“It would be the same with this fellow. He works unbelievably well. He is definitely not far off him, anyway.

“He was there on his own merits. The good thing is Edwardstone came to him and looked like he was going to go on and win the race, but he has fought back at the end. I was a little surprised to see that, in the sense that when he was a novice he used to be a weak finisher at the end of his races and he is actually finishing his races much better as he’s got older.

“Perhaps he has got better stamina now. It could be a maturity thing.”

Editeur Du Gite in full flight
Editeur Du Gite in full flight (David Davies/PA)

He went on: “There are three in the Champion Chase now. He definitely has the right to be in it. Not so long ago we thought we would go for the Game Spirit and then wait for the Celebration at Sandown and miss Cheltenham because the others would be targeting it.

“All being well, he will come back for the Champion now, I should think.”

On the winning ride of Houlihan, Moore added: “It is a big win for Niall as that is his first Grade One, and it was probably his first big winner that he rode aboard this horse at Kempton Park so it is nice for him. If I’m honest with you he is an absolute gentleman to ride in a race.

“Niall has got confidence him as well so it works out well. I remember I won a novice chase on him at Newbury and I said to dad we should go for the Red Rum at Aintree now. I know that was a handicap but he won that race well that day. I’ve always thought he is up to this level. Dad is watching at home today. He would be jumping up and down screaming, but I don’t know if he would be in tears.

“One of the owners Trevor Jacobs has been in a hospital for nearly six months so it is good for him. He is making progress which is good though.”

Houlihan said: “It is unreal really. The horse tries so hard and for you. Every time a horse came to me he stuck his neck out, especially when he got headed after the last.

“To come from behind up the hill here shows true guts. I felt about 50 yards from the line he was coming for me and trying for me and he stuck his head out. I wasn’t sure crossing the line, but thankfully they called my number.

“I’m chuffed. It is brilliant that they put the faith in me on a horse like him and to pull it off is great. You just sit on him and he does a lot for me. He jumps brilliantly and travels well. He is just a jockey’s dream really.

“I thought we are taking on the two best two-milers in the world really if you look at it. I thought if he puts up a good performance he can go for the Champion Chase, where he goes next I’m not quite sure. He has done that the hard way.”

Moore fielding strong squad should Lingfield beat the freeze

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One man desperate for Lingfield’s scheduled third day of its Winter Million meeting to go ahead is Gary Moore, who has several leading chances headed by Goshen.

The seven-year-old would appear to have a strong claim in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle, in which he was third last season, should the meeting pass an 8am precautionary inspection.

Goshen hung out to the right, as he had done on several occasions before, that day but Moore is happy to go back left-handed with him due to the excellent prize-money on offer, with £52,000 available to the first home.

An easy winner of the Coral Hurdle at Ascot already this season, Goshen failed to see out the trip when second to Paisley Park in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton over Christmas.

“We’ve got to give it a go as the prize-money is good and I don’t think the race is overly strong,” said Moore.

“He’s had a good year and done amazingly well and his next run will probably be at Wincanton back over two miles (Kingwell Hurdle).

“He’s in good form, has come out of Kempton well and would go there with every chance.”

Nicky Henderson’s First Street, third in the Relkeel Hurdle over two and a half miles, would appear Goshen’s main rival while three of the seven declared have other options this weekend.

In the Surrey National, Moore is represented by Movethechains, who enjoyed four wide-margin victories at Lingfield last season.

Movethechains finished a respectable fifth in the Welsh National
Movethechains finished a respectable fifth in the Welsh National (David Davies/PA)

He reappeared in the Welsh National and finished fifth, albeit beaten 46 lengths.

“I’m looking forward to him. He ran really well in the Welsh National to say he hadn’t had a run before,” said Moore.

“He runs well round Lingfield and I just hope it’s on for him. I would like to think he’s still well treated, but you can never tell until you get to the racecourse.”

Moore also runs Cloud Dancer in the opening bumper, Heaven Smart in the Winter Million Ballykelly Consulting Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, Hudson De Grugy in the Cazoo Beginners’ Chase, Teddy Blue in the Sovereign Handicap Hurdle and Haddex Des Obeaux in the Godstone Handicap Chase.

Haddex Des Obeaux was a winner at Warwick last weekend
Haddex Des Obeaux was a winner at Warwick last weekend (Nigel French/PA)

“They’ve been all trained especially for it really,” he said.

“I love Lingfield and it’s not far away. I think it’s a very underestimated racecourse and a great track.

“I know you do get soft ground there, but they are National Hunt horses and you know what you are going to get, so I guess don’t go there if you don’t want soft ground.”

The one race in which Moore is not represented is the feature Fleur De Lys Chase, in which Kim Bailey’s Two For Gold is out to repeat his victory of 12 months ago.

He went on to finish second to Fakir D’Oudairies in the Grade One Ascot Chase and ran well for a long way in the Grand National, but he disappointed back at Aintree in the Grand Sefton on his only outing this term.

Bailey said: “We shall be doing our best, so let’s hope the meeting is on.

“The horse is very well, I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He’s been trained for the day, we know he’ll go in the conditions, it will be a war of attrition so it’s fingers crossed.

“He has probably had one race too many at Aintree now, I don’t think we’ll be going back there again.”

Moore eyeing Sidney Banks redemption for Givega

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Haddex Des Obeaux decision to be made for Moore

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Gary Moore is pondering his next move with runaway Warwick scorer Haddex Des Obeaux.

The six-year-old opened his account over fences when making all at Doncaster over the Christmas period, and showed improvement when blitzing the opposition from the front off a 6lb higher mark to land the Edward Courage Cup at the weekend.

Haddex Des Obeaux holds an entry for the Godstone Handicap Chase, which was originally due to be run on Friday’s abandoned Lingfield card but has been saved and moved to the Sunday of the track’s Winter Million weekend.

However, having been raised 10lb for his Warwick saunter, the switch has left Moore scratching his head as instead of competing under a 7lb penalty on the original date for the race, the son of Saddex would have to race off his new figure of 146 in the rearranged contest.

He said: “I was very pleased with him and he showed improvement that I didn’t really believe was there.

“I always thought he was a nice horse and my biggest worry was would he act on that testing ground. But the answer to that we found out is he is better on that ground.

“He might have beat a few out of form horses and a few might have underachieved on the day, but I thought he won quite well and he jumped well. He’s only a first-season novice and I was very pleased with him.

“The handicapper has put him up 10lb so he needs to progress again and he’s down to run in what was Friday and is now Sunday – which half mucks me up because if he was to run on Friday he runs with a 7lb penalty, but if he runs on Sunday he has to line up off his new mark which is 10lb higher.

“Whether we run or not it’s something I need to think about and decide on and speak to the owner. He’s come out of the race at Warwick really well, there’s some good prize-money on offer and the only good thing about it is it gives him an extra two days.”

It appears Graded assignments will be handed Haddex Des Obeaux’s way moving forward, with a return to Warwick for the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase and even the Arkle mooted as possible options.

And Moore hopes that further progression from the Olly Harris-owned gelding will see him end the campaign right in the mix with the best of the two-mile division.

“He wasn’t a cheap horse and he could develop hopefully into a decent two mile chaser,” continued Moore.

“The Kingmaker is an option, why wouldn’t you go back there (Warwick). He’s 146 now so handicaps are nearly out of the question.

Wigley Group Classic Chase Day – Warwick Racecourse – Saturday 14th January 2023
Haddex Des Obeaux ridden by Jamie Moore goes on to win The Wigley Support Fund Edward Courage Cup Handicap Chase during the Wigley Group Classic Chase Day at Warwick (Nigel French/PA)

“He’s in the Arkle which if you’d have suggested that two weeks ago I would have said you are crazy – you probably aren’t going to get the ground which improves him at Cheltenham but you never know with this country. Whether we go there or wait for Liverpool I’m not sure.

“He’s going to be running in these races hopefully and there’s nothing better than a good two-mile chaser. It’s probably not the strongest division in Graded races – look at the Clarence House on Saturday, it’s only three runners.”

He added: “He’s got to progress a lot (to reach that level) and I have a lot of respect for the likes of Energumene, Shishkin and Edwardstone – they are very, very good horses.

“He’s got a long way to go to be up with that sort of class but I would love to see him do it for the horse’s sake, the owner and ourselves most of all.”

Perseus Way out in front in Chatteris Fen victory

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Perseus Way ran out an ultimately decisive winner of the Weatherbys Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle at Huntingdon.

Promising first time over timber at Cheltenham behind Scriptwriter and then a wide-margin scorer at Leicester, the Gary Moore-trained four-year-old was last seen finishing third to Comfort Zone and Dixon Cove in the Grade Two Finale Hurdle at Chepstow.

Keeping close tabs on Start In Front and Despereaux from flag-fall, Jamie Moore’s mount was driven to lead at the second-last and a perfect leap at the final flight went a long way to sealing matters.

Staying on strongly from there, the Olly Harris-owned 10-11 favourite had three lengths to spare at the line over Samuel Spade, who was far from disgraced under his 8lb penalty.

Paddy Power cut Perseus Way to 33-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle and to 14-1 for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival – and it is the latter which appears the most likely target.

Plenty to celebrate after the victory of Perseus Way
Plenty to celebrate after the victory of Perseus Way (PA)

Moore said: “He is a very nice horse and I’m pleased he has done it well today. His jumping is getting better all the time, but it needs to.

“He is getting slicker and quicker and he is starting to enjoy his racing. It was a good run in defeat at Chepstow last time and I felt that Chepstow was probably soft enough for him. We rode him too far back that day and that is why we rode him handier today.

“I don’t think he is good enough to run in the Triumph, but I think he could have a strong chance in the Fred Winter. I may be wrong, I don’t know, but we will take it one step at a time.

“I’m very lucky to have the owner as he is a very good and understanding man. He listens to what I say which makes my job easier.

“He has invested heavily and he deserves all the luck he gets. Fair play to James Savage and Ted Durcan who bought the horse for him.”

Kateira (8-15 favourite) made it two wins in as many starts over obstacles with a bloodless success in the Weatherbys Private Bank Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Trained by Dan Skelton, Kateira had made a triumphant hurdles bow at Uttoxeter in November and jockey Harry Skelton rode with supreme confidence throughout this extended two-and-a-half-mile affair.

Kateira looks to have a very bright future
Kateira looks to have a very bright future (PA)

The six-year-old travelled sweetly into contention, grabbing the initiative before the second-last and accelerating clear, with Skelton taking a long look round on the run to the line.

Winning owner Jackie Chugg said: “That was absolutely brilliant. I’m so pleased as we bred her as well. The mare (Raitera) has had four separate winners including El Presente, who Kateira is a half-sister to. We got the dam in France about 15 years ago from Deauville.

“Kateira should have won today, but she had to carry the penalty and prove herself and she did exactly that. Dan has always thought the world of her. She had to prove plenty today, but she has gone and proved it.

“Dan had a plan before the race to come back here for the Sidney Banks (on February 9) and that’s where she will go next.”

Raffle Ticket outbattled Jay Jay Reilly by a neck in the Weatherbys Hamilton Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The 11-4 shot had to dig deep for Alex Edwards, but the Mel Rowley-trained Raffle Ticket just prevailed after a thrilling battle in a race that had a sad postscript with news The Cob had suffered a fatal injury.

Moore eyeing easier assignment for Authorised Speed

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Gary Moore could lower the sights of Authorised Speed following his Tolworth Hurdle disappointment – with the Champion Bumper fifth now having to prove he is good enough to line-up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

The son of Authorized was sent off the 5-4 favourite for the Sandown Grade One on the back of two impressive victories over timber before Christmas.

However, he failed to land a blow in the hands of Jamie Moore as Paul Nicholls’ Tahmuras took home the glory, fading tamely before two out to leave a question mark over his Cheltenham Festival aspirations.

Authorised Speed ridden by jockey Jamie Moore almost falling to the ground but successfully staying on their feet in the Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park
Authorised Speed ridden by jockey Jamie Moore almost falling to the ground but successfully staying on their feet in the Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park (Steven Paston/PA)

The six-year-old was reported to have scoped dirty after the race and his trainer is now contemplating swimming in calmer waters for his next outing before making a decision on the gelding’s participation in the Prestbury Park opener.

“He had a bad scope after the race, but if I didn’t know that I would say he is fine,” said Moore.

“Obviously he hasn’t done a lot this week, but we have to put the race behind us and move on.

“I’m not too sure where he goes next, but I might just try to find a novice hurdle for a horse that’s not won more than two races. If I can find one of them, it might just be what I do.

“He will have an entry (for the Supreme) but he has to go and prove he’s good enough to go there.

“We did it last year and ran him in the (Champion) bumper, which he ran well in, but you don’t get a lot for finishing seventh do you, and you don’t want the horse having a hard race for nothing.”

Moore though, retains plenty of faith in Authorised Speed, and is certain his Sandown showing wasn’t a true reflection of his ability.

On the Tolworth run, he added: “It was 100 per cent not his true running, he’s a lot better than that. I’m not taking anything away from the winner, but that wasn’t his true running at all.”

Tolworth success with Authorised Speed would mean so much

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Victory for Authorised Speed in the Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle would be the perfect way to repay owner Pat Gallagher, according to trainer Gary Moore.

It was earlier in the year that Gallagher came to the Moore family’s rescue during the time Josh Moore was recuperating in a Liverpool hospital from numerous serious injuries sustained in a bad fall at Haydock.

The Champion Bumper fifth’s owner provided the family with the use of his helicopter for the duration of Josh’s long stay in hospital, which came as a huge help for the Sussex-based Moores in making the regular 250-mile plus journey to Merseyside.

With Josh now home and assisting his father at their Lower Beeding base, Moore believes success for Authorised Speed in the Grade One at Sandown on Saturday – which often serves as a key Supreme Novices’ Hurdle trial and was won last year by Constitution Hill – would be the “icing on the cake” in terms of showing his gratitude to Gallagher.

Moore said: “Pat is an unbelievable man and he was so helpful when Josh was in hospital. He is such a kind and generous man.

“I don’t know how many times I went to Liverpool in the helicopter to see Josh, it must have been six or seven times and that is not cheap to do that.

“It saved a lot of time and headaches on the road to fly me and Phoebe, Josh’s partner, up there. It was a massive help and he couldn’t have done any more.

“I could never do enough for him and to get him a Grade One winner would be fantastic.

“He has had a few flat horses with me before and he is very grateful for everything you give him, but a Grade One winner really would put the icing on the cake as a way of thanks.”

With Luccia an expected absentee, Authorised Speed is set to face seven rivals this weekend – all bar two of which are last-time-out winners.

Market opposition to Authorised Speed comes from Tahmuras, who runs for Paul Nicholls, and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Arctic Bresil who makes the journey from Ireland and will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore.

Jupiter Du Gite impresses at Newbury, as Jet Powered beaten

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Jet Powered was beaten at prohibitive odds at Newbury – but there appeared to be no fluke about the 66-1 success of Gary Moore’s Jupiter Du Gite.

Nicky Henderson’s Jet Powered was sent off the 2-7 favourite having been hugely impressive on his first outing and was prominent in the ante-post betting for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Everything appeared to be going according to plan for Nico de Boinville’s mount in the Coral Racing Club Join For Free ‘Introductory’ Hurdle as he tracked Jupiter Du Gite, Moore’s apparent second string behind Inneston, through the first mile and a half.

But when they turned into the straight and Niall Houlihan injected further pace from the front, Jet Powered was soon floundering on rain-softened ground and by the third-last he was making no impression.

In contrast Jupiter Du Gite galloped on relentlessly, winning by 15 lengths from Klitschko, who stayed on from the rear to claim second ahead of Inneston.

The winner was introduced into Betfair’s market for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 16-1, with the same firm trimming Marine Nationale into 11-2 from 8-1. Favourite Facile Vega hardened into 8-11 from evens.

“If you’d have given me any money to back him, I’d have put it in my pocket,” said Moore, who has another Cheltenham Festival target in mind.

“It must be the weight difference. I am totally shell-shocked. The horse is cranky – he’s mad in the head. He has behaved himself impeccably today, except when I saddled him – he went through the roof twice in the saddling-up box.

Jupiter Du Gite put in some big leaps on his way round
Jupiter Du Gite put in some big leaps on his way round (Nigel French/PA)

“(I don’t know) whether he has got an easy lead in front, or whether he loves bad, bad ground.

“I watched the replays of his races in France and one was a trotting race, pulled by a car. I thought why have they done that? They could only have done that to settle him down. He has won pulling a car today, hasn’t he!

“He goes out on his own every day. He wears a hood, has cotton wool in his ears, he has a hood on. He is a complete enigma.

“I thought Inneston would win. I honestly thought he would win. The favourite didn’t worry me. He is a good horse.

“But this horse is a very busy horse at home and is probably fitter than Inneston is – he probably needed that run today and in time he will be a very nice horse. That horse, to do what he has done to that lot, is amazing.”

He went on: “He is a half-brother to Editeur Du Gite (Desert Orchid Chase winner), who likes quick ground.

“I said to the owner (Alan Jamieson), we would have to go into the Triumph on that display. He has to go left-handed – he can’t go right-handed. I’m shell-shocked, I really am. I am so pleased for Alan. He is a good owner, he never moans and has had a terrible season with other horses, who have been so disappointing. I thought, if this horse gets round today, it would be a miracle.”

Of Inneston, he added: “I hope the reason is that he was just a little bit short of work after 440 days off. The weather didn’t help, but he is a very nice horse. We will find a small novice hurdle for him next.”

Moore set to raise Givega’s sights after Fontwell strike

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Givega is set to step up in grade having enhanced his reputation at Fontwell on Boxing Day.

Winner of a Tralee point-to-point for Colin Bowe in May 2021, the son of Authorized was ultra-impressive when making his belated debut under rules at Lingfield in November, bolting up by 13 lengths.

Keen to get some more experience into the highly regarded six-year-old – who is out of a sister to the great six-time Cheltenham Festival winner Quevega – Gary Moore sent his charge to one of his local tracks under a penalty over the festive period.

He came through the assignment with flying colours, making all and quickening well when briefly challenged two out to record a five-length success.

Now the Sussex-based handler is keen to test his exciting prospect in Graded company and is not against stepping up in trip with Givega on his next start.

“I was delighted,” said Moore. “He had to make all his own running and he had a little blip in the week before his run which kind of worried me, but he has still come through and won as he did, so I was highly delighted and he’s a very nice horse that I think quite highly of.

“I’m not sure where he could go next. The Tolworth might be an option, but that will probably come too soon and I will probably run the other horse in that (Authorised Speed). So I need to get my head into the programme book and see where there are some hurdle races.

“He does need soft ground – it wasn’t that soft at Fontwell, it was given as good to soft, but it was more good ground to be honest.

“It’ll have to be a step up in grade now as he has a double penalty, even though he needs some more experience really. But I think it will have to be a step up in grade.

“He’ll get two and a half (miles) and potentially get three, so he could step up in trip.”