Tag Archive for: Warwick

Messire Des Obeaux delights connections at Warwick

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Messire Des Obeaux rolled back the years to secure his first victory since January 2021 in a pulsating renewal of the Virgin Bet Warwick Castle Handicap Chase – leg one of an Alan King double at Warwick on Saturday.

Dan Skelton’s Knight In Dubai looked to have slipped clear turning for home but King’s veteran rallied and was keeping on strongly to pull out more and edge his way in front in the dying strides.

A winner of the Grade One Challow Hurdle in his formative years and also a graded scorer over fences, this was a huge step up from the 11-year-old’s reappearance at Wincanton last month, landing the spoils by a neck at 8-1.

“He means a lot to everyone at the yard, they’ve really nursed this horse,” said Anthony Bromley, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

“He’s a bit fragile and even before his novice chase season he’d been off the track for the best part of 1,000 days.

“He’s still got loads of enthusiasm and we still send him down early before his races, just to keep the lid on him. He loves it!

“Kingy has put a lot into this horse, so that meant a lot and it was a big win. There was around £20,000 to the winner there so that pays for around a year of training fees, so it’s a great result.

“He’s going to get hit by the handicapper now because they pulled away from the third, but you can’t plan for this horse. We’ll see how he is in the morning and plan accordingly. We tried three miles as a novice and he didn’t really ever get that, so he’s looking at two and a half miles.

“I’d say the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury may come a little too soon for him, but that would be the kind of race we’d look at. We don’t think Cheltenham would suit as he likes flat tracks – who knows Aintree may suit him.”

In perfect symmetry the Banbury Castle handler bookended the card when also taking the concluding Virgin Bet Open National Hunt Flat Race with 2-1 favourite Favour And Fortune.

The five-year-old son of Soldier Of Fortune scorched seven and a half lengths clear of a smart field and winning jockey Tom Cannon believes bigger things lie ahead.

He said: “That was very impressive under a penalty. He put a lot of distance between him and the other horses and it didn’t look a bad bumper on paper so he’s obviously smart and we’re probably looking at bigger and better things now.

Favour And Fortune after winning the bumper at Warwick
Favour And Fortune after winning the bumper at Warwick (PA)

“Whether that is Cheltenham or Aintree, it’s probably either or and he’s probably up to that level. He’s got a good future.”

Hullnback (2-5 favourite) may have booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival with an impressive nine-and-a-half-length victory in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices’ Hurdle.

The Fergal O’Brien-trained six-year-old, who is owned by the Hull-based We’re Having A Mare (Wham) syndicate, holds entries in both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Ballymore at the Festival, but assistant trainer Sally Randell is inclined to stay at two miles for the time being.

She said: “We wanted to run in a better race but we couldn’t and we needed to get him out because he’s an absolute handful.

“We just needed a run and he’s done it really impressively. Had he met the last better, he wouldn’t have missed a beat and he hardly came off the bridle.

“We’ve had to make a lot of use of him because of the races he’s been in with there not being a lot of pace but I think in a race with more pace it will make him even better.

“He wants further, but I’m not sure – I’ll have to chat with Paddy (Brennan) and Fergal about that. He’s going to want further but he’s handling two miles and he’s not even having hard races so we’ll see.”

Sheena West’s Mr Freedom (13-2) could also be Festival bound having gamely landed the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle.

“He’s incredible, he’s not very big, but he did it just as well on the Flat the other day,” said West.

“He seems to like a rough race and I’m hoping he will go up enough (in the handicap) to get into the Fred Winter. He likes it the hard way. The more difficult it is the better he is, if it’s easy he loses interest.”

There was also a winner for Tom Lacey when the Jonathan Burke-ridden Imperial Alex (9-4 favourite) made a successful step up in trip in the Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle.

Theatre Glory takes starring role at Warwick

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Theatre Glory could be set for bigger and better things following a facile victory in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Warwick Mares’ Hurdle at Warwick.

The late defection of Mares’ Hurdle candidate Love Envoi saw Nicky Henderson’s charge sent off the 4-7 favourite for the Listed event and she duly obliged, scoring by an eased down 11 lengths having beaten off the challenge of 2021 winner Molly Ollys Wishes.

Winning rider Nico de Boinville was impressed by the performance, with the quick ground at the midlands venue a bonus for the rapidly-improving six-year-old.

He said: “I’d say she’s stepped up again today. The way she went through the race, I was trying to look for a lead, but she just wanted to get on and every time she saw a hurdle she just pricked her ears and couldn’t wait to get at them.

“She loved that quick ground there, its proper quick ground there today and it’s an exciting time for the yard with all these good mares.”

The daughter of Fame And Glory, who is owned by the Canter Banter Racing syndicate, does not hold an entry for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and would have to be supplemented to line up.

Theatre Glory in action at Huntingdon racecourse
Theatre Glory in action at Huntingdon racecourse (Tim Goode/PA)

With a handicap mark of 137 no doubt set to rise, Betfair go 12-1 from 20s for her to replicate another Henderson trained mare, Dame De Compagnie, and land the Coral Cup.

However, De Boinville refused to be drawn on her next move with Seven Barrows housing some of the best female talent around, which includes defending Mares’ Hurdle champion Marie’s Rock and former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante.

He continued: “Possibly (the Mares’), she’ll definitely benefit from a stronger pace and something to tow her along, but she’s been very well placed so far in her career and it’s not for me to decide.

“She’s definitely grown and matured this year and there’s definitely more to come.”

Harry Fry taking cautious route to Cheltenham with Love Envoi

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Harry Fry was content with his decision to err on the side of caution with Love Envoi, having taken the star mare out of her intended engagement at Warwick on Saturday.

Winner of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, the seven-year-old was due to complete her Festival preparations in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Warwick Mares’ Hurdle.

But connections felt conditions were quicker than ideal, particularly with the Prestbury Park in mind.

Fry said: “She doesn’t need to prove to us how good she is, she’s shown us that, but it has all been on slower ground.

Love Envoi on the way to victory at Cheltenham last year
Love Envoi on the way to victory at Cheltenham last year (Tim Goode/PA)

“We’ve had this race in mind all season in terms of completing her Cheltenham preparation, but only if circumstances allowed and it’s just unfortunate, it’s no one’s fault. They’ve just had no rain since Classic Chase Day and it’s a great old saying ‘if in doubt, there is no doubt’.

“It’s frustrating and I also couldn’t run Gin Coco today (at Newbury) who was second-favourite for the Betfair Hurdle. It’s just been an extraordinary season with the weather.

“But we’re very happy where we are with her and we’ll take her home now. She’ll complete her preparation at home and undoubtedly we’ll take her away somewhere for a gallop having not run today. So we’ll look forward to getting there in March in tip-top form all being well.

“She has shown us her well-being at Sandown and I just didn’t want to take a risk on drying ground so close to her big day when she has showed us how effective she is on a slower surface. Admittedly if the ground is in a similar situation at Cheltenham we’ll have to make that decision nearer the time, but that is the big target.

“At some point I’m sure she will run on better ground, but in terms of this being a stepping-stone we didn’t think it was worth the risk today.”

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore will clash with Love Envoi
Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore will clash with Love Envoi (Brian Lawless/PA)

Love Envoi’s target next month is the Mares’ Hurdle – which is due to feature Honeysuckle, among others.

Fry added: “It’s (the Mares’ Hurdle) looking like being as competitive a race as there is all week and there are some very talented mares in there.

“We’ll look forward to getting there in one piece and then worry about who is in opposition on the day.”

Of plans for Gin Coco, he said: “I think so (County Hurdle), he was obviously runner-up there in the Greatwood. It’s again very frustrating not to run him (at Newbury) but he missed a year with a tendon injury, so it’s not worth the risk.

“No doubt he and Love Envoi will have to go somewhere to complete their preparations together.”

Jonbon commanding all the attention in Kingmaker

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Aidan Coleman is relishing the prospect of partnering Jonbon again, as he looks to continue his so-far flawless chasing career in the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

The seven-year-old has made the step from hurdler to chaser look incredibly easy with two wide-margin successes thus far, including a Grade One victory in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December.

Prior to that he won his debut at Warwick in November by seven lengths, giving him experience over both course and distance ahead of the weekend.

The market leader for the Arkle Trophy, the JP McManus-owned Jonbon is likely to face a stern challenger from across the Irish Sea in March as El Fabiolo landed the Irish equivalent of the race last weekend and will be headed to the Cheltenham Festival next.

Jonbon and Aidan Coleman
Jonbon and Aidan Coleman (Nigel French/PA)

Coleman has ridden the Nicky Henderson-trained full-brother to Douvan in all but one of his starts under rules and reports him to have schooled well in the run-up to his Kingmaker engagement.

“Jonbon has been very good this season at Warwick and at Sandown, he was very impressive on both starts,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to getting on him, he’s very exciting. I schooled him on Thursday, and he felt great and looked great.

“I’m looking forward to it, it’s another test for him and there’s a couple of very nice horses in it, but it’s always very exciting to ride him.”

Assessing the threat of El Fabiolo come the big day, Henderson told Unibet: “It’s interesting because El Fabiolo beat Dysart Dynamo at Leopardstown over the weekend, and he is the obvious candidate to take him on.

“We met in the novice hurdle at Aintree last year and Jonbon beat him a head that day so technically there’s nothing between them. A hurdle race around Aintree and a fast-run two-mile novice chase around Cheltenham are two different things.

“Jonbon’s jumping has been very pleasing. He is clever, as well as brave, so hopefully he can do most things.”

Frank Berry, McManus’ racing manager, added: “Touch wood, he’s very exciting. He’s been very good to date over fences and he seems to be really liking it.

“I believe Nicky is very happy with him and let’s hope all goes well now on Saturday.”

However, Jonbon now faces just one rival as Gary Moore’s Haddex Des Obeaux has been pulled out due to a bruised foot and Sandy Thomson’s Bass Rock scoped dirty.

Dan Skelton’s Calico is his only opponent.

Kingmaker promises to be a test for Arkle favourite Jonbon

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Jonbon is out to cement his Arkle claims in the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old has taken to fences seamlessly and the only defeat in his career remains at the hands of his seemingly other-worldly stablemate Constitution Hill in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

With El Fabiolo, a neck behind Jonbon at Aintree last season, setting a new marker in the Irish Arkle last weekend, the JP McManus-owned gelding needs to reassert his authority in the ante-post market.

With experience of Warwick’s tricky fences already banked, Jonbon will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Edwardstone, who won this 12 months ago before taking Arkle glory.

Frank Berry, McManus’ racing manager, said: “Touch wood, he’s very exciting. He’s been very good to date over fences and he seems to be really liking it.

“I believe Nicky is very happy with him and let’s hope all goes well now on Saturday.

“This is a competitive little race and Warwick is a lovely track which tests your jumping.

“Most of these races are competitive, Saturday is no different and that is what it is all about.”

Jonbon faces three rivals and one in particular might make him pull out all the stops.

Gary Moore’s Haddex Des Obeaux has won his last two in the style of a rapidly-improving young novice and is well worth his place in a Grade Two.

Sandy Thomson’s Bass Rock and Dan Skelton’s Calico are two other worthwhile opponents.

Jonbon all set for weekend action, with Warwick still preferred option

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Warwick’s Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase remains the first preference for Jonbon at the weekend, but Nicky Henderson could yet also give his star novice a Newbury entry.

The seven-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over fences so far, accounting for Monmiral by seven lengths on his chasing debut at Warwick before coasting to Grade One glory in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December.

Jonbon is the ante-post favourite for next month’s Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, and while Henderson still favours sticking to novice company for his prep he has mentioned Newbury’s Game Spirit Chase in dispatches.

Jonbon made his chasing bow at Warwick
Jonbon made his chasing bow at Warwick (David Davies/PA)

He said: “I might put him in the Game Spirit at Newbury, but at the moment the plan remains to go to Warwick. That has been the plan all along. Everything has been great since Sandown and he is in super form.

“He schooled on Thursday and he has been great. Aidan (Coleman) will come and give him another pop over fences this week, but he is having a good time.

“He just wants one more run before Cheltenham and this fits perfectly. He was silky smooth at Sandown the last day. He jumped, he galloped and he showed he has gears.”

The Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo staked his own Arkle claims with victory in the Irish version at Leopardstown on Saturday and given there was only a neck between the pair when they clashed in last season’s Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, Henderson is anticipating another titanic tussle next month.

Jonbon edged out El Fabiolo at Aintree
Jonbon edged out El Fabiolo at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)

Henderson said: “That was a good race in Ireland (Irish Arkle) and El Fabiolo was only a neck behind Jonbon at Aintree last season.

“That is good form in Ireland and the danger to Jonbon in the Arkle was always going to come out of that race and it certainly has. El Fabiolo has beaten three good horses there in Banbridge, Appreciate It, and Dysart Dynamo.

“We just want Jonbon to have a nice time at Warwick to put himself right for Cheltenham.

“There is a little bit of room for this race to come and put him where we want him for Cheltenham.”

Frost claims Warwick and Wincanton cards

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Wednesday’s meeting at Warwick and Thursday’s card at Wincanton have both been called off due to frozen tracks.

Officials at Warwick were due to inspect at noon on Tuesday ahead of the planned six-race card, but that check was brought forward after a seventh consecutive night of frost.

The track is frozen and will not recover in time for racing to go ahead.

It is a similar story at Wincanton, with their planned 4pm inspection on Wednesday brought forward more than 24 hours.

The Somerset track is frozen after temperatures dropped to minus 4C overnight.

Ffos Las staged the first turf action in six days on Monday, with 17 fixtures lost over the last week through the cold weather.

Mr Incredible advertises National credentials in defeat

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Mr Incredible may have failed in his late quest to run down Iwilldoit in the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick, but his pilot Brian Hayes believes it sets the seven-year-old up perfectly for a tilt at the Randox Grand National on April 15.

Willie Mullins’ raider was just under three lengths adrift of the winner at the line, but having been ridden with patience in the early salvos, was rattling home at a fair pace under the Irishman, keeping on and reducing the deficit with every stride.

Mr Incredible is owned by Paul Byrne, who was the owner of last year’s Grand National winner Noble Yeats before selling the Emmet Mullins-trained eight-year-old to Robert Waley-Cohen prior to Aintree.

And he could have another contender for the world’s most famous steeplechase on his hands with the son of Westerner available at 33-1 with both Paddy Power and Betfair for the Merseyside marathon.

“It was a cracking run,” said Hayes. “He really warmed up into it. He was a bit slow away and I took the time with him then as was the plan and I was pulling a roller coming down the hill.

“He finished really well. He just missed the second-last and got under the last a little bit, which slowed him down a little bit but the way he finished you would like to think he would be a good horse who will run well in the Grand National anyway.

“I would say the Grand National will be the number one target after that run.”

And the rider, who is a key cog in Mullins’ Closutton team, believes he would have passed the Sam Thomas-trained scorer if the race was run over an extra 50 yards.

When asked if he thought he would catch Iwilldoit, he responded: “I thought so, I was hoping the line wasn’t going to come any earlier and unfortunately it did, another 50 yards and he gets up.”

Aintree could also be on the equation for Dan Skelton’s Ashtown Lad, despite only finishing second in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

A winner over the National fences in the Becher chase earlier this term, he cruised into contention in eyecatching fashion under the trainer’s brother Harry Skelton, but could not grind down Charlie Longsdon’s game Glimpse Of Gala when it mattered most.

“That was a really good run and we’re really happy to him,” said Skelton. “Fair play to the winner as she’s a really gritty horse and she picked up well, but ours isn’t a hurdler.

Ashtown Lad ridden by jockey Harry Skelton on their way to winning the Boylesports Becher Chase (Premier Handicap) at Aintree
Ashtown Lad ridden by jockey Harry Skelton on their way to winning the Boylesports Becher Chase (Premier Handicap) at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)

“I wanted to run him because he’s in good form at home and I didn’t want to then press hard in early February, so that will just keep him ticking over and I’m really happy with him.

“He didn’t quite stay from the back of the last, three miles in soft ground over hurdles is a long trip for any horse. You’re going to want to ask me Grand National questions and that’s my only concern with him – I still have a very unanswered question about that trip.

“He’ll go to Ascot next for the Swinley Chase and I think he’ll be a fair player. I think 145 has got you into the National every year so we’ll see.”

Meanwhile Longsdon was delighted that 5-1 favourite Guetapan Collonges proved he was capable of holding his own when fourth in the day’s feature.

The Chipping Norton-based handler described the race as a “sink or swim” moment for the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old and he thrilled his trainer in the manner he stayed on.

“I’m delighted with him, over the moon with him,” said Longsdon.

“He’s only run in five- and six-runner races all last season. He fell in a two-runner race at Sedgefield, he ran in a six-runner race here. Everyone cribbed his jumping, but he jumped beautifully and Richie McLernon said he got into some rhythm.

“He’s still really weak and Richie said he’s just too weak this year. But another summer on his back and he’ll be a proper horse for all these slow-ground staying chases next year.

“This was a sink or swim today and he definitely stood up to be counted.”

Longsdon delight as Glimpse Of Gala secures Festival ticket

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Glimpse Of Gala put himself in the Cheltenham Festival picture when landing the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Warwick.

A four-length winner at Kempton last month, Charlie Longsdon’s seven-year-old continued her fine association with young conditional Bradley Roberts, with the 7-4 favourite pulling out extra to hold off Dan Skelton’s Becher Chase hero Ashtown Lad.

The winner has now booked her spot in the final of the Pertemps Series at Prestbury Park and was introduced into the betting at 20-1 by Betfair.

“She’s from a very tough family,” said Longsdon. “My landlord has bred three generations of the family and they have all been very tough and she is certainly the epitome of tough.

“A year ago I would never have run her on heavy ground and now she seems to relish it and thrive in it and outbattles them.

“I thought the second horse was going better than us, but she just outbattled him.”

“We’re qualified now for Cheltenham and that will be the plan if we’re good enough to get there.”

On a Festival bid he added: “That will be the plan, we’ve got Hector Javilex who we also need to get qualified.

“So I’m glad we’ve got Glimpse Of Gala qualified, hopefully we get him qualified as well in a couple of weeks and it will be great to have a couple of runners there.”

Haddex Des Obeaux never spotted a rival when producing a taking display of front-running in the Wigley Support Fund Edward Courage Cup Handicap Chase.

Haddex Des Obeaux ridden by Jamie Moore goes on to win The Wigley Support Fund Edward Courage Cup Handicap Chase at Warwick
Haddex Des Obeaux ridden by Jamie Moore goes on to win The Wigley Support Fund Edward Courage Cup Handicap Chase at Warwick (Nigel French/PA)

Up 6lb for his pillar-to-post win at Doncaster over the Christmas period, the Gary Moore-trained 5-4 favourite was foot-perfect from the front once again under Jamie Moore, coming home an eased-down 19-lengths ahead of Venetia Williams’ Galop De Chasse.

“It was impressive,” said the rider. “We could have done with the last fence being in as he jumps so well. It’s a track that is custom made for him, we saw the race in the entry book and we had to get him in.

“I just fill him up up the hill, let him stride on down it and once he saw those fences I thought ‘right, let’s crack on now and get the race won’.

“He’s improving, by Saddex the same as Editeur Du Gite. He was getting beat off 120 and is now rated 160. Now I’m not saying he’s 160 but he’s improving.”

The winner could now be kept busy, with a possible run in the Godstone Handicap Chase at next weekend’s Winter Million meeting at Lingfield entering the equation.

On future plans Moore added: “That (Kingmaker) could be (an option) but there is a race next week at Lingfield.

“I’m not the trainer and we will see what he says, but while the horses are in form you have to strike while the iron is hot.”

A return to Warwick saw Joe Tizzard’s Non Stop (16-5) back to winning ways in the opening Mark Jackson & Neil Keenan Memorial Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

A winner over course and distance on hurdles debut, he could only finish third at Sandown last time. But he pounced with precision at the second-last and drew clear to record a nine-and-a-half-length victory.

Non Stop ridden by Tom Cannon goes on to win The Mark Jackson & Neil Keenan Memorial Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Warwick
Non Stop ridden by Tom Cannon goes on to win The Mark Jackson & Neil Keenan Memorial Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Warwick (Nigel French/PA)

Winning rider Tom Cannon said: “He was a bit keen round Sandown the last day, obviously he had course form round here, although I think Sandown was a bit stiff for him.

“The race panned out well, the front ones came back to me and I probably got there a bit soon in the end. He had all the allowances, which obviously helped in these conditions, but he saw it out well.”

The concluding bumper went the way of Tom Lacey’s The Cox Express (100-30) who kept on well to grind down Yonconor for a one-and-a-half-length success.

Grey Dawning takes step up in class in his stride

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Grey Dawning stayed on stoutly to throw his hat into the ring for the Cheltenham Festival with a gritty display in the Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick.

Winner of a handicap off just 123 at Kempton on Boxing Day, Dan Skelton’s charge faced a huge rise in class for the Grade Two event.

Won by the likes of Inglis Drever, Carruthers, The New One and Willoughby Court in the past, the race can certainly throw up a top-class performer.

On paper at least it looked wide open, with Gary Moore’s Givega, related to the great Quevega, sent off the 3-1 favourite in a field of seven.

Harry Skelton returns triumphant
Harry Skelton returns triumphant (Nigel French/PA)

Lucinda Russell’s Snake Roll tried to stretch the field but his jumping fell apart down the back straight when Paul Nicholls’ Knowsley Road, Tom Lacey’s Ginny’s Destiny and the eventual winner all pulled clear.

Grey Dawning (9-2) briefly looked in trouble at one stage and then when Harry Skelton went for a gap between the other two, it began to close.

Skelton had enough horse underneath him, though, and the grey pulled clear in testing conditions to win by five lengths from Ginny’s Destiny.

A delighted winning trainer said: “We’ve always liked him. It’s pretty obvious to say a horse that has won two bumpers you are quite excited about as a novice hurdler, but you’ve got to go and convert that and I think he has done. It was no disgrace to get beat first time, we needed the run a little bit then, but the horse of (David) Pipe’s that beat us is a good horse in his own right.

“This horse has got progressive now and he’s just smart, he’s very smart.

“I had to go to Kempton because he was so well handicapped and I knew I wanted to come here with something. I had Pembroke in mind, but I just think he wants to stick at two miles for now so he’ll go to the Rossington Main next weekend. And when I felt that way about Pembroke, I started to feel differently about Grey Dawning.

“He’ll go any trip and he can go further. Harry said he wasn’t loving the ground – he gets away with it, but he wasn’t loving it.

“In fairness it’s probably good that it has rained, he probably wouldn’t be at home on real tacky ground, at least it was a bit loose. He wouldn’t want to race here on Tuesday, I think he’d find that really unpleasant. He’s going the right way though that’s for sure.”

He went on: “My immediate reaction is he should be going three miles rather than two and a half. We’ll enter him in the Albert Bartlett and if we weren’t happy with that we would go to Aintree. We will see how he is and how the landscape looks for Cheltenham, but I would be highly surprised if he ran at Cheltenham if it was anything other than the Friday.

“Over three miles you could probably ride him a bit more and arrive later on the scene. In a weird way, what happened at the last probably isn’t the worst thing in the world to get a bump and make him concentrate a little bit because when he hit the front at Kempton he ran all over the shop. He’s probably just improving a bit as well and getting the hang of racing.”