Tag Archive for: You Wear It Well

You Wear It Well heading Snowden’s likely Aintree squad

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Jamie Snowden is looking to continue a fine season as his Cheltenham heroine You Wear It Well heads to Aintree.

The six-year-old has been beaten just once all term when second in the Grade One Challow Hurdle, outside of which she has been a decisive winner of four contests.

Her most recent success came in the Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, a Grade Two event at the Cheltenham Festival.

That two-and-three-quarter-length victory was a first Festival success for Snowden since 2014, when Present View struck for the same owner in Sir Chips Keswick – the former Arsenal chairman.

“Having worked for both Nicky (Henderson) and Paul (Nicholls) beforehand, I kind of thought, rather naively, that these things were going to happen rather more regularly,” Snowden said of the nine-year gap to a second Festival win.

Jockey Gavin Sheehan You Wear It Well
Jockey Gavin Sheehan You Wear It Well (Tim Goode/PA)

“To wait nine years for our next winner was incredibly special and very poignant that our children were there picking up the trophy that was the Jack de Bromhead trophy this year.

“It was a very special moment. It was a great boost for everyone at Folly House, it is all credit to the whole team, I’m delighted with how the season is going.”

You Wear It Well will head next for either the Top Novices’ Hurdle or the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, both Grade One races run over two miles and two and a half miles respectively.

“She’s bouncing, she’s taken all her races well and has improved with every start,” said Snowden.

“She won the two-mile-four-furlong Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle then dropped back in trip to win over two miles at Cheltenham.

Jamie Snowden at the Cheltenham Festival
Jamie Snowden at the Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA)

“She looks versatile trip wise, so we will see what the ground is like and entries and make a decision.

“She handles a bit of cut in the ground but with it having been a relatively dry season, she has also handled the better ground too.

“I think she is hopefully a good mare that can handle all ground conditions, but a bit of cut would certainly help her.”

Kiltealy Briggs is another likely to head to Aintree, with the Topham Chase as his aim having schooled well over Lambourn’s National-style fences in preparation.

“He goes well fresh, his handicap mark has dropped down to below his previous winning mark and the plan has been to go to the Topham,” said Snowden.

Kiltealy Briggs at Cheltenham
Kiltealy Briggs at Cheltenham (Steven Paston/PA)

“He is out of a sister to Ballabriggs who won the Grand National, so we are very keen to get him over the National fences, he is a proper jumper.”

Colonel Harry is pencilled in for the Top Novices’ Hurdle at the meeting but also has an alternative option in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.

“Colonel Harry has had a wonderful season; he has won a couple of races and was a very good second in the Grade Two Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso and ran a cracking race in the Tolworth Hurdle,” said Snowden.

“We will now decide between Aintree or Ayr.”

Snowden able to look back with pride on efforts of Cheltenham team

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Jamie Snowden had a surprisingly clear head the morning after You Wear It Well took the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and is in no rush to make plans for the Grade Two winner.

Nine years on from the Lambourn trainer’s first Festival success with Present View, Gavin Sheehan’s mount was up there all the wa and held off Magical Zoe to score at odds of 16-1.

“She trotted out like a gazelle,” Snowden said. “She’s fantastic, still biting everyone.”

The six-year-old, who is owned by Sir Chips Keswick, could head to Fairyhouse for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final on April 9.

Snowden said: “We will see how she is before making a plan. She is obviously still in the Grade One at Fairyhouse over Easter. I put her in that a couple of weeks ago.

“That is still an option, but we’ll see how we go with her.”

He added: “We will certainly jump a fence with her before her summer holiday and see where we go next year.”

Meanwhile Ga Law, winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November before falling when looking the likely winner of Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase in January, could still run in a Grand National, albeit the Scottish version.

The fast-improving seven-year-old stayed on to finish fifth to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase.

Ga Law could run in a Grand National after all - at Ayr
Ga Law could run in a Grand National after all – at Ayr (David Davies/PA)

“I thought it was a good run,” said Snowden. “Obviously we know he wants further than that trip, but we were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

“The Gold Cup was a silly option and the Ryanair was too short, but I think he has run to the same level of form he did in the Sky Bet Chase, which was improved form on the Paddy Power.

“I thought it was a cracking run, especially on the back of a nasty fall.

“The long-term plan will be next year’s Grand National. He stays very well, he’s just not very quick. He was outpaced all the way in the Paddy Power and stayed on up the hill.

“He has possibly run a career-best over a trip that is too short, first time up in Grade One company, so he’s run a belter to finish fifth.”

“He’s not qualified for the Grand National next month, so that is a great shame, as that would have been great for him.

“There is obviously the option of going for the Betfair Bowl at Aintree. There is the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown, which we will consider, and there is half an eye on the Scottish National as well. We have got a couple of options.”

Snowden is also looking to the future with Colonel Harry, whose brave effort to make all the running in the bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso two weeks ago was scuppered when narrowly beaten by Nemean Lion.

The six-year-old had finished just behind Kerry Lee’s runner when fourth in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown and, having backed that up with victory at Newcastle, Snowden was content to see the the Grade One form hold fast.

Snowden is excited by the prospect of seeing Colonel Harry jumping fences next season
Snowden is excited by the prospect of seeing Colonel Harry jumping fences next season (Steven Paston/PA)

“It was a great run at Kelso, “ said Snowden. “That was over two miles two (furlongs). A lot of his pedigree is over two miles.

“I think he wants two miles on deep ground – I think that’s his ideal.

“It was a brave effort and it upheld the Tolworth form with Nemean Lion.

“He will be a lovely chaser for next season. We might have half a look at Aintree, depending on what the weather does, but he’s certainly one I’m looking forward to over a fence next year.”

You Wear It Well makes class count for Snowden

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Gavin Sheehan gave You Wear It Well a fine front-running ride to claim the Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Despite having a strong book of form to her name – including a second in the Challow Hurdle and a victory in the Grade Two Jayne Seymour last time out – she was sent off an easy to back 16-1, with 5-4 favourite Luccia was the only horse punters wanted to be on.

Keen to put her proven stamina to good use Sheehan went straight to the front aboard the Jamie Snowden-trained six-year-old and never saw another rival as she showed a tremendous attitude to keep galloping and responding to her rider’s urgings when the pack began to bare down on her in the closing stages.

Henry de Bromhead’s Magical Zoe performed with great credit to take the runner-up spot in the race named in memory of the trainer’s late son, who tragically lost his life in a pony racing accident in September.

An error at the last cost Tony Mullins’ Group One-winning Princess Zoe finishing any closer than fifth.

The winner follows in the footsteps of Love Envoi who triumphed at Sandown before scoring at Prestbury Park, while for Snowden it was somewhat fitting that his second Festival success came in the same colours of Sir Chips Keswick as his maiden winner at the big meeting Present View, ending a long nine-year wait between drinks.

Snowden said: “She’s following the Love Envoi route and is a very talented individual and also a strong stayer at that trip.

“With Honeysuckle retired who knows where she will end up?”

Sheehan added: “I love her, she is a diamond. She tanked the first furlong and a half and she did prick her ears the last time I rode her, but it was honestly poetry in motion today. I just filled her up and when something came on her outside her ears went back.

“We owe a lot to Jamie’s head girl who rides her all the time.

“She’s not easy at home and she will tear up, but once jumping she’s on her game and Jamie is the nicest man.”

Snowden favouring Mares’ Novices’ contest for You Wear It Well

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Jamie Snowden is leaning towards the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with his star six-year-old You Wear It Well.

The talented mare has won three of her four starts over obstacles this term, with her only defeat coming when a gallant second to the highly-regarded Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle favourite Hermes Allen in a red-hot running of the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

She was shortened to a general 8-1 for the mares’ event on the back of a commanding victory in the Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown recently, but also holds entries for both the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett at the Festival and connections were unwilling to pin their colours to a particular mast in the immediate aftermath of victory in Esher.

However, she now appears destined to follow the same route as last year’s Festival hero Love Envoi, who triumphed in the Sandown Grade Two before following up at Prestbury Park.

“I would say we will probably go to the Mares’ Novices’,” said Snowden.

“It’s on the New Course, so there is more of a need for stamina on the New Course than the Old Course and I think it makes sense to keep her amongst her own sex.”

The Folly House handler went on to analyse the claims of his charge in respect of the challenge presented by Nicky Henderson’s Luccia – using Dan Skelton’s Sandown runner-up She’s A Saint as a vital reference point.

He added: “Luccia has obviously achieved a great deal by winning a couple of Listed races. We’ve obviously beaten She’s A Saint by further than Luccia did.

“So you could say she is probably bang up with the best hurdle form on this side of the Irish Sea and deserves to take her chance at Cheltenham.”

Delight for Snowden, as You Wear It Well powers home at Sandown

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You Wear It Well will head to Cheltenham after showing her class in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.

The Jamie Snowden-trained six-year-old advertised her potential with a pair of clear-cut victories in novice contests in the early stages of the season – and looked the one to beat in this Grade Two contest having chased home Paul Nicholls’ highly-regarded Ballymore favourite Hermes Allen in the Challow Hurdle on New Year’s Eve, a race that has worked out tremendously well.

Sent off the 5-4 favourite in the hands of Gavin Sheehan, the daughter of Midnight Legend quickly hit the front to lead the field of five in the early stages.

Halfway down the back Bridget Andrews made an enterprising move on one of the original backmarkers, She’s A Saint, by circling the field and then going on from You Wear It Well as the runners span the turn for home.

However, Sheehan was in no rush to wrestle back the advantage and simply allowed his mount to draw level with Dan Skelton’s 15-2 chance at the second-last before kicking clear to record a seven-and-a-half length success in the closing stages, with She’s A Saint gamely plugging on for the silver medal.

The winner holds entries in both the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park next month, but her handler refused to be drawn on which of her possible engagements would be taken.

He said: “We didn’t really have a plan going out there to be honest, it was a five-horse race and all five have gone on in the past, so I said to Gavin to do what he wanted as he knows her so well.

“I think she was kind of dossing to be honest and when Bridget came past it probably just helped her out a little bit. She looked really good. I look forward to the argument with Chips! (Sir Chips Keswick, owner).”

Meanwhile, Sheehan was keen to evidence the case for the the mares’ only option – with Betfair going 10-1 from 16s for the shorter of the two races.

He explained: “On paper there was going to be lots of speed and that was my plan, to cover her up and just kind of come through.

“She’s one of those who could stay three miles, but I think she can also run over two. I think the mares’ race at Cheltenham would suit. It’s run on the track which is more for stayers, so even though it’s over two miles and no matter what at Cheltenham you’re going to be flat out – so you need to stay.”

You Wear It Well the latest flying the flag for red-hot Challow form

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You Wear It Well will hunt for a first Graded-race victory in the Weatherbys-sponsored Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown on Thursday.

The Jamie Snowden-trained six-year-old, who has good bumper form to her name, was last seen finishing second to Hermes Allen in the Grade One Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury in late December.

Prior to that she was the winner of two novice hurdles in the autumn, making a successful debut over obstacles with a seven-length success at Worcester and then trouncing nine rivals to triumph by 22 lengths at Hexham.

Since Newbury her stock has risen due to the resulting form of the race, with four Challow contenders going on to the win on their next start.

Among them is Snowden’s own Passing Well, fourth in the race and a good winner at Newcastle since, and Fergal O’Brien’s subsequent Sidney Banks victor Marble Sands.

Snowden reports his mare to be in good form ahead of her next target, a Grade Two event which will pave the way to one of a handful of Cheltenham Festival options over varying trips.

He said: “She’s in great order. She’s been pretty progressive all the way through the season, winning her two novice hurdles.

“She ran a cracker when stepped up in trip when second behind Hermes Allen in the Challow at Newbury.

“This looked the obvious step for her, going forward, and she’s in a couple of races at the Festival but we’ll cross this bridge first and see how we go.

“She’s not devoid of speed, but equally there is a lot of stamina in the pedigree so hopefully she’s one of those horses that can be equally effective over any trip.”

Of the Challow form boost he added: “The race has worked out really well, we had the fourth horse, Passing Well, and he’s won since, so has the fifth-placed horse (Marble Sands). ”

Elsewhere in the race there is a sole Irish entrant in Gordon Elliott’s Deeply Superficial, who will be ridden by Davy Russell.

Dan Skelton is set to saddle both She’s A Saint and Vicki Vale, with Touchy Feely, Nicky Henderson’s two-time winning hurdler, completing the field of five.

Snowden has Sandown plan for You Wear It Well

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Jamie Snowden is plotting a course to the Cheltenham Festival via the Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown for his smart Challow Hurdle runner-up You Wear It Well.

Three from four and unbeaten over hurdles heading into the Newbury Grade One, the six-year-old was far from disgraced when both stepping up in both trip and grade, chasing home the ultra-impressive winner Hermes Allen for a brave silver medal.

With black type in the bag and confirmation he has both a talented and versatile mare on his hands, Snowden plans to follow the route taken successfully by Love Envoi in 2022 by running over two and a half miles at Sandown on February 16, before dropping back to the minimum distance for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March.

“It was a cracking run,” said Snowden reflecting on You Wear It Well’s Challow efforts.

“She was fairly unexposed going into the race and although the winner has won quite easily, she has travelled through the race nicely and has beaten the rest of the field easily. She was only just over four lengths behind the winner and a good way clear of the third so it was a fine effort.

“I think we might consider the Grade Two Jane Seymour at Sandown next and then the Festival.

“She stayed the trip well at Newbury, yet her form before that was over two miles so she is a smart mare. She’s a talented mare, she’s not slow but she also stays. You take the impressive winner out of the Challow and she has beaten the others really nicely. She’s a good mare and has bags of talent.”

Snowden also saddled £185,000 recruit Passing Well to finish fourth in the two-and-a-half-mile feature at the Berkshire track on New Year’s Eve.

Although well held, the Folly House handler was far from disappointed with the performance and will now seek to find the six-year-old a winnable opportunity for a confidence booster in calmer waters before potentially returning to Grade One action with a step up to three miles at the Festival in the spring.

“He was fourth and ran a belter, he was just outpaced at a crucial time before staying on really well in the final furlong,” continued Snowden.

“He is obviously a three-mile chaser in the making and I would say we will drop back and try to win with a penalty and then we might head up in trip and have a think about the Albert Bartlett perhaps.”