05/11/16 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

Best Win Bet: 5:40 Chelmsford– SUNSET DREAM 2/1
Best EW Bet: 1:15 Doncaster– PROCURATOR 12/1

Alan King

2.05 Aintree The Tourard Man

The Tourard Man‘s long-term target is the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham, so he runs in the qualifier at Aintree before having a winter break as he does not enjoy winter ground

★★☆☆☆

2.10 Wincanton Sceau Royal

The overnight rain has encouraged us to declare Sceau Royal for the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle. He was impressive at Cheltenham a fortnight ago and he is a horse who has plenty of speed, but I would always be wary of running him on fast ground and while I was delighted with that comeback run, I won’t be getting carried away just yet.

★★★★☆

2.45 Wincanton Mias Storm

There was virtually no rain overnight on the Sussex track, but 4mm fell in Somerset with possibly more showers to follow later today, prompting the decision-change for the in-form Mia’s Storm, who finds herself with top weight.

★★★☆☆

3.20 Wincanton Ziga Boy

He appreciated finding some good ground at Doncaster last season, winning twice there, and while this is a good prize in its own right, we are also using it a prep for the Becher Chase at Aintree as that race (Dec 3) should give us an idea whether he might be a Grand National horse.

4.15 Aintree Elgin

They are watering so, hopefully, he’ll be able to run, but he is a heavy-topped horse who would always be better with a bit of cut. I’m keen to give him one more run before we go hurdling.

★★★☆☆

Richard Fahey

1.15 Doncaster Party Tiger

Party Tiger is our other representative and he's been running well of late. He had a little issue with the stalls earlier in the year but is over that now and you can't draw a line through him after his last two runs.

★★★☆☆

1.15 Doncaster Yarmouk

Yarmouk has been a bit disappointing and we're trying him in blinkers here to see if that will help. It's a warm little nursery as you'd expect at this time of the year but my horse has ability and will definitely win races although it may be he's better next year after being gelded.

★★★☆☆

1.50 Doncaster George Bowen

I've got to say George Bowen has been a little unlucky on his last two starts. He's run himself into some form and is very well handicapped if he gets the breaks. He just needs to prove he stays this trip.

★★★★☆

1.50 Doncaster Right Touch

Right Touch is rated as high as he'd want to be right now but is in great order and seven furlongs on this ground should be right up his street.

1.50 Doncaster Withernsea

We've got three in the Betfred 'Supports Jack Berry House' Handicap including last year's winner Withernsea. It was soft ground that day and while he does have some form on this quicker surface, I do feel the slower the better for him. There's nothing else left for the horse this year though and we've kept him for this race so we'll run and see how he goes. We're delighted with him at home.

★★★★☆

2.25 Doncaster Growl

I was very pleased with Growl's run when second at Ascot on Champions Day. If he can back that up in the Betfred Mobile Wentworth Stakes on the quicker ground then he'd have a huge chance. There's no reason to suspect he can't and we're very happy with him

★★★★★

3.00 Doncaster Belle Travers

I'd be delighted if Belle Travers could hit the frame and pick up some Black Type. It's her  final run before she heads off to the paddocks but I'd have preferred to have seen more rain for her.

★★★☆☆

4.05 Doncaster Ballymore Castle

Our final runner is Ballymore Castle in the Betfred Lotto '100k Cash Giveaway' Apprentice Handicap and he's another who's best with some give underfoot. He's in great order though and quite well handicapped if things fall right for him.   

★★★★☆

Paul Nicholls

12:30 Wincanton - Capitaine

A gorgeous horse who had been the apple of my eye since arriving from France and won in the style of a smart prospect when hacking up on his second start in a bumper at Wincanton in April. His schooling over hurdles has been good and he is one to follow this winter. Top marks to my local course Wincanton for watering to provide such decent going despite the prolonged dry spell that has made life difficult for everyone. The course was in amazing condition when I walked round late on Thursday afternoon and we've had a nice drop of rain since.

★★★★☆

13:00 Wincanton - Boa Island

Wasn't right last season but showed the benefits of a wind operation on his return at Wincanton thirteen days ago and seemed to appreciate the quicker ground. A fine, big horse he was put up 12lbs for that but he jumps really well and has scope to progress through the season.

★★★★☆

13:35 Wincanton Frodon

I've been thrilled with his jumping in winning both his novice chases this Autumn. He has looked a natural over fences from day one and while this Grade 2 contest is a bigger test I'm confident he is up to the task. The plan was for him to go for the BetVictor Gold Cup next weekend at Cheltenham but it is touch and go whether he will get in from the foot of the weights. So if he wins here a 5lbs penalty should be enough to ensure a place in the line-up at Cheltenham.

★★★★★

14:10 Wincanton Zubayr

A speedy type with plenty of class who won on his debut for us in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in February. The Triumph Hurdle was a bit too much for him on his second start but his final effort when finishing third at Auteuil was much more encouraging. I have high hopes for Zubayr who has done well for a summer's break. I can see him waiting behind the two obvious pace setters and trying to pounce late on.

★★★★☆

14:45 Wincanton Antartica de Thaix

Is a keen going mare who is going to make a nice chaser, maybe later this season. She had a lot of problems with her teeth last winter which made life difficult but she seems in good shape now, really well, so I am expecting a big show from her here.

★★★★☆

15:20 Wincanton Southfield Theatre

A classy horse who did very well to comeback from a serious injury at Cheltenham in March 2015 that almost cost him his life. I had all sorts of problems last season with Southfield Theatre who struggled to find any form in the first half of the campaign but then ran a huge race in finishing fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup which offered hope of more to come. I haven't lost faith in this horse who performs well fresh, enjoys a flat track and has plenty going for him here.

★★★★☆

15:20  Wincanton Present Man

Put a stop to a frustrating sequence of near misses by romping to victory at this course three weeks ago. He has strengthened up over the summer and has always been a terrific jumper so I am hoping he can now continue to make up for lost time. This is a step up in class for Present Man who has to prove he gets the trip. It helps that he has a nice light weight here with Jack Sherwood taking off a handy 5lbs.

★★★☆☆

15:55 Wincanton As And When

A nice prospect who didn't run last season because he was a bit backward. I'd say he still has a bit to learn so image he will be all the better for his first race.

★★★☆☆

12:55 Aintree Winningtry

Another first time out winner from our talented bumper academy last season. I thought he did very well to win on his debut for us in soft ground at Wincanton despite a slow pace. I did think of giving him another run in a bumper for experience but he jumps so neatly at home he looks ready to start over hurdles. He is one for the future.

★★★☆☆

13:30 Aintree Arpege d'Alene

A strong stayer who was only just denied in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Chasing was always going to be his game but he was a bit too careful on his debut over fences at Chepstow a month ago. I'm hoping blinkers can sharpen up his jumping here. He is still learning his trade but could win a nice handicap further down the line as he grows in confidence.

★★★★☆

14:05 Aintree Caid Du Berlais

Won the Paddy Power Gold Cup in 2014 and needed the run at Chepstow a month ago after missing last season with a tendon injury. He improved physically for the year off and is a smart horse on his day. He was dropped 3lbs after Chepstow where he travelled well on the heels of the leaders until getting a bit tired. He should have a good chance here over three miles, a trip that plays to his strengths.

★★★★☆

14:40 Aintree Zarkandar

Has returned into training full of enthusiasm after a year off which encourages me that he can still be a force to reckon with at the age of nine. Zarkandar has been a star for us over the years, came back early in July 4 and is suited by the conditions of this race. A good run at Aintree should put him spot on for the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury at the end of the month.He usually goes well fresh, even when we think he needs a run, though we will check the ground for him first. It is great to have him back.

★★★☆☆

15:10 Aintree Orbasa

Had a wind op in the summer and for some reason it has taken an age to get him fit this Autumn so I suspect he will run tidily here while just needing the outing which should put him straight for something in a month's time. Orbasa was progressive last season with some really solid efforts in defeat after winning the Josh Gifford Memorial Chase at Fontwell. He is a sound jumper who could well have a nice handicap in him but looking at the entries he is not going to get into the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

★★★☆☆

16:15 Aintree Touch Kick

A good looking sort who won handsomely on his debut for us at Wincanton in the Spring. Is another of ours to have a wind op in the summer so he is a little behind most of our team and is likely to improve for this run where his penalty is reduced by Stan Sheppard's 5lbs claim.

★★★☆☆

14:35 Down Royal Silviniaco Conti

I was always struggling with him last season as he had an issue with sarcoids, so it says a huge amount for the horse that he was able to win the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February. He came back into training earlier this time and I've had a clear run with him. The track at Down Royal will suit him and he loves going right-handed so this is the ideal starting point. Conti has been a fantastic horse for us, winning six Grade 1s. He enjoyed a day out at Chepstow recently and is fit to run for his life. This is a seriously competitive race as you would expect, but if he comes back to his best he must go close.

★★★★☆

15:05 Down Royal Le Mercurey

Bids to extend our terrific record in this race over the past ten years. This has always been the plan for Le Mercurey as the flat track at Down Royal should suit him. He is in good shape at home and again wears blinkers which seemed to transform him when he won impressively at Ayr at the end of last season. A serious horse who is still improving, he is a fantastic jumper who always goes well fresh.

★★★★☆

14:50 Auteuil Ptit Zig

This Grade 1 prize has been his target since he gave his owners a memorable day by winning the French Champion Hurdle at this course in the summer. Although he has smart form over fences he will be sticking to hurdles now which clearly suit him better. Ptit Zig is a joy to train and is in top form at home after an away day with three more of mine at Chepstow late last month. I couldn't be happier with him though Blue Dragon will be hard to beat after hacking up on the flat recently.

★★★★☆

Gordon Elliott

12.50 Down Royal Zanjabeel

He is probably not one for winter ground so it makes sense to get him out again now when the ground is still dry enough. He's been in good form since his Punchestown win, where he battled back really well to beat Joseph O'Brien's Zig Zag. He has to deal with him again and Joseph's other runner, Lord Justice, but he should give another good account of himself.

★★★★☆

12.50 Down Royal Mega Fortune

He made an unfortunate start to his hurdles career at Thurles where another horse ran into him and unseated Jack (Kennedy). That wasn't an ideal introduction for him but he's in good form and hopefully he'll have a clear round so we can see how good he is. Unlike Zanjabeel, he's got some form on soft ground, so he may well have a few more options after this.

★★★☆☆

1.25 Down Royal Optimised

He's a nice horse and this is his racecourse debut after he finished fourth in a Dawstown point to point. He goes well but will probably need this run and could struggle to contend with Noel Meade's horse Bel Ami De Sivola.

★★★☆☆

2.00 Down Royal Ainslie

He ran very well on his last run at Cheltenham when he bumped into Paul Nicholls' Cliffs Of Dover, who has won again since. He's another who it makes sense to be running now when the ground is still dry. It's a good open handicap hurdle with plenty in with a shout and he's one of them.

★★★★☆

2.35 Down Royal Lord Scoundrel

He's been a grand servant for us already - having won the Galway Plate and coming so close to doubling up in the Kerry National where he came down at the last. He's come into himself now and he showed on his last run (second to Sadlers Risk at Punchestown) that he's not a million miles away from the top level. It wouldn't be a huge surprise to me if he ran another big race

★★★☆☆

2.35 Down Royal Don Poli

His first run for us and we're looking forward to it. We're still getting to know him but nearly everyone knows the type of horse he is. He showed last year that he belongs at the top level and he could improve again this year - he only has nine runs over fences.

You'd have to respect Silviniaco Conti as he has a good record fresh but I think the horse to beat could well be Valseur Lido, stepping up to three miles. Ideally Don Poli might need the ground a bit softer but he's fit and well and ready to take his chance.

★★★★☆

3.05 Down Royal Shadow Catcher

He's a good horse on his day as he showed when finishing sixth in the Galway Plate. His last two runs have been disappointing though so we're hoping he can improve on ground that will be more to his liking.

★★★☆☆

3.05 Down Royal Outlander

He was a top class novice for Willie Mullins last season. We've had this race in mind for him since we got him and he's in good form and ready to run. It's a cracking race with just 2lbs separating the front four in the betting.

★★★★☆

4.10 Down Royal Runfordave

A nice horse who has given a good account of himself twice in bumpers already. He got bumped around a bit on his last run at Killarney and he could have gone close to winning if it weren't for that. This looks a decent race but he'll be there or thereabouts

★★★★★

Richard Johnson

12.55 Aintree Louis Vac Pouch

He ran okay in a bumper at Market Rasen last time, but he’ll need to step up on that to be winning this. He schooled well earlier in the week and this a nice starting point over hurdles.
★★★☆☆

2.05 Aintree Kruzhlinin

If you could guarantee Kruzhlinin coming back to his old form, he’d have a massive chance in the Pertemps qualifier (2.05pm). He disappointed at Chepstow last time when he just couldn’t get into any rhythm. He frightened himself in the Grand National and he’s now back over hurdles to try to get some confidence. He’s wearing blinkers for the first time and we know he’s got plenty of ability, so hopefully he can run a big race.
★★★★☆

Richard Hannon
12:40 Doncaster- JERSEY HEARTBEAT
She’s a well-bred filly by Bated Breath out of a Selkirk mare who we have given plenty of time to come to herself but she is ready for a run and has been showing plenty of ability on the gallops but she will definitely need this race.
★★★☆☆
1:15 Doncaster– PROCURATOR
I’ve always thought quite a bit of this horse and he has some solid form including a decent win over seven furlongs at Goodwood earlier this year. He does have to shoulder top weight but I don’t see that being a problem as they say it’s always better to have top weight in Nurseries and in theory he’s the best horse in the race. He’s shown me a fair amount of ability over time and I’ve always thought he’s capable of a bit more so hopefully he can show it this time and I’d be very confident of a bold show.  He will go very close.
★★★★★
1:50 Doncaster– OH THIS IS US
I think this horse must have an excellent chance as he’s a real tough colt and ran very well behind Lord Of The Land on the All Weather at Lingfield last week. I’ve done absolutely nothing with him since; it’s just been a case of keeping him fresh, well and happy – all of which he is. This looks a real nice race for him and I think you’d be foolish to ignore him. I have just applied to run him in Dubai during the carnival as I’m sure he’ll like a few rays of sunshine on his back – like us all! 
★★★★☆
2:25 Doncaster– BURNT SUGAR
He hasn’t won for a while but has produced a few decent efforts this season and been threatening to win again and I have no doubt the ability is still there. It’s particularly tricky to place horses like him as he’s so highly rated that he often has to shoulder top weight and he’s probably a little below Group standard now but this Listed race looks very much up his street and he goes there with a decent chance if he puts it all in. There’s every chance he might be kept going on the All Weather during the winter.  
★★★☆☆
5:10 Chelmsford– MAMDOOD & SECOND PAGE
MAMDOOD has run with promise on both runs to date and is improving mentally and physically and should run very well while SECOND PAGE has had just the one run and will need another few outings before he reaches top gear. He will be a much better prospect next year.
★★★☆☆
5:40 Chelmsford– SUNSET DREAM
She absolutely loves the track and has been put up 7lbs for a victory over 7f last time and she steps back up to a mile here, a trip she has also scored over. It’s difficult not to fancy her in a race like this and I’d be extremely confident she can gain another victory at what is clearly her favourite course! 
★★★★★
7:20 – RITASUN
He’s won twice on the All Weather and is back on that surface here having run at Windsor last time and he would certainly enter calculations. In fact, he did a very eye catching piece of work last week which gives me confidence. 
★★★★☆

Nicky Henderson

2.40 Aintree Vyta Du Roc

is having his first run back over hurdles since finishing second to none other than Thistlecrack in the Grade 1 Novice at the same course in April 2015 and while our horse may not be quite up to Thistlecrack’s standard, he is still a very good hurdler in his own right and I am confident that after a spell chasing, he can come back just as good over timber. To be fair he will go back over fences and the Hennessy is where we want to go but I need to get a run into him and this looks a nice little race to do that and I think he will definitely be competitive on his hurdle form. Obviously this is his first run of the season so I do expect him to improve fitness-wise.

★★★☆☆21

3.20 Wincanton Cocktails At Dawn

shouldn’t have to carry top weight but he has got it because the Handicapper took a literal look at his win at Chepstow last season and I really don’t think he has done enough to warrant giving weight all round in a race like this. He’s fit and well which is half the battle and as long as the ground is safe, which they tell me it is. He should go well as he wants fast ground and has it here.  

★★★★☆

Daryl Jacob

2.10 Wincanton Sceau Royal

I'm not surprised that he is favourite, but it does look quite competitive on paper. With Rayvin Black, the race should at least be run at a decent gallop. He was undeniably impressive at Cheltenham, although that was only against his own age group and he's taking on older rivals here, which asks a different question of him. We'll get this race out of the way before we look any further forward, but I'm hopeful of another really big run. In many respects, this does look an ideal race for him.
★★★★☆
3.20 Wincanton Set List
I wouldn't put anyone off him as I hope he has a real each-way chance. He's been on the go all summer but seems to be thriving at home and he'll get his ideal ground, which you possibly can't say about some of his rivals. If you look at his Stratford win in July, I think he'd have finished a couple of lengths behind me on Ballykan if my horse hadn't run out at the last and that's good form - Ballykan won his next two and is higher in the weights now. These are classier horses, but he's fit and very well.
★★★☆☆

Malcom Jefferson

12.35 Kelso Tiger Mountain

Tiger Mountain ran well at Hexham on his bumper debut but was not suited by a sharper track and quicker ground at Kelso in the spring. The 2m 6f trip should suit him and good to soft ground would be ideal. He has taken a few schooling sessions at home to get the hang of jumping but if he jumps ok he should run a nice race. He will come on for the run but its a good starting point.

★★★☆☆

2.20 Kelso Trickaway

Trickaway has just joined us this season. Richard Johnson reports he needs his first run to get the fizz out of him. He looks well at home and schools well but he does have to prove he stays this far and he may not get an easy lead.

★★☆☆☆

Dan Skelton

1.35 Wincanton – Virgilio
Virgilio is a lovely horse, very genuine. He’s won both his chase starts. This type of race is within his grasp. Whether or not he’ll win this Grade 2 tomorrow remains to be seen but I’d be very surprised if he couldn’t win one through his career. It’s a tough race. All four horses have won their last two starts. Frodon gets the weight and is respected. Shantou Village has won around Cheltenham and looks a real stayer, and Master Dee is running well. So you couldn’t rule any of them out and it looks a very good novice chase.

★★★☆☆

2.10 Wincanton – North Hill Harvey

The track will suit him and it should be a fast run race which is what he wants. I think he would have nearly been second to Altior in the Supreme if he hadn’t stepped on the second last. Hopefully there is a little room in his handicap mark. He will spend this year hurdling and go chasing next year. It’s a lovely race to start him off, and I’m looking forward to running him.

★★★★☆

2.45 Wincanton- Renee’s Girl
This type of race has been the target ever since the spring. The race has cut up and the top weight is 126 and we’re running for a valuable prize money pot. We thought we’d be carrying a lot less weight than this but we are carrying more weight because the race has cut up so we’re happy with that. I’m looking forward to her immensely. All three of ours go to Wincanton with good chances but it’s tough racing down there so I’d be happy with one winner, and if I could sneak two then that would be great and three winners would be a dream.

★★★★☆

12.55 Aintree – Focaccia
This is quite a deep race but we need to get this horse some experience. He jumped the second last at Warwick when he fell , went a stride and then just forgot to carry on galloping and fell over. He’s done plenty of jumping at home. He’s a half-brother to Gods Own and I think he will want fences in time. He’s in at the deep end but it’s nice ground up there, so we’ll run him and see where we are. He’s going to need time.

★★★☆☆

2.40 Aintree – Mister Miyagi

I think there will be plenty of connections bullish about their chances in this race. They might get quite a bit of rain up there and I wouldn’t want bundles for this horse. If it was soft I could leave him to race in the middle of the week, where I have him in at Huntingdon and Bangor. I don’t think it will go soft so we’ll have to see. There is very decent opposition but I do think we rode him all wrong at Kempton. We were stuck between a rock and a hard place. He’s a stayer but there was no pace in the race so I told him to ride him prominently in third and what we should have done was stuck to holding him up because that’s how he likes to be ridden, and come with one run. So that’s how we will ride him tomorrow, we’ll hold him up, and two and a half miles really suits him. He’s one of our leading horses on the handicap marks and I’m really looking forward to running him. I just don’t want too much rain.

★★★★☆

4.15 Aintree – One For Billy
This is quite a deep bumper. Tom George’s horse Cruiseaweigh bumped into a very decent one of Paul Nicholls at Wincanton and has that experience on us. Our horse is a really nice national hunt horse. He’s by Midnight Legend, he’s very tough. I think he’ll improve for this experience mentally but we do like this horse. His work has been good at home but he is a jumper, and will be much better over obstacles in time.

★★★☆☆