12/11/16 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

Richard Hannon

12.15 Lingfield Ritasun 4/1

RITASUN is the sole representative at Lingfield and is taking his place in Claiming company for the first time. Under the talented apprentice Hollie Doyle he looks well in at the weights. He is in good form, he didn’t see out the mile and a quarter last time and the step back in trip and the drop in grade is right up his alley.

★★★★☆

6.15 Wolverhampton Tai Hang Dragon 13/2

6.15 Wolverhampton Sadhbh 16/1

7.15 Wolverhampton Metronomic 10/1

He has been running on a few wet tracks and genuinely needs a consistent surface. He will have no problem with the trip and I hope he can run well in what looks a winnable race

★★★★☆

7.45 Wolverhampton Hermann 9/4

Is having his first run back for a long time. He ran a nice third on debut at Doncaster in April, he has some small issues that have put him back and he is now back in good form. He will need the run tomorrow but I hope he can improve on this start.

★★★☆☆

Paul Nicholls

12.40 Cheltenham Wealth Des Mottes 3/1

An interesting recruit, he won impressively on his only start in July in the French Provinces for which he carries a 7lbs penalty. That could make a big difference as he has to give weight to previous winners.
I do think a lot of this three-year-old whose schooling over hurdles has been consistently good. I like what I've seen from him so far and have been looking forward to his debut for us.

★★★★☆

1.50 Cheltenham Unioniste 20/1

This longer trip and likely softer ground will be a lot more suitable for Unioniste who had a wind operation in the summer. Although he has come on for his run last time at Chepstow I think he does look up against it here as he is handicapped to the hilt at the moment and needs to drop a few pounds to have a chance of winning again.

★★☆☆☆

2.25 Cheltenham Frodon 6/1

A grand little horse who is full of himself and worked really well on Thursday morning. We've kept him nice and fresh and he is tanking along at home. He's been a star over fences this season, won again at Wincanton on Saturday, goes on any ground and gets a generous allowance for being a four-year-old.
I always thought last year that he wanted a trip and I see it as a challenge when people say a four-year-old has never won this race. They said much the same before I won the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2012 with another four-year-old Unioniste.

★★★★☆

2.25 Cheltenham Art Mauresque 12/1

Remains in great shape at home and the form of his latest success at Chepstow has worked out really well. His regular jockey Nick Scholfield is a big fan of Art Mauresque who is creeping up the weights and deserves a shot at this big prize. He's a horse who would prefer good ground so if it turns really soft by race time I might think about pulling him out.

★★★☆☆

2.25 Cheltenham As De Mee 8/1

Showed the benefit of a wind operation with an impressive success over fences on his return to action at Fontwell last month. I've always thought there was a decent handicap in this horse who will run well and goes nicely for Sean Bowen.

★★★★☆

2.25 Cheltenham Bouvreuil 12/1

This has been the plan for Bouvreuil all season. He is a nice, progressive type and was beaten only half a length over this trip at the Festival in March. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he runs a big race as he is very fit and well. His jockey Gavin Sheehan rides out for us from time to time and had a sit on Bouvreuil recently.

★★★★☆

3.00 Cheltenham Irish Saint 6/1

I'm disappointed he hasn't been dropped by the handicapper after missing last season with a tendon injury. Irish Saint is a tough, genuine and talented horse who has been back in training since July 1 and looks to retain all his excellent qualities. Even so I'd imagine he will need this run to blow away the cobwebs.

★★★☆☆

3.00 Cheltenham The Eaglehaslanded 12/1

Came together at the end of last season, winning twice, but is likely to find life tougher now he is higher in the handicap. He needs to progress again here and has an outside chance if he has done, though soft ground would be a concern. Further ahead I am already looking forward to switching him to fences.

★★★☆☆

3.35 Cheltenham Black Corton 6/1

Is a nice prospect who is thriving and won twice last month, most recently at Kempton where he stayed on strongly in a manner which suggests he will enjoy the step up in trip here. Black Corton is more settled now but he is another of mine who would not want the ground to be too soft at Cheltenham.

★★★★☆

Nicky Henderson

4.05 Cheltenham Melangerie 8/1

She’s a lovely filly by Fair Mix and a half sister to our smart novice Cultivator and she makes her debut here after being taken out of a similar race at Warwick last week when the ground was too firm. I like her but she is very much up against it taking on winners who aren’t carrying a penalty. She has to start somewhere and this should be a nice introduction. She does go nicely but will need to be very good to win this.

★★☆☆☆

Richard Johnson

1.50 Cheltenham Sausalito Sunrise 6/1

He won this race 12 months ago but is a stone higher in the weights so it’s going to be a big ask to win it again. On his day, he’s a very talented horse and conditions will suit. He needs this kind of trip and it should be a fast-run race.He ended last season with an excellent third at Sandown. That followed on from his wins in this race and at Ascot. Sandown was probably his best performance, though, off that mark. There’s nothing not to like apart from the weight. We’re hopeful of a big run, but there could be a few horses in the race open to more improvement.
★★★☆☆
2.25 Cheltenham Village Vic 14/1
The weights have gone up and it’s certainly not going to be easy for him off 11st 10lbs. That said, he absolutely loves Cheltenham and he’s got the weight because he did so well last season. He also runs well fresh and the ground should be perfect for him if the forecast rain materialises.Paul Nicholls’ Frodon has been in great form and gets all the allowances as a four-year-old, so you have to respect him. More Of That is the class horse in the race but needs to bounce back after bleeding in the RSA Chase. He’s well-handicapped on his hurdles form and is the best horse in the race if he can bounce back to that kind of form.
★★★☆☆
3.00 Cheltenham Fingal Bay 8/1
I think Fingal Bay has got a great chance in the handicap hurdle (3.00pm). He’s had a few injuries in the past, but he goes really fresh and started last season really well. Any softening of the ground will be a big help to him and he’s off the same mark as when he won the Pertemps Final at the Festival in 2014. Although he’s a 10-year-old, he doesn’t have that many miles on the clock and there are plenty of options for him after this. We could stick over hurdles or go back over fences where he’s now eligible for the veteran’s races. I’d say he’s my best chance of a winner on Saturday and the best handicapped of my rides. He’s a very strong each-way chance anyway.
★★★★☆

4.05 Cheltenham Brillare Momento 8/1

I ride Brillare Momento for Martin Keighley in the closing mares’ bumper (4.05pm). I won this race on Copper Kay and it would be lovely to win it again. I don’t know too much about her, but she ran a great race at this track last month and that experience will hopefully stand her in good stead on Saturday.
★★★☆☆

Gordon Elliott

12.25 Naas Robin Des Mana 7/2

He ran well to finish third to Stretchingthetruth and another horse of ours Bilko (who helped the form with a win at Cork recently) at Punchestown the last day. He looks like an improving horse but he would appreciate decent ground so would need the rain to stay away.

★★★★☆

1.00 Naas Missy Tata 5/4

She is a mare with a lot of ability and I think she looks well treated here off a mark of 138. She gets a small allowance off both Slowmotion and Koshari, who could well be the one to beat. She may well jump a fence this year but this sort of race, with only four runners and where she gets a mare's allowance, is a great opportunity for her.

★★★★☆

1.35 Naas General Principle 10/1

He's not a bad horse at all but he wouldn't be in the same league as Prince Of Scars. He's won a point to point and he should run well.

★★☆☆☆

1.35 Naas Prince Of Scars 3/1

We're mad to get him going but he will only run if there is some sort of give in the ground. His schooling has gone very well and he's in good form so hopefully the rain stays away so he can take his chance. He was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles but he was only ever going to be a chaser and hopefully he can start off on the right track.

★★★★☆

2.10 Naas Baltazar Dallier 3/1

He is a likeable horse - owned by JP McManus - who is another we're looking forward to seeing on the track. He has only run once in a point-to-point which he won and he is starting off over hurdles tomorrow. He goes well at home but whatever he does tomorrow he will likely improve on the next day

★★★★☆

3.55 Naas Strike Is Back 10/1

She ran well at Galway in what was probably a better race than this. She stayed on fairly well that day and we'll probably have her a bit more prominent this time. It looks a competitive race but I think she has a fair each-way chance.

★★★☆

Tom Scudamore

1.15 Cheltenham Thistlecrack 1/6

I’ve seen him at home but haven’t sat on him since Chepstow. I’d like to think it will be a case of more of the same on him. He sets a very high standard and seems to have scared most of the opposition away. You have to go into the race with the same mentality, get your things right, and the horse will do the rest. I won’t be having a sleepless night or worrying about anything, as I’m not that kind of person, but at the same time I won’t be taking my eye off the ball. It’s just another horse race, and it’s the same pressure as riding any favourite. It’s good for the horse to have a different test at Cheltenham. He’s run well over hurdles here and has coped with the undulations. He’s a very versatile horse and I don’t see any problems with the track. He’s done everything right and he’s got to go and do it again on the track. I’m really excited to be riding him. It’s always different to be the trainer as you’re worrying about getting him to the race. For a jockey you don’t get involved in that pressure as you’re riding every day, and have other work to do.

★★★★★

1.50 Cheltenham Doctor Harper 12/1

He’s a bit hit and miss, and that’s just his jumping. In small fields he seems to have coped and this time last year I was very excited about him. He does seem to have his own way of jumping. If he jumps well then he has a great chance and I’ll know early on how he’s going. He’s a very good horse but hurdles got in the way of him, and when he ran in the big field chases, the fences seemed to as well. I schooled him during the week and he jumped fantastically. He’s got to go and prove it now. He’s a horse we’ve always thought a lot of and he’s a horse that’s still in the could be anything bracket.

★★★☆☆

2.25 Cheltenham Ballynagour 25/1

He’s in great form and you know what you’re going to get from him. He’s carrying top weight because he’s the best horse in the race on ratings but I’d be surprised if there wasn’t one of two horses in the field who are better than their handicap marks. That said he’s working well at home and is capable of running a good race.

★★★★☆

3.00 Cheltenham Very Extravagant 14/1

She’s been in great form winning her last three starts but this is her toughest assignment to date so we’ll see how she goes. I then ride Red Infantry in the last for Ian Williams. I’ve ridden a few winners for Ian and this one looks like it has a good each way chance.

★★★☆☆

Dan Skelton

12.20 Wetherby Whatduhavtoget 11/8

It’s quite interesting as I’ve sent up two horses in the first couple of races at Wetherby that I think are very good and as has Warren Greatrex, so it looks like it’s us versus Warren in both.I think Whatdouhavtoget is very good. She’s a very exciting mare and the track will be perfect for her, so I think she’ll follow up. But then Warren is probably thinking the same about La Bague Au Roi. I understand he thinks that is his best mare and I think mine is my best mare on what we’ve seen so far, so this will be a good race
★★★★☆

12.30 Uttoxeter Kafella 5/1

Kafella is a lovely horse. On his first hurdles start at Wetherby he went down to the first and got put off, hit the top of the hurdle and tumbled over. It was just one of those things. He’s done loads of jumping since and hopefully it won’t happen again, but we need a clear round. He’s a chaser for the future, so let’s just see how he gets on. Like all of mine they are there to do their best, so if he can win he will, but he fell last time out and is only a kid, just four years old, so the main thing is for him to jump round and enjoy himself. We do really like him long term however.

★★★☆☆

12.55 Wetherby Blue Heron 4/6

Blue Heron is taking on another good one of Warren’s, Ma Du Fou, although I also have respect for The Dutchman. Whether he is quite up to the standard of Blue Heron and Ma Du Fou, however, you wouldn’t know. Blue Heron has had a run which is helpful and he will have improved significantly for it. The ground will be perfect for him and we will see a massive improvement on his Market Rasen run. I’m not saying he will win but you will see a big progression. Blue Heron is a fragile horse so you can’t work him too hard at home and as such he was always going to run like that first time. I said at the time in my blog that he would improve massively for that run, and he went and got beat. The Stewards had Harry in afterwards, and he had to explain that the horse was finished, that he had nothing left to give. He hadn’t ever got in front and he couldn’t get in front. I don’t think they should have asked the question, it should have been obvious to anyone that the horse had no more to give. This horse is fragile and if you overdo him at home he won’t get to the track. The owners deserve to be able to get that horse to the track where he can have his first race and then be allowed to improve for the run. Nobody can be surprised if he comes on for that run because I’ve been very public with my thoughts. It’s totally different if you’re on a horse that can win and you don’t ride it out; then the Stewards ask the question. There is no rule that says a jockey must use his stick. There is also no rule that says you must exhaust your horse using every last breath and risk putting your horse on the floor. Had Harry got stuck into Blue Heron when they turned for home there is a good probability he would have fallen at the last because he was exhausted. How would that have looked?
★★★★☆

1.05 Uttoxeter Sierra Oscar 14/1

I bought Sierra Oscar off Dai Walters as he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. We just have to see how he gets on. He ran ok in a couple of bumpers, probably wants a trip and he jumps nicely at home. He’ll be doing his best.

★★☆☆☆

2.40 Wetherby Some Invitation 3/1

Some Invitation is a really nice horse. He jumps well, does everything nicely and isn’t a bumper horse at all; he’s very much a future chaser. This is a lovely track to start him on with an eye to the future. Charlie Longsdon looks like he has a nice horse with experience in the race but I do like my horse. He might go and finish fifth but we still like him as he has a good future whatever he does on his first start.

★★★☆☆

3.00 Cheltenham Corrin Wood 20/1

Corrin Wood has lost his form and it’s his first run for us. Hopefully he’s been given a chance by the handicapper and Bridget takes another three pounds off. He has a featherweight and he’ll love the ground, but we’ve got to go and get some form next to his name. The owners love the horse, and he’s a real gentleman at home too. Tomorrow it’s a case of finding out where we are without any big expectations. He works like a stayer which is why we are running over three miles, he’s fresh and well and he looks great, so let’s hope for a good run. He’ll probably start a shorter price than he should do because whenever I have a first time runner who’s switched yards they always seem to get backed. Presumably there’s some tipping service or betting syndicate that always seems to back them as we’re not a gambling yard. On Tuesday at Sedgefield it worked out well with Theatrebar for these punters as they just backed him blind. Nobody asked me about the horse so there were no quotes in the paper or online and the horse wasn’t even fully fit, but it was a stable change and he was backed into favouritism. The punters got lucky because nobody asked me. It’s frustrating always seeing them backed whenever a horse has moved stable and is having its first run for me. Everyone thinks we’re a gambling yard when in fact it’s probably some chap sitting on a sofa in Barnsley or somewhere telling everyone to back it because it’s moved stables; they wouldn’t know if the horse was bay, chestnut or grey!

★★☆☆☆

3.15 Wetherby Applesandpierres 9/2

This horse will improve massively for this run, very similar to Blue Heron’s first run. That’s all I need to say. He’s been off a long time and I haven’t been able to get stuck into him at home because the grass gallops have only just come into use. He will improve massively.

★★★☆☆

3.35 Cheltenham Robin Of Locksley 14/1

Robin Of Locksley ran well first time out at Cheltenham. He was a little bit keen early on so we’re putting the headgear on him to steady him up in the early stages, and he’s relatively uncomplicated tactically as we’ll just drop him in down the rail. He has a nice weight and he’s run well at the track both times he’s been there, and another three pounds off him is only going to help. This is a good race but he wouldn’t be without an each way chance.

★★★☆☆

4.00 Uttoxeter Chateau Chinon 10/1

This is Virgilio’s half-brother, and he’s a really nice horse at home. I expect him to travel well in the race and he’ll then be going into unknown territory in the last couple of furlongs. He’s done a bit of work on the grass and has a likeable attitude. There are a couple of winners in the race with experience and when you’re a debutant, like my horse, it’s never easy to overcome horses with experience. We are looking forward to getting him started and we can then work out where we go with him. I have no huge expectations but think he should run well.

★★★★☆

Aiden Coleman

1.50 Cheltenham Upswing 8/1

Upswing runs in the BetVictor Handicap Chase following a below-par effort at Chepstow last time. I’m not sure what happened last time, but he seems in good form at home. He stays well and was second in this last year, so would have an obvious chance if back to his best.

★★★☆☆

2.25 Cheltenham Taquin Du Seuil 10/1

Taquin Du Seuil is a class act on his day and I wouldn’t put anyone off backing him each way in the big race of the Open meeting at Cheltenham, the BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase. He comes here on the back of a very pleasing reappearance over hurdles at Chepstow. He ran on nicely on the end and wasn’t beaten far in sixth place behind winner Ballyoptic. He had almost a year off the track before returning in February this year and showed he was still a force to be reckoned with a sixth and fifth at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. Cheltenham is a place he loves. He won at this meeting and then the JLT at the Festival in the 2013-14 season and clearly has a decent chance on the formbook. Any rain would help, but I don’t think he’ll mind the ground as it is. It’s a tough race as always and More Of That was the hot favourite for the RSA and now runs in a handicap. If he’s on song he’s going to be very tough to beat, but mine won't be far away. It could be the story of the day as I ride a lot of horses capable of running into places

★★★☆☆

3.00 Cheltenham Allysson Monterg 16/1

He ran a cracker finish sixth in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival in March. This is a very competitive race, but he’s a really nice horse and again can hit the frame.

★★★☆☆

3.35 Cheltenham Midnight Shot 8/1

He won here last month and comes into the race on a hat-trick, but he is going up the handicap as a result. He’s got a likeable attitude but will have to improve again to complete the three-timer.

★★☆☆☆

Alan King

12.40 Cheltenham Dino Velvet 15/2

We start off Dino Velvet in the Juvenile Hurdle. He’s ex-French and we had him cut when he joined us and then turned him away before giving him a run on the Flat at Chester in September, He’s schooled well and he stays the trip and enjoys a bit of cut, so it will be good to get him rolling.

★★★☆☆

1.05 Uttoxeter Beneagles 10/1

Beneagles goes for the maiden hurdle. He’s an ex-Irish pointer who did a little bit of work in the spring before being put away. He starts at two and a half but he’ll stay further in time

★★★☆☆

1.50 Cheltenham Midnight Prayer 40/1

Midnight Prayer will also appreciate the rain we’ve had and he takes his chance in the three and a half mile handicap chase. He was runner-up in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January and, though he is now 11, he does not have that many miles on the clock and he is working as well as I’ve seen him this autumn. He’s more forward than usual and if he runs well here we might have a look at the Becher Chase at Aintree next month.

★★★☆☆

2.25 Cheltenham Annacotty 28/1

Annacotty loves to be fresh, so it was always the plan to go for this race first time out. He is 9lb higher than last year but he was Hobdayed in the summer and that could bring about a little bit of improvement.The midweek rain was very welcome as he is better with ease in the ground as he can sometimes get done for toe when the going is faster, but Ian Popham has been down to ride him and he seems happy, so fingers crossed he’ll again be competitive

★★★★☆

3.35 Cheltenham Board Of Trade 18/1

We also run Board of Trade, who should be better suited by this galloping track than he was Fontwell, where he finished second on his recent comeback.

★★☆☆☆

3.35 Cheltenham Who Dares Wins 8/1

Who Dares Wins has been crying out for this step up in trip and he will have come on for what was an excellent fourth in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month, I know he has topweight, but you couldn’t rule him out.

★★★☆☆

4.00 Uttoxeter Fortified Bay 13/2

in the bumper there we run Fortified Bay, who is owned by Paul and Clare Rooney. He was a winner at Perth in the summer before he joined us, so it will be good to get him back on the track.

★★★☆☆

4.05 Cheltenham Pique Rock 25/1

we also run a nice filly in Pique Rock, who was pulled out of Warwick last week because the ground was too quick.

★★☆☆☆

4.05 Cheltenham My Khaleesi 22/1

My Khaleej had good bumper form last season and the yard wasn’t firing when she disapppointed at Aintree. She’ll go hurdling after this

★★☆☆☆

Mark Usher

2.35 Lingfield Mistry 25/1

Mistry, who is a half sister to Miracle of Medinah and Misu Pete, returns to the track in Lingfield’s six furlong Median Auction Maiden this afternoon. She has been off the track for more than a year and will both improve for racing and will come on bundles for running this afternoon.

★★☆☆☆

5.45 Wolverhampton Kings Heart 9/1

King’s Heart ran very well in a good class six furlong Nursery at Newbury in the third week of October and would have almost certainly finished closer but for being denied a run; at the same trip this evening and in slightly lower grade, having run well previously at Wolverhampton over an inadequate five furlongs and reunited with Steve Drowne he should run well and 14/1 would not be the worse each price you will ever see.

★★★★☆

7.15 Wolverhampton All About The Pace 20/1

All About the Pace also returns to Wolverhampton having shown progressive improvement on both his previous runs on the tapeta; she didn’t think much about having to cope with Brighton’s switchback at the beginning of October and, particularly as she begins to go up in trip, runs this evening with an equally competitive each way chance at 12/1.

★★★☆☆

Martin Keighley

1.50 Cheltenham Any Currency 33/1

Any Currency will appreciate any rain that has fallen on Prestbury Park and seems in good order

★★☆☆☆

3.00 Cheltenham Cottersrock 40/1

Cottersrock won't want the ground any softer at all and will only run if I'm happy with it for him.

★★☆☆☆

4.05 Cheltenham Brillare Momento 6/1

Brillare Momento thrilled us at the last meeting and it would be fantastic if she could go one better than that 2nd placing today - we are hoping the race hasn' t come too soon for her after that last meeting.

★★★☆☆

Nigel Twiston-Davies

1.15 Cheltenham - Ballycross 20/1

Meets three rivals in this novice chase and following a good second place on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter over 2m 4f, steps up to 3m here. With improvement to come he should go we but will find the favourite a tough nut to crack. Ryan Hatch rides.

★★☆☆☆

1.50 Cheltenham- Cogry 15/2

Goes from a handy looking mark of 134 and will appreciate the rain getting into the ground. A faller here at the October meeting, he enjoys these longer trips and looks to have solid looking each way credentials at least. A good run expected, Ryan claims 3lbs and the pair can go close.

★★★★☆

3.00 Cheltenham- Goodbye Dancer 25/1

Is a fairly consistent sort and his second place at Aintree a week ago from a mark of 135 shows he's in good order right now. From the same mark today and a similar trip and ground, he should be there or thereabouts again at could be good each way value. Jamie Bargary rides and takes off 3lbs.

★★★☆☆

3.35 Cheltenham- Arctic Gold 28/1

Has won 4 of his 7 hurdles, the last of which was at Ffos Las in March. That was a good performance over 2m 4f and up 7lbs for that to 135, has more to come yet. Over a furlong further today should suit and he too could be particularly good each way value. Ryan rides.

★★★☆☆