26/11/16 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

Best Win Bet: 2.40 Newbury Omessa Has 11/4 &
2.50 Bangor Say My Name 15/2

Best EW Bet: 1.30 Newbury Full Shift 20/1 & 3.10 Newbury Triolo Dalene 33/1

Alan King

12.05 Newcastle Elgin 6/4

He’s a promising bumper winner who was a good second under a penalty behind a smart horse in Cruiseaweigh at Aintree three weeks ago. He has schooled well and is another who will benefit from this easier ground

★★★★☆

12.20 Newbury Dusky Legend 6/4

has the big mares race at Cheltenham in March as her ultimate target and, hopefully, she might go one better than last season. I was pleased with her comeback win here at the start of the month and the fact that the ground has dried out through the week is another boost to her chance. She’s in very good order.

★★★★☆

2.05 Newbury Gibralfaro 8/1

Gibralfaro has his first try at two and a half miles in the Class 2 handicap hurdle, and he has been crying out for this step up in trip. He’s been placed at Cheltenham and Chepstow this season and might improve for going up in distance

★★★☆☆

2.40 Newbury Who Dares Wins 4/1

Who Dares Wins goes for what we used to know as the Gerry Feilden Hurdle. He ran really well on his return to jumping at Chepstow and then fell early on at Cheltenham, but he schooled well on Monday morning and can hopefully prove competitive here.

★★★★☆

2.55 Newcastle Sceau Royal 9/4

The fact that I won’t be at Newcastle should not be taken as a sign that I lack confidence in Sceau Royal, but I haven’t missed a Hennessy for years and Newbury is our local track, so I was always going to be heading there. He was a good juvenile hurdler but he has definitely improved this season, winning by 11 lengths at Cheltenham and nine at Wincanton, and, though he was impressive last time, he’ll definitely be more at ease in this ground than he was at Wincanton, where it was plenty quick enough for him. He breezed well last week-end and seems in really good order, but this is another step up the ladder and it should help us find out how close we are getting to the big players.

★★★★☆

3.05 Doncaster Paddys Runner 4/1

He ran well over two miles at Sandown last month but was doing all his best work at the finish, so while he could be a few pounds too high in the weights, he might appreciate this extra distance.

★★★☆☆

3.10 Newbury Smad Place 10/1

Watching him grind them into submission when winning by 12 lengths last year with an aggressive display of front-running was the highlight of our season, and it would be lovely to think that it might happen again. However, Smad is now 11lb higher and he could be vulnerable to something lower down the weights. Having said that I was delighted with his comeback in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, where the two and a half miles was always going to be too sharp for him. He jumped super, stayed on really well and is sure to have come on for that first run, and Wayne (Hutchinson) was pleased with the schooling session which we had on Monday morning

★★☆☆☆

7.45 Wolverhampton Cosmeapolitan 7/1

It’s his first time on the all-weather, but he had some good solid form on the turf last summer, and, though he has schooled well, there is a shortage of juvenile hurdles at this time of the year so with £19,000 of prize money on offer here it’s worth postponing his jumping debut just a bit longer

★★★☆☆

Nicky Henderson

12.15 Doncaster Minella Rebellion 11/10

I quite like this one. He's another ex-point to pointer who has been working nicely at home and we decided to come here as I'm hoping the ground will dry up nicely for him and it will be very interesting to see what he is capable of

★★★★☆

12.35 Newcastle Domperignon Du Lys 5/4

He won an AQPS flat race in France and has been here a couple of months so has had plenty of time to settle in and acclimatise to our training routine. He's always jumped very well and this looks a nice little race to get him started and he heads up there with a couple of other horses owned by Simon Munir and Issac Suede who could have a good afternoon as they also have Bristol De Mai in the Rehearsal Chase and Sceau Royal in the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth. It will be a learning curve for him but I hope he'll run well. I have been asked by many people on my @sevenbarrows twitter account whether he is my Triumph horse and the answer is categorically, 'no'! 

★★★★☆

1.30 Newbury Full Shift 20/1

As long as the ground keeps drying out that will help him enormously. I don't know what happened to him at Cheltenham the other day when we tried him over 3miles, which I thought would suit, but he was beaten after 1m so we can't blame the trip. He stays very well and to be honest I think this trip (2m6f) will be perfect. He should go very well if he can bounce back from a disappointing effort last time. 

★★★★☆

1.55 Doncaster Gold Present 12/1

He looks very well and is an animal I have a lot of time for. He's a real grinder and very genuine. He's fit and I'm looking forward to getting him back out. The ground will suit him too. 

★★★☆☆

2.40 Newbury Omessa Has 11/4

I really like her. It was disappointing at Cheltenham last April when I really fancied her to go well but we have done plenty of work with her since and I'm hopeful you will see a different horse here. We have tended to her wind, done some treatment to her back and done all sorts of other things to get her A1. I really think she will run very well now and while one can never be confident, let's hope the service we have given her will work the oracle and allow her to show what I know is in the tank. 

★★★★★

3.10 Newbury Hadrians Approach 25/1

s much the same as Triolo but has had a run at Ascot where I thought he actually ran very well. The cheek pieces are back on today which I think will help him and while I'm not going to tell you he is going to win, because he's already been there and done it in races like this, what I can tell you is that he is pleasing me at home and is in very good heart, which counts for a lot and I can see him running very well without winning. 

★★★☆☆

3.10 Newbury Triolo Dalene 33/1

Is in very good form and has been working well all season but my only concern is the lack of a recent run as I really would have liked to have given him a pipe opener somewhere but he did have a day out at Newbury a week or two ago which would have brought him on plenty. Good ground is crucial to him so we need it to stay as it is at the moment! His work has been absolutely excellent and I'd go as far to say it's  just as good as when he won the race a few years ago. Put it like this, with VYTA DU ROC the price he is at 7/1 and TRIOLO D'ALENE at 33/1 with StanJames.com, I know where my money would be....

★★★★☆

3.10 Newbury Vyta Du Roc 6/1

Is in good shape and is a horse that everybody seems to have latched onto all week and to be honest I can see why. He did a lovely piece of work earlier in the week and has come on plenty for his outing at Aintree where he wasn't 100% fit. He's been doing all his work with TRIOLO D'ALENE and they make a very good pair as they are well suited. You need a horse progressive type of horse, who is coming out of novice company, to win a race like this and he fits that category nicely. He is not yet one of the Trabolgan's or Bob's Worth's of this world, as they won off top weight and this one, is sneaking in down at the bottom so he has to prove he's up to it but there are still many positives. He's a progressive novice and while everything has got to go right in a race of this nature there is no real reason why he can't go well. 

★★★☆☆

3.25 Bangor Follow The Bear 11/8

First of all, he's no relation to Beware The Bear who won at Ascot last week, he's just owned by people who seem to have an affinity with bears! He won a point to point in England and is a lovely looking horse who has a fair amount of ability to go with his looks. He's smart but probably looks more of an each way prospect here rather than win. 
★★★☆☆

Paul Nicholls

12.55 Newbury Ibis Du Rheu 8/1

Something has to take on Thistlecrack and this is a good starting point for Ibis Du Rheu who could earn good prize money for being placed. It was much the same at Kempton on Monday where, if I hadn't run Black Corton, Altior would have enjoyed a walk over which is not good for racing.Ibis Du Rheu schools nicely at home, has always shaped like a chaser and will benefit from this first run of the season as he's taken a long time to get fit.
★★☆☆☆
1.30 Newbury Warriors Tale 12/1
Was very unlucky not to win over fences off a mark of 135 at this meeting 12 months ago but did not produce that form again so gets in here on what could be a lenient mark off 130. He subsequently blew out on two trips North to Catterick and Carlisle and we couldn't find any physical reasons for that, so we now think it is a case of him being a bad traveller. He is giving us the right signals at home so hopefully he can bounce back now racing much nearer to home.
★★★☆☆
2.05 Newbury Favorito Bucks 8/1
A chaser in the making but like one or two who joined us from France last season he didn't live up to his lofty reputation. He does seems in good form at home after an op to help his breathing and has been crying out for a trip which he gets here. Favorito Buck's is a beautiful horse who is ready to take a step forward if he can relax in his races.
★★★☆☆

2.40 Newbury Tommy Silver 7/1

I was annoyed with myself for running him last time at Ffos Las when the ground turned bottomless but he needed the outing and will strip much fitter now. Tommy Silver is a tall, strong horse with a big engine as he showed when winning the Listed Triumph Hurdle Trial at Musselburgh in the spring. I expect him to run tidily.

★★★★☆

2.55 Newcastle Irving 9/2

Was as brilliant and frustrating as ever last season, looking better than ever when winning two bit pots early on before going off the boil. He has never been the easiest to train and has taken a little bit longer than usual to come to hand this season. While I have to handle him with care at home, he has done plenty of work in different ways, goes well fresh and returns to the scene of his triumph in this race two years ago.
★★★★☆

3.10 Newbury Vicente 20/1

Proved a star for us when winning the Scottish Grand National at Ayr and I am already looking forward to the day I take him to Aintree, although as he is still only seven it is not certain to be this season. I can see plenty of plus points for Vicente who should continue to progress, goes well fresh, prefers going left handed, and is a strong stayer. The more the ground dries up, the better he will appreciate it.

★★★☆☆

3.10 Newbury Saphir Du Rheu 8/1

A year ago I thought he was heading for the top over fences but he didn't quite last home when he was favourite for the Hennessy and was beaten 22 lengths. I can't deny that he has been disappointing since then but he showed signs of a revival at Ascot last time, keeping on well to be third in the Sodexo Gold Cup, and he is 10lbs lower than he was a year ago. I was pleased with the way he went in a racecourse gallop last week and am very happy with his condition, as he has definitely come on for that run at Ascot. But I do appreciate that it is time for him to deliver.
★★★☆☆

3.30 Newcastle Virak 6/1

One of the most likeable horses in the yard and a pleasure to train, he doesn't know how to run a bad race and was second in this and the Peter Marsh Chase last year. Long term I am looking at the Grand National for Virak who was a creditable runner up at the Aintree festival. I think he will go well here as he just needed the run in the Charlie Hall Chase a month ago and has definitely come on for it.
★★★★☆

3.45 Newbury Ulck Du Lin 12/1

Is rather in the grip of the handicapper after paying the price for two excellent successes the season before last. He is a fun horse who ran some solid races in defeat last winter but tended to sulk last time when they went too fast for his liking at Ascot.

★★★☆☆

Richard Hannon

5:15 Wolverhampton – Enchantment 4/1

 I thought he was unlucky last time and should go close tomorrow. He is in great fork and we will find out where we are at with him after his run.

★★★★☆


 

Malcom Jefferson

12.05 Newcastle Dubai Angel 7/4

Dubai Angel makes his hurdling debut having won one of his four bumpers. A nice but enthusiastic horse we have opted to start him at the minimum trip though we believe he will want further in time. Hopefully he will run a big race. He schools well.

★★★★☆

2.20 Newcastle Gullys Edge 4/1

Gully’s Edge finished fourth on his chasing debut and runs in a novice handicap this time. We have replaced the blinkers with cheekpieces as we feel they will suit him better.

★★★★☆

Robert Buckler

2.50 Bangor Say My Name 15/2

I think he is flying and I’d like to think that he will win. I think he incredibly well and should run a very big race for us.

★★★★★

Victor Dartnell

3.45 Newbury Ut Majeur Aulmes 6/1

It’s a hot race and he is plenty high enough in the weights at the moment. It will be a learning curve.

★★★☆☆

8.15 Wolverhampton Mary Le Bow 6/1

Mary Le Bow is tried over one and a half miles at Wolverhampton for the first time on the same day and it will be interesting to see if she gets the trip.

★★★☆☆

 

 

David Pipe

3.10 Newbury Un Temps Pour Tout 9/1

 As you would expect, it is fiercely competitive and Un Temps has to carry second top weight - the Post make him a 9/1 shot and he looks to have a live chance to me.  Un Temps is a class act - a French Champion Hurdle winner and a Cheltenham Festival winner last season...furthermore, he looked good when making a winning reappearance at Aintree last time and should have come on for the run.  It is 8 years since Madison won the Hennessy, it is about time that David won it again!

★★★★☆

3.30 Newcastle Katkeau 10/1

I saw this one school earlier in the week and he jumped very well - David Noonan takes 3lbs off his back and he looks to have each way claims...providing the track passes an early morning inspection!

★★★☆☆

Dan Skelton

2.05 Newbury – Born Survivor

I’m very happy with him. He put up a great performance on his seasonal reappearance and it was just really frustrating that they had to take out several hurdles at the last minute because of the low sun as it made a big difference. I’m not saying he definitely would have won, but it definitely made a big difference as he was going very nicely when there were obstacles to be jumped and as soon as there wasn’t he was under pressure. I’ve had a race like this in mind since then and we avoided the heavy ground in the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock last Saturday, so this looked a good option. Newbury is the perfect track for him and the ground is perfect. We do hold him in high regard so hopefully he will go well.

★★★★★

1.45 Newcastle – Get On The Yager

Get On The Yager didn’t surprise us last time but it was a really hot novice contest that he won and the form has worked out well. I’m very happy with how he’s going at home, the trip is ideal, he’s more or less top rated in the race and I think he’s got to go well. It’s a long way to go with one horse, but it’s the right opportunity for the horse and it’s a £20,000 race so you’ve got to give it a go.

★★★★☆

12.15 Doncaster – Focaccia

Focaccia has run well in a bumper at this track but has not run well over hurdles since then. I just don’t know why he’s not running great but we’ve just got to get him out and run him. It’s a small field so hopefully that will help, if for any reason there’s any claustrophobia issues with him. He’s got to get on with it.

★★★☆☆

2.30 Doncaster – Applesandpierres

He’s improved a bit for his first start but I’m surprised the handicapper hasn’t dropped him a bit. He won a summer novice hurdle and is rated 125 so he has no chance anyway off that mark. To go and run moderately last time and not get dropped was mystifying really, and I don’t think he’s running off a mark that he can win off.

I think he’s well up against it but we’ve got to run him and help him find his level, and we need the handicapper to relent a bit. We can try novice chasing at some stage, and there’s other things we can try, but I need some help from the handicapper and you don’t get that unless you get out and show yourself on the track.

★★☆☆☆

3.05 Doncaster – Cobra De Mai

I think he’ll run nicely, the track is fine for him and this trip will prove ideal. Bridget gets on very well with him and that 3lbs extra weight off his back will do no harm either. I think he’ll go alright. I have a Sunday off and not a lot happening on Monday either, but it’s a busy weekend next week with Sandown and Aintree, and big meetings come thick and fast after that with Cheltenham, Ascot and then the Christmas period after which they will all have their flu vaccs. It all comes round really quickly. Obviously we don’t want any extreme weather in the next few weeks but that cold snap we’ve just had really helped everybody, and we got the rain that we wanted so we don’t want any torrents from now on, just nice and steady rainfall when we need it. I’m happy with everything at the moment.

★★★☆☆