26/12/16 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

Richard Johnson

12.55 Kempton Glaring 10/1

I kick-off the day with Glaring in the novices’ hurdle (12.55pm). He made a perfect start over hurdles and looks like a very nice prospect. Kempton is a flat and easy two miles which should suit. He won at Huntingdon last time which is pretty similar and you’d like to think that he can transfer that form to Kempton.

★★★☆☆

1.30 Kempton Poker School 5/2

Poker School has taken to fences really well and he’s another nice ride to pick up in the novices’ chase (1.30pm). If he can reproduce the form of his last win round Ascot then he’d have a very strong chance.

★★★★☆

2.05 Kempton Amore Alato 10/1

Amore Alto put in a very good performance last time out, too, and he’d have a good chance in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (2.05pm). He jumps and stays really well and we will use those tactics again. It’s always a bonus when your horse has experience. A number of these horses haven’t had too many runs and we’ll look to put them under a bit of pressure. After his run at Cheltenham the other day, Frodon could be the one to beat as winning the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup as a four-year-old is some achievement. He stayed on well that day and I think the step up in trip will suit him and possibly bring out further improvement. He gets the weight allowance too which is always a bonus.

★★★☆☆

3.45 Kempton Lisheen Prince 8/1

The main reason I’m at Kempton is to ride Lisheen Prince in the final race (3.45pm). We thought he’d improve for the step up in trip at Sandown and he did exactly that. He’s a very nice young horse and he’s definitely improving. I’ve ridden a few others in the race, Muthabir and Instant Karma, and it’s a very competitive handicap hurdle. I’d like to think that Lisheen Prince, off a mark of 124, can go well here as he is a horse we have high hopes for.

★★★★☆

Nicky Henderson

12.15 Huntingdon River Of Intrigue 7/1

He was third at Kempton last time and wants three miles on decent ground and his jockey knows him well having struck up a nice partnership together. It’s a nice ‘Boys’ race for a horse like him to run in and he should go well.

★★★★☆

12.45 Huntingdon Rather Be 6/4

It’s good to have RATHER BE back as he was very impressive when winning the first meeting back at Hereford in October. He picked up a small problem after that but we’ve got through it and are ready to go again. He’s in good form and I like the horse. We’ll take it slowly with him

★★★★☆

12.55 Kempton Jenkins 1/2

He’s a much more laid back sort of horse now, not that he was bad last season, but he’s relaxing nowadays and is an overall sensible person. His jumping was pretty sloppy at Newbury but we’ve had him tidied up and done plenty of schooling with him since then. I like Kempton, I like the track and I like the ground but it’s still a good race. StanJames.com make him 5/1 favourite for the Supreme but that is a long way off and while we won this race with ALTIOR last year, he was a lot more experienced than Jenkins is now and we’re still on a learning curve with this one, but he has a lot of scope and I’m more than hopeful that he can go very well as he has got the right profile for a race like this – but he does have to go and do it!

★★★★☆

1.30 Kempton Gold Present 9/2

I thought he won really nicely at Doncaster last time, which I was rather hoping he would do, and he didn’t let me down. It was a good performance. 2m4f on good ground is essential for him and I hope there is not too much rain. I’m very happy with him and he’s in good form.

★★★☆☆

2.05 Kempton Might Bite 7/2

I really enjoyed watching him win at Doncaster from the Stan James box at Cheltenham where he jumped very well and to be honest it is ALL about the jumping and gaining confidence with him as he should have won at Ffos Las but was just a bit ‘novicey’ which was his undoing but he learnt plenty there and I thought it was a good performance at Doncaster as he just cruises along at a good gallop so I have no concerns with the trip as he is not short of stamina and likes it around Kempton having won at 2m5f over hurdles there last season. I’m looking forward to it – The only person who can get Might Bite beaten is Might Bite himself! 

★★★★★

2.15 Fontwell Divine Spear 5/1

He’s another horse I really like who is perfectly capable of winning a race of this nature. He’s got a great bunch of owners who enjoy their racing and I hope this one can get them back in the winners’ enclosure sooner rather than later. He’s ready to come out now and is going well – I’m pleased with him, he has a very good chance. 

★★★★★

2.40 Kempton My Tent Or Yours 7/1

I was pleased enough with his run at Cheltenham where the race just wasn’t really run to suit and the ground may have gone against him too but there was plenty in his favour at the weights with THE NEW ONE there so we appreciate it we have a tough task to beat him under these conditions. At his age, we’ve just got to get on with it as there aren’t many races for a horse like him. Fair play to Nigel and his team for running The New One as had that meeting at Exeter not been abandoned it would be a different story as he’d more than likely be running over fences and wouldn’t have turned up at Cheltenham which would have made My Tent an impressive winner and we’d be much shorter in the betting for the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle but the boot is on the other foot now and we apparently haven’t got a cat in hell’s chance but The New One is as low as 16/1.  He’s in good form, ready to roll and deserves to get his head in front again.

★★★☆☆

3.15 Kempton Josses Hill 10/1

We are well aware that it will be a tough task to beat the Tizzard duo but even if he finishes in the first five we get our money back so we might as well give it a go. This all hinges on stamina though as he’s never been three miles and don’t ever, ever let anybody tell you it is an easy three miles around Kempton, because it’s not! What happens here is they will go a very solid gallop all the way and there is no hiding place, no breaking point and no respite. Around Cheltenham where it is much more undulating you will find that they tend to take a bit of a breather and it is sometimes a stop-start gallop as you see it happen in lots of races there but in a contest like this, no one is going to slacken up and say ‘let’s all take a bit of a breather here’ it will be a headlong gallop from beginning to end and if you don’t stay you get nowhere – it’s as simple as that. It’s no easier because of the flatter track I can assure you of that. We’ve seen so many horses that have looked like winning but just not stayed the distance. But JOSSES HILL is in very good order and schooled well this morning under Noel Fehily who sadly can’t ride because he’s retained by the owners of SILVINIACO CONTI so we have booked Daryl Jacob which is no bad thing. 

★★★☆☆

3.40 Huntingdon Colonial Dreams 4/1

I like him but he disappointed first time out. We’ve sorted him out since then though and you’ll see a much better horse this time around. 

★★★★☆

3.45 Kempton Omessa Has 10/1

She disappointed me at Newbury last time when I really fancied her but it seems her wind problem may still be affecting her which is a worry as I’ve always liked her and she goes very well at home. We are trying again though and gone with the tongue tie which is about all I have left up my sleeve. She’s smart though and has lots of ability. 

★★★★☆

Paul Nicholls

12.35 Fontwell Saintemilion 11/8

A nice, big chasing type who only been with us a couple of months and had run up a bit light when he arrived from France where he won a hurdle in the Provinces in July before finishing fourth in a £50,000 race at Auteuil. He has turned inside out since joining us and has almost done himself too well so he might just improve for the run. We do like Saintemilion who is fit and ready to go.

★★★★☆

1.30 Kempton San Benedeto 13/2

There are lots of plus points for San Benedeto who will be well suited by two-and-a-half miles at this flat track on decent ground. He is on a fair enough mark on 140, usually jumps very well and should be a player if Sam Twiston-Davies can deliver him as late as possible.

★★★★☆

2.05 Kempton Frodon 11/4

Capped a tremendous season with a fine victory in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham earlier in the month and gets a valuable 7lbs allowance here for being a four-year-old.

He is running here as a bit of an after thought and, while this is a step up in trip for him, he was strong at the finish at Cheltenham and he escapes any penalties for all his wins over fences.Although it is only just over a fortnight since Frodon had a hardish race at Cheltenham you would never know it from his behaviour at home.

He's been absolutely buzzing and was electric when we schooled him on Friday morning. He was mad fresh, bucking and squealing, loving every minute of it. Yes, in theory this race could come a bit quick for Frodon but he seems to be in the form of his life.

★★★★☆

2.05 Kempton Present Man 5/1

Has been a revelation this season, looking better with each run and deserves a crack at this Grade 1 prize. He is a sound jumper, keeps finding more at the end of his races and is definitely best going right handed. He has done nothing but improve and won last time at Doncaster with a bit in hand despite giving lengths away at several fences by jumping to his right.

★★★☆☆

2.15 Wincanton Mr Mix 7/2

Cut a leg and had time off after finishing a close fifth on his return to action at Chepstow early in October. The form of that race could hardly have worked out better and he will love the likely soft ground at Wincanton. Mr Mix is ready again now, is as fit as a flea and must have a cracking chance.

★★★★★

2.15 Wincanton The Eaglehaslanded 11/1

I promised Andrew Thornton some time ago that I would try to help him in his quest to reach the landmark figure of 1,000 winners. He has been a model pro and famously won the King George V1 Chase for me on See More Business back in 1997.

Andrew rode his 998th winner on Thursday and definitely has a chance on The Eaglehaslanded though I would be more hopeful if the ground was good. If it turns very soft then he might not run.

★★★★☆

2.50 Wincanton Antartica De Thaix9/2

While she tends to be a bit too keen for her own good it was hard to fault her performance at Sandown last time where she jumped for fun and was unlucky not to get the race in the stewards' room after being hampered on the run-in. She enjoys life and has the scope to make a decent chaser. This looks a two horse race with Harry Fry's free running mare Desert Queen the one to beat. With Harry Cobden's claim Antartica de Thaix gets 9lbs from Desert Queen which hopefully could make the difference.

★★★★☆

3.15 Kempton Silviniaco Conti (FR) 20/1

Although he has won this twice in the past I was in two minds about running him in the race again until it looked like it might cut up.

I blame myself for running him much too soon last time behind Cue Card at Haydock after his previous encouraging performance at Down Royal. There is no doubt he was flat and under performed at Haydock and I regret sending him there.

We've had four weeks to freshen him up and he seemed to enjoy a day out with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hounds on Monday. He also had a nice spin round Wincanton last week.

While we are not expecting him to beat Cue Card and Thistlecrack I think Conti is definitely over priced. He has always been best going right-handed and, whatever people say, you have to stay to be competitive in the King George and we know he stays extra well.

★★★☆☆

Malcom Jefferson

1.05 Sedgefield Dubai Angel 8/11

He was beaten by a better horse at Newcastle and should have come on for that experience. The ground will be fine it just depends on how well the course suits him.

★★★★☆

2.10 Sedgefield Four Mile Beach 13/2

Four Mile Beach is a law unto himself. He has had the blinkers reapplied and with the combination of a weight allowance, Harry’s 10lb claim and a race full of similarly inconsistent types – hopefully he will be thereabouts.

★★★★☆

3.20 Sedgefield Helmsley Lad 9/4

He finished second over course and distance here at the back end of last season and has come on for his last run at Catterick. It is a bumper but we hope he puts in another good performance.

★★★★☆

Willie Mullins

12.15 Leopardstown Bunk Off Early 15/8

He ran on the flat for Andy Oliver and this is his hurdling debut. He is a strong type and has schooled well at home. He will handle the ground and we are expecting a very good run.

★★★★★

12.45 Leopardstown Castello Sforza 11/8

He was third on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse earlier this month and that experience will be a big advantage here. He should improve from that run and will handle the ground and trip. We are very hopeful.

★★★★★

12.55 Limerick Allblak Des Places 8/11

He will love this ground and his second to Footpad last time would be good enough to win this. However, that was in February and he hasn’t run since. These race conditions suit and we are hoping for a decent run.

★★★★☆

1.15 Leopardstown Bapaume 2/1

He had a great first run when a close second to Landofhopeandglory at Fairyhouse and he takes on the winner and third again here. We are hoping he has improved from that run and, if so, he has a good chance of going one better today.

★★★★★

1.25 Limerick Bravissimo 7/4

He jumps well and his experience over hurdles in France will stand to him here. He would probably prefer better ground but he is fit and well and has been in good form at home. We have had this race in mind for him for a while.

★★★★☆

2.00 Limerick Haymount 4/1

Haymount (Patrick) won a novice chase at Punchestown last time and the form of that race has worked out well. He should be okay on the ground and we are expecting a big run again today.

★★★★☆

2.00 Limerick Bellshill 8/11

Bellshill (Paul) was impressive when winning a novice chase at Gowran last month over this trip and looks sure to be involved again here at the business end.

★★★★☆

2.20 Leopardstown Min 8/11

He put up an excellent performance when winning easily on his chasing debut at Navan last month and going left-handed again here will suit. He needs to improve a bit for this grade one but he has the scope to do so. He will handle the ground and we expect him to be very much involved again today.

★★★★★

2.55 Leopardstown Jarry Dhonneur 9/1

He was very disappointing at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago and would need to show huge improvement to be involved here. He is probably best watched until he shows a bit of spark.

★☆☆☆☆

3.40 Limerick Miss Sapphire 8/13

She is a nice sort by Flemensfirth and will love this ground. Unless there is something special among the opposition, we would be hopeful that she will keep up the good recent form of our bumper horses.

★★★★☆

Martin Keighley

1.20 Huntingdon Viking Mistress 11/2

3.40 Huntingdon Ballymountain Boy 6/1

both have good each way chances and great to be racing and blow away the cobwebs.

★★★☆☆

Julia Feilden

1.00 Wolverhampton Dakota City 13/2

He is a bit high in the weights at the moment but still running with credit. I would have liked a better draw than stalll 10 of 10 but hopefully Adam can get him covered up and bring him through with his usual late challenge.

★★☆☆☆

David Pipe

1.15 Wetherby Tobacco Road 4/1

He is a 9/2 chance in the Post and he ran well on his last start at Towcester where he finished second.  It is a slight step up in trip this afternoon and so long as he stays this trip he should run well.

★★★☆☆

3.45 Kempton Dell Arca 22/1

He ran well when last seen over hurdles at Haydock off this mark of 135 and he is a a 12/1 EW chance in the Racing Post.  He returns from a hoiday today so fingers crossed he can run well.

★★☆☆☆

Dan Skelton

12.35 Market Rasen Bandsman 6/4

I hope Bandsman can follow up on his win at the same track earlier this month. He has a couple of decent rivals in the race which you have to respect. He knows the place well though so fingers crossed

★★★★☆

12.45 Huntingdon Stick To The Plan 10/1

He’s a lovely horse and definitely a chaser for the future. He jumps really well. We do like him and he’ll improve from his debut run. It’s all about the future for him.

★★★☆☆

12.55 Kempton Mohaayed 25/1

He wasn’t beaten far in last season’s Irish 2000 Guineas but he did lose his way a bit following that. He is jumping nicely. We are pitching him in at this deep end because he will learn a lot from this. We don’t expect him to win the race but hopefully then he can go and win a maiden hurdle next time. He will travel and jump nicely so the experience won’t be lost on him. He’s obviously a decent horse based on his three year old form but he did lose his way as a four year old. There won’t be a load of pressure on him. Jenkins is the horse with the pressure on his shoulders in the race. My horse will come on mentally from his run and then hopefully go well in his maiden second time out.

★★★☆☆

1.30 Kempton Two Taffs 5/1

Dan is hoping the Kempton ground won’t be a repeat of Haydock for Two Taffs. This horse hasn’t run since the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock where the ground was really soft that day. He jumps well at home and has always been thought of as a chaser. I’m looking forward to seeing his debut over fences. It’s not too big a field and I can see him running well. He just doesn’t want the ground as bad as it was at Haydock so Kempton should be perfect.

★★★★☆

1.45 Market Rasen Master Jake 8/1

This horse won three novice hurdles last year. Life is never as easy over fences as it is over hurdles though. This two and a half mile trip will suit. He actually ran quite well last time trying to match strides with the eventual winner.

★★★☆☆

1.45 Fontwell Bertenbar 7/2

I think this horse has a good chance. It is a competitive little race, but the trip and track is ideal so he has to go there as one of the leading contenders to come out on top.

★★★★★

2.05 Kempton Churchtown Champ 18/1

Originally we were targeting Churchtown Champ at this race as we thought Thistlecrack would run and scare off most other horses. However as it is, Frodon aside, Churchtown Champ has as good a chance as any in such an open race. I thought Churchtown Champ would win last time out at Southwell but I did not think he would win like he did. The form at Southwell has worked out well too which is great so he has to have an each-way chance. We will definitely know how good he is after a race like this.

★★★☆☆

2.05 Kempton Virgilio 16/1

Virgilio wants three miles now. He ran really well last time out against Clan Des Obeaux where he was clearly crying out for a longer trip as he was just staying on throughout the race. The good news is that he did put the bad run at Wincanton behind him, so he is over that. He seems in good form and is going well at home. It looks a wide open content with no Thistlecrack in there. If Frodon turns up and gets the three miles as a four-year-old, he is going to be hard to beat because he is ahead of everything else on the numbers. It is a tough task for a four-year old though. Apart from him, there is very little between the rest of them.

★★★☆☆

2.20 Market Rasen Wilton Milan 6/1

He is coming down the handicap all the time so surely it is only a matter of time before he wins. You can see from his record that he doesn’t win that often but he must be getting close to a mark he can win off. We will play our hand late with him.

★★★★☆

2.40 Kempton Chtibello 6/1

He surprised us all that he went on the ground at Haydock last time out but I don’t think it was a fluke. He’s been in great form at home since then. The New One has obviously been rejuvenated. Yanworth looked like he was going to move up in trip after Ascot but instead has come down, so there’s a question mark there. There has to be a question mark over My Tent or Yours as he has not been firing this season. Our horse definitely goes there with a chance because of the make up of the race.

★★★★☆

3.30 Market Rasen Cobra De Mai 9/2

I think this horse has a good chance. It is a competitive little race, but the trip and track is ideal so he has to go there as one of the leading contenders to come out on top.

★★★★★

3.45 Kempton Mister Grez 40/1

Mister Grez is just looking for some form as it has not really been there yet after having some time off. In a race of some depth, it is hard to see it coming at Kempton. He is just starting to pick up at home though so hopefully he will run tidily.

★★☆☆☆

3.45 Kempton Spiritofthegames 6/1

Spiritofthegames ran really well last time at Cheltenham. He is a novice running in a competitive handicap so it usually works out one way or the other. It’s a useful handicap this but hopefully he will go well. I think he has some scope with his current handicap mark and we will find out just how much.

★★★☆☆