28/01/17 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

Nicky Henderson

12.00 Cheltenham Charli Parcs 6/4

He made a very impressive debut for us at Kempton in December and absolutely bolted up. JP’s other horse, Defi Du Seuil, is still in there but if there is a serious amount of overnight rain and it got very soft, that may count against him and roles may switch. Charli looks great and I’m very happy with where he is at; his work has been good and to be honest I’ve been very pleased the whole way. We’ve not done a lot of schooling with him, certainly over the past week, because the ground has been too hard but he’s done bits in the indoor school where he was very slick. I really don’t know whether he’ll go for the Triumph or the Supreme and the whole point in coming here is for us to learn about him as I’ve always said I wanted to get some experience into him around the track. The ground shouldn’t be an issue as he won on good ground at Kempton (where it’s always good!!) but has plenty of form on soft in France so he’s very versatile. I’ve trained many good Juveniles down the years and this animal would be right up there with the best of them- I like the horse and do think he’s very smart. He does everything right.

★★★★☆

1.25 Doncaster Constantine Bay 11/2

He has done nothing but improve and scored very nicely at Chepstow last time having started the year winning a funny race at Haydock on soft ground. My concern is however, that the forecast faster ground at Doncaster might be against him and I’m quite nervous about that as it’s currently good to firm in places and this is one horse that wouldn’t want it too quick. He was entered up at Cheltenham but I decided to run here because I think the 3m will suit him better. I have a lot of time for this one and, if the ground is right, he should run a big race.

★★★★☆

3.25 Cheltenham William Henry 3/1

He duly obliged at Newbury last time after running a stormer on his first run back in years at Cheltenham in December and this is another step up the ladder. He didn’t need to improve too much after his first run to win at Newbury because we had the second and third in that race so I’m pretty sure I know how good the form is! He jumped well and travelled well on that occasion and you’d like to think the extra half mile will definitely suit him. It’s a big step up in class, yes, but he’s in terrific form and deserves to take his chance and this is the time to find out where he belongs as it’s going to dictate what we do for the rest of the season.

★★★★☆

4.00 Cheltenham Kotkikova 14/1

It’s a bit unsatisfactory that we are coming here as she’s been declared twice and each time the meeting has been abandoned due to frost but I need to get a run into her so we’re heading to HQ instead! It’s not plan A or B and the BHA had a look into re-staging the Mares’ race again but we were running out of time and just couldn’t save it, which is a shame, but that’s how it goes sometimes. I must admit, this isn’t exactly where we’d like to be but she ran a very good race in Ireland and is entitled to come on a fair bit for that. We are throwing her in very deep but she’s a high class mare with some high class form and the run around the track will also be valuable experience. We are trying to establish what exactly she requires with regards to trip and ground so we will definitely have a better idea after tomorrow’s race but she has good form on soft ground in France which gives me great confidence.

★★★☆☆

4.15 Doncaster Melangerie 16/1

We ran her in a Listed race at Huntington which probably wasn’t a very good call on my behalf as we’d been trying to run her for a bit so went there when we shouldn’t have as she was too fizzy and didn’t know enough to do herself justice. The hood will settle her down a little bit and I like her; I like her a lot actually and think she will run very well.

★★★★☆

4.35 Cheltenham Maestro Royal 10/1

They are both nice horses who arrive here having won their last starts respectively and are in very good shape. MAESTRO ROYAL was good at Sandown and got raised 7lbs in the weights but he’s a decent two mile horse who ran well the time before at the course where he got to the last hurdle in second and almost knocked it out of the ground which did him no favours and he just couldn’t reel in the winner after that.

★★★★☆

4.35 Cheltenham Divine Spear 12/1

Won nicely at Fontwell and got put up 4lbs for that but could still be well handicapped with Ned Curtis taking a valuable 5lbs off again. I think a reverse forecast between the two @sevenbarrows runners might be the best advice!

★★★★☆

Paul Nicholls

12.35 Cheltenham Ibis Du Rheu 5/1

Ran very well over fences last time when second to Pebbles Bay at Chepstow, jumping soundly, and remains in good form at home but realistically I'd say he has a tough task here giving weight all round to some improving types. It should help that Harry Cobden claims a handy 3 lbs.

★★★☆☆

12.35 Cheltenham More Bucks 14/1

Progressing well over fences and probably found the trip of three miles at Kempton stretching his stamina last time out, over Christmas. That's why I am dropping him down in distance here. While More Buck's jumps well and travels well through his races, he is creeping up the handicap and he probably needs to improve again to play a part in the finish.

★★☆☆☆

1.10 Cheltenham Saphir Du Rheu 7/2

Has something to prove now, having fallen early on in the Hennessy Gold Cup, which was disappointing after he ran so well on his return to action at Ascot. Saphir de Rheu was a bit sore after Newbury for a few days but soon recovered and has done a lot of schooling off fences. He won the Cleeve Hurdle at this course a couple of years ago and is definitely not without a chance.

★★★★☆

1.25 Doncaster Give Me A Copper 7/2

Won stylishly at Exeter and Is a decent long term prospect, a nice chaser for next season.

We are looking after Give Me A Copper for the time being and he will not run here unless they get some rain because he needs plenty of cut in the ground.

★☆☆☆☆ – hardly any rain

1.45 Cheltenham Dodging Bullets 25/1

Top marks to the authorities for transferring this race to Cheltenham once Ascot was abandoned ago. Even so it doesn't make the task of Dodging Bullets any easier. The jury is out on Dodging Bullets after some below par efforts and it is difficult to know what to expect from him now. I felt he would be suited by the longer trip at Huntingdon and, although he didn't seem to stay the two-and-a-half miles there, I am not convinced stamina was the issue.

★★☆☆☆

1.55 Doncaster Romain De Senam 11/4

Was hardly out of a canter when winning with his head in his chest at Leicester earlier in the week so carries a 5lbs penalty. He jumps well, will enjoy the ground and is better going left handed so he has plenty in his favour.

★★★★☆

2.15 Cheltenham Silviniaco Conti 20/1

Finished strongly in the King George V1 Chase on Boxing Day and would have been second in one more stride. While plenty of people say Cheltenham doesn't suit Silviniaco Conti, I don't agree as he led over the last in one Gold Cup and was bang there when he fell three out in another. He is a top class chaser, it is a small field and he deserves his chance.

★★★☆☆

2.30 Doncaster Marracudja 7/2

Looked a smart prospect in winning his first two races over fences but could not lay a glove on the short priced Arkle favourite Altior in his last two starts. We've freshened up Marracudja since he chased home Altior at Kempton at Christmas and he will be well suited by the fast track and quicker ground at Doncaster. I expect him to go close in a competitive little race.

★★★★☆

2.50 Cheltenham Rocky Creek 7/1

Is becoming more unpredictable with age but could certainly play a part here if he takes to the unique contours and fences of the cross country course. It was encouraging that he seemed to enjoy himself during a schooling session over the track in mid week. The trip and the drier ground should definitely be in Rocky Creek's favour and if he fancies this different type challenge.

★★★☆☆

3.05 Doncaster Coillte Lass 11/2

It looks like we are all playing for second place behind the brilliant Irish mare Vroom Vroom Mag. So this is a big ask for Coillte Lass who has been a star for the syndicate team of Ditcheat Thoroughbreds, winning all three of her races this season and beating the smart Dusky Legend last time in a Listed hurdle at Taunton. Coillte Lass keeps progressing and has earned a crack at Vroom Vroom Mag.

★★★☆☆

3.25 Cheltenham Topofthegame 7/1

Won narrowly in the end at Ascot on his hurdles debut despite almost throwing it away through inexperience. Topofthegame is a fine big horse with an exciting future so we are determined not to rush him. He is learning as he goes along and I am hoping he can take another step forward here in a strong field.

★★★★☆

3.40 Doncaster Vicente 12/1

Gained his biggest success in the Scottish Grand National in April and ran well for a long way last time before finishing a well beaten sixth in the Welsh Grand National on ground that was much too soft for him. The going at Doncaster will be more to his liking but he really needs another mile to bring his stamina into play and he is still 3 lbs higher than his winning mark at Ayr.

★★★☆☆

3.40 Doncaster Caid Du Berlais 14/1

Won well over hurdles at Aintree on his return after missing a year and then couldn't handle the testing conditions at Haydock. I'd expect his last run over fences behind Top Notch at Ascot to have sharpened him up nicely for this and don't forget he was good enough to win the Paddy Power Chase. Caid Du Berlais is quite fairly handicapped now and should go well.

★★★★☆

4.00 Cheltenham Old Guard 20/1

Has been finding life tougher this season and this could help us decide if he goes for the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival or the Coral Cup. We know the course suits his style of running and there was much to like about the way he kept on under a big weight to finish fourth to his stable companion Modus at Kempton last time.

★★★☆☆

4.00 Cheltenham Ptit Zig 12/1

A top class stayer who for some reason didn't run up to his best at Ascot last time when I quite fancied him. Nothing came to light afterwards and he remains in good shape. I'd say he has a good chance on his best form.

★★★★☆

Malcom Jefferson

1.55 Doncaster Double Ws 7/1

Double W’s did not run as badly as the bare result last time as he made a couple of shuddering errors jumping and Brian was not hard on him once he was beaten. He needs to put that behind him and prove he is competitive off this mark in a competitive race but he will like the forecast good ground and he has done well for a break.

★★★☆☆

2.30 Doncaster Cloudy Dream 7/4

Cloudy Dream ran a cracker last time giving weight to a quality horse and we hope he can run well tomorrow as he has done very well for a break and will be suited by quicker underfoot conditions.

★★★★☆

Mark Usher

5.45 Kempton Mistry 16/1

This evening Mistry returns to Kempton for the fourth time and for her third run in a Handicap; she has had an interrupted start to her racing career and has not been a particularly easy horse to train; but the positive side of this evening, dropping back from seven to six, is that with Racheal (who has ridden her regularly at home) taking off another five pounds she is well handicapped, particularly with the top weight, and well drawn. You may have seen the video of her being encouraged to bounce out of the stalls that we made earlier this week; the plan will be to race close on the pace over the shorter trip and to make use of the effect and difference we hope the visor will make. It is difficult to be very confident but at around 16/1 with a quarter the odds a place there will be worse each way bets over this Winter!!

★★★☆☆

Ed Dunlop

1.50 Lingfield Arnarson 5/4

Arnarson is our only runner over the weekend and he looks to have solid claims in the Lingfield 7f Maiden at 1:50 on Saturday. He improved from his first to second start and his latest second has been well advertised since. He has been drawn in stall eight but his main danger has been drawn one stall outside of him and if he can run to the same level of his second start then he will be hard to beat.

★★★★★

Willie Mullins

1.30 Naas Ivan Grozny 4/7

Ivan Grozny (David Mullins) runs in the Limestone Lad Hurdle over 2 miles. He is the highest rated in the field and has the advantage of being a course and distance winner. He is a hard horse to place but this does appear to be an ideal opportunity.

★★★★★

1.45 Cheltenham Un De Sceaux 1/2

Un De Sceaux (Ruby) runs in the Clarence House Chase over 2 miles. He won the Tingle Creek at Sandown last time and a reproduction of that form would make him hard to beat today. He is in good form and likes it around here. Any rain would be a bonus.

★★★★★

2.00 Naas Augustin 11/4

Augustin (Danny Mullins) makes his hurdling debut in the maiden hurdle over 2m 3f. He is a good jumper and needs this trip. It is his first run back but we are hoping for the best.

★★★★☆

2.35 Naas Haymount 9/4

Haymount (Danny Mullins) didn’t enjoy this trip over hurdles but we think he needs it over fences. He is a good jumper and we are expecting improvement from his run at Limerick at Christmas.

★★★★☆

2.35 Naas Briar Hill 8/1

Briar Hill (Mikey Fogarty) fell at Leopardstown last time and will hopefully get his confidence back here. He certainly has the ability when everything goes right.

★★★☆☆

3.05 Doncaster Vroum Vroum Mag 2/9

Vroum Vroum Mag (Paul) goes for the mares’ hurdle over 2 miles. She won nicely over 3 miles at Leopardstown over Christmas but dropping back a mile here shouldn’t trouble her. This looks like a good opportunity and we are hoping for the best.

★★★★★

4.20 Naas For Syl 6/1

For Syl (Katie O’Farrell) makes her debut in the bumper over 2m 3f. She has had training problems but we need to get her out at this stage. She is fit enough but might just need this run.

★★★☆☆

Roger Charlton

1.50 Lingfield Abatement 7/1

Abatement is our only runner and heads to Lingfield for the seven firlong maiden at 2.40. After two slightly disappointing runs last year, one on very soft ground, he has been gelded. I think the surface will suit and apart from Arnarson the race has an open look to it.

★★★☆☆