For a yard set in the jumping heartland of Dorset’s Blackmore Vale, last season represented the pinnacle of achievement. Staying chasers are the essence of Venn Farm Stables and Native River’s Cheltenham Gold Cup success took the yard to new heights, which the Tizzards – Colin, son Joe and daughter Kim – will be seeking to build upon this term. The remainder of the family’s dairy herd are set to go to the sales and now every last ounce of energy will go into preparing a powerful team for the biggest prizes.
“We’re expected to have big winners now and we expect to have them ourselves,” says the trainer. “Last season couldn’t have gone much better, but the key is that these good horses don’t last forever – even Cue Card has gone – and you’re always looking for the next one, the good young horses coming through. I think we’re in good shape there.
“We’ve never had a team of novice chasers like the one we’ve got this season, it’s our best bunch ever by a long way and the future is very exciting. Elixir De Nutz and Eldorado Allen could be top novice hurdlers as well, and we have plenty of nice bumper horses that we haven’t done a lot with yet, and strength across the board.
“The cows have got to the stage where they need investment in the parlour, and do we want to commit to milking cows? No. A yard like this doesn’t stop and we’re committing to taking our racing to another level again.”
Stable profile
Yard Venn Farm Stables
Where Milborne Port, nr Sherborne, Dorset
Started training 1995
Horses in yard 110
Members of staff 33
Assistants Joe Tizzard, Kim Tizzard, Chris Wald
Head girl Leia Crocker
Travelling head lad Ritchie Young
Jockeys No stable jockey but we get to choose from the likes of Harry Cobden, Richard Johnson, Robbie Power and Tom Scudamore
Conditionals Angus Cheleda, Ben Godfrey, Harry Kimber
Secretaries Pauline Tizzard, Debbie White
Stable sponsor Coral
Website colintizzard.co.uk
WINNERS IN BRITAIN
2017-18 79
2016-17 57
2015-16 50
2014-15 38
PROFIT/LOSS TO £1 STAKE
2017-18 -£159.35
2016-17 +£8.75
2015-16 -£46.75
2014-15 -£79.46
PRIZE MONEY 2017-18
£1,975,899
Pedigree: nine-year-old gelding
Alflora (sire) – Miss Chinchilla (dam)
Owner: Gale Force Six
Form figures: 4P/7P3P-
Racing Post Rating: 119 chase; Official rating: 103 chase
A good, solid little horse, handicapped pretty much to what he is but will run as soon as we get some rain and will give his syndicate of owners plenty of fun this year. Small fields and soft ground suit him best.
10g Gold Well – Stay On Line
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
6/43PP1-
RPR 142c OR 131c
Got the hang of things at the back end of last season, winning nicely at Newbury. He’s another who’s waiting for some decent ground and I don’t think he’s badly handicapped off his current mark over 2m4f to 3m.
The Be Wiser Insurance Handicap Chase (Class 3)
Newbury 23/3/2017
©cranhamphoto.com
5g Fracas – Haven’t A Notion
Coral Champions Club
P634-54
RPR 116h, 113c OR 116h, 115c
Won a novice hurdle last season at Plumpton and we gave him a spin over fences in a 2m2f novice handicap at Kempton last month but, although he jumped well, it all happened a bit quick for him. A step up to 2m4f on a galloping track will be right up his street and a 0-120 novice handicap is well within his scope. He’s starting to grow up and there are races to be won with him this season.
8g Flemensfirth – Clandestine
PM Warren
295641-
RPR 121c OR 110c
A huge horse who takes a lot of work and goes out twice a day leading up to a run. He’s a consistent chap who finally got enough help from the handicapper to win at the end of last season. I think he’s still on a workable mark and would be ideally suited by carrying top weight in a 0-110 handicap chase. He’s done plenty of schooling and is just waiting for the rain.
4g Getaway – Blessingindisguise
Taylor and O’Dwyer
2-9
RPR 94b OR –
Ran down the field in a Chepstow bumper last month, looking promising for most of the race but stopping very quickly from the back of two out. Nothing showed up at home, so we’ll give him a spin in a novice hurdle in the next couple of weeks and see where we go from there. He came to us with a good reputation, having been second in a point-to-point in Ireland. He’s still got some growing to do but we think a bit of him.
5g Oscar – Arcanum
Mrs C Davies, Mr A Selway, Mr P Wavish
1
RPR 90 (point) OR –
We bought him at Doncaster in August. He won his only point-to-point and looks a lovely prospect, but he’s just cantering away at the moment and will run around Christmas time. I imagine he’d go novice hurdling straight away, but we’re still learning about him.
7g Indian Danehill – Annie’s Gift
The Corse Lawners
73P-
RPR 87h OR –
Joined us from Ruth Jefferson and is a beautiful horse who does everything nicely at home. He’s had two runs over hurdles and schools well, so we’ll stick him in a novice hurdle over 2m to 2m4f and get a mark for him. He works well and we’re looking forward to seeing him out.
If I could sum up last season in one word . . .
How about two words? Gold Cup!
8g Kayf Tara – Briery Ann
Brocade Racing
1643-16
RPR 130c OR 126c
Took a while to come good but he finally did and was consistent last season, winning a couple and working his way up through the handicap. I think he’s still improving and he’ll run in 0-130 or 0-140 handicaps over 2m4f to 3m on safe winter ground.
8g Double Trigger – Little Feat
Geoff Nicholas
2/58122-
RPR 126h OR 125h
Was hurdling last year and running consistently well. He’ll go chasing this season and will want 3m-plus on soft ground, so we’ll start him off in a novices’ limited handicap as soon as the rain arrives. He’s had a touch of a leg before and has a high knee action, so we’ll have to be patient.
9g Tamure – Waimea Bay
The Buckhorn Racing Team
200/11P-
RPR 143c OR 136c
Won his first two handicap hurdles last year but then pulled up in the Welsh National with a minor leg injury. He’d had pelvic injuries before, so we took our time and he was out for the rest of the season, but he’s back in now and well and will be ready to run in a few weeks off a mark that means he’ll have to compete in the bigger chases. He jumps and he stays all day and I wouldn’t rule out another shot at the Welsh National.
Huntingdon 15.1.16 Pic: Edward Whitaker
4g Robin Des Champs – Jay Lo
Brocade Racing
80-
RPR 67b OR –
A lovely bumper horse, a big baby who’s far better than the two runs we managed to get into him last season. He looks a lot different now, has filled out nicely and will start off in novice hurdles over 2m4f.
6g Crillon – Similaresisoldofa
Swallowfield Racing
5/34P-13
RPR 120h OR 121h
Bought at the horses-in-training sale out of Nicky Henderson’s and finished third at Cheltenham last month on his first run for us, a lovely effort from a horse who should be able to pick up a nice handicap hurdle, although he’s already schooled well over fences. You might see him over hurdles again soon and I’d say he’s a big, strong boy who’ll go on decent ground but won’t have any problem when it gets a bit softer either.
4g Black Sam Bellamy – Absalom’s Girl
Brocade Racing
7-
RPR 70b OR –
Another baby who was weak last year and is a different horse now, a lot stronger than when he had his only run in a bumper. He’s been schooling over hurdles and will be out as soon as the ground eases a little.
4g Sulamani – How’s Business
Mrs GC Pritchard
779-
RPR 88b OR –
We managed to get three bumper runs into him last term and his form doesn’t read as well as the quality of his efforts. He’s strengthened up a lot since then and has been entered up in novice hurdles everywhere for a fortnight, but he’s a big lad who won’t be risked on quick ground.
7g Kayf Tara – Ardrom
Mrs Christine M Hinks
55112-P
RPR 117c OR 112c
Won five last year, including a charity race at Larkhill with his 72-year-old owner on board. He took two years to grow into his shell but we finally reaped the rewards of our patience and, although he was pulled up in the amateur riders’ handicap chase at Cheltenham last month, making a couple of blunders that stopped him in his tracks, he’s very good around Wincanton and there’s a race back there in three weeks’ time that we’re aiming him at. He wants every bit of 3m and you could see him running in a Sussex National or something similar.
9g Overbury – Barton Belle
Mr and Mrs G Calder and PM Warren
9/14315-
RPR 150h OR 148h
A Grade 2 winner over hurdles and a useful chaser who joined us at the beginning of the summer from Ruth Jefferson. He’s been in a long time, has schooled well over hurdles and fences and is ready to run, but we haven’t quite decided where we’re going to go with him. We’re very excited to have him and he looks a top-class 2m4f chaser in the making.
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
5g Lucarno – Pail Mel
Mrs GC Pritchard
5/27-1
RPR 128h OR –
We had all sorts of problems with him last year and could never quite get him right, so we turned him away when the ground quickened up, gave him plenty of time and he sluiced up by 17 lengths on his first run of the season in a maiden hurdle at Fontwell last month, making all and jumping really well for what was an eyecatching victory. He ran in point-to-points before we got him, jumped well and got 3m, so I imagine we’ll give him his chance against some better ones at Cheltenham this month. He’s an exciting horse.
6m Mr Dinos – Beneficial Lady
A Maddox and S Langdon
244133-
RPR 107h OR 115h
Winning point-to-pointer who landed a mares’ novice hurdle at Chepstow in March. The plan is to give her a couple of spins over hurdles to take advantage of her mark and then send her chasing. She’s been entered up but we’re waiting on the ground.
6m King’s Theatre – Dame Fonteyn
The Land Value Partnership
-021211
RPR 150c OR 147c
She’s been a cracker for us, a real revelation, winning three out of four novice chases on decent ground this summer, including when bolting up over 3m at Chepstow last time on good to soft. Fences have been the making of her and the plan is to take her to Market Rasen on Thursday for a mares’ Listed chase. Her style is to go off in front and gallop them into the ground, and I think there’s more to come from her.
5g Ballingarry – Kauto Lorette
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
80-U658
RPR 86h OR 90h
A weak horse last year who wasn’t really finishing his races and got a low rating as a result. He’s had a wind operation, looks physically stronger and I’d like to think he’s a fair 2m hurdler starting off a workable mark.
Dark horse
4g Khalkevi – Hesmeralda
JP Romans and Terry Warner
23-
RPR 115h OR –
A really useful ex-French horse who’s just waiting for the ground to come right but looks like one of our nicest novice hurdlers. He’s got a good page and wasn’t cheap, but he’s schooled very well, works beautifully and will probably start off over 2m while we find out a bit more about him. Everything about him is really likeable.
6g Dubai Destination – Graineuaile
JP Romans
212133-
RPR 156c OR 151c
Has an entry in the Ladbrokes Trophy on December 1 and, as a progressive second-season chaser who has won round Newbury over 3m, he ticks a lot of boxes for the race, going there with a similar profile to Native River, who won it in 2016. He was beaten a length by Samcro in his only point-to-point and won a couple of novice hurdles but then was really weak for a while before taking a big step forward last season, winning at Newbury and Exeter, being placed in hot novice chases at Kempton, Cheltenham and Aintree and improving all the time. The Ladbrokes Trophy has been our plan since Cheltenham and we’d like to get a run into him beforehand. If the rain doesn’t come we may start to run out of time, but at least he’s a hardened sort with experience at the big meetings. I think he’s a good horse – a beautiful looker, big and strong – and he can progress again this season.
Sandown 11.11.18 Pic: Edward Whitaker
4g Al Namix – Nutz
Terry Warner
16-F2
RPR 122h OR 130h
Joined us from Philip Hobbs in the summer and ran a lovely race when second in a maiden hurdle at Cheltenham last month. He’d been a bit fragile mentally but he’s matured with age and behaved really well at Cheltenham, leading until halfway up the run-in, and is an exciting prospect who will no doubt be seen in all the top novice hurdles this campaign over 2m.
4f Voix Du Nord – Petite Fille
JP McManus
1/5-16
RPR 105h OR –
Won nicely in a novice hurdle over 2m at Newton Abbot in June and Aidan Coleman got off her and said she’s a bit better than the average summer mare, so we saved her until the first Chepstow meeting last month, where she ran well enough over 2m4f but blew for a long time afterwards. She’s sharpened up no end for that and we’ll find a mares’ hurdle for her somewhere at around 2m4f. She’s not the biggest but she’s got an engine.
4g Black Sam Bellamy – Cormorant Cove
For sale
2-
RPR 88 (point) OR –
Irish point-to-point runner-up who we bought for £170,000 at Aintree in April – the horse he finished behind fetched £330,000 at Cheltenham. He looks the real deal at home, works very well and will be out in a novice hurdle when the ground changes. He’s for sale and looks a very smart prospect.
10g Flemensfirth – Kates Charm
Tom Chadney & Peter Green
214545-
RPR 128c OR 121c
Now qualifies for veterans’ races and will run in one at Sandown on Sunday. He goes well fresh, so we’ve done plenty of work with him and he’s schooling nicely.
5g Tobougg – Madam Flora
Wendy Pope and Tim Swaffield
PRP-154
RPR 107h OR 110h
Had a soft-palate operation in the spring and won on his next start, in a 2m5f handicap hurdle at Wincanton on good ground. He’s a nice handicapper who was a bit late coming back in and is a month or more off a run, but he’ll be campaigned over fences when he’s ready and should have a good season.
4g Schiaparelli – Patsie Magern
Brocade Racing
6
RPR 92b OR –
A weak baby last year but has strengthened up, is well bred and will be seen out in novice hurdles in a month’s time.
8g Lando – Natt Musik
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
211/12P-
RPR 174c OR 167c
A former Champion Chase runner-up and winner at both the Aintree and Punchestown festivals, he injured himself in the King George last year – pulled a tendon and a bit of bone off the back of his knee – so he was late coming back in and you won’t see him until the second half of the season. He’s cantering away and doesn’t seem to have lost any of his ability, so I think he can have a productive campaign at around 2m4f at the big meetings. We’ll start him in the new year with the Ryanair Chase as his main target.
Cheltenham 19.11.17 Pic: Edward Whitaker
10g Beat All – Sudden Spirit
JP Romans
53F3P-1
RPR 140c OR 130c
Former Badger Ales winner who won his last race in the spring – a 3m1f handicap chase at Wincanton on good ground – but had a bad bout of colic in the summer and did well to pull through after having two operations and two feet of intestine removed. He’s back in now, has made a full recovery and can take up where he left off as a good, consistent handicap chaser in the second half of the season.
4m Muhtathir – Golden Firebird
Mel Fordham Racing
4-
RPR – OR –
A tiny mare but a little rocket up our gallops and is ready to run in a mares’ novice hurdle within the next couple of weeks. She ran on the Flat and over hurdles in France and we’ll start her at 2m as she’s very quick.
5g Stowaway – Fairy Dawn
Brocade Racing
324132-
RPR 128h OR 126h
A lovely, big horse from the Doncaster sales, he improved all last season but never showed much respect for hurdles and is a much better jumper of a fence. We’ll go novice chasing with him this season over 2m4f to 3m and he’s a strong, galloping horse who should take another step forward.
12g Old Vic – West Hill Rose
JK Farms
0/1216F-
RPR 151h, 142c OR 137h, 139c
A bonny chap who won a veterans’ race at the beginning of last term and a decent handicap chase at Wincanton. We thought he was tailor-made for Aintree so we sent him to the Foxhunters’ and he was just warming up when he was blocked off at the Canal Turn and fell. It seems like he’s been around forever – he joined us as a four-year-old – but he was as good as ever last season, so we’ll start him off in veterans’ races again and see how the year goes before deciding whether to go back to Aintree.
4g Sunday Break – Highest Price
Ashley Head
1-
RPR – OR –
A new horse and a new owner, he won on the Flat in France and landed his only hurdle over there by 16 lengths, but that was in April, which means he can’t run in novice hurdles over here. We entered him in a handicap hurdle but the BHA won’t give him a mark yet and, although we’ve already schooled him, it would be a big shout to go straight into a novice chase on his second National Hunt outing, so we’re looking at introductory hurdles for him. He looks the part and shows us plenty at home.
4g Multiplex – Sudden Beat
DT Hoyland, JS Hoyland, JP Romans
10-5
RPR 109b OR –
Ran well in a decent bumper at the last Cheltenham meeting after making most of the running. He’ll run in a novice hurdle next, possibly at Wincanton on Saturday. He’s definitely progressed since last season and looks set to have a good campaign over 2m4f.
5m Kalanisi – Katariya
Gale Force Three
40612-5
RPR 97h OR 94h
Didn’t have much luck in running on her reappearance in a handicap hurdle at Chepstow last week and didn’t jump the last three flights too well, but it was a pleasing run nonetheless and she’ll take a lot of beating next time off what looks a nice mark.
4g Ballingarry – Kauto Luisa
Jenny Perry and Celia Goaman
343-4
RPR 101b OR –
A big, athletic horse who progressed in bumpers last year and learned plenty. He has grown and strengthened since and will run in novice hurdles once the ground comes right.
Star quality
7g Oscar – Kilbricken Leader
A Selway and P Wavish
311313-
RPR 154h OR 152h
Although he’s a seven-year-old with an Albert Bartlett win under his belt, he’s filled out again this summer and looks bigger and stronger than ever. Last year he was quite narrow but he’s blossomed since and looks sure to improve again on what he’s done so far. He backed up that Cheltenham Festival run with an equally good effort at Punchestown and, having already won a point-to-point and schooled sensibly and well, he’s a natural to go novice chasing this season. We’re just waiting on the ground before embarking on what should be an exciting campaign over 3m, with the RSA being his main target. You’ll see him as soon as it rains.
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
11g King’s Theatre – Festival Leader
GF Gingell
6-11215
RPR 147c OR 138c
Has been hard to train all his life but has been brilliant through the summer, winning three, including a veterans’ chase over 3m at Chepstow last time. He’s not getting any younger but he’s in his best form ever and wasn’t at all disgraced in a better event at Ascot on Saturday, up another 7lb but still bang there until the second last. We’ll drop him back into veterans’ races now and I’m sure he’ll continue to do us proud.
7g King’s Theatre – Shuil Sionnach
Mrs Jean Bishop
163/314-
RPR 124h, 121c OR 123h, 120c
Won a nice handicap hurdle at Kempton last season and showed up well when he had a run over fences at Wetherby, so he’ll go novice chasing when the ground is right. He hasn’t had too many runs because he’s been weak, but he’s filled out and strengthened and the bigger obstacles should be ideal for him.
5g Apple Tree – Lamanver Homerun
Dr Donna Christensen
2-
RPR 104b OR –
Runner-up in his only bumper for Harry Fry in the spring, he’s a beautiful, big horse who schools really well and is ready to run when we get some give in the ground.
6g Westerner – Kind Word
The Colin Tizzard Racing Club
3U2-114
RPR 129c OR 122c
Our racing club owns this one and he’s just started to fulfil his potential, winning at Newton Abbot in the summer and Stratford in the autumn before finishing an excellent fourth at Cheltenham last time. That was over 2m and I think he’s asking to be stepped up in trip, so although he’s gone up 19lb in the handicap, I think there’s more to come over further.
4g Oscar – Silver Valley
Nightingale Syndicate
0-
RPR 77b OR –
A big, weak baby last year but stronger this now and has had a wind operation because he was a little bit noisy. He’ll be ready to run in six weeks or so and should give his syndicate some fun.
7m Kayf Tara – Madam Flora
Wendy Pope & Tim Swaffield
0/42F-7P
RPR 90b, 85h OR 84h
Joined us last year and seems to go wrong every time we run her, but she’s shown signs of form over hurdles and jumps a fence really well, so she may start in a mares’ novice limited handicap at Warwick on November 21. She could be at the right end of the handicap.
4g Yeats – Swincombe Flame
Sprayclad UK
12
RPR 116b OR –
Won at Sedgefield and then was just touched off by a five-year-old in a decent bumper at Cheltenham last time. He’s a beautiful young horse with a hell of a page and an engine to go with it, so now we just have to decide what route to take with him. We’ve already schooled him over hurdles but we think he’s good enough for the Champion Bumper, so we have the option of saving him for that. It’s a nice problem to have.
5g Malinas – Priscilla
Wendy and Malcolm Hezel
517320-
RPR 124h OR 126h
Won a nice novice hurdle at Kempton last year and will now go over the bigger obstacles. We’ll wait for the ground before running him in a 0-130 novices’ limited handicap chase over 2m4f, and I think fences will be the making of him. He wouldn’t want the ground really heavy but we wouldn’t risk him on quick either.
7g King’s Theatre – Steel Grey Lady
John and Heather Snook
321231-
RPR 130h OR 130h
Seriously consistent last season, winning a couple of hurdles, he’ll go novice chasing this year and I think fences will suit him because he was a fluent jumper of hurdles. He’s a good sort with plenty of potential.
6g Shantou – Knock On The Door
Jenny Perry and Celia Goaman
13224-
RPR 128h OR 125h
A big horse, probably 17.2hh, who came to us after the Cheltenham sales last year and turned in some decent performances in novice hurdles. He’s been schooled and you’ll see him novice chasing soon, but he wants some proper soft ground first.
4f Presenting – Wassailing Queen
The Alyasan Partnership
643-4
RPR 95b OR –
Ran well in bumpers last season but pulled muscles in her back end and won’t be out until mid-December. She’ll go novice hurdling and is bred to want 2m4f, which is just how she looked in her bumpers.
5g Getaway – Clonsingle Native
Orchard Racing
3-523
RPR 123h OR –
Third in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham on his first run for us after coming from point-to-pointing, which was a thrill for his new syndicate. If we take him anywhere half sensible he’ll be winning soon, and he looks a 3m novice hurdler of some potential.
Star quality
8g Indian River – Native Mo
Brocade Racing
1113/11-
RPR 178c OR 176c
Last season couldn’t have gone any better, despite the fact that we couldn’t run him until February because he’d jarred himself up in the Gold Cup the year before. We were lucky that Newbury wasn’t called off for his prep run in the Denman Chase, but he won well, we never missed a day with him, got a couple of gallops in at Larkhill, and the Gold Cup win was the kind of result a yard like ours lives for. He’s had a proper summer out, came back in on August 1, he’s in beautiful form and the route plans itself now. He’ll go to the Betfair Chase at Haydock, and if that goes well we’ll look at the King George and the next leg of the million-pound bonus, then on to the Gold Cup again and either Aintree or Punchestown. Every time we’ve run him he’s improved, and there’s no reason to suspect he’s stopped improving yet, so there’s every chance he could take another step forward this season. He won the Gold Cup on very soft ground but nobody here thinks he needs that going. He’s certainly not dependent on it and if it came up a standard good-to-soft Gold Cup in March, he’d love it. I think all of racing would like to see a repeat of his battle with Might Bite – two tough horses that don’t curl away from the fight and bounce straight back within a couple of days. We haven’t schooled him yet but everything’s bang on for him at the moment.
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
7g King’s Theatre – Hamari Gold
Brocade Racing, JP Romans, Terry Warner
2432-11
RPR 116c OR 111c
Has won his last two starts round Fontwell, which you wouldn’t necessarily think would suit a big, long-striding boy like him, and you could even say he’s been winning in spite of the track. The handicapper put him up 8lb for the last win over 2m6f but he’s an improving horse who jumps well and over 3m-plus he’s definitely going the right way.
7g Milan – Jade River
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
4340/12-
RPR 135h OR 132h
Won a 2m maiden hurdle round Ludlow last year but was schooled over fences all season and will now go novice chasing. He came to us with a big reputation and has a lot of ability, although he’s a little bit fragile. If we can keep him right, he’ll be an exciting chaser.
7g Norse Dancer – Methodical
Woodhaven Racing Syndicate
7P3453-
RPR 120h OR 109h
Has to have soft ground but is a consistent little chap who has schooled over fences. I’d imagine we’d give him a spin in a 0-110 hurdle before going chasing, but we’re waiting for the rain.
7m Teofilo – Mimisel
Ms Christine Thomas & Jim Hoyland
37-2512
RPR 125c OR 125c
Consistent mare who can handle good ground and will run in the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton on Saturday. She won a 2m5f novice chase at Newton Abbot last month and, although she’s a novice, she jumps well and should get in off a handy weight at Wincanton, a track where she’s already won.
4g Nayef – Pooka’s Daughter
Kevin Corcoran, Aaron Pierce, Chris Weare
1249-23
RPR 134h OR 136h
Turned up 12 months ago as a 62-rated Flat campaigner and we just thought we’d have a little bit of fun with him, but he’s progressed into a real nice horse. He was fourth in the Fred Winter last season and has come back with good placed efforts over 2m at Chepstow and Cheltenham, although the jockeys have all come back and said he’s better over 2m4f. If it comes up soft we’ll run him in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham over 2m, but if it’s not you’ll see him in a decent handicap over further. He’s really gutsy and I think he has a nice race in him.
8g Definite Article – Quest Of Passion
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
414013/
RPR 149h OR 148h
Grade 1 novice hurdle winner over 2m at Aintree in April 2017 but missed last season with a tendon injury. Last year we were talking about going down the hurdle route but we’ve schooled him over fences already, he’s done it well and he’s a big lad who looks like a chaser. He’s got very low mileage and once the ground comes right you’ll see him in a 2m novice chase.
Grossick Photography
5m Shirocco – Kaydee Queen
Chasing Gold Racing Club
54P16-7
RPR 104h OR 104h
Made a bad mistake two out on her reappearance over 2m4f on good ground at Southwell, which cooked her goose, but she’s certainly capable of winning off her current mark and we’ll find a little mares’ handicap for her up to that kind of trip. She scored on soft ground last season over 2m.
9g Midnight Legend – Hop Fair
T Hamlin, JM Dare, JW Snook, JT Warner
7-52584
RPR 153c OR 135c
A consistent horse who gets few favours from the handicapper as a result. He’s run well from 2m to 3m over the years, had a wind op in January and will no doubt win in his turn.
6g Ask – Good Bye Dolly
Brocade Racing
53122-2
RPR 121h OR 122h
Lovely, strong horse who steadily got the hang of hurdling last season, won one and his last bit of form, over 2m5f at Warwick, worked out very well. He’s a decent type who’ll go novice chasing over 2m4f once the ground comes right.
4g Jeremy – Lady Bellamy
The Reserve Tankers
3
RPR 113h OR –
Made a very pleasing novice hurdle debut at Chepstow over 2m last month, jumping well and travelling well before getting a bit tired. He’ll probably go to Newbury on Thursday and looks above average.
9g Flemensfirth – Phardester
Christine Knowles & Wendy Carter
21U/421-
RPR 149c OR 148c
Won a decent handicap at Cheltenham last December but tweaked a leg and was late coming back in. He’s a big horse who hits the ground hard and will want proper soft ground, but he’s back in full work now and is the type who’ll go well in long-distance handicaps in the second half of the season – maybe a Midlands National or something similar.
5g Shirocco – Tinagoodnight
John and Heather Snook
35327-2
RPR 123h OR 121h
Ran well last year without winning a novice hurdle and managed to find one too good when odds-on at Exeter in May. I think we’ll stay novice hurdling for the time being and let him get one under his belt, but he’s a nice young horse who’ll go novice chasing before too long.
8g King’s Theatre – Summer Break
Mrs Jean Bishop
P/3P50P-
RPR 155c OR 143c
A Grade 1 novice chase winner at Kempton two years ago, he struggled a bit last season but he’s had his wind tweaked and hopefully he’ll be better for it. Off his mark he has to run in all those big long-distance handicap chases and maybe he’ll be one for the Welsh National.
4g Presenting – Oilily
Robert and Sarah Tizzard
84-8
RPR 97b OR –
Got the hang of things in bumpers last year and has been schooled ready to run in a 2m4f novice hurdle when the rain arrives. A nice prospect.
4g Malinas – Sparron Hawk
The Gosden Mob
3-
RPR 103b OR –
Beautiful young horse we bought as an unbroken three-year-old. The penny didn’t drop until late on his bumper debut at Wincanton in April, but he flew home that day, has started schooling and is about three weeks off his first run in a novice hurdle. I think in time he’ll want a trip, but we’ll start him off around 2m somewhere like Exeter, where he’ll have plenty of time to learn his job. He’s a baby but a real nice prospect and definitely has an engine.
8g Notnowcato – Picacho
Brocade Racing
3P/7332-
RPR 138c OR 119c
Looked really impressive a couple of years ago but last season he was consistent without fulfilling his promise. He’s come back in and is schooling well, ready to go when the ground is right, and still has the ability to win off his mark.
7g Kayf Tara – Blue Ride
RG Tizzard
77P43-5
RPR 127c OR 107c
Was rated 128 at one time but last season it didn’t really happen for him and he’s slipped down the ratings. It was a nice first run back at Ffos Las last month over a 2m5f trip that was probably a bit sharp for him, and I’d say he’s a 3m chaser who’s at the right end of the handicap again.
10g Indian Danehill – Chanson Indienne
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
0/892P-3
RPR 154c OR 136c
Finished third in a handicap at Chepstow last time, staying on over 2m4f and looking as though he’d get further. He was second behind Ultragold in the Topham last year and I’ve no doubt we’ll give him a run and then take him up to the Grand Sefton on December 8, because he operates well round Aintree. He’s also eligible for veterans’ chases.
5g Gold Well – Ring Hill
Mrs RJ Skan
46P2-60
RPR 133h OR 128h
Has had a couple of runs already this season in handicap hurdles, travelling well but not jumping fluently at Stratford, then finishing down the field at Cheltenham. We’ve gone off that idea now and we’ll school him over fences because he’s grown into a big horse with a good engine who should be a decent novice chaser.
7g Yeats – Monte Solaro
Swallowfield Racing
21231-0
RPR 137c OR 132c
Consistent and won at the back end of last season at Sandown but needed the run on his reappearance. He’s a useful 2m4f to 3m handicap chaser who likes a bit of give and is still capable off his mark.
10g Nayef – Elaine Tully
The Deer Leap Dining Club
4/7/6/826/
RPR 113c OR 113c
Missed last year but has new owners who are happy to give him another try, so he’s back in, looking fine and should give them some good days this season.
9g Flemensfirth – La Zingarella
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
6PP48-2
RPR 162c OR 156c
Won at Aintree and Punchestown the season before last but last year didn’t happen for him until the spring, when he got beat narrowly in a decent handicap at Uttoxeter. The handicapper has probably got hold of him and his mark doesn’t give us any choice but to go for the biggest staying handicap chases. He’s had a wind op and we’ll look at the Welsh National, Midlands National, maybe even the Grand National, although he’s not quite good enough to be a Gold Cup horse.
5g Midnight Legend – Combe Florey
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
662-215
RPR 118h OR 118h
Made a good reappearance in a strong novice hurdle at Cheltenham and went up 1lb for it. He’s more than capable of winning a handicap off that mark and wherever he goes next he’ll take a lot of beating, although it’s only a matter of time before he goes chasing.
10g Milan – Hazel’s Tisrara
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
P136-06
RPR 145h, 162c OR 136h, 156c
Opened up a load of new options for us last season when we stepped him up to 3m and he ran really well in a Grade 1 at Punchestown. He seems to be a spring horse and we struggle with him at this time of year, but when he gets some sun on his back and some spring ground, plus a little bit of ease from the handicapper, he comes right. He was well beaten over hurdles at Ffos Las on his reappearance, but has lots of options over hurdles or fences. I like the idea of an end-of-season campaign when the Gold Cup horses are finishing off.
10g Robin Des Champs – Jolivia
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
1233P-1
RPR 153c OR 148c
A ten-year-old novice over fences last season, he finished third at Cheltenham in the four-miler and won well at Fontwell off top weight in a decent handicap on his return. The Ladbrokes Trophy will be his next target, he stays the trip well, jumps well and is reliable, so should do himself justice.
6g Presenting – Bay Pearl
Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans
1145F8-
RPR 145h OR 141h
Looked seriously good in winning two over hurdles at Cheltenham last autumn, including a Grade 2, then the wheels fell off a little bit and he cracked a bone in his knee on his final run at Aintree. He’s just started back cantering and will go novice chasing around Christmas. He’s a very good horse, maturing all the time, who needs good ground.
Cheltenham 19.11.17 Pic: Edward Whitaker
6g King’s Theatre – Miss Mayberry
JP Romans
F110-54
RPR 129c OR 132c
Has run well enough in two novice chases this year, slowly getting the hang of jumping. The further he went round Cheltenham over 2m last time, the better he got, so we’ll step him up to 2m4f and he’ll be winning one soon.
11g King’s Theatre – Erintante
Mrs Jean Bishop
36PF7-0
RPR 160c OR 141c
A great old servant, a dual Grade 3 chase winner, he just got a bit tired in a veterans’ race at Chepstow last time and will be campaigned in that kind of event this season, with Sandown his target at the end of the season. He’s not getting any younger but he’ll have his day in the sun.
5g Flemensfirth – Laboc
DT Hoyland, JS Hoyland, JP Romans
5374-04
RPR 111h OR 109h
Lovely, big horse who has shown glimmers of form. He didn’t quite get home over 2m7f at Chepstow last time, so we’ll drop him back to 2m4f and be patient while he keeps growing. He’s not quite the finished article but is going the right way.
8g King’s Theatre – Shivermetimber
Sprayclad UK
7/261PU
RPR 153c OR 148c
Won the Peter Marsh last season before running well in the Grand National. The Ladbrokes Trophy and the Welsh National will be his main targets in the first half of the season and I’m sure he’ll go back to Aintree again because he was travelling and jumping well when he unseated on the second circuit. We’ve learned how to train him better this year, because he likes to be at the front of the string and almost goes out on his own a lot of the time. He loves making the running in his races and you have to let him get into his own rhythm, because he’s got no patience. He looks better than ever.
5g Doyen – Namloc
The Gosden Mob
231516-
RPR 136h OR 138h
He’s schooled really well and will be a much better novice chaser than he was a novice hurdler, although he did win a couple at around 2m. We’re waiting for the ground but I think he’s a smart prospect. He probably wants 2m4f.
11g Azamour – Third Dimension
Robert and Sarah Tizzard
8F4/82P-
RPR 163c OR 143c
Has been in the yard eight years and has been a model of consistency. Has had a small operation to remove a splint bone and that held us up, but you’ll see him from Christmas onwards, with the veterans’ final at Sandown as his main target. He goes well fresh.
Star quality
10g Kayf Tara – Ardstown
John and Heather Snook
1112/54-
RPR 174c OR 165c
We were always up against it with him last season after injury but because of his age we couldn’t afford to give him a whole season off. He looked big and heavy for his reappearance over hurdles at Newbury and ran like it; then we were really pleased with his fourth in the King George but he got a stress fracture behind and had to stand in his box for two months. That mended itself and we had him fit again and really well at the back end but we ran out of time and ground, which was a shame. He had six weeks out in the field and was back in, schooling well and looking great again, but he missed the Charlie Hall on Saturday because of the ground, so we’re now itching to get a run into him. We’re looking at the Ladbrokes Trophy and the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but we won’t risk him on good to firm ground. The other options are to wait and go straight to Haydock for the Betfair Chase, or lump big weights round in handicaps, which wouldn’t be ideal, but this will probably be his last season at the top and we’ve got to get him started somewhere. He’s working like he used to work in the days when he was untouchable, so we’re excited to get going with him; he’s got to do it on the track, of course, but I see no reason why he can’t. He’s not made it to a Gold Cup yet and that’s the owner’s dream, but March is a long way off.
Newbury 1.12.17 Pic: Edward Whitaker
8g Tikkanen – Takeanotherpick
The Con Club
3F32P4/
RPR 102c OR 94c
Off all last year with a leg, he’s a 3m handicap chaser who’s more than capable of winning a race but needs cut in the ground.
10g Kapgarde – Hot D’Or
Brocade Racing, JP Romans, Terry Warner
92P01-4
RPR 152c OR 148c
Has won the last two Topham Chases and we’re keen to give him a shot at the Grand National this season. He’s still a novice over hurdles and we were happy enough with his reappearance over the smaller obstacles at Cheltenham, where he just got a bit tired, but it’s all about Aintree in April for him. We’ll give him a spin in the Becher Chase next, but the big worry for the National is that he’s a 2m4f horse who’s not guaranteed to stay the trip. The plus is that he comes alive when he sees those big fences, and I remember they used to say that 2m4f horses win the National; then again they also say that 11-year-olds don’t win the National, so we’ll have to see, but we’re very keen to try.
5g Pasternak – Symbiosis
The Alyasan Partnership
6675-16
RPR 115h OR 110h
A highly strung horse who ran his race before he even got on to the track at Stratford on his seasonal debut and never settled once the tapes went up. That’s been his problem all his life, but hopefully with that run under his belt he’ll remember what he learned last year and not be so keen. If he can do that, we know he’s got some ability, he can win off his mark and there’s a race for him on Thursday at Market Rasen.
8g Scorpion – Fox Theatre
JP Romans and Terry Warner
1135-33
RPR 135h OR 137h
Good consistent horse who won a beginners’ chase and a novices’ limited handicap last season and found good ground over 2m2f round Kempton plenty quick enough for him last time. Give him 2m4f in 0-140 handicaps and he’ll soon be winning again.
9g Martaline – Zouk Wood
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
P6-0230
RPR 156c OR 140c
He’s been a bit late coming back in, having run on into the summer, but he’ll be back in action around Christmas. He’s not the most consistent but when he puts it all together he’s got some decent form. He’ll run in 2m4f to 3m handicap chases and can handle some serious cut in the ground.
5g Balko – Marie Royale
Ann & Alan Potts Ltd
21622-U
RPR 150h OR 148h
One of our top novice hurdlers last year, finishing second in Grade 1s at Aintree and Punchestown. We took him to Ffos Las for his first novice chase last month and he was a bit fresh, stumbled at the back of the sixth fence and unseated Tom Scudamore. It was just one of those things, he was doing a bit too much, but he’s schooled well since and he’ll be out again soon, with 2m4f his trip. I’m really excited about him.
8g Scorpion – Golden Bay
RM Harvey-Bailey
2264-36
RPR 125h, 122c OR 123h, 120c
Consistent horse who ran well in handicap hurdles last year without winning, had a spin at 2m5f over fences, jumped well and will wait for the ground to have one more run in a hurdle before going handicap chasing.
6g Kalanisi – Vindonissa
Brocade Racing
64-22PF
RPR 123c OR 117c
Took a heavy fall two out at Chepstow on his second run back and isn’t the easiest ride. He runs in blinkers and takes a bit of stoking up but he’s capable of winning off 117. He came back a bit stiff and won’t be out for a month or so, but he has the ability.
9g Kayf Tara – Countess Point
Sax Purdie
12/
RPR – OR –
Joined us this season after running well in point-to-points, but he’s been fragile all his life, which is why he’s a nine-year-old with only two runs behind him. It’s all about this season for him and he looks the part, a nice big horse who works well and will start off over 2m4f in a novice hurdle to tell us a bit about him.
8g Westerner – Ardstown
John and Heather Snook
1356P-3
RPR 148c OR 142c
Good third in a 3m1f handicap chase at Cheltenham last month, having nearly bolted when Richard Johnson woke him up early on. He went clear and led to the second last before being overhauled between the last two, and on that kind of form I think he could win a decent race over 2m4f. He’s run some huge races without landing his big pot, but it will happen. I can’t tell you when, but it could be next time in the BetVictor Gold Cup at the next Cheltenham meeting.
Dark horse
6g Sholokhov – Westalin
Brocade Racing
5F/1117-
RPR 132h OR 137h
An exciting horse who won on his third point run and bolted up in his first two novice hurdles before running no race at all in a Grade 2 over 2m4f at Sandown last December. It turned out he’d fractured his pelvis, and when he’d just recovered from that and was on course for Cheltenham, he showed signs of stiffness and we stopped with him. He’s come back in just fine and is a lovely, big sort who could be the forgotten horse of our novice chase brigade, over 2m4f to 3m.
9g Alflora – Island Hopper
The Butterwick Syndicate
3P11P-4
RPR 133c OR 122c
Won three handicap chases for us last season, from 2m3f to 3m2f on good and soft ground, giving his family syndicate a lot of fun along the way. He’s in a 0-140 over 3m on Tuesday.
