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Connections are hoping Horseshoe Bay can utilise his impressive flat record, as he makes his first start over hurdles at Worcester this evening (7:05).
The four-year-old has only raced four times, and after two solid efforts in maiden company he won encouragingly by seven lengths at Newmarket.
His seven length romp at HQ, prompted trainer Sir Michel Stoute to test him in Group company, and the son of Arch was installed a second favourite for the Bahrain Trophy over 1m5f.
He ran creditably finishing fourth, by just over four lengths behind winner Mr Singh.
He makes his first start in over two years, but connections are confident he could be a potential star in the national hunt.
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Horseshoe Bay (black and purple colours) finishing fourth at Newmarket 783 days ago.
"Horseshoe Bay makes his long-anticipated return to the track this evening," owners Highclere posted on their Instagram page.
"This is his first run over obstacles after moving to Dan Skelton, and after a long lay-off.
"His schooling at home has been pleasing, and we are looking forward to seeing what he does."
A very ambitious target may be the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but bookmakers have currently installed him a 4-6 favourite for today's race.
His main competition looks to be Jonjo O'Neill's Mountain Path, who won a good bumper on debut but struggled in a Grade Two event at Aintree last time out.
A better run is also expected from Tom Lacey's Amadoue, who was unplaced at this track earlier this month.
Wednesday, 30 August 2017
Presenting: Star stallion's five best progeny
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The racing world lost a brilliant sire in Presenting. He's had numerous winners on the jumps and flat, and has bred some of our greatest horses in recent years.
Trained by John Gosden, he was a classy horse at two and three. He won six times from ten races, winning most notably the Group Two Geoffery Freer in 1995. A Derby third, his main glory was to come in the breeding barn.
James Stevens look at five of his jumping progeny best.
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Denman
A true Cheltenham great, Denman firmly cemented Presenting's reputation as a top stallion. Paul Nicholls' enjoyed plenty of success at the Festival, winning the RSA Chase in 2007, and finishing a runner-up in Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle the previous year. He won the Hennessy twice, including a top-weight success, and enjoyed four Grade One victories.
Denman's defining moment came in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup, as Paul Nicholls' star came out on top against the great Kauto Star, winning in unforgettable style by seven lengths. His Gold Cup victory is one of the best in recent years. He ran well to finish second for the next two years.
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Ballabriggs
Ballabriggs was a popular Grand National winner for Donald McCain and Jason Maguire, and added more success to Presenting's sire record. He won Aintree's famous steeplechase in 2011, but a year ago was a Cheltenham Festival winner. He won the Kim Muir in 2010, and proved one of the most popular National winners in recent years. Siring sons to win a Gold Cup and Grand National established Presenting as a leading figure in the breeding world.
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War Of Attrition
Trained by Mouse Morris, War Of Attrition is best known for his 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup glory. A season before his Festival glory, he finished a disappointing seventh in the Arkle, but went on to strike at the top level at Punchestown. He defeated a good field in the Gold Cup, landing the feature race ahead of Hedgehunter, before striking once again at the top level. He remains one of the best sons of Presenting.
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First Lieutenant
One of the Festival's great servants throughout the last few years has been First Lieutenant. He was winner of the Neptune in 2011, beating eventual Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby by a narrow short head. The following year he found only Bobs Worth too good in the Gold Cup, before Cue Card beat him by nine lengths in the Ryanair.
Although the Mouse Morris-trained star is well-known for finishing second, he was a three time Grade One winner and a top horse.
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Yorkhill
Yorkhill remains one of Willie Mullins' leading prospects in the yard, with two Festival wins already to his name. He justified odds-on favouritism to win the Neptune last year, before winning the JLT Novices' Chase this year. He is a four-time Grade One winner, and could be the main Gold Cup contender from Mullins' Closutton yard. He was a narrow loser at Punchestown last time out, but has plenty of good days ahead.
The racing world lost a brilliant sire in Presenting. He's had numerous winners on the jumps and flat, and has bred some of our greatest horses in recent years.
Trained by John Gosden, he was a classy horse at two and three. He won six times from ten races, winning most notably the Group Two Geoffery Freer in 1995. A Derby third, his main glory was to come in the breeding barn.
James Stevens look at five of his jumping progeny best.
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Denman
A true Cheltenham great, Denman firmly cemented Presenting's reputation as a top stallion. Paul Nicholls' enjoyed plenty of success at the Festival, winning the RSA Chase in 2007, and finishing a runner-up in Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle the previous year. He won the Hennessy twice, including a top-weight success, and enjoyed four Grade One victories.
Denman's defining moment came in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup, as Paul Nicholls' star came out on top against the great Kauto Star, winning in unforgettable style by seven lengths. His Gold Cup victory is one of the best in recent years. He ran well to finish second for the next two years.
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Ballabriggs
Ballabriggs was a popular Grand National winner for Donald McCain and Jason Maguire, and added more success to Presenting's sire record. He won Aintree's famous steeplechase in 2011, but a year ago was a Cheltenham Festival winner. He won the Kim Muir in 2010, and proved one of the most popular National winners in recent years. Siring sons to win a Gold Cup and Grand National established Presenting as a leading figure in the breeding world.
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War Of Attrition
Trained by Mouse Morris, War Of Attrition is best known for his 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup glory. A season before his Festival glory, he finished a disappointing seventh in the Arkle, but went on to strike at the top level at Punchestown. He defeated a good field in the Gold Cup, landing the feature race ahead of Hedgehunter, before striking once again at the top level. He remains one of the best sons of Presenting.
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First Lieutenant
One of the Festival's great servants throughout the last few years has been First Lieutenant. He was winner of the Neptune in 2011, beating eventual Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby by a narrow short head. The following year he found only Bobs Worth too good in the Gold Cup, before Cue Card beat him by nine lengths in the Ryanair.
Although the Mouse Morris-trained star is well-known for finishing second, he was a three time Grade One winner and a top horse.
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Yorkhill
Yorkhill remains one of Willie Mullins' leading prospects in the yard, with two Festival wins already to his name. He justified odds-on favouritism to win the Neptune last year, before winning the JLT Novices' Chase this year. He is a four-time Grade One winner, and could be the main Gold Cup contender from Mullins' Closutton yard. He was a narrow loser at Punchestown last time out, but has plenty of good days ahead.
Friday, 25 August 2017
Five to watch from Killarney: A Supreme Novice third vying for Cheltenham glory four years on
In the final two days of the Killarney Festival, James Stevens picks out some runners who you should keep an eye on.
Brutal - 7:10 Friday
The burgundy colours of Qatar aren't often seen jumping hurdles, but Brutal may be a trendsetter. Gordon Elliott's three-year-old looks a smart prospect, having a flat rating of 101 and finishing fifth in the Group One Racing Post Trophy as a juvenile. He made a fine introduction to hurdles, winning a maiden event at Cork in good fashion. This test is tougher, but he's currently the favourite for the 2018 Triumph Hurdle and expectations are very high.
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Timiyan was a former winner on the flat for Dermot Weld
Timiyan - 7:40 Friday
Timiyan has the profile of a horse that can win a big handicap at the Cheltenham Festival. Gordon Elliott thinks very highly of this horse, who was an impressive winner on two starts earlier this season. He struggled last time in the Galway Hurdle, but is clearly much better than that, and looks to be progressing. This is a six-year-old with a big win in him.
Cymro - 1:30 Saturday
Making his hurdles and stable debut is Cymro, who has switched from Cheshire-based Tom Dascombe's yard to join Joseph O'Brien. He was a very good horse on the flat, rated 105, who once beat a great horse in Sir Issac Newton in a maiden. He even ran well in the Ormonde Stakes, finishing two lengths off a Group Three win. Nobody has a real idea of how good he will be over hurdles, but on his flat record he could be very good.
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Rathvinden was five lengths off Cheltenham glory in the 2014 Supreme Novice Hurdle
Rathvinden - 3:45 Saturday
For Willie Mullins' Rathvinden chasing has been all too easy. The nine-year-old has been absent for a number of years, and has always been a smart horse in the Closutton yard. He was third in the Supreme Novices back in 2014, beaten not too far by stable companion Faugheen. Four years later he's novice chasing, and going very well too. He finished second when needing the run at Ballinrobe, but has won his last two very easily. He will be well fancied to complete a hat-trick.
Santiago De Cuba - 4:55
In a intriguing bumper event, another for Joseph O'Brien who is out to prove his promise. He made a winning start on his debut, beating some good sorts in good style at this track a month ago. This four-year-old is bred pretty well and could be a Champion Bumper horse if he lives up to expectations. Willie Mullins' pair Poet Power and Vittorio look to be a big challenge, as does Gavin Cronwell's Soleglad.
Wednesday, 23 August 2017
Festival hero Unowhatimeanharry set for December return
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Harry Fry reports former Stayers Hurdle winner Unowhatimeanharry is in ‘great shape’, and will make his seasonal appearance in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle on December 1st.
The nine-year-old tasted Festival success in the formerly known World Hurdle in 2016, but despite an eight race unbeaten record he could only finish third when attempting to reclaim the prize in 2017.
He finished third behind Nicholas Canyon, before reversing the form when the pair clashed in Punchestown in April.
“He’s just come back to us only a fortnight ago, but he seems to have summered very well,” said the Dorset-based trainer.
“He stayed over in Ireland and it’s great to have him back with us."
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Unowhatimeanharry will target a fourth Grade One in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, which he won in 2016
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Unowhatimeanharry will target a fourth Grade One in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, which he won in 2016
The JP McManus owned hurdler is set to return to Newbury, where he started his campaign last year, in the 3m event on Ladbroke Gold Cup day.
He defeated Ballyoptic in the race last year by six lengths, before winning Ascot’s Grade One Long Walk Hurdle in impressive style.
“The plan is to stick to hurdles and almost certainly follow the same sort of programme he did last year,” Fry added.
“We will take it race by race, but I don’t think too much will change in his programme.
“I would think we would start him off at Newbury in the Hennessy meeting, in the race he appeared in last year.
“After that we would keep our options open, but we will probably go back to the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.”
Unowhatimeanharry is currently priced at 9/1 to win the Stayer’s Hurdle, with last year’s hero Nicholas Canyon the 7/1 antepost favourite.
Tuesday, 22 August 2017
Mullins unleashes latest stable star: Mares Novice Hurdle contender Shanning makes her debut at Sligo
Willie Mullins' exciting Mares Novices Hurdle prospect Shanning makes her hurdling debut at Sligo (5:20) this evening.
The four-year-old has already made a winning start to her career, taking a French maiden by one and a half lengths on her only visit to the racecourse.
Owned by the Supreme Racing Club, she joins a strong team of improving jumpers including Bunk Off Early, Listen Dear and Group One winning Airlie Beach.
"Shanning has her first run for us in the mares maiden hurdle over two miles," Mullins told his website.
"This is her hurdling debut, but she has schooled well at home."
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The Supreme Racing Club enjoyed Grade One success with Airlie Beach last season
"Her homework is good and this looks like an ideal starting point for her hurdling career.
"Hopefully she will have the measure of these rivals."
Shanning's long term target could be the Dawn Run Mares Novices' Hurdle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, where she is currently priced at 20-1.
Her County Carlow trainer has won both renewals of the Grade Two event since it joined the Festival's racecard in 2016.
However this evening she is currently priced at 4/9 to take the Diageo Mares Maiden Hurdle at Sligo.
Her biggest threat according to the form book is Liam Lennon's Amarillo Rose, who finished third last time out.
The four-year-old has already made a winning start to her career, taking a French maiden by one and a half lengths on her only visit to the racecourse.
Owned by the Supreme Racing Club, she joins a strong team of improving jumpers including Bunk Off Early, Listen Dear and Group One winning Airlie Beach.
"Shanning has her first run for us in the mares maiden hurdle over two miles," Mullins told his website.
"This is her hurdling debut, but she has schooled well at home."
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The Supreme Racing Club enjoyed Grade One success with Airlie Beach last season
"Her homework is good and this looks like an ideal starting point for her hurdling career.
"Hopefully she will have the measure of these rivals."
Shanning's long term target could be the Dawn Run Mares Novices' Hurdle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, where she is currently priced at 20-1.
Her County Carlow trainer has won both renewals of the Grade Two event since it joined the Festival's racecard in 2016.
However this evening she is currently priced at 4/9 to take the Diageo Mares Maiden Hurdle at Sligo.
Her biggest threat according to the form book is Liam Lennon's Amarillo Rose, who finished third last time out.
Commentariolus to become Frankel's first jumper for Gordon Elliot
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Cheltenham Festival's top trainer Gordon Elliott is set to make history, as Commentariolus will become the first son of the great Frankel to go jumping.
Cheltenham Festival's top trainer Gordon Elliott is set to make history, as Commentariolus will become the first son of the great Frankel to go jumping.
The three-year-old has been purchased out of French trainer Pascal Bary's yard, having run creditably in two starts in maiden company.
Frankel, who was unbeaten in fourteen starts, has enjoyed a good start to his breeding career with the likes of Derby third Cracksman, Group Two winning Eminent and Japanese Oaks winner Soul Stirring boasting him as one of the world's leading sires.
"He’s a fine
stamp of a horse", said Elliot.
"He will go juvenile hurdling and is currently available for sale. We will keep him at the yard, and we're looking for owners at the moment.
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Gordon Elliott trained six winners at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year
Gordon Elliott trained six winners at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year
"We're looking forward to the future with him."
Frankel enjoyed success at Royal Ascot this season with Godolphin's Atty Persse, and Commentarioulus may give Henry Cecil's superstar a win at jump racing's biggest week, the Cheltenham Festival.
The three-year-old may make his hurdling debut in the coming months.
Any buyers interested in the horse should contact Gordon Elliott's racing secretary Zoe Winston.
Monday, 21 August 2017
Harry Fry's leading Festival hope Neon Wolf suffers fatal injury
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Harry Fry has described stable star Neon Wolf as 'irreplaceable', after his Cheltenham Festival runner-up suffered a life-ending injury over the weekend.
The six-year-old won four times in his career, including a brilliant nine length success in Haydock's Grade Two Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle.
As a hotly fancied favourite in the Neptune he was an unlucky loser, when defeated by a head in the Grade One event by Willoughby Court.
For young Fry he was a classy horse, that could only improve the fast growing reputation of the Dorset-handler's yard.
"We are deeply saddened to report the loss of the brilliantly talented Neon Wolf over the weekend following a freak accident in his stable," Fry told his website.
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Following his narrow defeat at the Cheltenham Festival, he was well-fancied to go one better in 2018
"He had the potential to go right to the top and it is hard to come to terms with the fact that he has gone."
"It is a dreadful blow to his owners the Masterson family and all of the team here at Seaborough.
"We all shared such high hopes and dreams for Neon Wolf who came tantalising close to success at this year's Cheltenham Festival in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle.
"A big, imposing fluent jumper who started his career in an Irish point-to-point, he was a horse who had everything you look for in a top class racehorse.
"Very sadly he will not now get the chance to fulfil the promise he had shown us, he will be irreplaceable."
Neon Wolf had been one of the leading novice chasers coming into the jumps season, with him as a leading fancy in the JLT Novices' Chase, Arkle and RSA Chase.
Harry Fry has described stable star Neon Wolf as 'irreplaceable', after his Cheltenham Festival runner-up suffered a life-ending injury over the weekend.
The six-year-old won four times in his career, including a brilliant nine length success in Haydock's Grade Two Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle.
As a hotly fancied favourite in the Neptune he was an unlucky loser, when defeated by a head in the Grade One event by Willoughby Court.
For young Fry he was a classy horse, that could only improve the fast growing reputation of the Dorset-handler's yard.
"We are deeply saddened to report the loss of the brilliantly talented Neon Wolf over the weekend following a freak accident in his stable," Fry told his website.
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Following his narrow defeat at the Cheltenham Festival, he was well-fancied to go one better in 2018
"He had the potential to go right to the top and it is hard to come to terms with the fact that he has gone."
"It is a dreadful blow to his owners the Masterson family and all of the team here at Seaborough.
"We all shared such high hopes and dreams for Neon Wolf who came tantalising close to success at this year's Cheltenham Festival in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle.
"A big, imposing fluent jumper who started his career in an Irish point-to-point, he was a horse who had everything you look for in a top class racehorse.
"Very sadly he will not now get the chance to fulfil the promise he had shown us, he will be irreplaceable."
Neon Wolf had been one of the leading novice chasers coming into the jumps season, with him as a leading fancy in the JLT Novices' Chase, Arkle and RSA Chase.
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