Autumn 2017

Alan Potts, Colin Tizzard and Brian Cooper were thrilled with Finian’s Oscar at Chepstow when he took the Listed Novices’ Chase on October 14th.

Colin explained after the race:

“It is always nice to start with a win as it will do his confidence a lot of good. I’d not rule out going to Cheltenham with him for the November meeting.”

The ex-Irish 4yo pointer we bought from the Cheltenham November sale this time last year is currently at the head of the betting for all 3 Grade 1 Novice chases at jumps HQ in March.

Amour De Nuit continues his progress over hurdles winning the Listed Matchbook Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton. The ex Sir Mark Prescott stayer has now won 4 times and been placed 5 times from 10 starts over hurdles and holds an entry in the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle.

On the same day at Kempton, Old Guard got back to winning ways after an eye-catching run only 8 days previously. This Listed event adds to his Black Type tally and now heads to the Greatwood, a race he has won in the past off a mark only 4lbs higher.

In the same colours of Messrs Stewart, Kyle and Brooks, Paul Nicholl’s good form continued on to Cheltenham where Black Corton won the 3 mile Novice Chase by 10 lengths. This was the son of Laverock’s 6th win since the beginning of April and 4th in a row since teaming up with Bryony Frost.

Another ex-Irish pointer to burst onto the scene was Slate House who I signed for at the Festival Sale in March. The gelding was taken home by Colin Tizzard and brought back here for a novice hurdle which he bossed from start to finish and is a very exciting prospect for the future.  Lets hope we can get to experience this winners enclosure again in the future.

Jamie Snowden is no stranger to Cheltenham success and Double Treasure brought back memories in the same colours for Sir Chips Keswick. The King’s Theatre 6yo took a little while to mature but races with plenty of enthusiasm and shaped like he needed all of this 2m4f trip.

Over in Ireland, a horse making a ripple is Cracking Smart who last weekend won a Listed 3 mile novice hurdle for Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott. It was an impressive performance in soft ground against a couple of decent youngsters from the Willie Mullins yard and he became the new favourite for the Albert Bartlett on the back of it.

A rare foray to Market Rasen for Paul Nicholls paid off when Capitaine absolutely sailed in by 22 lengths in the Novice Chase. The imposing Montmartre 5yo jumped super here and Harry Cobden had his feet on the dashboard for most of the journey. His owners were obviously thrilled with him and Martin Broughton was there to greet him back in the winners enclosure.

White Moon won his final start in an Irish point by 15 lengths before we brought him over and wasted no time in getting his UK career of the ground by quickening clear in good fashion at Colin Tizzard’s local track for Garth & Anne Broom.

We bought Niceandeasy as a store at Tattersalls Ireland August sale in 2016 for €14,000. He was purchased on behalf of Richard Gilbert of Straightline Bloodstock. The Kalanisi 4yo has now won a bumper and today his 2nd Novice Hurdle and remains unbeaten for Keith Dalgleish.

Exeter racecourse approached me about sponsoring a couple of races on Devon’s richest race day featuring The Haldon Gold Cup and I was only too delighted to put something back into the game at a local venue where I had ridden plenty.

The first race was won by Dancing Shadow for a syndicate of Victor Dartnall’s and ironically, the 2nd race was won by Dynamite Dollars, a horse I bought privately in France unraced for Michael Geoghegan trained by Paul Nicholls. It must have been all the more sweeter knowing he’d won my cash! We had a great day and were looked after very well by the racecourse.