QUESTIONS TO @SEVENBARROWS

 

@GalaxyRacing

Any idea when Fructine will be making her reappearance?

I’m afraid she picked up an injury so is sadly out for the rest of the season.

 

@ReadTheForm

I know Ok Corral is running in the 4 miler at Cheltenham but don’t you think the distance would suit Santini a lot more considering that he stays on powerfully?

Santini isn’t entered in the 4m NH Chase so wont be going that way. Ok Corral is in both and I will say he travelled through Warwick very well and didn’t look like he’s a horse crying out for four miles although I’m sure if you ask Derek O’Connor he will say he definitely wants four miles, so there’s not much point asking him! I suspect we will stick to our guns as, all being well, we have two live chances in each race.

 

@PaulWoloszyn

Any updates on Epatante would be great and is the Mares’ Novice still plan A?

She had a bit of a dirty throat so had to have a few weeks off but she’s back in action again and I need to get at least another one or two runs into her. Yes the Trull House Mares’ Novice is still the plan.

 

@ciaranmcb90

Hi Nicky, How is Might Bite recovering after his wind operation and can you say for sure it was his wind that was the issue. Is he still on course for another tilt at the Gold Cup?

A)      He is absolutely fine and is back cantering again.

B)      No I cannot be sure at all that his wind was the issue and I was clutching at straws to be honest with you, but nine times out of ten when you have something that is disappointing you, it tends to be respiratory and although he’s never really made any noises or anything to suggest there is a problem, we did his wind a few years ago and it seemed to help. Very often if you do hear a noise or don’t hear a noise you can cauterise their soft palate and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s a very effective procedure that doesn’t necessarily last forever hence we can do it more than once. We’ve done a few other things as well and I’m just hoping we can get him back to his best.

C)      The Gold Cup is still the target and if the race is in better ground (than last year) I’d like to think he’d be capable of putting up a good show but I don’t mind admitting I was extremely impressed with Presenting Percy at Gowran Park yesterday – I thought he was excellent and he looks a very worthy favourite for the race.

 

@mickipadgett

Hi Nicky, What’s the plan with Colonial Dreams? I thought he ran a belter last week at Ascot.

He ran a very good race and came against a particularly tough horse who we just couldn’t get passed. He’s now off 132 so I suppose we might be able to sneak into something like the Martin Pipe Hurdle or something like that.

 

@deantr_

When are we likely to see Pym and River Wylde again?

I am waiting to talk to the owner but Pym will probably run at Kempton on Monday. River Wylde is back in action after the most horrendous fall at Haydock, when he would have won, but he’s doing well now, although I’m not sure if he’ll be ready in time for anything at Cheltenham so we may have to turn our attention to Aintree.

 

@deantr_

Will you take your chance with Call Me Lord at the Festival this year?

He has an entry in the Unibet Champion Hurdle but we’ve always said he is better going right handed so I don’t really know. He’s a few weeks off with a dirty throat so is not back doing fast work yet.

 

@Jack54HD

Anything come to light after On The Blind Side run on NYD? I see he’s entered up over 3m at Kempton on Monday, and also what are his Cheltenham targets? Cheers!

I was disappointed with him at Cheltenham where he just wasn’t very sharp. He seems absolutely fine and has schooled well since so will go to Kempton on Monday. He looks as though he wants three miles so that is what we are going to do.

 

@MichaelGreaney3

Which of these bring the greatest memories: See You Then, Sprinter Sacre, Altior, Remittance Man?

They all have very special places in my heart and I’m not very good at splitting them up. See You Then was obviously the first horse that got us on the map but I think Sprinter Sacre’s comeback was probably the highlight. To do what the did in the 2016 Champion Chase was nothing short of amazing because he had this amazing aura surrounding him and the public gave him so much admiration.

 

@NoelSantry

Nicky, will Dickie Diver go to Cheltenham or will it come to soon? Thanks

We have discussed it and I think we will put him in the Albert Bartlett. He ran a very good race at Chepstow and will have come on plenty for it but will have another run and then we’ll see what happens. I’d be keen to take the winner on again as our horse would have needed that experience and is a very bright prospect.

 

@big78ben

What has been the issue with Countister this season? She’s had a few entries but never taken any of them up.

I am going to take her straight to Newbury for the Betfair Hurdle without a run. She’s in good form.

 

@danfoz81 

Whatswrongwithyou looks tailor made for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual presuming you can get another run into him. Is this the aim at the moment or the Close Brothers Handicap?

How do you read my mind? What he wants is a really fast run 2m, preferably on soft ground. The plan is for one more run and than go for the Grand Annual where I see he is currently 14/1 second favourite with Unibet!