THE curtain comes down on another jumps season at Sandown and we go there with plenty of decent chances. We’ve enjoyed a good campaign thanks to the likes of Constitution Hill, Jonbon, Shishkin, Luccia, Marie’s Rock, Epatante and all of the others have played an integral part in our success this season.
As you all know, finding winners at Cheltenham is particularly difficult nowadays with such an Irish domination, especially at the Festival, but at least we clawed back a few ourselves this year and I think we have plenty to look forward to over the summer.
I’d like to say a big thank you to all my staff at Seven Barrows who are the best in the business and we wouldn’t be where we are without having such a professional, dedicated and hard-working team. Charlie Morlock is my right-hand man and it is a big privilege working with him every single day. George Daly is a major cog in the wheel, too, and is a big asset to us all.
I am extremely lucky that we have a fabulous team of jockeys headed up by Nico who is as good at home as he is on the racecourse. His input on work and schooling mornings is so valuable, along with that of James Bowen who has developed into a very fine jockey and it’s such a shame he was forced to miss the latter stage of the season. But he’ll be back and is sure to be in high demand when he does return!
It’s been great fun working with all the squad at Unibet who are brilliant sponsors of the yard and fantastic people to deal with. I look forward to continuing our association into the 2023/24 season.
Finally, I’d like to thank all my owners who, without them, we wouldn’t have anything at all. If they keep sending me horses, I’ll keep training them! I shall be attending many sales over the next few months trying to find even more superstars – there is no room for complacency in this game!
SANDOWN
1:05
Under Control (Nico De Boinville)
She was impressive at Cheltenham last week and got put up 7lbs for it but gets a nice mares allowance here so we are rather keen on allowing her to take a chance again. She qualified for this race after winning on debut at Newbury and appears to have come out of her last race well. We’ve done nothing with her at home apart from a few steady canters and good ground suits her well. It’s a very competitive race but she deserves to take her chance.
Iberico Lord (Aidan Coleman)
He won his qualifier at Stratford last time on heavy ground and steps into Handicap Company for the first time off a mark of 120. This stiff track will really suit and hopefully he won’t mind the ground.
Unibet are paying MONEY BACK AS CASH if your pick finishes 2nd or 3rd in this race!
1:40
Jonbon (Aidan Coleman)
He’s come out of Aintree in excellent form and I sort of think maybe (for the time being) two miles might be his trip so we’re coming here because it’s a very valuable prize and it will be proper jumping ground. He’ll enjoy a well-deserved break after this but it will be lovely if he can cap his tremendous season with victory in a race we’ve got a pretty decent record in. To be honest I was looking for a reason not to run and couldn’t find one which is why we’re here and we will also have a better idea whether to stick to this trip or move up in the future.
2:50
Fantastic Lady (Nico De Boinville)
She ran a stormer in the Topham and really enjoyed herself. She really is the most wonderful mare who jumps well and handles decent ground. She’s lightly raced this season so has fewer miles on the clock than many and I’m hopeful she can run a big race.
3:25
Fable (Nico De Boinville)
She’s been very good all the way through and has given her owners a great thrill so it would be wonderful if she can run a big race for them on Saturday. She got beaten in a funny event at Fontwell last time which is a very unique track and she’ll be much happier on this stiff course. She jumps well, has had a nice break since her last run and I’m optimistic.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
4:00
Call Me Lord (Sam Twiston-Davies)
In 11 starts at Sandown, he’s won three and been placed in every other apart from just one so it would be foolish to ignore him whenever he turns up! I’m not entirely convinced he stays three miles so a stiff two and a half + is ideal and he handles any ground.
Theatre Glory (Nico De Boinville)
She finished ahead of Marie’s Rock and Epatante in the Mares Hurdle which was a great achievement and confirmed that she is a very classy mare. We’ve freshened her up after Cheltenham and she comes here in great form so should certainly not be ruled out although she won’t want the ground too soft.
Enjoy the final day of the jumps and I look forward to returning in October when we start all over again!
Best wishes,
Nicky
