KEMPTON

12:10 Novices’ Hurdle

Iberico Lord (Aidan Coleman)

We think he’s a very nice horse and things didn’t really go his way at Cheltenham last time where he made a few minor mistakes and didn’t handle the ground at all well so he was allowed to come home in his own time. He wasn’t fully tuned up for that so I think you’ll see a different person here because he will have learnt plenty from that and will be much more at home on the soft ground. We’re still learning about him but we think he could be smart.

 

12:45 G1 Long Walk Hurdle

Champ (Jonjo O’Neill Jnr)

I’m not entirely convinced this is his track but we should be grateful the race is being restaged and he’s here to take his chance. Everything has gone well since Newbury and the week or so since his intended run at Ascot hasn’t hindered us at all so he comes into this is good form and is sure to run another big race.

 

1:55 G1 Christmas Hurdle

Constitution Hill (Nico De Boinville)

I cannot add anything that hasn’t already been said in the lead up to this race. The Christmas Hurdle has always been the plan and everything has gone smoothly since Newcastle. We are sort of in that position whereby really anything other than a win will be disappointing, but that’s what happens when we are lucky enough to train horses like him. He worked and schooled well the other day so comes into this in great shape.

Epatante (Aidan Coleman)

It’s a shame how things have panned out and she has to take on Constitution again but unfortunately there are no races for her so we are forced to come here after the Unibet International was scrapped which is a shame but we have no choice. Let’s not forget she is a dual winner of this race and has been, and still is, an exceptional talent and I have no doubt she’ll put up another good performance.

 

 

3:05 Novices’ Hcap Chase

Balco Coastal (Nico De Boinville)

Things happened much too quickly for him on Chase debut at Newbury and he was never able to land a blow, but I was still very pleased with the way he stayed on and finished his race nicely so the step back up to two and a half is a big plus and we’ve done plenty of schooling with him since. He was a very good hurdler but I think he could be an even better chaser and hope he has a bright future over fences.

 

3:40 Hcap Hurdle

Theatre Glory (Nico De Boinville)

She’s been wonderful the whole way through and it was a shame she unseated in the Gerry Fielden because she came into that spot on. It will obviously be hard to concede weight all round but this is a race we have a decent record in and she stays well so will be suited by this trip. I can’t see any reason why she won’t go well.

The Bomber Liston (Aidan Coleman)

He’s quite lightly raced but we’ve always thought quite highly of him and he wasn’t disgraced at all in a competitive race at Punchestown in the spring. Two and a half with plenty of cut is what he wants and I wouldn’t be ruling him out.

 

WETHERBY

1:52

Queens Rock (Robbie Dunne)

She’s a mare who has done everything right and I was impressed with her at Southwell last time. The step up to this distance will be in her favour and she comes into this in great shape so I’d be quite hopeful.

 

1:35

Chantry House (Robbie Dunne)

I was considering going to Cheltenham for a Handicap but he’s in such good form I couldn’t see any reason why not to come here and he’s won at Wetherby before. We’d like to end up back at Cheltenham for the Cotswold on Trials day so I’d be hoping for a solid effort here if that is to remain the plan. He is in great form at home and shouldn’t be far away.

 

WINCANTON

12:18

Tweed Skirt (James Bowen)

She was very good on her Chase debut at Kempton but has been hit with quite a hike in the weights and is now up to 128 which means she has to improve again, but that’s entirely possible because we always thought chasing would be her game and this track will suit her well.

 

12:53

Ahorsewithnoname (James Bowen)

She’s probably one of our best horses never to have won a race over hurdles but she’s very classy and I’d be quite surprised if she wasn’t capable of going extremely close in a race like this. There’s no such thing as a certainty in horse racing but she might be as close to one as you can get!

Roccstar Bay (Nathan Brennan)

She’s a nice filly by Telescope who shaped with promise in a Bumper in the spring for education after which we put her away. I’ve been happy with her at home and I’d be looking for an encouraging run and hoping to learn plenty about her after this.

 

3:13

Steal A March (James Bowen)

He didn’t go down without a fight at Newbury last time when finishig second, giving 3lbs to the winner, and it’s going to be even more difficult with a further 4lbs rise in the weights. On the plus side, the track and trip will suit and he’s a very consistent person so should hopefully run well. He wouldn’t want it too soft.

 

3:45

Choccabloc (James Bowen)

He’s the most gorgeous son of Blue Bresil out of the wonderful Chocca Wocca who I trained, along with her dam Chomba Womba, so we know the family well and have been very happy with everything this lad has shown. He was here for some education last spring before going back to his owners but that meant we were able to crack on with him when he came back and he goes nicely.

Easy Rider (Nathan Brennan)

He’s by Sixties Icon and is a horse more than capable of winning races. This looks competitive and he will come on for the experience but will hopefully run encouragingly.