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It’s early days. He’s a progressive sort,the potential is there ,though, he will have to improve to win a Champion Hurdle,which may not be this season,but the potential is certainly there.
Wonderful pictures. You seem rightly proud of them both. Tremendous to see them find a good caring home. I’m sure they’ll bring you a great deal of pleasure.
seriously thinking of backing it for the king george as the horse as shown excellent form on right handed tracks, but at 33/1 i think i’m missing something. as the horse met with a setback or has nicholls said its not his targert???? anybody on trf any wiser ?
As far as I’m aware, Neptune Collonges will not run this side of Christmas. He is a part of the re-think after Denmans set back. He will be targeted at the Lexus, as Irish Stamp says, and then on to the Gold Cup. But his main aim this season is as the last two seasons, The Irish Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. Nothing is ever written in stone in this game…and this is already plan "B" but all being well that’s the campaign.
Too many to mention really. But two that I came into contact with were…Red Rum, he was retired from racing at the time, he opened a William Hill betting shop in Sunderland. I was going to ask if I could feed him some polos, but it was too late he’d already snaffled them out of my hand! He slobbered all over my jacket. I still have that jacket carefully preserved!
And Mighty Mark. He won at the Festival Under Jimmy Walton, and the following year, went on to win the Scots National under Brian Storey. Jimmy rode a treble at the points that day and Mighty Mark made his mark in history with a great win. He hated being clipped out but he was a magnificent stamp of a chaser, and was named after Frank senior’s grand son Mark.
A nice post firefox, thanks. I saw Aldino win the Ekbalco hurdle, at Newcastle, he was small but very agile.Though I doubt his stature hindered him too much in a very illustrious career.He was as you say a good Festival winner of the Grand Annual, a special horse.
Quite ironic really that both Kim Bailey and Oliver Sherwood have had a better start to the season.Kim Bailey training three winners from six in the last week. Oliver Sherwood sending out three winners in the last week, from just for runners!
Another encouraging report from Paul Nicholls on the improvement of Denman.
"Denman is improving rapidly and looking better day by day. We hope to start cantering him next week and since getting over being sick from the treatment he had is now back to being as bright as ever."
It all sounds very enthusiastic and good for Denman. I hope the news keeps improving and he’s back on the track as soon as he’s fit enough. I suppose the real acid test comes when he has to go through the rigous of an actual race.
Thanks Rob. A very good informative read.
I see Alfie Flits is entered up again at Hexham this Saturday.He’s also in at Bangor. Both races over 2m 4f. With Brian Hughes booked to ride at Hexham,it would seem as though that’s the one they are favouring.The extra distance should suit him.
Bygones Of Bird is also turning out again quickly after the last meeting. He finished a creditable 3rd in the bumper,on his first race course appearance, he acted up in the parade ring, and had to be taken to the saddling enclosure to be mounted.His antics may have been first time nerves and he would be one to watch if he takes the pre-race proceedings better this time.
An article on the Racing Post site… Tom Taaffe’s ridden him and is glad to report no harm done.
David C – aye, it was Howard Johnson who I’d seen / heard coming out with the same caveat, albeit at Perth on ATR a week earlier. Good to know trainer and owner are singing from the same hymnsheet!
gc
Good point graysonscolumn,thanks for that. I agree entirely, it’s good to see both trainer and owner in harmony. The pair seem to have a very good working relationship. I would imagine Howard Johnson will always delay any plans of retirement as long as Graham Wylie has got his horses with him. Long may they continue.
Yes indeed some very good conditionals and amateurs in the finale.I agree Ryan Mania certainly deserved great credit for his ride.I had a quick look at some of his stats and has a very impressive record, as graysonscolumn suggests,with Peter Monteith,with an impressive 6 winners from 26 rides. I would imagine that he’ll be getting a few more rides for trainers looking for a good claimer this season.
David C
Graham Wylie was there today as he was interviewed om ATR
Drever Route was impresive however On Raglan Road looked special.
Yes your absolutely right no idea. Graham Wiley was at Hexham today, as he usually is supporting his runners,at his local track. I must apologise for my abysmal use of English in that post. I realised I’d been banging on and attempted to wind the post up quickly, but in my haste mislead you and any other readers. I hate to interrupt any racing folk during racing and always wait until afterwards to ask any questions. Graham Wiley wasn’t around at the time and I asked his wife about Bewleys Berry.
I agree the two horses were very impressive today and I shall personally be watching out for them during the season. It’s been a good start for the stable, the stable jockey and owners, despite the horses from Howard Johnson’s yard,according to Graham Wilie, last week on a channel 4 interview from Market Rasen, where Indian Groom had just won nicely…. "Three or four weeks away from having the horses fit." As I believe graysonscolumn also mentioned in a post on this thread.It could be a particularly good season for the Billy Row yard if that’s the case.
This is the first time I’ve seen him Rob,I would say you are correct in your assessment.He would have enjoyed a good summer out at grass and developed well for it.He looked very impressive today and gave a performance to match. I would say he’s going to improve for the run. I shall definitely be looking out for him again.
In the 3:25 Rowlands Chartered Accountants Novices’ Hurdle, Howard Johnson introduces the Andrea & Graham Wylie owned, On Raglan Road, an Irish Points and Punchestown bumper winner, on his only starts. Purchased for £320,000.His dam is a half-sister to Therealbandit and The Bajan Bandit. He will start odds on but it’ll be very interesting to see him particularly since they’ve paid such a high price for him. The goings on the softer side of good, and should be superb jumping ground for what promises to be a great days jumping at Hexham tomorrow.
Wow! That was impressive. I know people will say he beat trees, but he cruised into the lead, and when McCoy challenged down the back it was as if O’Regan engaged turbo as the animal flew. His hurdling left a little bit to be desired at times, however that is not unusual for a lot of ex-pointers bred for jumps. The manner of his comprehensive outpointing of some fairly poor performers probably means more than the literal form. We have seen many a 6 figure jump purchase make mediocre debuts over fences, whereas this guy looks the real deal.
Today at Hexham has got me really revved up for my first jumps meet visit of the season at Towcester on Wedensday!!!!
On Raglan Road looked the business firefox.You have to congratulate Howard Johnson, who found a very nice introduction for him here. It’s easy to see why they were willing to pay a huge sum for him, if looks are anything to go by. A very impressive looking gelding,in my humble opinion, the pick of all the horses on view at Hexham today, and quite for some time,well,since last season any way. He was well turned out and looked in excellent condition.I’ve never seen him in the flesh before,but today,he had a superb sheen to his coat.He stands at about 17 hands, a bold head and looks every inch a chaser in the making.He did look as though he would come on for the run, and the experience would do him no harm at all, a very good introduction and stepping stone for a greater future, here today.
He raced freely early on, I don’t know the time of the race, but a stronger gallop would have suited him early on,enabling him to settle much better. He hurdled adequately, getting in tight to one or two, but he was never out of second gear.Down the far side Denis O’Regan allowed him to stride on and as you say when Tony McCoy challenged on Moygashel O’Regan let out a reef of rein it was all over in a matter of strides. I was impressed by appearance and performance.He can only beat what is in put in front of him and I wouldn’t start getting too carried away with this performance but the style in which he won was very encouraging for this season and the future. He looks a horse with a big future a real chaser in the making.
Drever Route completed a double for connections and a treble for Denis O’Regan. Not too sure what happened with Drever Route on his debut in a bumper at Musselburgh,when sent off a well fancied favourite, but he certainly made amends for that today. He stayed on well to good effect.He was another who impressed in the paddock. Solent was never allowed to poach a lead and Alfie Flits ran a good debut over hurdles. The first three look to have decent future over timber, as this was a very decent race. As ever, any horse Gorden or Nicky Richards have sent out have always caught the eye in the paddock and both Formby and Linda’s Theatre were no exception today.
I had a quick word with Andrea Wylie,after racing,Howard Johnson wasn’t there today and Graham was no where to be seen.She had good news about Bewleys Berry. He’s recovering very well from his injury sustained at Sandown, where he broke down badly, and although he will never race again he is with friends of theirs now and is happy and enjoying premature retirement.
In the 3:25 Rowlands Chartered Accountants Novices’ Hurdle, Howard Johnson introduces the Andrea & Graham Wylie owned, On Raglan Road, an Irish Points and Punchestown bumper winner, on his only starts. Purchased for £320,000.His dam is a half-sister to Therealbandit and The Bajan Bandit. He will start odds on but it’ll be very interesting to see him particularly since they’ve paid such a high price for him. The goings on the softer side of good, and should be superb jumping ground for what promises to be a great days jumping at Hexham tomorrow.
A further update on the recovery of Denman is available on Paul Nicholls web site. Looks like he’s still pleasing his connections in his improvement. The site is currently being updated but there is a bulletin report on Denman’s progress, which reads….
"Denman is in good form with himself since returning home from Newmarket and is eating well and is already a brighter horse.He has been out on walks about the roads and on the horse walker but we are in no hurry to prepare him for the racetrack as he is unlikely to run until the new year.
We will,however, be looking to run plenty of horses in the meantime and will start this Sunday at Uttoxeter with our first new season runners. Where Celestial Halo and Neptune Collonges will be parading at the course."
It’s good to see some of these equine heroes parading for enthusiasts at some of the tracks that they are unlikely to run.
Chasers And Hurdlers is a large part of any worth while punters armory,not to mention a particularly interesting and fascinating read for the enthusiast. An excellent reference manual. I would highly recomend it to any national hunt enthusiast.
Sounds right Alberta’s Fun, about Star De Mohaison missing out in the 2006 Hennessy. Sir Robert and Barry Simpson decided that the best idea would be to give him more time, he was a 5 year old then, and not to give him a tough race on very testing ground that really wouldn’t suit him carrying a big weight, he was allotted 11st 11lbs. More over there was a race at Sandown, 6 days after the Hennessy, the class 2 Future Stars intermediate chase ,that he went on to win.He won the race off a mark of 153 and now has a chase mark of 158. They were going to make plans for the Gold Cup with races like the Letheby and Christopher and the Aon in mind, but as we know he picked up that injury and it was all academic.
Sir Robert has a motto…"If in doubt take them out." Which is what they did at Newbury, in the Hennessy and the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Which again was the best decision for the horse. The rushed preparation resulting in just that one run in the Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 1st, where he was in desperate need of the race.Also at the Festival the ground was against him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Star De Mohaison is a very good-actioned horse and his running any where will depend on the ground suiting him.When Paul Nicholls was asked, about the key to getting him right, after he won the Mildmay Novices chase at Aintree, He said …"Patience and the ground." Those are the key words regarding Star De Mohaison’s campaign ahead,because his connections hold him in such high regard and they will bring him along accordingly.
