Sheikh
At the Start
He looks fitter himself too, must be all those functions he has to go to during the Nh Season.
Team Ditcheat
- Thread starter Diamond Geezer
- Start date
He looks fitter himself too, must be all those functions he has to go to during the Nh Season.
Diamond Geezer
Gone But Not Forgotten
- Joined
- May 2, 2003
- Messages
- 13,884
chroniclandlord
Senior Jockey
Thanks for the brilliant photos DG. Tataniano and Big Bucks seem to be looking particularly well.
G-G
Senior Jockey
Someone very kindly sent me a copy of the brochure from the Open day and reading through, a lot of horses appear to have had a year/season off with injuries, or season interrupted. Obviously the number of horses he has the more they will sustain, but seemed a high proportion of them. Only four mares in the yard as well which I thought was a little unusual.
Have to say Kauto looks trim and raring to go, and Big Bucks' is just to die for as a physical specimen of a horse.
Very many thanks to DG for putting up the pictures. Must have been a great morning.
Have to say Kauto looks trim and raring to go, and Big Bucks' is just to die for as a physical specimen of a horse.
Very many thanks to DG for putting up the pictures. Must have been a great morning.
granger
Senior Jockey
AL FERHOF
5yo grey gelding; Dom Alco — Maralta
“He did really well last season, winning his bumper and was a very good second in the Cheltenham bumper. He came back a bit later after the summer but I really like him and could be a leading novice hurdler — expect to see him towards the end of November.”
CARLICUE
5yo bay gelding; King’s Theatre — Woodville Star
“Won his only point-to-point start and looks a chaser in the making. He will stay hurdling this season, is potentially very useful and will be running before the end of October.”
CURRENT EVENT
3yo bay gelding; Muhtathir — La Curamala
“Ran second in his only race at Auteuil and although he hasn’t been here long is looking the part for juvenile hurdling.”
BIG BUCKS
7yo bay/brown gelding; Cadoudal — Buck’s
“He just gets better and better. Right now, he looks superb after his summer break and will take the same path as last year on the run to Cheltenham, starting at the Hennessy meeting. After that he'll go to Ascot, Cheltenham and Aintree. It’s not out of the question that he’ll try fences again one day.”
BRAMPOUR
3yo bay gelding; Daylami — Brusca
“Came from the Aga Khan for whom he won at Chantilly and was highly rated on the flat. He hasn’t done much here yet but look out for him in juvenile hurdles a bit later.”
CELESTIAL HALO
6yo bay gelding; Galileo — Pay The Bank
“There’s no point moving him into staying hurdles with Big Bucks about so he’s going to make his novice chase debut at Exeter on October 19. He is at the top of the market for the Arkle but I’ll be sorting his trip out over the next few months and it might not be two miles.”
CENTRE BLEU
3yo bay gelding; Le Fou — Arvoire
“He's had only one run when third at Auteuil. Long-term he'll be a chaser but is one to watch for over hurdles this season and will be ready around late December.”
DENMAN
10yo chestnut gelding; Presenting — Polly Puttens
“He seems in great order. He’ll have entries for the Betfair Chase and Hennessy Gold Cup and we’ll decide nearer the time. He’s carried top weight in the Hennessy before and he does like that flat out gallop. He’s a tremendous horse when he’s 100 per cent but getting him to that isn’t always easy.”
DOLATULO
3yo chestnut gelding; Le Fou — Le Perspective
“Won his one race on the flat and his only start over hurdles so is one for juvenile hurdles.”
DOMTALINE
3yo grey gelding; Martaline — Domna Noune
“He was third in a good race at Auteuil in May and has done very well since he came to me and I’d be very hopeful of him at Chepstow on October 9.”
EMPIRE LEVANT
3yo grey gelding; Empire Maker — Orellana
“Won three times on the Flat in France and was only beaten a short-head in a listed race. He has just been gelded so will be out towards the end of November and looks the part; we might start him off at the Hennessy meeting.”
ESCORT’MEN
4yo chestnut gelding; Robin Des Champs — Escortee
“He goes to Chepstow on October 9 for the four-year-old handicap hurdle and will go well. Came back in good form from his summer break and he’s got enough scope to jump a fence by the end of the season.”
FISTRAL BEACH
7yo bay gelding; Definite Article — Empress Of Light
“This horse has been unlucky to finish second so many times and was also unfortunate to unseat in the Racing Post Chase. However, the good news is that he starts the season on an attractive mark for staying handicap chases.”
HAWKESPOINT
5yo bay gelding; Kayf Tara — Mandys Native
“A brother to Alfie Sherrin and a winner of his only point-to-point. I hope he can do on the track what he’s been doing at home.”
KAUTO STAR
10yo bay gelding; Village Star — Kauto Relka
“It’s a simple path with him, the Nicholson chase at Down Royal which he won in 2008, then off to Kempton for a crack at a fifth King George before Cheltenham and the Gold Cup. You can hope and dream as much as you like but all I know is that he certainly seems as good as he was a year ago - but only the track will tell.”
MASTER MINDED
7yo bay gelding; Nikos — Haute Tension
“He’s benefited from a breathing operation in the summer. The plan is just one run at either Ascot or Cheltenham and then the Tingle Creek again.”
MINELLA STARS
5yo bay gelding; Accordion — V’Soke Gale
“Won two points and will be running before the end of October. He will start over hurdles but looks a very nice chasing prospect.”
MR HUDSON
5yo bay gelding; Old Vic — Esbeggi
“This horse won a point-to-point and a bumper and has taken very well to hurdling. He will be out before the end of October and is one to keep an eye out for.”
PLENTY POCKET
3yo bay gelding; Super Celebre — Alamadina
“He won two races in France for Elie Lellouche and is definitely a good prospect for juvenile hurdles.”
POLISKY
3yo bay gelding; Poliglote — Dusky Royale
“Finished second at Auteuil in September when Cedre Bleu was third and although he hasn’t been around long enough fpr me to really assess him he looks a very solid prospect.”
POQUELIN
7yo black gelding; Lahint — Babolna
“He has to go left-handed so the Old Roan Chase at Aintree is a good starting point. He looks as good as ever but he’ll need to be with a mark of 164. After Aintree he’ll go for the Paddy Power at Cheltenham.”
RANGITOTO
5yo bay gelding; Old Vic — Kendos Dream
“This horse wn his only point-to-point and has schooled well over hurdles although his long-term future is as a chaser.”
ROCK OF DEAVILLE
3yo bay gelding; Rock Of Gibraltar — Ruff Shod
“This horse can boast two wins from three flat starts in France and is going well enough at home to run in early November.”
ROCK ON RUBY
5yo bay gelding; Oscar — Stoney View
“He won two bumpers last year demonstrating that he has a decent engine and the form of both races is working out well. This season he'll be a decent prospect for novice hurdles.”
ROYAL CHARM
5yo black gelding; Cadoudal — Victoria Royale
“He won two novice hurdles very nicely on soft ground last season and it was only fast ground that stopped him running after February. He could be pretty smart over fences.”
ROYAL MIX
4yo grey gelding; Sagamix — Princess Irena
“I’ve always thought a lot of him and although he won his novice at Newbury in November he took a long time to acclimatise. He’s much better now and is a very interesting prospect that starts in a valuable four-year-old hurdle at Cheltenham’s first meeting.”
SAM WINNER
3yo bay gelding; Okawango — Noche
“Second all three starts at Auteuil; that form looks very smart and he is certainly one to keep on the right side in early November.”
SANCTUAIRE
4yo bay gelding; Kendor — Biblique
“He was probably over the top when he went to Aintree after winning the Fred Winter off a good mark at Cheltenham. He's done well both mentally and physically over the summer and starts in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham - after that I’ll have an idea if he’s Champion Hurdle class. In my view he could be anything.”
SONOFVIC
5yo bay gelding; Old Vic — Prudent View
“He’s from a family I’ve done well with in the past including Forest Pennant. He's won a point-to-point but is immature and will stay hurdling this season.
TESHALI
4yo bay gelding; Anabaa — Tashiriya
“This horse won three times in France for the Aga Khan. He's been gelded and done particularly well for it as he's looking good now and the plan is to start in a two mile maiden hurdle.”
TOUBAB
4yo grey gelding; Martaline — Tabachines
“Did more than enough last season when running second to Soldatino then finishing off with a second in the Swinton Hurdle. He’ll be in the best class handicaps but the starting point will be the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in early November.”
TATATIANO
6yo bay gelding; Sassanian — Rosa Carola
“He’s ground-dependent and doesn’t want it to come up soft. He’ll have a run somewhere first and will then probably be my third runner in the Tingle Creek — ground permitting. One for the autumn and spring.”
TCHICO POLOS
6yo bay gelding; Sassanian — Miss Saint Germain
“I think he’ll develop into a smart handicap chaser off 148 and will probably start in the Haldon Gold Cup. He’d get into that well although there’s a good option for him on the same Down Royal card in early November that Kauto Star will be appearing on.”
THE NIGHTINGALE
7yo bay/brown gelding; Cadoudal — Double Spring
“He doesn’t want the ground too quick but will probably to for a race at Down Royal and keep Kauto Star company. Two and a half miles suits and then he could go back for the John Durkan. He could be very good indeed.”
WHAT A FRIEND
7yo bay gelding; Alflora — Friendly Lady
“He’ll start in either the Betfair Chase or the Hennessy, depending what we decide to do with Denman. He isn’t as far forward as some because we gave him a breathing operation over the summer.”
TWIST MAGIC
8yo bay gelding; Winged Love — Twist Scarlett
“He’s going to the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter first and then the Tingle Creek. He’ll probably need that first run but I’m going to try and keep him right-handed as that's what he does best.”
ZARKANDAR
3yo bay gelding; Azamour — Zarkasha
“Won on the flat for the Aga Khan in July and he will be a gelding very shortly which means he won’t be out for a while, possibly Christmas, but he’s definitely got an engine.”
5yo grey gelding; Dom Alco — Maralta
“He did really well last season, winning his bumper and was a very good second in the Cheltenham bumper. He came back a bit later after the summer but I really like him and could be a leading novice hurdler — expect to see him towards the end of November.”
CARLICUE
5yo bay gelding; King’s Theatre — Woodville Star
“Won his only point-to-point start and looks a chaser in the making. He will stay hurdling this season, is potentially very useful and will be running before the end of October.”
CURRENT EVENT
3yo bay gelding; Muhtathir — La Curamala
“Ran second in his only race at Auteuil and although he hasn’t been here long is looking the part for juvenile hurdling.”
BIG BUCKS
7yo bay/brown gelding; Cadoudal — Buck’s
“He just gets better and better. Right now, he looks superb after his summer break and will take the same path as last year on the run to Cheltenham, starting at the Hennessy meeting. After that he'll go to Ascot, Cheltenham and Aintree. It’s not out of the question that he’ll try fences again one day.”
BRAMPOUR
3yo bay gelding; Daylami — Brusca
“Came from the Aga Khan for whom he won at Chantilly and was highly rated on the flat. He hasn’t done much here yet but look out for him in juvenile hurdles a bit later.”
CELESTIAL HALO
6yo bay gelding; Galileo — Pay The Bank
“There’s no point moving him into staying hurdles with Big Bucks about so he’s going to make his novice chase debut at Exeter on October 19. He is at the top of the market for the Arkle but I’ll be sorting his trip out over the next few months and it might not be two miles.”
CENTRE BLEU
3yo bay gelding; Le Fou — Arvoire
“He's had only one run when third at Auteuil. Long-term he'll be a chaser but is one to watch for over hurdles this season and will be ready around late December.”
DENMAN
10yo chestnut gelding; Presenting — Polly Puttens
“He seems in great order. He’ll have entries for the Betfair Chase and Hennessy Gold Cup and we’ll decide nearer the time. He’s carried top weight in the Hennessy before and he does like that flat out gallop. He’s a tremendous horse when he’s 100 per cent but getting him to that isn’t always easy.”
DOLATULO
3yo chestnut gelding; Le Fou — Le Perspective
“Won his one race on the flat and his only start over hurdles so is one for juvenile hurdles.”
DOMTALINE
3yo grey gelding; Martaline — Domna Noune
“He was third in a good race at Auteuil in May and has done very well since he came to me and I’d be very hopeful of him at Chepstow on October 9.”
EMPIRE LEVANT
3yo grey gelding; Empire Maker — Orellana
“Won three times on the Flat in France and was only beaten a short-head in a listed race. He has just been gelded so will be out towards the end of November and looks the part; we might start him off at the Hennessy meeting.”
ESCORT’MEN
4yo chestnut gelding; Robin Des Champs — Escortee
“He goes to Chepstow on October 9 for the four-year-old handicap hurdle and will go well. Came back in good form from his summer break and he’s got enough scope to jump a fence by the end of the season.”
FISTRAL BEACH
7yo bay gelding; Definite Article — Empress Of Light
“This horse has been unlucky to finish second so many times and was also unfortunate to unseat in the Racing Post Chase. However, the good news is that he starts the season on an attractive mark for staying handicap chases.”
HAWKESPOINT
5yo bay gelding; Kayf Tara — Mandys Native
“A brother to Alfie Sherrin and a winner of his only point-to-point. I hope he can do on the track what he’s been doing at home.”
KAUTO STAR
10yo bay gelding; Village Star — Kauto Relka
“It’s a simple path with him, the Nicholson chase at Down Royal which he won in 2008, then off to Kempton for a crack at a fifth King George before Cheltenham and the Gold Cup. You can hope and dream as much as you like but all I know is that he certainly seems as good as he was a year ago - but only the track will tell.”
MASTER MINDED
7yo bay gelding; Nikos — Haute Tension
“He’s benefited from a breathing operation in the summer. The plan is just one run at either Ascot or Cheltenham and then the Tingle Creek again.”
MINELLA STARS
5yo bay gelding; Accordion — V’Soke Gale
“Won two points and will be running before the end of October. He will start over hurdles but looks a very nice chasing prospect.”
MR HUDSON
5yo bay gelding; Old Vic — Esbeggi
“This horse won a point-to-point and a bumper and has taken very well to hurdling. He will be out before the end of October and is one to keep an eye out for.”
PLENTY POCKET
3yo bay gelding; Super Celebre — Alamadina
“He won two races in France for Elie Lellouche and is definitely a good prospect for juvenile hurdles.”
POLISKY
3yo bay gelding; Poliglote — Dusky Royale
“Finished second at Auteuil in September when Cedre Bleu was third and although he hasn’t been around long enough fpr me to really assess him he looks a very solid prospect.”
POQUELIN
7yo black gelding; Lahint — Babolna
“He has to go left-handed so the Old Roan Chase at Aintree is a good starting point. He looks as good as ever but he’ll need to be with a mark of 164. After Aintree he’ll go for the Paddy Power at Cheltenham.”
RANGITOTO
5yo bay gelding; Old Vic — Kendos Dream
“This horse wn his only point-to-point and has schooled well over hurdles although his long-term future is as a chaser.”
ROCK OF DEAVILLE
3yo bay gelding; Rock Of Gibraltar — Ruff Shod
“This horse can boast two wins from three flat starts in France and is going well enough at home to run in early November.”
ROCK ON RUBY
5yo bay gelding; Oscar — Stoney View
“He won two bumpers last year demonstrating that he has a decent engine and the form of both races is working out well. This season he'll be a decent prospect for novice hurdles.”
ROYAL CHARM
5yo black gelding; Cadoudal — Victoria Royale
“He won two novice hurdles very nicely on soft ground last season and it was only fast ground that stopped him running after February. He could be pretty smart over fences.”
ROYAL MIX
4yo grey gelding; Sagamix — Princess Irena
“I’ve always thought a lot of him and although he won his novice at Newbury in November he took a long time to acclimatise. He’s much better now and is a very interesting prospect that starts in a valuable four-year-old hurdle at Cheltenham’s first meeting.”
SAM WINNER
3yo bay gelding; Okawango — Noche
“Second all three starts at Auteuil; that form looks very smart and he is certainly one to keep on the right side in early November.”
SANCTUAIRE
4yo bay gelding; Kendor — Biblique
“He was probably over the top when he went to Aintree after winning the Fred Winter off a good mark at Cheltenham. He's done well both mentally and physically over the summer and starts in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham - after that I’ll have an idea if he’s Champion Hurdle class. In my view he could be anything.”
SONOFVIC
5yo bay gelding; Old Vic — Prudent View
“He’s from a family I’ve done well with in the past including Forest Pennant. He's won a point-to-point but is immature and will stay hurdling this season.
TESHALI
4yo bay gelding; Anabaa — Tashiriya
“This horse won three times in France for the Aga Khan. He's been gelded and done particularly well for it as he's looking good now and the plan is to start in a two mile maiden hurdle.”
TOUBAB
4yo grey gelding; Martaline — Tabachines
“Did more than enough last season when running second to Soldatino then finishing off with a second in the Swinton Hurdle. He’ll be in the best class handicaps but the starting point will be the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in early November.”
TATATIANO
6yo bay gelding; Sassanian — Rosa Carola
“He’s ground-dependent and doesn’t want it to come up soft. He’ll have a run somewhere first and will then probably be my third runner in the Tingle Creek — ground permitting. One for the autumn and spring.”
TCHICO POLOS
6yo bay gelding; Sassanian — Miss Saint Germain
“I think he’ll develop into a smart handicap chaser off 148 and will probably start in the Haldon Gold Cup. He’d get into that well although there’s a good option for him on the same Down Royal card in early November that Kauto Star will be appearing on.”
THE NIGHTINGALE
7yo bay/brown gelding; Cadoudal — Double Spring
“He doesn’t want the ground too quick but will probably to for a race at Down Royal and keep Kauto Star company. Two and a half miles suits and then he could go back for the John Durkan. He could be very good indeed.”
WHAT A FRIEND
7yo bay gelding; Alflora — Friendly Lady
“He’ll start in either the Betfair Chase or the Hennessy, depending what we decide to do with Denman. He isn’t as far forward as some because we gave him a breathing operation over the summer.”
TWIST MAGIC
8yo bay gelding; Winged Love — Twist Scarlett
“He’s going to the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter first and then the Tingle Creek. He’ll probably need that first run but I’m going to try and keep him right-handed as that's what he does best.”
ZARKANDAR
3yo bay gelding; Azamour — Zarkasha
“Won on the flat for the Aga Khan in July and he will be a gelding very shortly which means he won’t be out for a while, possibly Christmas, but he’s definitely got an engine.”
That's very helpful, Granger, many thanks for bunging that lot up. Lots of nice young French hurdlers or hurdlers-to-be there, with very promising form already. TCHICO POLOS will be aimed pretty high straight into the season - most interesting. Young, but talented.
granger
Senior Jockey
Not too many mentions of novice chasers for this season there
chroniclandlord
Senior Jockey
Thanks Granger.
granger
Senior Jockey
Taranis
Gave me one of my proudest moments as a trainer when winning the Argento Chase at Cheltenham in January after two years off with a serious injury. But only ran and won the once after an unrelated minor injury, a tiny hairline fracture. Could have an entry in the Betfair Chase.
Pride Of Dulcote
Only ran once last season after picking up a leg injury after winning on his chase debut at Worcester. Will be out at Christmas time and if things go to plan will be seen out in the top races in the spring.
Celestial Halo
Is the highest rated hurdler we have sent chasing. Fell at Aintree on his final start but jumps fences well at home. The trips depends on his jumping but he will start over 2m, probably at somewhere like Exeter.
Al Ferof
Our highest rated bumper horse, he finished second in the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham. Will be out in November and is clearly a very exciting prospect for staying novice hurdles.
What A Friend
Had a light campaign, swerving the Gold Cup. But he won the Lexus and the Totesport Bowl after finishing second in the Hennessy. He has had a breathing operation and where he goes depends on what we do with Denman. He could start off in the Betfair Chase or the Hennessy, but he will be aimed at Gold Cup. A serious horse.
Tataniano
A top 2m chaser who was awesome at Aintree. A hugely talented and exciting horse, best on good ground, he will have one run and then go for the Tingle Creek. The Champion Chase is his main target.
Sire Collonges
Made all to win at Auteuil in April, and has done well during the summer. Will only have a light campaign in novice hurdles this year, but will be an exciting novice chaser in 12 months.
Toubab
Interesting horse for the top novice hurdles this season, Was second to Soldatino at Kempton and then ran a blinder when fourth in the Swinton, but remains a maiden. May start off at the Paddy Power meeting and is worth following. Will make a smart chaser in time.
Royal Charm
Won a couple at Exeter before not staying over 2m5f at Cheltenham, A 145-rated hurdler and is a very exciting addition to the chasing ranks.
Merehead
A lovely big, scopey horse, who was second in a Newbury bumper on his only start last season. Will have one more run in a bumper before starting off over 2m in novice hurdles this season, but could be suited by further in time.
Gave me one of my proudest moments as a trainer when winning the Argento Chase at Cheltenham in January after two years off with a serious injury. But only ran and won the once after an unrelated minor injury, a tiny hairline fracture. Could have an entry in the Betfair Chase.
Pride Of Dulcote
Only ran once last season after picking up a leg injury after winning on his chase debut at Worcester. Will be out at Christmas time and if things go to plan will be seen out in the top races in the spring.
Celestial Halo
Is the highest rated hurdler we have sent chasing. Fell at Aintree on his final start but jumps fences well at home. The trips depends on his jumping but he will start over 2m, probably at somewhere like Exeter.
Al Ferof
Our highest rated bumper horse, he finished second in the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham. Will be out in November and is clearly a very exciting prospect for staying novice hurdles.
What A Friend
Had a light campaign, swerving the Gold Cup. But he won the Lexus and the Totesport Bowl after finishing second in the Hennessy. He has had a breathing operation and where he goes depends on what we do with Denman. He could start off in the Betfair Chase or the Hennessy, but he will be aimed at Gold Cup. A serious horse.
Tataniano
A top 2m chaser who was awesome at Aintree. A hugely talented and exciting horse, best on good ground, he will have one run and then go for the Tingle Creek. The Champion Chase is his main target.
Sire Collonges
Made all to win at Auteuil in April, and has done well during the summer. Will only have a light campaign in novice hurdles this year, but will be an exciting novice chaser in 12 months.
Toubab
Interesting horse for the top novice hurdles this season, Was second to Soldatino at Kempton and then ran a blinder when fourth in the Swinton, but remains a maiden. May start off at the Paddy Power meeting and is worth following. Will make a smart chaser in time.
Royal Charm
Won a couple at Exeter before not staying over 2m5f at Cheltenham, A 145-rated hurdler and is a very exciting addition to the chasing ranks.
Merehead
A lovely big, scopey horse, who was second in a Newbury bumper on his only start last season. Will have one more run in a bumper before starting off over 2m in novice hurdles this season, but could be suited by further in time.
Diamond Geezer
Gone But Not Forgotten
- Joined
- May 2, 2003
- Messages
- 13,884
During our visit there we were talking to one or two members of staff as we walked round and it would seem Empire Levant is definitely one to keep on your side. Goes up the steep gallop there like a train apparently.
One or two more ok pics starting with Kauto again
and Master Minded
One or two more ok pics starting with Kauto again
and Master Minded
PRICEWISE2008
At the Start
Brilliant stuff DG, many thanks
granger
Senior Jockey
Thats how a 1/3 horse wins