Last season wasn’t plain sailing at Sandhill Stables, with health issues contributing to the lowest seasonal total in many years, but Philip Hobbs, as befits his many years of experience, remains unperturbed by the blip and quietly optimistic for the future.

“We had 60-odd winners but for us it was a little bit slow, because a lot of our horses were affected by a bug that we couldn’t really get rid of,” he explains.

“It’s frustrating because you never know quite what you’re dealing with. It’s the same as you or me having a cold – there are so many different viruses around that it’s impossible to say what it is you’ve got, so you just have to give them antibiotics and plenty of time. They’re good and healthy again now though, and we’re looking forward to a good season.

“Defi Du Seuil was among those affected and obviously it was a big disappointment for him to be beaten on his only two starts, but he’s back in good nick again and we’re looking forward to an exciting novice chase campaign for him.

“We’ve had a good summer with very few horses on the go. Leapaway and Imperial Presence both stepped up and won us plenty of races and plenty of prize-money to keep us ticking over, which is always a great help around the yard.

“Apart from the obvious stars, we’ve got nothing that has proved themselves to be very good but plenty with the potential to be very good and lots of youngsters who’ll be capable of winning races. I’d like to think it’s in the younger division that our strengths lie because I can see plenty of untapped talent out there.”

Stable profile

Yard Sandhill Racing Stables
Where Bilbrook, near Minehead, Somerset
Started training August 1, 1985
Horses in yard 108
Members of staff 37
Assistant Johnson White
Second assistants Darren O’Dwyer, Leighton McGuiness
Head girls Liz Welsh, Carol Burnett
Travelling head grooms Sean Mulcaire, Laura Parker, Izzy Stadden, Zoe Moore-Williams
Jockeys Richard Johnson, Tom O’Brien, Micheal Nolan, James Best
Conditional Sean Houlihan
Amateurs Stefan Kirwan, Ben Jones, David Maxwell
Secretary Jo Cody-Boutcher, Diana Hobbs
Stable sponsor Amlin Plus
Website pjhobbs.com

WINNERS IN BRITAIN

2017-18 63
2016-17 111
2015-16 113
2014-15 102
2013-14 106

PROFIT/LOSS TO £1 STAKE

2017-18 -161.95
2016-17 -92.03
2015-16 -64.73
2014-15 -80.06
2013-14 +21.37

PRIZE-MONEY 2017-18
£709,992

Awake At Midnight
Six-year-old gelding Midnight Legend (sire) – Wakeful (dam)
Owner: Mrs Charles Lloyd-Baker
Form figures: 23237-1
Racing Post Rating: 121 (hurdles); Official BHA rating: 121
Won well at Worcester last time after being placed several times last season. He’s the type to make a chaser sooner rather than later and I’d expect him to improve, although he wouldn’t want the ground too firm.

Ballotin
7g Enrique – Orphee De Vonnas
David Maxwell Racing
0/3152P-
RPR 147c OR 141c
Won last year’s Bobby Renton at Wetherby. He wouldn’t want very soft ground but 2m4f is his trip and he’ll go hunter chasing for his owner to ride as soon as the season starts. He may go up to 3m at some stage.

BALLOTIN with Mr D Maxwell wins Bobby Renton Handicap chase at Wetherby 18-10-17.

Ballygown Bay
5g Flemensfirth – Star Shuil
Mrs Joanna Peppiatt
33/33P-4
RPR 112h OR 116h
Ran some decent races last season, seems to be maturing now and I hope he’d improve this year over 2m4f in novice hurdles.

Barbrook Star
6g Getaway – Fille de Robin
Mrs B Hitchcock
0/3006-4
RPR 115h OR 114h
Placed last season over hurdles and looks as though he should do better over fences, but he may run in a handicap hurdle first because I think he could win one over 2m4f.

Beau Du Brizais
6g Kapgarde – Belle Du Brizais
Mrs R J Skan
F22P-63
RPR 127c OR 124c
Ran a good race at Ludlow last time and has been coping with fast ground very well, although I don’t think he needs it. He’ll go to Exeter today and should give a good account.

Bradford Bridge
6g Milan – Isis Du Berlais
Brocade Racing
2PP-621
RPR 119h OR 112h
Lost his confidence over fences when he slipped very badly going to the first in his novice chase debut at Fontwell. He was an eight-length winner of a handicap hurdle on good ground at Worcester this month, but chasing will be his job, he’s very well in himself and his confidence seems to have come back. He probably doesn’t want it very soft but is on the up.

If I could sum up last season in one word . . .

Frustrating

Casterly Rock
6g King’s Theatre – Alderbrook Girl
The Juwireya Partnership
4/523-82
RPR 119h OR 118h
Pleased me on his reappearance in a handicap hurdle at Bangor but will go chasing very soon. I may give him one more run over hurdles and he’d go on any ground.

Cedar Valley
4f Flemensfirth – Lunar Path
Mrs Caren Walsh and Mrs Kathleen Quinn
19-3
RPR 106b OR –
A nice mare who won well first time at Taunton, ran a good race in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree, then showed up well on her seasonal reappearance at Carlisle, all with plenty of give in the ground. She ran extremely well the last day, going on strongly at the finish, and I’d say she’ll definitely want 2m4f when she goes over hurdles, but she may go for a Listed mares’ bumper at Cheltenham on November 17 in the meantime. She has a really good attitude and looks a progressive type for mares’ races.

Chef D’Equipe
6g Presenting –  Millesimee
David Maxwell Racing
136517-
RPR 137c OR 132c
A handicap chaser who will go hunter chasing eventually. He copes well with soft ground but doesn’t have to have it. I’d say 2m4f is his trip at the moment.

Come On Charlie
6g Anzillero – End Of Spring
Martin St Quinton
903-P1
RPR 103h OR 106h
Won well at Stratford over 2m2f last time and will run in another handicap hurdle before going chasing fairly soon. I’d think he’ll want 2m4f at least and will cope with soft ground as the winter goes on.

Cotswold Way
5g Stowaway – Rosies All The Way
Miss I D Du Pre
5372 -1
RPR 126h OR 123h
Did it nicely last week at Huntingdon and looked to be an improved performer. He’s very much a potential chaser but will probably stay over hurdles for this campaign. He can be a bit keen and 2m4f is probably his trip for now.

Cotswold Way (Micheal Nolan) jumps the final flight and wins the 2m 4f maiden hurdle

Crooks Peak
5g Arcadio – Ballcrina Girl
Andy Tilley
110-4
RPR 123b OR –
Looked an exciting horse when scoring at Newton Abbot and Cheltenham on his first two runs but was disappointing in the Champion Bumper and again on his first hurdling effort, over 2m1f at Newton Abbot this month. He seemed fine afterwards and in his defence the ground was bad that day and he lost a lot of momentum at the second-last with a poor jump, so he deserves another chance.

Dancingatdunraven
5g Mahler – My Kit
Let’s Get Ready To Rumble Partnership
1- (point form)
RPR 90 OR –
Won his only point-to-point in Ireland, stays very well and may go straight over hurdles. He’s a 3m chasing type and will want at least 2m4f over hurdles.

Dark Episode
4g Getaway – No Moore Bills
Louisville Syndicate Elite
3
RPR 101b OR –
Ran fine in his first bumper at Newton Abbot, even though the ground was awful and the pace wasn’t strong enough. Will improve for better conditions and a faster gallop in bumpers, but he’ll be a chaser in time.

 

Star quality

Defi Du Seuil
5g Voix Du Nord – Quarvine Du Seuil
JP McManus
1111/47-
RPR 150h OR 157h
He’s in good nick, will go straight novice chasing this season and would be ready to go fairly soon, but we’ll need more rain for that to happen. Only ran twice last year, was disappointing when odds-on for the Coral Hurdle at Ascot, then again in the Irish Champion Hurdle, so it was sensible for him to go home and have the summer off. A lot of our horses were under a cloud last season and there are plenty of reasons why he should improve over fences, so we’re very hopeful. He’s bright and well.

Deise Aba
5g Mahler – Kit Massini
Trevor Hemmings
1 (point form)
RPR 90 OR –
Won a point in Ireland and looks a stayer who will probably start in a 2m4f novice hurdle. He’s a big, strong horse with a very good temperament.

Demopolis
4g Poliglote – Princess Demut
JP McManus
1-
RPR 124h OR –
Won his only race in France, a hurdle at Auteuil, and will go handicap hurdling to start with, although I have no idea what kind of mark he’ll get. We’ll file him under ‘could be anything’.

Diplomate Sivola
5g Noroit – None De Sivola
David Maxwell Racing
76F43-3
RPR 115c OR 117c
Joined us from France in the spring and got off the mark at Fontwell this month over just short of 2m4f. He may improve for going a bit further.

Dostal Phil
5g Coastal Path – Quiphile
JP McManus
1/4-2
RPR 117h OR –
Came from the Arqana Sale in November 2016, having won over 1m4f on the Flat at Deauville. We had high hopes of him and were a little disappointed when he finished only fourth at odds-on in his novice hurdle at Bangor on his first run for us, but we decided he may have found the track and trip a little on the sharp side. He wasn’t at his peak after that so we put him away for the year to retain his novice status for this season, and he pleased us on his reappearance when second over 2m at Uttoxeter.

He ran too keen early on, something he hadn’t done last season, but he was probably just a little fresh and well and it was a performance that suggested he’ll be winning soon.

Duke Des Champs
8g Robin Des Champs – Ballycowan Lady
Diana Whateley and Tim Syder
2136/23-
RPR 142h OR 139h
Ran two good races in handicap chases at Newbury last year but is still a novice. He’ll want some rain before he runs but will be out in the autumn on soft going over 3m plus.

Richard Johnson celebrates his 3000th winner in the UK and Ireland when steering Duke Des Champs to victory in the 2m 5f NH novice hurdle

Earth Moor
4g Ask – Merrylas
Mrs Catherine Penny
4-221
RPR 105b OR –
Showed a lot of promise last season and won his bumper well at Fontwell this month. He’ll go to Exeter today over 2m2½f and I’d expect him to stay well.

Ebony Gale
4g Shirocco – Glenora Gale
Mrs Judith Luff
61-
RPR 104b OR –
A bumper winner at Wincanton last season, he’ll go straight over hurdles, either over 2m4f or 2m at a stiff track, but we’ll wait for a bit of rain first.

Ecu De La Noverie
4g Linda’s Lad – Quat’Sous D’Or
David Maxwell Racing
52F451-
RPR – OR –
A big, strong horse who won a 2m3f chase on soft ground in Pau and will run in a novice hurdle before going back chasing at some stage. We’ll start him at 2m and go from there.

Dark horse

Evidence De Thaix
4f Network – Nacre De Thaix
JP McManus
211-
RPR – OR –
Twice a winner on the Flat in France up to 1m5f on good to soft, she’s a lovely strong filly who looks a good prospect for mares’ races. She has a good pedigree and lots of potential.

Festival Dawn
6m Kayf Tara – Keel Road
British Racing Club
2-2
RPR 117h OR –
Ran well on her reappearance at Chepstow on good ground and you’d hope she was up to winning a mares’ novice hurdle fairly soon, although she has the scope to go chasing at some stage.

Flinck
4g Fame And Glory – Princess Supreme
Ronnie Bartlett
5- (point form)
RPR 67 OR –
Showed promise in an Irish point-to-point and looks a nice type who should do very well, either in a hurdle or a bumper, when he runs for the first time in two or three weeks.

For Good Measure
7g King’s Theatre – Afdala
JP McManus
5290/43-
RPR 138h OR 137h
A full-brother to Balthazar King, he showed up well over fences last season – finishing third in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase over 2m 4½f at Kempton, after which we put him away to preserve his novice status – and should make an impression in long-distance chases this campaign. He’d want good ground and will be out in a fortnight or so.

From The Heart
4g Jeremy – Zephyr Lilly
Zoe Moore-Williams
80-3
RPR 86b OR –
Third place in his first hurdle race at Market Rasen on Saturday – leading for a long way and only being run out of second late on after a mistake at the last – was a big step up on his bumper form and hopefully he’ll be winning before too long.

Curragh Fri 11 May 2018 Picture: Caroline Norris
Hand On Heart ridden by Chris Hayes winning The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race from Bond Street ridden by Seamus Heffernan, far side, 2nd.

Garde La Victoire
9g Kapgarde – Next Victory
Diana Whateley
18/240-4
RPR 162c OR 149c
Wasn’t a healthy horse in the second-half of last season and needed the run on his reappearance at Chepstow, so he’ll improve on that. He’s a high-class handicap chaser who could go 2m or 2m4f, so we have the option. The Haldon Gold Cup is a possibility after his fourth in the race last season and the handicapper seems to have given him a chance.

Gosheven
5g Presenting – Fair Choice
The Grocer Syndicate
535-3
RPR 128h OR –
Ran well when third in the Persian War at Chepstow on his reappearance – an unusual race for us to run a horse in before he’s won a novice hurdle – and I’d like to win an ordinary novice with him before we up our sights again. One with lots of promise.

Gumball
4g No Risk At All – Good Time Girl
Terry Warner
122P21-
RPR 139h OR 148h
Won three times for us last season after arriving from France, his best effort coming when he finished second in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree over 2m1f. That sort of horse becomes more difficult to place as a four-year-old as he’s now high in the handicap, but he’ll start off at Cheltenham this weekend in a four-year-old conditions hurdle and he seems in good nick at home. He seems to be a horse that likes better ground, nothing too soft.

I’m A Game Changer
6g Arcadio – Drinadaly
Paul and Clare Rooney
6519-22
RPR 142h OR 138h
Ran very well in a 2m hurdle at Chepstow after his break and may well go novice chasing before too long. He’s got a decent level of form but he’ll be better when he settles better – he can be a bit keen, but he seems to be learning.

Jerrysback
6g Jeremy – Get A Few Bob Back
JP McManus
11/-
RPR 129h OR 139h
Won his only two hurdle races for us very well after winning his fourth Irish point-to-point, but he was never sparkling in his work last season and

although there was nothing wrong with him, I wasn’t happy and he didn’t run. He should do well as a novice chaser but could win a good handicap hurdle if we decided to go down that route. We’re looking forward to seeing him on the track again.

Kayf Adventure
7g Kayf Tara – My Adventure
Louisville Syndicate
312372-
RPR 144c OR 137c
Did very well in 2m4f chases last year and while his ideal conditions at the moment may be that trip on heavy ground, he’ll be wanting 3m at some stage. We’ll wait for buckets of rain before we start thinking about where to go first.

Kensukes Kingdom
5g Stowaway – Hamalata
Tim Syder and Martin St Quinton
41-1 (point form)
RPR 94 OR –
Won two Irish points, which is unusual, is going very well at this stage and will start in a bumper very soon.

Larkbarrow Lad
5g Kayf Tara – Follow My Leader
The Englands and Heywoods
332-
RPR 107b OR –
Placed in three bumpers and ought to win one before he goes novice hurdling. He’s ready to go but is a big, tall horse who will improve with time and will want 2m4f over hurdles.

Leapaway
6g Stowaway – Gisela
Dr V M G Ferguson
111113
RPR 134h OR 137h
Had a fantastic summer, winning five hurdles and helping us get the season off to a flying start, but his effort at Kempton on Sunday showed he’s now in need of a break. He’ll have the winter off and be back in the spring.

LEAPAWAY Ridden by Richard Johnson wins at Cartmel 1/7/18
Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

Little Miss Poet
6m Yeats – R De Rien Sivola
Michael and Mrs Norma Tuckey
1/543-31
RPR 130h OR 130h
Did well in handicap hurdles last season and may reappear in a valuable 2m5f open mares’ handicap hurdle at Wincanton on November 10. She’ll go novice chasing at some stage.

Lord Duveen
5g Doyen – Afdala
Field, Cognet, Sigler and Walsh
52-6
RPR 121h OR –
Looked a very nice horse when second at Kempton on his final run last season but was a bit disappointing on his reappearance at Chepstow. I’m sure that was just a blip, though, and he’s one who should do well this year.

Louis’ Vac Pouch
6g Oscar – Coming Home
The Vacuum Pouch Company Ltd
1/6100-0
RPR 147h OR 141h
Below par in the spring, he ran respectably last time in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow, which was just to get him to settle as he’s a bit keen at the best of times. With that under his belt he’ll very likely go novice chasing and looks promising.

Majestic Touch
7g Kalanisi – Alexander Divine
N Sutton
0/62/1-14
RPR 125h OR 123h
Wasn’t a healthy horse last season and wasn’t seen on the racecourse. Won well in a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot on his first run back but disappointed at Fontwell last time when there was no pace and he was extremely keen. He’ll probably go novice chasing and wouldn’t mind any ground apart from very soft.

McNamaras Band
5g Getaway – Katies Pet
Frank Jarvey
1-
RPR 102 OR –
Really nice young horse who won his only bumper for us a year ago. Back in training now, ready to run and for sale, he’ll go for a 2m4f novice hurdle to start with, on decent ground, but he’s very much a chaser and has plenty of potential.

Melekhov
4g Sholokhov – Yorkshire Girl
Owners For Owners
211-4
RPR 113b OR –
Won two bumpers last season but disappointed when only fourth at Bangor last time. I’m sure that was only a blip and hopefully he’ll be back on track soon.

Mendip Express
12g King’s Theatre – Mulberry
David Maxwell
52/441-5
RPR 154c OR 127c
A fantastic old horse with some very good form in big chases, he’s well capable of winning again for his owner/rider, hopefully starting next weekend at Cheltenham in the amateurs’ chase.

Ninth Wave
4g September Storm – Royale Pearl
Trevor Hemmings
1-4
RPR – OR –
Easily won a point-to-point bumper at Bitterley in April and made a very pleasing debut at Ffos Las at the weekend, travelling well throughout and shaping very encouragingly for the future in fourth place. I’m not sure yet if he’ll run in another bumper or move straight to hurdles.

No Comment
7g Kayf Tara – Dizzy Frizzy
JP McManus
722/36-5
RPR 137c OR 139c
Had some decent form over hurdles before transferring his ability to fences when third in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. He didn’t enjoy the best of health last season and his only other run was when not staying the trip in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, but he’s been dropped 6lb by the handicapper, is well treated over fences compared to his hurdling mark, and I think he’s one to follow in 3m novice chases. It was a very hot race he reappeared in at Ffos Las on Saturday and he was a little bit rusty, but after a few early mistakes he ran on well and it was a satisfactory first run back.

No Comment (Barry Geraghty) runs on from the final flight and beats Minella Awards in the 2m 4.5f nh novices hurdle

 

Oakley
5g Oscar – Tirolean Dance
Tim Syder
35-
RPR 112b OR –
Showed up well in his bumpers without quite getting home, and will start over hurdles at 2m, as he has plenty of pace. I think he’ll improve.

Ozzie The Oscar
7g Oscar – Private Official
Bradley Partnership
1321-13
RPR 157c, 140h OR 151c, 145h
A big improver last season, winning three from five over fences, he

returned with an excellent effort when third in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on Saturday, looking as though he was going to win at one stage. I was delighted with that and it should set him up nicely for a tilt at the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 6, as long as the ground’s not too firm.

Pineapple Rush
5m Kayf Tara – Celtic Native
Bradley Partnership
3211-50
RPR 111h OR 120h
She disappointed us a little when unplaced in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Carlisle last week, travelling very well until after the third last but not really getting home, so at this stage we’re a little bit stumped, but we’ll see how she is in the next week and plan from there. She may go over fences in time.

Perform
9g King’s Theatre – Famous Lady
Merry Old Souls
5/1/64/F4-
RPR 136h OR 132h
Has been in training for four years and won just the one race from six starts [at Aintree three years ago], but he’s had no end of minor hiccups and we’ve never had a clear run with him. He’s still with us because we think we can still win with him, probably in 3m handicap or novice handicap chases.

Reikers Island
5g Yeats – Moricana
James Drummond
F15-
RPR 123h OR 124h
Did very well to win a 2m5f novice hurdle at Fontwell in March before disappointing slightly over 3m at Kempton, but I think he was just in need of a break. He’ll go novice chasing, starting fairly soon, and I think 3m will be no problem.

Rock The Kasbah
8g Shirocco – Impudent
Diana Whateley
26/1P2-6
RPR 155c OR 147c
Ran well for a long way at Chepstow this month and remains a top-class 3m handicap chaser. It’s hard to start making plans until we get some rain, but we have plenty of options, with the Ladbrokes Trophy and the Grand National at the back of our minds.

ROCK THE KASBAH with T O’Brien wins Handicap Hurdle at Haydock 21-11-15.

Rolling Dylan
7g Indian River – Easter Saturday
Mrs I D Du Pre
1P2312-
RPR 149c OR 142c
Did well novice chasing last season but will find things harder this term off a high mark. He’ll start wherever the ground’s safe – not necessarily soft, just decent – and I think 3m will be his trip. He can continue to progress.

Roll The Dough
9g Definite Article – High Dough
The Kingpins
63-2114
RPR 123c OR 117c
Has won two handicap chases already this season and the first next option is on November 1 at Stratford in a 2m6f handicap chase. I don’t think he’d want it too soft but on decent ground he’d go there with a real chance.

Royal Regatta
10g King’s Theatre – Friendly Craic
Lesley Field and Eileen Murphy
1P3P/PP-
RPR 161c OR 150c
A Grade 2 winner in his pomp, he’s been a great servant to us for a long time and with the handicapper ready to drop him to 145, he’ll go to Ascot for a 0-145 at Ascot at the end of November. He was pulled up in both starts early last term but we identified a breathing problem that we hope we’ve sorted out. I’d love to see him win again.

Samburu Shujaa
5g Poliglote – Girelle
Robert and Janet Gibbs
02/3334-
RPR 126h OR 125h
In reasonable form over novice hurdles last season, he’s a lovely strong horse who’ll start in a 2m4f maiden hurdle, probably on a left-handed track, because he can hang a bit. He has the size to jump a fence in time.

Show On The Road
7g Flemensfirth – Roses Of Picardy
Roger and Catherine Penny
12318-4
RPR 128h OR 126h
Twice a winner over hurdles at Exeter last season on heavy ground I thought he’d hate, he looks the type to go over fences before too long but stayed on well in fourth place over hurdles at Market Rasen on Saturday for what was a very respectable comeback.

Springtown Lake
6g Gamut – Sprightly Girl
Tim Syder
1F2310-
RPR 138h OR 137h
Very decent novice hurdler last season – twice a winner and runner-up in a Sandown Grade 2 – who we hope will do very well over fences this year, although he may run in a handicap hurdle first. He had a good summer, came back in looking very well and I’d see him as a decent novice chaser over 2m4f and beyond.

Steely Addition
6g Craigsteel – Blond’s Addition
Step By Step
34/F118-
RPR 136h OR 137h
A very thorough stayer who won a good handicap hurdle at Chepstow over just shy of 3m in soft ground last November. He’ll go novice chasing over 3m and will be suited by plenty of give.

Sternrubin
7g Authorized – Sworn Mum
Terry Warner
0/2203-0
RPR 148h OR 137h
Won twice on the Flat last year and has the option to stay handicap hurdling after a good third at Aintree on Grand National day, but he’s quite high in the handicap and I could see him going back novice chasing after a couple of decent placed efforts last term. He needs to go right-handed over fences.

Sternrubin – Tom O’Brien wins The William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) Ascot 29/10/16

That’s A Given
4g Great Pretender – Aulne River
Andrew Cohen
10-
RPR 104b OR –
Won a bumper well at Huntingdon last season so we took him to Punchestown but the race didn’t go to suit and I’m sure he’s capable of more than he produced that day. He has plenty of speed and will go novice hurdling over 2m.

Thyme Hill
4g Kayf Tara – Rosita Bay
The Englands and Heywoods
1
RPR 110b OR –
Won on debut at Worcester this month but we won’t be in any hurry to run him again. I think he’ll need a bit of time to get over that, maybe go for

returned with an excellent effort when third in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on Saturday, looking as though he was going to win at one stage. I was delighted with that and it should set him up nicely for a tilt at the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 6, as long as the ground’s not too firm.

Tidal Flow
5g Black Sam Bellamy – Mrs Philip
Brocade Racing
14-
RPR 115b OR –
Bred by Richard Johnson and my wife Sarah, he won his bumper well at Newbury but then disappointed under a penalty at Wincanton in the spring. I think he’s better than he showed there and he’ll start in 2m4f novice hurdles.

Truckin Away
5g Getaway – Simons Girl
Brocade Racing
3- (point form)
RPR 87 OR –
Ran well in his only Irish point-to-point and looks one to start in novice hurdles at 2m4f or upwards.

Umndeni 4g Balko – Marie Royale
St Quinton, D L Whateley and Syder
1-4
RPR 111h OR –
A half-brother to Vision Des Flos, he’s always shown plenty at home and won his bumper last season at Warwick. A bit disappointing at Warwick on his reappearance but he hadn’t schooled on grass since the spring and he made mistakes, looking hesitant and jumping left. He should benefit for the experience and is a very nice prospect.

Waiheke
5m Black Sam Bellamy – Its Meant To Be
Mrs Sally White
51424-
RPR 111h OR 117h
Scored second time out last season at Exeter and ran some good races in defeat, despite showing a tendency to hang left, which we’ve tried to correct. She looks one to start in a handicap hurdle off a fair mark, but she’ll run in mares’ novice chases later on.

War Sound
9g Kayf Tara – Come The Dawn
The Englands and Heywoods
234222-
RPR 140c OR 136c
Won the Swinton Hurdle back in 2015 but has been placed eight times in chases without winning. You’d have thought he’ll be landing a handicap chase or novice chase before too long, because he has the ability. I think 2m4f is his trip.

WAR SOUND ridden by Ciaran Gethings WINNER at HAYDOCK 9/5/15

Westend Story
7g Westerner – Sarahall
Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club
2B/4121-
RPR 138h OR 137h
Has had his jumping issues but won well on his last two runs of last season, looks one to improve a fair bit and may go to Cheltenham at the weekend before beginning a novice chase career. He’d go on anything but quick ground.

Who’s My Jockey
5g Yeats – Skandisk
Paul and Clare Rooney
1231-43
RPR 134h OR 136h
A good third at Stratford recently on a track that was probably too tight for him. I’d say he wants 3m on a more galloping track – we tried him over the trip at Aintree on his final start of last season but I think he was over the top by then, so I’d be happy to try again. He could go novice chasing before too long.

Zanza
4g Arcadio – What A Bleu
Louisville Syndicate Elite
6
RPR – OR –
Ran a very respectable race on his debut in a Ffos Las bumper last Saturday, looking like he had a chance three furlongs out but just running a bit green in the closing stages. It was a run full of promise.