Rebecca Curtis Stable Tour

[Guest]

AMIFUNNYYET
4 b g Helissio - Flying Form.
Ability both bumper starts, latest when 14 lengths fifth of 14 to Puffin Billy in decent Ascot event November 3.
"I thought he was better than he showed at Ascot last time, certainly works better than that. AP said he'd be a different horse over a trip and hurdles because he is a big horse, nearly 18 hands. He'll win a bumper and we'll keep him a novice for next year."

AT FISHERS CROSS
5 b g Oscar - Fermoy Supreme.
Dual bumper winner last season then beaten half a length in two mile maiden hurdle at Ffos Las in March. Well beaten on heavy at Punchestown in two mile hurdle in April.
"Nice horse that we've had difficulty getting to jump properly - we've had a vet to look at him and he's sorted something out in his back. He's still on a learning curve."

BENHEIR
6 b g Beneficial - Vicford.
Bumper winner and dual novice hurdle winners rated 129 when winning latest at Bangor in April. Second, beaten 14 lengths by What A Warrior on debut in two mile five novice chase at Bangor early October. Pulled up later that month over three miles at Cheltenham in race won by Sire Collognes.
"The ground at Cheltenham was a bit quicker than he'd like, always going a shade too fast for him. It's also likely that he wasn't suited to the undulations of the course. A big, flat galloping track would be better. Wants at least three miles."

BOYFROMNOWHERE
5 br g Old Vic - Eist Do Gale.
Point and maiden hurdle winner over two miles five at Uttoxeter in September beating Bridlingtonbygones by 16 lengths. Second only subsequent start when beaten five lengths by Awaywiththegreys over two and a half at Chepstow October 13. Debut mark of 133.
"Ran a good race at Chepstow and McCoy said that if it had been three miles he'd have won. So he'll be stepped up in trip now but you won't see him at his best until he goes over fences next season."

CASTLE BEACH
3 b g Millenary - Castle Keep.
Unraced
"Nice, looks very good for his age and up to performing well in a juvenile bumper - worked well with the older horses."

CHEAT THE CHEATER
5 b g Flemensfirth - Ballyclough Gale.
Ability sole bumper start when 15 lengths second to Whisper at Ffos Las in April.
"Lovely horse but wants very soft ground and a trip as well. Brilliant jumper that goes for a two and a half mile novice at Chepstow on November 7."

GOD OF THE KOP

Bumper winner and improving over hurdles, falling on debut then finishing eight lengths third to Desert Joe in three mile maiden at Chepstow October 27.

"Has ability but still learning his job. Will certainly stay well and needs experience."

GUS MACREA
8 b g Accordion - Full Of Surprises.
Improving novice chases that has won last two starts having dropped back to two miles. Off 122 when winning at Aintree October 28 and penalised 128 a week later in better event at Ascot and beaten Lidar a length and a half. Now 136.
"I was worried about running him back so quick at Ascot but I was concerned how much the handicapper would hike him for winning at Aintree and I was right - a stone. It paid off and he got good ride from Patrick Corbett. He had time off with leg trouble and he's benefitted from that. A strong gallop over two miles suits him and he's better suited by good ground than soft."

HARE IN AROUND

Plenty to like about bumper debut when length and a half second to Bob Tucker at Worcester October 11.
"You won't find a weaker horse, mentally and physically so I was really pleased with the first run. Be even better next year with time and is a brilliant jumper but he'll have another run in a bumper then be kicked out to mature."

INTERNATIONAL APPEAL
4 ch g Saffron Walden - Just Native.
Winning Irish pointer, yet to race under rules.
"Really big horse, nearly 18 hands and only four. He's been given time, going very nicely and will be out in a bumper before the end of November and I'd be hopeful he'd win one. Lovely horse."

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[Yeehaa]

B]MEGANISI[/B]
5 b g Galileo - Cland Di San Jore.
Novice hurdler, gained sole success in four when beating Kings Lad 11 lengths at Wincanton on heavy in May. Finished two lengths second to Uncle Jimmy over two and a half at Fontwell October 6 and rated 132. Well held ninth of 13 to Lamb Or Cod over two and a half at Chepstow October 27. Now 130.
"Good horse that has had a couple of problems but he just didn't stay at Chepstow last time so we'll drop him back to two miles. He's still ok for novices which gives good opportunities. We cut him and he went very weak on us but is coming back now and will get better. Likes soft ground."

MISTER W K
4 b g Definite Article - Love The Lord.
Easy winner of Ffos Las bumper October 14 beating Stony Road nine lengths.
"Well-bred from a good dam but still weak. Should be able to defy a penalty in a bumper but a longer term hurdle prospect."

MONKEY KINGDOM
4 b g King's Theatre - Blast Freeze.
Improved on debut bumper win when finishing five lengths second of 17 to Southfield Theatre in good class Cheltenham bumper October 20.
"I think he's very good. After he was second at Cheltenham Paul Nicholls told me not to be too worried because he thought a lot of his and it was top class form - and we were giving his horse 7lb. This is a big horse that's open to improvement."

MONTE CAVALLO

Twice a winner over hurdles around two miles, first when rated 121 and off 130 when beating Tolido Gold 25 lengths at Bangor in August. Better efforts in defeat, length and three quarter lengths second to Smalib Monterg at Stratford in September then six lengths seventh of 15 to Raya Star in competitive event at Ascot November 3 off 134.
"Doesn't seem to find much off the bridle, probably not an out and out stayer and might be on a high enough mark. It's possible he went on a bit too soon last time so we could hold on to him next time."

O'FAOLAINS BOY
5 b g Oscar - Lisa's Storm.
Irish point winner, yet to race under rules.
"Ready to go pretty soon and has potential. Starts in a bumper but is a proper three mile chaser. People tend to think that our good bumper horses are fast but they're not. All our best ones have been slow at home but just keep galloping."

ONE TERM
5 b g Beneficial - One Edge.
Three-time novice hurdle winner from eight starts and rated 128. Disappointing off that rating last two starts at Ffos Las and Aintree, latter when distant sixth of 10 to Simonside first attempt at two and a half October 28.
"The thing he wants is good ground and the only time he hasn't run to form is when it's been soft - hated it at Aintree last time. He's still a novice and in that grade he'd be ok over two but in handicaps he might need further."

PECKHAMECHO

Useful novice hurdler and made a decent chase debut beating Dolatulo 15 lengths at Stratford over two and a quarter miles in September. Rated 141 when running keen and finished well held third to His Excellency back over two at Cheltenham October 20. Down 2lb to 139.
"He was just too fresh and free last time because he'd been off for quite a while before Stratford when he didn't really have a race when he won so easily. Didn't get home at Cheltenham. McCoy thought he jumped alright at Cheltenham which surprised me. I'd expect him to come on for Cheltenham."

RENDL BEACH
5 b g Milan - Erins Emblem.
Dual bumper winner then won novice hurdle debut by 24 lengths from Winds Of War over three miles at Fontwell early October. Up to three and a quarter only subsequent start when 11 lengths third of eight to According To Trev at Cheltenham October 20. Debut mark of 131.
"Ran a good race at Cheltenham but he needs softer ground. Stays really well and if the ground had been suitable he'd have gone very close. He'll be out pretty soon and with 131 he'll stick to novices."

STOW
7 ch g Selkirk - Spry.
Staying handicap hurdler, four from 22 and last winning mark 117 in February 2011. Has been to 128 and now 120 after finishing 12 lengths fifth of 15 to Knock Hard in extended three mile handicap at Newbury in February. Formerly trained by Venetia Williams, yet to race for present yard.
"I like him and he shows us some pace but Venetia always ran him over a trip and she had him long enough to know what he needed. He's done very well over the summer, looks very well. In good form now and I might try him over a bit shorter at some stage and if we use our claimer he can win off his mark."

TAKE OF SHOC'S
8 ch g Beneficial - Dear Dunleer.
Successful around two miles in novice chases at Stratford and Chepstow March and April off 97 and 105. Progressed to 117 but beaten four times off than including handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last time when tailed off October 19. Now 108 over hurdles but remains 122 fences.
"Went too fast last time and didn't get up the hill so ignore that. Is funny, though, and if he doesn't do well in a handicap next time he'll go for claimers."

TEAFORTHREE
8 b g Oscar - Ethel's Bay.
Steadily improving staying chaser, won third chase of last season and by far the most significant when beating Harry The Viking in four mile amateur chase at Cheltenham in March off 146. Stays on that mark.
"Brilliant this season, in really good form. It's now a case of finding a couple of prep races before the Welsh National which will be his main aim. Could go to Wincanton on November 10 but the track might not suit. He's got the Hennessy option or a three mile two at Cheltenham but the Welsh National is the target. I just hope it's on."

THE JUGOPOLIST
5 b g Oscar - Chance My Native.
Placed twice in four bumpers and won hurdle debut over two miles five at Uttoxeter early October beating Benefit Of Youth 11 lengths. Well beaten eighth of nine to The New One over same trip at Cheltenham next run October 19.
"AP reckoned he was a bit too aggressive at Cheltenham and maybe should have held on to him a bit to get home. Wants softer ground so I'll be looking for a two and a half mile novice."

THE ROMFORD PELE
5 b g Accordion - Back And Fore.
Bumper winner and encouraging both hurdle starts, length and three quarters second to Porgy over two at Market Rasen late September then better effort when three and three quarter lengths second to Court Minstrel at Cheltenham October 19.
"AP named him after Ray Parlour who used to play for Arsenal. Was green jumping at Market Rasen when the ground was a bit quick but it was a good run at Cheltenham last time. I'll probably go for an ordinary maiden now to give him a bit of confidence then move on. Two is ok at the moment."

VEGAS CASH
5 ch g Muhtarram - Drewstown Lady.
Bumper winner and unbeaten in three hurdle runs this season finishing with 13-length defeat of Minella Ranger in two and a half mile novice at Hereford early September. Debut mark of 140.
"Banged himself schooling so he's had a couple of months off and will be back in the New Year. A big, weak horse so that's not a problem. Wants fences next season."

[Yeehaa]

G Cunningham

Horses who jump like Monbeg Dude did in the Welsh National generally fall or pull up rather than win.

Correction, they either fall or pull up unless they are ridden by Paul Carberry, who produced one of the most daring rides in recent memory to triumph having been languishing in a Monmouth postcode swinging for home.

Michael Scudamore is wisely resisting the temptation to head to Aintree with his winner, but Chepstow runner-up Teaforthree and runaway Sandown winner Katenko showed clear National potential.

Teaforthree ran the race of his life, jumping as well as ever and battling on willingly, while Katenko lived up to the promise of his Ascot second and then some by powering clear of the highly progressive Johns Spirit.

There is plenty to like about Teaforthree as a National horse even allowing that he'll be nudged up to around 150 mark now and Katenko is one to keep firmly onside for another big handicap before Aintree on this evidence.

Sandown's stiff fences were made to look insignificant as Aidan Coleman allowed Katenko to roll for home from a mile out. I'm not convinced he's quite so strong a stayer as Teaforthree. But I am confident that he will still be highly competitive from his new mark in the mid 140's.

[Old Vic]