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Chapman
Has Expert Support
By Jonathan Herbert
Courtesy of The Gloucestershire Echo
Cheltenham jockey Neil Chapman is receiving help from some of the
biggest names in jump racing.
Richard Dunwoody, Richard Johnson, Warren Marston and Robert Thornton
have all been lending support to Richard Phillips' amateur rider.
The 22-year-old, from Shurdington, is hoping their backing will
pave the way to starting a career as a professional jockey.
Chapman (pictured), who has had three rides under Rules, feels lucky
to be able to call on their advice.
"Dickie (Johnson) and Wazza (Marston) have been a big help,"
he said.
"They both come down to the yard twice a week and they help
me a lot when I'm schooling.
"You can't see what you're doing when you're on a horse, but
they watch me and give me little tips here and there.
"If you can't listen to them, you won't listen to anyone. They've
got so much experience and they both know how hard it is to get
going.
"I'll stay amateur this season and probably next season, and
then I might think about turning conditional."
Dunwoody has been advising Chapman during his visits to Phillips'
stable to assist his younger riders.
The former champion jockey has been watching them on the gallops
and teaching them ways to improve.
"He's given us an equicisor - a mechanical horse - to practise
on and to help with our fitness, because it's difficult when you're
not racing every day," said Chapman.
Thornton has been supportive through helping Chapman to find rides
in point-to-point races, which has built up his experience.
"Choc (Thornton) put me in contact with his mum, Sally, and
I rode most of her pointers last season," he said.
"I broke an arm in my first ride in a point-to-point, but Choc's
mum said I would still be riding for her, which was loyal of her."
Chapman is pleased he decided to join Phillips after completing
his GSCEs at Chosen Hill School.
It started with two weeks' work experience when Philips was based
at Jackdaws Castle in the 2000-01 campaign.
He enjoyed it so much that he accepted an invitation to returned
on a full-time basis.
Chapman stayed with Phillips when the trainer switched to Adlestrop
Stables in the autumn of 2002, following a temporary stay Mary Hambro's
Cotswold Stud in Sezincote.
"He's a really friendly chap and he is great with his staff,
to be fair," he said.
"If we have a decent winner, he always puts on a good party.
It's a good, fun yard to work in, but serious about training winners."
Chapman is also learning from looking after and riding a host of
the stable's best horses.
Chapman looked after Cheltenham Festival winner La Landiere - "I
was gutted when she died at stud" - while currently in his
care are Dark'n Sharp, Chopneyev and Raven's Last.
Dark'n Sharp and Chopneyev are set to return near Christmas after
injuries, while Raven's Last remains highly rated after a defeat
under Johnson at Uttoxeter last time.
"He was just a bit fresh first time out because he was so well,"
he said.
"He's a really big horse and they might go pot-hunting with
him over hurdles.
"He's a really classy chaser in the making and we might not
see the best of him until two seasons' time."
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