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Published: 30/11/2005
Peter Thomas
Stable
Tour: Richard Phillips: High hopes for young squad of Saturday horses.'
IT
IS with quiet confidence rather than with trepidation that Richard
Phillips declares: "The next nine months are undoubtedly the most
important of my life."
After the heady Cathcart-winning season of La Landiere, results
from Adlestrop have been chequered, but the young Gloucestershire
trainer has preferred patience to impetuosity and now faces the
acid test of his softly-softly approach.
He explains: "We had a really good year followed by a year with
a load of young horses and a virus. Last year, we let those young
horses mature and we were very pleased with what we saw.
"But we've got to deliver this year. It's our novice hurdle season
and if it goes well, the future looks rosy. We've surrounded ourselves
with the best people and the best young staff in the country and
we have a real opportunity to become a top-ten yard."
With an 80-strong team he regards as his most talented ever, Phillips
has made a bright start to the campaign and is backing his judgement
to the hilt: "I've been responsible for most of the horses we've
bought and maybe I'll die on my own sword, but I'll be very disappointed
if we don't have half a dozen good ones, potential 'Saturday horses'."
Adlestrop
5m Alderbrook - Lady Buck 6-Has done a lot of growing and maturing
and has always worked nicely. Started favourite for a bumper at
Warwick, but we found she had a muscle enzyme problem that hopefully
we've sorted out. She had a few niggly problems in the autumn, but
has been working well of late. She'll run in a bumper next month
and I think she has a future.
Alaskan Fizz 4f Efisio - Anchorage 3-1 Third on her debut at Exeter
over an insufficient 1m5f and then won at Market Rasen. She's had
the summer off and will go novice hurdling, mares' only, and she'll
want a trip with a bit of cut in the ground.
She's only small, but she's tough.
Alderman Rose
5g Alderbrook - Rose Ravine 9-Green on his debut in a Towcester
bumper but has strengthened up. He is a horse we've always liked.
He has a wonderful jumping pedigree and will want cut in the ground
and a bit of a trip.
Another Chat
5g Executive Perk - Lucky Fiver (unraced) Won a point in Ireland
and was third in a winners-oftwo. Has worked nicely and should run
in a bumper soon, but he jumps exceptionally well and will be a
chaser next year.
Arnold Layne 6g Roselier - Cotton Gale 1-Won a weak bumper at Bangor
very well, but he is hard to gauge in that he's very much a galloper.
He has always travelled nicely at home and it will be interesting
to see how he gets on over hurdles this year. Is ultimately a chaser
and will want 2m4f-plus.
He's an exciting prospect.
Ballykelly
4g Insan - Lady Oakwell (unraced) The winner of his only point in
Ireland, he's a good mover with a great jump. Will run in a bumper
soon before going hurdling. He's a novice chaser in the making and
has real potential.
Barney McAll 5g Grand Lodge - Persian Song 681-P0P Won for us at
Taunton last year. His immune system isn't the strongest and he
has his share of minor problems, but we've schooled him over fences,
which he seems to enjoy. Needed the run at Huntingdon, and was pulled
up yesterday at Hereford.
Baron Romeo 5g Baron Blakeney - Langretta (unraced) Owned by the
Skans, whose La Landiere was responsible for attracting a lot of
the young horses we have now. Won a decent Irish point and is a
nice, no-nonsense horse who'll start off in a bumper next month.
Chasing will be on the agenda next season, but I'll be surprised
if he doesn't show some promise before then.
Bauhaus 4g Second Empire - Hi Bettina 32 Showed promise in his first
novice hurdle at Hereford recently on ground a bit too soft, and
improved on that when an excellent second behind Siberian Highness
at Warwick. Good to soft would suit him, he jumps well, likes to
be up with the pace and should win soon.
Bredon Hill 5m Rakaposhi King - Society News (unraced) A half-sister
to four winners, she's an athletic sort who has strengthened up
over the summer and should run in a bumper in December before going
hurdling.
Brooking 7g Roselier - Kilkil Pin (unraced) The owners have been
patient with this latematuring horse, who has had various problems,
including a stress fracture of his tibia last year. He'll go novice
hurdling first, but jumps well and enjoys it. Can show his promise
on the track before Christmas.
Cash And New 6m Supreme Leader - Shannon Lough 1-3 An honest, well-bred
mare, she reappeared over 2m5f over hurdles at the same track last
Saturday and it was a pleasing run that she should improve on. She'll
probably want a trip, should win over fences, too, and will make
a lovely broodmare.
Next stop will be a mares only around Christmas.
Chanticlier 8g Roselier - Cherry Crest 532/PPF-A new arrival this
year, he has been an unlucky horse, having shown good form in bumpers
early in his career.
We'll start him off in a hurdle as he fell on his last start in
a chase, but he'll ultimately want a trip and has always been the
type who'd need time. He should go to Exeter on Friday.
Chopneyev 7g Goldneyev - Pierre de Soleil 211120/ Did us proud a
couple of seasons ago in big hurdles, but has had a leg problem
and wants soft ground. He'll go novice chasing over three miles
this year and I think there is a nice race in him, as when he's
right he's a very good horse Corals Laurel 6g Accordian - Bold Tipperary
15-Won his first race at Warwick quite easily, then we ran him quite
soon afterwards in a competitive bumper on the same course. He'll
go novice hurdling soon, starting over two miles. He has worked
nicely and jumps well and we'll be disappointed if he doesn't win
races for us this season.
Dark 'N Sharp 10g Sharpo - Daytona Beach U/0PP-1P Won well recently
at Huntingdon and it was nice to see him on the way back. He's gone
up 8lb, but could be competitive at a good level again, as before
Huntingdon he was working as well as he ever had. They went too
quick for him at Newbury on Saturday and he probably needs more
cut in the ground for them to go more his pace. He may be best fresh.
Datito 10g Over The River - Crash Call 423/P1P-Has been frustrating
after showing early promise. He won for us at Newcastle last season
and on his day is handicapped to win staying chases over 3m-plus
with a bit of give. He'll probably go to Chepstow on Saturday.
Definite Approach 7g Presenting - Crash Approach 423-6 Showed promise
in two novice hurdles last year. He would have needed his first
run of the season over hurdles at Windsor and will now probably
go chasing. He jumps very well at home.
Eight Fifty Five 5g Wood Chanter - Electric View 4-536 He has needed
time to grow up and is a very light mover. He got stuck in the mud
in a 3m hurdle at Uttoxeter last week and will probably drop back
in trip. He could be a novice handicap chaser in the new year.
Forest Miller 6g Classic Cliche - Its My Turn 6 Has taken a long
time to mature and ran very green on his debut
at Chepstow last week, but was beaten only narrowly for third. He
will come on a lot for that and will have one more bumper before
going hurdling in the new year. He is very much a galloper and will
need a trip.
General Gossip 9g Supreme Leader - Sno-Sleigh 131P1-3 Won two chases
and a hurdle for us last season. He's better handicapped over hurdles,
but we'll try to win a nice chase with him this year. He tries hard,
needs soft ground and three miles.
Gingerbread House 7g Old Vic - Furun 14/124-Started last season
well by beating Your A Gassman at K elso, before finishing second
to the same horse a few weeks later. Had a stress fracture of his
tibia later in the year and has also had a wind operation, but he'll
hopefully go to Wetherby on Saturday and there's a nice race to
be won with him.
He'll need a trip ultimately.
Giovanna 4f Orpen - Red Leggings 2114-A tough little filly who won
two bumpers for us last year and was fourth in the Listed bumper
at Aintree. She jumps very well but has been beset by niggly problems,
including a fractured jaw. Hopefully she'll make her hurdling debut
next month and I think she'll win a few races this season.
Go Harvey Go 6g Supreme Leader - Python Wolf 8-Has always worked
like anice horse. Ran once in a Lingfield all-weather bumper, which
would not have been ideal for him, and has had an ulcerated stomach,
which hopefully we've cured. He has had immaturity problems, but
is over those and will run in a bumper before Christmas. He looks
a proper chaser and goes like a horse with a future.
Greenfield 7g Pleasant Tap - No Review 1/60332-Needs 2m6f on a stiff
track with a bit of give, and likes to wear blinkers. He was pipped
on the line last time and had a foot problem afterwards, but is
on the way back and can win a nice handicap hurdle, though we may
run him over fences if he proves too high in the weights.
Grenfell 6m Presenting - Arumah 10-U Won a bumper at Kempton, a
track that would not have been ideal for this big, staying chaser
in the making. She was OTT for the season when she ran in the big
Aintree bumper and pulled too hard on her hurdles debut at Newbury
last week, but Richard Johnson was pleased with her and we may drop
her back in trip at a galloping track.
It's Blue Chip 4g Polar Falcon - Bellateena 71581-7 Won two novice
hurdles last season for Henrietta Knight. He needs a trip and soft
ground and jumps well. We'll start him off in a handicap hurdle
soon before going chasing.
Madiba 6g Emperor Jones - Priluki (unraced) Has come to us to run
in staying hurdles, having needed a trip on the Flat. He's a tough
little horse with ability and we are looking forward to running
him in 2m4f-3m hurdles.
Mandingo Chief 6g Flying Spur - Elizabethan Air 12P/2P-3 Made a
satisfactory reappearance at Towcester over an insufficient trip.
Three miles is more his cup of tea and hopefully he's handicapped
to win a soft-ground chase. He jumps very well.
Morgans Money 6g Karinga Bay - Another Rumour (unraced) He's the
Frank Spencer of the yard and has always had little problems. He's
taken forever to mature, but should be worth waiting for. We'll
try to run him in a bumper before Christmas.
Mrs Fizziwig 6m Petoski - Dans Le Vent 85-A half-sister to Windross,
Air Shot and Flying Gunner, she has always worked well.
She's been on the immature side, but is now building up to a novice
hurdling campaign, starting off over 2m4f.
Nez Rouge 4g April Night - Gracieuse Des Bois (unraced) Purchased
at Cheltenham, the first foal of a good French mare, he goes nicely
at home and will run in a bumper before Christmas, having recovered
from a minor splint problem.
On Y Va 7g Goldneyev - Shakna 58/143-1 His comeback third at Bangor
in April was decent and he pleased us with his hurdles win at Chepstow
last week. Depending on what the handicapper does, he'll now go
novice chasing or stick to hurdling. Soft ground over 3m will be
to his liking.
Parthian Shot 5m Parthian Springs - Lavenham's Last (unraced) A
half-sister to Senorita R umbalita, she has always worked nicely
but has been immature. Hopefully patience will be rewarded very
soon in a bumper.
Pedros Brief 7g Leading Counsel - Pedros Pet 5/1-Won a point at
Punchestown and a bumper at Gowran.
He's a big chasing type who'll start in a novice hurdle over 2m4f.
He jumps well and goes a nice gallop at home.
Pertemps Timmy 7g Petoski - Brilliant Future 33/ Showed promise
in bumpers but has been off for some while with leg problems, but
is pleasing us now and will be on the track beforeChristmas in a
novice hurdle.
Raven's Last 6g Sea Raven - Lavenham's Last 12/573P-Won his first
bumper for us, but has had a wind operation since. Hopefully he
can make up for lost time in novice or handicap chases. He's good-looking
and jumps well.
Rioja Rally 5g Anshan - Glentrasna Venture (unraced) A huge chasing
type who ran in one Irish point before joining us. It won't be long
before he goes chasing, as he's clearly built for the job.
Roaringwater 6g Roselier - Supreme Cherry 1P30-2 Has always gone
well at home and won his bumper at Hexham, but his form deteriorated
and we diagnosed stomach ulcers. He made his chase debut at Sedgefield
recently and was second on ground that had turned too soft for him.
We'll try him on a better surface.
Royal Cliche 6g Classic Cliche - Princess Hotpot 85-576 Has been
weak, but showed promise in bumpers and novice hurdles and will
probably be better in handicaps over 2m4f-3m.
Sharp Jack 7g Be My Native - Polly Sharp 75/13-U Had a stress fracture
of his hind cannonbone last year, but has ability. Returned in a
novice chase at Towcester last Saturday, but knuckled on landing
halfway round.
He'll be out again soon and looks a nice prospect.
Silk Rope 5m Presenting - Osiery Girl (unraced) An attractive mare
who has taken loads of time to mature, but is increasing her workload
and will run in bumpers in the new year.
Sound Of The Crowd 4f Accordian - Tarmons Duchess (unraced) We like
what we've seen of her since she came to us in the autumn. She'll
run in a bumper next month.
Supreme Toss 9g Supreme Leader - Sleemana 31111/2 Has lots of ability,
but has had problems too, including a fractured pelvis, but hopefully
those are behind him. We were thrilled with his debut over fences,
when he was second at Uttoxeter last week, and we'll see how he
comes out of the race before looking for a 3m novice chase for him
in midto late-December. I hope there's a good race in him.
The Mick Weston 6g North Col - Zalina 2131U-1 An impressive bumper
winner at Cheltenham last October and then finished third at the
Paddy Power meeting on ground that was a bit too quick for him.
Won at Chepstow afterwards and was going well in the Champion Bumper
at the Festival when he was pushed through the rail, which was unfortunate
as he was in exceptional form. He made his debut over hurdles at
Uttoxeter last week and, despite a fright when he jinked at the
sixth flight, he won very well. He'll probably stick to 2m for the
time being and will be out again round Christmas. Mentally, he's
a horse we need to bring along slowly, but he has great promise.
The Shirley Hunt 5m Rakaposhi King - Zalina (unraced) A half-sister
to The Mick Weston, she'll start off in a bumper before Christmas.
She goes nicely and clearly has some of the talent of her good family.
Thrilling Prospect 8m King's Ride - Bail Out 311759-Did well for
us last year, winning two novice hurdles. She'll go novice chasing
this season, but has had an abscess on her jaw that has put her
back a bit. She's tough and should win when she comes right.
What A Vintage 5m Un Desperado - The Vine Browne 2-1 Has strengthened
up over the summer and has always pleased us at home. She's a galloping,
athletic mare who jumps well and won her bumper nicely at Uttoxeter
this month. She'll go novice hurdling over 2m4f and likes soft ground.
Winds And Dragons 5g Taipan - Windy Bop (unraced) From the family
of Lord Noelie, he works very nicely and will start off in a bumper,
but he jumps very well and will make a lovely novice chaser.
Some nice young horses due to come out later in the season are the
Irish point-to-pointers Another Late Night and Chancery Lad; two
unraced horses yet to do strong work, the Taipan four-year-old Low
Reactor and the Master Willie four-year-old Lenny The Blade; and
the very promising three-year-old Ashwell Lad, from the family of
the talented Ashwell Boy, owned by our new sponsors GTH Construction.
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