Gavin Sheehan: I’m hoping my Newbury rides have answers

It has been a hectic week this week, most my time has been spent travelling up and down the country, I have been putting in the miles.

I did however make some time to go to the local pub quiz yesterday with my girlfriend and mother-in-law – we didn’t do very well but it was good fun to get involved! I have also enjoyed filming with ITV for the second series of Champions: Full Gallop which I am looking forward to doing more of and seeing the series when it comes out.

Last weekend was a success, I picked up two wins and 24 points for the David Power Jockeys’ Cup. I had a good winner for Olly Murphy on Gunsight Ridge – Olly has a great few horses and it is always good to be involved. My other win was on O’Connell for Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith, he seems very progressive and will hopefully head for a big race such as the Midlands National. I am currently sixth place on the leaderboard which I am pleased with, but I will keep pushing for further, every point counts!

Newbury on Saturday: I’m hoping Law can rule

I am looking forward to riding at Newbury – I’ve got two rides which will be on ITV, so there are points up for grabs. I have decent chances in both races if the ground is good, so fingers crossed the weather doesn’t take a turn.

The first ride is on Up For Parol (1.50) for trainer Jamie Snowden. He is a dude of a horse to ride and has been rejuvenated by the step up in trip. He came second at Sandown over three miles in December and won at Ffos Las last month which I claimed 10 points for. Newbury should suit him as it is a nice galloping track and looks like the right race. I really enjoy riding him, all he wants to do is please.

Ga Law (2.25) is another of Jamie’s horses, on paper it looks like he has a good chance, but I am not sure he will stay the three miles. He has run this far a couple of times, and it hasn’t worked well for him but as I mentioned if it is good ground he will run a massive race.

Navajo Indy (3.35) will have cheekpieces on for the first time. I lost the race early with him last time at Windsor, but it is a very sharp track, and he did very well to come fourth. He likes Newbury and it is a hot race with a lot of prize money on offer, hence why he will have the cheek pieces on to sharpen him up as he will need to be at his best.

Kernie d’Airy (4.45) isn’t a horse I have ridden before, but Jamie’s horses always run well in bumper races, and it is a learning curve, so I am looking forward out finding out a bit more.

Exeter on Sunday: Julius can progress

I only have the one ride at Exeter on Sunday, aboard Julius Des Pictons (2.30). He has won on his last two starts and continues to improve. He always jumps well and is a straightforward ride, so I am looking forward to seeing him progress further. It is a hot race, but I have confidence in him.

Gavin Sheehan is an ambassador for BetVictor

Kopek Des Bordes dazzles under Townend

Kopek Des Bordes  rocketed to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favouritism in extending his unbeaten run to three with an effortless victory in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Winner of a Fairyhouse bumper last season, Kopek Des Bordes had opened his hurdles account with victory at this track over Christmas and despite fog hindering viewing that day, punters were confident the five-year-old had posted an eyecatching run.

Willie Mullins’ charge was sent off the 4-5 market leader on the back of that and while Paul Townend’s mount got mildly distracted by a loose horse on the run for home, the result was never in doubt.

He jumped the last well clear of the field and sauntered home 13 lengths ahead of stablemate Karniquet, with Warren Greatrex’s British raider Good And Clever claiming an honourable third at Grade One level.

Kopek Des Bordes was cut to 7-4 from 12-1 with Coral for the Supreme at Cheltenham next month, while Betfair go 6-4 about his chances.

Mullins said: “The horse was very keen and free the whole way, but Paul just let him have his head going to his hurdles and he’s jumped way better than Christmas. We did a lot of schooling with him since the last day.

“He’s put him in a lovely position, then the loose horse came and I knew what was going to happen, it set him mad as Paul doesn’t usually go on three furlongs out. The loose horse then ran wide at the second-last and Paul had to yank him back, but he still put in a huge jump at it. You’d think he’d have no trouble jumping fences after that.

“It was a tremendous performance. We thought he was good enough to win a bumper and win his hurdles, but you never know if a horse is this good. They’re Grade One material and very few horses show you that at home. They don’t show me anyway, I don’t ask them that many questions and let them show it on the racecourse.

“This fellow was a beautiful horse at the sales, he didn’t walk the way you’d probably want one to walk but with his pedigree, age, the scope and size of him, we took a chance on him.

“I don’t see any need to go up in trip because he’s going to need a very fast pace in his races.”

Gavin Sheehan: I’m hopeful of picking up points at Sandown

It’s been relatively quiet on the racing front this week with some cancelled meetings on Wednesday, but I still managed to bring up a double at Chepstow before that which is always nice.

With less of a frantic week than normal it was a case of spending a bit more time with the family and doing a bit of car shopping as I’m on the look out for a new one – any sponsors out there, get in touch!

But, who knows, if I find myself at the top of the David Power Jockeys’ Cup come April that might be the first thing on the shopping list.

Decent chances at Sandown on Saturday 

It’s a really strong card at Sandown and I’ve got four rides in front of the ITV cameras. I’ll be aiming for the win across all of the races with the hunt on for David Power Jockeys’ Cup points.

My first mount is Grand Geste (1.25), one of two rides for Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith. This looks a wide-open race and I definitely go with a chance here. This horse has finished third on his last two runs so we’ll be hoping to go a couple better. Hopefully he’ll like Sandown because, as I’ve mentioned here before, some horses can take to this track more than others.

Gunsight Ridge (2.00) is my first ride of the day for Olly Murphy, who is flying this season and really showing his credentials as a trainer. I’ve only ridden this horse once and that was at Wetherby this time last year. Unfortunately, he fell as we were making our move and challenging the leaders. He also fell at the last at the last at Cheltenham two runs ago when he was two lengths down on Matata and he would have gone close had it not been for that mistake, so hopefully we can get back on track here at Sandown where he has run well. He’s got a massive chance if he can travel and jump in this.

What A Johnny (3.07) is off a light weight in this £100,000 contest and, after finishing third around Cheltenham last time, can be in the shake up here. I’ve not ridden him before and Sean Bowen has done the steering the last twice on him, but hopefully off this light weight he can definitely be in the mix.

O’Connell (3.42) is bidding for a hat-trick in the three-mile chase and I think he holds every chance. I won on him at Carlisle two runs ago, and since then he’s had another victory at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. I know that he’ll relish this stiff finish and hopefully he’ll be able to keep on progressing.

Silver Hill (4.12) is another to have won at Market Rasen when I steered him round back in December on his first run. He never looked like winning that race, but the penny started to drop turning into the straight and I think he won going away. It was a really good performance given he was behind the bridle the whole race, but he’ll need to step forward for this. In truth, we just don’t know how good this horse is yet.

One ride on  Sunday 

I’m heading up to Musselburgh for the one ride in front of the ITV cameras on Sunday and that’s Bowmore (1.55) for Henry De Bromhead – my first ride for the trainer. Bowmore won at Tipperary back in July and has stepped up in class since without scoring. It’s a small field here and I’m hoping that my mount will be able to be there at the finish to round off the weekend with a few Jockeys’ Cup points.

Gavin Sheehan is an ambassador for BetVictor

 

Constitution Hill gives Nico De Boinville a scare

Nico De Boinville admitted “my heart was in my mouth” after Constitution Hill survived a hair-raising mistake at the final flight to seal victory in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson’s stable star was nothing short of sensational when claiming Champion Hurdle glory in 2023, but was unable to defend his crown last term following well-documented health problems.

However, having proved his ability remains very much intact with a successful defence of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on his Boxing Day comeback, Henderson decided to turn the eight-year-old out a month later for Festival Trials day and he was a prohibitive 1-12 chance to dispatch of five inferior rivals.

After initially taking a lead off Brentford Hope, Nico de Boinville felt the pace was too sedate for Constitution Hill heading down the back straight and allowed him to stride on jumping the fourth obstacle.

He did not see another horse from there home and while the packed grandstands gasped when he paddled through the final obstacle, it did little to stop his momentum as he cruised up the hill under his motionless rider to score by three lengths.

Brentford Hope boxed on to finish a clear second, with Spirits Bay back in third.

A relieved De Boinville admitted: “My heart was in my mouth, he was doing everything so easily, but he found a leg and is hardly blowing. I’m delighted with him, just angry at myself more than anything.

“He was just half-asleep. I’d say if I’d woken him up after the second-last you’d be going forward, but he was doing it so easy. I just said to the boss we’re going to have to work him next week because he’s had an easy time of it there.

“He is special, as I’ve always said he’s a horse of a lifetime and everything went to plan bar the last.

“He felt as good as ever. I don’t know if he can be better, but he was good.”

Henderson said: “I’m pleased he ran today because Nico said he was so fresh and with no disrespect to the others, he said he hasn’t done anything there and I need to work him tomorrow – so I think he’s coming in to ride him!

“He came out of Kempton so much better and quicker than I thought he would and my first reaction was ‘we don’t have to go through all that again until March’. But a week later he was just full of it. I did wait until last week before I dared stick my head up and say we would run because I didn’t want to tempt fate, but he’s just been brilliant all the way through. It’s nearly been too straightforward.

“He deserves this bit of luck, Michael (Buckley, owner) deserves this bit of luck and we all deserve the luck, but we’re here now and we’ve got four or five weeks to play with and apparently I need to keep working him.”

L’Homme Presse digs deep for Deutsch in Cotswold Chase

L’Homme Presse narrowly denied the gallant Stage Star in a thrilling climax to the Betfair Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.

Having finished fourth in the Gold Cup last March, and emerged best of the home team when third on his reappearance in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, the Venetia Williams-trained L’Homme Presse was sent off at 4-5 to cement his status as Britain’s leading hope for this year’s blue riband.

But in Stage Star, who has largely struggled since winning the 2023 Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham for Paul Nicholls, he came up against a worthy adversary.

Stepped up to beyond three miles for the first time, Stage Star was clearly enjoying himself out in front from an early stage under Harry Cobden, with L’Homme Presse and Irish raider Gentlemansgame the only two able to go with him.

L’Homme Presse was upsides Stage Star from the home turn, but the latter refused to bend in front and it was only in the dying strides the market leader managed to get on top in the hands of Charlie Deutsch, with three-quarters of a length the winning margin.

Coral cut L’Homme Presse’s Cheltenham Gold Cup odds to 16-1 from 25-1, while Paddy Power offer 20-1 from 25-1. The latter firm also trimmed his Ryanair Chase odds to 16-1 from 40-1.

Williams said: “He keeps us on the edge of our seats, doesn’t he? Charlie said he was so laid-back the whole way round in the race and turning for home said ‘come on now, we’ve got a race to win’.
“I always thought we’d have Stage Star covered, but credit to Stage Star he’s a great horse and made him pull it all out.

“He’s trotted back to the winner’s enclosure here and how many horses do you see run three miles at Cheltenham then trot back. It’s all been relatively straightforward this year and he came back from Kempton in great form so we’ve just been able to make a standard progression to here.

“I’m pleased to get this race in the bag. We’ll see about March and it’s one step at a time, but I’m pleased with that. I think the ground could prove quite relevant in March because he wasn’t getting tired last year and the others only got on top on the way to the line, I don’t think staying the trip will be a problem for him.

“Everyone has built up the Irish as unbeatable and then the entry came from Britain and it was depleted. I think a lot of that is because people get frightened, but at the end of the day it’s who wins the race on the day and you don’t even know if all the main protagonists will get there in one piece. I’m quite surprised we’re one of the leading British contenders, but we’ll see in March.”

Skelton soars to new heights with Protektorat

Harry Skelton consolidated his lead at the top of the David Power Jockeys Cup as Protektorat soared over the Windsor fences to record a brilliant a victory in the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase.
Dan Skelton’s 10-year-old was second to L’Homme Presse in this race last year when it was held at Lingfield, after which he had a highly successful spring when winning the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and finishing third in the Melling Chase at Aintree.
He was second in the Peterborough Chase on his last outing and was sent on his way at 100-30 this time, with his Huntingdon conqueror Djelo the well-backed 5-4 favourite.
Protektorat blazed a trail throughout the two-mile six-furlong event – worth over £85,000 to the winner – and put plenty of daylight between himself and his rivals.
At the business end there was no chance of reeling him back in and he sauntered across the line 23 lengths ahead of his old foe Djelo.
“I haven’t ridden many with the constitution and toughness of him. He went a two-mile gallop, it’s unbelievable. He’s so tough and so brave, he’s the maddest horse I’ve ever ridden. He is crazy, he’ll come out tomorrow and want to go five times around the gallop,” said the winning rider.
“That’s what makes him so good, that will to keep up, he’s relentless and we’re so lucky to have a horse like him.
“He gets beaten and then he just comes back, we’ve had some massive days with him.”
He added: “It’s a massive day for the horse, he always puts his hat in the ring and he’s a heavyweight. We’ll go now to the Ryanair, but we’re not naive enough to think this wasn’t a big day for him.”

De Boinville hails “fantastic” Jonbon

Jonbon ground Energumene into submission to land another fantastic triumph in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot.

Nico de Boinville was positive from the outset and soon established an advantage at the head of affairs on the 8-13 favourite.

There was a point in the race where Nicky Henderson’s charge was not so fluent at the fences and that allowed Paul Townend to close up on Energumene entering the home straight.

However, Jonbon kicked again and got his act together in the jumping department when it mattered most, galloping on strongly to prevail by six and a half lengths.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old made it 17 wins from 20 races under Rules and strengthened his position as favourite for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival

De Boinville, who ended the day joint-second in the David Power Jockeys’ Cup table, revealed his race plan was focussed solely on Jonbon, rather than riding to beat Energumene.

He said: “They’ve done a tremendous job with him at home and I only ever school him, I don’t get on him any other time.

“The race went really smoothly and I felt like we were only doing a half-speed, but I think we were trapping along really. It was always the plan (to go forward) and I was aware horses can get caught late on here, so I just kept nudging him out to the line. I honestly just rode my own race today and if Energumene was good enough, then he was good enough.

“He’s a fantastic horse and he was good at the last – it might have made a nice picture!”

Sean Graham, racing manager to Energumene’s owner Tony Bloom, felt the good ground at Ascot had favoured Jonbon and conditions could now be key to future targets.

He said: “Paul just said on that ground Jonbon had too much speed for him and the race probably didn’t pan out in a way that suited us.

“He got alongside them four out and Jonbon just picked up and went away from them. On that ground, we’re going to struggle. Our fella is 11 and Jonbon is a nine-year-old reaching his peak.

“We probably just need to pick our battles and that might mean very soft ground. There will be no decision made on the Champion Chase yet and that will be left to Willie and Paul and we’ll go along with whatever they decide. But certainly if the ground came up heavy like it did at Cheltenham last year, you would maybe have a pop.

“I don’t want to put anyone wrong or put anyone off, but Willie and Paul will make the decision.

“He’s bounced back from defeat in this race before and when we were stood in this position after the defeat to Shishkin, I turned round and said ‘how do we turn that around at Cheltenham?’.

“He did and then he was even more disappointing when he got beat in the Clarence House at Cheltenham (when third in 2023) and went and won the Champion Chase again that year, so the horse keeps surprising us. So he might surprise us again.”

Townend added: “He ran well, but wasn’t good enough today. Cheltenham is a different place.”

Cobden in groove with help of Soul Icon

Soul Icon enjoyed a well-deserved day in the sun with a surprise success in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park.

It has been a while between drinks for Keiran Burke’s stable star, who had picked up second place in five successive races since last tasting victory over hurdles at Fontwell in October of last year.

The seven-year-old was seemingly outclassed when last of four in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on his most recent outing and was sent off at 16-1 taking on the likes of Boothill and Edwardstone in this limited handicap.

It was a straight shootout barring accidents from halfway up the home straight, with Harry Cobden and Soul Icon challenged by Tom Cannon and Edwardstone, from whom Burke’s runner was receiving a stone and a half in weight.

Soul Icon and Cobden in perfect harmony. Pic: Francesca Altoft (focusonracing.com)

That extra burden told late on as with the far rail to help, Soul Icon knuckled down on the run-in to secure top honours and his first win over fences by three and a half lengths, with 2-1 favourite Martator a further seven lengths away in third.

Cobden’s win means he now has 130 points in the David Power Jockeys’ Cup and is fourth in the overall table. Harry Skelton still leads with 156.

He told Racing TV: “It’s great to ride any winner, but especially on the big days. I get a buzz riding any horse to win in a race like this and it means so much more to those little guys because they don’t have many darts to throw at the board.

“We went very quick with two keen horses in front and I just thought we’d take a lead and follow away. He’s not a very big horse, but he’s clever and he’s got a big jump when you need it.

“Turning in I thought Edwardstone had nearly 12st and I didn’t want to be anywhere near him really. I just thought we’d stay away from an old, experienced horse as I didn’t want to help him along.

“He’s been very unlucky. Three or four times over fences it’s looked like he was going to win and something has nailed him in the last 25 yards. I think the way the race played out today, going so quick early, he hasn’t been in front too long and it’s probably helped him out.”

 

Burke, claiming his first big-race winner since saddling Hunt Ball to win at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, said: “I’m delighted as he deserved that. He’s as genuine as they come and he’s just been unfortunate to bump into one a few times.

“It was a lovely ride from Harry, perfect. It was the complete opposite of what I wanted him to do, but he knows what he’s doing and knows more than I do!

“I don’t really have any plans as he is ground dependent – we do need this better ground. We’ll see what the weather is doing and see what’s available for him.”

De Boinville: Sir Gino exceeded my expectations

Sir Gino put up a scintillating display to see off Ballyburn in a much-anticipated clash for the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park.

For the second time in two days, the Grade Two contest threw up a mouthwatering clash between two superstars from the powerhouse yards of Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins.

And as was the case in the Christmas Hurdle, in which Constitution Hill saw off Lossiemouth, top honours went to Seven Barrows – and in some style, too.

Sir Gino, so impressive when deputising for Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance, was the well-backed 8-13 favourite to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles under Nico de Boinville.

Ballyburn, a triple Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season and close to foot-perfect on his chasing debut at Punchestown last month, was a 7-4 chance in the hands of Paul Townend.

The big two dominated for much of the two-mile contest, with Ballyburn initially holding sway before De Boinville gave Sir Gino his head and allowed him to stride on racing down the back straight.

Ballyburn did his best to stay in the race, but Sir Gino kept coming out on top in the jumping stakes and found a gear Ballyburn simply could not live with shortly after the home turn.

Sir Gino had the race in safe-keeping provided he safely negotiated the final fence and he did just that to seal a hugely impressive seven-and-a-half-length verdict.

De Boinville said: “He was a bit sketchy over the first, but in fairness by the time we turned down the side towards the open ditch, it all clicked.

“He’s so quick back on the ground after taking off that he’s just taking lengths in the air. We knew he had the engine, it was just a case of whether he could put it all together.

“He’s got an enormous engine, but it’s amazing round here as the fences come up really fast and you have to stay and you have to be able to jump at speed and think quickly.

“I’d say he’s exceeded my expectations and I’d say he’s progressed for a fence as well.”

While Sir Gino would have been entitled to head down the Champion Hurdle route following his Fighting Fifth success, Henderson always appeared keen to pursue a chasing career.

He told Racing TV: “I must admit, a couple of months ago Charlie Morlock (assistant trainer) and myself and Nico took him out rather early one morning to have a little look of him over fences. It was in the dark and we thought we’d do it just so everybody didn’t see it, but I promise you by the time we got back, everybody had backed him for the Arkle and they hadn’t even seen it!

“He was very good, so we knew we had the option to switch, and then it became necessary to bring him into the Fighting Fifth because we weren’t ready with the boy from yesterday (Constitution Hill). He came in not as the sub, because he’s a very good horse in his own right, but if they were going to both make it down the Champion Hurdle road, one of them had to beat the other in simple terms.

“We schooled Sir Gino again over fences and he was just the same – he has so much scope. It just seemed the natural thing to do with the (four-year-old) allowance and he’s a genuine two-miler.

“If you remember his first run over hurdles here, he broke six of them! That was my fault because I hadn’t really schooled him properly, I just assumed because he’d come from France over those Auteuil hurdles, he’d jump English ones. It never occurred to me he wouldn’t know what these were and he was terrible, but we schooled him a couple of times after that and he was great.”

Betfair and Paddy Power slashed Sir Gino’s odds for the Arkle at Cheltenham to evens from 11-4 and Henderson plans to give him more match practice between now and the Festival.

He added: “He’s always had a huge amount of talent and this sort of track suits him really well because he’s got a lot of speed.

“I think he has to have another run. You could say ‘what can you teach him?’. Probably not a lot, but you’ve just got to be respecting these things because it is all a little bit too easy for him today.

“This is a lovely place to learn without getting the big tests, which you’re going to get at Sandowns, Ascots and Cheltenhams. They’re different tests and you’ve just got to have your wits about you a little bit more than you need to round here, but this is a great place to start.

“We’ve been very lucky (with two-mile chasers). Altior was brilliant, Sprinter Sacre was just phenomenal and Remittance Man in the good old days was pretty spectacular too.”

He’s a solid type with a good attitude and he stays well, having won over three miles in his last race. He won a Grade Two at Cheltenham this time of year back in 2023 so hopefully he’s got another nice Saturday race in him.

Gavin Sheehan: Wendigo has more to offer

Constitution Hill lit up Kempton on Boxing Day

A magical Christmas  

I hope everyone had a good Christmas! Personally, it was my favourite yet, as we now have my little boy to look after.

He’s only six months old, so he wasn’t aware too much of what was going on, but he could pick up from my partner and myself that we were having a brilliant day.

In terms of the day job, it was a day off with no riding out, so we were down to mass and then straight back home to put the PJs on.

Constitution Hill  had Kempton buzzing

I had 8lb to lose before racing on Boxing Day so that was tough, but we did it, and it was great to be at Kempton.

It was probably the first time I’ve really noticed a huge crowd there for this fixture, and I can only imagine that was the Constitution Hill effect.

It was a good buzz to see a crowd coming out of that size for him, and when he passed the line in front, I thought that was just brilliant to see, racing needs superstars like him.

Saturday at Newbury: Wendigo can outrun his odds

I’m at Newbury today for the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle Day and there’s plenty of David Power Jockey Cup points up for grabs.

I’m currently sitting in seventh place, but it’s tightly packed and Charlie Deutsch is only eight points ahead of me in sixth.

My first ride of the day is on Mucuna (12.05) for Anthony Charlton. This mare’s rated 105 and shouldn’t mind the going, as she has won on good ground in the past, so we shouldn’t have a worry there.

I’ve not sat on her before, but I’ve watched back her runs and have a good indication of what she’s like. I think she might be up against it, as there’s a few nice types in this race, but we’ll give her every chance.

La Marquise (12.37) comes next in the Mares’ Hurdle for Jamie Snowden. She is a very exciting mare, and Jamie has always held her in very high regard. I’m looking forward to getting back on her and her form is working out nicely.

The horse who finished second to her on her last run, Kalium, has since come out and won twice so I’m excited by her chances.

The feature race of the day is the Challow Novices’ Hurdle, and I partner with Wendigo (2.55) in this.

The race itself seems like it’s getting better each year. There’s some nice horse in this and I think Wendigo is in good company. His owners [Racing Club] are a new syndicate, and they have a lot of members going to the course today so it will be a great buzz if we can get a result for them.

I’m not saying that he can go and win this, but I think he can outrun his odds which look far too big to me. He’s got plenty of ability, and we haven’t seen the best of him yet.

Finally, Rock My Way (3.35) contests the novices’ handicap chase and there’s more David Power Jockey Cup points on offer.

He’s a solid type with a good attitude and he stays well, having won over three miles in his last race. He won a Grade Two at Cheltenham this time of year back in 2023 so hopefully he’s got another nice Saturday race in him.