Tag Archive for: Windsor

Windsor winner Idaho Sun booked for bigger things

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Harry Fry is keen to let the dust settle on Idaho Sun’s impressive display at Windsor on Sunday before deciding whether to prepare for a tilt the Champion Bumper.

A narrow winner on his racecourse debut at Newton Abbot in October, the five-year-old stepped up with a facile success in the final race of the Winter Million meeting.

Idaho Sun looks set for a further rise in class in the spring, but whether that will come at the Cheltenham Festival in March or at Aintree the following month remains to be seen.

Fry said: “He won nicely on his debut, we felt he’d come forward for that and the form had worked out well. The runner-up from Newton Abbot (Supreme Malinas) was third at Windsor, having won a Listed mares’ bumper on her next start, the third horse (Gentleman Toboot) bolted up at Fontwell on Boxing Day and even the sixth horse (Elysian Knight) has won over hurdles since.

“It was obviously an unknown stepping up in grade into a class two, taking on other winners, so to see him take the step forward and progress was very exciting. He’s a lovely horse for the future that’s for sure.

“We’ll look forward to going novice hurdling with him next year and for the rest of this campaign there’s probably only two races to look at and those are obviously the Cheltenham Festival bumper and the Aintree race. It’s just a case of working out which is the right race for him at this stage of his career really.

“It’s a great decision to have to make and we don’t have to make it straight away. He’ll tell us when he’s ready and we’ll see which route we take.”

Fry weighing up options for back to form Gidleigh Park

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Harry Fry is considering February options at Warwick and Kempton with Gidleigh Park – but an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival the following month is far from certain.

Unbeaten in his first four starts before finishing sixth in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival last season, the seven-year-old was disappointingly pulled up on his chasing debut at Kempton in November and was subsequently found to be suffering from a fibrillating heart.

He therefore lined up with something to prove in the Grade Two Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor on Friday, but bounced back with a dominant front-running victory over Caldwell Potter, much to the delight and relief of his trainer.

Fry said: “He seems absolutely fine, which is obviously first and foremost, and we can look forward to working out where we go next.

“We’re obviously keen to get as much experience into him as possible and there are a couple of options in February; you’ve got the Kingmaker at Warwick over two miles or you’ve got the Pendil at Kempton a couple of weeks later over two-and-a-half.

“We’ll let the dust settle and see how he is in himself before deciding which target we go for.”

With what was the Turners Novices’ Chase being run as a handicap at the Festival this season, Gidleigh Park’s only realistic Cheltenham target would be the Arkle Trophy.

However, Fry would be quite happy to bypass the meeting altogether if he feels it is in the best interests of his stable star.

“With the season we’ve had, Cheltenham might just come too soon for him this year, bearing in mind that we need to get experience into him. If that is the case, we’ve got Aintree to look forward to instead,” he added.

“It’s just great to have him back to full health and putting up the sort of performance that we hoped he was capable of – and we hope there’s more to come off the back of what was effectively his first run of the season, having only gone five fences on his reappearance.

“From a fitness point of view and an experience point of view, there should be improvement to come, so there’s lots to look forward to as we work towards the spring.”

Protektorat produces foot-perfect display in Fleur De Lys demolition

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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.

Harry Skelton celebrates victory
Harry Skelton celebrates victory (Adam Davy/PA)

The trainer added: “Everything was just perfect today, we’re delighted with him.

“This and the Ryanair were his two big targets for the year, it’s going to be hard to retain his title because the clock has ticked past 10 years old. He’s not getting any younger, but he’ll make them run, he’ll make them work for it.”

Protektorat is co-owned by John Hales and his daughter Lisa, together with Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason.

An emotional Hales told ITV Racing: “He’s a brilliant horse, that was a wonderful exhibition.

“When they started I thought ‘what the hell is he doing going 20 lengths ahead at the start like that?’, but it was all well thought out.

“That was a brilliant performance. He’s right up there in the top three (of horses he has owned) – One Man, Neptune (Collonges) and then this one.

“When you get a horse like this that’s so genuine, it was a fabulous performance.”

Jubilee Alpha sets up Cheltenham bid with Windsor victory

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There are bigger things in store for Jubilee Alpha after winning the Fitzdares Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Windsor.

Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old came into the race carrying a penalty after a Listed win last time out and was ridden by Harry Cobden as the 8-13 favourite.

The soft ground was perhaps not to her liking but she was still able to come to the fore, securing a length-and-a-quarter victory from Emma Lavelle’s Bluey to bring the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival into the picture.

“She wouldn’t be in love with that ground, I thought it was a good performance in the end,” Cobden said.

“She had a hefty penalty for winning that Listed race at Taunton, I loved the way she went through the race and Paul was convinced he can have her a lot better as he only had three weeks to get here today.

“That race at Cheltenham is probably made for her, isn’t it?”

Nicholls told Sky Sports Racing: “She’s straightforward, she jumps and she travels and she stays on.

“There’s no reason to be negative riding her, if they go fast then the faster the better. She should stay on very strongly up the hill (at Cheltenham) which will suit her nicely.

“I know I can get her better for Cheltenham than today because we’ve only had three weeks from Taunton and we’ve got plenty of time to get her really right for the big day.”

Matata made light work of the Fitzdares Great Park Handicap Chase under top-weight of 12st for Nigel Twiston-Davies in the ‘double green’ silks of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Matata was an emphatic winner
Matata was an emphatic winner (Adam Davy/PA)

The seven-year-old was ridden by J J Slevin, not long retained by the owners, and started as the 2-1 favourite in a field of eight.

The duo took up a prominent position fairly early on and found no one was near enough to challenge as they strolled to a 10-length success.

“He’s very keen, but that was wonderful, he jumped well as he always does,” the trainer said.

“They went very quick and it wore a lot them out, I think there were excuses for a lot of them behind and I’m not just saying that for the handicapper.

“I think the owners may have another horse for the Champion Chase (El Fabiolo) so the idea is that we could go for the two-and-a-half-mile race at Aintree.”

Titan Discovery (left) on the way to victory
Titan Discovery (left) on the way to victory (Adam Davy/PA)

Titan Discovery emerged from a difficult spell for his stable when winning the Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle for Robbie Llewellyn and Liam Harrison, striking by a head at 11-2.

“It’s been a tough season for us, the horses weren’t quite right so with the support of all my owners we shut up shop for six weeks,” said Llewellyn.

“That’s why he hasn’t run for so long, we took our time and it’s nice that we have patient owners who have given us the chance to get the horses right.

“He’s been a lovely horse for us and I always thought he had a good pot in him so to do it today was great.”

Harry Fry and Bryan Carver sealed a fine few days at the Berkshire Winter Million Festival, as Idaho Sun ran out an emphatic victor in the Fitzdares Berkshire Winter Million Open National Hunt Flat Race.

After Gidleigh Park at Windsor on Friday and Altobelli at Ascot on Saturday, Idaho Sun (7-2) made it three from winners from six runners over the three days for what is a burgeoning trainer-jockey partnership.

“I’ve always really liked him, he’s got a great attitude and takes everything in his stride,” said Carver.

Jingko Blue picks up Hampton honours at Windsor

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Jingko Blue took the next step in his promising career with a neat victory in the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Windsor.

Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old was a wide-margin winner on his debut over fences at Uttoxeter in December and faced only two rivals at Grade Two level this time.

He was the 4-9 favourite under Nico de Boinville, who gave him a patient ride as he stalked leader Lowry’s Bar for much of the three-mile trip.

Jingko Blue’s jumping was a slight mixed bag, but as he was looming up alongside Lowry’s Bar in the closing stages a bad mistake by the latter left his path clear.

He strode on to a two-and-a-quarter-length victory to remain unbeaten over fences, with Lowry’s Bar staying on for a creditable second, with Johnnywho a long way back in third.

Henderson told Sky Sports Racing: “That significant error (by Lowry’s Bar) changed the complexion of the race very quickly, but everything was going well.

“I thought he jumped well, it’s hard work ground. They were really getting into this ground on Friday and I wouldn’t have thought it was the easiest to jump out of.

“He can be a bit more flamboyant than that but at that gallop in this ground, that was probably the best way of going about it.

“They set a sensible pace, but he (De Boinville) did say that going faster on some better ground he will be a more flamboyant jumper.

“I’m pretty sure three miles is his game.”

De Boinville added: “He’s a nice horse and he’s progressing the right way.

“It’s not easy to jump out of that ground, but he’s done it well in the end. The quicker he went, the better he was, we went fairly steady.

“It’s tricky to jump round here, those fences are trappy and it’s hard to get into a rhythm. I had plenty of horse.”

De Bromhead hoping Windsor Journey pays dividends

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Irish raider Journey With Me bids to get his season back on track in the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor on Sunday.

An impressive Grade Two winner at Fairyhouse last spring, Henry de Bromhead’s charge rounded off his campaign by finishing seventh in the Punchestown Gold Cup and returned to the Kildare circuit for his reappearance in the John Durkan last month.

De Bromhead admits he was expecting better than a lacklustre sixth place finish behind the likes of Fact To File, Spillane’s Tower and Galopin Des Champs, but feels he does have a viable excuse and is optimistic of an improved showing on the third and final day of the Berkshire Winter Million meeting.

“He came back a bit sore from the John Durkan. I was disappointed with him on the day, but he got jumped into early on in the race and was sore when he came home for a few days afterwards. He just got struck into,” said the Waterford-based trainer.

“He’s been in great form since and we’re looking forward to getting him going again. Two and a half miles or two-miles-six looks a good distance for him at the moment.”

Dan Skelton is hoping his Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat will be better suited going around Windsor than right-handed at Huntingdon last time out.

He was well beaten by the reopposing Djelo in the Peterborough Chase.

Protektorat (right) beat Envoi Allen in the Ryanair
Protektorat (right) beat Envoi Allen in the Ryanair (Adam Davy/PA)

“Protektorat is in really good form, we were always going to come here,” said Skelton.

“He was second in the race last year at Lingfield. He’s had a couple of runs this season already, which is good because he likes to be out. We’ve trained him for this but how he handles Windsor, we will see.

“It wasn’t soft enough and he needed it at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power, then it was a disaster going right-handed at Huntingdon, which just didn’t work out. He’s a different horse going left-handed. If you look last year, his runs got better and better throughout the season.”

Paul Nicholls’ Grade One winner Pic D’Orhy is a notable late absentee, but Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor, Indiana Dream, having his first start for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, Le Patron and the Seamus Mullins-trained Tommie Beau do take part in the seven-runner race.

Secret Squirrel reigns in Sovereign success

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Secret Squirrel secured the major prize he has long promised in the Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Windsor.

Hughie Morrison’s charge stands out from the crowd being a flaxen chestnut, meaning his mane is virtually blonde.

The six-year-old has plenty of ability too, as evidenced by four previous wins and a number of fine efforts in defeat in good company.

Having kicked off his campaign by finishing third at Ascot, Secret Squirrel was well fancied for the valuable Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at the Berkshire circuit’s pre-Christmas meeting and was still in contention when falling two flights from home.

He was an 11-4 favourite to bounce back in this £110,000 handicap and after travelling strongly under Nico de Boinville, Morrison’s runner quickened up despite looking ungainly on the run-in to score by two lengths from Kabral Du Mathan, who narrowly beat Knickerbockerglory to the runner-up spot.

Morrison told ITV Racing: “He’s an extremely attractive horse and his grandfather is Double Trigger. He’s a very good horse.

“The day he was born he’d walk up to you and knock you over. We broke him in almost as a yearling as he was such a pain at home.

“We usually do well here on the Flat but we don’t often run for £58,000! They should get rid of the Flat and just have jumping as you’ll get a good crowd.”

Secret Squirrel (centre) left jumps the final flight
Secret Squirrel (centre) left jumps the final flight (Bradley Collyer/PA)

De Boinville, partnering Secret Squirrel for the first time, told Sky Sports Racing: “David Bass has ridden him in the past and he has given me a few pointers. He’s a hardy horse who knew what he was doing, handled the ground and travelled, which was the main thing.

“He’s got his own mind and it’s just a case of working with him rather than against him. I thought he jumped great and I’m just very lucky to come in for the ride.”

Coral make Secret Squirrel their 6-1 favourite from 16-1 for the newly-named William Hill Hurdle at Newbury on February 8.

Nemean Lion hunts down Salver for gutsy success

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Nemean Lion toughed it out to claim victory in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle at Windsor.

The eight-year-old has been a fantastic servant to trainer Kerry Lee, with his five previous wins over obstacles including Grade Two triumphs in the Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso and the Kingwell at Wincanton.

Fresh from a fine weight-carrying success in a Hereford handicap, Nemean Lion was the marginal favourite for this £100,000 conditions event at 85-40 and showed a good deal of tenacity to go with his undoubted talent to get the job done under Richard Patrick.

Salver and Blueking d’Oroux took the five-strong field along for much of the two-and-a-half-mile contest, with the latter briefly cutting loose before being joined again in the straight.

With Blueking d’Oroux’s effort petering out and both Iberico Lord and Langer Dan unable to get seriously involved, it was left to Nemean Lion to throw down the biggest challenge to Salver and following a thrilling duel, it was Lee’s stable star who secured a half-length verdict.

Patrick told Sky Sports Racing: “When you ride a nice horse like him, it makes your life so easy. As I was saying to Kerry, he’s got no quirks and no kinks – he’s so straightforward.

“We went a good gallop early and they slowed it right down going down the back, which I thought was ideal because stepping up in trip, we’ve got speed and it turned into a bit of a sprint.

“He did it brilliantly and it wouldn’t be him without kicking a hurdle out of the ground! He’s better than ever at the minute and today he’s done it very well.”

Trainer Kerry Lee at Ludlow
Trainer Kerry Lee (Nick Potts/PA)

Coral make Nemean Lion a 50-1 chance for the Stayers’ Hurdle and 66-1 for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

A delighted Lee told ITV Racing: “He’s a superstar, he loves being a racehorse, he’s so much fun.

“He’s immaculately behaved but he’s got so much personality, he loves being a racehorse and loves being in Herefordshire and going out in the field.

“He’s really thrived since he moved to us and now he’s eight, he’s really matured. I know he’s been on the go a long time as a Flat horse but he really just does enjoy life.

“On the Flat, he was always flat out, but he finds this comparatively easy, although he had to work really hard to win that race.”

Gidleigh Park shows true worth with Lightning strike

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Harry Fry was delighted and relieved in equal measure after seeing stable star Gidleigh Park get his season back on track with a front-running victory in the Fitzdares Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor.

Always held in the highest regard by his trainer, the seven-year-old won a Chepstow bumper and his first three starts over hurdles before finishing sixth in the Albert Bartlett at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.

He was an odds-on favourite to make a successful switch to chasing at Kempton in November, but was pulled up after jumping five fences and was later found to be suffering from a fibrillating heart.

As a result, Gidleigh Park lined up in this Grade Two contest as a 15-2 outsider of four under Bryan Carver, but it was clear from an early stage he was enjoying the task, as he set a strong gallop from flag-fall that only 4-6 favourite Caldwell Potter was able to live with.

Grade One-winning hurdler Caldwell Potter, a €740,000 purchase on behalf of an ownership group that includes Sir Alex Ferguson, loomed up looking a big danger early in the home straight, but Gidleigh Park kept galloping out in front and was well on top as he passed the post with four lengths in hand.

Personal Ambition was a further 19 lengths behind in third, with You Wear It Well last of four from start to finish.

Trainer Harry Fry was delighted with Gidleigh Park's performance
Trainer Harry Fry was delighted with Gidleigh Park’s performance (John Walton/PA)

Fry told Sky Sports Racing: “I think relief is probably the overriding feeling, first and foremost that he’s come out and jumped and galloped and hit the line hard.

“Winning today was the icing on the cake, as we wanted to see him back to his best and I’m thrilled obviously to see him put in a performance like that. We’re back on track and onwards and upwards.

“A lot of people have helped us get him back, a lot of people have put in a lot of effort and it’s great to see that hard work paid off and the dream is alive.

“All summer, I couldn’t believe I ran him in the Albert Bartlett over three miles to be honest, because he’s not a slow horse, as he’s shown there today.

“We were starting back from scratch today, so we’ll go home and see how he comes out of it – obviously his well-being is paramount – and we can look forward to plotting the rest of the campaign with him.”

Caldwell Potter seen here at Cheltenham
Caldwell Potter seen here at Cheltenham (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Paul Nicholls felt Caldwell Potter was simply not as good as the winner on the day, but he remains confident the grey will shine in due course.

He said: “No excuses, Harry (Cobden) got off and said ‘lovely horse but not a champion’. That probably sums it up.

“He galloped and jumped but wasn’t good enough.

“He will win a lot of races, just because he’s got that price tag, he’s got expectations he’s going to be another Kauto Star but he’s not.

“He’s a nice horse, jumped well, travelled well but just didn’t win. The winner is no mug, they went a good gallop round here.

“Harry summed it up and I think it’s probably about right.”

Paddy rallies bravely to take Berkshire Winter Million opener

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Derryhassen Paddy maintained his unbeaten record after a pulsating climax to the curtain-raising Fitzdares Berkshire Winter Million Novices’ Hurdle at Windsor.

Five runners went to post for the opening race of the three-day Berkshire Winter Million, with Lucinda Russell’s Scottish raider Derryhassen Paddy the 2-1 favourite to add to previous victories under rules in a bumper at Ayr and a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter.

Craig Nichol’s mount raced on the speed throughout the three-mile contest and after seeing off the persistent challenge of Dameofthecotswolds, Honky Tonk Highway emerged as the biggest threat at the top of the home straight and briefly poked her head in front under Harry Skelton.

However, Derryhassen Paddy battled back bravely and after a minor barging match on the run-in, the pair flashed by the post almost as one before the judge confirmed Russell’s runner the winner by a nose.

Nichol, riding at Windsor for the first time, told Sky Sports Racing: “He showed a lot of guts, which I liked, and when I ran the track earlier, I thought it might be a bit sharp for him as he’s a lovely, big, galloping horse.

“When I missed the last, I was a bit concerned, but he stuck his head down and dug deep and actually got bumped a couple of times up the run-in. His attitude was absolutely spot-on today.

“When he goes chasing next season, he’ll be a better horse again. I said to Lucinda I can’t wait to ride him over a fence. He’s almost too big and hurdles get in his way a little bit, but he’s an exciting horse for the future.

“Lucinda and Scu (Peter Scudamore) have been very bullish about him ever since I went up and schooled him and rode him and he’s backed that up for everyone today.”

Russell added: “He’s an absolute beast – he’s a lovely, lovely horse. He’s almost a little bit slow at his hurdling, but he’ll be better over fences next year.”

Herakles Westwood was a decisive winner at Windsor
Herakles Westwood was a decisive winner at Windsor (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Warren Greatrex is eyeing a trip to the Cheltenham Festival with Herakles Westwood after he also rewarded favourite backers in the Fitzdares Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The race changed complexion when the pacesetting Myretown took a crashing fall three fences from home, leaving Deafening Silence in front before a spring-heeled leap from Herakles Westwood at the following obstacle propelled him into the lead.

The 13-8 shot was in the clear approaching the last and skipped over it to seal a comfortable three-and-a-quarter-length verdict in the hands of James Bowen.

Greatrex said: “He’s improving all the time and he’s a very likeable horse who jumps very well and stays well – there’s a lot to like.

“I’d quite like to have a crack at the National Hunt Chase, which is now a novice handicap over three-mile-five. He will get any trip and his jumping is so good and that is the sort of race I’ve been thinking of for a while.”

Panic Attack in full flight at Windsor
Panic Attack in full flight at Windsor (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Panic Attack fairly bolted up in the Lets Bet Personal With Fitzdares Mares’ Handicap Chase for Dan and Harry Skelton.

Following previous spells with Willie Mullins and latterly David Pipe, the nine-year-old returned from 649 days off the track to debut for the Skelton team last month, finishing third on her Ludlow comeback and again at Newbury over the Christmas period.

She was well fancied to go a couple of places better as the 15-8 favourite and duly obliged, cruising to a five-length victory over Mayhem Mya.

“She won well in the end and got the job done really nicely. It’s hard work out there in that ground,” said Harry Skelton.

Hasthing (right) won the final race at Windsor on Friday
Hasthing (right) won the final race at Windsor on Friday (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Hasthing emerged victorious in the concluding Berkshire Winter Million Supports Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Chase.

Trained by Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, and ridden by Jonjo jnr, the JP McManus-owned gelding was the 6-4 favourite to follow up his course victory of a month ago.

In an incident-packed race which saw both Carbon King and Red Rookie suffer heavy falls, Hasthing overcame trouble in running to win going away by three and a half lengths.

Richard Johnson hoping Party Vibes can spark Windsor celebration

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Former champion jockey Richard Johnson is pinching himself that Party Vibes, one of just four horses he has in his new syndicate venture, holds strong claims in the Lets Bet Personal With Fitzdares Mares’ Handicap Chase at Windsor’s Winter Million meeting.

Trained by Henry Daly, Party Vibes won twice over hurdles and picked up valuable black type when third in a Listed event on her chasing debut at Bangor.

She was an odds-on winner last time out at Exeter, but steps back up in trip in the seven-runner field.

“We’ve been very lucky to get a horse like Party Vibes so early for the syndicate, she’s been fantastic and to go to a meeting like the Winter Million is exciting – and hopefully she’s going with a realistic chance as well,” said Johnson, who retired from the saddle immediately after riding a winner at Newton Abbot in April 2021.

Richard Johnson now runs a racing syndicate
Richard Johnson now runs a racing syndicate (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“There’s 10 owners in all our syndicates and we believe that makes it good fun and they all feel involved. Most importantly, hopefully people enjoy the experience of being an owner and enjoy going racing.

“We can all pinch ourselves that she’s going so well and hopefully they are all having a great time.

“Last year we weren’t sure if two miles in heavy ground was her ideal or two and a half. She’s taken to fences really well, she jumped lovely at Bangor first time and then won a nice novice chase at Exeter.

“She’s up against more experienced horse, but with the way she’s taken to fences we’re hopeful there’s more to come from her.”

Imperial Saint has been a star for Johnson's syndicate
Imperial Saint has been a star for Johnson’s syndicate (Nigel French/PA)

Johnson does not have many horses, but he has already shown he has a good eye for them.

“Imperial Saint has been a star and will run at Cheltenham a week on Saturday, I think. We’ve got four in all, two with Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, we have Oh My Johnny running at Haydock on Saturday, and two with Henry Daly,” he said.

“We’ll look to buy some more horses in the spring, but we’ve four at the moment and they are doing well.”

Potter dips in distance for Lightning test

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All eyes will be on Caldwell Potter when he lines up for the Fitzdares Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor.

The Grade Two highlights the first day of the Berkshire Winter Million, with Caldwell Potter’s €740,000 price tag ensuring he is the headline horse.

He made the perfect start to life for Paul Nicholls over fences at Carlisle but was only third when racing over two and a half miles for the first time at Cheltenham last time out.

And while he is 10lb clear on official ratings courtesy of winning a Grade One novice hurdle for Gordon Elliott, Nicholls does not want to see the ground dry up too much.

“He enjoys proper soft ground so I hope it doesn’t dry out any more at Windsor, which is a sharp enough track for him,” said Nicholls, who nevertheless feels the return to two miles will suit his grey, whose ownership group includes Sir Alex Ferguson.

In receipt of a mares’ allowance, Jamie Snowden’s You Wear It Well comes out second best on the figures in what is a tight affair.

“It’s a competitive race, as you’d expect, but we’re looking forward to it,” said Snowden.

“The allowance she gets puts her right in the thick of it on the ratings and I think the drop back in trip will really help her as well.

“She was unlucky not to win first time out at Bangor and then it looked like she was outstayed last time at Warwick, so the drop back in trip looks the right move and she’s in good order.

“Dropping back in trip we might ride her more handily, but there’s only four runners so she wouldn’t be too far off the pace in any case.

“I think two miles and soft ground could be what she wants over fences, I don’t think she wants deep, heavy ground, so two miles and soft should be perfect.”

Ben Pauling has a strong squad of novice chasers and has always felt Personal Ambition deserves his place on his team, despite failing to win in three chase outings to date.

Ben Jones performed miracles to keep his partnership intact with Personal Ambition at Ascot
Ben Jones performed miracles to keep his partnership intact with Personal Ambition at Ascot (Steven Paston/PA)

“I’m sort of here, there and everywhere with him in regards trip and his first two runs have been over two and then he stepped up in trip at Ascot,” said Pauling.

“I was keen to run him at Wetherby (in the Towton) but on that ground down there at Ffos Las, I’m glad I didn’t go there as he’s not the type to pull himself out of a bog.

“It’s an interesting period and after one more run we’ll see where we end up (in the spring).”

It is an important day for Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park, who looks built for fences but suffered from a fibrillating heart on his chasing debut at Kempton.

Gidleigh Park has always looked a potential chaser
Gidleigh Park has always looked a potential chaser (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“Brian (Carver) pulled him up early as you could see he wasn’t travelling or jumping and the vets immediately diagnosed an irregular heartbeat,” Fry told Sky Sports Racing.

“He also had it in October 2023 so it’s not new to him and he made a full recovery before and it reverted on its own accord again.

“He’s quietly gone up through the gears and we’re ready to start his season. We’re looking forward to seeing him back in action.

“It’s given us the chance to make something of this campaign, we’ve been through it before and had another horse do something similar.

“He’s schooled great. We’re putting him in at Grade Two level, but these are the only level-weights novice chases now.

“We’re hoping to put the last day firmly behind us, but obviously he doesn’t have the experience the others have.”

Derham sends trio in search of Sovereign riches

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Harry Derham is struggling to split Brentford Hope, Givemefive and Court In The Act who all run in the Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Windsor on Friday.

With £110,000 up for grabs, Derham was keen to get his hands on as much of it as possible, especially with Windsor’s new jump track being one of his local venues.

Brentford Hope must carry top-weight but is still the choice of stable jockey Paul O’Brien, while Givemefive, owned by golfers Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka, needs to bounce back from a slightly disappointing run in Ireland last time out.

Court In The Act was an eight-length winner at Market Rasen back in October but he has been raised 10lb by the handicapper.

“I don’t really have a pecking order. They are obviously three of my best horses, but I think if a racecourse is putting on such fantastic prize money, particularly local to me, then I was very keen to support the race,” said Derham.

“It obviously suits all of them. Brentford Hope is quite clearly the classiest of the three, but he’s got to carry a lot of weight.

“They are all in really good form, I’m pleased with the preparation of all of them, it will be a very tough race but they’ve all got a decent chance in what is a great pot.”

Givemefive’s season began with a win at Cheltenham, but he had no answer behind Willie Mullins’ potential new star Anzadam at Fairyhouse.

“I’m not saying for one second Givemefive would have got within 10 lengths of the winner in Ireland, but I was disappointed with his effort at Fairyhouse,” said Derham.

“He’s just run a bit quiet the both times we’ve travelled him, so I don’t think that will be something I’ll be in a rush to do with him again.

“It’s tough to quite know where he is in terms of his mark, but he’s in great nick, he deserves his spot in a race like this so we’ll let him take his chance.”

His third runner, Court In The Act, is the least exposed having had just five runs over hurdles.

“Court In The Act is a progressive horse. Obviously it was a shame he won by as far as he did (eight lengths) and got the mark he did but he’s progressive, he’s got a nice weight – whether he’s quite up to a race like this we’ll find out, but we’re keen to let him take his chance,” said Derham.

“I’d say Brentford Hope probably wishes he had the same weight on his back as when he ran on the Flat at Windsor!

“He’s obviously been a star for me, but he’s carrying a lot of weight. His main objective this season has always been the Kingwell Hurdle and it continues to be, but we’re very keen to get a race into him before that.

“He’ll be trying his best, he faces a tough task with the weight but Paul was still keen to ride him as he’s a classy horse, even with 12st.”

Knickerbockerglory was an easy winner at Sandown last time out
Knickerbockerglory was an easy winner at Sandown last time out (David Davies/PA)

Dan Skelton is represented by Knickerbockerglory, who won a valuable race at Sandown last time out. He has been raised 7lb for that effort.

“Knickerbocker Glory has been a great horse for us. He loves soft conditions and the Sovereign Handicap Hurdle is a valuable race,” said Skelton.

“Whether the handicapper has him now, I don’t know, but it was a good race he won at Sandown. He made all the running in atrocious ground, so the handicapper has bumped him up and you have to take your medicine.

“He has had a good break between his races which he needs. It is the obvious race to go for and I hope he’s a player. The worse the ground, the better for him.”

Connections expecting to learn plenty about Indiana Dream this weekend

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Connections are unsure what to expect from exciting new recruit Indiana Dream in the Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor on Sunday.

A winner on his only start in France, the JP McManus-owned gelding bolted up on his first outing for Willie Mullins in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day of 2023 and was similarly impressive on his chasing debut at Navan that December.

Having been off the track for over a year and moved across the Irish Sea, Indiana Dream will be thrown in at the deep end at this weekend’s Winter Million meeting, and A J O’Neill, who trains the seven-year-old in partnership with his father Jonjo, is treating it as a fact-finding mission.

“We haven’t had him too long. He’s a big, fine horse but he’s got quite a peculiar profile and we’re looking forward to seeing him on the track and finding out some more about him,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“We’ve only had him a couple of months, but he’s obviously had setbacks that have been the reason behind those gaps between races. Hopefully we can keep everything right with him.

“He’s been very straightforward. He’s had three runs and is starting off a mark of 152 and it’s hard to know where to start off.

“He won his chase very well, that was the reason for the mark that he’s got, and we’ll just see how he gets on.”

Wreckless Eric after winning at Cheltenham
Wreckless Eric after winning at Cheltenham (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

The O’Neill team will be well represented across the Winter Million cards at Windsor and Ascot, with Johnnywho and Wreckless Eric both declared to run at the Thameside track on Friday.

Wreckless Eric fell on his stable debut at Wincanton, but has since won and finished second at Cheltenham, meaning hopes are high ahead of the £110,000 Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle.

O’Neill added: “He was unlucky at Wincanton and has been very consistent and it was fantastic that he gave O’Neill Racing (father and son partnership) its first Cheltenham winner, so we’ve got a soft spot for him.

“The Megsons (owners) have been very good to us and it’s great to be able to have a horse that’s able to run in a race like this. It’s lovely prize-money and we’re looking forward to seeing how he get on.

“We’d like to think he’ll be competitive, but it is a very competitive race.”

Windsor and Ascot in good shape for Winter Million festival

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After a challenging spell for racecourses, conditions look to be kinder ahead of the inaugural Berkshire Winter Million meeting.

The fixtures offer over £1.2million in prize money across three days hosted jointly by Windsor, who have recently resumed their Jumps programme, and nearby track Ascot.

Windsor will stage the first day of the meeting on Friday, with Ascot holding its Clarence House Chase card on Saturday before the action returns back to Windsor on Sunday.

After a cold snap that depleted the National Hunt calendar and saw even all-weather tracks being forced to abandon, temperatures have risen across the country and the forecast now looks less daunting in the lead-up to Friday.

“It’s a beautiful, sunny day today, temperatures have reached a high of nine degrees, which is warmer than the forecast,” said Charlie Rees, clerk of the course at Windsor.

“We’re due to get the same conditions tomorrow with sunny spells, then temperatures are dropping a bit on Friday.

“We could get highs of seven throughout racing but it looks like it will be about four degrees at daybreak on Saturday morning and then Saturday looks to be a cold day.

“We’re just monitoring the forecast to see if we need to put any frost covers down at close of play on Friday, just to protect ourselves through Saturday.

“Then we look to be about two degrees at daybreak on Sunday morning, with highs of about seven degrees. The going is soft at the moment, it’s completely thawed out now and we’ll update the report in the morning for declarations on Friday.”

Windsor will benefit from the addition of the Grade Two Hampton Novices’ Chase to their Sunday card after Warwick lost their Classic Chase meeting, with entries across the two days of racing at the Thameside track already looking competitive.

Rees added: “It’s really encouraging, it’s great to see the trainers that have supported the meeting. There’s a very high calibre of horses entered at the moment, so let’s hope they all turn up and we have a fantastic two days of racing – complemented by a huge day at Ascot.”

Ascot’s track is also faring well ahead of the weekend, with clerk of the course Chris Stickels saying: “The going is good to soft at the minute, we may get an early bit of mist on Wednesday but otherwise it’s milder than last week.

“We’ve got sunny spells throughout the week but it is dry. We’re forecast a fairly chilly day on Saturday and there might be a frost overnight from Friday to Saturday morning, but at the moment it doesn’t indicate anything too severe.

“It’s considerably milder than last week and it looks like it’s going to stay fine and dry. Assuming that forecast is correct, then it’s very possible that the ground will be good in some places.”

The Grade One Clarence House Chase is set to be the scene of a much-anticipated clash between Jonbon and Energumene on Saturday, with the rest of the card well supported by both British and Irish trainers.

“We’re delighted, they’re very strong entries,” Stickels continued.

“We’re very pleased that Jonbon and Energumene are both involved at this stage in the Clarence House Chase and there’s a good list of entries throughout the other races.

“There are also some really interesting further runners from Ireland, potentially, so we’re very happy with how it’s turning out at this stage.”