The Howard-Johnson stable appear to have problems with the health of their horses at the moment, and I will NOT be taking a chance of backing ANY horse he sends to Cheltenham, that includes the favorite for the World Hurdle INGLIS DREVER.
Howard Johnson Stable Tour
02 Mar 2008
By Gordon Brown
INGLIS DREVER, bidding for a record third win in the World Hurdle, spearheads Howard Johnson’s raiding party for this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Despite a recent bout of coughing in the yard, the County Durham trainer reports things to be all clear as he puts the finishing touches on his stable stars’ preparations.
There won’t be a dry eye at White Lea Farm should ‘Drever’ once again deliver the goods but there is a strong supporting cast including Tidal Bay, Laborec and Cedrus Libani.
Here is what Johnson thinks of his chances of adding to his five previous Festival victories.
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TUESDAY
2.00 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle
STRIKING ARTICLE
Won a bumper at Fairyhouse in the autumn for Declan Gilliespie before being transferred to his current connections. He followed up under a penalty at Carlisle and made a pleasing winning debut over hurdles at Wetherby’s Christmas meeting. He’d been off two months with a little set-back when forced to make his own and subsequently disappointing at Newcastle on Eider Chase day and everyone knows he’s a lot better than that showing.
“We ran him at Newcastle to see how good he was but he’d been suffering with a foot problem and ended up needing the run. He blew up and will have come on for the race. We rate him very highly and no matter what happens at Cheltenham, or anywhere else for that matter this season, he’s going to make an exciting novice chaser next time round.”
2.35 Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase
TIDAL BAY
Cost a whopping 300,000gns out of Alistair Charlton’s yard after finishing runner-up in both bumpers in 2006. Progressed well as a hurdler last terms was only beaten a neck by Massini’s Maguire in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle before a convincing success in a Grade 2 at Aintree. He’s developed into a smart novice chaser this term winning at Carlisle and Cheltenham and would have been unbeaten but for blundering his way to defeat at Doncaster behind Leslingtaylor in February. Needs to cut out the bad mistake that seems to occur in every round and dodgy head carriage will also leave him open to the knockers. Also entered in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase although trainer seems to favour the Arkle.
“He’s got a terrific engine and possesses speed and stamina so he’s suitable for the Arkle and the SunAlliance. He’s strengthened up since last season when he was unlucky not to win at the Festival. Even on the gallops he can be on his toes and if he settles down he could be really serious. He wants good ground and the faster they go the better - I certainly wouldn’t be afraid of an end-to-end gallop in the Arkle and they didn’t go quick enough for him at Doncaster. We’re going to try cheekpieces to sort out the head carriage problem in a racecourse gallop and over some fences. If he takes to them we might run him in them. He’ll probably be declared for both races he’s in this year to give us a bit of insurance.”
4.40 BGC Cross Country Handicap Chase
CANADA STREET
Having won over hurdles and fences, he would be making his debut at the cross country discipline and appeals as the very type to enjoy himself. With just nine runs in chases to his name he’s also lightly-raced and is a horse that stays extreme distantces. From what I’ve seen of him his jumping is pretty accurate although he may have been a shade fortunate to win a dramatic race at Wetherby just before Christmas.
“He’s been down to Cheltenham already to have a spin over the course and he seemed to take everything in his stride. He loved it and it has really seemed to have livened him up.”
5.20 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
ACT SIRIUS
Sprung a surprise in a soft ground Musselburgh maiden last backend and had a Flat rating in the mid-seventies when making an uninspiring debut over hurdles at Hexham in late November. Was again a winner back at Musselburgh in January with a cursing Denis O’Regan aboard odds-on stable mate Fushe Jo back in third. I saw him defy a penalty in a better race at Musselburgh in February when coming from well off the pace with Franchoek’s conqueror Harper Valley pulling up three out.
“He was the best of the three that I ran in that Musselburgh race and he keeps surprising us. You just never know what he might do at Cheltenham.”
WEDNESDAY
2.00 Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle
LOGANS RUN
A costly buy at 220,000gns just before Christmas and he looked quite expensive when dead-heating and then getting the race in the stewards room at Musselburgh in mid-February. Mind you the race might end up being too bad as the front pair drew well clear of the third. He’d previously shown a decent level of form in Irish bumpers, particularly when winning at Punchestown and coming second at Galway.
“The weather prevented us from running him, that’s why he’s only had the one race since coming over from Ireland. It was his first time over hurdles and he seemed very green so there could be lots of improvement still to come in the Ballymore.”
4.00 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
NO REFUGE
Another purchase from Sir Mark Prescott and also amongst the Wylies’ first ‘crop’ of Cheltenham winners when landing the 2005 Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle. Keen and jumped right when winning his only chase so far at Catterick on New Year’s Day — his first run back following over a year out with a leg problem. Stays well and operates on good ground and softer.
“He’d been ready to run for sometime before Catterick, we were just waaiting for the right race. He’s a real street fighter and loved the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham when he won three years ago. You can see he’s just starting to come right again and the Coral Cup might be the race for him as it’s the same trip as his last win at the Festival. He wasn’t a natural when first schooled over hurdles but the penny has gradually dropped.”
THURSDAY
2.00 Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase
CEDRUS LIBANI
Won a couple of hurdles last year and wasn’t disgraced when 11th in Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He wasn’t that fluent and ran on past beaten horses up the hill. Has looked the part over fences this term and unbeaten in three starts at Catterick, Aintree and Carlisle. Did particularly well under double penalty at Catterick as the tight track didn’t suit his tall frame at all and he didn’t jump with usual accuracy.
“We got him from Tom Costello and he’s a horse I’ve liked since day one. He did OK over hurdles but chasing was always going to be his game. Denis O’Regan said he didn’t want to go round the paddock bend at Catterick and the track was all against him. We’ve always tried to space his races out as he’s a horse that is best fresh. He’s a decent type alright and will go to Cheltenham after a nice break as we’ve rested him since Catterick just after Christmas.”
3.15 Ladbrokes World Hurdle
INGLIS DREVER
As bargains in the inflated world of bloodstock go, what a steal he was when bought off Sir Mark Prescott for a mere 110,000gns in October 2003. With some £612,000 in prize money, he’s set to try and win the World Hurdle for an unprecedented third time and who would be against him? The winner in 2005 and 2006 - only a set back in between prevented him defending his crown - or we might well be seeing him bidding for a four-timer. I know just how much he means to connections and should he do the business again the is a strong possibility he’ll be retired. Nine isn’t old by jumping standards but what more is there to prove and he’d be going out at the top and in one piece. All bar one of his 12 hurdling wins has been in Grade 1 & 2 company — not bad for a horse that hits a ‘flat’
spot during most of his races.
“He’s been a fabulous horse for us and has kept me on the road these past few years. During some of the snowy weather we had the horses in the equine pool and he’s one of the weakest simmers I’ve ever seen but what can you say when he does what he does on the track? We haven’t been keeping him as busy nowadays and if there is any doubt about him not enjoying his racing we will have no hesitation in retiring him. At the moment I’m happy with him and he’s a very clean-winded horse. He’s bang on for Cheltenham and, like the others, one piece of work away from home will have him ready. He hits a flat spot at Cheltenham but he knows where that winning post is and that’s what counts. He's like a terrier who never gives up.”
FRIDAY
2.35 Albert Bartlett Spa Novices' Hurdle
LABOREC
Was well-touted on his racecourse bow and duly won what was to be his sole start in a bumper at Hexham last April. His one below-par effort so far over hurdles has been in a two-miler and that trip is not ideal unless there is plenty of pace on. His most recent outing over 2m 4f at Musselburgh was a solid second-placed effort when failing by a couple of lengths to concede 18lb to La Vecchia Scuola.
“He won his only bumper at Hexham in a decent time and Tony Dobbin was impressed with him that day. He could be special one day but he’s a very nervous horse and won’t let anyone near him. He has a lot of speed and sees out two and a half miles well. So far he’s hardly put a foot wrong and fully deserves to take his chance at the Festival.”
5.45 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle
ASTARADOR
Was very nearly put down after suffering a nasty injury at Haydock in January 2006 having earlier come a fine third in the Tolworth Hurdle. Has happily made a full recovery as he illustrated when making all at Musselburgh last month. Enjoys bowling along in front and has the scope to make a chaser.
“We’re all delighted he pulled through such a bad injury — he broke some bone off a hind leg and the vets did a great job. It was one of my finest training feats to get he back to win at Musselburgh even if I say so myself! He’s a good horse, seriously good and he might be good enough for the Arkle next year.” - attheraces.com
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