Lucinda Russell Stable Tour 2012-13

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BALLYBEN
4 ch g Beneficial - I'M Maggy.
Easy 11-length winner of sole bumper start at Haydock November 24 beating Baltimoar 11 lengths.
"Very pleased at Haydock but because he's still quite green he'll have another run in a bumper around Christmas then take it from there. He's schooled plenty."

BESCOT SPRINGS
7 b g Saddler's Hall - Silver Glen.
Staying handicap chaser, has been 130 but off 123 latest start and best for some time when five lengths fourth of 14 to Swing Bill in extended three mile handicap at Cheltenham November 16.
"Really got his jumping together now and he wants extreme distances. If he were to get into the Welsh National it would be suitable because he handles very soft ground."

BLENHEIM BROOK
7 br g Alderbrook - Blenheim Blinder.
Useful hurdler rated 127 but better chaser who had reached 138 in novice season but back to 130 latest start when eight lengths second of seven to Knockara Beau in three mile handicap at Kelso November 10. Now 129.
"His last run at Kelso delighted us and he does like it there but he might go next to Musselburgh on December 10. It's possible he might be better right handed but we're not convinced yet."

BOLD SIR BRIAN
6 b g Brian Boru - Black Queen.
Very smart two and a half mile chaser that has won sole attempts in weak event over nearly three miles. Latest of four wins from seven chase starts came off 145 in two and a half mile event at Carlisle on November 4 beating Rival D'Estruval eight lengths. Now 155.
"Does things very easily and the present plan is to go to Sandown in December for an intermediate chase. It's unlikely he'll go for the King George but I will be looking for something in January."

CLONDAW KNIGHT
4 b g Heron Island - Sarah Supreme.
Point to point winner that started 7/2 for bumper debut at Cheltenham November 18 but finished tailed off ninth of 11 to Anonis.
"Didn't cope with the ground at Cheltenham or the track. He's a lovely horse that works well and he'll have another run in a bumper on better ground."

DEVOTION TO DUTY
6 b g Montjeu - Charmante.
Hurdler from two and a half to three miles, sole success from 16 starts in that sphere came off 114 and rose to 125. Looks a better chaser in two starts, beating Charminster a length and a half at Carlisle in March over two miles and off 129 on reappearance when 15 lengths fourth of five to Kumbeshwar over same trip at Haydock November 23.
"We had a special bit on him last time and I don't think he was happy with it but his jumping was very good so as far as that was concerned it was mission accomplished. The races over two miles just happened to fall right for him and now he'll be stepped back up in trip."

DO IT FOR DALKEY
10 b g Silver Patriarch - Dalkey Sound.
Relatively lightly raced handicap chaser, three from nine and rose from 105 to 123 after landing a double in late 2011. Struggled three subsequent runs and starts this season of 120.
"I'm sure he'll find something off this mark and he's in at Carlisle on December 2. Doesn't take a lot of racing, best fresh."

DOTTIES DILEMMA
4 b g Pierre - Tellarue.
Point and bumper winner that won hurdle debut over two at Hexham in October, better effort on latest of three runs when two and a quarter lengths second of 13 to Gymdoli back at Hexham November 21.
"Seems to like Hexham, immature but has been a victim of his success so we'll probably give him a bit longer between races now. Will stay over two at the moment but I'm looking forward to fences next season."

FOG PATCHES
6 br g Oscar - Flash Parade.
Two from 11 in chases but has finished second last three starts, latest over three and a quarter miles at Carlisle November 12 off career-high 105 when neck second to Royal Mackintosh. Now 110.
"Very consistent and has improved considerably through the last year and I think he'll continue to progress after a short break. Doesn't mind soft ground and stays three miles-plus."

GREEN FLAG
5 b g Milan - Erin Go Brea.
Point and bumper winner, won maiden hurdle over two five at Hexham on debut in October beating Attycan nine length. Finished 18 lengths second to Maggio next run over three at Kelso November 10. Debut mark of 120.
"He is a chaser and he is exceeding expectation over hurdles, a very honest horse and progressive despite still being a bit weak. Handles heavy ground."

HALLMARK STAR
3 b g Nayef - Spring.
Middle-distance flat maiden in 12 starts, reached 18 for Gerard Butler. Yet to race for present yard.
"Looks like he'll be better on soft ground and he might go to Musselburgh in early December then go back to Wetherby for a juvenile hurdle. Schooled really well, lovely jumper."

IMJOEKING
5 b g Amilynx - Go Franky.
Point and bumper winner, second on hurdle debut, beaten 10 lengths by Morning Royalty over two miles at Carlisle November 12.
"Trainers dream goes on any ground and will have no trouble winning hurdles this season but he might benefit from a step up in trip."

KNOCKANDO
7 b g Milan - Cherry Lane.
In good form January when winning twice off 95 and 106 in three mile handicap hurdles and went to 118. Failed to perform at that level and rated 112 over fences after falling on debut over three at Wetherby November 3.
"Haven't see the best of him and he's come on as lot for his last run. Has an option in a novice handicap chase at Doncaster on December 1 and that might work out because he needs it on the softer side."

KRIS CROSS
5 ch g Kris Kin - Perfidia.
Bumper winner and won hurdle debut over two miles five at Perth in May beating Tepalo a length and a quarter.
"Just coming back after a wind operation in the summer and has been pleasing us in what he's done so far. Looking forward to him over two and a half miles."

LUCKY SUNNY
9 b g Pasternak - Flying Fur.
Rated 110 as handicap hurdler over two miles and might have been three from three in chases but for unseating three out in two mile handicap won by Swift Arrow at Kelso November 10 off career-high 115.
"Should re-named Unlucky Sunny after Kelso last time. Still progressing and is another that needs soft ground so he's well catered for at present. Better at two miles."

NO DEAL
6 b g Revoque - Noble Choice.
Point winner, won second bumper attempt at Carlisle November 12 beating Cloud Creeper six lengths.
"Very pleased with his bumper win, has certainly got the right attitude. Tall and soft ground is quite important - a good honest stayer that has schooled well."

NUTS N BOLTS
6 b g Marju - Anniversary.
Won twice in novice hurdles last season over two miles six and two and a half. Rated 128 when well beaten on hurdle debut over three at Kelso in race won by Maggio in October. Well beaten on chase debut in race two mile event won by Bury Parade at Carlisle later same month.
"Should be out again in the middle of December and we're quite excited about him because his form of last season is pretty solid and he looks like he's going to improve again over fences but further than two miles next time."

[Hoof]

ON BROADWAY
6 b g Broadway Flyer - Snap Out Of It.
Rated 112 after winning middle of three hurdle attempts in three mile Hexham contest in June. Rated 112 when three and a half lengths second of five to About Thyne at Hexham in October. Respectable chase debut over three at Kelso later that month when 11 lengths third of six to Our Island.
"Good and honest so should be winning a novice chase sooner rather than later - jumps really well so we'll be looking for a 0-115 novice."

PRESENT LODGER

Point winner, yet to race for present yard.
"Been working nicely, looks a stayer and has come with quite a high reputation after winning his point to point. He'll be out quite soon in a bumper."

QUITO DU TRESOR
8 b g Jeune Homme - Itaga.
Better known as handicap chaser from two to two and a half miles, has been 136 but last of seven winning marks from 32 starts was 128 on November 2011. Off 132 latest run when well behind Nadiya De La Vega over two and a half at Cheltenham in October. Now 128.
"Been slightly unlucky but I think he'll drop back to two miles next time and look for some good ground and let him bowl along - he prefers that."

RHYMERS STONE
4 b g Desideratum - Salu.
Won bumper debut by two and a quarter lengths from Border Phoenix over 14 furlongs at Ayr November 3.
"Was in training as a three-year-old but didn't run. Won his bumper well and he'll probably have another one and save his novice over hurdles for next season."

ROWDY ROCHER
6 br g Winged Love - Madam Rocher.
Point, bumper and debut hurdle winner by a head from Tarlan over three miles at Kelso November 5. Well-held fourth to Fill The Power only subsequent start over two miles six at Newcastle November 26.
"Just back in training and I'd like to send him over fences, possibly in the spring. Happy enough with the progress he's made since his leg problem."

RYTON RUNNER
4 b g Saddler's Wells - Love For Ever.
Sole win from ten hurdle starts came in extended three mile novice at Perth in September off 110. Fair effort off that mark latest start when three quarters of a length third to Monetary Fund over extended three at Musselburgh November 8, now 118.
"Seems to have improved with each run, needs a trip and is probably best on good ground so it's a question of whether he runs again or has a break."

SAMSTOWN
5 b g Kingsala - Red Peony.
Rated 110 when winning second of eight hurdle starts over two five at Hexham in June. Off same rating latest start when well beaten fourth of six to Clondaw Kaempfer in two mile listed novice at Haydock November 23.
"He needs two and half miles so he was always going to be up against it last time out at Haydock so under the circumstances he ran alright. There's a nice race waiting for him back at his ideal trip."

SAPHIR RIVER
6 gr g Slickly - Miss Bio.
Decent hurdler, rated 139 all three British starts having come from France last season. Won chase debut over two at Uttoxeter November 2 beating Turbo Du Ranch seven lengths. Well beaten back over hurdles last start in three mile handicap won by Trustan Times at Haydock November 24.
"I think we'll send him back over fences because he really enjoys his jumping and likes soft ground. He'll be stepping up in trip even though he won over fences at two miles."

SHE WILL ROCK YOU
5 b m Milan - My Grannys Endoors.
Won second bumper start by four and a half lengths from Ronnie Rhino at Carlisle in March. Well beaten in class one mares race won by Eleven Fifty Nine at Aintree in April.
"Looking forward to her in mares novice hurdles, schooling well and will go to Kelso in early December. Big with scope to go over fences."

TAP NIGHT
5 ch g Pleasant Tap - Day Mate.
Useful hurdler, four from eight around two and a half miles. Rated 141 from 132 after latest and fair effort when distant sixth of 19 to Lovcen over three at Aintree in April. Off 140 on reappearance in two mile conditions event at Ayr November 3 beating Auenshutze a short head and now 146.
"We're looking at a novice chase at Carlisle on December 2 and I think he's going to be quite handy. He's been good schooling."

TITO BUSTILLO

Useful novice/handicap chaser, has been 137 but off 125 when winning penultimate outing by four lengths from Prosecco in two mile handicap at Carlisle in October, Off 130 only subsequent run when distant fifth of six to Idarah in two mile Kelso handicap chase November 10.
"He did make a bit of a noise last time and although he's already had an operation we might have to do it again."

ULTRA DU CHATELET
4 b g Network - Grandeur Royale.
Ex-French chase winner and maiden hurdle, yet to race for present yard.
"He is going to be a staying chaser but because he's still a novice over hurdles, that's where we'll start him after Christmas. Loves soft ground."

VAMIZI
9 b g Supreme Leader - Cuillin Bui.
Staying chaser, rated 116 for latest of two wins in 20 starts over extender three at Carlisle in March. Went to 121 and performed with credit three times, latest when three and a half lengths second to Rebel Swing over extended three at Carlisle late October. Now 123.
"Just loves it around Carlisle so we'll stick to that and he'll be out on December 2. His jumping has really come together and he should just about be alright off this mark."

WAYNE MANOR

Staying flat handicapper for Ralph Beckett and reached 71 latest start in October after winning off 66 in August. Yet to race for present yard.
"Nice little horse that has schooled really, really well. He'll be out quite soon and seems very honest and appears to have the right attitude for jumping. Should win races."

[Hoof]

Hogmanay must have been a fairly poignant occasion at Arlary House, where the close-knit team under Lucinda Russell experienced tragedy as well as triumph in 2012. But Scotland's leading trainer is determined to keep looking to the future and made a perfect start to 2013 by collecting three races in barely an hour at Ayr today.

Auspiciously, each of her winners is just starting out in a new discipline – dividends of a scrupulous recruitment policy. "We've got to be realistic, we're not paying stupid prices," Russell said. "But the big thing for us is to find good young horses. Because once we get them in, we think we have a fairly successful formula."

Russell has worked with the bloodstock agent Tom Malone in seeking replacements for Brindisi Breeze, killed in a freak accident after his breakthrough success at the Cheltenham Festival. But Tap Night, Russell's first winner in the silks of J P McManus, has less orthodox antecedents. He was found racing on dirt in Kentucky by Jane Buchanan, whose brother, Peter, is the stable jockey at Arlary. "She works for a trainer out there," Russell explained. "They don't have many staying races, and she looks for horses that are finishing. Tap Night has actually got a pretty strong pedigree. I don't suppose his breeders imagined he would end up winning a novice chase in heavy ground."

He looked a natural, however, in recording his fifth win in six starts. Though losing momentum three out, he was soon back on the bridle and coasted five lengths clear. "Obviously, he had done a lot of schooling," Russell said. "The syndicate decided to sell after his reappearance, and if you tell someone a horse is going to do well over fences you make sure you come up with the goods. The main thing now is more experience, and there's a valuable race over two and a half miles coming up at Musselburgh."

Green Flag, under a double penalty, and Imjoeking both won novice hurdles. "Green Flag is a different type from Brindisi Breeze," Russell said. "He's stronger, and loves soft ground. But he just keeps galloping. At some point we'll step Imjoeking up in trip, but he's showing so much pace we'll keep to two miles at the moment. Both will be fantastic this time next year."

For now, the horse in the stable furthest down the road is Bold Sir Brian, who heads for the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday fortnight and will be given an entry in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.