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Kauto Star
He's an amazing horse and produced two more top-drawer performances last season, when he won the Betfair and the King George.
He's the highest-rated chaser in training. We'll give him a month to six weeks' work and see what happens. Clifford [Baker, head lad] rides him every day and knows him better than anyone. Then we'll have a chat with Clive [Smith, owner]. He'll make the decision [as to whether or not KS will race again] and we'll support whatever decision he makes. It's fully up to him.
Dualla Lord
His jumping just let him down last year, when we tried him once over fences and he fell at Cheltenham. We went back to hurdles after that and he won easily at Wincanton in May. We're very hopeful he'll do well over fences this year but he can still run over hurdles and we may look at one run over three miles before sending him back over fences.
Big Buck's
A phenomenal horse and he's only nine years old. As you can see, he's mad fresh, though he's been doing plenty of work. It looks like we need to do a bit more. He'll start off again in the Long Distance at Newbury's Hennessy meeting and follow the well-established route to Ascot, Cheltenham and Aintree. Whether we'll run in the Cleeve as well . . . we'll see. He could be going to the Festival looking for his 20th win on the trot. He's so good over hurdles, there's no point in sending him chasing again.
Rocky Creek
Won a Grade Two novice hurdle at Doncaster but was well below his best at the Cheltenham Festival. He's a big, strong, scopey horse and we're very much looking forward to him running over fences. He'll be ready to run in October if the weather stays as it is.
Keppols Hill
Was with Richard Barber last season and won four point to points. If the ground's on the easy side, he should be ready to run in late October or early November. We look forward to him going novice chasing over three miles.
Ruben Cotter
He's big and scopey and will make a nice chaser. He was a novice hurdler last season and we gave him a bit of time off before he won at Exeter in May. He jumps well over fences and he'll be ready some time in October. He was growing up last season and we should see a more consistent campaign this time.
Unioniste
A half-brother to My Will by Dom Alco, who is also the sire of Neptune Collonges, Al Ferof and Silviniaco Conti. He won a hurdle at Pau in February and then a novice chase at Auteuil in May. He'll go novice chasing and he goes nicely at home. He's fairly strong for a four-year-old and he could run at Cheltenham, either in October or November. A lot of Dom Alcos get better with age and distance.
Fascino Rustico
He was bought at auction in April after hacking up in a bumper at Carlisle. He's big and scopey and he's got chaser written all over him. He thrives on work. We'll keep him to novice hurdles this year and he might take in the bumper at the Paddy Power meeting in November. He'll be a chaser next year.
Italian Master
He was a bit disappointing for us last season, when he was beaten in his two novice hurdles, and I don't think he really acclimatised. He's strengthened up over the summer and he's got a handicap mark, so we may not bother with hurdles any more and put him straight into handicap chases. I think you'll see a much-improved horse this year.
Themilanhorse
He won four novice hurdles last season, which very few horses ever do. He jumps super and he looks a ready-made winner of a novice chase. We might try him first in the three-mile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham's Paddy Power meeting in November. He can run any time we like over fences and sons of Milan will get better with age. He goes well on good ground.
Kauto Stone
He won impressively at Down Royal on his first start for us last year but his season tailed off from there. He was a bit the same in France, running well in the autumn and then losing his way in spring. He's had a breathing operation because I think he used to get wound up in his races and panic. He definitely wants to go three miles and his first run will be over that distance at Down Royal again. He looks fantastic, he's had time to acclimatise and that makes a big difference to some horses.
Ted Spread
Won a handicap hurdle at Taunton in January and he was involved in the County Hurdle until he got interfered with. He'll probably go to Ascot on 29 October and then the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November. He's a horse to follow on decent ground.
Criqtonic
He joined us in the middle of last season and had one run, finishing second to Kumbeshwar in a novice chase, which is good form. He fell apart after that but he's done incredibly well over the summer. Some of these horses from France need time to acclimatise and strengthen up. The race we won at Wetherby with Fistral Beach last October might be a suitable race to start him in.
Sametegal
A lovely looking three-year-old who won a juvenile hurdle at Enghien in Paris in April before coming to us. He's improved enormously over the last month and might be ready to run in the middle of October at Chepstow. We like what we see from him and he's an interesting horse to follow. Recent changes to the rules mean that he can compete in juvenile hurdles all season but he's likely to be a chaser in time.
Dildar
We had high hopes for him last year but he was a bit disappointing. He's a big, strong horse who took a while to get over the gelding operation, after which he had a bit of an infection. He could be well handicapped for the start of the season. He's had a breathing operation and I'll aim him at 13 October at Chepstow, where they have a four-year-old handicap hurdle. If he's not ready for then, there will be plenty of opportunities for him.
Dark Lover
He missed last season with a leg injury. His handicap mark of 120 is very winnable and we might start him off in a handicap hurdle but it won't be too long before he goes chasing.
Pepe Simo
He's won over fences and hurdles for us but he hasn't been seen since October because of a leg injury. We'll continue to mix and match chases and hurdles with him and he's well capable of winning more races.
Come On Ginger: Five-year-old King's Theatre gelding and full brother to ill-fated Cheltenham Festival winner Brindisi Breeze. Won his two point-to-points easily and will start in the same novices' hurdle at Wincanton in October that launched Denman's career in 2005.
Cristal Bonus: "Ran a stinker at the Cheltenham Festival but when he got home we discovered a serious abscess on his wither. Loves soft ground and three miles and goes to Down Royal, Ireland, for the Intermediate Chase in November won by our Kauto Stone last year."
Dualla Lord: Won five of seven point-to-points. Has good form over hurdles yet found one or two too good for him but finally got off the mark at Wincanton in May. Will start in a three-mile novices' hurdle and then go chasing. "He's got everything in front of him."
Edgardo Sol: Really versatile – a close second in the County Hurdle and then won an Aintree handicap chase. "Showed incredible improvement last season. Better handicapped over hurdles, he'll start in a handicap hurdle or maybe the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November."
Hinterland: Talented juvenile hurdler who missed Cheltenham Festival and was then brought down at Aintree. Bred for chasing and jumps nicely. "Definitely one to follow as a two-mile novice chaser – could run at the first Cheltenham fixture in October."
Join Together: Won pre-Christmas Cheltenham staying chases last season but didn't fire in the RSA Chase. "Likes to have his own way and to run in a small field but will improve this season." Hennessy Gold Cup entry and lined up for Down Royal or Leopardstown in Ireland.
Keppols Hill: An exciting six-year-old who was Wessex area Young Horse champion last season after winning all four point-to-points. "A lovely big horse who stays and jumps well – if the ground is on the easy side he'll be ready for novice chases in October or early November."
Mr Mole: First JP McManus horse to be trained at Ditcheat. Big, scopy four-year-old who won his only bumper at Hereford and then went pointing. "Novice hurdling this season and a future staying chaser."
Oscargo: Cheltenham three-mile handicap hurdle winner in December – and unlucky not to win there again next month when unseating. "He's got better as he has matured and now goes chasing. He stays forever and the four-mile NH Chase at the Festival is the target."
Poungach: Stuck to hurdles last term and won a competitive Sandown handicap. "Highest-rated novice hurdler to go chasing. Not a natural jumper. When he gets the hang of it will be one to follow."
Rocky Creek: Disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival when many Ditcheat horses were affected by a bug. Had earlier won a Grade Two three-mile novices' hurdle at Doncaster and now novice chasing. "He's one to follow as we expect him to improve considerably over fences."
Roger Beantown: Irish bumper winner who came to Ditcheat last season but bled and coughed and didn't get on the track. "A totally different horse this season – a dark horse and one to follow." Will start in a maiden hurdle next month.
Sire Collonges: Niggly problems blighted his hurdling career but looked awesome over fences when hacking up at Fontwell Park. "Brilliant jumper who we hope to start at Cheltenham next month in a staying novice chase."
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Kauto Star
He's an amazing horse and produced two more top-drawer performances last season, when he won the Betfair and the King George.
He's the highest-rated chaser in training. We'll give him a month to six weeks' work and see what happens. Clifford [Baker, head lad] rides him every day and knows him better than anyone. Then we'll have a chat with Clive [Smith, owner]. He'll make the decision [as to whether or not KS will race again] and we'll support whatever decision he makes. It's fully up to him.
Dualla Lord
His jumping just let him down last year, when we tried him once over fences and he fell at Cheltenham. We went back to hurdles after that and he won easily at Wincanton in May. We're very hopeful he'll do well over fences this year but he can still run over hurdles and we may look at one run over three miles before sending him back over fences.
Big Buck's
A phenomenal horse and he's only nine years old. As you can see, he's mad fresh, though he's been doing plenty of work. It looks like we need to do a bit more. He'll start off again in the Long Distance at Newbury's Hennessy meeting and follow the well-established route to Ascot, Cheltenham and Aintree. Whether we'll run in the Cleeve as well . . . we'll see. He could be going to the Festival looking for his 20th win on the trot. He's so good over hurdles, there's no point in sending him chasing again.
Rocky Creek
Won a Grade Two novice hurdle at Doncaster but was well below his best at the Cheltenham Festival. He's a big, strong, scopey horse and we're very much looking forward to him running over fences. He'll be ready to run in October if the weather stays as it is.
Keppols Hill
Was with Richard Barber last season and won four point to points. If the ground's on the easy side, he should be ready to run in late October or early November. We look forward to him going novice chasing over three miles.
Ruben Cotter
He's big and scopey and will make a nice chaser. He was a novice hurdler last season and we gave him a bit of time off before he won at Exeter in May. He jumps well over fences and he'll be ready some time in October. He was growing up last season and we should see a more consistent campaign this time.
Unioniste
A half-brother to My Will by Dom Alco, who is also the sire of Neptune Collonges, Al Ferof and Silviniaco Conti. He won a hurdle at Pau in February and then a novice chase at Auteuil in May. He'll go novice chasing and he goes nicely at home. He's fairly strong for a four-year-old and he could run at Cheltenham, either in October or November. A lot of Dom Alcos get better with age and distance.
Fascino Rustico
He was bought at auction in April after hacking up in a bumper at Carlisle. He's big and scopey and he's got chaser written all over him. He thrives on work. We'll keep him to novice hurdles this year and he might take in the bumper at the Paddy Power meeting in November. He'll be a chaser next year.
Italian Master
He was a bit disappointing for us last season, when he was beaten in his two novice hurdles, and I don't think he really acclimatised. He's strengthened up over the summer and he's got a handicap mark, so we may not bother with hurdles any more and put him straight into handicap chases. I think you'll see a much-improved horse this year.
Themilanhorse
He won four novice hurdles last season, which very few horses ever do. He jumps super and he looks a ready-made winner of a novice chase. We might try him first in the three-mile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham's Paddy Power meeting in November. He can run any time we like over fences and sons of Milan will get better with age. He goes well on good ground.
Kauto Stone
He won impressively at Down Royal on his first start for us last year but his season tailed off from there. He was a bit the same in France, running well in the autumn and then losing his way in spring. He's had a breathing operation because I think he used to get wound up in his races and panic. He definitely wants to go three miles and his first run will be over that distance at Down Royal again. He looks fantastic, he's had time to acclimatise and that makes a big difference to some horses.
Ted Spread
Won a handicap hurdle at Taunton in January and he was involved in the County Hurdle until he got interfered with. He'll probably go to Ascot on 29 October and then the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November. He's a horse to follow on decent ground.
Criqtonic
He joined us in the middle of last season and had one run, finishing second to Kumbeshwar in a novice chase, which is good form. He fell apart after that but he's done incredibly well over the summer. Some of these horses from France need time to acclimatise and strengthen up. The race we won at Wetherby with Fistral Beach last October might be a suitable race to start him in.
Sametegal
A lovely looking three-year-old who won a juvenile hurdle at Enghien in Paris in April before coming to us. He's improved enormously over the last month and might be ready to run in the middle of October at Chepstow. We like what we see from him and he's an interesting horse to follow. Recent changes to the rules mean that he can compete in juvenile hurdles all season but he's likely to be a chaser in time.
Dildar
We had high hopes for him last year but he was a bit disappointing. He's a big, strong horse who took a while to get over the gelding operation, after which he had a bit of an infection. He could be well handicapped for the start of the season. He's had a breathing operation and I'll aim him at 13 October at Chepstow, where they have a four-year-old handicap hurdle. If he's not ready for then, there will be plenty of opportunities for him.
Dark Lover
He missed last season with a leg injury. His handicap mark of 120 is very winnable and we might start him off in a handicap hurdle but it won't be too long before he goes chasing.
Pepe Simo
He's won over fences and hurdles for us but he hasn't been seen since October because of a leg injury. We'll continue to mix and match chases and hurdles with him and he's well capable of winning more races.
Come On Ginger: Five-year-old King's Theatre gelding and full brother to ill-fated Cheltenham Festival winner Brindisi Breeze. Won his two point-to-points easily and will start in the same novices' hurdle at Wincanton in October that launched Denman's career in 2005.
Cristal Bonus: "Ran a stinker at the Cheltenham Festival but when he got home we discovered a serious abscess on his wither. Loves soft ground and three miles and goes to Down Royal, Ireland, for the Intermediate Chase in November won by our Kauto Stone last year."
Dualla Lord: Won five of seven point-to-points. Has good form over hurdles yet found one or two too good for him but finally got off the mark at Wincanton in May. Will start in a three-mile novices' hurdle and then go chasing. "He's got everything in front of him."
Edgardo Sol: Really versatile – a close second in the County Hurdle and then won an Aintree handicap chase. "Showed incredible improvement last season. Better handicapped over hurdles, he'll start in a handicap hurdle or maybe the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November."
Hinterland: Talented juvenile hurdler who missed Cheltenham Festival and was then brought down at Aintree. Bred for chasing and jumps nicely. "Definitely one to follow as a two-mile novice chaser – could run at the first Cheltenham fixture in October."
Join Together: Won pre-Christmas Cheltenham staying chases last season but didn't fire in the RSA Chase. "Likes to have his own way and to run in a small field but will improve this season." Hennessy Gold Cup entry and lined up for Down Royal or Leopardstown in Ireland.
Keppols Hill: An exciting six-year-old who was Wessex area Young Horse champion last season after winning all four point-to-points. "A lovely big horse who stays and jumps well – if the ground is on the easy side he'll be ready for novice chases in October or early November."
Mr Mole: First JP McManus horse to be trained at Ditcheat. Big, scopy four-year-old who won his only bumper at Hereford and then went pointing. "Novice hurdling this season and a future staying chaser."
Oscargo: Cheltenham three-mile handicap hurdle winner in December – and unlucky not to win there again next month when unseating. "He's got better as he has matured and now goes chasing. He stays forever and the four-mile NH Chase at the Festival is the target."
Poungach: Stuck to hurdles last term and won a competitive Sandown handicap. "Highest-rated novice hurdler to go chasing. Not a natural jumper. When he gets the hang of it will be one to follow."
Rocky Creek: Disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival when many Ditcheat horses were affected by a bug. Had earlier won a Grade Two three-mile novices' hurdle at Doncaster and now novice chasing. "He's one to follow as we expect him to improve considerably over fences."
Roger Beantown: Irish bumper winner who came to Ditcheat last season but bled and coughed and didn't get on the track. "A totally different horse this season – a dark horse and one to follow." Will start in a maiden hurdle next month.
Sire Collonges: Niggly problems blighted his hurdling career but looked awesome over fences when hacking up at Fontwell Park. "Brilliant jumper who we hope to start at Cheltenham next month in a staying novice chase."
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