this week's entries

[Yosser]

Koktail Divin in here as well. Didn't get a mention in Henry's stable tour but was well regarded last year. Could be one they look at the mid trip handicap novice chase with though...

I have him in the BANC column and didn't even consider he might go for the JR Novices'. I can see it but it's Henry and Moloney. They love a BANC runner. He was awesome on debut and will back him for the Browns now his wellbeing is all but confirmed. Taponthego is another on the watchlist. Raglan Road was due to run today but ended up a NR. I wanted a little bit more of a steer on the Martin Pipe form.

 

[Runragged]

Missed this thread before.

My take on Down Royal entries:

Interesting Mange Tout is turned out so quickly after her switch from France. Won't have it easy though if recent winner Secret Force for Cromwell also shows along with Wizard of Odds, also a winner and rated in the 80s on the flat. Should give us a good guide to how she is though.

The 2m 1f maiden doesn't look overly strong. A Dream To Share is entered but hasn't gone on from his Champion Bumper win. Most of those entered by Elliott in the 2m 6f maiden are also in here.

Envoi Allen is looking to retain his Irish Champion Chase title. Could be an interesting race if lacking a bit in grade 1 quality. Several entered also have entries in the Charlie Hall so expect the field to be reduced somewhat. Interesting entry for Western Fold the 'novice' who would gain a massive amount of experience if taking up this entry and does highlight the ambitions of the yard with this horse. He also holds an entry in the grade 2 2 1/2m chase along with Croke Park. Firefox and Gorgeous Tom are two interesting ones leaving novice company.

 

[Eggs]

Ben Pauling is leaning towards returning Grade One winner The Jukebox Man to action in the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase at Ascot later this month.

After effectively ruling the seven-year-old out of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, the Naunton handler has suggested that the Grade Two test on November 22 is his most likely first port of call.

The Harry Redknapp-owned gelding, who also holds an entry in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on November 29, has not been seen in action since winning the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day last year.

Pauling said: “The Jukebox Man is in great form and he worked brilliantly on Saturday morning, but he won’t probably go to the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

“He will either go to the 1965 Chase at Ascot or the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.

"At this stage I would be favouring the 1965 Chase.”

 

[Lobos]

Correct decision IMO especially with the KG in mind. They don't even need to win his opening race, just use it as a warm up with bigger fish to fry later. Same as Handstands today. Pop then both round safely, give them a good blow and be 100% for their next tests.

 

[Eggs]

Tom George has identified the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase at Ascot as a possible comeback target for his top-class recruit Il Est Francais.

Although the seven-year-old officially won his first Grade One under George’s name, he has spent much of his career based in France under the tutelage of the Slad-based trainer’s son Noel and Amanda Zetterholm, for whom he won multiple major prizes at Auteuil as well as the 2023 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Il Est Francais returned to the Sunbury circuit last Christmas to finish second in the King George VI Chase but subsequently disappointed in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival and connections have since opted to give him a full season in Britain this term.

Now owned outright by Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes, he again has Kempton’s Boxing Day highlight as his major objective and George is delighted with how he has settled into his new surroundings.

“I’m very happy with him, everything we’ve asked him to do he’s done very nicely,” he said on Tuesday.

“He went to Worcester for one of the schooling races the other day and he enjoyed that. It wasn’t much of a race for him, but he basically went round Worcester and jumped very well and showed all the spark we wanted to see.

“He’s really adapted to the hills and everything else here now. I have got a mile-and-a-half (flat) long gallop as well, so he’s doing a bit of everything, but he’s really adapted to the hills and he’s in a good routine.

“He has changed shape. Noel was over a few days ago watching him and looking at him and he was delighted with how he was looking.”

On the next steps with Il Est Francais, George added: “He’ll have another away day quite soon and then we’re leaning towards running him Ascot on November 22. He seems to be enjoying his work and enjoying life and we’re just finding our way, but that will be the first entry he’ll have anyway and if he’s ready for then we’ll run and if he’s not we won’t.”

 

[Lobos]

He's my winner of the race unless FTF goes there.