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this week's entries

Benjy23 said:
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...
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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.
 
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.
 
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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.”
 
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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.
 
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.”
 
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He's my winner of the race unless FTF goes there.
 
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King George VI Chase runner-up Il Est Francais is among 11 entries for the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Now in the care of Tom George at his Gloucestershire base, he is being campaigned towards a return to Kempton on Boxing Day.

Still only seven, he has looked a top-notch performer when conditions suit, which they should this weekend.

He has not scared the opposition away though, with several strong contenders from Ireland in the mix.

Gordon Elliott has entered Firefox on the back of his win at Down Royal and Three Card Brag, who was successful at Cheltenham last month, while Henry de Bromhead could send Heart Wood.

Nicky Henderson’s Arkle winner Jango Baie could reappear. He was a remarkable winner at Cheltenham when coming from way off the pace and subsequently finished third at Aintree.

One place in front of him there was Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park while back in fourth was Boombawn and they could all meet again.

Pic D’orhy and Hitman, who also has the Betfair Chase as an option, give Paul Nicholls two good chances, with Master Chewy entered by the Twiston-Davies team.

Ben Pauling has entered The Jukebox Man, off since being so impressive at Kempton on Boxing Day, but he is thought more likely to run at Haydock on the same day.

There are 13 possibles in the Ladbrokes Ascot Hurdle which include Elliott’s Cheltenham Festival winner Wodhooh.

Dual Long Walk Hurdle winner Crambo, Potters Charm, a faller at Wetherby recently, and Kerry Lee’s National Spirit winner Nemean Lion are among the possibles
 
Interesting raft of entries in Ireland over the weekend, some you already know

Fun Fun Fun entered in a listed hurdle race along with Wodhooh in Punchestown on Sunday
Sortudo and Jalon D'oudaries entered in a 2m race in Cork on Sunday
Manoir De Mirande entered up in a 3yo Maiden Hurdle in Punchestown on Saturday
Kitzbuhel entered over 2m 2f, surely too short a distance
Koktail Divin upped in grade and distance in the Florida Pearl
My dark horse, Ballygunner Castle entered in a 2m 4f beginners chase at Fairyhouse on Friday
 
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Lucky Place declared in a 2m 5f chase at Ascot on Friday.

One of the two tracks that Nicky definitely doesn't send his chasers first time out :ROFLMAO:
 
Trainer Harry Fry has confirmed that quality second-season chaser Gidleigh Park will begin his campaign in Ascot's 1965 Chase.
 
Place De La Nation in over just over 2m 6f tomorrow. Not ideal trip for one I've backed for the Mares Novice to be honest...
 
Benjy23 said:
Place De La Nation in over just over 2m 6f tomorrow. Not ideal trip for one I've backed for the Mares Novice to be honest...
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Just a trot around to warm up. She's 1/4. Dreadful race.

Either that or Willie still thinks the race is run over 2m 😂
 
Yosser said:
Lucky Place declared in a 2m 5f chase at Ascot on Friday.

One of the two tracks that Nicky definitely doesn't send his chasers first time out :ROFLMAO:
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Henderson has a great record with first time chasers at Ascot and has used this race several times in the past. Most notably was Chantry House who won this before later winning the Golden Miller. Angels Breath also won this along with Beware The Bear who went on to run in the NH Chase.
 
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Runragged said:
Henderson has a great record with first time chasers at Ascot and has used this race several times in the past. Most notably was Chantry House who won this before later winning the Golden Miller. Angels Breath also won this along with Beware The Bear who went on to run in the NH Chase.
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Oh i am not doubting his record Runragged. His last 3 stable tours, he laments about the lack of Novice chases and that he won't send one to Ascot or Cheltenham first time out. I hope he wins and wins snuggly, i have got him in the BANC squad.
 
Benjy23 said:
Place De La Nation in over just over 2m 6f tomorrow. Not ideal trip for one I've backed for the Mares Novice to be honest...
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Has really baffled me this, have backed her for the mares novice hurdle too. Would be surprised to see her drop back to 2m after this
 
Le Frimeur goes in the 2m3f maiden at Chepstow on Friday. He narrowly missed a spot on the 4yo P2P list. He's the first double green for young Harry and he could be up to a decent level. Its a weak enough race to start off in.

Hitintheheadlines goes in the bumper at Ascot on Friday for Skelton. As above, he narrowly missed out on a spot on the 4yo P2P list. He'll need to be fairly decent to overcome the Twisters runner.

Reckless Spending goes in the 2m3f maiden at Ascot on Friday for Henderson. He's in the 5yo P2P list but could only finish 3rd in a summer bumper. I was disappointed at the time but the form is not too bad now and he needs more of a trip. He'll concede hurdling experience but hopefully he'll put up a better show now over obstacles.
 
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Betfair Chase Odds - EW Terms (1/4 Odds, 2 Places)​

Grey Dawning 6/5
Haiti Couleurs 3/1
Royale Pagaille 5/1
Handstands 11/2
Stellar Story 12/1
 
Eggs said:

Betfair Chase Odds - EW Terms (1/4 Odds, 2 Places)​

Grey Dawning 6/5
Haiti Couleurs 3/1
Royale Pagaille 5/1
Handstands 11/2
Stellar Story 12/1
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Not deep enough for The Pig this year. Grey Dawnings to Lose?
 
Lobos said:
Not deep enough for The Pig this year. Grey Dawnings to Lose?
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If he's ready to go, then yeah, I'd say so, if not then Haiti Couleurs is race fit and could take it instead.
 
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