Beau Morgan, rider of runner-up Twig, said: “This morning we were debating even running this horse. He wants better ground, and I rang my mum and my brother, and spoke to Ben, and we said, he might need the run, he won’t like the ground, we can prep him for Aintree - and he’s run like that. Second four times round here now on him, but for my first ever race at teh Festival, to come second, I’m absolutely delighted.”
Ben Pauling, trainer of runner-up Twig, said: “I’m delighted I didn’t think he’d go a yard on the ground. Beau just gave him a lovely ride, had him in the right position the whole way. It’s his first ride at the Festival, and if I am completely honest, if it hadn’t been I’d have pulled the horse out this morning. This place - you just never know, so you have to roll the dice and see how you go. He will be a lot better on better ground, so that was a hell of a prep run.”
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Racing Post, Maddy Playle
Ben Pauling is firmly on track for his best-ever season and underlined the strength of his young stock when Champagne Twist and Pic Roc fought out the finish to the EBF Final. The trainer landed the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle with Personal Ambition last weekend and it was soon clear he was set to dominate this competitive handicap too, as his two runners traded blows at the head of affairs with Diplomatic Ash. The stablemates' duel lasted for the length of the soggy home straight, but it was Champagne Twist and Ben Jones who eventually ground out a brave success over Pic Roc and Kielan Woods by a length and a half. "It was a brilliant result," Pauling said. "I couldn't really split them. Kielan wanted to ride one and Ben wanted to ride the other, so it worked quite well. These owners are a group of my great mates. "Pic Roc ran a mighty race in second. He probably got a bit lonely out in front after doing plenty and got nabbed on the line, but they've both run really well." Ben Jones and Ben Pauling in the parade ring before Champagne Twist's win in the EBF FinalCredit: Edward WhitakerJones has been a key part of Pauling's excellent season with regular number-one rider Woods serving a lengthy suspension, and the jockey believes there will be even more to come from Champagne Twist in fairer conditions. "Coming down to the last there wasn't much between them," he said. "Pic Roc will end up being a lovely horse but Champagne was a bit more streetwise and that's the reason I picked him today. On nicer ground, I think you'll see a better horse. It's been my best season and I've had a few big winners on the board." Pauling will be represented in each of the premier novice races at the Cheltenham Festival next week, with Harry Cobden confirmed to continue his association with Gallagher Novices' Hurdle contender Handstands. THE LOCAL ANSWER
All Areas > Sport > Horse Racing Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Wednesday, 6th March 2024, 11:10 Jockey Beau Morgan will realise a life-long dream when he competes at the Cheltenham Festival for the first time next week. The just-turned 19-year-old is booked to ride Twig in the Ultima Handicap Chase on Tuesday (2.50pm) and what makes the occasion all the more special is that the nine-year-old is owned by his mum Georgia. “It’s really exciting, it would be great if he could have a good run and pick up a bit of prize money,” said Morgan, a conditional jockey with Naunton-based trainer Ben Pauling. Morgan, whose brother Luca was crowned champion conditional jockey last season, has had a good campaign – he’s ridden 13 winners – and he certainly believes Twig, who is trained by Pauling, can put in a big performance on the biggest stage of all. “We don’t want too much rain, we need the rain to slow down a bit, but if it does we might have a sneaky chance,” Morgan said. “He’s in great form and he always seems to run well at Cheltenham, he’s had three second-placed finishes there. “He’s such a consistent horse, he’s definitely got a chance of a place. He always seems to deliver something. “He didn’t run well in his last race but that was because he wasn’t well, we weren’t sure whether to run him or not. “He’s had a little break and now he’s fit and well. Hopefully he’ll be able to deliver.” That most recent race was at Newbury in December but in the five races before that he won three and finished second twice, both times at Cheltenham. And Twig’s record – he’s won seven times under Rules – is all the more impressive when you consider that he was bought for next to nothing three or four years ago. “We got him for peanuts,” said Morgan, who was 15 at the time. “He had two races on the Flat and didn’t do very well but my brother Luca said he’d keep him for me and take him point-to-pointing to see if he could jump. It turned out he could jump!” So much so that he won a series of point-to-points and Morgan continued: “Since then he’s been racking up the winners under Rules, he’s a 140-plus horse.” Pauling has been racking up the winners this season, too, and Morgan believes there’s every chance the stable could have a very good Festival. Pauling is among the top 10 trainers in the country along with fellow Gloucestershire trainers Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jonjo O’Neill and Fergal O’Brien. All of them will be hoping to be in the winners’ enclosure next week of course – O’Brien is looking for his first Festival winner – and while it’s always good to see local trainers have success, Morgan will obviously be hoping that Pauling is the pick of the bunch. Ask him for a particular fancy and he says Bowtogreatness in the Kim Muir on Thursday (5.30pm). Morgan, meanwhile, is hopeful of picking up a ride in the Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle on the Friday (5.30pm), the final race of the four-day Festival. COULD this be one of the biggest British chances of the week? Article by Owen Goulding, The Sun BEN PAULING thinks his Cheltenham Festival NAP has been trained 'to the minute' for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Pauling has his string in red-hot form and he's hoping it will carry over to jumps racing's pinnacle next week. And his best chance of the week, Tellherthename, couldn't be in finer fettle ahead of the Festival opener on March 12. Tellherthename is a general 14-1 shot for the race and the stars could be aligning for Pauling's exciting five-year-old. He said: "Tellherthename came through his last piece of work with a gold star and I think he might be trained to the minute for the Supreme. “I couldn’t be happier with how it’s gone for him in the last month and he remains extremely talented and exciting.” Kielan Woods [,] will be back on board Tellherthename and Pauling's other big hitters. In a week where the Festival lost the likes of Constitution Hill and Marine Nationale, all is thankfully well with Pauling's super squad. That wasn't always the case, however, and there has been a scare for Pauling along the way. Pauling added: “The Jukebox Man missed a piece of work at Kempton last week because he got cast in his box. “He had to go away for a piece of work this morning as a result but much to my relief, he came through it with flying colours. “I’m very happy with where he is and I’m hoping we can keep all the horses safe and sound for the next week or so.” At The Races article -
Ben Pauling began training on his own in 2013 and must have thought the game was easy, as Barters Hill and then Willoughby Court scaled heights that quickly brought him plenty of attention. It is not until this season, however, that Pauling – who counts Cheltenham as his local track – feels he is heading to the Festival with a team of horses capable of taking him back to the top table. Barters Hill was his first Grade One winner in the 2015 Challow Hurdle, while Willoughby Court broke his Festival duck in the 2017 Neptune (now Baring Bingham) Novices’ Hurdle. Le Breuil (National Hunt Chase) and Global Citizen (Grand Annual) have provided further Festival success, although both came away from the highest level and this year he has legitimate contenders in all three novice hurdles. Tellherthename heads for the Supreme having got back to winning ways at Huntingdon, which was also where Baring Bingham hope Handstands won recently, while The Jukebox Man has been kept fresh for the Albert Bartlett since a fine third in the Challow Hurdle. “I’d say this is going to be our strongest team, certainly in quality if not quite numerically,” said Pauling. “I think we’ll send between eight and 10 this season and without doubt it is our strongest team, they’ve found their own way there without us pushing to place them, if that makes sense. Hopefully, they’ll all go there and do their best – and if their best is good enough, then fine.” Reflecting on the early days of his career, he admits he appreciates success a lot more now. “At the time, I realised how lucky I was to get those two so early in my career, but you can’t appreciate it as much as you should do at the time,” said Pauling. “It was quite ridiculous with Barters, we just turned up for Grade Ones and expected to win. “When he won his Challow Hurdle, my first Grade One, he had Politologue 18 lengths behind him absolutely legless, and he went on to win a Champion Chase. He motored through races and was just incredible. “He’s still cruising around now as a lovely riding horse, but unfortunately his frailties behind cut his career short. “Willoughby then quickly came along to fill the void, but sadly he passed away with blood poisoning. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had this calibre of horse. We’ve won Festival races with Le Breuil, who you could say was a nice horse but was never a Grade One contender, and then Global Citizen, who won plenty of Grade Twos but couldn’t win a Grade One. “We’ve had various other stars but never have we had a team like this, three very nice novices going with chances.” As well as the three novice hurdlers, who should all have bright futures whatever they do at Cheltenham, the 40-year-old has a handful of handicappers with live chances as well. “The races all pick them themselves really. I suppose the fact the Supreme is the first race of the meeting means Tellherthename is unlikely to get his favoured good ground, but he won on soft at Huntingdon the other day. I just don’t think he handled bottomless ground like it was at Aintree,” he said. “What I wasn’t prepared to do at Newbury (when a non-runner) was run on bottomless ground so close to the Festival, his owners want Festival winners. “Once the ground went so soft at Newbury (for the Betfair Hurdle), it was never a question and here we are with a horse who appears to be in very good form, he worked very well at Kempton recently. “Handstands, I think I’ve persuaded the owners that I’m very keen to go, as they were up in the air. “He won at Huntingdon recently. He’s a funny horse, as Harry (Cobden) came to school him before Huntingdon and jumped off saying he felt like a 105 handicapper, yet just after the race he said he’d have no idea where the bottom of him is, as he didn’t have to try very hard. “Hopefully, he’s an improving horse. It’s whether he’s ready for a race like the Baring Bingham. “The Jukebox Man ran well in the Challow and hasn’t run since because that probably took a lot out of him, I think three miles will be right up his street.” He went on: “I’m hoping Bowtogreatness might get into the Kim Muir, he ran well last time out and we haven’t been overly hard on him. He is in the amateur race (National Hunt Chase) as well but I do think he’s ahead of his mark. “Twig will definitely go in the Ultima but he needs good to soft at worse, he’s not great on anything softer than that. “If the ground is to be on the soft side, then I suspect Shakem Up’Arry will go in the Plate, I think that’s his trip. We did his wind in the summer and while his first run back was a disaster, he needed to trust himself again. “He was then too keen in the Coral Gold Cup and didn’t get home. It all came together on New Year’s Day, when he looked a different horse – and he finished third in the Plate last year. “Harper’s Brook will go for the Grand Annual, we might switch the headgear to blinkers from cheekpieces. We’ve hopefully worked out the way of getting the best out of him, it might not work every time but he’s a very talented horse. “I think Henry’s Friend will run now, too. I actually thought he’d need a rest after the Reynoldstown, but he’s come out of it bouncing. There’s more chance than not he’ll run in the National Hunt Chase.” The Megsons' JIPCOT was electric today back over hurdles at Huntingdon. A big thank you to our Conditional Jockey Beau Morgan who does all of Jipcot's work at home, great to see his patience rewarded with an emphatic win.
Congratulations to all connections. Densworth rocketed back to winning ways under a great ride from Ben Jones at Doncaster. It's lovely to see this boy back on the track after some time off.
Congratulations to The OAPs! Ben was delighted to collect Densworth's prize on your behalf from none other than Gareth Gates! What happens when three Welsh take an Irish horse & jockey pairing to Scottish owners' homeland for an English trainer?
They win the Grade 2 Novices' Hurdle at Kelso! Personal Ambition overcame early jumping mistakes to demonstrate his class under a great ride from Kielan Woods. Congratulations to Lynne and Angus Maclennan & Meg Brown who looks after and rides him. Woods enjoyed a winning return to action at Wetherby on the Megsons' Wreckless Eric.
The smart juvenile breaks his maiden on just his second start and looks set for an exciting future. Congratulations to all connections. Ben Pauling talks to Racing Post's Lambourn correspondent as he puts together his strongest Cheltenham squad. By James Burn You couldn't say Ben Pauling is hard to pin down, but he is certainly in demand. By the time he sits down for a chat with the Racing Post, his morning has already involved Nick Luck's podcast and an interview with Sky Sports Racing. Anyone who has dealt with Pauling since he started training in 2013 will recognise a willing and engaging subject, so it's no surprise he is a go-to trainer for the media – especially as he had hogged headlines the previous weekend with a treble at Ascot. "It's different from how it was, but I'm getting older," he replies when asked what celebrations were like. "I took the staff down the pub for a few drinks, but we're much busier now, so writing ourselves off for three days isn't great." It is even less so when you're on the verge of the most important week in the calendar and have your strongest Cheltenham Festival team, which has live Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle hope Tellherthename at its heart. "We'll run between eight and ten," says the 40-year-old trainer. "We ran a similar number one year and I convinced myself they had chances, but I'm not sure they did and we turned right where the beaten horses go more than we went straight on to the winner's spot." Pauling does know his way to that hallowed enclosure fairly well, however. He was involved with plenty of festival winners during his time working for Nicky Henderson, while Willoughby Court, Le Breuil and Global Citizen have put his own name in lights at the meeting. Global Citizen: Pauling's most recent festival winner This year's team captain runs in the opening race. Tellherthename was pulled up in his previous Grade 1 test at Aintree but got back on track with a 14-length win at Huntingdon, his second victory at that track, before missing the Betfair Hurdle because of the ground. "I like him a lot," says Pauling. "He's incredibly well balanced – if you could design a horse to handle Cheltenham's undulations, it would be him. He's very much up there with the best horses I've had in terms of raw talent, and he's got the best brain. "Most of the good horses I've worked with have a quirk. This lad has an inner belief and doesn't do anything he doesn't need to. He works really nicely but is behind the bridle and never too keen. "He moves well and there's an elegance about him; he knows he's good, but he doesn't behave like a prat with it. He's got it all. I'm not saying he's the best I've trained, but he's got the potential to be." He'll certainly have to be good in two weeks' time given his target of the Supreme puts him on a potential collision course with two of Willie Mullins' top youngsters in Ballyburn and Tullyhill. Uncomfortable at any suggestion of ducking the challenge, Pauling says of Mullins: "He's the level we've all got to aim for. If you think you've a horse good enough to win at Cheltenham, you go and take on whatever is in front of you. There are owners and trainers who will think, 'Let's avoid the Irish.' No! "This is our festival and we're going to compete, throw our best darts at it and serve it up to whoever turns up. Otherwise, what's the point?" In full flow, albeit not quite unfurling a Union Jack just yet, Pauling is better placed than most to take up the challenge. As well as Tellherthename, he has Sidney Banks winner Handstands and promising stayer The Jukebox Man to run in the other Grade 1 novice hurdles at the festival, as well as a host of likely types for the handicaps and "proper horse" Sixmilebridge in the Champion Bumper. Tellherthename: gelding is highly regarded Pauling sees a kindred spirit in counterpart Dan Skelton, another trainer often on the front foot when it comes to defending British jumping and its values. "We're the same age, we started at the same time and we get on brilliantly," he says. "I hope in X amount of years we can be serving it up properly because you have periods of domination – there was Martin Pipe and the year before I left Nicky we had seven winners at Cheltenham and he was champion trainer. Willie has taken it to another level, but I don't think that domination will last forever. "I'll be honest, though, I'm happy I'm training in Britain, not Ireland. There, you've got Willie, Gordon [Elliott] and probably Henry [de Bromhead], but then brilliant trainers beneath who are struggling to get on to that ladder, while we've just managed to have a fabulous Saturday with three winners, nearly four, at Ascot. That just wouldn't happen in Ireland." Based just 13 miles from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire's jumping stronghold, Pauling is well aware of the lure of the festival and the grip it has on the sport, but rejects claims it plays too overarching a role. "Whether you like it or not, Cheltenham is the pinnacle of jump racing and if you gave most owners a choice, bar maybe the late Trevor Hemmings, who loved the National, the majority would want to run at Cheltenham," he says. "Everyone wants to be there. We're a stone's throw away and a lot of my owners would love our location because of its proximity to Cheltenham. Festival week for us is not just the racing, we're flat out from the Sunday night before to the Friday night. It's busy morning, noon and night, but there's a great buzz and the staff can get there for an afternoon, which is a big thing." Pauling is talking from a smart lounge at the stunning state-of-the-art Naunton training complex he has called home for nearly two years. Its art deco wallpaper is not a subject on which he is an expert – "my wife Sophie is responsible" – but he is more familiar with saddling winners and by far his best campaign was recorded during his first season at the new yard last term, with 80 winners. Another 57 have followed this season. Assistant Tom David, Head Person Gill Tate and Secretary Hannah Vowles are trusted employees who take pressure off Pauling, who had said before the move that building his new base was like creating a monster. "I slightly regret that statement," he reflects. "What I was trying to get across was we've created a big operation and you can't get away from the fact we heavily invested in it, so it needed to work, but it has, and it's gone from being a monster to being really smooth. "Everything's coming together nicely at the moment, and with the owners, staff and horses we've got, we're in a great place – we've never been in a better one. "You're always looking for the next horse or to meet the next owner, but a friend told me people spend too much time living for tomorrow. You've got to be ambitious, but don't rush what's happening today." In terms of the here and now, and the next few weeks, Pauling has plenty to savour. More than just Tellherthename ... here are the rest of Pauling's pearls Handstands (above)
Baring Bingham He's different from Tellherthename in that he'd work the same with a 105 horse as he would a 135 horse. Harry Cobden schooled them recently and thought Tellherthename was pretty cool, but he got off Handstands and said he hoped he'd wake up in the Sidney Banks! If he's A1, he'll go, but if there's a doubt we'll avoid it and go to Aintree. He does only what he has to do, and you wouldn't have a clue where the bottom of him is. Handstands: a Huntingdon winner for Harry Cobden this monthCredit: Alan Crowhurst The Jukebox Man Albert Bartlett They went a proper gallop on desperate ground in the Challow and he lugged slightly left up the home straight, but I think he'd have gone very close if he hadn't done that. He's made for three miles and is a class jumper who should go very well. Sixmilebridge Champion Bumper He's very talented but we've struggled with his lung health all season. His tracheal wash the week before Sandown was not good, but it was either stopping for the season or running and seeing how we got on, and he won as he liked. He went through the race half-asleep and then went clear, and you've got to relax and travel nicely for the bumper. He's a proper horse. Shakem Up'Arry Ultima/Plate We gave him a wind op in the summer and I think it took him a run to realise he was okay, then he was too free in the Coral Gold Cup. He won nicely at Cheltenham and I think he's well handicapped. The ground will decide his target. Harper's Brook Grand Annual I'm quite excited about his chance. He's got his quirks but Sandown last time couldn't have gone any better because they went a strong gallop. I might stick a pair of blinkers on him. Henry's Friend National Hunt Chase After he won the Reynoldstown, I said we'd leave him for Cheltenham, but you wouldn't believe how well he was after, so we'll consider it. I'm not into times but I'm told the Reynoldstown figures were impressive. Bowtogreatness Ultima/National Hunt Chase/Kim Muir He's one of my favourite horses and has so much ability. He ran like an absolute mongoose at Newbury because I left the earplugs off, so his first proper run this season was when fifth on Trials day. He's the hardest horse you'll meet, so I'd think nothing of going from Kempton to Cheltenham. I'm very sweet on him. Owned by The Megsons, Monty Bodkin was all heart as he dug deep to keep his lead on soft holding ground at Doncaster. The win marked a double on the day for the team with Leader In The Park winning the first also under Ben Jones.
Congratulations to all connections of these two lovely horses. Leader In The Park maintains his lead throughout to win well at Doncaster for owner Lady Dulverton. The son of Walk In The Park grew in confidence as the race progressed, flying the last under a lovely ride from Ben Jones.
Looking forward to the future with this smart prospect. No Questions Asked puts in a stylish performance to win well on debut under a great ride from Ben Jones.
The win pays reward to some very patient owners and we are delighted he has been worth the wait! Congratulations to all connections. In-form trainer and jockey Ben Jones star in Ascot treble. AT THE RACES article. Henry’s Friend held off the late lunge of Kilbeg King to successfully move up in class and win the Sodexo Live! Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot, on a tremendous afternoon for trainer Ben Pauling and jockey Ben Jones. Pauling fitted Henry’s Friend with cheekpieces for the first time, despite him winning his last two outings. And it certainly had the desired effect, as he showed real determination in the closing stages to win the Grade Two in the hands of Ben Jones. Brave Kingdom attempted to make all, but he was beaten a long way from home which left 13-8 favourite Apple Away in front. She could never quite break away, however, as Henry’s Friend, Kilbeg King and outsider The King Of Ryhope all had a chance jumping two out. It was Henry’s Friend (13-2) who toughed it out best, winning by a head and earning a quote of 10-1 for the National Hunt Chase with Paddy Power, although Cheltenham is unlikely to be on the winner’s radar, as Pauling explained. “He didn’t jump well enough early doors and it was fortunate for him they didn’t go much of a gallop,” he said. “I thought they would go a right gallop and if they had done he wouldn’t have been in it. But he was brave from the back of the last and his jumping got better and he keeps improving. “I thought he was well handicapped, but I just thought he would be better off in a smaller field. I’m thrilled because he had to improve and he has. “He wants every yard (of three miles) and he will be a lovely staying chaser in time. Stamina would never be a worry for me with this lad. “He’s got an entry at Cheltenham in the amateur chase, but I doubt he wants to go there after that – that looked a bit of a ding-dong and to go there so quickly might be stupid. “We might look at Aintree for him or something like that, but I think that will do for now.” Pauling also claimed the opening Ascot Shop Novices’ Hurdle with Pic Roc (11-2) as he continues to add to his crack team of promising youngsters. (Photos above) His second to Hasthing at Catterick saw him qualify for Sandown’s European Breeders’ Fund Betfair ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final and having downed the well-regarded 13-8 favourite Inthewaterside, his handler confirmed that would be his next assignment. “He’s a nice horse who I’ve always thought plenty of but haven’t managed to win with him,” added Pauling. “If you are going to lose your maiden status, here is a great place in a nice race. “He will go to the EBF Final and he qualified for that at Catterick (when second to Hasthing). I just needed to get a run into him and tried that at Doncaster last week but it snowed. “He doesn’t jump well enough to be a top-class novice this year – he needs a fence. But he will be a lovely novice chaser next year. He’s not a star of hurdles but he might be a nice staying chaser next year. “We’ll just chuck him in the EBF, see how we get on and then maybe pull stumps for the year. We’ve got a lot entered in that race this year, but he would probably right towards the top of them now.” The double marked a big Saturday afternoon for Jones, who has become a key member of Pauling’s Naunton Downs team following the retirement of Luca Morgan and steered home Harry Redknapp’s Shakem Up’Arry at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. “I’m absolutely delighted and it’s easy when you have nice horses underneath you,” said the 24-year-old. “I’m just lucky that I’m able to go out and perform against the big boys and the big horses, so I’m delighted. “As a jockey all you want to do is ride in the bigger races and at the bigger meetings and winners like that on the big stage mean a lot. “The better the horse, the better the jockey and I’ve had a couple of willing partners today.” It was then so nearly the stuff of dreams for the pair, with Bad going agonisingly close to giving them a quickfire hat-trick in the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Handicap Hurdle but just missing out to Mothill in a bob of heads on the line. But the treble was duly secured when Honor Grey (14-1) won the Ascot Racecourse Supports Box4Kids Handicap Hurdle
“I’m buzzing to be honest. I’ve had lots of winners and lots of nice horses, but I’ve never had a treble on a Saturday,” said Pauling. “I was inches away from a four-timer but it doesn’t matter, they have all run their races and I’m really chuffed. “It’s been an amazing season and it’s going from strength-to-strength. Since we’ve moved to the new yard we’ve invested heavily in facilities and hopefully now it’s working. We have an incredible bunch of young horses and hopefully it leads to bigger things. “It’s just great to be competing at this level and it’s going really well.”
Handstands (Getaway) remains unbeaten by beating a strong and select field in the £30,000 highlight at Huntingdon, the Listed Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle.
The five year old settled into to a lovely rhythm under Harry Cobden early in the race, jumping tidily throughout before moving strongly round the hometurn to take the lead over the final two hurdles. Handstands has made a brilliant start to his career and we look forward to watching him progress as he gains in experience. Congratulations to his owner Mr T P Radford.
Dunskay (Night Wish) is back to debut form to boast a smart three length win in the Huntingdon finale to make it a card double for the team and Harry Cobden.
Congratulations to owners, the OAPs. Diva Luna kept Ben Pauling on a roll with his bumper horses when she made a successful start under rules in the Listed feature, named in honour of Alan Swinbank, at the Lincolnshire track.
Winning rider Brian Hughes rode many winners for the former North Yorkshire-based Swinbank and was not for stopping in the straight on the well-backed 4-1 chance to hold off Listentoyourheart by three-quarters of a length. The winner had been placed on her only previous start in an Irish point-to-point after which the owners switched her to Pauling's Cheltenham base, and it is already paying dividends. The 2m½f contest was won by subsequent Grade 2 Aintree bumper winner Dysart Enos 12 months ago, and the daughter of Diamond Boy is to follow the same path according to Pauling. The Gloucestershire trainer, who introduced another nice bumper prospect in the shape of Sixmilebridge at Sandown last Saturday, said: "This mare has done most of her work with Sixmilebridge, but he would have more toe than her. "She's always been a lovely prospect after she came off the box and has always been very professional. We got that in spades today and we'll have a look at the mares' bumper at Aintree after that." A huge team effort and a massive thank you to everyone involved. ‘It takes a village’ the saying goes & we’re very lucky with ours.
Onwards! Sixmilebridge could be added to trainer Ben Pauling’s small but select team for next month’s Cheltenham Festival following an impressive debut at Sandown last weekend.
The Naunton Downs handler is fast approaching the 50-winner mark for the current campaign and has unearthed several exciting prospects who are under consideration for the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds in five weeks’ time. Pauling is particularly strong in the novice hurdle division, with Fiercely Proud and The Jukebox Man both placed in graded company and the unbeaten Handstands and dual winner Tellherthename both facing crucial tests this week in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon and Betfair Hurdle at Newbury respectively. Point-to-point recruit Sixmilebridge was unraced under rules prior to running in Sandown’s bumper finale on Saturday, but was backed as if plenty was expected and duly justified favouritism with an impressive victory, teeing himself up for a potential tilt at the Champion Bumper. “In everything he’s done at home he’s been impressive,” said Pauling. “He’s not a keen horse, he’s just a good work horse, and we’ve struggled with him throughout the whole season in getting his lung health spot-on. “He still wasn’t spot-on on Saturday, but it had got to the point in the season where we either rolled the dice to see how we got on or we shut up shop for the season. We decided to roll the dice and we were delighted to see what we got because there’s probably a fair bit of improvement to come when he’s 100 per cent healthy. “If I can get his trach wash clean, he would be the sort that I would roll at the Cheltenham bumper because he seems to have that mental attitude you need and travels well without being too keen – he looks like he knows his job. “We might let him roll in the Cheltenham bumper, which would be unusual for me, but I do think he’s potentially a bit special.” Sixmilebridge’s victory was the second leg of a Sandown double for Pauling and his owners the Megson family, with the tricky but talented Harper’s Brook striking gold in a valuable handicap chase. The eight-year-old had thrown away victory on his previous outing at Ascot when pulling himself up on the run-in, but having got the job done on Saturday, he too is Festival-bound. Pauling added: “He is a horse with enormous ability, an unbelievable stride and the scope he has is just mad, but he is a bit of a character to say the least, so any day you get his head in front is a good day. “I was thrilled with the way he travelled through the race off a strong pace. He was nearly taken out at the third-last by the loose horse and it was unfortunate at the last for the other horse to fall, but we can now look forward to going to Cheltenham with an exciting horse for the Grand Annual. “He’s been given a mark of 140 which is spot-on as it’ll get you in, but you’ll be near the bottom of the weights. I couldn’t be happier with him.” Harry Redknapp-owned The Jukebox Man has not been seen in competitive action since finishing third in the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury in late December, but he is also on Pauling’s Prestbury Park teamsheet. “Jukebox will go straight to Cheltenham and I’d say he’s more of an Albert Bartlett horse than a Baring Bingham horse,” the trainer said. “If the Baring Bingham came up on proper heavy ground then I’d probably stick at two-and-a-half, but I think he’s probably more of a three-miler. “He ran a blinder in the Challow. It was pretty tough going that day and they went a proper, honest gallop considering the conditions. “I just thought that even though that he seems great at home, he could do with a proper opportunity to freshen up. He’s in really good form and I think he’s only going to improve.” Harper's Brook survived a few scares in a dramatic running of the 1m7½f handicap chase to kickstart a double for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones.
In an eventful finish, the eight-year-old was hampered at the third-last by loose horse Saint Segal before pecking on landing at the penultimate fence. He soon recovered and was in contention alongside In Excelsis Deo before being left to canter home after his chief rival unseated his rider at the last. "He's got his head in front, which is great because he's got a lot of ability," said Pauling. "We all love him to pieces because he's a bit of a rogue. "He almost got taken out completely and then almost fell at the second-last before somehow coming back on the bridle again before the last." Pauling and Jones doubled up when Sixmilebridge, carrying the same colours, won the bumper by two and three-quarter lengths from Juby Ball. Awaythelad (Getaway) battles bravely under a good ride from our Conditional Jockey Beau Morgan to take the win at Leicester. A last start winner, Awaythelad had to dig deep when challenged to the line but kept on well and took connections back to the winners enclosure.
Congratualtions to all connections. Henry's Friend (Shirocco) put in a classy jumping display at Hereford to take his owners, the Troup's back to the winning enclosure with a second win on the bounce.
Congratulations to all connections, a fun one to watch! The striking son of Blue Bresil has had to be patient for his first run. Falling victim to three 'false starts' with various meetings being abandoned due to the weather, this highly anticipated first run for Les's Destiny Star was worth the wait for owner Les Del La Hay.
As a Jersey resident it takes a bit of organising for Les to ensure he is the right side of the water for his runners but his patience this season paid dividends as his short-priced favourite confirmed what we'd been seeing at home and put pay to his rivals to give Ben Jones and the team a Doncaster double! The recently formed Pour Decisions syndicate had great reason to let the champagne flow during their Sunday roasts as Champagne Twist put in a stylish jumping display for a six and a half length victory at Doncaster.
Twister as he's known colloquially was bought from the Goff's Doncaster sale by Ben in May last year. He arrived back to Naunton Downs when the syndicate was then formed. Proving to be alot of fun, this classy galloper has already taken the syndicate to Ascot and Cheltenham and been competitive in all three of his starts with a fourth, a second and now a very good win! We are very much looking forward to this chap's future (and of course the champagne celebrations!) In the first Full Circle Series qualifier to be held in England it was Sun Joy who booked his spot in the Punchestown racecourse initiative.
The flashy chestnut Sun Joy, purchased from Deauville last year, sports the infamous navy, pink and green colours of the Champion Salmon Spray, indeed racing under the ownership of The Salmon Spray Partnership. Sun Joy's nifty jumping style stood in good stead to be competitive in the 2m 1/2f hurdle but it was when headed just before two out that his dogged determination under Ben Jones really kicked in and the duo kept on gamely to clinch the win. The Full Circle Series final will be held on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival at the end of April - a trip across the ditch could just be in store for this little pocket rocket! |
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