At The Races

Jim Best Stable Tour
10 Dec 2007

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Success in jump racing is all relative. If Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs, Nicky Henderson and Alan King don't win something at Cheltenham in March it will be regarded as failure.

For the Best brothers, Jim and Tom, it would be a real feat to have a runner at the meeting. But, relatively speaking the duo who train on the old Lewes racecourse, have made improvement in line with the top yards during the last 12 months.

To start with, their price range averages between six and eight grand - the amount of commission some trainers pay on a single untried prospect.

What's more, it's usual for at least two or more trainers to have had a go with the material that the Bests end up with leaving them to right the wrongs of several seasons.

To their credit, more often than not they manage to turn a horse around - no better recent example than the 25-1 Lingfield winner Hidden Weapon who was cited as a chronic bleeder at the age of ten with just three starts to his credit for another trainer.

It is not uncommon for horses to have run more than 15 times for other trainers before arriving at Lewes but they are stripped down, re-tuned and sent out to do a job.

Last jump season they managed eight winners with a 24 per cent strike rate. This season, with the yard total boosted to around 27, they had surpassed that with nine winners posted by December 10, a strike rate of 29 per cent.

The stable star is the progressive mare Lady Pilot who won three on the flat before winning second time over hurdles - she would have won on her debut but for falling.

The rejuvenated Rapscallion impressively beat the handy Mickmackmagool at Kempton only to be carried out at Leicester next time.

Unlike them, most of the Best team are rated below 100 and operate in jumping's basement. However, 7/2 about a selling hurdle winner is the same as a Grade I winner - and often not so hard to find. Their strike rate at Plumpton over the last four years is impressive with nine winners from 19 runners, an outstanding strike rate of 47 per cent. Anything they run there should be carefully monitored.

Here Jim, gives us his opinion of the team he and his brother train on the historic Sussex Downs.

BRENDAR
10 b g Step Together - Willabelle.
Joined present yard from Ireland in June 2005 and won second start, two mile five furlongs handicap hurdle at Plumpton off 99. Fourth next three starts off 105 and 103, winning most recent outing in January by a head from Haggle Twins at Plumpton. Now 110.
"We had his knees operated on and he's never looked back. Doesn't want to hit the front too soon and I'm sure he can still be competitive off 110. Ready to run now and loves the ground bottomless and will go close wherever he goes. After he wins over hurdles he'll go chasing - jumps a fence better than a hurdle. I think he'll get three miles."

DOUBLE MAGNUM
7 b g Double Trigger - Raise The Dawn.
Unsuccessful six times before joining present yard in October and showed steady improvement from a mark of 79 to winning modest Folkestone event by 23 lengths over nearly three miles off 86. Still room to improve again.
"Not the easiest to train because of his mind but at Folkestone last time I felt there was a lot left in the tank because his ears were pricked - but he never gives it his all. He's due to go up a lot and he's in off his old mark at Hexham on December 12. But it is an amateur riders race and he's not an amateurs ride. He'll stay all day and he looks a chaser and eventually he started jumping well in schools."

DUNDRIDGE NATIVE
9 b m Be My Native - Fra Mau.
Possibly the best horse to showcase the talents of this yard. Winnerless in 18 starts - one over fences - since February 2004. Won first time for presents stable when beating Big John Macarty ten lengths in three and a quarter mile novice handicap hurdle at Plumpton November 25 off 85. Won next start - poor handicap at Fakenham - by 27 lengths off 92. Now up to 100 and will rise again but clearly still open to improvement. Only rated 80 over fences.
"Been brilliant last two runs and the only problem is that she's won too easy. She's due to go up again but she might go to Huntingdon or Taunton on December 13 or there's a race for her at Doncaster two days later. I'm sure she's capable of winning again. She's just a relentless galloper. Once the handicapper does get here there's the chasing route because she's off a very fair mark of 80 and she jumps a fence as well as she jumps a hurdle. Softer the ground the better. She's loving it at the moment."

FORZACURITY
8 ch g Forzando - Nice Lady.
Dropped to 83 and won Fakenham selling handicap October 26. Has been competitive off 90 in same grade two most recent starts All at two miles.
"No excuses for his last couple of defeats - we went to Catterick last time for better ground but could be better round sharp tracks like Fakenham. Might be better in summer jump races. He has been schooled over fences."

GREEN PROSPECT
7 b g Green Tune - City Prospect.
Twice a winner around two miles for Martin Pipe in 2005. Winnerless 12 subsequent runs until winning debut for present yard in two and a half mile selling handicap at Fakenham November 20 off 92. Fair third of 12 off 105 latest start in Leicester seller December 2.
"Always had his problems since leaving Martin Pipe. Doesn't want a track that's stiff and better over a flat two and possibly two and a half. Really a plater but has the option to go chasing."

HIDDEN WEAPON
10 b g Charmer - Bustinella.
Failed to complete in three career starts from October 2004 to April 2006. Named a chronic bleeder but won on debut for present yard when beating Go Amwell a head in two and a half mile novice hurdle at Lingfield November 28. Could still be exploitable if staying on one piece.
"We were just pleased he didn't bleed at Lingfield. He's a lovely looking horse that has come to us a bit late in the day because he could have had a nice career. We don't put him under extreme pressure at home, just get him as fit as we can without putting the gun to his head. We'll put him in another novice but he looks a chaser and does most of his schooling over them at home. Two and a half miles is spot on. I don't think he'll be the type to get the bounce factor next time."

LADY PILOT
5 b m Dansili - Mighty Flyer.
Bought for 4.500gns in February having won once in 40 starts. Won next three flat handicaps rising from 47 to 67 and would have won hurdle debut but for falling two out at Huntingdon over two miles five. Won next start when back to two miles in Lingfield novice beating Princess Flame three lengths. Should stay further.
"We liked her from day one, she's so tough and kept finding a little bit more on the flat. Two and a half miles at Huntingdon was spot on for her and just a shame she came down two out. I think we were lucky to get away with Lingfield next time because she's not a two miler, especially round Lingfield, and they nearly got away from her. She'll be over two and a half next time, good or good to soft ground. She's been jumping fences at home."

LAKIL BOY
7 b g Presenting - Tinerana Noble.
Won bumper debut in Ireland April 2004. Winnerless since in 17 starts and claimed for £5,000 after finishing second of ten to Share My Dream in two mile claiming hurdle at Worcester in June when rated 89. Yet to race for present yard and very interesting for that alone.
"Had some form with Charlie Swan. Had a little setback after we claimed him but he's back working well now - before the setback he was going better than Dundridge Native - so we've got to be hopeful. Two and a half miles but possibly two if it was very soft."

QUEEN OF SONG
5 b m Singspiel - Fascination Waltz.
Tailed off all six starts on flat and over hurdles for Gary Moore. Yet to race for present yard.
"Her legs weren't too good when she came but is back and should be ready by early February. Should certainly win off 85 first time."

RAPSCALLION
8 b g Robellino - Rosy Outlook.
Very smart two-year-old - won Group Three Horris Hill on heavy in 2001. Winnerless since and degenerated to a mark off 93 over hurdles and bought for 6,500 gns in April. Four lengths second of 13 to Yellow Flag on debut for present yard at Fakenham November 20 and easily beat progressive Mickmackmagool nine lengths in Kempton handicap seven days later. Upsides and going ok when carried out subsequent start off penalised 97 at Leicester. Already 112 and will rise again but still on an upward curve.
"He was very keen when we first got him and all we've done is get him settled and enjoying it again, not rush everything. Fakenham didn't suit him but Kempton was ideal, a flat two miles is spot on. For that reason I was worried about Leicester but we had to run off his old mark. It was unfortunate what happened when he was carried out because he would probably have won and now he'll go up. He's on a ten day break and I wouldn't say the next rise will stop him. A better horse on decent ground."

ROSE OF YORK
7 b m Emarati - True Ring.
One win in 30 starts, latest over nearly three miles in Stratford seller September 2005. Rated 71 and yet to race for present yard. Interesting.
"She's working really well at present and looks a certain winner in her class but would not want it too soft. Two miles bowling along will be ideal. She'll be hard to beat off this mark when the conditions are right."

STARS DELIGHT
10 ch g Fourstars Allstar - Celtic Cygnet.
Trained by Gary Moore when twice successful under present trainer in two and a half mile novice hurdles March 2003. Rated 110 and ran for present yard August same year and only four runs subsequently when dropped to 100 and winning Taunton handicap hurdle in January. Fourth following month and won final start in three and a quarter mile handicap hurdle at Huntingdon in March, beating Bohemian Boy off 104. Hasn't raced since off new mark of 110.
"We've had him a long time and now he needs a bit further and since he's been going over three miles he's started winning again. Needs to be given a confident ride and although he's off 110 I still feel he's got a bit left and there are races to be won with him. Goes on most ground."

THE WOODEN SPOON
9 b g Old Vic - Amy's Gale.
Winnerless in eight starts from November 2003 to February 2007 around two and a half to three miles. Has dropped from 95 to 90. Yet to race for present yard and fits the profile of horses they excel with.
"He's really come to himself in the last couple of weeks. We got him towards the end of last season but the ground dried up and he wouldn't have the best legs in the world. With his rating I think there's a 0-100 coming up somewhere and he'll take a world of beating. Three miles without a doubt with plenty of use."

THREE SHIPS
6 ch g Dr Fong - River Lullaby.
Claimed for £6,000 after finishing fourth of 11 in Plumpton seller in September - had won novice hurdle and in banded class 2005 and early 2006. Won first start for present yard when readily winning Taunton seller by a length and a half from Kyathos November 15 off 86. Now 92.
"I think he can still win off 92 but he does want decent ground - ok on good but nothing worse. We'll have to sit tight but he's working well and I think we could get him back to his old mark of 110."

TOCCATA
3 b f Cape Cross - Sopran Marida.
Lightly raced filly winning 11 furlong maiden at Warwick in May for David Simcock. Rated 78 and well beaten three subsequent starts. Bought for 13,000 gns November sales and yet to race for present yard but by their conservative standards an expensive buy.
"Really taken our time with her but she's settled down well and is due to start loose schooling. She's got a touch of quality and we'd be confident she'll do well in novice hurdles. She's the same type as Lady Pilot. Ready in the middle of February."

WOTCHALIKE
5 ch g Spectrum - Juno Madonna.
Two wins from 40 starts, latest when taking two mile Exeter novice by four lengths from Shannon Springs in October 2006 and rated 117. Bought for 6,000 and dropped to 100 on debut for present yard when saddle slipped and pulled up early at Exeter November 23. Very interesting.
"We fancied him a lot at Exeter but he's not a horse that wants it too heavy, might be ok on good to soft because he's only a small horse. His home work has been very good and he's gone with every winner we've had. I'd be very disappointed if we didn't win races with him this season. Should be ok off 100 and there is an option at Plumpton on December 17."

The knowledge. This is an operation that transforms the cast offs from other trainers and for that reason the following horses that have yet to run from the yard are of significant interest.
LAKIL BOY, QUEEN OF SONG, ROSE OF YORK, THE WOODEN SPOON and TOCATTA.
WOTCHALIKE carried plenty of confidence on debut for yard when saddle slipped.
DOUBLE MAGNUM and DUNDRIDGE NATIVE will be interesting over fences.