At The Races

It is wrong to categorise trainers but it would be easy to form the opinion that Victor Dartnall excels with staying chasers.

In the last two seasons he has finished second in two of the most gruelling handicap chases around, the Welsh National and Eider with the extremely game and durable Giles Cross.

However, as in previous seasons, Dartnall often taps the potential of his future chasers over hurdles and already this season he has a young horse of talent in Ambion Wood.

Last season he won novice hurdles with Mic's Delight who has gone on to improve again over fences this term and has a date at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

There are some nice younger horse coming through, too, at his Exmoor base, the pick of which he discusses here.

AMBION WOOD
6 b g Oscar - Dorans Grove.
Improving hurdler won third of four starts beating Nutin Fancy four and a half lengths in two and a half mile Chepstow maiden hurdle in late December off 123. Better effort only subsequent run when rated 129 and beaten half a length by Cotton Mill in grade two hurdle over two miles five at Warwick January 14. Now 135.
"he goes to Haydock for the big novice hurdle on February 18 over three miles. The ground wasn't soft enough for him at Warwick last time and he came back shinny, which rather confirmed that. He'll have an entry for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. He was immature and was slow to come to himself."

CALICO ROSE
8 ch m Karinga Bay - Sprig Muslin.
Sole win from nine starts came off 95 in two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Taunton February 2011. Has run well in defeat this season, best on penultimate start when three quarters of a length third of 12 to Swift Chap in two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Wincanton in November off 105. Off career-high 108 latest run when 14 lengths tenth of 11 to Fox Appeal over three miles at Taunton December 20.
"She's down to run in a two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Chepstow on February 3 - it didn't seem to work over three last time. It's possible she's at the top of her rating and might need to drop. She might go over fences later this season."

CONNAK
10 ch g Pasternak - Call Me Connie.
Lightly-raced with only 11 starts, winning one hurdle and one chase, the latest in three mile novice at Exeter in November beating Our Island two and a three quarter lengths. Rated 136 (career high) and fell next start in three mile Kempton handicap chase won by Fruity O'Rooney and off same mark only subsequent run when 16 lengths fourth of seven to Frascati Park in extended three miler at Warwick January 14. Now 133.
"The ground just wasn't soft enough at Warwick last time and in the circumstances ran well enough. The idea is the Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March and he'll have just one run before."

EXMOOR RANGER
10 ch g Grand Plaisir - Slyguff Torus.
Useful staying handicap chaser, last of four wins from 18 chase starts came off 137 penultimate start over three miles at Ascot in October beating Razor Royale a length in 17-runner event. Went to 144 next run when distant fifth of 10 to Hold On Julio at Sandown January 7 and now 143.
"He's entered for Sandown on February 4 - the last time he ran there the ground was very sticky and he didn't like it. He was good on better ground at Ascot the run before and he is very well, it's just a matter of the ground being ok for him. He could go to Cheltenham and long-term there's the Scottish National where he could get the right ground."

GILES CROSS
10 b g Saddler's Hall - Mystockings.
Doughty staying chaser, second in last two running's of Welsh National off 132 last season and 136 this season when seven lengths second of 20 to Le Beau Bai. Beat subsequent winner Rey Nacarado length and three quarters on previous start in three mile four handicap chase at Fontwell off 132.
"He's entered for the National Trial at Haydock on February 4 and will get an Aintree entry but he would only run if it were soft. It's more than likely he'll have another go at the Eider Chase at Newcastle in which he was second last season. A extraordinary horse that just keeps coming back from hard races but I don't run him too much. Probably unlucky to come up against some well-handicapped horses."

GREAT GUSTO
6 ch g Moscow Society - Warm Front.
Improving for moving up in distance three hurdles starts having shown ability in bumpers when 22 lengths second to Fingal Bay at Exeter February 2011. Rated 115 after latest start when six lengths second of six to Hawkes Point in three mile maiden hurdle at Chepstow Jan 20.
"He's likely to run at Chepstow on February 3 in a novice hurdle but he just needs a stronger gallop than he got last time - he finished fresh as paint. Stays all day and is going to make a staying chaser."

HONOURABLE ARTHUR
9 br g Presenting - Ronkino.
Staying chaser, four from eight over fences and latest coming off 120 in three and a quarter mile contest at Wincanton on Boxing Day beating Lavenoak Lad a head. Now career-high 126.
"We need to try him over three and a half miles because he was flat to the boards over three and a quarter last time. I might look at the Kent National at Folkestone but he'd need to run before then."

MAGOT DE GRUGY
12 b g Tzar Rodney - Hirlish.
Formerly trained by Robert Alner when three from 31 over fences and rated career-high 110. In good form four runs for present yard since, winning on debut over two miles five at Fontwell in November off 98. Second then third next three starts, latest beaten 16 lengths into third over two and a half at Plumpton in chase won by Niceonefrankie off 107, now 106.
"This is probably his last season and he's probably on a high enough mark but there might be an opportunity for him at Fontwell on February 5. He is holding his form well."

MENINTIGHTS
5 b g Baryshnikov - Kimmeridge Bay.
Unraced.
"From the dam line of Killiney and works well although and would give a good account of himself in a bumper even though that's not his job."

MIC'S DELIGHT
8 b g Witness Box - Warrior Princess.
Smart hurdler, beaten a nose by Skint off 130 in two and a half mile EBF Final at Sandown in March. Improving in both runs over fences this season winning second of them when beating Flaming Charlie five lengths in three-runner chase over three miles at Market Rasen January 22. Finished hurdles on 135.
"He's a cracker. I'm just waiting to see what his chase mark is and I'll make plans after that but he has taken to fences well. I'll be looking at the two and a half mile novice handicap at Cheltenham. He's quicker than you might think, good to soft or softer."

MIGHTY MONTY
7 br g Overbury - Ruby Star.
One from eight over hurdles and won over apparently favoured trip of two miles five when beating Lucky Lukey off 98 at Uttoxeter in November. Beaten a head by Cocoabana same course and distance next start off 107 and up to 110 latest run when pulled up in two mile six handicap at Ascot won by Our Father December 16.
"I don't know what happened at Ascot last time, maybe it was the soft ground, but he's absolutely fine and goes to Taunton on January 31 in a two mile three handicap chase. He'd run poorly at Ascot before."

MOLESKIN
9 b g Saddler's Hall - Magic Gale.
Rated 125 after winning two mile six novice hurdle on November 2009. Had dropped to 111 when winning only race in 12 subsequent starts when beating Croan Rock nine lengths in three mile novice handicap chase at Kempton January 14. Now 122.
"I think we are seeing a different Moleskin now because he's had a few things put right. At home he's much more relaxed which helps when he's racing because he does need a trip. He was very relaxed at Kempton when he won last time and blinkers have definitely helped him."

MR HOOPER
6 b g Karinga Bay - Rempstone.
Won bumper debut March 2011 when beating Gospel Preacher five lengths in 13-runner contest. Unraced since.
"He's had a wind op since he ran and will run on February 3 in a two and a half mile novice hurdle at Chepstow. He's very well and the reason he's late coming out is that he is a massive horse and we needed to tidy him up."

REQUIN
7 b/br g Video Rock - Funkia.
Useful hurdler but better chasing despite failing to complete last two starts. Fell three out when held in three mile handicap won by The Minack at Ascot in December off career-high 135. Pulled up only subsequent run off 132 in two mile five handicap at Kempton won by Cruchain January 14.
"We found a problem after Ascot and hopefully that has sorted him out and he's got an option at Exeter on February 12 over two miles three. He was running a good race at Ascot until he fell and I'm happier with him now than I was before he went to Ascot."

RICHARD'S SUNDANCE
10 b g Saddler's Hall - Celestial Rose.
Two from 15 starts over fences and relishes a stamina test. Last won in January 2010 off 134. Went to 141 and back to 129 latest start over three and a quarter miles at Wincanton January 21 when distant third of 12 to Zarrafact. Now 127 - lowest mark since December 2009.
"I think the handicapper might have got to him and he needs to drop a bit more. Being a Saddler's Hall I wonder if cheek pieces might help but he looks as though he's putting it all in. He does like Wincanton and soft ground."

ROUDOUDOU VILLE
7 b/br g Winning Smile - Jadoudy Ville.
Improving handicap chaser around two and a half miles ended last season running second off 132. Won reappearance at Sandown in November beating Midnight Appear four lengths off 137 then length third of 16 to Quantitiveeasing over two five at Cheltenham off 145 and now 150.
"He's now on hold for Cheltenham and the Byrne Group Plate. He wants good ground so no point running him before but he's in very good form. Couldn't run him again because it might ruin our chance."

RUGGED JACK
5 b g Bonbon Rose - A Plus Ma Puce.
Won Uttoxeter bumper by two lengths from Royal Commission in December and beaten 19 lengths into second by Il Presidente 14 furlong bumper at Fontwell January 27.
"One more run in a bumper and then he'll be put away for next season and he might be able to win with a penalty because he was racing on the worst ground when he was beaten last time. Might have another look at Uttoxeter."

SHAMMICK BOY
7 b g Craigsteel - Dulcet Music.
Winning novice hurdler at two miles and rated 137. Won chase debut at Exeter in November then fell next start same course over two and a half miles in race won by Walk On. Debut chase mark of 127.
"In top form now and goes to Taunton on January 31 for a two mile three novices chase. He'll have cheek pieces which just seem to make him a bit braver at his fences. He needs to get a lead but the pieces seem to make him travel a bit better in behind. He's had a nice break."

SLEEPING CITY
5 b/br g Sleeping Car - City Prospect.
Ability both bumpers and stayed on to be well beaten six lengths second to Darlan in seven-runner two mile novice hurdle at Kempton in November.
"He wants better ground and that's what we are waiting for. I think he's a nice prospect going the right way."

TOLKEINS TANGO
4 ch g Beneficial - Aule.
Unraced.
"He's ready to run in a bumper and while he might not be quick enough to win one he is a nice horse to remember for the future."

WHACKO
5 b g Waky Nao - Broadcast.
Unraced.
"I hadn't come across his sire but evidently Charlie Swan has a very nice bumper horse by him. He's in to run on February 2 at Wincanton and while he is capable of making a good show, it might be a little early.