Back To Work

As ever the middle of July sees the start of preparations for the new season. While Cheltenham in March seems a lifetime away, the many hours of preparation begin now.

 

For all our horses the season starts at Mount Top Stud in County Antrim, Ireland, under the care of Kevin Ross and his mother Eyssen. The increased level of individual care is especially important in the development of our young horses. In this environment each horse is treated differently and allowance made for those that struggle to adjust to training, and need time. Our philosophy has always been that each horse is an individual and will be allowed to develop at their own speed. One of the keys is not to over do the fast work at home.

  

The horses will follow a painstaking program of roadwork and cantering before finally beginning any serious work.  An initial six weeks of road work will strengthen tendons, and help to develop the cardio vascular system. This is followed by a prolonged series of slow cantering on a deep sand surface starting at one mile and building up to three miles daily. Finally we are ready to start some faster work on a grass gallop, interspersed with schooling.

 

The first two to return to work were the Jump For Fun Racing Club horses Frontier Dancer and Frontier Spirit. All three club horses are being primed for a tilt at the Perth September meeting, (Le Roi Max is already in training with Nigel Twiston-Davies at Naunton). They are now cantering two miles a day and will be ready to return to the Twiston-Davies yard by the end of the month.

 

Imperial Commander was brought in from the fields last weekend and shod on Wednesday, before starting his roadwork on Thursday. His preparation is different in that he will require the application of bone remodelling agents to his hocks at various stages of his program. He has summered particularly well, and looks an absolute picture. He will return to the Twiston-Davies yard in September with his likely reappearance being the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

 

His companion during his pre-training regime will be Faith Keeper a Beneficial gelding who gained experience in point to points last season. A big raw galloping sort, he will not be rushed and is very much a long term chasing prospect.  

Oscar’s Ballad is a latent talent who has taken time to come to hand. His three runs last season (two point to points and a NHF race) proved too much for him, and he struggled to hold his condition both in training and after races. This was further compounded by a fit of coughing which required a course of anti-biotic's. He has been given a long break, and a conditioning program to build up his physique. Signs are that he is now ready to fulfil his potential and he will be completing his pre-season before heading to Gordon Elliott’s yard in County Meath.

 

Highland Flash is another whose long term future will be in the hands of Gordon Elliott. A huge and striking son of Galileo, he is another long term chasing prospect. He will spend most of this season gaining experience either over hurdles or in point to points.

 

Valerius is another Galileo gelding, who is currently in training with Gordon. He was also hit by a bout of coughing and has had an interrupted preparation. His two runs over hurdles this season have shown little promise. But he takes a lot of getting fit, and needs at least two runs to blow away the cobwebs. His other foibles include detesting any cut in the ground, and  needing a marathon trip over fences. With few opportunities for a horse on his rating he will take his place in the Galway Plate providing the ground comes up fast. He will then be kept as busy as possible before the winter ground arrives.

 

Last but definitely not least Definitive Edge is enjoying a break before returning to start a belated Novice Chasing Campaign with Willie Mullins.