Warren Greatrex is excited about La Bague Au Roi being back in action this week and he guides us through his upcoming runners.
Looking back...
EMITOM - 1st, Ffos Las, November 23
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He did it extremely well and you can't help but be surprised when they win that well. He jumped pretty well, he was brilliant from start to finish really, and went through the ground nicely. It looked an above average race for the track. I'm not sure what next for him but might try and get more experience into him in a similar sort of race. Ability-wise I'd be surprised if he couldn’t compete at higher level further into the season. There are races like the Challow to think about but I might run out of time for something like that if I run somewhere else beforehand and I actually wouldn’t be adverse to going over to Ireland in February. It’s great prize money out there and British trainers need to support that option. If he went through the ranks that could be something we might think about in the New Year. I don’t think he'll be ground dependent, he's such a good-moving horse. He can adapt to conditions, I've no doubt, but he clearly handles soft ground very. Two miles, four suits him at the moment but he could get further. You always hope horses like him can keep on improving and every trainer wants Cheltenham runners at the end of the day, so in an ideal world that might be where we end up.
PENN LANE - 1st, Ffos Las, November 23
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He's had some niggly problems for the past couple of years but he’s talented on his day. He did really well to win first time up and I'd hope he can build on it. He’s Mulcahys Hill’s half-brother and chasing will be his thing next season - he definitely has the scope to keep developing and make it as a chaser.
PETTICOAT TAILS - 2nd, Ascot, November 24
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The wind operation we gave her after Carlisle clearly helped a bit but we might just have been cutting it fine time-wise so I wouldn't rule out further improvement from her. She'd been going well at home but she can step up again and will ultimately benefit from a move up to three miles. There's a nice handicap over two-and-a-half at the next Cheltenham meeting we could look at and then after that I'd like to think we could be looking towards the Grade Two over three miles we won last year with La Bague Au Roi at Ascot.
The week ahead...
STAR OF LANKA - 1.03 Hereford, Wednesday
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He ran an encouraging race at Sandown, he’s improved since then and the step up in distance will help. I’d expect him to be competitive. Normally we'd have been able to get on the grass much earlier, but it’s been so dry and I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few of mine improved for a run in general this season.
MASTER CARD - 2.05 Hereford, Wednesday
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He ran very green first time out, though he’s improved since then and learnt from the experience. He’s one for later down the line but will be more switched on this week, I'd hope.
ENCORE CHAMPS - 1.15 Wetherby, Wednesday
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There's just him going to Wetherby, he’s done well since his bumper and he’s schooled well. He seems in great nick. The race has divided and we might just be in the tougher of the two divisions but this horse hopefully has a bright future. Good to soft ground will be absolutely fine for him.
DON’T ASK - 1.45 Warwick, Thursday
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He ran the same day as Star Of Lanka and got tired in the conditions. He's come on fitness-wise and is another who should benefit from the move up in trip here.
BODES WELL - 2.40 Taunton, Thursday
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He could go to Taunton in the handicap there and I may claim off him too. He’s consistent, honest and he’ll win in his turn.
DRUMLEE WATAR - 12.00 Doncaster, Friday
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Doncaster probably looks the favourite of his entries and, as I've stressed before, I like this horse a lot. He ran with encouragement at Chepstow and the slightly better ground will help if he goes to Town Moorr.
ECTOR - 1.20 Newbury, Friday
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He could start out here which is bound to be a competitive race but he's better than he showed in his bumper at the start of the month. He might be a longer term prospect but it'll be good to get him out jumping hurdles in public as he's schooled pretty well. We'll probably run either him or The Wolf.
THE WOLF - 1.20 Newbury, Friday
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He ran a nice race on his comeback at Chepstow and clearly enjoyed getting his toe into the ground. It's not certain he'll run here but he's one I'm really looking forward to sending hurdling.
LA BAGUE AU ROI - 1.50 Newbury, Friday
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I'm still undecided as to which of her two options to go for, a lot will depend on the weather and how much rain we got. If it came up soft then she might run on Friday. She has really pleased me since her impressive victory and schooled well last week, jumping well. She’ll have another schooling session and should be competitive whichever race we go for. Fitness-wise she’s definitely come on and although we'll keep an eye on the potential opposition, I'd have thought they'll all be keeping an eye on us too.
DICOSIMO - 2.25 Newbury, Friday
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He might run on the Saturday instead, but a lot will depend on the weather again. He’s a gassy sort of horse and I'd expect him to be better for his comeback run. The softer the ground the better - he's definitely got good races in him.
RITUAL OF SENSES - 3.35 Newbury, Friday
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He’s only a possible at the moment, he’s going to school later in the week as we'll see.
ROCK MY STYLE - 1.35 Newcastle, Saturday
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Definitely an intended runner at Newcastle and the more rain they get the better. He' was two from two last year and seems in good form. I'm looking forward to getting him going this term.
BOITE - 1.50 Newbury, Saturday
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He’ll go there and he had a nice pipe-opener at Kempton. He’s come on nicely and he’ll improve plenty for the run.
MULCAHYS HILL - 12.20 Bangor, Saturday
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He could run in the novice chase at Bangor, he’s come out of his race fresh and well. All being well he’ll produce a better performance but I've suggested before he's not easy to read so we'll watch and see.
TOP OF THE CHARTS - 2.00 Bangor, Saturday
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I don’t know what the problem was at Chepstow, he’s a bit of a 'Jack the lad' but he needs put it together now really.
THE BUTCHER SAID - 2.00 Bangor, Saturday
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He’s been a bit frustrating and I can’t totally put my finger on it yet. He’s got ability but a watching brief for now.
ESCORT’NAMIX - 3.45 Bangor, Saturday
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She’s also in on Monday at Plumpton and might well go there. A bit of cut in the ground would be good as she's a proper stayer.
BAILARICO - 1.45 Leicester, Sunday
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Unlike some of the others, he wouldn’t want the ground too soft, but he’s going really well at home. I had to give him a break after winning five on the spin on the Flat through the spring and summer. It'll be fascinating to see how far he could go over hurdles as he has some experience from point-to-points.
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