Joe Chambers update on star horses Sharjah, Saldier, Chacun Pour Soi and emerging talent Hubrisko, Vauban and Horantzau D’Airy
Racing manager Joe Chambers provides a guide to Rich and Susannah Ricci's star horses including Chacun Pour Soi, Sharjah and Royale Pagaille.
Novice hurdlers
Horantzau D’Airy – Holds an entry in the Future Champions Hurdle on December 27, although I would imagine he will run in one of the maiden hurdles over Christmas. He’s only had one run in a flat race in France. He’s more of a stayer and has been showing up well at home. He’s by the Japanese sire Legolas who has had a few jump winners in France and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.
Hubrisko – A son of Doctor Dino who is a half brother to another one of our horses, Grand Bornand. He showed a lot of toe when he won a slowly run affair in France, so we’ll see how he goes. He should take to jumping well but in terms of ability we’ll have to wait and see, as only time will tell. He is more likely to start off in a maiden hurdle.
Allegorie De Vassy – Is a four-year-old filly who has a lot more experience than both Horantzau D’Airy and Hubrisko. She could start off in the Future Champions Hurdle. She has some good placed form in a listed event in Auteuil before we bought her. She is by No Risk At All who is the same sire as Epatante. She’s had four runs in France over hurdles and has progressed each time. We’re looking forward to seeing her run.
Vauban – We have a number of unraced three-year-olds but the only one we have entered over Christmas is Vauban who is entered on both the 26th and 27th of this month. He's in at both Limerick and Leopardstown respectively in the maiden hurdles and is a son of Galiway, from the family of Masked Marvel and Waldgeist. We bought him from France after he had won his last two runs and we are very excited to see how he goes. The sire hasn’t had many runners over jumps but the strike rate is pretty good. We are hoping he can translate his ability from the flat to hurdles.
Older hurdlers
Saldier – He was bitterly disappointing in the Hatton's Grace and has had a litany of injuries in his career. As a result he has proved quite inconsistent. We are going to try three miles once again with him, it didn’t work before but we are keen to give it a go, especially with Sharjah going down the two-mile route.
Sharjah – He goes for four in a row in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, which would be wonderful if he was able to land it. Sharjah has been a standing dish for us at Christmas and as Patrick said after the Morgiana "anything coming forward has to get past Sharjah before they can think of tackling Honeysuckle".
Chasers
Grand Bornand - has been given an entry in the Grade 1 Novice Chase at Leopardstown. He won his only race for us back at Galway back in the summer. On the bare form he would have a bit to find and he lacks a bit of experience. However, he will appreciate the decent ground and he’s a horse to look forward to in the springtime.
El Barra – We were delighted with his run behind Blue Lord who I think is a top-class novice chaser for the future. Leopardstown's better ground should suit him and I think he will be a better chaser than he was a hurdler.
Five O’Clock – Could well return on New Year's Eve at Punchestown after a long lay off. We’re looking forward to seeing him again after his last run which was an unlucky in-running fifth in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival.
Chacun Pour Soi – Was bitterly disappointing at Sandown, where we thought the track would really suit him. He has a very good record at Leopardstown although we are toying with giving him a longer break. Either way we massively respect Energumene who looks a devastatingly good animal.
Other news
Royale Pagaille – He is recovering well from the injury he picked up in the Betfair Chase, where he had to have staples in a wound that he picked up. He is now fine and is stepping up through the gears in his return to work. There is every chance we will return to Haydock on January 22 for the Peter Marsh where he will carry top weight in the race.
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