Blagthebookies winning at Cothelstone (Tim Holt)
Thirteen horses have been entered for the PPORA Level 3 Conditions Race over 2m 4f at
Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday 8th December, headed – on ratings at least – by the ex-Dan
Skelton trained My Drogo, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and still rated 151 over fences.
Now in the care of Ed Walker, he hasn’t won for three years or run for nearly two and may
be best watched. Another interesting first-timer to British points is Alaphilippe, three times
a hurdles winner for Fergal O’Brien, with a chase rating of 130 and now with Angela Slatter.
However, four progressive pointers catch the eye more. Bea Coward’s Douglas Longbottom
won twice last year before disappointing on his Hunter Chase debut but may need the run.
Glenmount – owned by PPA Chief Executive Paul Miller – improved from race to race in
completing a hat-trick in 2024 and Julie Wadland can get them ready first time. Premier
Fantasy also won twice last season for Bradley Gibbs, while Hannah Roach’s Barton Snow
scored on his debut between the flags – it was a weak race, but his trainer is in blinding
form with six winners and two seconds from eight runners this season.
The PPORA Level 3 Conditions Race for Novice Riders at the same meeting has attracted
twelve entries and, while lacking the quality of the earlier event, looks to be a competitive
race. Five of the potential field ran at Knightwick on the opening day of the season and all
looked to benefit from their first run, most notably top-rated Fan Club Aulmes, who was
making his debut for former champion conditional Luca Morgan. Well-backed, he looked the
likely winner three out but blew up and finished two lengths second. He can atone. Others
to note from that meeting are Blagthebookies – an impressive Cothelstone winner last
season when trained by Chris Barber and now with Neil Gittins – Olive Nicholls’ Ballyadam
Destiny, Richard Lamb’s Imperial Sachin’s and Top Of The Charts, who finished well in the
Mixed Open and is bidding to give Chloe Mills a first success. Celia Plunkett’s Enqarde, who
won four times for Richard Newland, looks the best of the rules recruits and leading novice
Tom Hutsby is booked.
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