Turf Talk: Stablemates to leap into action after winter break

Tom George is giving much of his string, including stable stars God's Own and Sir Valentino, mid-winter breaks in preparation for a spring campaign.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2017, 13:30 BST
Updated 9th Jan 2017, 11:40 BST
Sir Valentino and stablemate God's Own are enjoying a winter break.Sir Valentino and stablemate God's Own are enjoying a winter break.
Sir Valentino and stablemate God's Own are enjoying a winter break.

God’s Own could take in the three festivals at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown for the second year running after winding up 2016 with a close third behind Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.

After finishing fourth to Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last season, God’s Own went on to win Aintree’s Melling Chase and Punchestown’s Champion Chase.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s on his winter break at the moment. I’ve got a lot of horses I’m giving a break to. Some might have a run, but this is the month to give him a quiet time,” said George.

“He was only beaten just over a length by Un De Sceaux, on ground that was softer than ideal.

“We had a good spring with him last year when we got three races into him, so he’ll have his little break and then we’ll start building him back up again shortly.

“Going to those three festivals worked well for him last year, so that’s probably what we’ll do again.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He has the Champion Chase and the Ryanair as his options at Cheltenham. We keep on going slightly back to two miles, even though we think he’ll get further, but he seems to be quite good at the two miles.

“He’s actually a stayer and it’s probably that these fast-run two miles bring his stamina into play.”

The Champion Chase could be Sir Valentino’s Cheltenham target after he continued his progression by running Special Tiara to half a length in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, despite giving Henry de Bromhead’s Irish raider 6lb.

“We were giving Special Tiara 6lb so he couldn’t have run any better,” said the Slad trainer.

“He seems to be improving.”

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

CHELMSFORD: 5.45 Pendo, 6.15 Western Prince, 6.45 DISTANT PAST (NAP) 7.15 K’Gari Spirit, 7.45 Star General, 8.15 Shypen.

LINGFIELD: 12.50 Sliding Doors, 1.20 Impulsive Star, 1.50 Dalkadam, 2.20 Cool Sky, 2.50 Captain Chaos, 3.20 Midnight Silver, 3.50 Remember Forever.

SOUTHWELL: 12.35 Mr Morse, 1.05 Playful Dude, 1.35 Samphire Coast, 2.10 Stonecoldsoba, 2.40 Archie Stevens, 3.10 Ascot Day, 3.40 Fairy Lock.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 2.00 Remember The Man, 2.30 Moonshine Dancer, 3.00 Garam, 3.30 In The Spotlight, 4.00 Rapid Rise, 4.30 Verne Castle (next best), 5.00 Major Muscari.