Small trainers to note

By James Condron

The recent cold snap although frustrating for all punters gives a certain amount of respite and an opportunity to reflect on the season so far and identify pointers for the remainder of the season. While the battalions of the major stables of trainers such as Nicholls, Henderson and Mullins are starting to click into gear as the season gathers pace and will no doubt plunder their fair share of prizes, it is two smaller and unheralded trainers who have caught my attention from both sides of the Irish Sea; Doctor Philip Newland and Colin Bowe.

Colin Bowe

Up and coming County Wexford-based trainer Colin Bowe has had a tremendous start to the Irish National Hunt season with 13 winners on the board from 54 runners giving followers a level stakes profit of €26.13.

Highly regarded in point to point circles previously, Bowe is bringing through a very young string of horses and it is no surprise that five of the stables 12 wins have come in bumpers in which the trainer has a level stakes profit of €21.88. Clearly Bowe’s horses in bumpers have to be respected and an unraced half sister to Voler La Vadette named Rapid Heartbeat in the trainer’s care in particular is a name to note for the future.

Interestingly, the vast majority of Bowe’s runners so far this season have been mares, many of whom have displayed toughness and durability as common traits in their performances so far. Askanna, the highest

rated of Bowes runners, for instance, battled well to win a conditions hurdle over two and a half at Punchestown, repelling all challengers after taking it up three hurdles out. The former point to point winner, who won six out of his seven runs under rules and point to points, may improve even further for a step up in trip.

Model County Lass, meanwhile, found to be coughing post race when disappointing on her handicap debut at Navan, remains progressive nonetheless. If none the worse for her exertions, the daughter of Definite Article looks to be fairly treated on a handicap rating of 109 and according to her trainer in a recent Irish Field Stable Tour, should stay three miles which should open up more possibilities. It is worth noting that Medical Card, trained by Noel Meade, who was defeated by Model County Lass at Cork, subsequently won a Naas maiden hurdle readily.

Our Victoria, a mare from the family of Our Vic, winner of a maiden hurdle at Clonmel and a bumper at Punchestown already this season, should win again over hurdles this season before, according to her trainer, embarking on a chasing career next season. The two time point to point winner is said to have schooled well and could be a novice chaser to follow next season.

One of the few geldings in his stable, Snowy Morning, third in the Aintree Grand National won by Comply Or Die in 2008 and placed in three consecutive graded chases last season in Ireland returns intriguingly to the care of Bowe for the first time since his point to point days. The main aim for the Moscow Society gelding according to the trainer is to be the Foxhunters at Cheltenham after a trip to Leopardstown for a hunter chase later in the year.

Dr. Philip Newland

Perhaps the fact that Dr. Philip Newland trains part-time is the reason why horses in his care start at higher prices than they should be, evidenced by a level stakes profit of €77.83 last season and €10.43 so far this season. The stable is certainly hot at the moment with level stakes profit of €11.17 for the month of November, courtesy of wins for Bellflower Boy, Act Of Kalansi and War Party in the last week of the month.

One of those winners Act Of Kalansi could potentially be the best horse that Dr. Newland has trained, sinking Secret World in a decent novice hurdle at Newbury recently. Considering Secret World had the class to finish a three length fourth in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes a few seasons back and is thought to be one of Nicky Henderson’s top novices, it would be dangerous to underestimate the ability of the Kalansi gelding. On the evidence of how Act Of Kalansi knuckled down to run down Secret World, he will find plenty when the chips are down and it will be interesting to see where the trainer aims him next.

It is in handicaps that Newland’s runners are particularly dangerous though. Already this season, handicap hurdles have proved to a happy hunting ground with a level stakes profit of €10.67, with four wins from 16 races.

While so far this season, backing all Newland’s runners in handicap chases would have resulted in a level stakes loss of €5.50, it may prudent to keep a close eye on the stable’s handicap chases with last season providing a level stakes profit of €69.88 in handicap chases. Rock Diplomat, formerly trained by Michael Cunningham in Ireland, could be a horse to follow in marathon handicap chases on soft and heavy ground this winter should the ‘Good Doctor’ squeeze a little improvement from the Oscar gelding. Likely to have needed his seasonal debut at Aintree recently, the ten-year-old is apparently to be aimed at the Borders National at Kelso and the Midlands National, both severe tests of stamina and is worth a second glance if lining up in either of or both races.

Interestingly, horses from the stable also have a good record in selling hurdles in particular with a level stakes profit of €14.88 over the last five seasons in Britain and a level stakes profit of €14.00 so far this season courtesy of wins for Public Esteem, Don’t Call Me Derek and High Skies.

While leading amateur Tom Weston has ridden the vast majority of the stable’s winners giving a level stakes profit of €32.17, punters should also sit up and take notice if the champion jockey AP Mc Coy and the up and coming Daryl Jacob, who boost level stakes profits of €7.38 and €16.33 respectively.

By James Condron