Emma Lavelle Stable Tour

Form profile

111 rated hurdler. Completed a hat-trick when beating Auditoria by two and a half lengths in a mares’ handicap hurdle at Southwell (2m 4f) in June off a mark of 100. Best effort in the autumn when runner-up, beaten nine and a half lengths, to Of Course You Can at Ludlow (2m 5f) in October of a mark of 112.

Trainer says

She has had a winter holiday. She disappointed on soft ground at Wincanton and so we just put her away, but she is back cantering now and will have a spring campaign, and she seems in good order.

Form profile

117 rated hurdler. Off the mark over hurdles with a three-length success from Jena D’Oudairies in a mares’ novice hurdle at Wincanton (1m 7f) on Boxing Day. Then finished runner-up, beaten a length and three quarters, to Jubilee Alpha at Windsor (2m) in January.

Trainer says

She is a nice mare, and she was very good when winning in the fog at Wincanton. She ran a smashing race at Windsor when beaten by a good mare of Paul Nicholls’. We don’t know whether to run her in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, and realistically the Mares’ Final at Kelso at the end of March would be her target.

Form profile

131 rated hurdler and 127 rated chaser. A winner twice this season, scoring on his latest outing in a handicap hurdle at Doncaster (2m 3½f) in January when beating To Chase A Dream by six lengths off a mark of 126. Opened his account over fences at Doncaster (2m 3f) in November with a length-and-three-quarter defeat of I’m Ravenous off a mark of 122.

Trainer says

He typifies what is wrong with our novice chase programme at the moment. He is a nice hurdler and had an unlucky unseat in a novice handicap chase at Uttoxeter first time out, but it was a 0-135 handicap and they are always going to be fiercely competitive, and there is no chance of just giving him a nice introduction off levels in a beginners’ chase or whatever, and he has just lost his bottle. He has won one now, but he made a few errors the day he won, and so I just went back over hurdles with him. He was impressive when quickening clear in that handicap hurdle at Doncaster, and for the moment I am going to keep him over hurdles. He will go to Ascot the weekend after next for a valuable hurdle there. He should be going over fences, but our system is such that he is being kept over hurdles.

Form profile

117 rated chaser and hurdler. Finished third, beaten 14½ lengths, to Menaggio on his chasing debut in a novices’ handicap at Plumpton (2m 3½f) in November off a mark of 121.

Trainer says

He is a better-ground horse, and again he has had a nice mid-winter break. He looks super and is back in full work now. Once the ground improves, he will have a spring/summer campaign.

Form profile

110 rated chaser. Runner-up in three of his five starts this season, the latest occasion when beaten three and a half lengths by Musical Slave in a handicap chase at Fontwell (3m 2f) in October off his current mark.

Trainer says

He made a big noise at Huntingdon, and so he has had a wind operation. He wants nice ground and has had a bit of a break, but he is coming back now.

Form profile

143 rated chaser. Finished runner-up, beaten a length and three quarters, to Petit Tonnerre in a handicap chase at Doncaster (2m ½f) in January off a mark of 141.

Trainer says

He has had a super time of it and has had a really good season. He won a valuable chase at Newbury, and I probably ran him back a bit too soon when he was fourth on his return to Newbury. He ran a big race the other day at Doncaster, and you could say he got there a bit soon the way the race panned out, but he still ran a lovely race to be second. We will aim him now for one of the spring festivals, and whether he runs in the Grand Annual or goes for the Red Rum at Aintree we will see.

Form profile

109 rated hurdler. Returned to winning form in a handicap hurdle at Wincanton (2m 4f) at the end of January when scoring by 12 lengths from Our Bill’s Aunt off a mark of 98.

Trainer says

He won a moderate race at Wincanton impressively and went up 11lb for the pleasure, which is slightly irritating for having his first win. He just lost his way a bit, but he has come back to form, though it isn’t going to be easy with a rating that he now has. He is a grand type of horse and really looks to have his mojo back, so I was delighted for him to get his head in front.

Form profile

123 rated hurdler. Off the mark over hurdles in a maiden at Doncaster (2m 3½f) in January when recording an easy three-and-a-quarter-length victory from Calimystic.

Trainer says

He was very impressive when winning at Doncaster the other day when stepping up in trip. He is a very decent horse going forward, and we will aim him for the EBF Final as long as the ground isn’t too soft - I probably wouldn’t run him if it was an absolute bog, but that is his aim. He has a very bright future.

Form profile

124 rated hurdler. Returned to winning form in a novices’ handicap hurdle at Windsor (2m 4f) in January when scoring by four lengths from Hartington off a mark of 118.

Trainer says

I think his big issue has been that he is so keen in his races, and that has made it hard when he comes into hurdles, as he just runs at them a bit and make more mistakes than he should. At Lingfield he should have won all day long, but he made a mistake at the second last and the last. When he went to Windsor the other day Gavin Sheehan did a lovely job of settling him and he jumped much better. It was a fair performance, as I think only one other horse at the entire meeting came from off the pace, so to come from last to first the way he did was a very good run. There were some nicely-handicapped horses in there, and he did it well. He will go to Newbury in March - there is a 0-130 handicap hurdle that has got quite a nice pot, so that’s where he will head. He wouldn’t want it too quick, but he is a horse with a big engine who should give us a lot of fun.

Form profile

110 rated hurdler and 105 rated chaser. Finished third, beaten 20 lengths, to Gris Majeur in a handicap hurdle on his stable debut at Hereford (2m 5½f) in October off a mark of 110 and then subsequently eighth, beaten 33 lengths, to Petty Cash in a handicap chase at Chepstow (2m 7½f) in November off a mark of 110. Then finished third, beaten 13¾ lengths, to Sherborne at Exeter (2m 3f) on Sunday.

Trainer says

He has taken a bit of time to get him where I want him to be, but he ran a much more encouraging race at Exeter last Sunday. He should keep on improving, and hopefully it won’t be long before he gets his head in front.

Form profile

157 rated chaser. Very consistent, finishing fourth, beaten nine and a half lengths, to The Real Whacker when last seen out in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Memorial Chase at Wetherby (3m) in November.

Trainer says

He has had a break during the winter. He ran in the Charlie Hall, but I have never been convinced that he truly stays three miles. Based on that, we have made an entry for him in the Ryanair. I think he is a horse that without a load of runners, it gives him a chance, rather than giving lumps of weight away in handicaps, as he’s not overbig. Hopefully he will pick up the pieces and win a bit of prizemoney - that is what we are going to try to do. He has been a brilliant horse over the years, winning 12 races and picking up loads of prizemoney. Nice-ish ground would be ideal for him.

Form profile

112 rated hurdler. Back to winning form in a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (2m 7f) on Tuesday when scoring by five and a half lengths from Bass Rock.

Trainer says

He has a big-ish engine but also a lot going on between his ears. I’m not sure he has always wanted to put his best foot forward, but the visor has helped him massively. He probably wasn’t right last season, and it has taken bit of time for him to regain his confidence. You couldn’t say he shirked it at all when winning at Market Rasen the other day, and if he has gained a bit of confidence from that you would have to hope he can take another step forward.

Form profile

84 rated on the Flat. A winner once on the Flat when trained by Roger Varian, ran a solid effort when runner-up, beaten half a length, to High Point in a handicap at Salisbury (1m 2f) last October off a mark of 83. Finished fourth, beaten 27 lengths, in a maiden hurdle at Kempton (2m) on Friday.

Trainer says

He was a decent Flat horse, but he pulled too hard for his own good first time over hurdles at Kempton last Friday. Hopefully that will have taken the freshness out of him, and he can settle better next time.

Form profile

119 rated hurdler. Finished runner-up, beaten a neck, to Prophesea in a novices’ hurdle at Wincanton (2m 4f) in December, then failed by just a head behind Slipway in a novice event at Kempton (2m 5f) last Friday.

Trainer says

He’s a smashing horse, but I don’t think he wants the ground too soft. He has quite a high handicap mark for what he has probably achieved so far, but he ran another very good race in a novice at Kempton on Friday, when he was just touched off by Slipway. He is a smashing, big horse, and he will jump fences in time. He is only getting better and stronger and more mature with racing. I love his attitude, and I think he is a lovely staying chaser for the future.

Form profile

114 rated hurdler. Landed a maiden hurdle at Newbury (2m ½f) in December by three quarters of a length from Mistress Emma.

Trainer says

He is a beautiful horse this one, and I love him. He is a big, rangy chaser for next season, and he has a lovely way of going. The race he won at Newbury was ridiculous, as it was so windy and so holding, and Ben Pauling’s Roysse would have won it but for coming down late. He has never left our place since we had him, and I think he was just a bit starstruck when scrambling home. There was a lot more to like about his Hereford run when finishing third to Sole Solution. The winner has come out again and won at Sandown. He was in and out of the race and the track didn’t suit him, but giving away a penalty to the second horse (Buckna), I was delighted with that performance. He has stepped up on that at home, and whatever he does this year, next year is going to be much more important.

Form profile

122 rated chaser. Returned to winning form with a length-and-a-quarter success from Hystery Bere in a handicap chase at Huntingdon (2m 7½f) in January off a mark of 119.

Trainer says

He is a horse that probably wants a bit of nicer ground. I think ultimately he is going to need some headgear at some stage, and I think the tongue-tie helped him when he won - he has just had his wind done. He is a horse with lots of scope and lots of ability, and I think he is a pretty solid handicapper. I hope that win at Huntingdon will have just got his confidence back, and he should win more races.

Form profile

130 rated hurdler. Off the mark over hurdles when beating Barlovento by nine lengths in a novices’ hurdle at Warwick (2m 5f) in November before following up with a length-and-three-quarter victory from Excello in a similar event at Windsor (2m 4f) in December. Creditable effort next when third, beaten three and a half lengths, to Yellow Car in the Grade 2 River Don Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster (3m ½f) in January.

Trainer says

He is a lovely horse, finishing second and then winning his next two - and looking good in doing it. The ground at Doncaster in the River Don was just too quick for him, and I don’t think he enjoyed those conditions. He is a lovely horse who will run in the Albert Bartlett, if the ground is soft enough. We will train him for that, and hopefully he goes there with a good chance.

Form profile

115 rated chaser. Off the mark with a 11-length victory from Gats And Co in a handicap chase at Hereford (3m 1f) in December off a mark of 108.

Trainer says

He is a lovely horse. He is very straightforward and now he is going over fences, you are seeing the best of him. He wouldn’t want it to be too soft and it was just a bit too tacky for him at Wincanton the other day, so he didn’t quite hit the line. Off 115, I think he is still well-handicapped, and I would be hopeful he will have a lucrative spring.

Form profile

124 rated chaser. Finished the course for the only time in four outings this season when third, beaten eight and a half lengths, to Lady Balko in a mares’ handicap chase at Hereford (3m 1f) in December off a mark of 127.

Trainer says

She obviously had a brilliant season last season, turning up at every party and dancing every dance. I think she was the most tired horse at the end of the season that I have ever trained, and she has come back this season and just thought about it a little bit, and so has been a bit guarded. She has had some treatment and we will freshen her up, and I am hopeful we will see her return to form. The Midlands National would be the aim, but if she runs like she has in the early part of the season, we wouldn’t have a hope.

Form profile

Made a winning debut for the stable when beating Nazare by three and three-quarter lengths in a bumper at Southwell in December.

Trainer says

He was really impressive when winning his bumper at Southwell, and then I was going to run him at Windsor but he had a dirty scope, so I didn’t. He wants nice ground, and at this stage it is too late to think we will go and run him in a novice hurdle. We might go for a valuable bumper at Kempton at the end of the month and see how we go. He is incredibly honest at home and just wants to please you. He is very similar to his mother, and I am hopeful he will make up into a nice novice hurdler next season.

Form profile

118 rated hurdler. Best effort this autumn when runner-up, beaten a length and a half, to Larchmont Lass in a mares’ handicap hurdle at Wincanton (2m 5½f) in November off a mark of 116.

Trainer says

She has had a winter holiday, and she is a funny mare in that she is one of those that is much better carrying less weight in a better race. She is rock solid when she gets her conditions right and come the summer and some nicer ground, we could send her over fences again. She is as hard as nails.

Form profile

Off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when beating Shade Of Winter by a length in a maiden at Chepstow (2m 3½f) last Sunday.

Trainer says

He ran well when third to Sixmilebridge at Leicester, with that horse going on to complete a hat-trick and the runner-up, Sole Solution, has won his two races since. I sent him to Ffos Las and it was bottomless, and he just got lost in it, but he came good at Chepstow on Sunday. He looks a horse with a bright future, and he should go on from his Chepstow win.

Form profile

118 rated hurdler. Finished runner-up, beaten three and a quarter lengths, to Belliano in a novices’ hurdle at Market Rasen (2m 4½f) last Tuesday.

Trainer says

He is a nice, young horse, and I was very happy with the way he ran at Market Rasen last week. He might have been suited by more give in the ground, but he came there and put it up to the winner. He is another who might run in the EBF Final as well. We should have a good bit of fun with him.

Form profile

Better effort on debut in a maiden hurdle at Haydock (3m ½f) in December when finishing fourth, beaten four and three-quarter lengths to Ski Lodge.

Trainer says

He ran really well in his first run and looked like he was going to win at Haydock but just got tired over the last and eventually finished fourth, not beaten all that far. I went back to Uttoxeter with him, where I ran him over three miles on bottomless ground, but I don’t think he was right as he never travelled and didn’t seem in the same form. He has had a break now, and he is a horse we will see do better over a fence.

Form profile

113 rated hurdler. Has won both his starts since joining the stable, beating Denzil on both occasions, scoring by a length and a quarter at Warwick (2m) in November before extending that advantage to seven and a half lengths at Taunton (2m ½f) in December.

Trainer says

He won his first two races for us, and he is a fast horse. I know we may have been tilting at windmills but we entered him in the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham and were all set to go, but the day before he tweaked his pelvis. He is absolutely fine, but whether we get him back again for something at the backend of the season we will see. There is no bottom to him - he just keeps galloping, and I think he is a horse to look forward to for next season.

Form profile

107 rated over hurdles. Winner of a bumper at Huntingdon in May when scoring by four and three-quarter lengths from My Boy Aaron. Then finished fourth, beaten 11½ lengths, to Sayva in a novices’ hurdle at Hereford (2m 3½f) in December on his latest start. Finished runner-up, beaten five lengths, to Star Of Affinity at Kempton (2m 5f) last Friday.

Trainer says

He won his bumper in the spring, and he was then placed twice over hurdles. He is a lovely, big horse, and he just took a bit of getting organised. He is definitely a lot fitter now and should be able to win a hurdle before going chasing next season. He is a smashing model, has a good brain, and I like him.

Form profile

140 rated chaser. Returned to winning form when beating Beachcomber by a length and three quarters in a handicap chase at Exeter (3m) in November off a mark of 129 before following up with a 13-length success from Neon Moon in a handicap chase at Ludlow (3m) in December off a mark of 132. Then finished fifth, beaten 26 lengths, to Docpickedme in the Grade 2 Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at Doncaster (3m) in January off his current mark.

Trainer says

He has had a good season, and in the Doncaster race I think we were beaten before the first fence. He missed the start, and they went fast and furious. When it’s like that he jumps the fences up in the air rather than actually gaining any ground at them. It was a good effort, as he really ran on at the end, and we have entered him at Kempton at the end of the month - we might just enter him for one of the handicaps at Cheltenham if we didn’t go there. For these big handicaps, he probably needs a bit of headgear to make more of a man of him.

Form profile

105 rated hurdler. Finished fifth, beaten 24 lengths, to Grenadier Jed when favourite for a handicap hurdle at Taunton (2m 3f) last Tuesday.

Trainer says

He has been running very well all the way through until disappointing at Taunton. Harry Cobden came in and said he travels like a nice horse, but that he definitely needs his wind doing. That is what we will do and then get him back on the track. He probably prefers better ground, and we can make a plan going forward.

Form profile

118 rated chaser. Made most of the running when scoring by five and a half lengths from Illico De Cotte in a handicap chase at Exeter (3m) in January off a mark of 113.

Trainer says

He was great when winning at Exeter the other day, and he goes to Bangor on Friday. He’s a soft-ground staying chaser and a brilliant jumper. He is the kindest horse at home, and you would like to think he will get his head in front again.

Form profile

102 rated hurdler. Finished third, beaten seven lengths, to Wade Out in a novices’ hurdle at Lingfield (2m) in December. Then finished fourth, beaten four lengths, to Imaginarium on handicap hurdle debut at Huntingdon (2m) last Thursday.

Trainer says

She is a fast mare, and she has a smashing turn of foot and is a good jumper. She ran a solid race at Huntingdon on Thursday, and hopefully we can build on that going forward. I think she is pretty versatile ground-wise, and ultimately she will stay further.

Form profile

95 rated hurdler and chaser and rated 80 on the Flat. Gained latest success on the All-Weather at Kempton (2m) in January when beating Robusto by a neck off a mark of 79.

Trainer says

He is the most brilliant syndicate horse, as he loves going to the races and runs his race every time he goes. He gets fat on fresh air, so we have to keep running him, and it doesn’t matter what is it - whether it’s fences, hurdles or on the Flat. I think the one thing he wants is nice ground, but the all-weather at Lingfield is too quick for him - he loves Kempton. He wants decent ground over jumps, so he won’t run again over jumps until we get decent ground.