We have never had it so good. For years, the South West has been synonymous with the best in jump racing with thrilling action available from Cheltenham to Newton Abbot, from Wincanton via Taunton to Exeter.
But now the quality of the racing in the West Country is being matched by the quality of the horses trained in our part of the world and as the sport prepares for the 2008-09 season to move up a notch, trainers are already planning for the biggest races in the calendar.
When before, if ever, has the region ended a season with such riches in terms of the major races in the calendar?
A one-two in the Cheltenham Gold Cup courtesy of Somerset trainer Paul Nicholls, the winner of the Grand National in David Pipe’s Devon stables, a one-two in the Champion Hurdle from Wiltshire-based Alan King and Pipe and even a one-two-three in the two mile chase championship fought out by horses trained by Nicholls, King and Philip Hobbs.
Golden days, indeed, with every expectation that this winter will provide further riches for the region.
The all-conquering Nicholls was champion trainer again last season and in his stable stars Denman and Kauto Star will be looking to dominate the major prizes around three miles again this time.
The clash between Denman and Kauto Star in last season’s Gold Cup turned out to be one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the season and though Denman completely outpointed his illustrious rival to take his crown, Kauto Star has not thrown the towel in just yet.
“All being well they will meet in the Gold Cup again next March” says Nicholls, who has already outlined the stepping stones he expects each to take along the way.
“Denman could well have another crack at the Hennessy Gold Cup and try to repeat last year’s win and then have the Lexus Chase as his early target before the Gold Cup.
“As for Kauto Star, the Betfair Chase at Haydock is likely to be his starting point and then he will go for the King George and on to the Gold Cup” he added.
Nicholls has another very powerful team with which to tackle the campaign. Last season, he won the Queen Mother Champion Chase with the very exciting Master Minded, who beat Alan King’s Voy Por Ustedes at Cheltenham.
King’s big day at Cheltenham came in the Champion Hurdle when Katchit beat the David Pipe’s Osana to land the Champion Hurdle.
Katchit, the first five-year-old since See You Then to win the Champion Hurdle, will remain over hurdles this season and will have the Champion as his target once more, while Pipe has choices to make with Osana, who is clearly close to top class over hurdles, but promises to be an exciting novice chaser.
Pipe’s biggest winner of the season was Comply Or Die, whose victory in the John Smith’s Grand National meant the young Nicholashayne trainer has already equalled father Martin’s tally of winners in the Aintree marathon.
“Comply Or Die has just come back in the from the field and he won’t be seen out until December-time at the earliest. It is going to be a lot harder for him this season, but he will have the National as his target again” he said.
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