Latest news with #CaballoDeMar
The Herald Scotland
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
East India Dock flies home for Chester Cup honours
It was Ryan Moore who set the fractions aboard Joseph O'Brien's Leinster and when the leading jockey allowed his mount to stride on passing the five-furlong marker on the second circuit, the four-year-old appeared full of running. The field swarmed rounding the home turn with George Scott's progressive Caballo De Mar laying down a stern challenge and hitting the front a furlong out, but East India Dock was staying on with every stride as the 9-4 favourite turned Cheltenham Festival disappointment into Roodee delight. 🏆 East India Dock wins the Ladbrokes Chester Cup! 🏆 Harry Davies does it AGAIN!#ITVRacing | @ChesterRaces — ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 9, 2025 Owen's charge returned a length verdict over Caballo De Mar, with defending champion and Davies' old favourite Zoffee an honourable third, and the winning trainer was delighted to see a plan come together for his owners. He said: 'He travelled lovely and hit his flat spot like he usually does but he stayed on well. 'Tim and Mr (Bill) Gredley had this plan and it's great that we have pulled it off. There are some big pots on the Flat and he's a lovely dual-purpose horse now. 'To win the Chester Cup is fantastic, we've hit the crossbar a few times coming here, but it's nice to have a winner here and we've won the big one.' Davies told Sky Sports Racing: 'I'm very lucky to get the rides in this race I have and every time I have ridden in it I don't think I've had a bad ride. Harry Davies excelled aboard East India Dock (Martin Rickett/PA) 'He got a good draw which always helps round here and he jumped good, I was able to hold my pitch and then he was gutsy. He stays well and had the perfect profile coming into the race. 'He loved that dead ground and while everything else was sort of half struggling, he just cruised on through – what a tough horse and I'm delighted for connections. 'He's a strong traveller and when horses have run over hurdles they learn how to relax better and in a race like this where you have to really rev them to hold their pitch, if they can then relax and drop the bridle there is nothing better. 'James has been very supportive of me and the Gredley Family have also been happy for me to ride their horses and I was delighted when I got the ride on this fella.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chester May Festival 2025 day three: Caballo De Mar can win the Chester Cup
CABALLO DE MAR can triumph in the Ladbrokes Chester Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (3.05pm) on final day of the Boodles Chester May Festival. George Scott's four-year-old has been in fine form on the all-weather recently and he can transfer that back on Turf to land the prestigious feature of the May meeting on the Roodee. Having landed a first career win on his eighth start over an extended 1m5f at Ayr last September, the gelded son of Phoenix Of Spain has turned into a winning machine, scoring four times on the all-weather track at Southwell. He has progressed up the handicap ratings with those four wins, the last over 2m½f at the end of last month. He has risen 19lbs since that first success in Scotland but he keeps defying the handicapper and the latest win saw him pick up a 5lb penalty which ensured his place in Friday's Chester Cup. He still looks on a winnable mark and back on Turf he can progress further to triumph. Caballo De Mar has a decent enough draw in stall eight and as a horse who likes to race prominently he can hopefully get a good early position. He is yet to stay this far but everything suggests he will and it may bring out more improvement in him. READ MORE: Chester May Festival 2025: Mount Kilimanjaro wins the Dee Stakes READ MORE: Billy Butler issues health update as fans wish him well The Hugo Palmer-trained Zoffee – from the nearby Manor House Stables of former England and Liverpool FC forward Michael Owen – won the race last year and will go well again off the same handicap mark as his triumph 12 months ago, from another good draw in stall four. Andrew Balding's recent Kempton runner-up Who's Glen and the Joseph O'Brien-trained Irish raider Leinster are others who have a chance of victory but Caballo De Mar can just come out on top. THE FOXES can win the Group Two IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes (2.35pm). Andrew Balding's five-year-old won the Dante Stakes at York in 2023 before finishing fifth in the Derby at Epsom and runner-up in the Grade One Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park. He probably hasn't gone on as well as connections hoped since that promising Classic year. But he did win a Listed event over 1m2f at Newcastle in November last year before finishing fourth in the Group One Hong Kong Cup the following month. He finished second to Rebel's Romance in the Amir Trophy at Al Uqda in February and will be making his seasonal return in Britain on the Roodee. This looks a good starting point for the son of Churchill and he can beat chiefly Space Legend to land a first Group race win since that Dante Stakes victory. TAILORMAN can take the finale to Chester's May Festival, the Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbucks Chester Plate Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (4.45pm). Trainer Ian Williams has a good record in staying contests on the Roodee and his five-year-old can provide him with another victory in the 2m2f handicap. Tailorman is yet to win beyond two miles, but he has some good form in these type of events, having been placed three times at Chester. He was third over two miles last August and second over an extended 1m6f the following month on the Roodee. He won at Kempton later on in September and is generally very consistent. He returned to action with another placed effort, when third at Nottingham at the end of last month. With that run under his belt he can do even better and triumph ahead of chiefly Charlie Johnston pair Artisan Dancer and previous course winner Dreams Adozen. Course and distance winner TWO TEMPTING can score again on the Roodee in the opener, the CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap (1.30pm). Jonathan Portman's six-year-old won over course and distance from just a 1lb higher handicap mark last August. He ran a decent race when fourth at Newbury last month, hinting that he may be ready to return to winning ways. He is drawn in stall one and although it is not as advantageous over a mile at Chester, it is still always preferable to be in the low numbers. Two Tempting can take advantage and score again. RATHGAR can win the Precision Facades Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (3.40pm). Jack Channon's five-year-old won at Goodwood and Yarmouth last season, the first over 1m6f and the latter in July over this 1m2f trip. He is 3lb higher in the handicap now but he ran a smart race to be second to City Of Delight at Epsom last month. Rathgar can go one better and return to winning ways. REEL ROSIE could land something of a shock win in the Xenon Workplace Apprentice Handicap (GBBplus Race) (4.10pm). Jennie Candlish's six-year-old has been running over Jumps recently, winning at Sedgefield in November and finishing third at the same venue in January. She is back on the Flat for the first time since she was sixth at Wolverhampton in October. But Candlish's mare has won at Chester over 1m2f in September 2023 and she is now 2lb lower than for that success. The hope is she can take advantage of that mark over this longer trip of 1m4f to at least make the frame. James Owen's treble-seeking Sportingsilvermine and Obsidian Knight, also bidding for a hat-trick of successes, rate the main dangers. Willie Haggas' ORIONIS can land a first victory in the Boodles Darley EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB/GBBplus Race) (2.05pm). The Sea The Stars filly was sixth on her debut at Wolverhampton last November and third at Wetherby, stepped up to 1m2f, on her return to action last month. With that under her belt the three-year-old can land a first victory on her third start. CHESTER MAY FESTIVAL 2025 (Day Three) 1.30pm Two Tempting2.05pm Orionis2.35pm The Foxes3.05pm Caballo De Mar (NAP)3.40pm Rathgar4.10pm Reel Rosie4.45pm Tailorman
Rhyl Journal
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
East India Dock camp eager to exploit Flat mark
James Owen's four-year-old was sent off favourite for top juvenile honours at the Cheltenham Festival when finishing third in a thrilling finish behind Poniros and Lulamba and now reverts to the level with connections seeking to take advantage of what they feel is an unexposed Flat rating. Owen – who also saddles Charging Thunder – said: 'He was progressive on the Flat, albeit on galloping tracks, and this is the first time he will run on a tight track. I do think he is a better hurdler than he was on the Flat – he quickly came alive over hurdles – but he could be pretty well handicapped and it looks like he will stay the trip. 'There's probably not many who have gone from third in a Triumph Hurdle to the Chester Cup but we're hoping he's well handicapped. He's got a good level of fitness from hurdling and hopefully he will run really well.' Davies was in the saddle aboard Zoffee when victorious 12 months ago, igniting jubilant scenes for trainer Hugo Palmer and his landlord Michael Owen at a meeting he holds dear. Apprentice Joe Leavy takes over on the defending champion this year and Palmer is hopeful he can thrive early in the campaign once again. 'He's all set to defend his title and I'm very, very happy with him,' said Palmer. 'We took him to Southwell and he worked very well a few weeks ago. It's nice when they go that far for the first time since last year to have had them on a racecourse, I always think, and we know he goes well fresh. 'The last couple of years his best run of the season has been his first run, so fingers crossed it's the same case again.' No horse heads into the race in better shape than George Scott's Caballo De Mar, who arrives at the Roodee on a five-race winning streak. He easily accounted for a useful cast including Cesarewitch runner-up Manxman (second) and Michael Bell's reopposing Duke Of Oxford (third) at Southwell recently and is backed to continue his fine form. 'We are delighted to get in and it was touch and go, but we ended up getting in comfortably, which was a bit of a surprise,' explained Scott. It's back to back wins in the feature for @CallumSheppy and @GScottracing! Caballo De Mar takes them all the way and quickens up stylishly to score by a distance at @Southwell_Races! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 27, 2025 'He obviously went up 8lb on Tuesday so is effectively 5lb well in, so he has to take his chance. His recent form is on the all-weather, but that is mainly due to how the races have been falling for him, rather than trying to keep him off grass. 'He has gone well tightish left-handed at Southwell, so hopefully the track won't be a problem. The music is going to stop at some point but he looks progressive and everyone can see that. 'It's not very often you get a horse like this into the Chester Cup off this rating, so we feel very lucky. The horse is training well and it's nice to take our chance with a progressive horse.' Joseph O'Brien is double-handed with Curragh scorer Leinster and Dawn Rising, while Andrew Balding will also saddle two – Queen's Prize runner-up Who's Glen and Spirit Mixer. Balding said: 'Who's Glen ran a very good race in the Queen's Prize and he's a course winner, although in very different conditions to those we are likely to see here. I can't see why he wouldn't be effective on fast ground, but it's a question mark the first time he tries it.' Meanwhile, Tom Dascombe is confident Hot Fuss can make his mark providing conditions do not prove too quick for his Cheltenham Festival fourth. He said: 'He's drawn three and that is perfect. If the ground is good we will run him, but if it's really quick we might not, but if he runs I think he will run really well. He wouldn't want too much firm in the description of the going though.'
North Wales Chronicle
08-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
East India Dock camp eager to exploit Flat mark
James Owen's four-year-old was sent off favourite for top juvenile honours at the Cheltenham Festival when finishing third in a thrilling finish behind Poniros and Lulamba and now reverts to the level with connections seeking to take advantage of what they feel is an unexposed Flat rating. Owen – who also saddles Charging Thunder – said: 'He was progressive on the Flat, albeit on galloping tracks, and this is the first time he will run on a tight track. I do think he is a better hurdler than he was on the Flat – he quickly came alive over hurdles – but he could be pretty well handicapped and it looks like he will stay the trip. 'There's probably not many who have gone from third in a Triumph Hurdle to the Chester Cup but we're hoping he's well handicapped. He's got a good level of fitness from hurdling and hopefully he will run really well.' Davies was in the saddle aboard Zoffee when victorious 12 months ago, igniting jubilant scenes for trainer Hugo Palmer and his landlord Michael Owen at a meeting he holds dear. Apprentice Joe Leavy takes over on the defending champion this year and Palmer is hopeful he can thrive early in the campaign once again. 'He's all set to defend his title and I'm very, very happy with him,' said Palmer. 'We took him to Southwell and he worked very well a few weeks ago. It's nice when they go that far for the first time since last year to have had them on a racecourse, I always think, and we know he goes well fresh. 'The last couple of years his best run of the season has been his first run, so fingers crossed it's the same case again.' No horse heads into the race in better shape than George Scott's Caballo De Mar, who arrives at the Roodee on a five-race winning streak. He easily accounted for a useful cast including Cesarewitch runner-up Manxman (second) and Michael Bell's reopposing Duke Of Oxford (third) at Southwell recently and is backed to continue his fine form. 'We are delighted to get in and it was touch and go, but we ended up getting in comfortably, which was a bit of a surprise,' explained Scott. It's back to back wins in the feature for @CallumSheppy and @GScottracing! Caballo De Mar takes them all the way and quickens up stylishly to score by a distance at @Southwell_Races! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 27, 2025 'He obviously went up 8lb on Tuesday so is effectively 5lb well in, so he has to take his chance. His recent form is on the all-weather, but that is mainly due to how the races have been falling for him, rather than trying to keep him off grass. 'He has gone well tightish left-handed at Southwell, so hopefully the track won't be a problem. The music is going to stop at some point but he looks progressive and everyone can see that. 'It's not very often you get a horse like this into the Chester Cup off this rating, so we feel very lucky. The horse is training well and it's nice to take our chance with a progressive horse.' Joseph O'Brien is double-handed with Curragh scorer Leinster and Dawn Rising, while Andrew Balding will also saddle two – Queen's Prize runner-up Who's Glen and Spirit Mixer. Balding said: 'Who's Glen ran a very good race in the Queen's Prize and he's a course winner, although in very different conditions to those we are likely to see here. I can't see why he wouldn't be effective on fast ground, but it's a question mark the first time he tries it.' Meanwhile, Tom Dascombe is confident Hot Fuss can make his mark providing conditions do not prove too quick for his Cheltenham Festival fourth. He said: 'He's drawn three and that is perfect. If the ground is good we will run him, but if it's really quick we might not, but if he runs I think he will run really well. He wouldn't want too much firm in the description of the going though.'
Leader Live
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
East India Dock camp eager to exploit Flat mark
James Owen's four-year-old was sent off favourite for top juvenile honours at the Cheltenham Festival when finishing third in a thrilling finish behind Poniros and Lulamba and now reverts to the level with connections seeking to take advantage of what they feel is an unexposed Flat rating. Owen – who also saddles Charging Thunder – said: 'He was progressive on the Flat, albeit on galloping tracks, and this is the first time he will run on a tight track. I do think he is a better hurdler than he was on the Flat – he quickly came alive over hurdles – but he could be pretty well handicapped and it looks like he will stay the trip. 'There's probably not many who have gone from third in a Triumph Hurdle to the Chester Cup but we're hoping he's well handicapped. He's got a good level of fitness from hurdling and hopefully he will run really well.' Davies was in the saddle aboard Zoffee when victorious 12 months ago, igniting jubilant scenes for trainer Hugo Palmer and his landlord Michael Owen at a meeting he holds dear. Apprentice Joe Leavy takes over on the defending champion this year and Palmer is hopeful he can thrive early in the campaign once again. 'He's all set to defend his title and I'm very, very happy with him,' said Palmer. 'We took him to Southwell and he worked very well a few weeks ago. It's nice when they go that far for the first time since last year to have had them on a racecourse, I always think, and we know he goes well fresh. 'The last couple of years his best run of the season has been his first run, so fingers crossed it's the same case again.' No horse heads into the race in better shape than George Scott's Caballo De Mar, who arrives at the Roodee on a five-race winning streak. He easily accounted for a useful cast including Cesarewitch runner-up Manxman (second) and Michael Bell's reopposing Duke Of Oxford (third) at Southwell recently and is backed to continue his fine form. 'We are delighted to get in and it was touch and go, but we ended up getting in comfortably, which was a bit of a surprise,' explained Scott. It's back to back wins in the feature for @CallumSheppy and @GScottracing! Caballo De Mar takes them all the way and quickens up stylishly to score by a distance at @Southwell_Races! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 27, 2025 'He obviously went up 8lb on Tuesday so is effectively 5lb well in, so he has to take his chance. His recent form is on the all-weather, but that is mainly due to how the races have been falling for him, rather than trying to keep him off grass. 'He has gone well tightish left-handed at Southwell, so hopefully the track won't be a problem. The music is going to stop at some point but he looks progressive and everyone can see that. 'It's not very often you get a horse like this into the Chester Cup off this rating, so we feel very lucky. The horse is training well and it's nice to take our chance with a progressive horse.' Joseph O'Brien is double-handed with Curragh scorer Leinster and Dawn Rising, while Andrew Balding will also saddle two – Queen's Prize runner-up Who's Glen and Spirit Mixer. Balding said: 'Who's Glen ran a very good race in the Queen's Prize and he's a course winner, although in very different conditions to those we are likely to see here. I can't see why he wouldn't be effective on fast ground, but it's a question mark the first time he tries it.' Meanwhile, Tom Dascombe is confident Hot Fuss can make his mark providing conditions do not prove too quick for his Cheltenham Festival fourth. He said: 'He's drawn three and that is perfect. If the ground is good we will run him, but if it's really quick we might not, but if he runs I think he will run really well. He wouldn't want too much firm in the description of the going though.'
