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Henry de Bromhead Stable Tour

The knockeen trainer has another strong string of established grade 1 performers and promising youngsters to go to war with in 2023-24..

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Henry de Bromhead has emerged from the pack as the closest pursuer of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott in Ireland and recent seasons have seen him establish himself as a major player on the biggest stages of the sport.

De Bromhead has saddled a total of 21 winners at the Cheltenham Festival in his 20-year career as a trainer. It all started with Sizing Europe’s victory in the Arkle Challenge Trophy in 2010, but it has ramped up in no uncertain terms in recent years.

Indeed, 2021 saw de Bromhead produce one of the greatest individual training performances of all time at the meeting by saddling six winners that included the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Gold Cup.

For good measure, not only did he send out Honeysuckle to win the Champion Hurdle again in 2022, he also saddled another 1-2 in the Gold Cup with A Plus Tard leading home Minella Indo.

Honeysuckle may have left the stage into retirement, but de Bromhead has a strong string of established Grade 1 performers and promising youngsters to go to war with during the coming season.

He talked to Kevin Blake of ttheraces.com to go through his squad for 2023/24.

A Plus Tard (FR)

• 10-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Kapgarde (FR) - Turboka (FR) (Kahyasi (FR))
• Trained by: H de Bromhead
• Last Race: Leopardstown, 28 Dec 2023 14:25
• Result: 6/8, mid-division, 5th halfway, jumped right 6 out, 7th before 3 out, no extra after 2 out and jumped right last, weakened, tailed off
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Form profile

A 175-rated chaser, he won the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021/22, but disappointed in three starts last season.

Trainer says

He seems really well and is working nicely. He’s progressing all the time, but I’m not 100% sure if he’ll make it to the Betfair Chase. We’d like to start him there, but if he’s not as ready as we’d like him to be, we’ll wait for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. We’ll know where we are with him from his work in the next week or so.

Amirite (IRE)

• 8-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Sholokhov (IRE) - Belle Again (IRE) (Shantou (USA))
• Trained by: H De Bromhead
• Last Race: Sandown, 27 Apr 2024 15:35
• Result: 5/20, held up towards rear of mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, close 3rd next, ridden and starting to lose place when squeezed out approaching last, weakened run-in

A 142-rated chaser, he won one of his six starts over fences last season and disappointed when sent off favourite for the Irish Grand National.

He made a solid start back to his season at Cheltenham, but I thought he raced a bit fresh, and I suspect he’ll improve from that run. We are aiming him towards the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

An Tobar (GB)

• 7-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Gentlewave (IRE) - Katalina (UK) (Hernando (FR))
• Last Race: Leopardstown, 04 Feb 2024 15:50
• Result: 16/21, always behind and never a factor, pushed along 3rd, detached when not fluent 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off

The winner of a point-to-point in January 2022, he made a winning hurdling debut at Fairyhouse in November.

We were delighted with his performance at Fairyhouse. It was his first run for a long time, and he did it nicely. We have entered him for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse and he could go there or one of the other nice novice hurdles around December time. He seemed to jump and travel well at Fairyhouse, so we won’t rush him up in trip, but I’d imagine he’ll be at his best over further in the fullness of time.

Arctic Bresil (GB)

• Breeding: Blue Bresil (FR) - Arctic Actress (UK) (King's Theatre (IRE))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 03 May 2024 16:15
• Result: PulledUp/17, mid-division early, rear of mid-division halfway, pushed along and no impression before 3 out, no extra and pulled up before 2 out

Won a maiden hurdle at Cork in December prior to disappointing in the Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.

He seems in great form and the hope is to start him off in a maiden chase at the end of November or early December. He liked him a lot last season, but he disappointed us in the second half of the campaign. His schooling over fences has been really good, so hopefully chasing will bring out the very best in him.

Banprionsa (IRE)

• 6-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Kayf Tara (UK) - Midnight Angel (GER) (Acatenango (GER))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 31 Mar 2024 14:00
• Result: 11/16, towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out

A winning point-to-pointer, she made a promising racecourse debut when second in a mares’ maiden hurdle at Cork in November.

I liked her run at Cork the other day. She looks a promising mare and should drive on from start to start.

Birdie Or Bust (IRE)

• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Bint Valkyrie (IRE) (Beneficial (UK))
• Last Race: Cheltenham, 14 Mar 2024 16:50
• Result: 3/8, chased leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd before 2nd, led 2 out, headed before last where jumped left, held in 3rd final 100 yards, kept on

Won a maiden hurdle at Tipperary in May and finishing third in a Grade 3 novices’ hurdle back at that track in October.

She’s an intended runner in the Grade 3 mares’ novice hurdle at Down Royal on Friday. I thought she ran well when upped in class at Tipperary last month and I’d be hopeful she can come on from that run.

Bob Olinger (IRE)

• 9-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Sholokhov (IRE) - Zenaide (IRE) (Zaffaran (USA))
• Last Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 15:30
• Result: 2/8, held up in rear, headway 3 out, not clear run after last and switched right, stayed on well and edged left, every chance towards finish, just denied

A 151-rated hurdler, he won his three completed starts over fences in 2021/22, including a fortuitous success in the Turners Novices’ Chase, but failed to win in three starts over hurdles last season.

Bob seems to be in great form. He just wasn’t quite himself last season and we decided to pull stumps with him after his last start in January, give him a long break and look to start back from scratch this season. The intention is to go back over fences with him and we are looking at a conditions chase at Thurles at the end of November as his starting point. Hopefully, we can get him back to where he was a couple of seasons ago.

Captain Guinness (IRE)

• Breeding: Arakan (USA) - Presenting D'azy (IRE) (Presenting (UK))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 30 Apr 2024 17:25
• Result: 2/9, tracked leaders, 4th at halfway, led travelling well before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed approaching last, stayed on well run-in, headed near line

A 160-rated chaser, he won the Fortria Chase at Navan last season.

He’s in great shape and he’ll start back in the Fortria Chase. He had a great season last time around and we’ll most likely give him a similar sort of campaign this season again. I’m not sure he is ideally suited by Leopardstown, but the calendar dictates that he’ll probably still go there at Christmas.

Coeur Sublime (IRE)

• Breeding: Elusive Pimpernel (USA) - Love Knot (IRE) (Lomitas (UK))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 03 Dec 2023 15:10
• Result: 17/19, mid-division, dropped to 14th and travelling well entering straight, mistake and ridden 2 out, no impression on leaders when badly checked after 2 out, no extra

A 148-rated chaser, he finished a close second in a Grade 3 chase at Naas in February and most recently has been running well on the Flat.

We all got a great kick out of seeing Andrew Jones ride his first winner on him on the Flat at Listowel and they again ran really well together at the Curragh last week. We have a plan to try him back over hurdles and we are looking at the valuable handicap hurdle at the Hatton’s Grace meeting at Fairyhouse.

Coming Up Easy (IRE)

• 6-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Califet (FR) - Quaspia (FR) (Fragrant Mix (IRE))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 18:35
• Result: 19/25, rear of mid-division, mid-division at halfway, checked after 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened, tailed off

Placed in a point-to-point, he shaped with promise in his only start in a bumper at Navan last season.

He’s a promising young horse. He might start back in a maiden hurdle at Naas this weekend. He’s a real staying sort, a chaser of the future.

Dancing On My Own (IRE)

• Breeding: Milan (UK) - Morning Supreme (IRE) (Supreme Leader (UK))
• Last Race: Aintree, 11 Apr 2024 16:40
• Result: 6/15, disputed lead until 1st, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th or 6th, weakened from 2 out

A 153-rated chaser, he won the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree last season and a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham in October.

He was brilliant the other day at Cheltenham, and he has earned his way out of handicap company now. We’ll look at the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham or the Fortria Chase for him.

Envoi Allen (FR)

• Breeding: Muhtathir (UK) - Reaction (FR) (Saint Des Saints (FR))
• Last Race: Aintree, 12 Apr 2024 15:30
• Result: 4/7, prominent on outside until 2nd, towards rear 3rd, shaken up after 11th, hit 4 out, went 4th modest 4th 2 out, no impression, well beaten before last

A 163-rated chaser, he has won eight Grade 1 races including the Champion Bumper, the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

We haven’t 100% decided yet, but I’d say he’ll most likely run in the Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday. It looks like the ground isn’t going to be too bad at all, which is great for him.

Hiddenvalley Lake (IRE)

• 7-y-o; chestnut gelding
• Breeding: Sholokhov (IRE) - Coming Home (FR) (Exit To Nowhere (USA))
• Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 15:05
• Result: 3/10, chased leaders on inside, took keen hold, ridden 2 out, hanging left in close 3rd and not much room last, no impression on winner flat, kept on

A 139-rated hurdler, he won two of his four starts over hurdles including a Grade 3 novice at Cork in December.

He’s going novice chasing and will hopefully start off by the end of November or early December. He’s a real stayer. He was very disappointing in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and he might just have been feeling the effects of a tough race at Clonmel the previous month.

Inthepocket (GB)

• Breeding: Blue Bresil (FR) - Egretta Island (IRE) (Heron Island (IRE))
• Last Race: Navan, 18 Nov 2023 15:15
• Result: 2/12, chased leader, 3rd halfway, 4th and closer when slight mistake 4 out, 3rd next, pushed along and went 2nd early run-in, kept on one pace

A 149-rated hurdler, he has won three of his five starts over hurdles including a Grade 2 novice at Naas in December and the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April.

He is schooling really well over fences and the starting point we have in mind for him is the maiden chase at Navan on November 18th. Being a Grade 1-winning novice hurdler you’d have to be excited about him going chasing and hopefully he should take to it well.

Journey With Me (IRE)

• 8-y-o; chestnut gelding
• Breeding: Mahler (UK) - Kilbarry Demon (IRE) (Bob's Return (IRE))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 01 May 2024 17:25
• Result: 7/9, mid-division, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon no impression, 6th when mistake at last, no extra

A 151-rated chaser, he won two of his five starts over fences last season including a Grade 3 novice chase at Naas in March.

He’s had a little setback and I don’t think he’ll be back out until after Christmas. We want to give him another try over three miles as we didn’t get to see him examined over that trip at Punchestown due to his fall. We think it should suit him.

Killarney King

• 5 br g Flemensfirth – Liss Na Tintri

Made a winning debut in a point-to-point at Rathcannon in November 2022 prior to changing hands.

He’s a lovely young horse that is working well. We’ll hopefully get him starting over hurdles in the next few weeks. He could be one to start over two-and-a-half miles, but we’ll see what he tells us in his next couple of bits of work.

Lantry Lady (FR)

• Breeding: Saint Des Saints (FR) - Anna's Star (IRE) (Hernando (FR))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 18:00
• Result: 7/11, towards rear, 7th 3 out, ridden in 7th next, no impression

Made a winning debut in a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park in March.

She was meant to run at Down Royal last weekend, but she just wasn’t 100% so we’re going to give her a few more weeks. She’s only had the one run over hurdles and is only a novice for a few more weeks. We’ll keep her over hurdles and get some experience into her.

Magical Zoe (IRE)

• Breeding: Shantou (USA) - Fedaia (IRE) (Anabaa (USA))
• Last Race: Down Royal, 22 Jun 2024 17:45
• Result: Won/8, rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out and soon switched left, led 1f out, kept on well under hands and heels, comfortably

A 136-rated hurdler, she won three of her five starts over hurdles last season including a Grade 3 mares’ novice hurdle at Down Royal in November.

We delighted with Magical Zoe’s winning return to action at Gowran Park. She is an intended runner in the Grade 3 hurdle at Down Royal on Friday. She’s one that we want to step up to two-and-a-half miles at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting to see what she’s like over that trip. We were probably a bit unfair on her by asking her to try that trip for the first time at Fairyhouse last season as it was quite soon after her big run at the Cheltenham Festival. We don’t think the run was a true reflection of her.

Mahon's Way (IRE)

• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Allys Bubble (IRE) (Luso (UK))
• Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 13:55
• Result: 6/8, held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, never threatened, well held before last

A winning point-to-pointer, he finished third in a bumper at Naas in March.

He’s entered in a maiden hurdle at Naas on Sunday, and he’ll probably run there. He looks a promising horse that works well.

Maskada (FR)

• 8-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Masked Marvel (UK) - Mandina (FR) (Saint Des Saints (FR))
• Result: 4/9, in rear, pushed along 4 out, ridden in moderate 6th 2 out, went moderate 4th after last, no impression on leaders

A 151-rated chaser, she won the Grand Annual Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

Maskada will make her return in a Listed mares’ chase at Clonmel on Thursday. After that, she’ll most likely take on the boys in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork. She had a super campaign last season and we’ll be hoping for more of the same from her this season.

Minella Indo (IRE)

• 11-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Beat Hollow (UK) - Carrigeen Lily (IRE) (Supreme Leader (UK))
• Last Race: Aintree, 13 Apr 2024 16:00
• Result: 3/32, chased leaders, led going well last, challenged at the Elbow, headed run-in, no chance with winner and lost 2nd towards finish

A 162-rated chaser, he has won six of his 16 starts over fences including the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021 and most recently won a Grade 3 chase at Punchestown in October.

We were absolutely over the moon with him at Punchestown. It was great to see him back performing like that after the way he ran in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. He seems in great form, and he will most likely run in the Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday. Longer term, we know he is getting a bit old for the very top-level staying chasers, so the likes of the Grand National will be considered and we’ll be guided by his next few runs as to what the right thing to do is.

Monty's Star (IRE)

• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Tempest Belle (IRE) (Glacial Storm (USA))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 30 Apr 2024 18:00
• Result: 2/7, in touch, tracked leader in 2nd after 1st, took closer order after 7th, slightly hampered 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, headed before last, kept on run-in, held

A 139-rated hurdler, he won a Grade 3 novice at Clonmel in February.

He’s going novice chasing and will look to start back at the end of November or early December. He’s a big scopey lad that has always looked a chaser in the making. Like Hiddenvalley Lake, he disappointed us in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, and I wonder if the hard race they both had at Clonmel the previous month told on them.

Mossy Fen Park (IRE)

• 5-y-o; bay gelding
• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Msmilan (IRE) (Milan (UK))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 31 Mar 2024 15:10
• Result: 2/11, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute entering straight, ridden before 2 out, headed after 2 out, no extra in 2nd last, kept on same pace

Won a point-to-point at Nenagh in February prior to changing hands for £200,000.

He seems a lovely young horse and I’m hoping to get him started in a maiden hurdle in the next few weeks.

• 4-y-o; bay filly
• Breeding: Jeu St Eloi (FR) - Natsuke (FR) (Chichicastenango (FR))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 15:40
• Result: 3/24, mid-division, closer in 6th 2 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 3rd at last, kept on without threatening leaders

Made a winning debut in a Listed juvenile hurdle for fillies at Auteuil in April prior to changing hands.

She’s a nice filly that is working away well there now. We’ll aim her for a winner’s juvenile hurdle towards the end of this month or early December.

Nas Na Riogh (IRE)

• Breeding: Walk In The Park (IRE) - Babygotback (IRE) (Amilynx (FR))
• Last Race: Killarney, 13 May 2024 17:40
• Result: Won/8, led narrowly, jumped right at 1st, increased advantage before 6th, reduced lead after 8th, strongly pressed last, headed run-in, disputed closing stages, just held on

Won a point-to-point at Lisronagh in March prior to changing hands for £120,000.

He’s declared to run at Down Royal on Friday. He’s a lovely horse that works well. He seems a staying type that will learn his trade over hurdles this season and go novice chasing next season.

New York Style (GB)

• 7-y-o; brown mare
• Breeding: Robin Des Champs (FR) - Que Pasa (IRE) (Loup Solitaire (USA))
• Last Race: Listowel, 03 Jun 2024 15:20
• Result: 11/14, in touch, 4th after 5th, lost place 4 out, weakened before 2 out

Made an encouraging debut when second in a mares’ bumper at Wexford in October 2022.

We’re looking to run her in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal on Saturday. She has plenty of pace and is a lovely mare.

Queen Jane (IRE)

• Breeding: Mahler (UK) - And Whatever Else (IRE) (Bob Back (USA))
• Last Race: Tramore, 01 Jun 2024 19:55
• Result: UnseatedRider/13, mid-division, 6th 3 out, pushed along in 5th and no impression when badly hampered and unseated rider before 2 out

A 129-rated chaser, she has won two of her three starts over fences.

She’s in good shape and we are aiming her at the mares’ handicap chase at Fairyhouse next month. She is low mileage over fences and seems to like chasing a lot, so hopefully she can progress.

Senior Chief (GB)

• Breeding: Gentlewave (IRE) - Absalom's Girl (UK) (Saddlers' Hall (IRE))
• Last Race: Fairyhouse, 01 Apr 2024 17:00
• Result: PulledUp/20, rear of mid-division, some headway 16th and 9th 6 out, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra and pulled up before 2 out

A 135-rated hurdler, he won two of his four starts in novice hurdles last season.

He’ll go novice chasing now. He’s a real stayer. He should start back at the end of this month or possibly early December.

Slade Steel (IRE)

• Breeding: Telescope (IRE) - Mariet (UK) (Dr Fong (USA))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 30 Apr 2024 15:40
• Result: 3/9, mid-division, jumped slightly left at 1st, 5th after 4th, progress after 3 out, closed 2 out, led entering straight, headed last where not fluent, soon no extra in 3rd closing stages

A winning point-to-pointer, he won a bumper at Punchestown in December and went on to finish third in a winner’s bumper at the Punchestown Festival.

He’s going to run this weekend, most likely at Naas on Sunday. He’s a nice horse that works well and I’m looking forward to getting him out.

Tag Man (IRE)

• Breeding: Fame And Glory (UK) - Annie Spectrim (IRE) (Spectrum (IRE))
• Last Race: Clonmel, 07 Jun 2024 18:50
• Result: Won/3, led, disputed from 3 out, travelling well approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, soon asserted and kept on well

A 128-rated hurdler, he got off the mark over hurdles in a maiden at Listowel in September and went on to finish third in a novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham in October.

I was delighted with his performance at Listowel. I’m not sure we made enough use of him at Cheltenham last time and I think he can improve from that. We’ve left him off on a break now and he’ll be back in the spring hopefully.

Telmesomethinggirl (IRE)

• 9-y-o; bay mare
• Breeding: Stowaway (UK) - Wahiba Hall (IRE) (Saddlers' Hall (IRE))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 04 May 2024 15:42
• Result: 4/5, led and soon asserted, clear at 4th, reduced lead before 4 out where jumped slightly left, headed after 3 out, dropped to 4th and weakened 2 out, tailed off

A 133-rated chaser, she won one of her five starts over fences last season.

We’ll going to go back over hurdles with her. She just didn’t get to her hurdles level over fences last season and we’ll happy to revert to hurdling with her now. She might go to the Listed mares’ hurdle at Punchestown on December 12th and then aim for the mares’ hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Theatre Native (IRE)

• Breeding: Getaway (GER) - Native Beauty (IRE) (King's Theatre (IRE))
• Last Race: Punchestown, 02 May 2024 19:05
• Result: 9/16, rear of mid-division, took keen hold, slightly hampered before 2nd, closer in 6th and ridden 2 out, weakened

Feel at the final fence when set to win a point-to-point at Dromahane in November 2022 and finished fourth in a Listed mares’ bumper at Fairyhouse in April on her racecourse debut.

She’s declared to run at Clonmel on Thursday. She looks a nice mare. She looked like she was going to win well when coming down at the last fence in a point-to-point at Dromahane. She works nicely and we’re looking forward to getting her started.

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Henry De Bromhead Stable Tour: 2021/22 Season

Henry De Bromhead

Henry De Bromhead had a vintage season last term winning the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Aintree Grand National, as well as numerous big winners on home soil in Ireland.

Calm and collected, he has now positioned himself at the very top of the training ranks in both the UK and Ireland, and rather than being a trainer with potential, he’s now one to be fully following ahead of the new campaign.

A Plus Tard

7yo, bay gelding

Form: /212-

Verdict: As consistent as ever last season and came close to winning the big one when just outstayed by Minella Indo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Prior to that he was second over two miles in the Fortria Chase at Navan and then won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown. He was the pick of Rachel Blackmore in the Gold Cup, and you get the feeling they’ll be desperate to go one better this year, where they are expected to start their prep in Haydock’s Betfair Chase.

Aspire Tower

5yo, bay gelding

Form: /124-8

Verdict: Finished second in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle and ran with credit last season winning the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal. He was later second in the Matheson and fourth, beaten 11 lengths, in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. The Irish version at Punchestown proved a step too far, but he clearly has class and is one to be with this season.

Balko Des Flos

10yo, chestnut gelding

Form: /4764U2-

Verdict: Now owned by the Racehorse Club, he gave his new owners a day to remember when running on strongly to finish second in the Grand National at Aintree in April as a 100/1 shot. You’d have to think that performance gives him another chance at the big one this season.

Bob Olinger

6yo, bay gelding

Form: /2111-

Verdict: An excellent winner of the Ballymore on his final start last season, Bob Olinger has now won four of his five racecourse starts, with Ferny Hollow the only horse to beat him so far. He’s a super exciting prospect to go chasing with this season and it will be a fascinating contender for the Marsh Novices’ Chase if he takes to fences like he did to hurdles.

Captain Guinness

Form: /P12F3-U

Verdict: Was up and down last season and is yet to really show his worth in Graded company where his form book at that level currently reads 2nd, brought down, fell, 3rd, unseated rider. His 2nd is perhaps the pick of his form, only narrowly beaten by Andy Dufresne, but in reality his best performances are outside of Graded races, and that is maybe where his winning opportunities will come over fences this season.

Eklat De Rire

Form: 21/11U-

Verdict: This 7yo headed to the Cheltenham Festival this year after making it two from two over fences, and seemingly a genuine challenger to Monkfish in the Brown Advisory. In reality, he unseated at the 12th fence, and his lofty reputation has been knocked back a tad ahead of the new campaign.

Envoi Allen

Form: /111F-P

Verdict: Of all the horses that were moved stables as a result of the Gordon Elliott saga, Envoi Allen is the horse that had his performances on the racecourse affected the most. The 7yo was an absolute star prior to the switch to Henry De Bromhead, but has looked a shadow of his former self since then, falling at the Festival and pulling up at Punchestown. He’s been sent for wind surgery over the summer, and goes for the second season Novices’ race at Down Royal, where connections will be hoping he can get his career back on track.

Honeysuckle

7yo, bay mare

Form:/111-1

Verdict: Quite simply a mare in a million and racehorse of a lifetime. Honeysuckle remains unbeaten in one point-to-point and 12 races, and arguably produced her best season yet when winning the Hatton’s Grace, Irish Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Champion Hurdle and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle last term. She was emphatic in winning at Cheltenham, and there’s no reason why she can’t take the lot again, starting with the Hatton’s Grace. She’s superb!

6yo, grey gelding

Form: /1255-

Verdict: Well thought of by Henry De Bromhead, he won his maiden at the first time of asking last season before progressing into Graded company where his best effort came when second to Appreciate It in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was later a well beaten fifth in the Supreme at Cheltenham, and it would be no surprise to see him go up in distance given his P2P background this term.

Minella Indo

8yo, bay gelding

Form: /11F41-

Verdict: The Gold Cup champ was an excellent winner of the Cheltenham showpiece, extending his excellent record at Prestbury Park to two wins from three visits, including a runner-up effort in the RSA Chase. He won twice before the Gold Cup last season, but went into the big one as something of an outsider after falling in the Savills Chase and finishing 4th of 5 in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. It’s unlikely he’ll go under the radar again and looks well capable of defending his crown next March, with the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal his likely starting point this season.

Minella Melody

Form: /2227-2

Verdict: A consistent performer in Graded races for the entirety of last season, finishing 2nd on four of her five starts. Her best effort came when runner-up in Grade One Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, where she bounced back to form after finishing well down the field in the Mares Hurdle at the Festival. Chasing could be an option, but you’d imagine she’d stay hurdling and follow a similar route to last season.

Minella Times

Form: /1221-

Verdict: The Grand National champ put the icing on the cake of a history-making season for Rachel Blackmore in winning the Aintree showpiece, and will be hoping to retain his crown next April. The JP McManus-owned 8yo, had ran well for the entirety of last season, never being outside the top two in three starts, but proved a real appetite for the marathon distance in Liverpool.

Form: /12377-

Verdict: The 2019/20 season was one to remember for Notebook, winning four of his five starts, including two Grade 1’s at Leopardstown. In contrast, he struggled to mix it in open company over fences this season, winning just once, and finishing down the field in Champion Chase at Cheltenham and last in the Melling Chase at Aintree. He’ll be hoping to refind his form this season.

Put The Kettle On

Form: /1314-

Verdict: They say that course form can often count for a lot around Cheltenham, and that has certainly been the case for Put The Kettle On, who is now unbeaten in four visits there, winning an Arkle trial, the Arkle, the Shloer Chase and most recently, the Champion Chase. It’s a record that is quite literally worth its weight in gold, and whenever she turns up there this season, she is a bet worth having. She was expected to start her new campaign in Gowran Park in early October but was deemed a non-runner because of the ground, but has made the trip to Cheltenham’s November meeting the last twice, and will likely target that route to the Festival again.

4yo, bay gelding

Form: 1/1111-7

Verdict: Another big name who made the switch from Elliott to De Bromhead prior to the Festival, but seemingly felt no ill-effects, winning the Triumph Hurdle in good fashion in the hands of Rachel Blackmore, pulling clear up the hill. He will start his new campaign at Down Royal, and looks as though he might be worth a go at 2m4f as the season progresses.

Telmesomethinggirl6yo

bay mareForm: /131131-5

Verdict: Looked a different mare last season, winning a maiden at Roscommon in June, before progressing nicely to win at Bellewstown and Listowel before the end of September. She was then given a mid-season break before returning to finish a close third in a valuable Mares handicap at Leopardstown and then going on to land the Mares’ Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham in fine style. The Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle proved a bit too hot since then, but she’s a mare to follow this season and should go well again.

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Henry de Bromhead: Stable Tour

Henry de Bromhead talks you through his leading lights for the season, including A Plus Tard, Minella Indo and Envoi Allen.

A Plus Tard (Timeform rating 174)

"He’s in mighty form and worked really well the other day, so the plan is to go to the Betfair Chase. He was brilliant last season - I ran him in the Fortria Chase (at Navan) for his first start over two miles and he was beaten, but he sort of fooled me because he’d beaten Chacun Pour Soi the previous year over that trip.

"Looking at the re-run of the 2020 Ryanair Chase he looked as though he was staying on at the end of that race and his owners Cheveley Park agreed to give him a go over three miles. He was brilliant in the Savills Chase and there was no question over his stamina at Cheltenham.

"He’s an amazing horse - to win a Grade 1 over two miles and a Grade 1 over three is something that not many horses do and he’s still only seven, so he’s improving all the time."

"I don’t think we have had a runner at Haydock Park but we were there in the Irish bubble for Aintree and I was amazed how tight it was – I hadn’t pictured that at all. It’s a lovely track and he certainly suits going left-handed.

“I think the fact that he prefers going left-handed means we’ll stay in Ireland over Christmas for the Savills and if everything goes well I’d imagine we’d start in the Betfair, aim for the Savills and go straight for the Gold Cup, so long as we maintain their form."

Balko Des Flos (156)

“He’s going to go to Cheltenham next week for the Cross Country Chase and we’ll see after that. I think we may just stick to Cross Country races with him through the season, but the Becher Chase at Aintree is in the back of my mind.

“He had the class for the Grand National and Rachael came in fuming at Cheltenham as he was flying and loving it, so there was always a good chance that he would take to it. With any of them it’s so unpredictable and you just don’t know until you go and thankfully with him he delivered.”

Envoi Allen (164p)

"We tried to change things as little as possible heading to Cheltenham and perhaps he was too fresh. He seemed to just over-jump the fence and maybe that would have always happened, but he seemed brilliant and was buzzing heading into Punchestown – whatever way he hit that fence meant he was fracture lame after Cheltenham.

"Thankfully it wasn’t a fracture and we removed the chip and he had a normal summer. I suppose we’ve got to know him a bit more and haven’t really changed too much, he’s still a really good horse and I just think we were a bit luckless with him and it didn’t happen for us. He seemed to love jumping and galloping at the pace he did at Down Royal the other day which is interesting."

"I’m not sure if he’ll head to Kempton as he’s a second season novice, we’ll see with him. I know he’s maybe not your typical King George horse, but we’ll certainly weigh it up closer to the time.

"In terms of trip we’ll probably want to look at three miles at some point, but he’s got very solid form and a very high cruising speed. He jumps his fences quickly and he’s got lots of attributes of a two and a half mile horse, so it’s something we need to discuss with connections. We’ve never run him over three miles so we just don’t know if he will stay, but I’d say it’s something we’d want to find out soon."

Minella Indo (175)

"I’d say he’s highly likely to head to Kempton for the King George, but there’s also the option of the Savills. We’ll see how it goes - he came on plenty for Down Royal and caught me out a bit in that he was a bit shorter than I thought he was, but he still ran a cracker and fair play to the Nicholls team as Frodon was in great shape – we look forward to taking him on.”

Minella Times (155)

"We’ll probably enter him in some of those better graded races. He’s up to 159 in Ireland and 162 in England, so he’s up in those graded ratings so I’d say we’ll enter him for some of those better races and see how we fare with him.

"He’ll be entered for the John Durkan at Punchestown and he’ll possibly be ready for that, while there’s a conditions chase at Thurles at the end of this month as well, so the end of this month to early December is what we’re aiming for.

"He’s a high-rated horse and I think we will try these various conditions chases and see how we fare. He’s only really run in handicaps until now, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on. To be honest we’re just kind of seeing how it unfolds, so I wouldn’t like to make any predictions, but he’s a high-class horse.”

Put The Kettle On (158)

"She will go for the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham next week and is in mighty form. She just loves Cheltenham and I have no idea why. When you see her going round Leopardstown with a big open track and long straights she could never really get into her rhythm, whereas at Cheltenham she just loves it there for whatever reason and Aidan (Coleman) gets a fantastic tune out of her.

"I’d say her run at Sandown was perhaps one that just came at the end of a long season, but maybe the combination of real good ground over two miles doesn’t suit her. I’d say she needs softer ground to be seen to better effect, but maybe it was just Cheltenham – because she improved 12lbs with Chacun Pour Soi between Christmas and The Festival."

Spyglass Hill (146)

"He’s going to Aintree and has had a couple of good runs, he ran well in the Munster National the other day and we just thought that maybe the drop back in trip might suit him.

"Hugh (Morgan) gets a great tune out of him and it’s an excellent opportunity for him on Saturday. He’s been with us for years and he’s doing really well and I’m delighted for him that Niall O’Leary is giving him the opportunity and we’re looking forward to it."

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• Henry de Bromhead Stable Tour: 'She's every bit as good as she ever was' 🌟

Henry de Bromhead Stable Tour: ‘She’s every bit as good as she ever was’ 🌟

Henry de Bromhead looks likely to be butting heads with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott once again. A trainer for the big occasion, it’s de Bromhead who is defending both the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle crowns this season. The County Waterford-based trainer’s stable tour came out this week and it’s evident that he has a strong team of mares this season. We’ve picked out three mares who de Bromhead is excited to unleash this year. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

‘An incredible mare’

Honeysuckle  has been usurped at the head of the Champion Hurdle market by Constitution Hill. Having won this crown for the last two years, her trainer believes she’s chomping at the bit to keep it. de Bromhead said: ‘She’s been a legend for us. She’s been doing great since she came back after the summer and I’m really happy with her.’ He also added: ‘she seems to be every bit as good now as she ever was. She’s just an incredible mare.’ It’s all systems go for Cheltenham again this season and she’ll take some stopping.

‘She has a bright future ahead’

Magical Zoe  did particularly well to win her Grade 3 at Down Royal last time out as she was hampered at the second last and just managed to get up and score by a length. That performance wasn’t fully expected by her trainer who said: ‘She’s a nice mare and we’ve always thought she was nice but I suppose she did surprise us at Down Royal.’ The plan is to go to Cheltenham for the mares’ novice race where she could go well according to de Bromhead: ‘She’s only four and still a baby but hopefully she has a bright future ahead. She seems to have a gear at the end of her races.’

‘She’s one we’d be looking forward to’

Telmesomethinggirl is one to look out for as she embarks on a novice chase campaign. Already a winner at the Festival, luck wasn’t on her side in the Mares’ Hurdle in March. This sentiment is echoed by de Bromhead who remarked: ‘She was just unfortunate at Cheltenham last season and looked to be going as well as anything in the Mares’ Hurdle when she was brought down[…] The plan is to send her over fences and her schooling has gone very well. She’s one we’d be looking forward to.’

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Henry de Bromhead: The secrets to Cheltenham Festival and Grand National glory, no topping spring success

Henry de Bromhead landed six graded wins at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, including the Gold Cup, before winning the Grand National with Minella Times; De Bromhead reflects on Rachael Blackmore partnership and Irish trainers' title

By Calum Wilson

Tuesday 30 November 2021 14:25, UK

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For Henry de Bromhead, nothing will ever beat those four weeks in spring when everything he touched seemed to turn to gold.

The Irish raider led the plunder at the Cheltenham Festival in March, taking six graded titles home to his base in County Waterford, including becoming the first trainer to land the triple crown - the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup.

As Minella Indo rounded off a remarkable week for the team, De Bromhead felt he was still dreaming, but the story had another chapter to come at Aintree 22 days later.

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Henry de Bromhead has a whole host of stars to look forward to this season, including Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo

Fresh from being crowned leading rider at the Festival, Rachael Blackmore returned to UK shores to once again form a devastating partnership with De Bromhead, as Minella Times landed the Grand National.

Reflecting on those wild few days, De Bromhead told Sky Sports Racing : "It was mad, the whole thing. We'd had a familiar season up until then, with plenty of ups and downs and plenty of disappointments.

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"We were going well heading to Cheltenham, hoping for one winner as usual and then what unfolded was just incredible. I never believed it could have happened but thankfully it did and it was an amazing few days.

"Then a few weeks later with Minella Times in the Grand National, it was a crazy few weeks. Everything fell right for us."

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Was I blown away with her at the start? Not in the first couple of weeks De Bromhead on Rachael Blackmore

Victory on Merseyside catapulted De Bromhead's team onto the front pages of every national newspaper, with much focus on Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to ride the winner of the world's most famous race.

"She's a brilliant rider and we're very lucky to have her," De Bromhead said. "She is one of the top riders in England and Ireland.

"All the success she gets, she deserves every little bit of it. She has worked so hard to get to where she is and yet it doesn't affect her.

"My 12-year-old son has been at me wanting to school and it was Rachael who gave him all the tips on his first time schooling a racehorse over hurdles. She is very down to earth and a real team player.

"She rode her way into working with us. Was I blown away with her at the start? Not in the first couple of weeks, but in week three or four things started to really move along and you could see how brilliant she was. She's fine-tuned it ever since then."

De Bromhead is also still fine-tuning his craft, having taken over the reins in 2000 from his father Harry, himself a Cheltenham Festival winner with Fissure Seal in 1993.

"Mum and Dad were brilliant and I still go to them for advice now and they get some kick out of it all," De Bromhead revealed. "I get texts from them after every race, saying: 'Very good' or 'very impressive'.

"My dad would have had a huge influence, my wife Heather also, but none of it would have been achieved without the team we have here and the horses we have been given.

"I don't know if I'm a maverick but he [Dad] was unorthodox and I've definitely taken things that he used to do.

"You try and learn things as you go along, every day you learn something new and we're always tweaking. It is years of trying to get it as right as we can and we're still a long way from it."

I think I'd self-combust if we had any more. I'm very happy with what we've got. Henry De Bromhead on his yard size

One secret ingredient to much of De Bromhead's success is horse yoga, of sorts.

The Knockeen handler is keen to put extra emphasis on getting his horses to jump well, which often involves using loose schooling techniques as well as dressage work.

"In my view, no horse can jump unless they can arch their back," De Bromhead said.

"With loose schooling you are teaching them to think for themselves and get confidence.

"With the dressage work, I compare that to Pilates or yoga, which I know Brian O'Driscoll and Ryan Giggs used to do and they said that prolonged their career. It's all about the core and we find that can really help the horses."

For all his success, De Bromhead, who Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary once described as having "a serious steel core", presents a humble and down-to-earth persona, none more so than when quizzed about his long-term aims.

"I suppose you have to be fairly tough to survive in any business," De Bromhead said. "I don't know about being tough to the core but we're just trying to survive."

See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing

Asked how he can top last season's success, the trainer replied: "You don't. If we can keep going as we are, not like last spring, but if we can just keep tipping away then I'll be very happy."

What about ambitions to compete with giants Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins for champion trainer in Ireland? "No, no. We wouldn't have the numbers. That's it now, we have our numbers and that's what I can manage. I think I'd self-combust if we had any more. I'm very happy with what we've got."

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Henry de Bromhead: Stable Stars including A Plus Tard, Envoi Allen, Minella Indo and Minella Times

Henry de Bromhead outlines plans for his stable stars for the early part of the season including A Plus Tard, Envoi Allen and Minella Times.

A PLUS TARD (Timeform rating 174)

"He’s in mighty form and worked really well the other day, so the plan is to go to the Betfair Chase. He was brilliant last season - I ran him in the Fortria Chase (at Navan) for his first start over two miles and he was beaten, but he sort of fooled me because he’d beaten Chacun Pour Soi the previous year over that trip.

"Looking at the re-run of the 2020 Ryanair Chase he looked as though he was staying on at the end of that race and his owners Cheveley Park agreed to give him a go over three miles. He was brilliant in the Savills Chase and there was no question over his stamina at Cheltenham.

"He’s an amazing horse - to win a Grade One over two miles and a Grade One over three is something that not many horses do and he’s still only seven, so he’s improving all the time."

"I don’t think we have had a runner at Haydock Park but we were there in the Irish bubble for Aintree and I was amazed how tight it was – I hadn’t pictured that at all. It’s a lovely track and he certainly suits going left-handed.

“I think the fact that he prefers going left-handed means we’ll stay in Ireland over Christmas for the Savills and if everything goes well I’d imagine we’d start in the Betfair, aim for the Savills and go straight for the Gold Cup, so long as we maintain their form."

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BALKO DES FLOS (156)

“He’s going to go to Cheltenham next week for the Cross Country Chase and we’ll see after that. I think we may just stick to Cross Country races with him through the season, but the Becher Chase at Aintree is in the back of my mind.

“He had the class for the Grand National and Rachael came in fuming at Cheltenham as he was flying and loving it, so there was always a good chance that he would take to it. With any of them it’s so unpredictable and you just don’t know until you go and thankfully with him he delivered.”

ENVOI ALLEN (164p)

"We tried to change things as little as possible heading to Cheltenham and perhaps he was too fresh. He seemed to just over-jump the fence and maybe that would have always happened, but he seemed brilliant and was buzzing heading into Punchestown – whatever way he hit that fence meant he was fracture lame after Cheltenham.

"Thankfully it wasn’t a fracture and we removed the chip and he had a normal summer. I suppose we’ve got to know him a bit more and haven’t really changed too much, he’s still a really good horse and I just think we were a bit luckless with him and it didn’t happen for us. He seemed to love jumping and galloping at the pace he did at Down Royal the other day which is interesting."

"I’m not sure if he’ll head to Kempton as he’s a second season novice, we’ll see with him. I know he’s maybe not your typical King George horse, but we’ll certainly weigh it up closer to the time.

"In terms of trip we’ll probably want to look at three miles at some point, but he’s got very solid form and a very high cruising speed. He jumps his fences quickly and he’s got lots of attributes of a two and a half mile horse, so it’s something we need to discuss with connections. We’ve never run him over three miles so we just don’t know if he will stay, but I’d say it’s something we’d want to find out soon."

MINELLA INDO (175)

"I’d say he’s highly likely to head to Kempton for the King George, but there’s also the option of the Savills. We’ll see how it goes - he came on plenty for Down Royal and caught me out a bit in that he was a bit shorter than I thought he was, but he still ran a cracker and fair play to the Nicholls team as Frodon was in great shape – we look forward to taking him on.”

MINELLA TIMES (155)

"We’ll probably enter him in some of those better graded races. He’s up to 159 in Ireland and 162 in England, so he’s up in those graded ratings so I’d say we’ll enter him for some of those better races and see how we fare with him.

"He’ll be entered for the John Durkan at Punchestown and he’ll possibly be ready for that, while there’s a conditions chase at Thurles at the end of this month as well, so the end of this month to early December is what we’re aiming for.

"He’s a high-rated horse and I think we will try these various conditions chases and see how we fare. He’s only really run in handicaps until now, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on. To be honest we’re just kind of seeing how it unfolds, so I wouldn’t like to make any predictions, but he’s a high-class horse.”

PUT THE KETTLE ON (158)

"She will go for the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham next week and is in mighty form. She just loves Cheltenham and I have no idea why. When you see her going round Leopardstown with a big open track and long straights she could never really get into her rhythm, whereas at Cheltenham she just loves it there for whatever reason and Aidan (Coleman) gets a fantastic tune out of her.

"I’d say her run at Sandown was perhaps one that just came at the end of a long season, but maybe the combination of real good ground over two miles doesn’t suit her. I’d say she needs softer ground to be seen to better effect, but maybe it was just Cheltenham – because she improved 12lbs with Chacun Pour Soi between Christmas and The Festival."

SPYGLASS HILL (146)

"He’s going to Aintree ( for the Grand Sefton on Saturday ) and has had a couple of good runs, he ran well in the Munster National the other day and we just thought that maybe the drop back in trip might suit him.

"Hugh (Morgan) gets a great tune out of him and it’s an excellent opportunity for him on Saturday. He’s been with us for years and he’s doing really well and I’m delighted for him that Niall O’Leary is giving him the opportunity and we’re looking forward to it."

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