Stable Tours

[TheBluesBrother]

This stable tour is a detailed interview with trainer Gordon Elliott reviewing his powerful Cullentra House team ahead of the 2026-27 jumps season.

Key themes
Gordon Elliott believes his yard is in a strong position after a successful season that produced 180 Irish winners and strong prize-money returns. He highlights the depth of his novice hurdlers, bumper horses and young chasers as a major strength.
Many leading horses are expected to begin their campaigns at the upcoming Down Royal festival, which Elliott describes as an important early-season target.
Elliott is particularly positive about the quality of his younger stock and says the stable has "a lovely bunch of unraced horses" coming through.
Horses Elliott is most excited about

Romeo Coolio

Described as a high-class horse after winning three Grade 1 chases last season.
May develop into a three-mile horse.
Expected to start at Down Royal.

Brighterdaysahead

Called "an absolute star".
Target likely to remain hurdles, with the Cheltenham Mares' Hurdle a major aim.

Teahupoo

Elliott refers to him as "the horse of a lifetime".
Expected to follow his usual route through the staying hurdle division.

Wodhooh

Last season's Mares' Hurdle winner.
Could be tested over three miles, opening up a possible Stayers' Hurdle campaign.

Mange Tout

One of the trainer's most exciting mares.
Expected to remain over hurdles and start at Down Royal.
Notable novice chasers

Elliott repeatedly mentions several horses he expects to improve significantly over fences:

Ballyfad
Kazansky
Koktail Brut
Casheldale Lad
Apache Tribe
Generous Risk
Dark horses highlighted by Elliott

Several horses are specifically labelled as "dark horses" or are spoken about very positively:

Grangeclare Park: the horse referenced in the headline. Elliott says he "works like a machine at home" and hopes he becomes a smart novice hurdler.
Hernando De Soto: a point-to-point winner who missed last season but is "one to look forward to".
Skerry Hill: won both bumpers and could be "a real good horse".
Monster Truck: expensive purchase who impressed in his point-to-point.
Nairobi Delabrunie: unbeaten in France and viewed as an exciting jumping prospect.
Tracker horses

At the end of the article, Elliott's two recommended horses for the tracker are:

Hernando De Soto
Skerry Hill
Quick betting takeaway

For the upcoming season, the strongest positives in the article appear to be:

Romeo Coolio (established Grade 1 chaser)
Mange Tout (highly regarded mare)
Skerry Hill (major novice prospect)
Hernando De Soto (unexposed hurdling recruit)
Grangeclare Park (trainer's headline home-work horse)

These are the names Elliott speaks about with the most enthusiasm and future expectation.

 

[TheBluesBrother]

Main points from the stable tour with Nicky Henderson
Nicky Henderson believes he has a strong and deep team for the new jumps season, particularly among his novice hurdlers and novice chasers. However, he says this is the first season he cannot currently identify a genuine Champion Hurdle contender in the yard.
Headline horse: Feel Gut
The article's headline refers to Feel Gut, a juvenile hurdler who won impressively at Warwick.
Henderson says the horse has been "hyped" excessively and believes his position as Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite is premature based on what he has achieved so far.
Despite that, he clearly likes the horse and says he'd be delighted if the bookmakers proved correct. He also suggests the horse may stay further than two miles.
Leading Cheltenham hopes

Old Park Star

Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner.
Seen as a natural novice chaser and a leading Arkle prospect.
Henderson says both he and Act Of Innocence were judged better suited to chasing than remaining over hurdles.

Act Of Innocence

Turners Novices' Hurdle runner-up.
Another exciting novice chaser.
Likely to be campaigned over intermediate distances.

Jango Baie

Gold Cup contender but currently recovering from a ligament issue.
Henderson hopes to have him back before Cheltenham and still sees improvement ahead.

Lulamba

Considered a high-class horse with potential to develop into a three-mile chaser.
King George and major Grade 1 races are under consideration.

Jonbon

Remains one of the stable's stars after winning 12 Grade 1 races.
Henderson hints that a longer trip may now suit him better than two miles.
Horses Henderson speaks positively about
Planters Punch: Unbeaten in three junior hurdles and considered good enough for Graded races.
Roccontier: Unbeaten, described as a horse who "could be anything."
Prince Rupert: Big, highly regarded novice hurdler with strong pedigree.
Moises Has A Boat: French recruit Henderson says he "loves."
Down Jones Road: Irish point winner described as a horse they can "seriously look forward to."
Grand National angle
Holloway Queen, winner of the National Hunt Chase, is viewed as a potential future Grand National candidate.
Henderson believes she would be very well suited to Aintree but notes she is still only six years old.
Unraced horses to note

Henderson is particularly optimistic about several unraced prospects, including:

Block Flight
Mowden
Peploe
Rosemount Lady
Runciman
Supreme Ryder
Ginolo
Captain Hank
Mistle Thrush (a sister to Constitution Hill)
Tracker horses

The two horses nominated for the stable tracker are:

Old Park Star
Reckless Spending
Best betting takeaways

From a racing-model perspective, the strongest positive signals in the interview are:

Old Park Star (leading novice chaser/Arkle candidate)
Jango Baie (Gold Cup-class horse if fully recovered)
Planters Punch (highly rated unbeaten novice)
Roccontier (trainer uncertain how good he may be, suggesting significant upside)
Feel Gut (clearly talented, though Henderson warns the market may be getting ahead of itself)

 

[TheBluesBrother]

Main points from the Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore stable tour
The yard is entering its second season under the joint licence of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore. They felt last season was slightly below expectations but believe they are better positioned after restocking over the summer and are optimistic about the campaign ahead.
With stable star Ahoy Senor retired, the search is on for a new flagship horse. The team hopes established performers such as Myretown and Apple Away, together with a strong novice crop, can fill that role.
Headline horse: Conman John
Conman John is the horse featured in the headline.
Scudamore says his novice hurdle form at Cheltenham is "rock-solid".
He was competitive in Grade 2 company and is now expected to go chasing.
His point-to-point background and schooling over fences have impressed the yard, leading Scudamore to suggest he could become the stable's next Ahoy Senor.
Leading horses for the season

Apple Away

Returned from a layoff to win a Listed race at Perth.
Ran creditably in the French Champion Hurdle.
Expected to target mares' Listed chases.

Myretown

Winner of the 2025 Ultima.
The stable feels things went wrong after an unlucky fall in the Coral Gold Cup.
They believe he may still be well handicapped for major staying chases.

Derryhassen Paddy

Third in the Albert Bartlett before injury interrupted last season.
Seen as a natural novice chaser with significant upside.
The yard believes his best days could be ahead over fences.
Dark horses highlighted

Jet Of Stars

One of the most exciting youngsters in the yard.
Won a bumper and had strong point-to-point form.
A heart issue after his comeback run has been monitored, but the stable remains extremely enthusiastic about his potential.

Majordomo

Unbeaten juvenile last season.
Considered a horse with plenty of potential as he matures physically.
Other notable mentions
Big John Wayne is viewed as a stayer who could improve significantly over longer distances.
Eagles Reprieve is expected to progress as he steps up in trip and may eventually become a strong staying chaser.
Smoke Trail is likely to go chasing and is considered better than his current form suggests.
Walking On A Dream is regarded as an ideal type for two-and-a-half-mile chases on soft ground.
Watery Borren, a £70,000 point-to-point recruit, is a novice hurdler the yard likes for the future.
Tracker horses

The stable's recommended horses to follow are:

Lucinda Russell: Stride On and Watery Borren.
Michael Scudamore: Big John Wayne and Jet Of Stars.
Racing-model takeaways

The strongest positive signals from the interview are:

Conman John (highly touted novice chaser and possible Ahoy Senor successor).
Derryhassen Paddy (unexposed novice chaser with top hurdle form).
Jet Of Stars (described as one of the yard's most exciting young horses).
Myretown (the stable believes his handicap mark may underestimate him).
Watery Borren (well-regarded young recruit for the future).

 

[TheBluesBrother]

James Owen Stable Tour: Key Takeaways

Summary: "It's very exciting - and I think we've got a few who could end up at the Cheltenham Festival with a chance"​

Big Picture​

Trainer James Owen heads into the 2026-27 jumps season with high expectations after a record 83-winner campaign. Although his jumps string is slightly smaller, he believes the quality is stronger, particularly among his novice chasers. His primary goal remains landing a first Cheltenham Festival winner.

Key Horses to Follow​

Leading Festival Prospects​

• East India Dock: Returning from a missed season and expected back in early spring. A major hurdling prospect if he stays sound.
• Red Oak: One of Owen's most exciting novice chasers. Trainer believes he has the potential to become a Festival horse.
• Secret Des Dieux: Smart chaser recovering from injury and being aimed at a spring return with Cheltenham aspirations.
• Solly's Gold: Listed Cheltenham bumper winner who has strengthened physically and begins a novice hurdle campaign this season.

Stable Stars​

• Burdett Road: Described as a star performer for the yard. Targeting Cheltenham's November meeting.
• East India Dock: Remains one of the stable's flagship horses.

Dark Horse​

• Crooked Path: Named as the stable's dark horse. Expected to improve with softer ground and longer distances.

Well-Handicapped Types​

• High Fibre: Summer Hurdle winner who ran well in the Cesarewitch. Owen feels he remains well treated.
• Hamlet's Night: Better than recent form suggests and could take advantage of a falling handicap mark.
• No More Bolero: Improving stayer heading towards Pertemps qualifiers.
• Percy Shelley: Consistent dual-purpose performer likely to be competitive at Cheltenham.

Promising Chasers​

• Idaho Fire: Two wins from two starts for the yard and expected to progress further.
• One Big Bang: Deep-ground specialist with major staying handicaps such as the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National on the radar.
• Jubilant: Expected to enjoy a productive season over fences.
• Nazare: Has improved significantly since switching to chasing.
• Jimmy Hurdstrom: Considered a future chaser with plenty of potential.

Young Horses and Novices​

• Scotto: Unbeaten in two starts and highly regarded ahead of his hurdling career.
• Charles Darnay: A large, scopey juvenile whom Owen particularly likes.
• Magnetude: Made a winning hurdling start and is progressing nicely.
• Eloquencia: Improving filly with a potentially bright juvenile hurdle campaign.
• Sportingsilvermine: Useful Flat performer who could make an impact over hurdles.

Owen's Personal Tracker Selections​

The two horses Owen specifically highlighted for Racing Post readers to follow are:

1. Charles Darnay
2. Zahra Dodville

Best Betting Angles from the Tour​

Strongest positive trainer comments:

• Red Oak
• East India Dock
• Solly's Gold
• Secret Des Dieux

Potential handicap/value plays:

• High Fibre
• Crooked Path
• Idaho Fire
• No More Bolero

For someone building a jumps-season watchlist, Red Oak, East India Dock, Solly's Gold, Charles Darnay, and High Fibre were arguably the most eye-catching mentions from the entire stable tour.

 

[TheBluesBrother]

Stable tour interview with Venetia Williams, who is optimistic about bouncing back after a difficult 2025-26 season.

Key themes
Last season was disappointing by Williams' standards, with only 15 winners and significantly lower prize-money after several strong years. She cited an ageing squad, fewer first-season chasers, abandoned meetings, and injuries to key horses as major factors.
The stable has been rebuilt, with Williams actively buying several horses from France to strengthen the team and refresh the yard's prospects.
She believes the stable now has a younger profile and renewed depth, with around 70 horses in training.
Major horses to note

Djelo

Described as the stable's star performer.
Won the Charlie Hall Chase and a second Peterborough Chase.
Missed the rest of the season after a tendon injury.
Expected back around the New Year if recovery continues smoothly.

L'Homme Presse

Possible Betfair Chase candidate and viewed as a horse who could fill the gap left by retired stable stalwart Royale Pagaille.
Williams believes he can stay extreme distances and still compete at a high level despite his age.

Kingbel Du Lion

One of the most interesting newcomers.
Williams says he will go straight over fences and hopes he can become a significant replacement for Royale Pagaille.

Catch On Me

Expected to improve for chasing.
Williams specifically highlights him as one to watch in novice handicap chases.
Interesting French recruits

Williams discusses several imports from France, including:

Lucky D'Aubrelle
Morvan
Nuage D'Ivresse
Luron D'Oudairies
Macao

She repeatedly emphasizes that these horses were acquired as part of the stable's reinvestment strategy and could strengthen the novice ranks.

Injury updates

The stable expects returns around the New Year for several talented horses:

Djelo (tendon injury)
Victtorino (fractured pedal bone)
Zertakt (tendon injury)
Two horses singled out for trackers

At the end of the article, Williams' stable tour identifies:

Rine Yeats
Falco Des Pins

as the two horses to keep particularly close tabs on this season.

For betting purposes, the strongest takeaways are probably Djelo's return, L'Homme Presse's potential Betfair Chase campaign, and the positive comments on novice chasers Catch On Me and Kingbel Du Lion.

 

[pinemarten]

Great thread TheBluesBrother.

Regards,

 

[TheBluesBrother]

Olly Murphy stable tour

Headline horses:

Indeevar Bleu

Key takeaways:

Was being trained for the BetMGM Cup and was favourite before suffering a setback.
Ground was considered too quick for him at Aintree.
Will likely remain over hurdles.
Murphy says his autumn work has been as good as it's ever been.
Believes he's capable of winning a major handicap hurdle from his current mark, particularly on soft ground.

Verdict: One of the strongest positive comments in the entire piece. A clear horse to track.

Wade Out (Star Quality)
Murphy is exceptionally bullish.

Key points:

Returned to form when switched back to hurdles at Aintree.
Trainer feels he looked like a Graded performer masquerading as a handicapper.
Looking at Pertemps qualifiers before potentially stepping into Graded company.
Possible Long Distance Hurdle route.
Quoted at 33-1 for the Stayers' Hurdle.

Verdict: Probably the strongest established performer discussed.

Moore Brion (Star Quality)
One of Murphy's two tracker horses.

Key points:

Remains unbeaten.
Wants a bigger track and softer ground.
Trainer says he "holds him in high regard".
Expected to improve significantly over further.

Verdict: Looks one of the yard's elite novice prospects.

Nils Holgerson (Tracker Horse)
Another horse Murphy highlighted specifically.

Key points:

French Flat winner.
Has schooled extensively.
Will contest juvenile hurdles.
Murphy intends to train him as if he's good enough for a spring target.

Verdict: Very interesting juvenile.

Best novice chase prospects

A major theme throughout the article is that Murphy believes a large number of his horses will improve for fences.

Most positive comments:

ViewGee Force Flyer "One I'm really looking forward to over fences"
Ubatuba "Made for fences"
Kings Champion Could be a really nice novice handicap chaser
Castle Ivers "One I think plenty of"
Harbour Island Matured well, should stay three miles
Hold The Serve Trainer expects him to improve significantly as a chaser
The Blue Room Looked favourably handicapped for chasing
Wilstar One they're looking forward to
Kingston Pride Trainer expects him to win plenty once returning
Pertemps Final horses

Murphy repeatedly mentioned qualifying several for the Pertemps programme:

Chasing Fire
Daylatedollarshort
Ikarak
Long Draw
Wade Out

Of those, Wade Out and Daylatedollarshort received the strongest endorsement.

Most positive young horses
Merry Wood

Murphy says: "She's as nice a filly as I've got."
Also suggested:Could earn black type.
Has improved greatly from spring to autumn.
Very strong statement.

Monjeu De Chaillac (Dark Horse)
Murphy: "He's one I like a lot."

Quality impression horse.

Novak

French recruit, Murphy suggests:
Starts in maiden hurdles.
Could be running in Graded races after Christmas.

Ballycommon Boy

Point form highly regarded.
Missed previous season.
Trainer specifically says:"One we're looking forward to."

Horses returning from setbacks positive comeback candidates

Indeevar Bleu
Ballycommon Boy
Kingston Pride
Rare Middleton
Westerninthepark
Season delayed
Chasing Fire
Long Draw
Sticktotheplan
Kingston Pride

Horses Murphy was less enthusiastic about

Scorpio Rising: Won the EBF Final but Jumped poorly on chase debut.
Murphy openly questioned whether fences will suit.

Fingle Bridge

Chase experiment didn't work.
Returning to hurdles.

Resplendent Grey

High enough in ratings that finding opportunities is difficult.
More likely to earn prize-money than dominate.

My overall rankings from the comments
Tier 1 - Strongest stable-tour comments

Wade Out
Indeevar Bleu
Moore Brion
Nils Holgerson
Merry Wood

Tier 2 - Major novice/chasing prospects
Gee Force Flyer
Ubatuba
Castle Ivers
Harbour Island
Kings Champion
Hold The Serve

Tier 3 - Handicappers to follow
Daylatedollarshort
Mister Ursus
Ikarak
Go Dante
Rare Middleton
Best "sleeper" horses
Monjeu De Chaillac
Novak
Ballycommon Boy
Merry Wood
Nils Holgerson

For betting and notebook purposes, the standout comments were unquestionably Indeevar Bleu, Wade Out, Moore Brion, Merry Wood, and Nils Holgerson. Those received the strongest combination of praise, future ambition, and confidence from Murphy.