Stable News!

Friday April 30th

Oh dear! Nigel's got a bad back. He looks like Quasimodo and is very miserable, but help is at hand - Ben Brain's on his way. Altogether now, "stand up straight you big wuss".

Wednesday April 7th

With the Aintree meeting just about to start it looks like we shall have quite a strong team. Channel 4 please note that this does include Knowhere in the Grand National! Our Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander will take his chance in the Betfair Chase and looking at the various forums, it's been a bit puzzling to see how many people want to see him get beaten! Obviously, we shall do our best not to comply!
Some interesting news about riding arrangements for the National, for which Paddy Brennan has chosen to ride Irish Raptor. Brian Hughes will have his first ride for us when he partners Beat The Boys, Tom Molloy will be on Ollie Magern, Brian Harding will be on Knowhere (again a debut ride for us) and Ballyfitz will be partnered by David England. This will leave Hello Bud to (hopefully!) be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, provided permission arrives for him to do so since he is still one winner short of qualifying. Plenty of other runners too so keep looking at the daily runners page.

Monday March 22nd
Having enjoyed a wonderful Cheltenham week, in particular the wonders of Gold Cup day, it was a bit peeving to get some stick in the RP about not updating this page regularly enough yesterday. Now, far be it for us to have a little go back, but did anybody notice that Paddy Brennan notched his 500th career winner aboard Petite Margot at Ffos Las on Saturday? It certainly wasn't in the report and considering that Paddy has clearly been in the headlines of late, such an omission from racing's daily was somewhat surprising! If it was tucked away somewhere, then apologies! So congratulations goes to Paddy for this fine achievement and here's to the next 500!

The Hollow Bottom was clearly the place to be on Friday night / Saturday morning as the celebrations for Imperial Commander's Gold Cup win was thoroughly enjoyed by connections, staff and friends alike. Sam Twiston-Davies' superb front-running ride to get Baby Run home and Paddy's impeccable timing on Pigeon Island were also not forgotten as the gathered crowds roared them all home again and again watching the replays. The amazing thing was that so many of the same people managed to surface for the parade of the three winners on Saturday morning! The report in the RP by Steve Dennis summed it all up perfectly (just to balance things up!) and even Bronwen was seen to be in celebratory mood before disappearing towards the ladies with a large pack of "Tena Lady" in her hand!

Monday 1st February
Somewhat unnoticed at the weekend was the fact that Ollie Magern brought up his 50th career outing, the most appearances of those currently in the yard. Now a 12 year old, he has been a wonderful servant to both the stable and his owner Mr Roger Nicholls, with 12 wins and 8 places in those 50 runs. By Alderbrook out of Outfield, he is a full brother to Petite Margot, (who herself as managed 40 appearances to date) Billie Magern, Bobbie Magern and Dixie Magern. Long may he continue!

Monday 23rd November

The more you look at "that photo" the more it looks like "we woz robbed". Surely it was a dead-heat at least? Imperial Commander ran a cracker and Paddy rode a cracker too, and all connections can be very proud of that performance. Imperial Commander certainly put paid to the theory that he didn't stay and now it's a question of whether or not he can go right-handed. The King George beckons and it should be remembered that he actually went very well in the race for a long way last year. When his chance had gone, he was eased down somewhat and brought back in his own time, so the official distances of that day are nonsense. Interestingly, he is now second favourite for the KG around the 5/1 mark, which suggests that the bookies feel he will be ok at Kempton. Of course, only time will tell, but there is still more to come from the Commander!

Friday 16th October

The yard welcomed the Jump For Fun Racing Club members to see their new horse Frontier Spirit, work with Frontier Dancer and Imperial Commander. Another to join the Jump For Fun stable and soon arriving at the yard from Ireland, will be Le Roi Max. All worked well, with Spirit expected to be going for a bumper in a month or two. Dancer looked in very good order with an outing over hurdles expected soon.
Amazingly, the hospitality on the gallops extended not only to tea & coffee, but also some "winter warmer" port! Yard secretary, Lynne Merson stated "Well, if it's good enough for Million in Mind, it's good enough for Jump For Fun!". Following the gallops, the group enjoyed breakfast at The Hollow Bottom, where syndicate leader Ian Robinson stated that Frontier Dancer would be aimed at the Sun Alliance in 2011! Some thought he had too many ports, but others were swiftly on the phone to their bookies......

Sunday 7th June
Twiston-Davies and Llewellyn together again!

Hot news from The Cotswolds revolves around two of National Hunt's most popular characters announcing a new initiative that will see the two going into partnership at the Naunton base.

The move coincides with the opening of a new 52 box barn facility, which was proudly shown off during the open day on Sunday.

Talking for the first time about the venture Twiston-Davies said:

"We had a great time last season with the highlights being our two Cheltenham Festival winners and our Becher Chase and Scottish National successes. With our expansion programme moving forward at a pace and the work load increasing, Carl and I have had recent talks about how we could structure a framework that would enable us to work together again and provide for the owners one of the most beneficial environments available in which to enjoy their horses."

"After 79 winners in three successful seasons at Weathercock House, it was a surprise to me when I learned that there seemed to be some dissatisfaction in the camp. After all, to capture a Scottish National, a Celebration Chase, a United House Gold Cup Chase and a Bet 365 Gold Cup, not forgetting seconds in a Champion Chase and a Sun Alliance Chase during the early years of holding a licence, is a return that many a trainer starting out would beg for."

The previous association, which saw the two enjoy an unparallelled trainer/jockey relationship that lasted 18 years, is a wonderful base upon which to build the future of Grange Hill Farm and has been welcomed by all owners including long term patron of the yard, Raymond Mould.

Carl said: "I can't wait to start. As much as I have enjoyed the past three years - and believe me the learning curve was huge - I take great pride in the achievements made. My time in Lambourn has provided me with a tremendous springboard for which I will always be grateful. This opportunity to join an already successful and expanding business has come at a great time for me and will enable me to move onwards and upwards. I am looking forward to working alongside Nigel again as he is a trusted friend with the same outlook on life."

"Nigel wiil as ever hold the licence, but this is very much a business partnership in every sense with shared responsibilities, and given our combined skill sets and those of the team here, we are very much going to be a yard to be reckoned with in the years to come."

For further information contact:

Nigel Twiston-Davies: 01451 850278
Carl Llewellyn: 07836 783223