Friday, 3rd December 2021
If you’re going to spend the thick end of £40k on a chaser that’s been pulled up in three of its last four races then you can do a lot worse than send that horse to Sandy Thomson….
The Scottish trainer has a ready knack for turning around horses he inherits from big yards. Think Yorkhill. Think Dingo Dollar….
It might be something in the highland waters…..
But more likely the change in fortunes are the result of one-to-one attention that might not be so forthcoming in bigger yards with more horses and less time to invest in the needs of the individual….
And it’s not just the one-on-one approach. Thomson likes to keep things fresh, fun, and interesting for the yard’s inmates….
Horses are regularly sent to the beach, to Newcastle racecourse and into the surrounding countryside….
Or they just enjoy themselves running around a field – rather than up the gallops – for a change….
It’s a tailored formula that’s succeeded in rejuvenating horses that other trainers couldn’t turn round….
Yorkhill had won just once in 16 goes for master trainer Willie Mullins ahead of his leaving for Thomson’s place. The new trainer won the Rehearsal Chase with the horse on his second go….
Dingo Dollar had lost his way with Alan King. On his second go with Thomson he was touched off in the Scottish Grand National….
HILL SIXTEEN has his second go for Thomson in the Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday (2.40)….
I’m never afraid to swing the bat at a dark horse – and the bat is worth swinging at the 25s available about this one….
The 8yo joined Thomson from Nigel Twiston Davies at the end of October. His new owners paid £39k for him….
They didn’t spend that money for fun. And I’d imagine Thomson was consulted ahead of the purchase. The new owners are not strangers to him….
The horse had a run out at Carlisle less than a week later (his second since a wind op). I’d imagine it was a looksee….
He ran like he needed the run after a 179-day break from action – he came down a handy 3lbs for it too. Ryan Mania would have made his assessments from the saddle. And they’ve had ample opportunity to work with the horse at home in the meantime….
Given that he’s turning up – on just his second go for the yard – in what will be the most valuable race he’s ever contested, you’d like to think they’ve seen at least some positive signs….
Maybe they’re just rolling the dice. But maybe not. If the Thompson regime has succeeded in enlivening the horse then he could well be a dangerous proposition – even from 4lb out of the handicap….
That last detail would put a lot of punters off. It’s an inconvenient variable, for sure. But I choose to look at it this way….
Hill Sixteen was rated 138 after his last win at Ffos Las in November last year. And you’d have got long odds at the time about him not rating higher still in pretty short order….
It didn’t work out that way. But whilst he hasn’t exactly tumbled down the ratings to his current mark of 132 – he is potentially well handicapped if he’s been reignited by the recent change of scenery and regime….
It’s a big if, of course. And I might well be reading the signs all wrong. It wouldn’t be the first time….
But that’s the game for me – digging out one that has the potential to outrun a big price. And I’m too long in the tooth to start changing my ways now….
Each-way backers take note: Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 7. William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, Betfred & Boylesports are 1/5 the first 6….
Nick’s contrarian picks….To recap on where my idea of the value lies tomorrow afternoon…. In the Becher Chase (2.40 @ Aintree).
That is my take on where the value lies – but you will no doubt have your own ideas and that’s exactly as it should be. |
That’s all for today. Back next week. Meanwhile….
Anything to report? Anything to say? Anything to share? Contact me at: nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk
Stay tuned.
Nick Pullen
Operated by Spa Publishing Group Ltd (Company No. 15830286) 
