Successful trip south

I returned from a productive and enjoyable trip south on Wednesday evening. On Monday, I visited Ralph Beckett at Kimpton in Hampshire - it is a beautiful part of the world and the home of a very strong team of equine talent. The following day, I spoke to George Boughey in the Bedford Lodge Hotel off the Bury Road in Newmarket. George, who learned his trade from Hugo Palmer and Gai Waterhouse, had a superb 2022 with Classic and Royal Ascot success. One of the rising stars amongst the Flat racing ranks, he has strength in depth throughout and is understandably excited about the year. Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, I spent nearly two and a half hours with William Haggas at Somerville Lodge running through over 100 horses. Baaeed may have retired, but the Haggas team is still blessed with some top-class older horses and an exciting group of three year olds. Don't forget, Ahead On The Flat is the only publication which offers a stable interview with the runner-up in last year's trainer's title. 

Next week, I have already arranged more interviews and will be fitting those in before heading to the Million In Mind open day at Paul Nicholls on Friday (24th February). In addition to speaking to the champion trainer himself, I am speaking to Anthony Bromley and will get the lowdown on the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned runners who will be running at the Cheltenham Festival. All the news will be in the One Jump Ahead Cheltenham Festival Update, which can be purchased via the Publications section of the site. The Festival Update is £10.00.

The Festival Update, as in previous years, will include some information for the Flat, including the Lincoln Handicap, which I have received whilst conducting the interviews. 

The Top 40 continue to perform poorly in OJA with Deeply Superficial well beaten in the Grade 2 novices' hurdle at Sandown. However, the French Revolution section had an excellent afternoon at the Esher venue with Beau Balko (4/1) and Innestion (11/4) scoring off marks of 114 and 111 respectively. The latter is trained by Gary Moore and the Sussex handler nominated Givega (7/4) as his horse to follow in OJA. The Authorized gelding was winning for the third time this season when beating the well regarded Immortal by seven and a half lengths conceding nine pounds on the same card.