HOBSON KEEN ON HIS DAME
THERE is nothing quite like stable confidence to fan the flames for punters who like a bit of inside info.
Cotswold trainer Richard Hobson saddles one of his stable stars, Dame Rose, in the feature mares’ hurdle at Newbury (2.10) and is seriously confident. Then again, isn’t he always?
The four-year-old has already proved herself on a big stage with a battling victory over Oscar Rose in the Grade Two mares’ bumper at Aintree’s Grand National Festival in April.
She has race fitness on her side, but has to shoulder a 5lb penalty, following a comfortable odds-on success in a two-mile novices’ hurdle midway through last month.
“Dame Rose is good after her win at Hexham,” said Hobson.
“It was her first start over hurdles and she was very professional. The ground was very heavy, but she is a stronger filly now and in that kind of company you would expect her to cope with it, which she did nicely.
“It is going to take a very good one to get past her, whether it happens at Newbury or on another day. She is very talented.”
Nicky Henderson runs an exciting mare in Countister. Now owned by J P McManus, the five-year-old won a pair of Grade Two bumpers at Saint-Cloud and Maisons-Laffitte last autumn for her previous handler Etienne Leenders.
The French trainer has sold many future stars to race in England and Ireland, including Politologue, winner of four chases including Tuesday’s Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.