CHARLEY IS MY DARLING!
IT will be a David and Goliath moment if Grumpy Charley can topple Bravemansgame at Newbury today.
Grumpy Charley represents nine horse rookie trainer Chris Honour.
It is a stark contrast to Bravemansgame, who is under the care of 12-times champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls with the keys to more than 150 horses at his Ditcheat stables.
Nicholls has s poken o f Bravemansgame in the same glowing terms as his 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman.
“Bravemansgame is highly regarded but we also hold our horse in the highest esteem,” explained Honour. “On the book we’ve got a lot to find despite the fact that he’s giving us weight.
“Connections of Bravemansgame believe he’s their next superstar. I’m never afraid to take anyone on. “He’s got to give us 19lb.
“It’s lovely to have Bryan Carver back on my horse. He’s won on him four times and we’re getting a 3lb allowance from a lad more than capable of riding without a claim. “It’s an extra 3lb in my mind. “His jumping was flawless when he won at Newbury last time out.”
The grey will be aimed for next year’s Grand National.
Superstar
“We will either look like fools taking on a potential superstar or, on the other hand, is there a better time to be taking on Paul Nicholls when his horses are not firing?”
Honour, a former jump jockey with 75 winners banked, has shown that he knows the time of day since setting up shop at Higher Whiddon Farm near Ashburton in Devon 18 months ago.
“Before I was a jockey, I played rugby and got hurt quite badly,” he said. “I thought I’d get into something that would hurt far more!”
Honour became a trainer after he lost his grandparents.
“When they sadly died 11 years ago, I was left the farm with my sister,” he explained. “I bought my sister out and gradually built it up.
“Most winners I rode were for my neighbour Jimmy Frost. The best horseman I ever met.
“What he does not know is not worth knowing. Jimmy and his mother Glynne have been a tremendous help.
“I’ve my own family and my horses are my second family.”
Newbury will be very much a fact-finding mission for the ambitious trainer.
“It will see where we are with him,” explained Honour. “He has entries at the Cheltenham Festival. “But his future the National. “His owner Geoff Thompson has always wanted to have a Grand National horse from the beginning, rather going out and buying a ready-made one. Next year’s Grand National is the target.
Problems
“I don’t see any problems with his jumping or with him getting the trip as he’s related to Native River (Cheltenham Gold Cup and Welsh National winner).
If David topples Goliath today, next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup might also be on the cards for the horse that is named in banter after the owner’s daughter.