Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Blog: We’d be devastated if I Like To Move It doesn’t win chase debut

The start to this jumps season has all gone very smoothly and we’ve had a pretty solid start so far. I always look to get the horses out running early on in the Autumn. The weather has been good to us up until now, and it should be soft at Uttoxeter and Fontwell for this weekend’s runners too, but the lack of rain forecast over the next few weeks is quite a worry. Nothing will be running on good or firmer ground.

Upcoming Runners

Saturday, Fontwell

Imperial B G could go very well in the 3m2f handicap hurdle (2.15pm). He’s got a 10-pound claimer in the saddle; James Turner, who has been with us for two seasons now and rides really well. Given that weight, and being a consistent sort anyway, he should have a very strong chance here.

Guy runs in the 2m2f handicap chase (2.50pm). It’s a four-runner race, but Guy has a really good heart and could go really well here. Now an eight-year-old, we’ve always campaigned him over two-and-a-half to three miles, and he’s been consistent as anything, but we’ve started thinking this season that he might actually be better over two, so we’re dropping him down in trip here. We’re learning very late in life…!

Sunday, Uttoxeter

I Like To Move It is making his chase debut in a two-mile novice chase at Uttoxeter (2.45pm). One of the reasons for the switch to fences is that Constitution Hill stays over hurdles! We’ll struggle to win a Champion Hurdle with him in the mix, but we might win an Arkle.

He’s 20 pounds ahead of the other two in this race, and we’ll be devastated if he doesn’t win it. He might need the run, but we’re in it to win it.

We’re going to stay over two-miles with him this season, and everyone’s looking forward to seeing how he takes to fences this weekend.

Yard Update

Weveallbeencaught is going novice chasing this season too. He’s been working really well at home and I’ve been pleased with him so far. He needs softer ground, so I’ll be looking for a race for him towards the end of the month when we should have had some rain.

Zambella will be pointed towards those two-and-a-half mile mares’ chases. They’re made for her. We were delighted with her efforts last season, winning two hot Listed races, and she’s summered really well, so should be putting her best foot forward when the ground is right too.

Beauport is on his way back and, now a seven-year-old, looks lovely. He could be going back to Carlisle for the 2m4f Listed Colin Parker, which he won last year when Corach Rambler was also in the field, 13 lengths behind!

Undersupervision is in really good form too, but is another who needs a bit more moisture, so he’ll have to wait a bit before he reappears for the season. He’s always gone well fresh in the past, so we will be hopeful for another good show when he does get to run.

Guard Your Dreams has, unfortunately, run into a few niggles in his preparation so he is unlikely to run before the spring.

Earlofthecotswolds retired

He’s been the most wonderful horse for us. He’s won over fences, hurdles and on the Flat – 12 races in total – and earnt an awful lot of prize money. He owes us absolutely nothing so, when he was disappointing at Chester last weekend, we just thought we would retire him. He’s only a nine-year-old and can go on to do another job after a good break.