Cotswolds trainer Fergal O’Brien not getting carried away with superb run of form
With his mares continuing to thrive, the old favourites battling on gamely and a very talented group of bumper horses at his disposal, it's no surprise Fergal O'Brien is delighted with his yard's form but the charismatic trainer isn't getting too carried away.
FERGAL O’BRIEN is enjoying a bumper harvest.
The combines of late summer might have long since left the fields around his Cotswolds base but it’s winners that are being reaped with his crop of golden youngsters.
Only Nicky Henderson has won more bumpers than O’Brien’s five already this season.
Today, Perth winner Grageelagh Girl – disqualified after narrowly crossing the line in front at Aintree last month — will attempt to add to the tally in Cheltenham’s Listed bumper.
She’s another example of O’Brien’s eye for the ladies. West Yorkshire Hurdle heroine Colin’s Sister and unbeaten Cap Soleil are two of the hottest mares in jump racing.
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Aintree Grade 2 runner-up Oscar Rose is another young hurdler O’Brien has high hopes for.
Grageelagh Girl, owned by the trainer’s business partner Chris Coley under the ‘Yes No Wait Sorries’ banner, is out to join those girls on top.
O’Brien reckons the six-year-old bargain-buy is up there with the pick of his young horses.
He told me: “We bought her as a summer horse. She was £20,000 because she was six. She was late coming to point-to-pointing.
“She looked like she wanted fast ground so we ran her at Perth. The ground turned soft and she hosed up.
“Paddy Brennan said she gave him a really nice feel. Since Perth today’s race was always in our minds.
“At Aintree I was gutted they took the race off her. It’s a bit like penalty kicks — you get them one day and you don’t get them another day. You have to move on.
“It was still a cracking run. She thinks she won, we believe she won.”
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O’Brien’s bumper success is not part of a master plan. The stiff, “idiot proof” gallops he rents use of from his old boss and neighbour Nigel Twiston-Davies are key to getting horses fit for the track.
But talent plays a huge part.
O’Brien said: “We’ve got a good bunch of bumper horses.
“You can’t substitute ability. The last two bumper winners hadn’t been on grass until they ran so they’re doing it on their own ability.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Cheltenham - Premier Bond: 'Today’s 3m4f trip should be ideal and ground conditions are also in his favour'
2.25 Cheltenham - Kylemore Lough: 'Every chance he will bounce back to his best after switching to in-form Harry Fry'
2.45 Lingfield - Victory Bond: 'Always thought he was up to this level and won on his all-weather debut last time out'
3.00 Cheltenham - Thomas Campbell: 'The ground will be ideal and today’s slightly longer trip won’t be a problem'
3.15 Lingfield - Gifted Master: 'Good form in the book and won't have a problem with today's surface'
3.35 Cheltenham - Coup De Pinceau: 'Looks well treated and a stronger pace and stiff finish should be right up his street'
“I couldn’t believe it when Strong Glance won at Southwell. Turning for home I thought he would be fourth or fifth at worst but then he took off.
“Herecomestheboom was similar. I couldn’t believe how well he travelled through the race at Cheltenham.
“I’d love to take him back there in March, along with Strong Glance.
“Coolanly did it the hard way at Chepstow. He pulled hard for three-quarters of the race but still found enough to keep his head in front. He might go over hurdles.”
And it’s not just the youngsters who are impressing. Chase The Spud’s Midlands’ National victory was one of the highlights of last season.
Old favourites Creevytennant, Alvarado and Perfect Candidate are still around with the likes of Global Stage, Barney Dwan and today’s BetVictor Gold Cup hope Mystifiable also in the O’Brien armoury.
The stable is already more than halfway towards last season’s personal-best 60 winners with top mares Cap Soleil and Colin’s Sister leading the O’Brien charge.
His touch with the girls is obvious but he insists — with a modesty borrowed from the other O’Brien — there is no secret formula. He said: “We don’t train them as hard as the geldings but there’s no secret.
“I’ve just been lucky to have some good mares. Anyone would be able to train Cap Soleil and Colin’s Sister to win. They’re just very good horses.
“Cap Soleil was impressive at Newbury, she won seven lengths going away. She’ll go back to Newbury in a couple of weeks for a Listed novice.
“The dream would be the mares’ novice at Cheltenham if we got soft ground. If she doesn’t get it we’ve got Oscar Rose. If the ground’s not right for one it’ll be right for the other.
“Colin’s Sister will go for the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. We’ll go there with no pressure.
“If you keep working hard you’ve got a better chance of it going well. We have great staff and owners.”
Those owners are kept happy on a plentiful supply of cake brought to the yard by visitors after the success of the Great Fergal O’Brien Bake Off. A good sprinkling of winners clearly goes down well, too.