Trainer Stats: 5th Sept 2012

Nicholls: 3 Winners From His Last 6

With the NH meetings becoming more frequent, Andy Newton gives you six jumps trainers to look out for over the coming weeks.

JOHN QUINN (4 wins from his last 4 runners, 100% strike-rate): Yes, operating over both codes at present, but with a 100% current strike-rate over the sticks it could pay to watch out for his jumpers as the NH action starts to get more frequent. They’ve fired in 26 winners on the level, and are already 5 from 18 over jumps, as they try and better their 2011-12 NH tally of 17. Things to note for the coming season are it’s probably best to avoid their NH Flat runners with just 2 wins from 19 in the last 5 years, while 50 of their 66 jumping winners in that same period came over hurdles. In the coming days they also have plenty of flat runners entered around the country, but over the sticks just one heading to Sedgefield on Thursday – Red Tyke. Tracks to note as the season moves on are Towcester, Stratford, Hexham, Cartmel and Newcastle.
Upcoming entries and track stats: Salisbury (0 from 2), Haydock (4 from 46, 9%), Kempton (1 from 17, 6%), Thirsk (4 from 76, 5%), Wolverhampton (10 from 91, 11%), York (7 from 92, 8%), Ayr (6 from 50, 12%), Redcar (17 from 115, 15%), Sedgefield (4 from 20, 20%)

ALISTAIR WHILLANS (3 wins from his last 5 runners, 60% strike-rate): Not a yard the everyday punter probably knows too much about, but I really do think they could be an outfit to watch in the coming season. Based on the Scottish Borders it goes without saying you’ll find the majority of their runners at the northern tracks and they are another stable that operate over both codes so also keep an eye out for any flat runners too. In terms of their jumping figures they’ve already notched 9 successes this season and need just 2 more to better their 2011-12 tally – and we’re only in September! 13 is the best they’ve ever done (2010-11 & 1998-99) over the sticks, but that will surely change this term. Over the past 5 years they’ve done a lot better with their chasers (18% stike-rate), so keep that in mind, while in Callum and Ewan Whillans they’ve got two up-and-coming family riders to call upon.
Upcoming entries and track stats: Thirsk (0 from 3), York (0 from 5)

PAUL NICHOLLS (3 wins from his last 6 runners, 50% strike-rate): It goes without saying that we can expect the champion trainer to ramp things up a few notches in the coming weeks/months, but with a current 50% strike-rate then things certainly look good at the Ditcheat yard. Okay, so their three recent winners were all entitled to go in being sent off favourite, but they all won in facile fashion and if turned out again soon should follow-up. Jockey’s Daryl Jacob and Harry Derham have been cashing in getting plenty of rides while Ruby Walsh takes a break, and I suspect even when the ‘Silver Fox’ is back over more regularly these guys will still be handed some decent mounts. So far they are on 16 winners as they look to better last season’s total of 138 – while their best-ever is 155 (2008-09). There are too many tracks this yard excel at to mention them all, but Taunton, Fontwell, Wincanton, Newton Abbot and Exeter are ones that standout.
Upcoming entries and track stats: Nothing at the moment – but watch out, they will!

JOHN FLINT (3 wins from his last 8 runners, 38% strike-rate): Based in Bridgend,Wales they’ve fired in two 7/1 winners and a 7/4 shot in recent weeks – with jockey Thomas Flint, who claims a handy 7lbs, riding them all. That puts them on 8 winners for the season, with 15 from last term and 17 from 2009-10 as their targets. You will find the bulk of their runners, and winners, over hurdles (284 runners in the last 5 seasons),  while look out for anything they run over the sticks at Leicester – they are 2 from 3 there.
Upcoming entries and track stats: Stratford (3 from 26, 12%)

DONALD McCAIN (5 winners from his lat 19 runners, 26% strike-rate): With 43 winners already this NH season this yard look like they really mean business as they bid to move another bit closer to bridging the gap between themselves and the likes of Nicholls and Henderson. Grand National-winning jockey Jason Maguire is expected to have another huge season and I really can see him finishing second behind AP in the jockeys’ title race this season – he’s already on the 44 winner mark! Back to McCain and with fairly even stats across NH Flat, hurdles and chasing then anything they run should be respected, while they are another yard that have recognised the talents of both Henry Brooke and Callum Whillans who both tend to pick up anything Maguire can’t ride. Last season’s tally of 153 will be a target, as will trying to better their total prize haul of £1,248,262 they managed last term.
Upcoming entries and track stats: Hereford (9 from 54, 17%), Sedgefield (24 from 99, 24%), Haydock (33 from 128, 26%), Stratford (2 from 35, 6%), Fontwell (5 from 13, 38%)

DAVID PIPE (3 wins from his last 12 runners, 25% strike-rate): In fact 10 of their last 12 runners have been placed, while they cleaned up at Newton Abbot on Sunday with three winners, including a tasty 14/1 success. Tom Scu was on two of those winners, but he chose the wrong one in the other race – leaving AP to steer home Premier Dane (entered in the Kerry National) by an easy 6 lengths at 14/1. This puts them on 19 wins for the 2012-13 campaign as they look to break the 100 mark for the 5^th time in 7 seasons. They will also be hoping to break the £1million mark – something Pipe did in his first 4 seasons, but has come up just short for the last two.
Upcoming entries and track stats: Hereford (7 from 55, 13%) Haydock (8 from 50, 16%), Stratford (14 from 69, 20%), York (0 from 2), Listowel (0 from 2)

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