Trainer Stats: 20th Nov 2012

Mullins’ Horses Are In Flying Form

Andy Newton has four yards from the flat and four from the NH to look out for this week……

DR RICHARD NEWLAND (4 winners from his last 6 runners, 67% strike-rate): Got a big shout last week and despite the winning run of their Royale Knight coming to an end at Fontwell on Sunday I’m sure it won’t be long before that horse is back in the winners’ enclosure – he’s entered up at Market Rasen on Thursday and also at Ffos Las & Ascot on Friday. However, they added Act of Kalanisi to their horses to follow after that one went in at Leicester on Monday and should win again if found another easy opportunity. That puts them on 26 for the season already – meaning that’s 5 better than last year’s tally and this will be their best season to date. Of their 26 winners this term a massive 20 have been with their hurdlers, while I mentioned it last week but look out for young jockey Christopher Ward too – he’s got a handy claim, but it’s worth pointing out that Tom O’Brien has been on their last two winners, with AP on the other.
Upcoming entries and track stats: Market Rasen (7 from 53, 13%), Ffos Las (4 from 11, 36%), Ascot (2 from 11, 18%), Haydock (0 from 4), Towcester (4 from 13, 31%)

WILLIE MULLINS (10 winners from his last 24 runners, 42% strike-rate): It’s not only the UK-based trainers that we flag up in this feature as it can also pay to know when some of the leading Irish yards are starting to hit form too. The Mullins camp were having a bit of a lean spell up until last Wednesday – then it was business as usual with 10 quick winners and a whole host of seconds. In fact 18 of their last 24 runners have finished either 1^st or 2^nd! Hurricane Fly was, of course, the big name to add to those recent winners when getting off the mark for the new season at Punchestown on Sunday and despite Go Native taking a tumble in the closing stages I suspect the former Champion Hurdler had his measure at the time. Back In Focus was another name to look out for in the coming months after he won in workmanlike fashion on the same card, while Uncle Junior landed the Cross Country race at Cheltenham for a second year on the spin after a great recovering from his jockey, Patrick Mullins, about 10 out. This current good spell puts them on 74 Irish jumps winners for the season, while that Cheltenham win was their first on these shores this term.
Upcoming entries and track stats: Fairyhouse (61 from 226, 27%), Thurles (33 from 149, 22%), Gowran Park (37 from 133, 28%), Newbury (0 from 3)

LUCY WADHAM (3 winners from her last 8 runners, 38% strike-rate): Yes, this yard don’t have many runners and although you’ll find most of theirs over the jumps they do also have the odd flat runner too. That said, all of their recent successes have been with their NH horses, and recent Fontwell winner, Dawn Twister (entered at Warwick on Weds), looks a horse to follow after an easy 7 length win at the Southern venue on Sunday. With 7 flat winners this season they need just 1 more to equal last season’s total, while with 6 NH winners they are well on their way to bettering the 18 (their best yet) they managed in 2004-05 and 2008-09.
Upcoming entries and track stat: Warwick (1 from 16, 6%), Ascot (1 from 6, 17%), Haydock (2 from 7, 29%), Towcester (5 from 25, 20%)

ALAN SWINBANK (4 winners from his last 10 runners, 33% strike-rate): Having runners over both codes at the moment, so you need to be on your toes when looking for their entries, but one thing’s for sure is they are in great form. Keep an eye if the money comes as their last two to be sent of favourite have won, while Anna’s Arch, who is on a hat-trick, is entered at Hexham and Market Rasen later in the week. The North Yorkshire-based yard are now on 32 flat winners for 2012 and need just 4 more to better last year’s tally, while their jumping figures are only 4 – you can, however, expect that to rise over the coming months – with 28 in 2006-07 their best ever NH total. As the jumps season moves on look out for any runners they have at Cartmel, Huntingdon and Perth– all tracks they are currently boasting 40%+ strike-rates at.
Upcoming entries and track stat: Hexham (4 from 25, 16%), Kempton AW (0 from 12), Market Rasen (14 from 44, 32%), Haydock, Ascot (0 from 1), Wolverhampton AW (14 from 73, 19%)

SIR MARK PRESCOTT (3 winners from their last 5 runners, 60% strike-rate): Ticking along just fine despite not having a fantastic season. They are on 47 winners and the fact they normally get between 50 and 65 these days then it’s a fairly standard campaign for Sir Mark. Luke Morris is their main man in the saddle these days and with their recent winners Italian Riviera and Mutual Regard both entered later in the week then they should be firing in a few more successes over the next few days. Of the AW tracks they do slightly better at Wolverhampton (21%), but also keep an eye on any older horses they run at Kempton (33%).
Upcoming entries and track stat: Lingfield AW (19 from 110, 17%), Kempton AW (28 from 162, 17%), Wolverhampton AW (32 from 156, 21%)

STUART WILLIAMS (3 winners from his last 7 runners, 43% strike-rate): Another yard that have been quietly going about their business and although, just like most yards, they could have done with 10-15 more winners they’ve managed 25 so far and that’s only 3 shy of last year’s total. They do like to have runners on the AW tracks so you can expect a few more winners before the season is out, while with a 24% record with their runners at Wolverhampton then of the four AW courses it could pay to note anything they send there. That said, they also have a fairly decent strike-rate with their 3 year-olds at Southwell (25%) & Lingfield (25%), so look out for that age group at those tracks too. In terms of jockeys it’s William Carson who you should be noting – he’s been on all three of their recent winners.
Upcoming entries and track stat: Lingfield AW (21 from 121, 17%), Kempton AW (25 from 211, 12%), Wolverhampton AW (25 from 105, 24%)

ROGER VARIAN (3 winners from his last 8 runners, 38% strike-rate): Three of his last 4 runners to be sent off favourite have done the business, so that’s something to look out for. With this being just his second season since taking over from the legend that was Michael Jarvis this yard are certainly going in the right direction with a very impressive 70 winners so far – 17 more than in 2011. Add to that over £850,000 in total prize money then everything is looking rosy at Kremlin House. Of their 70 success this term 42 have been with their 3 year-olds, while with 15 juvenile winners too then they’ve got a lot to look forward to for next season also. Of the AW tracks they’ve got by far the best record at Wolverhampton (38%), but, like I said, any 3 year-olds they run at any of the sand courses should be noted too.
Upcoming entries and track stat: Lingfield AW (8 from 38, 21%), Wolverhampton AW (11 from 29, 38%)

SAEED BIN SUROOR (5 winners from their last 19 runners, 26% strike-rate): Of the two blue yards it’s the Bin Suroor camp that have held sway this season with 85 winners compared to Al Zarooni’s 65, while in terms of prize money it’s £1.8mill to £1.2mill in favour of Bin Suroor too. It’s no secret that they do well at the AW tracks at this time of year and they’ve continued that this term too with a whole host of recent winners. With a 50% record with ALL their runners at Lingfield over the last 5 seasons then it goes without saying anything they send there should be supported, but with 30%+ record at all the other three AW venues too then all their runners should warrant a second glance. In terms of jockey’s De Sousa seems to be getting most of the rides at the moment, but they are also turning to one of their old super-subs in Ted Durcan too, while William Buick has also been picking up a few scraps. The only slight negative is that over the next few days they don’t seem to have any entries – but they will, so just be patient!
Upcoming entries and track stat: Nothing on the horizon, but there will be!

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