2020 Brian Ellison Stable Tour featuring Ahorsewithnoname and Fair Star
Brian Ellison looks ahead to the resumption of racing with a full rundown of the horses he expects to play a part in the stable's success during 2020.
Like everyone we were stepping up our preparations for the Flat horses and were getting the early types ready to run.
We’ve had to ease off on the two-year-olds but as soon as we get the all clear we’ll be ready to go. The National Hunt horses are all out in the field having a well earned break.
Our Friends in the North - Brian Ellison
Stable Star: Ahorsewithnoname
Horse to Follow: Mackem Missile
Handicapper to Follow: Fair Star
Older horses
Ahorsewithnoname
I think she’s a very smart mare and she could be a real player in the Northumberland Plate consolation race at Newcastle.
Fair Star
He was a good fifth at Cheltenham in a good bumper and then won his next two at Wolverhampton. I think he’s got loads of potential.
Harry George
Won at Newcastle last time out and I was hoping to kick on with him before the break. He’ll be ready to go as soon as we resume racing.
Majalaat
We purchased him quite cheaply and he ran okay at Southwell first time out. He’s quite a nervous horse but I think if we get some confidence into him he’ll be alright.
Ghadbbaan
Was an expensive yearling who started out life with Sir Michael Stoute. He ran okay at Newcastle last time out and will probably go down the handicapping route.
The Dancing Poet
Is a decent dual purpose horse who did well over the winter winning a novice hurdle and was then second in a jumper’s bumper at Wolverhampton. He’ll be grand.
Sea Me Win
Didn’t make his debut until he was a six-year-old. He was looking a touch exposed until wind surgery sprung him into life. He bolted up at Newcastle winning by seven lengths and I think he is potentially well handicapped.
Robeam
He was found to be lame after his last run over hurdles. He’s had a nice long break and will run on the Flat this summer.
The Mackem Torpedo
He’s been a bit frustrating as I think he’s got a bit of ability, but every time we’re close to getting him to the track something happens. Last time it was a nail that he stepped on. I’m quite looking forward to seeing him on the racecourse.
Whisky And Water
He's a good solid dual purpose horse who I was hoping would run at Sandown over hurdles before the meeting was abandoned. He’ll now run on the Flat and will pay his way.
Three-year-olds
El Jefe
El Jefe is a horse I like. He had a few runs last season but improved from the last one each time. I was happy with his final run of the season where he finished third on his turf debut at Pontefract. He could be nicely handicapped.
Fast Track Flyer
Her form on the track has been disappointing but I think she’s better than that and does have some ability. I think she’s improved and is ready to run whenever we get started.
Grandma
She’s run a couple of times for us at Newcastle and has shown quite a bit of pace. We ran over six furlongs last time but I think five furlongs will be her trip and she can win races.
Mackem Missile
Has run twice at Newcastle, both in February, and really came on from her first run to finish a good second last time out. I think she’s useful and can do well this season.
Northern Grace
Her first couple of runs were on the all-weather and perhaps she didn’t enjoy it. Her form on turf is only okay but I thought the run at Carlisle, despite the finishing position, wasn’t that bad. She’s grown a lot over the winter and I think she might be decent.
Paddy Elliott
I quite like this horse and the key to him will be stepping up to a mile, which I think he’s crying out for. He ran well enough last season but I think we’ll see a better horse this year up in trip. He’s working nicely.
Pallas Dancer
Is a good looking, unraced horse out of War Command. He’s a horse that might need a bit of time but I think he’ll be alright.
Punxsutawney Phil
Unraced but comes from a nice family and I think he could quite nice.
Reclaim Victory
Won on soft ground at Haydock last season but ended up getting a bit jarred up at Doncaster on ground that might have been too quick for her. She’s come back in bigger and stronger and she should have a decent season.
Two-year-olds
Jigs Princess
She's a filly that will want seven furlongs so we probably won’t see the best of her until later in the season.
Tantastic
He is a colt by Mayson who I quite like. We’ve worked him on the grass and I’m looking forward to seeing him in action.
Unnamed juvenile
We have a very nice colt out of Exceed And Excel x Perfect Fun who I really like and goes well.
Unnamed juvenile
We also have a nice filly out of Fast Company, owned by Geoff and Sandra Turnbull, who has shown me enough to think she’ll be nice. She’s fairly forward in her work and is quite exciting.