TOM Ellis is on the brink of breaking his own record for the number of winners in a season as he prepares for the Warwickshire meeting at his home track Mollington, near Banbury, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1 (2pm).
The four-time champion trainer has already racked up 60 winners in another phenomenal campaign for his Marton stables, near Rugby. With entries at Godstone and Dingley at the weekend, he could surpass last season's tally of 62 before he arrives at Mollington.
But he admitted he would like nothing better than to rewrite the record books on home territory. "It would be lovely," he said. "It's my home track. We will have plenty of runners before that day, but it would be nice to do it there."
With clerk of the course Fred Hutsby reporting the going on Tuesday to be Good to Soft, Good in places, the seven-race card has attracted 72 entries. He said: "We had a lot of rain yesterday, but it is going to dry out all week and I think it will be absolutely perfect ground. There is a lovely covering of grass."
Ellis has two contenders in the Ray Randerson Carpets Mixed Open, which has attracted a strong line-up with eight of the nine entries last time out winners.
However, he may aim the unbeaten Fairly Famous at Cheltenham's hunter chase meeting on May 5, while Champagne Noir, who is undefeated in his three completed British pointing starts, has an alternative engagement at Godstone. Ellis said: "Fairly Famous has had some nice opportunities and it would definitely be his toughest task. Champagne Noir would go where the ground is better. They are both in good form."
Alan Hill believes the course will suit his High Easter winner Getting Closer. The Aston Rowant trainer said: "He loves an uphill finish and that is why Mollington has been chosen. He is very consistent, but it's a competitive race."
Top rated is Ragnar Lodbrok, winner of four of his six starts this term for Newmarket trainer Jenny Owen, while Thegallantway has also been on a roll for Jenny Gordon as has David Kemp's Ballinagore.
ITV Racing pundit Luke Harvey could step Notre Pari back up in trip after his easy Paxford win, while Janika was handed victory in a Fakenham hunter chase by Rebel Dawn Rising's last-fence exit.
Francesca and Charlie Poste are keen to run Hung Jury in the F. N. Pile PPORA Club Members Conditions (Level 3) Veteran & Novice Riders Race as they seek to support Amber Jackson-Fennell in her quest for the Ladies Novice Championship. Jackson-Fennell, who leads Molly Landau by one with Ellie Holder two further back in third, was aboard the eight-year-old when he won at Sandon earlier this month.
Ettington-based Charlie said: "Amber did a great job on him. The step back up to three miles will suit him and with the staying track he should come home well."
Holder is set to take the mount on the Ellis-trained Killinkere, who finished third to Ballinagore at Higham.
The Marton maestro said: "He was not beaten far last time, so I am happy enough with him."
Touch Tight, who is seeking a hat-trick for Phil York, and Kimble third Cobra de Mai are others with claims.
Killinkere is also entered in the HFN Landscapes Conditions (Level 2) Race over 2m 4f, but with Ellis favouring the veteran and novice riders' race, this could revolve around three placed horses from Paxford. A neck separated Keep Moving and The Wonky Tonk when they claimed the minor honours behind Notre Pari and they could renew rivalry along with the fourth, Trojan Star.
With just three entries - and two of those from Ellis's yard - the Butler Sherborn Warwickshire Hunt Members, Subscribers & Farmers Race looks set to be a match.
Ellis intends to run Master Templar, winner of seven of his 10 starts for owner Jenny Hayward, rather than 2019 winner Pass The Glass. "It has been the plan for some time," he said. "Jenny is a longstanding Warwickshire Hunt member and was a field master as well."
The Postes are set to provide the lone opponent in Largy Mountain, a close third to Champagne Noir at Eyton-on-Severn last time out for owners Kim and Valerie Cockburn. Charlie said: "Kim was a Warwickshire master and they have hunted with the Warwickshire throughout their lives, so the race means a lot to them."
Raven's Tower could bid to repeat last year's win in the Retraining of Racehorses & Jockey Club Veteran Horse Conditions (Level 2) Race. Ben Pauling's 13-year-old has won both his starts this term in good style under Megan Fox.
Hill and owner Nick Sutton will decide later this week whether to run Diplomate Sivola or wait for the four-mile race at Cheltenham's hunter chase meeting. The 10-year-old returned to form when second at High Easter, with A Toi Phil, who could reoppose, six lengths back in third. Hill said: "The positive is that the horse that beat him last time, Clara Sorrento, went and won a good open last weekend."
Ellis could saddle Pass The Glass, a close second to Diamond Fort at Kimble. "Obviously, he ran well last time and seems in good form at home," he said.
Ground conditions will determine whether Hill runs Da Boy Charlie, who prefers a sound surface, or Highland Glory in the Sir James Shuckburgh Restricted over 2m 4f. Da Boy Charlie was fifth last time out and Hill said: "I thought I had placed him well by taking him to Higham on good to firm ground, but it was too sharp a track and it caught him out."
Highland Glory, meanwhile, enjoys cut in the ground. Although no match for A Jet of Our Own at Chaddesley Corbett, the trainer commented: "She got beat by a very good horse but ran a good enough race."
The Postes will weigh up their options with easy Chaddesley Corbett winner In Our Dreams.
Charlie said: "He was very impressive. It was a weak race that fell apart, but he could do no more than keep galloping. In the right kind of restricted he should go close."
David Kemp's Higham winner Back It Up and Mister Splash, who got off the mark for Ed Turner at High Easter, are others to consider.
Ellis is set to rely on the unraced Mimas Moon from his three entries in the Newbury Commercial Glazing PPORA Club Members Maiden over 2m 4f. "He goes well at home and jumps very nicely," he said. "He would not mind cut in the ground."
The Postes are also triple-handed with Kneel Diamond, another debutant, their most likely runner.
Charlie said: "He is a lovely athletic horse from the Land Rover Sales last year. He has been showing up well at home and we are looking to get him started."
Dunworley and Fortune Hunter, second and fourth to Joe Kidd at Lockinge, could do battle again, while Chabichou Dupoitou comes into the reckoning for Robert Waley-Cohen following her second at Dingley.
Gates open at 12 noon and there will be a parade of hounds between races three and four, together with trade stands and children's attractions.
TOM Ellis is on the brink of breaking his own record for the number of winners in a season as he prepares for the Warwickshire meeting at his home track Mollington, near Banbury, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1 (2pm).
The four-time champion trainer has already racked up 60 winners in another phenomenal campaign for his Marton stables, near Rugby. With entries at Godstone and Dingley at the weekend, he could surpass last season's tally of 62 before he arrives at Mollington.
But he admitted he would like nothing better than to rewrite the record books on home territory. "It would be lovely," he said. "It's my home track. We will have plenty of runners before that day, but it would be nice to do it there."
With clerk of the course Fred Hutsby reporting the going on Tuesday to be Good to Soft, Good in places, the seven-race card has attracted 72 entries. He said: "We had a lot of rain yesterday, but it is going to dry out all week and I think it will be absolutely perfect ground. There is a lovely covering of grass."
Ellis has two contenders in the Ray Randerson Carpets Mixed Open, which has attracted a strong line-up with eight of the nine entries last time out winners.
However, he may aim the unbeaten Fairly Famous at Cheltenham's hunter chase meeting on May 5, while Champagne Noir, who is undefeated in his three completed British pointing starts, has an alternative engagement at Godstone. Ellis said: "Fairly Famous has had some nice opportunities and it would definitely be his toughest task. Champagne Noir would go where the ground is better. They are both in good form."
Alan Hill believes the course will suit his High Easter winner Getting Closer. The Aston Rowant trainer said: "He loves an uphill finish and that is why Mollington has been chosen. He is very consistent, but it's a competitive race."
Top rated is Ragnar Lodbrok, winner of four of his six starts this term for Newmarket trainer Jenny Owen, while Thegallantway has also been on a roll for Jenny Gordon as has David Kemp's Ballinagore.
ITV Racing pundit Luke Harvey could step Notre Pari back up in trip after his easy Paxford win, while Janika was handed victory in a Fakenham hunter chase by Rebel Dawn Rising's last-fence exit.
Francesca and Charlie Poste are keen to run Hung Jury in the F. N. Pile PPORA Club Members Conditions (Level 3) Veteran & Novice Riders Race as they seek to support Amber Jackson-Fennell in her quest for the Ladies Novice Championship. Jackson-Fennell, who leads Molly Landau by one with Ellie Holder two further back in third, was aboard the eight-year-old when he won at Sandon earlier this month.
Ettington-based Charlie said: "Amber did a great job on him. The step back up to three miles will suit him and with the staying track he should come home well."
Holder is set to take the mount on the Ellis-trained Killinkere, who finished third to Ballinagore at Higham.
The Marton maestro said: "He was not beaten far last time, so I am happy enough with him."
Touch Tight, who is seeking a hat-trick for Phil York, and Kimble third Cobra de Mai are others with claims.
Killinkere is also entered in the HFN Landscapes Conditions (Level 2) Race over 2m 4f, but with Ellis favouring the veteran and novice riders' race, this could revolve around three placed horses from Paxford. A neck separated Keep Moving and The Wonky Tonk when they claimed the minor honours behind Notre Pari and they could renew rivalry along with the fourth, Trojan Star.
With just three entries - and two of those from Ellis's yard - the Butler Sherborn Warwickshire Hunt Members, Subscribers & Farmers Race looks set to be a match.
Ellis intends to run Master Templar, winner of seven of his 10 starts for owner Jenny Hayward, rather than 2019 winner Pass The Glass. "It has been the plan for some time," he said. "Jenny is a longstanding Warwickshire Hunt member and was a field master as well."
The Postes are set to provide the lone opponent in Largy Mountain, a close third to Champagne Noir at Eyton-on-Severn last time out for owners Kim and Valerie Cockburn. Charlie said: "Kim was a Warwickshire master and they have hunted with the Warwickshire throughout their lives, so the race means a lot to them."
Raven's Tower could bid to repeat last year's win in the Retraining of Racehorses & Jockey Club Veteran Horse Conditions (Level 2) Race. Ben Pauling's 13-year-old has won both his starts this term in good style under Megan Fox.
Hill and owner Nick Sutton will decide later this week whether to run Diplomate Sivola or wait for the four-mile race at Cheltenham's hunter chase meeting. The 10-year-old returned to form when second at High Easter, with A Toi Phil, who could reoppose, six lengths back in third. Hill said: "The positive is that the horse that beat him last time, Clara Sorrento, went and won a good open last weekend."
Ellis could saddle Pass The Glass, a close second to Diamond Fort at Kimble. "Obviously, he ran well last time and seems in good form at home," he said.
Ground conditions will determine whether Hill runs Da Boy Charlie, who prefers a sound surface, or Highland Glory in the Sir James Shuckburgh Restricted over 2m 4f. Da Boy Charlie was fifth last time out and Hill said: "I thought I had placed him well by taking him to Higham on good to firm ground, but it was too sharp a track and it caught him out."
Highland Glory, meanwhile, enjoys cut in the ground. Although no match for A Jet of Our Own at Chaddesley Corbett, the trainer commented: "She got beat by a very good horse but ran a good enough race."
The Postes will weigh up their options with easy Chaddesley Corbett winner In Our Dreams.
Charlie said: "He was very impressive. It was a weak race that fell apart, but he could do no more than keep galloping. In the right kind of restricted he should go close."
David Kemp's Higham winner Back It Up and Mister Splash, who got off the mark for Ed Turner at High Easter, are others to consider.
Ellis is set to rely on the unraced Mimas Moon from his three entries in the Newbury Commercial Glazing PPORA Club Members Maiden over 2m 4f. "He goes well at home and jumps very nicely," he said. "He would not mind cut in the ground."
The Postes are also triple-handed with Kneel Diamond, another debutant, their most likely runner.
Charlie said: "He is a lovely athletic horse from the Land Rover Sales last year. He has been showing up well at home and we are looking to get him started."
Dunworley and Fortune Hunter, second and fourth to Joe Kidd at Lockinge, could do battle again, while Chabichou Dupoitou comes into the reckoning for Robert Waley-Cohen following her second at Dingley.
Gates open at 12 noon and there will be a parade of hounds between races three and four, together with trade stands and children's attractions.
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